A schoolboy was threatened with a knife by two teens who wanted his phone and cash.

The boy, 14, was in St Thomas Road at 12.10pm when the would-be robbers approached him.

Luckily the area was busy and a passer-by disturbed the offenders who realised they were attracting attention and fled the scene empty-handed, running towards Stopsley High School.

Both offenders are described as white boys, 16 or 17 years old, and one had a ‘slight moustache’.

Det Con Joanna Bosson said: “Clearly the offenders had second thoughts when a member of the public approached them asking what they were doing. It is this person and other people who were in the area who we need to contact us to assist with this investigation.”

Call Det Con Bosson on 01582 394441 or 101 with information.

A man was assaulted and robbed of his car in Caddington on Friday evening.

The 22-year-old was driving a black Mercedes and believes he was followed from Connaught Road in Luton by a gold 4x4 with four people in it.

Once in Chaul End Road, the 4x4 caused the victim to stop the car he was driving.

The passengers got out of the 4x4 and assaulted the victim causing facial injuries and bruising to his arm and leg. The victim managed to run towards nearby houses before the offenders were joined at the scene by the occupants of a blue one series BMW before all offenders left the scene in their own cars and taking the black Mercedes with them. The stolen Mercedes was found a short time later by police officers abandoned in Farley Fields, Luton.

One offender is described as a white man who speaks with an Irish accent, 5’10”, well built with chiselled features and wearing black clothing. Another is described as a white man with a plump build.

A former Young Councillor of the Year was deselected by the Labour party at a Dallow ward meeting yesterday.

The deselection of Tafheen Sharif, who is also Beds Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, comes days after allegations that some members of the Luton Labour party have been rigging the selection process.

In the first selection meeting prior to the 2015 elections, Labour Councillor Robin Harris was deselected and consequently quit, triggering a by-election for the Farley ward which will be held in March.

Beds PCC Olly Martins said: “To me Taf’s de-selection, coupled with that of former finance chief Robin Harris highlights there is a problem with our internal party democracy. Candidates are getting selected on the basis of who can round up the most votes from family members and associates rather than on merit, and it stinks.

“The people of Luton have placed a great deal of faith in the Labour Party, electing the only two Labour MPs in the eastern region and a strongly Labour council. We cannot allow that faith to be taken for granted by acquiescing in the town being treated as though it is a 21st century rotten borough.”

Councillor Yaquib Hani told the BBC on Friday he was worried about the so-called ‘membership stacking’ where people join the party en mass, sometimes without their knowledge, in order to influence the ward’s selection meeting.

Some wards, such as Saints, have more than 500 Labour party members, which is what would usually be expected for an entire constituency.

People who are signed up to the party can then attend the selection meetings and influence the decision.

An East of England Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party is determined to ensure that every Labour candidate is selected in an open, transparent and fair way. We are satisfied that all our selections are being carried out properly and any suggestions otherwise are wrong.”

Mr Martins said: “Taf has recently taken strong leadership, organised and led on a drug action day and a local employment fair, as part of tackling two of the big issues that affect her local community, anti-social behaviour and criminality associated with drug dealing, and youth unemployment.

“Taf was also nationally recognised as Young Councillor of the Year 2012, the only time a Luton councillor has received this accolade. So the residents of Dallow ward will today be scratching their heads wondering why on earth their young, dynamic and independently-minded councillor has been unceremoniously dumped by local Labour Party members.”

Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council Sian Timoney denounced the “fuss and outcry” over the latest selection meetings.

The Labour councillor for Farley said: “Three things to say about selection processes. One, it is a shame when sitting councillors lose their seat but it happens at every election. Two, if there is any member fraud then clearly that’s wrong and should be stopped but evidence obviously needed. And three, why did we not hear such a fuss and outcry when two good sitting councillors were deselected in High Town at last election? Weird.”

>What do you think? Comment below or tweet @LutonNews

An armed robbery took place at RV News in William Street on Friday night.

Four men wearing masks threatened the shop assistant, 28, with a black hand gun.

They took cash from the till and cigarettes before leaving the scene on foot.

Det Con Tracey Joyce said: “The shop assistant was luckily uninjured but this was a shocking experience as one of the offenders threatened the victim with what appeared to be a black hand gun.

