STEVE Reed has called on the council to regulate letting agents charging "scandalously" high fees to prospective tenants.

The Croydon North MP's office claims that some tenants are being asked to pay over £1,000 in additional fees and charges, before the deposit and first month's rent are due.

Some are forced to pay a fee to register with the agent and to view properties.

Other companies charge up to £500 for 'handling' deposits and further administration fees of almost £500.

The law currently protects home-owners from rogue estate agents but rents are not protected in the same way, Mr Reed said, adding: "There is a housing crisis across the country and it's particularly acute here in Croydon.

"This research shows that tenants are being forced to pay excessive and unfair fees just to put a roof over their heads.

"This rip-off culture among lettings agencies must end. Labour wants to see tough regulation of lettings agents but the Government has voted down Labour's proposals at every turn.

"Hard-pressed residents in Croydon are having their pockets picked while the Government and our council stand back and do nothing.

"We need action now to curb these exorbitant fees and charges that are hitting people who don't have any money to spare."

A HEAD teacher who has transformed the fortunes of her school has been tasked with doing the same at Selsdon Primary.

Heavers Farm Primary School, in South Norwood, has rocketed up the borough's league table – and balanced its books – since Susan Papas took over in 2007.

In contrast Selsdon Primary, in Addington Road, has struggled for a number of years and, in May, was rated by Ofsted as "requires improvement".

Head teacher Nicholas Wollaston has decided to step down and the council has asked Ms Papas to take over as interim executive head beginning in September.

"The governing body felt that the school needs strong, strategic leadership to take them forward and to bring back stability and confidence," said Ms Papas.

"This promises to be an exciting challenge and I look forward to working closely with governors, staff and families at Selsdon in order to improve the teaching and learning for all."

Ms Papas will hold her new role for at least two terms and continue to lead Heavers Farm as executive head.

"I hope that by working together, both schools will achieve significant improvements, things that may not be possible without this opportunity," she added.

Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said: "[Ms Papas] has done more than a good job at Heavers Farm and is part of a really experienced cohort of heads who are willing to help other schools in difficulty. I'm confident this new structure, which is tried and tested in Croydon, will achieve that."

A very warm sunny Saturday saw large crowds turn out to make Riddlesdown Collegiate Summer Festival a real success.

Riddlesdown Collegiate Summer Festival was a real community affair with many local businesses and charities running stalls as well as students and teachers. Festival goers had the chance to 'beat the goalie'; ride the dodgems; find the right key to unlock the prize box, learn how to Zumba or just relax by the bar and listen to the live bands.

The day was packed full of great music including Riddledown's resident Jazz Band, Guitar soloist and College VI student Gill Yehezkel and a guest performance from 'The Signatures' a ten piece soul band that wowed the crowd with classic Motown songs.

The main attraction had to be the teacher stocks, where students could choose which teachers to drench.

All money raised from the Festival will be invested back into the Collegiate.

The second debate on whether offensive language should be censored was chaired by Geoff Kidder, from the Institute of Ideas. College VI students Tosin Olorunfunmi, Gil Yehezkel, Robert Hoare and Annie Hoban were on the panel.

The afternoon started with a debate entitled 'Is Ten Too Young to be a Criminal?' The participants in this debate were Luke Gittos, a young Solicitor working in Criminal Law and Legal Editor for the magazine Spiked; Councillor Simon Hoar- a former Riddlesdown student, Conservative Member for Waddon Ward and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection and our Chair of Riddlesdown Collegiate Academy Trust (RCAT), Paul Khan, a Detective Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police. As well as witnessing good academic debate about how morality develops and what it means to be moral, the students had the privilege of listening to experts in the field of law.

David Bowden, Project Manager at the Institute of Ideas said:

"I was really impressed by how students engaged with each debate. They raised really complex, interesting arguments. They weren't afraid to challenge the opinions of the panel."

To complete the day, students had the choice of joining in with a mock trial or listening to a lecture by the inspirational Professor of Classics, Peter Jones. Professor Jones introduced students to the Greek and Roman Philosophies of self and what it means to live a good life.

