ALMOST 100 people have tucked into a harvest celebration in Linden.

Around 70 people enjoyed curries, rice, poppadoms and pickles at the harvest supper at the Church of St Paul and St Stephen, in Stroud Road, last week.

The evening, called Come Dine With Me – God's Invitation to Everyone, also included a quiz, songs, and a raffle for a hamper of Fairtrade and homemade produce.

At least £400 has been raised to buy water filters, which cost £15 each, for needy families in the Burmese community in Delhi, who are without fresh water.

The supper formed part of a weekend of harvest celebrations at the church, which was specially decorated for the festival.

Gifts of food were also presented at the service to support Gloucester Food Bank.

MORE police officers will be walking the beat in a new shake-up of policing.

Gloucestershire police is restructuring its front-line policing to ensure funding cuts "don't have a negative impact on our neighbourhoods."

The Tewkesbury area will benefit from new senior officers, as well as round-the-clock police teams, as it is split into three new local policing teams (LPTs) – Tewkesbury with Coombe Hill, Bishop's Cleeve with Winchcombe and Cheltenham Road East with Brockworth.

Each area will have its own sergeant and policing teams of about eight officers, plus about 17 PCSOs.

Superintendent Rob Priddy, who heads up the Tewkesbury team, said: "Against a national backdrop of cuts in public sector spending, we have been working hard to not only ensure that these cuts don't have a negative impact on our neighbourhoods, but that we keep finding ways to improve the service Tewkesbury residents get from us."

New superintendents have been appointed to each of the county's six local policing areas, Stroud, the Forest of Dean, Gloucester, the Cotswolds, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham.

But police have so far only revealed their revised plans for the Tewkesbury area.

They met residents and community groups to discuss the moves at a meeting in Bishop's Cleeve on Wednesday.

Inspectors Owen Hughes, Steve Templeton and Brian Murnaghan will cover the Tewkesbury area.

Officers will work a five-shift system and will operate from Tewkesbury's new police station at the Tewkesbury Borough Council office in Gloucester Road.

Inspector Murnaghan said: "It's about putting more police officers on the front line.

"Our objective is trying to get local people knowing there is a police officer they can communicate with on the ground."

Gloucestershire Constabulary will be redistributing existing police officers rather than employing additional recruits.

RESIDENTS of Bishop's Cleeve welcomed the news that police will be more visible.

Councillor Peter Lightfoot, chairman of Bishop's Cleeve parish council, said he hoped the police officers were here to stay after the village's police station closed last year.

He told the meeting at Bishop's Cleeve Primary Academy meeting: "It's something we've been asking for. I welcome more officers, and I hope we would have a closer relationship. I hope to see more of a presence."

Borough Councillor Sue Hillier-Richardson (LD, Cleeve Grange) echoed his sentiments. "A lot of people think the officers could be going round the neighbourhood more without having to go to Tewkesbury to report."

Former police officer Chris Abbley said: "It's difficult to have new officers with everything being so expensive these days."

CHEAP car parts do not necessarily mean good value, a pair of Linden traders are warning.

Paul Rigby, who owns 10 Ten Motor Factors on Bristol Road, believes that the rise of cheap auto parts and fakes found on the internet means that people can be driving around in unsafe vehicles.

He said: "We are worried that motorists do not question why some parts are so cheap.

"If it is [selling for] well below the average price, then buyers should be questioning that.

"We will not sell items that we do not trust and have specific, reliable brands that are known for their quality."

He said this meant that they charged more than some online retailers, because they are sending quality brands at reasonable prices – rather than unknown brands at knock-down prices.

"People often go for the cheapest option," he said. "But they don't consider the safety ramifications which would not only affect them but also their family in the car with them.

"They do not think of the bigger picture, that they never get into the car alone but are jeopardising the lives of others too."

Mike Pollock had to close his business Foreign Auto Parts, on Pearce Way, in August after 31 years of trading because of the loss in trade.

He said: "If you think about it, those going to a supermarket will often buy a well-known brand because instantly they can tell the difference in taste. But people do not behave that way with car parts.

"However there are specific brands which are known for their reliability and for lasting a long time.