“The offenders spread themselves out throughout the shop and one guarded the door whilst the offence was taking place. It is possible that they had visited the area before to plan the incident and I would urge anyone who saw the four leaving the shop or anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously in the area prior to the incident to contact the police.”

The first offender had a medium build and wore a black padded jacket, light grey or white jogging bottoms, black gloves with a white emblem on the top and a black face mask.

The second offender had an average build and wore a blue hooded top, a black waistcoat, blue tracksuit bottoms and black training shoes.

The third offender wore a large blue padded jacket, grey bottoms, a grey hooded top and a black ski mask.

The fourth offender wore a black padded jacket with a black ski mask covering his face.

Call Det Con Joyce, at Luton Police Station, in confidence on 01582 394086, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Knowaste, which launched the first recycling facility in the UK for absorbent hygiene products (AHP) in 2011, is looking at Luton as a possible location for a new larger site.

The new facility, which would recycle products such as nappies, forms part of the company’s strategy to develop a number of sites in the UK

Knowaste is focusing its attention on a location between Oxford, Luton and London, which is capable of handling more than 36,000 tonnes of waste and has access to sustainable heat, power and water sources. It is estimated that one million tonnes of AHP waste is generated in the UK every year.

A growing number of local authorities and hygiene companies are now separating AHP as disposal costs continue to rise and they seek to meet waste reduction, elimination and recycling targets.

Knowaste has recycled more than 77 million nappies since it opened its first plant in the West Midlands two years ago.

Paul Richardson, Business Development Director at Knowaste, said: “The location of the new facility is critical and Luton is one place we are looking at”.

The site will include new recycling technologies, which will make the processes for sterilisation, screening and materials separation more efficient.

It will also comprise new components including washing, separation and drying processes, as well as a plastic pelletiser, which will enable Knowaste to access the high potential and quality markets that it has identified for recycled outputs.

Last year, Knowaste closed its initial site in the West Midlands. Although the site allowed Knowaste to prove and further develop its pioneering technology, it did not provide adequate capacity to maximise the market opportunities that the company has identified for the materials it generates from the recycling process.

Please contact paul.richardson@knowaste.com for further information.

A teenage boy had his bike stolen after he was threatened by another youth in a Luton park on Monday evening.

The bike was stolen at around 7pm when the victim and his friend were riding through Lewsey Park.

The offender step out from behind a tree causing the victim to stop and threatened him before taking his wallet, mobile phone and the bik, pictured.

The bike is described as a matt black ‘FIXIE’ with black wheels and white spokes, chrome handle bars, a purple chrome stem and black rubber grips with white edges. The saddle is black with a white ‘Odyssey’ seat clamp.

The officer in charge of this investigation, DC Joanna Bosson, is keen to speak with anyone who has seen a bike matching this description being ridden in Luton since the incident.

Det Con Bosson said: “This bike is very distinctive and I would hope that anyone who saw it being used in the area will contact the police and so we can return it to its rightful owner.”

The offender is described as a white man, 16 to 17 years old, and wearing a plain black beanie hat, a black padded shiny coat with the hood up, black jeans or tracksuit bottoms and black training shoes. He also wore a black scarf covering his face.

Anyone with information that could help trace this bike or the person responsible for this crime is urged to contact Det Con Bosson, at Luton Police Station, in confidence on 01582 394441, or Bedfordshire Police, on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Well, there’s something else to worry about. One of my recurring nightmares is getting collared for jury service, and now the government says its going to hike the upper age limit so I could still get called when I’m 75. Judges, you may be interested to note, have to hang up their wigs at 70, but that’s another story.

I should point out that I have no objection to playing a full and fair part in our justice system.

I dare say we’ve all got a Twelve Angry Men fantasy at the back of our minds, in which we would be the only ones to spot that the poor sap in the dock was innocent and then painstakingly lead the others to the eventual not guilty verdict.

But Henry Fonda I’m not, if I tried to wear a white suit it would have some unpleasant stain on it within minutes, and more importantly in my earlier working life I spent many a dull and dreary day sitting and paying attention during court proceedings, and I have no wish to repeat the experience – particularly if this time round I might be expected to have a say in whether someone was banged up or not.

