The green light was given to a multi million pound new A&E department, a mother and son were re-united after 40 years and there was cause for celebration for two friends as they took part in the quickest live donor transplant in the UK.

WORK to begin on a new accident and emergency department at Lister Hospital was given approval by the Treasury.

The �19.3m scheme to create a new centre for specialist emergency and urgent care, as well as improved radiology service and orthopaedic and fracture clinic was given the go ahead.

? A FATHER-OF-TWO saved the life of his childhood friend after donating part of his liver.

Billy-Joe Sewell and Luke Gumble both 24 and from Stevenage were part of the quickest live donor liver transplant in the UK.

After Billy-Joe was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital in London a national call was put out for a donor to come forward.

Out of six family members and friends, two were selected as potential donors. Luke was one of them.

Luke said: “As soon as I heard that Billy-Joe needed a liver transplant, I wanted to put myself forward. I would have done anything I could to help him.”

? A NEW pub landlady was pulling in the customers with a very unusual assistant.

Customers at The Chequers in Stevenage High Street were left wondering whether they had one too many after a wolf appeared in the pub.

Phyllis, a 14-month-old Alaskan malamute – traditionally a sled and hunting dog – was getting used to her new surroundings after Kyla Cox took over the pub.

Kyla said Phyllis is very friendly, despite her blood-chilling howl which she has instead of a bark.

“She loves people. She is a right tart. She loves men. A lot of people just come in to see her, she gets more attention than me!” said Kyla.

? A MOTHER and son were reunited after 40 years thanks to the Salvation Army.

Richard Knight, from Baldock lost contact with his mother and sister in 1973 when Richard was six-years-old.

Forty years later Richard got in touch with the Salvation Army to help trace his family.

Richard said meeting his mother was an “incredible moment, I will remember it for the rest of my life, it was the most nerve racking experience of my life.”

? GYM users, instructors and office staff were forced to evacuate a leisure centre after a fire broke out.

Firefighters were called to a blaze at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre.

Smoke rapidly filled the building as fire took hold forcing its evacuation.

Staff at the reception said they saw sparks and smoke coming from a ceiling light.

Pedestrian routes around the centre were shut off as firefighters tackled the blaze.

Thankfully no one was hurt.

? MORE than 600 primary schoolchildren took part in an event to celebrate the Olympics and Paralympics.

The event was held at the Knights Templar School in Baldock. Pupils took part in a range of sports, including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, handball, netball and hockey.

The event was organised as part of the North Herts School Sport Partnership’s celebration of the Olympics and Paralympics 2012.

Check back later today (Wednesday) to see what happened in June.

And view May in pictures, by clicking the link above right.