Councillors have agreed to begin the process of revising the Local Plan for Stockton, which has guided development since 2019.

Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for housing and transport at Stockton Borough Council, said: “The Local Plan is a really important document and it cannot be understated what a huge piece of work this will be.

“As things progress, we will continue to provide updates and how residents will be able to have their say once a consultation is launched.

“You can keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting the dedicated Local Plan web page.”

A scoping consultation will give residents, businesses, and organisations the chance to share their views and feedback.

It will also guide planning decisions and shape the long-term vision for the area.

Details on how to take part will be shared once the consultation period begins.

Anyone interested in receiving updates can register on the council’s website at www.stockton.gov.uk/local-plan.

Daniel Radcliffe’s gripping thriller Escape from Pretoria is now available to stream for free and is a must-watch for fans of edge-of-your-seat drama

Daniel Radcliffe’s riveting thriller Escape from Pretoria can now be watched at no cost.

The 2020 release, based on actual events, features the Harry Potter star as Tim Jenkin, a South African anti-apartheid campaigner jailed for his political involvement. Drawing from Jenkin’s autobiography Inside Out: Escape from Pretoria Prison, the narrative chronicles his audacious scheme to flee Pretoria Prison with two fellow prisoners after receiving a 12-year sentence.

The nail-biting thriller is helmed by Francis Annan, who co-penned the script with L. H. Adams. Following its debut, the production has garnered acclaim for its tension-filled narrative and Radcliffe’s captivating portrayal.

In their assessment, The Sun branded it “unbearably tense”, drawing parallels with Ben Affleck’s Oscar-winning thriller Argo while commending its polished direction, reports the Mirror.

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MovieWeb, meanwhile, emphasised its brisk pacing and nerve-wracking sequences, noting the film contains numerous “hold your breath” moments while lauding Radcliffe for consistently pursuing bold and demanding projects.

Eye for Film similarly commended the production, describing it as a gripping thriller that delivers beyond mere entertainment. Their critique observed that it illuminates the enduring consequences of apartheid while recounting a remarkable true account.

Daniel Radcliffe heads a formidable ensemble cast in Escape from Pretoria. Daniel Webber portrays Stephen Lee, while Ian Hart takes the role of anti-apartheid campaigner Denis Goldberg.

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Mark Leonard Winter appears as Leonard Fontaine, Nathan Page plays Mongo, and Grant Piro takes on the role of Captain Schnepel.

Having recently aired on Film4, Escape from Pretoria is now freely available to stream on Channel 4 with adverts, according to Digital Spy.

For those who prefer uninterrupted viewing, a Channel 4+ subscription provides ad-free streaming, complete with a seven-day free trial. The film is additionally accessible via Netflix.

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Fans wishing to explore more of Radcliffe’s back catalogue will find plenty to enjoy on Prime Video. Highlights include Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, in which the actor transforms into legendary parody musician “Weird Al” Yankovic.

For a considerably darker offering, the 2016 thriller Imperium sees Radcliffe portray an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a violent white supremacist organisation.

Also available to stream is the action-comedy Guns Akimbo, in which Radcliffe plays an ordinary computer programmer thrust into a brutal underground contest where he must fight to survive.

Escape from Pretoria is available to stream on Channel4.com

The rabbit was adopted from Woodgreen more than a decade ago

A Cambridgeshire rabbit rescued more than 10 years ago has been named as one of the world’s oldest living rabbits. Archie Bunn was adopted from Woodgreen in Godmanchester and has since lived with owner Andrea Lees from St Neots.

On May 28, Archie turned 15 – just weeks after lionhead rabbit Herbie was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living rabbit at 15 years and 246 days.

Archie Bun, also known as Mr Ears, first met Andrea when she was looking for a furry companion in 2013. “We knew as soon as we saw him,” said Andrea.

She added: “All the other rabbits were being a little shy, but not Archie Bun. He was sitting up tall and proud on a box in his enclosure as if he was waiting for us. We laughed and started singing the lyrics from Lionel Richie’s Hello – ‘Is it me you’re looking for?’ – it turns out, it was.”

Archie joined Andrea’s family just a few weeks after his second birthday. In the years since, Archie has settled in with Andrea’s other rabbit Bobby. Andrea added: “As Bobby grew older and her back legs weakened, Archie Bun was forever by her side. He looked after her and protected her. It was beautiful to see.”

Today, Archie Bun continues to enjoy a full and happy life in St Neots. Samantha Ryan, Woodgreen’s behaviour and training specialist for small pets wished Archie Bun a happy birthday.

