Motorist can now pay for parking using their mobile phones. All car parks in Hertford are now covered by the RingGo system that not only allows you to pay for parking, but extend your stay.

It's free to register for an account that will deduct the parking charges via a credit or debit card along with a small transaction fee. There's also the option to pay a little extra for a text confirmation and for a reminder text shortly before your parking time is due to run out.

The system is already successfully in operation in more than 50 other councils, including neighbours like North Herts and Epping Forest, as well as numerous railway stations. It was introduced to all 26 East Herts car parks from March 21.

A council spokesperson said, "This is a great step forward for the council and more importantly, the drivers of East Herts. It offers people options that will make parking easier and more convenient, and of course it will also be beneficial to businesses too.

"No longer will customers have to rush off to avoid over-running on their parking. Drivers can add time to their parking via their phone, allowing them to shop longer, enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend they may have bumped into in town, or take a little longer over their dessert in a restaurant."

CllrJohn Hedley (Con Sele) has died suddenly whilst on a trip to Tunisia.

Cllr.Hedley lived in Hutton Close on the town's Sele Farm Estate and was also a District Councillor as well as a former chairman and president of Hertford Football Club. He was educated at Richard Hale School, where he met another town councilor Peter Ruffles.

Kitchen designers Dewing Design have closed their Market Street shop due to the costs of maintaining a High Street presence.

The business will continue to operate from other premises.

The decision follows the closure of Charlotte's Flowers at the beginning of the year. The florist also closed their retail outlet whilst continuing to trade from alternative premises.

A man has been charged with Grevious Bodily Harm following an incident on the Sele Farm Estate last Friday (11th March).

Billy Barclay of The Ridgeway was remanded in custody until 23rd May after being charged on Monday.

Police were called at about 9:45pm on Friday after reports of an altercation that resulted in a 26 year-old man being hospitalised with a knife wound. The victim was known to the accused.

Burglars broke into Michael's Jewellery Repairs in Railway Street on Monday evening and stole a number of watches.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the incident, which took place around 12:30am. Cabinets in the shop were broken into and branded watches taken, including "Swiss Military", "Pulsar" and "Lorus".

Anyone who has been offered any watches of this type for sale since Tuesday morning or has any information relating to this burglary, is asked to contact DC Steve Blackie at Hertford Local Crime Unit on 01992 533906.

Wine merchant Oddbins have closed their Salisbury Square outlet as the company struggles with losses.

The closure is part of a restructuring process after the business entered a Company Voluntary Agreement, an alternative to administration.

Oddbins are closing 39 of their 128 stores, with the loss of up to 176 staff, including 15 at the company's head office.

Tough trading conditions and competition from supermarkets have seen the company make a loss for the last six years.

The closure leaves a prime unit empty at the heart of the town.

Concrete block have been placed at the entrance to Archers Spring in the latest attempt to stop bikers using the site.

Residents of Bentley Road have been plagued by the nuisance bikers for many years, despite various attempts at stopping them from getting on to the site.

The land was flattened in 2009 to try to make the site less appealing to bikers.

However, the new blocks have also failed to prevent bikers accessing the site as they have just knocked down adjacent fencng to get around the barriers.

The District Council are planning to close the taxi rank in Railway Street.

The proposal is aimed as tackling illegal parking by taxi drivers in the pedestrianised areas or Bircherley Green and Railway Street.

The existing rank will become short stay on-street parking as well as loading and blue-badge parking.

The taxi rank in Fore Street will become the main rank for taxis in the town centre.

If the measures are approved at Thursday's Licencing Committee meeting, a Traffic Regulation Order will be published later in the year.

Costa Coffee are advertising for staff despite being refused planning permission for a new shopfront in Maidenhead Street.

An application for a new shopfront was submitted late last year by Gerry's Offshore Incorporations Ltd via an agent in Buckinghamshire.

Adverts for a manager and staff have appeared at the premises of former men's outfitters Coles.

Hertford Town Council objected to the new shopfront whilst noting that there has been no application for Change Of Use.