DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has grown into a powerful force within the country’s theocracy, answering only to its supreme leader and overseeing its ballistic missile arsenal and launching attacks overseas.

The force is again in the spotlight as Iran widens its attacks across the Middle East following the start of a U.S.-Israeli airstrike campaign that’s already killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Here’s what to know about the Guard.

Born out of a revolution

The Guard rose out of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution as a force meant to protect the country’s Shiite cleric-overseen government and later became enshrined in its constitution. It operated parallel to Iran’s regular armed forces, growing in prominence and power during a long and ruinous war with Iraq in the 1980s.

Though it faced possible disbandment after the war, Khamenei granted it powers to expand into private enterprise, allowing the force to thrive.

The Guard runs a massive construction company called Khatam al-Anbia and has firms that also build roads, man ports, run telecommunication networks and even offer laser eye surgery.

Foreign operations are key for the Guard

The Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force was key in creating what Iran describes as its “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and the United States. It backed Syria’s former President Bashar Assad, Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and other groups in the region, growing in power in the wake of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

U.S. officials say the Guard taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against U.S. troops there. The Quds Force, as well as Iranian intelligence agencies, are believed to have hired criminal gangs and others to target dissidents and Iran’s perceived enemies abroad.

Since the latest Israel-Hamas war, Israel has arrested citizens it has accused of receiving orders from Iran to surveil targets or conduct vandalism. Iran has denied being involved in those plots. The Guard is also believed to be heavily involved in smuggling throughout the Middle East.

Guard’s intelligence arm is tied to arrests of foreigners

The Guard also operates its own intelligence services and has been behind a series of arrests and convictions of dual nationals and those with Western ties on espionage charges in closed hearings.

Western nations and others described Iran as using those prisoners as bargaining chips in negotiations, particularly over its nuclear program.

War with Israel puts new pressure on the Guard

The Guard’s carefully laid “Axis of Resistance” has faced its greatest challenge in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. The Palestinian militant Hamas group is among those backed by Iran. Israel is still battling Hamas in Gaza even as it has targeted other Iranian-backed groups, decimating Hezbollah and repeatedly targeting the Houthis in Yemen.

In Syria, Assad’s government fell in December 2024, taking away a key ally for Tehran and the Guard. Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire, something overseen by the Guard.

In June, Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign targeting Iran. In its first day, those strikes killed top generals in the Guard, throwing the force into disarray. Israeli attacks also destroyed ballistic missile sites and launchers, as well as Guard-manned air defense systems.

Crackdown on recent protests

In Iran, one of the main ways its theocracy can squash demonstrations is through the Basij, the Guard’s all-volunteer arm.

Videos from the protests that began on Dec. 28 show Basij members holding long guns, batons and pellet guns. Their forces have been seen beating protesters and chasing them through the streets. One well-known Basij commander even went on state television to warn parents to keep their children at home as he called for the force’s members to assemble to put down the demonstrations.

The European Union in January listed the Guard as a terrorist organization over Tehran’s bloody crackdown on the protests.

Who controls the Guard now in question

Iran’s foreign minister has suggested his country’s military units are acting independently from any central government control after being pressed about attacks on Gulf Arab nations that have served as intermediaries for Tehran in the past.

Already, there have been attacks on Oman, which served as an intermediary in recent nuclear talks with the United States, and on Qatar, which also has negotiated with Tehran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field in the Persian Gulf with the Islamic Republic.

“What happened in Oman was not our choice. We have already told our, you know, army, armed forces to be careful about the targets that they choose,” Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on March 1. “As a matter of fact, our, you know, military units are now in fact independent and somehow isolated and they are acting based on instructions — you know, general instructions — given to them in advance.”

Militaries around the world do contingency planning for wars, including what to do if their central governments are affected. But Iran is a special case given that the Guard controls its vast ballistic missile arsenal and much of its stockpile of bomb-carrying drones.

Araghchi’s comments also could serve as an excuse for the attacks as well to try to ease tensions with Iran’s Gulf Arab neighbors, who have grown increasingly enraged by the constant fire targeting them despite efforts at easing tensions in recent years.

