That said, thankfully, gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has shared simple advice to discourage the rodents from making themselves at home outdoors.

This time of year is ideal for rats, as it’s peak breeding season and they’re actively seeking food and shelter – both of which many gardens unintentionally provide.

However, there is an easy way to make your plot less appealing.

Alan suggests keeping the lawn closely mown so rats have fewer places to hide, reducing the chances of them settling in.

Alan Titchmarsh’s tips for getting rid of rats:

He said in a video of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine: “Rats are furtive. They like cover and shelter.

“They do not like close-mown grass where they can be seen. They much prefer it longer.”

The simple change of staying on top of cutting your grass can make a huge difference in stopping rats from coming into your garden.

Alan added, “If you have got long grass everywhere, that gives them access.

“Cut it short, have a stripe or two if you want, and that way you can see, no rats.”

Alan said: “Most gardeners, myself included, love encouraging garden birds, so bird feeders are everywhere in this garden. But, they can also be a magnet for rats.”

If you have a compost heap, that can also be a huge draw for rats.

Alan’s own compost heap is made from solid wood with steel sheeting lining the inside.

He said, “Hopefully that goes right down to the ground.

“They can burrow underneath it, but I am really reducing their ability to get in with ease. That’s a start, make the heap with good, strong sides.”

Alan explained you need to be careful about what goes into the compost heap.

He said: “Don’t put processed food, anything you have cooked, any meat, any potatoes.

“Don’t do that because it’s just an absolute open invitation for rats.”

Instead, Alan suggests putting in mouldy apples as they rot down quickly and any green clippings from the garden.”

Do you find rats troublesome? Let us know in the comments

Eligible state pensioners aged 75 or over on Pension Credit can qualify for a free TV licence, cutting their annual £180 bill to £0

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit can slash BBC TV licence costs to nothing for state pensioners who satisfy particular conditions. A TV licence now stands at £180 annually following a £5.50 rise on April 1, or £60.50 each year for those with a black and white television set.

Another price increase is scheduled for April 2027, as the UK Government determined the TV licence fee would rise with inflation for the remainder of the Charter period, which extends until the end of 2027. This year, the licence fee has increased in line with inflation as mandated by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, and will rise again according to CPI inflation next April.

Households require a TV licence to watch or record programmes on a television, computer or other device on any channel or service as they are broadcast – including on-demand BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. However, eligible pensioners can sidestep the licence fee entirely, effectively reducing bills to £0 courtesy of one DWP benefit: Pension Credit.

Pension Credit delivers additional money to state pensioners on a low income. Following a 4.8% increase on April 6, the benefit is now valued at an average of £4,300 annually.

Under the new April 2026/27 rates, single claimants can supplement their income to £238 weekly, or their combined weekly income to £363.25 if they have a partner, reports the Express. However, claiming Pension Credit also grants access to a range of additional financial support, including a free TV licence for those aged 75 or above.

Commenting on the Pension Credit uplift this month, the DWP said: “Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licenses. Between 2026 and 2027, the government will provide a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits.”

According to the DWP, applying for Pension Credit takes just 16 minutes on average, and for those who qualify, the benefit can unlock thousands of pounds in additional support. Those already in receipt of Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence upon turning 74, though payments must continue until the end of the month preceding their 75th birthday, after which the free licence takes effect.

For pensioners who do not meet the Pension Credit eligibility requirements, alternative options exist to reduce or eliminate their TV Licence fee entirely.

TV Licensing advises cancelling your TV Licence if you no longer watch live television on any channel, TV service, or streaming platform, or use BBC iPlayer. Those who fall into this category may also be entitled to a refund if, before their licence expires, they will not be undertaking any of the following:

• watching TV on any channel, like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
• watching TV on pay TV services, like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV
• watching live TV on streaming services, like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
• using BBC iPlayer

This encompasses recording and downloading programmes on any device. However, for those who still require a TV Licence, there are further avenues to help bring down the cost. Residents of care homes, supported housing or sheltered accommodation may be eligible for a reduced fee TV Licence. Those who are severely sight impaired and can provide relevant documentation are entitled to apply for a 50% discount. However, if neither circumstance applies, the full rate will be payable.

For those who do not qualify for Pension Credit or a reduced fee TV Licence, there are still several ways to cut costs. TV Licences are issued per household rather than per individual, meaning that those sharing a property do not each require their own licence and can split the cost between them.

A single TV Licence can be shared across an entire household, provided residents watch television in a communal area or hold a joint tenancy agreement. Those with separate tenancy agreements who watch TV in their own rooms, however, will each need to obtain their own licence.

