CLARE Thomas, the mother-of-two who was viciously assaulted in Kinton, near Leintwardine in September, has regained consciousness in hospital.

The good news comes on the day (Wednesday) that the BBC's Crimewatch programme is filming a reconstruction of events prior to and following the hideous attack, ready for screening next month.

Clare's condition is still described as poorly by doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but she has begun responding to noise, movement and voices around her.