M&T Awbridge suffered yet another 3-2 defeat on Saturday as they were bundled out of the Hants Intermediate Cup in extra-time by Portsmouth League pacesetters Co-op on Saturday. This was another match where M&T had scoring chances in abundance
DEREK Hack, virtually the last man standing at Whitchurch United, joked: "When I leave, I'll switch the light off behind me." But deep down he knows United's plight is no laughing matter with the north Hampshire club standing on the brink of closure after
THE third film in the series sees Wesley Snipes return as the day-walking vampire, Blade. When the Vampire Nation hatches a plan to frame Blade in a series of brutal killings, he must join forces with the Nightstalkers, a clan of human vampire hunters
STAFF at four of NatWest's branches in and around Southampton are celebrating their success in a national competition involving feedback from all-important customers. The branches at Woolston, Southampton London Road, Totton and Lyndhurst beat off strong
SOUTHAMPTON accountants HJS are reminding employers it can pay to get into the Christmas spirit because of new tax laws on parties. The taxman has said employers can provide an annual party up to the value of £150 per guest, without employees suffering
ISLE OF WIGHT angler Spenser Wright had an unbelievable session on legendary Monks Pool on the Isle of Wight. He broke the Island record for the biggest two fish recorded in 24 hours and also equalled the Island common record. Wright has had an unbelievable
PEST control officers are battling to wipe out a plague of rats in the children's playground at Romsey's War Memorial Park. Park-users first spotted the unwelcome rodents about a month ago and borough environment and health officials have been laying
PLANS to create a new primary school on the site of the current Romsey Junior School have been given the final green light by Hampshire County Council. The decision to merge Romsey Infant School and Junior School to create a 210- place primary school
PLANS to create a new primary school on the site of the current Romsey Junior School have been given the final green light by Hampshire County Council. The decision to merge Romsey Infant School and Junior School to create a 210- place primary school
SERVICES for the mentally ill in Winchester and Fareham have today been thrown into turmoil with the shock closure of a charity that funds vital training. The Winchester Alliance for Mental Health (WAMH) has today announced it will be going into liquidation
ATTEMPTS to ease the desperate shortage of nursing home beds in the New Forest have been given another major boost. The Engleburn Residential Care Home at New Milton is to treble its capacity after winning an 18-month planning battle. An application to
A PINT of lager and a pantomime please! That's the last orders cry at The Bent Brief in Southampton. This friendly local pub is the setting for a home-written, adults-only amateur panto with all proceeds going to The Macmillan Trust and the Wessex Cancer
JUST a few days to go before amateur dramatic performers across Hampshire learn the truth! The judging for the Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards 2004 has taken place and the nominations will be published in the Echo on Tuesday and repeated again in What's
A YOUNG boy lies motionless on the ground as another teenager kicks him viciously in the head. The blow is delivered with such force that the attacker's trainer falls off. He calmly picks up his shoe before walking off. This is just one of a sickening
PLACES at a nursery school in Southampton are to be boosted by more than 50 per cent, the Daily Echo can reveal. The radical expansion plans at Hardmooor Early Years Centre, which serves Swaythling and Bassett children, would see the number of places
FORMER flight sergeant Mike Parker believes that Southampton's elusive 'Wow' factor can be found in the city's historic connection with Britain's most famous fighter plane - the Spitfire. Mr Parker also believes that the city does not trumpet its connection
COUNCILLORS have given the green light to controversial plans for a fourth sex shop in Southampton. City licensing bosses took more than an hour to decide Hidden Desires should be allowed to sell graphic DVDs and videos alongside lingerie, clothing, marital
A LUDGERSHALL pair will be taking part in Santas on Motorbikes world record attempt on 19 December. Sam Regan and Colin Bulpitt will be riding a Honda Fireblade at the event at Rockingham International Race Circuit in Northampton when the organisers hope
ANDOVER police have launched a campaign to combat a rise in burglaries in the run-up to Christmas. But they are also asking householders to help by leaving their property secure. The move comes after a weekend which saw four homes in west Hampshire hit
ONE of the bands who defined the sound of the 80s are back on the road and coming to Southampton Guildhall this weekend. The Human League, comprising of Phil Oakey, Susanne Sulley and Joanne Catherall, had a huge influence on pop music during their heyday
THE Buzzcocks are such legends that it's almost impossible to believe that they are not only still going strong but are on tour and coming to a venue near you very soon. The band had several hits in the late 70s but will always be best known for Ever
A LUDGERSHALL pair will be taking part in Santas on Motorbikes world record attempt on 19 December. Sam Regan and Colin Bulpitt will be riding a Honda Fireblade at the event at Rockingham International Race Circuit in Northampton when the organisers hope
VASE holders Winchester City will keep faith with defender Toby Redwood as they continue their defence of the trophy at Thamesmead Town tomorrow - even though he could sit out virtually the rest of the season suspended. The 31-year-old launches into an
ANDOVER buzzed on Friday evening as the crowds poured onto the streets to celebrate the opening of the Time Ring in the High Street. The Time Ring festival was designed to mark the completion of the long-awaited upgrade of the lower High Street including
WHAT should have been just another day at school turned into something of a traumatic experience for five-year-old Oliver Hogg. He was at Balksbury Infants School when he decided to try on one of the school's chairs for size. Unfortunately he got his
Havant 5, Basingstoke Town 1 THE shattering effects of two difficult away fixtures within 48 hours was the reason behind Town's heaviest defeat in three months as manager Ernie Howe saw his side swept aside on the South Coast. After the rigours of Saturday's
DOZENS of youngsters were back at preschool today after a blaze had temporarily closed Whiteley Community Centre. More than 40 children from Whiteley Community Pre-School and Buttercups Nursery were among those evacuated from the building when fire broke
