Officials at Visit County Durham, the region’s tourism body, were told it isn’t being properly marketed as a tourist destination to attract new visitors. 

The latest data from 2024 recorded 21.56 million visitors, generating £1.38 billion for the tourist economy, but councillors have told officials to improve the number of people staying overnight. 

Just 1.64 million overnight visitors were recorded in the same period. 

Councillor Kenny Hope, Reform member for Delves Lane, urged the region’s tourism body and its partners to work proactively.

He said: “County Durham is a beautiful county and we don’t sell it enough and we don’t sell it properly. We have the UNESCO Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty North Pennines, Low Force and High Force, and the Derwent Valley. 

“We need to tap into our rural areas. 

“I caravan a lot and travel to the Lake District and there is a lot of stuff there that we are lacking in County Durham.  

“If there was something on the Pennines, I would use it and other people would too.”

The comments came during a council debate on the region’s tourism economy. 

In 2024, 2.9 million people visited the Durham Dales area of the county, but it was the Vale of Durham area, which includes Beamish, Locomotion and Bishop Auckland, that attracted the most visitors. 

Cllr Hope added: “People in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham want to get into the rural areas, which are a great place to take families. We need to look at investing in the outdoor economy, such as mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking. It needs to be promoted better than it is. 

“We need to invest in our areas when it comes to tourism. If we don’t, we will just sit on our hands and nothing will happen. 

The rise in visitors has had a significant positive economic impact on Durham’s coastal areas, rising 16.1 per cent to generate £206.45 million, thanks to increased day visits. 

But Cllr Dawn Bellingham, Reform member for Horden and Dene House, said the County Durham coastline should receive more marketing attention. 

“I don’t think it’s been concentrated on enough,” she said, “I resided in Northumberland and we are missing a trick.”

Cllr Bellingham added: There are lots of people who come to visit the wildlife and sealife on the coastline. There are lots of places for people to stay in Northumberland near the coast, and that is definitely something we can improve on. 

Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit Durham, said the lack of visitor accommodation in the area means people aren’t staying longer. 

She told the meeting: “We have a fabulous coastline and much has been done over the last 20 years to improve it. The coast is one of our fastest-growing areas. The challenge that we have is the lack of visitor accommodation.” 

A 400m buffer zone is currently in place along the Durham Coast to protect wildlife and sealife and prevent developments. 

“To get any visitor accommodation is really challenging,” Ms Gorman added. 

“We are trying to get more family-friendly accommodation because the coast gets really busy with day visitors.” 

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued several “do not eat” warnings, with affected products sold nationwide.

Among the recalls are certain batches of porridge flagged due to possible mouse contamination.

Customers who may have bought the items are advised to follow official guidance and be aware of potential health risks.

Food Recalls Explained

Tesco recall

Tesco has recalled a Tesco Finest dessert product because it may contain pieces of plastic.

The supermarket giant, along with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has issued a “do not eat” warning to shoppers who have purchased the dessert.

The recall affects the Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert.

It includes all date codes up to and including April 2027.

Thursday 9 April @Tesco recalls Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert because it may contain pieces of plastic #FoodAlert https://t.co/3Prij9koBf pic.twitter.com/vrp5mn3h83

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) April 9, 2026

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An FSA spokesman said: “Tesco is recalling Tesco Finest Summer Edition Chocolate Affogato Dessert because it may contain pieces of plastic.

“This product may contain pieces of plastic which makes the product unsafe to eat.

“Tesco is recalling the above product and has issued a recall notice to alert customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought the above product do not eat it.”

Food Recalls Explained

A Tesco spokesman added: “If you have purchased the affected product, please do not eat it and instead return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required.

“For further enquiries, please visit the contact page of our website where you will find a variety of ways to get in touch: tesco.com/help/contact.

“No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

M&M’s recall

An M&M’s product has been recalled in the UK, with shoppers warned not to eat the affected chocolate if they have already purchased it.

