Emergency services shut off the M61 in both directions at junction eight near Millennium Way, Chorley.

The closure was implemented just after 10pm.

There were delays of up to 20 minutes in both directions, with congestion stretching back over a mile.

At the time, limited details were shared, with National Highways stating the closure was due to a police-led incident.

This morning, a spokesperson from Lancashire Police confirmed to The Bolton News that the incident was a “concern for welfare that was safely resolved”.

The spokesperson said: “We got the call at 8:56pm last night.

“The M61 was closed at Junction 8 for a short period.”

After around 40 minutes, the road was reopened in both directions, and National Highways thanked drivers for their patience.

If there is such a thing as righteous anger, surely it’s that of a mother after the senseless snatching away of her child’s life. Joan Scourfield lived that experience. Her son died from a single punch on a night that began like thousands of others across the UK.

Her son James had been on an ordinary Saturday night out in Nottingham in 2011, when a dispute kicked off over something as small as a pair of snatched sunglasses. But it quickly escalated. Someone threw a punch, James went down, hitting his head on the ground, and that was it: nine days later, James – a 28-year-old volunteer and aspiring paramedic – was pronounced dead.

For a long time afterwards, Joan simply wanted answers. A way to make sense of it all. How could this horrible person do this to her son? Why James? Had he provoked his assailant? Did he hit him first? She knew nothing: just a name – Jacob Dunne – and a mugshot. Nothing else.

“In court, we didn’t even get to hear Jacob’s side. We had no idea why he’d done it or anything… so you end up more angry and bitter because you’ve not got any of your questions answered,” says Joan, a retired assistant nurse who now lives in Derby.

Fast forward to today and Joan can be found sharing public platforms with her son’s killer, advising young people how to avoid the same fate as her boy. The story of that fateful night has even made its way onto the stage, in a play called (what else?) Punch.

Despite the title, the show, which is based on a book written by Jacob and has played on both Broadway and in London’s West End, turns out to be less about the punch itself and more about the events that followed it. The most visible of these is the remarkable life transformation in Jacob, a gang member who, after serving 14 months in prison (less than half the 30-month custodial sentence he was given for manslaughter), went on to study criminology. Today, he advocates for criminal justice reform.

The first time he walked into that room, it was a vulnerable young man that met me, not that evil mugshot we’d seen

But at its heart, Punch is a story of forgiveness. About five years on from James’s death, Joan found it in her heart to forgive the man who took his life. It was a gradual process, she admits. It started with her and her former husband reaching out to Jacob after his release from prison. Back then, all she wanted was answers.

Over time, however, she began to learn more about him, to see the man beyond the crime. Their contact was coordinated through the restorative justice charity The Forgiveness Project. Initially, Jacob provided them with written responses to their questions, but eventually they began meeting in person through mediated sessions.

“The first time he walked into that room, it was a vulnerable young man that met me, not that evil mugshot we’d seen,” Joan remembers. “He was very calm, very placid, and he wanted to speak to us, to answer our questions.”

Seeing Jacob slowly turn his life around was part of her own journey to forgiveness. If he’d proved unrepentant, the outcome would probably have been different. As important to Joan, however, was her desire to move on in her own life. Her anger, she realised, was in danger of morphing into bitterness; bitterness at Jacob for what he did, but also bitterness towards a justice system that she felt had let them down (Joan and her husband appealed Jacob’s 30-month sentence, but lost). Holding onto that bitterness, she resolved, “would not end well”.

Most of all, though, it was thoughts of James that got her to that point of saying “I forgive you”. She recalled the joy he took from doing voluntary work, especially with children from tough backgrounds. If working alongside Jacob could build on that legacy, she figured, then it would bring “something positive” out of her terrible loss and pain.

We had no idea why he’d done it so you end up more angry and bitter because you’ve not got any of your questions answered

The process since hasn’t been plain sailing, she admits. She’s been trolled online for “betraying” her son, for instance, a sentiment that she confesses to having battled with herself at certain points. Nor is her forgiveness absolute: she talks very deliberately of forgiving Jacob for killing James (“he didn’t mean to do it”), but not for throwing the punch (“because he went with intent”).

