The story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus can be told in different ways. Andy Sharman visits an alternative Christmas show and finds a school that's doing its bit for the community

Rachel dedicates this article to her Dad, Gerald McClelland.

Community sentencing is a vital part of our justice system, yet never attracts the headlines it deserves. The only time the public ever hear about community sentences is when things go wrong. "Young man does unpaid work in community and a course in anger management, and goes on to live law-abiding life" is not a news story. "Young man does unpaid work in community, absconds with van and robs bank" is. Yet the vast majority of the 190,000-plus community sentences handed down each year are successful. Reoffending by those on community sentences has declined 13 per cent over the last five years. That means thousands of potential victims of crime have been spared.

The Derby County manager Paul Jewell is willing to suffer "the humiliation, the pain, the abuse" he is currently enduring if it means success next season. The already-relegated Rams are poised to become the worst team in Premier League history on the back of a 28-match winless streak.

Students with lower A-level grades from some of the country's poorest performing schools do just as well as high flyers from the independent or selective sector in their degrees, according to ground-breaking new research.

A man has died after being mauled by his pet rottweiler. He died at the Royal London Hospital in east London at about 10pm on Sunday after being attacked by the dog at about 7.15am the same day.

The singer Morrissey has entered the controversy over the new Oxford animal research laboratory by warning those working on the site: "We'll get you".

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Sir: I know that you have conducted a reasonable debate regarding the national anthem in the Sports Letters column, but allow me one, final, observation.

2 December 1999 Regina v Newham London Borough Council, ex parte Sacupima and others Queen's Bench Division, Crown Office List (Dyson J) 26 November 1999

HOMELESS FAMILIES won a High Court test case yesterday overturning an inner-city council's policy of requiring them to live in seaside guesthouses miles from friends, relatives, schools and jobs.

HARRY REDKNAPP said yesterday that it is the dream of winning the Premiership which drives him on at Upton Park.

Many properties are still going for a song in the old, ungentrified East End. But with Docklands' yuppies for its nearest neighbours, can this last? Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx