I’ve been obsessed with Chef Sylvia Fountaine’s oven-baked potato recipe that calls on one ingredient to make crispier and tastier jacket potatoes.

Jacket potatoes are my preferred choice on occasions when I fancy something simple. I’m always looking for fresh approaches to preparing this modest vegetable to achieve a crunchy, flavoursome result.

I’ve previously tried cooking a baked potato in the microwave and followed a chef’s air-fryer method – both of which yielded superb outcomes.

On this occasion, I went back to using my oven, but covered the potato with a single ingredient used by Chef Sylvia Fountaine, a cooking specialist and creator of Feasting at Home. In her recipe, she claims it’s entirely about the salt – and not merely standard table salt, but either sea or kosher salt.

I used sea salt and found that my jacket potato came out of the oven considerably more flavoursome and crunchier than usual.

Advertisement

The logic for using salt is that it is inherently moisture-absorbing, drawing out excess water and allowing the skin to become beautifully crisp, creating a delectable crust without the potato turning hard.

Along with the salt, you’ll only need some oil. I discovered that extra-virgin olive oil performs especially well, imparting a superior taste to the completed dish.

The most demanding aspect of this jacket potato approach was purely waiting for it to cook – but it was entirely worthwhile. The salt crust on the exterior substantially improved the potato’s taste.

How to make jacket potatoes more flavoursome and crunchier

Using a fork, I punctured the potato at least three times to vent steam, preventing it from exploding in the oven. I then coated it thoroughly in extra-virgin olive oil, making sure the whole potato was covered, before giving it a generous rub with sea salt.

While I would ordinarily wrap a potato in tin foil before placing it in the oven, the chef cautioned against this, instead simply suggesting that it be placed on a baking tray in the middle of the oven.

The chef noted that sealing the potato in foil retains steam, resulting in a soggy texture. I kept the potato in the oven for the suggested hour; however, I found it needed a further 15 minutes.

To ensure my baked potatoes had a “fluffy, not gummy” interior, I immediately cut into them with a knife to release the remaining steam.

Once they’re a gorgeous golden colour on top, switch off the oven but keep the potatoes inside for another five minutes – this will give their skin an even crispier finish.

When you eventually take out your tray, you’ll be rewarded with the crispiest, most mouth-watering baked potatoes you’ve ever made.

For the finishing touch, I gave the piping hot potato a gentle squeeze with a tea towel, loosened the inside with a fork and loaded it with butter. While I kept mine fairly simple, there’s a wealth of options to enhance a baked potato. TV cook Mary Berry favours a splash of blue cheese dressing.

The event runs from Monday, October 19, to Sunday, October 25, and will include restaurants, pubs, and cafes from across the borough.

As well as boosting trade during the quieter autumn period, the week aims to help businesses reach new customers and promote their menus.

Venues confirmed to be taking part so far include:

• No. 5 New York Pizza
• Daisy & Beas @ Highlight
• The Marine Hotel
• Portals
• Dhamaka
• Larry’s Lanes and Games
• Flamingos
• Wallis & Co.
• Radici Pizza Restaurant
• Dilshad
• Mary Lambert
• Place To Be

Councillor Rob Darby, chairman of the council’s housing, growth and communities committee, said: “With a fresh, new look, next month’s Hartlepool Restaurant Week is set to be bigger and better than ever, building further on the great results last January.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Hartlepool businesses to showcase their menu, attract new customers, boost footfall during the quieter autumn season and raise their profile as part of Hartlepool’s thriving food and drink scene.

“I hope as many of our marvellous Hartlepool eateries as possible will get involved.”

The previous Restaurant Week in January saw 28 businesses take part and 2,500 customers enjoy special offers.

Businesses wanting to sign up must be able to offer a dine-in experience to take part.

Israel footballer Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for appearing to use the corner flag to simulate shooting a gun during his goal celebration.

Israel were beaten 3-1 by Austria in their Uefa Nations League clash on Thursday night with Farchi briefly drawing his side level in the second-half.

