Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Hibernian at Ibrox in a match overshadowed by a controversial VAR penalty decision and injury concerns over Youssef Chermiti

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A lunar eclipse is approaching this week.

Yet at Ibrox, anxieties are mounting once more that they face another campaign living in Celtic’s considerable shadow.

Just three matches into the club’s latest new chapter and Rangers supporters are still awaiting Derek McInnes’ promised revival to materialise.

What should have been a match made in heaven with the former Ibrox favourite taking the manager’s position has thus far been clouded in uncertainty.

And unless circumstances align swiftly to deliver the offensive reinforcements he desperately requires, Rangers can abandon any ambitions of halting Martin O’Neill’s revitalised Hoops, reports the Daily Record.

Celtic’s confidence returned emphatically at Rugby Park.

Rangers, by contrast, continue stumbling about trying to identify their strongest XI.

David Gray’s Hibs arrived under pressure themselves following their disappointing opening to the campaign.

However, this proved precisely the tonic they needed as a contentious Josh Campbell spot-kick and Callum Wright’s dramatic late strike extinguished a Rangers comeback after Miguel Chaiwa’s own goal.

Precious few inside Ibrox could fathom why Hibs had been granted a 10th-minute penalty – even after glimpsing replays on their mobile devices.

Fresh Serbian acquisition Vanja Dragojevic – making his maiden start in an unaccustomed right-back position – appeared bewildered as referee Don Robertson was directed to the monitor to review his clash with Jason Kerr at a Hibs set-piece. At most, it appeared generous, yet referee Robertson alongside VAR official Matt MacDermid deemed the infringement worthy of awarding a penalty.

Campbell seized the opportunity without hesitation, calmly converting the opening goal.

Despite considerable time remaining, Ibrox’s recent history meant supporters couldn’t stay composed, with anxiety quickly engulfing the stadium.

Opportunities arose for Rangers to equalise, though their finishing let them down repeatedly in crucial attacking areas.

The away side’s determination to hold onto their advantage only intensified the home crowd’s growing exasperation.

Shankland nearly scored when his strike rattled the woodwork, but Rangers eventually found parity with just four minutes remaining.

A catastrophic defensive pass from Felix Passlack was intercepted by Thelo Aasgaard, before Djeidi Gassama’s delivery was turned into his own goal by Chaiwa.

It looked like a frantic finale was brewing in added time. Yet it was Hibs who broke forward, with Passlack setting up Wright whose strike took a deflection off Tuur Rommens before nestling in the net, sparking wild celebrations amongst the travelling faithful.

Here’s five talking points from Ibrox Stadium:.

McInnes’ Rangers’ recipe still missing vital ingredient

While still in the early stages, what has become apparent is that McInnes continues to search for his ideal starting line-up. After rotating five players from the season’s opening fixture at Tannadice for Thursday’s Europa League encounter in Poland, McInnes was back at it again with a further six alterations for this match.

The substitutions persisted at the interval as Dragojevic became the sixth player across just three fixtures to be withdrawn at the break – yet all this shuffling has produced thus far is a side appearing fragmented and lacking in confidence.

The Ibrox boss has made it plain he’s still seeking to bolster his attacking options before the transfer deadline – with negotiations for Couhaib Driouech ongoing.

Meanwhile, he must extract performances from the offensive players at his disposal. Should he fail to do so promptly, he may discover the title race has already reached its conclusion.

VAR sends Del demented again

Scotland’s VAR controversy reached unprecedented levels last season. Just two matches into the current campaign, it appears we’re set for another twelve months of heated debate and frustration.

McInnes is already serving a three-match suspension following the “disgusting” tirade he delivered last term criticising officiating standards during Hearts’ championship challenge.

And he has legitimate grounds to feel equally hard done by after witnessing referee Don Robertson and VAR official Matt MacDermid collaborate to award Hibs their disputed penalty which opened the scoring.

Dragojevic was culpable of being caught in an awkward position while grappling with Jason Kerr at a Hibs set-piece, though both players had their arms raised in a tussle that involved minimal contact. The match officials, nonetheless, judged there to be sufficient contact to grant the penalty, which Campbell confidently converted.

The Ibrox crowd responded with fury – while McInnes appeared equally shocked by the decision.

Choked up Chermiti

Prior to kick-off, reports emerged that Rangers had rejected what would represent a club-record £22million bid from Galatasaray for Youssef Chermiti.

