More than 550 commercial driving schools in the U.S. that train truckers and bus drivers must close after investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues, the federal Transportation Department announced Wednesday.

The move marks the Transportation Department’s latest effort to improve safety in the trucking industry. And unlike its previous actions last fall to decertify up to 7,500 schools that included many defunct operations, this latest step is focused on what it deemed were active schools with significant shortcomings that inspectors identified in 1,426 site visits.

The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August. A truck driver that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says was not authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana earlier this month that killed four, have only added to the concerns.

Duffy said 448 schools that failed to meet basic safety standards. Inspectors found shortcomings such as employing unqualified instructors, failing to test students’ skills or teach them how to handle hazardous materials and using the wrong equipment to teach drivers. Another 109 schools removed themselves from the registry of schools when they learned that inspectors were planning to visit.

“American families should have confidence that our school bus and truck drivers are following every letter of the law and that starts with receiving proper training before getting behind the wheel,” Duffy said.

The list of schools that officials want to decertify now are generally smaller ones, including a number of programs run by school districts. Five of the bigger, more reputable schools represented by the national Commercial Vehicle Training Association were audited but those all passed.

Jeffery Burkhardt, who is chair of the national trucking schools group, said established schools welcome the new enforcement effort to eliminate bad schools that aren’t meeting the standards. He said these audits mark the first time regulators have enforced the standards for driving schools that were passed in 2022.

“There’s no reason to believe that they’re not going to keep on moving on it, which is good. You know, the good players have no problem with it. Absolutely none,” said Burkhardt, who is also is senior director of operations at Ancora, which provides CDL training at colleges, community colleges and companies. Another 97 schools are currently under investigation for compliance issues.

Part of the problem in the trucking industry is that schools and trucking companies can essentially self certify themselves when they apply to begin operating, observers note, and questionable operations might not be caught until much later when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gets a chance to audit them.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many students were enrolled at these schools that are being decertified or how many graduated with questionable qualifications. A Transportation Department spokeswoman said officials may follow up on those graduates later. Burkhardt said that hopefully most of the unqualified drivers were weeded out before they got on the highway by the skills tests states administer before handing out commercial licenses.

But there is some cushion in the industry right now because there are currently more drivers than needed in the midst of a 10% drop in shipments since 2022 because of the economic uncertainty. Although many trucking companies still struggle to find enough well-qualified drivers with clean records.

In addition to threatening to withhold federal funding from states that don’t clean up their commercial driver’s license programs, the Trump Administration has been focused on making sure truck drivers meet English proficiency standards. California is the only state to lose funding so far with the federal government planning to withhold $160 million.

The DWP has confirmed new payment rates for State Pension and benefits from April 6, with 13 million pensioners receiving a 4.8% increase

The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has confirmed the new weekly payment rates for individuals receiving the State Pension or benefits. Nearly 13 million elderly people on the State Pension will see payments increase by 4.8 per cent from April 6, whilst those on working age or disability benefits can anticipate a rise of 3.8 per cent.

The payment rates previously published on GOV.UK were in a ‘proposed’ state, implying they could have been altered before the commencement of the new financial year, however all rates have now been confirmed. The new Universal Credit Act 2025 will result in the Standard Allowance increasing by approximately £295 annually for a single person aged 25 or over and around £465 for couples, where one is aged 25 or over.

DWP figures released on Tuesday reveal that there are now 8.34 million people claiming Universal Credit. An estimated 23 million people across Great Britain are receiving at least one benefit – it’s crucial to note that the State Pension is categorised as a ‘contributory benefit’.

Additional State Pension payment components will rise by 3.8 per cent whilst the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will increase by 4.8 per cent – in line with the increase in average earnings. From April, it will be £238.00 a week for a single pensioner and £363.25 a week for a couple.

In England and Wales, Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) and other benefits to assist with additional needs arising from disability, as well as the rate of Carer’s Allowance, will also see a 3.8 per cent increase, reports the Daily Record.

