AN inquest had few answers for the family of a Hereford pensioner found dead far from home. County coroner David Halpern could confirm that the body of Edward Jones was recovered from the River Severn, but he heard no evidence as to how it came to be there. Mr Jones, 70, went missing from his Redhill address on January 26. A five-week search was to end in sadness for his close-knit family. But other than ruling out any suspicious circumstances, investigations outlined little of how or why the much loved great-granddad met his end. On the evidence available, an open verdict was the only option Mr Halpern felt that he could record.

HEREFORDSHIRE'S horse owners have a chance to ride roughshod over thieves targeting tack. Further thefts of high value equine accessories have been reported over recent weeks. The latest losses occurred at Marden and Weston Beggard. Police are pinning their hopes on a scheme that puts tack off being taken or helps track it down if it is. Officers will be on hand to help Horsewatch postcode items free of charge at a show planned for Houghton Court, Bodenham, on Sunday.

A HEREFORDSHIRE community is remembering in its prayers the family of a victim of the Lockerbie disaster, which is now the centre of a major international trial. The people of Cradley have been offering prayers to John and Liza Mosey who lost their daughter, Helga, when Pan AM Flight 103 exploded over the Scottish village in 1988. Rev Sam Ashton, priest-in-charge of Cradley with Mathon and Storridge, said: The Moseys are increasingly in our thoughts at this time.

SMASH and grab raiders have targeted two post boxes in Colwall to cause over £1,000 damage. Sledgehammers were used to break open boxes in Walwyn Road and Chase Road, it is not known if mail was stolen. The first attack occurred between April 22-23 and the second between April 29-30.