A man was threatened with a knife, punched and robbed as he walked through Popes Meadow last week.

The incident took place at around 10.25am on Monday May 26 when the victim, a 31-year-old man, was walking along a footpath in Popes Meadow which was near the junction of Wensleydale and Havelock Road, Luton.

The victim was approached by two offenders who threatened him with a knife, punched him and then searched his pockets taking cash, bank cards and a mobile phone.

The offenders then fled towards Wardown Crescent and the victim returned home where he called the police.

Detective Constable Gill Cowley, who is investigating the robbery, would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack and may have seen the offenders.

The first offender – who was armed with a knife - was a black man, between 35 and 40 years old, around 6ft tall, muscular build, with large eyes and was wearing a black jacket with the hood up and had his face covered.

The second offender was also a black man, between 25 and 35 years old, 5ft 5ins tall, chubby build, with a large nose, small beard and a ‘slight’ moustache.

He was wearing a black jacket with the hood up, a red top underneath.

If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Cowley, in confidence, on 01582 394471, the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

A Luton woman is furious after discovering a “potentially lethal” metal barrier, similar to one which ripped through her car in 2012, had been left to hang over a road in Stopsley.

Sharon Whooley, 47, of Round Green, narrowly escaped serious injury when an unsecured metal barrier smashed through her car as she drove along the access road to the former Luton Regional Sports Centre in August 2012.

The unlocked pole had been swung out to face the road and proved difficult to spot as it was end on.

As it smashed through the car the barrier struck Sharon on the back of the head causing a cut and swelling, though the 47-year-old admits the incident could have left her “severely maimed or killed”.

Her car was also written off in the smash.

After revisiting the site for the first time since the crash Sharon has discovered that another barrier has been put on the road, but it remains unsecured and a danger to drivers.

She told Herald & Post: “I find it incredible that this is potentially lethal situation exists.

“I was lucky to walk away from what happened to me so you would think that the barrier would be locked back or taken out altogether.

“I was fortunate as my car is quite low down, for anyone driving a normal car it would have hit them in the chest.

“Instinct made me crouch forward and the barrier went out of the side of the window behind me.”

Sharon added that it is not only motorists who need to be wary of the barrier.

She said: “Alot of teens go up there on mopeds or bikes and it can also be really dangerous for them.

“I was lucky that at the time I was going slowly, if it was a boy racer it could have been so much worse.”

A council spokesperson said: “Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

“The barrier seems to have been vandalised again, so we will be welding the height restriction barrier in the closed position and the lower barrier in the open position to stop this situation recurring.”

Shoppers were treated to a look around the new layout of The Body Shop on Saturday, May 31.

The store in The Mall was reopened by Keech Hospice fundraiser, Maggie Doust.

Louise Farquharson, regional manager, said: “We wanted to celebrate our founder and what she stood for, which was interaction with customers and products.

“There are activity stations where customers can test products, we want them to enjoy shopping.”

Maggie Doust said: “At Keech we look after the person, and we believe that the body shop have the same values as us, we like everyone to feel good about themselves, it is good for us that a business like this is supporting us.”

There is a values wall behind the counter to make customers aware of what The Body Shop’s values are.

Nicola Roberts, store manager, said: “The store looks really good and we have had lots of compliments from customers on the new layout. We are really grateful for Maggie coming down to open the store for us, throughout June we will be asking customers who come in for a makeover to make a donation to Keech.”

When it was announced that a remake of one of Hollywood’s sci-fi masterpieces was in the pipeline, 27 years after the original, many people quite rightly asked: “Why?”

The answer is that ROBOCOP (12: Studio Canal) is a slick reboot of the 1987 film, with updated CGI and video game-style visuals making it a must for action fans.

Brazilian director Jose Padilha brings grit and punch to proceedings and Joel Kinnaman confidently steps into Peter Weller’s formidable shoes as the Detroit cop-turned-cyborg. Once he’s been customised by scientist Gary Oldman, he targets both the villains responsible for his murder and the corrupt corporation that created him.

