Thousands of British gardeners are at risk of becoming unwitting criminals due to a lack of knowledge of basic gardening laws, experts have claimed.

Now experts from GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have published the top seven little known gardening laws to help Britons understand what they should and shouldn’t do in their gardens.

The list covers common issues such as overhanging branches, boundary disputes, blocked sunlight and wind fallen fruit, among others.

Gardeners could be forgiven for finding the laws confusing, as they can be counter-intuitive and complex.

For example, a person may cut back tree branches that overhang into their garden, as long as they do not go past the boundary line and there is no Tree Preservation Order in place.

But they cannot keep the trimmings nor any fruit or flowers on them – nor can they simply throw the branches back into the tree owner’s garden without permission.

Disputes over boundaries may require a hard look at the house deeds, and even then, there may be issues if the boundaries have changed over time.

There can also be confusion over whether it is legal to allow a tree to block sunlight to a window.

A spokesman for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “Most of us want to be good, law abiding neighbours, but that can be difficult if we don’t actually know what the law is.

“There may be times when it would be within your legal rights to do something, but it could cause tensions with your neighbour.

“We’d always advise trying to come to a neighbourly solution first, as this is always preferable to having to call in the lawyers.

“If you brush up on the law as it stands, you may be able to avoid any sort of dispute altogether, which is always the ideal solution.”

Top Seven little-known gardening laws

1. Trimming overhanging branches

If a tree’s branches overhang into your property from a neighbour’s, you can trim them, but only up to the property line. You can’t lean into the neighbour’s garden to do this, though – this constitutes trespass.

If a tree is covered by a Tree Preservation Order, you can’t cut the branches.

2. Fruit and flowers

Although you can cut branches that hang into your garden up to the property line, they still belong to the neighbour – as do any flowers or fruit on them. Your neighbour is technically legally entitled to demand them back.

But do not just throw them into the neighbour’s garden, as this could constitute garden waste fly tipping.

3. Windfalls

Wind fallen fruit technically still belongs to the person who owns the tree. So, if your neighbour’s windfalls end up on your lawn, you might have to ask for permission if you want to keep them.

4. Fallen leaves

Tree owners are not responsible for sweeping up fallen leaves that land on your property.

5. Trees blocking light

Under the Rights of Light Act, if a window has received natural light for 20 years or more, neighbours can’t block it with a new tree.

6. Fences and boundaries

These can be tricky to resolve. The house deeds should indicate who owns fences and is responsible for boundaries (although there is no legal responsibility to keep boundaries well maintained, unless the deeds state otherwise). But boundaries can move over time and cause disputes later. You may need to contact HM Land Registry for help with boundary disputes.

7 Hedges

If a hedge grows along the boundary between two gardens, both neighbours are responsible for trimming. If a hedge belonging to a neighbour grows into your garden, you can trim it but, as with tree branches, you must, technically, return the trimmings to the owner.

Smacking your child makes them behave more badly, a new study has warned.

Children who are smacked before they are five have more behavioural problems between the ages of six and eight than those spared the rod.

Those who were physically punished argued, fought, got angry, acted impulsively and disturbed ongoing activities more than those who were not.

And the more smacks the children got, the worse their behaviour.

The findings suggested physically disciplining young children may have the opposite effect to what was intended.

Since 2004 it has been illegal in the UK for parents or carers to smack their child, except where this amounts to “reasonable punishment.”

Associate Professor Dr Elizabeth Gershoff of the University of Texas at Austin said: “Our findings suggest that spanking is not an effective technique and actually makes children’s behaviour worse not better.”

Historically, trying to determine whether smacking actually causes children to develop behaviour problems has been difficult because researchers cannot ethically conduct experiments that randomly assign parents to hit their children or not.

Prof Gershoff said: “Parents spank for many reasons, such as their educational or cultural background or how difficult their children’s behaviour is.

“These same reasons, which we call selection factors, can also predict children’s behaviour problems, making it difficult to determine whether spanking is in fact the cause of behaviour problems.

“We realised that the statistical method of propensity score matching could help us get as close to an experiment as possible.”

The study examined data from 12,112 children who participated in the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study.

