More people read about the Golden Boys defeat to Crystal Palace in the Championship play-offs this year than any other story.

However, it was not the post-match analysis which drew the big crowds in. The most clicked-on story of 2013 came after former owner of the club, Laurence Bassini, sent a gloating diatribe to deputy group sports editor Frank Smith.

His revelling in the Hornets' misery did provoked something of a backlash from the Vicarage Road faithful, plenty of whom made their feelings clear in the comments thread. 

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The second most read story was the revelation that the town’s High Street was the fourth most violent in Britain.

Official police statistics showed that the stretch of road in the town centre had 201 offences every month on average.

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Watford Observer:

Albert Road South.

The third most read story was the tragic news that Donal Drohan, a 51-year-old from Harrow, had been killed when a tree fell on his car during the St Jude Storm.

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The fourth most read story was a plea from the family of Prasanna Arulchelvam, a young father who died from head injuries he sustained during an attack at Bushey Costco.

Prasanna Arulchelvam passed away at St Mary’s Hospital, London, 11 days after being found in the car park of the outlet store in Hartspring Lane in June.

Detectives are still trying to piece together the events that led to Mr Arulchelvam receiving the fatal injuries, including a fractured skull. It is currently believed he may have fallen from a moving white van.

Mr Arulchelvam was 34-year-old businessman who left behind a young wife and toddler son.

Watford Observer:

Prasanna Arulchelvam.

Anyone with information can contact DCI Kent on the incident room number 01707 355959 or alternatively Crimestoppers, the independent charity, in confidence on 0800 555 111.

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The fifth most read story was about a massive blaze which broke out in Clarendon Road in April.

Watford Observer:

Picture by Mark A M Lawrence.

More than 50 firefighters were sent to battle the flames in an office building, which was caused by an electrical fault.

The fire could be seen from miles away.

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