IN 1997 News Shopper reported allegations of sleaze against a politician and residents' fox-killing desires as well as helping to reunite separated lovers.

On April 19, we allowed married Conservative MP for Beckenham, Piers Merchant, to defend himself against tabloid allegations he was having an affair with 17-year-old waitress Anna Cox.

The Sun claimed the 46-year-old had slept with the girl in his London flat and published photographs of him apparently kissing her in South Norwood Park in Croydon.

News Shopper secured an exclusive interview with Mr Merchant, during which he claimed he had been set-up by the girl and The Sun.

The Tories backed Mr Merchant and he was re-elected as MP for Beckenham in the general election.

However in October the Sunday Mirror accused Mr Merchant of having a fling with Miss Cox during the Conservative's annual conference.

News Shopper again exclusively interviewed Mr Merchant, as well as his wife and Miss Cox, at Mr Merchant's home and the MP and the girl denied the accusations.

But this was followed by LIVE! TV broadcasting footage of Mr Merchant and Miss Cox apparently together in the same bed.

Mr Merchant could not weather this third storm of allegations and resigned as MP for Beckenham on October 14.

Piers Merchant's political career was not the only thing people wanted to kill in south east London in 1997, as Bromley residents urged the council to do something about the rising number of foxes.

However a fox lover defended the creatures, saying "They pose no health risk. They are less dangerous than domestic cats and dogs."

Despite political scandal and calls for foxes to be killed, love was in the air in News Shopper in 1997, with the story of David Bennett and his new wife Tamara.

Plumber David, 53, married his Ukrainian lover in Crimea but because of immigration laws she was not allowed to join him in the UK until he got a job.

Thanks to an appeal in News Shopper, he was offered a job with a Beckenham plumbing company and Tamara was allowed to join him in his home in St Mary Cray.