A 50ft-high rollercoaster has divided residents of a newbuild estate living near the attraction, with some calling it an ‘eyesore’ and others preferring it to a block of flats.

The site is a testing area for theme park rides that get built and sent to buyers, but locals in Sandford Lane, Hucknall, Nottingham, say the unfinished structure has been looming over their homes for the past 18 months.

Some locals say they love living a stone’s throw away from the giant ride while others have branded it unsightly. 

Residents on the newbuild estate say they regularly see carts whizzing around the track and claim it’s a magnet for urban explorers.

Jack Welsh, 45, said his family can see the massive structure from his living room and his eight-year-old daughter was a big fan.

He said: ‘We’re actually not bothered by it, it’s been a pleasure to watch it grow over the months.

‘There was a ride there beforehand but it wasn’t on the scale of this one, this one is massive. They get built and get sent to wherever buys them, this is like a testing facility.

‘To us we’d sooner this here than a block of flats with antisocial behaviour and drug addicts hanging about.

Some locals say they love living a stone’s throw away from the giant ride while others have branded it unsightly

Neighbours on the 12-house road say the rollercoaster ‘ruins the views’ from their homes

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‘It’s tall, it’s a monster at probably 50ft, but luckily our little girl loves rides, because she loves Alton Towers. She loves to watch it, especially when there’s people up there.’

His wife Kirsty, 43, added: ‘It’s interesting to watch out your window, you can see them whizzing around on occasion and it’s fun. It can be more fun to watch than the TV.’

The couple think the mega-ride – believed to be the first of its kind – is destined for Dubai.

Jack added: ‘They have put a cart on and whizzed them around before and it’s great to see. I can understand why some people have a problem with it, of course.

‘It’s big and it can see into your gardens, but we love it.

‘The only thing that is a menace is when they leave the straps out overnight. The wind catches them and the straps make a crashing sound, which can be annoying.

‘There was also an issue over the six weeks with the urban explorers and they were going on it.’

But some neighbours on the 12-house road say the rollercoaster ‘ruins the views’ from their homes.

One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘I don’t think it’s suitable to keep it there full-time. It’s been there for ages and it just makes you feel like you’re living next to a funfair.

‘When the workmen are repairing it they can see right into your gardens and bedrooms which is a bit intrusive.

‘We shouldn’t feel like we’re being watched in our homes.’

The rollercoaster was built next to a newbuild housing estate in Hucknall, Nottingham

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Residents on the new-build estate say they regularly see carts whizzing around the track and claim it’s a magnet for urban explorers

Another said: ‘It’s huge, it’s there when we wake up and go to bed. We were told it wouldn’t be here as long as it has been.

‘It’s an eyesore and it ruins our views from almost every window from our property.’

James Mellors, director at the family-owned firm, admitted the rollercoaster has been up longer than usual but insisted it was temporary.

He said: ‘It’s been there a lot longer than we anticipated. It’s temporary, and usually, a ride would not be in position for quite as long as that has been.

‘It’s the first one in the world, and it’s just not quite been going together as well as it should.

‘It’s frustrating for myself how long that coaster has been there. The rides don’t make any money when they’re in storage.

‘Our aim is to be a good neighbour, we’re not there to try and cause a nuisance. It’s not a fairground, it’s a work depot.

‘We want people to appreciate what we do and we appreciate their concerns.’

Record View says women deserve full transparency over what goes into their bodies.

For decades contraceptive jag Depo-Provera was marketed as safe and convenient.

But for a growing number of women across Scotland, that convenience has come at a devastating costs. Recent medical studies have confirmed what affected patients have suspected for years: prolonged use of the drug can increase the risk of developing brain tumours.

The tumours are non-cancerous but they can cause serious health problems. Women have been robbed of their sight, suffered debilitating seizures and forced to endure invasive neurosurgery.

Yet thousands of them were kept on this jag for 10, 20, or even 30 years without a single warning. Now doctors have been told to warn women about the risks after dozens left with life-altering injuries spoke out in the Daily Record. This development is welcome, but long overdue.

It has come too late for Tammy Croston, a 47-year-old from Fife who suffered serious consequences from an operation to remove such a tumour. In today’s Daily Record she tells readers this new guidance should have happened years ago – and no sensible person could disagree.