3D Trading is recalling M&M’s Pipoca (popcorn) because the product poses a potential safety risk.

The product, manufactured for the Brazilian market, contains allergens including peanuts, gluten, barley, rye and wheat which are not mentioned on the UK label.

Only M&M’s Pipoca with a 3D Trading ingredients label is being recalled.

The affected packets of chocolate come in 35g bags, and all batch codes and best before dates with the 3D Trading ingredients label are included.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “3D Trading is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

“The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“This product contains peanut and gluten and may contain barley, rye and wheat making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to peanut, an allergy or intolerance to barley, rye, wheat or cereals containing gluten or with coeliac disease.

“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to peanut or an allergy or intolerance to barley, rye, wheat or cereals containing gluten, or coeliac disease, do not eat it.

“Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund with or without a receipt. For more information, please call 07596 571086 or contact UK@3dcandy.co.uk .”

Porridge recall

Nine porridge products sold at major supermarkets, including Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s, are being recalled due to “mouse contamination”.

MOMA Foods is recalling various porridge pots and sachet products because of possible mouse contamination at the manufacturing site, making them “unsafe to eat”.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned consumers “do not eat” the affected products and instead return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

Sunday 22 March 2026. MOMA Foods is recalling various porridge pots and sachet products because of possible mouse contamination #FoodAlert https://t.co/ZcBEqAqWP1 pic.twitter.com/1FrDYUyX61

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) March 22, 2026

The nine MOMA Foods porridge products included in the recall, according to its website and the FSA, are:

• MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge Pot 55g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5296, M5297, M5303, M5304, M5315, M5339, M5342 (batch codes)
• MOMA Apple, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5261, M5328, M5329, M6026, M6027
• MOMA Banana & Peanut Butter Protein Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5248, M5251, M5304, M5307
• MOMA Blueberry & Vanilla Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 8pk) – M5283, M5284, M5285, M5335, M5336, M6027, M6028
• MOMA Cranberry & Raisin Porridge Pot 70g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5293, M5294, M5295, M5321, M5322, M5329, M5330, M5331
• MOMA Golden Syrup Porridge Pot 70g (1pk, 8pk and 12pk) – M5241, M5244, M5245, M5261, M5293, M5311, M5314, M5346, M5349
• MOMA Plain No-Added Sugar Porridge Pot 65g (1pk and 12pk) – M5279, M5280, M5281, M5308, M5309, M5310, M5311, M5345,
• MOMA Almond Butter & Salted Caramel Porridge Sachets 7x40g (1pk and 5pk) – M5289, M5290
• MOMA Apple, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Porridge Sachets 6x40g (1pk and 5pk) – M5293, M5294, M5295

MOMA Foods added: “Even though the chance of contamination of any of the above products being affected is low, we have taken this precautionary step to ensure the safety of our consumers.”

The company confirmed that no other products are affected.

Walkers crisp recall

(Image: PepsiCo/Mark Mackenzie)

A packet of crisps sold at UK supermarkets has been recalled by Walkers and shoppers are being warned “do not eat” the affected item.

Walkers is recalling its six-pack of Hot Honey crisps, which can be purchased from Tesco, Ocado and more retailers, because they could contain a Mild Cheese & Onion seasoning which contains milk and is not correctly labelled.

The company said: “Although this product includes precautionary allergen labelling for milk, milk is not included in the ingredients list and therefore the product poses a risk to people with an allergy to milk.”

The affected batch is the six-pack of 25g bags with a best before date of May 16, 2026 and the batch code GBB 584 031.

Hot Honey Walkers! 🔥🍯 At B&M @walkers_crisps #walkerscrisps #hothoney #crisps #wellthisisnew pic.twitter.com/T16lnbpDJU

— Well This Is New (@All_Things_New_) February 8, 2026

The Food Standards Agency  (FSA) has warned the product may contain milk, which makes it a “possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to milk or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.”

It added: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to milk do not eat it.

