TEN years ago, The Northern Echo reported on the dedicated soldier and loving father hacked to death by suspected terrorists in a daylight attack which shocked the country.

Emotional tributes were paid on May 25, 2013, to Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, who served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Drummer Rigby, who completed his infantry training course at Catterick, North Yorkshire, served with distinction in Afghanistan and was the father of a two-yearold boy, Jack.

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The popular soldier, known as Riggers within his platoon, was described as a "very bubbly character", a "true hero" and an "excellent Drummer, who loved his job".

His family paid tribute to "a loving son, husband, father, brother and uncle", adding that "he always wanted to be in the Army, live life and enjoy himself".

Police confirmed that four people, including the two men shot by armed officers, were arrested in connection with the murder in Woolwich.

A pensioner who died in a house fire could have been rescued in minutes had firefighters not been faced with rooms packed almost to the ceiling with her belongings.

Instead it took nearly half an hour to rescue 65-year-old Ann Bradshaw – because her house was so full of clutter they struggled to find space to help them carry out the rescue, an inquest heard in May 2013.

County Durham and Darlington Coroner Andrew Tweddle called for more to be done to highlight the dangers and consequences of hoarding, and criticised TV programmes for making light of the issue.

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"The conditions were quite extreme on a number of levels, " he said. "The physical state of the property with the amount of stuff is quite staggering and made the job of the firefighters quite difficult and dangerous.

"It would have been so easy to have two dead firefighters on the day.

He added: "Therefore, there should be significant praise for the firefighters for their determination in the face of extreme and dangerous circumstances to try and rescue Ann Bradshaw."