By CHARLOTTE DEAN, ASSOCIATE SHOWBIZ EDITOR

Published: 11:22 BST, 2 September 2026 | Updated: 12:35 BST, 2 September 2026

Peter Llewellyn-Jones, the British Sign Language interpreter and academic who became a familiar face to a generation of children as Mr Montgomery Lancelot Grimley in The Riddlers, has died aged 76.

For many viewers, Peter will be remembered as the slightly eccentric Mr Grimley, who is the neighbour of central character Marjorie in the long-running children’s show.

But acting was only one part of an unusually varied career which was closely tied with British Sign Language and the Deaf community.

The British Deaf Association have paid tribute to the author today, as a spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Llewellyn-Jones.

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‘A respected BSL advocate, interpreter, educator and ally, Peter devoted more than 50 years to supporting Deaf people and championing BSL.

‘His legacy will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.’ It has not been announced what Peter’s cause of death was as yet.

Peter Llewellyn-Jones, the British Sign Language interpreter and academic who became a familiar face to a generation of children as Mr Montgomery Lancelot Grimley in The Riddlers, has died aged 76 (pictured on The Riddlers)

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Peter qualified as an interpreter in 1972, at a time when professional interpreting for Deaf people was still developing as a recognised field.

His career subsequently encompassed social work, television, theatre, interpreter training and academic research.

One of his earliest television roles was as Supersign in Insight, the Yorkshire Television series made for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

The programme combined education and entertainment, and Peter’s signing made him a distinctive presence on screen.

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He later became known to a much wider audience through The Riddlers, appearing as Mr Grimley in dozens of episodes between 1989 and 1998.

His television work extended beyond children’s programmes. 

Peter appeared in programmes concerned with sign language and interpreting and was also involved in interpreting for the performing arts, including theatre and opera.

Alongside this practical work, he became an important figure in the development of interpreter education in Britain. 

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For many viewers, Peter will be remembered as the slightly eccentric Mr Grimley, who is the neighbour of central character Marjorie in the long-running children’s show

He taught at a number of universities and was instrumental in the development of higher-education courses for BSL-English interpreters.

At the University of Leeds, where he was Senior Teaching Fellow and Programme Director of the MA in Interpreting: BSL-English, he helped train a new generation of interpreters. He subsequently became a Visiting Research Fellow.

The actor later worked with the University of Central Lancashire.

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Fans and pupils of Peter took to social media to pay tribute following the announcement of his passing.

One wrote: ‘Lovely man and I had be pleasure of being taught by him. I always left his class feeling good about yourself.

‘Nice memories and he defiantly left his stamp on the world.’

Another added: ‘The most enthralling teacher I have had, funny and insightful! Sad news and he will be missed in all circles.

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‘I feel so privileged to have known PLJ. Such a wonderful man! Rip in peace.’

Others remember his role on 90s show: ‘He was brilliant. I loved The Riddlers.’

A second commented: ‘Sad to hear that Peter Llewellyn Jones has passed away, I love The Riddlers and I remember buying it on video, when i was a kid.’

Couples are the target market for the cabins, but one of the cabins will be able to accommodate a small family

Proposals to build three self-catered glamping cabins have been approved despite “significant environmental concerns”. Applicants Mr and Mrs Mike & Kate Milne, sought permission to provide “luxury” accommodation on land with grazing deer in Great Gransden.

The development site is on land west of Little Gransden Lane in Great Gransden. A planning statement reads: “The fully self-catered spaces will appeal to guests who enjoy accommodation in the outdoors with the intended audience looking for a back to nature experience.

“The target market will be couples with the ability to accommodate small families in one of the units. The accommodation will have the ability to cater to visitors year-round taking advantage of the full 12-month opportunity.”

This is an expansion of an existing rural business which aims to make a “positive contribution to the sustainability” of the business, planning documents said. The operating business called Red Kite Rural Ltd, which was founded in 2012, is a rural enterprise specialising in forestry, estate and deer management.

The applicants added: “The accommodation will provide an authentic luxury experience to guests wanting to explore the outdoors from a unique perspective set on the land with grazing deer in the foreground.”

They said the site’s close proximity to Cambridge will be a “significant draw for guests”. On site, built-in features such as outdoor bathing and cooking facilities will be provided alongside a communal sauna and car parking.

