A RAPIST evaded justice for two years by working as a care home manager in Purley.

To the authorities illegal immigrant John Jambu was a dangerous criminal who sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint.

But to staff and residents at The Manor, in Grovelands Road, Purley, he was Alizdos Lapson – a care home boss registered with the Care Quality Commission.

This week however, Jambu, of Brighton Road, was starting a seven-year sentence for the 2010 rape.

The Old Bailey heard the 34-year-old had been working as a manager of a nursing agency in 2010 when the victim approached him for work.

Jambu took her to a pub for a meeting but the prospective employer did not turn up. He then offered the victim a lift home via his flat in Woolwich, under the pretence of picking up some laundry.

While there, Jambu told the woman that he had to speak to someone outside, but, unbeknown to the victim, he went out and bought a pack of condoms. On his return he became violent, making sexual advances and threatening the victim with a knife before raping her.

The victim managed to escape from Jambu's flat.

Although the woman identified the place where the attack happened, Jambu had left.

But he was caught out and identified after the crime was highlighted on the BBC's Crimewatch.

Jambu was arrested on July 20 last year at his home address after information received directly from this appeal gave the investigating team an address for him.

When he was arrested, Jambu was hiding inside a divan bed in the bedroom. He gave a false name on arrest and was also found to have identification and credit cards under a false name. He was charged with rape and false misrepresentation.

A spokesman for The Manor, which looks after disabled adults, said: "I can confirm that a former member of staff has been convicted and sentenced for an extremely serious crime that took place elsewhere in London before he joined the service.

"The individual received a clear enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check before commencing employment and was formally registered as a manager with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

"Our staff alerted the police immediately when Crimewatch was broadcast and we have worked closely with the police throughout this process. At no point during this individual's employment with us were any concerns raised about his conduct and the very distressing news of his prior crime came as a shock to everyone. The health and wellbeing of the people we support is our number one priority."

A CQC spokesman added:, "It is clear that Alizdos Lapson (aka John Jambu) supplied false information when he applied to register with CQC. We carried out background checks on the details he supplied, which included asking for professional and medical references, and carrying out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority checks.

"Where a criminal has set up a false identity supported by fake documentation, this is a criminal matter. It is a huge relief that, thanks to Crimewatch and the vigilance of staff at the home, he has now been brought to justice."

A ONCE bullied schoolboy took an unusual stand against his tormentors – by lying in a bath of baked beans on a night out.

Rikky Ellcox, who admitted snacking on the tub's contents during the four-hour feat, carried out the challenge at the Bad Apple on Friday.

The 25-year-old, who donned a pair of cartoon pants for the stunt, told the Advertiser: "I saw someone do it on TV once and since then I always wanted to do it. It was pretty weird but definitely an experience I would recommend.

"I love cold beans anyway so I have to admit I was snacking from the bath. It felt like sitting on play dough. By the end of the night everyone could smell me but thankfully I got used to it.

"I'd like to do it again but maybe with some different food."

The stunt was one of a number Rikky is planning to carry out over the course of the year to raise money for Beat Bullying.

"I was bullied and it had a big effect on my whole life," he explained.

"Beat Bullying is such a great charity and I wish I'd known about it when I was younger. I don't want other children to have to go through what I went through, which is why I decided to try and raise some money and give something back.

"Plus it was an excuse to get into a bath of baked beans."

Rikky, who filled the bath with 25 tins of beans, raised £254.96 from donations. He will be undertaking even more challenges in the future, to continue his fundraising efforts.

Earlier this year Rikky was auctioned off at a cabaret variety show called Sacrebleu at Fairfield Halls. The challenge resulted him cleaning the winning bidder's kitchen in a onesie.

TRADESMEN are often given a reputation by the media for overcharging and dishonesty.

But not Paul Ewen, who ignored the adage of "finders keepers" when he uncovered a treasure trove of jewellery

And now because of his honesty the owners of the jewellery, thought to have been stolen in domestic burglaries, may be reunited with their heirlooms.