It’s crucial to note that in Scotland, these are devolved matters and the annual uprating for all 17 benefits can be found here.

Those receiving devolved benefits such as Adult, Child or Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, will also experience a rise in payments by 3.8 per cent.

All social security, including State Pensions, is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland.

Annual uprating letters are dispatched to all claimants before the new payment rates commence in April, informing people about the changes – it’s important to keep this somewhere safe as it can often be used as proof of benefit entitlement when applying for other forms of financial support.

New DWP payment rates 2026/27

Weekly rates are displayed, unless otherwise stated and have been listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to find the payment relevant to your own situation.

A comprehensive breakdown of all benefits, including additional payments, the benefit cap and new deduction rates can be found on GOV.UK.

Attendance Allowance

• Higher rate: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Lower rate: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Carer’s Allowance

• April 2026 weekly payment rate: £86.45 (from £83.30)
• Weekly earnings threshold: £204.00 (from £196.00)

Disability Living Allowance

Daily Care component

• Highest: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Middle: £76.70 (from £73.90)
• Lowest: £30.30 (from £29.20)

Mobility component

• Higher: £77.05 (from £80.00)
• Lower: £30.30 (from £29.20)

Contributory and New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Single, under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• Single, 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Lone parent, under 18: £95.55 (from £72.90)
• Lone parent, over 18: £92.05 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both under 18: £75.65 from (72.90)
• Couple, both under 18 with child: £111.35 (from £110.15)
• Couple, both under 18 (main phase): £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both under 18 with child (main phase): £150.15 (from £144.65)
• Couple, both over 18: £150.15 (from £144.65)

Complete information on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK.

Income Support

Comprehensive details on additional premiums by age and household circumstances can be found on GOV.UK.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Contribution-based JSA

• Under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)

Income-based JSA

• Under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)

Lone parent

• Under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• 18 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• Couple, both under 18 – higher rate: £114.35 (from £11.15)
• Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both 18 or over: £150.15 (from £144.65)

Complete information on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK.

Maternity Allowance

• Standard rate: £194.32 (from £187.18)

Pension Credit

Standard minimum guarantee

• Single: £238.00 (from £227.10)
• Couple: £363.25 (from £346.60)

Additional amount for severe disability

• Single: £86.05 (from £82.90)
• Couple (one qualifies): £86.05 (from £82.90)
• Couple (both qualify): £172.10 (from £165.75)
• Additional amount for carers: £48.15 (from £46.40)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Daily Living component

• Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Mobility component

• Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
• Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)

State Pension

New State Pension

• Full rate: £241.30 (from £230.25)

Old/Basic State Pension

Complete details on Additional State Pension, Widows Pension, increments and Invalidity Allowance can be found on GOV.UK.

Universal Credit (monthly rates)

Single People

• Under 25: £338.58 (from £316.98)
• 25 or over: £424.90 (from £400.14)

Couples

• Joint claimants both under 25: £528.34 (from £497.55)
• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £666.97 (from £628.10)

A comprehensive list of additional elements related to Universal Credit can be found on GOV.UK.

Coronation Street drops a major twist tonight, and it looks like Megan Walsh’s reign of control could finally be coming to an end.

For weeks, viewers have watched in horror as Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) grooms teen Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), carefully manipulating him into believing they’re in a genuine relationship. Calm, calculated and always one step ahead, she’s worked hard to keep suspicions at bay, particularly from Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan), who has long sensed something isn’t right.

But tonight, the power dynamic shifts.

The drama begins when Sam unexpectedly lets himself into Megan’s house, claiming he’s come round to revise and that Leanne gave him a spare key. It’s a bold move, and it clearly rattles Megan.

Trying to maintain her composure, she sees herself out and tells Sam she’ll be back by 4 pm, but it’s obvious she’s unsettled by Sam’s unannounced visit. Megan seeks out Will at the precinct and tells him about the visit, painting it as alarming.

