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SCIENTISTS have a developed a “game-changing” new “super test” that can diagnose prostate cancer with 96 per cent accuracy.

Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy – who revealed he had terminal prostate cancer last year – has “wholeheartedly welcomed” the test after calling for men to get access to earlier and more accurate screening.

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A game-changing prostate cancer super test could spot the disease with 96 per cent accuracy[/caption]

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Sir Chris Hoy – pictured with wife Sarra Kemp – wholeheartedly welcomed the test[/caption]

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It’s maker said it was more accurate than PSA tests used by the NHS[/caption]

The test, developed by EDX Medical, can spot cancerous cells and signs of early and late-stage cancer, as well as the disease’s sub-type and whether it’s slow or aggressive.

Scientists at the digital diagnostic group say their tool is more accurate than blood tests currently offered by the NHS, known as the PSA test.

The PSA test checks for levels of prostate specific antigen in the blood – high levels can show that someone has prostate cancer, but it can also indicate other non-cancerous conditions like an enlarged prostate.

EDX Medical said it’s test measures “more than a hundred clinically validated biomarkers” – whereas current tools rely on “up to 20 biomarkers”.

Blood and urine samples are taken and sent off to a lab, where they’re analysed by scientists and an AI algorithm.

The test then takes into account PSA levels in combination with biomarkers and genetic factors to make it more accurate.

The analysis assesses specific proteins in the samples and any DNA mutations, the company said.

By compiling all of this data and using AI to sift through it, people who have prostate cancer but no symptoms are more likely to be diagnosed earlier.

EDX claimed this method can detect prostate cancer with 96 to 99 per cent accuracy across different ages and ethnic groups, whereas current testing – involving PSAs and biopsies – can be only 50 per cent accurate.

Prof Sir Chris Evans, founder and chief scientific officer of EDX Medical, described the test as “truly game-changing”, saying it could be “transformative in tackling prostate cancer in men who may have no idea if anything is wrong with them”.

He added that it would enable earlier detection and better prediction of risk, for example, because of someone’s genetics, allowing for more personalised treatment plans.

Sir Chris hailed the test, saying: “I now know there is a need for better and more accurate prostate cancer screening tests and I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative.”

The Olympic legend has previously suggested men should get prostate checks in their forties, after being diagnosed with incurable cancer aged just 48.

A “little” pain in his shoulder was the only sign of the Olympic legend’s incurable cancer, which had spread from his prostate to his bones.

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The Olympic legend announced his terminal diagnosis last year[/caption]

His statement that it was a “no-brainer” to offer prostate cancer testing to men below the current standard age of 50 prompted Health Secretary Wes Streeting to announce the Government was looking into the matter.

The NHS is now set to review its guidance for prostate cancer testing.

 In the UK, more than 50,000 mean are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and over 12,000 men lose their lives to the disease.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, as many as one in eight men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime – with black men, over 50s and people with a family history of prostate cancer most at risk.

Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United and England captain, whose mother and first wife Rebecca died of cancer, said: “Those of us who have lost a loved one to cancer and have campaigned for research and more awareness know full well the need for better and earlier testing across a range of cancers.

“Ethnic minority men not only have twice the risk of getting prostate cancer, they also have higher rates of stage 3 and 4 and more aggressive cancer.

“We know if it can be caught early these men can be mostly cured, but it’s not, and too many men are dying unnecessarily.”

Andy Taylor, guitarist with Duran Duran who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 55, also responded to news about EDX’s test, saying: “To know your prostate cancer status, stage and type and all your genetics when you were unaware there was a problem at all is a life saver and game-changer.”

The company will be seeking regulatory approval this year in both the UK and US before rolling out the product privately at the start of 2026.

It will then also make an application for it to be used on the NHS, the Telegraph reported.

It’s not the only prostate cancer screening test in development.

Imperial College London is leading a trial backed by Prostate Cancer UK to assess multiple different types of tests to identify what is the best for the NHS to use moving forward.

Prostate Cancer UK said there were “several emerging tests in development which show great promise”.

Simon Grieveson, the assistant director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, told the Telegraph: “We very much welcome advancements that may lead to more accurate and earlier diagnoses; however, many of these tests are still very early in their development and require robust testing in clinical trials before we can know with any certainty just how useful they may be.”

