And here in Bolton, there is no shortage of beaches within easy reach of the town, a short drive or train journey away, with one named the best in the country by experts.

The Daily Mail on Saturday named Southport in its popular travel section, put together by travel writers and experts.

Travel writer Rob Crossan chose the beach, stating at low tide the beach stretches so far, it creates one of the “most immense, widescreen coastal views in Britain.”

The beach was named alongside those in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall.

Southport really does offer something for everyone, including the traditional seaside fun.

Visit Southport states: “With long sandy beaches and a coast-line that stretches 22 miles across Sefton, you can soak up the panoramic view of golden sands and admire the beauty of the coast!

“Southport beach has one of the most unique natural environments in the country.”

“If you enjoy walking you will fall in love with the paths and trails through the dunes.

“Southport beach is a place where sea and sand are in harmony with nature and countryside – a rare combination that will bring enjoyment for young and old alike!

“If you fancy a spot of traditional seaside fun, a trip down memory lane where nostalgic feelings come flooding back, you can guarantee Southport has it all.

“From beach-combing with the little ones to collect shells or guided historic walks along the coast.”

Southport beach is only a 10 minute walk from the local train station.

A simple task done in June could have a big impact

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Households are being urged to pour mouthwash into their washing machines for an important reason this June.

A cleaning expert from an appliance repair firm has shared the unusual tip in a bid to help eliminate bacteria and reduce unpleasant smells during your laundry cycle.

Washing machines, despite being regularly filled with hot water and detergent, do build up dirt, grime and germs over time and can even become prone to mould.

Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair specialist at Domestic and General, suggests that adding a splash of mouthwash directly into the detergent drawer is an inexpensive and simple way to maintain your washing machine’s cleanliness, and that this ‘maintenance wash’ should be performed every three months.

He explained: “Your washing machine should be deeply cleaned every one to three months to prevent bacteria, mould, and detergent build-up. However, you should perform a maintenance wash once a month; this involves running a hot, empty cycle with a dedicated washing machine cleaner. If you don’t have a dedicated cleaner, white vinegar or baking soda are good alternatives.”

“Mouthwash can also be used to clean your washing machine. Pour half a cup of alcohol-based mouthwash directly into the drum or the detergent drawer, and run an empty cycle. This allows the antiseptic properties to kill bacteria, sanitise the drum, and leave it smelling fresh. For best results, pair this with cleaning the detergent drawer and filter as these are often the quickest places to get dirty.

“You can also try disinfecting your laundry load with mouthwash. Using mouthwash on clothes with stubborn odours, like activewear and socks, can help to remove lingering smells and bacteria.

“Make sure you use a colourless option to prevent staining your clothes or the washing machine’s interior.

“Using mouthwash in moderation should not damage your washing machine, but it’s important not to use too much at a time as this can lead to excessive suds and even overflow if it reacts with your detergent.

“An overflowing machine can cause internal damage and costly faults, so remember to keep an eye on your laundry cycle when you use this cleaning hack. Having washing machine insurance in place can provide peace of mind and help cover any unexpected costs should something go wrong.

“Additionally, high alcohol content in some mouthwashes can degrade certain fabrics, so it’s best not to use this tip on delicate clothing.”

The crash, which killed a train driver, involved two East Midlands Railway services on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday

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Twenty eight people remain in hospital, nine of them in a critical condition, after two trains collided near Bedford, police have said.

The crash, which killed a train driver, and injured 100 others, involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) services, with one smashing into the back of the other on the same line shortly after 5pm on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference near the scene on Saturday, British Transport Police Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Tragically, the driver of one of the trains died in the collision.

“His family have been informed and our deepest condolences are with them, his friends, and his colleagues at East Midlands Railway.

“The driver’s family, as you would expect, are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time.”

She said more than 80 people had been treated in hospital on Friday night.

“As of this morning, 28 remain in hospital, and nine are in a critical condition,” Ms D’Orsi said.

She thanked emergency service teams and railway staff for their response to the incident, adding: “I also want to thank local people who showed immense kindness to those stranded on trains and to the casualties.”

Paul Gates, strategic commander at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS), said: “Tragically, one person died at the scene. 11 people sustained very serious injuries, a further 32 were seriously injured, and 57 others suffered minor injuries.”

Andy Hopkinson, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue chief fire officer, said more than 70 fire officers had been involved in the response, adding that there had been no fire during the incident.

The two trains involved were the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both to London St Pancras.

East Midlands Railway’s managing director Will Rogers said it was a “profoundly sad day for the railway community” and that the company was supporting the investigation into the incident.