“Instead, please call the Consumer Care Line on 0800 274 777 or visit contact.pepsico.com/walkers to receive a full refund.”

Walkers confirmed that “no other Batch Codes on this Best Before Code are affected”.

A PepsiCo spokesperson said: “We are recalling a specific batch of Walkers Hot Honey 6 x 25g multipacks from specific UK retailers and wholesalers.

“Some of the packets may contain Mild Cheese & Onion seasoning rather than Hot Honey, meaning the product is incorrectly labelled and may pose a risk to people with an allergy to milk.

“This applies only to product with the impacted batch code.

“No other Walkers or PepsiCo products are in scope for this recall.

“The quality and safety of our products is of paramount importance to us and we sincerely apologise for the error.

“We are working with the Food Standards Agency, impacted retailers and allergen groups to inform consumers.”

Aptamil recall

Parents have been warned not to use a batch of baby formula because it may contain a toxin that could make their child ill.

Danone has recalled its Aptamil First Infant Formula because of the possible presence of cereulide toxin.

The toxin can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, and is unsafe to consume.

It is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus and is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk.

Friday 23 January: @Danone recalls Aptamil First Infant Formula because cereulide (toxin) has been found in this batch #FoodAlert https://t.co/1z8zL5bd4t pic.twitter.com/rqjkOYQFcW

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) January 23, 2026

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The impacted batch of formula has a best before date of October 31, 2026.

A Danone spokesman said: “It was sold in May – July 2025. The expiry date, batch and time can be found on the lower back of the pack.

“No other batches are affected by this notice.

“Customers who still have products from this batch can return it to the shop where they bought it for a full refund with or without a receipt.”

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: “Danone is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought any of the above product do not feed it to babies. Instead, return it to the shop where they bought it for a full refund with or without a receipt.

“For further information, contact the Aptamil Careline team on 0800 996 1000 or at www.aptaclub.co.uk .

“Even if you have not identified ill-health in your baby as a result of consumption of this product, it is essential to stop using it.

“If the infant formula was prescribed by a health professional for your infant, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing formula.

“If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals, using the most appropriate route depending on where you live, (i.e., visit your GP, call NHS 111).”

TK Maxx recall

Drinks products sold at TK Maxx and Homesense have been recalled as they pose a “potential health risk” to some shoppers.

TJX Europe is recalling its Ten Acre Gifts/Coffee Syrup collection because of the safety concerns.

The items were sold in TK Maxx and Homesense between October 2025 and January 2026 and have a best before date of September 9, 2026.

The collection may contain nuts, peanuts, soya and wheat (gluten) which are not mentioned on the label.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “This product may contain nuts, peanuts, soya and wheat (gluten) making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts, peanuts, soya, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, or with coeliac disease.

“TJX Europe is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. 

“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy and/or intolerance to any of the allergens listed above, do not eat it.

“Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. Please contact customerservice@tjxeurope.com or 01923473561, for further information.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Ryanair have a banner displayed on its website reminding customers of the change

Ryanair is advising passengers of a change to its boarding passes. And with many people set to jet away on their summer holiday soon, it’s worth remembering.

The airline’s Help Centre confirmed that, as of November 12, 2025, all boarding passes are now fully digital. A banner on Ryanair’s homepage also highlights the update, reminding travellers of the change.

On another page, it confirmed: “Ryanair has moved to 100% Digital Boarding Pass. This means all passengers will recieve a DBP to their Ryanair App when they check-in online.

“Online check-in can be completed on Ryanair.com or on the Ryanair App. You need the Ryanair App to access your digital boarding pass.”

How does it work?

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• Check-in online on Ryanair.com or Ryanair App prior to arriving at airport.
• After check-in your DBP will appear automatically in your Ryanair App.
• Present your DBP at airport security & at the boarding gate for your flight.
• Once you have checked-in online, your DBP will be available offline in the Ryanair App.

Why have Ryanair gone 100% digital for its boarding passes?