I’ve got no issue with making the decision, it’s just the interminable process involved in getting there.

Anyone who has ever spent any time in courts will know that life moves at a much slower pace than anywhere else on earth.

They make a leisurely start, they have measured breaks throughout the day, they knock off early and even when evidence is being given they go over the same ground again and again, at a slow and steady pace completely at odds with the modern world.

That’s how it has to be, I grant you, but the prospect of having to just sit there and listen for days on end, without so much as a crossword to divert me, much less the crucial electronic gizmoes that are now such a part of everyday life, would be too much to bear.

My real fear is drawing the short straw and getting stuck with something long and incredibly contemplated – an intricate fraud trial, for example, or the current phone hacking proceedings which seem to have been going on for months already and which show no signs of drawing to an end any time soon.

And now there will be five more years in which I could pick up a brown envelope from the mat and told to present myself for service.

Still, there could be a positive side.

If I reach that exalted age still in full possession of all my faculties and able to sit through court sessions without nodding off or needing to nip out to the loo every 15 minutes, I should count my blessings and get on with it.

And as a pensioner by then, I will probably be only too glad of somewhere warm and dry to spend a few days, with refreshments thrown in. Bring it on, your honour!

McFly drummer Harry Judd and his wife – violinist Izzy Johnston – were ‘bowled over’ by Keech Hospice Care when they paid a surprise visit last month.

They’d never been to a hospice before and were there at the invitation of two-year-old Oliver Marchant, son of close friends Tiggy and Matthew.

Oliver was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma – cancer of the nervous system – in May.

He’s already undergone chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumour and radiotherapy and Keech is helping him and his parents readjust to normal life.

Harry – who’s headlining the Hyde Park Festival this summer with supergroup McBusted – said: He’s such a happy, chatty little boy.

“He’s definitely a boy’s boy - he loves cars, trains and lorrys and is particularly fond of Izzy’s Mini which he calls ‘Izzy’s funny car.’

“But he’s also partial to a Disney Princess or two, thank to his four-year-old sister Ella who we also adore.”

The 2011 Strictly Come Dancing champion added: “Oliver loves life and his resilience through all his gruelling treatment has been a wonder to see.

“We were absolutely heartbroken for the family when he was diagnosed. It’s always hard seeing people you care about going through difficult times but we’re over the moon that he’s responded so well to treatment.

“We were amazed by the wonderful care Keech provides and were bowled over by how special it is.”

Hospice staff arranged a special ‘Tots and Toys’ tea party for Harry and Izzy’s visit.

Izzy and Tiggy have known each other since school days and Tiggy’s mum is Izzy’s godmother.

Tiggy said: “Izzy and Harry are such a loving supportive couple.

“They do such special things to help us get through, like inviting us to see the band at the Royal Albert Hall as VIP guests.”
It was while Oliver was going through chemotherapy and exactly the diversion she and Matthew needed.

Tiggy said going to Keech had also been a ‘huge deal.’

“It was the first time I’d been able to leave Oliver since this horror began,” she explained. “It meant I had time and space for Ella when she started primary school, knowing he was safe and happy.”

Keech spokeswoman Mel Barry said: “Having visitors like Harry is so important for the hospice. It helps draw attention to the work we do but also has a huge impact on boosting morale.

“We’d love to have him and Izzy back.”

> Support Oliver at https://www.justgiving.com/teams/Olivers-kicking-cancer-fundraising

Three years ago Luton Airport launched its charity-of-the-year partnership.

Staff were asked to shortlist potential good causes and the public was asked to vote.

Sue Ryder was the overwhelming winner and the aim was to raise £80,000 for the charity that has 13 centres country-wide offering compassionate care to those suffering from palliative, long term or end-of-life conditions.

Fundraising highlights included a ‘Meet the buyer’ networking event and a cycle to Paris.

This involved 19 cyclists – led by the airport’s operations director – riding 328 miles to the French capital, raising a whopping £35,000.

More than £100,000 was raised altogether, beating the target by an incredible £20,000.

This translates into 12,000 hours of care which Sue Ryder will provide locally.

A Luton Airport spokesman said: “We are very proud of our achievement.”

