Cambridge residents have voiced growing concerns for the future of the River Cam, amid reports of poor water quality, collapsing riverbanks, and calls for tighter rules on moorings

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Cambridgeshire Live readers have expressed strong opinions following reports of significant damage to sections of the River Cam, with many demanding improved maintenance, greater funding transparency, and stricter mooring regulations.

Cambridge residents have voiced concerns about the future of parts of the River Cam, warning that its health is at “serious risk”. Cambridge residents and councillors have sounded the alarm as collapsing riverbanks and unsafe water threaten to reduce the River Cam to a “muddy trickle”.

Earlier this year, water samples taken at the designated bathing site at Sheep’s Green revealed the water quality to be among the worst in England, with the Environment Agency advising people against swimming.

David B writes: “Agree, no houseboats should be allowed above Baitsbite Lock. The green algae around the lock will be down to a combination of things. The pollutants from Farm run off & the treatment works much further upstream, the high temperatures we’ve had & the lack of water flow. Due to the lack of rain and the water extraction further upstream.

“As for the damage to the lack [lock] & bank, many years of lack of maintenance by all agencies but particularly the Conservators, in not lobbying or seeking sponsorship from companies to get funding for the works. We are where we are with it & a long-term maintenance plan needs to be put in place & funding sought.

“Isn’t it about time the colleges put something into the city for a change & help fund major repairs? If the lock fails, it will drain the river up to the mill pond. This will prevent any punting, remove a tourist attraction & if drained for a long period, will damage the brickwork of all the colleges fronting the river. The colleges are very wealthy & easily have the spare funds to assist with the repairs to the lock & bank.”

While Teresa G says: “In New Zealand, there is a river that, after a 150-year legal battle, was legally granted the rights of a person. The Maori tribes consider the river a living ancestor. Godspeed the restoration and respect of the River Cam.”

Eco Nick adds: “Yep, there are also some fairly large corporations in Cambridge. Oh well, they have people to feed at events, I guess.”

Philip S mentions: “I read that £12.5 million is being spent on the safety barrier on one of the guided busways, double the original estimate. They seem to be able to find the money for that, but not for maintaining the locks and riverbanks. I’m sure there will be an excuse, but it doesn’t look good in a city like Cambridge, with so many visitors from all over the world.”

Drewski C thinks: “The country is broke, and unless we start to tax the rich again and re-nationalise water and energy, it will carry on getting more broke.”

Julian F adds: “The council can’t even keep the bins and toilets clean in that area, so what hope does the river have!”

Marvin H mentions: “Building too many houses doesn’t have the critical infrastructure. Need to address the fact that people can’t afford to live, let alone care for the environment.”

Are you worried about the state of the River Cam? Comment below or HERE to have your say.

This route, published by Visit Ribble Valley, starts and ends at the Assheton Arms in Downham, offers a blend of natural beauty and historic charm.

The Assheton Arms is famed for its views of Pendle Hill and its extensive menu, which includes fresh seafood and classic pub dishes.

This pub is a favourite with both locals and visitors, has won several awards, including Lancashire Life Dining Pub of the Year and Ribble Valley Tourism Team of the Year.

The walk itself begins from the frontage of the Assheton Arms.

Walkers turn left and head downhill through the village of Downham, taking the left fork at the bridge, then right across a footbridge to the footpath at the end of the lane.

The route continues through a kissing gate, following the path beside the brook, then right to another kissing gate in the top corner of the field.

Walkers are advised to ignore the stile to the left.

Once through the gate, walkers head right along the field boundary, continuing to climb alongside the fence, with the brook on their left, and over a footbridge.

At the farm track, walkers continue straight over, then along the field boundary and over a stone stile to Lane Head barn.

There are a couple of well-placed benches here where walkers can catch their breath and admire the view back towards Downham.

The path then heads left across the brook and goes straight over the fields.

Here, the views open up over the Ribble Valley and into the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales.

Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent can be seen to the northeast, with the Bowland Fells appearing to the north.

Keeping the post markers across the field on their left, walkers cross the stone stile, continuing straight over the track and along the field boundary, then over the stile in the corner of the field, heading for farm buildings on the skyline.

The route skirts around to the right, above the farm, following the boundary wall to a narrow stone stile.

Over the stile, it continues straight on over the track, following the marker stone to another narrow stile, then along the field boundary to skirt the farmhouse on the left, then left to follow the track right up the hill for 75 metres before descending half-left along the field boundary down to a kissing gate into the wooded ghyll.