He said the £42 million TRANSFORM trial run at Imperial College would “investigate the best ways to screen men for prostate cancer, including looking at an individual’s genetic risk of prostate cancer”.

“We will also be establishing a vast resource of patient samples and MRI scans which will be hugely valuable in further developing and validating these novel emerging tests for the future,” he added.

Last year, charity Prostate Cancer Research called for a national prostate cancer screening programme to be rolled out across the UK.

Under such a programme, men would be checked for the disease between the ages of 50 and 69, while those at higher risk would get called in for tests from the age of 45, the charity’s head Oliver Kemp said.

There are currently national screening programmes in place to spot breast and bowel cancer, but none for prostate cancer.

A HUGE high street chain with 720 locations across the UK has shared the news that it is closing its doors.

The shop is part of a series of closures which have devastated Hanley’s high street in Stoke on Trent. 

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Google

Holland & Barrett is one of the UK’s leading health stores and is known for selling a range of vitamins, vegan food and beauty products. 

However, in increasingly hostile high street conditions, the brand’s Henley branch has chosen to relocate. 

The new store will be opening in The Potteries Centre and will open in mid-March. 

They also have stores in Tretham Shopping Village and Affinity Staffordshire. 

Ahead of the move, Holland & Barret said: “We can confirm we will be closing H&B Hanley later next month and opening our new, bigger and better store in The Potteries Centre. 

“We are delighted to be opening a larger store with an even wider range of products and an increased store team of experts to support the community on their wellness journeys. 

“We look forward to welcoming our customers from our Hanley store soon.”

The closure of the Hanley shop marks another big brand leaving the high street.

Travel company TUI left Market Square after 31 years in 2024, with locals saying that their departure was the “end of an era”. 

Shoezone closed their Hanley store in April 2024, leading one resident to say that the area was becoming a “ghost town”. 

One shopper even said: “It’s all over.”

USC also left Hanley’s high street, in April 2024, in another blow to the Staffordshire town.

According to a report by the Centre for Retail Research, an average of 37 high street shops closed every day across the UK in 2024.

Footfall fell by 2.2 per cent from 2023 meaning far fewer shoppers headed to the high street. 

Sadly, 11,341 of the closures were independent retailers. 

The Centre for Retail Research has warned that “worse is set to come in 2025”. 

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Tui closed their Hanley branch with shoppers declaring the “end of an era”[/caption]

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Shoezone also put their shutters down in Hanley[/caption]

ANY Dream Team managers unfamiliar with Omar Marmoush (£4.4m) now understand why Manchester City forked out just shy of £60million for his services in January.

The Egypt international scored a sensational hat-trick in the space of 14 minutes against Newcastle on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side recorded one of their most impressive wins of the season.

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Statement made[/caption]

Marmoush exhibited a range of finishes in a destructive first-half blitz against in-form opposition.

The Magpies had won 12 of their last 14 games in all competitions prior to their 4-0 defeat at the Etihad.

The ex-Frankfurt forward was substituted midway through the second half but the damage had already been done by that stage as the earned 26 points in one fell swoop.

Marmoush’s hat-trick is clearly the headline but it shouldn’t go unnoticed that he also notched three bonus points for his efforts in other aspects of the game.

For much of the campaign, Man City have been overly reliant on Erling Haaland (£8.1m) to score the goals and so fans will be thrilled that one of their new recruits has proven himself capable of clinical finishes.

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Marmoush is Gameweek 24’s top performer right now[/caption]

As is often the case, a sizeable chunk of Dream Team bosses have been enamoured by a hat-trick hero.

The deadline is still a few days away but Marmoush is by far and away the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 25 at this stage after a tidal wave of transfers over the weekend.

Man City will be in action again before the deadline as they’re due to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday night.

Needless to say, if Marmoush picks up an injury in the Spanish capital then many gaffers will be reversing their transfers and switching to Plan B.

More broadly, the result in Madrid will impact the viability of all Man City players going forward as they will be without European fixtures for the remainder of the season if they are unable to overturn their 3-2 loss from the first leg.

