Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv – and will hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles.

The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, set up by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.

He is also set to accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK’s support for Ukraine and to take part in independence day events.

Crucially for the war effort, he will announce his government has agreed to allow defence company MBDA to declassify information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile – the French equivalent of the UK’s Storm Shadow.

Burnham will be reaffirming the UK’s backing for Kyiv in the wake of escalating Russian strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks – including one on a shopping centre on Friday that killed at least 16 people.

Ahead of his visit on Monday, Burnham said: “On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes.

“I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security.”

He said the friendship Ukraine shared with the UK would “long outlast Russia’s illegal war”, adding: “Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”

It comes after Moscow warned of “consequences” over the use of British drones by Ukraine in its recent ramping up of strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Kyiv has stepped up long-range attacks on Moscow and other Russian regions, targeting oil refineries and warehouses of the country’s largest online retailer, Wildberries.

At least three people were killed in a Russian attack on the outskirts of Kharkiv in Ukraine, officials said, as Kyiv and Moscow continued to exchange attacks overnight.

Emergency services ‌have rescued ‌and evacuated eight ⁠people, some of whom were injured, governor Oleh Syniehubov said, adding the search was ‌ongoing to ​identify ‌any ⁠other possible ⁠casualties.

In Russia, Ukrainian attacks have targeted another online retailer, setting fire to Ozon’s logistics hub in Makhachkala in Dagestan. Kyiv has repeatedly targeted facilities belonging to Russia’s largest online shop Wildberries, accusing it of providing logistics support to Vladimir Putin‘s armed forces.

Ozon said it also paused operations at two warehouses in the ⁠nearby regions of Stavropol and Adygeya in the North Caucasus amid a drone ‌attack ​alert.

Earlier, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin intends to draft 300,000 new troops to join the war from next month in a bid to seize territory.

Zelensky said that the Russian leader would start the drive after elections in September, as Moscow pursues its main goal of capturing the rest of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Wartime election would ‘destroy’ Ukraine, Zelensky says

Holding a wartime election in Ukraine while active fighting with Russia continues would “destroy” the country by splitting Ukrainians, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Advertisement

His comments, released to reporters on Sunday, were Zelensky’s first on the subject since ousted former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for a wartime poll in an address last week.

Fedorov’s surprise dismissal last month sparked widespread protests, but supporters calling for his reinstatement later baulked at his call for an election – the first such demand by a major Ukrainian political figure since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

“I believe that if we want to destroy the country, then we can move towards elections during this kind of war,” Zelensky said.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 06:19

Advertisement

Burnham to give Ukraine blueprints for long-range missiles as he visits Kyiv

Prime minister Andy Burnham has agreed to provide Ukraine with blueprints to produce long-range missiles.

He is set to announce the move today during his first trip to Ukraine that he will allow European defence firm MBDA to declassify information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile – the French-produced version of the UK’s Storm Shadow.

The “deep precision strike” missiles use shared French and British technology, and Ukraine and France are looking to set up local assembly lines to produce them in Ukraine.

Advertisement

The PM is visiting Kyiv on his first foreign trip to mark Ukraine’s independence day and signal the UK’s continued support for the country under his administration.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 05:53

Russian attack kills three near Ukraine’s Kharkiv

A Russian attack on the outskirts of Kharkiv in Ukraine’s northeast killed three people, the regional governor said late last night.

Advertisement

Emergency services ‌have rescued ‌and evacuated eight ⁠people, some of whom were injured, governor Oleh Syniehubov said, adding the search was ‌ongoing to ​identify ‌any ⁠other possible ⁠casualties.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 05:25

Russia’s Ozon says Dagestan logistics hub on fire after drone attack

A logistics centre belonging to Russian online retailer Ozon is on fire in Makhachkala in Dagestan following a drone attack this morning, the company said.

