A total of 118 teams competed in the four-leg Neptune Relays, organised by Sedgefield Harriers, and held at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield yesterday evening (Wednesday, April 29).

Each runner completed a 1.7 mile course starting and finishing in the field below the park’s temple to Minerva.

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The races were held in lovely conditions under blue skies and bright evening sunshine, drawing athletes of all abilities and ages.

Competitors included leading club runners alongside newcomers taking part in a range of senior and junior categories.

This year’s event saw nearly 20 more teams than in 2025, reflecting the continued growth in popularity of running and the inclusive nature of the relays.

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 races were also notable for the return of the traditional start and finish area next to the temple to Minerva. For the previous two years the location had been moved because of ground conditions.

On this occasion, all of the runners came from clubs across the North East, Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, with particularly strong representation from the most local clubs.

Teams competed across several categories throughout the evening.

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The senior men’s race was won by Hartlepool Burn Road Harriers, while Stockton Striders Athletic Club claimed victory in the senior women’s event.

Elvet Striders won the vet 50 men’s category and Sedgefield Harriers took the vet 45 women’s title.

In the junior races, Crook Athletic Club won the boys’ competition and Sedgefield Harriers won the girls’ event. The unaffiliated teams category was won by Doxy Runners.

Here are some pictures from the event:

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The 2026 Neptune Relays at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Sedgefield Harriers said the event could only take place with the support of volunteers, the team at Hardwick Park and Durham County Council, which allowed the club to stage the relays in the park.

For more information about Sedgefield Harriers and its events visit www.sedgefieldharriers.co.uk or the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sedgefieldharriers.

Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) got quite the shock in Emmerdale this evening, as he spotted someone from Celia Daniels’ (Jaye Griffiths) farm who he believed was dead.

Bear is currently in prison, days away from a trial that’ll see him questioned regarding his murder of Ray Walters (Joe Absolom). His son Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) will also take to the stand, as will Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle), both charged for perverting the course of justice.

The trio are aware that the possibility of them all being found innocent is slim right now. The evidence against Bear is pretty damning, and the fact Paddy and Dylan spent so long covering up the murder and lying to the police certainly doesn’t make them look like two innocent men caught up in a nightmare.

They haven’t been holding onto a lot of hope – but that all changed in tonight’s instalment.

Paddy was back in the prison visiting room to see his dad. He hasn’t seen Bear in a few weeks, due to him being put in solitary confinement after an angry outburst.

As they chatted, Bear’s eyes wandered and he spotted a familiar face in the background speaking to another inmate.

The man was Simo (Steven Gidwaney), who worked as a slave on the farm alongside Bear and the other vulnerable adults.

Towards the end of last year, Simo and Mick (Leon Harrop) plotted an escape and asked Bear for his help. At the time, the abuse Bear was suffering meant he believed Ray and Celia weren’t actually doing anything wrong by keeping the men and women on the farm, and chose to stop Simo and Mick from leaving.

Bear alluded to Ray that something was up, and he caught Simo and Mick in the middle of their plan. Simo then disappeared, with Ray telling Bear that he had gone to work on another farm.

Up until today, Bear believed that Ray had Simo killed – so he was full of mixed emotions seeing him again. Once Paddy was updated, he realised that if Simo was brought up to speed on Bear’s case, he could give evidence at the trial and assist.

Outside, Paddy asked Simo for help, but he gently said no. He told Paddy that he’s got his life back on track now, and doesn’t want to risk falling apart by recalling his ordeal.

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Next week, Simo will change his mind and appear in court, but his statement has a detrimental effect on Bear, who is far more fragile than anyone in the courtroom truly realises.

He sinks into a dark place, and all hope seems lost.

Bear needs a miracle – will he find one?

MORE: Emmerdale spoilers: April utterly broken as she ends up in traumatic trial turmoil

MORE: Mandy’s shocking idea leaves Paddy disgusted in Emmerdale – and he storms out

MORE: Bear erupts at police as he is hit with the most appalling accusation yet in early Emmerdale ITVX release

The attacks on the two “visibly Jewish” people in Golders Green are inexcusable – the situation in Gaza should have no bearing on the fate of two innocent civilians in London.

The dangers that Jewish people are facing, from firebombed ambulances to the deaths at the Manchester synagogue, are down to racism. They should be called out as such and there is never any justification for racism in any form.

Keir Starmer quickly announced £25m for additional police patrols around Jewish synagogues, schools and community centres to show that he is taking the problem seriously but really these are 25 million condemnations of the state of Britain today. In this great, tolerant, welcoming country, we shouldn’t need police patrolling schools and places of worship to keep people – to keep children – safe as they go about their lawful business.

While the government can do much to address the problem, this is both an international infection and a grassroots condition. It feeds off the way the world is violently divided at the moment but it also comes from the hatred we see on the marches, on social media and in our bitterly divided politics.

As individuals, we can’t do much to influence world affairs, but we can call out the racism – the hatred of people who are different to us – that is creeping all around us.

