BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Thousands of Louisiana voters have already cast early ballots for congressional candidates in what soon could be the wrong districts. Alabama’s primaries are a week away, but the state could force a do-over for voting on U.S. House races. A new congressional map in Tennessee upended races that had been underway for months.

Republicans’ rush to gerrymander congressional districts across several Southern states after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling hollowed out the Voting Rights Act is confusing voters and creating logistical headaches for local election officials. The changes are hitting while primary season is in progress.

The chaotic upheaval to an election season that could determine which party controls the U.S. House is the latest fallout from an intensely partisan gerrymandering battle initiated by President Donald Trump last year to protect Republicans’ slim majority.

The Supreme Court’s decision last month severely weakening the Voting Rights Act required Louisiana to reconsider a map drawn in 2024 with two majority minority congressional districts that elected Black representatives. The GOP-controlled Legislature could eliminate one or both in a state where roughly 30% of the population is Black.

The ruling also encouraged Republicans in Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee to consider eliminating four Democratic districts among them, three represented by Black lawmakers. Florida has a new map meant to cost Democrats four of their eight seats, out of 28.

In Louisiana, 66-year-old New Orleans resident Sallie Davis voted early last week. Her ballot allowed her to vote for Democratic U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, but a sign at her polling booth showed his race crossed off with a ballpoint pen. She was confused and frustrated — especially when a poll worker told her to go with what the sign seemed to convey. She’s now worried that her entire ballot will not be counted.

“I was supposed to believe a piece of paper with an X on it marking out the person I wanted to vote for,” she said, her voice breaking as she recounted her experience later. “I think I have been disenfranchised. I think my vote, that I just voted on, it’s not going to count or something. I think it’s illegal.”

Primaries postponed, deadlines compressed

Louisiana’s primary is on Saturday, and a week of early voting there began May 2, two days after the Republican governor declared an emergency and suspended congressional primaries to give lawmakers a chance to draw a new map.

Republican Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s office said nearly 179,000 primary ballots had been cast as of Friday, including about 53,000 absentee ballots returned by mail. She said the ballots included U.S. House races, but votes in those contests won’t be counted.

In Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee, Republicans justified pursuing new maps by saying that electing more Republicans would better reflect their states’ conservative values. Alabama lawmakers passed legislation Friday allowing a do-over of congressional primaries.

Alabama’s primary is May 19, and voting in congressional races will occur then as planned, but with the old districts. Those votes would end up not counting if a court allows the switch to different districts.

Mississippi held its primaries in March, but a federal court has ordered it to redraw its state Supreme Court districts, and Trump is pushing Republicans to redraw the state’s four congressional districts.

A special session of its Legislature is set for May 20. Renovations of the House chamber will force members to meet at the Old State Capitol, where, decades ago, Mississippi lawmakers passed Jim Crow laws suppressing Black voting.

“Modern-day voter suppression relies on election administration errors and chaos, and that’s what we’re going to see play out in all of these states,” said Amir Badat, a Jackson, Mississippi, voting rights attorney and activist.

Tennessee continues yearlong fight

Tennessee was the first state to enact a new map since the U.S. Supreme Court decision, but Trump’s push for redistricting started in Texas last year. Democrats countered in California and tried but ran afoul of the courts in Virginia.

Before Tennessee’s GOP-controlled Legislature passed a new map last week, the state’s elections coordinator told county officials in a memo what that would mean: reprogramming election systems, retraining poll workers and possibly adjusting precinct boundaries, meaning some voters’ polling places could change.

Tennessee’s congressional primaries still will be held Aug. 6 as planned, and candidates have until Friday to qualify for the ballot. Those who qualified previously will get a pass if they can run in a new district with the same number.

In South Carolina, lawmakers could move all the state’s June 9 primaries to August, or just the congressional races. While mail balloting is limited because the state requires an excuse to do it, more than 6,800 mail ballots already had been sent to voters — with 260 returned — as of Friday, according to the state Elections Commission.

Holding a separate election for congressional primaries would cost $3 million and the time for preparations would be compressed, Conway Belangia, the commission’s executive director, told lawmakers Friday.

“It will be difficult, but it will be possible,” he said.

Activists see problems ahead for voters

Michael McClanahan, president of the NAACP’s Louisiana State Conference, is hearing “total confusion” as voters call him and ask, “Is there an election?”