The movie is less satirical and subversive than the first outing, but the set-pieces are impressive. The raw intensity is only lost during the scenes with Kinnaman’s wife (Abbie Cornish) and young son, which provide the human element.

> The true story of the lengthy affair between author Charles Dickens and actress Ellen Ternan, some 27 years his junior, is depicted in THE INVISIBLE WOMAN (12: Lionsgate).

The Dickens we meet here, played by Ralph Fiennes, who also directs, is a hugely popular writer and avuncular soul who’s unfulfilled because his wife, who has given birth to ten children, doesn’t really understand his work.

Enter 18-year-old “Nelly” Ternan (Felicity Jones), a jobbing actress besottedby Dickens’ literary output, who soon realises the man himself is strongly attracted to her.

The screenplay frames the illicit consequences within the context of Ternan’s later life as a married teacher, with the strain of keeping her liaison a secret starting to take its toll.

Also starring Kristin Scott Thomas (Mrs Ternan) and Tom Hollander (Wilkie Collins), Fiennes’ confident direction captures every nuance in a subtle, accomplished and intelligent piece of film-making.

> Belly laughs are in short supply in comedy drama DELIVERY MAN (12: Entertainment One), in which Vince Vaughn plays David, a butcher’s van driver whose past catches up with him.

This is director Ken Scott’s Hollywood remake of his own Canadian offering, Starbuck. That was the nickname David used during his frequent visits to a sperm bank in his cash-strapped youth, but now he finds he’s the biological father of 533 children, 142 of whom have joined in a lawsuit to reveal his identity.

Unsure he’s actually parent material, David conspires with his lawyer (Chris Pratt) to track down some of these grown-up kids who’ve never known their “dad”.

The emotional complications that escalate from there are only mildly diverting as the eternal man-child stumbles out of his comfort zone.

> Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project have a lot to answer for. DEVIL’S DUE (15: Twentieth Century Fox) is a modest addition to the spawn-of-Satan genre and the tired found-footage format does it few favours.

A newlywed couple are surprised to discover they are expecting their first child soon after their honeymoonin the Dominican Republic. The husband documents the pregnancy on film, but witnesses a transformation in his wife that has him wondering if there’s something supernatural about the unborn baby.

It’s less a question of who’s the daddy than what’s the daddy as things get weirder and weirder.

It was a very big birthday for the Mitchell brothers of Whipsnade Zoo when two chimpanzees named after Albert Square’s most notorious duo celebrated their 18th birthdays on Wednesday.

The chimps were named Phil and Grant by EastEnders actress Pam St Clements after she visited the zoo on the day they were born.And the brothers enjoyed their very own birthday bash with special presents and even a mammoth cardboard cake containing their favourite treats, such as bananas and grapes.

Zookeepers stuffed colourfully wrapped presents with nuts, seeds and sultanas and built a huge cardboard cake, filling it with even more treats.

The Mitchell brothers had to share though, as the zoo’s other chimps – Nikki, Bonnie, Koko and Elvis – were also invited to the celebrations.

They may not be quite as troublesome as their namesakes in Albert Square, but the primate Mitchell brothers are notorious with keepers and visitors.

Zookeeper Graeme Williamson said: “Everyone at Whipsnade has a soft spot for the mischievous duo. They are often seen chasing one another around like rowdy teenagers. Grant is known as a bit of a greedy chimp. He loves being the centre of attention and trying to get his hands on more of his favourite treats, especially bananas, grapes and monkey nuts. Phil is the smaller and shyer of the two. He can often be seen swinging from ropes in the Zoo’s ‘Chimpnasium’.

“Both Phil and Grant love investigating new things, so the party was an excellent way to encourage their natural inquisitive behaviours and celebrate their 18th birthdays.”

The coffers of Luton Youth Music are set to be given a boost with an upcoming fundraising evening organised by the Rotary Club of Luton North.

