In this week's Westmeath Independent

This week's 96-page Westmeath Independent is out now and it's a colourful edition with a great mix of news, sport, photos and festive build-up.

Our stories and features include:

* Rising number of locals caught in Christmas poverty trap

* Our Lady's Bower student models at Mandela film premiere in London

* TD's bid to stop water charges for undrinkable water

* Athlone native launches book about Lough Ree

* First services open at Clonbrusk primary care centre

* BBC World Service broadcasts from Athlone GAA club

* We publish Christmas cards from Cornamaddy NS

* Delight as fundraisers for local child’s operation raise over €20k

* Christmas cards from Cornamaddy NS

* Read Shane Curran's views on Keane and Viera in his exclusive column

* Managerial moves afoot at local GAA clubs

All this and much more can be found in this week’s paper, which is available in local outlets and can also be accessed in the ePaper format (for more on this option, click on 'ePaper' at the top of this page).