IT was a little extra sparkle to start the New Year. The Mayflower Theatre’s chief executive Michael Ockwell took a short break from the pantomime to draw the winning tickets for Wessex Heartbeat’s Grand Prize Draw. The charity’s supporters
SOUTHAMPTON’S state-of-the- art £140m marine research centre will open its doors within seven months. Construction work at the hub, a collaboration between marine giant Lloyd’s Register and the University of Southampton, will be completed in February
A TEENAGER is in hospital after taking a so-called legal high. The 16-year-old boy smoked a psycho-active substance known as White Widow, which he bought on the internet. At 12pm today, he was taken to Southampton General Hospital after he
THE mum of a teenage girl who died in a horror crash on the Isle of Wight has paid tribute to her “beautiful, funny and amazing little girl”. Kiri-Jade Hodgkinson died after the car she was travelling in was involved in a collision on the Mersley
A CAMPAIGN to prevent babies and infants dying prematurely has been launched in Hampshire. The Solent NHS Trust has launched the Safe Sleeping for Babies care programme, aimed at educating parents about the ways to reduce the risk of sudden infant
A MOTORCYCLIST who died in a crash has been named. Tim Barfoot, of Shakespeare Road, Eastleigh died at the scene after his bike was in collision with a silver BMW. The 41-year-old was riding a blue Suzuki GXSR motorcycle travelling on the B1277
A HAMPSHIRE hotel has today agreed to refund a deposit for a golden wedding anniversary to a local army veteran who cancelled the event after his wife died. Eric Clifton, 78, of Swanmore, had paid an initial deposit of £160 with a further payment
CHRISTMAS just would not be Christmas for me without joining dozens of others on a Christmas Eve pilgrimage to Winchester High Street to listen to the young musicians of the Hampshire Music Service. The performance of seasonally appropriate music
A NEW Year’s resolution to all those who are interested in politics, is to join the Liberal Democrats and make it the largest political party in this country, neatly placed between the Conservatives and Labour. As a member, you have the opportunity
WHO on earth would want to defect to the Liberal Democrats who: 1. Oppose a referendum on Europe. 2. Oppose renegotiation of the EU treaty. 3. Support the open door policy on immigration. 4. Promise free university education, which
I DON’T share the enthusiasm of your correspondent about Centenary Quay. The flats look like every other waterside redevelopment erected since the property frenzy ignited by New Labour. A quick trip to Bristol’s “riviera” redevelopments will show
SURELY the most important thing about Welborne now that it is becoming a reality is that it does not become a repeat of Whiteley? Have the ‘powers that be’ insisted that during the period of construction and, before any homes are sold/rented, that
WHAT wonderful news for the Hartley family (“Christmas joy for Hartley boys”, Daily Echo, December 24). I’m sure everyone is very happy to hear the news of their amazing recovery. I see Joshua regularly. He is a lovely polite young man, so
I’M fed up with people writing to this paper whinging about cyclists on the pavements. Roads are for motor vehicles so I want to know why do all these people keep moaning about cyclists? They cause no harm to pedestrians – you hear more about pedestrians
AS the year is over I’d just like to say a belated happy 125th anniversary to the Daily Echo. May you have at the very least another 125 years as a local newspaper. I particularly enjoy the heritage articles, pieces on local historic buildings
I WANT to take this opportunity to thank all of your readers who have continued to support the work of the NSPCC during the last 12 months. Without the backing of local people we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver our vital services which are so
Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo has been fined £40,000 and suspended for three games for his part in a touchline fracas at Newcastle on Saturday, December 14, the Football Association has announced. Saints drew 1-1 in Barclays Premier League action
Saints have refused to accept the refereeing chiefs' decision to rule out action against Mark Clattenburg after he was accused of verbally abusing midfielder Adam Lallana. Southampton are considering an appeal to the FA over the ruling by the Professional
ROYALTY will name a Hampshire firm’s newest vessel at the upcoming London Boat Show. Princess Anne will be at the Churchouse Boats stand to name its newest vessel at the annual event, which takes place from tomorrow until January 12. The Hampshire