The concert will showcase some of the town’s most talented youngsters on Saturday June 14 from 6.30pm at Lea Manor School, Northwell Drive.

The Bushmead Primary School Choir will be joined by the all-female Luton Youth Cantores and the Luton Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Haydn Sinfield, of the Rotary Club of Luton North, said: “We have set up the concert to raise awareness of these talented young singers and musicians.

“The tickets are just £8 each and the money raised will be ploughed back into supporting the choirs and musicians.”

Anil Virji, a partner at Pictons Solicitors, will be compering the event.

He added: “We have a wealth of young musical talent in Luton and it will be an absolute joy for me to compere the event.

“They have been rehearsing for months to produce a concert which will be outstanding and an evening of great entertainment. I can’t wait.”

Tickets can be obtained from Paul Denton on 01582 507285 or from tickets@lutonnorth.org.

Doors open at 6.30pm and the concert begins at 7pm.

The victim of a vicious dog attack has said that the incident has left him scared to leave home and unable to work for six months.

The 43-year-old man, who wished not to be named, was attacked as he walked through Leagrave Park on January 4 at around 5.15pm.

After being approached by two large dogs the victim was bitten on his right leg, then after the attack was confronted by the owner who denied fault and attempted to headbutt the man.

The 43-year-old was then chased out of the park before returning home to call for an ambulance and for the police.

Due to infection the wound could not be operated on and was left the heal naturally.

The victim told Luton News: “I was told that as I fell in bushes after I was bitten I saved myself from further injury.

“As it was dark I could not tell what breeds they were but the dogs were big enough to knock me over.

“After the owner came over I was expecting him to ask if I was ok but he was vile and tried to headbutt then punch me.

“As he chased me down the path he said he would ‘smash my face in’ and after getting away from him I felt a pain like an electric shock on my leg and then ended up in a heap.”

The psychological impact of the incident has left the victim with panic attacks, anxiousness and an extended six month stay off work.

He added: “At times I cannot leave the house and I do not go into the park anymore as there are so many dogs around.

“In a way it was lucky that it happened to me as if the dogs had attacked a child they could have mauled its fingers.

“The owner has no idea what sort of impact this has had on me and he probably does not care either.

“He has got away with it as there is a lack of evidence.”

Police have been unable to find the dog owner, who was seen standing with a woman shortly before the attack.

The victim spoke out after two women in Liverpool were jailed for a year after a pensioner was savagely attacked and killed by their dog.

The 49-year-old called for stronger laws to prevent attacks, calling the Dangerous Dogs Act ‘weak’.

Currently statute allows for sentences of up to five years for those found to have let their dogs injure someone.

The victim said: “More must be done as it just your word against theirs at the moment.

“More care also needs to be taken to keep dogs on leads.”

Firefighters across Luton and Bedfordshire will walk out for a first 24-hour strike over planned government reforms to pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will picket during the 24-hour strike from 9am on Thursday, with another set for 10am-5pm on Saturday June 21.

A Beds Fire & Rescue spokesperson confirmed that firefighters from across the county would be put into place to cover the walk-out.

Area Commander Ian Evans, said: “Whilst this is a national dispute between the FBU and the Government, the impact will be felt locally.

“Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has well practiced plans to continue to deliver services during the periods of FBU strike action, and these will be put into place.

“However, as with any period of strike action, this will be a reduced service, compared to normal.

“We will prioritise any 999 calls we receive, so that we can respond to those with a potential threat to life.

“We will also need the support and help of the public to minimise the risk of fire and other emergencies.”

The walk-out comes five weeks after firefighters from the town lined the streets to picket over three days.

One station was closed with a sign stating it had been locked up due to “attempted pension theft”.

Between the upcoming strikes firefighters will not carry out any voluntary overtime — which is routinely needed by many fire and rescue services to maintain fire cover — or conduct training of strikebreakers between the beginning of the first strike and 9am on Sunday 22 June.

The two strikes will be the thirteenth and fourteenth over pensions– the first was on September 24 2013.