• Lowers airport costs and fares for all Ryanair passengers
• Provides a better service (including flight info) for customers on the day of travel
• Improves customer service and re-booking during flight disruptions
• Better for our environment – the airline said it “gets rid of 300 tonnes of paper annually.”
• Ryanair have confirmed check-in and ticket desks will remain available at all airports.

Discussing check-in, Ryanair say that all “passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24 hrs pre-departure. If any passenger arrives at the airport but hasn’t checked-in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”

What happens if I lose my smartphone or tablet or it dies?

Don’t worry, Ryanair have confirmed that if you’ve “already checked-in online and your smartphone or tablet is lost, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.”

The same thing will happen if your smartphone or tablet dies, and you have already checked-in online.

If you don’t have a device, Ryanair state: “If passengers don’t have a smartphone or tablet, as long as they have already checked-in online before arriving at the airport, they will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.

“However, they will not be able to access real-time flight updates or benefit from enhanced customer service during any flight disruptions.”

Do I need to pay a boarding pass re-issue fee?

The airline confirms: “Thanks to DBP, boarding pass re-issue fees will disappear as long as you have checked-in online prior to arriving at the airport.”

What happens if I don’t check-in online before arriving at the airport?

“You will be required to pay the airport check-in fee”, Ryanair said.

Concluding its advice, the airline urges people to “please download the Ryanair App, if you haven’t already. It’s the only way to access your digital boarding pass.”

You can read more FAQ’s and find out about the Digital Boarding Pass online via the Ryanair Help Centre here.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has regularly referenced two results that have been costly in the Premier League

The way two teams came into Pep Guardiola’s mind as he spoke to reporters on Friday, you get the feeling they have rarely left in the last month. When the Manchester City manager is asked about anything in the Premier League title race, he is still not over Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

Until they slipped up at home to Forest last month, conceding not one but two equalisers on a disappointing night at the Etihad, the title race was in City’s hands. It hadn’t slipped from Arsenal’s fingers, but the hard work from Guardiola and his side had earned them equal billing.

The manager made 10 changes for an FA Cup game at Newcastle later that week and enjoyed a tubthumping victory, but when the full squad came back together they were humbled 3-0 by Real Madrid and then slipped up again at West Ham. With their Champions League exit confirmed a few days after that, it was a thoroughly miserable March before the Carabao Cup final, and one that is still haunting Guardiola.

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“The gap is big. I cannot deny. Nine points. One game in hand, but you have to win. So this is big. I think Nottingham Forest and West Ham,” he said on Friday, screwing up his face before he could finish his sentence, “punished us a lot. Maybe we can do it again. But the distance is big.”

Guardiola knows it is going to take at least seven out of eight wins – with one of those being Arsenal at home – if City are to have any chance of winning the league again. Crystal Palace’s 3-0 lead over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League quarter-final means that they will not be coming to the Etihad for their postponed league game until the final weeks of the season, leaving City to appear further behind than they are.

But as the manager rues recent slips, he also could not hide how relieved he is with Erling Haaland. The goal machine has stuttered in 2026 and even in one of his better performances this year in the Carabao Cup final he was still not able to get on the scoresheet.

Three goals came against Liverpool in the FA Cup at the weekend, and Guardiola was even more effusive than the words suggest when asked about the value in Haaland scoring again.

“A lot. A lot. A lot, a lot. Erling is so important for us. Until the end of November, the goals he scored…he is a machine. I like especially the second one [against Liverpool], he made a movement. Of course the space between Van Dijk and Konate was big but he made a movement to the near post, and really good,” he beamed.

“Everyone needs a reset but sometimes a reset is not like that. It’s always in the mindset, how positive you are. That is the difference in the big, big, big players, how you immediately forget the bad shot. At the Masters, all the big players make a bogey and forget it – the next shot is perfect. That defines the biggest athletes in sports, and I think it will be a good lesson. Every season Erling will be better and better.”

