LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government is in turmoil and the man many think could save it isn’t even eligible for the job.

Not yet, at least, though a path is now open for Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, to try to unseat beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

It’s far from a sure thing, as there would be big hurdles to clear.

Burnham would first need to return to Parliament, where he could then try to mount a challenge to Starmer’s leadership.

Starmer, who has vowed to lead on, has been on the ropes, facing plummeting approval ratings and questions about his judgment, and seeing the Labour Party take a beating in U.K.-wide local elections this month. One key Cabinet member has already resigned, and more than a fifth of the party’s lawmakers in the House of Commons are urging him to stand down.

A return home yields a new look and nickname

Burnham, 56, is seen as Starmer’s biggest would-be rival, partly because he’s perceived to be to the political left of the prime minister.

The mayor is known as the “King of the North,” and his Labour backers will be hoping that moniker reaps rewards.

The allusion to the popular Jon Snow character in “Game of Thrones” is a sign of respect earned for Burnham’s fierce backing of northern England, its working class culture and heritage. It projects an image that he’s not part of the London political establishment. For many northerners, that counts for a lot.

His three sizable mayoral victories since 2017 show he can win elections.

But he hasn’t always. Burnham, who was in the Cabinet of Gordon Brown’s government from 2007 to 2010, ran twice for the leadership of the Labour Party and lost badly — first in 2010 and then in 2015. Looking back on those campaigns, he was pretty stiff.

Ending his 16-year tenure in Parliament yielded smoother speaking skills and a sleeker look. Suits and ties were largely replaced by a smart-casual look, often paired with sneakers.

That may seem superficial, but it broke down barriers with voters.

More importantly, his stint as mayor made him a more effective operator and, arguably, the best communicator in Labour’s ranks.

His standing grew during the COVID-19 pandemic when he became the de facto spokesman for northern England by constantly haranguing Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a “London-centric” approach to the crisis.

Burnham is ready to quit his job as mayor if he wins a special parliamentary election in the constituency of Makerfield, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Manchester.

The road of return to Parliament must run through Reform UK

His route back to the House of Commons opened up Thursday when Josh Simons, of the Labour Party, said he would step down to make way for Burnham. Though Burnham was blocked from running for a seat that came up earlier this year, Labour’s executive body said Friday that he could run in the special election, which is expected to take place in the next two months.

It will likely be a bruising battle in one of, if not, the most consequential special elections in U.K. history. Burnham acknowledged as much.

“I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times,” he said when announcing his intention to run.

Simons secured the seat by about 5,400 votes two years ago, but that was in Labour’s landslide victory of 2024 that swept Conservatives out after 14 years.

Times have changed dramatically, and Labour’s recent battering came at the hands of the ascendant anti-immigrant Reform UK party on the right and, to a lesser-extent, the eco-populist Greens on the left. All the wards in the Makerfield constituency were won by Reform in the local races.

Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage, said the party would “throw absolutely everything at it.”

Despite those results, Burnham can capitalize on his reputation as someone who gets things done, said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London.

“Andy Burnham is a big name in the northwest. There will be a lot of people who would like to see him get back into Parliament, not least to take down Keir Starmer,” Bale said. “In some ways, it’s a useful test for Burnham because if he can’t beat Reform in that constituency, then quite frankly, he’s not much use to the Labour Party as leader.”

One battle after another

Labour has never ousted one of its leaders mid-term in government, but there is a process.

If Burnham can get a House of Commons seat, he would either have to trigger a leadership contest or join one. To do so, a member of Parliament needs the support of a fifth — or 81 — of Labour’s 403 members. Starmer, who has vowed to fight on, would automatically be entered to defend his position.

Wes Streeting had been expected to announce a bid for the top job Thursday after he resigned as Starmer’s health secretary and castigated his former boss for failing to offer effective solutions to the U.K.’s many problems. But he stopped short of that and, in what seemed to be a nod to Burnham, instead called for a “broad” field of candidates to debate the party’s future.

