AN imaginative student from Harrow has been presented with an award for her story-writing by pop star and children's author Peter Andre.

Poppy Treadaway, a pupil at Heathfield School, Beaulieu Drive, Pinner, won a trophy in recognition of her story about a walk around Harrow.

A NEW business was blessed with an ancient ritual as part of Chinese New Year.

More than 50 people turned out on Saturday to see a colourful lion dance and blessing ceremony outside Peking Garden Restaurant, which owners Kim and Lai Wong hope will bring them good luck.

THE top deck of a bus in Pinner went up in flames as it travelled along Eastcote Road.

Passengers were evacuated from the burning vehicle and the driver was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to Northwick Park hospital.

SCHOOLCHILDREN at at least two schools celebrated Chinese New Year with a range of classroom activities.

The pupils at Newton Farm Nursery Infant and Junior School in Ravenswood Crescent, South Harrow, welcomed in the Year Of The Dragon with dragon dance, dressed up in traditional costumes and learned about the complexity of characters in Mandarin.

Rawlinson Gold have been working with Carbon Accountable, a company which advises businesses on how to reduce their carbon footprint and found in 2010 they were responsible for 52 tons of carbon emissions.

The business, which has offices in Pinner, Harrow and Wealdstone, will implement initiatives such as encouraging one car-free day a week.

CULTURALLY adventurous students at Heathfield School celebrated Chinese New Year with a visit from a troupe of dancers.

Performers from The Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine at the London South Bank University put on a show of folk dance, martial arts and music to welcome the year of the dragon on Monday January 30.

LIBRARYGOERS will be able to use free wi-fi internet and modern computers as part of proposed investment in Harrow's cultural facilities.

Other changes include reviewing branch opening times, relocating Hatch End Library a short distance from its current building into Harrow Arts Centre in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, and seeing if a new premises can be found for Rayners Lane Library in Imperial Drive.

STUDENTS in Hatch End will shine in sciences classes this year with help from a lecturer at Brunel University.

Dr Andy Russell, a climate change expert, will visit Hatch End High School from February to July this year to involve them in the science of weather.

PINNER is mourning the passing of 'Mr Pinner' Bob Holness.

The long-term Pinner resident and respected television and radio presenter, best known for hosting Blockbusters, had suffered from dementia and a number of small strokes over the last few years.

A BIRD aviary in Pinner has been revamped by the council following a successful campaign by nature lovers.

The bird cage in Pinner Memorial Park drew criticism due to alleged poor visibility for park users
and squalid conditions for the birds, as reported in the Observer last year.