He said “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with family, friends, and colleagues of our driver and everybody else who has been injured or affected by this tragic incident.

“Our priority is the welfare of everybody involved and we are here for customers and our colleagues.”

He added: “We’re fully supporting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigation and our thoughts are firmly with the family and loved ones of our colleague and everybody injured or affected by this tragic incident.

“This is a profoundly sad day for the railway community.

“I’d like to thank everybody that has responded to this incident.”

Earlier on Saturday, Buckingham Palace said the King was “greatly saddened” by the crash and that his “thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured of affected by such a tragic incident”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X that he had spoken with the chief executive of EEAS.

“I expressed my gratitude to the air ambulance crews, the emergency services who responded under extremely difficult circumstances, as well as the NHS staff taking care of the injured,” Sir Keir said.

“My thoughts are with all those affected by this devastating incident.”

Passenger Pete Knapp described people “crying, screaming” and said some seemed to have major injuries.

Dr Knapp told the Press Association: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke.

“People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.”

The 40-year-old said he saw people with “life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries” as well as “people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight”, while others like him were still able to walk.

Brett Byatt, another passenger on board, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was among three or four people in his carriage who were not injured, adding: “Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or couldn’t move their neck, or I saw a woman’s snapped leg.”

Mr Byatt, a teacher, who lives in Bedford, said he was now feeling “angry” the morning after the collision.

“I don’t know at whom, who specifically, but it’s more about we’ve got one of the oldest railway networks and signal failures happen a lot, and now I’m just wondering… why wasn’t that signalled to my train and why did that train driver lose his life over this?” he said.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said its inspectors continued to gather evidence at the scene on Saturday.

“RAIB will conduct a full, independent safety investigation into this tragic accident,” a spokesperson for the agency said on X. “We will provide a further update in the coming days once we know more.”

Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said her prayers were with the family of the driver who was killed and all those injured.

Writing on X, she added: “May God comfort and protect them, and equip all those who are caring for them in the aftermath of this tragic incident.”

On Friday, Sir Keir described the crash as “hugely concerning” and said he was “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response”.

There was a huge emergency response to the crash, which happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6. It included multiple air ambulance helicopters and road vehicles.

Police and network rail crews remained at the scene on Saturday as reporters were allowed on to a field next to the railway line to get a closer view of the site.

The front of the train from Corby has been crushed where it collided with the rear of the train from Nottingham.

On the rear train, which has Luton Airport Express livery, there was visible damage to the rear of the carriages which had been shunted into ones in front.

Network Rail said on Saturday that part of the East Midlands route remained closed as the emergency response continued and teams assessed damage to the trains and infrastructure.

The company said it would provide updates when it had a clearer understanding of the recovery work required and when services can safely reopen, adding that passengers should check with their train operator for the latest travel advice.

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

Kerry delivered a dominant display to defeat Armagh

Kerry 4-18 Armagh 0-17

Reports of their decline have been vastly overstated. Kerry demonstrated their quality and championship pedigree with a comprehensive demolition of Armagh at Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Kingdom scored four goals, with Footballer of the Year David Clifford registering 1-10 to emphatically remind observers why he remains the country’s premier player.

The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks tower over Fitzgerald Stadium, offering a stunning setting for what was the Championship’s most significant fixture to date.

Ireland’s highest mountain range served as a fitting metaphor for the task confronting Armagh. Even after their defeat to Donegal at this venue a month earlier, defeating Kerry on home soil remains Gaelic football’s Everest.

Having been undone by Sam Mulroy’s last-gasp winner in Inniskeen the previous week, Armagh were caught out again just before the interval at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Three points adrift, their efforts to manufacture a scoring opportunity in the dying seconds of the opening half were scuppered by a wayward pass from Jarly Óg Burns as he attempted to locate Joe McElroy.

Jason Foley intercepted and found David Clifford, who had already accumulated 1-4. Clifford acted as a decoy for Paul Geaney, who calmly rolled the ball into the Armagh net from 40 yards with Ethan Rafferty caught upfield.

It would prove a crucial juncture in proceedings.

Rafferty had previously been beaten by Clifford in the 12th minute as Kerry accelerated following an encouraging opening from the Orchard County. Armagh took an early stranglehold on proceedings, leading 0-4 to 0-1 thanks to scores from Ross McQuillan, Oisin Conaty, Jason Duffy and Cian McConville (free), with Geaney having opened the scoring for the Kingdom.