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Marmoush appears in 3.5% of teams[/caption]

Double Gameweek 25 will feature 20 fixtures in total with every Premier League side set to play twice.

This opens up all manner of options for Dream Team managers.

Marmoush’s hat-trick makes him an appealing differential as he currently features in just 3.5% of teams but City’s double header is far from favourable.

The defending champions welcome Liverpool to the Etihad next Sunday before a trip to Tottenham the following Wednesday.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have underwhelmed this season and victory over Manchester United has only lifted them up to 12th in the table but Spurs have long been a bogey team for Guardiola.

James Maddison inspired his side to a 4-0 win in Manchester back in November.

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Man City host Liverpool next Sunday[/caption]

All things considered, Liverpool and Spurs represents a tough challenge for City in Gameweek 25.

It’s not inconceivable that Marmoush will provide plentiful returns but gaffers who take a fixture-first approach will be reluctant to recruit the 26-year-old at this point in time.

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EMMERDALE has been rocked by a chilling disaster as a limo plunged into an icy lake – leaving at least three lives hanging by a thread and one villager feared dead in a shocking twist.

The ITV soap pulled out all the stops for a dramatic stunt which saw a limo full of beloved characters crash onto an icy lake.

*Major spoilers ahead for tonight’s Emmerdale*

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Charity served the limo after seeing Noah in the road[/caption]

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The limo crashed into an icy lake and is quickly sinking[/caption]

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Several Emmerdale favourites are fighting for their lives after the horror crash[/caption]

Several Emmerdale favourites were left fighting for their lives – but who made it out and who met their grisly end?

Charity Dingle, Chas Dingle and Liam Cavanagh were left sinking in the limo, alongside Leyla Harding, Amy Barton and Kerry Wyatt. 

Tracy Robinson, Vanessa Woodfield and Suzy Merton were all there too.

After the crash, the women slowly regained consciousness – but not everyone woke up.

Suzy succumbed to her injuries, and Vanessa quickly confirmed that she wasn’t breathing.

Despite Liam’s desperate attempts to revive her, Suzy was pronounced dead, leaving the group devastated.

But with the limo sinking further into the icy lake, there was no time to grieve.

Charity admitted she had swerved after seeing her son Noah in the road. Encouraged by Chas, she set off to find him and get help.

After she carefully navigated the ice, Charity discovered Noah unconscious in the woods – but will he survive?

Meanwhile, Liam led the others across the frozen lake, with Chas narrowly avoiding a deadly fall.

Vanessa and Amy followed, but disaster struck when Amy plunged into the freezing water.

Struggling to break through the ice, she fought for air – only to be met with a chilling sight beneath the surface… a dead body.

Soap sleuths are convinced they know exactly who it belongs to – but have they got it right?

Some Emmerdale viewers speculate that Ruby Milligan’s father, Anthony might still be alive and that the hand belongs to him.

In a shocking twist, it seems the past is about to resurface – quite literally.

As the ice begins to crack in upcoming Emmerdale scenes, could Anthony’s body finally be discovered, exposing Ruby and John’s dark secret?

And if so, what does this mean for Aaron, who still believes he’s the one responsible?

Did John’s secret burial spot just come back to haunt him?

Taking to a fan Facebook page, one wrote: “Just a thought but I’m not convinced Anthony is dead, like I say just a thought.”

Another added: “There’s a rumour I read from Emmerdale that Anthony has got a twin brother, and Ruby is in a bad way when she finds out.”

A third penned: “Might be Anthony that Charity hit if he wasn’t dead when John buried him? Read his body needs id’ing next week.”

A fourth said: “Could the person’s hand in the ice be Ruby’s father that was dumped by John thinking the body was at the bottom, but the crashed car has disputed the body?” 

With Kerry and Leyla still trapped in the sinking limo, will they make it out alive?

Suddenly, Liam stumbled, looking unsteady on his feet before collapsing and violently throwing up.

A worried Chas rushed to his side, holding him as she desperately called out for help.

Did he suffer an injury in the crash – or is something even more serious going on?

The ITV soap have confirmed that the end of the week will show a vigil held by grieving villagers.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.