However, some people lodged formal complaints about the development. One local said the application should have been refused beacuse it “raises significant environmental concerns, and would harm local amenity”.

The neighbour wrote: “The proposal conflicts with the Great Gransden Neighbourhood Plan (Policies G1, G3, G4, G9), as it is located outside the built-up area boundary and represents unsupported greenfield development. The site is unsuitable, being too close to residential areas and valued tranquil spaces such as Gransden Woods.

“The development would introduce noise, light pollution, and increased traffic along a narrow, heavily used public footpath, creating safety risks and disturbance. No adequate mitigation is provided.”

Overall, the objector said the proposal had failed to demonstrate that its “benefits outweigh the clear harm to the environment, local residents, and the character of the area”.

Another objector claimed it is “not appropriate to insert a glamping site into a relatively small agricultural field in the middle of a group of residential properties”. They said that their concerns are in “no way outweighed by the alleged benefits”.

They said that the “small number of properties and the absence of street lighting at this extreme edge of the village mean it is not only very quiet but also totally dark at night”.

Another local, who lives adjacent to the site, said they believe the proposals will “negatively impact our peaceful enjoyment of our property particularly in view of the increased noise disturbance caused by outdoor socialising” as a result of the amenities being installed.

The lodged objection added: “This is also likely to result in late night (as well as daytime) noise disturbance in what is an extremely tranquil location. The very close proximity of the proposed car park to our property and garden will also cause increased noise disturbance.”

On the other hand, others were in support of the development. One person said that the introduction of a small amount of tourism could “help support local amenities, such as the village pub and shop”, adding that the proposal seems to be “relatively low-impact use of the land”.

The proposals, which were submitted in March, have since been approved by Huntingdonshire District Council.

Argentina’s president has issued a fresh warning to the UK over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, saying his country would defend its interests “with tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers”.

Javier Milei said he was preparing to make what he billed as a national announcement on Thursday night, saying the islands were “sacred” to his people and claimed his country’s national sovereignty had been “violated”.

On Tuesday, Downing Street said Britain’s commitment to the Falkland Islands was “unwavering” after Donald Trump suggested the US could review its position on the archipelago.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Argentina’s president wrote: “We announce a national broadcast for Thursday at 9:00 PM on a SACRED topic for Argentinians… a historic claim of the Argentine people that to this day continues to see its national sovereignty violated.”

He added: “What more important and strategic cause for the vital interests of the nation could there be more important than the Malvinas cause?… We will continue defending the interests of the Argentine nation with tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers. LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMMIT…!!!”

James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, hit back at President Milei, saying the Falklands “are British and they will remain British”.

“British soldiers fought and died to defend our sovereignty and the freedom of the Falkland Islanders. That sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we will always stand by the people of the Falklands and their overwhelming desire to remain British,” he said.

The US’s stance is formally neutral, although Washington provided support for Britain’s campaign to retake the islands after the Argentinian invasion in 1982.

However, reports at the weekend suggested the US could revise its position if the UK government does not increase defence spending.

Asked about the reports on Monday, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “I always review every position. That’s just one of many.”

The next day the PM’s official spokesperson said the UK’s position on the Falklands was “long-standing and unwavering”.

“Sovereignty rests with the UK, and the islanders’ right to self-determination is paramount,” he said. “The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory.”

Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum, with 99.8 per cent voting in favour – and just three votes against.

But the issue hit the headlines this summer when Argentina’s football team controversially waved a banner in support of their country’s claim to the islands while celebrating their World Cup win against England.

Players held a banner after the semi-final match that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”.

A powerful US Senator and top Trump ally has warned Andy Burnham not to implement sanctions against Israel.

Senator Rick Scott told the Prime Minister he needs to be a ‘Churchill, not another Chamberlain’ as expectations grow that the UK will punish goods, services and senior figures linked to planned illegal Israeli settlements.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband pledged yesterday to ‘reset’ Britain’s policy on Israel and called new Israeli expansion efforts ‘the crossing of a red line’.

However, officials will fear that Senator Scott’s public opposition to British sanctions reflects what the Trump administration thinks behind closed doors.

