Gloucestershire Echo, The

A POLICEMAN who has served the Gloucestershire community for 30 years will spend his last day with the force tomorrow. Inspector David Collicott joined on September 3, 1979 and has served Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.

Top Lots in Charity Sale

A CHARITY auction to support one of the mayor of Cheltenham's charities is being held this week. Cheltenham Samaritans is holding an Auction of Promises on Friday to help fund research and support for people suffering emotional distress.

District's Standing Tough On Economy

ECONOMIC experts have said that the Cotswold economy is the most "resilient" in the UK as part of a new study. The research by ekosgen looked at the performance of the South West's 37 local authority areas in developing the region's first Index of Economic Resilience.

Laura Counts Cost of Inferno at Home ; but Relief As Cats Are Unscathed

LAURA Berry spent yesterday looking through the remnants of her fire-damaged home after being told it will have to be rebuilt. But the 35-year-old's main reaction was relief that she was not inside during the early morning blaze and her four cats managed to escape.

Death Crash - Man Arrested

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving after a woman was killed in a road collision in the Cotswolds. The 55-year-old woman, from Derbyshire, was riding pillion on a red Harley Davidson motorcycle when it hit a red Vauxhall Combo van in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Police Seek Crash Driver

A MOTORIST who ploughed into a parked car and drove off is being hunted by police. Serious damage was inflicted on a black Renault Megane, which was parked in The Burgage, Prestbury, between noon and 2pm on Sunday.

Committee Turns Down Sex Club Bid

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a sex club in Gloucester were thrown out last night. The plans were rejected by Gloucester City Council's planning committee, which received 42 late objections from residents living near the proposed site.

Tewkesbury What's On

TODAY Tewkesbury Market, Spring Gardens car park, 10am-4pm. Tewkesbury AC Running Club, mixed ability session, rugby club, 6.45pm. TOMORROW 90th anniversary of WI in Gloucestershire exhibition, today until Sunday, Tewkesbury Abbey. Free advice on family and local history, Tewkesbury Library, 2.30pm-4.30pm, sponsored by Tewkesbury School.

Wartime Trip Gave Gordon a New Life ; Anniversary Brings Back Memories

GORDON Baker can hardly believe it is 70 years since the start of the Second World War. Those old enough to remember Britain declaring war on Germany, on September 3, 1939, have vivid recollections of that time and Mr Baker is no different.

Hundreds Take Steps to Join Tower Tour

THE chance to climb up Tewkesbury Abbey's tower was too good to miss for dozens of people. Officials gave the public a rare chance to climb up its 206 steps, as part of a garden party on the Abbey House lawns.

Club Aims to Smash Fund Target

A SPORTS club in Cheltenham is getting behind Macmillan Cancer Support. The East Glos Club, in Old Bath Road, is hoping to raise a record amount of money for the charity at its own World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

Get Guide to the Wild Side

A FREE guide to Gloucestershire's nature reserves has been published. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has produced it as part of Wildlife News. It includes maps of the nature reserves owned or managed by the Trust, as well as those of neighbouring trusts.