Kerry then struck for the first of their four goals as Clifford truly came alive. Having barely featured in the opening 12 minutes, the Fossa man latched onto a brilliant pass from Dylan Geaney and rifled the ball past Rafferty into the far corner of the net.

Geaney also registered the first two-pointer as Armagh’s wides continued to mount, reaching six in total.

Nevertheless, the Orchard County remained well in contention heading towards half-time, with points from Conaty and Turbitt keeping them in touch, before Clifford landed his first two-point score from a free awarded for a foul on Joe O’Connor.

The contest swung decisively Kerry’s way in the dying 30 seconds of the first half when they capitalised on an unforced error from the Ulster champions to grab their second goal. Paul Geaney was ice-cool inside Fitzgerald Stadium as he put his side 2-8 to 0-8 ahead.

Throughout this Championship, leads have proven anything but safe. Yet Armagh desperately required a strong start to the second half.

It never came.

Instead, Kerry went straight for the throat, as they have done to countless opponents before. Within just 20 seconds of the restart, Dylan Geaney had extended their advantage, before David Clifford converted a free awarded for a foul on his brother Paudie.

A fine point from Turbitt hinted at a potential comeback. Kerry were having absolutely none of it.

Dylan Geaney delivered another brilliant disguised pass, releasing Joe O’Connor on a surging run towards goal, with the midfielder smashing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner past Rafferty.

With Kerry ahead 3-11 to 0-9 after 44 minutes, Armagh faced a mountain to climb if they were to stage any sort of comeback.

The Orchard County did create some openings in Kerry’s defence, but Shane Murphy was in inspired form between the sticks whenever called upon.

The Dr Croke’s goalkeeper produced an excellent save to keep out Conaty midway through the second period, while David Clifford blazed over after being set up by his older brother Paudie shortly afterwards.

Murphy’s reflexes were tested again in the closing stages when substitute Callum O’Neill tried to palm home following impressive link-up play involving Oisin O’Neill and Tiernan Kelly.

Ultimately, it proved not to be Armagh’s afternoon. Rafferty (free), Andrew Murnin and Conaty registered points to add some respectability to the final scoreline.

Even when Conaty broke through one final time, he was denied by the returning Sean O’Shea, whose superb block ensured Kerry’s commanding victory included a clean sheet for Murphy.

Over the past two seasons, whoever has prevailed in this encounter has subsequently lifted the Sam Maguire.

Based on this performance, no team will fancy drawing Kerry when Monday’s fixtures are announced.

KERRY: S Murphy; P Murphy, J Foley 0-1, D Casey; B Ó Beaglaoich, M Breen, G O’Sullivan 0-1; M O’Shea, S O’Brien; J O’Connor 1-0, P Clifford, D O’Connor; D Clifford 1-10 (1tp, 1tpf, 0-2fs), P. Geaney 1-1, D Geaney 0-5 (1tp).

Subs: G White for Ó Beaglaoich (52), S O’Shea for P Geaney (53), K Evans 1-0 for O’Brien (56), E Looney for Murphy (60), A Heinrich for Casey (65).

ARMAGH: E Rafferty 0-2 (1tpf); P McGrane, A McKay, G Murphy; P Burns, T Kelly, J Óg Burns; A Murnin 0-2 (1tp), J McElroy; R McQuillan 0-3, D McMullan, C McConville 0-1 (0-1f); C Turbitt 0-2 (0-1f), J Duffy 0-2, O Conaty 0-4 (1tp).

Subs: O O’Neill 0-1 (0-1f), for J Burns (47), T McCormack for McElroy (47), C O’Neill for McConville (52), R Grugan for McKay (60), G McCabe for Turbitt (65).

REFEREE: D Coldrick (Meath).

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Mowing the lawn at the wrong time during hot weather can weaken grass, increase moisture loss, and leave the lawn vulnerable to drought and yellow patches

Keeping a lawn in good condition during spells of hot weather can prove difficult. Elevated temperatures put strain on grass, making appropriate lawn care all the more crucial.

One of the most frequently neglected elements of summer lawn maintenance is understanding when to mow and selecting the optimal time. Mowing at an unsuitable time can compromise grass health, accelerate moisture loss, and render the lawn susceptible to drought and yellow patches.

Yellow patches and weakened grass don’t indicate it has died, but it’s preferable to prevent this. One approach is to mow the lawn at the correct time, particularly during hot weather spells, as certain parts of the UK are currently experiencing.

According to George Davies Turf & Stone, the “ideal” time to mow your lawn is late morning, between 10am and 12pm.

