Cult TV star Henry Winkler, known to millions as The Fonz in Happy Days, has been awarded a gold Blue Peter badge.

The 68-year-old has been given the CBBC show's highest accolade for his children's books about a boy who overcomes dyslexia, a condition which he also has.

JK Rowling, David Beckham and the Queen have also been awarded gold Blue Peter badges.

Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell, who presented Winkler the award, said: "We think that you are worthy of one of these because you've done such a fantastic job. You inspire so many people."

Do you have a Blue Peter badge? What did you win it for? Get in touch by commenting below. 

CLIVE Stuart-Smith is ready to fight his way back into first-team reckoning as lowly Cinderford take on Blackheath in East London on Saturday (2.30pm).

The scrum-half has not played a first-team game yet this season, as the nine jersey has been handed out to Danny Pointon, Andy Uren and Alex Frame.

While the former Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs man is itching for a chance to play for Cinderford again, his main focus is helping the Dockham Road outfit pick up some much-needed victories.

The Foresters slipped to a 15-11 defeat to Coventry at the Beavis Memorial Ground last week in torrential rain.

This was their fifth defeat of the term, a result which sees them drop to 13th of 16. The 31-year-old wants to ensure the side do not let any more opportunities slip through the gap.

He said: "I feel like I have got a lot to offer as a player. It's time for me to lay my claim on the nine jersey and I really hope to be involved.

"It has been massively disappointing not to play so far. I am not there to prove a point, just to make the team function and hopefully my experience will give us a bit more direction.

"I am a vocal person on the pitch, but it is not about me and my place in the team, it's about Cinderford winning. I will always be doing my best for the team."

Stuart-Smith watched the frustrating defeat to Coventry on the touchlines but was on hand to offer his expertise to the coaching staff.

The former Scarlets man has taken on a support role at the club when he is not playing, helping with match warm-ups and analysis for the backs.

While it is not a defined coaching role as yet, it is clear Stuart-Smith's experience is not something that can be wasted, especially when travelling to London to take on eighth-placed Blackheath.

He said: "I have experienced many different scenarios in my career and have worked under some fantastic coaches so hopefully can share as much knowledge as possible with the guys.

"First and foremost I am a player but the management felt that I can help our attacking game, specifically with the backs. I'm really excited about the next block of games.

"Our main focus this weekend is to come away with something.

"We are a confident side and we are looking forward to getting something from these games.

"We have been in with a shout so far but just haven't turned the screw when we needed to."

Jack Adams suffered a deep cut to the face and an open nasal cavity fracture last week. He now faces several weeks on the sidelines to allow those injuries to heal.

But otherwise Cinderford are at full strength to take on Blackheath, the oldest rugby club in the country. 

KAPRICORNE came good after a break to win at Ffos Las on Sunday. He made all in the Conditional Jockeys hurdle under Killian Moore.

He had been knocking on the door in his races earlier in the year and it was great to get a win under his belt.

He relished the new front running tactics, jumped really well and loved the soft ground.

We are now really looking forward to the winter ahead with him and he may go chasing later in the season.

It was great to get another winner for Cheltenham Racing Club, who are a lovely little syndicate to be involved with.

The members are always enthusiastic and it was nice that some of them were there to see him win.

I was equally pleased as I had tipped him up as their likely next winner at a recent open morning!

Killian, our new conditional jockey has made a great start for us.

This win was his fourth win for us from only 12 rides. There is a real benefit to having someone riding for you in races that knows the horses at home.

It has been an association that has paid off for both us and him and we look forward to giving him more opportunities in the near future.

Ruperra Tom showed a lot more sparkle at Chepstow on Saturday.

He was disputing the lead in the Novice hurdle two fences from home where he made a mistake and Killian was easy on him after that.

He, like Kapricorne, enjoyed being ridden more prominently.

We are just seeing how he has come out of the race, but he may head back to Chepstow for another Novice hurdle at the next meeting.