"In the case of brake pads, it will probably be that the one time when you need them the most they will fail because they are made for well under the average price."

He added: "It did not help my business when several bigger companies moved to Gloucester, which already had too many auto parts firms."

Pete Williams, spokesman for the RAC, agreed that motorists should shop around for prices and that very cheap prices did not necessarily mean people were getting a bargain.

He said: "While we cannot comment on local situations, there are specific recognised brands which offer quality products. We would encourage motorists to shop around for good value products while recognising that the cheapest items may not necessarily be the safest and the most long-lasting."

In the USA, the Government is warning car owners of counterfeit airbags.

A wide variety of counterfeit auto parts has long been a well-known problem, industry officials there said.

HIGHWAYS across the borough could be in line for a makeover if plans to give each county councillor £10,000 to spend in their area are approved.

Gloucestershire County Council will decide on Wednesday whether to approve a proposal to provide each councillor with a pot of money to spend on improving roads, pavements and footpaths in their ward.

The Highways Local initiative, which is a £1.16m two-year pilot scheme, will see councillors talking to people in their community and highways managers to decide what needs improving.

Leader of the council, Councillor Mark Hawthorne, helped develop the scheme.

He said: "For some time now we've been looking at ways to give local people more power and more choice over how they receive services.

"County councillors are our closest link to these communities so it makes sense for them to be more involved and to tell us where this money should be spent."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Suzanne Williams said she believed £10,000 would not be enough to meet the needs in her ward, Springbank.

She said: "Although it sounds like a lot of money, when it comes down to it, it will be eaten up very quickly.

"There are things like resurfacing Kingsmead Road, which we have been raising with the council for a number of years.

"There are potholes and all sorts down there. It's a complete mess.

"If the council comes back and says that we have to use this £10,000 for that instead of general highways money, it's going to be all used up there."

Councillor Simon Wheeler (LD), who represents Hester's Way and Up Hatherley, felt giving £10,000 to each councillor was a flawed plan, as some areas needed more improvements than others.

He said: "There might be areas that don't need jobs done as much as other areas, therefore our £10,000 would go nowhere, whereas out in the Cotswolds, for instance, their £10,000 is surplus and they might spend it on jobs which are not an overall priority."

Mr Wheeler said the £10,000 would be useful in Hester's Way to repair footpaths on roads on the east side of Princess Elizabeth Way.

The £1.16m for the project will come from the council's transformation reserve, which was allocated for changing business practices to make long-term savings.

If the pilot was successful and the scheme was continued, it would be paid for as part of the normal highways budget.

PAUL James thought his iPhone was about to explode when he woke up to find it glowing red and his bedroom full of toxic white smoke.

Paul, 25, from Quedgeley, had returned from a night-shift at the Stonehouse Court Hotel and put his iPhone on charge before going to sleep next to his heavily pregnant partner, Jess, 27.

He woke just half an hour later to a discover his iPhone 4S was red hot, billowing with smoke and melting next to his bed.

Paul picked up the mobile and threw it across the room, before dialling 999.

"When I saw white smoke coming out of the glowing mobile my first thought was to get it away from the bed in case it caught fire," he said.

"I was most worried that it could set fire to the bed so threw it by the cable across the room.

"The fire marshall who turned up to do a safety check said we could have died from smoke inhalation if we hadn't woken up."

Paul bought the phone just four months ago, taking advantage of an online deal at Carphone Warehouse.

He contacted Apple who arranged to collect the phone to carry out their own checks.

A week later, he was told by the California-based company that they would not be able to send him a new phone. The firm's engineering department had completed a technical review but said that because the phone was damaged from when he threw it across the room, they could not replace it.

"I was gobsmacked by the response from Apple," he said. "I didn't expect any compensation, just a new phone.

"Despite arguing the fact that I could have been burnt, died or let the house burn down – that didn't seem to matter to Apple. I felt I had been treated like a second class citizen."

Despite being contacted by The Citizen, Apple was unavailable for comment.

FOR retained fire fighters in the county, a call to save someone's life is always just a moment away.

That comes with the territory for the volunteer heroes, who give up their spare time to be on call in case of fires, serious road accidents and other emergencies.