The actor joined the ITV soap as Kammy Hadiq last year

Emmerdale star Shebz Miah declared love for fans of the ITV soap as he issued an “adore” message on his social media.

Actor Shebz Miah quickly won viewers over when he made his Emmerdale debut last year as Kammy Hadiq. Upon arriving in the Dales, Kammy soon connected with Sarah Sugden and the two had a short-loved fling.

Since then, he’s been working at Barton and Dingle Automotives and although he and Belle Dingle appeared to have something promising, their budding romance was also cut short.

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He has become close friends with Vinny Dingle and even helped him to process his sexuality, but apart from that not too much is known about Kammy’s background or family.

After quickly becoming a favourite with the Emmerdale fans, Shebz took to his Instagram to answer some questions. As someone asked “how much do you love the Emmerdale fans”, Shebz was quick to respond.

He penned: “Adore each and every single one of you and I truly mean it” followed by a red heart emoji. He went onto tease that there will be more Kammy and Belle scenes coming up, as well as praising co-star Mike Parr.

The actor recently teased: “We do look into Kammy’s past and we are going to learn more about his family history. Honestly, it was a mixture of emotions [when I found out].

“There was a lot of relief, there was happiness, but then there is also a tragic side to it as well. There’s some tragedy in there, but it all makes sense. There’s a reason why he’s so cheery and charismatic.”

Shebz added: “For the first part of my journey at Emmerdale, we were still snowballing ideas back and forth. Myself, the producers, the writers, we were all trying to understand what’s going on.

“However, I have just come back from a chat with the producer and what she said to me is something that I didn’t imagine. I was like: ‘Okay, this is going to be interesting!’”

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.

Charles and Camilla have visited the United States in the midst of difficult diplomatic relations with the UK and the trip appears to have been a success, especially for whisky distillers

Donald Trump says he will be removing tariffs on whisky from the UK in honour of King Charles‘ visit to the US.

Charles and Camilla have visited the United States in the midst of difficult diplomatic relations with the UK, where Donald Trump has been vociferous in his criticism of Sir Keir Starmer and the lack of support for the war in Iran.

But it appears that the trip by the royals has been a success – especially for whisky distillers.

Trump wrote on Truth Social said that he would be removing the tariffs involving Scotland’s distilleries working with Kentucky on whisky and bourbon. And he said he would be doing it due to the King and Queen while adding it was an honour for them to visit.

He stated: “In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.

“People have wanted to do this for a long time, in that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used. The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking! A wonderful Honor to have them both in the U.S.A. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Trump hailed the King as “the greatest king in my book” when he said farewell to his guest as the state visit drew to a close. Charles and Camilla visited the White House for the final time to say goodbye to the president and first lady Melania Trump, waiting at the historic building’s South Portico overlooking the famous lawns.

As the foursome posed for a picture in front of the gathered media, Trump pointed at Charles and told the press: “He’s a great king. The greatest king in my book.”

The president has heaped praise on “fantastic” Charles and the UK’s historical ties with the US throughout the four-day state visit and at one point was photographed affectionately touching the King’s knee.

The Manchester United forward missed the 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford earlier this week

Matheus Cunha has returned to training ahead of Sunday’s clash with Liverpool, handing Manchester United a major boost in their push for Champions League qualification. The Brazilian, who missed sessions last week, marked the moment by posting on social media.

After complaining of a sore hip flexor, the forward did not recover in time to face Brentford on Monday. Before sitting out the win over Brentford, Cunha had started 10 consecutive games for United under Michael Carrick.

However, he was previously substituted with nine minutes remaining after scoring the only goal in the victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. There had already been hope that Cunha might return to face Arne Slot’s side, and United’s latest social media post appears to reinforce that optimism.

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In a training post shared by United’s official account, Cunha was seen back on the grass with his team‑mates. The caption read: “Look who’s back in training!,” which the Brazilian later shared on his Instagram story.

Before the 2-1 home win over Brentford, Carrick told Sky Sports: “He just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game. It looked promising during the week, but he didn’t recover in time as we’d hoped. It’s nothing too serious but, unfortunately, he misses out.”

Cunha’s place in the starting XI was taken by Amad, while Carrick was also boosted by the return of Patrick Dorgu to a matchday squad for the first time in just over three months. Cunha had replaced Dorgu on the left wing when the 21‑year‑old suffered a hamstring injury against Arsenal in January.

That was only Carrick’s second game in charge, and Dorgu had scored in both before picking up the injury. Leny Yoro also returned to the bench after missing the win at Chelsea with a hip problem.

Prior to his setback, Cunha had been in strong form for United, registering four goal contributions in his last six league appearances.

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United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, facing Liverpool as they look to move closer to securing European qualification. A win for the visitors, however, would close the gap and bring them level on 61 points.