And for those who are struggling to forgive someone: what would be her advice? If at all possible, find a way to talk it out, she says. It’s hard. She’s been there: she knows. But really, it’s the only way. Bringing in a third party can certainly help, she adds. Both sides can then feel listened to and heard, which is crucial to working through the hurt.

One aspect of forgiveness she didn’t expect was how it keeps giving. Not only has Jacob turned his back on violence, but one of his former gang mates has followed him. “So that’s two lives that I know about that have been turned around,” she reflects.

Their story is now told on stages in London and New York in the play Punch, but for Joan the real work happens away from the theatre lights. And James, the aspiring paramedic who spent his short life helping others: what would he think? Joan smiles: “I think he’d be amazed.”

Main image: David Severn

Workers employed by Go North West in Bolton, Denton, Heywood, and Wigan are being balloted for strike action by the union Unite.

The dispute centres around claims of ‘significant’ pay disparities with Bee Network drivers working for other operators under the same network.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “Go North West can more than afford to close the huge pay disparity these workers are suffering despite doing exactly the same job as their Bee Network colleagues.

“Unite never stops fighting for our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the Go North West drivers will receive their union’s full support.”

Bee Network drivers working for Metroline and Stagecoach currently earn £19.06 per hour, while Go North West drivers are paid £15.51.

The workers have rejected a 3.8 per cent pay offer.

Go North West, part of the Go Ahead Group, reported revenues of £3.8 billion in the 18 months to December 2024 and paid out £80 million in dividends.

The strike ballot runs until June 2.

Industrial action could cause widespread disruption to bus services across Greater Manchester.

John O’Neill, regional officer for Unite, said: “Go North West will be totally responsible for any disruption caused to passengers because it is refusing to offer a fair deal.

“There is still time for industrial action to be avoided, but that will require the company tabling a deal that is acceptable to its drivers.”

A paedophile who pretended to be mute and wheelchair-bound in a bid to evade prosecution has been jailed for 15 years after his ‘not-so-covert double life’ was finally rumbled.

John Siddell, 41, convinced psychiatrists he was unfit to take part in a criminal trial by fabricating a severe illness while being investigated over sexual offences against three young boys between 2018 and 2021.

He ‘presented as wheelchair-bound, refused to open his eyes and was unable to hold his own head up’, prosecutor Claudia James told Leicester Crown Court.

But she told the court Siddell and his 44-year-old brother James’s ‘busy social lives in part unravelled their deception, as documented by social media, photos taken on their phones and their own home CCTV’.

John Siddell was recorded attending Elvis Presley nights at a social club, going to watch a Newcastle United match and walking around unaided.

He also took selfies in which he was able to smile and pose with his head up and eyes open, and in one photo was drinking a pint of Guinness.

One clip even caught him using his wheelchair like a ‘trolley’ to move household items over a mile in June 2022.

A statement provided by someone who cared for him in hospital in July 2024 said he was ‘the most verbal non-verbal person I have ever seen’.

After being charged with perverting the course of justice, the defendants did not attend a plea hearing in July last year, when it was claimed that John Siddell had suffered a seizure and was taken to hospital.

In September, he pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of sexual assault, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Both brothers admitted perverting the course of justice between November 2021 and August 2025.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Keith Raynor said the brothers’ behaviour was ‘scheming and devious’.

He said: ‘They misrepresented John Siddell’s mental and physical abilities, the behaviour of both of them entirely corrupting and undermining the course of justice.’

A statement read to court on behalf of the victims, who cannot be identified, said they are ‘still dealing with the effects of the abuse’.

The brothers, of Ashington, Northumberland, did not attend their sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Defending John Siddell, Jamie Adams said the defendant is a ‘very vulnerable and disadvantaged human being’ who has been diagnosed with epilepsy, autism and learning disabilities.