“People say, ’I ain’t going to vote because the governor’s suspended the election,’” he said. “But he didn’t, he only suspended one aspect of it.”

In Alabama, Senate Democratic leader Bobby Singleton said he has been fielding calls from public officials who also are confused.

“These are the people who are the head of elections,” he said. “They don’t know what to do.“

Voting rights activists see problems that arose in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2022, when Republican legislators divided the state’s capital city into three congressional districts to take a seat from Democrats, as a harbinger of what Memphis voters could face this year. A state report said more than 3,000 Nashville-area voters were assigned to incorrect districts and more than 430 cast ballots in the wrong races in the November 2022 election.

“It’s going to be really hard for the election commissions to be able to keep up with this short timeline,” Matia Powell, executive director of the voting rights nonprofit Civic TN, said during a conference call Friday with other voting rights activists in the South.

Some fear confusion will lead to distrust and apathy

Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values, which provides support to voting and civil rights groups, said people will lose trust in elections if they believe the rules can change every two years.

“Once people stop believing that the process is stable and fair, disengagement is going to increase, and that’s one of the biggest dangers here,” she said. “Democracy doesn’t just depend on voting systems existing but really on people believing that their participation matters.”

At least a few Democratic voters who went to the Louisiana Capitol on Friday to protest the gerrymandering expressed doubt about whether they still have a political voice.

Davis came to the State Capitol in Baton Rouge and had a bullhorn with her for a protest in which she yelled, “Whose vote? Our vote!”

David Victorian, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran from Baton Rouge, said: “I’m concerned for the survival of the democracy that we’re supposed to be living in.”

___

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kan. Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, S.C., and Kim Chandler, in Montgomery, Ala., contributed.

Lucas De March, aged six, has tragically died after he was crushed by a forklift driven by his dad Gabriele, at the family’s mechanical engineering company in Sedico, Italy

A six-year-old boy has died in Italy after he was crushed by a forklift truck operated by his father. The tragic accident occurred at approximately 6.30pm on Friday (8 May) at Meccanica De March, an engineering firm located in an industrial district of Sedico.

The victim, Lucas De March, was struck as his father, Gabriele De March, desperately attempted to raise the alarm. Despite emergency services arriving on the scene within minutes, they were unable to save the youngster.

Investigators are currently probing whether the child lost his balance and fell into the path of the moving machinery. The forklift has been confiscated by authorities for safety inspections to ensure it complied with relevant regulations.

Gabriele De March may now face manslaughter charges, according to reports from NeedToKnow. Lucas, who had a three-year-old brother and was set to begin primary school this September, has left the local community in mourning following the fatal incident.

He attended the Doushin Dojo ASD judo school, where he had finished his lesson at 5pm before going to see his father at work.

The school paid tribute, saying: “Lucas was a bright, cheerful child, a well-mannered and respectful judoka. We will miss him very much, and so will his classmates.” Psychological support will be made available in the nurseries and primary schools attended by Lucas’s friends.

Following the tragedy the local municipality, in agreement with the Sedico Carnival Association has decided to cancel the “Sedico in Festa” event and all related activities and events planned for the coming days. The Sedico in Festa is a traditional spring fair held in the town centre.

“We believe that in a time of such great suffering, there is no time for celebrations. This decision is a sign of mourning and to honour the memory of Lucas,” said the mayor Christian Roldo.

“Our priority now is to stand with the families involved, to whom we express the deepest condolences and warmth of the entire Sedico community.”

He then asked for locals to “think of Gabriele, Jennifer, and little Nicola, who are suffering. The mayor added: “The tragedy that has struck us so harshly leaves us speechless and requires us all to take a necessary moment of silence, reflection, and above all, respect.”

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Mr MacGregor claimed a whopping 14,458 votes – well ahead of Labour’s Kieran Higgins who was left trailing in second place with 7,682 votes.

Fulton MacGregor has thanked the people of Coatbridge and Chryston after he was re-elected to serve as a Member of the Scottish Parliament in the constituency – picking up nearly double the votes of his nearest challenger.

Mr MacGregor claimed a whopping 14,458 votes – well ahead of Labour’s Kieran Higgins who was left trailing in second place with 7,682 votes

Mr MacGregor later posted on Facebook: “My heartfelt thanks to each of the 14,458 people who voted for me. I am truly grateful to each and every one of you.

“We achieved just short of 50 per cent of the overall vote which is truly amazing!