But Iain Robertson and Adrian Knight, have now been shortlisted for Firefighter of the Year at the Spirit of Fire Awards, which take place in London today.

The recognition comes after the pair, who are based in Winchcombe, played a crucial role in rescuing 84-year-old Betty Hodgkiss after a gas explosion tore through her home in Rosehill Street.

Father-of-one Iain recalled the wreckage when they arrived at the scene of the accident on May 10.

The 52-year-old said: "We were the first to arrive at the house following the explosion.

"There were significant toxic fumes and we were obviously not sure the structure of the building was safe, or the buildings on either side.

"But you don't think about the danger – you just get in there and do the job.

"Fortunately, we were able to locate the lady and I was among those who carried her out on a stretcher.

"It was a fantastic outcome because, on arrival when we looked at the scale of the damage, there was no way we thought anyone could have survived it."

Iain, who runs a letting agency in Winchcombe, has to be available for 120 hours a week in his role as a retained fire fighter, providing emergency cover for his full time colleagues.

He carries a beeper with him at all times, springing into action whenever it sounds.

He has been nominated for the prestigious award, along with fellow volunteer Adrian and full time fire fighters Andy Rood and Kate Grundy, who also played a crucial role in the aftermath of the Rosehill Street blast.

"Obviously it's nice to get some recognition for what we do and it would be great to win the award," added Iain.

"But the Rosehill Street job was a real team effort. We happened to be the first on the scene, but we had great support from the rest of the fire service and the ambulance crews too."

The quartet will travel to London today for a reception at Downing Street and an awards ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel.

Organisers of the event, from the Fire Fighters Charity, described what the stalwarts' efforts in Rosehill Street as "remarkable".

"A successful rescue was effected despite working in the presence of leaking gas and an unstable adjacent property bearing down upon them," said a spokesman.

PUB landlords need fresh ideas on how to attract drinkers if they are to survive, says the chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale in Gloucester.

The flagging pub trade needs reinvigoration as more people consider alternative entertainment or stock up on cheap supermarket booze.

The Northend Vaults, owned by Enterprise Inns, and The Pig Inn the City in Westgate Street remain closed, a sign of a downturn in fortunes for landlords.

Alan Stephens is chairman of the Gloucester branch of CAMRA.

"Drinking habits have changed, largely down to cheap supermarket deals," he said. "But landlords need to be more visionary in their approach if they are to attract more drinkers in. Back in the 1960s and 70s, The New Inn used to be the social centre of Gloucester. It is very different now.

"So many pubs are in historic buildings – it would be a tragedy if more were to close."

Mr Stephens says despite the gloomy outlook, pubs near residential areas, such as the Greyhound in Longlevens, are thriving, as people don't have to drive there.

Gary Teague, manager of Teague's Bar in Kingsholm Road says without match day trade from the rugby club, he would already be out of business.

"The turning point came in 2007 when the 24-hour opening hours kicked in," he said.

"That was the first nail in the coffin for the pub trade and it has got gradually worse since.

"If my regulars knew we were staying open until 11, with music and entertainment, they would stop here for the night. With other clubs offering late-night drinking, that doesn't happen so much now and we have to try and compete.

"People's drinking habits have changed dramatically in the last few years and the smoking ban has put some people off.

"It is a very difficult industry to operate in at the moment. The issues of cheap supermarket alcohol has never really been addressed, that has had a big effect.

"My lease is up next year and I'm not sure if I'm going to renew it."

The Registry is one late-night bar to benefit from recent investment.

Its general manager, Neil Joyner, says pubs shouldn't view late-night bars and clubs as direct competition and work together to help revive the evening economy in the city.

"Improving the quality of nightclubs and late-night bars will help complement the traditional pub market in Gloucester," he said.

"The improvements we've made at The Registry will encourage more people out at night to help the traditional pub trade.

"We are all part of the same industry."

Mr Joyner has added to calls from club bosses at Liquid to reduce binge drinking in the city by banning cheap drink promotions.

A TEENAGE son harassed his mum so much she asked him to leave the family's home in Coleford, a court heard.

Anger management and drug issues were at the heart of the problems defendant Nicholas Hughes, 19, caused his mother Susan, Stroud Magistrates were told.