Streeting followed up Friday by endorsing Burnham, saying on X that Labour needs its “best players on the pitch.” He did not, however, say he wanted to see Burnham as prime minister.

If there is a leadership battle, both Burnham and Streeting could run. Others said to be considering doing so are former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, defense minister Al Carns and former party leader Ed Miliband.

For now, all permutations go through Makerfield and that result could have a seismic impact.

“Were Burnham to win the by-election, it’s unlikely that Keir Starmer will actually stand in that leadership contest,” Bale said. “If Burnham fails, then Starmer might feel he has a chance against Streeting and Rayner.”

___

Associated Press writer Danica Kirka contributed to this story.

Acclaimed actor David Burke, known for his portrayal as Dr Watson in a Sherlock Holmes television adaptation, has died aged 91.

On Friday, his agent Scott Marshall Partners announced the actor had died on May 10, survived by wife Anna Calder-Marshall and son Tom Burke, who stars in the hit BBC adaptation of The Cormoran Strike detective novels written by JK Rowling.

Burke, who trained at drama school Rada, went on to have a career spanning stage, television, and radio. He starred in a theatrical production of King Lear at the National Theatre with Lord Of The Rings star Ian Holm, appeared on the television series Midsomer Murders and with Felicity Kendal in The Woodlanders.

In the 1980s television series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, he starred as the detective’s sidekick Dr Watson opposite Jeremy Brett in the title role.

His son Tom is also an actor, known for roles in the BBC show The Musketeers and for his portrayal of Cormoran Strike in the series Strike.

Tom starred alongside Steve Coogan in Netflix show Legends which premiered on the streaming service earlier this month.

According to The Times newspaper, David declined to appear in a second series of The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes as he felt “terribly guilty” about leaving his wife and son when filming in Manchester.

Tom told the paper he felt “guilty” when he got older, thinking his father had “given up this brilliant opportunity” for him.

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When he asked his father about it, David said: “It was my decision. I didn’t just want to work; I also wanted to be your dad.

“On top of that, I was getting bored of saying, ‘Good heavens, Holmes.’”

David’s wife, actor Calder-Marshall, has appeared in television series Grantchester, This England and Netflix show Bodies.

Seven pundits have given their predictions for the 2026 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday

The 2026 FA Cup final will pit Manchester City against Chelsea in a showdown for silverware at Wembley. Both sides made hard work of their semi-finals but there’s a clear pattern when it comes to pundits’ predictions for Saturday’s showpiece.

City required a late fightback to secure a 2-1 victory after Championship outfit Southampton threatened to cause a shock, with Nico Gonzalez scoring just his second goal of the season at the perfect time. Chelsea secured a single-goal victory themselves thanks to Enzo Fernandez, who broke Leeds’ resistance.

Should Pep Guardiola’s men triumph on Saturday, it would seal a domestic cup double. They claimed the Carabao Cup in March when Nico O’Reilly netted twice in a 2-0 triumph over Premier League title rivals Arsenal.

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Can City claim a second trophy or will they lose a third straight final? We’ve looked at several pundits’ predictions as the vastly experienced Guardiola takes on Chelsea’s interim boss Calum McFarlane.

Alan Shearer – City win

“It is really interesting that City have lost the last two finals as favourites,” Shearer wrote for Metro. “I did the co-comms last year for that game when Palace beat them. Chelsea showed slight improvement last week against Liverpool despite going 1-0 down.

“I just think because of the mood that City are in, the belief and the confidence, they’ll edge it. I know that City still give you chances, even watching the game against Crystal Palace, they missed two or three really good chances. I think there’ll be a lot of goals in this, but I think Man City will edge it just.”

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Chris Sutton – 5-0 City

Sutton fears for his former side Chelsea, tipping City to triumph by a whopping 5-0 margin after pointing to the gulf between the sides. “Pep rested players in midweek when City beat Crystal Palace and left Erling Haaland out, much to the annoyance of Fantasy Premier League managers,” he said when making his prediction for BBC Sport.