As happens so often in racing, just when you think things are going well the rug gets well and truly pulled from underneath you.

It came this week with the devastating news that Lovcen has developed

a leg injury which will put him

out for the season.

It is always very hard when you are a small yard as horses like him don't come along very often and we don't have others in the wings who can replace him.

He will definitely be back next season, he is very lightly raced so it just puts our plans back.

We have another busy week ahead, headed by Man of Plenty.

He runs in the three-mile Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. Everyone knows the regard in which we hold him and we are really looking forward to him running.

Hopefully, the more galloping track, extra half mile and softer ground should bring about some improvement.

Other runners include Recway Lass and Rolling Dough who both ran promising first runs back from breaks.

Silmi goes to Exeter on Tuesday and we will be keeping everything crossed firstly that he comes back safe and sound again and secondly that he can improve on his Chepstow run. 

DESTROYER Deployed can finally get off the mark at Cheltenham this afternoon, a course where he has run some of his finest races.

A third behind At Fishers Cross and a second behind Big Easy read well in the context of this race and it seems that in these handicaps he has been unlucky to run into a few too good.

It's astonishing really that this horse's other piece of course form is a second in the 2011 Champion Bumper and he has not delivered the goods given the promise of that.

Switched to chasing last year, he did easily win his first start but there's a nagging suspicion he's better over hurdles.

Tim Vaughan's horses have hit the ground running this month and this eight-year-old will not be found wanting up the Cheltenham hill.

Blaklion, a Gloucestershire Echo horse to follow, can run out an impressive winner of the first race, following in the footsteps of his classy stablemate The New One.

He did well to battle on past a race fit leader last time, seeming like a stiffer test will suit.

He first took the eye when bursting onto the British racing scene with a bumper win at Ffos Las and he looks a quality winter type.

Expect to see Jamie Moore, who is picking up a good few rides for Twiston-Davies now Sam has gone to Paul Nicholls', make plenty of use of this horse from the top of the hill.

It could be a good day early on for Gloucestershire trained horses, with Un Ace fancied to topple the likely favourite Court Minstrel around here.

On looks the former, highly regarded by Kim Bailey, is more of a chasing prospect.

For backers of the Welsh horse it's a little concerning that Evan Williams wasn't convinced at his horse's schooling and one error might find him out round here.

He's also penalised and has to give 5lb to this decent rival.

Later on the card there is each-way value to be had, with selection Entertain Me likely to start at long odds in the amateur race.

This mare is useful at her best and was not knocked about when trying three miles for the first time on her most recent start.

She's dropped a few pounds in the handicap and her jockey takes off a further 7lb.

The Romford Pele looks like he has a stiff task on paper against Highland Retreat in the 3.50, but she will have to make a smart chasing debut to topple him.

He's much more focused in the headgear and his trainer looks to have found a good opportunity for him to build on his summer winning run.

Melissa's top tips: 2.05 Blaklion, 2.40 Un Ace, 3.15 Destroyer Deployed, 3.50 The Romford Pele, 4.25 Its A Sting, 5.00 Entertain Me (e/w), 5.35 Sky Khan

LEE Fortey believes the National Three South West victories will keep coming for Old Centralians, starting with Oxford Harlequins away on Saturday (3pm).

Cents are currently sixth in the league and their 20-6 win over last year's high-fliers Old Redcliffians last weekend was their fourth win this term.

But instead of wholeheartedly celebrating the win, the side were slightly disappointed not to secure a bonus point and move to joint fourth in the league.

For the first half of last season, Cents were rock bottom in the league, thankful for a losing bonus point.

But now the standards have risen drastically and coach Fortey believes the squad can play without the pressure of defeat.

"The boys have nothing to lose at the moment," he said.

"They are playing with a completely different mindset, not just content with winning, they now want bonus points.

"Last year, a bad moment could have cost us the game. But now we have identified what it is we have to do and we have to just keep playing as we are.