The path continues over the footbridge and up the other side of the ghyll, through a kissing gate, then climbing steeply across the field, passing to the left of the barn and over a footbridge.

At the cottage, the path turns left, then over a stile beside the gate and follows the fence along the right-hand side of the field boundary.

It continues through a gate, then over a squeeze stile, and follows the hedge on the left to a stile in the bottom corner of the field.

The route offers views back to Pendle and reveals some limestone outcrops, a hint of the changing geology as the millstone grit of East Lancashire gives way to the limestone of The Dales.

The walk ends at the Assheton Arms, where walkers can enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Full route:

• Leave the Assheton Arms and walk downhill through Downham. Take the left fork at the bridge, then cross the footbridge on the right to the footpath.
• Go through the kissing gate. Follow the beck and turn right to another kissing gate in the field corner.
• Go through the gate and follow the field boundary uphill, keeping the beck on your left. Cross the footbridge.
• Cross the farm track and continue to Lane Head Barn via the stone stile. Pause here to enjoy the views over Downham.
• Cross the beck and continue straight across the fields.
• Follow the marker posts and field boundaries. Cross the track and stiles, heading towards the farm buildings on the skyline.
• Pass to the right of the farm. Follow the wall and cross several stiles. Continue past the farmhouse and uphill on the track before descending to a kissing gate into the wooded ghyll.
• Cross the footbridge and climb out of the ghyll. Go through the kissing gate, pass left of the barn, and cross another footbridge.
• At the cottage, turn left. Follow the field boundaries, gates and stiles across several fields, keeping the hedge mainly on your left, until you reach the farm.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Pendle Hill and the limestone landscape ahead.
• Follow the field edge to a gate. Descend into the ghyll, pass the outbarn, ignore the footbridge on the left, and continue to a kissing gate. Follow the stream and turn right onto a quiet lane.
• Walk along the lane for 150m. Take the footpath on the left before the farm buildings and follow the beck downstream through kissing gates and over a footbridge.
• Follow the wall to a cottage. Pass between the buildings, cross the stile, and continue over Woolly Hill, crossing the next stile and heading towards the buildings ahead.
• Cross the track and continue along the field edges beside the woodland. After about 400m, take the left footpath, then turn right on the lane to return to the Assheton Arms.

Several crews from across the area have responded to tackle the fire which broke out this afternoon on a farm near RAF Leeming.

People living in the area are being advised to keep their doors and windows shut as putrid, thick black smoke can be seen for miles.

North Yorkshire crews tackle fire near RAF Leeming at an agricultural building. (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)

A North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We currently have five fire appliances from Bedale, Northallerton, Richmond, Thirsk and Ripon and a water bowser on scene at an agricultural building fire.

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“Crews currently have six breathing apparatus and four hose reel jets in use to extinguish the fire. The building measures approximately 50 x 30 metres.

“We have received reports that smoke is blowing over the A1, please try avoid the area if possible.”

Several crews are tackling a large fire at an agricultural building by RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)

RAF Leeming – home to the Hawk Mk 167 and Grob Tutor T1 – is not thought to be affected by the agricultural building fire.

Drivers are being urged to try to avoid the area if possible due to reports that smoke is blowing over the A1.

Record View says those in well-paid leadership positions – in government and in our health boards – need to up their game. Lives are at stake if they continue to fail us.

Scotland’s emergency service workers are true heroes who go the extra mile to help us when we need it most. There’s absolutely no doubt those who provide our 999 services are highly trained, world class operators.

But there is clearly a long term problem with ambulance waiting times and people are dying as a result. Today, the Daily Record reports on two families who know this only too well.

Julie Parker died after waiting almost four hours for help last month. Brian Hurton died alone on his ­bathroom floor after twice being told an ambulance was not being dispatched.

The families are joining forces to demand improvements. They say nobody in desperate need of medical help should be waiting hours for an ambulance to arrive.

And they rightly declare that no Scot should die due to delays in getting an ambulance to them. Hopefully our MSPS – and Health Secretary Angela Constance – will take heed of what the families are saying.

However, it would be unfair to single out the ambulance service for blame. Wider problems within the NHS mean that crews are often forced to wait in queues outside A&E ­departments for hours on end.

This leaves frustrated paramedics sitting outside hospitals rather than out on patrol saving lives. To sort this problem out, more resources need to be diverted to ­emergency provision within the NHS – and that means wider reform of the service, which is long overdue.