After being kicked out of a bar for bring drunk, a humiliated Lee Bradley used a stolen car as a ‘fearsome weapon’

It was the early hours of Sunday, October 17, 2010, and Rochdale town centre was packed with revellers. But on Packer Street, in the shadow of the town hall, trouble was brewing.

Outside Dali Bar a bouncer was arguing with a ‘highly intoxicated’ man. Moments earlier Lee Bradley had been kicked out for being ‘extremely drunk’ and was now trying to force his way back inside the venue.

As things came to a head the bouncer pushed Bradley to the floor. “I will f****** have you!,” Bradley raged as he picked himself up off the pavement. “Watch this now!”

Click here to prioritise Manchester news in Google from the MEN

It was the moment a regular night on the town turned into a ‘scene of devastation’. Bradley, then 26, was no stranger to the law.

As a teenager he’d been jailed for manslaughter after a vicious gang attack in which a 29-year-old man was beaten to death on the Belfield estate in Rochdale. Bradley was one of four youths who set upon the ‘doting dad’ yards from his front door, repeatedly punching and kicking him.

He never regained consciousness and died in hospital 23 days later. Bradley, who couldn’t be named at the time because of his age, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was locked up for six years and five months.

Advertisement

It was a stark and early indication of what a judge would later describe as his ‘reckless and malicious’ character. Fast forward eight year and, after being shoved to the floor outside Dali Bar, Bradley, who also had two drink driving convictions, dusted himself off and got behind the wheel of a stolen Saab 93 that was parked nearby.

Witnesses described seeing the convicted killer, who was high on a cocktail of booze and cocaine, burst into laughter as he ‘levelled’ the high-powered car at the bouncer and drove straight at him.

After missing the doorman by inches the car ploughed on, accelerating along the broad pavement. Revellers were knocked down ‘like skittles’ and flung over the bonnet as others desperately dived for cover.

Advertisement

As the Saab came to the end of the street Bradley slammed on the brakes, pedestrians rolling off the bonnet, before he ran them over too, witnesses later told police.

One man, who had stepped outside the bar for a cigarette, was thrown over the bonnet and suffered a fractured skull. Another woman was thrown against a tree.

Two newly-qualified nurses who were on a night out celebrating their graduation immediately found their medical skills in demand as they helped treat the injured and wounded. In total 25 people were hurt, with seven men and seven women taken to hospital.

It was a ‘miracle’ no-one was killed during the 60 seconds of madness, a court later heard. But as his victims lay wounded on the ground Bradley fled the scene and dumped the car, which had been stolen from Sale in Trafford, and disappeared.

In the coming days he was named as the number one suspect and a huge manhunt, dubbed Operation Moccasin was launched. As police stepped up their investigation and searched 80 homes graphic CCTV footage was released to the press.

Det Insp Chris Walker, of Rochdale CID, said: “I want Bradley and anyone who knows where he might be to look at this CCTV footage and think long and hard about how serious this offence is. The footage clearly shows the driver of the car recklessly driving into a large group of people and without exaggeration it is fortunate no-one was killed.

“We desperately need to speak to Bradley about this incident and will not rest until we find him. I also want to warn anyone foolish enough to help him that they will be dealt with severely.

“He cannot hide forever and it is in everyone’s best interests that he hands himself in and talks to us sooner rather than later.”

A fortnight later, with the net rapidly closing in, unemployed Bradley did just that, but only after shaving off his beard in an attempt to disguise himself. In May the following year he stood in the dock at Bolton Crown Court.

Prosecutor Michael Morley told the court: “The defendant left a scene of devastation behind him. It really is miraculous no one was killed. Immediately door staff and members of the public ran to help numerous people who were injured.”

After Bradley, formerly of Fern Isle Close in Whitworth, near Rochdale, pleaded guilty to a total of 23 charges – including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm; grievous bodily harm; assault, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving – judge William Morris said he posed a danger to the public and must remain behind bars until it is considered safe to release him.