When the children were five their parents reported how many times they had spanked their child in the past week

The researchers classified any child whose parent provided a number other than zero as having been physically disciplined.

The researchers then matched children who had been spanked with those who hadn’t according to 38 child and family-related characteristics.

These included the child’s age, gender, overall health, and behaviour problems at five; the parent’s education, age, and marital status; the family socioeconomic status and household size; and factors related to parenting quality and conflict in the home.

Pairing the children in this way yielded two groups of children whose main difference was whether their parents had spanked them, effectively accounting for other factors that could plausibly influence the behaviour of both parent and child.

This allowed researchers to approximate the random assignment of participants to groups, a hallmark of experimental design.

The child’s behaviour was then gauged by school reports when they were five, six and eight.

The teacher’s report noted the frequency with which the children argued, fought, got angry, acted impulsively, and disturbed ongoing activities.

Children who had been spanked at the age of five showed greater increases in behaviour problems by age six and also by age eight when compared with children who had never been spanked.

A similar analysis found children who were frequent smacked behaved a lot worse than those who were smacked less frequently.

Prof Gershoff concluded: “The fact that knowing whether a child had ever been spanked was enough to predict their levels of behaviour problems years later was a bit surprising

“It suggests that spanking at any frequency is potentially harmful to children.

“Although dozens of studies have linked early spanking with later child behaviour problems, this is the first to do so with a statistical method that approximates an experiment.”

The study was published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

Christmas markets spring up across the country and the high street seeing a surge in visitors, shoppers are being warned not to leave themselves vulnerable to theft this Christmas.

The Christmas season has traditionally been a period where certain crimes spike - with petty theft and fraud common tactics for criminals in busy shopping areas.

Staying shopping smart will reduce the chances of being a victim of crime this Christmas.

Here Crimestoppers share their top advice for staying safe whilst shopping:

Try to pay using a debit card rather than carrying large amounts of cash.

Take extra care when using a cashpoint or chip and pin - cover the keypad with your hand.

Never write down your pin number.

If you carry a handbag, keep your purse at the bottom of it.

Never keep your wallet in your back pocket.

Keep your handbag zipped at all times – crowded shopping areas are very popular with pickpockets.

Don’t leave any bags, including your handbag, in the shopping trolley while you shop.

Stay alert when using your mobile. It’s very easy for someone to snatch it out of your hand.

Don’t return to your car to leave purchases in the boot before continuing with your shopping, as thieves can watch in car parks.

Don’t leave valuables on the seat of your car - they attract thieves.

Don’t leave your house keys in your car.

A spokesperson from Crimestoppers said: “Historically, the crimes that tend to increase over Christmas are domestic abuse, drink driving, fraud and forgery, and handling stolen goods.”

“None of these are victimless crimes, and the knock-on effect on families and communities can be severe.”

“This is why we would always urge anyone with information to come forward to Crimestoppers, 100 per cent anonymously, safe in the knowledge that no-one will ever know who you are so you will never have to give a statement or go to court.”

COD returns to its roots and it was well worth the wait.

The Call of Duty series may have a limited set of parameters it can operate in but going back to its roots for World War 2 was always going to be a risk.

A return to a time of less advanced technology and more primitive weaponry (and no double jumps!) could be seen a regressive particularly as the world wars have been done before and done well at that.

But by taking great care in every element from campaign to multiplayer and zombie mode, CODWW2 sidesteps all potential issues and concerns in what is a long-awaited return to the series’ roots.

But this isn’t just a satisfactory new entry into the franchise to mop up more cash from COD-hungry fans the world over. Not one bit. Instead Sledgehammer Games manages to take Call of Duty back to WW2 while making it feel like a totally new experience.

War is a superb take on the class MP Rush mode although a lack of maps from the off is a big frustration.

In truth the game could earn respectable review scores off the back of the excellently crafted campaign alone which had me gripped.

The new headquarters - think Destiny in muddy trenches - is a great hub although newbies may struggle with the UI at first (I didn’t but a few of my friends moan about it).

Meanwhile, multiplayer progression is as addictive and satisfying as ever without too steep a learning curve or too much of a grind.