The decision was made in anticipation that the Turkish club would come back with an improved offer.

However, those hopes now appear uncertain following a distressing incident just before the interval, which saw the 22-year-old Portuguese forward stretchered from the field.

The ex-Everton player committed fully to a tackle with Megwa but was clearly in considerable pain from the resulting injury, leaving the pitch with his face concealed.

Should this result in an extended absence, it will fall to Ibrox executives Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe – both present ahead of Monday’s shareholder summit – to clarify how they intend to finance a replacement.

Forging a fortress

Earlier this week, McInnes challenged his side to put opponents “under greater stress” at Ibrox, having observed from afar how Rangers sides have frequently struggled with home expectations in recent campaigns.

In fairness, he couldn’t have selected better opposition to begin strengthening Ibrox’s reputation as a difficult venue.

Across his previous 17 home fixtures managing St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Killie and Hearts, the new Rangers manager had maintained an unbeaten record against the Edinburgh outfit. Yet Gray’s team showed no signs of intimidation, displaying the same composure they had when securing victory here against Danny Rohl’s Rangers in May, snatching another dramatic late winner just as they had on that occasion.

The growing unease at Ibrox isn’t doing the Light Blues any favours, with much of the discontent from the terraces filtering down to the players. However, the only remedy for that is to begin collecting victories.

Hibs’ hounds have their day

Two lacklustre Europa League performances sandwiched between their home defeat to Motherwell had intensified the scrutiny on Gray.

However, he’ll take immense pride in how his players threw themselves into the battle.

The number of crucial blocks was impossible to tally, but Megwa, Kerr and Adam Mayor all warrant recognition for their valiant efforts as Rangers mounted wave after wave of attacks.

Wright’s clinical strike was the perfect culmination of a well-earned triumph.

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The old section of Heighington Lane once carried traffic between Aycliffe Village and Heighington.

It was later bypassed by the modern B6444, leaving the former road hidden among trees.

Vehicles no longer use the old alignment, which now serves as a route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The entrance to the old road (Image: GOOGLE)

Despite becoming overgrown, much of the original road can still be followed between the area near Heighington railway station and the village.

The abandoned stretch has attracted interest from enthusiasts who explore “ghost roads”, roads which have been bypassed, closed or left without a clear purpose.

For many local people, however, it is remembered as part of an everyday journey.

One horse rider said on a social media group: “I regularly use this lane on my horse. Lovely ride out.

“But I also remember when this was the Aycliffe Village to Heighington main road.”

Others recalled travelling along it before the bypass was constructed.

A former Heighington signalman said he remembered the work being carried out, placing it in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

Another resident remembered the original layout having a staggered junction and crossroads near the Heighington end.

The old road is believed to have been bypassed as routes around Heighington, School Aycliffe and Aycliffe Village were improved.

Its replacement created a more direct route for traffic while removing vehicles from the older lane.

An aerial view of the new road and the old road (Image: GOOGLE)

The old lane is also remembered by people who travelled to Aycliffe Stadium for stock car racing.

One former visitor said the road formed part of regular Sunday journeys to the track, which closed around the end of the 1980s.

The former road also runs close to one of County Durham’s most important railway heritage sites.

Historic England describes the former Heighington and Aycliffe station building as the world’s first railway station.

The Grade II*-listed building is on the route of theh the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in September 1825.

It was also at Heighington that George Stephenson’s Locomotion No 1 was first placed on the rails before hauling the railway’s pioneering passenger service.

Much of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway route remains part of the national rail network today.

Although it no longer carries cars, Heighington’s forgotten road has not vanished completely.

It survives as a quiet reminder of how people once travelled between Aycliffe and the village before bypasses and modern road layouts changed the area.

The Wales-filmed adaptation of Liz Jensen’s novel has wrapped up on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

BBC’s The Rapture is coming to an end after launching earlier this month.

Filmed entirely in Wales, the psychological thriller is adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel and has a star-studded cast list including Ruth Madeley, Sam Hazeldine, Jack Farthing, Stephen Campbell Moore, Ruth Jones, India Amarteifio, Iwan Rheon, Lisa Palfrey, Siena Kelly, Naby Dakhli, Richard Elis, Dean Rehman, and Robert Rhodes. You can find out more about the cast in full here.