Advertisement

Ozon has also temporarily shut down ‌two warehouses in the ⁠nearby regions of Stavropol and Adygeya in the North Caucasus amid a drone ‌attack ​alert, it ‌said, ⁠though they ⁠were not damaged.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 05:16

Zelensky says Ukraine not behind Nord Stream blasts and cooperating with probe

Ukraine played no role in blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines and is cooperating with an investigation into the matter, president Volodymyr Zelenksy said on Sunday.

Advertisement

“Ukraine has never ​officially ⁠taken part ‌in any operations regarding the blowing up ‌of the Nord ‌Stream 2 pipeline,” he told reporters in ⁠Kyiv.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were damaged ‌in explosions in ​September 2022, ‌and two Ukrainian ⁠suspects are currently ⁠in custody on ‌suspicion ​of involvement.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 05:01

Advertisement

Norway announces £6.69bn for Ukraine in 2027

Norway ​plans to give another 85bn Norwegian crowns (£6.69bn) in financial support to Ukraine in the 2027 fiscal year, in line with the ⁠amount given in 2026, the Nordic country’s government said in a statement on Sunday.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and leaders from across the Nordic and Baltic region visited Kyiv on Sunday in a show of support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.

Norway’s donation will be ⁠for both military and humanitarian spending, Stoere was quoted ​as ⁠saying in the ‌text of a speech released by the government in Oslo.

“Supporting and rebuilding Ukraine is not assistance alone. It is an investment in Europe’s own security,” Stoere said.

Advertisement

Separately, Finland and Ukraine have signed a letter of intent on manufacturing and developing unmanned systems in Finland ⁠and memorandum of understanding for a joint venture to produce uncrewed surface vessels, among other documents, Zelensky’s office said on X.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 04:43

PM Burnham to visit Ukraine with plan to support long-range missile production

Prime minister Andy Burnham will visit ​Ukraine today on his first overseas trip since taking office, and will announce British support to help Kyiv improve its domestic production of long-range missiles.

Advertisement

Burnham will be in Ukraine to co-chair a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries backing Ukraine.

He is also due to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. He is set to announce that Britain has agreed to allow European missile manufacturer ⁠MBDA to release classified information on British-made ​components ⁠used in the SCALP long-range cruise missile, according to his office.

That will help enable France and Ukraine to establish local assembly lines for the missile, which shares British and French technology, according to Downing Street.

“Ukraine’s security is our security,” ‌Burnham said in a statement, adding that Britain would stand by Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

Advertisement

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 04:24

Two children killed as drone attack hits logistics hub in Krasnodar

At least two children were killed and another nine people, including seven children, were injured after drone debris hit a private childcare centre in ⁠southern Russia’s Krasnodar overnight, governor Veniamin Kondratyev said.

Debris fell on ‌apartment buildings and warehouses caught fire in Krasnodar, Kondratyev said.

Advertisement

The attack ‌caused a fire at a ‌logistics hub of Russian online retailer Ozon, the company said on Telegram.

In Russia’s Nevinnomysk, a chemical production area in ⁠the Stavropol region next to Krasnodar, a drone attack on an industrial area was repelled, governor Vladimir Vladimirov said on Telegram in the early hours this morning.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 03:59

Advertisement

North Korea preparing further troop deployments in Ukraine war but no sign move imminent, says South Korea

North Korea is continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, the South Korean defence ministry has said.

The ministry told lawmaker Yu Yong-weon that North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, according to Yu’s office.

The lawmaker’s office, citing a South Korean Defence Intelligence Agency assessment, said North Korean missiles used in the war may have improved in accuracy through battlefield data, alongside Russian technical advice and component support.

The ministry also said the development of some North Korean ballistic missiles and multiple rocket launchers assessed as being intended for use in a conflict with South Korea was nearing completion.

Advertisement

North Korea is also estimated to ‌have supplied Russia with more than 15 million ‌rounds of artillery ammunition, measured in 152-millimetre shell equivalents.

Just last week, North Korea’s ​Kim ⁠Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, rejected Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s claim that Pyongyang planned to send up ⁠to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally.

Arpan Rai24 August 2026 03:55

Recap: Zelensky vows revenge after Russian double-tap strike on shopping mall in his hometown kills 16

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retaliate after a double-tap drone strike on his hometown killed 16 people.