“However, whoever you voted for I promise to continue to stand up for you and everyone in Coatbridge & Chryston.

“Being your MSP is a huge privilege and your priorities will always be mine!

“My thanks also to all my family and friends, my campaign team and my office team! This result would not be possible without your solid and ongoing support.

READ MORE: The SNP’s Neil Gray claims big victory in his Airdrie constituency

“Thanks to my opponents too for what was a fair and good spirited contest. It was an example of how political contests should be conducted everywhere!

“A special shout out to Labour’s Kieron Higgins who was second placed and who I know has a bright future ahead.

“Good luck to all of you in what comes next.”

Mr MacGregor also joined his new SNP parliamentary colleagues on Friday for photographs alongside First Minister John Swinney at Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

In the final Coatbridge & Chryston voting outcome, Mr MacGregor won with 14,458 votes, with Labour’s Kieron Higgins, second with 7,682, Mandy Lindsay of Reform UK third with 5,145 and Daniel Mancini of the Liberal Democrats in fourth with 1,048.

The total votes cast were 25,595 and the percentage poll was 50.14 per cent, while 153 ballot papers were rejected.

READ MORE: Central Scotland and Lothians West MSPs split among several parties

Responding to his second place finish, Labour’s Kieron Higgins took to X to say: “An honour to run for my hometown as Labour’s candidate.

“It wasn’t to be but thank you to everyone who helped campaign and everyone who supported Labour yesterday.

“Thanks too to Fulton for his gracious comments at the count.

“Now this newly jagged puppy needs his first walk!”

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An American woman is currently house hunting in the UK with her husband, but there are three quirks of properties here that have left her feeling confused and baffled

Anyone who has purchased a property or is currently attempting to get onto the housing ladder knows it’s far from straightforward. You might discover your ideal home, but the neighbourhood isn’t quite right, or alternatively, a property in the perfect location could be much smaller than you need.

One American woman residing in the UK has revealed that one aspect of the process has left her “baffled”. Ashley Jackson relocated to Manchester from Texas in 2022, and is presently house hunting with her husband. The 42-year-old has explained that certain peculiarities of English homes have left her feeling perplexed.

Ashley explained that she and her husband are “learning as they go”, but there are three elements that she’s genuinely struggling to comprehend.

Fireplaces and mantelpieces

Ashley was puzzled by fireplaces and mantelpieces, revealing that in every property she’s viewed, she’s been eager to establish whether it’s a “real fireplace” and whether it’s an “original” feature of the house.

She asked: “Why is it so far out, if so? If not, is there a real fireplace back there? Why cover it up? And how easy can I remove it?”

Naturally, when viewing a property and encountering a fireplace, you should be able to enquire with the estate agent about whether it’s an original feature or a decorative fireplace.

Boxed-in structures

Another element Ashley mentioned had left her baffled throughout her property search is the ‘strange boxed-in structure upstairs,’ which is probably concealing the staircase.

“What the heck do people do with this space with the box?” she questioned, given the limited storage options available, and she was finding it difficult to envisage how to make it aesthetically pleasing.

Dishwasher issues

Her greatest culture shock occurred in the kitchen, upon learning that many properties throughout the UK don’t have dishwashers. Her position was clear: she didn’t “want to hand-wash all the dishes,” and neither does her husband.

She fumed: “I’m in my 40s, I’m not adjusting on this. The seller’s estate agent said it wouldn’t be a problem to have the plumbing moved around and have it installed. Any truth or tips on this?”

Within the comments section, Brits quickly stepped in to clarify the peculiarities of UK housing. One user wrote: “You can definitely move things around in the kitchen to accommodate a dishwasher. It should be relatively simple to do – ask a plumber for advice.

“There’s probably a fire or a back boiler behind that faux fireplace, rip it out and see. The ‘box’ is hiding the head of the staircase, so is wasted space really, but you can pretty it up with cushions to make a reading nook or make it functional with storage”.

Another commenter advised her to “get used to doing the dishes manually,” emphasising that she’s “in England,” where it’s perfectly normal to pull on rubber gloves and tackle the washing-up.

One commenter insisted: “A dishwasher is essential! I’m English, 70 and have had a dishwasher for at least 45 years.” A fellow Brit confessed that hand-washing dishes turns their stomach, citing the unpleasant “greasy water” involved in the process.

Olly Murs became emotional during a live TV interview on This Morning before embarking on his Soccer Aid UNICEF endurance challenge

Olly Murs revealed his anxieties ahead of tackling the Soccer Aid UNICEF marathon.

During the most recent episode of ITV’s This Morning on Monday, May 11, the 41-year-old was interviewed before embarking on a five-day, 400km endurance test. Into The Unknown will witness Olly journeying from Manchester’s Old Trafford to London Stadium, traversing over 400km through running, rowing, and cycling.

Speaking remotely from Old Trafford, Olly discussed the enormous challenge awaiting him with Jake Quickenden. As This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley observed from the studio, Olly admitted: “I’m petrified, I am scared. I’m nervous, I’m excited.

“It’s here now. I’ve done the ten weeks of training, you know there’s so many people behind the cameras. There are lovely people here who have come down to see me.”

When questioned about which discipline concerns him most, Olly acknowledged that the prospect of solo rowing is causing him anxiety, reports the Mirror.

Further into the conversation, footage was presented to the audience detailing why the former Voice judge was selected for the challenge, which aims to raise funds for youngsters affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

Following the clip, Olly struggled to hold back his emotions. He remarked: “It makes me feel really emotional actually and it makes me more determined to get out and raise as much money as you can.”

Before continuing: “All we want to do is keep our kids safe and imagine doing that with a war going on.”

Olly will undertake a multi-discipline journey from Manchester’s Old Trafford, where Soccer Aid originated, travelling to London Stadium in Stratford, the venue for this year’s milestone fixture.

The punishing five-day endeavour will test him to breaking point, with each leg presenting unique physical and psychological challenges.

From arduous ascents and challenging landscapes to formidable water-based sections, it promises to be amongst the most demanding ordeals he’s ever encountered.

Adding further complexity, Olly will only learn each day’s route moments before setting off, with the information disclosed live on national radio.

Without any opportunity to plan in advance, every stage will deliver an unexpected twist.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

Those hoping for a warm and sunny May may have to wait a little longer as an Arctic air movement is expected to bring colder-than-average temperatures and ground frost to the UK.

Cold air moving in from the north will bring a brisk northerly breeze over the next few days, the Met Office said, warning overnight temperatures may drop to around freezing or even below, causing unseasonably late frosts in some areas.

Daytime temperatures will see highs of 16 to 17C on Tuesday before dropping to 13 to 14C more widely across the country, with some easterly locations struggling to even get into double figures.

The unseasonal turn comes after May started with a scorching 25.4C recorded in Kew Gardens and Heathrow. Even on Saturday, the UK saw temperatures warmer than Madrid, with a steady 21C recorded across the capital and parts of the south of England.

Now, the forecaster has predicted chilly temperatures, ground frost, and even the potential for some wintry showers along the highest tops.

Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said: “The current weather pattern is allowing for a movement of colder air from further north to sweep down across the UK over the next few days. This is not unusual in spring and it should not present any particular challenges. The most noticeable feature for many is that temperatures will appear below average, possibly feeling even colder in the brisk northerly breeze.

“Overnight, some locations may experience relatively late in the season overnight frosts, while there is a chance that the Scottish mountains could experience wintry showers. But generally these conditions won’t be impactful, and there is no current need to issue weather warnings.”

No weather warnings are expected to accompany this low-pressure area, but some rain is expected as the cold fronts move south across the UK. Wednesday could see bright spells scattered with localised heavy showers in some parts of the country, and Thursday will similarly see rain in the East.

As a high-pressure system comes in on Friday, the weather looks a little brighter, as the forecaster predicts a calmer day.

It comes after the Met Office recorded the coldest May night in five years last week in Altnaharra, where temperatures plummeted as low as -6.1C. Sub-zero conditions were also recorded in Shap, Cumbria, and Castlederg, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Met Office five-day forecast

Monday

Cloud and patchy rain across central areas continues southwards, clearing the UK into the evening. Sunny spells elsewhere, but a few showers over northern Scotland and eastern coasts of England, where it will be breezy. Below-average temperatures for most.

Monday night

Cloud and rain moves southeast across Scotland and Northern Ireland overnight. Elsewhere, dry with clear spells and lighter winds, allowing a rural frost to form in places.

Tuesday

Rain in the north gradually clears south through the day. Sunny spells followed by scattered showers in the north and northwest. Feeling chilly, especially in the brisk northerly breeze.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday

Blustery with sunny spells and heavy showers on both Wednesday and Thursday. More settled on Friday with drier and brighter conditions. Remaining chilly throughout with a risk of overnight frost.