The five-part series is about a teenager accused of killing her mother, who claims she has the ability to predict disasters. The Rapture has been described as a high-stakes drama that crackles with wit and danger, while also exploring them.

A synopsis for the series reads: “After a life-altering car accident killed her husband and left her paralysed, psychologist Dr Gabs Fox starts a new job at a psychiatric hospital where she is assigned 17-year-old inmate Bethany Krall. Two years before, Bethany was sectioned for the brutal murder of her mother, Carys Krall. The case shocked the nation, not least because Bethany’s father, Leonard Krall, is the charismatic leader of the Faith Way, a spiritual movement with millions of online followers.

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“Bethany seems to know private details about Gabs’ life and insists she can see visions of the future, which she communicates through disturbing sketches of disasters: storms, fires and floods. Bethany’s nurse Rafiq insists Bethany’s predictions always come true, but Gabs is sceptical, determined to find a clinical explanation.

“As the heat intensifies, Gabs begins to notice unsettling connections between Bethany’s prophetic drawings and the world outside, forcing Gabs to re-examine her assumptions. Could Bethany be innocent after all? If she didn’t kill Carys Krall, who did and why?

“With the help of journalist Dick Carwyn and engineer Frasier Melville, Gabs digs deeper into the history of the Kralls. As she falls further down the rabbit hole, Gabs is forced to question – is Bethany telling the truth, or is she being manipulated by a deeply troubled teenager?”

But the drama will come to an end on Sunday, August 9 at 9pm, and many people will be wondering what is replacing the series in the primetime slot on Sunday and Monday nights.

The BBC has confirmed that it will be airing coverage of the European Athletic Championships from Monday, August 10. Coverage of the Championships will start on BBC Two, before BBC One takes over at 8pm with Gabby Logan presenting coverage of the evening session on day one from Alexander Stadium.

The women’s 100m final is the concluding event of the night. The BBC said of their coverage: “Europe’s biggest athletics stars are heading to Birmingham this August for a landmark moment in British sporting history – and audiences can watch every thrilling second live across the BBC.

“For the first time ever, the European Athletics Championships will be staged in the United Kingdom, with Birmingham providing the backdrop as Team GB competes for glory in front of passionate home crowds.

“With the roar of the home support behind them, Britain’s biggest athletics stars will be aiming to create unforgettable moments on home soil against Europe’s very best.”

Comprehensive live coverage will be available across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer between August 10 and August 16, with daily coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

The BBC has said that fans can also follow every twist and turn via the BBC Sport website, BBC Sport app and BBC Sport’s social media channels.

The Rapture will air its final episode on Sunday, August 9 at 9pm on BBC One.

President Donald Trump spent his Saturday evening on Truth Social, releasing a series of seemingly AI-generated posts mocking up the planned White House ballroom and its rooftop “drone port.”

In three different images all titled “DronePort”, the president depicted the roof of the ballroom structure covered by numerous military drone aircraft, armed soldiers and refueling trucks, turning the placid grounds of the White House into a major military installation. The images were the same ones he originally posted in May, as he attacked a federal judge for delaying the project by ruling that the administration lacked congressional authorization.

“This great and very important military asset sits atop the heavily protected Ballroom at the White House. It provides National Security for Washington, D.C., and will protect future Presidents!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president’s focus on his ballroom is not new. His fixation on the military center and “drone port” pictured in the three images he released late Saturday evening comes, however, as he has shifted his rhetoric about the construction project to focus on its planned security features in an attempt to win further congressional support for funding and battle a court order stopping construction. Money for the ballroom was originally set to be approved by Congress as part of legislation passed earlier this year, but it was stripped out due to lack of support in the Senate.

Like his first post back in May, this latest posting by the president follows his defeat in court over the project.

A federal appeals court delivered the second blow to the project on Friday that the administration must cease construction of the project until congressional approval is gained, leaving the building process in limbo and putting another awkward test to the Republican-controlled House and Senate with just a few months to go before the midterm elections.

The president frequently veers off onto tangents about the ballroom and its construction process during unrelated events and planned remarks as the project (and the totality of his D.C. beautification efforts) have become a clear, sustained priority that at time often trumps matters that would seemingly be more important to Republican voters, to say nothing of the officials and dignitaries often in the room listening to him wander off topic and derail his own speeches.

His efforts to beautify D.C. include projects to restore fountains and other park features around the District of Columbia as well as the now heavily scrutinized effort to restore the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, fixing leaks in the structure’s base and repainting the surface with an aqua-blue swimming pool coating.