After finding the back of the net, the 20-year-old immediately ran over to the corner of the pitch, removing the corner flag from the ground.

Farchi crouched down and took aim, smiling as he made gun-firing gestures.

Farchi had been booked just four minutes before his goal with the referee producing a second yellow card to leave Israel down to 10 men.

Austria took the lead again in the 90^th minute through Philipp Mwene with Sasa Kalajdzic adding a third in stoppage time.

Israel are set to play Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

Earlier this week, the Israel Football Association has Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘hypocrisy and stupidity’ over comments he made regarding the upcoming Nations League fixtures between the two countries.

Campaigners have stepped up their bid to convince the Ireland team to boycott Sunday’s opener in Hungary, with a group gathering outside the team’s hotel in Dublin on Monday evening.

At last week’s squad announcement, Hallgrimsson admitted many squad members were uncomfortable about playing Israel, adding: ‘We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide.’

In a furious response on social media on Monday night, the Israel FA wrote: ‘We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way.

‘Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach.

‘We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, we’re playing against the coach who embodies them.’

Hallgrimsson later admitted hie comments were ‘not clever from me.

‘Myself and the players need to be focused on the game. It’s a tricky time for us. We are grateful for the support we get.’

MORE: Dozens boo and walk out during Netanyahu’s address to the UN

MORE: ‘I don’t understand’ – Alan Shearer questions Cole Palmer’s withdrawal from England squad

MORE: Why is the international break three weeks long? England’s four fixtures explained

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all continue to push for new signings after the summer window as January quickly moves into view. Arsenal have been handed a fresh boost over Julian Alvarez after Deco admitted that Barcelona’s long-running pursuit of the striker is over, while the Gunners continue to be linked with a host of other players including Liverpool sensation Rio Ngumoha and Iago Machado.

He has spoken out ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League clash with Israel

Jason Knight has stated that the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixture against Israel on Sunday shouldn’t be taking place.

However, the Boys in Green will take to the pitch in Debrecen and are expected to make some form of gesture showing support for the Palestinian people.

Knight has been more outspoken than any of his teammates so far, declaring: “I don’t think the game obviously should be going ahead but it is going ahead.

“We’ll have a deeper talk about it and what that means, we’ll get our thoughts as a group and go from there.”

Ireland head into Sunday’s match following a 1-0 loss to Kosovo – a scoreline that could have been far more damaging had the hosts capitalised on more of the chances that came their way, reports the Irish Mirror.

“It’s not the way you want to start the campaign, they’re obviously a good team but I think we were definitely below our level,” Knight acknowledged.

“It’s a disappointing goal to give away because it would have been a good result with the clean sheet.

“Maybe a bit too passive at times. Didn’t get up to the ball. Second half, it got a bit better.

“But I think when you let good players around your box too easily, especially with the threats they’ve got, like you see with the goal, you’re going to come unstuck sooner rather than later.”

He conceded that manager Heimir Hallgrímsson was let down by the display – and that significant improvements would be needed before Sunday’s encounter.

“He was disappointed, there is no getting away from that, he thought we were below our levels as well and that’s 100 percent right,” he said. “But he also said there is a game in two days and we’re going to have to get everyone around each other and go again because it’s going to be a big squad turnout.

“I think (the performance) was a mixture of they were a good team, we didn’t give our forward players enough chances to score goals.

“They pinned us back a bit too much. But I do think there were even patches in the game and they took their big chance and we didn’t take our half chances.”

When questioned whether discussions surrounding the Israel fixtures had impacted preparations for facing Kosovo, he responded: “No, I don’t think so, it’s been very football focused, looking forward to the Kosovo game.

“Nothing distracted us, it was just a disappointing night.”

Knight and his teammates are set to convene on Friday to determine their strategy for the Israel fixture.

“There is obviously a lot of talk and rightly so about the scenario we’re in, but I thought Dara (O’Shea) spoke quite well yesterday.

