Watford took centre stage in the first week of December as world leaders gathered near the town for a NATO summit.

US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and 27 other world leaders came to The Grove for the meeting marking the 70th anniversary of the organisation.

A huge security operation was in place, with police and military personnel guarding the grounds throughout the day.

Roads were closed, and world leaders started to arrive at The Grove as early as 7.45am, arriving in high security convoys.

Donald Trump arrived at The Grove in a Chinook, heading straight for the official handshake with Mr Johnson.

Serial rapist Joseph McCann was found guilty of a series of depraved assaults on women and children.

The 34-year-old, from Aylesbury, was convicted of 37 offences relating to 11 victims aged 11 to 71.

McCann refused to appear at court for the duration of the month-long trial. The jury unanimously found him guilty on all counts.

His first victim, a 21-year-old woman, had been walking home after a night out in Watford on April 21.

Days later, he abducted two women in north and east London and tried to check into a hotel in Watford, but was foiled when his victims hit him over the head with a bottle and escaped.

He committed a string of other offences in Lancashire and Greater Manchester on May 5, including the rape of a 71-year-old woman and the sexual assault of a girl.

Watford elected Dean Russell as its new MP on December 12, with former cabinet minister David Gauke losing his South West Herts seat to Conservative Gagan Mohindra after contesting it as an Independent.

As Conservatives made gains across the country, Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning and Hertsmere's Oliver Dowden were both comfortably returned to office.