After passing an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection, the judge said: “You were deliberately using this motor vehicle as a weapon, a fearsome weapon. So many were injured by what you did, it is a truly exceptional feature of this case.

“As for their injuries, any one of them could have been so much worse, one or more of them could so easily have been killed. You will not be released, in fact, until the parole board decide that it is safe to release you again into the community.”

Speaking after the sentence, senior investigating officer Andy Tattersall of Greater Manchester Police said: “Bradley is a violent and dangerous individual who probably felt a certain amount of humiliation and anger at being asked to leave the club.

“It is a reflection of his character that he chose to deal with that by driving a car at door staff and along a crowded pavement where dozens of people were enjoying a night out.”

The RAF base Akrotiri has been hit by a suspected drone strike, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed, amid a fresh conflict in the Middle East that started on Saturday.

There were no casualties in the incident at the base near Limassol, Cyprus.

However, in response to the attack the base is to temporarily relocate non-essential staff, it said on Monday.

The UK government has not yet confirmed where the drone originated from.

Iran latest: Israel says it is striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

An MoD spokesperson said earlier: “Our armed forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.

“Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.

“This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.”

Later on Monday Cyprus’s President Nikos Christodoulides said authorities there are on full alert after the drone strike.

But he reiterated the territory “⁠does not participate ⁠in any way and does ‌not intend to be part of any ‌military operation”.

The armed forces had been moving extra resources including counter-drone systems, F-35 jets and radar systems to its bases in Cyprus.

The MoD said the additional capabilities were purely for defensive measures: mainly detecting and defeating airborne threats.

Sky News understands the drone involved in the incident at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was small.

Read more:
Trump has tipped Middle East into war that could last weeks
UK plans evacuation for tens of thousands from Middle East

The suspected strike came hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK had allowed the US to strike Iranian missile sites from select British bases.

Sky News understand these to be RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire Cyprus and Diego Garcia in the disputed Chagos Islands.

Responding to the announcement, the Liberal Democrats warned of a “slippery slope” that risked the US “[dragging] Britain into another prolonged war in the Middle East”.

A ‌Cyprus government spokesperson said: “information received through ‌various channels indicates that it involved an unmanned drone, which caused limited ⁠damage”.

Advertisement

Share

UK expats caught in Middle East conflict

Hostilities in the Middle East are entering their third day, with the US and Israel continuing to strike Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

More than 200,000 British nationals, including military personnel, are thought to be at risk in the Gulf as the Tehran regime launches further missiles at its neighbours.

Liverpool’s dominant win over West Ham did little to lessen the pressure on Mo Salah

Liverpool may have turned a corner in their league form but the struggles of Mohamed Salah continue to roll on. The Reds earned a mammoth 5-2 victory against West Ham United on Saturday to mark their third straight Premier League win – the first time they’ve gone on such a streak since December.

It was also the first time they’ve scored five goals in a league game since clinching the title last season when beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield. While it wasn’t a seamless performance from Arne Slot’s men, it was a valuable three points that strengthened their case for Champions League qualification.

The likes of Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo returned to the scoresheet, but the lengthy drought in front of goal for Liverpool’s Egyptian King has yet to be broken. It was another dismal performance for Salah, who has so far scored 25 goals less than he did in the entirety of last season’s league campaign.

Some more brutal criticism has been thrown his way, while Mirror Football also takes a look at the eye-opening comments Ekitike made after Saturday’s triumph that put them within three points of Aston Villa.

MAKE THE MIRROR YOUR FIRST CHOICE! Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah ‘increasingly likely’ to leave Liverpool as Arne Slot admits ‘questions’READ MORE: Cody Gakpo believes Liverpool are on cusp of ‘something beautiful’ after West Ham rout

Ekitike admission

Ekitike is certainly not resting on his laurels. Becoming the first Liverpool player since Luis Suarez to score 11 league goals in their first full season at the club isn’t enough to satisfy the silky Frenchman.

