Stories of the week: November 23-29

The Advertiser and Express websites bring you a round-up of the week's top stories from across east Berkshire each weekend.

Visit our websites every Saturday for the main news stories over the last seven days in Maidenhead, Slough, Windsor, Twyford and Burnham. Click on the links to read the full story.

New bike hire scheme used just 23 times since launch

A new cycle hire scheme has been used just 23 times, figures have revealed.

A 63-strong fleet of cycles went on general hire to the public last month at three different locations across the town. But figures from the first month of usage show since the scheme was launched the average bike hire per day is just 0.71.

Man who graffitied Maidenhead Mosque wrote letter of apology

A 26-year-old man who used stolen paint to scrawl racist graffiti on Maidenhead Mosque has been spared jail.

Lee Hunt, of Lincoln Road, and Gary Nuth, 23, of Blackamoor Lane had been out drinking when they vandalised the mosque in Holmanleaze on Saturday, June 8.

In pictures: Broom Farm Toy Run

A platoon of more than 200 motorbikes and scooters rode through Windsor to bring festive cheer to the Broom Farm army estate yesterday.

Bikers from clubs across the area dressed as Santa set off from from Legoland in Winkfield Road for the fourth Broom Farm Toy Run.

Parents picking up and dropping of their children at Holyport CE Primary School are being urged to be considerate when parking. Chris Stroughton, whose nine-year-old daughter attends the Stroud Farm Road school, has been using Twitter to draw the council's attention to inconsiderate parking near the school.

Man left with severe brain damage after attack in kebab shop

Two thugs have been jailed for a vicious attack in a Slough kebab shop which left a man needing round-the-clock care for life.

Samuel Kibe, 25, and Julius Mukenge, 26, were each handed a 14-year prison sentence at Reading Crown Court.

The pair attacked two 34-year-old men as they ordered a kebab in a busy takeaway at about 2.15am on February 18 last year.

The first victim was knocked to the floor where he was repeatedly kicked and punched while the second victim was punched to the floor.

Community works together to bring living advent calendar to life

Events will be taking over the village every day until Christmas as part of Twyford's Living Advent Calendar.

Instead of opening calendar doors, a living advent calendar holds events and activities on every day of advent.

VIDEO: Slough Christmas lights switched on

The Christmas lights were officially switched on in Slough Town Square.

The event, sponsored by the Slough Express, included a programme of live music and entertainment from Asian Star FM presenters Kavita Kukar and Tony Patti as well as Vocal Community, Creative Academy, DK ProDuKtions and One for the Road.

New Costa Coffee shop causes a stir in Cookham

Opinions have been stirred as coffee giant Costa Coffee prepares to open a new store in the Cookham.

The chain is aiming to open for business at the site previously home to Shaahs Fine Indian restaurant in Lower Road on Saturday.

Smile for the camera - Inside Slough's CCTV hub

Nestled within a small corner of the old town hall, a team of CCTV operators patiently scans a wall of screens as they monitor the comings and goings of life in Slough.

This is Slough Borough Council's CCTV centre, which aims to help keep people safe and provide police with vital evidence to solve crimes.

In pictures: Basil Brush and friends switch-on Maidenhead Christmas lights

Hundreds of people packed the streets outside Maidenhead Town Hall on Saturday evening for a Christmas lights switch-on spectacular.

St Ives road was buzzing with families enjoying fun fair rides, market stalls and musical entertainment before the evening's main event.