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Hampshire and Isle of Wight weekly round-up: 18 December - 23 December 2023

Southsea Model Village Southsea Model VillageSouthsea Model Village
Windows and doors of this model property were ripped off in the incident

A story about a model village being smashed up by vandals is among our most read this week in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

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Model village smashed up by vandals

CCTV shows Southsea Model Village smashed up by teen boys

Vandals have smashed up a model village and caused £1,000 worth of damage.

Buildings in Southsea Model Village have been destroyed in the incident, which happened at about 18:25 GMT on Sunday 17 December.

In a post on the village Facebook page, a statement said the vandals had "done a lot of damage".

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Quadruple murderer loses bid for parole

Chris Talbot Winchester Law CourtsChris Talbot
George Stephenson was jailed in 1987 at Winchester Crown Court

A man who has spent 36 years in prison for murdering four people at a dinner party has lost a bid for parole.

George Stephenson, now aged 72, was jailed in 1987 for the murders, as well as rape and robbery.

Joseph and Hilda Cleaver, both 82, their son Tom, 47, and Maggie Murphy, 70, were doused in petrol and burned, Tom's daughter Melissa Cleaver said.

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Stopping areas added to smart motorways

PA Media Emergency refuge area on the M3 smart motorwayPA Media
The orange-coloured refuges provide extra places to stop in an emergency on a smart motorway

Spaces where drivers can pull over in safety are to be added to smart motorways on the M3, M4 and M27.

The all-lane running motorways - which turn the hard shoulder into a fourth driving lane - will have additional places to stop in an emergency.

The building of new smart motorways was cancelled by the government in April over cost and safety concerns.

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Couple in hotel for Christmas after house flood

BBC Michael and Christine CooperBBC
Michael and Christine Cooper will be spending Christmas in a Holiday Inn

A couple are staying in a hotel for Christmas after their house was flooded for the third time this year.

Michael and Christine Cooper said they had a "devastating" year following issues with their home in Brading on the Isle of Wight.

The pair, who live near the River Yar, claimed part of the problem was a nearby road not being properly drained.

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Roger Daltrey surprises young cancer patients

PA Media Roger DaltreyPA Media
Roger Daltrey has organised the charity's annual concerts at the Royal Albert Hall for 23 years

The Who's frontman has made a surprise visit to children receiving treatment for cancer at a hospital.

Roger Daltrey visited the teenage and young persons cancer unit at University Hospital Southampton.

The hospital said he made the visit to "spread some festive cheer" as patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

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