That project has also consumed his attention in recent days as his U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, dropped charges against an Olympian falsely accused by the Trump administration of vandalizing the pool’s new coating with a knife or other sharp object. Pirro admitted in court filings that the damage to the coating appeared to be the result of a faulty installation process.

Apart from the chunks of pool coating that were visible in the waters as the new surface failed, the waters of the pool turned lime-green this summer as park workers struggled to deal with a massive algae bloom which the president also previously attempted to blame on vandalism. Like the failed installation of the coating, the algae was actually thought to be the result of contractor error during the addition of new micro-bubbler devices to the structure.

The president has pivoted to describing the ballroom and “drone port” project as an issue of national security as his popularity and subsequently the appeal of his D.C. renovation projects has waned on Capitol Hill. On Friday, he attacked the appeals court that ruled against his adminsistration in court on the project for supposedly endangering the lives of current and future occupants of the White House, with his rationale being that the planned structure’s anti-drone capabilities were the only thing that could guard from such attacks.

“The Circuit Court’s decision, which is totally wrong on the vital subject of STANDING, of which the plaintiff has none, severely jeopardizes the lives and welfare of the people who work, and will be working, at the White House — including all future Presidents of the United States, and their families, as well as the lives of all those visiting,” wrote Trump.

BBC viewers saw actresses India Amarteifio and Ruth Madeley star in the dark crime thriller.

Viewers on the BBC were quick to share their thoughts on the ending.

*This article contains spoilers for The Rapture*

On Sunday night (August 9), the broadcaster’s latest psychological thriller, The Rapture, came to a dramatic conclusion. The series, which began at the end of July, focused on the complex relationship between 17-year-old Bethany Krall (India Amarteifio) and forensic psychologist Gabs Fox (Ruth Madeley).

As Gabs, who is recovering from a traumatic incident which killed her husband, starts a job at a high-security psychiatric hospital, she meets Bethany. The teen is convicted of brutally killing her mother, although she has claimed she is innocent the entire time.

As Bethany claims she has psychic powers and can predict the future with drawings, will Gabs choose to believe her? It also makes viewers wonder if she is telling the truth, so who really killed her mother?

During the tense conclusion, answers were finally revealed as viewers saw the truth come out, which proved Bethany was innocent all along.

After a series of twists and turns, it was unveiled that a man called Rob (Morgan Watkins), a member of Climate First, killed her as he was doing the bidding of oil company Trenmoor boss, Max Leland (Stephen Campbell Moore).

Her mother was sadly killed after she was about to share the shady dealings of Trenmoor, who were discrediting environmental activists and protecting oil drilling operations, which resulted in Bethany getting framed.

It wasn’t long before people shared their thoughts on the series, with many left confused as to how the characters were behaving as the show was supposed to be set in an unbearable heatwave.

On Twitter, now X, one person said: “#therapture and the clothing looks just a little too warm for those temperatures. I get inside they might have AC. But a shirt over a t-shirt outside…”

A different account wrote: “The place is roasting hot but no one looks bothered #therapture” with another viewer commenting: “#therapture is getting VERY silly now!”

Elsewhere, another show watcher added: “#TheRapture they continually sit in the sun some of the grass is still green and sun in every room. I’m in Belgium now it’s 36 degrees and we’re all sitting in dark rooms and staying inside as much as possible and it’s Code Orange” to which another fan responded: “It’s just not believable!”

However, not everyone shared the same view as some were blown away by the drama, demanding another instalment.

On X, someone commented: “Just finished watching #TheRapture and it’s safe to say I think it’s one of the most genius pieces of television I’ve seen in a long time! The whole cast was amazing, but India Amarteifio as Bethany was outstanding, brilliant!”

While another praised: “@BBC #TheRapture, love this. Excellent TV drama for now. More, please.”

The Rapture is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Plans have been submitted to South Tyneside Council to convert a unit on St Hilda’s Industrial Estate in South Shields into a family-run pet cremation centre.

The proposed facility would provide only individual cremations, one at a time, ensuring each pet is cremated separately and guaranteeing 100 per cent return of ashes.

A chapel of rest and a farewell room would give families a private and dignified space to spend time with their pet before cremation.

Planning documents state that the crematorium could carry out six to seven individual cremations per day.