THE new year appears to have begun with a concerted push by the Government to underscore its initiatives to boost the housing market. The Prime Minister’s sudden visit to Southampton to promote what the Government sees as the success of its Help
FORMER Saints star James Beattie has had his return to Hampshire delayed. Beattie was scheduled to take charge of Accrington Stanley in tomorrow's League 2 fixture at Portsmouth. But the game was this afternoon postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
SAINTS' complaint against Mark Clattenburg has been struck out by referees bosses. Saints wrote to the referees' governing body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) on New Year's Eve, objecting to referee Clattenburg's conduct
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has called for a communal effort to help eradicate diving from British football. Simulation has been back on the agenda in the Barclays Premier League after Chelsea's Oscar was booked for the offence having gone to ground
Danny Ings can fire himself into the England squad and Burnley back to the Barclays Premier League, according to former team-mate Jay Rodriguez. Saints striker Rodriguez is hoping to put one over hometown club Burnley in FA Cup third round action
A WOMAN has died from her injuries after a crash which claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl. Police confirmed the 67-year-old woman passed away today after suffering serious injury in the accident at Mersley Down, Isle of Wight, yesterday afternoon
Jay Rodriguez believes Southampton-born Danny Ings can follow him into the Premier League – and the England side. “I don’t see why not, he’s a great player with a great future,” said Rodriguez. Released by Saints as a schoolboy, 21 year-old
JAY Rodriguez has vowed not to celebrate if he scores against his former Burnley teammates. Saints’ leading scorer has already netted nine goals this season, including five in his last eight appearances. But he insists he will not celebrate
POLICE have seized a dog and made an arrest after a man was bitten on a Hampshire street. The seizure follows an incident in Gosport High Street last month, in which police had a report that someone was bitten by the dog. The victim, a man
RAM RAIDERS drove a car at the front of a Southampton newsagents today. Thieves wearing hoodies reversed a green Rover Metro into the front of the Martins store, in the Lordshill district centre bashing the shutters and damaging them enough so
Hamble's Dani King is the sole Olympic champion named in the Great Britain squad for the final round of the Track World Cup series. The Hampshire-born star, who won team pursuit gold at London 2012, leads an 11-rider squad to Guadalajara, Mexico announced
A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering his twin brother. Robert Cerqua, 31, appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court this morning accused of killing brother Christopher Cerqua on New Year's Eve. Mr Cerqua, of Langdown Road, Hythe
AN off-duty police officer desperately tried to save the life of an injured motorcyclist after a road crash in which he was thrown from his bike into a river. The man was pulled from the water by the officer and others arriving on the scene before
HAMPSHIRE residents left without power on Christmas Day will be given compensation. Energy company SSE has announced up to 5,850 residents who suffered power cuts for any amount of time on Christmas Day will be given compensation of £75. And
A HAMPSHIRE man has today appeared in court on charges of double manslaughter. Samuel Etherington is accused of killing Jasmine Allsop, 14, and Olivia Lewry, 16, in Ann's Hill Road, Gosport, in the early hours of November 3 last year. Etherington
Mark Clattenburg has been the subject of a complaint from Saints, who claim the referee verbally abused England midfielder Adam Lallana during their 2-1 defeat to Everton last Sunday. The referee is no stranger to controversy and here Echo Sport looks
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger is hoping Mark Clattenburg will referee tomorrow's FA Cup derby against Spurs - despite Saints complaining about the match official. Chelsea accused Clattenburg of racially abusing midfielder John Mikel Obi last season in
Saints assistant manager Jesus Perez says the club are fully focused on tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Burnley. Perez spoke to the press on the day it was revealed the club has complained to the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd board regarding an