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Suzy was confirmed dead after Liam failed to revive her[/caption]

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But can the other make it out unscathed?[/caption]

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Could Anthony’s body finally be discovered?[/caption]

A LEGENDARY restaurant that was the first of its kind to obtain three Michelin stars has quietly closed its popular London eatery.

All references to the branch seem to have been removed from the website and a subtle hint on the brand’s page also confirms the decision.

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Beloved Michelin-starred Paris eatery has suddenly closed its sister restaurant[/caption]

Café Lapérouse at the OWO in London‘s Whitehall has shut its doors after less than two years serving guests.

Situated in the central courtyard next to the iconic Raffles London, the restaurant previously offered space for 80 diners.

The fancy pavilion café opened in 2023 in the OWO, otherwise known as the historic Old War Office.

Hinting at the move, the OWO website states: “NEW CONCEPT A remarkable new dining destination is on its way to the Grand Courtyard.

“Until then, enjoy the exquisite restaurants and venues already awaiting you at The OWO.”

The website also has a new page that simply states: “A new dining outlet is coming soon.”

Listing the available dining options, the sister site to the first restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars back in 1933 is no longer advertised by the OWO.

The current options include Mauro Colagreco’s Chef’s Table, Saison, Kioku by Endo, Paper Moon, The Drawing Room, Pillar Kitchen, Langosteria and The Guards Bar.

For some of the list only hotel guests and residents have the option to book.

Café Lapérouse previously offered wines from £70 and mains up to £80.

It was one of nine restaurants planned for the building which was used by the British high command to prosecute their war against the Nazis.

The first Café Lapérouse opened in Paris in 2021 with the brand being controlled by the Moma Group.

A spokesperson for the company owners told The Standard: “Moma Group has decided not to continue operating Café Lapérouse London.

“This decision is part of a review of the group’s locations and brands, their local and international ambitions“

The outlet also reported that the site has served its last meal to guests.

Previously the restaurant received a one star hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency but this was quickly upgraded to five after a reinspection.

Reviews seemed to vary across the board with Tatler offering a sparkling description.

The Spectator write up seemed less pleased, calling the moment “fascinating”.

Rayner also described the restaurant as “dismal” and “expensive”.

The Sun has approached the Moma Group for comment.

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The fancy pavilion café opened in 2023 in the OWO, otherwise known as the historic Old War Office[/caption]

MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Dan Gore has returned to the club just two weeks after going out on loan.

Gore, 20, had been sent to join Steven Evans’ Rotherham.

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Dan Gore has returned to Man Utd from his loan at Rotherham to rehabilitate from a foot injury[/caption]

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Rotherham boss Steve Evans publicly questioned how the injury had happened[/caption]

The midfielder made his debut against Birmingham and looked sharp as he came off the bench to provide an assist.

He had then been set to feature in their next match against Shrewsbury on February 8.

However, Gore spoke to doctors the night before the match to indicate he had picked up a foot injury.

Rotherham went on to lose the tie 2-1, and Evans was stunned by his abrupt absence and made no secret of those feelings post-match.

He had said: “He worked for two days in the team and went home from training on Friday feeling good.

“I got a call from the medical staff to say that he’d woken up with his foot really sore. I’ll pick up more of it tonight [Saturday] and tomorrow [Sunday].

“It’s unbelievable. We didn’t do enough in training for him to have a sore nose let alone a sore foot. He sat there afterwards having lunch with the boys and had a rub and got prepared.

“Until I hear more from the medical staff as to how it’s happened and why it’s happened then it’s … maybe God will tell me when I go to sleep tonight.”

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Gore, who only made one appearance on loan at Port Vale last season after being riddled with injury, is believed to have suffered a hairline foot fracture during training.

The injury is set to sideline him for around one month.

He has subsequently been sent back to Man Utd to be rehabilitated before he will return to Rotherham once he is deemed fit enough.

On Gore returning to his parent club, Evans said: “I think that four full-time doctors and eight physios tells you where he should be.

“We’ve done that with other loan players in the past. Their progress is quicker because they have more medical back-up on hand. He’s in a good place there.

“The medical people say you can have a delayed reaction to it. It’s unusual for that to happen but it can happen. We have to accept that.

“I saw how much the kid was hurting when he heard he was going to be out for that four-week period or so. The reaction was genuine, he wants to play. I’m an experienced manager.

