Motorists will no longer pay a premium for extending their parking tickets in the town's car parks.

The RingGo scheme was introduced by the District Council last year and allows people to pay for their parking by phone using a credit or debit card, rather than by cash at a machine. The service was introduced to solve the twin problems of motorists having no change or needing to cut their trip short because their ticket was running out. However, using the scheme cost motorist a premium of 20 pence.

From next week, motorists will now be able to top up their parking time without the administration charge.

Paul Phillips, Executive member for economic development, said: "It can be difficult to second guess how long you want to stay in town and there's nothing worse than having to cut short an enjoyable visit to rush back to your car. As long as you have access to a phone, this is no longer a problem. Cancelling the RingGo transaction fee will save money for motorists and it's good for businesses as customers don't need to rush away to get back to their car."

A new mobile phone shop opens in Bircherley Green on Monday.

Bandar Band already have an outlet in southbury Road, Enfield opposite Enfield Town station.

The business offers mobile phone and laptop repairs, as well as phone unlocking.

Police are appealing for information after a woman was assaulted in Mill Road on Sunday 11th November.

The incident happened between 1:30am and 2:30am while the 20 year-old victim was walking along Mill Road. She was approached by a man who grabbed her arm. The woman managed to pull her arm away and the man, wearing a dark coloured knee-length coat, made off towards Tesco.

PC Shelly Marshall, who is investigating the incident, said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have been in in the area at the time of, or prior to the incident to call police. If you have any information at all, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please call us as it could greatly assist our investigation."

Anyone with information can contact PC Marshall on 101 quoting crime reference number A1/12/3069.

A new group has been formed to stimulate and protect Hertford.

The Hertford Futures group is made up of local businesses, residents, councillors, Hertford Civic Society and Transition Hertford.

The group recently met to discuss  a draft plan written by East Herts Council's economic and development manager Paul Pullin. The plan covers five key areas - business & investment, retail & hospitality, environment & tourism, transport and "civic pride".

A further meeting will be held on 14th December when the results of a benchmarking exercise will be presented to the group.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a vehicle was damaged last Wednesday (7th November).

A group of Hertford parents are planning to establish a free school in the town to address the acute shortage of primary school places in the town.

Free schools are state-funded independent schools run by charitable trusts. They set their own curriculum and term dates.

The new school expects to offer two reception classes (60 children) from 2014. A location for the school has not yet been identified.

www.hertfordfreeschool.co.uk

A glass and metal spiral celeberating the work of Alfred Russell has won the competition for a public work of art at the gateway to Hartham Common adjacent to Sainsbury's new store.

The work will be sited on land formerly used for recycling banks and has been paid for by the company as part of their section 106 planning conditions.

Designed by Karen Murphy and Leiselle Bristow, the spiral walk is paved with the bottoms of recycled McMullens beer bottles set in to concrete, whilst a screen of metal and glass panels creates a see-through relief depicting the town's history and how man's evolution has changed it.

Nominations are now open for Hertford's Cheery Trader 2012 award.

The town gave it's first award in 1983 and following it's successful re-introduction in 2010, the Town Council have now launched the 2012 competition.

Nominations are open until Wednbesday 21st November and the winner will be announced during the Christmas Gala evening on Friday 23rd November.

Nomination forms are available from the Town & Tourist Information Centre in Market Place.