Harry Redknapp laughed off speculation linking him with the vacant manager's job at Wolves as he prepared for Pompey's trip to Aston Villa. Redknapp is believed to be the top target to take over from Dave Jones at Molineux, with chief executive Jez Moxey
CONCERN is growing over delayed plans for a £40m rail freight upgrade between Southampton's docks and the Midlands. Britain's business chief, Digby Jones, is the latest prominent public figure to express frustration at the sheer lack of progress. The
CHURCH officials have announced a £1million scheme to replace North Baddesley's All Saints' Church - half a century after the original one was built. The aim behind the new church at Rownhams Road is to enhance community spirit and make it easier for
Southampton's Mayflower theatre will be proudly hosting Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat featuring Darren Day this week. Darren is leaving behind all memories of the jungle after his stint on the first series of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out
A VAST Las Vegas-style casino could be on the cards for Southampton. The Daily Echo can reveal talks have taken place between Las Vegas-based gambling and hotel group Ameristar and city bosses to build a giant 'resort-style' casino at the West Quay Stage
IT seemed an innocuous comment about an election several thousand miles away. However, Romsey MP Sandra Gidley has enraged Americans with her Internet statements about George Bush's re-election to the White House. The Lib Dem spokesman for older people
TWO sweet-talking women conned a Bursledon pensioner out of £440 after arriving on her doorstep with a bunch of flowers. After conning their way into the 79-year-old's Manor Crescent home, one thief kept the victim talking while the other stole her pension
KING of the jungle Phil 'The Cat' Tufnell bowled over staff and passengers when he swung into Southampton Airport. The former England Test cricketer turned TV star was batting for British Airways as it launched a sixth flight to Manchester from Southamp-ton
TWO major planning applications submitted to Test Valley Borough Council are seeking to build more than 3,500 homes in Andover. The outline applications, if granted, would meet the town's status as one of Hampshire's Major Develo-pment Areas (MDA) up
AN Andover resident is so incensed by his new car being vandalised he has offered a £100 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of those responsible. The car, a top-of-the- range, 2.0 litre Ford Focus Ghia, was bought by Kevin
FEARS that soldiers returning home to Tidworth from Iraq might let off steam after more than six months of intensive pressure on tour have so far failed to materialise. In fact the soldiers have won a plaudit from a local police officer for their impeccable
THE Manfreds are coming to the newly-refurbished Brook in Portswood, Southampton tomorrow. The group, who clocked up hits such as 5-4-3-2-1, Mighty Quinn and Do Waj Diddy Diddy under the moniker Manfred Mann, will be playing at the venue for the first
WHEN Cherryfalls signed to Island Records at the beginning of last year they had only performed three gigs and still didn't have a name. Since then they have released three singles - For All My Sins, Standing Watching and In Your Arms Again - as well
SINGER/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Rufus Wainwright comes to Southampton Guildhall on Sunday. It's the first time the Canadian singer has toured the country with his band. He will be performing material from his critically acclaimed album, Want One
HAMPSHIRE pensioner Don Scott could not afford a cruise on QM2, so he spent seven months making his own motorised model of the luxury ship. The retired musician built the model, which is 200 times smaller than the real thing, out of 7,000 wooden parts
EMOTIONALLY scarred Bobby Morrow (Colin Farrell), who was orphaned at an early age, moves to swinging 80s New York to live with his gay friend Jonathan (Dallas Roberts), in a cramped flat with Jonathan's vivacious room-mate Clare (Robin Wright Penn).