Mr Ewen, 47, found the valuables in the yard of his dry rot treatment company Assured Preservations Ltd, in Stroud Road, Woodside, and handed it in to the Ashburton Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

He said: "I found a watch first, just behind the fence. Then I found a tangle of jewellery, all gold – it looked like it might be Indian.

"There were at least 30 items just dumped in the yard. I had no idea where it had come from.

"It all looked very expensive. I hope the police are able to return them to their owners.

"It would never have occurred to me to keep any of it. We left the gold in the office for a couple of days then managed to get it to the police. I still can't believe how much there was."

Police this week released images of a number of the recovered items.

Officers have checked recent burglary reports to identify the possible owners, but have so far been unable to identify to whom the items belong.

Detective Inspector Brian Hobbs, from Croydon CID said: "These items were handed to us by an honest member of the public who literally found them lying on the floor.

"It's more than likely they were stolen – probably during burglaries – so we're simply trying to identify the rightful owners and reunite them with their property.

"This also highlights the importance of people making a note and taking photos of their expensive jewellery items. If the worst happens and they are stolen, by having photos and a list and description of items, we can much more easily identify and reunite owners with property when we recover stolen goods.

"It also makes it easier for us to prove items have been stolen and prosecute those handling them as well."

Anyone with information or who recognises any of the items should call Croydon Police on 101.

STUART Hazell will tell jurors Tia Sharp died in an accident before her body was placed in the loft, his defence has said.

Hazell pleaded not guilty on Friday to the murder last August of the schoolgirl, whose body was found in the loft of her grandmother's house in The Lindens, New Addington, a week after she was reported missing.

The 37-year-old boyfriend of Tia's grandmother is due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on May 7, where the 12-year-old's cause of death is expected to be key to the outcome.

His lawyer, Lord Carlile QC, told the Old Bailey last Friday: "Mr Hazell will assert there was a dreadful accident, and Tia Sharp died as a result of that and he panicked.

"The body was placed in the loft where it remained undisturbed, missed by a number of police searches until it was found."

Appearing via video-link from Belmarsh prison, Hazell spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea, shaking his head lightly as he did so.

His trial is expected to last two weeks.

Prosecuting, Andrew Edis QC said: "The news is good in that arrangements are proceeding smoothly for a trial to take place on the date fixed.

"The issue as identified in the defence case statement is that there was an accident at the house, as a result of which Tia Sharp died, and Mr Hazell will be claiming to be innocent in relation to that; he panicked and hid her body in the loft."

Tia's relatives and friends attended court to hear Hazell's plea, including her mother Natalie Sharp and stepfather David Niles. Last month, grandmother Christine Sharp's neighbour pleaded not guilty to wasting police time during the search for the schoolgirl.

Paul Meehan, 40, of The Lindens, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on February 28. He will stand trial there on May 3, accused of making a false report that he had information linked to the inquiry.

Raynes Park High School pupil Tia was reported missing on Saturday, August 4, sparking a massive missing persons hunt, during which residents printed and handed out posters, conducted their own searches, and wore "Find Tia" t-shirts.

Hazell was arrested in Merton hours after her body was found by police on August 10, and charged with her murder the next day.

A CROYDON craftswomen has raised £100 for Comic Relief after crocheting comfortable red noses.

Paris Duffy, 21, from Woodside, was happy to inform the Advertiser that her fundraising efforts for Red Nose Day are going well, and her homemade Red Noses have even been sold and sent to America.

She said: "I have so far raised £100 from selling red noses but hope to continue selling items for Comic Relief even after red nose day as I am considering having at least one item in my in my online shop that runs all year round and is for charity.

"I have been crocheting for just over a year and I taught myself to crochet by watching videos on Youtube. I thought about crocheting the red noses as the ones in the supermarket are so uncomfortable and you can't breathe when wearing them so I decided to crochet my own.