They said: “The grass blades tend to be drier during this time, so the cut will be cleaner, and the clippings will mulch more efficiently”.

“Mowing early has other advantages as well. The morning dew acts as a natural lubricant, so the blades glide through the grass more smoothly.

“The lower temperatures also ensure less stress on the grass.

“Midday mowing should be avoided, as the heat places extra strain on the lawn.”

Late-afternoon and evening cuts aren’t recommended, but if mowing must take place during these hours, ensure sufficient time for the clippings to dry before darkness falls to avoid disease.

To maintain your lawn in prime condition, mow at least once weekly throughout the active growing season.

However, during warm, dry spells or when you notice growth declining, you can cut back to mowing every 10 to 14 days.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) similarly advises mowing once weekly on average, reducing to fortnightly during drought conditions.

Flower-rich lawns can be mown every four to six weeks, while long-grassed lawns are ideally cut once or twice throughout the summer, though typically not before June.

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A mum was sitting on a bench with her two-year-old daughter outside the crocodiles enclosure at a Cambridgeshire zoo when she heard a loud scream from the crocodile enclosure where a boy, 3, was seriously injured and later airlifted to hospital.

A stunned mother heard a chilling scream coming from the crocodile enclosure where a three-year-old boy was seriously injured, and subsequently witnessed him being airlifted to hospital. The mother was seated on a bench with her two-year-old daughter outside the enclosure at Johnsons at Old Hurst zoo in Huntingdon on Thursday (June 18) when she heard a loud scream, believed to have come from an adult.

She also disclosed how she had experienced a ‘sixth sense’ earlier in the day, before visiting the zoo, with a gut feeling ‘not to go into the crocodile house’. The mother, who is in her 20s, told SWNS: “We were sitting on a bench in the park between the bear and the crocodile enclosure. I was on the phone with my dad when it was all happening as my daughter was calling the capybaras happy-baras.

“We sat there and heard a loud scream. Never in a million years did I think someone was in with the crocodiles. The whole zoo went really quiet and it felt really eerie.”

The mother said that shortly afterwards, she and other visitors were asked to vacate an open area adjacent to the enclosure because “there had been an incident.”

She said that within ten minutes of the scream, she heard sirens and two police vans, and four police cars arrived at the zoo where she was standing outside. She added: “We then saw the air ambulance come over within about 10 minutes. We thought there had been a road accident.”

The mother then described a “white sheet” being erected between the zoo café and the farm shop, which she believes was used to shield the injured young boy from public view.

She added: “They held up a white sheet in between the farm shop and the cafe so no one could see what was happening. All of the police cars were there too. I think that was out of respect for the family. It felt very eerie and weirdly quiet. I saw four police cars and two police vans.”

The mum also said how fearful she felt leaving the zoo with a child of a similar age to the boy. She said: “My daughter was oblivious to everything because she is so little but it is scary because, what went through my head was, if I hadn’t of stopped to make that call it could have been her.

“The little boy was only three and my daughter is two, it could have been her.”

Titled The Wargame, the four-part series will air this September and is based on the Sky podcast of the same name.

The format places public figures around the table of a fictional cross-party cabinet to respond to a simulated Russian attack on UK soil, with the drama unfolding through Cobra-style emergency meetings.

Michael Gove, former Conservative MP, will lead the fictional government as prime minister.

New Sky show to star Michael Gove and Nichola Sturgeon

He is joined by former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon as deputy prime minister.

Penny Mordaunt serves as defence secretary, Labour’s Baroness Harriet Harman is home secretary, and former Labour MP Jim Murphy takes the role of foreign secretary.

Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, said: “A year ago, Sky News’ groundbreaking original podcast The Wargame captivated listeners, shedding light on the impossible choices our country’s leaders face under escalating military threat.

“Now, working with the talented team at The Garden, we’re bringing The Wargame to new audiences in a visceral new TV format, which will challenge some of the most experienced political and military minds in the country to imagine how they might respond under threat of war.

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“At a time when we are facing increasing threats from all sides, this series couldn’t be more timely.”

The cabinet cast also includes Tory Baroness Sayeeda Warsi as attorney general, Labour’s Baroness Ayesha Hazarika as director of communications, retired British Army general Sir Richard Barrons as chief of defence staff, Lord Kim Darroch as national security adviser, and former MI6 officer Christopher Steele as intelligence chief.

The fictional UK team will be opposed by a group of Russia experts led by British writer Keir Giles.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared an emergency Saturday to ensure the city gets the resources it needs to fight a large warehouse fire that has sent large plumes of smoke into the air.

