London Romford News

Here is Royal Mail's list of the most romantic towns and post-code areas in the UK.

They are based on an analysis of mail volumes in the run-up to Valentine's Day - comparing the amount of post on the 6th of February with the amount on the 13th - the day before the Feast of St Valentine.

1. Romford (RM postcodes). 24.44% increase

2. Ilford (IG postcodes). 24.44% increase

3. East London (E postcodes). 24.44% increase

4. Canterbury (CT postcodes). 19.46% increase

5. Tonbridge (TN postcodes). 19.46% increase

6. Dartford (DA postcodes). 19.46% increase

1. Rochester (ME postcodes). 19.46% increase

2. Hull (HU postcodes). 17.98% increase

3. Derby (DE postcodes). 16.60% increase

4. Harrogate (HG postcodes). 15.84% increase

5. Leeds (LS postcodes). 15.84% increase

6. Wakefield (WF postcodes). 15.84% increase

7. Nottingham (NG postcodes). 12.91% increase

• UK
• Royal Mail
• Romford

Although Essex was named the most romantic part of the UK, the towns of Kent followed in close second.

Dartford, Rochester, Canterbury and Tonbridge - which are all covered by the Medway Mail Centre - also saw a dramatic 19.46% boost in Valentine's Day mail.

• UK
• Kent
• Medway

Steve Molloy, Royal Mail’s Delivery Director for Essex, said:

“Love is definitely in the air in Romford and across the East London region as our research shows residents are eager to express their love through traditional Valentine’s Day cards. We’re delighted to declare Romford the UK’s ‘Capital of Love’.”

• UK
• Royal Mail
• Romford

Romford has been named the UK's 'capital of love', following research on the number of cards posted in the run-up to Valentine's Day.

The Royal Mail says the town's sorting office got the biggest boost in mail volumes ahead of the occasion last year, thanks to the loved-up couples of Essex and East London.

They sent 24.44% more mail on February 13th than on the same day a week earlier, far more than the average nationwide. Elsewhere, the uplift was a decidedly un-romantic 3.43%.

The Romford mail centre processes post from the Romford, Ilford and East London post codes.

• And Finally
• Romford
• Essex

A burglar from Romford has admitted carrying out more than 200 break-ins. Joseph Lewis was convicted of four charges when he appeared in court today, but he asked for a further 217 burglary offences - dating back to 2005 - to be taken into consideration. He was jailed for five years.

• UK
• Romford

The Met has launched a murder investigation after a dead man was found in a stream in Romford. The body of 34 year-old Evaldas Svolkinas was discovered on Sunday morning in Carter's Brook. He died from severe head injuries.

Mr Svolkinas was last seen on Thursday morning and did not attend his work that day. Anyone who saw him between Thursday and Sunday is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• UK
• Romford
• Murder

Two brothers face being kicked out of their council home in Romford, despite living there for more than half a century.

Brian and David Adams look set to be evicted because Havering council says the tenancy can't be passed to them.

Piers Hopkirk reports:

• UK
• Romford

• UK
• Romford

A family are fighting to stop two brothers being kicked out of their council home after 73 years.

Brian and David Adams were told by Havering council that they had to move out just days after their brother Jack died in November last year.

Their parents moved into the house at the outbreak of the Second World War and they brought up 15 children there.

Their father Percy Adams died in 1986 and the tenancy was passed to Jack.

But Havering Council insists that it can only be transferred once in the same family and are going to court on November 12 to get a repossession warrant.

• UK
• Romford