Experts have explained how to figure out what you need, and how to save money of your purchase

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To help students thinking about an upgrade, experts at Currys have compiled their top tips to picking the right laptop for you. Matthew Higginson, head of category at Currys, said: “For most students, a laptop is going to be at the heart of university life, so the start of a new term is a good opportunity to make sure your tech is ready for the years ahead.

“Our advice is to start with what your course requires, how and where you will be studying, and what you need your laptop to handle. That will help you prioritise the features you genuinely need. The aim should not be to simply buy the most powerful laptop you can afford, but to choose the right technology for the way you are going to study.

“If your current device is starting to struggle, upgrading can bring noticeable improvements to everything from everyday speed and multitasking to battery life and connectivity.”

Matthew said that if your dream device is slightly out of reach then trading in or getting a refurbished model may get it back in budget.

“If you do decide it’s time to refresh your laptop, there are ways to make your budget go further, from considering refurbished devices to trading in tech you no longer use,” he said.

The experts’ guide to getting the right device

1. Start with your course, not the laptop

Before buying anything, check what your course is going to ask of your laptop. An English student primarily researching and drafting essays is going to have very different requirements to someone studying architecture, engineering or video production.

It is worth checking whether your university recommends particular programmes, operating systems or minimum specifications before you buy. Some specialist software may work better on certain devices, so doing that homework upfront can stop you paying for performance you do not need or discovering a few weeks into term that your laptop struggles with something essential to your course.

2. Think beyond first year

If you are buying a new laptop, don’t just think about what you will need during your first few weeks at university. Consider what your workload could look like in your second or final year too.

Projects often become larger and more demanding as a degree progresses, particularly if you move into specialist software, data-heavy assignments, dissertations or creative work. Spending in the right places now can help you choose something capable of keeping up throughout your course, rather than finding yourself needing another upgrade halfway through.

3. Do not underestimate portability and battery life

Remember that your laptop could spend as much time in your bag as it does on your desk. If you are moving between lectures, the library and your accommodation every day, weight and battery life can matter just as much as processing power.

For most students, a 13 or 14-inch laptop strikes a good balance between having enough screen space to work comfortably and still being easy to carry around campus.

Larger 15 or 16-inch screens can be useful for subjects such as design, architecture or engineering, but they will generally take up more room and add extra weight.

Good battery life is another feature that can make a huge difference. The less time you spend hunting for a plug socket between lectures, the better.

4. Know which specs are worth paying for

With so many processors, storage options and specifications to choose from, it can be easy to assume more is always better. What we would encourage students to do is match the specification to the job they need their laptop to do.

For most, 16GB of RAM is a good starting point for comfortably switching between research tabs, documents, lectures and everyday applications. Students continually working with more demanding creative or technical programmes may benefit from 32GB, alongside a more powerful processor or graphics capability.

Storage matters too. A 512GB SSD should give most students a useful balance of space and speed, while people working with large video, design or project files may want additional storage or to combine it with cloud or external storage.

5. Pay attention to the everyday details

Processor speeds and storage tend to get the headlines, but the features you notice every day can be just as important.

Think about the keyboard you will potentially be typing thousands of words on, whether the screen is comfortable for long study sessions and the quality of the webcam and microphone for online lectures or group work.

Connections are worth checking too. USB-C can make connecting newer accessories and storage much easier, while an HDMI port can be useful when you need to plug into a monitor, projector or university display. Finding out you need three different adapters five minutes before a presentation is something most students would rather avoid.

6. Think about what a newer laptop could unlock

If your current laptop is starting to struggle with everyday tasks, upgrading to a newer device can make a noticeable difference to how smoothly you work.

Faster performance paired with AI capabilities can help when you’re switching between research, documents, video calls and multiple applications, while newer devices can also offer improvements in areas like battery efficiency, connectivity and everyday responsiveness

For students using more demanding creative or technical software, the difference can be even more noticeable. Ultimately, an upgrade should be about making your laptop work harder for you – spending less time waiting for programmes to load or worrying about whether your device can keep up, and more time focusing on the work itself.

7. Ask for help if the specs start sounding like you need a degree to understand them

Laptop specifications can quickly become a wall of numbers and acronyms, and students should not feel like they need to become a computer expert before they buy one.

The simple approach is to start with three things: what you are studying, the programmes you need to run and your budget. From there, experts can help translate that into the type of laptop and specification that makes sense for you, rather than simply pointing you towards the most expensive option.

