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KILN Farm Club is challenging people to conquer their Titan Burger to raise money for young cancer victim Henry Allen. The beastly burger contains three 6oz steak burgers, cheese, bacon, onion rings and hot chilli, with caramelised onions. All this is served on a mountain of chips. Competitors are being sponsored to try and eat the whole dish, with money going towards Henry, aged three, who suffers from neuroblastoma. Henrys parents Dawn and Mark set up the Henry Allen Appeal, and have already raised 30,000 should they need to send him abroad for treatment which would not be available in the UK. The challenge starts at 7.30pm on Saturday at Kiln Farm Club.

MKNEWS
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

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City breaks records for business

MILTON Keynes has broken a number of its own business records in 2012 according to a new report. The Duport Business Confidence Report reveals a series of remarkable economic statistics last year, including a record number of company formations. The group say that the report signals an MK economy that is doing well in the face of tough financial conditions. There were a total of 2,725 company formations more than any other year in the history of the city and a 13 per cent rise on 2011. Meanwhile, there were more companies started in the city in the months of October and November of 2012 than any other year in MKs history. This, combined with a fall in company closures, led to a record year for net company growth. Milton Keynes also broke its own record for UK company share, reflecting its growing importance in the UK economy. In 2012 Milton Keynes formed 0.6 per cent of all UK companies, an improvement on 2011 when the city was responsible for 0.5 per cent. And while not record-breaking, the good news continued as it emerged that while 1,361 companies had been dissolved, it was 3.3 per cent lower than 2011. And 2013 looks set to be just as successful, with accountancy firm PwC predicting GDP growth in the region to reach 1.8 per cent, the highest growth outside Greater London and the south east. Managing director of Duport. co.uk Peter Valaitis said: Milton Keynes is becoming a significant economic hub, as the report shows. The number of new companies setting up will strengthen the economic base.

Police warning over thefts of car parts

BY ANNABEL HOWARD
annabel.howard@mk-news.co.uk

DRIVERS are being warned over increasing thefts of costly catalytic converters from cars and vans in Milton Keynes. In the latest incidents thieves stole a catalytic converter from a Jeep Grand Cherokee in a car park in South Second Street last Wednesday. Another theft took place in the early hours of Tuesday April 2 from a

Peugeot Expert van, in a car park in Fern Grove, Bletchley. Catalytic converters, or cats as they are known, are part of a vehicles exhaust system and control emissions from the engine. They are stolen because they contain precious metals and the thieves are cashing in on rising prices. The thefts can be very expensive for motorists as cats cost 300 or more each to replace. PC Dirk Pym, of Milton Keynes CID,

said: Following these recent thefts in the Milton Keynes area, we are urging owners of vehicles with catalytic converters to put them in a garage if they can. Industrial estates, car parks, and new car forecourts are also some of the places that are being targeted, where the more appealing vehicles are parked overnight. Vans, 4x4s and trucks are easier to target due to their height off the ground and easy access to the under-

neath of the vehicle. Crime Reduction Advisor for Milton Keynes, Ed Allington, has confirmed police are still actively investigating the crimes after a string of incidents in January. He urged drivers to park vehicles in a way which restricts access underneath them. Fixing bolts on cats can also be welded shut. Witnesses can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.