HOUSE-BUYERS wanting a rural idyll where they can escape from the everyday rat race can head to north Hampshire for some peace and quiet. Foyswell has an idyllic setting on the Stratfield Saye Estate, on the Hampshire/Berkshire border, and is reputed
OMORROW, (6th), kick-off 2.30pm at The Sports Centre, Romsey have to replay last week's game against Old Emanuel. The referee decided to invoke the uncontested scrummage regulation after 33 minutes of the second half when Romsey were leading 16-10. At
EEF South, the regional engineering employers' association, is playing a leading role in a far-reaching workforce pooling initiative that could help solve skilled labour shortages in the south's marine sector. During the past nine months, a pioneering
Gosport & Fareham once again put their trust in a mixture of youth and experience as they carry the county flag into the third round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup into West Sussex. They meet London Division Three South-East challengers Chichester
NEW Year congestion is on its way to Wellow as highway bosses continue their efforts to fit more safety measures on to the accident-wracked A36 and carry out resurfacing at the same time. The trunk road linking Southampton with much of the West and Wales
ROMSEY shoppers have been dealt a severe pre-Christmas blow after Aldi announced its new town store would not now open until February. Traders had hoped the German retail giant's would open in the run-up to the festive season - helping to bring in more
A WINCHESTER City footballer is recovering after being punched in the face during a fracas on the pitch. Skipper Lloyd Webber was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries after being hit in the mouth as tempers flared during a league clash at Wimborne
FURIOUS heritage campaigners have attacked the city council for giving itself permission to erect two "appalling" metal signposts. The council had a policy against shops and restaurant putting out advertising boards but has itself erected the huge signs
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a £3.6m plan to protect two New Forest towns that have suffered some of the worst flooding in the region. The Environment Agency has unveiled long-awaited proposals to safeguard Ringwood and Fording-bridge following a series
WHY not do more than just wear your poppy with pride this year? RAODS are offering a timely reminder of the tragedies of war with their latest show. Dipping into the history of the First World War and mixing in popular songs of the day, with all the humour
PUPILS were going bananas at the launch of a free fruit in schools scheme that aims to tackle the problem of childhood obesity. Hampshire Cricket's opening batsman James Adams joined the four to six-year-old pupils for the event at Marchwood Infant School
HE'S UNDERGONE major heart surgery - but that won't stop Hampshire man Tony Hales from pounding the streets of New York for charity. The 58-year-old is taking part in the city's world-famous 26-mile marathon to raise cash for the Southampton Samaritans
DIRECTORS and middle managers at Hampshire DIY giant B&Q are among 70 staff facing a miserable Christmas after being axed, the company has revealed. About 100 staff at the firm's Chandler's Ford split-site headquarters are on a list from which 70
MORE than 150 specially invited guests to Leckford Estate heard how combining the demands of farming for profit and caring for the environment could be met without threatening either objective. Leckford has become the country's 46th Leaf demonstration
HEALTH chief Barbara North has denied Andover War Memorial Hospital is the 'milch cow' of Winchester as she defended the introduction of car parking charges. She was responding to a question from Mr John Barrell at Andover Councillors' Forum on Monday
THE Turner Sims Concert Hall in Highfield, Southampton, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with world music treat. Among the line-up for this special season is a one-off concert, featuring two of world music's biggest stars. On Sunday the venue will
CATFISH Keith's innovative style of foot-stomping Delta blues and American roots music comes to the Ashcroft Arts Centre in Fareham tomorrow. The concert will showcase Catfish originals as well as his takes on early blues masters such as Mississippi Fred
LUDGERSHALL will not be losing its post office after all - but it will be moving home. When Ludgershall's new post office opens its doors next to Allan Gardner's butchers shop in the centre of the village on 6 January it will be the third location for
TEENAGER Lisa Cook has taken the plunge in a fundraising marathon which she hopes will help to rescue a Fair Oak haven for animals. Animal lover Lisa, 18, has set herself a target to swim 11 miles in about four weeks during one hour evening sessions at
A PROJECT to restore a pair of unique turbines which once powered a Bishopstoke mill has moved a step forward - thanks to the Daily Echo and willing volunteers. Last month Bishopstoke Parish Council announced it was spearheading a fresh attempt to get
FORD'S farmers' favourite, the Ranger, is now being pitched at the lucrative lifestyle market. Once regarded as an industrial workhorse for builders and the like, the Blue Oval is hoping its beefy Ranger pick-up will be attractive to those partaking in
BRITISH Olympic squad member Robert Tobin and double decathlon world champion Andy Waddington were among the successful athletes recognised at Basingstoke and Mid-Hants AC's annual awards night. Tobin, who broke the club 400 metres record several times