By MARTIN BECKFORD, POLICY EDITOR and SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 00:25 BST, 26 August 2026 | Updated: 09:54 BST, 26 August 2026

Britons will be urged by the Government to stock up on tinned food and bottled water in case of emergencies.

A new public information drive will encourage households to prepare for severe disruption from events such as extreme weather, cyber attacks or hostile state action.

The national resilience campaign will highlight simple steps people can take to keep themselves and their families safe in a crisis where power or water supplies are taken out, or shops are forced to close.

It comes as several incidents, including extreme heat, flooding and cyber attacks, have transpired over the last few months both in the UK and across the globe.

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Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, is said to be organising crisis planning across various Whitehall departments to support aid being given to impacted communities more quickly. 

A Government official told the Financial Times: ‘There will be practical advice on things you can do to improve domestic resilience, like having some bottled water and tinned food.’

But the source insisted: ‘It will be common sense, not scaremongering.’

Ministers are also stepping up work on national security by updating the so-called ‘war book’ that sets out how departments respond to major threats.

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The Government sent a ‘severe alert’ to all mobile phones about the risk of wildfires

The biggest home defence exercise in decades will take place next year ‘to ensure that should the worst ever happen, we will always be ready’, MPs were told last month.

It comes after Andy Burnham ordered loud emergency alerts to be sent to all mobile phones in England and Wales earlier this month, warning of the danger posed by wildfires.

During his Makerfield by-election campaign, the Prime Minister repeatedly voiced his concerns about the threat of flooding and the government’s inadequate response and planning to such natural disasters. 

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Downing Street insisted the move was ‘entirely appropriate ‘, but many said the system should be reserved for more urgent threats to life such as terror attacks.

Charities and domestic abuse survivors also criticised the alert for risking the safety of those potentially hiding secret phones. 

Meanwhile, at the weekend it emerged that hackers linked to Iran managed to shut down a power plant in the UK last month.

Before departing No. 10, Sir Keir Starmer had warned Russia could launch an attack on a Nato country in the next four years, western intelligence assessments had indicated.

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On Monday, Burnham accused the Kremlin of ‘outrageous threats’ against the UK after the country warned of retaliation over Britain’s support of Ukraine. 

Putin had been advised the new incumbent in No10 would be ‘softer than [Sir Keir] Starmer’.

But the Russian president’s hopes were dashed by the Prime Minister’s moves to fortify the UK-Ukraine military alliance in recent weeks, swapping missile blueprints and battlefield AI with Moscow’s enemy.

Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the exchange would add ‘fuel to the fire’ and impact moves towards peace talks.

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‘Britain is involved in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime,’ he said.

‘Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel ‌to the fire, and methodically and regularly hatches schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peaceful settlement process.’

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: ‘Safeguarding national security is the first priority of any government.

‘We’re committed to raising awareness of simple steps households can take to make themselves more resilient, as well as driving forward the Home Defence Programme to build our country’s preparedness for various threats.’

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Dolly Parton has left fans one final gift with an unreleased song which is set to be released on her 100th birthday in 20 years time. 

It was announced on Tuesday that the music icon had died at the age of 80, with her death confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver. 

And as fans mourn the death of the Jolene hitmaker, she has one more track for fans kept on a CD in a locked box at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Tennessee.

Titled ‘My Place In History,’ Dolly wrote the song back in 2015, the same year she opened the DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

‘I don’t know if I want to live to be 100 or not. But you never know,’ Dolly wrote in her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. 

‘I might, and if I do, I’m going to be at that opening.’

Titled ‘My Place In History’, Dolly wrote the song back in 2015, and it is kept on a CD in a locked box at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Tennessee

‘There’s no telling what music is going to be by then,’ she joked: ‘Hopefully, it will play and the whole thing ain’t rotted.’

The song is contained in a chestnut ‘Dream Box’ displayed in a glass case and also features a piece of wood from the front porch of her childhood home in Sevierville, Tennessee, where she grew up singing with her 11 siblings.

Dolly‘s private cancer battle has been revealed following the heartbreaking news of her death at the age of 80 on Tuesday.

The legendary country singer’s death shocked the world and came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fuelling fan fears for her wellbeing. 

Those close to the singer said she had both become increasingly reclusive and secretive about her own ill health in recent months. 

And now, Dolly’s representatives revealed she died following a ‘brief battle with cancer‘ in a statement to People, though they did not disclose what type of cancer it was.

‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,’ the statement read.

‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.’

Her representatives also highlighted the extraordinary reach of Parton’s ‘unmatched generosity’, noting she touched the lives of countless people she would never meet and was always ready to ‘offer a helping hand’. 

‘Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.’

Despite her cancer battle, Parton remained optimistic and leaned on her deep Christian faith for strength in the last few months.

‘I don’t know if I want to live to be 100 or not. But you never know,’ Dolly wrote in her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics (pictured in 2014) 

‘From the time that Dolly Parton was born, she was surrounded by faith, by God, by Jesus. Her grandfather was a preacher. Even in her Broadway show, she shows how much faith means to her,’ a source told People.

Meanwhile audience members gasped as news of the singer’s death was announced minutes before a performance of 9 To 5: The Musical.

The news broke just as the cast of 9 To 5: The Musical, which is touring the UK after a hit West End run, were about to go on stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing, West Sussex. 

Actress Karla Tracey, who plays Parton’s character Doralee in the production, broke the news to the shocked audience on opening night.

‘Before we begin tonight’s performance of 9 to 5,’ Tracey told the crowd, ‘we would like to take a moment to remember the remarkable Dolly Parton, who has sadly passed away today.

She continued after audible gasps around the theatre: ‘9 to 5 was originally written and produced by Dolly, whose extraordinary talent, creativity, and spirit are woven into every part of this work.

‘Tonight, we will perform the piece as she intended with great respect and affection for the woman whose vision brought it to life.’

‘As we begin, we dedicate tonight’s performance to Dolly Parton, with our deepest thanks for the music, laughter and joy she gave us.’

Paul Jepson, Landmark Theatres chief executive and the musical’s director, said in a statement: ‘We would like to take a moment to remember the remarkable Dolly Parton.

‘Our thoughts are with Dolly’s family, friends and all those around the world who loved and admired her.

‘It has been an honour for all of us to work on this show, originally written and produced by Dolly, whose extraordinary talent, creativity and spirit are woven into every part.’

The country-music icon’s cause of death has been confirmed by her family

Country music star Dolly Parton died after a “brief battle with cancer”, her publicist said. In a statement to media outlets, her publicist Marcel Pariseau said: “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

The singer, 80, was best known for her genre-defining hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene. The statement continued: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.”

The type of cancer was not disclosed. Parton’s death was announced late on Tuesday via an Instagram video by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as the singer’s head of security.

He said it was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness”, to share the news of her death, adding: “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”

Parton’s husband Carl Dean died last year, aged 82.

Flags will be lowered throughout America in Parton’s honour, US President Donald Trump announced, posting on Truth Social “there has never been anyone like her”.

An oncologist has explained the common cancer symptoms people should look for – including some that are ignored or overlooked.

Persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss or a cough that refuses to go away are often blamed on getting older, a busy lifestyle or a lingering virus. But according to one cancer specialist, these are among the symptoms that people too often ignore for months before finally seeking medical advice.

While most ongoing symptoms will have a harmless explanation, doctors say it’s important not to dismiss changes that are persistent, unexplained or noticeably different from what’s normal for you. Knowing when something deserves further investigation can make all the difference.

Dr Jiri Kubes, radiation oncologist and Medical Director at Proton Therapy Center, said one of the biggest misconceptions is that cancer always causes severe pain or dramatic symptoms from the outset. In reality, early warning signs are often subtle and can easily be mistaken for far more common conditions.

He said: “One symptom on its own rarely points to cancer, and the vast majority of people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer. The important thing is persistence. If something continues for several weeks, keeps returning or simply doesn’t feel right for you, it’s always worth getting checked rather than assuming it will eventually go away.”

Persistent fatigue

Everyone feels tired after a busy week or a few poor nights’ sleep, but persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest is something doctors take more seriously. It can affect your ability to work, exercise or carry out everyday activities and often feels very different from ordinary tiredness.

Dr Kubes said: “Cancer-related fatigue is often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that doesn’t improve with sleep. There are many possible explanations, including anaemia, thyroid disorders, infections and poor sleep, but persistent fatigue should always be discussed with your GP if it isn’t improving.”

A cough that won’t go away

Most coughs caused by viral infections settle within a few weeks, but one that persists or gradually worsens should not simply be ignored. This is particularly true if it’s accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain or coughing up blood.