It is also worth noting that a TV Licence is not required to access streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney Plus, on-demand services including All 4 and Amazon Prime Video, video-sharing sites such as YouTube, or physical media such as DVDs and Blu-rays.

Those content to limit their viewing to these options, while refraining from watching or recording live television or BBC iPlayer, could save themselves £174.50. Be warned, however — watching or recording live TV without a valid licence can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

It might be a small country, but the UK has somewhere for every traveller to explore.

There’s crumbling castles and seaside towns, or vibrant cities and rural landscapes that will take your breath away.

And now, TripAdvisor has released their Summer Travel Index for 2026, which reveals the trending destinations among British travellers this summer.

For those who are looking for a staycation, the fastest growing destination is Grasmere, in Cumbria.

Located in the heart of the Lake District, the picturesque village often gets overlooked for its more popular neighbours, such as Windemere and Ambleside.

But for those who have visited Grasmere, it leaves quite the impression.

Lonely Planet founder, Tony Wheeler, once called the village an ‘absolutely a beautiful corner of the world,’ and it’s been the muse for writers and poets for centuries.

Most famously, Grasmere was the home of William Wordsworth, who dubbed it ‘the fairest place on Earth.’

The TripAdvisor ranking was worked out by looking at searches made by British travellers in the UK between February and April this year, for travel between June and August.

While Grasmere claimed the top spot, second place went to Carbis Bay, in Cornwall.

Belfast took bronze, and another Lake District favourite, Bowness, came in fourth. Portrush, in Northern Ireland, placed a respectable fifth.

Perhaps a little more surprisingly though, Coventry ranked as the sixth trending destination, doing the West Midlands proud.

Things to do in Grasmere

Nestled just north of Grasmere Lake, and surrounded by mountains, the village can count some pretty big names as fans, who have all inspired by the majestic surroundings.

John Constable and William Turner both painted here, Sting reportedly owns a cottage in the village, and even Taylor Swift gave it a nod in her song The Lakes, when she sings ‘tell me what are my words worth/take me to the lakes.’

Poet William Wordsworth’s home, Dove Cottage is perhaps the place’s most popular tourist attraction, with tickets costing just £8 for a full day.

You can experience his home as it had been 200 years ago, as well as wander around the beautiful gardens. Wordsworth described Dove Cottage as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’, so it’s certainly worth a trip.

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You can also head to St Oswald’s Church, at the centre of the village, which dates back to the 13th century, and is the poet’s final resting place.

Another of Wordsworth’s former residences, Allan Bank is a popular National Trust property. But instead of antique furniture, the home is full of artworks, as well as opportunities to take in the views — you might even spot some red squirrels.

Of course, a trip to the English countryside isn’t complete without enjoying a cuppa and cake at a tea room.

Baldry’s is popular among locals and visitors, serving the community for 25 years. They bake fresh bread and cakes on site every morning, and use locally sourced ingredients.

No matter how many sweet treats you eat though, you’ve still got to head to The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Not quite the biscuit you’ll be familiar with, this is a cross between a biscuit and a cake, invented way back in 1854.

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While the shops claims to offer ‘the best gingerbread in the world’, you don’t just need to take their word for it. Renee Zellweger, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise have all been spotted here, and even the King has given it a try.

And of course, Grasmere is the perfect spot for those who love the great outdoors.

Hire a boat and take a gentle row around Grasmere Lake. Boats cane be hired from Faeryland for just £25 for one hour, for four people.

For something a little more adventurous, you can also canoes, kayak, paddleboard and even swim.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, there’s also plenty of walking routes around the lake, and up into the hills.

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Perhaps the most famous is the Coffin Route — which isn’t quite as scary as it sounds.

The historic trail links Grasmere to another cute village, Ambleside, and is so-called as it was traditionally used to carry coffins across the countryside.

And, if you’re heading to Grasmere in the warmer summer months, don’t miss Sour Milk Ghyll, a waterfall that makes for the perfect wild swimming spot.

Exploring is thirsty work, so be sure to end your visit to the village at Grasmere Brewery, where you can sample their very own craft beer, as well as whisky, gin and vodka.

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You can also enjoy a distillery tour and tasting, but be sure to book ahead.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: London’s hidden woodland garden is so beautiful photos ‘can’t do it justice’

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Sarah will deliver a handwritten version of the letter to the Prime Minister later on Wednesday

A Co Fermanagh teenager has issued a heartbreaking plea to the Prime Minister of the UK to help her mother, who is battling one of the most prevalent, but insufficiently funded types of cancer.