Hughes previously admitted harassing his mum and causing her distress and alarm by being aggressive and abusive.

He'd also pleaded guilty to assaulting a police sergeant by shutting his arm in a door when the officer was called to the house, the hearing heard Wednesday.

Probation reports on Hughes were read by the magistrates before they heard from prosecutor Louise Pinder that the defendant had been to his mother's home in Broadwell, Coleford.

"His mother was very distressed," Miss Pinder said. "The defendant was causing problems. He didn't live there for three months after she asked him to leave because of his anger problems and continuing harassment."

Solicitor Nick Cooper, for Hughes, said his client found it very difficult to be away from his family because he was struggling with a drug problem.

"He is very remorseful. He knew it was not the way to treat his mum. It made him feel very bad." Mr Cooper said Hughes was ashamed and now wanted to instead make his mum proud of him.

Hughes, who appeared via video link from Gloucester Prison, was freed to undertake a 12 month supervision requirement with probation, including drug rehabilitation and anger management sessions.

A two-year order restraining him from the family home was also imposed and he was ordered to pay £30 compensation to the police sergeant.

USERS of Tewkesbury Borough Council's recycling service are being warned not to dump the wrong items into their blue bins.

A list of materials is online at www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/recycling.

TWO women have told Gloucestershire police they were sexually assaulted by Jimmy Savile.

One assault is alleged to have taken place in the county, while the other was reported yesterday by a local resident who said she was assaulted elsewhere.

The force said both incidents were "historic" and happened years ago.

They follow sex abuse allegations emerging against the late Savile, which shattered his friend from Churchdown, George Ridgeon. The paralysed firefighter drew strength from the shamed DJ when he was a Stoke Mandeville hospital patient but he had no inkling that Savile was assaulting youngsters.

Claims made about the BBC star on an ITV documentary mean police are investigating allegations Savile sexually assaulted children and adults at care homes, hospitals and on BBC premises.

A Gloucestershire police spokeswoman said the force received one complaint on October 4 about an offence alleged to have happened in the county. The victim lived in Gloucestershire then but now lives elsewhere.

The second complaint was made by a current Gloucestershire resident who told police an incident took place elsewhere.

The force spokeswoman said: "Two complaints have been made to Gloucestershire Constabulary, and we have passed them on to the Metropolitan Police who are conducting the investigation."

The BBC and other bodies could be sued by victims if it can be shown they were negligent.

Former High Court judge Dame Janet Smith will lead the BBC's internal inquiry into the claims. There is also a Department of Health inquiry into Savile's conduct at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Broadmoor and Leeds General Infirmary.

SHE is a typical little girl, passionate about princesses, and her biggest wish is to go to Disneyland Paris to meet her heroines in person.

But three-year-old Amelia- Rose has to get well first.

The tot is fighting cancer and must first beat a tumour on her kidney and the cancer which has spread to her lungs.

Mum Shana Rees, 21, and dad Ben Mason, 23, from Lansdown, Cheltenham, are going all out to raise the funds to make her dream come true.

Shana hopes Amelia-Rose could be in Disneyland this time next year in remission.

She is going into Bristol Children's Hospital on October 31 to have her tumour and kidney removed, followed by a gruelling year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"It's going to be a very long road," said Shana. "But we're very hopeful and positive because Amelia is being so strong.

"She was very confident and bubbly, but this has been knocked – yet she still dances around with her dollies.

"She's always been a very girly girl and says 'oh look at all the princesses' in the Disneyland TV adverts. She's got quite a few Disney princesses – she takes one wherever she goes."

Shana went to St Paul's medical centre after noticing the left side of her daughter's stomach was too hard.

Amelia was referred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and diagnosed with a Wilms' tumour of the kidney.

"We discovered it had spread to her lungs after an MRI at Bristol Children's Hospital," said Shana. "I was a mess and totally destroyed but my partner has been strong for us."

The family has received a huge helping hand from big-hearted Gary Woodhall.

The 60-year-old, from Fiddlers Green, saw his wife Shirley and daughter Kelly conquer breast cancer at the same time.

He has organised a Motown night to kick-start a £2,000 fundraising target.

Mr Goodhall said: "I've just been on this journey and, with the help of family and friends, got to the end.

