A wheelchair-bound patient nearly died in a hospital lobby after he was left waiting for a private ambulance service to give him a lift home for six hours. Neville Pearson, 60, of Hemel Hempstead, was admitted to Watford General Hospital with an infection in early September.

A family paid tribute to a much-loved son who hoped one day to serve his country. Joshua Porter, 18, died when the car he was travelling in hit a tree between Hemel Hempstead and St Albans on Friday, August 25. Joshua, who lived with his family in Bushey, was studying public services and had hopes of joining the army.

We also reported on how cars and buses could be moved away from Watford town centre after a £2 million project to transform the High Street into a “pedestrian- friendly environment” was agreed. With the Watford Borough Council-owned Charter Place Shopping Centre development due for completion in September 2018, plans were put forward to “enhance the look and feel” of the area immediately around it.