Peter Jones said:

 "Opening a debate about how we live life today in light of how people led their lives 2000 years ago was challenging, eye opening and exciting"

The Institute of Ideas is a prestigious organisation that holds conferences, forums and salons in order to expand the boundaries of public debate.

BARCLAYS Bank have been slammed by a judge after their former bank clerk was cleared of stealing £90,000 from a pensioner's inheritance.

Sarah Adams, 31, was accused of taking the money from the account of Kathleen Lewis, 86, but was unanimously cleared by a jury yesterday.

Adams, a counter supervisor at the Lower Addiscombe Road branch, denied raiding Ms Lewis' account nine times between July 1 and August 8, 2010, for £10,000 on each occasion.

Ms Lewis had inherited £195,000 from her sister but did not realise almost half had gone for a year because she only received six-monthly statements.

When the bank investigated the theft, they found all the money transfers had been made using Adams' log-in details.

But Adams insisted it was possible one of her colleagues had framed her.

She said she regularly went on breaks from her computer without locking it and had her passwords written down in her unlocked desk.

She also said all of her colleagues knew her ID number.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden said: "It has been apparent to all who dealt with this case, and a matter of very real surprise, that Barclays Bank have really been lacking in co-operation throughout.

"That is something that should not happen.

"It has been absolutely noteworthy throughout that when material had to come from the bank to the court they failed to co-operate.

"It is a situation that should never happen again, and it should be them that are paying the costs wasted at this court on at least three occasions."

The judge said an original trial date, on April 29, had to be abandoned because the prosecution case had not been fully prepared.

He said the bank then failed to deliver material against Adams on time at subsequent hearings.

Adams, of Catford, was in tears as the verdict was delivered and told jurors "thank you so much".

A RESTORATION fund is being launched to help pay for urgently needed repairs to the historic home of Croydon's Labour and trade union movement.

Ruskin House, in Coombe Road, which is 300 years old this year, has been hit over the past three years by a succession of thieves ripping lead from the roof.

The Ruskin House committee now faces repair bills of thousands of pounds to put the building back into shape.

Roy Aird, president of Ruskin House, said the fund would be launched formally in the near future, allowing people to make donations.

Mr Aird explained that when the lead had been taken, the thieves had caused a lot of damage to the brickwork.

The front wall also needs extensive restoration.

He said: "The repair work is expensive and we don't have the reserves to carry it all out.

"We are not yet at a point where we have to think about closing but if we don't carry out the repairs it could eventually happen."

Work on some of the building repairs will start on Monday.

The restoration fund will receive an initial bonus this week when it benefits from the proceeds of this year's Folk and Blues Festival.

The festival takes place tomorrow in the garden of Ruskin House from noon until 11pm.

There will be live music all day from a variety of folk and blues singers, backed up by a Russian children's choir and a Scottish pipe band.

There will also be licensed bars and barbecue and, for children, a bouncy castle and face painting.

Admission is £3 on the door with accompanied children under 16 getting in free.

Garry Davis, from the Folk and Blues Club and a member of the Ruskin House committee, said: "The club committee was unanimous in agreeing that money raised at the festival should go the restoration fund. We have got to get moving on the repairs."

Last year the festival raised more than £1,000 for the Royal Marsden cancer charity.

Originally known as Coombe Hill House, Ruskin House is an example of an imposing Georgian townhouse.

Among a long list of previous owners has been the Italian Consul General, Baron Robert Amadeus Heath between 1851 and 1880. It later became the home of Croydon Mayor, Alderman William Lillico but was put up for auction in 1930 when it turned into Coombe Hill House preparatory school for boys.

It remained as a school until 1966 when it was bought and transformed into the Labour and trade union headquarters and renamed Ruskin House. The HQ was opened by Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, in 1967.

THIEVES trashed the base of a children's football club, stealing children's kits and precious trophies.

Bob Clewley, chairman of the Selsdon Little League, arrived at the club's pitch on Sanderstead Recreation Ground last week to find £1,200 worth of destruction.

"What really gets me about this is that we're a group completely run on goodwill and volunteers," he said.