Advertisement

Rescuers are still searching for survivors in the wreckage of a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih, which was hit twice by Russia on Friday.

More than 130 people were wounded in the daytime attack carried out in two waves, with the second strike targeting emergency workers at the scene of the first.

Zelensky called the attacks an “act of barbarism”, claiming the “absolutely cynical and despicable” second strike was a deliberate attempt to target emergency services.

Nicole Wootton-Cane24 August 2026 03:00

Advertisement

The ‘legendary venue’s long journey’ will come to an end on October 10

Advertisement

An iconic Scottish nightclub has announced it will close its doors after welcoming clubbers for nearly four decades.

Club 69 in Paisley will host one last night out in October in the basement underneath a curry house in New Sneddon Street.

The club first opened in 1989 and quickly became known locally as ‘The Rave Cave’

.

The venue has been host to some huge names in the dance music scene over the years, including Ewan McVicar, the late Jackmaster, Slam and Leftfield, Underground Resistance, and Skream, according to the Sun.

The club posted on their Facebook page: “A Change is on the Horizon!

“From Saturday, 10th October, the Rave Cave will no longer be as you know it. It’s time for a fresh chapter to begin.

“This has been a passion project for the current management team, and that project has unfortunately come to an end.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to have played a small part in the legendary venue’s long journey, which dates back to the very first party in 1989 – but all good things must come to an end.

“We’ve got a number of closing parties lined up – some hosted by external promoters, and some of our own, kicking off with MDDLTN on 12th September. Keep an eye on social media for more details of closing parties coming soon.

“Before we go – we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone we’ve worked with along the way – all the staff, the people behind the scenes, the DJs, our suppliers, and most importantly, you lot – the ravers!”

The bosses added hope that it may not be permanently shut down as they added: “If continuing this project is of interest to you, please get in touch by filling in our inquiry form, and someone will be back in touch.

“As it stands, the club will close on 10th October. Hopefully, this isn’t the final orders, and there’ll be one more tune in the old Paisley Basement yet. In the meantime, we’ve got seven weeks of events to go…”

Music lovers described the closure as “sad news” and donned the nights out at the venue “some of the best”.

Visitors said it was a “gutter” and shared fond memories they have had at the underground club.

Emergency services were called to Barmpton Lane shortly before 5.45pm on Sunday afternoon (August 23).

One person was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to a road traffic incident on Barmpton Lane, Darlington shortly before 5.45pm on 23 August.

“We dispatched a double crewed ambulance, and one patient was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.”

The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Durham Police have been contacted for more information.

You could have your sheets looking brilliantly white in just 30 minutes if you leave them to soak in one natural item – hotels love it too.

Crisp white bed sheets are the aspiration of many households. Timeless, classic, and wonderfully fresh, white bedding is an ideal choice for bringing a touch of luxury to your bedroom, replicating the atmosphere of a five-star hotel in your own home.

Yet if you’ve bought your own white bed linen, you may well find yourself wondering how hotels manage to keep their bedding in such pristine condition.

Quality cotton product manufacturers King of Cotton have revealed how hotels “get sheets so white”. They pointed out that achieving that sharp, brilliant brightness doesn’t require industrial equipment.

You can perfect the art of getting hotel-white sheets by following a disciplined cleaning routine at home. The first step involves using one common household item — not bleach, bicarbonate of soda, or white vinegar — to presoak the bed sheets: soda crystals.

Advertisement

How to whiten bed sheets like hotels with soda crystals

The cotton specialists stated that a 30-minute soak in warm water with two tablespoons of soda crystals can lift the deep-seated dullness that standard wash cycles fail to tackle.

Soda crystals are an entirely natural cleaning product that works remarkably well on a variety of laundry items. Not only do they possess whitening properties, but they also help to soften bed sheets.

This step is “particularly effective” at eliminating yellowing caused by the oxidation of skin oils and night-time face creams. A thorough presoak ensures you’re beginning the wash with the strongest possible foundation.