Contraceptive care relies entirely on informed consent. A woman cannot weigh the risks and benefits of her family planning choices if the most severe risks are hidden from her. It is incredible that patients were left to discover these links through social media or post-operative research rather than from their own doctors.

Warning women about Depo-Provera isn’t about panicking the public or ­stripping away contraceptive options. It’s about restoring the dignity of choice. Women deserve full transparency over what goes into their bodies.

Be drink aware

It is freshers’ week at universities around Scotland and thousands of young people will be taking their first steps into independent adult life.

For the vast majority it will be good fun, with many teenagers taking to pubs and clubs to enjoy their new-found freedom. But new figures showing drink spiking incidents on the rise will be a concern for parents and young people.

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid has admitted she is ‘savouring every moment in television’ as she revealed her worries that Artificial Intelligence (AI) may replace her role.

In a glamorous cover shoot for the centenary issue of lifestyle magazine woman&home, Susanna, 55, confessed her concerns over the ‘advent of AI’ and how it will impact the authenticity of breakfast television, which is tailored to entertain and inform millions each morning.

The presenter said: ‘We disappear into our own algorithms – people just want their own interests and it worries me.

‘If we have an AI version of super-highly tailored news, you would lose that sense of ‘I didn’t realise I wanted to know about that’ or ‘That didn’t occur to me.’

But ever the optimist, Susanna is a key believer in leaning into the challenge of change and making it work whatever the initial setbacks may be.

‘My generation’s time of life is a constant period of flux and change. We have ageing parents and growing children. We’re not stuck. We have to adapt all the time and be flexible.’

In a glamorous cover shoot for the centenary issue of lifestyle magazine woman&home, Susanna confessed her concerns over the ‘advent of AI’

Turning to the future, Susanna is holding on tight to her current role, which she landed in 2014, and doesn’t like to think beyond presenting GMB – other than the prospect of her own podcast one day.

‘I won’t until the moment someone says, “Thanks very much. You can have a lie-in tomorrow!” It’s very important to accept that you’re not going to work forever at a particular job.

‘For whatever reason, things change. There will always be other things.’

For the shoot, celebrating 100 years of woman&home, Susanna stunned in an array of pink outfits, including a feather dress and a satin gown.

And five years on from her 50th birthday, Susanna has ‘completely reframed’ her body image mindset and said: ‘One of the biggest things I’ve stopped worrying about is my weight.’

Following her time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, when training eight hours daily resulted in her feeling ‘fantastic’ at her ‘slimmest and fittest,’ Susanna is no longer hung up on the scales.

Post menopause, Susanna’s mindset now consists of acknowledging that: ‘As long as I am healthy, exercising, walking regularly, and eating fresh fruit and vegetables, I think, “I am what I am.”‘

In the ITN offices, the TV star can be found snacking on apple slices and sunflower seed butter as an alternative to peanut butter, and she often fuels her morning show with scrambled eggs, avocados, natural yogurt or fruit.

For the shoot, celebrating 100 years of woman&home, Susanna stunned in an array of pink outfits, including a feather dress and a satin gown

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And five years on from her 50th birthday, Susanna has ‘completely reframed’ her body image mindset and said: ‘One of the biggest things I’ve stopped worrying about is my weight’

Over the last year, a key lifestyle switch Susanna has made is incorporating ten minutes of exercise into her everyday routine.

Susanna keeps weights in her bedroom and follows a YouTube routine in her pyjamas either after her afternoon nap or in the morning when she isn’t working.

Not only has the change benefitted her mood, and she has adopted a new motto: ‘An object in motion stays in motion. An object at rest stays at rest.’ but it has also stopped her procrastinating.

‘Once I exercise, I want to do my chores or take something back to the post office that I’ve been delaying for a week.’

Read the fun interview in woman&home

Reflecting on these changes, Susanna added: ‘I listen to my body a lot more than I used to.’

The presenter can ‘totally relate’ to entrepreneur Steven Bartlett’s controversial claim that one drink can set you back three days.

After she stopped drinking regularly back in 2018, Susanna occasionally indulges in ‘the odd Paloma’.

Recently, after her beloved football team Crystal Palace won the UEFA Conference League final, she celebrated with ‘one small drink’ and regretted it when she ‘felt like poison for a few days’.

‘Ninety-nine per cent of the time I’m not drinking, and I think my body has become conditioned.’

