Children who eat a Mediterranean diet packed with fruit, vegetables and nuts are less likely to develop asthma and allergies, say researchers. A study carried out on the Greek island of Crete found eating high quantities of traditional foods such as olive oil could protect youngsters from wheezing and other allergic symptoms.

A council has apologised for banning “lunatics, idiots, deaf and dumb” people from standing for election. An election pack issued by Bournemouth Borough Council stated that “lunatics and idiots” and “deaf and dumb persons” were disqualified from standing.

Colchester Borough Council is delivering services which are improving and are good value for money, according to the Audit Commission.

Up to 1,000 asylum seekers who fled from violence in Darfur were given new hope yesterday when three appeal court judges halted the removal of three Darfuris whom the home secretary, John Reid, planned to relocate to refugee or squatter camps near Khartoum.

Social Services in Bury, Lancashire, have launched a new campaign to recruit foster parents for young people aged 11 to 18. They hope that recently increased allowances will entice more adults to come forward.

Hundreds of people across Lancashire are set to see their care packages end after a task group rubberstamped a series of social services cuts. Currently Lancashire County Council provides social care services for people with moderate, substantial and critical needs.

Twelve people with learning disabilities have recently moved into their own flats fulfilling their dreams of a much more independent life. For Iso Mullarkey, a social worker from Bishop’s Stortford, it is times like these that make her job worthwhile.

Bolton Council’s adult and children’s services department has been rewarded for helping young people to get a step on the career ladder. The team has won this year’s National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) award for its trainee social work programme.

Religious extremists could be given Anti-Social Behaviour Orders under a new crackdown on those suspected of radicalising others. Police and prosecutors could use Asbos against suspects they can not charge with criminal offences under new guidance to tackle “radicalisers” announced by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith.

{mosimage}Police are also calling on members of the public to use a hotline to tip them off about anyone they suspect of preaching hatred.

Lord Goldsmith said that he had been concerned for some time that not enough was being done to tackle the threat from extremist radicalisers and said it was time for a national strategy to deal with the problem.

“There is a small number of people that we are talking about but I don’t think you can underestimate the influence that those people can have.”

Both police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have set up new national teams to concentrate on the problem and work together more effectively. As national co-ordinator, Detective Superintendent Mark Holmes of Scotland Yard’s Counter terrorism Command will have 30 officers under him, as well as in new counter terrorism units in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

A £250,000 grant from NHS Northwest will help ensure that a full range of health and emotional wellbeing services are available in children’s centres and other community settings in West Cumbria.