"We let in around 300 children who can't get into private clubs and have them playing once a week for just £40 a year – we don't turn anyone away.

"After we've paid the council to use the pitches, we pretty much only just break even.

"So to find our kit container broken into and all our equipment strewn all over the Rec was extremely upsetting."

The club had its generator – worth £500 – taken, along with footballs, nets and strips.

Mr Clewley added: "Worst of all, our trophies were taken or destroyed. The container locks were broken and there was just bits of stuff all over the pitches.

"Whatever wasn't taken was destroyed. It has violated the kids' hobby. Hopefully we will be able to claim for insurance but something like this has never happened to us in our whole 22 years."

Mik Simmons, the club's vice-president, said: "I am livid, there is nothing I can do about it. I think they thought the container was the council's and fair game or full of tools.

"If they knew it was ours – a charity's – I wonder if they would have still robbed it.

"We provide for all kids, whether they live in a million-pound house or pay rent to the council.

"The kit is gone and some will be replaced but it will cost a lot. All our trophies are destroyed. We can get a trader to make us some more but it's not the point; they are really pathetic people for what they have done."

Father-of-two Mark Allanson, whose children play with the club, said: "All that time and effort at the beginning of the season and then for some people to do this – all the kids' stuff destroyed.

"Now we have to try and find the money to replace everything, which in these times is not easy. The club barely has any money."

Barry Hill has put three children through the club. He said: "I think we'll have to keep it from the kids, they would be so upset."

This year's football trials are being held tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am, and are open to boys and girls aged 7-14.

The incident happened in the same week that travellers arrived to camp on the Rec with around 15 caravans.

They were given a notice to leave by the council and moved onto Lloyd Park a few days later, costing the council almost £6,000 in clean-up costs.

They were then kicked out of the borough by the council and police last Thursday and handed a section 61, meaning they could be arrested if they return to these sites.

The same group caused £25,000 worth of mess when they were camped on Croydon Athletic Football Ground last month.

THE incident happened in the same week as travellers arrived to camp on the Rec with around 15 caravans.

They were given a notice to leave by the council and moved on to Lloyd Park a few days later, costing Croydon Council almost £6,000 to clear up.

They were then kicked out of the borough by the council and police last Thursday and handed a section 61, meaning they could be arrested if they return to the same sites.

The same group are thought to have caused £25,000 worth of clean-up costs when they were camped at Croydon Athletic Football Ground near Mayfield Road last month.

Last year, council officers had to deal with 83 unauthorised traveller encampments, which in some cases required bailiffs being brought in to help, at a cost of more than £128,000.

So far this year there have been 37 encampments with the majority in parks, roads or council-owned land.

Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: "These travellers were a particularly nasty group, who were threatening and abusive.

"Thursday's operation sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour in Croydon."

A PURLEY primary school has been put into special measures this week – despite inspectors praising its new head teacher for making vast improvements since January.

Wattenden Primary School in Old Lodge Lane was rated as inadequate by Ofsted for its pupil achievement, teaching and management. The behaviour and safety of the children also required improvement.

The report stated less able and disabled children were being left behind, classes were disrupted by staff changes, the governing body had not secured improvements and school leaders had not made sure pupil premiums were used wisely.

However, it praised the new head teacher Pete Steward, for improving the checking of pupil progress. His appointment marked the end of a long two years without a permanent head teacher.

Mr Steward said: "Wattenden has been through some difficult times in recent years, and we fully accept the need to make rapid improvements to give our fantastic children the quality of education they deserve.

"Wattenden is a school with enormous potential. The report correctly highlights the fact that 'pupils from a wide range of backgrounds get on well, and feel safe and happy'."

Parents were split between agreeing the school needed improvement and defending the quality of teaching.

Lisa Faltag said her daughter in Year 1 was "making huge improvements with her teacher".

"I can't fault it and don't have a bad word about the school," she said.

However, Dr Heidi James-Dunbar, who has a son in his final year, said the report may be the best thing to happen to the school.

"Huge improvements are needed. My son has had a change of staff every single year. The discipline used to be appalling too but has improved.

"I very much hope the head can now make the necessary changes."