HOW about this for a sweet idea? French Canadian ex-pat Terry Arsenault has set-up a fudge-making firm - and it's based in his kitchen! Using a special recipe handed down by his grandmother, Mr Arsenault has launched the Acadian Fudge Company from his
A VICTORIA-STYLE house from the Bryant Homes portfolio is being sold by the Hook village office of estate agents Mackenzie Smith. The four-bedroomed house is on the market for £329,950 and is in the cul-de-sac setting of John Morgan Close in Hook. A feature
TOMORROW, (6th), kick-off 2.30pm at The Sports Centre, Romsey have to replay last week's game against Old Emanuel. The referee decided to invoke the uncontested scrummage regulation after 33 minutes of the second half when Romsey were leading 16-10. At
TWO teenage riders from the Romsey area were successful in a recent Search for a Star dressage competition. Fourteen-year-old Ellie Osmond, from Whiteparish, and Kirsty Johnson, a 16-year-old from Landford, won their respective classes in the event at
CONSIDERING the wet weather the Bengers Lane pitch was in superb condition, thanks to groundsmen Dave Lawrence and Russell Cox. Lyndhurst were the visitors and both sides provided an entertaining match with the hosts just shading victory thanks to a goal
Newcastle Vipers 2, Basingstoke Bison 5 DOUG Sheppard scored his second hat-trick of the season, as the Basingstoke Bison proved their bouncebackability with victory in Newcastle - reversing the scoreline from their loss at home to Coventry the previous
Paul 'Deadly Dossie' Doswell is hoping to deliver two knockout blows in the next couple of days. Before his Eastleigh side attempt to pack a punch against St Albans City in the FA Trophy at the Sparshatts Stadium tomorrow, he will be donning his boxing
THERE will be no grey clouds hanging over Winchester City's squad for their Hampshire Senior Cup trip to the Channel Islands tomorrow - despite Tuesday's unexpected 3-2 league defeat at Wimborne Town. Having won a dozen games in succession, the FA Vase
Winchester City skipper Lloyd Webber faces major dental treatment after being punched in the mouth during a firework finale to Tuesday's 3-2 Sydenhams Wessex League defeat at Wimborne Town. Tempers flared when City defender Toby Redwood was sent off for
England assistant coach Matthew Maynard has challenged Dimitri Mascarenhas and Chris Tremlett to play themselves into World Cup 2007 contention in Hong Kong this weekend. Glamorgan veteran Maynard, 38, will be captaining England in his sixth Hong Kong
Robin Smith, the man of the tournament when England retained the Hong Kong Sixes title a decade ago, has advised Dimitri Mascarenhas and Chris Tremlett to enjoy the weekend - on and off the field. Former Hampshire captain Smith helped England win the
BUFFY'S back - but this time Scooby is nowhere in sight. Sarah Michelle Gellar leads this remake playing an American nurse living and working in Tokyo, who is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse. This curse locks a person in a powerful rage before
SEQUEL to the successful 2001 comedy Bridget Jones's Diary, which picks up where the first left off, with the unlucky-in-love Bridget finding that life with Mark Darcy is not as perfect as she'd hoped.
YOU KNOW you're doing something right when you get the religious groups in America all wound up. This is something Billy Bob Thornton achieved with interest last Christmas in the US with this depiction of the worst department store Santa ever. And yes
Today's Principal Arrivals: Liberty, vehicle, 0230, 34/35; CMA CGM Balzac, container, 0500, 206; Breant, roro, 0530, 30; Cervantes, roro, 0700, 105; Autofreighter, roro, 0730, 201; Triton Highway, roro, 0800, 202; Global Spirit, roro, am, 40; Bungu Raya
YOBS left a trail of damage at North Baddesley Junior School at Fleming Avenue during Monday evening. Wooden and concrete benches were thrown into the school pond and a shed filled with toys was trashed. Netball posts were thrown about and litter bins
ROYAL Mail officials have denied Romsey Post Office is heading for the chop in a nationwide review of high street branches. The Post Office's chief executive David Mills confirmed he is writing to every MP in the country to reassure them about the long-term
Romsey's Council offices are no longer in any danger of closure following a crucial meeting of the borough's top brass this week. Earlier this year councillors commissioned a report on the feasibility of closing Duttons Road and relocating many of its
ARMED raiders held a Ringwood man hostage in his own bedroom while they burgled his home in a terrifying broad daylight attack on Tuesday afternoon. The man, aged in his late 40s, was at home in Bishops Court between 1pm and 1.30pm when there was a knock
ONE in 25 employees have walked out of new jobs because of poor induction, according to research. More than 5,700 people were asked by recruitment site reed.co.uk about their own induction experiences. The results revealed that too many employers forget
THIS is the vision for a city precinct - dominated by a giant paved S for Shirley. As work continues on the multi-million-pound shopping parade revamp in Shirley High Street, the Daily Echo can reveal the first artist's impression of the completed development
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a £3.6m plan to protect two New Forest towns that have suffered some of the worst flooding in the region. The Environment Agency has unveiled long-awaited proposals to safeguard Ringwood and Fording-bridge following a series
A MAJOR cleanliness blitz has swung into action at Southampton General, the Royal South Hants and Princess Anne hospitals this week to encourage staff, patients and visitors to do their bit. The move comes after figures showed cases of potentially fatal
