A cool August has seen spiders head indoors earlier than usual this year.

The common British house spider is likely to be looking for a mate as the autumn breeding season approaches - which means they will be much more visible inside our homes.

Yet you don’t have to surrender your house to the eight-legged creatures - there are plenty of ways you can repel spiders.

Keep your house clean and airy

Spiders love dark, damp, cluttered places. Vacuum and dust regularly, and don’t allow clutter to build up. Store things in plastic lidded boxes rather than cardboard ones to prevent spiders gaining access.

Keep your house filled with natural light - never leave blinds or curtains closed during the day or for prolonged periods of time if you’re away from home.

Use essential oils

Spiders ‘smell’ with their legs, so strong scents will deter them from leaving their nooks and crannies. Tea tree, rose, cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, citronella, lavender and eucalyptus can all work - make sure you spray corners, window sills and skirting boards, and replenish regularly.

Borax

This pest control product is designed to kill ants, but it also works with spiders. Sprinkle it in corners and along door frames to prevent webs. Seal cracks Grab your caulking gun and seal up spider access points in walls, floors and ceilings.

Keep foliage away from your house

Don’t allow plants next to your home to creep too close, as spiders will hide in them. Similarly, don’t allow leaf litter, woodpiles etc to accumulate, as they make great spider hiding places.

Get a cat

A feline will fearlessly chase spiders - although you can’t always guarantee a successful outcome!

But don’t use conkers!

There’s no evidence that they’re effective. Other strong aromas are likely to work better, such as garlic or vinegar.

Earlier this month, the Police Federation announced that their campaign for the acceptance of tattooed police officers was met with success - a decision that’s sure to get the thumbs-up from a sizeable majority of the public.

Indeed, according to a new survey, a whopping 73 per cent of Brits approve of inked officers.

The new appearance standards guidance – developed by the College of Policing and accepted as best practice - has been said by the Police Federation to “provide officers and staff with clear direction on their appearance, so that they present a professional image while also being allowed some self-expression”.

London-based property firm Savoy Stewart delved deeper into the issue of tattooed police officers in the workplace using independent research, alongside reports from the Police Federation.

Studies have revealed that 48 per cent of serving officers have a tattoo, 17 per cent of which have a visible tattoo when in their uniform.

However, Home Office guidance on tattoos is vague and open to interpretation, meaning that in recent years, guidelines on inked officers have varied wildly across forces.

The survey by Savoy Stewart looked into how comfortable the public are with tattooed professionals across industries in order to see where police officers would appear on the list - with some surprising findings.

The survey asked Brits the following question: How comfortable would you be with a person with a visible tattoo working in the following

occupations?

PROFESSION / %COMFORTABLE / %UNCOMFORTABLE

Athlete / 88% / 12%

Chef / 81% / 19%

Police Officer / 73% / 27%

IT Technician / 72% / 28%

Estate Agent / 69% / 31%

Banker / 63% / 37%

Doctor / 59% / 41%

Judge / 59% /41%

Nurse / 57% / 43%

Lawyer / 57% /43%

Primary School Teacher / 49% / 51%

Political Figure / 44% / 56%

Air Hostess / 42% / 58%

The results showed that respondents were more comfortable seeing a tattooed police officer than a tattooed estate agent.

This supports the Police Federation’s own study, which demonstrated a similar level of acceptance, where 55 per cent of fellow officers felt comfortable working with a tattooed colleague.

Interestingly, the public seemed to be more uncomfortable seeing body modifications in female-associated roles such as primary school teachers (51 per cent of respondents were uncomfortable with this), air hostesses (58 per cent) and nurses (43 per cent).

Indeed, according to this study by Savoy Stewart, British workers are more comfortable seeing a tattooed politician (44 per cent approval) than a tattooed air hostess (42 per cent).

The study also revealed the characteristics we most associate with people who have tattoos.

These included being rebellious, less intelligent, and unhealthy.