“We’ll try and review this game quickly and we’ll talk about what’s coming up, the Israel games, and we’ll go from there.

“It’s a bigger spotlight obviously and not focused on the football itself. It’s very very unusual and none of us have come into this scenario before so we’re learning on the fly as well.

“So we’ll talk tomorrow as a group and see what is the best foot forward.”

Despite being based in England since pre-season commenced, Knight has remained conscious of the discourse back in Ireland regarding the forthcoming matches. “It’s obviously big talk in Ireland. I have been focusing on my football in England in the Championship,” he said.

“But I knew this was coming so I had a think about it. We had chats about it with the players, and more senior players on what the step will be.

“Now we’re here, we can have a really in depth talk of what that means and what the consequences are. We’ll do that tomorrow and go from there.

“I am quite experienced. None of us have gone through this scenario before but I’d like to think I’m experienced, thick skin and can get through most things and that is what I will try and do.

“I’ll try and focus on the football as much as I can. I’ll give my view and my thoughts on when I see fit, but I’ll be trying to focus on the football as much as possible.”

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories.

This award is dedicated to recognising excellence in retail, leisure, and hospitality through innovations, customer experience, and community engagement, with entrants judged on memorable experiences and economic contribution.

Artistic director Lottie Wakeham said: “Yeah we’re so delighted – so, so proud.

“It’s very unexpected. It’s quite a broad category, against so many other brilliant businesses, so we’re all really delighted to win the trophy tonight.”

(Image: SIMON WARBURTON)

The Octagon was designed by then-director of Bolton architecture, Geoffrey H. Brooks, and constructed using £95,000 raised by public donation.

It was the first professional theatre to be built in North West England after the end of the second world war, and features to main spaces – the larger Main Auditorium, and the smaller Bill Naughton Studio Theatre.

The theatre was closed in 2018 for refurbishments, with performances continuing off-site at various Bolton venues.

A hub of Bolton history, several notable people have have either worked in or visited the Octagon.

(Image: Dan Dougherty)

Peter Kay used to work in the ticket office before dedicating himself to a career in comedy, and Farnworth born playwright Jim Cartwright was the Octagon’s writer in residence during the late 80s.

In 1969, a then-unknown Farrokh Bulsara played one of his first live gigs at the Octagon, before later finding fame with his new band – Queen – under a new name – Freddie Mercury.

The Octago is currently showing a production of the ever-popular East is East, perhaps better known for the 1996 film adaptation starring Om Puri.

Ticket sales are set to get underway TODAY – here are all of the VIP package details

The ticket sales for Oasis Live ’27 are getting underway today after the band announced a huge 42-date tour next year.

It comes after the hugely successful Oasis Live ’25 tour which saw brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher reunite on stage for the first time in 16 years, with iconic homecoming performances at Manchester’s Heaton Park.

Earlier this month, Oasis announced that they will be embarking on another huge tour, kicking off with five nights at Glasgow’s Celtic Park on May 21, 2027.

Click here for the latest on Oasis including ticket and 2027 tour details in our WhatsApp group

This will be followed by an 11-night residency at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, before travelling over to Europe for shows in Munich, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome before going to the US for gigs in Boston and Las Vegas.

Then, the Britpop legends will head to Ireland’s Slane Castle for two nights before making an epic and long-awaited return to Knebworth for six nights to conclude the tour.

The ticket sale is working in a slightly different way to how it did for Oasis Live ’25. Fans had a window to register for tickets – which closed on Thursday, September 17, at 4pm.

Those who registered are not guaranteed tickets or even access to the sale. Fans who are successful will be sent a unique, non-transferable code to access one of the nine onsale windows. Fans will be informed directly which of the onsale windows they can access, and at what time, and all ticket tales will take place on Ticketmaster.

And organisers confirmed that unique codes which grant fans access to the sale will be sent between Thursday, September 24, and Sunday, September 27.