“A persistent cough doesn’t automatically mean cancer,” Dr Kubes said. “In fact, there are many more common causes. However, if it continues beyond a few weeks or behaves differently from a typical cough, it’s sensible to have it assessed.”

Unexplained weight loss

Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine can sometimes be an early sign that something isn’t quite right. Although many conditions can cause unexpected weight loss, it’s one of the symptoms doctors always want to investigate.

Dr Kubes said: “If you’re losing weight despite eating normally and haven’t intentionally changed your lifestyle, it’s important to understand why. Often there will be another explanation, but it’s not something that should simply be overlooked.”

He added: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Cancer doesn’t always announce itself dramatically, and many of the early warning signs are vague and easily explained by more common conditions.

“The important thing isn’t to become anxious about every cough or ache, but to pay attention to symptoms that persist, keep returning or simply don’t feel normal for you. In many cases they’ll turn out to have a harmless explanation, but if something more serious is going on, getting it checked early gives us the best possible chance of diagnosing and treating it successfully.”

Councillor Simon Fawthrop, Bromley council’s executive councillor for transport and highways, said, “We have already raised concerns with Lime that they appear to be operating without our consent in part of our borough, with their map allowing hiring use in Penge in the last few weeks.

By TARA ANSON-WALSH, FOOTBALL REPORTER

Published: 08:46 BST, 26 August 2026 | Updated: 09:15 BST, 26 August 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s relationship with new Al Nassr boss Ange Postecoglou already appears to be under scrutiny just three matches into the season. 

Al Nassr completed a remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat rivals Al Ettifaq 3-2 on Tuesday, but it was no thanks to Ronaldo, who earns an astronomical £488,000 a day, that the reigning champions claimed all three points.

The visitors appeared to be heading for defeat after enduring a disastrous first half which saw goalkeeper Bento sent off in the 12th minute for a challenge on former Fulham midfielder Mousa Dembele after rushing out of his box.

Al Ettifaq capitalised, with Ondrej Duda and Alvaro Medran finding the back of the net to take a two-goal lead into half-time.

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Ronaldo, who was making his first start of the season following his return from the summer’s World Cup, cut a frustrated figure as he headed towards the dressing room at the break.

The 41-year-old forward was seen angrily gesturing and removing his captain’s armband as he walked down the tunnel.

Postecoglou then boldly opted to remove Ronaldo before the start of the second half in what turned out to be an inspired move.

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Ronaldo couldn’t help but hide his frustration after enduring a disastrous first half which saw the reigning champions trail by two goals and reduced to 10 men

He was seen angrily gesturing and removing his captain’s armband as he walked down the tunnel at half-time

Postecoglou then boldly opted to remove Ronaldo before the start of the second half in what turned out to be an inspired move

Sadio Mane sparked the revival in the 74th minute before defender Abdulelah Al Amri levelled the match three minutes later. Mane then found the back of the net again in the 90th minute to complete the turnaround and seal victory.

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Footage of the post-match celebrations showed no sign of Ronaldo celebrating the victory, while Postecoglou refused to indulge questions about his controversial call to drop the Portugal star after the match.

‘I think there’s a bigger story today, and that is that ten men of Al Nassr were unbelievable. That’s all you should write about today, everything else doesn’t matter. 

‘It doesn’t matter what team because if you see 10 men in those conditions for so long, 2-0 down to come back, that’s the only story today.’

Controversy appears to have followed Ronaldo since his move to the Middle East in January 2023, following his public fallout with Manchester United.

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At the beginning of the year Ronaldo went on strike over what he felt was a lack of financial backing of his Al Nassr compared to their title rivals Al Hilal. Both clubs are majority owned by The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Ronaldo was convinced that Al Hilal are getting preferential treatment, and he was particularly angry that they strengthened their squad by bringing in players such as his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema during the January window.

Saudi officials, meanwhile, were surprised that Ronaldo was unhappy given he is earning nearly £500,000 a day. 

Footage of the post-match celebrations showed no sign of Ronaldo celebrating the victory

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Ange Postecoglou:

“I think there’s a bigger story today, and that’s that the ten Al Nassr players put in an incredible performance. That’s all you should be writing about today.”
pic.twitter.com/7jSMfBAtqp

— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) August 26, 2026

Although Ronaldo is the face of the SPL, the league issued a statement firing back at the Portuguese star by reaffirming that he has no say on what happens at clubs outside of his own.

‘The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,’ they said.

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‘Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.