Although more and more of us are inking our bodies, this doesn’t seem to be stopping employers from using this as a reason not to employ an individual, with 54 per cent of hiring decision makers thinking that tattoos can have a negative impact on the workplace.

Currently in the UK three in ten 25-39 year olds have tattoos, which means a serious shrinking of the talent pool if an employer decides not choose a candidate with body art.

This would be particularly troublesome to an already struggling police force.

Studies have shown that British women in particular would be affected, as they are more likely to be tattooed than men. Indeed, the Police Federation has demonstrated that 52 per cent of female officers have a tattoo compared with 47 per cent of male officers.

However, times maybe be changing, as proven by the new appearance standards guidelines by the College of Policing.

A safety warning has been issued over a new craze of swimmers wearing MERMAID tails.

The trend of wearing the item has grown alongside the popularity of children’s television show Mako Mermaids as well as classic movies Little Mermaid and Splash.

But it has also led the Royal Life Saving Society UK issuing a warning to parents about the dangers that could lead to drownings.

Earlier this month, a teenage British water sports instructor died after using a mermaid-style monofin and snorkel at an exclusive beach resort in Greece.

Harry Byatt, 19, was found at a depth of about 30 metres on the seabed on August 6.

RLSS UK say the mermaid tails should only be used in organised classes run by qualified professionals.

It has teamed up with Fin2Fit, which offers mermaid and shark tail swimming exercise classes for children, to ensure their safe use.

Mike Dunn, of RLSS UK, said: “These activities must be done in a safe and approved environment. We are conscious that there have been a number of incidents caused through improper use of mono-fins and mermaid tails.

“Videos of these incidents, which often occur in back garden and home pools, circulate on social media.

“Consequently, RLSS UK strongly recommends to all parents, that the safest way for children to enjoy and benefit from this new activity is through participation in professionally organised classes, which are delivered by qualified instructors, who are affiliated to a reputable mermaid or mono-fin swimming organisation.”

The average British family is wasting over TWO kgs of food every month.

The shocking figure is the result of the widespread mentality that it is ‘better to cook too much than too little’.

Researchers found seven in ten households admit throwing away too much food, often because they over-estimate portion sizes.

More than one in ten said they simply don’t have the time to weigh out ingredients before cooking them, which creates even more waste.

One in ten families also throw away up to 10 items every month because they have gone off before being used.

Overall the study found the typical family throw away 2.23kg of food every month.

Low awareness

Futurologist James Bellini, on behalf of home appliance brand Grundig who commissioned the research, said: “Given the crucial importance of food issues over the coming decades the level of general awareness and concern is surprisingly low.

“But looking ahead to the 2020s and beyond to the 2030s it seems clear that emerging technologies, changing attitudes and greater commitment within the business and political communities could spark a new era for food.

“In which tackling waste and providing healthy and wholesome eating for all in a sustainable way will move significantly up the agenda.”

Pasta and rice are the dishes that Brits most commonly prepare far too much of, followed by potatoes and fresh veg.

Four in 10 Brits say they have no idea how much pasta or rice is recommended for an adult to have with a meal - which is around 80g.

Over-guesstimates

And more than two thirds simply try and ‘guesstimate’ how much to prepare when cooking a meal with these ingredients.

On average, adults waste more than a tenth of each meal they prepare - throwing it away rather than finishing it.

And 49 per cent of the population don’t bother recycling their food waste, sending it straight to the main bin with their other rubbish.

Nearly a third don’t recycle food waste because they find the idea of a bin for rotting food off-putting.

And despite evidence to the contrary, a quarter believe they simply don’t waste enough food for a dedicated waste bin to be viable.

However, 37 per cent would be inclined to recycle more if waste could be turned into energy to power their home.

The poll of 2,000 adults revealed rather than having a wasteful mentality, almost half of the country’s careless cooks admit to preparing too much food.