I have played Zombies mode the least but that is just down to personal preference more than anything. However, for the purposes of the review I delved deeper than I perhaps usually would and am happy to report it is also a rewarding if challenging experience.

Overall this is a fast-paced COD in a classic setting and while not perfect provides a solid update which will quench the thirst of hardcore fans while also thrilling those new to the series.

Children should be banned from buying energy drinks as they can cause high blood pressure, heart problems, obesity and even kidney damage, warns new research.

They also fuel risk seeking behaviour such as alcohol and drugs abuse, accidents, violence and antisocial behaviour - on top of rotting teeth, according to the study.

Governments should regulate sales and marketing towards children and teenagers, and set upper limits on amounts of caffeine they contain, to combat the growing public health issue, say researchers.

The report does not name specific products but popular brands include Red Bull, Monster and Lucozade.

Some can contain up to 100 mg caffeine in every fluid ounce - eight times more than a regular cup of coffee at 12mgs.

A moderate daily intake of caffeine up to 400 mg is recommended for adults, but little research exists on tolerable levels for youngsters.

Health problems

Nutritionist Dr Josiemer Mattei, of Harvard University in the US, said: “We summarise the consequences of energy drink consumption, which include heart, kidney, and dental problems, as well as risk-seeking behaviour and poor mental health.

“The evidence suggests they are harmful to health and should be limited through more stringent regulation by restricting their sales to children and adolescents, as well as setting an evidence based upper limit on the amount of caffeine.”

Her findings follow a call by British scientists last year for the government to outlaw their sale and marketing to under 16s.

Dr Mattei’s latest up to date analysis of current scientific knowledge found their advertised short term benefits are outweighed by serious health risks.

It said these include “risk-seeking behaviour, mental health problems, increased blood pressure, obesity and kidney damage.”

Alcohol risks

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, also highlighted the worrying trend of mixing energy drinks with alcohol.

Dr Mattei and her team of graduate researchers recommended restricted sales to children and adolescents - and setting evidence-based caffeine limits.

As energy drink consumption continues to grow worldwide, there is a need to thoroughly examine their advertised benefits, nutritional content and any negative effects on public health, they said.

Most contain similar ingredients - water, sugar, caffeine, certain vitamins, minerals and stimulants such as guarana, taurine and ginseng that have no nutritional benefit.

The health risks associated with energy drinks are mostly attributed to their high sugar and caffeine levels.

They range from risk seeking behaviour, such as substance misuse and aggression, mental health problems in the form of anxiety and stress, to increased blood pressure, obesity, kidney damage, fatigue, stomach aches and irritation.

Stimulants

Last year a survey led by Durham University, involving 16 European countries including the UK, found 68 per cent of 11 to 18-year-olds and almost one in five under 10s consume energy drinks. And 12 per cent of the younger group have downed at least a litre in a single session.

It found sales of energy drinks in the UK increased by 155% between 2006 and 2014, from 235 to 600 million litres.

The report said more research was needed on how the high levels of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks interact with each other and with other stimulants present such as taurine and guarana.

A single can of popular brands on the market can contain around 160mg of caffeine, while the European Food Safety Authority recommends an intake of no more than 105mg of caffeine per day for an average 11-year-old.

The report called for legislation banning the sale of energy drinks to under-16s and a ban on marketing targeted at children.

Nutritionists say the youngsters are raising their risk of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and tooth decay.

A teenage advice and information centre celebrated Youth Work Week with a trip to London.

Members of TACTIC’s youth forum group visited Parliament in November.

The young people attended a committee session organised by Choose Youth to discuss how youth work can help young people and what TACTIC offers as a youth service to youngsters in Leighton Buzzard.

The group enjoyed talking to MPs and key national youth organisations about the importance of youth work and having local services that are easy to access.

The TACTIC centre is run by Leighton-Linslade Town Council and is staffed by qualified professional youth workers who offer people aged 11-19 a safe place to socialise, receive positive mentoring and get help and advice on topics such as sexual health, youth counselling and getting into training or employment.

There is a daily drop-in session from 3pm–6pm where young people can meet new friends and find youth volunteering opportunities.

