Hertford's Tesco is extending it's opening hours.

The store will now open at 6am on Mondays instead of 8am and will close on Saturdays at midnight instead of 10pm.

Hertford Town Council are staging a gala in the town centre tomorrow from 4-8pm.

The event marks the swtich-on of the town's Christmas lights and includes children's entertainment, a Christmas market, panto characters and a steel band,

The Christmas lights will be switched on by the Mayor in Sailsbury Square at 5pm.

Shops will remain open until 8pm in Market Place, Maidenhead Street, Railway Street, Fore Street, Bircherley Green, Salisbury Square and Parliament Square.

Awards will also be presented to the town's cheeriest trader and for the Winning Windows competition.

A shop selling homeware has opened in Bircherley Green after securing a 12 month lease on premises formerly occupied by M&Co.

The shop sells items such as hardware, kitchenware, tools, gardening equipment and bathroom accessories.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following an assault in Hartham Common last Friday.

The incident took place at 8.10pm when an 18-year-old man was walking along the road with two male friends, carrying cans of beer which they were drinking.

They were approached in the street by a larger group of men who demanded they hand over their beer. When they refused, a man from the larger group assaulted the 18-year-old man, causing bruising and swelling to his face. The men from the larger group then made off from the scene.

The man who assaulted the 18-year-old was described as white and about 6ft tall. He was reported to be wearing a black jacket and diamond earrings in both ears.

Investigating officer, PC Kirsty Elliott said: “I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the incident to get in touch. Did you see both groups before or after the incident took place? Any information you provide could prove vital to our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Elliott on the police non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222 citing crime reference number A1/10/3598.

Restaurant chain Prezzo have opened their new outlet in Fore Street.

The company acquired the lease from Paramount in a recent deal that transferred 11 Brasserie Gerard and Caffe Uno properties to Prezzo.

The menu includes a range of stone-baked pizzas and calzones, pastas and risottos, as well as a selection of chargrilled chicken dishes and fresh salad.

Serendipity has been contracted to run the new café and bar at the revamped Hertford Theatre.

Two new staff have been taken on and more bar staff will be recruited within the next few weeks.

The revamped theatre will re-opens next month following a £1m refurbishment project.

"We are very pleased to have Serendipity on board as we know the new café will benefit from their extensive experience and we're very happy to support this local business," said Councillor Linda Haysey, Executive member for community development, leisure and culture.

Carla Duffield, owner of Serendipity said: "This is a great opportunity for us and we're very happy to be working with Hertford Theatre. The new café/bar will also be good news for our customers as it will mean more space than we have at our other premises, which will be particularly useful for parents with buggies.

"Throughout our partnership the team at Hertford Theatre has been very helpful; it's a real team effort."

The café and bar will be open 10am until 11pm, Monday-Saturday when there are evening performances at Castle Hall, and at 6pm when there aren't.

The Serendipity team will also be providing bespoke catering for functions, receptions and other events in the venue's new River Room.

Police and Fires appliances are at Hartham Leisure Centre following a chlorine leak.

The road leading to the leisire centre was closed after emergency services were called shortly before 1pm.

Police are advising people to stay away from the area.

Four appliances are on site, with one from as far away as Hemel Hempstead. There is also a chemical incident unit and several police cars. At one point a police helicopter hovered overhead.

Firemen wearing protective clothing were seen outside the building, with specialist washing equipment operating on site.

No-one is reported to have been hurt in the incident.

Hertford Museum are looking for students in years 10 to 13 from Hertford to make a film about the town through the eyes of young people.

The project will see students working with a professional film maker, Hertford Museum and Hertfordshire Archives to select great stories about Hertford and to add a few of your own for the film.  Those taking part will learn how to use film making equipment, edit films and of course have fun! 

Filming will take place between November 2010 and February 2011.

Anyone interested should attend the museum on Tuesday 23rd November at 4pm. Refreshments will be provided and there are funds for transport.

The project is organised by Hertford Museum, Courtyard Arts and Hertford Extended Services Partnership. All enquires to: Eleanor Payne, Learning Officer, Hertford Museum on 01992 582686.

Visitors to the town centre are being reminded to keep their purses and other belongings safe when in town.

The advice comes after an increase in pick-pocketing offences from elderly people in the area, especially around charity shops.

Officers have stepped up patrols to deter offenders and identify those responsible, but they also want shoppers to play their part in keeping criminals at bay.

PC Helen Hart of the Hertford Castle Safer Neighbourhood Team said  "With people already beginning their Christmas shopping, the town centre is busier. Therefore it's really important shoppers stay alert and look after their belongings. For example, purses should be kept in a zipped handbag or at the bottom of a shopping bag, and men should keep their wallets in their front pocket, rather than the back.

"We’re carrying out a number of operations to target these thieves, but it will make a difference if shoppers can also take action themselves – please follow our crime prevention advice and don’t make it easy for criminals."

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a bag snatch near Millstream Close on Thursday, October 28.

The incident took place just after midnight when a 21-year-old-woman walked down a side alley off North Road. She was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her sports bag from her shoulder, pulling her to the floor. The offender then ran off with the bag along North Road towards Hertford North Railway Station.

The offender was described as a white man of stocky build. He was reported to be wearing a dark blue or black hooded top with a big pocket on the front and a zip.

Investigating officer DC Neil Lancey said: “The woman was understandably shaken up following this incident although she thankfully did not sustain serious injuries, only grazes.

“I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to contact police. Did you see someone hanging around the area or did you see someone running away with a bag? Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help us to solve this crime.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Lancey via the non emergency number 0845 33 00 222 quoting crime reference number A1/10/3324.