Susan Assab, who has only been taking her children this term, said she thought the teachers were lovely but that Ofsted often gave poor results for bad leadership.

Another mother said she was "gutted" but was convinced improvements would be made.

Tim Pollard, Croydon cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said it was "unfortunate" the school had been inspected only six months after Mr Steward's arrival.

He said: "I know the school has made an awful lot of progress since the new head arrived in January.

"Had it been in a different cycle [of inspections], then there may have been a different outcome."

He added that the Department for Education would now have to decide whether the school will become an academy.

One third of schoolchildren at Wattenden qualify for pupil premiums – additional funding given to schools so that they can support their disadvantaged pupils, a higher proportion than the national average.

A LOW-LIFE mugger who snatched £50 from the mouth of a disabled man celebrating his birthday has been jailed for three years.

Calvin Humanikwa, 25, stole the cash from wheelchair-bound Terrence Marshall after he'd withdrawn it from a cash machine in North End.

Mr Marshall, who was attacked outside HSBC at around 8.15am on April 3 this year, was described by Judge Peter Gower at Croydon Crown Court as "about as vulnerable as one can contemplate".

Police caught Humanikwa after driving around the area with the woman who reported the offence.

When the thief was arrested in nearby George Street, he immediately admitted his guilt, saying: "Sorry, I've got problems with my finances."

Humanikwa, who obtained 10 GCSEs and attended business school, was five months into a six-month conditional discharge for possession of Class B drugs.

He had also previously tried to mug someone on a bus by threatening to use a knife, although no weapon was found when police arrested him.

Following the mugging of Mr Marshall, a search of Humanikwa's bedroom in Croham Road, South Croydon, found a handbag belonging to a resident in his building.

He pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and another of handling stolen goods. No action was taken for his breach of the conditional discharge,

At his sentencing last Friday, Judge Gower said: "I have absolutely no doubt that, once you saw him in his wheelchair at the cashpoint, you decided that he was an easy target."

The judge said he did not believe the theft was pre-meditated but the nature of the offence warranted a strict punishment.

Defence lawyer Andrew Horsell asked that Humanikwa be given a suspended sentence because of his substance misuse and mental health problems.

Prosecution lawyer Shahnaz Ahmed said Mr Marshall, who only has some use of just one arm, is now scared to use cashpoints.

Although there was no physical assault, Mr Marshall's head jerked back when Humanikwa snatched the cash from his mouth.

Judge Gower expressed sympathy for the mugging happening on Mr Marshall's birthday although he said this should have no bearing on the sentence.

A CONVICTED paedophile who lied to police about contact with underage children has been spared jailed so he can follow his dream of becoming a professional chef.

Matthew Thain, 21, also breached the terms of his suspended sentence by getting in touch with a former victim.

Thain escaped jail in 2010, when he was living in Violet Lane, Waddon, after a judge ruled intensive supervision would protect other children from the teenage paedophile.

But concerns were raised after he started seeing a woman with a 12-year-old sister.

The Old Bailey was this week told that, when authorities started to investigate, Thain texted his lover to tell her: "Please don't tell the police I've been to the house".

The court also heard he had contacted two former victims.

Thain, currently living in Camberwell, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice and two breaches of a sexual offences prevention order.

Judge Peter Rook QC said: "This is worrying because it is manipulative behaviour when he thought he was in breach of a court order.

"It's covering up and it's quite hard to argue that it doesn't deserve a custodial sentence."

However, the judge agreed he could suspend the sentence to allow Thain to take up a position as an apprentice chef.

The judge imposed a five-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Thain will also be supervised by the probation service for the next 12 months and will have to carry out 80 hours' unpaid work.

He is already banned from unsupervised contact with those under 16 and is now prohibited from contacting specific, named children.

Prosecutor David Brown said concerns had been raised about the pervert's behaviour in April 2012 – less than two years after his previous conviction.

"It appeared then that he was in contact with a young lady over the relevant age over the internet and had formed a relationship with her.

"There were concerns he may have been aware she had a younger sister under the age of 16.

"So in June 2012 he was asked if her had been to her address or met her sister.