The walk-out is part of a three-year feud betweenthe FBU and government, which plans to up pension contributions and the retirement age of firefighters.

FBU says the move would see firefighters working into their late 50s and leave them facing dismissal if their fitness falls below required levels.

Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “The minister (Brandon Lewis) has decided to bury his head in the sand, but he must accept that firefighters simply will not give up fighting for their futures — and our fire and rescue service.

“Concerns over these unworkable proposals remain as valid and grave as ever, and the government has ignored all the evidence including it’s own reports.

“It is as ever a difficult decision for us to take, but the only way for us to resolve this unnecessary and costly dispute is for the government to start listening to reason.”

A man had his jaw broken after offering to pay for damage he accidentally caused to a car in Old Bedford Road.

The incident happened at around 6.30pm on Sunday May 18 after the 36-year-old victim had accidentally scratched a deep blue or grey Volvo in Old Bedford Road.

The victim apologised to the offender and offered to pay for the damage immediately so both of them made their way to the Barclays bank in Dunstable Road.

The victim handed over cash to the offender who then punched him in the face before driving away in his car.

The victim was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital where an X-ray confirmed that he had suffered a fracture to his jaw.

The offender is described as being a white Polish man, in his mid-30s, around 6ft tall, of large muscular build with short white hair.

If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Tomlinson, in confidence, on 01582 394087.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Bedfordshire charity dedicated to providing emotional and practical support to people affected by the trauma, bereavement or serious injury from road collisions has won a

highly prestigious award in recognition of services provided.

The Road Victims Trust, based in Kempston, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest possible award bestowed on volunteers organisations in the UK.

The award reflects the magnificent work and care provided to people in the aftermath of a fatal road traffic collision on the roads of Bedfordshire since the inception of the Trust in 1995.

The RVT is a non-profit making registered charity dedicated to supporting people who have been affected by the grief and trauma of a road death.

It provides a range of practical and emotional support to families, friends and colleagues of persons killed on the road, as well as to witnesses of such collisions.

In 2013-2014 alone it provided support to 207 people.

Speaking about the award, the newly- appointed Chief Executive Mark Turner said: “This is an absolutely wonderful tribute to every single person who is associated with the Road Victims Trust.

“Everyone here is thrilled and humbled that the amazing work of our staff and volunteers has been recognised in such a fashion.

“Our counselling volunteers, supported by highly skilled and dedicated Co-ordinators, provide support to so many persons who are at their lowest possible ebb.

“We continue to support those persons for as long as they feel necessary, no matter how long that takes.

“We are all extremely grateful for the skill and compassion they give to their work. The manner we provide this support is unique nationally and we are very proud of this.

“Our volunteers work tirelessly to give the best level of support.

“Many have been with us for several years and we are delighted they have been recognised in such a way”

The Road Victims Trust has expanded into Hertfordshire since 2010 and Cambridgeshire since 2013 - providing the same high standards of support and care.

The Trust is also looking for new counselling volunteers who will receive training and support as they help victims.

To find out more about the work of the charity visit its’ website at www.rvtrust.org.uk

While we often are engrossed in day-to-day activities, I believe one of the biggest contributions a council can make is to think of the long term. How can we shape our communities to better meet the needs of future generations?

With house prices rising, like many parents I wonder how my children will manage to get their foot on the housing ladder and whether they’d be able to find a home or job locally. Considerations such as these are at the heart of the Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire which goes out to consultation at the end of this month.

The Strategy aims to provide 31,000 new homes and 27,000 jobs up to 2031 to meet future needs. It also seeks to make sure that growth happens in a planned way so that we preserve and enhance our area’s character and that we put in place the right infrastructure and services to cope with added demands created by new homes.

But it is also about how we ensure new developments are not just about buildings, but about people - creating and enhancing communities that are self sustaining and supportive. There is a real opportunity to regenerate our town and village centres.