Incorrectly thinking they could tell how much of an ingredient was needed just by eye was among the top reasons for Brits not knowing how much to prepare for their dinners.

Good causes

Alexandra Boon from Beko plc said: “At Grundig, our Respect Food programme spans both product development and working with partners to use surplus food for good causes.

“We believe that the fight against food waste should begin at home in the kitchen. People should not only enjoy good food but respect it too - which means wasting less.

“Advanced technologies within the Grundig refrigeration range, such as Ion Fresh, No Frost Duo-Cooling system and Vitamin Care Zone already help to keep food fresher for longer.

“We’re committed to developing brand new technologies to further reduce food waste in the home and in our UK Research & Development centre we are currently working on sensors to detect food spoilage and methods to help users track and manage their food.”

James Bellini added: “In the end, technology has an important part to play in solving our food waste crisis, but without the commitment of people to new attitudes and a changed social outlook it will not be enough.”

RECOMMENDED PORTION SIZES FOR AN ADULT

Breakfast cereal: Three tablespoons (20g)

Boiled potatoes: Two small (egg sized) boiled potatoes

Rice: Two heaped tablespoons (80g)

Pasta: Three heaped tablespoons (80g)

Lean meat: 70g cooked meat, about the size of a deck of cards

Fish: 140g cooked dish, about the size of a chequebook

Eggs: Two medium eggs

Pulses: Five tablespoons (cooked)

Hard cheese: 25g of cheddar, about the size of a small matchbox

Dried fruit: Two figs, around 40g

Dark green leafy veg: Four heaped cooked tablespoons (80g)

FOODS MOST LIKELY TO GO OFF BEFORE USE

1. Bread

2. Bananas

3. Salad leaves

4. Milk

5. Potatoes

6. Cooked meats

7. Carrots

8. Cream

9. Yoghurt

10. Apples

Experts have revealed the ultimate guide to life - including owning our first car at 21, leaving home at the same age and getting onto the property ladder at 27.

Researchers who polled 2,000 adults of all ages also found we should reasonably expect to have had two long term relationships before settling down at 23 - and become parents by 27.

Worryingly, the study found the majority of the population are either behind in terms of their planned schedule, or are earning less money than they thought they would.

Shakila Hashmi, Head of Money for comparethemarket.com, which carried out the study, said: ‘’If our findings are anything to go by, the Great British public clearly wants to have it all by the time they hit 30 years old.

“And it appears most achieve it with things like meeting ‘the one’ or buying a home.

“However, when it comes to money, the findings are a little more concerning.

“Whether it’s because we aim too high, or simply underestimate the cost of big-ticket expenses, these findings highlight just how many of us are missing the targets we set for ourselves when it comes to money.”

LIfe-defining relationships

The study by OnePoll found many Brits would have expected to be in the long-term relationship that would define their life by the age of 23, although most weren’t married until 26.

And they usually expect to go through two long term relationships before finding ‘the one’.

Home ownership may be more difficult for younger generations than it has been in the past, but most Brits expected to own their first property by the age of 27 - and achieved just that.

And in fact, new homeowners expected to borrow £106,000 to get on the property ladder, significantly under the average first time mortgage of £133,000.

Brits have constantly earned less than they would have expected to throughout their lives - although those aged between 30-39 years old expected to earn £28,000 by the time they were 30.

However, the majority admitted they actually earned an average of just over £24,500 by that age.

Great expectations

Likewise, those aged between 40-49 years old expected to earn just over £29,000 by the time they were 40 when, in reality, they earned just under £24,800 per year.

Similarly, Brits were worryingly off the mark when it comes to the cost of running a car.

Although the car-owners polled expected to spend a total of £950 a year to cover related expenses (i.e. petrol, MOT, car insurance, maintenance), they admitted to actually spending over £1,500 a year on average.

Shakila Hashmi said: “What’s worrying, for example, is that the majority of consumers are still off the mark when it comes to considering costs like running a car.