"Consistency is what we are after. Last week was brilliant – I told the boys that at home anything can happen.

"We have to make sure that home record stays intact. Some parts of it weren't that polished but we will take that result. Our decision-making was better, our set-piece was good, and we were looking to finish opportunities. We got our details right.

"The club is in a great position, we are playing with some freedom after a great start and that breeds confidence."

But complacency must not creep in, as it did in Cents only defeat of the term to Hornets (53-20).

Fortey is wary of what Oxford, who have won twice this season, are capable of on home soil.

But Cents' starting XV remains unchanged after last week's solid performance and the side welcome Zimbabwe born and Cinderford scrum-half Jason Graham on to the bench.

"Jason should bring some maturity to the side, and bring control at scum-half," said Fortey.

"Whenever new players come in the side have more confidence. It keeps players on their toes too. They all trained well this week."

THE new service station on the M5 in Gloucester has received an award from the Observer Food Monthly Awards.

In association with Cuisinart, the business was announced as "best newcomer" at a ceremony in London this evening which champion the best growers, producers, restaurants, chefs, food initiatives and retailers in Britain.

Judges said the Gloucester M5 Services Northbound was an: "Innovative food business with a unique approach to running motorway services, offering locally sourced, seasonal food and produce."

Co-hosted by Sue Perkins and Jay Rayner, this year's celebration saw winners receiving bespoke chef's knife trophies specially created by Blok knives for the event.

The £40million site was finished in April and work has already begun on the southbound service station and is expected to open in May 2015.

It focuses on providing locally-sourced and ethical foods and goods rather than having franchises.

Grass covers the roof, blending into the surrounding Gloucestershire countryside.

Inside there is a large food hall, an expansive restaurant offering hot and cold food, as well as a children's play area.

Sarah Dunning, CEO of the Westmorland Family, who own and operate the services says, "We're really thrilled to win this award.

"Local food shouldn't be considered the preserve of a handful of high end shops, it is at the heart of everything we make and eat. We want to give a sense of place to the traveller—to be able to buy and taste products from the surrounding region.

"Our greatest opportunity is to be able to bring these local products and producers to a much wider audience, and this award will give us wider recognition."

Observer Food Monthly editor and awards founder Allan Jenkins said: "The revolution in British food in this, the 11th year of the Observer Food Monthly awards, is apparent in the range and diversity of this year's winners. 

"Whether it's an unsung chef producing brilliant Michelin star food in Abergavenny at 67, or a craft beer utopia in Leeds, or a motorway service station outside Gloucester baking world-class cakes, the days of London's crushing domination of the food scene are finally over. 

"Hell, the best deli in the UK according to our readers is now in Liverpool. 

"That's something for everyone to celebrate."

Nigella Lawson won the coveted award for best food personality, a reader-voted category. Judges gave the award for outstanding contribution to Shaun Hill, a longstanding institution in the British food scene, and currently head chef at the Michelin-starred Walnut Tree Inn in Llanddewi Skirrid. The best restaurant award - voted by readers - went to the Ledbury in London.

Other winners included Delifonseca deli and restaurant in Liverpool, which took the best independent retailer prize, and April Lily Partridge, who won young chef of the year, a category supported by awards sponsor Cuisinart.

The awards in each category are as follows:

Reader-voted categories

Best restaurant (supported by Kikkoman) - Ledbury in London

Best cheap eats - Silk Road in Camberwell

Best Sunday lunch - Colonel Fawcett, Camden

Best new cookbook - Persiana: Sabrina Ghayour

Best ethical restaurant (supported by Visit Sweden) - Friska in Bristol

Best independent retailer - Delifonseca in Liverpool

Best place to drink - Friends of Ham, Leeds

Best food blog (supported by Weber) - Jack Monroe

Best food personality (supported by Grana Padano) - Nigella Lawson

Judge voted categories

Best producer (supported by Jarlsberg) - Cabrito Goat Meat

Best newcomer - Gloucester Services, M5 Northbound

Outstanding contribution - Shaun Hill

Young chef of the year (supported by Cuisinart) - April Lily Partridge

Best local farmer (supported by Waitrose) - Richard Stephens at Monkshill Farm, Kent