Scots pay higher taxes than every other part of the the UK. So we expect to see better public services as a result – with hospitals obviously benefiting from the extra cash available.

That does not appear to be the case. Those in well-paid leadership positions – in government and in our health boards – need to up their game. Lives are at stake if they continue to fail us.

Cold hard facts

Wildfires continue to rage in the Cairngorms, with smoke and fumes from the blaze blowing in over Aberdeen.

In France and Spain, hundreds of ­thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as blazes rage out of control.

Anyone who doubts the effects of climate change – or who thinks it somehow doesn’t affect us – can’t continue to keep their heads in the sand.

It’s clear that drought and extreme heat are going to become a fact of life from now on, even in rain-soaked Scotland.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

More than four people may have been involved in the young mum’s kidnapping and murder, police have said, with a $62,000 reward on offer for information that helps locate the baby and those responsible

The gruesome slaying of a 21-year-old pregnant woman has sent shockwaves through an entire city, with the body of the young mum found dumped beside a river with her baby nowhere to be found.

María Camila Potosí was eight months pregnant when she was last seen riding on the back of a motorcycle in Polvorines, a town in the southwestern city of Cali in Columbia last week. She was declared missing on July 16 and, after days of searching by her family and by authorities, she was found by a the banks of the River Meléndez.

Her body had been discarded after she was stabbed to death, with her baby nowhere to be found; cut from her womb.

As per local radio station La FM, the baby was reportedly to be named Alahia and had been expected to be born in August. A baby shower was planned just days before the horrific tragedy unfolded.

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Confirming the discovery of María’s remains, Cali Police deputy head of criminal investigations Maj Alirio Acuna said: “The body of a pregnant woman was found at kilometre 3 on the La Buitrera road, specifically on the banks of the River Meléndez. Preliminary findings suggest that the physical characteristics and clothing match those of the 21-year-old woman who had been reported missing since last Thursday, July 16.”

María was last spotted climbing onto a motorbike with an unidentified woman who, at the time of writing, remains unknown. According to Noticias Caracol, María had just attended an appointment at the Los Polvorines health centre in southern Cali before boarding the motorbike that was recorded on CCTV.

Discussing María’s appointment just hours before her tragic death, Ladera Health Network manager Diana Carolina said: “It was a routine consultation, in line with clinical practice guidelines.

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“She arrived at our healthcare centre at around 9am. She entered the consultation room alone and underwent the necessary check-up.”

María’s mum Ana Rubi Gomez has made a desperate plea for her granddaughter’s safe return, urging the public to assist in locating the missing infant.

She revealed to La FM: “The first thing I asked was whether the baby was still in her womb, and they told me no, that the baby wasn’t there.

“That filled me with hope that the baby might still be alive. So I’m asking the public and the community to help me find my little girl.”

Potosí was at her boyfriend’s home when they say when she received a phone call from a woman later identified in a video as driving the motorcycle. The family said that Potosí told them that she was going with the woman to pick up gifts for her baby. She had recently met the woman at a Cali center for expectant mums.

On Friday (July 24), a man named Carlos Rincón posted a video on social media in which he identified himself as the female suspect’s former boyfriend and revealed that she did not return to sleep at his home the day that Potosí disappeared.

He added that his ex-girlfriend told him in January that she was pregnant. “I was excited about (her) pregnancy,” he said.

“And many people think I had something to do with it — the kidnapping and murder of the 21-year-old woman — because I had been the motorcyclist’s partner.

“We had nothing to do with it. We knew nothing. My family was another victim. We trusted her, we believed in her.”

After María’s body was discovered, the Cali Ombudsman’s Office has demanded a swift and thorough probe into her death. Additionally, they’ve stressed the urgency of tracing the missing infant immediately in case she remains alive.

Officials reportedly stated that the post-mortem findings confirming the baby’s removal “makes it even more urgent to clarify the facts and locate the newborn baby”.

They continued: “As the Public Prosecutor’s Office, we call on the Attorney General’s Office and the relevant authorities to carry out all investigative measures as swiftly as possible and to put in place the necessary measures to locate the baby, ensuring the protection of her life and safety.

“We also urge members of the public to provide any information through official channels that may assist the investigation. Every minute counts.”

Investigations into María’s death are ongoing.

The two-day event was held at the Oakleaf Sports Complex on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with more than 2,500 people expected across the weekend.