‘Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.’

Ronaldo claimed his first league title with Al Nassr last season.

Swapping cigarettes for vapes does not put users ‘at risk of serious harm’ – is the surprising conclusion of a major review into e-cigarette safety.

Experts behind the report promoted the use of the devices as a stop-smoking treatment, saying doctors should be ‘reassured’ of their safety. 

The review also found that e-cigarettes are at least two thirds more effective at stopping people smoking than nicotine gum and patches. 

The advice comes a week after the publication of a stark review that linked vaping to a host of health conditions in young people, including respiratory problems including wheezing and coughing, depression and panic disorders.  

The authors, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), also found a higher incidence of allergies, sleep and eye symptoms in young vapers. 

‘There is much we do not yet know about [vaping’s] long term impact on children and young people…but a clear and concerning picture is emerging,’ said the College’s Vice President for policy, Dr Mike McKean.

Meanwhile, paediatrician and author of last week’s study, Professor Will Carroll, said vaping ‘should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up,’ adding that it is ‘clearly linked with respiratory symptoms and nicotine dependence’.

However, the authors of the new review, published in the prestigious Cochrane Library, argue that the risks of vapes ‘pale in comparison’ to smoking.

‘With every update, the evidence has become stronger that vapes play a crucial role in supporting people trying to quit smoking,’ Dr Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, senior author of the review from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said. 

‘Based on the consistency of the findings here, it’s clear they are not only substantially less harmful than smoking, but a proven and viable option for people wishing to quit traditional cigarettes.’ 

The number of Britons aged under 16 who vape overtook the number of smokers of the same age for the first time this year, official figures show. 

Prof Carroll told the Daily Mail that the new report neglects the risk of the devices to young people.

‘One person’s exit from the perils of tobacco smoking might be a child’s entry into a lifetime of nicotine addiction and subsequent poorer health,’ he said. 

A full UK-wide ban on selling vapes and nicotine products to under-18s is already law and will come into force on 29 October. 

This will make it illegal to sell any nicotine or vape product to anyone under 18 including nicotine vapes, nicotine free vapes, e-liquids and nicotine pouches.

Adults who buy or attempt to buy vapes or nicotine products for under-18s will also be committing an offence. 

Vaping in cars carrying anyone under 18 will also be banned in England under government plans to reduce the harms caused by smoking and vaping.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the measures it is proposing are needed, given the growing evidence about the dangers of heated tobacco and vaping. 

Around 5.4 million adults now use e-cigarettes daily or occasionally, compared with 4.9 million who smoke. This means one in 10 adults now vape.

Research shows that one in two smokers will die from smoking-related disease, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and stroke. 

Despite this, many smokers, who may have been hooked on nicotine for decades, find it difficult to stop.

Vapes are handheld devices that work by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine and flavourings. Nicotine is then inhaled as a vapour, rather than smoke. 

For this reason, it has been suggested that regulated vapes are safer than traditional cigarettes because they do not expose users to the same levels of toxic chemicals.

However, another study involving more than 4.5million ex-smokers and published in the journal Nature Medicine last month found that swapping cigarettes for vapes may not reduce the risk of lung cancer. 

 Results showed that those who took up vaping to help them quit traditional smoking had a significantly higher risk of the disease, compared to those who kicked the habit entirely. 

For the latest review, researchers analysed 80 studies involving 29,861 adult smokers that assessed the effectiveness of vapes for smoking cessation. 

The University of Massachusetts scientists compared the results of different interventions over the course of six months, as well as side effects.

Vapes were compared with traditional nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum, drugs used to help people stop smoking, and therapy.

The authors also compared the outcomes of nicotine-free vapes and those with the addictive substance. 

The researchers found more people stop smoking for at least six months with vapes than with any other conventional method. 

Around 10 per cent of smokers using vapes quit successfully, compared to five per cent of those receiving no support or behavioural support alone. 

Nicotine e-cigarettes led to higher quit rates than nicotine gums and patches – about four more quitters per 100 people; a difference of around 67 per cent.

While there appeared to be no difference in the number of serious side effects reported, the researchers conceded this may be because their study only included regulated e-cigarettes. 

‘Not all e-cigarettes are the same,’ Dr Hartmann-Boyce explained. ‘The harms we hear about are often from unregulated vaping devices that may contain psychoactive substances like THC.

‘And the vaping devices assessed in this review are probably very different from what a teenager may be using.’ 