“Especially in light of recent comments made by the Bank of England that consumers are becoming ‘dangerously complacent’ when it comes to mounting debt.

“There are numerous ways in which Brits should therefore aim to be as savvy as they can when it comes to keeping down everyday costs, like simply shopping around for the best deals.”

New research from independent job board, CV-Library, has found that one third (36.8 per cent) of workplaces in the UK have ridiculous rules in place, with one in five (22.5 per cent) workers stating that they feel they can’t be trusted as a result.

The study, which asked 1,000 UK workers whether their employer had any silly or unnecessary rules in place, found that over half (57.2 per cent) of workers will disobey any rules they deem as ‘silly’.

Interestingly, the most ridiculous rules fell into the following five categories:

Toilet troubles: Many respondents reported that they either had a strict time frame in which to go to the toilet (three minutes), had to ask to use the toilet facilities, and were even searched before going to the toilet.

Dress code dilemmas

Some respondents reported that they had to wear particular coloured clothes to match the business, women weren’t allowed to wear trousers, and one individual even said that they were sent home for not dressing down.

Silent treatment

Some employees stated that they weren’t allowed to talk out loud apart from when in the staff room, while others said that they weren’t allowed to say hello to a customer, only ‘good morning’, or ‘good afternoon’.

Timekeeping

If you’re two minutes late in one business you’ll have your pay docked by 15 minutes, and in another you aren’t allowed to travel further than 20 metres away from the building at lunch in case you’re late back!

Beverage blunders

Some workplaces won’t allow their staff to drink water, while another will not let workers carry drinks up and down the stairs.

What’s more, one company won’t even let employees have drinks on their desk in case they get spilled.

“Every workplace needs rules to have – otherwise you would simply never get things done,” says Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library.

“That said, it’s clear that many of the rules highlighted in our research are just ridiculous.

“Employees want to feel trusted and while one workplace can differ massively to another, you have to treat your staff like adults – especially when it comes to being allowed to drink water and going to the toilet!”

The research also revealed that the cities which were most likely to have ridiculous rules in place included Glasgow (71.4 per cent), Cardiff (57.1 per cent), Sheffield (46.2 per cent), Birmingham (38.2 per cent) and London (37.1 per cent).

8.4 million Britons take just one shower per week, according to new research into the hygiene habits of UK adults.

While just over half of us (51 per cent) shower daily, 14 per cent of Brits confessed to showering just once a week

The survey of 2,011 UK adults by bathroom specialists BetterBathrooms.com also found that an ultra-hygienic four per cent of us take to the shower twice a day.

Over a fifth (21 per cent) shower every other day; however, almost one in ten (8 per cent) never take a shower, opting instead to take a bath, citing relaxation as the top reason.

Perhaps surprisingly, men are most likely to shower daily (68 per cent), with women doing so less frequently - but preferring a relaxing bath (53 per cent).

Men are the speedier sex too with their average shower lasting 7 minutes, versus 13 minutes for women.

Longer shower sessions are most popular amongst the younger age demographics, with those aged 18-24 most likely to spend more than 20 minutes behind the shower curtain, while those aged 45-54 have the quickest showers, taking just 8 minutes on average.

More than a third (37 per cent) of Brits confessed to singing in the shower to let off steam, while 20 per cent said they preferred to let the professionals do the work and opt to listen to music on a speaker while they wash.

Lee Glenister, Head of Marketing for BetterBathrooms.com commented: “It’s surprising to see such a large number of Britons shower just once a week.

“It’s also interesting that the older demographics take less time in the shower, which may suggest they view it as more of a necessary facet of their lives rather than a relaxing experience.”

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a missing teenager who could be in Luton.

Sam Beeton, aged 16, was last seen in the Bedford town centre area at around midday on Saturday, September 2.

She is described as white, of slim build, with shoulder length blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a grey hoodie and blue jeans.

It is thought she may be in the Potters Bar or South Mimms areas of Hertfordshire or in Luton.

