But what I do know, is that behind the mas bands and the two million people tailing them, is a largely self-built economy of families selling food, drinks, flags, whistles and souvenirs, and generations learning how to trade. It is children — now our own son too — discovering that their ideas can be worth something.

Part of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal near Little Lever was breached in July 1936.

Millions of gallons of water from the channel came cascading down into the River Irwell below.

The gigantic breach happened close to the Nob End locks, on the canal’s arm towards Bury, with the affected section never restored.

But work done by Watson Homes, who are building a new 255 home estate alongside the affected waterway at the former Creams Mill site in Little Lever, is set to change that.

Watson has been restoring a 800 metre section of the waterway as part of the planning permission.

The extensive work means the section of canal is set to be ‘in water’ by May 2027.

The 1936 canal breach at Little Lever (Image: John and Margaret Fletcher Collection)

The new section of waterway will also create a destination for visitors as a new café is planned alongside a canoe and kayaking school.

At the point of the canal collapse, a bend of the River Irwell had eroded the valley side, creating a steep slope.

Remarkably no one was injured, but the massive structural failure led to the decline of the canal, with now attempts to repair it, until now.

The project is being supported by other groups including Inland Waterways Association and The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society.

Work is progressing on the bullnose at Nob End, Little Lever (Image: Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society)

The canal society has commissioned a feasibility study with Bolton and Bury councils and the Canal & River Trust to investigate reopening the canal to navigation from Little Lever to Bury and has also been instrumental in other improvement projects along the length of the canal.

The society’s vision is to progressively restore the canal to fully navigable condition, and in doing so create ‘blue-green spaces that aid wellbeing and environmental improvement’.

Mike Watson is a director at developers Watson.

He described the waterway project as the ‘centrepiece of the development taking place at Creams Mill’ and ‘a technically challenging but incredibly rewarding project’.

The project will also introduce a new towpath and pedestrian routes as well as a new stretch of waterway.

Mr Watson gave an update of when people will be able to see the section ‘in water’ for the first time in 90 years.

He said: “We’re working towards a date roughly around the end of May for starting to put water back into the canal but we’re exploring opportunities to kind of bring that in slightly ahead of that by utilising temporary bunds and filling up some sections as we go.

“We’re starting to pick up pace now and we can start getting the lining down.

“We’re building everything to adoptable standards from the Canals and Rivers Trust, doing all the connection agreements and licences and dealing closely with them.”

Mr Watson also gave an update on the new café and canoe school, which have already been granted planning permission.

He said: “We’ve got the café and the canoe school going along the side of the waterway.

“They will be located just as you go under the bridge between the two development parcels. “We’re working on the finalised designs at the moment.

“So we’re hoping that that will all be up and running to coincide with the water date.

“So as we fully open up that area, we’ve got a full recreational facility there.”

The fire service has said the incident involved an upper floor fire that spread to neighbouring properties.

Four appliances were sent to the scene with firefirghters working to stop the blaze spreading further. Two people suffered minor injuries as a result of the fire.

A NIFRS spokesperson said they were winding down at the incident and a couple of appliances had already left the scene.

The BBC has sparked fury after airing footage of rapper Loyle Carner saying ‘f*** Nigel Farage‘ during a performance at Reading Festival.

A recording of the set was then uploaded to BBC iPlayer where it was dubbed ‘poignant’ and ‘uplifting’ by the corporation.

Carner – one of Sunday’s most anticipated acts – rapped the line ‘f*** Nigel Farage and free Palestine‘, which was met with cheers from the crowd.

It comes after a forced apology from the BBC last year after it livestreamed a set by punk duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury in which the band chanted: ‘Death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)’.

In footage from Sunday, Carner dons casual clothing as he passionately raps the line before laughing and covering his mouth.

The BBC gives two warnings on the video for ‘strong’ and ‘discriminatory’ language but offers no specific comment on the reference made to Mr Farage.

It captions the clip: ‘A poignant, uplifting set from the twice-Mercury-nominated British rapper.’ 

Commenting on yesterday’s performance, one viewer said on X: ‘We shouldn’t be forced to pay money to this biased corporation simply because we want to watch live television. They must be forced to become an independent subscription broadcaster.’

Another added: ‘BBC captioned this performance from Reading Festival as ‘a poignant, uplifting set’ Defund the BBC.’

The BBC gives two warnings on the video for ‘strong’ and ‘discriminatory’ language but offers no specific comment on the reference made to Mr Farage

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In footage from Sunday, Carner dons casual clothing as he passionately raps the line before laughing and covering his mouth

Carner previously criticised the Reform UK leader on stage at Glastonbury last year.

During his performance, he said ‘Ff** Nigel Farage, man, I’m sorry’.