Sue Ryder will once again be the company’s charity partner for 2014/15.

> For more information go to www.londonlutoninthecommunity.co.uk

It may have Dallas in the title but there’s not much South Fork about Matthew McConaughey’s latest.

In The Dallas Buyers Club he’s a hard-living and homophobic rodeo cowboy knocked sideways by an HIV diagnosis that gives him just a month to live.

The Macho man refuses to accept his death sentence and begins to smuggle anti-viral drugs from Mexico to help others as well as himself.

The government and pharmaceutical companies aren’t happy, but he finds a surprise ally in the form of a self-destructive transsexual.

It’s based on a true story, and as you’d expect at this time of year is targetted firmly at Oscar-awarding audiences.

The man once dubbed McMahogany for his seemingly endless list of dull rom coms has reinvented himself as a serious leading man, and he’s in the running for a golden gong for this role.

Less demanding is Mr Peabody and Sherman, a wilfully wacky animated comedy about a dog genius and his pet boy. If that sounds crazy then look away now – there’s lots more where that came from. Did we mention the time travel?

The characters were first seen in the cult US children’s TV series The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, and in their big screen debut they serve up some suitably left field laughs.

Well, that’s what the world was waiting for – a remake of Robocop.

When Paul Verhoeven’s cautionary tale about a bionic crimefighter first aired in 1987 it was a chilling slice of special effects science fiction with an original angle.

Step forward a quarter of a century and what have you got? A warmed over version of the same story with glitzier special effects.

Like many a remake, it seems firmly aimed at those young enough not to remember the superior original, and who won’t remember this one an hour after the credits roll.

Police in Luton are appealing for residents to contact them if they have been approached by a man asking for money.

The appeal comes after an elderly couple living in Bampton Road reported an incident on February 4 after a man knocked on their door asking for cash.

The man told the couple that he had locked his wallet in the boot of his car and needed money for a taxi. Believing the man’s story the couple handed over £19 and the man left.

The man is of Asian appearance, in his late 30s with a bald head and gold teeth.

PS Ruth Connelly, of the Local Policing Team, is keen to warn other residents about this man and is keen to trace further witnesses or other victims that have been duped in to handing over cash.

PS Connelly said: “We believe this man is targeting vulnerable elderly people and we would like anyone who thinks they may have given money to this man or anyone who has been approached byhim to contact police as soon as possible.”Anyone with information relating to this appeal can contact PS Connelly at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 393478, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Pupils at Ashton St Peter’s Lower School, Dunstable, have been given an introduction to the exciting world of music -making and sound production.

Musician Vince Wilson is visiting schools in the area giving free demonstrations.

Vince, who has produced music for theatre and worked with David Bowie’s producer, said: “I use top of the range, industry standard, music software an d hardware.

“Any schools in the Luton and Dunstable area that would be interested in one of my demonstrations can contact me on 07801107191.”

For the technically minded, Vince uses Apple MacBook Pro loaded with Apple Logic Pro music software and various hardware synthesizers. Vince has wide record company experience and played live at a Princes Trust event attended by 30,000 people at the Crystal Palace.

The Nisa Local store in Toddington, owned by Kishor Patel and his family, has reached the finals of a national competition to find the best community store in the UK.

In their quest for the best, judges are looking for those who go above and beyond in their efforts to constantly adapt and improve their stores to best serve their local area.

The Toddington store is at the heart of the community it serves. For example, they pioneered ‘maths in store’ with a group of students from Parkfields Middle School to come up with a solution to make maths more fun and less intimidating.

They also host an annual Christmas party for around 100 elderly people in the village, providing everything from the food and waitress service to after-dinner entertainment.

That’s aside from offering free deliveries to the elderly and supporting the local Scout group and church.

Mr Patel said: “Our store manager, Gary Bilbrough, and his team know virtually all their customers by name and see themselves as the catalyst for knitting the community together.

“We’re thrilled to have reached the final stages of this competition.”

The awards will be held at a dazzling ceremony at The Grange in St Paul’s, London, on March 6.

Last year, Nisa Local Toddington was voted highly commended in the Retail Industry Awards and was named as a Top 100 Convenience Store by the Independent Achievers Academy.