Sam is originally from Welwyn Hatfield.

Anyone who sees Sam or knows of her whereabouts is asked to please contact police on the non-emergency number 101.

The owner of Ray’s Place in Luton is appealing for information after the Snooker Club was broken into on Sunday morning.

The incident happened at about 4am, the offender broke into the building on Guildford Street and stole cash.

Owner Ray Dean said: “They broke the window to get in and stole £991. I have a £200 reward for anyone that can identify the person to the police, if it leads to a conviction.”

Bedfordshire Police are investigating the burglary, a spokesperson for the force said: “We have received a report of a burglary at Ray’s Place in Guildford Street, Luton, which is reported to have taken place between 4.08am and 4.18am on Sunday (3 September).

“The offender gained access to the premises by forcing open a window, before taking money and leaving.

“An investigation is ongoing, and officers will be reviewing CCTV from the premises in due course.

“Anyone with any information, including anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number C/37637/2017.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced that they are expecting their third child this week.

Speculation has already begun on the name they will choose for the new baby - have your say by taking part in our online poll.

A mum from Luton, who lost her son 16 years ago, is hosting a Gala Ball on Friday, October 6, to raise money for two charities in his memory.

Sandra McCalla lost her son, Andrew, when he was stillborn, she will be raising money for The Luton and Dunstable NICU Appeal and Friends of CHUMS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Bereavement Service).

She said: “Holding the Gala Ball will help to keep Andrew’s memory alive, and raise money for two amazing charities who are helping and supporting others. Although very painful, what was to follow was a journey that completely changed my life. Through the support of friends, family and counselling, I found hope after loss. It was really hard, but I would really like to use my experience to reach out to others.”

Andrew’s Night Charity Gala Ball is at The Auction House in Luton from 6.45pm, tickets are £59 per person which includes pre-dinner drinks reception, three course meal, silent auction and a raffle.

Bianca John, community fundraiser for the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, said: “The Luton and Dunstable Hospital Charity are always very appreciative of those in the community who take the time to organise fundraising events and who choose us as the recipient of their donation.

“It is an honour as every little bit of support we receive is very much needed.

“Events like Andrews Night are a testament to how kind people can be, and we are extremely grateful. We wish Sandra and her team every success with the event.”

Guests will be able to enjoy live entertainment from Argentine Tango by Trudi Clark and there will be a disco.

Meg Davies, community fundraising manager for Friends of CHUMS said: “We are delighted to be involved in the upcoming Charity Gala Ball on 6th October, in memory of Andrew.

“Money raised from the event will go towards our Stillbirth & Neonatal Bereavement Service which supports families who have lost a baby at birth or shortly afterwards.

“Without funding, we would not be able to continue offering this vital service which supports bereaved parents and families, and offers them a lifeline of support and counselling through this extremely difficult time.”

Early bird tickets are available until Friday, September 8, for £49, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk to book.

To make a donation to the charity go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/andrewsrainbow or bit.ly/ARCharities.

A reluctance to talk about death is leading to hundreds of life-saving transplant opportunities being missed, say the NHS.

More than three families a week are refusing donation of their deceased loved ones’ organs - because they didn’t know what their relative wanted.

This means more than 450 lifesaving organ transplants are being missed each year as families decide to say ‘no’ rather than guess at what their relative’s views might have been.

NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed the figure to mark Organ Donation Week (September 4 to 10) and is urging people to tell their families they want become life-saving organ donors. The reluctance to talk about the issue is contributing to a deadly shortage of organs and leaving families to make a difficult decision when someone they love dies.

Last year 457 people died while on the active transplant waiting list and a further 875 people were removed from the list, mainly due to ill health. Many of these people will have died shortly after being removed.

There are currently 6,414 people waiting for a transplant.

Anthony Clarkson, Assistant Director of Organ Donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s a tragedy: hundreds of people are dying unnecessarily every year waiting for transplants.

“We know that if everyone who supported donation talked about it and agreed to donate, most of those lives would be saved.

“This Organ Donation Week, tell your family you want to save lives. A few words now can make an extraordinary difference. It will also make things much easier for your family to make the right decision.

“If you want to save lives, don’t leave it too late to talk to your family. If you want to be a donor, your family’s support is still needed for donation to go ahead, even if you are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“And if you are unsure about donation, please ask yourselves as a family; what would you do if one of you needed a transplant? Would you accept a lifesaving organ? If you’d take an organ, shouldn’t you be prepared to donate?”

A Dunstable family of eight were winched to safety after becoming trapped in the gondola of the Jurassic skyline tower in Weymouth.

The family were among a group of 13 who became trapped at least 100ft in the air after the carriage they were travelling in became stuck.

Gary Woods from Dunstable, who was on the attraction with his family of eight, told the local Daily Echo: “I am not good with heights anyway but we were up there for six hours so it wasn’t the best experience of my life.

“I have two children who were up there with me. They were really good, thankfully. The young ride operator Hannah did very well.

“She constantly kept us up to date. I have received four stitches on my left ankle I got it after I got winched.”

Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service was called just after 4.10pm after engineers’ efforts to fix the gondola failed.

A spokesman said: “At approximately 7.30pm, the Coastguard helicopter started to winch those trapped to safety.

“Arrangements have been made to provide them with a safe place to rest and recover once returned to the ground.”

An investigation into what caused the technical fault is underway.

A Luton digital and technology social enterprise is hoping to dispel negative stigma surrounding the town and energise Luton’s young business people.

Social Media Training 4 Youths (SMT4Y) is heading to Hampton by Hilton on September 8, to host their event ‘Network, Learn and Succeed with Digital and Tech’, hoping to connect local businesses and show them how to use digital technology for expansion and growth.

Deborah Abodunrin-Olokode, 29, founder of SMT4Y, said: “We all know that every town has its stigma, and interestingly there is a poster circulating around Luton, which states ‘Luton Isn’t Sh***’!. I see Luton as a blank canvas bursting with subtle energy and opportunities.

“It is very important to organically build relationships and create a platform for SMEs in our locality. We’re a ‘human-to human’ tech hub with no jargon!”

SMT4Y delivers events, masterclasses, technology and digital programmes, and online content for businesses and individuals based in small towns, and is supported by London Luton Airport.

Speaking at the event will be Worldpay, NatWest bank, Spin Brands, Luton-based creative agency ‘We Are Clear Heads’, Google, and Serco.

Deborah lives in Luton town centre and SMT4Y is based at Suite 609 Park Street.

The businesswoman has a Masters Degree in International Communications from the University of Leeds.

The event is from 8:30am - 12.45pm. (Complimentary breakfast: 8.30am -9.15am).

Thirteen members of staff from Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s Paediatric Unit jumped 12,000ft from a plane to raise thousands for the children’s ward.

The team that took on the Tandem skydive at Hinton Airfield on Saturday, August 26, was a mix of doctors, nurses, ward clerks, a general manager and play leaders who treat and care for the children.

Kirsty, a Play Room Nursery Nurse, was one of the jumpers. She said: “It was so amazing, I loved every minute of it.”

They have raised over £4300, the staff wanted to raise money to make their ward better for their patients.

A spokesperson for the team said: “We all feel passionate about our unit and the children in our care and we want them to have the facilities to make their stay as comfortable as possible.

“Children and their parents can spend days, weeks and months in our hospital separated from their friends and extended family whilst going through treatment.

“We want them to have the best equipment, toys and facilities possible during their stay.”

Dr Beryl Adler, divisional director for children’s services, said: “What an amazing event to help us kick start fundraising to help local Children with Cancer by refurbishing the cancer rooms on L&D Children’s Unit.

“We are so impressed with our fun-loving colleagues in the Paediatric team plucky enough to jump!