The dystopian war drama has left viewers spellbound, with multiple reviews declaring the show “will give you chills”

Band of Brothers has long been hailed as amongst the finest and most exceptional war dramas ever produced, and justifiably so.

The compelling and powerful American miniseries has been renowned for captivating audiences from the opening moment through to the finale, and now there’s another programme in a similar vein that viewers cannot stop praising.

The Man in the High Castle is a dystopian war drama that has mesmerised audiences, with numerous reviews proclaiming the series “will give you chills” – and it’s available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.

Developed by Frank Spotnitz, the war drama draws from Philip K Dick’s 1962 novel of the same title and spans four seasons ready to watch. Acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien, Blade Runner) acted as an executive producer on the historical science-fiction war drama.

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The series was initially commissioned by Amazon, with a pilot episode debuting in January 2015.

After receiving tremendous reviews, the streaming platform commissioned a further nine episodes, which dropped in November that same year, reports the Mirror.

A second series arrived in December 2016, with a third following in October 2018. The concluding and final series of the programme launched in November 2019.

The Man in the High Castle features Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans, Luke Kleintank, DJ Qualls, Rufus Sewell, Joel De La Fuente, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, with the entire principal cast receiving widespread acclaim for their portrayals.

The official synopsis states: “This series, loosely based Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name, takes a look at what the world might look like had the outcome of World War II turned out differently.

“In this dystopian scenario, the Axis powers won the war, leading to the United States being divided into three parts, an area controlled by the Japanese, a Nazi-controlled section, and a buffer zone between the two.

“Despite the oppression, a new hope emerges when films turn up that seem to show a different world. A woman believes the films contain the key to freedom and is determined to find their mysterious guardian.”

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Boasting an impressive 95% critics’ approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Man in the High Castle has garnered widespread acclaim throughout its run. One critic wrote: “Ambitious and brainy, The Man in the High Castle is unlike anything else on television.”

Another reviewer encouraged viewers to fully embrace the show’s concept for maximum impact: “Give in to the premise, and The Man in the High Castle will give you chills.”

A third critic noted: “A finely wrought nightmare that plays like a delectable leftover from the days of Rod Serling, The Man in the High Castle is a towering, terrifying accomplishment from Amazon.”

Yet another reviewer lavished praise on the dystopian war drama: “Not only should you watch it, you should binge it… let yourself get immersed in this world and see where it takes you.”

One reviewer highlighted its highly “binge-worthy” quality: “As someone who tends to resist the urge to binge-watch… I still found myself becoming thoroughly engrossed in this nightmare world.”

Viewers were similarly enthusiastic, with one IMDB user commenting: “I’m a TV show lover, but never! ever! has a series made me want to write a review. It was a cold Sunday evening… I was waiting for Sunday night football around 645pm. I decided to squeeze in the pilot. Needless to say, seven episodes later I was still watching.”

They added: “The story line is incredible. The acting is great. The emotions that it brought out of me was real and raw.

“Yes, it’s fictional, and yes it’s just a TV-show, but boy! they hit on something, at least in me. I’m beyond impress! Monday morning, coffee to the rescue!”

A viewer’s review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “Exceptional story, plot, teleplays, cast and direction. I watched the first series in three days. Riveting! I could not get off my seat. Highly recommended.”

An IMDB review of the pilot episode stated: “Astonishingly good. This may well be the most suspenseful, riveting, horrifying hour of television I’ve ever watched. Quietly terrifying with moments that are genuinely difficult to watch. I can’t believe how good it is. I can honestly say I was taken by surprise. It’s brilliant. I’ve never actually bothered to write a review here before, but this is so good, it simply must be seen.”

Another fan of the series said: “Kudos to the writers behind this incredible story. The actors put on a first class performance. You get a realistic look how things may have been if the allies lost the war. This is drama at its finest.”

The Man in the High Castle is available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Former parents of Scallywags Preschool, Bret Parker and Victoria Pickup, will run the marathon on June 6, starting and finishing at Edgworth Cricket and Recreation Club.

The fundraiser was organised after this year’s “Mini Mighty Funday” could not go ahead due to works around the Wayoh area and refurbishment at the village cricket club.

Susan Hodgkiss, Manager of Scallywags, said: “It is usually an annual village day in Edgworth.