“You get a gut feeling about these things. He’s at the stage where – in the words of the coaching staff at Manchester United – he needs to be playing.”

Rotherham have since drawn 0-0 with Blackpool and lost 2-1 to Reading, leaving them 14th in the League One table with their next game being at home to Barnsley.

According to the Daily Mail, Evans’ comments about Gore are said to have “raised eyebrows” at Old Trafford.

Club chiefs are monitoring the situation amid after putting a lot of work into what they believed would be a “good landing ground” for Gore.

Gore joined the Red Devils academy in 2018 from Burnley.

He made his senior team debut in the League Cup against Crystal Palace in September 2023 before making his Premier League debut against Aston Villa three months later.

Ralf Rangnick invited him to train with the first team before he was named United Reserve Team Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season.

Gore is recognised as a bright talent due to his tenacity, technical ability and unwavering determination.

But his combative side has led to a few flare-ups in the past.

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Gore made his senior team debut in September 2023[/caption]

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Gore had a training ground bust-up with Anthony Martial in 2022[/caption]

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Gore infamously had a training ground scrap with Anthony Martial in November 2022 when much of the senior squad was away for the 2022 World Cup.

It had come after he had clattered into the Frenchman despite Erik ten Hag saying first-team tackling was off-limits.

Martial lost his temper after being sent tumbling and the pair had to be pulled apart by team-mates.

He later apologised to the youngster, but Gore was given a stern warning by Ten Hag about his aggression.

With Ruben Amorim calling up a host of youngsters for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, Gore may have counted himself unlucky to not be there.

Amorim had personally gone to watch the Man Utd Under-21s as they beat Southampton 5-1 in December.

Two goals from Jack Moorhouse were bolstered by strikes from Tyler Fletcher, Ethan Wheatley and Gore.

Moorhouse was one of the seven academy stars selected on the bench for the visit to North London with 12 senior team stars sidelined through illness or injury.

However, only Chido Obi made it onto the pitch in injury time, a move which bitterly disappointed fans.

IT’S hard to believe there are some places in Spain that Laura Hamilton hadn’t heard of before her presenting gig.

The star of A Place in the Sun has been finding holiday homes for Brits abroad for 10 years now, but admits there are still new discoveries to be made through her travels.

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Frigiliana is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain[/caption]

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The whitewash village was unknown to Laura until the Channel 4 series[/caption]

Laura told us: “There were parts of Spain that I’d not heard of, or known about before A Place in the Sun, like Frigiliana.

“It’s a beautiful whitewash village in Spain – I didn’t know how beautiful it was.”

With Laura giving us a recommendation, we had a deep dive into Frigiliana.

It turns out Laura isn’t the only one who loves it with another visitor calling the town “a little piece of paradise on the Costa del Sol“.

Frigiliana often appears in the list of Spain’s most beautiful towns and it’s not hard to see why.

It has whitewash buildings, bright blue accents, terracotta tiled rooftops and mosaic streets.

The pathways are lined with colourful plant pots full of greenery with blooming flowers like the classic Mediterranean pink bougainvillea.

The town was built on top of a hill and so it offers incredible views of the Costa del Sol and Mediterranean Sea – but that does mean it’s hilly whichever way you go.

The quaint town is found in the old quarter and is made up of steep winding streets full of shops and tapas bars.

Most of the cafes, bars and restaurants are family run. Just like Caravansar’s Coffee which has been described as a “gorgeous tiny place” that offers breakfast, brunch and snacks.

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The whole town was built on a hilltop and has very steep and winding cobbled paths[/caption]

Another TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “The food is made with love, such a homely atmosphere.”

For any sweet tooth, there’s a chocolate shop in the town that also sells bespoke chocolate, ice cream, coffee and tea.

Frigiliana Chocolates Artesanos has received rave reviews on TripAdvisor, with one person writing that they “hadn’t tasted anything like it”.

The shop allows you to taste before you buy and has interesting flavours like banana and cinnamon.

In the town, you’ll find the Church of San Antonio, which has an intricate baroque altar and beautiful artwork hidden inside.

It’s quite the climb around Frigiliana, but if you haven’t had enough then take a hike, there’s a popular trail Rio Higuerón, which leads to a waterfall.