Best reader's recipe (supported by NEFF) - Smokin' Pig Licker Brownies by Gavan Knox, Surrey

Best food photography - 'Sun drying octopi in Crete' by Irina Wang

It should remain sunny and dry throughout most of the day before rain returns this evening.

While it will be dry and fine for many, showers are expected to return 3pm onwards, with the wind reaching speeds of 10mph.

It will be a cool day with temperatures reaching no higher than 16 degrees.

There will be outbreaks of rain overnight, and while it will be windy t is expected to be fairly mild.

A report says four out of ten hospitals in the country are unsafe.

Basic errors are being made including patients being given the wrong drugs, serious infections are allowed to spread and many patients are left neglected and suffering.

According to the Care Quality Commission AandE units and maternity wards are particular causes of concern.

In one shocking case, casualty patients were left for hours on trolleys in a temporary building to await treatment.

CQC chief David Behan said far too many hospitals were inadequate on safety in the annual report into NHS standards.

"The public is being failed by the numerous hospitals, care homes and GP practices that are unable to meet the standards that their peers achieve and exceed," it says in the report.

The CQC has inspected 82 out of all 162 NHS hospital trusts. It found 65 were either inadequate or requires improvement.

The commission has urged trusts to hire extra staff, carry out hourly checks of patients and take extra measures to prevent mistakes with drugs and in surgery but problems still remain.

Staff were also found to be forgetting to give medication or giving it to the wrong patient after notes became mixed up according to inspectors.

TV personality David McIntosh, who was fined earlier in the year for crashing a van in Gloucester City Centre as he helped the badger cull, has reunited with glamour girl Kelly Brook.

Three weeks after calling off their engagement, the pair were seen having breakfast in Holywood after apparently spending the night together in Los Angeles.

The ex-Royal Marine and former star of the TV show Gladiators has admitted crashing a van full of dead badgers into a bus shelter in Gloucester city centre.

The 28-year-old admitted driving without due care and attention and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and fined £91 with a £20 victim surcharge, told to pay £30 costs and his licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Until recently the two had been publicly squabbling on Twitter but appear to have reconciled.

Some little-known facts about the fire that ravaged London in 1666.

1.The fire destroyed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches and St. Paul's Cathedral.

2.It started at a bakers on Pudding Lane.

3.Around 70,000 were left homeless after the fire at a time when the city only had 80,000 residents.

4.Despite the damage, only six people are thought to have died but deaths of the poor would not have been recorded.

5.Many French and Dutch were lynched or attacked when rumours spread that foreigners had started the fire.

6.The garrison at the Tower of London helped put out the fire by blowing up houses with their stock of gunpowder.

7.After the fire, despite new plans proposed, the streets were essentially rebuilt exactly the same.

8.In the bid for a scapegoat, a French watchmaker claimed he was an agent of the Pope and had started the fire. He was convicted and hanged but it was found out after that he had not arrived in London until two days after the fire started.

9.The fire is believed to have stopped any further epidemics of the bubonic plague because unsanitary homes were burnt down.

10.A monument to the great fire was erected on Pudding Lane and is now the name of a tube station at the same spot, The Bank and Monument.

Scientists are calling for the effort it takes to burn off calories to be printed on food and drinks packaging.

It is claimed many do not understand calories and what it takes to burn them off, with a 500ml bottle of Coke, which contains 210 calories, needing a four mile run to burn off.

Putting that message on a bottle rather than simply printing the calorie intake would hit home harder for people.

The researchers, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, found teenagers chose healthier drinks or smaller bottles when presented with this information.

