The year-long ticket is cheaper than buying single-day entry on the gate – which costs £68

For thrill seekers, visiting Alton Towers is a yearly pilgrimage. While buying a ticket on the gate is a convenient option, it is often the most expensive choice with a one-day pass costing up to £68 when you get there.

Luckily, Merlin Entertainments, the company behind Alton Towers and more than 20 other top UK attractions, has dropped a new deal that gets you an annual ticket cheaper than buying one-day entry on the doors. Valid for 339 days of the year, it could save theme park fans bucket loads of cash.

Alton Towers Annual Pass holders will be able to visit as many times as you like for 12 months, with the exception of certain dates. Alton Towers is open for the main season from March to November as well as for season events on days in between.

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Adrenaline junkies can test their courage on the legendary twists of the Wicker Man or face the sheer vertical drop of the iconic Oblivion. From junior coasters to high-speed mysteries like Th13teen, the park ensures a non-stop day of heart-pounding action for older children and adults alike.

Younger guests will be delighted to explore the UK’s only CBeebies Land, where they can interact with their favourite characters across a variety of colourful, preschool-friendly attractions. Adding to the excitement, the resort has now opened the world’s-first Bluey ride, titled Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!

For theme park fans looking to try somewhere different, Wowcher’s Theme Park Breaks could be the ideal choice. They’re currently promoting a Gulliver’s Valley Resort Stay and Theme Park Entry deal starting at £139, with options available during school holidays for a family of four looking for an exciting break.

If your family is keen on outdoor adventures, consider a National Trust Family Membership starting at £103 annually. It contains free entry to more than 500 places from houses and gardens to coastlines and countryside.

With more than two million visitors coming through the park gates every year, many have shared their experiences in TripAdvisor. One five-star review said: “We had an excellent time, lovely clean park, amazing rides (we travelled for nearly 5hrs each way with an overnight stay nearby) and it was thoroughly worth it.

“Staff were friendly mostly, and the rides were mainly operating, with other a few with downtimes. We visited midweek in late April, after Easter but before May bank holiday and there were hardly any queue times. A really great experience, but glad we avoided the weekend crowds.”

Another added: “The rides were amazing. We had a really good time and loved it so much. The staff are really kind and the rides are fabulous.”

One family who stayed in the Stargazing Pods said that they had a “Fab family weekend,” adding: “The pods are really warm, cosy and very clean. The take away breakfast was enjoyed by us all. The shower block was probably the nicest I’ve seen on a camp site.”

Not every visitor experience was quite so positive, with one guest noting: “Felt like the park was overbooked in comparison to other years. Anyone that waits 60 mins for a round child’s rollercoaster is insane and their children must have amazing patience.”

But for some it was a ‘truly awesome’ experience, with another guest sharing: “We stayed at Splash Landings Hotel and it was fabulous. The rooms are beautifully decorated (we had the standard rooms), very clean and great amenities, even an iron and ironing board, and a travel cot.

“Their restaurant is fabulous; the food delicious and plenty of it – best buffet breakfast and dinner we’ve ever had. Lovely evening entertainment for the children too.”

Get the Alton Towers Annual Pass for £68 on the Alton Towers website here. The full T&C’s can be read here.

Voters in Lewisham in London have had their say in the 2026 local elections.

Seats on Lewisham London Borough Council were up for election in the wards of Bellingham, Blackheath, Brockley, Catford South, Crofton Park, Deptford, Downham, Evelyn, Forest Hill, Grove Park, Hither Green, Ladywell, Lee Green, Lewisham Central, New Cross Gate, Perry Vale, Rushey Green, Sydenham, Telegraph Hill, and Whitefoot.

All 54 seats on Lewisham London Borough Council were up for grabs, with each ward represented by either two or three councillors.

Before the 2026 election, the London borough council was run by Labour, who had 50 seats. The 2026 Lewisham mayoral election took place at the same time to determine the council’s leader.

