SUPERMARKET Safeway has signed up as the title sponsor of the next Bath Half Marathon, due to be held in March.

Entries for this popular event have doubled since 1997 and it is claimed that up to 3,750 people will run the flat course which starts and finishes in Great Pulteney Street.

Race director Andrew Taylor said: "We are delighted to have Safeway as our title sponsor.

"It is particularly welcome when a large organisation takes an interest in supporting a local community event so positively."

Kim Barter, manager of the London Road Safeway store, added: "Although our store in Bath has only been open since February, we have already forged strong links with the local community, including fundraising for the Forever Friends Appeal, which is the official race charity of the Bath Half Marathon.

"We look forward to a close involvement with the event and will be fielding our own team of numbers."

Entry forms for next year's event on Sunday, March 18 are available now from the London Road store.

EDUCATION Minister Michael Wills is to officially open a new computer suite at Paulton Junior School this Friday.

The £15,000 centre will help students learn essential skills in information and communication technology.

The minister has been invited to open the facility by Wansdyke MP Dan Norris and headteacher Martin Higgs.

Mr Norris said: "This type of resource is critical if our children are to be able to gain the new skills they will need in the future."

The suite comprises 15 computers for student use, individually or in pairs.

It also includes a laptop computer, linked by an infra-red beam to a large screen which can be seen by all pupils while they sit at their desks.

ORGANISERS of this year's Christmas lights switch-on claim everything is on schedule for the big event.

B&NES met this week to discuss progress for Bath's annual ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, November 30.

The event will be run from the traditional site outside The Pump Room in Stall Street.

B&NES has ordered £26,000 of new Christmas lights, which have been chosen in consultation with Bath Chamber of Commerce.

A GOVERNMENT cash boost will help Avon and Somerset Constabulary in its fight against crime.

The force has been given £275,000 as part of a £13 million funding injection for police chiefs across the country.

Avon and Somerset will use its award to increase the number and effectiveness of confiscations imposed by the courts.

This is said to have an impact on a wide range of crimes including burglary, cheque and credit card fraud, organised vehicle crime and shoplifting.

Home Office minister Charles Clarke said: "These innovative projects will help to improve the way in which the police tackle crime by devising tailored projects to combat a community's specific local crime and disorder problems."