"I made the pattern for my noses myself and they take around 10 minutes each to make. I am selling them on my Etsy page for £4 from which £2.50 will be given to comic relief, the rest just allows me to buy more wool and also covers etsy and paypal fees."

To buy your own crochet Red Nose visit https://www.etsy.com/listing/122739582/red-nose-day-nose-warmer-red-nose

AN INSURANCE company got imaginative today to raise money for Comic Relief.

LV='s Croydon office had lots going on today to raise money for Red Nose Day.

Cake sales, raffles and competitions took place, and workers wore something red for a pound.

One team even dressed up in onesies for the day to do their bit and raise as much money as they could.

The LV= executive team also served up some delicious bacon butties for breakfast this morning.

Peter Horton, LV= operations director said: "We encourage our people to get involved in a variety of charity activity and Comic Relief is a very popular cause that we are always happy to support. It's been a great day in our Croydon office with different fundraising going on across all of the floors and it will be great to add up how much we have raised at the end of the day."

OLD Walcountians took a further step to securing Surrey One status for next season when they beat fellow strugglers Cranleigh convincingly at Clock House last Saturday.

The Old Boys were missing three key players - half-backs Tom and Will Diamond and flanker Joe Henderson - but were encouraged by a quick return from injury by flanker Remy Claustres. And the absences were barely noticeable as an aggressive and committed Walcountians pack got stuck into their opponents straight from kick-off.

Inspired by dynamic performances from lock Dom Bell and the back row of Claustres, Simon Fowler and Gerry Connor, the pack relentlessly attacked the gain line through combative rucking and driving, and commanded possession throughout the first half.

It took the Old Boys just one minute to open the score when Claustres broke from a ruck on the Cranleigh line and touched down for a try, converted by fly-half Fred South.

Stubborn defensive resistance by Cranleigh frustrated Walcountians for much of the first half and it took two penalties from South in the 11th and 29th minutes to carry on building a lead.

But, in the five minutes leading up to the break, Walcountians' relentless pressure paid off as they finally broke down the visitors' resistance with two tries.

The first, in the 35th minute, came when hooker Matt Houghton drove over from a maul on the Cranleigh line.

The second try, as half-time approached, came from a piece of pure magic from South who broke from his own half, evaded the entire Cranleigh backline with a mazy run, and put away winger Tom Naylor to touch down. South then converted the try.

Cranleigh began to fight back in the second half and, five minutes in, the game exploded into a brawl between the two sides after Walcountians reacted angrily to a high tackle on South. Claustres and the Cranleigh No 8 were both sin-binned for ten minutes.

Walcountians maintained their efforts despite determined resistance and extended their lead when Connor got his hand to the ball as the Walcountians pack rolled a maul over Cranleigh's line.

This gave the Old Boys a valuable bonus point.

Walcountians were reduced to 14 players for the last five minutes when a further altercation resulted in prop Pete Cowlin being sin-binned. Cranleigh took advantage to score a consolation try after a three-quarter move left the Walcountians' defence short-handed.

Walcountians now have a seven-point advantage over Cranleigh, which has increased their chances of avoiding the drop at the end of the season.

PARENTS have been warned to keep an eye out for a "suspicious character" after a man exposed himself near a primary school.

Castle Hill and Fairchildes primary schools and Addington High sent warning text messages to parents after the incident shortly after noon last Friday.

The incident in Underwood, Fieldway, was reported to police but the Advertiser understands no arrests have been made.

Mother Claire Addis called police after seeing the man near her home.

She said: "I was in my car about to go up to the parade when I noticed him; he was looking a bit strange. As I drove out of the car park he just did it so quickly.

"I told the police because my girls go there [Castle Hill] and I know a number of children walk home."

Ms Addis said the man was wearing a green camouflage hoodie, looked in his twenties and was "pale".

She quickly met up with her boyfriend and they drove around the area to see if they could identify the stranger, but did not find him again.

"It is the sort of thing I may be able to laugh about, but I am more concerned about my girls," she said.