The US State Department has already warned they are ‘tracking [the plans] closely’, with Downing Street reportedly prepared for pushback from Washington.

Senator Scott, chairman of the Senate Republican Steering Committee, told Metro: ‘The U.K. needs a Churchill, not another Chamberlain. Prime Minister Burnham has a chance to either stand with the United States and Israel – or repeat history’s mistakes by appeasing evil regimes and actors.’

The row exploded last month when Israel issued tenders for the construction of some 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area.

The plans have drawn widespread international condemnation because it would in effect divide the West Bank in two and isolate East Jerusalem.

Andy Burnham said yesterday the E1 extension ‘could imperil, if not end, the two-state solution’.

Miliband also told Parliament he would introduce a ‘comprehensive reset’ of policy on Israel ‘in the coming weeks’ and punish British companies involved in the settlements.

The government is reportedly also preparing to announce sanctions against goods and services involving West Bank settlements and target more senior Israeli figures.

A minister also confirmed yesterday they are ‘looking at measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements’.

‘Israel will act against Britain’

The mooted sanctions have sparked outrage from the Israeli government, who has threatened to retailiate.

The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told news website Ynet: ‘If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain.’

However concern is also growing that President Trump, a strong supporter of Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu, will be angered by any sanctions.

Senator Scott, described as Trump’s ‘fixer’ in the Senate, has fired the first warning shot over the UK’s plans.

Asked about his reaction to the possible sanctions, Scott told Metro: ”Burnham should do everything he can to strengthen Britain’s historic alliances with America and Israel and reject the disgusting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic radicalization growing across the UK.’

He added: ‘Israel is doing what it must to oppose terror and defend itself, and President Trump is working with them to bring peace to the Middle East through strength.

‘Burnham should do everything he can to strengthen Britain’s historic alliances with America and Israel and reject the disgusting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic radicalization growing across the UK.’

Scott’s intervention is significant because he is seen as closely tied to The White House.

Trump’s officials have reportedly described him as ‘our man in the Senate’ and have brokered meetings between officials and powerful Republicans.

Two of Britain’s largest Jewish organisations, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, have also urged Burnham not to go ahead with the sanctions.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, told Miliband on Friday that many British Jews would view the proposed measures with ‘deep dismay’.

However a group of former British diplomats said in May that the Israeli settlements were ‘designed to divide the West Bank in two and destroy Palestine’s viability’.

They warned that E1 was part of Israel’s ‘systemic West Bank annexation’.

All settlements are illegal under international law and Israel had previously held off for decades on plans to build in the area due to international pressure.

The UK has already joined a group of 20 other countries, including France, Germany and Italy, as well as the European Union, to issue a joint statement calling E1 ‘unacceptable’.

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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Meghan Markle‘s former best friend Jessica Mulroney has announced the launch of her own lifestyle brand – six years since the pair’s alleged ‘rift’ following a race row.

She first crossed paths with Meghan while the now duchess was filming Suits in Toronto, Canada, in 2011. 

And Jessica has now launched The Haus of Her – a private members club and community space designed for ‘women in the middle of a defining transition’.

Jessica is a Canadian fashion stylist and marketing consultant, known for her bridal stylist work and guest appearances as a clothing expert on North American morning talk shows. She was the host of reality show I Do, Redo which was cancelled following race row controversy. 

Founded by Jessica and businesswoman Val Bryden ‘in the middle of our own transition’, The Haus of Her club is now open for membership requests and is hosting a Make Your Own Scent event on September 15 at Toronto’s Orris Labs.

For 39 Canadian dollars (£20) per month, members can also enjoy a monthly subscription box which promises to be ‘something to invigorate, something to inspire, something to relax’. 

Jessica’s new wellness venture comes after encouraging her 411,000 Instagram followers last December to sign up as subscribers to receive exclusive content from her, such as styling tips.

Meghan, meanwhile, is certainly no stranger to the wellness and lifestyle scene – having launched her As Ever brand in 2024, which offers products inspired by the duchess’s ‘long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostess-ing with ease’. 

Meghan and Jessica’s lives were once remarkably intertwined – with Jessica widely understood as the Duchess’s staunchest defender, closest confidant and ‘keeper of secrets’ – including when she began secretly dating Prince Harry in 2016. 