A man has been remanded in custody after 60kg of herbal cannabis was found in a lorry at the M1 Toddington Services on Tuesday night.

The Beds, Herts and Cambs Roads Policing Unit stopped the heavy goods vehicle at the Toddington Services and a search of the cabin area revealed the drugs.

The driver of the vehicle, Philip Wylie, 23, of Edenderry Mews, Banbridge, Northern Ireland, appeared at Luton Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

He has been remanded in custody and will next appear in court on March 4.

During the winter it can be tempting to use a break in windy or rainy weather to get a head start on spring garden tasks.

While this can be part of the fun of gardening it is a risky business! If you have the time to step in swiftly if the weather becomes a danger to young plants, then go ahead. Be prepared to monitor the warmth of your greenhouse! Equally if you are prepared to bear some losses to a late frost then rose pruning can be started this month. However for the time-pressed gardener I would urge caution. Although March onwards can be very busy for propagation what is worse than having to re-sow seeds that have not thrived in bad weather?

Where seed-packets suggest you start sowing this month wait until March. The seeds will often catch up with those planted earlier. By the time this month is over you’ll have more of an idea what the weather is doing for the rest of the spring. Then you can decide when to prune your roses and plant containerised plants to give them the best start possible. Don’t forget, it’s not just the day that you do the gardening task that is important: the following period of time should be right for the plants to recover from the stress.

Damp areas that remain stagnant are ideal conditions for disease to spread. As it won’t be long before vulnerable young plants are being grown it is useful to have as healthy an environment as possible. Overgrown plants can be divided this month; ornamental grasses being one example. Tie back plants falling over the one you’re concentrating on so you can see what you’re doing easily.

You can slice off smaller pieces with a sharp spade or put two forks back-to-back and push apart. Make sure you are using hardy, vigorous plants that tolerate being moved.

Check with a good RHS plant book if you’re not sure.

In the meantime, let’s hope for some drier weather. I’m not quite so concerned about warmer weather: the aphids on the roses in the Walled Garden are still alive because of the mild winter we have had so far!

Luton police are appealing for information after a gent’s TAG watch was taken during a street robbery on Sunday evening, February 2.

The incident happened in Chase Street between 9.15pm and 10pm when the 31 year old victim was approached by two men who remarked on his watch.

The men then threatened the victim and demanded he hand over the watch and his mobile before they left the scene.

One offender is described as black, 30 to 36 years old, 6’ tall with a medium build, wearing a black hooded top; the other is also described as black, 25 to 30 years old, 5’10” tall wearing a hat.

The officer in charge of this investigation, Detective Constable Lucy Arnold, is keen to trace anyone who saw the incident or anyone who has been offered a TAG watch for sale recently.

DC Arnold said: “The watch taken during this incident had a dark face and silver metal bracelet. I would urge anyone who has been offered a second hand watch matching this description to contact the police.”

Anyone with information relating to this crime can contact DC Arnold at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394471, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 080 555 111.

For a generation of film fans weaned on 1970s exploitation and irony, MACHETE KILLS (15: Lionsgate) comes across like a James Bond adventure.

Among the jumble of bloody action, extreme violence and stale 007 shenanigans, there are surprising turns by many of the cast.

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, this sequel to Machete is slicker, but less pacey.

US President Charlie Sheen (credited under his birth name Carlos Estevez) enlists Machete (stone-faced Danny Trejo) to catch a crazed Mexican revolutionary aiming a nuclear bomb at Washington.

But the threat is part of an even bigger plan masterminded by a megalomaniac weapons dealer (Mel Gibson).

Memorable performances come from bullet-firing, bikini-clad Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard as a double-agent beauty queen and Cuba Gooding Jr as a hitman who also takes on the appearance of Lady Gaga and Antonio Banderas.

Cheesy trailers for Machete Kills Again...In Space will add to the appeal for B-movie geeks.

> Cate Blanchett and Sally Hawkins have been Oscar-nominated for BLUE JASMINE (12: Warner), Woody Allen’s strongest drama in years.

In an updated homage to A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanchett gives a powerful central performance as penniless New York socialite Jasmine, who is forced to live with her estranged sister Ginger (Hawkins) in a low-rent area of San Francisco.

