News of a man who was killed when he was knocked off his motorbike was the Borehamwood and Elstree Times website’s most read story of 2012.

That story drew 4,956 viewers - and the second most read story was when we broke the news of the accident, with 3,860 people logging on to find out what happened.

After the tragedy, we wrote a follow up story paying tribute to 40-year-old Terry Smith, who worked for MGM cars at Elstree Studios in Shenley Road.

Sad news also provided the third most popular story, a piece about a man who died in Borehamwood which 1,223 people read.

Watford resident Mark Hopkinson was taken to hospital after paramedics were called to a house in Theobold Street in November, but he died a short time later.

A further 1,124 logged on to find out about a man and a woman who were released on bail in connection with the 36-year-old’s death, with a further 559 people reading other related stories.

In May, 2,708 readers logged on to find out about two “merciless” thugs who tried to kill a disabled teenager by chopping his head off with an axe, the fourth most read story of the year.

Jamie Healey pinned 17-year-old Luke Demetriou to his bead while Ronald Dwyer rained down eight blows on his head at his Borehamwood home.

The attack - which was carefully planned - saw the pair jailed for a total of more than 36 years for the senseless crime.

And in October, 2,450 sports fanatics visited our site when Boreham Wood FC played Salisbury City.

The team were able to travel to the big day in style after Arsenal Ladies donated their official club coach for the big day.

A rudely interrupted breakfast for some provided diverting news for many when the UK Border Agency raided McDonalds, in Shenley Road. Altogether, 2,436 web users visited our site to find out what happened.

Officers arrived at the fast food chain while customers were eating their breakfast and arrested five staff members found to be working illegally.

In much lighter news, 2,335 of you read about a litterbug who was fined £534 after dropping one pack of cheesy puffs on the floor.

Keeley Patrick, of Croxdale Avenue, was spotted emptying half a bag of crisps onto the pavement in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, and giving what was left to a baby in a push chair.

She was handed a fixed penalty notice of £75 on the spot - but when she failed to pay it, Hertsmere Borough Council ordered her to appear in court - which she did not attend.

The story was also one of the most commented on - with 50 people joining in the debate over whether such a hefty fine was justified.

In May, 1,100 people read about the town council’s decision to switch a family fun day from Saturday to Sunday to allow members of the Jewish community to take part.

In a story which also received more than 140 comments - making it the most commented-on story of the year - people were left worried “religious issue are getting in the way”.

Mayor Sandra Parnell said they would change the day as a test to see if it gets more people involved - but others argued Christians who worship on a Sunday would not be able to attend.