If you would like to get involved in the TACTIC youth forum or get support, call 01525 373838 or visit www.tactic-centre.co.uk

There will be something for everyone to enjoy this Christmas at Rushmere Country Park.

The park is gearing up for a December filled with Christmas magic, woodland fairies and events.

Sales of real Christmas trees begin from December 1 daily from 10am-4pm, while stocks last, outside the Herons’ View Visitor Centre, where you can choose from a large selection of fresh fir and spruce trees, many of which are grown at the park.

On Sunday, December 10, from 10am-4pm, you can visit Rushmere’s Christmas tree plantation to pick your own special Christmas tree fresh from the ground. Warm clothing and suitable footwear is essential, just follow the signs to the Lower Meadow on arrival, no booking required.

The park’s popular music evenings return to the Tree Tops Café with soprano Ilana Jacobs performing an Evening of Opera and Song on Friday, December 1, with music by Puccini, Gershwin, Schubert and more. Food available from 6pm with the performance starting at 7.30pm, tickets £15 per head (ages 12+ only) and include a glass of house wine/juice and parking.

On Friday, December 8, Alison Carter returns for Christmas Shopping, Jazz and Blues as part of a special Christmas shopping evening when there will be a selection of gift stalls to browse with festive food available while Alison performs.

Christmas trees will be on sale until 7.30pm on this evening only. Tickets cost £5.

To buy tickets and for details of all events go to www.greensandtrust.org

A special visitor from America joined more than 100 other guests at an annual remembrance event.

On Sunday, November 12, The Sculpture Gallery at the Woburn estate held its annual War Notes from Woburn event.

This year more than 145 guests attended, including six Second World War veterans. The event included lunch, an exhibition and wonderful vintage entertainment that culminated in a singsong with lots of flag waving.

The estate also welcomed Andrew Lowrey III and his daughter, Elizabeth, who travelled from Alabama, Texas, to attend the event.

Mr Lowery has loaned two brass gun plaques, that have special significance to Woburn, to the estate.

In 1919 the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment presented two brass plaques and two field guns to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Bedford in recognition of their contribution to the war effort.

The regiment captured the guns at The Battle of the Selle in France. This was part of the Hundred Days Offensive, the decisive Allied victory that led to the collapse of the Western Front and the German Empire, ending the War.

The plaques are an important part of the history of the inhabitants of Woburn and the surrounding areas as the guns are said to have stood outside the hospital, and it is now known that in 1938 one gun was displayed outside Woburn Town Hall.

Woburn Heritage Museum at St Mary’s Church in Woburn has agreed to display the plaques ensuring local people and relatives of the men can see them and be reminded of the contribution made.

A 73-year-old former tailor has realised a dream to create clothes for children in deprived areas, thanks to the donation of sewing equipment from a designer in Sweden.

Pushpa Vadher lives at Carey Lodge care home in Wing, run by charity The Fremantle Trust, and applied to the organisation’s Wishes and Dreams campaign to rekindle her love of sewing, while helping vulnerable children across the world.

The trust’s 25th anniversary Wishes and Dreams campaign has been set up to help 25 people across its services realise their dreams and recognises the importance of celebrating each person’s unique qualities.

An experienced seamstress, Pushpa was taught to sew by her mother at the age of nine and was making school uniforms at 11.

Pushpa has lived at Carey Lodge for four years and really wanted some more sophisticated sewing equipment, fabrics and patterns to be able to produce children’s clothes to send to the British Red Cross.

Designer Kate Williams, the daughter of Tudor Williams, property manager at the trust, heard about Pushpa’s aspirations and made a flying visit from Stockholm while visiting her family in the UK, bringing her overlocker for Pushpa to use. Tudor and his wife also joined them, bringing patterns and materials.

Pushpa said: “I was really touched by Kate’s generosity and how everyone had worked together to help to fulfil my dream. Sewing brings me such joy and to be able to make clothes for children will be such a rewarding thing to do.”

Lottery winners could be swapping their multi-million pound prizes for a lifetime monthly payout of £10,000 in a possible new shake up to increase ticket sales.

Expected to launch in 2019, the new prize system will aim to attract more gamblers after Lottery operator Camelot announced a drop in last year’s players.