But in 2020, Meghan distanced herself after Jessica became embroiled in a race row with blogger Sasha Exeter in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The stylist hasn’t featured in any of Meghan’s public work and the pair do not follow each other on social media. 

Ms Mulroney has released The Haus of Her – a private members club and community space ‘ designed for ‘women in the middle of a defining transition’

For 39 Canadian dollars per month, members can also enjoy a monthly subscription box at which promises to be ‘something to invigorate, something to inspire, something to relax’

Despite their once close relationship, insiders claimed the duchess permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020 after she became embroiled in a ‘feud’ with influencer Sasha Exeter.

At the time, Jessica was said to have ‘taken offence’ to a ‘generic call to action’ post Sasha had shared about the Black Lives Matter movement.

In a follow-up video, Sasha said, ‘I’m by no means calling Jess a racist but what I will say is this: She is very well aware of her wealth, perceived power and privilege because of the colour of her skin and that, my friends, gave her the momentary confidence to come for my livelihood in writing. Textbook white privilege really, in my personal opinion.’

Following the blogger’s claims, Jessica issued three public apologies, however she still faced consequences and was dropped by numerous television networks.

Last month her husband Ben Mulroney told a podcast how he and his wife were cancelled in June 2020 after Sasha Exeter accused Jessica of white privilege.

In an extraordinary outburst on the No But Seriously Though podcast, Ben said: ‘A racial grifter decided to take advantage of the George Floyd moment and make up a complete fiction about my wife and the country decided to bend over backwards and say: “OK, well, here’s our hero and here’s our villain and everything was taken from my wife overnight”.’

Ben added: ‘What the DMs show is not that this woman was abused by my wife’s white privilege, but that this woman was antagonising my wife and so my wife said, “If you are going to threaten me, I’ll threaten you”.’

Sasha Exeter was previously approached for comment by the Daily Mail. 

It was a dramatic end to a once widely publicised friendship – with Meghan often gushing about Jessica online prior to meeting Harry.

Jessica’s twin sons John and Brian, then seven, even had the honour of carrying the train of Meghan’s dress down the aisle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, while her daughter Ivy was a bridesmaid at the royal wedding alongside Princess Charlotte. 

Founded by Jessica, left, and businesswoman Val Bryden ‘in the middle of our own transition’, The Haus of Her club is now open for membership requests 

Jessica and her daughter Ivy at Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding with Kate and Princess Charlotte

Jessica’s new wellness venture comes after the former television star was seen encouraging her Instagram followers to sign up as subscribers

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In December 2015, the Duchess said that ‘the room stops’ whenever her friend ‘shows up at an event’.

Referencing the Eighties US sitcom Out of This World, Meghan compared Jessica to the show’s heroine Evie (played by Maureen Flannigan) – who has the ability to freeze time.

Gushing about the effect Jessica has on people, Meghan described her as ‘savvy and fashionable and tres cool, and also va va va voom pritaaaay’.

She continued: ‘And here’s the other thing – she also happens to be an incredible stylist, clothing the likes of Canada’s First Lady, Sophie Trudeau.’

In her 2022 Netflix documentary, Meghan shared footage of the night Prince Harry proposed in 2017 – where she FaceTimed her friend as she walked the grounds of Kensington Palace.

The day of the royal wedding Jessica shared snaps captioned: ‘Proud friend. Proud mom.’

While she was still living in Toronto, the duchess was regularly pictured at glamorous events with the Canadian mother-of-three.

Meghan was all over the stylist’s social media page years ago, and Jessica is even understood to have helped pick out the wedding dress for Rachel Zane – the Duchess’s character on Suits.

Despite  Meghan and Jessica’s close relationship, insiders claimed that the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020, after she became embroiled in a ‘feud’ with influencer Sasha Exeter

Jessica was also among several famous faces who organised Meghan’s baby shower in New York City, which is understood to have cost a whopping $500,000. 

In 2019, Jessica said her life is an ‘open book’ but when it comes to a certain few things – such as her friendship with Meghan – her lips are completely sealed.

‘This is my first interview that I’ve done since the wedding or anything,’ Jessica told Harper’s Bazaar.

‘Listen, every person has to have a bit of privacy in their life. There are certain things I hold very dear and secret… There are things I’ll never talk about for sure.