The review only followed participants for two years – and could have missed longer-term complications, the authors added. 

The researchers concluded that while vaping is not risk free, it is considerably less harmful than smoking – which is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the UK. 

Data released in July from Action on Smoking and Health found that over half of British adults who smoke believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking. 

‘The misconceptions matter,’ Dr Hartmann-Boyce said. ‘People who switch entirely from smoking to vaping an e-cigarette are likely to substantially improve their health.

‘The advice remains largely the same – we know these are useful tools to help people quit smoking and we feel more confident in those results now.’ 

The harms of vaping are said to lie with exposure to heated chemicals – this is thought to be toxic to lung tissue.

In the UK, smokers looking to quit have a growing range of options available. 

Alongside nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and gum, some GP practices and stop smoking services can offer prescription medicines including varenicline, cytisine and bupropion.

Nicotine vapes have also been offered on the NHS since 2023 to patients attempting to kick cigarettes. 

However, there is growing concern that vaping is not as nearly as safe as once thought.

The researchers, meanwhile, stressed that while the best approach will vary from person to person, combining vaping with behavioural support often gives smokers the best chance of success. 

Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter, based on Northolt Drive in Great Lever, has been shortlisted in the Best Animal Rescue/Charity category at the Pet Industry Business Awards 2026.

The awards celebrate businesses and charities across the animal sector, with winners determined through nominations and recommendations from customers, supporters and members of the public.

The shelter, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, said it was “extremely heartwarming and humbling” to be nominated by its supporters.

In response to the nomination, management praised the dedication of staff, highlighting the physical and emotional challenges of caring for vulnerable animals.

A spokesperson for the shelter said: “To be recognised by our supporters is unexpected and a fabulous boost to morale during a difficult time at the shelter.

“Long days, early starts and animals that rely on us to survive can be taxing both physically and mentally for our team, but they take every day in their stride.

“To be nominated in the Best Animal Rescue/Charity category is all thanks to their tireless work and commitment to the animals who need us most.”

The nomination comes at a particularly challenging time for the shelter, which recently had to temporarily close and launch an emergency fundraising appeal following a ringworm outbreak that affected both animals in its care and several staff members.

Despite the difficulties, the recognition has provided a welcome morale boost for the team as they continue working to recover and support vulnerable animals in need.

The shelter said the nomination was particularly meaningful because it came from supporters rather than through a direct award entry.

“It is touching to know that we have been nominated not because we entered, not because we campaigned for it, but because our supporters chose us,

“They took time out of their day to say ‘this rescue matters’.”

Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter is now encouraging supporters, volunteers, fosterers and members of the public to submit nominations and share their support online.

Supporters wishing to nominate the shelter can do so through the PIBA website by selecting the Best Animal Rescue/Charity category and entering the charity’s details.

The charity said the recognition highlights not only how far it has come, but also the difference it continues to make for animals and pet owners across the community.

For the team at Destitute Animal Shelter, the nomination itself is already a significant achievement.

“We are so thankful to have such a wonderful bank of supporters, volunteers, sponsors and fosterers,

“To be recognised for how far we have come, the difference we have made, and the lives we have yet to impact is a real boost to the Destitute Animal Shelter.”

Summit Foods is recalling various filled wraps, including its Chicken Fajita Wrap and Snacksters Hoi Sin Wrap.

Shoppers are being warned not to eat the products listed and instead to return them to stores immediately.

Shoppers warned ‘do not eat’ chicken wraps sold in Aldi and Morrisons due to recall

Friday 21 August – Summit Foods is recalling various products because of possible contamination with Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) #FoodAlert https://t.co/MGnLjK0Al6 pic.twitter.com/OMs3rdsvoY

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) August 21, 2026

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The recall includes various wraps that shoppers may have purchased, all of which have use-by dates up to and including September 5, 2026.

They are:

• Snacksters Chicken Fajita Wrap
• Snacksters Hoi Sin Wrap
• East Street Deli Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap
• Target a Snack Chicken Fajita Wrap

Summit Foods has said the affected products may possibly be contaminated with E.coli.

Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain and occasionally haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is advised to stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others.

Those who have already purchased any of the wraps have been urged to return the product.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “If you have bought the above product, do not consume it.

“Instead, dispose of the product and provide proof of purchase on sales@summitfoods.co.uk, stating when and where it was purchased, for a refund.”

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

Have you had to return a product due to a recall before? Let us know in the comments.