"But Amelia-Rose is only three years old and I just feel for the parents."

Gary's last Motown night raised £1,300. His DJ friends Pete French, from Leckhampton, Mark Finch, from Springbank, and Paul Garland, will help spin some discs.

The caring ex-DJ hosts the evening at 7.30pm on November 17 at Cheltenham Civil Service Club.

Tickets are £6 from Gary on 01242 228559 or from the Civil Service club.

ENDANGERED water voles are thriving at Netheridge Nature Reserve, just five years after being introduced to the site near Hempsted.

Falling numbers of the semi-aquatic rodent prompted environmentalists to release small numbers into the reserve in the hope they would multiply.

The wildlife haven, managed by Gloucester City Council on behalf of Severn Trent Water has proved the perfect home.

Councillor Kathy Williams, cabinet member for the environment, said: "We have a responsibility to look after our open spaces and protect our environment. It is great these superb little creatures are making a home for themselves."

BOSSES at GCHQ are looking for young computer gamers to train as the next generation of cyber experts.

The Cheltenham- based government listening post will take on up to 100 apprentices as it tries to tackle the growth of computer crime and terrorism.

And it is hoped the scheme will help attract youngsters who have grown up immersed in the internet and computer gaming.

Foreign Secretary William Hague unveiled details of the new apprenticeship scheme during a visit to GCHQ's predecessor, Bletchley Park, where code-breakers helped to shorten the Second World War.

He also launched this year's National Cipher Challenge, an annual competition for schools to inspire young people into thinking about a future career in mathematics and cyber security.

Mr Hague, who was accompanied on his visit by GCHQ director Iain Lobban, met Bletchley veterans.

Mr Hague said: "Without the men and women of GCHQ and our other intelligence agencies, we could not protect Britain today.

"It is part of the living legacy of Bletchley Park that Britain today is an international leader in cyber security.

"We are determined to preserve this legacy and build on it for the future.

"It will be the young innovators of this generation who will help keep our country safe in years to come against threats which are every bit as serious as some of those confronted in the Second World War."

Following a successful pilot scheme, the first young apprentices will walk through the doors of GCHQ this autumn.

Open to 18-year-olds with three good A levels, or an equivalent vocational qualification, in science, technology or engineering, successful applicants will spend two years learning about communications, security and engineering through courses, technical training and work placements.

On graduating they will enter roles within GCHQ or the other intelligence agencies.

It comes against a backdrop of difficulties GCHQ has in retaining staff because it cannot match the pay and perks of Microsoft and Google.

Mr Lobban added: "The announcement concerning apprenticeships and mathematics recruitment should ensure that GCHQ continues to develop the skills and attract the talent it needs to meet today's challenges around cyber security."

WITH a combined age of 311, it's not surprising that Hilda Greening and her two siblings have been labelled the Duracell sisters.

Mrs Greening yesterday celebrated her 108th birthday at The Grange nursing home in Northway, Tewkesbury. One of her sisters, Eugenie Underwood, is 105 and lives in Dorset, while the other, Mary Hunt, is 98 and lives in Twyning.

The trio are thought to be the oldest siblings, in terms of collective age, in the UK and a national newspaper article last year referred to them as "the Duracell sisters" because of their long life.

Mrs Greening is believed to be Gloucestershire's oldest resident and has been at The Grange for three years. Before that, she spent virtually her whole life in Winchcombe.

After receiving cards and visits from family members yesterday, she said: "We all three have lived a long life."

Asked if she knew what the secret behind that was, she said: "I've no idea. I've just lived from day to day."

Although her senses are obviously not what they once were, the remarkable Mrs Greening coped admirably with the string of well-wishers calling in to see her.

Boasting a good memory, she recalled how she was once told off by her father. "When I was two, I went into our next door neighbour's garden.

"I quite fancied some tomatoes there so I took some.

"My dad told me off. He was mad and gave me a smack."

So much has changed in her lifetime and she remembered when it was "quite something" to have a radio, never mind a television.

She also recalled the time when people used a horse and cart, rather than a car.

Mrs Greening's husband, Cyril, died 30 years ago, but four of their five children are still alive and she also has 14 grandchildren.