When placing your white bed sheets in the wash, never include anything other than whites in the same load. Even a single light grey sock or a cream-coloured pillowcase can release tiny amounts of dye, diminishing the brightness of your 100% cotton sheets.

What temperature to wash your bed sheets

Hotels do not use boiling water for every wash cycle. A temperature of 60°C is considered the “sweet spot” because it is sufficiently hot to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and break down body oils without damaging the cotton.

The experts advise to “avoid 90°C washes at home”, as these extreme temperatures can “set” protein-based stains like sweat or blood, making them permanent.

How to dry your bed sheets

When the sun is out, the next step is to hang your sheets outdoors. Air-drying in sunlight is a highly effective natural whitening technique, as the sun’s ultraviolet rays work as a gentle bleaching agent.

Hanging your bedding outside for two to three hours in direct sunlight can significantly brighten the fabric and eliminate any remaining surface bacteria, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatments.

However, be sure to bring them in as soon as they are dry. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can gradually weaken the cotton fibres, meaning careful timing of your drying routine is vital for preserving their premium quality.

Avoid allowing your sheets to dry fully on the line. Ironing them while they’re roughly 10% damp enables the heat to compress the fibres, producing a flat surface that reflects light efficiently.

Hotels use heavy, heated rollers known as mangles to achieve that distinctive glass-like finish. You can recreate this using a high-pressure steam iron, ideally one with at least six bars of pressure.

How often should you wash your white bedding to keep it bright?

It is advisable to wash your white bedding every seven days to prevent the buildup of oils and skin cells. Leaving it longer than a week permits organic matter to penetrate more deeply into the cotton weave, making it considerably more difficult to remove.

In premium hospitality settings, linens are replaced after every guest or every three days for extended stays. Washing bed sheets regularly prevents the greyish tinge that develops when dirt becomes embedded into the fabric by body heat.

Piercebridge Organic Farmshop and Cafe is based on a 300-acre organic farm, which has been run by the same family since 1964.

The farm produces much of the meat sold in its shop, including beef from Aberdeen Angus cattle, pork from Landrace Duroc pigs, and lamb from a mixed flock of sheep.

It also keeps hens for eggs and rears birds for the table.

At the heart of the business is its on-site butchery, where staff prepare meat from animals reared on the farm.

The team makes its own burgers, sausages, ham, bacon and cooked meats, alongside more traditional joints and cuts.

Piercebridge Organic Farmshop and Cafe (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

Piercebridge describes its approach as that of an “old-fashioned butcher”, with the farm overseeing the process from rearing animals through to preparing the meat for customers.

Visitors have regularly praised the quality of the produce.

One recent customer described it as a “fabulous organic farm shop”. At the same time, another said it was a “fantastic farm shop for high quality organic meat and stock cupboard groceries and vegetables”.

Fresh vegetables have also impressed shoppers.

One visitor said it was “so nice to have local organic produce” and added that the vegetables tasted noticeably better than supermarket alternatives.

They acknowledged customers could expect to pay more for organic produce but said: “You get the quality.”

The traditional butcher’s counter is another major attraction.

One reviewer praised the “great quality meat” and described the shop as a “lovely traditional butcher’s” with a good range of organic products.

Another customer, who bought lamb from the deli, called it “delicious” and also praised the cheese and coleslaw.

Christmas produce has earned strong feedback too.

One visitor gave the shop five stars after buying chicken and gammon for Christmas, describing both as “outstanding”.

They also praised the “very friendly helpful staff” and said Piercebridge was somewhere they planned to keep returning to.

The adjoining cafe has also proved popular.

A recent visitor simply described it as a “lovely cafe, shop and staff”, while another customer singled out the coffee as “excellent”.

For some shoppers, Piercebridge is the sort of place they discover after driving past its signs for years.

One visitor said they had passed the signpost “on many occasions” before finally calling in.

They were impressed by the selection of meat, vegetables, cheese, and other products and said they would “definitely be back”.

Alongside food, the farm has also developed a strong reputation for conservation.

