The world recoiled in horror and revulsion when the murderous deeds of Fred and Rose West were uncovered at 25, Cromwell Street, Gloucester. It's history now - but at the time it was the most sensational, disturbing and truly shocking story ever to come out of Gloucestershire.

On the wet February day when the story began to break, John Hawkins was one of the few journalists on the spot watching as police began to dig in the back garden of Number 25. Within days, the world's media were there with John and his team, reporting as the remains of victim after victim were unearthed.

Over the next three months the Gloucestershire News Service helped keep the world informed of every stage in the massive police enquiry. After the remains of nine young girls were found at 25 Cromwell street, the police moved to nearby 25 Midland road. There they found the skeleton of Fred's 8 year old stepdaughter Charmaine buried under the kitchen floor. Then to Kempley, near Fred's Much Marcle birthplace, where two more sets of human remains were found in fields - his first wife, Rena Costello, and his mistress Anna McFall.

During those months, we provided a news service not only to the world but also to the many media representatives camped in Gloucester. Many used the Gloucestershire News Service offices as a base.

It was certainly the biggest news event we have ever covered - but many other major news stories have emanated from the Gloucestershire News Service.

The first stories of Prince Charles' affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles came exclusively from us. When black barrister John Taylor was selected as Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Cheltenham in 1992 it was John Hawkins who unearthed the racist element which divided the local party. John's investigations led to Prime Minister John Major publicly censuring the culprits.