“To have raised already over £4,300 is true testament to their dedication and hard work. You know you work in a great place with amazing people when staff want to support the very ward they work on each day.”

To make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/childrenswardskydive.

Luton Town Football Club is delighted to announce its Supporters’ Charity of the Year for the season is Keech Hospice Care.

The Luton-based charity, who provide hospice care for adults and children with life-limiting and terminal illnesses, complete the roster of the club’s official charity partners for 2017-18, joining club charity of the year Transitions UK and the players’ charity of the year Families United Network.

Keech Hospice Care has been chosen from a shortlist by almost 1,700 Luton Town fans, who took part in an online poll.

John Miller, Luton Town’s supporters’ liaison officer said: “Hatters fans are legendary in their support for good causes, and Keech Hospice Care will already be a favourite among most fans because of their outstanding work over 25 years.

“Many may be unaware that Keech have to raise 70 per cent of their funds themselves in order to continue their work on behalf of local families and our supporter groups including Luton Town Supporters’ Trust, Loyal Luton, the Luton Town Disabled Supporters’ Association and Hatters Talk are in the course of planning a number of events over the year to support their selected charity.

“Contact your supporter group, or email me at john.miller@lutontown.co.uk.”

Lifelong Luton Town Football Club fan Rob Figgins was cared for by Keech Hospice Care after being diagnosed with cancer in April 2017.

He chose to spend his final days at the hospice, where he died last month aged 45.

Gill Fujino, Rob’s wife, said her husband would have been delighted to know he had helped Keech Hospice Care to secure this new partnership with his favourite team.

Gill said: “Rob loved Luton Town Football Club and Keech Hospice Care equally.

“He knew he wanted to end his days at Keech; if there was a way his beloved team could help the charity, he would have been delighted to have been a part of it.

“He received excellent support and care from all their fantastic nurses.”

Liz Searle, CEO of Keech Hospice Care, said: “We’re thrilled and thank everyone who got behind us and voted.

“Keech Hospice Care needs £5.7million every year to continue and our new partnership with Luton Town Football Club’s Supporters’ Trust will allow us to give patients and their families the support they need.”

A determined Houghton Regis mum is holding a special disco to raise money for a school defibrillator, after her young son died from a cardiac arrest.

Sarah Pyatt, 50, is holding ‘Jake’s Bash’ on Friday, September 8, from 7pm until late, to raise awareness for the Sudden Adult Death Trust (SADS UK), with the fundraising mum hoping to reach her target of £1,000 to buy a local school a defibrillator.

Sarah initially raised money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and is now helping SADS UK donate defibrillators to schools.

Sarah said: “When I lost Jake I felt the need to do something and only months after he passed away I held my first event for CRY, raising £1,700.

“Jake was at his nan’s on April 10, 2012. He’d gone to play on his Xbox and his nan found him collapsed.

“Jake was put on life support for two days. He’d had a cardiac arrest at 16 and passed away on April 12.”

To find out why, Jake’s family went for screening, discovering that his father has Brugada syndrome.

Brugada syndrome is a rare inherited heart rhythm disturbance, which requires those affected to be fitted with a pacemaker, able to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm, and medical staff confirmed that this was the most likely cause of Jake’s cardiac arrest.

Because there is no law requiring children to be screened, Sarah is on a defibrillator mission, having donated to St Vincent’s , All Saints Acadamy, Houghton Regis Acadamy, Chalton Primary, Manshead, Lancott Challanger Academy, and Parkfields Middle School.

Sarah said: “Jake is my hero and I agreed to have his organs donated.

“Jake was unique. He had Asperger’s Syndrome and used to get these obsessions.He was well spoken and loved Take a Break magazine. ”

‘Jake’s Bash’ is at St Vincent’s Social Club, Houghton Regis, with DJ Dexx Master, a silent auction, a raffle, face painting and more!

