After months of uncertainty over its future, plans to turn the former Ashwell Prison in to a business park have been announced. 

Rutland County council's revealed it wants to try and buy the land from the Ministry of Justice.

It'd be then turned in to units for businesses and office space.

From today Rutland is looking to play a major part in the digital revolution with Broadband promised for most of the County.

Rutland County Council's agreed a deal to provide 97% of the area with a fast broadband connection.

BT has been chosen as the Council's partner and will now explore ways to extend fibre optic broadband availability.

On completion it's hoped Rutland  will have some of the fastest internet speeds in the country.    

An animal charity which covers Rutland says it's seen the number of horses needing their care rocket over the past year.

The RSPCA have put the problem down to high costs of keeping a horse and along with the bottom falling out of the market.

There've been reports of horses being sold for as little as £5 in pubs.

Lincolnshire's community nurses are already being stretched to their limit because of government cuts.

That's according to a former district nurse from Lincoln as the Royal College of Nursing claims more jobs could be at risk.

At it's annual conference the RCN says many don't feel they have enough time with their patients.

The RCN claims more than 60,000 jobs could be at risk.

But the government says it doesn't recognise those figures.

Someone needs to fill the gap in provision for struggling families in South Lincolnshire.

Thats according to people behind Stamford's new foodbank.

They're setting up in the town after local groups claimed there was a desperate need for support.

Despite the foodbank not opening till July people in the town have already approached volunteers for help.

From hut to hall- a local community is celebrating after securing £500,000 of lottery funding.

The village of Heydour just outside Grantham has been given the money to help build a community centre.

They've been fundraising for three years to transform their parish hall.

Enhancing police presence in Stamford and The Deepings.

That's one of the main priorities of the areas new police inspector.

Mike Burnett wants local officers to work more closely with the community.

He's also looking to reduce crime figures relating to burglary and metal theft.

The Environment Agency says drought status has been lifted for 19 counties including Leicestershire.

It says Severn Trent is unlikely to impose hosepipe bans on customers.

But Lincolnshire and parts of East Anglia remain in drought with hosepipe bans in place.

Dr Paul Leinster, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said: "Water resources across England and Wales are kept constantly under review. The recent record rainfall has eased pressure on water resources in some parts of England, helping levels in rivers and reservoirs to recover and providing relief to farmers, gardeners and wildlife.

"The Environment Agency will continue to keep a close eye on the situation. Low groundwater levels remain a concern across many parts of England, with many still at a similar level to those in 1976 and unlikely to return to normal levels before the winter. A return to a long period of dry weather would increase the risk again.”

Talks are continuing about the sale of Aquascutum's factory in Corby after the company's been bought out.

A chinese firm's bought the fashion brand for 15 million pounds.

It went in to administration last month putting a hundred and 15 jobs at risk in Corby.

Administrators said they hoped a deal would be reached in the next 2 weeks.

Business is booming when it comes to selling houses to first time buyers in Lincolnshire.

That's according to estate agents in the county following the news sales have slumped elsewhere in the country.

The decision to end the stamp duty holiday for first time buyers is believed to be the main reason for the fall.

Off  duty police officers are heading down to the capital to take part in a mass march.

They're angry at the extent of cuts being made to the police service together with pay and pensions.

Among them will be two coach loads of off duty police officers from Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire's Police Federation want the government to realise the impact on the service and say they're being hit from all angles.

Meanwhile East Midlands train drivers will be out on the picket line for a fourth day of industrial action in a row over pensions.

Talks between the company and the drivers union ASLEF are expected to be held today.

Renewable energy companies could face problems in the future when it comes to building windfarms in Rutland.

It's as the county council have put together a series of guidelines specifying the height of turbines and how close they can be to residential areas.

It comes as welcome news for campaigners in Ketton who're currently opposing plans to build two wind turbines nearby.

Changes have been made to a new shift system planned for Oakham's fire station.

It's as the Leicestershire fire authority will meet tonight to finalise the details, which will see the number of staff halved at the site.

The measure's expected to save four hundred thousand pounds a year but still provide around the clock cover.

The meeting will be held on May 9th at the town's annual meeting.

Youth services in Lincolnshire are seeing an unexpected rise in interest.

Thats according to the County Council who say they're renewing their commitment to provision of services for young people.

It's after spending cuts saw groups disappear from communities.

But now, the local authority says they're working with more volunteers to provide better for teenagers.

Leicestershire Police are on the hunt for more PCSO's.

They're running a recruitment session for people living in Leicestershire and Rutland who are  interested in the role.

The open day will give people an idea of what the role involves and the training that's needed.

Its being held on May 14th at Leicestershire Police Headquarters.

Organisers of Stamford's Big Feast are urging locals to get involved and get to know their neighbours. 

It's only a month to go until the event, which had 8 thousand visitors last year.

 Volunteers are needed to help run activities and keep an eye on the crowds.

A new clubhouse for Oakham's rugby club would help them keep up with younger generations. 