Friday night’s “Warm Up” saw the marquee host a run of high-energy sets from North East bands and solo acts, including Another Crisis, an 80s versus 90s smash hits party band, and C-Collective.

Here’s our gallery of the weekend:

Ayclive Festival in full swing (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Festival acts keep the main stage buzzing throughout the day (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

A lively weekend at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Festival-goers enjoy Ayclive (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Ayclive Festival featured a packed line-up of live music across the weekend (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

One of the weekend’s acts entertains the audience at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Ayclive Festival crowds in Newton Aycliffe (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

The crowd enjoys a high-energy set at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

North East acts brought plenty of energy to the Ayclive stage. (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

The audience gets into the spirit of Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Festival crowds enjoy a sunny weekend of live music in Newton Aycliffe (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Families and friends make the most of Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Revellers enjoy the music and atmosphere at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Crowds danced and sang along at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Music fans packed into the festival site for a day of live entertainment (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

There was a lively atmosphere as crowds gathered for the weekend event (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Festival-goers enjoy the action at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Families and music fans enjoyed a day of entertainment at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Festival-goers soak up the atmosphere at the town’s biggest live music event of the summer (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Ayclive Festival brought thousands of music fans to Newton Aycliffe (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Thousands of revellers descended on Newton Aycliffe for Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

The weekend’s festival crowds enjoyed live music, food and entertainment at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Crowds gather for the fourth edition of Ayclive Festival at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Festival-goers make the most of the sunshine at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Saturday brought 11 hours of continuous entertainment on the main stage, running from late morning through to late evening.

The day’s line-up featured a mix of tribute and covers acts, including MixtNutz, Wednesday Flowers, The Angelettes, The Skandals, Nuromantica, MOOBs, and The UK Rock Show, building towards a headline set from indie-pop group The Hoosiers, best known for hits including “Worried About Ray” and “Goodbye Mr A”.

Away from the main stage, festival-goers had access to a fairground, food stalls, a bar area, and a dedicated kids’ entertainment zone, alongside activities aimed at younger children including a silent disco tent, face painting, and circus skills workshops.

Organisers had built in a re-admission policy for the day, allowing parents to bring tired children home and return to enjoy more of the festival later on.

Ayclive Festival was launched in 2023 to mark Newton Aycliffe’s 75th anniversary, with its inaugural line-up featuring Britpop-era acts Cast and Dodgy alongside local group Sound Divide.

Run entirely by volunteers, the festival reinvests its profits into the following year’s event and into local causes, with organisers describing it as a celebration of community spirit as much as live music.

The Brownlee Foundation, launched by triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee in 2014, celebrated its 100th event on Tuesday 16 June 2026 in Mold, North Wales.

Alistair Brownlee attended the milestone event, which gives primary school pupils the chance to take part in a non-competitive triathlon.

More than 92,000 children have now participated in Brownlee Foundation events across Yorkshire, the North West, Midlands, London, and beyond.

Olympic Brownlee brothers celebrate 100th school triathlon event (Image: Supplied)

Alistair Brownlee said: “When Jonny and I started the Brownlee Foundation, the aim was simple.

“We wanted to give more children the chance to experience sport in a positive, accessible and enjoyable way.

“This has never been about creating elite athletes.

“It’s about helping children try something new, build confidence and discover what they are capable of.

“To reach 100 events and know that more than 92,000 children have now taken part is something we are incredibly proud of.

“Sport has given us so much throughout our lives, and we know the impact it can have on confidence, resilience, friendships and wellbeing.

“Seeing children cross the finish line with a smile on their face is exactly why the Foundation exists.”

The events are free for primary schools and aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils.

No previous triathlon experience is needed, and all equipment—including bikes and helmets—is provided.

Each child receives a t-shirt before the event, as well as a medal, goody bag, and healthy snacks at the finish line.

Jonny Brownlee said: “The most powerful thing about the Foundation is that it gives children an experience they might not otherwise have.

“For some, it is their first time trying a triathlon.

“For others, it might be the first time they have enjoyed being active.

“That matters.

“Not every child sees themselves as sporty, but every child gets the chance to be active, have fun and feel proud of what they have achieved.

“Reaching 100 events is a brilliant milestone, but it also makes us even more determined to keep going.

“We want to inspire the next generation to enjoy being active and to make sure more children can access those opportunities, whatever their background.”