In a chilling moment, Megan suggests he play the ‘good cop’ to her ‘bad cop’, smoothing things over with Sam and keeping him onside. It’s classic manipulation, and once again, she appears confident that the situation is under control.

Will later tracks Sam down at the bistro and invites him to a gig, acting as though everything is perfectly normal. He even reassures Megan via text: “It’s sorted”.

As far as she’s concerned, crisis averted.

Except it isn’t.

In the episode’s closing moments, it’s revealed that Sam has secretly set up a camera inside Megan’s house.

The very teenager Megan has dismissed as naïve and easily intimidated has been quietly plotting to begin gathering evidence behind her back.

Until now, Megan has worked tirelessly to convince Sam that even if he did speak out about her and Will, nobody would believe him. She’s chipped away at his confidence, manipulated him through his grades and treated him as though he’s no threat.

Don’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Advertisement

But she’s made one critical mistake: underestimating him.

Speaking previously about her character, Beth Nixon explained that Megan believes she’s always the smartest person in the room.

‘Everyone tells her how smart Sam is, but she thinks she’s smarter. She views him as just a kid and assumes she’s in total control,’ she said.

That sense of superiority has defined Megan’s behaviour. She’s stayed ‘cool as a cucumber’ while pulling strings behind the scenes, but tonight’s twist suggests her control may be slipping.

If Sam’s hidden camera captures what viewers suspect it will, Megan could finally be exposed. But given how ruthless she’s proven herself to be, it’s hard to imagine she’ll go quietly.

For the first time in this unsettling storyline, though, it feels like Megan isn’t the one calling the shots.

MORE: Evil Megan will ‘do anything’ in Coronation Street as she prepares ‘drastic measures’ to get rid of Sam

MORE: Coronation Street teen arrested as attack culprit is exposed

MORE: Coronation Street’s Sam catches predator Megan with Will on camera but he’s in danger

​The proposals for an overnight visitor levy have been backed by the county’s elected mayor, but hoteliers in Scarborough have urged David Skaith to listen to coastal organisations and ensure that any potential tax is “fair for everybody”.

​As the Government closed its consultation on the proposed overnight visitor levy, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has set out the next steps for a visitor levy in the region with a series of meetings with tourism and hospitality businesses.

​According to research into the rewards and risks of the levy by the North Yorkshire Policy Lab, an overnight tax could generate up to £52 million a year based on a £2 per person, per night charge.

​Lynn Jackson, vice president of the Scarborough Hospitality Association (SHA), said she is worried about the implementation of the scheme and how unregistered AirBnBs and holiday lets would be included.

​She added that in order for an overnight visitor levy to receive support from coastal businesses, there would need to be a commitment to ringfence the funds for hospitality.

​“It has to be properly ring-fenced, because often enough they say things are ring-fenced and then it gets used for roads or whatever they’ve decided is a more urgent need.

“We must have a say in how it’s used, and it has to be levied across the board,” said Ms Jackson, who also owns and runs a successful hotel in the town.

​In its response to the Government’s consultation, North Yorkshire Council highlighted concerns from the tourism industry about the proposed levy.

​Of the 277 responses to the council’s survey, 71 per cent were opposed to the idea, with 18 per cent in support and 11 per cent neutral.

York and North Yorkshire’s Mayor, David Skaith said that if the levy gets the green light following the consultation, he will hold a region-wide consultation before it is introduced.

​He said: “York and North Yorkshire is beautiful, with something for everyone. That’s why millions of people come to spend time here every year, it’s a success story for our region, with over 54,000 jobs, but it also adds a lot of pressure to local services.

“A visitor levy could be a total game changer for our region, it’s an opportunity to drive investment into our communities, and back businesses in our tourism and hospitality sectors with the support we all know we need, but nobody has the money for right now. We must get this right for our region, and that’s what I’m focussed on as we go through this process.”

Vice President of the SHA, Ms Jackson said: “The thing is, it has to be across the board. There are so many unregistered businesses and B&Bs, so how can you make sure that we’re all equal in this?