“Haaland will be back in the team at Wembley, though, and he will benefit from the rest, along with the likes of Rayan Cherki. Chelsea have been patchy all season and if they have one of their bad days, then this could get a bit messy for them.”

Craig Burley – 3-2 City

Burley is another former Chelsea man tipping his old employers to lose. “If City play to their level it could be a tough day for Chelsea,” he said on ESPN. “[Chelsea] played a bit better last week against Liverpool but is that Liverpool? It was a little bit better than it was but it’s been dreadful – what was it, six straight defeats?

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“They have good players but they have a lot of good players who haven’t played particularly well, certainly of late. But I think they’ve also got a lot of top players, big names, that are disillusioned with what’s gone on behind the scenes and that’s translated onto the field.

“They have got a performance in them. Whether it’s going to be… here or not I just don’t know.”

Nedum Onuoha – 4-2 City

“From a City perspective, this reminds me of the game they played against Spurs in the Carabao Cup final a few years ago,” former City defender Onuoha commented while appearing alongside Burley. “Ryan Mason was on the touchline for Spurs during that game, I think [Jose] Mourinho might have just been sacked not too long before.

“City arrive in a better moment, they have the confidence to win games of football – to be honest, Chelsea haven’t. They won the semi-final against Leeds… and they do have the belief but you still have to back City.”

Onuoha was out on loan when City claimed the FA Cup in 2011 so didn’t get to play a part at Wembley. He believes his former club will complete the task, tipping a 4-2 victory.

Nicky Butt – City win

Butt, a three-time cup winner with Manchester United, believes their neighbours City will “batter” Chelsea. “I would be gobsmacked if Man City don’t win this game by two or three, I just don’t see any team in Chelsea at all,” Butt told Paddy Power.

He added: “Chelsea’s best players are not playing anywhere near the level that they can do. Cole Palmer is an unbelievable player, I love him, but he’s been absolutely disastrous over the last few months.

“You’re looking at them going, they’re all very talented players and they can play at any club in the world. Technical, gifted players – but there’s no team continuity there at all. City will batter Chelsea in my eyes.”

Clinton Morrison – 2-1 City

Morrison, speaking to FreeBets, also forecast a City victory, though he suggested the match would be a tighter affair than many have predicted.

“If Chelsea play like they’ve been playing the last few weeks they’ll get battered, to be fair. But I think they did turn up in the semi final and it’ll be a good game of football,” he said.

“I think Man City will just shade it. If Rodri’s back in midfield I think that’s where the game could be won and lost. And [Jeremy] Doku, if Reece James isn’t fit, nobody can live with him at the moment.”

William Gallas – City win

French defender Gallas claimed both the Premier League and League Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge, yet FA Cup success eluded him. He believes the Blues face a stern test this weekend and will need a lot to go their way if they are to stand a chance.

“If Manchester City play against Chelsea the same way they did against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, it will be very hard for Chelsea in the FA Cup final,” Gallas told BetVictor. “Even though Chelsea drew 1-1 with Liverpool, they still don’t have the confidence and are suffering. Obviously, anything can happen in one game, but I think it will be hard for Chelsea.

“If Chelsea do win the game, I think it will be because the Manchester City team are tired from the amount of fixtures recently. They could be tired from the Crystal Palace game and that could give Chelsea the chance to win.”

I’m sure everyone reaches that age where suddenly you start worrying about your health.

In your twenties you think you’re invincible and I found my thirties flew by in a flash. It’s only really when hitting those forties that cracks – or rather creaks – begin to emerge.

That’s what’s happened to me over recent years with ailments creeping in here and there along with the realisation that I might need to consider some healthier lifestyle choices.

After reading an interview with Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page about how some health test results had inspired her recent weight loss, I decided to go for my own health MOT.

Randox Health offers an Everywoman or Everyman test which gives customers a full body health check – using a simple blood test to measure up to 150 biomarkers giving you a clear picture of how your body is really doing.