The foundation has grown significantly since its first event in 2014, now working with schools, volunteers, local sports clubs, councils, and other partners.

Its events are designed to be inclusive, fun, and non-competitive, giving children a positive introduction to swimming, cycling, and running.

The 100th event forms part of a busy year for the foundation.

More than 17,500 children have taken part across 17 events through their schools.

The achievement comes as national attention turns once again to school sport provision, following recent government changes that will see England’s PE and Sport Premium replaced by a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network from spring 2027.

Schools and sector leaders have called for continued clarity and support to ensure children continue to have access to high-quality physical activity.

For more information about the Brownlee Foundation, visit www.thebrownleefoundation.org.

The good news is that restaurants, pubs, cafés and supermarkets across the UK are once again offering kids eat free, 88p meals , £1 deals, free breakfasts and even free fruit to help families save money.

Here’s a list of restaurants, pubs and cafés where kids can eat free or for less:

Angus Steakhouse

• Offer: Children under eight eat FREE
• When: Daily, 12pm-5pm
• How: One free children’s meal with every paying adult.

ASK Italian

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Every day during the summer holidays
• How: Via the free ASK Perks app when an adult buys a main. Maximum two children per adult.

Asda Café

• Offer: Kids’ meals for £1
• When: Every day
• How: No adult purchase required.

Banana Tree

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Sundays
• How: One free children’s meal with every adult main.

Bella Italia

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Sunday to Thursday
• How: Three-course children’s meal and drink with an adult main.

Bill’s

• Offer: Two children eat FREE
• When: Monday to Friday until August 31
• How: Adult orders a main course.

BrewDog

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Daily until August 31
• How: Select the Kids Eat Free offer when booking.

Brewers Fayre

• Offer: One child eats FREE
• How: With one paying adult.

Chiquito

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Throughout the school holidays
• How: One free children’s meal, side, dessert and drink with every adult main.

Dobbies Garden Centres

• Offer: Kids eat for 88p
• When: Until September 1
• How: With any adult breakfast or main meal.

Farmhouse & Farmhouse Kitchen

• Offer: Two children eat FREE
• When: Monday to Friday, July 20-August 28
• How: Buy an adult breakfast, main or carvery and two children eat free, plus each receives a free scoop of ice cream.

Flaming Grill

• Offer: Kids eat for 88p
• When: Weekdays until August 28
• How: One children’s meal, drink and pudding for 88p with every adult meal.

Franco Manca

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Monday to Thursday
• How: One free pizza for under-12s with every adult main.

Frankie & Benny’s

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• How: With an adult main at participating restaurants.

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants

• Offer: Under-eights eat FREE
• When: All day, every day
• Where: Selected restaurants including Street Pizza and Gordon Ramsay Burger.

Greene King pubs

• Offer: Kids eat for 88p
• When: Monday to Friday until August 28
• How: Children’s meal, dessert and drink for 88p with an adult meal. Larger meals cost £1.31.

Harvester

• Offer: Kids eat for £1
• When: Until September 4
• How: With an adult main.

Hungry Horse

• Offer: Kids eat for 88p
• When: Monday to Friday until August 28
• How: Up to two children receive a meal, drink and pudding for 88p with every adult meal. Upgrade to a larger meal for an extra 43p.

IKEA Restaurant

• Offer: Children’s hot meals from 95p
• When: Every day.

Las Iguanas

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Throughout the holidays
• How: Via the app with an adult main.

Morrisons Café

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Every day
• How: One child aged 16 or under receives a free meal and drink with an adult meal costing more than £5.

Pausa Café at Dunelm

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• How: Mini main, two snacks and a drink with every £5 spend.

Pizza Hut

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Daily from 3pm at participating restaurants.

Prezzo

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• How: Join the Kids Club (£1.99 per month) for free three-course children’s meals with every adult main.

Sainsbury’s Café

• Offer: Kids eat for £1
• When: Daily from 11.30am
• How: With an adult hot meal.

Sizzling Pubs

• Offer: Kids eat for £1
• When: Monday to Friday
• How: With every adult main.

Subway

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: July 28-August 17
• How: One free Kids’ Meal with every Footlong Sub at participating stores.

Tesco Café

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Throughout the summer holidays
• How: Get one free Kids’ Hot Meal Deal, Kids’ Breakfast or Pick ‘n’ Mix meal when an adult buys any item from just 60p and scans a Tesco Clubcard. There is no limit to the number of free meals.