The news comes it was revealed this week that Nigel Railton would take over as UK CEO of Camelot.

Railton said: “Some people don’t want big jackpots, they want financial stability to pay more of the mortgage or educate the children.”

Since its launch in 1994 The National Lottery has created more than 4,750 millionaires or multi-millionaires and awarded over £65 billion in prizes.

Camelot said in a statement: “Given the growing number of players who dream of long-term financial security rather than big jackpots, Camelot will explore ways of satisfying this demand with an annuity-style game.”

Camelot is also expected to introduce a Tuesday Thunderball in 2018 which will issue small but more frequent wins for players.

However Lottery expert Professor Ian Walker, from Lancaster University, said: “It’s wishful thinking that this will turn around falling sales.”

This footage shows the “rings of steel” protecting Britain’s Christmas markets this year as security is bolstered amid fears of Berlin-style copycat terror attacks.

Armed police, large concrete barriers and stop and search checks are being carried out at festive markets up and down the country as many opened to the public last week.

Pedestrianised areas are blocked off to prevent vehicles driving into crowds - after an IS fanatic killed 12 when he ploughed a lorry through Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz last year.

Heavy police presences could be seen in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Bath with armed cops patrolling the perimeters of festive attractions.

Plain clothed officers will also mingle amongst the crowds of revellers in a bid to keep the nation safe from further terror attacks.

The moves come after the Local Government Association warned councils to be vigilant this year with the terror threat level to the UK currently at “severe”.

This means that an attack “is highly likely”.

London has been hit twice in the past 12 months by terror attacks involving vehicles on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge.

In response to those atrocities barriers separating traffic from pedestrians were erected on three of the capital’s bridges.

Similar measures are now be in place at major Christmas markets - including Manchester, Birmingham and London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park

A Met Police spokesman said: “The public may see additional protective security measures and barriers at events this year, in response to a number of vehicle-based terrorist attacks we have sadly seen both here in the UK and abroad.

“There could also be increased security checks at some events and venues so we advise the public to arrive in plenty of time to allow for this.”

In Birmingham, officers are carrying out “vehicle-based and foot-based stop checks” at a number of locations throughout the city centre.

Superintendent Andy Parsons, of West Midlands Police, said: “These checks are to offer reassurance to our communities and those who plan to attend our world famous Christmas market.

“There will be a mixture of armed, unarmed and plain clothes officers patrolling the city.

“It is really important that we tackle all crime together so if you see something or hear anything suspicious, we need to know so we can try to do something about it.”

Manchester has also stepped up security in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 23 people following an Ariana Grande gig in May.

Superintendent Chris Hill, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “People’s natural response when they see extra security can sometimes be one of fear or concern, worrying that the extra measures mean that it’s more dangerous.

“I want to assure people that we are strengthening protective security as an extra precaution to keep people as safe as possible, and it should make people feel more comfortable and reassured about attending events like the Christmas Markets.

“This has been a difficult year for the city and we must never forget the people who have been affected.

“ However, we have already all come together and shown our strength and determination to carry on enjoying our day to day lives.

“I want to encourage everyone to do the same. We are here and we’re doing everything that we can to keep you safe.”

A staggering 92.6 per cent of Brits think there are certain things you should never do over a work email, with the sending of inappropriate content, kisses and not addressing people correctly, taking the lead.

That’s according to the latest data from independent job board, CV-Library.

With email communication seemingly taking over face-to-face interaction (17.1 per cent admitted to receiving up to 80 emails each working day), the study explored the views of 1,100 UK workers around emails in the workplace.

And while 73.2% say that they always remain professional no matter who their emails are being sent to, the study did highlight the eight email mistakes which workers think you should never do:

1. Sending inappropriate content (90.7 per cent)

2. Sending kisses (64.6 per cent)

3. Not addressing people by their name (43.8 per cent)

4. Not signing off an email correctly (38.7 per cent)

5. Blind copying people into the email (29.1 per cent)

6. Copying in a manager just to get a response (16.6 per cent)

7. Sending read receipts (11.5 per cent)

8. Flagging the email as high importance (10 per cent)

In addition to this, it appears that a more formal approach to emails is favoured by UK workers, with 38.9 per cent stating that they’d open an email with ‘Dear [Name]’ and 41.8 per cent would close the email with ‘Kind Regards’. Following this, 30.2 per cent would open with ‘Hi [Name]’ and close with ‘Regards’ (16.8 per cent).

