LOCAL GPs are under pressure to contribute to health savings by curbing spending on prescriptions and cutting patient referrals to hospital.

A health trust warns that money is being wasted through doctors prescribing patients top-of-the-range drugs from leading companies.

Royal Mail is introducing a new pricing structure that will see the cost of sending mail based on the size, weight and thickness of items.

To spread awareness of the new prices, which start on 21 August, it is sending a leaflet to every UK mailing address and launching a £10m ad campaign.

SHOPPERS got a first taste of Witney's new-look Sainsbury's store, which has almost doubled in size after undergoing a major revamp.

Managers were given the go-ahead last July to extend the supermarket, in Witan Way, by 1,440 sqm.

DAVID Cameron MP has made it his mission to raise £80,000 to relocate a Witney-based charity so it can expand its services in a larger office, after 25 years in cramped conditions.

The Conservative Party leader has written to firms asking them to donate the cash to enable the West Oxfordshire Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) can expand.

ONE of the creators of a controversial Witney-based website which 'names and shames' alleged paedophiles has distanced himself from the project after being threatened.

Catchaperv.com, which lures men into webchats by posing as young girls, was criticised by Oxfordshire and London police for being 'irresponsible', and potentially driving sex offenders underground.

SHOPPERS are being promised that Witney's bigger Sainsbury's store will be ready to open next week.

But the supermarket, in Witan Way, will close from tomorrow for a week, so that work can be finished on its new extension.

PEOPLE are being warned not to be taken in by telephone callers offering to visit their homes to carry out fire and electrical safety checks.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued the warning after at least two householders in the Witney area were contacted last week by 'bogus' callers.

Security at all UK airports has been tightened after an alleged plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US.

Broadly, passengers are not being allowed to take on any hand luggage except essential items in see-through carrier bags, and are advised to expect severe delays.

There is severe disruption to flights at major airports and many international services have been cancelled, as have many domestic flights to Heathrow.

The Bank of England has hinted that UK rates may have to rise further in coming months in order to keep inflation on target at 2%.

In its quarterly inflation report, the Bank said inflation could rise as high as 2.7% without a rate rise.

But while the Bank said it had raised its expectations for economic growth, it warned that high energy bills still posed a risk.