Sarah Flanagan, 13, will stand with her mother, Martina Flanagan, 46, from Ballinamallard, alongside 22 women from across the UK, standing in silence at Westminster today, Wednesday, April 22, to symbolise the 22 women diagnosed daily with lobular breast cancer.

Martina’s 13-year-old daughter, Sarah, has penned a letter to the Prime Minister demanding urgent research into a disease that has left her mother in relentless pain and compelled her to give up her teaching career. Sarah will hand-deliver the letter to Downing Street.

Diagnosed last year with stage 4 metastatic lobular breast cancer, Martina’s condition has spread to her lymph nodes and bones. At the time, her three children were just 8, 10 and 11. She now faces the daily uncertainty of living with an incurable illness.

Approximately 8,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with lobular breast cancer annually – representing around one in seven breast cancer cases – making it the second most prevalent form of the disease. Despite this, campaigners argue it receives no dedicated government funding for research.

13-year-old Sarah Flanagan will deliver a handwritten version of the letter below to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, April 22, where she outlines the need for research into lobular breast cancer and the need for treatments to help her mother and others like her.

Here’s what Sarah had to say:

Dear Prime Minister,

My name is Sarah, I am 13. I live with my Mummy, Daddy and my two younger brothers. They mean a lot to me, I love them very much.

Last year, after going on holiday, we found out that my mummy had Stage 4 lobular breast cancer. I wasn’t sure how to feel about this, but I was aware that it was very serious. It has affected my entire family in many ways. It has been hard to watch my mummy go from going to her job as a teacher every day with a smile on her face, to not being able to get through a full day without having to go back to bed. My mummy is tired a lot of the time and has pain in her bones. This has been extremely upsetting for us all.

Though my mummy is trying to make a difference. For months, she has been telling me about the Lobular Moon Shot Project, which is based on trying to get money to fund research because lobular breast cancer doesn’t have a specific treatment. This means a lot to me, because I want my mummy to be able to spend more time with my family and for other children not to feel the same uncertainty and stress I felt when I found out my mummy was sick.

Please could you support funding for research into lobular breast cancer? It could save lives, give families more time together and bring hope to people going through the same thing as my mummy.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my letter.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Flanagan.

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Six-year-old Quincy gave birth to five healthy lambs on Saturday (April 18), on the Swinton Estate near Masham.

Landowner Mark Cunliffe-Lister said he has “never seen anything like it before” after more than 30 years of lambing experience.

Landowner Mark Cunliffe-Lister with Quincy and five lambs. (Image: Mark Cunliffe-Lister)

Mark, who looks after a flock of 20 sheep, said he was expecting a routine delivery before he quickly realised something unusual was happening.

He said: “Normally we might have the odd triplets, but generally it’s twins or singles. I was keeping an eye on her and thought she had two, which was fine.

“Then there was a third, and I went back in and came out again and found four. I was thinking, gosh, I’ve never seen that happen.

“Then suddenly she had a fifth one. We really weren’t expecting that to happen at all.

“I’ve worked in lambing when I was younger and seen triplets, but this is the most I’ve ever seen.”

Mark said that despite the “one in a million event”, all five lambs were born safely.

However, because a ewe would struggle to feed five lambs, three of the newborns were taken to a local farmer where they could be fed, while the other two remaining lambs stayed with the mother.

While multiple births are not uncommon in sheep, four sheep are considered to be a rare occurrence, and quintuplets are considered exceptionally rare with a “one in a million” chance, according to farmers.

The landowner said: “Thankfully all of them are doing really well.

“The ewe is back out with the others, and the lambs are healthy, which is the good news.

“They’re all growing as they should and are now happily grazing in the field.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Alan Osmond, the eldest member of the chart-topping family act The Osmonds, died Monday after decades with multiple sclerosis. He was 76.

According to a family spokesperson, Alan’s wife, Suzanne Osmond, and their eight sons were with him at his home in Lehi, Utah, at the time of his death. Prior to his passing, Alan used a wheelchair and spent a week in intensive care before returning home Thursday on hospice.

A talented songwriter and performer, Alan Osmond helped write some of the Osmond Brothers’ biggest hits, including “One Bad Apple,” “Crazy Horses” and “Are You Up There?”

