A man was found hanging from a tree near Donnington Castle on Wednesday. The 39-year-old was discovered by a member of the public, and police sealed off the area, and a postmortem was carried out yesterday.

Pub updates

The Snooty Fox in Barthlomew Street reopens tonight after a change of landlord. The pub has undergone many identity changes in recent years, and the new landlord has been painting and decorating, as well as putting the prices up.

Meanwhile, the lease on the Old Waggon and Horses in the Market Place is still up for grabs, after the departure of Newbury Pubwatch chairman Mark Tapping in April. Since then, managers have been in place, but Mr Tapping is looking to sell on the £115,000 a year lease, which includes the Canal Bar, an upstairs function room, staff accommodation, and an "informal franchise" for Thai food.

Unique find at Shaw House

Workmen renovating Shaw House have found a unique Tudor cellar dating to 1581, believed to be the only one of its kind in the country. Contractor William Sapcote started on site in January, and while digging in new foundations, came across the basement level, with bread ovens, wall cupboards and evidence of a staircase. West Berkshire Council, which is spending £10m to turn it into a teacher training centre and registrar, is hoping to alter its plans, and is expected to apply for more lottery cash to make the find a feature of the finished project.