• IT WAS predicted that Southampton would be at the forefront of the battle against cancer after plans for a world-class research centre were approved.

Planning permission for the new Centre for Cancer Immunology, which would be the first of its kind in the country, was officially granted by the city council.

The University of Southampton said that work on building the £25million centre at the city's general hospital would begin “as soon as possible”, and it could open its doors in 2017.

  • SPITFIRES returned to the skies above Southampton as flypasts were held to mark the iconic fighter plane's 80th anniversary.

Residents were treated to two separate flypasts as airport chiefs and museum bosses both held events to mark the first test flight in March 1936.

Crowds packed the waterfront and coast to watch the legendary aircraft in flight.

  • FALKLANDS veteran Simon Weston opened a new home in Southampton for men and women who have served their country.

Simon Weston House, in Waterloo Road, provides accommodation for homeless veterans.

It was set up by Care After Combat, a charity started by Hampshire-based comedian Jim Davidson, to help ex-service personnel who have been to prison.

It helps them avoid re-offending and aids them with their rehabilitation needs.

  • CHANCELLOR George Osborne pledged £2million towards a specialist children's A&E department in Southampton in a victory for the Daily Echo's Say Yes George campaign.

Mr Osborne promised to give Southampton General Hospital the cash towards a £4.8million children's A&E and trauma unit in his Budget.

Plans for the unit were hatched by Hampshire-based actors Sarah Parish and James Murray after previously raising hundreds of thousands of pounds following the death of their baby daughter Ella-Jayne from a congenital heart defect in 2009.

  • POLICE officers carrying out a drugs raid at a building in Southampton made a rather unusual discovery - five young kittens.

A police spokesman said: "We carried out a drugs warrant in an empty building on Derby Road and found something a little unexpected.

"Instead of finding any drugs or criminal activity our Neighbourhood Policing Team discovered some kittens.

They are several days old and appear to have been abandoned by their mother, they would likely have died if they hadn't been rescued." 

  • A HAMPSHIRE councillor who kept his seat after taking a £180,000-a-year job in Saudi Arabia resigned, claiming the role became “more demanding”.

Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Whittle pocketed his allowances at Fareham Borough Council despite living 4,000 miles away and working for the Saudi government.

He quit with immediate effect after months of pressure from political rivals.

Rivals, including Conservative council boss Sean Woodward, turned on Mr Whittle in August 2014, telling residents he should be in Fareham East, not the Middle East.

  • POLICE closed the Shield and Dagger pub in Shirley, Southampton, after a brawl left a man unconscious.

Its licence was suspended after police said its management was linked to allegations of "serious criminal offences".

The pub's licence was already under review after 20 reported incidents of violence and "sexual entertainment" prompted senior officers to appeal to councillors to take action.