"He said he hadn't. Shortly after the conversation, he sent a text message saying in terms, 'Please don't tell the police I've been to your address'."

When police seized his phone they also uncovered messages between a former victim and another child he was banned from contacting.

He had been in touch with them more than 30 times during two months in late 2011 and had even wished one of the youngsters 'merry Christmas'.

John-Paul MacNamara, defending, said Thain had learning difficulties and had been abused himself as a child.

He insisted Thain did not understand what he was doing was a breach of his order.

Thain's 2010 conviction came after he took photographs of two girls, aged three and ten, posing provocatively to satisfy his sexual interest in children.

He also had a stash of other indecent images featuring children as young as four being abused.

A HEAD Teacher helping to ease the borough's places crisis has warned that taking extra pupils has made nearby roads dangerously congested and is putting children's safety "at risk".

Susan Papas is so concerned she is hiring four people to help pupils cross the busy street near Heavers Farm Primary School in South Norwood.

The helpers will also be expected to speak "politely" to parents who park "dangerously".

The action follows an accident last month which saw a Year 5 pupil taken to hospital after being hit by a car.

The school, in Dinsdale Gardens, was permanently expanded to three forms of entry this year, and is one of eight schools taking an additional class this September.

Ms Papas said: "The number of people and traffic coming into a small area is putting children's safety at risk.

"We have been expanding in response to the increased need for primary places, however, this has caused increasing pressure on the local neighbourhood.

"We have approached the council to ask for help with this, but they have been singularly unhelpful."

Heavers Farm suggested a number of solutions, and even offered to pay for cameras at both its entrances but, in an e-mail seen by the Advertiser, a council officer replied: "At the present time there is very little we can do to assist with these issues which are so widespread across the borough".

In response, Ms Papas placed an advert on the school's website for road safety assistants.

Cleo Douglas, chairman of the school's PTA, said: "There are a number of parents who do park irresponsibly. It's a case of tunnel vision, they think they're the only ones doing it when actually lots of them are.

"It had been congested for quite some time but it has become worse since the school has taken more pupils."

The new roles are part-time, 8.30-9am, and 2.45-3.15pm every week day.

Six 'walking bus' officers, who guide children to school on foot after they are dropped off at nearby Sainsbury's car park, are also being recruited.

"I felt something needed to be done," said Ms Papas.

"We had a scare last month, which shocked a lot of the parents.

"It wasn't a major accident but I believe it's only a matter of time before a child is more seriously hurt."

The Year 5 pupil suffered bumps and bruises, and was taken to hospital as a precaution, when she was knocked down after trying to cross behind a parked car.

Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said the school had not raised the issue with him, but he would be happy to visit and see for himself if asked.

He added: "We recognise increased traffic flow is an issue at schools which have taken extra pupils. It's always a consideration when we take these decisions.

"We've had to ask certain schools to expand, and are building new schools, in less than ideal locations, but we don't have unlimited land so we're doing the best we can with the sites that are available. At the end of the day, providing more places is the priority."

Ms Papas' concerns come after the council axed ten lollipop men and women across the borough to save £60,000 a year.

THE mother of a woman who walked in front of a train with her baby son has criticised officials for their "insensitive" inquiries.

Carol Oettinger lived with daughter Donna and grandson Zachary in Riddlesdown before the pair were hit by a train on March 22.