‘My life is an open book, but there’s always a few secret pages in the back that nobody will be able to read.’

Meanwhile, as the backlash against Jessica began mounting, Meghan remained quiet and distant on the matter and has not publicly spoken about her friend in years.

One source told Daily Mail their friendship is no longer ‘what it once was,’ adding that this was due to the pair having ‘just grown apart’ and not because of the fallout between Jessica and Sasha.

The insider added: ‘Of course, Meghan has been worried about Jess. She’ll always have love for her.’ Jessica has since tried to rebuild her brand – this time, without Meghan by her side. 

The Canadian mother-of-three has partnered up with Canadian high street label Aritzia and also secured deals with online retailers Revolve and Fwrd. In 2024, Jessica also teased a potential I Do, Redo comeback. 

She wrote on Instagram: ‘If anyone knows me or what I love to do, it involves surprising brides and grooms with the wedding of their dreams. Finally, I’m getting back into the game. Coming to a screen near you.’

The Mirror’s Assistant Political Editor Alexander Brown here….

Andy Burnham speaking at the Despatch Box as Prime Minister is a long time coming for the Makerfield MP.

The former Greater Manchester Mayor had ran twice for leader and lost, including coming second behind Jeremy Corbyn.

Today, much like his first address outside Downing Street, is one of the milestones he will have imagined for years.

Away from Westminster for so long, Mr Burnham’s allies believe his time outside parliament has made him a better politician, more natural, and more sensitive to the public mood.

His mammoth three hour session on Tuesday is a sign of this, with the leader impressing Labour MPs with both his performance and lack of notes.

The challenge for Mr Burnham at PMQs will be to remember he cannot do it alone. The debates are rarely about the actual policy, but more often theatre, with loud support from MPs crucial for how his argument is recieved.

Mr Burnham must manage to deliver answers that not only impress the public, which polling shows he has done, but also answers that generate a strong response from his MPs.

Kemi Badenoch is a strong Commons performer so this wil be no easy test, but Mr Burnham has had years to prepare for it.

The ambulance service has said that six people have been taken to hospital following the collision this morning.

A NIAS spokesperson said: “The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 08:57 on Wednesday, 2nd September, following reports of an RTC in the Newtownhamilton Road area, Armagh.

“NIAS tasked 5 Emergency Ambulances, 2 HART Teams, an Emergency Planning Officer, an Ambulance Doctor and the Charity Air Ambulance with nHEMS on board, to the incident.

“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, one patient was brought to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Ambulance. 1 patient was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital by Air Ambulance. 4 patients were brought to Craigavon Area Hospital by Ambulance.”

Actor Chris Grahamson has hailed his recent stint in Coronation Street as Fraser

Actor Chris Grahamson has hailed his recent stint in Coronation Street after what he called a ‘dark few months’ as he teased a possible return.

Those who follow the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, recently saw him take on the role of Fraser. His arrival in Weatherfield came alongside Celeste Butterfield, who was looking at planning a funeral.

Having seen Celeste’s male company, Glenda Shuttleworth had a sparkle in her eye and suggested he should pop over to the Rovers while he waited for Celeste, who was revealed to be the aunt of Bernie Winter-Alahan, to finish her meeting with undertaker Todd Grimshaw.

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While alone with Todd, Celeste revealed that the funeral is for herself and that she has only six weeks to live. After planning a Dolly Parton-themed service, she collected Fraser from the pub, and Glenda was thrilled when he gave her his number and agreed to a date tomorrow.

However, Celeste revealed at the Undertakers that her neighbour, Fraser, who she called her ‘PA’, thought the Rovers barmaid’s interest in him was only as an LGBTQ+ ally. Cunduring up a plan, Celeste left their latest meeting unimpressed, and Todd ended up back in the pub and it wasn’t long before Glenda caught Fraser coming down the stairs of her home with a partially-dressed Todd.

But Corrie viewers realised at the time that Chris had appeared on the cobbles between 2010 and 2011, where he played a church pastor in Sophie Webster’s coming out storyline, having been a part of his choir.

