AS the New Year dawned full of possibilities, a range of new leisure courses were announced at a Suffolk college.

The courses on offer at the Otley campus of Easton and Otley College will range from photography to falconry and garden design to golf – and even include working with alpacas.

Nine months ago a Mid Suffolk District Council worker found Dusty the dog in a bin, shivering with fear at the side of the A14. And now the pair are firm friends.

Mr Bloomfield, of Creeting St Mary, near Stowmarket, who found the animal as he cleared a lay-by in March this year, said he could not imagine being without his four-legged friend now and the little dog has enjoyed his first Christmas in safety.

Organisers of the annual Rudolph Run are celebrating this week after their festive efforts helped to net thousands of pounds for two good causes.

Hundreds of youngsters and their parents lined the streets of Ipswich as the run, organised by the Ipswich Round Table, made its way through the town.

A team of students have transformed part of the entrance to Ipswich Hospital, giving a roundabout a ‘Ground Force’ style makeover.

The youngsters are all enrolled on a landscape and garden design foundation degree at Otley College.

Sheila and Bob Hales, of Wherstead Road, were de-lighted after their festive home was chosen as the winner of The Star’s 2012 best Christmas lights competition. They started their Christmas lights tradition 15 years ago when their daughter Melissa was ten, were surprised but happy to win the accolade.

Students at a sixth form centre in the town have celebrated the end of term by performing a winter concert in front of a 300-strong crowd.

About 80 students took part in the Suffolk One event which included music and dancing. Money raised on the night will go towards buying equipment for current and future performing arts students.

JD and Scruffy, who are both 12, spent the New Year away from their home for the first time. They were brought into the Blue Cross centre last month by their heartbroken owners because they were moving abroad. The duo are two of more than 30 pets currently waiting for a new home.

The owners of a unique tandem bicycle have appealed for help this week to trace it after it was stolen during the Christmas period.

The distinctive red bike was owned by Elmy Cycles in St Helen’s Street and used for charity and promotional events.