Recent headlines from regional Newsquest titles

Literary legends back fight to save libraries 9:37am Tuesday 27th December 2005
From Bucks Free Press
TWO world-famous authors have slammed a decision to close "essential" public libraries.

Top marks for budding policewoman 9:16am Tuesday 27th December 2005
From Hillingdon Times
A POLICE Community Support Officer from Ruislip has come top of her degree class.

‘Appalling’ – party cancelled as council ‘forgets’ to renew licence 11:07am Monday 26th December 2005
From Ealing Times
TAXPAYERS will have to shell out £10,000 after blundering officials at Ealing Council forgot to get their drinks licence in on time.

Three stars for council 12:14pm Sunday 25th December 2005
From Croydon Guardian
After being told to take immediate action in March to remedy a "serious financial situation" Croydon Council has been rated one of the best authorities in London.

Yob kids fined 2:36pm Friday 23rd December 2005
From Borehamwood Times
Trouble-making youths who target Borehamwood's skate park are being given on-the-spot fines of up to £100 for committing anti-social behaviour offences.

Building success in a box 2:32pm Friday 23rd December 2005
From Epsom Guardian
A builder from Tadworth has won £20,000 in a national competition for ousting a rival from a perspex box suspended above shoppers in Covent Garden Market.

Quit for good 2:30pm Friday 23rd December 2005
From Sutton Guardian
With the onset of a new year, Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust is urging smokers to ditch their cigarettes and start getting fit instead.

Out with the old: police stations could be replaced 12:17pm Friday 23rd December 2005
From Crouch End Times
Plans to close police stations in Muswell Hill, Hornsey and Tottenham have been met with concern.

Man killed in A3 hit and run collision 12:13pm Friday 23rd December 2005
From Kingston Guardian
A workman was killed by a hit and run driver as he carried out road works in the early hours of the morning.

A star is born 11:51am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Enfield Independent
Enfield's Andy Abraham is looking to the future after narrowly missing out on X Factor glory on Saturday.

Body found in ditch identified 11:22am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Watford Observer
THE body of a man found alight in a ditch in Aldenham with multiple stab wounds has been identified.

Faith plan at Feltham unit 9:25am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Hounslow Guardian
A ground breaking initiative aimed at reducing reoffending among young criminals has been set up at Feltham Young Offenders Institute.

Shock at ‘frenzied’ attack 9:10am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Staines Guardian
The brutal assault of a young woman in a churchyard in Egham was carried out with a claw hammer and may have been sexually motivated, police have revealed.

Tsunami village changes its name to Hampton 9:22am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Richmond and Twickenham Times
HAMPTON village in Sri Lanka, which has been rebuilt and renamed in the past year following its total devastation in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster, will be officially opened on Monday in a ceremony with Twickenham's MP.

Avoiding the sting in the sales 9:13am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Wimbledon Guardian
The British are a strange lot. After a month of over-indulgence, decadence and downright consumerism, they can think of nothing better to do than head to the high street for a month of you guessed it over-indulgence, decadence and downright consumerism.

Call for more cabbies 12:40pm Friday 23rd December 2005
From Tottenham Independent
A new campaign to encourage people from ethnic minorities to become black cab drivers has been launched by the Mayor of London.

Cabinet Olympics row 11:54am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Harrow Times
HARROW Council have set up an Olympics Taskforce' to smooth the way for 2012, but the Conservative Group have complained of being "gagged" in their complaints about the cost of the games.

Man wins libel claim 10:47am Friday 23rd December 2005
From Asian Image
A Muslim man in London accepted undisclosed libel damages from a newspaper which accused him of being a fanatical terrorist warlord.

Kissing under the dung twig 12:14pm Thursday 22nd December 2005
From Barnet Times
If you are looking for a Christmas kiss with the object of your affection this year, it might be worth arranging to meet them in Mill Hill.