Market Harborough: An historic Japanese sword fetched the top price in a Market Harborough sale.

It sold for £1,800 when it came under John Gilding's gavel.

The handle of the sword was marked "Toshihide 1836" and it had a slightly curved blade.

Another sword, a Wilkinson commemorative commando dagger, was sold for £650.

Inscribed "Major General Jeremy Moore, June 1982" it dated back to the Falkland Islands Campaign.

Birstall: Members and friends of Birstall Methodist Church have been busy filling shoe boxes for the annual Operation Christmas Child appeal.

It is the world's largest Christmas Appeal and sends more than a million shoeboxes packed full of 'goodies' to children in Africa, Central Asia and eastern Europe every year.

Over the past few weeks Beryl Massey has received 212 boxes on behalf of the church, which are ready to be transported.