WHEN the horrors of last December gripped Ipswich, the town's residents were determined that something good would emerge from the tragedy that was engulfing them.

WHEN the horrors of last December gripped Ipswich, the town's residents were determined that something good would emerge from the tragedy that was engulfing them.

Out of this determination the Somebody's Daughter appeal was launched, aimed at ensuring there was an alternative to the spiral of drug addiction and prostitution that the five victims had fallen into.

Over the last nine months the appeal has touched the heart of the people of Ipswich. It has become an appeal with widespread support.

Now is the time to look at where the appeal goes from here - to look forward to it achieving its goal of setting up a safe house for young women to break free from their drug habit and the lure of the sex industry.

Businesses from across the area will be given an opportunity to find out about how the appeal is going at a special event at the Galleria at Portman Road tomorrow.

Somebody's Daughter is, of course, only one aspect of how lives and attitudes in Ipswich have changed over the last 12 months.

The town's prostitution strategy has also been drawn up with widespread public support and there is now a wide understanding that the town's sex workers are victims of society - not a cause of its problems.

And that desire from a year ago that something positive should come out of the horrors has been achieved - now is the time to take that help to the next level.

IT IS unbelievable that there are still idiots in society who think it is fun to throw bricks at cars from bridges over the A14.

This is an incredibly dangerous activity - a brick landing on a car travelling at speed could cause serious damage, resulting in critical injuries or even death of the people inside.

Police are quite rightly giving a great deal of attention to this problem and have warned that they are determined to find the people responsible.

That is good news - throwing bricks is a real danger to drivers using our fastest roads. Every right thinking person will hope the police soon track down the culprits and find enough evidence for the courts to convict them with substantial sentences.

LEGENDARY singer Petula Clark is 75 today - but is still in the top rank of British stars as her performance at the Ipswich Regent earlier this autumn proved.

Pet has been an icon of the showbiz world for decades, and her fame extends around the world.

Still as busy as every, she has already been recognised by her country for her achievements - but is it not time for her to receive the ultimate accolade.

At the age of 75, is it not time for this legendary singer to become Dame Petula?