TGI Fridays

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• How: Via the Stripes Rewards app with an adult main.

The Real Greek

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Sundays
• How: With a £15 adult spend.

Toby Carvery

• Offer: Kids eat for £1
• When: Weekdays
• How: With an adult carvery or main meal.

YO! Sushi

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• How: One children’s meal with every £10 adult spend.

Zizzi

• Offer: Kids eat FREE
• When: Every day
• How: One child can eat free with every adult main

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Supermarkets offering even more free food this summer

Tesco

Tesco is expanding its support for families over the holidays.

Alongside its Kids Eat Free café offer, the supermarket is bringing back Free Fruit for Kids until August 30 , with children able to pick up a free apple at checkouts in more than 800 Tesco stores and 77 larger Tesco Express stores.

Morrisons

Morrisons is once again running its free Kellogg’s Breakfast Clubs throughout the summer holidays.

Adults and children can enjoy a free bowl of Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, served with milk or a dairy alternative, plus a free apple or banana every day during the school holidays.

The supermarket is also continuing its Kids Eat Free café offer, meaning families can enjoy both breakfast and lunch for less.

Expert tips for saving even more

Ben Smye from Hotukdeals recommends:

• Book ahead , as restaurants fill up quickly during the holidays.
• Download restaurant apps , as many offers are app-only.
• Join free loyalty schemes to unlock extra discounts.
• Check your local branch , as not every venue takes part.
• Read the small print , including age limits, minimum spends and valid days.
• Try apps like Too Good To Go to pick up discounted food from cafés, bakeries and restaurants while helping reduce food waste.

He adds: “Eating out as a family can feel like a luxury. Planning around kids-eat-free offers can cut a typical £100 family meal bill almost in half.”

With some family meals costing well over £80, planning around these offers could save parents hundreds of pounds over the summer holidays.

Manchester United are close to making their next moves in the transfer market

Manchester United are close to making further inroads in the transfer market – and some deals could be completed this week. It’s a crucial summer for United as they look to build on the progress made under Michael Carrick over the second half of last season.

With Champions League football a welcome addition to the schedule, Carrick needs a stronger, deeper squad than the one he ended last season with. United also need to move players on, either permanently or on loan.

They have already strengthened their spine with the arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa but at least one more midfielder is set to follow.

Clubs are also in a rush to get their finances in check before July concludes to meet financial fair play regulations. Here’s a rundown of the moves that could potentially go through this week…

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Manu Kone

United are believed to have agreed personal terms with the Roma star, who is valued at around £50million. Corriere dello Sport reported over the weekend that United still hadn’t made a concrete offer and are ‘moving slowly’ over the signing.

That is said to be frustrating for Roma, who are eager for the deal to go through this month to avoid copping a hefty fine from UEFA. They have a settlement agreement with the governing body to ensure their losses do not exceed £51.25m but have until July 31 to prove they have stayed within financial limits. Therefore, they will be pressing for a deal to go through in a matter of days.

Radek Vitek

Having impressed on loan at Bristol City last season, the Czech keeper will be on the move again this summer. With a route to the United first-choice looking blocked following the arrival of Karl Darlow as chief back-up to Senne Lammens, Vitek could leave permanently.

A return to the Championship is on the cards, with Middlesbrough among the clubs to hold an interest in the 22-year-old. With the start of the Championship season less than three weeks away, they may want to get a deal over the line sooner rather than later.

Joshua Zirkzee

The Dutch striker appears to have little future at Old Trafford. It’s evident Carrick isn’t keen on the 25-year-old, although United can probably forget about recouping the £36.5m they paid for Bologna in 2024. A return to Italy is likely, with Juventus reportedly interested.

Altay Bayindir

Another player with no future at the club, Bayindir has been granted extra post-World Cup leave to complete his departure. The Turkey keeper, who didn’t play at the World Cup, has been linked with a return to his homeland with Besiktas.

Bayindir has not played for United since his error in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford in September. The team lost seven of the 17 games he started, conceding 31 goals.

Marcus Rashford

It would be a surprise if the seemingly never-ending Rashford saga concludes this week, but don’t completely rule it out. The forward’s career is in limbo after Barcelona declined to convert his loan into a permanent deal.

United are eager to get him off the wage bill, but are reluctant to sell to a direct rival. As it stands, Rashford will join up with the United squad in August, unless another club decides to take the plunge on the enigmatic forward before then.

Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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