That's according to the club fundraising commitee who are wanting to raise £50,000. 

They money would be spent on state of the art facilities including new changing rooms and training space. 

It had a total of five representatives on the council.

The move means there are now only 2 political parties represented on Rutland County Council, the Conservatives and RAC party.

Sarah Outen has been in Japan preparing for her solo leg across the North Pacific.

She is hoping to start the 5 month gruelling trip at the end of the week, if the weather gets better.

Sarah will be the first woman to complete the challenge, and her next stop is Canada.

East Midlands Trains drivers are planning on walking out every Tuesday and Thursday this month.

The union Aslef says it's in a row of pensions.

A public meeting was held on Monday night, to discuss the impact the anaerobic digester could have on the community.

Concerns have been raised about the traffic flow, the location and the effect on the environment.

Lark Energy have submitted the plans to build the renewable energy source which would use waste from local farms

Only 24 of the hundred and 55 cyclists managed to get to the end of the wind-swept circuit.

French biker, Alexandre Blain, won the race, almost 2 minutes ahead of his nearest competition.

It's claimed drivers in the Stamford area will be among the hardest hit if a fuel duty rise goes ahead as planned.

The Taxpayers' Alliance has organised a day of action in Grantham today to call on the government to ditch plans to add three pence to the cost of fuel.

They say drivers in South Kesteven are already paying some of the highest levels of motoring taxes in the country.

A Stamford job fair was inundated with people on the search for employment today.

Organised by the town's Job Centre, South Kesteven District Council and New College Stamford a variety of employers were at the event.

The fair was aimed at 16 to 24 year olds and CV writing, interview tips and job opportunities were all on offer.

As the army moves into the former RAF Cottesmore base over the next few weeks they've decided to rename it as the Kendrew Barracks...

It's in honour of the late Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew who was a former pupil at Uppingham School and who served in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.

The barracks will now be home to the Royal Anglian Army Regiment.

The Green Deal is effectively a pay as you save scheme, so homeowners can install energy saving measures and pay back the loan through lower bills.

A new advisory service has been set up in the region, called the Green Deal Network. It's concerned local plumbers, builders and other tradespeople may miss out, because of a lack of understanding about what the deal means for them.

Rutland has played host to the Olympic Torch this afternoon, as a full dress rehearsal was held ahead of the real torch relay in July.

It went through Langham, Oakham and Uppingham, then on to Stamford before making it's way to Peterborough.

It's all a practice to give Olympic organisers a chance to test how the real relay, when it passes through the region in July, ahead of the 2012 games.

People gathered to watch, as the unlit torch was carried across Rutland Water by boat.

A Corby factory has shut it's doors making over 100 people redundant with immediate effect.

High end fashion retailer Acquascutum told staff they'd be losing their jobs yesterday and not to expect any wages at the end of this month.

The chain has gone into administration after making significant losses.

There are fears a skatepark in Bourne will lead to more vandalism in the town.

Bourne Town Football Club have launched a petition against plans to build a skate park on Abbey Lawn.

The club say they're already battling anti - social behaviour in the last two weeks, vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the ground.

They're worried the skate park will attract too many people.

The owners of Abbey Lawn have so far been unable to comment.

Rutland's preparing to play host to an Olympic Torch relay practice ahead of the real thing in June.

There'll be rolling out road closures in Langham, Uppingham, Oakham and Stamford tomorrow afternoon as the convoy passes through.

Parking will also be restricted and residents on the main routes are being asked to move their cars off the road.

The area's been chosen as the test route for the relay which'll pass through ahead of the games in July.

One year on from the introduction of street pastors to Stamford and there are indications the amount of anti social behaviour's dropped.

Four volunteers from local churches have been going out on Saturday nights and helping people in the centre of town.

They say the streets are now safer due to actions like removing broken glass and helping vulnerable people who've had too much to drink.

Police in Oakham say they're shocked by an attack on a bus driver in the town.  

It happened on the Number 19 service following a collision between the bus and a car on the afternoon of Monday March 26th.

Details have only just been released.

An argument broke out involving the bus driver and the car's owner.

It's then an alleged assault took place on the bus driver.

Extra tankers of water are being brought in to areas of Rutland. after a water pipe burst.

The road between Braunston and Oakham's been closed while Severn Trent carries out repairs.

They say it should be open again by Thursday and customers shouldn't notice a difference

But extra supplies are being brought in to maintain reservoir levels.

A teaching union in the Rutland Radio area says parents need to be part of the solution to truancy not made into scapegoats.

It's after suggestions from the government that rules to stop children skipping school should be toughened.

Parents are already fined but that could be automatically taken from child benefits.

Oakham's High Street was monitored by police last week looking to educate irresponsible drivers.

The Road Safety Clinic recorded 17 people who were breaking the law whilst they were driving such as using a mobile phone.

Figures are down in comparison to last year but 10 drivers were caught not wearing a seat belt.