Haaland has had another terrific season for scoring goals – he will likely win the Premier League Golden Boot again and could get to 40 in all competitions – yet the drop has frustrated everyone, including the player. Supporters will smile at Guardiola referencing the near-post runs given what a hot topic it has been online for months.

If Haaland is cause for City to smile again though, that can only help them as they look to leave their league setbacks in the past. Their star striker can have even more of an influence in the title race if he can show his best again in the last eight games, starting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Should all go well, Guardiola can get on the team bus out of West London thinking of The Masters rather than Forest or West Ham.

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Against Fulham, Ngumoha was Liverpool‘s biggest threat, scoring a superb curling opener with skill and precision after 36 minutes, then playing a part four minutes later when Mohamed Salah showed some of the old magic remains with a finish of similar accuracy and technique to seal a win that keeps Slot’s side in the Champions League places.

He was a constant threat on Liverpool‘s left-flank, receiving a deserved standing ovation when he was substituted after 69 minutes.

Was it to preserve energies for Tuesday? Or was it simply because Slot felt Ngumoha had done enough?

Former Liverpool midfield man Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports: “Rio gives you a great option from the bench for the PSG game, but who knows?

“If they did start him I wouldn’t be surprised, but I think right now if I’m trying to pick Liverpool‘s best team for a game, I like the midfield they ended the game with.

“It was Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, which is the midfield which pretty much won Liverpool the league last year, and I also think it might be a game where Hugo Ekitike starts as the nine, and you might need Florian Wirtz on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.

“That feels like it has a nice shape to it. With Alexander Isak to come off the bench if you need him, then also Rio to give you a bit of ‘X-Factor’.”

The odds are probably against Ngumoha starting, but most observers (including this one) would suggest he is contributing more than the subdued Gakpo.

Only Wayne Rooney, at 17 years and 51 days, and Cesc Fabregas, at 17 years and 113 days, have started a Premier League game and scored at a younger age than Liverpool‘s Ngumoha, at 17 years and 225 days.

He is a guaranteed star of the future. Will Slot be bold enough to make him a star of Liverpool‘s present by playing him against PSG?

The community centre in Moisant Street, Great Lever, has been empty since closing in 2018, being described as an ‘underutilised and deteriorating asset’ in a previous report.

But if the plans are accepted by Bolton Council‘s planning committee on Thursday, April 16, the space will be converted into a new shop with a café.

The planning report stated: “The application site is a disused community centre located within a predominantly residential area.

The Sunnyside Community Centre gates (Image: Martini)

“The proposal would bring back into use an empty building – the proposed development seeks to refurbish the building and provide facilities that would better serve the local community.

“Allowing this vacant building to be refurbished and brought back into use is to the benefit of the site and local area.”

Various community groups used the Sunnyside Centre before it was closed down in 2018, including the Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme and Sunnyside Residents Association.

After closing, Sunnyside was repeatedly targeted by vandals, including a 2022 incident which left the area strewn with canisters of nitrous oxide.

Sunnyside Centre after it was broken into and vandalised in 2022 (Image: Martini)

Executing the new plans is estimated to cost approximately £400,000.

This will see a ‘discount surplus store’ installed in the building, as well as a café and community advice spaces.

The report noted that, if the space was not regenerated in this or some other way, it “would likely require demolition”.

The proposed hours of opening are: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am-3pm Saturday, with closures on Sundays and bank holidays.

There will be changes made to the building’s windows, and some will be bricked up to allow the building to become internally single-storey.

The community centre was broken into in 2022 (Image: Public)

The existing gable roof will be replaced with a hipped roof – a type of roof where all four sides slope inwards towards a central ridge and away towards the exterior walls of the building.

The proposed works to the roof would result in the loss of the mock Tudor beam features to the North, South and West elevations of the building, though this loss is considered ‘acceptable’.

The report raised concerns around the impact the development may have on the neighbouring streets.

However, ‘it is considered that the public benefits to the community as a result of the proposal outweigh the Officer’s concerns regarding the impact on the immediately adjacent roads.’