(Image: Scallywags Preschool)

“It raises money for the nursery and helps us raise money for nursery enhancements over the following months.”

The nursery said the annual fundraiser normally raises around £1,500, which helps pay for outings, learning materials and extra activities for children.

Scallywags, which is a charity-funded nursery, said it receives limited government funding and relies heavily on fundraising and community support.

The nursery said rising costs, including rent, electricity, staff wages and National Insurance increases, have added further pressure.

Mrs Hodgkiss said: “We only have 20 children, we’re only tiny, so when you only get a small amount of money from the government, it makes everything tight.

(Image: Scallywags Preschool)

“This extra money that we get from fundraising helps.”

The marathon route will link key parts of the village, including the school, cricket club and The Barlow.

She said the nursery helped both their children and family build long-lasting friendships in the village.

Mrs Hodgkiss said donations had already nearly reached the nursery’s usual fundraising total after only one week.

She added: “As the manager and from the staff as well, we want to say a really big thank you not just to Bret and Vic but to the community for making the donations.

“Thank you so much.”

To support the two visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-scally-the-wag?

The page states: “This is a callout to the community. As most of you as children and adults will know, Scallywags Preschool has been a part of our village history for many years. If you didn’t attend as a pupil then your children probably did.

“We don’t just want to raise enough to see them through to next year, we want to support them with up to date learning aids and electronics for our children. So with your help and that of a few sponsors. Let’s make our children’s future and a village legacy a brighter place.”

It adds: “Without your help we could lose our beloved Scallywags.”

Monday will start pretty chilly with some early morning frost across Scotland, northern England and even south-east England.

There’ll be some showers moving southward across the UK with a lot of dry and sunny weather between.

But, with a cool northerly wind developing on Monday temperatures across the UK will only be around 9 to 14C, falling short of the mid-May average of 12-17C.

While temperatures may rise slightly on Tuesday, they will drop again from Wednesday onward.

With the air coming from northern Scandinavia and the Arctic circle, temperatures will be around 3 to 7 C below average.

Low pressure will become more dominant with some strengthening winds and showers.

With the colder air in place those showers could be a little wintry with snow over the high ground of Scotland, which is not unusual at this time of year.

Daytime temperatures will be around 9 to 14C and overnight temperatures around 3 to 6C, though it could be chillier in rural areas.

Gardeners beware that some rural ground frost is still likely too.

The names of those to play both cricket and football for England conjures up the feeling of a very different era: cigarette cards, blazers and the faint whiff of Brylcreem.

Sporting greats of a bygone time such as Denis Compton, CB Fry and Tip Foster are among the 12 men to do it.

Arthur Milton was the last man when he played the first of six Tests in 1958 – seven years after he won his solitary England football cap against Austria.

Another on the verge of joining that pantheon is of a more recent vintage in the form of goalkeeper Nigel Martyn.

Well, kind of…

Martyn, capped 23 times by the Three Lions in football, has forced his way into the reckoning for the England Over-60s cricket team after returning to a sport he has always loved.

He might be a little greyer at the temples but the prospect of becoming a dual international this summer has nevertheless stirred something in him.

“It’s pretty special,” Martyn told BBC Sport.

“Obviously as a professional goalkeeper I wasn’t allowed to play cricket in the summer, as it would threaten breaking fingers and things like that.

“I retired with a stress fracture on my ankle so I didn’t think I was able to play cricket again. But I got the all-clear to do it in about 2011 so I started playing again.”

Martyn got his professional football break for Bristol Rovers in 1987 after being recommended to their then manager Gerry Francis by the club’s tea lady Vi Harris.

The Cornishman later played for Crystal Palace, Leeds and Everton, making 666 league appearances before he retired in 2006.

Martyn still plays club cricket and is currently with Scarcroft CC, just outside Leeds.

A few years ago he helped Knaresborough CC reach the North Yorkshire Premier Division alongside fellow ex-England goalie Paul Robinson.

St Austell-born Martyn’s road to the international fold came off the back of county age-group matches for Cornwall – which necessitate a 800-mile round trip for matches from his Yorkshire home.

“My good friend Sean Hooper, who was the captain of Cornwall Over-50s, spoke to me about six years ago asking if fancied playing for Cornwall,” he said.

“We last played when we were together with Cornwall Schools Under-15s. From there Cornwall recommended me to England.

“It’s a long trip but being able to go home and see family more often was always the added bonus with it as well.”