“It’s no secret that sending inappropriate content over email is a no-go in the workplace,” says Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library.

“That said, it’s interesting to hear that other small common occurrences are bugging UK workers, not to mention the fact that the majority appear to be take a more formal approach with their communications.

“It’s always important to remember that the workplace is a professional environment, and while interaction through technology is increasingly becoming more and more instant, the traditional rules still apply.

“Alongside this, it’s worth thinking about whether you really do need to copy in your manager, send a read receipt, or flag something as high importance – most people simply find it irritating.”

This is the shocking moment thieves steal a vehicle without the key by using a relay box.

Police have released what is believed, the first footage of a ‘relay crime’ where criminals can drive off with cars without the owner’s keys.

The incident happened in the Elmdon area of Solihull, Birmingham at 9pm on September 25 but given its landmark nature is being used to warn people across the UK.

The footage shows two men pull up outside the victim’s house, holding a relay box, which is a device used to receive signals through walls, doors and windows, but not metal.

One man can be seen waving a relay box in front of property, the box receives a signal from the key inside and transmits it to the second box next to the car.

The car’s locking system is then tricked into thinking the car key is unlocking it, allowing access to the vehicle.

The thieves then drive off with the Mercedes, with the whole crime only taking one minute to complete.

Mark Silvester, from the West Midlands Police crime reduction team, said: “To protect against this type of theft, owners can use an additional tested and Thatcham-approved steering lock to cover the entire steering wheel.

“We also recommend Thatcham-approved tracking solutions fitted to the vehicle.

“It is always worth speaking to your main dealer, to ensure that your car has had all the latest software updates and talk through security concerns with them.”

Sgt Tim Evans, from Solihull Police, said: “It’s important the public are reassured that we are taking proactive steps to tackle this type of crime in Solihull.

“We hope that knowledge of this type of crime will enable members of the public to take simple steps to secure their vehicle and assist us.”

Anyone with information on the Elmdon theft should call police on 101, quoting crime reference number 20SH/204842W/17.

Christmas sparkle arrives in Leighton Buzzard next weekend, but this year there will be no ‘star’ name to turn on the festive lights.

In recent times, internationally acclaimed singer Graeme Danby, MK panto stars Gary Wilmot and Wayne Sleep, boxing legend Frank Bruno, Philomena Lee (the inspiration behind hit movie Philomena), and Harry Potter actors Ellie Darcey-Alden and Ryan Turner have had the honour.

But this year co-organisers Leighton-Linslade Town Council and LB First have been unsuccessful in their attempts to pull in a celebrity to flick the switch on Friday, December 1.

A town council spokesman confirmed: “We haven’t been able to secure a local celebrity this year, so the lights will be turned on by local dignitaries and the Carnival Princesses.

But despite that disappointment there will still be plenty to keep families entertained over the three days.

The event offers the perfect opportunity to shop local, supporting local traders and the place to find traditional or more unusual gifts than would be available on the high street, while sampling the sights and sounds of Christmas.

Friday’s entertainment begins at 4pm with the opening of the Christmas Market in the High Street, the food court in Church Square and the funfair rides which this year spread between the High Street and North Street.

Later into the evening the main stage programme kicks off with performances from local groups, along with our headline band Huggy Flares taking to the stage at 6.30pm, just in time to warm the crowds before the big switch-on takes place at 7pm.

Local dignitaries will be joined on stage by the Carnival Senior Princess and Princesses to turn on the lights and set off the spectacular fireworks display which follows. Huggy Flares continue to play after the switch-on, entertaining shoppers and fun-fair riders until 8pm.

Saturday’s Charter Market sees all of the returning traders plus some extra Christmas themed traders popping along for the day. Extra food vendors and roaming entertainment will be on site throughout the day.

There’ll also be the KidsOut Santa Dash with Leighton Fun Runners to watch out for from 10.30am.