This means that fans could still be receiving their unique codes to access the sale once the windows have already opened. So fans hoping to secure tickets should keep an eye on their emails from Thursday, anytime until Sunday.

Standard UK ticket prices will be fixed and range between £71.50 and £266.60, including fees. There are also a number of VIP Packages for The Etihad, Celtic Park, and Knebworth ranging from £305.50 to £571, but these vary between the three venues and come with different add-ons.

Advertisement

VIP packages for Oasis Live ’27 at

Front Standing Package – £303.50 including fees

Enter the stadium via a dedicated fast-track entrance.

This package includes a ticket to the front standing area of the stadium.

Collect your limited-edition standing package bundle, which includes:

Advertisement

• An exclusive merch item
• Souvenir venue-specific ticket
• A commemorative city-specific fabric wristband.

Best Seat Package – £363.50 including fees

Enter the stadium via a dedicated fast-track entrance

This package includes a top-priced seated ticket to watch Oasis live.

Collect your limited-edition seated package bundle, which includes:

• An exclusive merch item
• Souvenir venue-specific ticket
• A commemorative city-specific fabric wristband.

Oasis Pre-Show Fan Experience – Front Standing – £508.50 including fees

• One Front Standing Ticket
• Premium Exclusive Merchandise Bundle
• Access to a pre-show hub complete with Oasis installations and a dedicated team of hosts
• Entry via a fast-track entrance
• Early merchandise shopping opportunity

Please note: Food and drinks are not included in the package price and must be purchased separately. The pre-show area will close ahead of the main act going on stage and will be off site in some instances, so you will need to enter the venue to watch the show.

There is no separate standing area for Fan Experience ticket holders within Front Standing. You will receive an email around 5 days before the performance date with instructions regarding the experience.

Advertisement

Oasis Pre-Show Fan Experience – Seated £568.50 including fees

• One Tier 1 Reserved Seat
• Premium Exclusive Merchandise Bundle
• Access to a pre-show hub complete with Oasis installations and a dedicated team of hosts
• Entry via a fast-track entrance
• Early merchandise shopping opportunity

Please note: Food and drinks are not included in the package price and must be purchased separately. The pre-show area will close ahead of the main act going on stage and will be off site in some instances, so you will need to enter the venue to watch the show.

VIP packages for Oasis Live ’27 at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium

VIP packages are available for £306.60, £366.60, £511.60 and £571.60 including fees, and can be found below.

Front Standing Package – £306.60 including fees

You will enter the stadium via a dedicated fast-track entrance. This package includes a ticket to the front standing area of the stadium.

Advertisement

Collect your limited-edition standing package bundle, which includes:

• An exclusive merch item
• Souvenir venue-specific ticket
• A commemorative city-specific fabric wristband

Best Seat Package – £366.60 including fees

Enter the stadium via a dedicated fast-track entrance This package includes a top-priced seated ticket to watch Oasis live.

Collect your limited-edition seated package bundle, which includes:

• An exclusive merch item
• Souvenir venue-specific ticket
• A commemorative city-specific fabric wristband

Oasis Pre-Show Fan Experience – Front Standing – £511.60 including fees

• One Front Standing Ticket
• Premium Exclusive Merchandise Bundle
• Access to a pre-show hub complete with Oasis installations and a dedicated team of hosts
• Early merchandise shopping opportunity

Food and drinks are not included in the package price and must be purchased separately. The pre-show area will close ahead of the main act going on stage and will be off site in some instances, so you will need to enter the venue to watch the show.

There is no separate standing area for Fan Experience ticket holders within Front Standing. You will receive an email around 5 days before the performance date with instructions regarding the experience.

Advertisement

Oasis Pre-Show Fan Experience – Seated £571.60 including fees

• One Tier 1 Reserved Seat
• Premium Exclusive Merchandise Bundle
• Access to a pre-show hub complete with Oasis installations and a dedicated team of hosts
• Early merchandise shopping opportunity

Please note: Food and drinks are not included in the package price and must be purchased separately. The pre-show area will close ahead of the main act going on stage and will be off site in some instances, so you will need to enter the venue to watch the show.