Mr Adams added that Siddell’s relatives have ‘exaggerated John’s ill-health throughout his life to get some financial benefit’.

James Siddell’s barrister, Nicholas Peacock, told the court his client was in a ‘generationally dysfunctional family who largely survived on the benefits system’.

Nicola Potts, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘While much of the attention in this case will be the lies and antics of the Siddell brothers, at the heart of this are three sexual abuse victims who had their childhood snatched from them by John Siddell’s cruel manipulation.

‘His cynical lies and the support he received from James was a further insult to these victims.’

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

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter Fleur East was among the favourites to take over on the main show, but reports this week emerged saying another star had landed the role

Fleur East says she is “kind of bothered” after missing out on the Strictly Come Dancing job. The BBC is searching for two new hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the popular show last year.

Fleur, 38, took part in the twentieth series of Strictly in 2022, making it to the final with Vito Coppola. A year later she was unveiled as the new presenter of companion show It Takes Two, along with former Strictly pro Janette Manrara.

The former X Factor contestant was said to be among the favourites for the Strictly role. But earlier this week it emerged Emma Willis is reportedly set for the role, although the BBC has yet to confirm the decision.

Fleur has now addressed missing out on the role during her Hits Radio show with Will Best and James Barr. She said: “I did say initially, after Tess and Claudia announced they were leaving Strictly you know, it’s probably not going to happen [for me] and I’m happy for whoever gets it.

“And we were just talking about Emma Willis being announced and I was like, yeah, great, amazing and I’ve kind of lied to myself that I’d be all right with not doing it or not being considered for the job. But I’m kind of bothered…”

The Sax singer went on to say that it was “okay” to be disappointed by not getting the job. She explained that she never “allowed” herself to “fully go there” by thinking she would get it.

Fleur continued: “I think it’s okay to admit that being faced with the opportunity of such an incredible job. I mean, it’s an amazing show. I’ve not only had the privilege and pleasure of being on it, but then also hosting It Takes Two and being part of the family, it’s been an incredible job to be a part of.

“So, when you’re within touching distance of something like that, and even considering it for a minute, I never allowed myself to really go fully there, but I did think about it. I was like, that would be amazing.”

She confessed that she had been “lying to myself” by trying to say she was fine. Fleur however is now “coming to terms” with missing out on the role.

She added: “Until it was confirmed, I was like, well, they might call me one day. They might do all the tests and they go, actually, yeah, we haven’t seen Fleur. Let’s give her a little call. But it’s gone to the right person.”

Former BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball also confirmed this week that she had missed out on the Strictly job. Zoe also competed on the show before presenting Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two between 2011 and 2020.

In the latest episode of her Dig It podcast, Zoe put on a brave face as she said she was thrilled to be “in the mix” of presenters who were invited to audition.

“I didn’t get it, but it’s okay,” said Zoe. “I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days. I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix.

“So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore. And I’m so thrilled for the gang that has got it. I think there’s been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone’s quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right ­decision has been made.”

The Junction Foundation, based in Redcar and operating across the Tees Valley, was awarded £1,500 by Barratt and David Wilson Homes through the Barratt Redrow Foundation.

The foundation donated as part of its commitment to supporting national and local charities across the UK.

Barratt Homes Community Fund donation to The Junction Foundation (Image: Supplied)

Since 1991, The Junction Foundation has delivered specialist services to children, young people, and families—covering emotional wellbeing, youth support, and help for young carers.

Rebecca Jones, fundraising and events manager at The Junction Foundation, said: “It is always uplifting when a local business recognises the work we do and wants to support it.

“This funding will allow us to keep offering the support that so many young people rely on, especially those dealing with difficult circumstances at home or challenges with their mental health.

“Every donation helps us to reach more young people and families who are struggling and without this kind of generosity, many wouldn’t get the help they need.”

The charity also runs the Junction Multibank, launched in 2024 to address rising poverty in the region.

