Other News In Brief

Dorset Hotel Damaged In Fire

A large hotel in Dorset has been seriously damaged in a fire overnight. Gresham Court Hotel in Gervis Road in Bournemouth was undergoing refurbishment so was empty at the time. There were no reported injuries, but several neighbouring hotels were evacuated after the blaze broke out in the roof space and upper floor of the building.

Police Officer Dies In Crash

A police officer has died after his car struck a tree in Alresford Road, near Winchester. Pc James Drew, a Hampshire Police officer, was found seriously injured in his car by a resident at the house. The 27-year-old was cut free from his Skoda Octavia and taken to hospital where he later died. The cause of the crash is not yet known. No other vehicle was involved.

Maxwell Urges Firms To Reduce Fuel Prices

Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell today urged energy companies to follow Scottish Gas's suit and reduce prices now. Mr Maxwell said: "The news that Scottish Gas is reducing its prices is to be welcomed, and I would urge other energy companies to follow suit and reduce prices now. It's a scandal that Scotland's vulnerable citizens are suffering as a result of rocketing fuel bills." Minister Maxwell said the Scottish Government is doing all it can to help pensioners and others who are fuel poor. The government are investing a further £10m this winter in the Central Heating Programme, bringing total investment this year in fuel poverty programmes to £54.1 m.

Drainage Works Begin

Work to improve drainage along the A2 at Boughton near Canterbury in Kent is set to start on Saturday 24 January and is expected to be completed by the end of March. The work, to provide effective drainage of the embankment next to the coastbound carriageway of the A2 between Boughton Street and Dunkirk, will improve how water drains away from the road. There will be narrow lanes in place on the coastbound carriageway of the A2 at Boughton throughout the work, with a 50 mph speed limit to ensure the safety of road users and the workforce. There will also be overnight lane closures between 8pm and 6am. All traffic management, including the reduce speed limit, will be removed once work is completed.

Holy Trinity School Admissions Increased

The Office of the Schools Adjudicator has published a decision on a request by the Governing Body to increase the admission number of Holy Trinity CE Primary School from 30 to 60 or September 2009. The adjudicator, Dr Elizabeth Passmore, after taking into account all the information currently available, the support for the variation and the potential longer term positive effect of providing more places for pupils to attend their local schools, approved the variation. The proportion of open and foundation places will be maintained.

(JM/BMcC)