​”That’s the biggest issue that most of us have. If every business is taxed in the same way, then it’s fair.”

​Asked if she was worried about the cost of additional administration to collect the tax, she said: “Yes, definitely, it’s going to be a pain in the bum.”

​Opponents of the overnight levy have warned that the additional cost could put tourists off from visiting the region.

​Ms Jackson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I think anybody visiting Europe is already familiar with it, it’s a part of your holiday when you go abroad nowadays, so I don’t think for an awful lot of people it will make much difference.”

​However, she highlighted that hospitality businesses in the UK are “already paying more tax than they do abroad, we’re paying VAT at 20 per cent and in a lot of otherplaces across Europe, they’re paying 5 per cent VAT, so we’re already hammered.”

​In Spain, the standard VAT rate for hotel accommodation is 10 per cent, while hotels in Portugal’s autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores pay a rate of 4 per cent.

​Mr Skaith said: “I’m focussed on the people who live and work here and who feel the impact of millions of visitors. I’ll make sure that we prioritise the places and public services that feel the most pressure, without costing residents an extra penny.”

​

Councillor Kendra Evans superimposed a picture of Councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd into a photograph of an ‘artisan makers’ market event she was promoting taking place in Marske – the area both represent – posting it on Facebook.

The latter’s face, meanwhile, had been obscured with an ‘angry face’ emoji.

Cllr Learoyd lodged a complaint with Redcar and Cleveland Council over the matter which instigated code of conduct procedures.

Council monitoring officer Steve Newton said a local resident had commented on the post and it “seemed reasonable to conclude that they had recognised the complainant from the image”.

The resident responded with a series of laughing emojis.

Mr Newton said the image was publicly accessible and posted from a Facebook account which identified the member in question as a councillor. 

Marske councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd.Picture/credit: UGC. Free for use for all LDRS partners.

While neither councillor was named in a published decision report – as per the council’s usual anonymised approach – the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was able to identify the pair, who both represent the St Germain’s ward, from enquiries made.

Mr Newton said: “Whilst the image, in isolation, would not amount to harassment, on balance, a likely interpretation of this situation by a reasonable member of the public would be that the imagery was intended to be personally mocking or derogatory.”

He said it was agreed that the appropriate course of action was that advice would be issued as to future conduct.

He added: “On balance, there may technically have been a breach of the obligation of respect but, if there was any breach, then this would be at the very lowest end of the scale in terms of seriousness and, therefore, a formal investigation would be disproportionate. 

“However, further instances of a similar nature could indicate a course of conduct and result in a different outcome.”

It was also considered appropriate to recommend that the edited image should be removed and/or replaced online.

The decision report, shared with members of the council’s governance committee, said there was a “history of issues between the two parties”.

The complainant – Cllr Learoyd – claimed he and his family had been harassed by Cllr Evans, while the latter “indicated that the complainant was pursuing vexatious complaints”.

Both councillors were elected in 2023 as Liberal Democrats, but Cllr Evans quit the local group last year citing a conflict with her work and now sits as an independent in the council chamber.

She declined to comment after being approached by the LDRS.

Cllr Learoyd also quit the local group in the summer of 2024 after criticising a previous decision to suspend him temporarily, and labelled his treatment as a “farce”.

He also now represents Marske as an independent.

Cllr Evans previously criticised Cllr Learoyd on Facebook after he described how other councillors in the ward would not speak to him in respect of local matters he was seeking improvements or campaigning on.

In a post Cllr Evans claimed Cllr Learoyd was refusing to deal with her after blaming her for his suspension from the Lib Dem group and there was “no requirement for him to become involved with things that are already being dealt with”.

A 911 call had reported the avalanche had buried 15 skiers – six of the group have since been found alive

Advertisement

Eight skiers have been killed in California in the deadliest US avalanche in over 40 years.