“The city and county have opened spaces for families seeking relief from the smoke, and we will continue working around the clock and doing everything possible to put this fire out completely,” Bass said in a news release announcing the emergency declaration.

The fire at a privately owned cold-storage warehouse in the city’s Boyle Heights neighborhood started Wednesday, prompting shelter-in-place orders in the area because of the risk of hazardous air. Residents were told to close all windows, doors and vents, turn off air conditioning and bring people and pets to an inside room.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said in a news conference that they have taken care of the hazardous materials portion of the blaze and now they are working on the biohazard challenges.

“We have 85 million pounds of frozen food inside of this facility and the way the building has been laid out, it’s very difficult for us to get in there because there’s zero visibility inside,” Moore said. “Our firefighters are not able to just go in there and start moving pallets.”

The mayor’s declaration asks for recovery help under the California Disaster Assistance Act. She also asked the state to expedite access to resources and other relief programs.

Bass said their chief concern is for the health and safety of the people impacted by the fire, so they are trying to secure the help needed to move the toxic materials away from the area and dispose of them in a way that will avert a major environmental disaster.

“So this is about prevention,” she said. “This is about protecting your public health.”

US President Donald Trump has claimed that “vandals” are responsible for damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, as a former Olympian David Hearn was arrested after touching a piece of the pool’s already-damaged liner

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US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on social media against the “vandals” he alleges are behind damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, with arrests including a former Olympian.

Trump posted on his preferred platform, Truth Social, claiming federal officers had made “multiple arrests” of individuals he accused of vandalising the historic site.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Trump posted online: “Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool.

“What they have damaged does not even include the earlier killing of a large amount of grass which was, by far, the least of it. They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250-foot-long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete.

“They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the Pool”, he said, as per a report by the Express.

The US President revealed that contractors informed him on Saturday that the Reflecting Pool would require draining for restoration work, though repairs would be “done as quickly as possible”, as he attempts to justify why the USD$14-million-plus renovation scheme he initiated for the nation’s 250th anniversary has apparently gone awry. Trump’s assertions emerge as a former Olympian faces arrest for allegedly damaging the pool.

David Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist who represented the United States, informed the Washington Post that while cycling past the monument on Friday, he halted after spotting a section of the pool’s liner drifting in the water.

Hearn, 67, explained to the publication that he extended his hand and touched the loose piece of liner. Seconds later, he found himself detained by Park Police.

Viral video clips show Hearn appearing confused as National Guard members approached him. The footage then depicts police placing him in handcuffs.

“I didn’t vandalise anything,” Hearn insisted, according to The Washington Post. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realised what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.

“I reached in there, and I was able to grab the end of that flapping piece, the already peeling piece. It was still attached to the bottom. I didn’t remove anything.”

Hearn participated in the Whitewater Slalom Canoe for the US at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic Games.

The ex-Olympian disclosed he spent nearly five hours held at a Park Police station. His court appearance at DC Superior Court is set for 9 July.

The Olympian’s detention follows earlier statements by the US President on Friday (19 June) claiming there had been “some real problems with vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool”. “It’s a shame that the Radical Left Lunatics, most likely Dumocats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our Country, are free to do so,’ Trump wrote.

“Law Enforcement is actively investigating this situation, and will hopefully have it resolved soon.”

The 47th US President also turned his attack on a journalist amid the Reflecting Pool fiasco, accusing “lightweight ABC Reporter Jonathan Karl” of plunging his hand into the pool and attempting to scrape the rubber from its surface.

His outburst follows Karl’s ABC News report on Thursday, in which his team discovered the Reflecting Pool laden with muck and green algae. Karl further noted that the multi-million dollar paint job appeared to be deteriorating rapidly.

Earlier this month, Trump took to Truth Social to declare the Reflecting Pool restoration complete, proudly boasting that the renovation was “very complex, but powerful”.

The President also claimed that fresh water had been added to the pool, yet just weeks after Trump’s triumphant proclamation, algae turned the newly added water a nauseating shade of green. Last week, workers were spotted pouring hydrogen peroxide into the water in a bid to tackle the spreading algae.

The US Department of the Interior, the government body overseeing the project, confirmed in an official statement that “nanobubbler technology” had been installed to combat the persistent algae problem. Trump has since claimed that the algae has been reduced by 75 percent.

The Reflecting Pool has troubled successive US administrations, as algae accumulation has regularly stopped the water from properly mirroring the memorial as intended.