Now, he’s spoken out on his latest stint on the cobbles, and alongside pictures from his time at the Salford-based set, Chris candidly shared on Instagram: “Working on these two episodes of Corrie was a professional highlight for me and a bright light in what’s been, at times, a dark few months. I felt comfortable and adept in what I was doing and I think the character came across well. I’m pleased and proud of myself for that.

“Blessed to be surrounded by wonderful actors, I’m grateful that it all came off pretty nicely. I’m lucky to have done a couple of gigs on here over the years, and every single time, I’ve felt warmly welcomed by cast, crew and studio staff. It’s a nerve-jangling experience to turn up to any new gig, no matter how many times we do it, and it’s especially so when you’re turning up to a well-oiled institution such as this.

“On Corrie, those nerves are soon displaced by the brilliance and kind hearted spirit of the people you meet there. Huge thanks to @garpierce, #jodieprenger and @francesbarber for being both iconic and normal all at once. @amylouiserobbins_ for lovely chats and #patticlare for plumping a pillow whilst telling me to come, sit down on the sofa and make yourself at home in the Grimshaw’s living room.

“Huge thanks to @seanhealy.jnr for reaching out before filming so that I wasn’t coming in cold and so that my ideas were heard before we even got on set. Again, making me feel very welcomed. Thanks to everyone! You made it special for me. Oh, and @keddiescottassociatesltd for coming through again – super agents extraordinaire – and #GennieRadcliffe @itv for seeing me.”

He continued: “What really sticks in the memory is that I got to work alongside the kind of characters that coronation street was built on – smart, strong, funny, brazen, brilliant women. Jodie and the legendary Frances Barber, namely. They make everyone around them look good, whilst standing as glamorous beacons. The street revolves around them like the great women that have resided on the street before them.”

He then added: “I hope you liked Fraser and let’s see if he pops up again someday – who knows? #actor.” Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd, was quick to show support, as he commented on the post: “An absolute pleasure, my mate. You did brill, and we all loved working with you.” Natalie Anderson, who recently played Danielle Silverton on the cobbles, joined calls for a return, as she said: “Absolutely love this!!! Def think Fraser could be a good catch for Todd @garpierce. The loveliest gang.”

All traffic is being temporarily held on the M4 westbound at Bridgend after a crash. Pictures showed a car having hit the central reservation on the stretch near to Sarn services.

Further pictures at the scene show one vehicle has been involved in the crash and emergency services are at the scene near junction 35 for Pencoed on the westbound side.

Emergency services including police and fire crews are working at the scene. Motorists are being advised to allow extra time for travel.

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The USS Abraham Lincoln has docked at a Thailand resort town following an extended deployment of more than 250 days in which they faced grueling conditions.

The US Navy aircraft carrier stopped in the resort city of Pattaya on Wednesday, where the 5,000 sailors and Marines on board will have the chance to unwind before heading back to the United States, the Navy announced.

‘Our arrival in Laem Chabang provides a well-deserved opportunity for our Sailors and Marines to rest and recharge,’ Rear Admiral Robert Loughran, commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, said in a statement.

‘It also underscores the strong and enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Thailand.’ 

Officials in the city are now hoping it will become an ‘important vacation spot’ for US service members in the future, Newsweek reports. 

‘We welcome more visits of the troops in the future, whether for a drill or a vacation, before they go back to the US,’ Mayor Poramet Ngampichet is said to have told American military officials. 

The trip marks a much-needed break for the American servicemembers, who had been at sea since November 21 amid the war in Iran.

Its deployment included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days. 

But city officials have also implemented a series of rules for the sailors after speaking with American military officials. 

Pattaya had started off as a fishing village, but became a tourism center during the Vietnam War, when US servicemembers were stationed nearby

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Pattaya started off as a fishing village but became a tourism center during the Vietnam War, when US servicemembers were stationed nearby.

It has since developed a reputation for sex tourism but, ahead of the ship’s arrival on Wednesday, authorities in the city launched a crackdown on prostitution. 

Police raids over the weekend saw 40 to 50 people detained with additional patrols in place for the main beachfront and nightlife district, The Independent reports. 

The mayor has denied the crackdown on sex work was related to the arrival of US servicemembers.

But under an agreement with the US, service members docked at Pattaya are barred from engaging in certain recreational activities such as parasailing and cannabis use, which was legalized in Thailand in 2022, according to the Guardian. 