Also helping are: Hayley Littlewood, entertainer and events organiser, Lorraine Harwood of ‘C.M. Caterers Too’ (donating buffet services), and Heather Sharp, henna and body paint artist of Facial Attractions.

For tickets, call Sarah on: 07974 054 286.

Adults £6 children £3.

A group of fathers walking 194 miles from Manchester to London to protest the anti-father bias in family courts passed through Luton on Monday.

One of the walkers is father-of-three Akeib Mahmood, 28, who was born in Luton.

He wants to address the “unfair and unjust” treatment of fathers in family courts regarding parental alienation, having been involved in his own legal wrangle after an acrimonious break-up with his partner.

Akeib is only allowed indirect contact with his children via letter and feels that, despite having been a present and loving father, he has been treated unfairly by the courts.

Wanting to raise awareness of this treatment he set up Justice for Dads, and plans to walk the 194 miles - the equivalent of almost eight marathons - from Manchester to London in just six days.

Luton Borough Council says it is appalled by the “horrific” dumping of waste at Power Court by an encampment of travellers.

The council is working with the owner of the land to get the rubbish removed as soon as possible and has blasted the “anti-social behaviour of this group”.

The council has confimed a contractor has been appointed who yesterday began work to remove the piles of rubbish from the land, which is lined up for Luton Town Football Club’s new ground.

A spokesman for the council said: “As residents may be aware there has recently been an encampment of travellers on Power Court who have used this site on a commercial scale as an unofficial waste tip.

“We are appalled by the illegal, anti-social behaviour of this group, which is estimated to have dumped 500 tonnes of commercial waste and human excrement.

“Having given a court order to move the group on, we have been working with the landowner, whose responsibility this sadly is, to get this horrific dumping of waste cleared up as soon as possible.

“A contractor has been appointed and work will begin on Wednesday 6 September.

“We are determined to do all we can to prevent such activity and continue to actively look for evidence with a view to prosecuting anyone found responsible for this.

“Such disgusting activities are not ‘victimless crimes’.

“Cleaning up afterwards is costly both in terms of finances and human resources.

“The council has proactively acquired new powers to tackle environmental crime.

“These permit us to seize vehicles which are involved in the commission of waste related offences and to impose substantial penalties, including significant fines and where appropriate, take legal 
action that could result in prison.”

A reader, who did not wish to be named, contacted the paper two weeks ago about the mess left behind by travellers who had parked on the land.

At the time, he said: “They arrived in June and were removed by the council in July, but the rubbish is still there, 
it can be seen as your train comes in to Luton and it is starting to smell, what a great welcome.

“If it’s private land there is not much the council can do but someone does need to clean it up.”

Age Concern Luton director Colette McKeaveney has always been an inspirational woman to the 4,000 elderly people the charity looks after in the town, as well as its 80 staff and 400 volunteers.

But now her dedication to the organisation she founded 22 years ago has been recognised in the pages of a national newspaper – the Daily Mail.

She was included in a round-up of entrants for the Inspirational Woman of the Year award, sponsored by L.K.Bennett in support of YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

The award will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner in London next month and hosted by TV presenter Sian Williams who said the women nominated were “ totally awe-inspiring and utterly humbling.”

She added: “They’re women who don’t look to be in the public eye and don’t ask for praise. They’re simply driven to act because they feel they have to – whether it’s setting up a charity or looking after people who need an awful lot of care.”

Colette – a mother-of-two and grandmother-of-four – believes all we need to be happy, whatever our age, is having something meaningful to do; something to look forward to; and, most important, having someone to care about who cares about us.

And the pint-sized blonde makes sure that everyone who calls ACL knows there is someone who cares.

If she makes it as a finalist, Colette could win a gala night out and a £1,000 voucher from L.K.Bennett.

But ever self-effacing, she says: “I’m pretty sure they’ll have lots of far more amazing candidates than me.”

> Contact ACL on 01582 456812 or visit www.ageconcernluton.org.uk