The bereaved grandmother is waiting for the results of three official inquiries but says the public bodies involved have failed to treat her with respect and have made the most difficult time of her life even harder. Clive Reed, Carol's ex-partner and friend, told the Advertiser she had been treated with insensitivity by officers organising a meeting held by the CSCB. "There was a meeting on June 25 which Carol was told about by letter a week beforehand," he said. "It said she would have to complete a presentation about what childcare got right, what they got wrong and what improvements she would like to see. "Carol has never done any public speaking before, but it said she could bring an 'objective adult' with her, so I said I would come and we would write it together. "Then she got a call a few days before and the officer said no, she would be allotted someone by them, or she would have to bring a solicitor. "How could she stand up in a room full of strangers and talk about the most emotive and terrible thing that has ever happened to her? "It was so insensitive she decided she just couldn't go. I was there when she got off the phone and she just cried and cried, it was awful. I was outraged by it." A spokesman from the CSCB confirmed its invitation was not taken up by Carol Oettinger. "Safeguarding boards are implementing a number of new approaches to serious case reviews," he said. "We have been keen to explore the way in which family members can feed into the process, and in this case a family member was invited to attend one of the learning sessions. The invitation was, however, not taken up." Mr Reed said his friend was also anxious to hear the results of the SLaM inquiry because she feels Donna's mental health treatment for her severe anxiety was not good enough. A SLaM spokesman said: "We are currently carrying out a thorough internal review of Donna Oettinger's care and treatment. "We take the death of any patient extremely seriously and our thoughts are with the family." The British Transport Police said it has handed evidence to the coroner.

PLANNED works to a bridge in South Norwood are expected to cause traffic chaos on Crystal Palace match-days when the season starts.

The Penge Road bridge, known as Goat House Bridge, requires strengthening by Network Rail to meet modern weight limits for buses and heavy vehicles.

The work starts in August just before the new football season, when Palace and other Premier League fans descend on South Norwood in their thousands.

Peter Gillman, a retired war correspondent and resident in nearby Anerley, thinks there could be chaos.

Mr Gillman said: "I am totally aghast at the disruption this will cause.

"It's going to be chaos during the week anyway but I am sure it will be utterly gridlocked for games.

"Traffic on match-days already causes problems for supporters.

"There aren't many ways into Selhurst Park from the Bromley side anyway so if you are coming from there then you're probably going to be stuffed.

"There will probably be queues all the way to Penge."

Preliminary work on Goat House Bridge will begin in August but the main work will commence in November, to be completed by February.

Tennison Road bridge, in South Norwood, will also be undergoing work and will be replaced with a new structure.

At different stages of the works, Goat House Bridge will be either partially closed to cars or fully closed to cars and pedestrians.

Dates for the works on the Croydon Council website indicate that the bridge will be fully closed for the home fixtures against Everton (November 9) and Stoke (January 18).

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We have notified the club about the bridge works at both Penge Road and Tennison Road.

"The main work on Penge Road will happen between November and February.

"We are trying to maintain pedestrian access at all times but there will be occasions when the Penge Road bridge has to be closed to both traffic and pedestrians.

"However, we will try as hard as we can to avoid those being on Crystal Palace match-days."

A Crystal Palace spokesman admitted there would be disruption to South Norwood High Street but added the club would warn fans via its website of any major problems.

TOUGH new measures are planned to clamp down on "unsightly" advertising boards in the town centre .

Proposals, which are due to get the go ahead from Croydon Council's cabinet on Monday, will limit shops to one A-type advertising board outside and introduce a complete ban on using people with hand-held placards to promote their business.

For the first time, businesses will also be required to pay for a licence to display an A board, working out at £335 for five years.

Councillor Simon Hoar, the council's cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said the authority was responding to overtures made by the Croydon Business Improvement District, which represents major town centre businesses.

The council surveyed the town centre and found 160 A boards, with a huge number in George Street and at the junction of North End and Crown Hill – a favourite for placard holders.

Cllr Hoar said: "They make the town centre look a complete mess and they can be dangerous to people walking along the streets, particularly those with visual impairments."

Matthew Sims, chief executive of the BID, said: "We are very keen to see this go through.

"I think it is important for the town centre to look as attractive as possible and the number of advertising boards which are on display does not give Croydon the look and feel we are aspiring to.

"We want to improve the perception and image of the town.

"Visitors walking down North End do not want to be confronted with advertising boards and people holding placards."

The report being presented to the cabinet on Monday says the size of all advertising boards will in future be restricted to just under 3ft 9in high and 2ft 7in wide.

The report says: "This will remove many of the current advertisements that are very large and take up a lot of the footways and constitute a health and safety risk."

The area affected by the restrictions will cover North End, George Street, part of the High Street, including its junction with St George's Walk, Surrey Street, Church Street and Tamworth Road.

