The Hertford East service is to shut down for a nine day period during October so that new track can be laid between the station and Broxbourne.

No trains will run on the branch line from Saturday 27th October until Monday 5th November.

Services will be replaced by a bus service running to the usual schedule.

County Councillor Sally Newton has been deselected by her local Conservative Party and will not stand for the party at the next election in 2013.

No reason has been given for the move but there is speculation that her criticism of the Tory led District Council may have influenced the decision.

Mrs.Newton is also a Town Councillor and fellow Conservatives on the Council are unhappy with her removal.

Favourite to replace Sally Newton in the All Saints Constituency is Stevenage councillor Philip Bibby.

Two office blocks could be converted to homes if planning officers approve plans.

Blocks 6 and 7 in Bluecoats Avenue would become six one-bedroomed and six two-bedroomed flats in the plans.

The proposals follow an extended period of vacancy and a declining market for office space in the town.

Update: Planning permission was granted on 7th November 2012.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service are taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer support on Friday 28th September from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

The charity are asking residents join them for teas, coffees, biscuits and cakes at the fire station in Old London Road. Every cup will help improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

There will also be a bric a brac stall and a chance to take part in a raffle to win some exciting prizes. There may even be some fire engines for the children to enjoy!

The Mayor of Hertford and the Chairman of Hertford Town Football Club have joined forces to encourage Hertford residents to get behind their local football club at the start of the new season and attend the match taking place at the West Street ground at 3pm this coming Saturday 15th September.

The match is an FA Vase second round qualifier against Crawley Green. Entry is £6 for adults, £2 for senior citizens, and £1 for children. The Club also provides free entry to members of the Hertford Town Youth FC, and half-price entry to their parents. There is a licensed club house open to all, and food is available from 2pm. The club house stays open until the early evening, allowing people to discuss the match and catch up on other results.

The Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Jane Sartin, said: "Hertford Town Football Club plays an important part in our local community, and I hope that local residents will help to demonstrate the town’s support for it by joining me at the match on 15th September. If you have never been to a football match before, this is the moment to experience a live game!"

Peter Sinclair, Chairman of Hertford Town FC, said: "It would be great to see a strong show of support for the Club at this match. We’ve had some good results so far this season, and we hope that the club will do well in the FA Vase competition – knowing that the town is behind the team would give them a boost on Saturday."

Two flats in Fore Street have suffered serious damage following a fire during the early hours.

Six fire crews were called to the overnight blaze during which four people were led to safety. The blaze was brought under control and fully extinguished by around 6am.

The flats are part of the former Dimsdale Arms, which was converted for residential use around 20 years ago.

Pizza Express and Baroosh also suffered damage in the blaze. Whilst Pizza Express is now partially open, Baroosh is closed for the day.

Millets is just one of five retail businesses closing at the western end of Fore Street this month.

Local reports suggest that the closure is due to the landlord raising the rent. Quarter day falls in just two weeks, the day when shop rents are traditionally due.

Butterfly opposite has also closed in recent days, as has the House Kitchen and House Spa. Santander is also rumoured to be closing shortly.

Despite the combined closures of the businesses, the vacancy rate in Hertford is significantly below the national average of 14.6% with 10% of retail premises empty.

A new Italian patisserie and coffee shop has opened in Maidenhead Street.

Emilio's sells a range of delicious cakes, italian meats, ice cream and panini as well as Illy coffee.

The Italian gelato range includes macadamia, marscopone walnut and mango sorbet, whilst the snacks on sale include paninis, ciabatta and various meat platters.