It has distributed more than three million essential items to families, including toiletries, clothing, bedding, and baby items.

Ms Jones said the latest donation will have a lasting impact.

She said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for its donation.

“Its support will have a real, lasting impact on the children, young people and families we work with.

“It means a great deal to us to know they stand alongside our charity and are helping us make life a little brighter for young people across the Tees Valley.”

The contribution is part of the wider work of the Barratt Redrow Foundation, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2026.

Since launch, the foundation has pledged £20 million to good causes, supported over 2,000 charities, and is estimated to directly benefit 100,000 young people annually.

Joanne Ainsley, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North East, said: “We are honoured to be able to donate towards the vital work of The Junction Foundation.

“They are an essential resource for young people and families across the Tees Valley, and as a homebuilder, we are dedicated to supporting the communities in which we build to thrive.”

The donation will directly support The Junction Foundation’s core services, helping more young people feel safer and more confident, and offering hope for their future.

The charity is known for its safe, supportive spaces and targeted programmes, including those focused on emotional wellbeing and practical support.

It continues to work towards its mission of ensuring no child, young person, or family is left to face their struggles alone.

The two-year-old male is settling into his new home in the Arboretum’s on-site Red Squirrel Enclosure, with his arrival marking the next phase of one of the UK’s most successful Red Squirrel breeding programmes.

A young Red Squirrel has arrived at the Castle Howard Arboretum – with visitors invited to help choose his name. (Image: Castle Howard Arboretum)

Since the programme started in 2023, 15 kits (baby squirrels) have been born and have gone on to partner breeding programmes, and into the wild at suitable locations in Wales.

The male, who has spent the first two years of his life at Peak Wildlife Park in Derbyshire, will gradually be introduced to females with the hope to see more kits born in Yorkshire in the coming years.

Visitors can see the new male from Monday, May 25, inside the Red Squirrel Enclosure.

A young Red Squirrel has arrived at the Castle Howard Arboretum – with visitors invited to help choose his name. (Image: Castle Howard Arboretum)

The enclosure was designed and built by Arboretum staff and volunteers, where the fence circles 2500m2 of ground, including a grove of oaks and other trees, in which the squirrels live natural lives.

Ben Paterson, Arborist and Red Squirrel Officer at the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our new arrival, as we know how much joy he will bring to our staff, volunteers and visitors.

“He is also an essential next step in continuing our great work in protecting this beautiful native animal.

“The young male is spending some time in private, acclimatising in his new home, but should be more active and viewable to visitors from Monday, May 25, the first day of May half term. Visitors are also invited to help us give him a name, by taking part in our competition the Castle Howard and Arboretum social media accounts.”

Access to the Red Squirrel Enclosure is included in Arboretum admission tickets. Although Red Squirrels may be seen throughout the day, they tend to be most active in the morning and later afternoon.

For full booking information please see www.castlehoward.co.uk/arboretum For information about sponsoring a squirrel, or supporting the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, see castlehowardarboretumtrust.org

Good Morning Britain presenter Ed Balls has opened up about his personal battle with a stammer while discussing the STAMMA charity campaign.

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Presenter Ed Balls revealed his personal struggle during the most recent Good Morning Britain.

The ITV host was discussing with BBC Traitors participant Jessie Roux her participation in the campaign, Don’t Hang Up. Hang On.

Providing further details about the initiative, which is run by the charity STAMMA, Susanna Reid emphasised that call handlers frequently disconnect when there’s an extended silence on the line.

Jessie explained, “It is hard because I’ve had it where I have been hung up on, and ‘H’ is hard. Like,’ Hello’ on its own is a nightmare.”

Ed responded: “I can’t do H’s! From the autocue, every now and again, and there is one, it’s a nightmare!”

The BBC personality expressed her frustration when attempting to articulate her words over the phone and the other person disconnects, reports the Mirror.

She continued: “It is hard, it’d help if people would just wait, that is all any of us ask, just wait. We’ll get there eventually.”