I was at a fantastic event recently which looked at how the council and a host of other health and social care organisations could work collectively to improve the health and wellbeing of frail older people living in and around Biggleswade and Sandy. It was great to see so much expertise and passion in one room and a shared commitment to make sure that people over 75 get the care and support they need to remain independent, stay out of hospital and ultimately keep healthy and happy.  I look forward to seeing the local plan that is being developed as a result.

The ‘Caring Together’ event was one of the ways in which we’re seizing on new funding opportunities through the government’s ‘Better Care’ funding to join up and enhance health and care services. I hope to bring further news later this year.

Members of a local gliding club have been unveiled as the first group to showcase their work at London Luton Airport’s Gateway Gallery after an overwhelming response from budding local artists to an annual competition, run in partnership with Luton Culture.

Adrian Hobbs, Stephen Lynn, Paul Rackham and Pete Stammell, members of the London Gilding Club, based in Dunstable, will display a series of photographs entitled ‘The Art of Powerless Flight’ from June this year. The photographs were taken over four years and capture the best of the Three Counties and further afield.

With an average of 28,000 passengers travelling through the Airport every day, the Gateway Gallery competition provides local artists from the Three Counties with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their artwork, as well as giving Airport passengers greater access to local artistic talent. Now in its seventh year, it’s estimated that 63 million passengers and Airport employees have enjoyed various exhibitions at the Gateway Gallery to date.

>For more information on the photographers’ work, visit www.adrianhobbs.co.uk/gliding

It’s been a year since the government’s Help to Buy scheme was launched, and to mark the scheme’s first birthday David Wilson Homes is hoping to clear up some of the myths and misconceptions.

With the Help to Buy scheme new homebuyers can purchase a quality David Wilson home up to the value of £600,000, with just a five per cent deposit, a 75 per cent mortgage and a government funded equity loan of 20 per cent.

One common misconception is that Help to Buy is only for first time buyers, but the fact is, anyone could be eligible to buy a new home using Help to Buy - even if they are moving up the property ladder and selling their current home.

Also, Help to Buy can be used to purchase larger homes than many buyers might think, with properties worth up to £600,000 eligible for the scheme.

There is also no income cap on Help to Buy, unlike previous government housing initiatives, so how much you earn has no effect on your eligibility to use it. And, because it is not a shared equity scheme, the property you buy will be 100% yours.

Despite being a government initiative, the scheme has less red tape than buyers may realise, and David Wilson Homes’ experienced, friendly Sales Advisers are there to guide you through it step by step.

Finally, there is a preconception that Help to Buy is not widely used, but in fact more than 15,000 homes bought in England in the last year were done so using the scheme – and with the government extending it until 2020, its popularity looks set to continue.

Jackie Day, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes South Midlands said; “We’ve noticed an upward trend in the amount of people purchasing new homes using Help to Buy and we hope these myth busters will encourage more buyers to investigate the scheme.”

David Wilson Homes currently have a number of prestigious developments in Bedfordshire, including Bedford Meadows and Woodlands in Kempston, The Fairways in Great Denham and Marston Park in Marston Moretaine.

A well-established homebuilder, David Wilson Homes prides itself on creating exceptional homes in the finest locations and recently achieved the maximum five star rating in a customer satisfaction survey ran by the Home Builders Federation.

For more information about David Wilson Homes in your area, or to register your interest, please contact 0844 811 4477 or log onto the website at www.dwh.co.uk.

At the start of spring this year, Luton welcomed the Near Neighbours programme coming to town.

This is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) through the Church Urban Fund (CUF). The Rt Rev Richard Atkinson, Bishop for Bedford & Luton has been strongly recommending Luton for this programme.

With his support, two briefing sessions have been organised for Luton’s faith communities. The programme is all about bringing people from different faiths and cultural backgrounds together, to get to know each other better, build relationships of trust and collaborate together on initiatives that improve the local community they live in. People can apply between £250 - £5,000 for activities that will meet the programme criteria. Elizabeth Carnelley, For more details contact Near Neighbours (Luton) Coordinator, Kim Greig on 01582-416946 or 07930601640 or near.neighbours_luton@btconnect.com

“When I married Prince Rainier, I married the man and not what he represented or what he was. I fell in love with him without giving a thought to anything else.”

