West Ham United have announced the signing of Romania captain Razvan Rat on a free transfer on a one-year deal.

Twelve schoolchildren will have their artwork publicly displayed after winning a Crossrail art competition.

A couple planning to celebrate their Golden Wedding are trying to track down the bridesmaids who helped make their big day such a special occasion.

An elderly woman who survived multiple injuries in a road accident in East Ham 10 years ago, has celebrated her 90th birthday on the helipad in Whitechapel.

A woman who has spent years providing arts opportunities for young people has received an award recognising her work.

Hundreds of residents were kept awake all night by heavy metal music after party goers held an illegal rave at an industrial building standing empty in Silvertown.

A project that aims to document the campaign to save Queens Market has been awarded more than £20,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

West Ham MP Lyn Brown spoke to young people on the right track to work in the rail industry in Stratford last week.

Hairdressers Capri Hair Fashions faces the chop after nearly 50 years in Canning Town following council plans to evict them.

Staff and residents at a care home held a special event to say thank you to their dedicated nurses last week.

A garden celebrating the first residential legacy of London 2012 has won a gold medal of its own at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe cooked up a storm with students in East Ham before joining the lucky youngsters for a kick about.

A free exhibition telling the story of Holocaust victim Anne Frank opened at the Town Hall last week to promote tolerance in the borough.

Children at a primary school released hundreds of balloons as they marked its 45th birthday.

A young builder had a lucky escape this morning after he fell backwards through a gap in a floor with no staircase and into a cellar, according to firefighters.

Rising star Zipporah Fornah is hoping to make her rip-roaring debut in the West End production of The Lion King.

The youngest Olympic gold medallist in British boxing history, Terry Spinks, will have a community space named after him.

Local healthcare activists joined a national march on Parliament on Saturday to oppose further cuts to and privatisation of the National Health Service (NHS).

A church that is home to a unique set of bells honouring fallen soldiers from the First World War was invited to launch a grants scheme at the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Three Franciscan friars from Plaistow were among hundreds of priests, monks and nuns meeting their MPs at the Houses of Parliament to push for action on global hunger.

The Hammers secured 10th spot in the Premier League with a 4-2 win over Reading on the final day of the season.

UEFA Champions League Festival showcases smaller format

UEFA Champions Festival hosts championships

UEFA reveal schedule for Olympic Park event

Mark Pettini kept his cool to see Essex to their second LV= County Championship Division Two victory of the season by beating Glamorgan by five wickets with seven balls to spare at Cardiff.

Transfer news: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed the club will not be extending on-loan defender Emanuel Pogatetz’s stay at the club.

Young Mayor of Newham Rebekah Dike and Chief Executive of Age UK East London Debbie Walker

Newham’s extraordinary mum-to-be-again returns with her second Baby Blog.

Shara Bennett, from North Woolwich, is due to give birth around the same time as Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Shara is now 29 weeks pregnant and the baby is beginning to take its toll on her body.

Police are appealling for witnesses following an accident near the Canning Town flyover on Tuesday that left a biker seriously injured.

A 17-year-old arrested on suspicion of the murder of Champion Ganda in Forest Gate has been bailed to return to a police station in July pending further enquiries.

James Collins was delighted to see Sam Allardyce sign a new contract at West Ham and believes the 58-year-old is the right man to take the club to the next level.

A landlord was ordered to pay £12,000 in court for renting out six properties without a licence.

A bunch of bright primary school pupils have been running their own business in the playground.

Newham residents have a unique chance to find out how they can help save lives with clinical trials at Newham University Hospital

County Championship Division Two day 2: Glamorgan 231 Essex 343-9

More than 4,500 jobs will be created at the Press and Broadcast Centres at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after a deal was announced today for iCity.

A charity shop is hoping to raise some cash by auctioning off a rare history book.

It could be another sign that the high street in Forest Gate is finally being revived as a trendy pub company takes over a historical venue near the station.

Powerboaters hit the water on Sunday

Police burst through the doors of 13 suspected gang members today in a series of dawn raids to crack down on street violence.