Carner, 31, also used his set at the festival to comment on vocal gender critical campaigner and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

As he introduced his song Horcrux, named after a magical object in the Harry Potter books, he said: ‘This song is called Horcrux ’cause I love Harry Potter. But I don’t really like JK Rowling, do you know what I mean?’.’

Carner, whose full name is Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, was born in Lambeth in south London and has released four studio albums – two of which have been nominated for the Mercury Prize.

He has raised awareness of issues such as male suicide and previously ran a cooking school for children with ADHD.

Carner has been a particularly vocal critic of Reform, suggesting he ‘hates Nigel Farage’ at the Brit Awards in February.

He added: ‘But for me, what feels more powerful instead of being negative all the time, which is so easy because there’s a lot of negativity around me, is to try and find ways to express some sort of hope and generosity to the people who exist like me who maybe feel marginalised or oppressed or left behind. Because there’s enough s*** – on the news that’s making me feel sad.’

Kneecap are pictured during their 2025 performance at Glastonbury. Over the weekend they used their headline slot at Reading to call Prime Minister Andy Burnham ‘a w*****’ after he ruled out a referendum on a United Ireland

In 2019 he wore a t-shirt which said ‘I Hate Boris’ during his set at Glastonbury where he told the crowd: ‘F*** that guy.’

Four years later at Glastonbury, Carner used his platform to give a speech about knife crime in the UK.

Also over the weekend, Northern Irish rappers Kneecap closed the festival – using their headline slot to call Prime Minister Andy Burnham ‘a w*****’ after he ruled out a referendum on a United Ireland.

The musicians also said ‘f*** Benjamin Netanyahu’ as a Palestinian flag was draped over their DJ deck.

Band member Mo Chara said: ‘It’s important to us that we use this platform for what we believe to be right, and some people aren’t as f***ing lucky right now, and that’s our brothers and sisters in Palestine.

‘So I just need to take some time to show some solidarity as Irish people; we understand displacement, colonialism and forced starvation of a population that we see right now in Palestine.

‘So just remember how lucky we all are to be in a field with all our best f***ing mates listening to tunes, and let’s be thinking at the same time about our Palestinian brothers and sisters, so f*** Benjamin Netanyahu, and free, free Palestine!’

The BBC said it provided ‘extensive coverage of Reading Festival across the weekend, featuring performances from a wide range of artists’.

A source added the content is in line with editorial guidelines and audience expectations. 

By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER

Updated: 20:24 BST, 31 August 2026

Amy, a 27-year-old software developer, has struggled with disordered eating since she was a teenager. “But after learning to code, I got much better,” she said in a research interview. “I often code for ten or more hours without stopping.” Her psychiatrist, however, worried that Amy has replaced one compulsive behaviour with another.

“Digital addiction” is often used to describe our relationship with smartphones, social media and other digital technologies. This way of thinking suggests that people get “hooked” on digital activity because their body becomes “addicted” to dopamine. It borrows from models of substance addiction: the focus is on the physical need to keep using a substance because the body has adapted to it, despite harmful consequences. The implied solution is straightforward: abstinence, which translates into practices like digital detox.

But Amy’s story, which forms part of our ongoing research, points to a more complicated reality of our relationship with digital technology. Coding consumed much of her time and attention, yet it also helped her earn an income and build a professional identity. Like many forms of digital engagement, it was not just a distraction but a way of navigating life.

As research shows, for many people digital technologies are not only a source of entertainment but key components of their education, work and social mobility. Unlike in the case of addictive substances, opting out of digital life is easier said than done when schools, banks and public services increasingly require it.

How people relate to digital technology isn’t just about them as individuals. It’s shaped by their personal vulnerabilities, but also by digital environments intentionally built to hook us, and by the wider social conditions people live in.

So comparing smartphones to substances like alcohol, tobacco or drugs can be misleading. It overlooks the fact that digital devices have become a kind of essential infrastructure for daily life. Given how we have built our lives around them, these technologies are now very difficult to live without.

How, then, do we develop a sustainable relationship with technologies such as smartphones that are both indispensable and potentially harmful?

The sugar model

Amy’s story with disordered eating may be useful here. Recovery from an eating disorder isn’t about eliminating food altogether, but about learning to live with it.

In the same way that we cannot remove food from our lives, it is also difficult to remove digital technologies from our everyday. So the challenge becomes developing ways of living with them.

Take, for example, sugar. In many countries, foods high in sugar are subject to a wide range of public health measures. Think national food safety standards, public health interventions, school nutrition policies, limits on advertising. So it’s not about focusing on one thing only. Rather, it’s the interaction between all of these interventions that shapes patterns of consumption and impacts wellbeing.

A similar approach is needed for digital technologies. At the level of state and industry governance, this includes regulation of platform and design – particularly when it is aimed at capturing and holding users’ attention.

