BLOOD DONOR AWARDED FOR 75TH DONATION WISBECH: David Newton has donated his 75th pint of blood – and has been awarded an engraved crystal plate to celebrate the milestone. The Wisbech man then donated his 76th pint last week, and was presented with

BLOOD DONOR AWARDED FOR 75TH DONATION

WISBECH: David Newton has donated his 75th pint of blood - and has been awarded an engraved crystal plate to celebrate the milestone.

The Wisbech man then donated his 76th pint last week, and was presented with his award by nurses at the same time.

Mr Newton, who first gave blood nearly 35 years ago, said: "I used to do a bit of boxing and every time I got a slight smack on the nose it would pour with blood.

"I went to my doctor and had my nose cauterized. Ever since, I haven't had problems with nose bleeds and decided to give blood because it was for a good cause."

Mr Newton, 53, of Magazine Close, attends blood donor sessions at the Elme Hall Hotel and at the Queen Mary Centre, both in Wisbech.

"I felt it was nice of the nurses to present me with the award," he said. "At the end of the day, they do all the work."

The crystal plate is awarded by the National Blood Service to everyone who reaches 75 donations. Less than three per cent of donors ever reach the milestone.

FIRE SERVICE LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: The Fire and Rescue Service has launched a brand new interactive website.

As well as having a make-over, the new-look website contains far more information and is packed with latest news and incidents, fire safety advice for in the home and workplace, and information on job opportunities.

Head of Media and Communication Hayley Buzzel said: "There is also plenty to keep our younger users entertained. They can meet some of our fire-fighters in the interactive area. By clicking on different parts of a fire engine, fire station and fire-fighter, they can bring up short clips of fire-fighters explaining what the item or place is for.

"There's also an animated leaflet, controlled by the user, with information about arson, hoax calls, road safety and the dangers of playing with fire."

The website will enable users to go online to book an appointment for a free home fire safety check. This is where a member of the fire service visits a person's home, provides advice about keeping safe from fire and will put up smoke alarms in the property free of charge if they are needed.

Learn how to 'use the mouse to save your house' and log on to www.cambsfire.gov.uk.

EXTRA CASH AVAILABLE TO FORCES COPING WITH IMMIGRATION

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Extra cash has been promised to police forces fighting to cope with the high levels of immigration, according to Julie Spence, chief constable of Cambridgeshire Police.

Mrs Spence said that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has unveiled plans for a new emergency fund, which forces will be able to apply to from next year.

Mrs Spence, who in September called for extra funding to cope with the growing influx of migrant workers in Cambridgeshire, said: "The Home Secretary is looking to set up a migration transition fund to look at how we deal with a sudden surge of immigration in an area," the senior police officer said.

"We do not yet know what that fund is going to look like, but the Home Office wants to consult us on how they distribute money to mitigate the impacts."

CD PLAYER AND SPEED CAMERA DETECTOR STOLEN FROM SILVER SUBARU

CHATTERIS: A silver Subaru was broken into between 10pm on Thursday, April 3 and 5.30pm the following day in Black Horse Lane.

A CD player and speed camera detector device was stolen.

PC Stu Wright, who is investigating, said: "Please get in touch if you know anything about this theft.

"Any information could be valuable."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Wright at March Police Station on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

APPEAL FOR OWNER OF METAL BIRD SCARER

WISBECH: Police are appealing for the owner of a metal bird scarer to come forward. It was found by officers on Tuesday (April 15) at Weasenham Lane, Wisbech.

The metal device is a blue Bangalore 2000 with yellow stickers.

Anyone with any information can contact DC Sarah Fines on 0845 456 4564.

FENMEN'S GROUND MOVE GRANTED FINAL APPROVAL

WISBECH: Wisbech Town Football Club's move to a new ground has been granted final approval.

The club was awaiting permission from the Government Office of the Eastern Region, but the body passed the decision back to West Norfolk Borough Council, who granted approval on Wednesday.

The stadium is to be built on a site off Lynn Road and is the subject to several conditions.

These relate to drainage, noise and lighting.

POLICE LAUNCH NEW INITIATIVE TO TACKLE COUNTY'S METAL THIEVES

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Police working on Operation Saruman are set to launch a new initiative to tackle metal thieves in the county.

The system is designed to help scrap metal dealers identify stolen material, such as lead or copper, which is offered to them by thieves.

It will involve an email or fax being sent to dealers every morning detailing metal stolen in the preceding 24 hours.

This will allow dealers to identify suspicious material and inform police, who will be then be able to return more metal to its rightful owner, arrest suspects and disrupt the activities of thieves.

Detective Inspector Andy Gipp, who leads Operation Saruman, said the force was committed to working with dealers to cut the number of thefts.

He said: "This system, which will go live on Monday, will enable us to share important information with scrap metal dealers so we can work together to stop thieves in their tracks.