It has planted miles of hedgerows, field margins and beetle banks as part of environmental stewardship work, helping increase wildlife across the land.

Birds recorded on the farm include skylarks, curlews, lapwings, barn owls, tawny owls and grey partridge.

Piercebridge has also received recognition for its conservation efforts, including a Silver Lapwing award.

The farm shop opens Monday to Saturday from 9am until 3.30pm, and on Sundays from 9.30am until 1pm, although it closes on bank holidays.

Learner drivers in parts of the UK are facing long waits for a practical driving test

Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have highlighted the areas across the UK facing the longest waits for a practical driving test.

Seven of the 10 worst-affected areas are in Scotland, reports the RAC. The DVSA analysed data from 313 driving test centres, with Scottish locations taking the top three spots.

The latest DVSA figures, for June 2026, also show the national average wait was 17.3 weeks, while 60 test centres had waits of 17.3 weeks or longer. Published on August 12, RAC notes that the latest report from the motoring agency shows areas in Birmingham and London also feature in the worst-impacted areas.

So which areas have made the list? Check them out below.

What are the top 10 longest driving test waiting times in the UK?

Advertisement

RAC explain that these are the average waiting times between booking and then taking a driving test.

1. Forfar (Scotland) – 29.7 weeks
2. Callander (Scotland) – 27.7 weeks
3. Arbroath (Scotland) – 27 weeks
4. Bedford (England) – 25.1 weeks
5. Leighton Buzzard (England) – 24 weeks
6. Dunoon (Scotland) – 23.9 weeks
7. Hawick (Scotland) – 23.6 weeks
8. Livingston (Scotland) – 23.1 weeks
9. Pinner (England) – 23.1 weeks
10. Edinburgh-Currie (Scotland) – 23 weeks

What is the DVSA doing to help with long wait times?

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has stressed that they are taking action to help lower waiting times for drivers. It reassures learners, and instructors: “This transparency commitment builds on the steps we’re already taking to improve waiting times.

“Between June 2025 and May 2026, we did close to a quarter of a million extra car driving tests compared to the same time the previous year. Driving examiner numbers are at their highest level since 2019.

“We’ve changed the booking rules to protect your pupils from exploitation by unofficial services and resellers. We’ve stopped it being possible to hoard tests at a test centre with no intention of taking tests there, only to move them elsewhere in the country.

“We recognise that many learners are still experiencing extended waits, and we’re not complacent about that. Our goal remains to reduce waiting times across Great Britain. Publishing this richer data openly and regularly means you – and your pupils – can track our progress honestly, centre by centre.”

You can read all about the changes to the driving test booking rules on the DVSA’s webinar and Q&A recap here.

Tucked into the West Lancashire plain between Liverpool, Southport and Preston, this compact market town has been quietly doing its own thing for over 700 years — and right now, it’s doing it rather well. Here’s why it deserves a proper day out.

It has one of the strangest churches in England

Before you do anything else, stand outside the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul and look up. You’ll see both a tower and a steeple rising from the same building, something found in only three churches in the entire country.

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul (Image: Google)

The church dates to the 12th century and sits at the heart of the town, a few steps from the market square. Even if you’re not a regular churchgoer, it’s worth five minutes of your time just to wonder how that happened.

The market is the real deal

Ormskirk has held a twice-weekly market since King Edward I granted its charter in 1286, and it still runs every Thursday and Saturday in the pedestrianised town centre.

It’s not the kind of market that’s been airbrushed for Instagram, it’s a proper, working Lancashire market with local produce, street food, bric-a-brac and traders who’ve been here for years. Buy some of Ormskirk’s famous gingerbread while you’re at it.

The food scene punches well above its weight

On the outskirts of town in Aughton sits Moor Hall, a Grade II-listed manor house that is home to a three Michelin-starred restaurant, one of the most acclaimed in Britain.

Its sister restaurant, The Barn at Moor Hall, holds a Michelin star of its own and serves a seasonal menu in a rustic setting with views across the lake. Neither is cheap, but both are worth saving up for.