Just as food labels describe ingredients, nutrition and additives, digital products could disclose what data they collect, what algorithms they run on and what psychological techniques keep their users engaged.

The UK’s decision to ban social media for under 16s while continuing to expand digital literacy and coding education reflects an important point: not all digital technologies are the same.

“Digital use” cannot be treated as a single category to be either embraced or banned. Like sugar, the question is not whether children should have it at all, but what kinds, in what quantities, and in what conditions.

Beyond counting calories and screen hours

Just as sharing a meal with family affects people differently from eating alone, playing games with friends is not the same as scrolling endlessly through social media. Both count as screen time, but they create very different social and emotional experiences.

Reflecting on our own digital habits remains important. But tracking screen time is like counting calories: it tells us how much, but not necessarily why. We have to ask ourselves what role digital technologies play in our lives.

Are they helping us work, connect, rest, escape, cope, feel less or more alone? Without this kind of reflection, self-tracking risks turning a complex social issue into a matter of individual self-control.

Understanding digital technologies through the lens of food rather than addiction shifts the emphasis in important ways. Both are domains where necessity, pleasure, risk and social obligation are intertwined, which is why abstinence may not be an adequate, long-term response.

Instead of treating excessive technology use as a matter of personal discipline, approaching them like some foods locates it within broader systems of design, industry governance, state policy and social practices. The challenge then is to integrate these different levels to make life with digital technologies sustainable.

Cleaning products for different parts of your home can start to add up in cost, so you might be looking for something that can do everything.

Whether you love trying out TikTok cleaning trends or the latest products, you might want to be careful to avoid making huge mistakes when cleaning your home.

A cleaning expert has revealed one common product people should avoid when trying to get rid of marks and dirt around the house.

This cleaning expert says you should think before using bleach on household items. (Image: Getty)

Common cleaning product you should avoid

Krasi Delcheva, a cleaning expert from Cleaners of London, recently revealed one of the products she never uses when cleaning homes.

Krasi says she never uses bleach because it can often do more harm than good.

She said: “I never use bleach.

“There’s a product designed for every surface that does the job better.

“One of my clients once dropped a bottle of bleach down the stairs.

“It ruined the whole runner.

“Over £2,500 of carpet gone in one splash.”

She also mentioned how many people make the mistake of using bleach on things like sweat stains.

Doing this not only damages the fabric, but it can also react with proteins in sweat and make the discolouration worse.

Bleach should be avoided when you are cleaning the house because it can corrode common household surfaces and does not remove physical dirt.

Using bleach can permanently damage items in your home and will cause stainless steel, copper, and aluminium to rust.

It can also strip natural oils in things like wood and leather.

Other cleaning hacks you should avoid

Krasi also highlighted some other viral cleaning hacks that you should avoid.

Many people have been using WD-40 to get rid of dirt on their shower screens, with Krasi saying: “Not only does the oil leave behind a greasy residue, it can be downright dangerous, turning bathtubs into a slip hazard waiting to happen.”

If you need to get rid of dust on TVs, computers, and phones, simply wiping them with a soft microfibre cloth will work.

She said: “Wipe them down with a soft microfibre cloth.

“Most of the time, that’s all they need. If the dirt is a little tougher, use a gentle screen-safe cleaner.”

Will you be avoiding using bleach around your home? Let us know in the comments.

A TfL spokesperson said: “Any rollout of autonomous vehicles must be carefully managed and support the aims of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. This includes the management of congestion and alignment with Vision Zero, supporting the goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from collisions on London’s streets by 2041. We are developing guidance, which will be issued shortly, that will support applicants looking to operate future services. To ensure the guidance is as rigorous as it can be and doesn’t conflict with advice from other authorities, we are taking into account the DfT’s recently published advice and the findings of the London Assembly’s scrutiny that took place over the summer, and continue to engage with operators expressing an interest in operating in London.

With leaves turning orange and starting to fall, now is the time to get gardens ready for the colder months ahead.

September is a transitional month, acting as a bridge between summer and winter and giving gardeners a chance to carry out essential maintenance and planting.

Simon Parry, a gardening expert at Trex, and Craig Wilson, co-founder, director and gardening expert at Gardeners Dream, have shared their top tips for September garden tasks.

What do you need to do in your garden in September?

Prepare your lawn for winter

Wilson said that as we begin to see an increased level of rainfall in September, the threat of lawns becoming waterlogged increases.

He advised aerating the lawn using a garden fork or scarifier to prevent waterlogging and soil compaction.

Meanwhile, Parry said that cutting the lawn regularly is helpful, but make sure to do it in dry weather as cutting wet grass can damage roots.

He explained: “At the beginning of the month, cutting every 1-2 weeks with high mower blades will help the grass absorb the rain it didn’t get in summer.

“Towards the end of September when growth slows down, fortnightly cuts will suffice.”