And while famed nightlife area Walking Street will be opened to sailors, they must leave by 2am. 

Any US service member found violating Thai law will be prosecuted accordingly, City Police Chief Anek Srathongyoo vowed.

Officials in the city are now hoping it will become an ‘important vacation spot’ for US service members in the future

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Business owners in Pattaya eagerly awaited the arrival of the US sailors

Unlike in the United States, vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand, and anyone caught possessing one can face up to five years in prison. 

The country also has strict laws against insulting the country’s monarchy – which could see violators sentenced to 15 years in prison. 

In preparation for the deluge of US servicemembers, authorities in Pattaya have stepped up security, adding more police officers in popular areas along the beach and in the bustling downtown area. 

Meanwhile, business owners across the city eagerly awaited the arrival of the sailors, with some businesses displaying banners reading: ‘Welcome all US military personnel. Thank you for your service’ and ‘All Welcome’ next to a silhouette of the aircraft carrier.

The ship’s arrival in Thailand comes just weeks after the USS George Washington was forced to abandon its post in the Pacific Ocean to relieve the strained sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The sailors onboard the Lincoln had reportedly experienced horrific conditions that led some service members to experience suicidal ideation due to dwindling morale.

The wife of one of the sailors even described the ship as a ‘floating metal prison’ with appalling conditions as she slammed President Donald Trump for downplaying family members’ concerns.

The unidentified woman said her husband described the experience aboard the aircraft carrier stationed in the Middle East as ‘the worst deployment he’s ever been on.’

‘This is not his first deployment. This is not his first time being out there, and he is saying that it is the worst deployment that he’s ever been on. And he also says that his shipmates say the same,’ she told CNN‘s Jake Tapper.

Sailors have complained about the meager portions they were receiving onboard the ship

Since the beginning of the war in Iran, reports have surfaced of food shortages and rationing aboard the Lincoln, accompanied by photographs of sailors’ meals.

‘It’s not just the quality; it’s the quantity,’ the sailor’s wife told the outlet. ‘It’s the rationing. The portions are awful, so it’s really not good.’ 

Remaining anonymous out of fear of retaliation against her husband, the woman added her spouse, who she said is typically unaffected by work stressors, ‘feels himself being angrier and more frustrated.’

‘You’re stuck in a floating metal prison essentially, in the middle of the water, eating prison-like food with the same people in the same bunk beds in the same small quarters for 200 days, 250 days, you start to go a little insane working 12 hours, getting four or five hours of sleep,’ she continued.

Sailors aboard the Lincoln are said to have endured moldy showers, broken toilets, laundry outages, food shortages and long stretches without hot water. 

Some sailors even reportedly tried to jump ship amid the extended deployment, with one 19-year-old father-of-two now facing non-judicial punishment from the Trump administration for hurling himself overboard in an apparent attempt to drown.

Navy documents accuse the servicemember of ‘intentionally faking an illness or hurting themselves to avoid work, duty or service,’ while a separate charge claims he failed to report to his required place of duty during the mental-health crisis. 

‘I think they’re insane for doing this to people who need mental help,’ the sailor’s wife told MS NOW. ‘Instead of giving them help, this is just another huge stressor.’

Crew members are pictured standing on the flight deck as the USS Abraham Lincoln approached Thailand on Wednesday

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The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is pictured in April carrying out blockade operations in the Arabian Sea

His wife said he repeatedly requested paternity leave to meet his newborn daughter for the first time but was denied each time. His fate will be decided at a ‘captain’s mast,’ where his commanding officer could dock as much as half his pay, according to the charging documents.

The sailor was rescued after going overboard on August 3 and medically evacuated before returning to San Diego ten days later, according to his wife.

He then spent five days at Naval Medical Center San Diego, known locally as Balboa, where staff monitored his vital signs but never had him evaluated by a psychiatrist or therapist, she said.

He was ordered back to work immediately after his release and did not receive his first therapy session until this Wednesday, nearly two weeks after arriving home.

The Navy is pursuing the case through non-judicial punishment, an internal disciplinary process generally used for lower-level misconduct that avoids a formal court-martial and criminal conviction.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers has demanded greater oversight and transparency over living conditions aboard the carrier.