For something more casual, the revamped Ormskirk Food and Drink Market on Aughton Street brings together six street food traders under the roof of the town’s historic indoor market hall, with cocktails and games thrown in.

There’s good pub culture too

The Eagle and Child is one of those proper Lancashire pubs that never feels like it’s trying too hard – solid food, good ales, the kind of place you end up staying longer than planned. The Cricketers near the market square is another reliable option with a loyal local following.

It’s surprisingly easy to get to

Ormskirk has its own railway station with direct services from Liverpool Lime Street (around 30 minutes) and connections toward Preston. If you’re driving, it’s just off the A570 with town centre parking. Go on a Thursday or Saturday to catch the market at its best.

And if you want more…

Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is just a few miles away near Burscough, one of the best wildlife spots in the North West, particularly spectacular in winter when whooper swans arrive from Iceland.

Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust Tudor manor, is also within easy reach. You could easily make a full weekend of it.

Have you visited Ormskirk? What would you recommend doing? Let us know in the comments…

One of the teenage joyriders who caused the deaths of the two constables by crashing into them on a dual carriageway was awaiting trial on charges of racially abusing and assaulting officers, it has been revealed.

Makai Saddington, 18, one of the five men in the VW Passat that hurtled the wrong way down the A66, was accused of assaulting a sergeant Rooker of Cleveland Police and causing racially aggravated alarm or distress to a PC Chowdhury.

Saddington, of no fixed address, made his first appearance before Teesside magistrates on July 17, when his case was adjourned to a later date.

It has also emerged that the youngster had apparently posted a string of clips in the months before his death showing him involved in other police chases. 

PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, died alongside the five ‘TikTok joyriders’ in the early hours of Saturday in a catastrophic head-on collision.

The group of young men in the car were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23; Theo Rae, 17; Cole Robert Worthy, 17; Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. 

They had been fleeing from police when they decided to drive the wrong way down the A66 near Middlesbrough and smashed into the officers – who were not involved in the chase.

The police pursuit had been called off approximately ten seconds before the crash. 

Close friends Theo Rae (left) and Cole Robert Worthy were both killed in the crash in the early hours of Saturday

Michael Robert Cahill (left) and Jakub Matusiak (right) were another two of the five in the VW Passat

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the families of the two officers have paid moving tributes to the heroes, and a GoFundMe appeal launched by Cleveland Police Federation to support them  had by Monday morning raised more than £200,000. 

PC Clough’s family said: ‘He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason. 

‘Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.

‘We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.’

PC Blades’ widow said on Sunday evening that ‘no words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt’, who she described as ‘my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys’.

‘He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle. He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.

‘He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness. The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.

‘Our children will grow up knowing what an incredible father he was and will always be, and I will carry his love, his memory and everything we shared with me always.’

PC Matthew Blades was remembered by his widow as an ‘incredible father’ and ‘beloved husband’

PC Tom Clough has been remembered by his family as a ‘hero with a fantastic sense of humour’

She also thanked all the emergency services and the ‘police family’ for their support.   

In their own tribute, Cleveland Police Federation said: ‘PC Matt Blades and PC Tom Clough were both dedicated and committed Police Officers who left their families and went to work to serve their community and protect the public.

‘They paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. They did not return home to their families.

‘They leave behind heartbroken loved ones who will struggle to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.’

In the wake of the tragedy, previous footage appearing to show the young men driving recklessly and being chased by police has emerged.

A clip shared on TikTok this May seemed to show 23-year-old Jacob Matusiak behind the wheel, with the caption: ‘Unfortunately I’m not a nonchalant boyfriend’.

Filmed by the driver, it shows a car barreling through a neighbourhood before swerving onto a green in the middle of an estate.

In broad daylight, the vehicle appears to career down a footpath as the driver casually spins the wheel with one hand.

The men’s VW Passat going the wrong way down the A66 smashed into an armoured response vehicle

Makai Saddington had also posted a string of TikTok clips seemingly showing him taking part in police chases in the months before his death.