Samantha said: “Archie Bun’s 15th birthday not only places him alongside the world’s oldest living rabbit, but also shows that rabbits are a long-term commitment; a message we’re particularly eager to share ahead of this year’s Rabbit Awareness Week (June 22 to 26).

“While many people are surprised to learn that rabbits can live for 10 years or more, Archie Bun’s story is a touching reminder of the lifelong bond that can develop between rabbits and the people who love them, and shows just what can be achieved when rabbits receive the care they need to live full lives. Happy birthday Archie Bun.”

Melissa Thompson was placed into foster care at 14 months old and was inspired by the care and compassion she was shown

A woman who was placed into foster care at just 14 months old is following in the footsteps of her late adopted father as she graduates as a social worker.

Melissa Thompson is graduating today with a Bachelor of Social Work from Queen’s University Belfast, reaching a goal she has held since early childhood.

Placed into foster care at just 14 months old and adopted at the age of eight, Melissa’s early experiences shaped both her outlook and her ambition.

She said: “The care and compassion I was shown through my own experiences with social workers, inspired me from I was around four years old age. I was also influenced greatly by my adopted father, who was a social worker himself.”

Melissa speaks warmly of her father, Thomas Thompson, describing him as the person who guided and inspired her most. Prior to losing him in 2017 when Melissa was just 18, she made him the promise that she would graduate with a degree in social work.

Whilst he may have jokingly described her decision as “crazy”, following in her dad’s footsteps is something Melissa approaches with both pride and determination.

Melissa added: “My mum and dad were always supportive of my decisions and only wanted what was best for me. My dad was the most selfless, caring and funny man anyone ever met. His ultimate dad-quote was ‘I may not always be right, but I’m never wrong!’

“He was an incredible social worker and was loved and valued by every person that came into contact with him. If I can be even a fraction of the social worker he was, I will have succeeded. He was my best friend and my hero, and I’ll miss him for the rest of my life.”

Melissa’s route to graduation has not been without challenges. Health issues and surgery meant she had to pause her studies, and when she was preparing to return in 2022, she discovered she was expecting her son Harvey, who is now three.

“I was terrified to leave Harvey and at the prospect of studying full time with a child, but he was also the thing that drove me. I wanted to give my son a better life and fulfil the promise I made to my dad.”

Resuming her degree when Harvey was just seven months old, Melissa credits the support of those around her with helping her to persevere.

She said: “I most definitely would not be here without the unwavering support of my partner, my family, my tutors and the Care Experienced Support Team at Queen’s. Throughout my studies, my mum was a the most amazing support with Harvey, and my fiancé, Dawid was working constantly to provide for us.”

Maintaining connections with those who supported her is a value that permeates throughout Melissa’s journey. She describes maintaining contact with the social workers who supported her in her early years in care, including one who was newly qualified at the time and went on to become Head of Service for the Trust before recently retiring.

“She is one of the good ones,” notes Melissa. “A woman who dedicated so much of her time, career and life, and saved so many children from further harm and trauma.”

Despite the challenges she has faced, Melissa is immensely proud of her perseverance, allowing her to achieve something “truly meaningful,” going on to make that difference in the lives of others.

Looking back, she has a clear message for her younger self: “Do not worry about a thing. You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for and every little trauma and adverse experience you have gone through will be worth it in the end.

“Be patient with yourself. You’re living for the first time and you will undoubtedly make mistakes, but it’s all part of life. Keep going, no matter how hard it gets. You’ve got this.”

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

Age is just a number – and that’s especially true of the super-sprightly Bill Kober.

The 98-year-old, who lives in Woodbridge, Suffolk, does at least 40 press-ups every day without fail – 20 in the morning and another 20 in the evening.

Despite his age, the pensioner is also partial to a bit of Pilates, and recently mastered the “crow” pose.

“Only in my later years have I realised that I’ve got this ability, and so I do it because I’m able to and, as they say, use it or lose it, and I don’t want to lose it,” he said.

“I want to be as fit as I can be.”

Among other benefits, press-ups can improve your upper body strength and core stability and strength. Over time, they can also help improve your ability to do everyday tasks.

But what’s the key to the perfect push-up, according to Bill?

“A good straight back which gives you a nice tight buttock,” he said.

“If I stuck £20 note in between your buttocks, you’ve got to grip over it so that no-one can take it.”

According to the NHS, adults aged 65 and over should be physically active every day and do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility at least two days a week.

They should also do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, such as swimming, if they are already active.

Doing regular exercise can reduce the risk of major illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer, and lower the risk of early death by up to 30%.