Born in Ogden, Utah, on June 22, 1949 and raised in a Mormon household, Alan Osmond’s storied musical career began in the 1950s, when he and his brothers Wayne, Merrill and Jay formed a barbershop quartet. He was the oldest of the performing group and the third oldest of his siblings.

The brothers worked the state fair circuit in Utah until a visit to Disneyland led to a television debut on “Disney After Dark” in 1962.

The group became regulars on “The Andy Williams Show,” where they made their name and forged their wholesome and peppy image, peaking as a quintet in the early 1970s, as younger brother Donny Osmond became the breakout star. In 1971, the Osmonds tallied nine gold records, surpassing single-year bests by Elvis and the Beatles.

In the mid-to-late 1970s, Alan became a principal producer on ABC’s hit television show “The Donny and Marie Show,” starring his brother and sister.

The original Osmond Brothers — Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay — returned to the stage in 1982 as a country group and had a handful of hits, including “I Think About Your Lovin.’” At the time, Alan told The Associated Press he switched from recording rock to country music because it better fit their wholesome image.

“Country music really is the backbone of America,” he said. “It doesn’t just come and go. And we’re kind of flag-wavers. You find that in the country area, too.”

In 1987, Alan Osmond was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). It caused him to retire from performing with his family.

His brother Wayne Osmond died at the age of 73 in 2025 after having a stroke.

“He is my hero,” Doug Osmond, one of Alan’s sons, told The Associated Press over the phone Tuesday. “I’ve never met anyone more positive in my life. I never once heard him complain, not once. He would say, ‘I may have MS, but MS does not have me.’ That was his motto and he always was worried about everyone else. … Family always took priority and his faith was in everything he did.”

In terms of his musical accomplishments, Doug recalled witnessing other famous musicians gush over his father. “I saw that with Steven Tyler, I saw that with Brad Paisley. I saw that with Justin Timberlake and Donnie Wahlberg,” he said. “They all knew of his genius and ability.”

In a statement on social media Tuesday, Donny Osmond called Alan Osmond his “protector” and “guide,” saying he was “the one who quietly carried so much responsibility so the rest of us could shine.”

Merrill Osmond also paid tribute in a social media post, explaining that he saw his ailing brother two days prior.

“We talked as brothers do, heart to heart. He was struggling, but when I shared a joke or two, he found the strength to chuckle … and then he smiled,” he wrote on Facebook. “I need you to know this … he has not left me. I have felt him. I have felt his quiet encouragement telling me to keep going … to keep building faith … to keep sharing light.”

Alan is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his eight sons, Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, Jon, Alex, and Tyler; 30 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers Virl, Tom, Merrill, Jay, Donny and Jimmy; and sister Marie.

Service plans are forthcoming.

Good evening and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Brighton & Hove Albion vs Chelsea from the Amex Stadium.

The pressure continues to build on Chelsea and their manager Liam Rosenior ahead of their match tonight.

Chelsea are coming off the back of a 1-0 defeat at home on Saturday, against a Manchester United side with a makeshift defence.

That was their fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, and their fourth consecutive league game without a goal.

The loss dealt a blow to their already stuttering Champions League hopes, and they begin tonight’s game in sixth place, seven points behind Liverpool in fifth. Missing out on the tournament next season could lead to an unwanted exodus of some of their biggest stars, with Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez already linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge.

If Chelsea were to suffer another defeat tonight, there would likely be doubts over whether Rosenior will still be the man in charge of the team for the weekend’s FA Cup semi-final tie against Leeds United.

Brighton, meanwhile, are enjoying some decent form under Fabian Hurzeler. A late 2-2 draw earned in north London against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend means they are unbeaten in four matches, with five wins coming in their last seven league games.

Brighton are in ninth place on 47 points, meaning a win for the home side would see them leapfrog Chelsea and climb into sixth spot in the league table.

Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro all left Brighton over recent years to join Chelsea, so the home side’s fans would likely find the chance to go above them in the table especially satisfying.

In September, Brighton travelled to Chelsea for the reverse fixture, and won 3-1 against a side headed up by Enzo Maresca. He departed at the turn of the year. Could Rosenior be on his way before the season is over?

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said his team’s performance was both “indefensible” and “unacceptable” as he faced angry chants from his own supporters for the first time.

The chants began when Chelsea fell 1-0 behind at the Amex Stadium, with the visitors having barely registered an attempt on goal, before they eventually succumbed to a 3-0 defeat on Tuesday night.

It was a worrying display and a further dip in performance given Chelsea did not mount a shot on goal until the 40th minute and were error-prone defensively.

