PAXTON Pits Nature Reserve could be extended to an area nearly three times its size over the next 10 years. The area attracts 120,000 people each year from across the country and has become famous for birds, including its nightingales and winter wildfowl.

PAXTON Pits Nature Reserve could be extended to an area nearly three times its size over the next 10 years.

The area attracts 120,000 people each year from across the country and has become famous for birds, including its nightingales and winter wildfowl.

The planned extension - to more than 700 acres - would create an even more inviting home for wildlife and birds. It would be open free to the public at no expense to Huntingdonshire District Council for the first 11 years.

THE Hunts Post launched its "Hands Off Hinchingbrooke" campaign, inviting readers to display car stickers and posters to show their support for the local hospital.

It emerged that the hospital was under threat of being downgraded and losing services. The district's MPs were quick to jump to the defence of the hospital, backing petitions against any cutbacks.

Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, said: "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out that cutting medical provision in one of the country's fastest-growing areas is ludicrous."

A GODMANCHESTER couple were shocked to open their supermarket bread and find an eight-inch knife embedded in it.

Derek Ball and Barbara Northfield were horrified to find the knife buried in their Tesco Value brown loaf.

Ms Northfield said: "I couldn't believe it. All I had done was bought a loaf of bread and it really upset me, I had to have a cup of coffee to calm down. You keep reading about knife amnesties and now we've got one in our loaf of bread."

THE new head of St Peter's School in Huntingdon pledged to raise standards and to consider launching a new uniform.

Val Ford, who left a deputy head post in Suffolk to take up the job, said: "I think it's a very exciting time for everyone at the school. Things are going to change but any changes I make will first be discussed with parents, staff and students."

TWELVE of Huntingdon's most familiar faces were 'arrested' in a stunt to raise cash for the Huntingdon Town Centre Christmas lights appeal.

MP for Huntingdon Jonathan Djanogly was among those arrested - for too much coverage in the press - and he received a stern ticking off from judge-for-the-day John Nunn, owner of the town's Card Gallery.

Others to run afoul of the law included Huntingdon mayor Cllr Jeff Dutton - for caring too much about Huntingdon - and John Hoskins, owner of the Old Bridge Hotel.

About £8,000 was raised for the Christmas lights appeal.

MICKEY the Monkey became the eighth winner of the Mascot Grand National at Huntingdon Racecourse.

Mickey, who was representing Kick4Life - a charity that raises AIDS awareness through football - pipped Southampton FC's Sammy Saint and Hartlepool United FC's H'Angus The Monkey to first place.

A GARAGE owner from St Ives was given the fright of his life when he arrived at work to find a two foot snake waiting for him.

Steve Fry, owner of Crusader Cars in Stevenson Road, said: "I can safely say this is the strangest thing I have ever found in my garage in the three years I have owned it and it certainly gave me a fright."

MICK Breeze - who delivered the people of Ramsey milk for 50 years - dropped off his last pint.

Mick, who started delivering milk in the town when he left school at the age of 15, said: "I love the job so I just kept going. I had a lot of tears from my customers when I told them I was retiring and I'm going to miss them all very much.