WEBBERS Land Rover this week signed a sponsorship deal with Basingstoke police. The New Road-based dealership showed its support for the local community by supplying the rural policing sector with a Defender vehicle. The force's Countrywatch unit specialises
ANDREW Lloyd Webber's sweeping Gothic musical, based on Gaston Leroux's novel, is the largest grossing stage production in the world. Since its debut in October 1986 at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, The Phantom of the Opera has played to more than
THE Polar Express, based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, is a colourful if rather twee fable about the magic of Christmas. Unfortunately, comparisons with The Incredibles, the festive season's other state-of-the-art computer animated
ANDREW 'Large' Largeman (Zach Braff) moved 3,000 miles across the country to sunny LA to pursue his dreams of stardom and to escape his domineering psychiatrist father, Gideon (Ian Holm). Nine years after deserting the family nest, Large is a moderately
AWARD-WINNING Gleeson Homes is building its first development in Basingstoke and offering incentives to buyers reserving a property before Christmas. Incentives include paying the five per cent deposit and stamp duty, the £99 reservation fee and carpeting
STOCKBRIDGE reached the quarter-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup for the first time in their history by knocking out higher-ranked opponents Christchurch at the Rec on Saturday. The home side's tactics were based on shutting Christchurch down and preventing
ROMSEY Town put up a brave performance but were no match for Winchester and four-goal hero Jamie Laidlaw. The in-form striker grabbed his second four-goal haul of the season to take his season's tally to 32 and is fast assuming the mantle of destroyer
Hull Stingrays 2, Basingstoke Bison 3 THE Basingstoke Bison cut the gap between themselves and their play-off rivals the London Racers to five points after an excellent victory in Hull on Sunday night. Recent signing Pavol Rieciciar scored his first-ever
VASE holders Winchester City will keep faith with defender Toby Redwood as they continue their defence of the trophy at Thamesmead Town tomorrow - even though he could sit out virtually the rest of the season suspended. The 31-year-old launches into an
IT'S bigger and better than ever, with something for everyone. That's the claim from organisers of this year's Hamble Christmas Farmers' and Produce Market, which will be staged in the village square on Tuesday, from 4pm to 7pm. New stalls include the
Today's Principal Arrivals: Dart 2, ro/ro, container, 0530, 30; Maersk Teal, ro/ro, 0730, 34/35; Nedlloyd Africa, container, 1115, 205; Olma, cargo, 1130, 36N; Montlhery, ro/ro, 1230, 201 link; P&O Nedlloyd Newark, container, 1430, 204; MOL Promise
OVER the Moon. That is how they were feeling at Southampton Airport last night as they celebrated a soaraway success story. It was party time as the airport marked the tenth anniversary of the opening of the new terminal - and there was plenty for those
THERE will be little in the way of festive cheer for the loser when Southampton and Romsey lock horns for the third time in a month tomorrow. With the scoreline standing at one match apiece - Romsey taking the London Division Four South-West League points
ATHERLEY and Banister Park are on collision course in the Yetton Trophy after virtually identical second-round results in this English Women's Indoor BA major club championship. Atherley overcame Arun 82-70 while Banister Park put out Riverside 81-70.
HALTERWORTH Primary School's headteacher got himself in a spin when a member of his favourite folk group bid him a happy retirement. Devoted Spinners fan Bob Sprague could not believe his eyes when the group's Mick Groves turned up at the school on Monday
ROMSEY'S police chief has called on the public to play a vital role in stamping out yobbish behaviour in the community. Inspector Peter Funnell's initiative involves getting people to report bad behaviour to the police. It follows the success of the town
A ROW over who will build Winchester's £100m city centre redevelopment looks likely to continue, despite city bosses being close to signing the crucial deal. The dispute flared on the back of a last minute request by a second developer to be considered
HYTHE and Dibden parish chiefs are fuming after a proposal to introduce community wardens to the area was turned down. The scheme had been recommended to New Forest District Council to tackle antisocial behaviour in the parish. It has been ditched to
SHAKESPEARE is getting the speedy treatment at The Point in Eastleigh this week thanks to the Reduced Shakespeare Company. The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) is a regular favourite, which continues to attract large audiences throughout the country
Who's treading the boards this week. THE panto season is well and truly underway, so get ready to hiss, boo and shout 'he's behind you'. Jack and the Beanstalk opens at The Anvil in Basingstoke on Thursday, December 16. The panto, written by Chris Jarvis
THEY don't come much braver than mighty Joe McIndoe. Joe's devoted mum Aileen died of cancer only a few weeks ago and Joe, who's only 12, suffers himself from cerebral palsy. Within the last few months he has had to undergo painful surgery on his feet
A PENSIONER told of her shock today after a taxi crashed through the front of her Southampton home. Kathleen Orton was out when the dramatic crash happened in Malmesbury Road, Shirley, yesterday morning. The 85-year-old returned to find her front wall
GIRLS from St Anne's Convent School in Southampton sharpened their code-breaking skills by taking part in an online adventure game, run by Southampton University. They took part in the National Cipher Challenge, which has already had 3,500 hits since
THESE Southampton illuminations have doubled in brilliance since a Christmas-mad couple moved next door to a festive family. Richard and Joanne Whittingsteel, both 27, moved into their semi-detached home in King George's Avenue, Regents Park, earlier
BASINGSTOKE RFC reach the halfway stage of their London one campaign when they meet the last team they have still to play, Sutton and Epsom. And coach Jim Dixon is hopeful his side will earn only their second victory in 11 matches after the ranks came
VILLAGERS of St Mary Bourne were able to enjoy their very own Christmas lights switch-on at the weekend. For a number of years Colin and Christine Henderson, who live in Egbury Road, have been decorating their house with lights and Christmas figures.