One skier is still missing following the deadly avalanche took place near Lake Tahoe today (Wednesday). The skiers’ families have been told that the mission is now a recovery one rather then rescue, Nevada County Sheriff confirmed at a news conference today.

Search and rescue crews rushed to Castle Peak of California’s Sierra Nevada where they began to search in horrendous conditions. Rescue efforts have been hampered by the heavy snow and threat of further collapses, reported the Mirror.

A 911 call had reported the avalanche had buried 15 skiers – six of the group have since been found alive. The area near Donner Summit is one of the snowiest places in the Western Hemisphere and until just a few years ago was closed to the public.

Ashley Quadros, of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed two of the rescued skiers have been taken to a hospital for treatment. The Sierra Avalanche Center warned that the risk of avalanche remains high and warned people to stay away from the area.

The group had been on the trail as a huge winter storm hit the West Coast. The Truckee Donner Land Trust highlighted that the area can have nearly 10m (35ft) of snow a year.

Blackbird Mountain Guides, the group leading the expedition, and the skiers’ emergency beacons alerted the authorities to the emergency, Nevada County Sheriff Capt. Russell Greene said. Fifteen backcountry skiers had been on the trip, not 16 as initially believed.

The skiers were on the last day of a backcountry skiing trip where they had spent two nights in the huts, said Steve Reynaud, an avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center.

“Our thoughts are with the missing individuals, their families, and first responders in the field,” Blackbird Mountain Guides said in a statement.

The group, including four guides, were returning to the trailhead after they spent two nights in the huts. The company said it is helping authorities in the search for the skiers.

Donner Summit, where the tragedy occurred, is known for the infamous Donner Party, a group of pioneers who resorted to cannibalism after getting trapped there in the winter of 1846-1847. This avalanche could be the biggest collapse since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier, in Washington state.

Each winter, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches in the US, according to figures from the National Avalanche Center.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.

The week will also see special episodes from Sir David’s most-loved series including Planet Earth II; Seven Worlds, One Planet; Blue Planet II; Planet Earth III; Frozen Planet II; and his most recent film Wild London, along with a dedicated collection of 40 of Sir David’s most-loved programmes on iPlayer.

Teesside Crown Court heard today (February 18), how the victim was bundled into a van with his hands and feet bound with cable ties.

He also had tape covering his eyes and mouth while he was taken to a caravan located on a field near to Sandy Lane in Stockton.

Mark Pearce, 52, and Donald Hammond, 43, both denied being involved in the crime.

Today, a jury found them both guilty of conspiracy to kidnap following a two-week trial. They will both return to Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, April 7 to be sentenced.

Donald Hammond (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

During the trial, the court heard how the victim was stripped naked, beaten and then forced to film a video for his family to pay a ransom.

Footage played to the court, showed a black Mercedes, hired from London following Pearce’s Land Rover onto the field where the caravan was located.

Hammond, of Papermill Place in London, denied that it was him travelling from London to Stockton, despite mobile phone data obtained by police showing his mobile phone was connecting to masts in that area.

Pearce, of Honeycomb Avenue in Stockton, also denied being in the Land Rover and claimed he was busy racing pigeons at his allotment.

Mark Pearce (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Cleveland Police detectives obtained CCTV and mobile phone data during their investigation, which led to the men being arrested and charged.

Detective Constable Jonathan Pain, from Stockton CID, said: “Firstly, I want to recognise the courage that has been shown by the victim throughout this process following the unimaginable ordeal he was put through by these men.

“I hope this verdict can provide him some comfort going forward.

“During the trial, Pearce claimed he was merely racing his pigeons. Yet there was a considerable amount of material presented to the jury that disputed this, including CCTV and mobile phone data.

“Thankfully, they saw through the smokescreen of his pigeon defence and found him guilty by a unanimous verdict.

“Hammond travelled up from London in a Mercedes that was seen on CCTV throughout the day, with Pearce’s vehicle going to and from the location where the victim was held. The jury also did not believe his account on how his DNA came to be on items left at the scene.

