Inside this week's Hastings Observer (December 9)

We lead on a campaign by parents and children to make the journey to school safer by clamping down on drivers who park on double yellow lines and zigzags outside schools.

The campaign is backed by a number of councillors and hopes to make the voices of pupils heard.

Also inside, we feature a piece about a community hall that has been given a makeover by dedicated volunteers from a project aimed at helping unemployed young adults gain skills, and we run a report about Ark Blacklands Primary Academy, which has come out of special measures to achieve the highest possible Ofsted rating.

This week’s paper also includes an article about a man who has been jailed for life for kidnap and GBH after a ‘brutal and sadistic’ attack that saw him cut off his victim’s thumbs.

The paper includes a tribute to a former squadron leader and committed member of Hastings Seagulls Swimming Club, and an update from the Hastings Foodbank, which has seen tonnes of food donated this festive season.

There is an update on the paper’s Drive for Justice campaign and the latest on the Southern rail dispute, including a piece from a GCSE student who fears the disruption on the trains will affect his education.

The Hastings Observer also gives its backing to SERV Sussex’s Toy Run, which aims to deliver presents and festive cheer to children in hospitals over Christmas.

There are two pages of photographs from the Westfield Christmas lights switch-on and a page of pictures from the St Michael’s Hospice Lights of Love event. There are also a few snaps of the Christmas Sussex Belle steam train as it paid a special visit to 1066 Country this week.

This week’s nostalgia offering takes a look back at the history of the Eversfield Hotel, while nine pages of sport leads on Hastings United boss Darren Hare’s belief the team can still win the league this season. There are ten pages of What’s On listings, including a list of the top ten things to do this weekend, as well as the usual two pages of letters, essential information and puzzles.

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/christmas/