Offenders then had the chance to attend a 15 minute clinic in order to prevent being prosecuted.

Electric cars will now be able to re-charge in some areas of Rutland..

Three hotels have had the new technology installed and it's hoped it'll bring more tourists to the region..

They're now up and running in the hotels in Uppingham and Greetham and are free to use until next May.

The next stage of the development will be to install a point at the Oakham heights housing development and prospective buyers will be able to choose if they want one in their homes.

Rutland's drought problems are far from over but this week's rain's been welcomed by farmers.

Unusually dry weather for the past two winter's have left water levels in reservoirs very low.

We had as much rainfall on Wednesday as in the entire first three months of this year.

This week saw the introduction of the first hosepipe ban in the region for 20 years.

Around 70 people gathered to watch a ceremony to watch the official handover of the base on Saturday evening.

It will become home to army troops and their families returning from Cyprus in June and July.

The long term future of Stamford hospital is secure.

That's the reassuring message being given by Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Trust.

Talks are currently underway which will outline ways to take the hospital forward.

The aim is to up outpatient provision and attract more patients.

The NFU says the Chancellor has ignored challenges being faced by farmers in his latest budget.

It's after Ministers failed to make changes to fuel duty increases and ignored pleas for tax relief for farms using resevoirs.

Unions have described it as 'a missed opportunity' to promote growth.

People in Rutland could soon be benefiting from some of the fastest internet speeds in the country.

The county council wants 90% of homes and businesses to have superfast broadband and voted this week to give the contract to BT.

Rutland was given over £700,000 to invest as a pilot area for the government's Broadband Delivery UK scheme.

Tributes are being paid to a soldier from Rutland who's been killed whilst on active duty in Afganistan.

On Wednesday- Captain Rupert Bowers was caught in an explosion in Helmand province.

The 24 year old leaves behind wife Victoria and baby son Hugo.

He'd been serving with the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment and attached to 2nd Battalion The Rifles.

Farmers in Rutland are looking to the skies in the hope it might rain sometime soon.

It's as the county's experienced one of the driest winters in recent memory.

Reservoirs and waterways which would have normally been refilled over the winter months are drying up.

After 125 years of business, one of Stamfords longest established building firms has called in the adminstrators.

49 people have lost their jobs at Bowmans, based in Cherryholt Street in the town.

It's after attempts to restructure the business through a Company Voluntary agreement failed.

Adminstrators are set to start work on Monday.

Investigations continue at Holywell pond on the Rutland/Lincolnshire border where a six year old boy and his grandmother have drowned.

They were found at the ponds close to the village after being reported missing from the grandmother's home in nearby Castle Bytham on Thursday night.

It's believed they may have been feeding the ducks when the accident happened though with no witnesses, police admit it will be difficult to say just what happened.

Post mortems will be held over the weekend to try and find out how they died.

Unemployment has risen in the Rutland region.

13 more people are now unemployed which is nearly double last months figures.

The figures in the area are still a lot lower than the national average- with just 1.4% of people being unemployed compared to the East Midlands 3.9% and the UK's 4%.

Plans have been put forward for a petrol station in Oakham.

It's on the corner of Lands End Way and Burley Park Road...and is the site where plans for a supermarket were rejected last year.

It would cover a much smaller area...and could create up to 10 jobs.

A meeting is being held today for people to have their say about the Uppingham's town plan...

The public are being asked for their views on how they want the town to change over the next twenty years...

Here's Edward Baines who's Chairman of the Uppingham Plan Task group...

The consultation's being held at Uppingham Town Hall between ten and twelve and two and four today.

Police are continuing to investigate a robbery in Oakham on Boxing day.

5 men were arrested this week in connection with the incident on West Road.

4 men in their 20s were sat in a car when they were allegedly threatened by four men and robbed.

They've have been released on bail as enquiries continue,

Uppingham's new county councillor says planning issues will be one of her main priorities.

Carolyn Cartwright won the seat on Rutland County Council in Thursday's by-election.

With major development plans being discussed for Uppingham in coming years, Councillor Cartwright hopes that's something she'll be involved in.

People in Rutland are being asked whether they'd agree to a rise in council tax this year.

It's as the county council are undecided over whether to accept a grant from central government which would mean a freeze in council tax this year.

If approved it would mean bigger increases in future years.

Alternatively the council could choose to not accept the grant and increase rates steadily over a four year period.

Police are continuing to investigate after a group of men were robbed at knifepoint in Oakham.

The group were attacked by 4 men, as they were sat in a car outside a pub in the town on Boxing Day.

One person was punched and the gang also caused damage to the car.

Police are warning drivers in Stamford to keep an eye on their Sat Navs after a spate of thefts in the town...

There's been an unusual leap in the amount stolen over the last month and police say residential areas are being targeted specifically.

There's been a positive drop in the amount of Primary school children classed as obese in Rutland...

Whilst many other areas across the UK see numbers rising, communities in Rutland seem to be reversing the trend.