This comes after a meeting Peel Land had with Westhoughton residents on Tuesday (June 2), which laid out the plans for Peel Land in more detail.

Westhoughton councillor David Chadwick – former Mayor of Bolton – put out a statement in opposition to the plans, reiterating points he made last week in an interview with The Bolton News.

A new link road easing congestion at Chequerbent is a key element of the development (Image: Peel Land)

Cllr Chadwick said: “Peel discussed plans for a link road from Snydale Road all the way down to North Road in Atherton. This would be funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority with the aim of improving the flow of traffic around M61 junction 5, where traffic has backed up for many years. This road would be a single-lane road, not a dual carriageway.

“There was also a discussion regarding an additional health centre. The NHS have expressed desires for the health provision to be off the Lee Hall site but with a contribution from Peel for funding a health centre.

“All things considered, I still remain vehemently opposed to building on Lee Hall and the loss of more greenbelt land in Westhoughton. Once green spaces are gone, they are gone forever.

Westhoughton residents gathered to discuss concerns over the Lee Hall development (Image: NQ)

“Hall Lee Bank Park is already classified as ancient woodland, but any development close by would be to the detriment of residents and wildlife. Deer are already found wandering residential estates regularly having been displaced by rapidly expanding developments.”

Bolton West MP Phil Brickell also formally objected. He said: “Westhoughton has seen a huge amount of development over the past two decades without the necessary supporting infrastructure being delivered alongside it.

“The result is a town where residents increasingly face severe congestion, overstretched public services, and growing pressure on local infrastructure. This application risks compounding these existing problems.

“The most immediate concern raised by residents is traffic congestion. The local road network is already struggling to cope with the current demand, particularly along Park Road, Leigh Road, and Wigan Road.

Campaigners highlight wildlife habitats and flood-prone areas during a site walk off Lee Bank. (Image: NQ)

“At times these routes are routinely congested, causing significant delays for residents, commuters, and businesses.”

The plans include provision for a Link Road between Westhoughton and Atherton, with the aim of reducing congestion on the Chequerbent roundabout.

Also included in the plans is funding for a new health centre, though there is debate whether the centre will be on or off the Lee Hall site.

A spokesperson for Peel Land said: “We recognise there is a critical need for investment in the road infrastructure in the Westhoughton area, and after historic failures to deliver this new link road, Lee Hall is now the only practical and viable solution to address the congestion at Chequerbent.

“The successful bid to the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund means that £69.8m has now been allocated to deliver the Park Avenue link road. This represents the best chance in a generation to make this new road a reality. This can now only happen if the plans for Lee Hall are approved. Refusal will only frustrate efforts to build the road and see congestion and delays in the area get much worse over the next few years.

“The approval of Lee Hall will also deliver much-needed affordable and family homes, health facilities, a new primary school, a community hall, neighbourhood stores, allotments and a significant 15- acre public park. It is an infrastructure-led proposal that responds to local needs and will realise a long-held plan for the sustainable growth of the town dating back to the 1960s.”

The British star will not be competing in her specialist 800m event this time around, instead lining up in the women’s 400m

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson returns to action tonight as she begins her outdoor season at the Rome Diamond League.

The British star will not be competing in her specialist 800m event this time around, instead lining up in the women’s 400m as part of her long-term ambition to improve her speed and target new personal milestones.

Hodgkinson is one of several big names competing at the Stadio Olimpico, with American sprint superstar Noah Lyles and Welsh speedster Jeremiah Azu also in action in a stacked programme featuring some of the world’s best athletes.

What time is Keely Hodgkinson running the 400m tonight?

Hodgkinson is scheduled to compete in the women’s 400m at 9.15pm BST on Thursday, June 4.

The race marks the first outdoor appearance of her 2026 campaign and comes as she continues her preparations for a busy summer season.

What TV channel is the Rome Diamond League on?

Live television coverage of the Rome Diamond League will be shown on BBC Three from 8pm BST.

Viewers can also watch online via the BBC iPlayer app and the BBC Sport website.

How to watch the Rome Diamond League on TV

The meeting can be streamed live through BBC iPlayer on mobile devices, tablets, smart TVs and desktop computers.

Coverage begins at 8pm BST, with a host of world-class athletes featuring throughout the evening.

Rome Diamond League schedule (BST)

8.04pm – Women’s 400m hurdles

8.07pm – Men’s high jump

8.27pm – Men’s shot put

8.28pm – Women’s 100m hurdles

8.35pm – Men’s long jump

8.38pm – Women’s 5000m

9.04pm – Men’s 110m hurdles

9.15pm – Women’s 400m (Keely Hodgkinson)

9.27pm – Women’s 200m

9.37pm – Women’s 1500m

9.52pm – Men’s 100m (Noah Lyles, Jeremiah Azu and Marcell Jacobs)

Who else is competing?