The 23-year-old scored once and assisted twice in Saturday’s victory but increasing his tally to 16 goals and six assists across all competitions is not good enough, according to the striker himself.

Advertisement

Speaking to LFCTV, Ekitike admitted: “To be honest, I could score more. I’m not that happy. But it’s not even goals, it’s assists as well. Today I think I gave one or two assists, I don’t remember.

“As long as I can help the team and be involved, that’s the most important. I want to win, so personally I’m happy, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming games.”

Brutal Salah verdict

Amid Liverpool’s struggles this season, the dramatic dip in Salah’s form has hamstrung the club’s ability to capture the winning mentality they possessed last year. With just four goals and six assists to his name in the Premier League, the 33-year-old looks like a shadow of his former self.

On top of a disappointing showing in the Reds’ 5-2 victory over West Ham, Salah’s inability to get on the scoresheet marked 10 straight league games with a goal for the Egyptian – the first time the winger has gone that long without scoring for the club.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

His poor form has led to many questioning whether his time at the top level could be coming to an end, with ex-Liverpool winger Mark Kennedy going as far as brutally branding the 33-year-old “yesterday’s man.” Speaking on talkSPORT prior to Liverpool’s victory, the Irishman said: “I am going to be controversial here.

“When I look at Salah’s stats last year, they’re absolutely phenomenal. But every time I watch Liverpool, I never liked Salah. I think his ball retention is really, really poor. He gives up a lot of possession, and I’ve been really vocal when I speak to people about Salah this year.

“I am a Liverpool fan, I am a big fan of Salah, I think he’s amazing, but I think he’s yesterday’s man. I am not surprised by his performances this year because I’ve actually been saying it for a long time.”

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£49

£35

Sky

Advertisement

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho says Gianluca Prestianni’s career under him will be “over” if he is guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.

Prestianni, 20, was accused by Vinicius during the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie in Lisbon on 17 February.

The Argentine, who denies racially abusing Vinicius, missed the second leg after being given a provisional one-match ban by Uefa pending the result of a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector.

He could be punished further once that is complete.

Mourinho was criticised for saying after the match he believed Vinicius had incited the crowd by dancing at the corner flag after scoring the only goal of the game.

Speaking on Sunday, Mourinho said he was “completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice, or ignorance, or stupidity”.

“If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well, then that player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end,” the 63-year-old said.

“I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn’t it?

“I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it’s over.

“But I have to put many ‘ifs’ in front of it.”

A trip to the zoo, an acrobatics show, a stroll around one of London’s first indoor markets, or perhaps just a swim in a historic Lido.

These are just some of the unique activities you might stumble across in Wandsworth in South West London.

It seems that it’s becoming increasingly popular with movers, too, as in 2025, a study analysing more than 23,000 moves found that it was the most popular London borough.

Now, it’s not exactly a cheap enclave to move to. Over the last year, house prices in Wandsworth have averaged at out at £810,224, towering over the current national average of £269,900 (according to Zoopla’s figures).

Plus, renting here certainly costs a pretty penny, as Compare My Move’s research found that the average monthly payment comes in at £2,526.

So, just what’s all the fuss about?

‘There’s a great feeling of peace’

Fiona Harrold has lived in Wandsworth for just over two years now, having moved back to London from Somerset in 2024.

She knew she wanted to be somewhere more lively than a village, but needed to be able to switch off and seek clarity amid nature, which is precisely why she ended up choosing South West London.

‘You can come home from a busy day of meetings in the centre of town, turn a corner and there’s suddenly a feeling of peace with a great green expanse of a park or heath,’ the 58-year-old PR tells Metro.

‘What’s special about it is the village feel as well as the convenience of Pilates studios, cafes and hairdressers that are open seven days.’

In her view, it feels like it’s outside of London – but in reality, it’s only 15 minutes from Waterloo on the train.

She now lives in a mansion block, and many of her neighbours have lived there for 20 years. Taking in each other’s parcels is the norm, and many of them have looked after her cat while she’s been away travelling.