GE AVIATION Systems is set to secure £1.25 million in government cash for a research facility which promises to boost jobs and the economy.

The Cheltenham engine manufacturer is among seven successful bidders in the region in line to receive a share of £72 million from the Regional Growth Fund.

The cash will go towards a project by GE Aviation that will create up to 100 jobs over the next eight years.

The money will be used to refit laboratory facilities and buy equipment to allow continuing research and development work into "novel and new technologies to increase aircraft operational and emissions efficiencies".

Simon Linacre, product leader for GE Aviation's Electrical Power business in the UK, said: "We anticipate that this research will lead to new products and will help be a catalyst for advanced technology in electrical power systems.

"We anticipate that this research will allow us to identify new products which would create up to 100 new jobs over the next eight years."

The £72 million provisionally awarded to the South West bidders aimed to create or safeguard 8,640 jobs over the lifetime of the schemes and lever in £148 million of private sector cash.

It formed part of the £1 billion third round of the RGF, which is aimed at boosting the economy and creating employment.

Nationally, 130 bidders out of 414 were selected to receive financial support.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "This £1 billion boost for growth in towns and cities across England is creating jobs that will last in the parts of the country that need it most.

"In tough economic times the Regional Growth Fund is good value for taxpayers' money.

"This £1 billion round of the fund is pulling in £6 billion of private sector investment."

COTSWOLD Water Park Trust can seize almost £1m from former fraudster boss.

The charity has won a civil case against ex-chief executive of the then Cotswold Water Park Society Dennis Grant.

The High Court handed Grant, 64, a judgement and froze his assets.

Trust solicitors can now pursue assets belonging to Grant and his wife, including their marital home.

Grant, jailed last year after admitting plundering £660,792, used some of his ill-gotten gains to buy three plots of land in Northern Cyprus and luxury cars including an Aston Martin Vantage. He conned the charity for two years before being exposed by then financial controller Tasha Flaherty.

Trust managing director Matthew Millett said: "The Trust anticipates only a small proportion of the judgement sum will be recovered. It is hoped significant progress can be made in early 2013."

What's your favourite Gloucestershire day out?

Aside from an afternoon at Kingsholm, I like historic houses. Sudeley Castle.

And your favourite place to eat out in the county?

We've got some hidden gems in Gloucester. The Hilltop is my most frequently-visited curry house, C&W African Experience in Kingsholm is a treat and visiting Sebz' restaurant in Northgate Street makes me feel like I'm on holiday.

What's the worst job you've ever had?

When I was a lot younger, I spent a week temping in a call centre dealing with repairs to a particularly unreliable range of fax machines. I didn't really know what I was talking about.

Have you got any unusual habits?

I drink herbal tea in the office, which sometimes gets me a few strange looks.

Who is your hero and why?

All of our armed forces are heroes. Locally, I admire Phil Vickery. He has won everything there is to win in his rugby career, but has kept his integrity and does a lot to help charities.

What book are you reading at the moment or tell us your favourite?

I've just finished Andrew Marr's "The Diamond Queen" – a real insight into a remarkable lady.

What was the last film you watched?

On DVD I watched "One Day".

First single/record you ever bought?

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album. It was on cassette.

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook for personal use, Twitter for work-related. @cllrpauljames.

SWASHBUCKLING over Kingsholm's expanses, Gloucester swept to half-time control against embattled Bordeaux.

But it was not with style and panache that the Cherry and Whites won this Amlin Cup clash – it was through grit and no small coaching nous.

Will James, Billy Twelvetrees and a smart brace from Charlie Sharples ensured Gloucester plundered the four-try bonus point in just 37 minutes.

Magisterial James Simpson-Daniel was once again the catalyst for class.

After the turnaround the Kingsholm men lost their edge – but were at least able to fend off their resurgent opponents.

The game's pivotal moment came when James lost his cool and threw a needless punch as Gloucester defended their line.

The rightful yellow card left the home side a lock light and defending a five-metre scrum.

Ben Morgan stepped into the engine room breach – and Nigel Davies sent on an all-new front-row from the bench.

It proved a smart decision: the fresh trio blasted Bordeaux off the ball and won a crucial penalty.

