So what were our top 10 most read stories of the year?

Unsurprisingly crime stories and major incidents were the most popular with readers, but some of the entries may surprise you...


1. Police release e-fit of Bushy Park sex attacker

Your Local Guardian:

This was our most read story of the year by quite some distance: police release this e-fit image of a man who sexually assaulted a 21-year-old woman in Bushy Park.

The incident happened in July, when a victim fell asleep with headphones on and woke to being assaulted by the man who then made off towards the Sandy Lane Gate.


2. Teen found after going missing from Walton

Missing people stories are usually widely read on our websites because our readers take the time to share the story with their friends and family via email, Twitter and on Facebook in particular.


3. Woman who plunged from Bentall Centre in Kingston dies

Your Local Guardian:

A shocking and tragic story from two years ago was still being read widely two years later.

In January 2011 a woman died after jumping from the top of the Bentall Centre in Kingston.

 

 


4. Surrey's own Made in Chelsea comes to Elmbridge

Your Local Guardian: Surrey Hills

Elmbridge was thrust into the limelight with a new reality TV show Surrey Hills, it was announced in June. Scenes were set to be filmed in Weybridge, Esher and Cobham.


5. Girl escapes attacker in Walton by punching him in the face

You go girl. A 13-year-old girl was grabbed from behind by a man in Walton but freed herself by hitting him in the face.

The victim was walking down the road at about 10pm one evening in July when she was approached from behind by a man, who put his arm around her neck and attempted to pull her backwards.

But the girl struck the man in the face and ran away.


6. Arrests made after cannabis factory found near scene of Walton fire

Your Local Guardian:

Six people were arrested on suspicion of cultivating a class B drug, following a fire in Walton.

The flat above Glitzy Nails in Terrace Road was engulfed in flames in June.


7. Heroic teens tried to save man who drowned in Thames between Hampton and Molesey

Your Local Guardian: Shaken: The two boys are still in shock over what they saw last night

Two teenagers from West Molesey fought desperately to save a stranger from drowning after he got into trouble in August.

The teenagers, both 15, were sitting with friends in Hurst Park when they noticed a man who appeared to be stumbling and a woman walking along the pathway.


8. Man hospitalised after major house fire in Spurfield Road, West Molesey

Your Local Guardian: Fire: A series of explosions were also reported

A man was taken to hospital as firefighters tackled a burning house in West Molesey in September.

It was believed there was a gas explosion at the house in Spurfield.


9. Police investigating Cobham death after huge 'baseball bat brawl'

Police investigated wheter a  50-year-old man's death in Cobham was connected to a huge brawl involving as many as 20 people.

Residents were been told "a fight got out of hand" in Hamilton Avenue, off the Portsmouth Road.


10. Police appeal after teens attack two in Walton

Two men were taken to hospital with facial injuries after they were violently assaulted by four teenagers in Walton. The assault happened at the junction with Crown Close in November.


And finally... thank you!

Thank all those who read and commented on our articles this year.

We hope that you find our news, sport, leisure and local information service useful and entertaining and we will continue to provide the highest possible standards of reporting for our area in 2014 and beyond.

And have a happy festive season with best wishes for the New Year.

As always, if you have a story to tell, opinion to voice, or have a query, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8744 4260 or email drankin@london.newsquest.co.uk.