Aerating the lawn using a garden fork or scarifier can prevent waterlogging in the lattter months of the year (Image: Canva)

He also recommended applying an autumn lawn feed high in potassium and phosphorus to strengthen roots if growth is poor.

For any summer damage, Mr Parry suggested raking out dead moss and spiking the lawn before feeding to boost growth.

Plant spring bulbs, shrubs and trees

Both experts agree that September is also a good time to begin planting for next season.

Wilson said that once autumn comes along, he’d recommend planting spring bulbs like daffodils and bluebells.

He shared: “Whilst the hottest days are past us, planting shrubs and trees now will allow the roots to establish and grow before the first frosts and, ultimately, will result in an amazing display come spring.”

Various plants, shrubs and trees can be planted in September in preparation for the spring (Image: Getty Images)

Parry echoed this advice, encouraging gardeners to sow hardy annuals and spring-flowering bulbs while the soil remains warm.

He said: “Sowing spring flowering bulbs, such as daffodils and hyacinths, will also allow them to establish strong roots before winter.”

Plant vegetables and herbs

Wilson advised planting some varieties of vegetables and herbs that will then be ready in the winter.

He said: “If you want to be able to harvest greens throughout the winter, then now is the right time to start planting hardy varieties such as kale, pak-choi and mustard, ready for those winter salads.”

Wilson continued: “Before the temperatures drop and the frosts begin, September is the perfect time to pot up some herbs such as parsley, chives and coriander, ready for cosy winter recipes.

“Once potted, place them on a sunny window ledge for fresh herbs all winter long.”

Start harvesting

The autumn period is also a good time to start harvesting seeds from existing flowers and plants to go again in the spring.

Wilson explained: “This month is a good time to get out in the garden to harvest ripe seeds from all of your favourite flowers, ready to plant them in spring.

“All you need to do is store them in envelopes and keep them in a cool dry place.

“Don’t forget to label them, too.”

Meanwhile, Parry discussed some fruit and vegetables reaching their growing peak around this period.

Gardeners can harvest seeds to plant in the near future (Image: Getty Images)

He said: “Fruits such as apples, pears and plums should be ready now along with vegetables like, tomatoes, courgettes, beans, onions and potatoes, too.

“Make sure to pick off any rotting fruits.

“Any spent, healthy plants can be composted and finished summer crops should be removed.”

Make leaf mould for future use

Parry also recommended making leaf mould from fallen leaves as a long-term soil conditioner.

He said: “All you need to do is gather fallen leaves and stuff them into sturdy black plastic bags.

“Poke holes into the bag and leave it to decompose over 1-2 years, resulting in organic matter.”

While it will take a while to form, it will pay dividends in the future.

What are you planning to do in your garden in September? Let us know in the comments.

Edgardo Bauza became Argentina coach in August 2016, replacing Gerardo Martino after the Copa America failure. He lasted just eight months – but maybe his first few days were his most important.

The first thing he did was travel to Barcelona to persuade Messi to change his mind. The huge clamour for Messi to return proved irresistible.

“I love this country and this shirt too much,” Messi said as he returned to the international fold.

“I’m grateful to all the people who wanted me to continue playing with Argentina. Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about soon.”

Still, success didn’t come instantly. In 2018, Argentina fell to France in the last 16 of the World Cup and many wrote off Messi’s chances of ever lifting the trophy.

Quite incredibly, Messi did not win a senior international tournament until the age of 34 – and then he went on to win four in barely three years, including the 2022 Finalissima.

Questions about his international future were raised after each of those triumphs, but he played on to his sixth World Cup in 2026 where he scored eight goals and registered four assists en route to Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the final.

He was strolling through games, lacking the speed of years gone by, but somehow proving every bit as effective.

The final took place in the same stadium where Messi ‘retired’ a decade earlier.

“When Messi retired [10 years ago] it reminded us all how much we loved him,” said Argentina fan Benjamin who was in the Metlife for the 2016 showpiece final.

“When I heard him retire, I cried, the country cried. He did get criticism but only because everyone cared so much. Without Lionel Messi, Argentina would still be waiting for their next World Cup since 1986.”

Messi’s footballing future became a matter of fresh doubt after the death of his father Jorge just three weeks after this year’s World Cup final.

This decision seems final and, at 39, another return to international football looks unlikely.

But South American football writer Tim Vickery said an official farewell in Argentina could be on the cards.

“Remember that, as a result of their behaviour at the World Cup, the next game Argentina play on home soil will only be in front of a crowd at 50% capacity,” Vickery told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“But once those punishments are out of the way, I’m sure it will be in the mind of the Argentina FA: ‘Why don’t we hold a game back in Buenos Aires? River Plate, they have the biggest capacity in South America. Why don’t we do an official farewell there? What do you think about it, Lionel? One last time?’.”