A BUILDER who racially abused a member of staff on the Tube has been fined £100.

John Gallagher, 37, of Myrtleside Close, Northwood, became abusive at North Greenwich tube station after staff explained trains were no longer running at 12.40am on November 28 last year.

Aidan Harris, manager of London Underground's workplace violence unit, said: "The abuse became racial and Gallagher refused to leave the station.

POLICE are launching a crackdown on thefts of heavy plant machinery in Three Rivers, after more than 80 were stolen in the past two years.

A total of 81 machines were taken from local construction sites in 2008 and 2009, with 33 stolen last year.

According to police figures, the thefts have been most common in Northwood, Rickmansworth, Maple Cross and Chorleywood.

A MAN wanted in connection with an alleged drink driving offence has been arrested after an appeal in the Gazette.

Joao Carvalho, 28, of Moneyhill Parade, Rickmansworth, was arrested in Station Road, Rickmansworth last Thursday (4) at about 7.30pm.

He was being sought by police after being caught driving over the limit in Watford Road, Croxley Green on February 17 last year and failing to answer a bail hearing.

A NEWSAGENTS in Maple Cross was targeted by thieves in search of beer on Saturday (6).

A man entered McColls Newsagents in Chalfont Road at about 6pm and went directly to the off licence section, before taking a box of Fosters beer and running out towards Chalfont Road.

A CHARITY show has completely sold out thanks to the support of a television actress from Northwood.

Jean Heard, star of The Bill, Grange Hill and No Sex Please - We're British, is topping the bill for the Rotary Club of Elthorne Hillingdon's gala fundraiser.

The event, which takes place at end of February, is being held in aid of Rotary's $200million Gates' Challenge, to eradicate the world from polio.

PLANS to build two six-bedroom homes in Northwood have been approved, to the dismay of residents opposing the scheme.

The two-storey properties will be constructed south of Northgate.

They will be served by a new shared access road between Oakhurst, a timber-framed Tudor-style property believed to date from about 1928, and Walderton, an adjoining house to the east of the site.

THREE teenagers were robbed of their mobile phones after being threatened by a gang of youths.

The victims were targeted near Blockbuster in Watford Road, Croxley Green at about 9pm last Friday (5).

One of the group asked if they had any cigarettes and when they replied no, they asked for their mobile phones. Feeling vulnerable, the victims handed them over immediately.

The phones taken include a Samsung Tocco, a black Sony Ericsson Cybershot and a Blackberry.

A SENIOR councillor has called for an independent enquiry into the long overdue refurbishment of the William Penn Leisure Centre, after branding the secrecy surrounding the project as 'ridiculous'.

The leisure centre, in Shepherds Lane, Mill End, has been closed to swimmers for almost three years, after construction work began in March 2007.

DIABETICS in Three Rivers are being urged to attend their appointment when they receive an invitation to have their eyes screened.

Anyone suffering from the condition who is aged 12 or above and registered with a doctor in west Hertfordshire is eligible for screening.

But many are not taking this simple test, which could reduce the likelihood of losing their
sight.

SCHOOLS, community groups or charities in Three Rivers are invited to apply for a grant to help them run long-term sustainable projects.

B&Q Watford's One Planet Living Grants support four key themes - save energy, grow your own, conserve nature and support local culture and heritage.

Grants from £50 to £250 are available for any organisation within 20 miles of the store, in Lower High Street.