Throughout the years, Ed has been candid about his stammer, admitting he wasn’t aware he had one until he was deep into his political career.

It wasn’t until 2009 that the broadcaster publicly acknowledged his struggle with a stammer, before becoming a patron for the British Stammering Association twelve months later.

Discussing presenting on Good Morning Britain back in 2021, he remarked: “Sometimes it goes wrong, but that’s fine, we all are a little bit in-fluent in our speaking in normal life.

“But the idea that I could be on Good Morning Britain, looking at the screen, reading the auto-cue and getting through a morning like this with all this noise in my ear. Twelve years ago, I would be in meltdown, and in fact today, loving it!”

The ITV presenter became emotional during the programme recently while discussing his stammer with Gareth Gates.

He expressed gratitude to the Pop Idol singer for motivating him to speak candidly about his own speech impediment. In 2024 he said: “You inspired me. I thought, ‘If Gareth Gates can do this, I can too.

“And if he can be public, I can be public too. It was really hard, but I did it because you showed me how to do it.”

As he became tearful, Gareth rose from his seat and pulled Ed into an embrace while Susanna remarked: “Nothing to be ashamed about, it’s part of your identity, isn’t it? He broke the ground for you, didn’t he, Ed?”

Good Morning Britain is available to watch weekdays on ITV from 6am.

“I think people who are articulating their dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister in private, they do have a responsibility to say that in public and directly to him, because this situation is unsustainable. It is now unstable and I think, therefore, we do need an expedient and orderly transition,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

With almost every Brit signed up to supermarket and high street reward schemes, shoppers are being urged not to stockpile points for Christmas or large purchases because they may not be protected if a company goes bust.

The warning could affect customers using schemes linked to major retailers including supermarkets, pharmacies and fashion chains.

According to insolvency specialist Molly Monks from Parker Walsh, many consumers wrongly assume loyalty rewards are protected like cash savings – when legally they often are not.

The warning comes as high street retailers continue facing pressure from:

1. Rising wage costs
2. Higher energy bills
3. Increasing business rates
4. Weak consumer spending

Research from the Competition and Markets Authority found 97% of shoppers belong to at least one supermarket loyalty scheme.

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But Monks warned those points may effectively become worthless if a retailer falls into administration or liquidation.

She explained: “Loyalty points and vouchers are essentially a liability on a retailer’s balance sheet, a promise to give you something in the future in exchange for your past spending.

“When a business enters administration or liquidation, that promise is not protected in the way most people assume.”

Why loyalty points may disappear

If a retailer enters administration:

• Stores may continue trading temporarily
• Administrators can refuse to accept vouchers or points

If a company enters liquidation:

• Assets are distributed in strict legal order
• Customers with vouchers rank as unsecured creditors
• Loyalty point holders are even lower down the queue

Monks warned shoppers are unlikely to recover anything.

“When a company collapses, the queue for its remaining money is long,” she said.

“Banks and secured lenders are at the front. Employees come next. Loyal customers with a points balance or a voucher saved up for Christmas are right at the back.”

Shoppers told not to ‘bank’ points for too long

The insolvency specialist urged consumers to stop treating loyalty points like savings accounts.

She said shoppers should:

1. Spend points little and often
2. Avoid stockpiling rewards for long periods
3. Check expiry dates on vouchers
4. Use rewards quickly if a retailer shows signs of financial trouble

“There’s a temptation to save up loyalty points for a big redemption,” Monks said.

“But the longer you leave them sitting there, the longer you are exposed to the risk that the business runs into trouble.”

Warning signs can include:

• Store closures
• Reports of financial losses
• Missed supplier payments
• Rescue talks
• Discounting or clearance sales

What happens to gift vouchers when a company goes into administration?

Gift vouchers with a cash value may offer slightly stronger protection than loyalty points, but shoppers could still lose money if a retailer fails.

Experts say many customers wrongly assume vouchers are automatically protected by law.

In reality, whether they are honoured often depends on decisions made by administrators after collapse.