"They are going to high school this year and it really frightens me. We do not know what he is capable of. I was going to start letting them go the shops and back but now I am not going to."

Ms Addis added police had told her there was little they could do, as it was the first report of its kind.

Ros Sandell, head teacher of Fairchildes, said the school had sent out the text message after being contacted by Addington High.

Castle Hill and Addington High did not respond to a request for comment.

A police spokesman said: "Officers from Croydon CID are investigating. No arrests have been made at this stage.

"The local SNTs in New Addington and Fieldway have also been made aware and have been carrying out patrols in the area.

"Anyone with information should call Croydon Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you see anyone acting suspiciously or in a similar way, call 999 immediately."

SUTTON'S pubs need to be protected from housing developers and saved as community resources, the borough's Assembly member said this week.

The Hope in Carshalton was the setting for Steve O'Connell's launch of a new report called "Keeping Local: How to save London's pubs as community resources".

In it, he calls for the capital's councils to adopt stringent criteria when considering the redevelopment or demolition of pubs, and a limit to the number of high street shops selling alcohol.

In London, more than 1,300 pubs have closed in the last decade – 400 of which have been demolished. Across the country, the number of pubs has shrunk in the last 30 years from about 70,000 to 50,000.

Mr O'Connell said: "Good pubs are vital, vibrant centres for their communities. The social impact of the community minded pub impacts beyond its walls.

"It is a place where people can congregate safely as part of a community and can help rid our streets of antisocial drinking in public places, drunken violence and intimidation. As well as fostering a sense of community, the pub industry creates tens of thousands of local jobs and acts as anchors drawing other businesses into the area.

"Unfortunately, a high number of these pubs are demolished or converted to other uses such as residential, retail, and professional services which radically alter community spaces and change the tone of the high street. Borough councils and pub managers should work together to make sure these community hubs continue to serve their local areas.

"The Hope in Carshalton is a brilliant community pub and I hope, thanks to this report, it will be around for a long time yet."

Rodger Molyneux, manager at the Hope, told the Advertiser just how much work it took to make The Hope successful. He said: "I know a lot of pubs around the country where the customers are coming together and buying the pub, which is what happened here three years ago, and has thankfully been successful.

"The pub was in danger of becoming a restaurant, as so many are nowadays, so we bought a 20-year lease on the pub and spent £170,000 and made it operate the way we wanted to – no TV or radio, it's a place you come to eat, drink and talk to people and have a reasonably civilised time.

"It was great that Mr O'Connell came here to promote his campaign. We want to encourage local authorities to protect pubs in their area so it is an excellent idea. They need encouragement to protect us and stop supermarkets pouncing on pubs.

"The Hope is doing fine, we're a free house which gives us flexibility and we've won prizes. We're doing quite well but a lot of pubs aren't and all the support they can get is invaluable.

"Our model is not right for all pubs, you have to reflect what's needed in your area, but we knew what was needed in Carshalton and it wasn't here so we created it. We invested a lot of time and money in the building and now we're making profits which is great, but you can never say things are always going to be like that. We need that support and protection."

ANGRY parents marched on the Education Secretary's offices on Wednesday with a clear message: "Hands off our school."

About 15 parents from Roke Primary in Kenley joined a National Union of Teachers march against Michael Gove, walking in protest from Victoria Station to the Department for Education near Westminster.

They handed in a petition urging the Government to rethink its plans for the school to be run by Harris Federation as an academy.

Angeline Hind, whose six-year-old son attends the school, said the petition had 2,311 signatures, about 30 per cent local and the rest from supporters and anti-academy campaigners around the country.

She said: "We feel like this has been completely railroaded in and the wishes of governors ignored."

The Government's plans to turn the school into a sponsored academy were triggered by a damning Ofsted report last summer.

It chose Harris as the preferred sponsor, despite a desire expressed within the school for the role to go to nearby Riddlesdown Collegiate, with which it works closely.

A consultation on the plans is still open and Harris bosses insisted during public meetings last week that the deal was far from done.

