Eurovision fever grips the town

THOUSANDS of Eurovision fans packed out Benidorm’s Plaza de la Hispanidad on Saturday night to cheer on Blanca Paloma at the contest in Liverpool.

For the last couple of years Spain’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest has been chosen at the Benidorm Fest with the national jury also based in the Marina Baixa town.

The Benidorm Fest Euroclub offered a full programme of events including performances by the Spanish representative for Eurovision Junior, Carlos Higes, and Vicco, one of the most popular participants at the last edition of the Benidorm festival.

A giant screen offered a live connection with the Liverpool Arena which the lively crowd followed until the final votes were cast.

In the event, Elche­born Blanca Paloma was unable to replicate Chanel’s success at last year’s competition, but her powerful and elegant performance of Eaea left her in a very worthy 17th place with 100 points.

More houses

ALTEA Council has approved the Belles Arts development project to build 1,220 new houses, of which 168 will be council­owned and aimed mainly at local young people. The project will also generate employment in the town and boost economy.

Child rescued

A YOUNG child had to be rescued by the fire department in Benidorm last week after he became trapped between an advertising panel and a metal railing on Calle Londres. Luckily the emergency services managed to free him without any harm.

Never forget

THREE students at Denia’s IES Sorts de la Mar college last week visited the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria to pay tribute to four local residents who perished there.

Shop protest

A GROUP of Ukrainian residents staged a protest outside a Russian supermarket in Calpe last week for reportedly selling military symbols. The establishment is said to sell plotkah, a cap used by the Russian army in World War II and still in use today.

Charity event

MORE than 100 local associations celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Voluntariado Social organisation in Alfaz del Pi last week. The event took place at the Forum Mare Nostrum and participants included Alfaz Mayor Vicente Arques, who highlighted the great work done by the town’s charities.

Alfaz works

ALFAZ Town Hall has approved a new accessibility plan that includes 133 improvements in public areas in the town centre, the beach and l’Albir. Work will include widening pavements, adapting access ramps, replacing and adapting benches.