The festive fun continues from 11am on Sunday with the return of the Christmas Market to the High Street alongside traditional brass bands playing all of the festive favourites.

Street performers will be located throughout the high street to entertain and amaze, whilst the Dickensian Ding Dong and the Meanderthals wander causing havoc and delight wherever they go. The food court and funfair also continue throughout Sunday, so there really is something for everyone.

A council spokesman added: “Our festival is generously and kindly supported by Steven Eagell Toyota and LB First throughout the weekend alongside Leighton Buzzard Speakers, Leighton Linslade Concert Band and other local community performers.

“Due to the festivities, those travelling into town throughout the weekend should be aware that there will be no parking, bus stops or taxi rank in the High Street during the event. Signage will be displayed indicating where the temporary bus stops and taxi ranks are located.”

For timings and further details, see social media, visit www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk or call 01525 631920.

> See pictures of the Christmas Festival in next week’s LBO. Why not email news@lbobserver.co.uk with your thoughts on the event and whether it matters if there is a celebrity to turn on the light.

Aubameyang to West London and | Manchester United target four left-sided players: Gareth Bale, Antoine Griezmann, Danny Rose and Mesut Ozil.

The latest transfer rumours from the world of football.

The magic of the North Pole is coming to Leighton Buzzard, as Santa’s sleigh has dusted off its snow, and is set to take to the streets this winter.

On Friday the float will be outside Dillamore’s Furnishers to celebrate ‘Lighting the High Street’, where at 6.15pm the sleigh will light up with Santa making an appearance.

His little helpers will also be giving out sweets to good girls and boys.

Father Christmas’s next adventures will then be on Sunday, December 3, when he will be visiting the Clarence Road area between 5pm and 7.30pm (weekend times) and on Monday, December 4, when he will be visiting the Cotefield Drive area between 6pm and 8pm (weekday times).

He will have his post box on his sleigh so your little ones can give him their Christmas wish lists for his elves.

When Christmas Eve arrives the merry man will joining the town at 7.30pm (carols start at 7pm), while he is also planning to visit shoppers on Saturday 16 at Morrisons, Lake Street, and Saturday 23 at Tesco, Vimy Road (daytimes).

For the full list of Santa float visits, please read the list below:

December 1 - Lighting the High Street

December 3 - Clarence Road area

December 4 - Cotefield Drive area

December 7 - Knaves Hill area

December 8 - Harrow Road area

December 9 - Planets area

December 10 - Brooklands area

December 11 - Meadow Way and Theedway area

December 13 - Willowbank Walk area

December 15 - Billington Park area

December 16 - Morrisons, Lake Street (daytime)

December 17 - Sandhills area

December 18 - Camberton Road area

December 20 - Plantation Road area

December 21 - Heath and Reach

December 22 and 23 - Bideford Green

December 23 - Tesco, Vimy Road (daytime)

December 24 - Carols in the High Street

Nine fantastic supporters of Keech Hospice Care walked over hot coals for their favourite charity and took on the most exhilarating challenge.

They tested their minds and bodies by walking barefoot across 20 feet of hot coals which were at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit at Leighton Buzzard Brewing Company.

Liz Searle, CEO at Keech Hospice Care said: “It might sound unbelievable, but those who took part in this brilliant event have shown us all, we can achieve more than we ever thought possible. As a charity, we are so grateful as Keech Hospice Care needs over £5.7million every year to continue caring for adults with terminal and life-limiting illnesses in Luton and South Bedfordshire and children in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes – both at the hospice in Great Bramingham Lane, Luton and out in the community. “We rely on our community’s support to raise around 70 per cent of the funding we need each year to survive. Thank you so much to everyone who has walked over hot coals for Keech this year.”

In 2017, Keech Hospice Care’s two firewalks have to date raised more than £12,000.

If you fancy taking on this fantastic challenge or trying the brand new Lego Walk, sign up now for these two events which will be taking place on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Keech Hospice Care, Great Brammingham Lane, Luton. To sign up and for more details, visit www.keech.org.uk/firewalk.

A Leighton Buzzard church is under investigation after concerns arose over its finances.

