The pleas of Hanworth residents fell on deaf ears at a sustainable development committee meeting on Monday as councillors voted to approve 24-hour industrial units behind Hampton Road West.

The 27-unit development, which forms part of Hanworth Trading Estate, was opposed by residents at the meeting who argued noise and light pollution would disrupt their lives.

They also voiced concerns over parking, road safety and potential flooding but were unable to sway councillors who felt the two-storey buildings were appropriate for an industrial estate and too far from the residents' homes to cause serious problems.

Only Cllr Andrew Dakers voted against the development which will now go ahead.

Food fans who are interested in learning about which mushrooms are safe to scoff can pick up tips at a special 'fungi foray' event at Bedfont Lakes.

On Saturday, October 11, visitors will be taken round the park and shown a variety of mushrooms and toadstools, some of which are edible and others poisonous.

The fungi foray will take place from 10am-noon and start at the Information Centre by the Clockhouse Lane entrance.

Despite the diversity of the borough of Hounslow, many people still live and socialise in their own communities with little contact with others from different cultures or faiths. Continuing their programme of informal meetings to bring people together, Hounslow Friends of Faith have organised a talk on the positive values of Islam in the UK.

Over the last few weeks, hundreds of excited youngsters put on a smart uniform for the first time as they prepared for their daunting first day at school.

To celebrate this important milestone in their lives, the Chronicle has visited reception classes up and down the borough to capture the moment.

Nervous new pupils from Forge Lane Primary School and Oriel Primary School, in Hanworth, were among those to have their portraits snapped on their first day.

See this week's Feltham & Bedfont Chronicle for more adorable photos.

A Hanworth man accused of racially abusing his neighbour's young sons has been fined by Feltham Magistrates Court after failing to show up for the second part of his trial.

Stephen Sims, of Winslow Way, originally pleaded not guilty to causing alarm and distress by using threatening words when he appeared in court two weeks ago.

The 60-year-old was accused of swearing at the youngsters from the bedroom window of his maisonette as they played in the garden next door on June 13.

Sims, a full-time carer, was defending himself but did not attend court for the second part of the hearing, on September 25, and was found guilty and fined £100 in his absence. He was also asked to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £150 in costs.

October has been Black History Month for more than 30 years - and this year we want to hear from you about what it means to be Black in 21st Century London.

www.londoninformer.co.uk and www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk have teamed up with Snappy Snaps to launch our Black History Month Photography Competition - and we have some great prizes.

All of your photos along the theme Black in 21st Century London will be published on www.londoninformer.co.uk and www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk and the winners in the London Informer and Hounslow Informer newspapers in November.

The chairman of Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals stepped down yesterday after six and a half years at the Trust.

Clive Thompson CBE, who has led the two hospitals since 2002, said: "No year has been the same, and it has always been rewarding and often humbling to be able to lead such a stimulating organisation.

"My last six and a half years have been extremely enjoyable and never dull, and I now leave you in good health, good heart, and in good hands."

The credit crunch may be making many people anxious but a former movie actor claims it has saved his life after forcing him to crash diet.

Terry Smith, of Hanworth, who featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves alongside Kevin Costner (right), weighed in at a hefty 29 stone and at just 41 had been forced to apply for a disabled permit because he struggled to walk to his car after becoming hooked on junk food.

Now the married father-of-one has lost four stone in three months after rising prices forced him to cut down on food and alcohol and save £100 a week from his food bill.

Awareness of climate change and the need to protect the environment is growing and is not restricted to any one section of the community.

On Saturday, October 4, Hounslow Friends of Faith is bringing together speakers and displays from different faiths to challenge and inspire people to do their bit for the environment.

Everyone at Oriel School in Hanworth is beaming with pride this week after hearing two much-loved members of staff have been nominated for a national award.

Linda Ellis and Rose Tunley, who both work at the Oriel Primary School, in Hanworth, have reached the finals of The National Awards for School Support Staff.