Evening Post (Bristol, UK)

'Arsonists to Blame for Blaze at House' ; Neighbours Forced to Evacuate Their Home

A BLAZE that gutted a house in Lockleaze was started deliberately, say firefighters. Avon Fire and Rescue Service believe the empty three-bedroom, semi-detached home in Romney Avenue was targeted by arsonists on Monday night.

Heart Charity Hopes to See Red Next Year

BRISTOLIANS are being urged to think ahead and "go red in Feb". The British Heart Foundation has launched plans for National Heart Month in February to raise vital funds to fight the UK's biggest killer.

Social Work Assistants Prove 'Vital'

BRISTOL social workers are getting more time to spend with vulnerable children and families thanks to a Pounds 200,000 investment. Seven full-time social work assistants in the city will take on more routine and practical tasks, allowing their colleagues to spend more direct time with families.

A Different Perspective On Sights

A RETIRED air force pilot who has just published a book of photos called A Day Above Gloucestershire is planning one for Somerset in 2011. John Nowell has lived all over the world during his flying career but is now concentrating on capturing the beauty of his homeland from above, in particular the Severn bore.

Anger As Report Reveals Axe Could Fall On Hospital's Beds ; Community 'Let Down' As in-Patient Service Under Threat

THORNBURY Hospital could lose its 20 in-patient beds under latest proposals for the future of the building. The town has been waiting for years for improved facilities and was promised a community hospital as part of the original Bristol Health Services Plan.

Ding Dong Merrily On Credit

Fairground Fun for Our Favourites

CHARACTERS representing some of Bristol's well-loved attractions braved the snow for a ride at Carters Steam Fair. Wallace and Gromit, representing @Bristol, Pirate Pete representing Bristol Pirate Walks, Blue Reef Aquarium's Charlie the Clownfish, a penguin from Bristol Zoo Gardens and Father Christmas from The Mall Bristol celebrated the start of the first week of the school holidays by riding the "gallopers" at Bristol's Harbourside.

Students Free Their Imagination

STUDENTS from The Grange School in Warmley have set up an interactive exhibition to recreate the experience of someone forced to flee a conflict zone. The exhibition includes an imitation prison cell and border control checkpoint, and was created with the support of staff and volunteers from the British Red Cross.

Man Hit Pc After Drinking 10 Pints ; Violence After Girlfriend Called Police

A DRUNK man who punched a police officer after his pregnant girlfriend had called 999 will spend Christmas in jail. Noel Brown, 19, sank ten or 11 pints of lager with a friend in the pub before visiting partner Chantelle Evans on November 29 this year.

Law & Order: Criminal Intent [...]

Supermarkets: What Price Cheap Food? [...]

Come Dine with Me: Celebrity [...]

It's Paul Burling 8pm, Itv1 [...]

Today's Pick: ; Aladdin

The amazing story of a boy, a lamp and a genie, Aladdin is the most popular of all recent pantomimes at the Theatre Royal Bath. Ricky Groves, best known for his long-running role as cheeky mechanic Garry Hobbs in EastEnders and for his dance-floor prowess in Strictly Come Dancing 2009, may be the most loveable baddie ever! See if you can force yourself to boo him when he transforms into the evil Abanazar.

Next Week: The Red Lion

Dating from 1846, this mid-Victorian pub in Clifton recently came under new ownership and is now the free house it would have been when it first opened. The Red Lion is very traditional in style with flagstone floors, red paintwork and an abundance of wood. There is a dartboard and a pile of board games.

Tomorrow: Festive Stand-Up

Fantasy Gladiator Looks Good to Claim a Hat-Trick

FANTASY Gladiator can defy his rapid rise in the ratings and make it a hat-trick by winning the Marriott Breathe Spa Handicap at Lingfield today. The four-year-old was rated 69 back in August after a moderate season on the turf, but a switch to the all-weather in the autumn has proved the making of him and he lines up here on a mark of 87. While that is a massive jump in the weights, Fantasy Gladiator is a most progressive performer and connections will be confident after his two wins at Kemp...

Bedford Optimistic That the Bristol Game Will Go Ahead

STEVE Gorvett has reported that Bedford Blues are "very optimistic" that their scheduled Championship clash with Bristol at Goldington Road on Boxing Day will go ahead. And the Bristol chief executive has vowed that his club "will be doing everything we possibly can" to ensure their next home match - against league leaders Worcester - goes ahead as planned on Sunday, January 2. Bristol's scheduled home British & Irish Cup clash with Munster A three days ago was postponed six hours before kick...

Tradesmen Take a Liking to the Big Stage at the Palace

A TEAM of amateur darts players from Downend are celebrating after tasting glory on the hallowed stage of the Alexandra Palace. The Tradesmen, who play at the Horseshoe pub, won their first and second-round matches at the Ladbrokes Lads Cup - the UK Pub Darts Championship - and will be back tomorrow aiming to win the overall title.

The Birth of ; Tom Mark Eynon