A Clean Start To The Spring
Elmbridge is in the throes of a major clean up, involving the removal of abandoned cars, graffiti and litter. More than 60 people have signed up for the council's offer to remove their unwanted cars for free, in the council's first car amnesty.

And community groups have been wiping graffiti off bus shelters, while school children have been busy collecting rubbish as part of the Elmbridge Council's Just Bin It campaign. Anthony Jeziorski, head of client services, said: "We're very pleased with the number of residents who have come forward [to have their cars removed]. It's a tremendous response considering the campaign has only been running for just under two weeks."

School Field May Be Sold

A section of playing fields at a West Molesey Primary School could be sold off to help pay for new school and community buildings. Surrey County Council is proposing to re-build Chandlers Field Primary School on one site by extending the existing infant school block and demolishing the junior building. The council's scheme depends on selling some of the land, including the site of the current Youth Centre facing Priory Lane, for housing development.

However, the school will still be left with well above the minimum level of playing field required by law. The ambitious scheme also includes providing all the present community facilities, such as adult education classes and the youth club, out of the Henrietta Parker Centre which shares the school site. Under the proposal the yearly intake of pupils will be reduced from 80 to 60.

Sarah's Brave Parents Honoured For Courage

The parents of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne have been given an award for their courage, following the murder of their eight-year-old daughter. The Hersham couple were among many of the winners of The Mirror's Pride of Britain awards, on April 10.

Michael and Sara Payne were joined by dozens of celebrities and the prime minister, Tony Blair, at the Hilton Hotel, in Park Lane. British heroes was the theme of the night, with winners chosen for their remarkable courage, compassion or outstanding personal achievement. Michael and Sara campaigned for a national register of paedophiles after their daughter, who attended Bell Farm Junior School, went missing and was later found murdered.

Mr Blair said: "there are very many famous people here in the room, but today is not the day when the celebrities are the stars. It is the people who have done extraordinary things, which we recognise today and we celebrate with them."

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