Alongside Hodgkinson, Team GB interest comes from Georgia Hunter Bell in the women’s 1500m, while Amy Hunt and Dina Asher-Smith take on Olympic champion Julien Alfred and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the women’s 200m.

The men’s 100m is one of the highlights of the night, featuring reigning world champion Noah Lyles, Britain’s Jeremiah Azu and Italy’s Marcell Jacobs.

Diamond League 2026 calendar

• June 4 – Rome, Italy
• June 7 – Stockholm, Sweden
• June 10 – Oslo, Norway
• June 19 – Doha, Qatar
• June 28 – Paris, France
• July 4 – Eugene, USA
• July 10 – Monaco
• July 18 – London, UK
• August 21 – Lausanne, Switzerland
• August 23 – Chorzow, Poland

Keely Hodgkinson’s behaviour has drawn attention recently

Keely Hodgkinson’s latest comments speak volumes after World Athletics chief Seb Coe spoke glowingly about her authenticity. Hodgkinson, 24, is set to make her 400 metres Diamond League debut in Rome this Thursday.

The sprint will serve as a step towards maintaining her dominance in the 800m, which she claimed a silver medal in at Tokyo 2020 before clinching Olympic gold at Paris 2024. The Team GB hero broke the indoor world record over 800m in February and is looking to build on that success today.

Yet, by looking at Hodgkinson’s demeanour and the way she presents herself alone, one would not be able to tell she is an athlete at the top of her game. That’s due to her incredibly down to earth character, which was recently lauded by Coe.

Hodgkinson displayed her authenticity once more ahead of Thursday’s Diamond League action by saying how grateful she was just to be on the start line – something unheard of among the competitiveness of elite athletics.

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Speaking on Wednesday at a press conference, Hodgkinson said: “I am really excited for tomorrow. I am grateful to have the opportunity to race some of the best girls in the world.

“I am very privileged to be on that start line with them, so I am hoping they pull something great out of me. I’ll be using tomorrow as a stimulus of fun, to be competitive and to also do something different.”

“I am genuinely in a place in my life where I have everything that I can want. I am happy, I love what I do. I wake up and go to work every day, I just love it.”

Coe, who has spent the last decade as the president of World Athletics, said last month that he considers the Mancunian to be a breath of fresh air, hailing her as the most genuine person he knows.

The former Team GB star, 69, shared a story about running into Hodgkinson during her birthday celebrations as an example of how normal and grounded the Manchester athlete is. However, he suggested her all-round behaviour points to the same level of authenticity.

During an appearance on The Sports Agents podcast, Coe was asked by Gabby Logan about Hodgkinson’s comments in March relating to West Ham United, tenants of the Olympic Stadium. “The GB team will bring back more medals to that stadium than West Ham have seen in their entire history,” the world indoor champion wrote on social media.

“I love Keely because you will only get authenticity,” Coe said. “There’s none of this ‘Oh, I’ll see how I feel tomorrow’ or ‘One match at a time’ – she absolutely tells it as it is. I think she’s joyous company apart from anything.

“This year is probably the biggest year in British athletics… we’ve got a Commonwealth Games, we’ve got a European Championships, we’ve got a great Diamond League. It’s probably the best year for athletics in the UK since 2017.

“Keely’s not wrong. I’m pleased she knows her worth… she’s off-the-graph good but if you look statistically she’s still got a couple of years before she hits her peak.”

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.

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What? An immersive, two-day event giving you a taster of California’s epic sports and entertainment offering

When? Friday June 12 and Saturday June 13 at Outernet London, Charing Cross Road

Highlights: There’ll be a live marching band, cheerleaders, 80s-style computer game California Games, and California-inspired food

The hard-hitting Channel 4 drama Help stars Killing Eve actor Jodie Comer and This Is England star Stephen Graham as a care worker and resident facing the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic

Viewers seeking a powerful drama rooted in actual events should delve into Channel 4’s Help.

The 2021 Channel 4 production, featuring renowned actors Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer, united two of Britain’s finest performers in remarkable roles.

The feature-length television film Help was written by distinguished screenwriter Jack Thorne, whose portfolio includes Adolescence and the recent television adaptation of Lord of the Flies. Located in a fictional Liverpool care facility during early 2020, the narrative examines the catastrophic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on both residents and employees.