If you want a dip in the ocean, then take a day trip down to Nerja, the seaside town is a 13-minute drive away, and only costs €1.20 (£1) on the bus from Frigiliana.

It’s a very different vibe to the quiet town of Frigiliana though.

Nerja is buzzing with tourists with lots of shops selling hats, postcards and blow-up inflatables.

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Visitors have called Frigiliana “a little piece of paradise on the Costa del Sol”[/caption]

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Laura is also very fond of Pollenca where she’s bought her first renovation project abroad[/caption]

Another place Laura hadn’t discovered before joining A Place in the Sun was Pollenca in Majorca – which has since turned out to be a big place in her life.

Laura loved Pollença so much that last year, she bought a house there and encourages everyone to visit.

She said: “I didn’t really know much about Pollença. And I definitely say that through doing the show, it’s somewhere I discovered and obviously absolutely love. You should go there!”

Last year, Laura bought her first renovation project abroad that will eventually turn into a new holiday home.

On her social media account Laura confessed the project was ‘bigger than she remembered’ when she bought the property – but works are officially underway.

Laura Hamilton

Laura is also embarking on another new project. She’s collating all of her travel stories and tips on her podcast, ‘Mile Fly Club’, which is about to return for a second series.

Interviewing celebrity guests like Bradley Walsh, Andrea McLean and Jeff Brazier, Laura will talk about their lives through travel, from their favourite destinations all the way to conspiracy theories.

Brand new episodes of A Place in the Sun broadcast weekdays at 6pm on Channel 4.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

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Laura still finds hidden gems during the Channel 4 series[/caption]

A MAP has revealed the locations hit hardest by pub closures in 2024.

Approximately six pubs shut their doors for good every week last year, leading to an estimated 4,500 job losses, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

New data from the trade body revealed that 289 pubs in England and Wales called last orders for the final time in 2024.

The figures highlighted that the West Midlands and South West bore the brunt of closures, with 38 pubs shutting down in each region over the year.

London followed closely behind, losing 34 pubs, while Yorkshire and the Humber saw the same number of closures.

The East Midlands reported 33 closures, while both the East of England and the South East saw 27 pubs close their doors.

Wales lost 19 pubs in 2024, and the North East experienced the fewest closures, with just six pubs shutting down.

The closures come amid pressure from higher borrowing costs and high energy bills for businesses, alongside a continued squeeze on household finances as mortgage and rent costs increase.

Pubs are set to come under further pressure when a raft of cost increases linked to the October Budget, such as higher National Insurance contributions and an increase in the minimum wage, come into force in April.

Employers currently pay NICs for most workers earning more than £9,100 a year.

The sum they pay is the equivalent of 13.8% of the employee’s earnings above that threshold.

For an employee earning £30,000, for example, the employer would pay NICs of £2,884.20.

But in the Budget, the Government said it would increase the tax rate to 15% and reduce the threshold at which firms must pay to £5,000.

It’s estimated that the move will raise £25billion – the equivalent of around £800 per employee for each firm.

At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour next year, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.

The trade body has warned that the cumulative impact of the Budget will create an extra £650 million in costs for the sector, worsening the outlook for publicans.

It urged the Government to overhaul the current business rates system of property tax for high street firms, including pubs, to help ease the burden on the sector.

Many firms are also due to face increased costs in April, due to a planned reduction in the business rates discount for hospitality, leisure and retail firms from 75% to 40%.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The scale of these closures is completely avoidable because pubs are doing a brisk trade.

“Consumer demand is there, however, profits are being wiped out with sky high bills and pubs are facing yet more rates and costs come April.

“We’re right behind Labour’s mission to supercharge growth and can deliver this economic boost across the UK, but only if it is easier for pubs to keep their doors open.

“Government must urgently bring in meaningful business rates reform and phase in new employment costs so pubs can keep boosting the economy, supporting local jobs, and remaining at the heart of communities.”

The latest data means that the number of pubs in England and Wales dropped from 47,613 in 2019 to 45,345 in 2024, the BBPA said.

A Government spokesman said: “Thriving pubs are often at the heart of our communities, and we’re taking action to support them by introducing a permanent, new lower business rate from 2026.