‘I wouldn’t want to live in any other part of London,’ she says.

A love of greenery is also why 42-year-old Holly Stevens, who is originally from Wimbledon, chose Wandsworth. She wanted somewhere that felt familiar, but had a slower, more family-friendly pace of life.

‘King George’s Park, Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common are all on the doorstep, and they completely shape daily life, especially with children,’ Holly, who has two children, shares.

‘The schools are another big draw. There are some fantastic options locally, and that naturally brings in lots of young families. There’s a real sense of community here, you see familiar faces at the school gates, in the parks and in local cafés. It feels supportive and neighbourly.’

‘Wandsworth feels like possibility’

While Alicia Drabble-Castellano now lives in neighbouring Wimbledon Park, one minute from the border, she lived in Wandsworth when she set up her business.

The area gave her exactly what she needed for her idea, women’s clothing brand Single Swan, to thrive: space, energy, and community.

‘It’s full of people quietly building something. There’s a real entrepreneurial undercurrent, founders working from cafés, creatives collaborating after school drop-off, women in their 40s starting second acts,’ she tells Metro.

‘You’ll see river runners at sunrise, toddlers in tow by 9am, and start-up meetings happening over flat whites by 10.’

In her experience, Wandsworth feels ‘layered’ in that there are long-standing locals, but also new arrivals.

‘Local conversations turned into collaborations. It’s a place that allows you to grow quietly, steadily, and confidently,’ she adds.

Housing in Wandsworth

When it comes to explaining why it’s so popular despite the relative price tag, Damien Jefferies, founder of Jefferies London, has a few theories.

As Damien tells Metro, it ‘combines lifestyle appeal with relative affordability given its favourable location.’

He explains: ‘Families are attracted by the excellent schools, plentiful green space and riverside setting, while professionals value the fast connections into central London, particularly with the Northern line extension, as well as the up-and-coming buzz that has come from the redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station and surrounding area of Nine Elms.’

In his mind, it channels an essence of London’s ‘prestige’ without the champagne budget associated with nearby Chelsea and Fulham.

Damien adds that, between 2024 and 2025, the average sold price across Wandsworth actually fell by 6.4%, which he says is ‘in line with the slowdown seen across the wider London market.’

However, this has actually fuelled the borough’s popularity even further, as the average number of monthly housing transactions rose by 10.1% in 2024 and 9.3% in 2023.

Things to do in Wandsworth

From quirky food markets to a vibrant clubbing scene, there’s plenty to explore down this neck of the woods. It was also named the London Borough of Culture for 2025 by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, hailed for being ‘vibrant and diverse,’ as well as teeming with creativity.

Tooting Market is worthy of a visit alone, being one of South London’s first indoor markets, opening in 1930.

For those who like to party, Exhibit in Balham and Tram and Social in Tooting are two standout clubs, offering karaoke, bottomless brunches, comedy nights and more.

And those who prefer the great outdoors can enjoy the area’s green spaces like Wandsworth Park, Battersea Park and the River Wandle. Alternatively, why not take a dip in the famous Tooting Bec Lido?

FORSSELIUS, Prudential, Parker & Watson, and Thornton’s Antiques – just some of the businesses readers may remember from this part of York.

Long-lost shops and firms of Blossom Street over the years are being remembered in a new project.

Clements Hall Local History Group have been finding out more about the history of Blossom Street for their latest book.

Forsselius Garage in York in 1982 when it was put up for sale

They’ve been tracing the history of all the traders in the street through time, with some very familiar names, such as Forsselius. He installed the first automatic petrol pump in York in September 1921, with two petrol pumps and storage for 800 gallons. Across the street from the Odeon cinema was Shearsmith’s, mainly a motorcycle dealer, but they also sold toys at Christmas, especially Hornby trains, Dinky Toys, and Meccano construction kits.

Edwin Story near Micklegate Bar was a leading bookseller with a lending library.