Councillors have been elected in all 32 London boroughs, with a total of 1,817 seats up for grabs. London borough elections take place every four years.

Polls closed at 10pm on Thursday, May 7, with the count taking place on Saturday. Results for the Lewisham local elections are due from 4pm on Saturday.

In total, more than 5,000 council seats were up for grabs across 136 local authorities in England on election day. Mayoral elections also took place in six areas.

Below you can see the full results for every seat up for election in Lewisham. You can select your ward from the drop-down list.

Last week, officers from Darlington’s Neighbourhood Policing Team attended a property in Chilton after receiving information that a suspect was using it “to evade capture.”

After arriving at the scene, they managed to find the suspect inside a suitcase and arrested him.

A screenshot of the man who was find hiding in the suitcase (Image: DARLINGTON POLICE)

Following his arrest, the Darlington Police page took to social media to tell people about the arrest.

In a light-hearted social post, the police team described how the officers’ reputation for finding those in hiding once again proved accurate, joking that they are “Champions at hide and seek.”

The post added: “They did not disappoint on this occasion, too. A new hiding place was unlocked during the game (a suitcase).”

Officers said the man reacted poorly when he was discovered, with the tone of the post continuing the playful theme. “Unfortunately, upon being found, the male became upset that he had lost the game,” the post added.

“He quickly tried to change the game to Twister, but sadly lost at that also.”

Darlington NPT said the arrest was another example of their persistence in locating wanted individuals, adding: “Darlington NPT are quickly becoming top of the leaderboard, throw us a challenge, and we’ll turn up time after time until we win.”

Rory McIlroy says bringing back LIV Golf defectors would be “good business” for the PGA Tour amid doubts over the future of the breakaway series.

In April, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced it will withdraw its multibillion dollar backing at the end of the year.

In response, LIV announced a “strategic evolution” – including a newly established independent board – as it bids to find replacement financial investors.

But Masters champion McIlroy, long a fierce critic of the series, has questioned its ability to find new backing, saying: “When one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds in the world thinks that you’re too expensive for them, that sort of says something.”

Earlier this week, Bryson DeChambeau said he will focus on growing his YouTube channel and only “play tournaments that want me” if LIV does not survive.

“It’s a question if [players] do want to come back,” said McIlroy, speaking after carding a second-round four-under round of 67 to keep himself in contention at the Truist Championship.

“Obviously we have seen the quotes over the last few days. And, you know, it seems like it all depends on what happens to LIV.

“But if it is a scenario where they have the option to come back and play on the traditional tours, you know, I think [PGA Tour chief executive] Brian Rolapp has said anything that makes this Tour stronger, anything that makes the DP World Tour stronger, I think everyone should be open to that.

“That’s just good business practice.”

The six-time major winner added: “I think everyone sort of knows my views on LIV and where it stands in the game of golf. I don’t think I need to rehash any of that.

“It’s never been for me and, look, it doesn’t mean that LIV is going to go away. They’re going to go and try and find alternative investment, whatever that may look like.”

The warning comes amid concerns that inaction could put companies and jobs at risk, with RMT Accountants & Business Advisors in Gosforth advising firms to address financial pressures early.

Chris Ferguson, director of recovery and restructuring at RMT and a licensed insolvency practitioner, said: “The last few months have been tough enough for many companies, with challenging trading conditions, rising staffing costs and increasing National Insurance contributions all having a significant impact on their finances.

“Recent global events have added even more pressure, leaving many North East business owners feeling stretched to breaking point.”

The conflict in the Middle East has triggered a sharp rise in fuel and energy costs, putting additional strain on businesses, particularly in the transport and manufacturing sectors.

Rising domestic fuel bills are also impacting consumer spending, further affecting the leisure and hospitality industries.

Mr Ferguson believes early intervention can help businesses avoid formal insolvency and protect jobs.

He said: “It’s essential for them to remember that there are options available that could go a long way towards safeguarding their operations and the jobs of their employees.

