Loughton, England News

FAMILIES across the district have been defying the gloomy weather - and economy - " with one of the best ever years for extravagant household Christmas displays.

THE GENEROSITY of people across the district has resulted in thousands of shoeboxes being filled with much-needed items for an important charity.

In the interview room of Loughton police station Hanim Goren broke down in tears.

A former Playboy Model of the Year repeatedly punched a former friend in a Brighton nightclub toilet cubicle during a bust-up about her husband, a court has heard.

A MOTHER who teaches her son at home has pledged to go to jail rather than submit to new rules which she believes will put his education at risk.

THE district council looks set to perform a U-turn over plans to ban its maisonette tenants from keeping any furnishings in their communal hallways.

POLICE have called for a late-night bar's licence to be reviewed after a string of violent incidents.

A PAIR of distraction burglars who preyed on more than a dozen elderly residents during a string of raids carried out on the same day - have been jailed.

FOOTAGE of a suspected serial bank robber who poses as a customer and then brandishes a gun has been released as part of a desperate attempt to catch him.

THE British National Party has lost a seat on Loughton Town Council to the Independent Loughton Residents Association .

A POLICE sergeant has spoken for the first time of the terrifying moment a one-armed man tried to kill him with a sawn-off shotgun on the streets of Loughton.

A WAR of words has broken out between rival pizza chains as a new take-away prepares to open just yards from the door of an existing one.

A FURIOUS family has slammed a conman who stole thousands of pounds from a grieving widow just weeks after her husband died.

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a fire in the bedroom of a property this morning . Essex Fire Service was called to Hillcroft in Loughton at around 9:30am. Three crews from Woodford, Waltham Abbey and Loughton fire stations attended the scene.

BOXING fans will be in for a treat later this month as a top name from the sport brings his larger-than-life personality to the area.

A NURSERY has been fined after a two-year-old tot lost the tip of their finger when they caught it in a gate - despite a similar accident just days before.

A GANG of men who were caught vandalising tube trains at Loughton station have been jailed.

ELECTION is to be held next Thursday for the Loughton Broadway seat of Loughton Town Council.

An antiques shop owner in an Essex town was threatened by armed robbers who escaped with goods and cash.

A COMMUNITY came together to remember loved ones and to support a local hospice during a candlelit procession yesterday.