Staying true to her love of a party, Susanna will be celebrating her cover shoot release with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

I always enjoy getting the main climbing out of the way early, so exit the car park via a gate at its north end and head on a wide track to the steep flanks of Buckden Pike, initially skirting the steepest ground.

After passing through some pleasant woodland the track turns north east and, after a further 200 metres, divides at a small gate. A signpost points uphill to Buckden Pike. From here the path climbs steadily just north of east for one mile until it meets a wall near some steeper ground. Follow the wall (on your left) south east up some rock steps to the summit of Buckden Pike.

Looking up Buckden Beck (Image: Jonathan Smith)

The summit is distinctive; a trig point and a large cairn with a neighbouring, even taller post next to it. The views are superb in all directions, particularly to the west where all of the better known Yorkshire Three Peaks are displayed, and to the north towards the Howgills and the mountains above the valley of Mallerstang.

Buckden Pike walk map (Image: Jonathan Smith)

Buckden Pike is one of the ‘Dales 30’ mountains; a challenge describing every mountain in the Yorkshire Dales over 2,000 feet. It is a satisfying and achievable challenge and to complete all 30 will bring you to wonderful, rarely visited areas such as this.

Head south along the wide summit ridge for nearly a mile, next to a wall and with a pleasant surprise at its conclusion. Just where the ridge starts to drop away look over the wall for the Polish War Memorial. The cross is dedicated to the six Polish air crew who crashed on Buckden Pike in 1942 on a training exercise in bad winter weather. There was only one survivor, Jo, who was able to crawl to the pub at Cray and later helped commission the memorial. Look closely at the base of the cross – parts of the aircraft are embedded in it.

Buckden Pike cross (Image: Jonathan Smith)

It is possible to carry on south and join a bridleway which winds its way gradually down towards Starbotton, but I prefer returning towards the summit and taking a faint permissive path heading west at the stone wall, just to the south of the summit trig. This leads south west down some steep slopes before arriving at the top of Buckden Gill and the remains of a 19th Century lead mine. 

Do not be tempted to head down the gill but cross the little wooden bridge and take the footpath above the stone wall heading just west of south for three quarters of a mile.

Follow the wall to the point it turns steeply downhill. A short cut directly down to the village is possible but it is more sensible to carry on south for a further one third of a mile to a further wall junction and a more obvious path. The path then drops and reverses itself as it heads north back towards the car park at Buckden.

Walk facts

Distance: Roughly six miles.

Height to climb: 500m (1,640 feet).

Start: SD 942774. There is a large car park at the north end of Buckden. The toilets were open with suitable hygiene last week.

Difficulty: Medium/hard. A steep climb in places is followed by a descent on intermittent paths. Some of the going is quite rough.

Refreshments: The Buck Inn in Buckden is the most popular place for a drink or snack.

Be prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL30) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly. 

• Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales. He has written four books on walking in the Dales, The Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Walks without Stiles, The Dales 30 mountains a guide to The Bracken Way. Visit Where2walk where you can buy the books. Jonathan runs navigation training courses for all levels. The next beginner/refresher course is at Long Preston on September 26. You can buy Dales 30 guide books, t-shirts and caps from the new Dales 30 website. Start the challenge today. Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days and navigation course.

The officer is due to face the misconduct hearing in September

A Cambridgeshire Police Constable is due to face a misconduct hearing over allegations that he misled investigators. ‘PC A’ is accused of breaching the standards of professional behaviour to the level of gross misconduct.

The officer allegedly claimed to have had no contact with an ex-partner since 2019 during a professional standards conduct interview in July 2023. Several months later, PC A then stated that they had had no contact with an ex-partner since 2019, except for contact initiated by the ex-partner in connection with criminal proceedings against them.

Messages dated February and June 2022 are alleged to demonstrate that contact was initiated by PC A with an ex-partner, resulting in the ex-partner asking PC A to stop contact and subsequently blocking PC A.

PC A also reportedly told the Chief Constable of the police force that they had never associated with the ex-partner’s brother. It is alleged that this was inconsistent with an account PC A had previously provided to investigators from Northamptonshire Police during a criminal interview.

The officer has been accused of committing gross misconduct in honesty and integrity. PC A is due to face a misconduct hearing on Monday (September 21) at 9am.