After the brainless punch, the cerebral coach came to the rescue.

Gloucester are now unbeaten in seven: hats off to Mr Davies.

Free-running Aussie hooker Huia Edmonds was just a pass away from helping Gloucester to the lead from the off.

Twelvetrees struck a post with a penalty attempt, but then the home side struck.

Simpson-Daniel drifted left to right through the porous defensive line after a driving maul.

And when the ball was fired back the other way, lock James powered home.

All Black Cowan's World Cup-winning pedigree came to the fore from a clever kick in behind.

The 30-year-old half-back accepted a tackle – but not before blasting deep – allowing Twelvetrees to race clear, scoop up and slide home.

Cowan was lucky to escape censure for tackling a Bordeaux man chasing a threatening grubber.

Bordeaux shortly punished Gloucester with a penalty from Sanchez though, to claw a foothold on the scoreboard at the first quarter's close.

And Sanchez doubled both his personal and team tally to set the second quarter in motion.

Not to be subdued though, Gloucester hit back with fluency and poise.

Tindall drove through the middle, Hamilton created an overlap – and Simpson-Daniel lifted his defence-drawing pass straight out of the textbook, setting onrushing Sharples home for try number three.

Sanchez's clean line break scared the Cherry and Whites, but Gloucester rallied by stealing a scrum against the head.

Twelvetrees found his kicking range with a penalty, after missing three conversions and a goal shot.

And from the restart the Kingsholm men plundered their bonus-point try.

Morgan's barnstorming bisection set Gloucester clear, Twelvetrees fed Edmonds, and he quickly shipped on to Sharples, who bundled home for his second of the night.

Injury ended Tongan brute Kalamafoni's night at the start of the second half, but Sanchez missed the resulting penalty.

Simpson-Daniel's switch with Martyn Thomas almost had Gloucester away again, but a stray pass let Bordeaux off the hook.

Bordeaux shocked sluggish Gloucester with a penalty lineout drive, crossing the whitewash.

But the Cherry and Whites defence held the French raiders off the ground, denying Bordeaux the try.

A thunderous Qera tackle kept Bordeaux at bay from the scrum.

Mindless lock James then threw a needless punch, and duly walked to the sin-bin.

His absence caused Gloucester untold problems in two scrums.

But the fresh legs of Nick Wood, Koree Britton and Rupert Harden offset having Ben Morgan as a makeshift lock, and Gloucester won a priceless penalty to clear their lines.

The move was no less than a Nigel Davies masterstroke.

Twelvetrees then struck a post with his second penalty miss of the night, and Bordeaux rallied once more.

Sanchez tried a sneaky cross-field kick – but though Avesini Vasuinubu collected he strayed into touch before dotting down.

Gloucester finally wrestled some kind of authority thanks to an all-powerful scrum that elicited audible screams of pain from the French.

But still the home side lacked incision.

Skipper Hamilton trudged off injured with four minutes on the clock, leaving Gloucester a man light with no replacements left on the bench.

Flanker Gibouin strolled home for a consolation score at the death – the only of the half in fact – but Gloucester still claimed the win.

No doubt Gloucester slipped from their first-half pace – but a crucial five-point victory nonetheless.

GLOUCESTER: M Thomas (R Cook, 63), C Sharples, T Molenaar, M Tindall (T Taylor, 53 [D Robson, 76]), J Simpson-Daniel, B Twelvetrees, Jimmy Cowan, Dan Murphy (N Wood, 53), H Edmonds (K Britton, 53), S Knight (R Harden, 53), W James (T Savage, 66), J Hamilton (capt), S Kalamafoni (M Cox, 43), A Qera, B Morgan.

BORDEAUX: D Domvo, A Vasiunubu, C Brousse, M Denetre (F Le Bourhis, 73), T Brana, N Sanchez (C Lopez, 68), J Seron (B Serin, 64), F Labbe, F Rofes (capt) (S Fort, 68), Y Boutemane (J Poirot, 46), K Navickas (A Chaveau, 59, F Tisseau, G Gibouin, R Kitshoff, D Larrieu. Unused: L Delboulbes, H Chalmers.

ATTENDANCE: 9,576.

REFEREE: M Mitrea (ITA)