WE have rounded up some of Bracknell's most shocking, exciting and important stories from the past week.

Here are a few of the most significant stories readers should be aware of:

1. Teenage boy punched and threatened with knife outside shops

Bracknell News:

A teenage boy was allegedly threatened with a knife outside the Birch Hill Shops by two youngsters.

Thames Valley Police received a report between 3.30pm and 3.45pm on Sunday, January 4, of an incident near to Birch Hill Road.

For the full story, click here.

2. Home Bargains responds to rumours it is opening in Bracknell

Bracknell News:

Retail bosses have responded to claims they will be opening in The Peel Centre.

Rumours circulated on social media about Home Bargains replacing Next in Bracknell.

For the full story, click here.

3. Six new Covid 'hotspots' identified in the Bracknell Forest area

Bracknell News:

The Bracknell Forest area has six coronavirus ‘hotspots’ where case rates are above 800 per 100,000 people.

According to a map on the government website, Bullbrook recorded the highest rolling infection rate in the seven days to December 30 with 101 cases giving a rolling rate of 989.8 – above the national average.

For the full story, click here.

4. Man taken to hospital after explosions cause 'huge' fire at residential park

Bracknell News:

A MAN is in hospital after an explosion caused a “horrendous” fire at a local residential park.

Ambulances and fire crews rushed to Cranbourne Hall Park, in the north of Bracknell Forest near Windsor, at 3.30am on Saturday, January 2, after residents reported an explosion in a caravan.

For the full story, click here.

5. Berkshire's 'fattest' towns to live in revealed (and the healthiest)

Bracknell News:

Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire has been named as some of England's healthiest towns.

Figures showed the areas across the country with the highest and lowest rates of obesity-related hospital admissions per 100,000 people.

For the full story, click here.