Detectives from the UK Border Agency swooped on a fast food restaurant in February in a dramatic raid in which they found five people breaking immigration rules.

Two men were charged with working illegally at McDonalds in Shenley Road, and were deported back to their home countries later in the year.

Another two men and a woman were later jailed for six months for possessing false documents and overstaying their visas.

Disgruntled teachers also hit the headlines after a library service used by schoolchildren was shut down.

Hertfordshire County Council closed Herts Schools Library Services, which provided schools with books and support, despite campaigners’ efforts to save it.

Julie Muncey, head teacher at Parkside Community School in Aycliffe Road, said the facility would be “sorely missed”.

The closure of the service led to 12 members of staff being made redundant and a saving of £41,000 from the council.

Tributes were paid to Britain’s oldest registered pilot, who died this month at the age of 95.

John Houlder ran the Elstree Aerodrome for almost 60 years – during which time he also compiled a history of the airfield.

Pilot David Harrisberg, who met Mr Houlder in 1984, said the death of the “lovely man” was a sad loss for the whole community.

Residents living in flats in Northgate Park were counting the costs of their homes after water poured through their the ceilings, leaving their possessions completely ruined.

Bernadette Lucas, 32, who was forced to seek temporary accommodation because the floorboards and walls were soaking wet, said her house looked like Niagara Falls.