The idea is to check where you’re at and spot any potential risks early so you can make changes to support your long term health and also give yourself that peace of mind.

Based upstairs inside the Holland and Barrett store in Manchester’s Market Street, booking the test couldn’t have been easier and I was straight in for my appointment with Randox phlebotomist Myles Sutton.

After a brief chat about how much I’d missed my morning brew – you need to fast for 8 to 12 hours before the tests – we were straight into it.

He explained things every step of the way – taking my blood pressure, measuring my height and using a body composition analyser machine to see exactly what my body is made up of; breaking down my weight into fat, muscle and water, rather than just total mass.

It was then across to another seat to give the necessary amount of blood to be analysed in the laboratory. I don’t like needles, but even filling eight vials didn’t take long.

Finally, a urine sample is also taken while you’re there, so it’s a thorough job all round. The whole thing only takes less than 30 minutes and that’s including the time to fill in a questionnaire on arrival.

These Everywoman / man checks have soared in popularity over recent years. Driven by a growing public interest in understanding personal health data and taking a more proactive approach to wellbeing, the company has ‘seen a significant increase in demand for preventative health testing’.

“More people are looking to identify potential health issues earlier, monitor key biomarkers and make informed lifestyle decisions before symptoms arise,” says Randox.

The staff here are used to seeing people discover health issues they never realised they had – including a man whose results helped him catch his prostate cancer in early stages.

They also benefit from their own checks; with one of them discovering a thyroid issue that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.

One of the big benefits is that there’s no waiting game. The fact that Randox Health operates its own extensive laboratory network – some clinics benefit from on-site laboratory facilities – and uses Biochip Technology, which enables multiple tests to be performed simultaneously from a single blood sample, allows for ‘highly efficient processing and fast turnaround times without compromising accuracy’.

Unlike the NHS, where it can take a while to get test results back, the first preliminary report is sent to you on the app or via the website within a few hours.

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This is basically the findings of the body composition analyser offering a first set of metrics.

It wasn’t really too much of a surprise to see that I’m overweight and with a BMI that’s out of the healthy range. I’ve not exactly had the healthiest diet and while I do a lot of walking, it’s not intense enough exercise to counter the calories being consumed and the amount of time spent sitting at my desk.

Which is probably why my metabolic age is showing as 52, when I’m actually 47 – not the news I wanted to hear.

My full report – all 68 pages of it – came through that very same evening, with even more concerning news. While 82% of my readings were ‘in range’ and 3% of them ‘in between’, 15% were ‘out of range’ and ‘in the red’.

It’s initially quite overwhelming to see so much detail about yourself, not all of it positive, but the report does break it all down into easy-to-read sections.

There’s a helpful list of ‘key findings’ at the beginning to save you having to trawl through the whole thing for a quick snapshot and there’s also some ‘results for your doctor’ pages so you can take those to your GP and follow up any concerns. If you want to, you can add on a GP consultation with Randox to go over the findings.

While mine flagged up a few areas of concern, including some hormonal issues to discuss with my doctor, such as high testosterone levels caused by polycystic ovary syndrome – which just this week has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) – it also revealed a genetic condition I didn’t even know I had.

I knew from previous tests that my cholesterol level is slightly raised, but I wasn’t aware that I have something called high lipoprotein (a) – a genetically determined factor, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. It basically makes it easier for fatty deposits to stick to artery walls, increasing the likelihood of blockages.

Lp(a) is not included in a standard cholesterol test and must be requested separately, so it’s not something that would have been found and is not something my parents were aware of either.

Diet and lifestyle changes have limited impact on lowering Lp(a) itself, but what it means is that it’s more important to keep your LDL cholesterol low, using statins if necessary.

Because the condition is genetic, experts recommend that people with high Lp(a) inform their family members so they can be tested too. My daughter had already been told she had a slightly raised cholesterol level for her age so it’s probably the explanation for that and she and my son will now be getting their Lp(a) checked, as well as other family members.