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 17:41 BST, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 06:11 BST, 19 September 2026

A flight from the Netherlands to the Caribbean was forced to turn back over the Atlantic after the airline’s ex-CEO’s power bank allegedly caught fire midflight.

A power bank caught fire on board a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao on Thursday, the airline said in a statement to the Daily Mail. 

‘The crew followed the applicable procedures and extinguished the fire. Due to the situation, the decision was made to return the flight to Amsterdam,’ the airline said.

Flight tracking data showed the Boeing 777-300ER was soaring above the Atlantic Ocean five-and-a-half hours into its flight to the Caribbean when it turned around.

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An unnamed passenger told Dutch publication RTL News the power bank belonged to former KLM President and CEO Camiel Eurlings.

‘Suddenly, a bang was heard,’ the passenger said. ‘After that, there was an immediate fire; large flames were coming out above the seat. 

‘The bang was the power bank exploding and immediately catching fire. The cabin crew responded very quickly and appropriately, and then spoke to everyone one-on-one and reassured us.’

A photo circulating on social media appears to show the business class seat window cracked and blackened after the explosion.

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A power bank caught fire on board a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao on Thursday

Passengers identified the power bank user as former KLM President and CEO Camiel Eurlings

Eurlings, who led the company from 2013 to 2014, reportedly sustained minor injuries from the incident.

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The passenger claimed she spoke with Eurlings after the incident and he was ‘extremely shocked.’

‘He feels terrible about the situation and all the inconvenience for everyone. He was very upset,’ she told RTL News.

However, the passenger added that it was ‘incredibly stupid’ for the airline’s former CEO to use the power bank during the flight. 

‘Especially when you are supposed to be extra familiar with the rules, and yet you break them,’ she said.

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The airline rebooked the passengers on a flight that departed Friday morning. 

KLM policy allows passengers to bring electronic devices with lithium batteries that are 100 watts or less on board; however, they are not allowed to use them during the flight.

‘One more thing about power banks: always keep yours with you. It’s not allowed to put it in the overhead bin, and using or charging it on board is also not allowed,’ the company website states.

Join the discussion

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Should airline staff and ex-executives be held to higher safety standards than regular passengers?

The KLM flight (stock image pictured) was forced to turn around over the Atlantic and return to Amsterdam

Eurlings, who led the company from 2013 to 2014, reportedly sustained minor injuries from the incident. Eurlings is pictured here on board a plane in 2013

Virtually all modern power banks use lithium batteries. Lithium batteries pose a greater risk on flights because they can overheat and cause heavy smoke and fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

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KLM would not confirm Eurlings’ identity as the power bank user, stating: ‘For privacy reasons, we never disclose who is on board our aircraft or who is involved in specific incidents.’ 

Eurlings previously served on the executive branch of the Netherlands government from 2007 to 2010.

In 2011, he joined Air France-KLM as executive vice president before becoming President and CEO of KLM in 2013, according to his LinkedIn.

He currently works as a partner at the investment company Knighthood Global Limited. 

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The Daily Mail has attempted to contact Eurlings for comment. 

Around 4.30pm today (September 18), at least eight Durham Police officers were spotted on the Front Street in Consett, near a Subway sandwich shop.

A large police cordon was put up, blocking off several businesses.

A crime scene cordon was put up at the scene (Image: Joshua Nichol)

The incident caused traffic and transport delays. (Image: Joshua Nichol)

Front Street was closed in both directions between the junctions with Albert Road and Medomsley Road.

The incident left bus routes diverted and queuing traffic during rush hour.

Durham Police issued a statement, warning people to avoid the area.

Queuing traffic as police rushed to the scene in Front Street (Image: Joshua Nichol)

A spokesperson for the force confirmed: “Front Street, in Consett, has been closed as part of an ongoing police investigation.

“The road is currently closed in both directions between the junctions with Albert Road and Medomsley Road.

“We’d advise people to avoid the area and find an alternative route if they are travelling in the area.”

The incident left residents and business owners baffled.

At approximately 4.38pm, a local business owner said: “They’ve been here about an hour.

“There was a line of officers sweeping the street. I’m not sure what they are looking for.

“We’ve had cannabis raids before but this is different to that.”

A resident, who wishes to remain unnamed, added: “I don’t know what’s happened, but there were five or so officers sweeping the path.

“It looked like they were looking for evidence.”

The nature of the incident is not known at this time.

