Berkshire weekly round-up: 1 January - 6 January 2024

A driver having a lucky escape from Storm Henk was among our most read stories this week in Berkshire.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Berkshire and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

The new darts world champion said he planned on celebrating by putting some money behind the bar of his old club.

Luke Humphries, from Newbury, reflected on his career after his 7-4 win against Luke Littler in the PDC World Darts Championship in London on Wednesday night.

He spoke about his early life in the sport and the Crucible club in Newbury where he used to practice.

Ofsted inspectors will hold a minute's silence for Berkshire head teacher Ruth Perry during training around mental health.

Mrs Perry, whose suicide was linked to an inspection by the education watchdog, died on 8 January 2023.

Her sister, Prof Julia Waters, met Ofsted head Sir Martyn Oliver to discuss reforms in the organisation, including a pause for reflection on the anniversary of the death.

Vulnerable children have been housed in private care homes hundreds of miles away from home, new data has revealed.

Young people in Wokingham have been sent as far as Lancashire, Yorkshire and North Wales.

The borough council said it was due to a lack of suitable accommodation in the local area.

A driver had a lucky escape when a tree came down on their car in high winds.

Storm Henk caused major disruption across the south of England on Tuesday, with gusts reaching 94mph (151kph).

Thames Valley Police said the driver suffered minor injuries when the Volkswagen Polo was crushed by a tree on Sutton Lane in Cookham.

A tropical animal centre said it was struggling to pay its "crippling" energy bills after failing to qualify for government support.

The Living Rainforest, in Hampstead Norreys, said fuel costs had more than doubled since June 2022.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said it was offering "unprecedented" support.

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