On Christmas Day, Marie is depressed about George, and refuses to let the twins keep a donkey they find. Paul is annoyed because he has lost the television page from his paper. Sheila is confined to bed while the others cook dinner, and Harry fears that he is having a heart attack.

On Christmas Eve, Sheila has to make a mad dash for the hospital....

Bobby is called on to assist with a case of sexual harrassment. Paul has a serious surplus of turkeys. It's time to switch on the Christmas lights at the bungalow - but will they work?

The twins are sent home from school for fighting. Annabelle and Paul view Christmas with mixed feelings. A rift develops between Terry and Michelle.

Marie meets a journalist. Heather and Stuart's plans are dashed. Bobby learns the truth about the case he is pursuing. Annabelle prepares for a dinner party, not realising that some of the guests are vegetarians.

Paul receives a lunch invitation. Marie is supported by her neighbours, and Stuart gets a surprise from Heather. Sheila is depressed when Bobby brings a woman home.

Kevin wants Edna to consider going to Gamblers Anonymous - but will Harry agree? Marie goes to see her MP - but can he help her?

Edna continues to gamble, even though it means she has to pawn her rings to raise some cash. Bobby takes on a case of unfair dismissal, and Michelle becomes disenchanted with having to look after Terry.

Terry comes home from hospital. Barry says his farewells. Edna's money worries increase, and she has to take drastic action.

Heather prepares for a dinner guest. Paul tries to convince the Board of the need to introduce external contractors. Edna has a run of bad luck with the horses.

Sandra comes out of the shower to find Harry rummaging through her drawers. When she finally allows him to go home, he finds Ralph stripping in his lounge.

When Harry reappears in the nurses' home with a donkey instead of an invtation, Pat decides to have the locks changed. Barry seeks help from Celia, but will she offer it? Michelle is reluctant to employ someone to take Terry's place while he is recovering.

Heather impresses her boss by her handling of a delicate matter on the NSAOS audit. Pat warns Harry not to turn up uninvited at the nurses' home. Barry makes a major decision, and Edna finds out that Grace has died.

Heather begins her audit of NSAOS. Bobby asks Barry to clear out the garage while he recuperates. The Crosses return from holiday, but Harry is still grumbling.

Heather realises that she is the victim of a confidence trick, but by chance she has the last laugh. Bobby is annoyed with Barry, and Sheila is worried.

Pat, Sandra and Kate throw a party. Terry and Barry hear that their shop has been burgled and hope to turn this to their advantage, but something nastier is planned for them.

Barry gets Sheila a pram, but discovers that she won't allow it in the house before the baby is born. Marie reflects on the outcome of the trial.

On the second day of his trial, George speaks in his own defence. Barry and Terry finally decide to help him, but fear they are too late.

The case against George begins, with the prosecution calling a key witness, and his chances look poor.

Paul's never-ending search for a spare part crucially depends on finding a man called Wilf. Marie asks Michelle for money to pay for George's barrister. Damon telephones Linda.

George's solicitor tries to reassure him. Paul discovers that getting a repair done late on a Friday is not easy. An elite group selected by computer includes everyone living on the Close and visiting it.

Karen refuses to spend the night with Andrew. Sheila tries to help Damon to find a job. Ralph offers Harry and Edna a cheap holiday.

Paul complains to Harry about Pat's mode of transport; but, surprisingly, Harry defends his tenants. Andrew suggests to Karen that they go away for a weekend to look at universities. Damon tells Sheila he is thinking of moving to London.

Harry confronts Pat. George receives another unexpected visitor - but will he be able to help? Things develop for Gordon and Cathy.

Cathy and Gordon plan to turn a bathroom into a darkroom. After watching their new tenants move in, the Crosses begin to suspect that one of them is a man. George reads of his heroism in the newspaper - but will Marie respect his decision not to reveal his identity?

Prospective tenants Sandra and Kate arrive at the Crosses, and Harry incorrectly assumes that the third tenant, Pat, is also female. When Linda finds out that Damon has lied, he has no girlfriend and no job.

Harry produces a questionnaire for prospective tenants to complete and tries it out on Edna, who scores 23%. Michelle wants Terry to tell his father that he is moving in with her - or, failing that, to bring his record player over.

While on a day trip, George heroically rescues a drowning child, but his glory is short-lived. Sinbad tells Edna that he didn't place her bet, and she panics because she has already given Marie her share of the winnings.

Marie suggests to Edna that George can help them move house - but Harry won't allow him to. Cathy suggests to Gordon that he has an ear pierced, so that he looks less like a bank manager.

Marie worries that George won't turn up for his court appearance - but he does, and pleads not guilty. The young lady who wrote to Gordon turns up at the Collins' house.

Gordon receives a mysterious letter from a young lady demanding money from him. A depressed George tells Marie he is going to plead guilty. Can Annabelle or Paul talk him out of it?

Tommy McArdle assures George that he shouldn't worry if he is sent down. The twins start their new school. It's Karen's 18th birthday - but will Bobby spoil it for her?

Michelle returns from London and finds out what has happened to George from Terry - the couple spend their first night at the flat. George confronts Tommy McArdle, and soon regrets it.

Celia warns Barry that he will have to mend his ways if they are to continue in business, but their problems are not over yet. Karen returns from holiday, but her lies are soon discovered.

George sees his solicitor, while Barry and Terry try to work out how they can help him. Damon and Gizzmo arrange to go to London with Yvonne and Dawn.

Damon and his mates meet up with some girls from London. Barry accidentally reveals that he knows more about George's predicament than he should. The Hardwicks visit Harry and Edna.

When prospective bungalow buyers the Prides arrive, Harry shows them round his house instead. Some familiar faces return to the Close, and one of them desperately needs a bath.

Paul advises Annabelle to keep her distance from the Jacksons, but she agrees to stand bail for George anyway. Damon tells Linda what he heard about her and Danny. Rose leaves for Ireland.

The police call on the Jacksons', and George is taken away for questioning. Rose tells Heather she is returning to Ireland, then her fiance turns up on the doorstep....

Sheila and Bobby arrange a Spanish reunion with Ken and Doreen, but it doesn't quite go according to plan. Victor is in a spot of trouble.

Bobby and Sheila receive a surprising telephone call. Michelle becomes an official partner in the tool-hire business, and Terry proposes to her - but they decide to try living together first.

Marie is concerned when George fails to return from helping to quench a big warehouse fire. Celia receives money from her father to invest in the tool-hire business.

Andrew asks Karen to go on holiday with him to the Lake District. Heather sorts out Alan's boat, and Marie voices her suspicions about Michelle and George.

Marie and Michelle prepare for their cocktail party, but at least one of them may be in for a disappointment. Barry and Terry have to make a deal with Victor - but Celia isn't satisfied with it.

Sheila has made her decision about the tests the hospital has suggested, but will Bobby agree with her? Michelle decides to train as a beautician, and Marie advises her on how to dress.

Paul makes a morbid discovery. The atmosphere at the hospital is tense. Celia and Michelle consider what to do about the tool-hire business.