With five Premier League teams qualifying for the Champions League this season, United can only be denied a place by Brighton or Bournemouth, who sit sixth and seventh respectively. Carrick’s side would need to lose all of their remaining matches for Bournemouth to have any chance, and Andoni Iraola’s team would still require four wins from their own fixtures.

One more United victory would ensure Brighton can no longer catch them, with the south‑coast club only able to reach 62 points. Likewise, two draws would be enough to put United out of reach on 63 points.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

People are leaving their employer-based health insurance plans for cheaper coverage as costs soar.

Employees paid $6,850 on average towards coverage in 2025 – up nearly $1,300 from 2020, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

Jessica Balcerzak, a 33-year-old nurse in Buffalo, New York, told the outlet she saved more than $10,000 a year by dropping her employer’s family health insurance coverage in favor of a low-cost alternative option.

The percentage of employees on employer-based healthcare plans fell from 64 percent in 2020 to 61 percent in 2025, healthcare research firm KFF reported last year.

This drop is also a problem for companies – they rely on healthy people with fewer claims paying into group coverage to cover the cost of sick people with more claims. It typically results in sicker policyholders paying higher premiums, according to research university Johns Hopkins in a January report.

Worries over health insurance costs aren’t limited to employer plans, either – they carry over into the Health Insurance Marketplace, the Obama-era coverage offered to those who can’t get a policy through their employer.

Those with Marketplace coverage described their insurance as “fair” or “poor” when it comes to their monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, according to an April analysis by KFF.

Options for cheaper health insurance are relatively sparse for those who can’t afford employer or Marketplace coverage.

Short-term health insurance coverage can be cheaper than Marketplace plans but has drawbacks. They tend to have high deductibles, which means higher out-of-pocket costs for policyholders. They don’t have to follow Affordable Care Act coverage rules, either, which means they can deny care for people with pre-existing conditions.

Then there are cost-share cooperatives, programs which pool together premiums and use them to pay for medical costs. However, there’s often a minimum cost for coverage and pre-existing conditions may be excluded.

The problem is likely to get worse from here. A 2025 Congressional Budget Office report predicts recent policy changes to Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace will lead to 14 million people going uninsured by 2034.

Yet cost-based decisions to drop health insurance could backfire on consumers. Some 59 percent of uninsured adults have problems paying medical costs, compared to 30 percent of insured adults, KFF found. Another 62 percent of uninsured adults are likely to carry medical debt compared to 44 percent of insured adults.

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Earlier this month a number of strikes were carried out on oil infrastructure in the city of Tuapse on the Black Sea, leading to significant oil spills. On local Telegram chat groups, people shared photos of oil slicks in the sea, black puddles on the road and stray animals covered in oily droplets.

In an Instagram post, Social Bite shared images of the charity’s founder John Littlejohn with Clooney and Geldof, with a caption reading: “George Clooney, prior to his address at the 4th annual Gleneagles Gala Dinner for Social Bite, checking out one of the prototype homes from the new Social Bite Village with the charity’s founder, Josh Littlejohn and Sir Bob Geldof.”

The application for the homes on the site of Willow House, in Long Lane Close near Walmgate, have been recommended for approval by York Council planning officers.

Plans from the council stated the development would see the brownfield site transformed to create a new neighbourhood.

Two objections have been lodged claiming the development would cause parking problems and be too close to existing homes.

The application are set to go before the council’s Planning Committee on Thursday, May 7.

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It follows the approval of the demolition of Willow House, which was built in the 1970s, in March to make way for the new homes.

Six of the homes will have three bedrooms, 19 two bedrooms and 11 one, with three fifths offered for social rent and two fifths sold through shared ownership schemes.

The homes would have 117 residents in total at full occupancy.

Plans from the council, drawn up by Mikhail Riches, stated the development would also feature play spaces, an orchard, outdoor communal area, car-free ‘living streets’ and private back gardens.

The homes would be built next to a section of York’s bar walls.

The site is one of five earmarked for a total of 315 affordable homes by the council which are part of efforts to build 600 overall.

Homes at Willow House would be built to Healthy Homes England Standards following a recent council decision to move away from Passivhaus designs which have struggled to attract commercial interest.

An impression showing how some of the 36 homes planned on the site of the former Willow House care home, in Long Lane Close, York, could look (Image: City of York Council/Mikhail Riches)

Plans stated the development would provide much-needed affordable homes for the city.

The application stated: “The site is underutilised brownfield land, formerly occupied by the now vacant care home. It also includes garages and storage structures to the north and west of the main building, as well as the associated access and landscaped areas.

“The development would create a new mixed-use neighbourhood with a new and enhanced public realm, high-quality landscaping and play spaces, and a much improved pedestrian environment, all whilst retaining the significance of the adjacent historic York Walls and important views toward the city centre from these.”

The two objections to the plans claimed the development would result in the loss of trees and other plants and the new homes would be too close to existing ones.

They also claimed visitors to the homes would exacerbate parking problems in the area and called for commercial space to be included on the ground floor of the development.