One has to wonder quite what director Olivier ‘La Vie En Rose’ Dahan was aiming for with Grace of Monaco. What he’s made is a flashy, shallow, royal-em-up that oozes melodrama but lacks any sort of empathy – mostly because every character feels like they are being played by cardboard cut-outs.

The plot follows Grace Kelly (Nicole Kidman) as she tries to get to grips with the transition from Hollywood megastar to Princess of Monaco.

It seems that marrying into royalty isn’t necessarily a fairytale come true as her Prince ‘Charming’ Rainer (Tim Roth) turns out to be a carping and bossy nightmare to live with.

And to make matters worse Charles de Gaulle (André Penvern) is determined to crush Monaco’s tax-haven status and forcibly restore it to being part of France.

Turns out that Grace might just be the only hope of the small nation state’s survival but with foes on every side including some within her own court, she is going to have to pull of the ‘greatest role of her life’ in order to save the day.

Alas this fictionalised account – although based on true events – completely fumbles the political intrigue, instead turning the whole plot into a glitzy dumbed down bore-athon.

Kidman is at least mildly worth watching, she exudes a brittle beauty that radiates from the screen.

But nobody else seems to want to be in the film. Tim Roth is especially poor as Rainier, often inadvertently funny, but there seems to have been a bad outbreak of ham fever which strikes down all the supporting cast at various points. Roger Ashton-Griffiths, in particular, brings a highly unconvincing Alfred Hitchcock to the screen.

Only Father Francis Tucker (Frank Langella) comes away with any real credit as the priest who helps ‘Gracie’ learn to be the princess she must be if Monaco is to have an independent future.

Grace Of Monaco isn’t a film that you’ll enjoy if you’re looking for a decent biopic, an intelligent political thriller or a deep insight into Grace Kelly’s struggles.

If, however, you are willing to overlook the poor production values and just appreciate the lavish costumes, book your tickets today.

As football’s global showcase finally cranks into action, here are a few questions to ask yourself if you’re worried that you are being taken in once again by what’s billed as a samba-soaked celebration of s0ccer but is, as we all secretly suspect, nothing more than a slick machine for milking passion and, more importantly, money from mugs all around the world.

In case you’re wondering, answer yes to more than two of them and you should seek help.

1. Have you actually read any of the free World Cup guides that every newspaper and magazine has published in the last month?

2. Have you put a wallchart of fixtures up at home or at work, do you have highlighter pens on standby ready to fill it in?

3. Have you picked out a team in the office sweepstake, and can you name any of their players?

4. Do you have a flag of St George, or any other national flag, anywhere on your car, your house, or even your clothing?

5. Have you refused any opportunity for human interaction over the next month on the grounds that you have to stay in and watch the football?

6. Have you refused any opportunity for family interaction over the next month on the grounds that you have to go to the pub and watch the football?

7. Do you have strong opinions about who should be playing in the England team and why?

8. Do you have carefully-crafted opinions about which obscure player or unfancied team will turn out to be the surprise package of this tournament?

9. Are you enthusiastically filling out a sticker album even though you are allegedly a grown-up?

10. Do you think it’s entirely reasonable that you can put 11 part-timers who play for pin money up against 11 monsyllabic millionaires and not be able to tell by the standard of their play which is which?

11. Can you name any of the global enterprises which have shelled out millions to associate themselves with the tournament, and have you bought any of their products as a result?

12. Have you ever been tempted to dress up in costume to support your national side, or daub your face in the national colours?

13. Do you honestly believe that, in the unlikely event of your national team going all the way and scooping the most coveted prize in soccer – probably in a supremely dull final capped by a penalty shoot out – your life will be in any way improved?