VIP packages for Oasis Live ’27 at

Hospitality Area Package – £317.50 including fees

The Hospitality Area Package includes:

• A Front Standing ticket.
• Entry via a dedicated fast-track entrance.
• Access to the hospitality area, featuring bars and street food vendors.
• Chill-out areas with seating.
• Premium toilet facilities.
• A dedicated tour merchandise stand.
• Access to the hospitality area for one hour after the artist has finished.

Food and drinks are not included in the package price and must be purchased separately.

The hospitality area is not stage-facing, so you will need to enter the main arena to watch the show.

Advertisement

There is no separate standing area for hospitality ticket holders within Front Standing.

Seating in the hospitality area is subject to availability and is expected to include informal options such as picnic tables and benches.

Pre-Show Fan Experience – Front Standing – £508.50 including fees

This package includes:

Advertisement

• A Front Standing ticket.
• Premium Exclusive Merchandise Bundle
• Access to a pre-show hub complete with Oasis installations and a dedicated team of hosts.
• Early merchandise shopping opportunity.

Food and drinks are not included in the package price and must be purchased separately. There is no separate standing area for Pre-show fan experience ticket holders within Front Standing.

The pre-show area will close ahead of the main act going on stage and will be off site in some instances, so you will need to enter the venue to watch the show.

There is no separate standing area for Fan Experience ticket holders within Front Standing. Fans will receive an email around five days before the performance date with instructions regarding the experience.

Reserved Grandstand, Gardens and House Package– £513.50 including fees

The package includes:

Advertisement

• A reserved seated grandstand ticket with the option to access the General Admission standing area.
• Entry via a dedicated fast-track entrance.
• Access to the exclusive Knebworth House and Gardens hospitality area, featuring bars and food vendors.
• Chill-out areas with seating.
• Premium toilet facilities.
• A dedicated tour merchandise stand.
• Access to the hospitality area for one hour after the artist has finished.

The grandstands are at the rear of the arena (200m from the stage) with a direct view of the stage in front and access to Knebworth House and Gardens behind via a pedestrian bridge with steps. The grandstand is not covered and open to the elements.

Andy James, a former pub landlord from Kirkbymoorside, found himself driving a second-hand pickup truck packed with generators and medical supplies more than 1,000 miles across Europe after volunteering with Drive 2 Save Lives (D2SL), an organisation delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The experience left a lasting impression on him, who has since made multiple trips delivering aid, including dog food and supplies for animal rescue shelters.

A quiet retirement turned into a life-changing mission of compassion and service.

Andy said: “I retired last year and I had a wonderfully uncomplicated plan.

“Find my forever home, watch as much football as possible, adopt a dog and enjoy a quiet life.

After 47 years of work, I thought I’d earned it.”

Andy’s career had taken him to Canada for 22 years before returning to Yorkshire, where he ran The Buck Inn in Wrelton and later re-opened the Middleton Arms near Pickering after its six-year closure.

Even after retiring, he helped refurbish another pub before finally stepping away from work.

Andy said: “A couple of months into retirement, I felt a bit adrift.

“I had my pensions lined up, I was going to be comfortable enough, but something was missing.”

Drawing on his experience as a field supervisor and camp manager in the Canadian oilfields, he contacted D2SL, hoping to help in a displacement camp or field kitchen in Ukraine.

Instead, he ended up driving a second-hand pickup truck filled with generators and hospital supplies more than 1,000 miles across Europe.

A week after that call, he found himself standing in Dover looking at a rather sad pickup truck that had previously belonged to a pig farmer.

Andy said: “It wasn’t exactly the vehicle you’d choose for a 1,000-plus mile drive across Europe.”

Despite speaking no Ukrainian and having never driven to Ukraine before, he set off on his journey.

Three days later, he arrived at the border.

He said: “The Ukrainian border guards are a different story.

