FENLAND: Fen Potter takes early lead in World Championship semi-final

FEN POTTER TAKES EARLY LEAD IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

CHATTERIS: The Fen Potter Joe Perry leads Ali Carter 5-3 after the first session of their snooker World Championships semi-final at the Crucible.

Perry, who had shocked the in-form Stephen Maguire in the previous round, made a superb start to Thursday night's session and breaks of 54, 62, and 68 gave him a 3-0 lead.

After Carter pulled it back to 3-2, Chatteris-based Perry knocked in breaks of 84 and 72 to make it 5-2 but Carter recovered to win the final frame of the session. Play resumes at 2.30pm today (Friday).

In the other semi-final, snooker greats Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are tied at 4-4.

SCHOOLGIRL RUBS SHOULDERS WITH EASTENDERS CAST

WHITTLESEY: A schoolgirl enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the stars of EastEnders and having a behind the scenes tour of Walford's landmarks.

Eleven-year-old Siobhan Southwell usually spends Tuesdays at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to undergo dialysis treatment but she was given permission to swap days and spend it with the cast of her favourite TV soap on the Elstree set.

Her trip was organised by the national Rays of Sunshine children's charity which helps make dreams come true for seriously ill youngsters.

Siobhan of Quinion Close got to meet the stars who play Ricky Butcher, Mickey and Keith Miller and Patrick Trueman. She had a look in the Queen Vic, the corner shop and around the market stalls.

Afterwards Siobhan along with her mum and sister were taken to a hotel by limousine.

Siobhan is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant and has to have dialysis treatment three times a week. Her dad is being tested to see if he could be a suitable donor.

BUSINESSES SET CHALLENGE AT CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT

FENLAND: Businesses from across Fenland were set a challenge yesterday (Thursday) at the Prince of Wales's May Day Summit on climate change sponsored by Anglian Water.

Delegates at the conference in Peterborough were challenged to commit taking action on climate change by working with employees to reduce their carbon footprint, setting targets for reductions and mobilising customers to take action.

The event was one of 12 summits held at the same time around the country with live broadcasts from the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The services provided by Anglian Water are particularly vulnerable to climate change as the region is the driest part of the UK with two thirds the average national rainfall and has the highest rate of housing growth planned.

ALCOHOLIC WAS TOO DRUNK TO ANSWER BAIL, COURT HEARD

CHATTERIS: Alcoholic Rosemary West was too drunk to come to court this week, to be sentenced for the theft of booze from a supermarket.

"She is incapacitated through drink and cannot stand unaided," solicitor James Macwhirter told Fenland magistrates.

"Her husband cannot budge her; she has lost control of her faculties and is not in a fit state to answer her bail today."

Last month 55-year-old West, of Halsbury Court, London Road, Chatteris, had admitted stealing two bottles of wine, just weeks after being released from jail.

At that hearing, magistrates were told that West had remained free from drink for three and a half weeks, described by Mr Macwhirter as "a minor miracle."

A pre-sentence report to be put before the court this week had asked for West to be assessed by Drinksense.

The court adjourned the case until May 14, to allow West to keep an appointment with the alcohol agency on May 6.

CYCLIST SUFFERS MINOR INJURIES FOLLOWING COLLISION WITH A CAR

WISBECH: Police closed off two streets in the town this morning, after a collision between a car and a bicycle.

Police were called at 6.33am to the collision in Cherry Road, at its junction with Kinderley Road. The cyclist suffered slight injuries.

It is the second collision involving a cyclist in Wisbech this week, after an 11-year-old girl suffered slight injuries in a collision in Churchill Road on Monday.

POLICE ISSUE TIPS TO CUT SUMMER BURGLARIES

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Police have issued an early warning to residents in central division, aiming to cut the number of burglaries this summer.

Police have issued tips to prevent people becoming victims of burglary while on holiday:

• Cut the lawn before you go.

• Arrange for pets to be properly looked after.

• Register your property on www.immobilise.com. If your property is then stolen and later recovered it would help police identify the rightful owner.

• Cancel deliveries of milk, newspapers etc, discreetly - don't announce your departure to a shop full of people.

• Make sure your house looks occupied. It is worthwhile getting automatic time-switches to switch lights, and a radio on and off in downstairs rooms.

• Don't leave valuable items like TVs, videos or hi-fi visible through windows.

• Lock your garage and shed with proper security locks, after putting all your tools safely away so they cannot be used to break into your house.

• Don't have your home address showing on your luggage for the outward journey.

• Lock all outside doors and windows. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set - and that your key holder knows how to operate it.

Det Sgt Matt Swash, who is in charge of investigating burglaries, said: "Being a victim of burglary can be very distressing - I would like to cut the number of residents whose home is broken into. To do that, residents can take a few precautions.

"Whether you go away on holiday, have a weekend away of if you only leave your home for a few hours, it is important to close your windows. If you have locks, that's even better."

FREE TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR ARTISTS AND CRAFTS PEOPLE

FENLAND: Free business training workshops for artists and crafts people will be held in March and Chatteris this month.

ADeC (Arts Development in East Cambridgeshire) and Fenland Arts are running a one-day workshop in the South Fen Business Park on Thursday, May 8 and March Town Hall on Saturday, May 17. Both workshops will run from 10.30am-4.30pm.

The workshops are aimed at individuals and small companies in their early to mid careers.

It is intended to help their creative practices and business to flourish. It includes training and networking, one-to-one advice, mentoring for selected practitioners and provides information, advice, marketing and networking opportunities.

Each day will include presentations, workshops and networking opportunities with the option for individual advice and guidance sessions from professionals working across the arts in East Anglia. Booking is essential.

For more information visit www.adec.org.uk or telephone 01353 616991.