One clip filmed in May and set to rap music showed the 18-year-old being driven in an Audi speeding through a housing estate with the blue lights of a police car in pursuit flashing.

Another video on an account linked to him shows a green Nissan being driven around before it is set alight, while images posted elsewhere show him and a friend posing in cars wearing black balaclavas. 

Their deadly antics have been linked to a TikTok trend where young men film themselves driving dangerously and baiting police into chasing them for thrills and views.

The Middlesborough crash came just six days after a crash in County Kildare, Ireland, when five teenagers died in a head-on crash while driving the wrong way down a motorway and being chased by police.

The masked youngsters were in a stolen BMW that sped off down the wrong side of the M9 to avoid a stinger device.

Three sisters and a seven-year-old boy in the car they struck were seriously injured and remain in hospital.

Craze that claimed five more young lives just a week ago

By Padraic Flanagan

It was feared on Saturday night that the A66 crash may be a copycat tragedy – thanks to the deadly TikTok craze that claimed the lives of five teenagers in a head-on motorway smash in the Irish Republic last week.

In that case, the youngsters, who were all wearing balaclavas in a stolen BMW travelling the wrong way down the country’s M9, died at the scene in Co Kildare in the early hours of Sunday.

The deaths of Joey Carthy, 15, Jack Kennedy, 17, Alex McCarthy, 16, Jeremy O’Brien, 18, and 17-year-old Kamil Pustkowski led to public fury at social media platforms after it emerged that the teenagers were filming themselves in the car.

That anger intensified on Thursday when TikTok declined an invitation to appear before an Irish parliamentary committee on media to discuss the latest craze of posting videos of people driving the wrong way down motorways.

Sisters Ella Hendricken, who is in her 20s, and Niamh and Alma Kinsella, in their 30s, as well as Alma’s seven-year-old son, Yemi, are being treated in hospital for serious injuries after their Hyundai was hit by the BMW.

The innocent victims, from Graiguecullen, Co Carlow, were on their way to Dublin to fly out for a family wedding in the UK when the teens smashed into their car. Three of the five teens killed in the M9 tragedy were buried on Friday. Two more funerals are due to take place today and on Tuesday.

Videos featuring youngsters in stolen cars trying to bait police into high-speed chases have become a macabre trend.

Mary Aiken, a professor of forensic cyber-psychology at the University of East London, told The Guardian: ‘While driving, they’re simultaneously filming and capturing content for posting later or live streaming. They have one foot in the real world and one foot in cyberspace. They’re thinking about the likes… about kudos.’

Jada, a pupil at Thornleigh Salesian College, earned seven grade 9s, one grade 8, and a Level 2 Distinction in dance.

She told The Bolton News about her efforts.

She said: “I worked really hard for these results, revising for countless hours whilst balancing my dance training and rehearsals.

“I’m incredibly grateful to my teachers for all of their support throughout my GCSEs, as well as my family and friends for their wholehearted encouragement.

“I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Alongside her academic studies, Jada competed in dance events and performed internationally, including at Disneyland Paris just before her GCSE mock exams.

She said: “Some of my best memories from school are rooted in dance — I’m really grateful for the experiences Thornleigh has given me.”

She wants to go into finance (Image: UGC)

Jada now plans to study mathematics, economics, and philosophy at college, with the goal of studying philosophy and economics at the London School of Economics.

She hopes to pursue a career in finance.

Nationally, GCSE results in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland remained broadly stable compared to last year, with a slight increase in the proportion of top grades.

Around 22 per cent of entries achieved a grade seven or above, while more than two-thirds secured at least a grade four pass.

A small improvement in maths attainment was also recorded, though significant regional differences persist.

London had the highest proportion of top grades, while northern regions continued to lag behind.

Girls outperformed boys overall, the figures had shown.

Thornleigh is a co-educational, Roman Catholic secondary school and sixth form located in Astley Bridge.

Educating pupils aged 11–18, it is rooted in the Salesian values of Saint John Bosco, emphasising high-quality pastoral care, community compassion, and inclusive personal development alongside academic study.