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THREE motorists failed to stop to help a young cyclist as he lay dying by the side of the road – and a police officer says this has become normal behaviour. Alexander Ward was killed on July 8 last year when he collided with a horse box truck on the B4077 near Ford. During an inquest into the death of the 23-year-old, who lived in Cirencester Road, Cheltenham, the court heard that the driver of the truck saw three vehicles...

STUDENTS who had work stored on computers at Maidenhill School in Stonehouse have been hardest hit by a burglary. Although the full extent of the loss is not yet known, it is understood many of the PCs taken in the raid had pupils' assignments stored on computer hard drives. Burglars forced entry into the school's science block in Kings Road sometime overnight on Thursday. Music technology students have suffered most, losing weeks...

SERGEANT Martin Jones has seen his share of the action. But he admitted it was the quieter moments of rural policing he will miss the most. The 49-year-old policeman, who has headed the North Cotswold Community Policing team since 2005, is retiring after 32 years in Gloucestershire police. "Instead of what you see on some TV shows – fast cars and non-stop action – policing in the rural community is more like...

Full of beautiful places to live, weighing up some of the best places to rent in Gloucestershire could be seen as somewhat of a challenge. Cheltenham, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, the Five Valleys and Forest of Dean all boast their own unique appeal. Here we take up that challenge and showcase 10 of the best places to rent in the county. We used figures from property search website Zoopla.co.uk and our own criteria which...

URGENT calls have been made for young drivers to take extra care on Gloucestershire's rural roads following the death of a 26-year-old motorcyclist in the Cotswolds. It is the second death on the county's roads in the space of a few days. Inspector Simon Todd, of Gloucestershire police, said it was a wake-up call to motorists to exercise caution on the county's winding country routes. The Cirencester man died in a collision on the...

ROD Hansen, Gloucestershire police's new deputy chief constable hopes to ensure a smooth transition to the force's regime. The 47-year-old secured the role as second in command at Gloucestershire Constabulary this week and is hoping to start on May 13. He will work under the newly appointed chief constable, Suzette Davenport, and Police and Crime Commissioner, Martin Surl. The dad-of-two said: "It is a new regime and I see a...

What's your favourite Gloucestershire day out? A walk around Gloucester Docks in the sun and lunch at a good pub before catching a match in The Shed, plus a few drinks out with friends. And your favourite place to eat out in the county? I love Sebz in Gloucester for tapas and Hilltop. I am also a big fan of Made by Bob at Cirencester and Curry Corner in Cheltenham What's the worst job you've had? Cold calling for free carpet...

FOR centuries, beer drinkers have been visiting pubs to fill up their tankards and debate the important issues of the day. Some of Gloucestershire's oldest pubs have featured in Ye Olde Good Inn Guide – a book celebrating the UK's most historic watering holes. Billed as "a Tudor traveller's guide to the best taverns in the land", it gives a unique insight into the drinking customs of 16th-century England. It describes...

GLOUCESTER City AFC's ground troubles could be solved by a radical move to Kingsholm – but not at the rugby ground. So said Gloucester MP Richard Graham, who is floating the idea of a city council-owned stadium on the former Civil Service ground between Denmark Road and Estcourt Road. The Tigers have been homeless since the 2007 floods ruined the club's Meadow Park ground, playing at Cirencester, Forest Green and, currently,...

THINKING about starting up a business in Cheltenham? Expert advice is available, with a not-for-profit company Gloucestershire Enterprise offering free sessions to guide entrepreneurs. The group, which are based in Twigworth Court Business Centre, was set up 12 years ago to provide support to businesses in the county. Their work involves assisting start up micro businesses, and providing training to small and medium businesses. ...