Ms Hind added: "I personally feel it should not be an academy and the problems that were raised with Ofsted are being rectified and should continue to be rectified with the help of Riddlesdown.

"I am against privatisation and I am not sure a businessman is best placed to educate our children."

Becky Carrier, whose eight-year-old daughter attends the school, said: "The school is being called a failing school when quite clearly it is not. It is more about parent choice at this stage.

"When a child is four you can choose what school your child goes to and when he or she is ten you can choose again.

"It seems to be that once your child is there you do not have any say in what happens to that school."

The petition comes a week after parents said they had raised enough money to instruct a lawyer to look at challenging the government.

As well as disputing the grounds for the change and the choice of sponsor, they say there have been problems with the consultation.

Lord Harris and other Harris Federation bosses met with parents last week to discuss how they would run the school.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said it wanted to "help under-performing schools to improve".

She added: "We cannot just stand by if a school is failing children – we need to step in and make changes quickly.

"Ofsted gave the school a notice to improve last year.

"Discussions are ongoing with the school and the local authority. Ministers will carefully consider all responses to the consultation, which is well under way, before making a final decision.

"The Harris Federation is our preferred sponsor for Roke Primary. Harris has extensive experience of turning around previously under-performing schools in London, nine of which have now been judged as outstanding by Ofsted."

WHEN Garth Smith and Jumble triumphed in the ring at Crufts on Friday, it marked a big step in fulfilling a long-held promise.

Eighteen months earlier, Mr Smith's wife of 40 years, and dog show competing partner for more than 20 of those, had died of a sudden illness.

"It was my wife's ambition to own a champion and I promised her before she died that we would make sure we made one of the dogs up to champion," said Mr Smith.

"When they handed me the card [to show he had won], I nearly fell head over heels."

Jumble, a three-year-old Affenpinscher, came first in his Best in Breed contest, triumphing over prized competitors whose journey to Birmingham was much longer than Mr Smith's.

"The American lady got the reserve certificate," added Mr Smith, 66, of New Addington.

"She was very, very polite about it."

The win at the prestigious international dog show also marked a personal milestone for Mr Smith, having stepped into the limelight after wife Beryl died when she was 64.

He said: "We started showing back in the late 80s. She was the one who did all the showing and I would work them. I was [also] the chef, cook and chief chauffeur getting her to all the shows.

"You have got to know how to handle the dogs, how not to keep the lead too tight so you don't lift its feet off the ground, how to show the dog to the best of your ability to the judge."

That was not a problem in the ring on Friday, where Jumble was "on fire – no two ways about it," added Mr Smith, a retired bus engineer and blacksmith.

"I would like to think my missus was looking down at him, I would like to think that," he said. "I spoke to others and they said he was showing perfectly."

By Monday, Jumble – show name CH Kilbarchan Schwarz Edition at Jolakada – was curled up in Mr Smith's living room in Shaxton Crescent.

While his breed is often compared to the terrier in appearance and personality, individually Jumble is "an absolute scream," said Mr Smith.

"He will sit up like a meerkat and say, 'Is everybody looking at me now?,' he added.

"He puts his front paws together as if he is saying his prayers but it is not really what you are meant to do."

Mr Smith's other dogs also performed well at Crufts, including Justa, named in honour of Beryl. He explained. "She would say 'Do you want a tea or coffee' and nothing would arrive. Just as I had finished making it my wife would appear and say 'I was just-a going to do that."

IT'S just so exciting to be two points off second spot, and are not many points off first place, even though you can't count Cardiff having a game in hand.

We just need to get our away form sorted out and that's starting with Brighton on Sunday.

Stephen Dobbie will be ineligible because of the loan deal we've got, but I've got an idea of what my starting XI will be.

I know what I want and what I want to try to do. Brighton have a got a massive pitch at the Amex and they will continue to play the ball around, and we've got to stop that because they've got a great home record, even if it's not as good as ours.