“This was a highly sophisticated plot with national and international elements.

“I take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has any further information about others involved in this to either contact Crimestoppers anonymously or Cleveland Police on 101.

“Please be assured that any information received will be treated confidentially.”

Arsenal winger Noni Madueke was the target of the Wolves boo boys during Wednesday’s clash between top and bottom in the Premier League.

The England international might appear an unusual player for the Molineux faithful to single out, but the 23-year-old has a bit of history with the relegation threatened club.

Ahead of Chelsea’s game at the same venue last season, Madueke committed social media gaffe by publishing a story on Instagram that read ‘Everything about this place is s***’.

Upon realising his mistake, Madueke published a clarification that did little to appease those of a Wolves persuasion.

He said: ‘Damnn wrong Instagram account.. You lot are too fast [laughing emoji, face palm emoji].’ 

Madueke’s every touch was subsequently booed by the home fans, but they clearly had little impact on the then Blues forward who scored a hat-trick in a thumping 6-2 win on that occasion.

The former PSV Eindhoven star moved from west to north London in the summer and has begun to win over the Arsenal supporters who were not keen on their club sanctioning a £50million transfer.

Madueke had started Arsenal’s previous six games in all competitions prior to Wednesday night, in part down to Bukayo Saka’s unavailability.

And even though Saka returned to the visitors’ XI at Molineux, he continued in the No.10 position behind Viktor Gyokeres, with Madueke given the nod on the right flank.

Mikel Arteta made no secret of the fact he could use Saka more centrally after experimenting with the England international in the same role in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Wigan on Sunday.

‘Yeah, that’s something that’s a possibility and I wanted to try it,’ Arteta told reporters after the Gunners booked their place in the fifth round.

‘We might use it in the future.

‘There’s still so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play from now until the end of the season.

‘That’s a possibility that we have, yeah.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Chelsea and Man Utd urged to avoid £82m transfer mistake in bid to catch Arsenal

MORE: RB Leipzig set price for Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal transfer target Yan Diomande

MORE: ‘The Secret Footballer’ finally revealed as former Premier League star

It is the only one from Northern Ireland to feature in the top 100

A Co Fermanagh golf resort has been named one of the top 100 in the world for 2026.

Lough Erne Resort has been recognised as one of the world’s finest golfing destinations, climbing eleven places since last year to secure 65th position in Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Golf Resorts’ ranking.

The list is compiled by an expert international panel who consider course quality, facilities, setting and overall experience and Lough Erne was the only resort in Northern Ireland to rank this year.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy prize money as he records his best round at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-amREAD MORE: NI golf course gets Top 10 ranking in best 100 parkland courses list

Golf World praised Lough Erne Resort for its exceptional blend of championship golf and luxury hospitality.

They said: “There are 36 holes here, with Castle Hume backing up Sir Nick Faldo’s course, which is characterised by dramatic loughside holes and has been in the GB&I Courses Top 100.

“This is a big jump for this Northern Irish resort, but justified as the golf is more than matched by a 5-star hotel, which sits within a distinctive, ancient building. The lough-edge setting is beautiful and tranquil.”

Last year, The Faldo Course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, secured a Top 10 position in Golf World’s Top 100 Parkland Courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Barry McCauley, Director of Golf at Lough Erne Resort, said: “Everyone at Lough Erne Resort is absolutely thrilled to see us climb 11 places in this ranking. This recognition is a tremendous endorsement of the quality, condition and character of our two championship courses.

“This achievement also reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team, from course maintenance to front-of-house, who work tirelessly all year round to deliver exceptional standards.”

Mark Ward and Jeff Mahan of TRU Hotels and Resorts LLC, the US-based operators of Lough Erne Resort, added: “This latest recognition in Golf World’s Top 100 Golf Resorts is a significant achievement and a true reflection of the commitment and excellence shown by the team at Lough Erne Resort.

“Securing this position in such a competitive global ranking highlights the strength of the Resort as a true, premier golfing destination.”

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here