“It turns out that public declarations of righteousness tell us remarkably little about private character and are not a substitute for integrity.”

Christianity belongs in politics. That sentence may surprise some readers, but I believe it. Just as socialism, liberalism, conservatism and every other worldview have a legitimate place in a democracy, so too does Christianity.

Politicians do not stop being people of faith when they enter public life, nor should they. The problem begins when faith stops being a source of values and starts becoming a claim to moral superiority.

Jeffrey Donaldson’s convictions for multiple historical sexual offences have prompted understandable shock within unionism and beyond. The BBC’s Spotlight documentary, which aired allegations about aspects of his private life has added another layer to an already extraordinary political collapse.

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Yet one of the broader political questions raised by the affair has remarkably little to do with Donaldson himself and more to do with whether parts of Northern Ireland’s political culture confused Christianity with self-righteousness.

For decades, politicians, particularly within the DUP, have approached issues such as marriage equality, abortion, and LGBT rights as moral battles. Political language often moved beyond the language of governance and into the language of judgement, and society was presented as divided between those defending Christian values and those driving moral decline.

There is nothing unusual about politicians allowing faith to shape their convictions. The difficulty arises when political identity becomes dependent on asserting who is righteous and who is not. Christianity, at least in its scriptural foundations, does not sit comfortably with that posture.

Jesus belongs in politics in the sense that his teachings about justice, mercy, and human dignity inevitably shape how believers view public life. But the Jesus of the Gospels did not seek out sinners in order to shame them. He sought them out to show them compassion. He repeatedly warned against those who advertised their own righteousness while remaining blind to their own failings.

He spent time with tax collectors, spoke with those on the margins, and consistently clashed with the religious authorities of his day. His most pointed criticism was often directed not at those living imperfect lives, but at those who believed themselves to be morally secure.

For years, some of our politicians spoke as though morality could be legislated and virtue measured by whom you condemned. It turns out that public declarations of righteousness tell us remarkably little about private character and are not a substitute for integrity.

However, this is not the first time that we have witnessed such hypocrisy. Iris Robinson famously described homosexuality as an “abomination” while speaking with apparent certainty about moral order in society. Her subsequent affair with a 19-year-old boy undermined the authority from which she had spoken.

The point is not that politicians should be expected to be morally perfect. They will fail, as all people do.

Once a politician’s legitimacy rests on being seen as more righteous than others, their public role is subsequently judged on performance of virtue rather than on policy or competence, creating a fragile political identity which can collapse dramatically when private life diverges from public image.

It also distorts the political conversation itself. Instead of debating how to govern a diverse society, politics becomes a contest over moral boundaries, who belongs, who does not, and whose way of life is acceptable.

In such an environment, contradiction is almost inevitable. Human beings are imperfect, and political systems that rely on displays of purity tend to produce instability when those imperfections inevitably surface.

This is not a uniquely Northern Irish phenomenon. Across different political traditions and countries, movements that centre on moral certainty often struggle most with moral complexity. The more politics becomes about declaring what is right and wrong in absolute terms, the less room there is for the messy realities of human behaviour.

If anything, it runs counter to the core of the Christian message. The Gospels repeatedly emphasise humility, repentance and the universality of human imperfection, warning against those who are convinced of their own righteousness. That is why the danger in politics is the transformation of Christianity into a tool of self-justification.

Donaldson’s downfall will rightly be remembered for the severity of his criminal conduct. Nothing about the wider political implications should obscure that. Nor should it be used as a lens through which to judge every politician of faith.

But it invites a more uncomfortable reflection on a political culture that, for a time, placed heavy emphasis on moral certainty.

As such, voters should not distrust Christians but be wary of anyone who asks to be judged by their sermons rather than their actions.

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

A self-made millionaire has shared the four essential steps every lottery winner should take immediately to protect and grow their windfall after hitting the jackpot

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A millionaire has shared his four essential steps lottery winners must follow if they suddenly come into a life-changing sum of money. Mark Tilbury, who left education at 16 and subsequently built a multi-million-pound enterprise, shares money-making guidance through his YouTube channel to numerous followers and now proudly claims earnings “over 50 million.”

He’s dedicated to helping others become “financially free,” providing insight on topics ranging from banking to taxation and investment strategies. Mark has recently addressed the vital actions you ought to take should you ever find yourself fortunate enough to scoop the lottery jackpot.

In a recent video entitled You Won the Lottery, Now What?, Mark laid out four particular measures to help protect your winnings – including one that could prevent you from “ever running out” of money.