I've also been very impressed with Andre Moritz since he's recovered from injury and he's looked very sharp in training, so he'll be in contention.

And Jazz Richards is fully fit again after a toe problem, while Joel Ward is getting closer to my thoughts again – it will be really handy to have him and Danny Gabbidon back fit.

In terms of the rivalry between the clubs; it is what it is really. It is quite surprising to me because obviously, geographically, we're not that close and I would have thought it would have been another club.

But it's good and healthy competition, as long as you remember that and keep it that way, that's all that matters because you've got to behave off the pitch in the correct manner and that's what I'll be expecting.

You are a great crowd and I know you love your club. You've been through some hardships, so I'm pleased for you now and I'm going to go and try and beat Brighton.

All we can do is to try and produce a performance and see where that leads you, but don't get too emotional about things – you have got to stay calm.

Sunday is a strange day to play a game, let alone a midday kick-off. But whatever it is, I've got no qualms about it – I'm just looking forward to the game.

The lads are in good spirits and it's just a fantastic time to be connected with Palace.

I can't remember an exciting and as good a team as this at the club, and you are all buzzing so we've got to keep that going and it's a great opportunity to go to Brighton and keep them out of the play-off zone.

It's totally exhilarating.

Glenn Murray is going back to his former club, and to notch two last weekend was just brilliant.

He is fully aware of the chances the team are creating for him – just look at Jonny Williams' and Damien Delaney's passes for his goals.

As long as he stays calm on Sunday, he'll keep scoring and he's a born finisher.

Brighton have a few injuries and suspensions, but that will go totally out of the window with this being a derby.

It's something we've got to relish, as supporters and custodians of the badge, to go there and give a performance.

THE game all Palace fans look out for each season is back.

Yes, it's time for a quick journey down the M23 to face rivals Brighton on Sunday – and it could be a great time to play them.

The hosts have not won in their last four games while they seem to have a bit of an injury crisis.

Palace have automatic promotion in their sights, and they seem to have recent history on their side having not lost to the Seagulls away from home since 1988.

Their right-back Bruno was taken off with a calf injury in Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Barnsley, so he's unlikely to take part.

Wayne Bridge may continue to miss out, while striker Craig Mackail-Smith suffered an Achilles injury recently and misses the rest of the season.

Furthermore, central defender Adam El-Abd will miss the game as he serves the first of a two-match suspension after collecting his tenth booking of the season at Oakwell, and that should mean Gordon Greer is likely to partner Matthew Upson in defence.

And it does not stop there either. Striker Ashley Barnes is currently serving a four-match suspension after he appeared to trip up referee Nigel Miller in their 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.

Video footage filmed from the stands has shown the 23-year-old stick out his leg as the official ran past and the Football Association are currently running the rule on the incident further.

Will Hoskins is also out injured and Vicente looks to be struggling.

Meanwhile, at the time of going to press, Wilfried Zaha had been unable to train this week after undergoing root canal work on his teeth according to Eagles boss Ian Holloway, but he should be fine to take part.

Jonny Williams, called up to the senior Wales squad with Jazz Richards on Wednesday, looks set to continue, but Andre Moritz is pressing for a recall after injury. And Stephen Dobbie, on loan from Brighton, will be unable to play against his parent club.

Richards seems to have overcome a toe problem, so Holloway has a dilemma whether to stick with Kagisho Dikgacoi at right-back or move him back into central midfield.

Peter Ramage, pictured, had to have four stitches in his head after last week's battle with Leeds but he should not have any problems making the big game.

Jonny Parr could be an option as a left winger with Dean Moxey returning to left-back, while Yannick Bolasie is certain to start.

And then there's Glenn Murray. Or as Brighton fans would say: FFS Murray. Bang in form, with 30 goals and he scored on Palace's last visit to the Amex Stadium.

You would not back against him to do that again. He'll need service as always but he'll have to work as hard as ever to get past the duo of Upson and Greer.