We've closed our shop doors for what will probably be the final time. I can’t rule out another popup shop like the one we have been running in Winchester for the last couple of months but being back on the frontline has reminded me of all the many
6:44pm We're going to close down the live blog now, but don't forget you can still check the latest weather below, as well as the latest traffic and travel news to see if you're plans are going to be affected by the weather
DAVE Diaper can’t help but think Sholing would have got more respect had they lived beyond their means in the Southern League – and gone bust. The festive season brought its fair share of ‘Boatmen bashing’. Reigning Wessex champions Blackfield
Firefighters have tackled a fire at a Southampton home. Two fire engines are currently outside the detached property in Lordswood Road, Lordshill where the alarm was raised at around 7.40am. Firefighters are currently setting up fans to ventilate
Kelvin Davis is aware it’s a tough juggling act for Saints as they try and marry the desire for a good FA Cup run with their Premier League ambitions. Saints take on Burnley in the third round at St Mary’s tomorrow in a competition many fans feel
RICHARD Hill has heaped praise on his Eastleigh players and the club for "a fantastic 2013". As the new year begins, the Spitfires are sitting second in the Skrill Conference South - a far cry from this time last year when a 3-1 defeat at fellow
Kieran Trippier is relishing a St Mary’s meeting with old friend Jay Rodriguez when Burnley take on Saints in the FA Cup third round tomorrow. The high flying Clarets, who sit second in the Championship under the leadership of Sean Dyche following
FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a fire at a Hampshire home. The blaze is at a property in Lordswood Road, Southampton and crews from Totton, Bishop's Waltham and Romsey are attending after getting a call at 7.40am. Lordswood Road is currently blocked
SHE is the daughter of a Saints legend and is hoping to make her mark in the modelling industry. Jodie Case, the daughter of ex-captain Jimmy, has never modelled before but she has now been shortlisted for the finals of a top competition. The
MARK Clattenburg is certainly no stranger to controversies involving Saints. The club have reported the referee to the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd board after accusing him of abusive language towards Adam Lallana at Goodison Park last Sunday
HAMPSHIRE batsman Michael Carberry was out for a duck when England began their reply to Australia's 326 all out on the first day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney. The Ageas Bowl star - England's second leading runscorer in the series after former county
Hampshire and Southampton have today been put on a major flood alert. The city council has warned residents of the risks, and the Environment Agency has updated its flood warning map to show which areas have the highest chance of flooding.
A MAN will appear in court today charged with the murder of his twin brother in a New Year’s Eve brawl. Robert Cerqua was charged by murder squad detectives last night after spending almost 48 hours in custody where he was quizzed about the death
STAFF at a Hampshire hotel couldn’t believe their eyes when they went to clean one of its rooms – and discovered a live rooster strutting about. The bird had been left in a room at Southampton’s Travelodge by its forgetful owner – who it was reunited
FORMER Sholing skipper Kev Gibbens will be looking to break his old club’s unbeaten league record should tonight’s Sydenhams Premier showdown at Gang Warily beat the weather (7.45pm). Ex-Saint Gibbens has been appointed Blackfield & Langley
FOLLAND Sports boss Danny Bowers says his Sholing counterpart Dave Diaper should come clean and admit he is “buying” the Sydenhams Premier Division title. Although Bowers has the utmost respect for what chairman/team boss Diaper has built with
SHE was the “talented” and “bubbly” woman at the cutting edge of medical treatment in Southampton. Tributes have been paid to leading medical scientist Emma Hudson, who has died at the age of 42. Her funeral will take place today, when a cortege
CIVIC bosses in Southampton have put a key waterfront site up for sale. They hope a housing, leisure and business complex at Chapel Riverside will kick-start widespread redevelopment of the Itchen waterfront. The site – otherwise known as Town
Saints have accused referee Mark Clattenburg of ‘abusing and insulting’ Adam Lallana during the recent 2-1 defeat at Everton. The club has also requested that Clattenburg does not officiate any of their matches until the investigation is finished.