WHITCHURCH Primary School will no longer have to turn away prospective pupils - because the school has been given permission to build an extension, which will give it more than 80 additional spaces. At the moment there are 340 pupils on the school roll
What's on in the South this week. ONE of the major success stories of 2004, Snow Patrol, are coming to Southampton Guildhall on Wednesday, December 15. The release of their single Run shot them to fame in January and they have been going from strength
CHEAPSKATE commuters who park at Andover Hospital before catching trains will be thwarted when parking charges are introduced in January, says the chairman of the area's health trust. Barbara North, chairman of the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare
SIAN Newland is now the only police officer who lives in a rural police house in this division and people still regard her home as an office where they can call in at any time. She doesn't mind and if necessary will turn out when off duty if it is an
KENNET says it is spending more than £500,000 trying to keep the area clean but it's seeking residents' help in bringing to book those responsible for the mess. Criticism of the state of footpaths and highways has been particularly strident in the Tidworth
IT was love at first sight for a St Mary Bourne couple who have recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Rod and Lynn Sutcliffe, of Egbury Road, were together just six weeks before getting married on 4 December 1944 in St Nicholas Church,
VILLAGERS of St Mary Bourne were able to enjoy their very own Christmas lights switch-on at the weekend. For a number of years Colin and Christine Henderson, who live in Egbury Road, have been decorating their house with lights and Christmas figures.
FESTIVE fun has begun in Whitchurch as Simon Whitmarsh finished turning his garden into a Christmas wonderland and switched on the lights for passers-by. For the ninth year running Simon has decorated his Oakland Road home and garden to raise money for
AVERAGE council taxpayers in Fareham could face an increase of about £70 on their bills in the coming year. Fareham Council leader Sean Woodward has hit out at Whitehall "scrooges" - who announced increases in funding for councils - despite a £400,000
A MILLION-pound makeover of two Eastleigh streets will launch an urban renaissance in the town centre to provide a fresh new image and boost trade. Civic chiefs have backed an improvement scheme for Factory Road to link new homes on the Pirelli development
CHANDLER'S Ford library will re-open its doors to the public on December 20, after a four-month makeover costing £169,000. Shutters went up at the library in Oakmount Road in August and local bookworms have had to make do with a temporary base in a shop
HARRY REDKNAPP wants to bring right-hand man Jim Smith to St Mary's. The new Saints manager yesterday secured the services of former Portsmouth first-team coach Kevin Bond and now wants to add Smith, left, to the new-look managerial team. Smith, 64, quit
KEVIN BOND admitted he jumped at the chance to link up with Harry Redknapp at Saints - saying Portsmouth did nothing to keep him. Saints' new first-team coach yesterday returned to the club where he made 174 appearances as a player between 1984 and 1988
CLUB captain Jason Dodd says the Saints players should shoulder some of the guilt over the axing of Steve Wigley. Dodd is sad to see a man he respects highly leave Saints following Wednesday's dramatic arrival of Harry Redknapp as the fourth manager of
BASINGSTOKE Town aim to reach the lofty heights of second place in the Nationwide South tomorrow by gaining revenge for their biggest defeat of the season. Town were thrashed 6-0 by Hornchurch at the beginning of September as Garry Hill's expensively-assembled
Films showing in the Hampshire region until 16th December. AFTER THE SUNSET (12A): Pierce Brosnan stars in this generic heist movie about a master criminal who comes out of retirement for one last job. ALIEN VS PREDATOR (15): Two horror/sci-fi franchises
THE starting pistol has been fired in the race to find brilliant businesses in the borough. The 2004-2005 Basingstoke Business Awards were launched this week and they are set to be the biggest and most prestigious ever. Eight award categories, targeting
STEPPING into Southampton's Oxford Street is an instant transportation elsewhere, to a world infinitely cooler than our south coast city usually offers. From an inviting choice of curry, Chinese, French and classic English, two friends and I opted for