14. Do you honestly believe that your national team has any chance of going all the way this year, or any year?

15. Even if you answered yes to only one question, are you still likely to watch at least some of the tournament?

16. Can you explain why?

The 61 football club, based at Kingsway recreation ground, have entered the Mirror’s competition to win a £20,000 club makeover.

To vote visit: www.mirror.co.uk/play/competitions/buildbase-club-makeover-competition-show-3571351

The public took part in the commemoration of the 70th anniversay of D Day at Stockwood Park on Friday, June 6. D-Day is the day in the Second World War when allied forces invaded northern France.

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After the critical and commercial success of 12 Years A Slave, it’s no surprise that Hollywood has been looking to serve up other stories with similar ingredients.

So say hello to Belle – based on a true story, handsome historical drama, examining issues surrounding the slave trade. Tick, tick, tick.

This is a world away from Steve McQueen’s devastating drama, though – Belle is more Downton Abbey territory than down on the plantation.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays the mixed-race beauty raised as an aristocrat in 18th century England – and to be fair, she is part of the family, one of many children born of liaisons between masters and slaves in the far-off Caribbean.

Despite her inherited wealth, the colour of her skin condemns her to outsider status, and then she falls for the son of a reforming vicar.

There’s a top notch Brit cast and it all looks lovely, but it’s a bit stodgy.

Doctor Who sidekick Karen Gillan makes her bid for screen stardom in Oculus, a confusing would-be spine-chiller about a woman trying to prove her brother, recently released from a secure hospital, didn’t really kill their parents and it was all the fault of the evil mirror in the family home.

It comes from the team behind Paranormal Activity and Insidious, and offers some satisfyingly creepy moments, but the most unsettling thing is probably Amy Pond talking with an American accent.

Watch out for Devil’s Knot, the latest from Atom Egoyan – Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon lead a ‘true story’ tale about three Bible Belt teenagers railroaded for the killing of a trio of little boys and the fight to clear them. Colin’s the investigator, Reese the mum of one of the victims determined to find out the truth.

Brave Luton burns survivor Shamiam Arif had just one request for Professor Richard Hayward when they met at London’s celebrated Great Ormond Street Hospital last week.

The 12-year-old Challney Girls High pupil told the top paediatric neurosurgeon: “Please fix my head. I’m tired of wearing a helmet and I just want to be normal.”

The feisty tomboy was badly burned as a baby when a candle fell into her cot in Kashmir. She lost both hands in the blaze and her skull was burned down to the lining of her brain.

She would have died had she not been brought to Britain for life-saving surgery. Renowned burns specialist Peter Dziewulski gave his services free and Shamiam has had numerous grafts and surgical interventions, including the Krukenberg procedure to fashion two ‘fingers’ from her forearms.

She’s always impressed everyone with her huge zest for life, total lack of self pity and fierce independence.

Her school reports are invariably glowing, citing her as a role model for her have-a-go approach and sunny personality.

But as she approaches puberty, Shamiam wants to ditch the helmet she’s always worn for protection. She wants to grow a fringe, should she wish, and banish the hated compulsory headgear forever.

Because her condition is unique, the team at Great Ormond Street has been considering several different solutions.

It was initially thought that a titanium plate could be inserted in her skull, supported by skin grafts and muscle transplants.

Now Professor Hayward has put forward a different proposal: harvesting pieces of bone from Shamiam’s skull and installing them in the frontal gap where they would naturally regenerate to fill the void.

But further tests and checks will be necessary, particularly to ascertain if the original skin graft on her skull has adhered directly to the brain membrane, which could cause difficulties.

There is also another option: creating a skull cap which would protect Shamiam’s head but could be fitted into a wig, baseball cap or something more trendy.

Professor Hayward took great pains to explain everything to his young patient, who was accompanied by her parents Tahira and Arif, together with John and Linda McGoldrick from the Shamiam Arif Appeal Committee.

Shamiam will have an MRI and other reviews before the team meets once again to consider the best way forward.

But whatever the outcome, this inspirational young girl is adamant she wants her head ‘fixed.’