They are also calling for fast food restaurants to do the same as it is claimed a double cheeseburger will take a 5.6-mile hike before the calories are burned off.

The findings have been published in the American Journal of Public Health and study leader Professor Sara Bleich said: "People don't really understand what it means to say a typical soda has 250 calories.

"If you're going to give people calorie information, there's probably a better way to do it.

"What our research found is that when you explain calories in an easily understandable way such as how many miles of walking needed to burn them off, you can encourage behaviour change."

Cheltenham's own version of Monopoly is released today, with no sign of a Gloucester version anywhere to be seen.

So we thought we'd throw it out to our readers to ask which parts of our fair city would be included on a game for Gloucester? 

Perhaps the Quays would be Mayfair? The Oxebode, home to the Citizen's office, would have to take Fleet Street. Would North Warehouse be Whitehall? And where in the city can you find free parking? There's a ready made jail, of course, but you might be a bit lonely in there.

What Gloucester landmarks would you include on a Monopoly board? 

Football fans could be given a small percentage of ownership of their clubs under proposals by Labour.

Under the plans, supporters would have seats on the board of their favourite club and could own shares if the club changes hands.

So far only 14 league clubs have fan representatives on their board with Swansea City the only Premier League team, with the supporters trust owning 20 per cent.

If Labour wins next year's General Election, fans' trusts could be able to appoint and remove up to a quarter of a club's directors but would not be able to block takeovers or change corporate strategy.

The move maybe in reaction to the BBC's investigation about rising matchday tickets this week.

Speaking to the broadcaster, Shadow Sports Minister Clive Efford MP said Labour's plans are the only way to ensure supporters have a say in how their club is run.

"Too often fans are treated like an after-thought as ticket prices are hiked-up, grounds relocated and clubs burdened with debt or the threat of bankruptcy. We have reached a tipping point."

US film star Elizabeth Pena has died at the age of 55.

The actress appeared in films including Lone Star and Rush Hour as well as TV shows like I Married Dora and Modern Family where she played Gloria.

She also held roles in films La Bamba, Jacob's Ladder, Batteries Not Included and Down and Out in Beverly Hills.

The Cuban-American actress' manager told the Associated Press news agency she died of natural causes after a brief illness.

A sea of red ceramic poppies to commemorate the sacrifice made by the British and Commonwealth First World War dead has been created in the Tower of London.

By Armistice Day on November 11 there will be 888,246 poppies planted in the former moat of the tower, one for each British and Colonial death during the war which started a century ago.

Yesterday The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the exhibition to lay her own floral tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red has been created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins. The poppies are available to buy for £25, with 10 per cent of the money going to service charities Cobseo, Combat Street, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.

You can pledge your support to the exhibition by buying a poppy from the Tower of London website. 

Stuck for things to do in Gloucestershire this weekend? Whether you can't wait until October 31 for horror-related fun, or fancy something a bit more highbrow, there's plenty for everyone....

1) Halloween Fun at Clearwell Caves; The wicked witch wants to catch more children as they walk through the underground forest. Cakes have been placed amongst the trees and if children follow them, counting as they go, they will find the witch's candy house. But they must hurry past and not be tempted in. Children taking part in the free competition will be entered into the Grand Halloween Draw and two lucky winners receive a fabulous wicked witch hand puppet. This is suitable for all ages.

Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, November 2

Clearwell Caves, near Coleford

10am-5pm

Clearwell Caves, Nr. Coleford, royal Forest of Dean, Glos. GL16 8JR

Normal entrance fees apply; competition - free. Adults £6.50, concessions £5.50, children (5-16) £4.50, under 5's free, family (2+2) £20. (2+ 3) £22

2) The Museum Detectives Club meets once a month at Gloucester Museum. Each session is packed full of activities, stories, crafts and trails - tailored to the age of the children. Youngsters also get to see and handle items from the museum's own collection, including dinosaur bones, and heaps of fascinating natural history specimens, whilst working towards badges and earning certificates.