Mark stressed: “What to do in your first 24 hours after winning $50,000,000 (around £36,504,344). Step one: sign the lottery ticket, just in case it gets lost or stolen, so you can prove it’s yours,” reports Belfast Live.

He further advised winners: “Step two: stay calm and collect your prize secretly to avoid unwanted attention. Step three: get a lawyer from a big firm that specialises in trust and estate planning.

“Step four: make it last forever by figuring out how much you want to spend per year, then multiplying that by 25 and investing it in the SandP 500. That way, you should be able to withdraw four percent per year without it ever running out.”

Back in 2023, Anita Pires, a call centre operator for the National Lottery, revealed that verifying a winning ticket is an “incredibly rigorous” process and that “no stone is left unturned.”

The procedure involves a series of checks, including where the ticket was purchased and the day and time of the transaction. If these details stack up, the claim is then “further investigated” before any winnings are paid out.

She further noted: “The most important thing for ease of validation is to be in possession of your ticket and the required validation information. For instance, if you paid by card in a retailer, this transaction would show on your bank statement.”

Anita recommends that players who purchase a physical paper ticket sign the back of it immediately after buying, as an extra security measure to establish ownership should they strike it lucky.

However, should the worst happen and you misplace your ticket, all is not necessarily lost – provided you have a legitimate claim and submit it in writing to Camelot within 30 days of the draw.

An investigation into the claim will then be launched, and as long as no other valid claims have emerged within 180 days, Camelot holds the discretion to award the prize.

For further details on how to claim a prize, visit the National Lottery website.

Scotland fans have embraced every minute of this journey, from the stadiums to the streets, and created memories that will last far longer than any group-stage exit.

There’s a feeling around Miami that the Tartan Army just want to be put out of their misery.

Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse after our 3-0 drubbing by Brazil, every result we needed has gone against us.

Even two of the biggest bankers – South Africa and Ecuador – produced stunning upsets, beating South Korea and Germany to leave Scotland’s hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads.

It brought home the uncomfortable truth that we probably haven’t done enough.

The reality is we’ve simply not been good enough over the course of our three group games.

We never found the kind of performance Ecuador produced against Germany when it mattered most. One solitary goal was always unlikely to be enough, and now elimination is staring us squarely in the face.

The hard truth is we should never have been relying on other teams to do us a favour. We should have taken care of our own business.

Yet, despite all that, the Scotland fans who made the journey to Miami aren’t drowning in disappointment.

We waited 28 years to see Scotland at a World Cup again. If this is where the adventure ends, then so be it.

For everyone who travelled out to America, it’s been the trip of a lifetime.

No one will leave with too many regrets. They’ve embraced every minute of this journey, from the stadiums to the streets, and created memories that will last far longer than any group-stage exit.

For many, simply getting here was enough. Let’s just hope it isn’t another 28 years before we’re all doing it again.

A new shop could be built, as well as a ‘do-it-yourself’ car wash

A service station could be demolished and rebuilt with a new shop. Judvia Contract Services has proposed to demolish part of the Stradishall Service Station in Bury Road, Stradishall, Newmarket.

Parts that could be demolished include the shop, MOT garage, canopy, and pump islands. The applicant seeks to build a new shop with a hot food takeaway unit, new pump islands, and canopy, replacement offset fillers and underground tanks, and a “do-it-yourself” car wash.

The applicant said the proposals would “support the ongoing operation and growth of the business”. The building that could house the shop is proposed to be bigger than the current shop.

The applicant added: “Though the retail unit would be larger than the existing, the associated sales would be small in scale when compared with the primary revenue generator; the sale of fuel.”

The new car wash would be big enough for one vehicle at a time. As the site will continue as a petrol station, the plans will “support the ongoing function” of the site.

Therefore, the applicant said the plans wouldn’t “adversely impact” the setting and significance of the petrol station. The new petrol station is also not expected to create extra traffic on the surrounding roads.

There are proposed to be 18 parking spaces. These will include three staff spaces, three disabled spaces, two car wash waiting spaces, two EV charging spaces, and eight general customers spaces.

The applicant added: “Suitable space for the parking and turning of vehicles would be provided, including EV and disabled spaces.”

Hello and good morning!

Yes, we know England are playing today but that’s not until 10pm. Between now and kick-off, we will be with you to provide all of the latest transfer gossip for your enjoyment.

Whether it’s the future of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, or Manchester United’s latest transfer pursuit, we will be here with any and all updates.

Stay tuned and stay with us for all of the latest news and transfer gossip.