Peterborough this week: Five stories you might have missed

Muppet from Peterborough was crowned Britain's ugliest dog

This week, the extent of possible cuts to council services in Peterborough was laid bare as proposals to mothball the lido and close libraries were released.

Peterborough United continued to suffer on the pitch, but elsewhere there was success for one goalball player from the city and Muppet the dog won national recognition...for being ugly.

Lido users 'devastated' at temporary closure idea

Peterborough City Council says it may have to mothball the lido to save money

Swimmers at Peterborough's Lido have expressed their shock and devastation at proposals to mothball the outdoor pool.

Peterborough City Council said temporarily closing the facility could save £400,000 a year.

But there is hope for lido fans, as council leader Dennis Jones says it is something the authority "truly, truly" wants to avoid.

'My hijab is a Superman cape when I play football'

Iqra Academy in Peterborough won the Muslim Schools National U15 Girls Football Championship for a seventh time

Teenagers at an all-girls school who won a national football championship said they felt empowered to play in their hijabs and likened it to superheroes wearing capes.

Peterborough's Iqra Academy, an independent Islamic school, won the Muslim Schools National U15 Girls Football Championship on 3 December.

In the final, which was held in Leicester, the Iqra team beat Al-Aqsa School from the host city 2-0 to win the title for a seventh time.

'Wonky' pooch wins Britain's ugliest dog title

Muppet enjoyed a spa session including a mud bath and a blowdry

A 12-year-old dog from Peterborough whose tongue is permanently hanging out of the side of his mouth has been crowned Britain's ugliest pooch.

Muppet, a Chinese crested dog, won the title after beating seven others in a competition organised by photography company Parrot Print and broadcast live on ITV's This Morning show.

Owner Bev Nicholson said Muppet, who also has missing teeth, was a "wonky little rescue dog" but "beautiful inside and out".

Santa's float raises £4,000 for charity

Santa's float in Whittlesey is raising thousands of pounds for charities

A charity that has raised £4,000 for several causes said its Santa float was a tradition children and adults loved to see.

Whittlesey Round Table organises a Santa float every year in the town - which is near Peterborough - in the run up to Christmas, and hopes to "spread cheer" and fundraise for organisations.

Stuart Rayner, chairman of the Round Table, said this year's touring float started on 29 November and ended at the weekend.

BBC Unsung Hero is 'a force to be reckoned with'

George Sullivan has been named Unsung Hero in the BBC East Sport Personality of the Year

A disability champion has scooped the BBC East Sport Personality of the Year - Unsung Hero award.

George Sullivan, from Peterborough, has a severe sight impairment and works tirelessly to support others in the sport of goalball - including setting up a new team.

A week in Peterborough sport

Kwame Poku has scored 25 goals in 111 league appearances since joining Posh

Peterborough United are just two points above the League One relegation zone after their 2-1 defeat at Northampton Town.

Posh have now lost their last five away league games.

It has been another tough week for Darren Ferguson's side after star player Kwame Poku was ruled out for around three months.

Peterborough Sports suffered heartbreak in the FA Trophy against Southport as they conceded two late goals to lose 2-1.

Sports led 1-0 until the 90th minute after co-manager Michael Gash opened the scoring.

In ice hockey, Peterborough Phantoms enjoyed a double win weekend with victories against Telford and Romford.

The Phantoms are now fourth in the English National League.

A week in Peterborough politics

Jennie Storey has been campaigning to keep the Woodston Library open

Peterborough, along with the rest of the East of England, has been told to build more new homes by the government.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Raynor made a visit down the A1 to Alconbury Weald to announce their new National Policy Planning Framework.

The document showed they want Peterborough to build 1,006 homes per year, their previous target was 936 homes per year.

Councillor Nick Thulbourn, who is the cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said the city council was poised to implement the mandatory figures in their emerging draft local plan.

The city council revealed its budget deficit for the following year was expected to be £20m, when previously it expected it to be £3m. Mothballing the Lido and reducing the number of libraries around the city are amongst the cost saving measures being considered.

A council cabinet meeting will take place on Tuesday, when the details will be discussed.

The Key Theatre will be closed for four months in 2025 as work to repair the Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) roof takes place. Other upgrade work will take place at the same time and it is expected to cost the city council £1.54m.

And some council staff could go on strike over a pay deal.

Those who work for Peterborough Limited, which is owned by the council, have been offered a lower rise than those employed directly.

The GMB union says 78% of its members have voted in favour of strike action