“They are under a fair amount of pressure and there is a precise routine to follow, one I can now do in my sleep.

“If you get it wrong, the punishment is how long you will be held up.

“I could fill a whole chapter just on my experiences there.

“On that first trip, it was three hours, which is probably a good average.”

Once inside the country, he delivered aid to Lviv before exploring the city and meeting two off-duty Ukrainian soldiers in a pub.

They helped him with a taxi app, and in return, he bought them a drink.

Later, they revealed they were returning to the front the next morning.

Andy said: “We talked about politics.

“They shared their views on President Zelensky and Donald Trump.

“No surprise, they absolutely loved Boris Johnson.

“When I jokingly mentioned Liz Truss, they both burst out laughing.

“‘The lettuce!’ one of them said.

“It seems some political moments travel surprisingly well.”

The conversation turned to football, and for a few hours, the war faded into the background.

The two men thanked him repeatedly for his support, even gifting him two bottles of Ukrainian vodka.

Andy said: “They were heading into a war zone.

“I was heading home to Yorkshire and my next football game.”

“Early the next morning, my phone buzzed. It was one of the lads, messaging to make sure I hadn’t slept in and missed my train. Think about that for a moment.

“On the morning he was returning to a war zone, he was worried that I might oversleep and miss my train.

“That message has stayed with me ever since. It sums up the people I’ve met in Ukraine better than anything I could write. Despite everything they’ve endured, despite the uncertainty they live with every day, their class and kindness never seem to disappear.”

Andy has since made multiple trips delivering aid, including dog food and supplies for animal rescue shelters.

“I thought delivering that first vehicle would probably be a one-off venture. Something to tell friends about over a pint before quietly returning to my retirement plans. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“The work isn’t glamorous. It isn’t headline news. In truth, that’s part of the problem. As the war drags on, it slowly disappears from the front pages and from everyday conversation. I’ve even found people are becoming bored with the subject. For the people living through it, nothing has changed.”

Andy said he plans to continue delivering aid until the war ends.

“I’m not a charity worker. I’m not a politician. I’m not particularly brave. I’m a retired Yorkshireman who thought retirement meant a quiet life. Instead, I’ve found myself driving old vehicles across Europe and into a country at war.

“I’ve met people I would never otherwise have met. I’ve made friends. And I’ve discovered that sometimes doing something useful is a much better retirement plan than sitting at home wondering what to do with yourself.”

Andy said he has set up a fundraising page towards helping his charity work.

“If you’d like to help, even a small donation can contribute towards getting another vehicle and essential equipment into Ukraine. It may seem like a small thing. But somewhere down the road, that vehicle is carrying something that makes a very big difference to someone who needs it, like my two young fellow football supporters, whom I now call friends. Perhaps that’s what retirement is really about. Finding something worth doing and getting on with it.

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so at www.goodhub.com/go/ukraineaid

When it comes to skincare, many of us don’t necessarily know what the ingredients in our products actually do or which ones are best for our skin. For years, the advice has been simple: cleanse, tone and moisturise. But with an ever-growing number of ‘wonder’ products hitting the market, figuring out what to use can feel a little overwhelming.

Retinol, in particular, has become something of a skincare staple, often recommended from your early 30s onwards. But what does retinol actually do for your skin? And is it really worth adding to your routine? We got the lowdown from a range of experts.

Meanwhile, if you’re in the mood to make your evenings feel a little more luxurious, I’ve been loving Luolai’s three-piece silk sleep set. It’s an easy way to bring a touch of indulgence to your bedtime routine. With the weekend in sight, why not carve out a little time for some at-home pampering, too? Our beauty expert has put the best under-eye patches to the test, while Sync Beauty’s matcha lip scrub is just the thing if the change in season has left your lips feeling a little worse for wear.

In the fashion world, autumnal shades are making their annual return, and there’s already a whole host of pieces on my wishlist. Hush’s new collection is packed with rich tones, alongside plenty of cosy cashmere and wool jumpers to see you through the season. Damson Madder’s checked trousers are another autumn must-have, giving vibes of Claudia Winkleman in The Traitors. Meanwhile, our fashion expert’s favourite winter boots cost just £45 at Asos.