Saturday, October 18

Gloucester City Museum & Art Gallery, Brunswick Road

10.30am – 12pm (5-7 year olds), 1pm – 2.30pm (8 – 11 year olds)

£5 per child. Tickets can be purchased by tcalling 01452 503050

3) Frightmare at Over Farm Market is the South West's largest Halloween Event. This year, Over Farm will again pull out all the high class Halloween fun and games for all to enjoy, so we suggest you get yourself down this October half term. During the day there are lots of fun for the families, but as night falls the feint hearted had better stay at home as things might not all be as they seem.

Preview: Saturday and Sunday October 18-19

General admission: Saturday, October 25 - Sunday, November 2

4) During its 19-week UK tour, Continental Circus Berlin has set up camp at Gloucester Park, with circus-goers able to take advantage of the two for one deal on tickets.

In a show stripped of all special effects, audiences won't believe their eyes when they witness the amalgamation of circus acts, music, energy, and sometimes nail-biting performances.

With organisers calling this 'the finest circus yet to tour under the Continental Circus Berlin banner', you'd be a clown to miss out.

Gloucester Park

Wednesday, October 15 - Sunday, October 19 October

To buy two full price adult tickets for the price of one call the on site box-office on 07763 937668 and quote the promotional code 'Juggler'

5) Horseracing fans across the country will be chomping at the bit in anticipation of The Showcase at Cheltenham Racecourse.

This first fixture in a brand new season will see leading jockeys and trainers return to jump racing's most famous arena.

The Showcase will feature seven competitive races each day, starting at 2pm, while visitors will also be given the unique chance to see, hear about and participate in some of the aspects of racing which are normally off-limits – including taking guided tours of the parade ring and weighing room.

This will also be the first chance for racing fans to see first-hand the progress the racecourse is making in its £45million development. The first stages of which are complete in time for The Showcase, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy two new bars, situated above the paddock, as well as find out about the upcoming developments planned for the next 18 months.

Friday, October 17 - Saturday, October 18 October

Gates open at 12pm

Ticket prices range between £9 and £22 in advance, or £12 and £27 on the day, with packages and group discounts also available.

6) Orchestral music connoisseurs will have the rare opportunity to see the renowned European Union Chamber Orchestra live at Stroud Subscription Rooms.

Formed in 1981, the orchestra has gained a worldwide reputation as a musical ambassador for the European Union, playing in some 73 countries across the world, winning countless awards, and welcoming royalty into their fan base, including HM Queen Sophia Of Spain and Queen Noor of Jordan. S

Sunday, October 19 

7.30pm

Tickets cost £18, concessions cost £16, under 18s cost £5

7) Play Cheltenham Monopoly. After months of speculation about which landmarks and businesses would take pride of place on the coveted Cheltenham Monopoly board – as a well as a poll by the game's creators to find out who locals, visitors and expats thought should occupy the 22 property sites – the wait is finally over. While the UK original featured famous London streets from Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Old Kent Road to Pall Mall, Oxford Street and Mayfair, the brand new Cheltenham version being unveiled on Friday17 October 2014 features a who's who of Cheltenham.

Roll the dice and kick off at Imperial Gardens and Montpellier Gardens before stopping at Cheltenham Playhouse, Everyman Theatre and The Wilson. Get out of jail and pass by Prescott Speed Hill Climb, Sandford Parks Lido and Cheltenham Town FC, before shopping till you drop at Beechwood Shopping Centre, The Brewery and Regent Arcade.

Monopoly Cheltenham Edition will be available locally at The Works, Toys R Us, Waitrose, Waterstones, WH Smith.

8) Award-winning photographer Clare Bottomley's exhibition, Playing with the Gods, hopes to address uncomfortable issues in society and get people asking questions, when it takes place at Stroud Valley Artspace.