A Charity Commission – the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales – has opened the inquiry into the dealings of Into the Light Ministries.

The organisation is based in Lake Street and the commision’s investigation opened on October 11.

The charity’s objectives are to “advance the Christian faith”, “relieve sickness and financial hardship” and to “promote and preserve good health through the provision of funds, clothing or other basic essentials”.

It combines a church – meeting on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays –with its outreach programme and is affiliated to Elim Incorporated.

But after receiving a tip-off about its finances, the commission obtained bank account records and reviewed accounts previously filed.

A spokesman for the commission said: “This revealed significant concerns regarding the charity’s accounts, potential conflicts of interest, non-primary purpose trading and public benefit, indicating a possible risk to charitable property.”

The accounts submitted for the financial year ending August 31, 2016, were also found to be non-compliant.

The Charity Commission spokesman added: “As a result we took regulatory action under section 76 of the Charities Act to safeguard the charity’s property and funds, and have opened a statutory inquiry to examine the governance, management and administration of the charity.”

The inquiry will focus particularly on whether:

> The charity has adequate control systems in place to enable the timely preparation and submission of accounting and returns.

> Any trading carried out by the charity is compliant with current legislation.

> The trustees are responsibly managing the charity’s resources and financial affairs.

> Conflicts of interests and transactions with connected parties have been adequately managed.

> Receipt of any payments and benefits to trustees and connected parties have been validly authorised.

The spokesman added: “We will also consider to what extent the charity operates for the public benefit, and whether there has been mismanagement and/or misconduct.

“The Commission stresses that opening an inquiry is not in itself a finding of wrongdoing.

“The purpose of an inquiry is to examine issues in detail, investigate and establish the facts so that the regulator can ascertain whether there has been mismanagement or misconduct.”

A report will be published after the inquiry has concluded, detailing its findings.

Companies House’s website shows that two directors resigned from the charity in July this year. The remaining two directors are Pastor Colin Kaye and Deborah Kaye.

A spokesman for Into the Light did not respond to the LBO before we went to press.

Scarlet fever hit its highest level in England for 50 years, with more than 17,000 cases reported in 2016 - research in the Lancet shows.

The disease has been on the rise since 2014, but experts have so far failed to find a reason for the recent increase.

What is Scarlet Fever?

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children and is distinctive due to its pink-red rash. It is highly contagious and should be treated with antibiotics.

Dr Theresa Lamagni, the body’s head of streptococcal infection surveillance, said: “Whilst scarlet fever is not usually a severe illness it should be treated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of further complications and to minimise the risk of spread to others.”

What are the symptoms?

Dr Lamagni added: “Individuals should be mindful of the symptoms of scarlet fever, which include a sore throat, headache and fever with a sandpapery, fine, pinkish/red rash developing within one to two days of first symptoms.

“If you or your child develops any of these symptoms you should contact your GP. Children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.”

A Public Health England spokeswoman added: “It’s not uncommon to see more cases of scarlet fever during winter and spring.

“Although we have seen a small increase in cases this year, scarlet fever is usually a mild illness that can be treated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of further complications and to minimise the risk of its spread to others.

“Children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.”

Where can I find out more?

For more information, visit the NHS Choices website here

The most gluttonous time of the year just got a bit more decadent as Asda have just revealed their latest addition to the bakery aisle – a foot long chocolate éclair.

The classic French dessert has been given a mammoth size makeup by the supermarket to bring a certain je ne sais quo to the supermarket shelves this December.

The colossal size pudding, which is inspired by an emerging trend for oversized sharing desserts in Paris, retails at £5.00 and is made with light choux pastry, filled with fluffy Belgian chocolate mousse and sticky caramel sauce and topped with a chocolate fondant.

Claire Reed, product development manager for chilled bakery, said: “Straight from the streets of Paris to Asda shelves, traditional French favourites can now be enjoyed by the whole family this Christmas.

Reed added: “Our experts have lovingly hand finished our striking new desserts, adding the final touch of affordable luxury to your seasonal soirée – sure to leave your loved ones saying Oh La La!”.

The showstopping Giant Éclair centrepiece will be available in Asda stores from 14th December.