Jasmine’s vodka-and-tranquilliser-fuelled delusions flash back to her life of married privilege with a financial expert (Alec Baldwin) before dealing with her current life of struggle.

As she strives for one more chance at happiness with a preppy diplomat (Peter Sarsgaard), Allen, at his most observant, manages to derive laughs from depression, death and denial.

> Animated comedy CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLs 2 (U: Sony) is a charmingly surreal sequel about the nerdy inventor who designed a water-into-food machine.

Flint Lockwood joins Live Corp, the company of Steve jobs-type guru Chester V, to create “for the betterment of mankind”. But he discovers that the machine he thought he had destroyed is still causing chaos, turning his home town into a jungle populated by food monsters.

This movie may be warmed-up leftovers, but the endless sight gags, daft puns and strange ‘foodimals’ – shrimpanzees, flamangos, tacodiles and cheespiders – provide another tasty spectacle.

> Engrossing drama THE FIFTH ESTATE (15: Entertainment One) is the story of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his mission to expose the secrets of governments and the corporate world.

Receiving confidential information, through a secure online platform, Assange rails against authority and tries to stay one step ahead of his pursuers while living in constant fear for his life.

Cumberbatch gives a towering, compelling performance in a film that references other real-life screen dramas like All The President’s Men and The Social Network, finding intrigue and tension in incidents that dominated world headlines.

Officers from the South Bedfordshire Robbery Team are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a 20 year old man was left with bruising to his face and cuts to his knees after an attempted robbery.

The incident happened on Monday, February 3, between 6pm and 6.30pm when the victim was walking through Manor Park in Luton.

Four men approached the victim and asked what type of mobile phone he had before the offenders punched the victim to the face causing him to fall to the ground.

The victim managed to get up and run from the scene, keeping all his property.

The officer in charge of this investigation, Police Constable Ben Stone, is keen to trace any witnesses to the incident.

PC Stone said: “The victim managed to contact the police immediately and three men in their early 20s have been arrested in connection with this investigation. However, this inquiry is still ongoing and it is vital that witnesses to this offence still speak with officers and tell them exactly what they saw so this investigation can be completed.”

Anyone with information relating to this offence can contact PC Stone, in confidence, at Luton Police Station, on 01582 394471, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

When young John Edeldand travelled to the UK in 1939 with 200 Jewish children from Germany, a week before war broke out, they were welcomed by a letter by Chief Rabbi Hertz.

He told them they were working hard in the UK for their welfare where they will find love and kindness extended to them from all sides.

He also gave them four points of advice on how they could help to live in harmony in their new land. First, by being considerate, behaving quietly and politely, (2) the English customs of waiting for your turn and young people offer their seats to the elderly (3) English people admire quietness and gentleness in behaviour and (4) showing your gratitude.

Such was the poignant message at Luton Town Hall for the Holocaust memorial last month read by young Liam Gesoff.

The day saw also Stopsley High School performed a drama on their trip to Terezin to a packed Council Chamber, and Kelvin Hopkins MP gave the closing address.

Local dignitaries attending said they were moved by the direct yet sensitive presentation.

A children’s charity is campaigning to continue running Hart Hill Adventure Playground (HHAPG) in Luton, which the council can no longer afford to operate.

Children’s Links have been running HHAPG since it opened in February 2011 and now the tender is up for the building they are hoping to continue managing it.

The council’s executive committee will discuss the playground on Monday and if the Secretary of State agrees, plan to dispose of the land as a community asset transfer.

Craig Andrews, author of the petition, said: “Children’s Links have gained the trust and support of the residents of the local community.So come on people pull together and show that this is a place we don’t want to lose.”

The playground opened with £800,000 from the government but there is now no budget to continue to run it.

Writing on the petition, James Law said: “My grand- children love going there and beg me to take them all the while. Typical, anything good or positive the council don’t support.” Peter Callaghan said: “Why invest in a flagship venture only to take it away or change its use. This short -sightedness infuriates me.” and Richard Lewis said: “Let the playground continue the good work it’s already done. Business and public must get behind this to keep it open.”

Go to Change.org and search Hart Hill to find the petition.