The exhibition will feature images documenting Clare herself, as well as her family and friends, in poses that often reflect religious iconography.

She was awarded the Deutsch Bank Award in 2013 for work that explores themes of body issues, self-esteem and the pressure put upon people by the influence of today's media.

Stroud Valley Artspace

Saturday, October 18 - Saturday, November 1 

From 10am to 4pm on Tuesday to Saturday

Free of charge

9) X Factor is back on ITV screens on Saturday at 8pm. Last week, viewers cast their votes after the first live performances, and Blonde Electra and Overload Generation made early exits from the competition. Now, the fight for a recording contract continues as the remaining contestants perform tracks from the 1980s in the second live studio round.

10) An evocative and thrilling wartime love story promises to mesmerise theatre-goers across Gloucestershire, when Lotty's War treads the boards at Everyman Theatre.

Set against the backdrop of the WWII enemy-occupied Channel Islands, this is a critically acclaimed story of passion, courage and sacrifice based on unpublished diaries found in Guernsey and penned by Giuliano Crispini.

With the last boat to England gone, and her mother and sister with it, Lotty is left alone in her house with Nazi General Major Rolf Bernburg, when her father is attacked and killed.

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Monday, October 13 - Saturday, October 18 

From 7.45pm

Ticket prices range between £13 and £28

Did you know that reflective materials can help drivers to see you and your pets up to three seconds sooner at night? 

This potentially lifesaving fact is just one of the tips that kids will learn this half term to keep their pets safe this winter. 

Pets at Home Gloucester is once again hosting its My Pet Pals October activity club, a series of free pet workshops, providing children with the opportunity to learn more about how to keep their dogs, cats and small furries safe this winter and bonfire night. 

The workshops will give kids hands on experience of looking after small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, with advice on how to protect them when they are exposed to low temperatures, rain, wind and snow, as well as keeping them fed and watered. 

There will also be a chance to learn what makes reflective material, reflective. From reflective coats to fluorescent collars, kids will find out the best ways to keep their dogs and cats visible during the dark winter evenings. 

As bonfire night gets closer, members of the store team will also be on hand to provide information on what you can do for pets and wildlife on bonfire night. 

Mike Imm store manager of Pets at Home Gloucester said: "As the nights draw in and the temperatures start to drop, just like us, many pets require extra special care to keep them safe and healthy. These workshops will not only be really helpful to children who want to learn about pets, but they're also a fun and free way to spend half term.

"Pet welfare is extremely important to us at Pets at Home, so we want to equip children or, potential pet owners with as much knowledge as possible about responsible pet ownership."

As well as completing quizzes and entering colouring competitions, all attendees to the My Pet Pals Activity Club will receive a certificate and My Pet Pals promise card for their participation. 

For more information and times of workshops visit Pets at Home <<area>> or visit the store locator at www.petsathome.com for contact details. 

Two restaurants in Gloucestershire have been named among the best in the country by The Sunday Times.

Le Champignon Sauvage and Lumiere, both in Cheltenham, have both been included in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants.

Cheltenham is the only town to boast two restaurants in the South West, which has 11 entries on the list.

The list is based on 70,000 reviews and compiled by The Sunday Times in association with Harden's.

Wilks in Bristol is the city's first entry on The Sunday Times 100 Top Restaurants, and is joined on the list by the Bath Priory Hotel.

They are joined by three other first-timers from the South West: The Terrace at Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu, and two Wiltshire restaurants Lucknam Park, at the Lucknam Park Hotel in Colerne, and The Dining Room at Whatley Manor in Easton Grey, which is the South West's highest new entry, going straight into the top 50.

Meanwhile Cornwall remains the nation's fish and seafood capital, with The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, in Rock representing half of the fish and seafood restaurants on the list.

The full top 100, including rankings and overall score will be revealed in The Sunday Times 100 Top Restaurants on October 19.