“More than half of all UK employers will either see a cut or no change in their National Insurance bills next year, and we’re doing more to support our high streets by tackling anti-social behaviour and empty properties.”

PINT PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

The price of a pint has now hit £5.08 on average across the UK, but some brands will set you back far more.

Topping the list of most expensive brands is Beavertown Neck Oil, which will cost you an average of £6.36 a pint, according to a survey by The Morning Advertiser.

The trade mag has analysed the typical costs of over 30 beer brands, spanning categories such as lager, craft, cask, and stout and found the cheapest is Tennent’s at £4.02.

Second on the most expensive list was Peroni at £6.08, followed by Asahi at £5.92 and Birra Moretti at £5.82.

At the other end of the scale, BrewDog Punk IPA is the second cheapest pint and will set you back an average of £5.64, followed by Camden Hells at £5.64.

The survey also analysed the most expensive pints by brand for each of the UK’s main regions.

In London, Peroni takes the top spot at £6.93, reflecting the capital’s higher cost of living.

In the North East, Peroni and Asahi are the priciest options, both averaging £6.15.

Meanwhile, in the North West, Heineken leads at £6.75.

Beavertown Neck Oil dominates as the most expensive pint in several regions, costing £6.58 in the South East, £6.84 in the South West, £6.70 in Scotland, and £6.38 in Wales.

In the East and West Midlands, Beavertown Neck Oil is also the priciest, but at a more modest £5.70.

Overall, The Morning Advertiser‘s price pint survey found that the average price of a pint is now 26p higher than the £4.82 reported by the Office for National Statistics in December.

Beer prices have been pushed up due to a perfect storm of rule changes, including increases to taxes on alcohol, packaging and employer costs.

The trade publication routinely examines pint prices across various regions of the country.

The most expensive region is still London, where a pint costs £6.16 on average, and the cheapest is Midlands at £4.47.

Draymond Green has been making waves throughout All-Star Weekend, taking every opportunity to criticize the NBA’s revamped format for the All-Star Game while serving as an analyst for NBA on TNT. However, it appears that Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson had heard enough, as he didn’t hold back in calling out the Golden State Warriors […]

The post Draymond Green’s All-Star Game hate ripped by Oscar Robertson appeared first on ClutchPoints.

SCOTS have been warned to brace for a brief but bitter blast of winter – as the country is set to be hit with snow and freezing rain.

A yellow Met Office warning has been issued to cover large swathes of the central belt, from Dumfries in the south to Grampian in the north.

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Scotland is set to be hit with freezing rain and snow[/caption]

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The rare warning for freezing is likely to lead to dangerous road conditions[/caption]

MET Office

The Met Office has issued a fresh warning for snow and ice[/caption]

After a largely dry but cold spell, Scotland is set to shiver tomorrow as the weather warning comes into force from 3am until noon.

Rain-bearing clouds will arrive from the west during the night, colliding with cold air which has dominated our weather for most of this month.

Low grounds will see up to a centimetre of snow flurries dusting the ground, while higher groups can expect as much as 2 inches of the white stuff.

But the rare warning for freezing rain is likely to lead to dangerous conditions on the roads and pavements.

Rain could freeze on impact, particularly in southern parts of the warning area, even on roads that have been gritted with salt.

The warning states: “Snow flurries will probably turn heavier for a time during Tuesday morning, leading to a covering of snow in some places.

“Most likely in the 0-1cm range in lowland areas, whilst 1-5cm is possible in places above 200m.

“In addition, freezing rain, especially in the southern part of the region, is likely to cause icy surfaces in a few places and could make for difficult driving conditions, even on treated roads.

“Freezing rain and snow is expected to ease by Tuesday afternoon, with conditions improving.”

Areas affected include Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, south west Scotland, Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde, including greater Glasgow.

Sunday came with a sharp reminder that – despite daffodils appearing in the east – the country is still very much in the grip of winter.

Whiteout conditions returned to the northeast, particularly on the A939 between Cock Bridge and Tomintoul in Moray.

The route is traditionally the first in the country to be affected by blizzard conditions.

The Met Office issued guidance for anyone travelling on Tuesday.

It said: “Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey.

“Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.

“If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).

“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.”