UNATTENDED cooking is believed to have sparked a blaze in a flat from which one person was rescued.

Firefighters from Northolt Fire Station helped the victim out of the property in Northolt Road at 6.46pm on Thursday after the fire broke out in the kitchen.

DISSATISFIED left-wing councillors have "regrettably" split away to form their own faction within Harrow's council chamber.

The Independent Labour group has been created in the wake of the election of Councillor David Perry as the new leader of the ruling Labour group at its annual general meeting on Monday April 15.

This new nine-strong group announced its formation with Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar, who was deposed by Mr Perry but remains the leader of Harrow Council at least until the Mayor-making annual council meeting on May 21, as its leader today.

Councillor Krishna James, the Independent Labour group chairwoman, said: "It is with great regret that we have to form the Independent Labour Group. It was impossible to ignore the lack of fairness, equality and justice, and attempts to resolve matters have not been successful.

"The Independent Labour Group subscribes to Labour values and its members remain members of the Labour Party."

Nine councillors in total have joined the breakaway faction.

The current Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Nizam Ismail, and the Deputy Mayor of Harrow and new mayor-elect, Councillor Nana Asante, are also among the rebels.

Twenty-five councillors are left in the 'ruling' Labour group - the same number as the Conservative opposition.

Consequently no one group has overall control of the council and throws into question the future administration of the authority.

BOX:

INDEPENDENT LABOUR:

Thaya Idaikkadar

Krishna James

Husain Akhtar

Asad Omar

Nana Asante

Zarina Khalid

Raj Ray

Nizam Ismail

Mano Dharmarajah

HARROW COUNCIL'S POLITICAL MAKE-UP:

Labour 25

Conservative 25

Independent Labour 9

Independent 3

Liberal Democrat 1

A LAUGHING yoga instructor has launched an eating guide to help people shed the pounds.

Harish Chavda, who runs his unusual chuckle-based sessions, the Harrow Laughter Club, on an ad-hoc basis, held a seminar full of tips to promote his book, 'How To Lose Weight And Be Healthy'.

Rayners Lane Ramblers are now leading pleasant strolls on Saturdays, beginning at Rayners Lane station from

10am.

SEVEN flats can be created out of existing accommodation above shops in South Harrow, councillors agreed.

The scheme concerns the development of five studio flats and two one-bed apartments above the premises occupied by an empty shop and the neighbouring charity-run non-alcohol youth club venue The Lighthouse in The Broadway, Northolt Road.

SHOPPERS and workers at a supermarket helped generate more than £2,500 for Comic Relief's quarter-of-a-century birthday.

Events to raise money for Red Nose Day took place over the weekend of March 15 to 17 at Sainsbury's in Northolt Road, South Harrow.

A CHURCH is tackling joblessness in the borough by launching a free club to help people back into work.

Members of St Paul's Church in Corbins Lane, South Harrow, underwent specialised training from UK charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in order to run an eight week course for the unemployed.

THE owner of an iconic shoe repair shop is retiring after 31 years running the business.

WORSHIPPERS paced behind a congregation members who took turns to carry a wooden cross during South Harrow Churches Together's Walk of Witness.

Churchgoers from eight churches met outside Costa Coffee in Northolt Road, South Harrow, on Good Friday at 11.15am and then marched on the pavement for a short service at nearby South Harrow Baptist Church, in Northolt Road, which lies 10 minutes away.

A DIY store customer who fraudulently claimed back refunds on his bank card has been sentenced.

Andrew Kohl, 29, of Yeading Avenue, South Harrow, carried out his deception at Homebase at the Victoria Retail Park, Crown Rd, off Victoria Rd in South Ruislip last year.