Blossom Street and Micklegate Bar and Edwin Story shop – photo supplied

There were some well-known grocers before Sainsburys on the corner with the Crescent. Thompsons had an overhead device for sending money from the assistant to a central cashier booth, with wires and pulleys across the shop.

Recommended reading:

11 photos that show changing face of this key street in York

How York has changed since the 1950s – 10 fabulous old photos

How York has changed since the Swinging ’60s – 9 old photos

Do you remember Parker & Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street in the 1960s? How about Thornton’s antiques, and Almgill’s sweet shop?

Parker and Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street – photo from York Press

There was Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry next to the Bay Horse, from 1921 to 1959, and their son, who became Harry Dewar, was a famous teacher in York.

Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry was next to the Bay Horse from 1921 to 1959. This photo from Explore York dates from 1935

Prudential House, next to the cinema, was built in the 1960s, a base for The Man from the Pru’, eventually replaced by the Premier Inn, with another storey added.

Prudential House – next to the Odeon cinema around 1970 – Prudential PLC Archives

Local people have memories of the English Martyrs School and the Odeon cinema, can you add to these and tell the Group your stories about any of the old traders?

Please send them your memories and any old photos, either by email at clemhallhistory@gmail.com or leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086.

Delroy Lindo, from left, Miles Canton, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Benson Miller, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Lola Kirke, Francine Maisler, Michael B. Jordan, and Jack O’Connell accept the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for Sinners (Chris Pizzello/AP)

AP

Hawkins, who was beaten by John Higgins in the 2018 final, took control early on, winning the opening frame with a break of 105.

And although Lisowski drew level in the second frame, Hawkins would then go on to win six in a row.

Another century break in the fourth frame came in between three half-century breaks of 67, 76 and 88.

The afternoon ended with another Hawkins frame, as he led Lisowski 7-1 going into the tournament’s final session.

Lisowski, who was playing in his first Welsh Open final, showed great fight when the game restarted, putting together back-to-back century breaks to remind his opponent there was still work to do.

The 34-year-old then came out on top of a 40-minute frame which swung both ways to reduce Hawkins’ lead to 7-4.

But Lisowski’s momentum was ended in the following frame, as a long safety shot from Hawkins resulted in a red ball finding the bottom left pocket of the table.

And Hawkins made the most of the opportunity, putting together a break of 68 to put him on the cusp of victory.

Lisowski managed to win one more frame, with a break of 53, before Hawkins clinched the Welsh Open title in the 14th frame of the final.

“I was very poor despite trying my best,” said Lisowski.

“Barry was by far the better player today and he deserves his win.

“He’s been great to me my whole career, even when I was very young. He’s always given me the time of day so I’m very happy for him.”

One person said the high street “isn’t the place it used to be”

Locals say their town’s high street needs to be improved, as it has “no banks” and they have to travel further away for a “big food shop”. People in Chatteris have said their hometown is “charming”.

However, as in many high streets across the UK, they say that their shops are disappearing and places are being left vacant. Like many others, people living in Chatteris wish to see their high street improved.

Andrea Moat, who runs the “busy” Elizabeth’s Florist in Chatteris, said it is a “pity” the high street is looking more empty. She said: “It’s a pity there is not a big supermarket closer. People have to travel further out of town. There are also no banks. It’s harder for older people.”

People are able to use Chatteris post office for banking, which Elizabeth said is “really good”. However, the nearest bank is Lloyds in Ely, which is a 21-minute drive away, or Nationwide in St Ives, which is a 28-minute drive away.

Andrea doesn’t run an online service for her florist. She added: “We have a website, but if you want to order then you have to come into the shop. I think there should be a personal service. We are always busy.”

Joan Bridges said Chatteris is a “really lovely place”, but it “lacks somewhere for a big food shop”. She added: “You tend to have to travel a bit for a supermarket. It isn’t the worst thing, but for someone like me who’s a bit older, it tends to be a bit harder.”

Rob Hudson believes the town “isn’t the place it used to be”. He said: “When I first moved here, it was a great place full of friendly people. Now the high street is more empty. The people are the same and friendly, but the high street isn’t the same.”