It’s one thing receiving all these results, but it’s what I now do with them that matters most.

I’m hoping it gives me the incentive to make some long needed changes to improve both my physical and mental health, which I’ve also struggled with for many years.

Finding some exercise I enjoy doing and can fit into a regular routine will be key – padel seems to be taking over the world so perhaps that’s worth a go – and I’d like to give yoga or pilates a try to increase flexibility.

The Everywoman / man checks include a health and well-being discussion with a Randox Health scientist to review your test results and help to guide you on next steps. No specific medical advice will be provided, however lifestyle advice is provided.

They also include a return visit 6 to 12 months later to see whether readings have changed. I’ll keep you posted.

The full body health check costs £416 at Randox Health and can be paid for in four interest-free payments. Add-ons and upgrades include, priced from £65, include a GP consultation, a nutrition and lifestyle DNA test, tumour associated markers and food sensitivity.

For more details or to book a health check, visit the website here.

A cordon remains in place in the area

Three men have been arrested after a stabbing incident in West Belfast on Saturday morning.

Emergency services were called to a report of a man being attacked by a number of males on Lenadoon Avenue shortly after 3am on Saturday, 16 May.

A man was taken to the hospital with stab wounds in both legs.

Sinn Féin MLA for the area, Órlaithí Flynn condemned the incident and said that her thoughts are with the injured person.

“Police are at the scene of an ongoing incident in Lenadoon following a reported stabbing,” she said. “My thoughts are with the injured and I hope they make a full and speedy recovery. “I have been informed that arrests have been made. “The bottom of Lenadoon remains sealed off, and I would urge people to avoid the area until the cordon is lifted.”

Detective Sergeant Stevenson said: “We received a report at around 3.05 am of an ongoing fight in the Lenadoon Avenue area, where a man was being attacked by a number of males.

“Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and one man was taken on to hospital, with stab wounds to both legs.

“Three men – a 42-year-old, 33 and 31-year-old – were subsequently arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. They remain in police custody at this time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information, including CCTV, ring-doorbell or other footage, to contact us on the 101 number, quoting reference 183 of 16/05/26.

“You can also submit a report or information online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A train crashed into a public bus on Saturday in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, killing at least eight people.

Thai news reported that the crash happened in late afternoon near an airport rail link station in the central area. The city’s emergency services Erawan Medical Center said at least eight were killed and more than 20 people were injured.

Videos of the moment of the crash shared on social media showed a line of vehicles had stopped at a railway crossing when a cargo train struck an orange bus at the front. The impact also dragged several nearby vehicles along the tracks before the bus was engulfed in flames. Several motorcycles and their riders were also seen being thrown onto the road after the collision.

Later videos showed a group of rescuers going inside the charred bus after the flames were controlled.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives.

The court’s order, issued without any noted dissent, is the latest twist in the nation’s mid-decade redistricting competition. It was kicked off last year by President Donald Trump urging Republican-controlled states to redraw their lines and was supercharged by a recent Supreme Court ruling severely weakening the Voting Rights Act that opened up even more winnable seats for the GOP.

In recent days, the justices have sided with Republicans in Alabama and Louisiana who hope to redo their congressional maps to produce more GOP-leaning seats following the court’s voting rights decision.

But the Virginia situation was different, stemming from a 4-3 ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court that struck down a constitutional amendment that voters narrowly passed just last month.

The state court found that the Democratic-controlled legislature improperly began the process of placing the amendment on the ballot after early voting had begun in Virginia’s general election last fall.

The Supreme Court typically doesn’t intervene in state court proceedings unless they present an issue of federal law. Virginia Democrats had hoped to persuade the justices that the Virginia court misread federal law and Supreme Court precedent that hold that, even if early voting is underway, an election does not happen until Election Day itself.

Virginia’s amendment had been intended as a response to Republican gains in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, and to blunt a new map in Florida that just became law. Once the Virginia amendment passed, it briefly turned the nationwide redistricting scramble into a draw between the two parties.