The planning committee are recommended to approve the application.

Vice-President JD Vance has said that the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement following lengthy peace talks in Pakistan.

The delegations met in Islamabad, Pakistan during a temporary ceasefire.

Vance said the US “could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms”. Halting Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been a “core goal” that wasn’t reached.

Iran’s foreign ministry says the talks were “intensive”, and called on Washington to refrain from “excessive demands and unlawful requests”.

Follow this story live.

Nicole Michelle Dolby was found by her daughter lying unresponsive in her bed and sadly declared dead by paramedics on February 23.

An inquest into her death at her Westwood Close home was formally opened at Bolton Coroner’s Court on Friday, April 10.

Police coroner’s officer Julieann Hyde told the coroner that a police investigation was launched into the 37-year-old’s death, but “there doesn’t appear to be any suspicious circumstances”.

The cause of Nicole’s death was given as 1A combined drug toxicity, and her body has since been released to her family.

HM senior coroner for Manchester West, Timothy Brennand, requested a statement from her GP, including patient records, and addiction services to be approached to see if she was known to them.

He also asked for GMP’s special procedures investigation report and a final toxicology report with all evidence to be submitted before May 22.

Mr Brennand adjourned the inquest until 10am on July 2, 2026, to be heard by Assistant Coroner Ceri Owen.

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Family and friends have paid tribute to young dad-of-one as a fundraiser is launched for young daughter.

Tributes have poured in for a young Celtic dad who lost his life aged just 20 in a tragic motorbike crash in Greenock.

Josh Renfrew has been named by family as the man who died in the fatal crash on Friday, April 10, after a dirt bike crashed into a parked car.

Josh, from Greenock, was dad to a one-year-old daughter and a fundraiser has been launched to help his child and partner in the wake of the tragedy, which has already raised over £11,000 in less than 12 hours.

Josh’s heartbroken dad Stewart Bell paid tribute to him online. He said: “Yesterday we lost our boy Josh Renfrew. He sadly passed away far too young.

“Yesterday was the hardest day we have ever faced and today feels worse.

“He was my boy and my friend and am so proud to have called you my son.

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“I promise to look after your mum, Sean, Nadia and Ella for you and make sure you live in Ella and she knows you were the best dad.

“My heart’s broken and don’t know how we will ever be the same. Sleep tight ma boy.”

His mum Jacqueline Strachan shared a photo Josh in a matching Celtic strip with his daughter.

She said: “Life will never be the same. Forever young my boy.”

Josh’s aunt, Louise Strachan, who started the GoFundMe said: “We are all totally heartbroken with the worse news a mother, partner, family, could ever recieve. We lost Josh on the 10th of April due to a motorbike accident at the age of 20 years old and I thought making this page will help his gorgeous baby Ella, partner Nadia and his mum through such a hard difficult time.”

Dozens of other tributes have been paid in the community with Josh being described as a “lovely boy”.

One person said: “Fly high Josh. Forever young. Thoughts to all his family especially his wee baby girl.”

“Love and strength to his partner and baby girl plus all his family and friends,” another added.

Another person commented: “So tragic heart goes out to his family and friends at this time. You’ll be missed Josh rest in peace.”

Police were called to Earnhill Road, at the Larkfield industrial estate, after the alarm was raised at around 3.35pm on Friday, April 10.

Officers from Police Scotland were responding to reports of a crash involving an orange KTM off-road motorbike and a yellow MG 3 Sport, which was parked at the time.

Ambulance crews attended, however police confirmed earlier today that the rider of the bike, a 20-year-old man, was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

The road was taped off to allow enquiries to be carried out and reopened around 6pm. Detectives are now appealing for information.

Sergeant John Houston said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has died. Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the crash and may have witnessed what happened to contact us.

“In addition, anyone who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage is asked to get in touch as this may be able to assist.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting reference 2079 of 10 April 2026.

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