One news story has sadly dwarfed all others in 2020 - and it looks set to continue to do so for at least several more months in 2021.

A school shut in February after two 'members of the school community' were reportedly being tested for coronavirus.

Rickmansworth School in Scots Hill, Croxley Green, sent an email out to parents and carers on February 26 explaining the situation at the school.

Three days later the country’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty confirmed a patient in Hertfordshire had tested positive, taking the number of confirmed cases in the UK at that time to 23.

A loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt and nan died after being struck by a bus in Watford.

Kerry Elizabeth Goodchild, 52, was killed following the collision in Market Street.

In a statement, Ms Goodchild’s family said: “Kerry was a vivacious and loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt and most recently a nan. She will be missed sorely by her family and her many friends in Watford and beyond.”

A group of ten men who were involved in a drug ring in St Albans were jailed with a combined total of 77 years at Reading Crown Court.

They were arrested in March 2019 after warrants were served at homes in St Albans where cocaine and cash were seized, as well as a high valued car.

Five other members of a separate ring that were supplying drugs to this group were also previously jailed for their part in a conspiracy to supply drugs in Hertfordshire and bordering counties.