REPORTS on newburytoday (April 1) had tongues and tails wagging as people discussed plans for a new airport in Greenham, an air-powered car from Kia and even dog poo that comes up smelling of roses.
But although not many West Berkshire residents were fooled by the spoof stories, plenty enjoyed the ruse, as the many comments on Newburytoday.co.uk’s Your Views section indicated.
A video interview with a spokesman from the Government Advisory Agency for Flight (GAAFF) revealed plans to convert Greenham Common into a new international airport.
On the Newbury Business Today website business owners were informed of new health and safety legislation, under the Occupational Operational Procedural Systems (OOPS) Act 2009, that would see staff no longer able to boil kettles or use staplers without a thorough risk assessment being completed.
On the Motoring In West Berkshire website it was reported how, in a dramatic move aimed at delivering environmental benefits without expensive technology, Kia has revealed its new Aero-Soul concept that reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions with a simple and low-cost system called Air Propulsion and Retardation Installation Line (APRIL).
To read any of the spoof stories for yourself, check out the stories below and log onto newburybusinesstoday.co.uk and motoringinwestberkshire.co.uk

A GOVERNMENT document has revealed that aeroplanes could soon return to Greenham Common if it is converted into a new international airport.
In the plans, released to newburytoday.co.uk under the Freedom of Information Act, Greenham’s runway would be rebuilt and a vast new terminal opened if plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport fail.
The Government has faced huge opposition to its plans to demolish a village and build the new runway at the London airport. Now one industry official has admitted that the contingency plans for re-opening Greenham are at an ‘advanced stage’.
Quentin Dunstan, of the Government Advisory Agency for Flight (GAAFF), said: “If the plans for the third runway at Heathrow are scrapped, which ministers now expect after the wave of opposition, Greenham will be reopened to help cope with the huge increases in air travel.
“Had Greenham not been so perfect, they would have continued with the Heathrow plans but as Newbury is so close to London they believe building a new airport here will be less of a PR disaster than at Heathrow.
“After all, London is far more built-up than Newbury, so there are a lot more wealthy and important people to oppose it.”
Mr Dunstan said he thought that Newbury residents would welcome the airport and the increase trade in the town.
He said: “Greenham is perfect as it once housed the largest runway in Europe so there is plenty of space. Since the American air base was closed it has just been an open space that stinks of pickle, with trees and things.”
He said that residents from North Hampshire had already suggested that it might be quicker to drive to Southampton and fly to Newbury than battle through rush hour traffic into the West Berkshire town.
A meeting between government officials and West Berkshire Council was due to take place today (April 1).
The confidential document also reveals that commoners rights will be preserved, allowing cows and horses to roam over the proposed new runway. An ultra-sonic cow horn will be installed at the restored aircraft control tower to ensure they move off the concrete when planes come into land.
Meanwhile dog owners would have to wear high-visibility jackets when walking their pets through the airfield.
Skye Ceil, a former Greenham peace camp protester, said she had already rallied her troops, dusted off her one-woman tent and would be setting up camp as soon as the plans were given the okay.
“We are already beginning to reassemble and plan to get back to Greenham as soon as we can to stop this monstrosity being built,” she added.
A spokesman for Greenham Parish Council said: “If the Government think we are going to take this lying down then they are fools.”

To see the proposed plans, click on the picture link below.

A NEWBURY charity has uncovered a revolutionary diet breakthrough that could mean the end of stinky dog emissions.
Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Hamstead Marshall, announced the scientific discovery today (Wednesday, April 1).
A spokesman for the charity said: “We care for over 16,000 dogs a year across our 17 rehoming centres, and that means a lot of poop scooping. We’ve been working with boffins behind the scenes devising the ultimate dog diet to minimise stinky emissions and make our kennel staff’s job a bit more pleasant.
"Incredibly we’ve found a diet that not only minimises the smell but even makes poop fragrant.”
Dogs Trust is patenting the winning formula and cannot yet reveal full details of the diet.
The spokesperson added: “We’re incredibly excited about this breakthrough – it’s quite the scoop. If we can market the formula it will also be a great way of fundraising for us.
"The UK dog population produces 1,000 tonnes of faeces every day, so owners would have to be real fools not to find out how to make their pooches’ poop actually smell of roses.”
Keep an eye on newburytoday.co.uk for details of when the new formula will be on general sale.