TELEVISION scientist Lord Robert Winston was among hundreds of graduates to be presented with a degree certificate from Southampton Institute. The internationally renowned professor of fertility studies at Imperial College, London, was made a Doctor of
Test Valley's Dog and Neighbour-hood Wardens have received a spate of complaints about dog mess and stray dogs - with the arrival of darker evenings. Residents have been complaining about the state of the green between Andover's Pilgrims Way and River
BEN Walton - who runs Ben's dry cleaners in Union Street - will be working flat out for Children in Need. He plans to become Andover's very own Ironer on the Roof of Andover Guildhall. He will be clambering onto a flat section of the Guildhall from 10am
SOME members of staff at Andover War Memorial Hospital could boycott the new car parking charges when they come into force on 1 January. Staff representative Susan Turner said although there was no organised boycott planned, a number of staff have declared
FUN was had the family way in Andover as parents joined children to get into the spirit of Family Learning Week 2004. A range of activities took place across the town from balloon buggy making and marble mazes to drum banging workshops. Schools invited
SHE entered the charts in 1964 aged just 15, but Lulu is still going strong. As the only British female solo artist to appear in the charts for five decades in a row, Lulu is worthy of the legendary status that she has gained over her ever-expanding career
A NEW affordable housing scheme in Goodworth Clatford was officially opened by Mrs Mary Fagan, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, during a ceremony on Monday. The opening comes after seven years of planning by parish councillors and members of Hampshire
ANDOVER detectives are looking for witnesses after a pregnant woman was viciously assaulted during an unprovoked attack following a domestic dispute. The incident happened on Monday 25 October between 5.30pm and 6.30pm when a man was seen attacking the
SOUTHAMPTON Jazz Club's planned gig for Tuesday, featuring John Colianni, has been cancelled. But jazz fans shouldn't be disappointed as they've got another great show on instead - In Honour of Bird and Trane. This new quintet brings together two legends
LITTER louts beware. A team of enforcers with the power to slap on-the-spot fines on litter-dropping offenders has hit the streets of Fareham. From now on, they will be taking a zero tolerance approach in the fight against grime. Anyone caught dropping
BASINGSTOKE Town turn their attention to the FA Trophy tomorrow, with a tricky-looking trip to Ryman League premier outfit Windsor and Eton. In recent years, Town have not had a good record against lower division opposition, and that was proved once again
HUNDREDS of civil servants across Hampshire were expected to walk out today after voting for industrial action over government plans to axe more than 100,000 jobs nationwide. The one-day strike, the biggest in a decade, was called by Britain's largest
HE has been the driving force behind one of the most successful ports in Britain. Now Andrew Kent the port director at Associated British Ports in Southampton, is to stand down. Mr Kent, 56, has spent more than 15 years running the thriving port, which
THE great and good of Southampton turned out to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the naming of the tug Calshot. The ceremony was held at the Queen Elizabeth II passenger terminal where dignitaries wished the vessel well as it set a course for the future
STEVE WIGLEY is in confident mood as he enters perhaps the defining month in Saints' season. The club has been buoyed by the 2-2 draw at champions Arsenal last Saturday and received a major boost this week by the return of a number of senior players.
Steve Wigley can sense a feel-good factor at Saints after the draw at Arsenal - and the sight of so many of his senior players returning from injury. Matt Oakley came through his first 45 minutes for over a year this week while James Beattie, Peter Crouch
BISON players are battling for their Basingstoke careers this weekend as general manager and head coach Mark Bernard looks to bring in new blood. The Bison boss is set to make a couple of changes to the Herd - but he will not be rushed into any hasty
ACCORDING to the Bible, evil begets evil. This notion, that from bad seeds blossom poisoned fruit, is at the core of the American remake of Takashi Shimizu's cult horror Ju-On: The Grudge. Interestingly, rather than transplant the original story to some
NICOLE Kidman would probably rather forget this year's Venice Film Festival where her controversial new feature, the metaphysical love story Birth, received its world premiere. Firstly, a number of critics voiced their disapproval during a packed press
CHRISTMAS is traditionally a time of giving. Eccentric indie filmmaker Terry Zwigoff, who made Crumb and Ghost World, has an early festive present for you here that won't be forgotten in a hurry. Bad Santa guzzles down the spirit of Christmas by the bottle
Films showing in the Hampshire region until 11th November. ALFIE (15): Jude Law steps into the role made famous by Michael Caine, playing a philandering chauffeur who finds himself in trouble when one of his conquests falls pregnant. ALIEN VS PREDATOR
A TEENAGE chef is savouring success after passing a three-year culinary scholarship with distinction - and landing himself a full-time job. Peter Jackson, 19, who is now a commis chef at Tylney Hall country house hotel in Rotherwick, fulfilled a lifetime