Owners would have the option to bring their pets directly to the site or arrange for collection from their home or vet.

Ashes could be returned within 24 to 48 hours and the proposed opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays.

A supporting statement said: “In addition, the business intends to create employment opportunities as it grows and becomes established.

“The service will operate across the North East, supporting pet owners and working alongside established veterinary practices, including those offering home euthanasia services that can be arranged through the business.

“The proposed use represents a low-impact operation generating minimal traffic, noise, waste and environmental effects, while providing a valuable and compassionate service to the local community and wider region.”

The crematorium would be regulated and subject to annual inspections to ensure compliance with government regulations and industry standards.

The facility would also offer a selection of memorial products including caskets, urns, scatter tubes and keepsakes, with a commitment to source items from local suppliers wherever possible.

Planning documents state that the proposed facility would “provide an important service for pet owners across the region, offering reassurance that their beloved pets are treated with dignity and respect through individual cremation procedures.”

A decision will be made by the council following a period of public consultation.

Wildfires burning across the western U.S. and Canada on Sunday left some residents keeping a weary eye out for possible evacuation orders while others already forced to flee their homes waited to see what would be left on their return.

In western Canada, over 20,000 people were forced to flee communities along Okanagan Lake in British Columbia over the weekend as a fast-moving wildfire destroyed homes and dozens had to be rescued by aircraft.

Anette Boulet was among residents who fled Summerland, home to about 12,000 people. As she and her family left around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, their home was shrouded in smoke.

“You couldn’t see barely. It was, it was just dark, and the ridge, the ridge of fire just coming towards you,” said Boulet, who evacuated to a center in Penticton.

“There’s no words to express it,” she said. “The fear.”

Besides the evacuations in Summerland, the Bald Range fire, first reported Friday evening, has also led to the evacuation of about 8,000 people in and around nearby Peachland. British Columbia declared a state of emergency Saturday because of the wildfires.

Eleanor Olszewski, Canada’s minister of emergency management and community resilience, said Sunday on social media that she’d approved a request for federal assistance from British Columbia to provide shelter and accommodations for those forced to flee.

Residents on edge as wildfires burn

In the U.S., residents in some areas north of Spokane, Washington, were being advised Sunday to leave their homes. Residents in the rural towns of Malden and Rosalia, located about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Spokane, saw their evacuation level downgraded Sunday after being urged to leave the previous day after two fires started nearby. The area, though, is on alert.

John Goyke, mayor of Rosalia and the water operator for Malden, said that he saw the trees on the rolling hills burning Sunday morning. He put Malden on a water restriction Saturday night so water could be saved for fire trucks, and Malden’s fire department began trucking water from Rosalia.

“The wind is fairly calm. The fire is not progressing,” Goyke said, “but we’re using social media and Facebook to keep in contact with everyone.”

In 2020, Malden was was mostly destroyed by a wildfire, losing its fire station, post office, city hall and library.

Two killed fighting wildfire when helicopter crashes

In Utah, two helicopter pilots were killed when their aircraft crashed while they were fighting a wildfire Friday morning in the Fishlake National Forest. Crews were finally able to get to the site Saturday to confirm the deaths.

Officials said Sunday that fire activity had prevented them from quickly reaching the area amid steep, rough terrain.

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: 20:53 BST, 9 August 2026 | Updated: 21:35 BST, 9 August 2026

Gemma Atkinson jetted off to the Canary Islands with her partner, Gorka Marquez, and their two children, and she said the two weeks they spent on holiday flew by

Gemma Atkinson has made an honest admission while sharing some photos from her recent family holiday to Tenerife.

The 41-year-old actress jetted off to the Canary Islands with her partner, Gorka Marquez, and their two children, seven-year-old Mia and three-year-old Thiago. The family stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Abama, a luxury coastal resort complete with an exclusive stretch of golden sands.

This weekend, the proud mum shared some snaps from the trip – and she admitted that taking a break from work was “definitely needed”. While she said she is grateful to be busy with work, Gemma said spending time with her family made time fly.

She captioned the post: “Back to work tomorrow…Gem & tonic duties, podcast recordings, hosting the radio, nursery runs and much more. The last 2 and a half weeks have flown by. As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun and we sure had a lot of it.

“A mental rest & switch off was definitely needed. More than I realised. I’ve been 100mph recently in the best way with work which I’m SO Grateful for, but time with the family making memories is what life’s all about…”

She added: “We stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Abama, Tenerife. We stay in the private villas on the resort. The hotel is beautiful though also, we just love the villlas.”

