Watford's mayor Peter Taylor, followed by Councillor Nigel Bell, have given the following New Year messages to the town's residents.

Christmas is over for another year but our pets made the most of the big day if this final selection of images from our Camera Club members is anything to go by.

The number of coronavirus cases in Hertfordshire continues to climb at a steep rate as a hospital trust struggles to cope with a surge in new admissions.

Watford General Hospital is under "enormous pressure" as staff try and cope with a huge influx of new Covid patients.

It will be interesting how the history books of the future report back on 2020.

Police were called to multiple parties and gatherings as hundreds of people in Watford ignored pleas to celebrate New Year safely at home.

The community around Watford came together in a heartfelt campaign to feed and gift struggling families during Christmas.

A sharp rise of coronavirus cases in Hertfordshire in December saw the county placed in a new Tier 4.

The full calendar of celestial events taking place throughout 2021.

As the Brexit transition period comes to an end what will change for the average Brit in 2021?

To paraphrase Her Maj, this year has been an ‘annus horribilis’, to the point where I debated skipping the 2020 awards in the forlorn hope that 2021 will be markedly better than its predecessor.

As the Brexit transition period comes to an end what will change for the average Brit in 2021?

Retired clinicians are being urged to return and help the NHS as it struggles to handle the mounting pressures of coronavirus amid surging cases across Hertfordshire and west Essex.

Watford Labour has slammed the Government’s late-notice decision to delay the reopening of primary schools.

The NHS and public health leaders in Hertfordshire are urging people to ‘play their part’ and stay at home this New Year and coming months.

Rickmansworth Recycling Centre has been temporarily shut by police after long queues.

The Watford Observer has teamed up with Watford Museum and its curator Sarah Priestley to take a journey back to the town’s past through items or places of historical significance.

A retired primary school headteacher in Watford who loved the theatre and cricket has died, aged 78.

Frontline NHS staff at west Hertfordshire hospitals have been recommended to postpone their annual leave when possible, the Observer understands.

With coronavirus cases spiralling across Hertfordshire and the county placed in Tier 4 restrictions, Herts Police are urging people to celebrate the New Year safely at home.

Councillors have agreed to adopt a new highways strategy designed to ensure speed limits are ‘in keeping’ with their environments.

Hertfordshire along with the rest of England was placed into lockdown in November following a rise of coronavirus cases.

A look back at some of the most memorable bits of 2020.

Live traffic and travel updates this morning

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is set to deliver a statement to the Commons about the return to schools.

A number of inspirational and well-deserving people have been recognised in the 2019 New Year Honours.

Hertfordshire County Council has pledged to support school leadership across the county as primary schools in Watford and some surrounding areas have been asked to delay opening in January.

Many areas in parts of Hertfordshire, London and Essex will be told to keep primary schools shut.

One of the best ways of illustrating how much a town has changed is from the air and thanks to an old publication we can give an insight into how Watford altered over a near 70-year period.

A number of patients at a mental health unit are self-isolating following a small Covid-19 outbreak at the site.

Having good broadband at home never been more important after a year spent in lockdowns and working from home.

Care home residents received their first round of Covid-19 vaccinations just before Christmas.

There was some heavy rain at the start of October which caused flooding in lower High Street.

A full list of all of the Royal Mint's coins released in 2020.

A full list of the celebrities to have died in 2020.

The Government recently announced a further extension to protect commercial property tenants until March 31, 2021.

The Mayor of Watford says a charge for outsider motorists entering Greater London would have a “knock-on effect” to Watford.

Several families have been celebrating the arrival of the best gift possible after their babies were born on Christmas Day.

Much has changed in Watford over the years and thanks to an old publication we can give a visual insight into how much it altered between two points in time - and bring back memories for many of you.

A suspected drink driver was arrested after going on a search for a missing iPhone left in a taxi.

A yellow weather warning has been issued with a chance of snow and ice from tomorrow morning.

The number of new coronavirus cases in south west Hertfordshire does not appear to be spiralling out of control – but data shows little sign of the virus tailing off either.

Live traffic and travel updates this morning

September was when a statue of Graham Taylor was boarded up ahead of Watford's clash with Luton at Vicarage Road.

Sarah's Law means that we are now able to check if any sex offenders live near us. Here's how:

An unconfirmed number of people at a prison have recently tested positive for coronavirus, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed.

A third proposal to build a new service station on the western side of the M25 has come forward.

Hertfordshire is on course for its biggest ever police force - but residents will have to stump up extra cash to pay for it.

August was when we found out that a new Next Beauty store would be coming to Watford in place of Debenhams.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove has said the Government hopes the staggered reopening of schools in England will go ahead in January as planned.