WITH only 10 days left to go until the big day the panic is firmly setting in for those people who have yet to buy a single present, put up a decoration or have any plans for Christmas day lunch.

However all is not lost just yet.

There is still plenty of time to get everything you need in Stroud.

With the farmers’ market, new pop-up shops appearing on the high street and of course your high street brand shops in Merrywalks all those last minute gifts should be easy to find.

Just a thought when buying those final things at the supermarket – if you can maybe get an extra box of mince pies or a couple of tins of vegetables and donate them to Stroud District Foodbank.

Click here to see how the foodbank is helping to feed 200 families in the district this Christmas.

Here are five things you need to know today

  1. A gunman is still holding staff and customers hostage at a cafe in Sydney, Australia. The Lindt cafe in the city centre is currently surrounded by armed police. According to news agencies five people have been seen running from the building. It is not clear how many remain inside. A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window.
  2. Stroud District Council’s development control committee meets this Thursday and there is the chance that more than 500 homes could be given planning permission across the district.
  3. Ben Haenow has been named this year's X Factor winner after going head to head with Fleur East in the 2014 final at Wembley Arena. The contestants were both mentored by Simon Cowell in the over-25s group.
  4. Bad news for Forest Green Rovers fans this weekend after losing 2-0 to Scunthorpe they are now out of the FA Cup.
  5. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has been named as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014 beating golfer Rory McIlroy to the title.