Comer portrays Sarah, a young carer who has just begun working at the establishment, while Graham takes on the role of Tony, a resident suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

As the coronavirus emergency sweeps across the UK, both individuals encounter mounting obstacles as they attempt to safeguard those in their care.

Part of the drama’s synopsis reads: “Then March 2020 hits, and everything Sarah has achieved is thrown into doubt with the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. She and her colleagues tirelessly fight tooth and nail, ill-equipped, poorly prepared, and seemingly left helpless by the powers that be.

“A determined Sarah goes to extraordinary lengths to protect those in her care, whose conditions make their suffering and isolation all the more traumatic. But the staff’s unwavering commitment, compassion and heroic efforts can only do so much, and Sarah is pushed into a dark corner and desperately looks for a way out,” reports the Mirror.

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The series’ emotional power largely revolves around a crucial overnight shift in which Sarah finds herself alone, grappling with escalating demands and untenable situations.

Upon release, Help garnered widespread critical praise and maintains an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were equally stunned by its impact.

Jodie Comer’s performance earned particular acclaim, with The Post NZ noting: “If you’ve only ever seen Jodie Comer as Killing Eve’s villainous Villanelle, then prepare to be gobsmacked by her latest turn.”

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Another critique described the actress as “exceptional”, calling it “one of her best performances yet” (via Fangirl Freakout in 2022).

IndieWire, meanwhile, commended both principal actors, observing: “For a fictional telling with so much emotional volatility, finding performers who can manage that heavy, delicate lifting is a key task. Fortunately, Help has twin pillars in the form of Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham”.

Help is available to watch on Channel4.com

Bolton Council has confirmed the gathering will take place at the Samuel Crompton statue in Nelson Square on Sunday at 5pm.

Posters promoting the event describe it as “not a political event” and call for a “sober and respectful gathering”, urging people to “come together in peace and unity”.

(Image: Newsquest)

Henry, an 18-year-old first-year university student from Saffron Walden, Essex, was killed as he walked back from a night out in Southampton on December 3, 2025.

The teenager suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm (8in) blade during the attack.

His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, falsely claimed to police at the scene that he had been the victim of a racist attack.

As a result, officers initially handcuffed Mr Nowak before discovering his fatal injuries a short time later.

Digwa claimed he was carrying the knife as part of his Sikh faith.

He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 21 years.

Footage released by the force, with permission from Nowak’s family, shows him pleading, ‘I’ve been stabbed,’ and an officer replying, ‘I don’t think you have mate’.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that an investigation into Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s actions remains ongoing.

Organisers of Sunday’s vigil say the event is intended as a peaceful opportunity for members of the community to pay their respects and remember Mr Nowak.

Morgan Rogers, Jeremy Monga and Julian Alvarez have been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, while there could be some significant outgoings. Man United, meanwhile, are closing in on the signing of midfielder Ederson after reaching an agreement with Atalanta for a £35million deal which can be partly funded by the official sale of Rasmus Hojlund. Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso could lose both Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella – both attracting interest from Spain – but Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen are said to be on the shortlist.

Tucked within the gardens of Cedar Court Harrogate, and overlooking the Stray, Kota (pronounced Koh-tah) promises a setting that feels both relaxed and quietly distinctive – combining Nordic spirit with Yorkshire hospitality.

To mark its opening, Kota will host a brand-new summer events programme featuring Tapas Nights, Bottomless Brunches, Pizza & Prosecco evenings, Mediterranean Mezze socials, Comedy Night, and Yorkshire Show-inspired dining experiences, all accompanied by live acoustic music.

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Designed as a space for connection and celebration, Kota is also available for private events, from milestone birthdays, engagement parties, and baby showers to corporate gatherings and intimate wedding receptions.

The summer series begins on Friday 12 June with the first Tapas Night, where guests can enjoy a selection of savoury and sweet tapas, accompanied by half a bottle of Cava per person and live acoustic music. Tickets are priced at £39 per person.

For more information and bookings, visit Cedar Court Harrogate or contact the events team directly.

The agreement between Israel and Lebanon, reached after a fourth round of US-mediated talks in Washington, is contingent on the “evacuation of all [Hezbollah] operatives” from an area between the Israeli border and the Litani river, about 30km (19 miles) to the north, which is currently occupied by Israeli ground forces.

A jacket to shrug on during gloomier summer days, this cinched style is perfectly androgynous. Made from a viscose fabric (a shame considering the price), the jacket is lightweight with a flattering, fitted cut. It’s slightly long with a structured waist, deep V-neck collar and extra long sleeves with buttoned cuffs. The vintage-inspired colour goes with everything, and you’ll get your wear right through into autumn, too.