“The range of solutions that exist to help companies with financial problems is wider than it has ever been, with many options available that don’t involve going through a formal insolvency procedure.”

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Recent data shows that 13,676 North East businesses experienced significant and early-stage financial distress in the final quarter of 2025, up 7.9% on the previous quarter and 11.5% on the same period the year before.

Mr Ferguson warned that prolonged conflict could have a lasting impact.

He said: “As well as the immediate impact that businesses are seeing on their costs and cashflow, there’s the potential for a delayed second wave of pressure in the months ahead if the conflict drags on, especially as current energy contracts come to an end.”

A man has been hospitalised after an acid attack outside McDonald’s in a ‘hazmat incident’.

Police were called to the restaurant in Ashton town centre, Greater Manchester, yesterday.

A man in his 30s was taken to hospital, though his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Two men in their 40s and 50s have been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Greater Manchester Police told Manchester Evening News: ‘Emergency services were called to a business premises on Warrington Road, Ashton-Under-Lyne at around 4pm following reports of a hazmat incident.

‘One man aged in his 30s has been taken to hospital where he is currently being treated for his injuries, which are thankfully not deemed life threatening or life-changing.

‘Two men, aged in their 40s and 50s, have been arrested on suspicion of assault and remain in custody.

‘A scene remains in place, and there is not believed to be any risk to the wider public.’

In October two boys were taken to hospital after acid was thrown at them during a fight in east London.

Emergency services were called to Walthamstow High Street on Wednesday afternoon to reports of two groups of boys fighting.

A liquid was thrown which was later determined to be a corrosive chemical.

Two boys were taken to hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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The constituency results in the Scottish Parliament election have been declared, with the SNP winning 57 of the 73 seats.

The Scottish Lib Dems won seven, the Scottish Conservatives won four, Scottish Labour won three, and the Greens won two.

Sitting SNP minister Angus Robertson lost his Edinburgh Central seat after being ousted by the Scottish Greens, which also took took a seat from the SNP in Glasgow Southside.

The results aren’t finalised yet, as Holyrood’s regional members are still waiting to be announced.

Voters took to the polls on Thursday to elect 73 constituency representatives and a further 56 MSPs via eight regional lists.

Unlike previous elections – other than 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic – votes were counted on Friday rather than overnight, with the final result likely to be known by late Friday evening.

The first result was declared shortly after midday, with the Lib Dems holding onto Orkney, while the Scottish National Party (SNP) has won a handful of seats.

Here’s an overview of the results in Scotland so far:

Campaigners have spent the past six weeks traversing the country in the hopes of winning the keys to Bute House.

John Swinney’s SNP has led the polls throughout the campaign. He has told voters a majority for his party – a rarity in the Holyrood voting system – will allow him to put more pressure on Westminster to grant a second referendum on independence.

The final pre-election poll from YouGov forecast the party would win 62 seats at the contest, just short of the 65 needed to secure a majority.

Follow The Independent’s live blog for the latest local election coverage

Reform UK looked set to secure an unprecedented foothold in the nation’s politics, the authoritative pollster also found, winning 19 MSPs in its central projection.

Meanwhile, Labour and the Conservatives could be set for their worst Holyrood elections to date, falling to 17 and seven seats respectively in the poll.

The Greens were projected to double their seat total to 16, including potentially gaining two constituency seats, with the Lib Dems also doubling their tally, to eight seats.

In England, the first results from the local elections began rolling in from the early hours of Friday, revealing an already difficult picture for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party.

The party has also suffered huge losses in Wales, securing just nine seats.

Sir Keir insisted he would carry on in his post despite the disastrous losses.

He acknowledged it had been a “tough” night for Labour but said that “days like this don’t weaken my resolve to deliver the change that I promised”.

Reform UK made gains across the country as hundreds of Labour councillors were voted out, heaping pressure on the prime minister.

Mr Farage said the results showed a “truly historic shift in British politics” away from the old era of Labour and Conservative domination, vowing “the best is yet to come” for his party.