Scroll down to browse our favourite picks from M&S’s autumn collection, plus top deals and more.

Editor’s picks:

John Lewis handbag sale

Fancy a new handbag? There are plenty of chic and practical options to suit all budgets and styles in the John Lewis sale right now. Whether you’re looking for capacious designs to carry all your essentials during the morning commute, a timeless everyday tote or a sophisticated clutch for a special occasion, you can bag yourself a bargain in the sale.

What to shop from M&S’s autumn collection

It can be tricky to find stylish, versatile pieces that work across the changing seasons but don’t break the bank. M&S recently made its London Fashion Week debut, showcasing a collection of wardrobe staples that combine timeless style with everyday wearability.

Our fashion expert had a front-row seat, exploring everything from easy-to-layer essentials and flattering silhouettes to statement pieces designed to elevate your autumn wardrobe. She assessed each piece for versatility, quality and value, highlighting the styles worth knowing about this season.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your everyday essentials, invest in a new coat or add a touch of glamour to your party-season outfits, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with half the collection’s pieces priced at less than £50, updating your wardrobe needn’t cost a fortune.

Kate Middleton’s chocolate brown trench coat

Kate Middleton’s Burberry chocolate-brown trench is the autumn coat on everyone’s wishlist right now. If you love the look but baulk at the price tag, we’ve found some equally timeless alternatives at a fraction of the cost. With styles from The Frankie Shop, M&S and more, we’ve got you covered when it comes to transitional-season staples.

The shampoo bars worth making the swap

Offering a more sustainable way to wash your hair (without compromising on performance), shampoo bars have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional bottled formulas. To find out just how well they rival their liquid counterparts, we’ve put a whole host of shampoo bars through their paces across different hair types.

We assessed everything from ingredients, lather and scent to how easily each bar applies, rinses out and holds up after repeated use. From nourishing formulas for dry and coloured hair to hydrating options for curls to gentle bars designed for afro hair to fragrance-free options, we’re highlighting the products worth knowing about.

There are other areas in the city where the rules are already in place

Dog walkers could face a fine for letting their dog off the lead in three new areas following the introduction of new rules. Cambridge City Council approved the extension of a public spaces protection order (PSPO) restricting where dogs can be allowed to roam at Wednesday’s (October 23) cabinet meeting.

New restrictions have also been put in place for the local nature reserves at Byron’s Pool, Church End and Fulbourn Road. Dogs must now be kept on leads in these areas between March 1 and July 31 to protect wildlife and breeding birds.

Cllr Mike Todd-Jones, cabinet member for communities, said there were 813 responses to the consultation and residents were “very supportive” of restrictions continuing. The Labour councillor added that complaints about dogs had dropped from 61 in 2021/22 to just 28 in 2025/26.

A report said the policy seeks a balance between “protecting public health and amenity” and “allowing appropriate opportunities for dog exercise and recreation”.

It said council officers will also look into introducing a seasonal dogs-on-leads restriction at the local nature reserve in Hobson’s Park. Current restrictions require dogs to be kept on leads at all times in Newmarket Road Cemetery, Histon Road Cemetery, the area by the pond/stream at Cherry Hinton Hall, the green area outside Hanover and Princess Courts, the park at Tenby Close and the Nightingale Community Garden.

People are also not allowed to walk more than four dogs at a time at the local nature reserve at Byron’s Pool, the Coldham’s Common sports pitches or Hobson’s Park.

The Royal Kennel Club said they welcomed “on lead on direction” orders but asked that officers enforcing it are “familiar with dog behaviour”. They said: “There exists the possibility that a dog, through no fault of its own, could be considered a ‘nuisance’ or ‘annoyance’ to someone who simply does not like dogs.”

The cabinet approved the new rules and extended the existing PSPO for another three years.