Cordons remain in place.

Durham Police has been contacted for further information.

Representatives for stand-up comedian Carrot Top, real name Scott Christopher Thompson, have confirmed he has been rushed to hospital and his show at the Luxor has been cancelled

Stand-up comedian Carrot Top has been rushed to hospital.

The 61-year-old comedian (real name Scott Christopher Thompson) was rushed to hospital on Friday just hours before a scheduled comedy show at Las Vegas’ Luxor Hotel and Casino.

Jami Schlicher, a representative for Thompson, did not confirm the reason for the star’s hospitalisation, but instead shared that he is currently receiving ‘the care and support he needs.’

Mr Schlicher tells The Mirror: “Mr. Thompson is recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs. His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers and respectfully ask for privacy.”

Fans have flooded his last Instagram post with messages of support and love, one fan wrote: “Just heard sad news. Hope you’re gonna be OK dude. Saw you last December and plan on bringing another friend next trip to LV to see you again. You are hella adored and hope you really know that. Truth.” Another wrote: “You’re loved more than you know. You’re special & the world is more beautiful with you in it. Sending love & hope your way.”

A third wrote: “Remember how much you are appreciated! The world needs your humor!!!”

Carrot Top is known for his high energy prop comedy, signature red hair and elaborate stage performances. He’s been a longtime headliner at the Luxor, where he has the longest running residency in Vegas. He was due to perform on Friday night at the Luxor but the show was cancelled following his health scare.

Born in 1965, in Rockledge, Florida he began performing stand-up comedy while attending Florida Atlantic University. He later built a career around his signature red hair, exaggerated props, and visual comedy style.

He gained national attention during the 1990s through appearances on television shows and comedy specials. He became a frequent guest on programs including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman.

This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.

Sharron Smith, chief executive of York Carers Centre, said people looking after loved ones increasingly had no lives of their own, with some reporting experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Cllr Jo Coles, Labour ward member for Westfield, said the state of social care was the biggest issue facing York Council as she welcomed national efforts to look into changes.

But opposition Liberal Democrat Cllr Ian Cuthbertson said the council’s record on adult social care was concerning and Conservative Cllr Chris Steward said a Labour call for action lacked substance.

It comes as councillors backed a call to support the Government’s Big Conversion on Care which is looking at the future of services in England.

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Cllr Coles’ motion stated it came amid rising demand for care, a forecast rise in dementia, increasingly complex needs and a high turnover and difficulties recruiting workers.

Ms Smith said action was needed now to deal with the pressures carers and families are facing.

She added they needed help before they reached crisis point.

Ms Smith said: “The growing need for care is one of the greatest challenges facing us as a nation.

“For many years, carers were described as ‘unsung heroes’, saving the economy billions of pounds and providing support that would otherwise fall on already stretched public services.

The Government is conducting a review into adult social care (Image: Pixabay)

“However, what we are increasingly seeing is something much more troubling.

“We are seeing carers with no life of their own, we hear from carers who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

“We hear from carers who are exhausted, isolated and at breaking point.

“This is not sustainable.”

Cllr Coles said the work of unpaid carers was supporting council services which would otherwise collapse under the strain of the pressure facing them.

She added calls to go further with proposals to adopt targets and aims for care in York were not possible without extra funding and counter-productive in some cases.

Cllr Coles said: “Many receive the care they need from other family members who never never chose a career in care but just chose to look after someone they love.

“The work that carers do isn’t glamourous, it’s low paid, physically demanding but emotionally incredibly skilled.

“It isn’t an abstract line in a budget, it’s dignity, independence and can mean a couple being able to stay together at home in York.”

Cllr Cuthbertson, of Haxby and Wigginton ward, said the rating of the council’s adult social care services as ‘requires improvement’ had to be recognised.

Cllr Carol Runciman, the opposition group’s health spokesperson, said the call also came as no replacement had yet been brought in for the Dial & Ride service axed in December 2023.

The Liberal Democrat said: “We can’t talk about the importance of abstract principles while cutting the services that make this possible.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Steward said the Labour motion lacked any tangible ideas to improve social care locally.

His group called for guaranteed assessments within 28 days, home adaptations within 10 days, yearly health and wellbeing checks, hospital discharges within 48 hours and digital access to care cases.

Cllr Steward said: “The Labour motion is empty and does nothing on its own.”