Chelsea extend an unwanted run of five consecutive defeats without scoring, their worst such sequence since 1912.

Rosenior said: “It was unacceptable in every aspect of the game, unacceptable in our attitude. I keep coming out and defending of the players.

“That’s indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the amount of duels that we lost, the lack of intensity in the team. Something needs to change drastically right now.

“I think the players as well need to have a look in the mirror for what they put in. You can talk about tactics, tactics come after the basics. Having more courage to play, winning duels, winning headers, tackles, conceding terrible goals. That was an unacceptable performance tonight.”

It played out in front of influential co-owner Behdad Eghbali and the club’s sporting directors on the south coast, where Rosenior began his coaching career.

As a result, questions will grow over whether the Englishman can continue in the dugout in the long term, with a last chance to save the season to come in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Leeds on Sunday.

Seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, having played a game more, Chelsea‘s Champions League hopes look in tatters and there are questions about whether the head coach, the players or the fans are on the same page.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said crews were called to the Pioneer Mill fire on Milltown Street at around 7.15pm, initially deploying eight fire engines and three specialist appliances from across Greater Manchester.

Crews arrived quickly and used jets and turntable ladders to tackle the fire, while residents nearby were urged to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed due to a large plume of smoke.

Large plumes of smoke were drifting towards Radcliffe town centre (Image: Phil Taylor)

Pictures from the scene showed thick black smoke rising from the derelict building, with multiple fire engines in attendance as crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

Greater Manchester Police also attended and blocked access to the street.

One officer at the scene said: “We have blocked access points as there could be a potential risk of asbestos.”

An eyewitness said the area around Milltown Street had been completely sealed off, adding: “It is not possible to see the fire from where the police cordon is.”

(Image: Phil Taylor)

They added that four ambulances and two rapid response units were on standby, while a technical rescue unit and a fire truck later left the scene.

Another witness said the fire appeared to be “on its way down” by around 9.20pm and was “not as big as the previous Pioneer Mill fire,” although they reported hearing small explosions, possibly caused by aerosols inside the building.

(Image: Phil Taylor)

Councillor Ken Simpson, of Radcliffe First, who had been at the scene since around 7.30pm, said there had been long-standing concerns about the building.

He said: “There has been a fire at Pioneer Mill before, but the fire service haven’t released a report on this incident yet.

“There have been major concerns about the building for some time, including breaches of fire regulations. After the previous fire, prohibition notices were issued by Bury Council and the fire service.

“All stock is still inside, and a number of small businesses operate from the structure.

“From what I can see around 10 to 12 tenants have been affected and are unable to access their units due to the prohibition notice.

“They were hoping the fire service would allow access, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened.

“I’ve spoken to a few tenants this evening, people are really scared about the impact on their businesses.

“Many are small operations, some already affected by a previous fire, and a number are uninsured. It’s going to be very difficult for those affected.

“The smell of fumes is quite strong, and smoke is drifting into the town centre, staying low to the ground. It’s been windy all day, but that’s dropped off now, so it’s hanging about.

“There are approximately 14 fire engines here, along with two aerial platforms and numerous generators.

(Image: Phil Taylor)

“The building itself has no power or water supply, so crews are generating their own power and pumping water in.

“The pressure doesn’t seem very strong, and they’re using multiple pumps. From where I am, I can’t see visible flames now, but I’m some distance away.

“My main concern is for the small businesses affected, particularly given ongoing fire safety issues at the site.

“In my view, the building should be closed. This appears to be a long-term issue with a lack of maintenance and oversight by the landlord, with problems going back decades.

“There have been inspections since the last fire, but clearly this incident has still caught everyone out.”

At the height of the incident, witnesses estimated that up to 14 fire engines, two aerial platforms and numerous support units were in attendance.

By around 10.25pm, witnesses said the fire and smoke had significantly reduced, although some GMFRS crews and police remained at the scene.

(Image: Phil Taylor)

The latest incident follows a major blaze at the Pioneer Mill site in September, which caused significant damage and left a firefighter seriously injured and in hospital after a wall collapsed on them.

The cause of Tuesday night’s fire has not yet been confirmed, and crews remain in attendance to monitor the scene.

Residents are continuing to be advised to avoid the area while emergency services carry out their work.

Liam Rosenior: “By far. By far. That as unacceptable in every aspect of the game. Unacceptable in attitude. I keep coming out and defending the players, that was indefensible, that performance tonight. The manner of the goals we conceded, the duels that we lost. Something has to change drastically right here, right now.”