Among the photos Gemma shared were images of her by the pool and others of her sunbathing in a red and in a black bikini. The Hollyoaks star also shared a short snap of Gorka, 35, splashing around in the pool, as well as some images featuring their children too.

Many fans took to the comment section to praise Gemma with one writing: “Gorgeous memory making times.” Another said: “Lovely family.” A third commented: “Beautiful family! You are blessed!”

It comes just days after Gemma said Gorka will “shrink in his chair” when his daughter starts talking about certain things. She made the comments as the couple opened up about the joys of parenthood, with Gemma joking that their kids sometimes come out with a “question that blows your mind”.

When asked what she thought the “best thing” about being a parent was, Gemma pointed to the different “phases” of childhood – seeing a “podgy little thing” transform into a little human being.

She told the Lost In Translation podcast: “It’s seeing the different phases that the kids go through for me. It’s the fact that you have a baby, and they’re this little podgy little thing that can’t function at all without you.

“And it looks like they have elastic bands around their little wrists cos of the fat rolls, and you think, ‘Oh, God, bless ’em’, but then that goes. But then you have the little toddler, and every day, they ask a question that blows your mind.”

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Clarks has unveiled its new school collection ahead of the start of the new academic year

Parents hoping to avoid the back-to-school rush towards the end of the summer holidays can make a start now. Many retailers have already launched their new term collections, including Clarks.

Leaning into 200 years of renowned footwear expertise, Clarks offers an unrivalled range of precision-fit school shoes for children with growing feet. Buying an entire school uniform, plus bags and stationery, can be expensive, which is why the footwear brand promises premium footwear at an affordable rate.

Prices for school shoes start from £25. Clarks is also running a deal that lets parents buy two pairs of school shoes and get the third pair for half price.

This is ideal for families with a few children to buy for, or for little ones who easily scuff or ruin shoes throughout the school year and need a few back-up pairs. One of the collection highlights is this pair of Feather Shine Kid shoes priced between £25 and £27.

Available in sizes 1 – 13.5, they come in standard and wide fits. The Feather Shine Kid shoes blend a sporty style with classroom-ready practicality.

Feather Shine Kid shoes

£25 – £27

Clarks

Buy Now on Clarks

The unisex school shoes blend a sporty style with classroom-ready practicality.

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The Feather Shine Kid shoes feature a super-lightweight sole and a Microban odour-control lining to keep them feeling fresh. These shoes are unisex.

Clarks Feather Shine Kid shoes have a 4.5 rating based on customer reviews, with many parents and grandparents leaving comments. One buyer said: “Great shoes, my son loves them and they are comfy, plus they keep his feet dry as well in rainy conditions, would buy again.”

Someone else remarked: “Good, hard-wearing shoes, pleased with quality.” Another back-to-school shopper said: “Bought for my grandson. Nice sturdy shoe, he finds it easy to do the straps himself. Very good price. Excellent value.”

Not all the reviews are glowing, as one parent marked them down for being ‘small’ and ‘quite bulky’. An additional shopper was more pleased, saying: “My kids love the shoe.”

Another Clarks back-to-school option is the Lorcam Jane K shoes, priced between £44 and £46 (sizes 1-10, with larger options also available). They have a chunky, durable sole and a removable bow, so little ones can take them off when they want to.

Perfect for everyday wear, the Lorcam Jane K features a buckle-strap fastening, a padded collar for comfort and support, and laser-printed broguing details. They also come in standard and wide fits.

Elsewhere, Matalan has also released its back-to-school collection with uniforms and footwear on offer. These Black Scuff-Resistant Casual School Trainers are priced between £12.80 – £13.60, down from £16 – £17.

Over at Next, these Black School Leather Lace-Up Shoes cost between £28 and £45. They come in standard, wide, extra-wide, and narrow fits.

For a classic school shoe option, Clarks offers these Lorcam Lane Youth for older children. They are priced between £48 and £50 and are available in sizes 3-10, with smaller sizes available too.

The Lorcam Lane Youth are designed with a chunky, durable sole and tough leather to tackle busy school terms. Similarly, these Scala Bar shoes are priced at £32 and are for older children (sizes 13 – 2.5). They’re made from durable leather and have a slim and flexible sole.