Looking at our rivals, we've picked out striker Leonardo Ulloa as the player to watch, even though he saw a late penalty saved on Tuesday night – but he did equalise before then.

And Gus Poyet believes they have not deserved to lose their last two games either.

"We were by far the better team at Bolton and lost 1-0, and if anyone said Barnsley deserved to win then I should retire," he said.

I wonder if he'll still be saying Will Buckley is better than Zaha by the end of the match too?

Have a safe journey down there and enjoy the game.

Come on Palace!

PLANTING hundreds of trees, improving street lighting and replacing paving will not just make central Croydon look better – it will make it safer too.

This is message being put forward by Croydon Council, in the week its Fair Field Masterplan moved a step closer to reality.

A desire to reduce the fear of crime and tell people Croydon is "open for business" at all hours lay behind the Masterplan.

The multi-million pound transformation of the areas around Fairfield Halls and Croydon College was given the green light by the council on Monday night, after several months of public consultation.

The changes will mean events such as outdoor film screenings and ice skating could be brought to the area, in a bid to attract more visitors in the evening and to improve Croydon's night-time economy.

But by planting trees, replacing tired paving and improving street lighting, the hope is to create a safer, more welcoming environment for visitors.

Councillor Jason Perry, cabinet member for regeneration, told Monday's meeting: "The mix of cultural, educational and local enterprise activities alongside a refurbished Fairfield Halls and a residential community will revive Fair Field's historic role as a thriving regional destination."

The Masterplan covers the area bounded by George Street, Park Lane, Barclay Road and the railway lines.

Replacing and improving the paving, lighting, seating, planting, ramps and steps on College Green and around Fairfield Halls is part of the plan.

Pedestrian routes between East Croydon Station, College Green and Fairfield Halls will also be improved, with the Masterplan report saying the aim is to establish a "well-connected, accessible and safe pedestrian environment".

And the theatre, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, will be lit up at night, to improve its dated appearance, while an outdoor ticket office will be included in the square.

The inside of the building is also in line for a huge, £27 million makeover, which will include improvements to the ticket office and foyer area.

Cllr Perry added: "This Masterplan is about delivering a much better place, a much better Croydon.

"Things are changing in Croydon, with Westfield and Hammerson coming in and the Fairfield Masterplan, these are all things that will help the borough come forward."

About crime, the report says the plan aims to provide "natural surveillance and well-designed lighting", to make the area feel safer.

The first work on the plan, which will include improvements to the paving at College Green, will begin this summer.

There is no final date for the design as a whole to be completed, though the work at Fairfield Halls should be finished by 2016.

• The Fair Field Forecourt Aspirations are for the frontage to Fair Field on the western boundary to become a unified pedestrian surface, increasing the visibility and access to Croydon College and Fairfield Halls. Car parking has also been changed in agreement with the Fairfield Halls. The revised Masterplan states: "The layout of the Fairfield forecourt should accommodate disabled vehicle parking, coach and taxi drop-off, and service vehicle access to the Arnhem Gallery side of the building. A reduction in car parking to the forecourt should be compensated for by an equivalent provision of well-lit, safe parking spaces at the lower level as close as possible to the Fairfield Halls."
• Performance space The report suggests the area is the 'ideal location and scale for outdoor events such as cinema, performance, ice skating and an exhibition showcase for Croydon'.
• Parking The proposals will retain and upgrade the underground level of the Fairfield car park, and remove the multi-storey element, reducing the total number of publicly available spaces from 905 to 750-800 spaces.
• College Square The regeneration of this space is focused on a link between Croydon College and George Street. This is among the first proposed actions of the plan, with work to regenerate the area due to begin this summer.
• Tree Planting A section in the Masterplan on tree planting was reviewed to ensure that trees are planted in suitable locations. Negative impacts such as shading, falling leaves and bird droppings have been mitigated through the review.

ANOTHER Croydon pub is set to be converted into a supermarket, the Advertiser can reveal.

Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons is currently seeking planning permission to take over the Red Deer in Brighton Road.

It also hopes to sell alcohol from 7am at the premises, which is just under a mile from historic watering hole the Swan and Sugar-loaf, which last year controversially became a Tesco store.

Linda Arthur, secretary of the South Croydon Business Association, told the Advertiser the situation made her "blood boil".

"I think the closure of the Red Deer would be a grave mismanagement of our heritage," she said.

"Bringing in all these supermarkets just creates violence on our streets because of pre-drinking, it really makes my blood boil.

"It's all very well accepting that we would rather have a Tesco than an empty shell of a building, as with the Swan and Sugar-loaf, but the Red Deer is a different matter.

"The place has not closed; it's been forced out of business. It's not good to do this to the area; it doesn't diversify businesses.

"Now it seems to be all about the big businesses and ignoring the smaller ones."

South End post office owner Pushar Patel was also concerned by the news.

He said: "The Tesco has opened literally across the road from me, and of course it has affected my business, and the new Morrisons will as well. All the people that signed the petition and did the campaigns, well now they're the ones using the Tesco, and to be honest I can't blame them. Every corner you turn there is a supermarket. The Red Deer closure is a tragedy for the area."

Morrisons refused to comment on its plans this week.

A spokesman said: "I think we'll wait until we're further down the line to comment."

Town Centre Inns, which owns the Red Deer, also refused to comment.

The news comes as Croydon's London Assembly member, Steve O'Connell, launched a campaign to save the capital's pubs and called for councils to adopt stringent criteria when considering their redevelopment or demolition.

But he refused to pledge his support to the Red Deer, saying: "The report doesn't mean we resist every single conversion, so I want to understand what the community feel about the pub and if I feel the community has a strong use for the pub I will for it.

"But I need to do more research, it's a brilliant building but at the moment I don't know what the feeling is in the community.

"If people really don't want it I will be resisting Morrisons."

A STRUGGLING Croydon school has banned fizzy drinks and Ugg boots in a bid to boost standards.

Wearing a coat indoors and using a mobile phone have also been outlawed by Addington High, in a raft of tough new measures brought in to improve behaviour.

Acting head James Malley, who has taken over from Tim Davies, set the rules in a letter to parents before half term.

Describing his "pledge" to ensure students behave so they can learn, Mr Malley added: "My team will deal with those students who do not respond to the clear guidance we provide for them."

The ban extends to hoodies, baseball caps and jumpers in any colour other than black, which will be confiscated at the start of the school day.

Students with incorrect uniform will be offered three stark choices: borrow the correct items, go home and change, or spend the day in isolation.

Mr Malley added: "At the time of the Ofsted inspection in July, behaviour at the school was rated inadequate. It is my pledge to improve behaviour at Addington so learning can flourish."

The school is preparing to open as an academy in April, sponsored by Bromley school Ravens Wood.

Parents have also been banned from calling their children during the school day, being told messages will be passed through reception.

"We will not allow students to use their mobile phones for any reason," Mr Malley added.

One student branded some of the rules "stupid" – but said they seemed to be having the desired effect.

The 15-year-old, who is in Year 10, said: "Taking the coats off, I find it stupid especially when it is snowing and they are still telling you to do it.

"The fizzy drinks, they said they have done it because it makes people hyper: there is a canteen with orange juice and water at break and lunch time.

"We have to walk to the left hand side of the corridor and stand up when the teacher comes in. If you don't the teacher stops you and makes you go back and do it again. Everyone was really moaning about it at first, but there has been an improvement in the school and people are actually learning as well."

Mother Simone Johnston, meanwhile, said the measures were overdue.

She said: "I have no issue with the new rules at all; they have been a long time coming and should have been implemented years ago. Maybe then the school wouldn't have the reputation it does.

"In fact, I can honestly say I support the school's new rules."

Mr Malley did not respond to a request for comment, but executive head teacher John Hernandez previously told the Advertiser of his belief that uniform could help set students' expectations.

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