The report also claims consultations held with businesses during April and May resulted in only three responses, with just one formal objection from the owner of 101 Records in Keeley Road, who claimed attracting customers would be harder.

PIGEONS are commonly dismissed as 'flying rats' and the public have even been banned from feeding them in Trafalgar Square.

But did you know that they are the Queen's favourite bird and they can change hands for tens of thousands of pounds in Japan?

Pigeon racing in this country is on its last legs and Croydon's own Woodside Flying Club desperately needs new members to keep it going.

The club, based at Woodside Social Club, Enmore Road, is down to just 12 members and the old-fashioned sport is not attracting the youthful crowd it needs to survive.

Club secretary Maria Hayden said: "We had 50 members about 20 years ago but the problem is everyone has got too old and a lot of members have died.

"We need a bit of young blood to come and join us."

The pursuit of pigeon racing has expanded out to Asia, where 'stud' pigeons are a valuable commodity.

Pigeon trainer Wicky Bullen recently turned down £40,000 from a Japanese trainer who wanted to breed winners with the pigeon.

The Queen is such a big fan of pigeon racing that she has her own loft and loft manager to look after her feathered friends. The birds themselves only race from April to September and are largely rested in the close season.

But their lives are not as cushy as they sound and they are coming under threat from predatory hawks.

Maria added: "We send them out to race and they come back with their bodies ripped open. The hawks are getting cleverer and they have started working out where our starting points are.

"It's quite brutal at times. I think it's because the hawks were made protected."

Members take pigeons to far-flung parts of England and France to let the pigeons go before setting off home.

The club operates out of a huge metal portable cabin and shed in Woodside Social Club's garden, where members congregate to wait for race results, assuming the pigeons flew home safely.

However, for champion birds it is not a tale of rags-to-riches as street pigeons are considered unsuitable for racing. Maria said: "We don't really want to be associated with street pigeons. They are nothing like our birds.

"We rear them and train them from birth."

But the pigeons are not treated as pets and are not given names from birth.

Maria said: "We don't really give them names but they get a number very soon after birth.

"We would only give them a name if they won a race and needed something for the results sheet. Then we would let the winning trainer pick a name."

WHEN Geoff Thomas retired from professional football in January 2002, he had a clear plan for the next chapter of his life.

Aiming not to be dependent on football for a continued livelihood he planned to open a chain of male fashion shops.

But Palace's 1990 FA Cup Final captain was dealt a very different hand when he found a lump the size of a golf ball on the bottom of his rib cage.

Geoff, now 48, said: "I'd started feeling more tired and I was getting the night sweats. I'd been out of full-time training for six months so I put it down to that and getting older.

"Then I found this lump and took it to the doctor. It turned out to be an enlarged spleen. The GP has since told me he knew it was leukaemia as soon as he saw the lump.

"He did some tests and I thought I was getting them back in a few weeks but I got a call five or six hours later asking me to come in. I pretty much got him to tell me what it was over the phone."

Geoff was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia and told that without a stem cell transplant, he was likely to live for three years at most.

The former England midfielder, who was capped nine times, said: "It was obviously awful. One day I thought was healthy; the next I was being treated for leukaemia.

"Over the next few weeks I was told all sorts of things you never want to hear."

He immediately underwent a process called leukopheresis and also chemotherapy to reduce his white blood cell count.

The chances of finding a good enough match to undergo a stem cell transplant were also deemed low. Geoff said: "I asked my doctor Charlie Craddock to be honest with me and he said the chances were slim.

"My sister is a nurse and started taking tests immediately after I was diagnosed. Luckily she turned out to be about as good a match as you could hope for.

"She played a big part in saving my life but the medical professionals were brilliant."

The transplant, in January 2004, left Geoff's immune system at its weakest possible level and he spent five weeks in isolation.

He was not back to normal for another six months but received the good news that he was in remission in January 2005.

After beating leukaemia, Geoff is now taking the fight to blood cancer as a campaigner and fundraiser, having launched a foundation in his name.

Geoff said: "When I finished playing football, I was going to start a business, but then I was diagnosed and I knew quite soon after what I had to do.

"It's made my life a whole lot clearer."