That was unraveled by the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision.

The state’s attorney general, Democrat Jay Jones, slammed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, saying it was another example of what he described as a national attack on voting rights and the rule of law.

“Let’s be clear about what is happening. Donald Trump, Republican state legislatures, and conservative courts are systematically and unabashedly tilting power away from the people for Trump’s political gain,” Jones said in a statement issued late Friday night.

The state’s top Democrats had disagreed about whether it was even too late for help from the Supreme Court. “Time grows short, but it is not yet too late,” lawyers for the Democratic leaders of the legislature as well as the state told the justices in a brief filed Friday.

A day earlier, the office of Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger already had confirmed that the state will hold this year’s elections under the current districts established in 2021. Last month, Virginia Commissioner of Elections Steve Koski said a court order was needed by this past Tuesday to set the district lines for primary elections on Aug. 4.

Spanberger reacted to Friday’s decision by saying both courts had nullified the votes of the more than 3 million Virginians who cast ballots in the April 21 special election.

“These Virginians made their voices heard — casting their ballots in good faith to push back against a President who said he’s ‘entitled’ to more seats in Congress before voters go to the polls,” she posted on her X account.

The leader of the state Republican Party said the justices made the right call.

“Wisely, the Supreme Court of the United States has confirmed the judgment of the Supreme Court of Virginia,” state party chairman Jeff Ryer said. “This should once and for all put to rest the Democrats’ effort to disenfranchise half of Virginia.

___

Associated Press writer Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report.

“Don’t put me in the same category as those two!” says Jay Lovell, taken aback as his name is mentioned in the same breath as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.

The defender, 33, is set to join the former Liverpool and Manchester United captains in the history books on Sunday, by leading out a team at Wembley.

Lovell will captain Cockfosters, from Enfield in north London, in the FA Vase final against AFC Stoneham, based in the Hampshire town of Eastleigh.

The father-of-two always had plans to be at Wembley this weekend, though not quite like this.

Lovell is an escalator engineer from Hertfordshire and works for a company that has been responsible for installing, maintaining and upgrading the escalators at the national stadium.

It means he and his colleagues are required on site on the day of events in case there are any problems or issues.

Cockfosters beat Kent-based Punjab United 3-1 on aggregate over two legs in last month’s semi-finals to book their place in the final.

It means Lovell will no longer be reporting to Wembley as an engineer this weekend, but instead will be looking to help his team lift the FA Vase for the first time in the club’s history.

“Now that I have actually reached the final, no-one is working,” Lovell tells BBC Sport.

“All of the lads are coming to watch me. We’ve passed the job on to someone else.

“One of my bosses actually turned around and said: ‘Having a two-hour break to go and play football, are you?’ He’s had a good bit of banter with me about it.”

Fire crews are still dealing with the incident at the landfill site.

A blaze at a waste facility and fife has continued into a fifth day, as firefighters remain at the scene.

Fire crews are still dealing with the incident at the landfill site near Ladybank as of Saturday morning. The alarm was raised at about 1.35pm on Tuesday.

At the height of the incident, 12 appliances and specialist resources were dealing with the blaze. On Saturday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said two appliances and specialist resources remained at the scene.

A spokesman said: “There is still firefighting ongoing.”

There were no reports of any casualties. Fife Council said the waste transfer and processing facility remains closed while emergency services deal with the incident.

The council said earlier: “We understand this has been a worrying incident for residents and disruptive for people travelling through the area or trying to use Ladybank Recycling Centre. Smoke is still coming from the site as the fire is brought under control, residents should continue to keep windows and doors closed if they can see or smell smoke.

“Bin collections are currently going ahead as planned and people should continue to present bins and bulky uplift items as normal. The household waste recycling centre at the site is closed due to the fire and will remain so while firefighting activity continues.

“However, the Ladybank Recycling Centre area is unaffected and will reopen as soon as the fire is out and safe access can be reinstated.”

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