Gardeners will be relieved to hear that there is less chores to do in the garden this spring as they are being asked to stop mowing lawns and leave weeds alone to help their local wildlife.

Gardeners are being urged to down their trowels and hold off on mowing this spring, as dandelions serve as a vital lifeline for one of Britain’s most vulnerable species. April is notoriously one of the most challenging months for bees, as they are only just emerging from winter and urgently need to begin foraging to rebuild their colonies.

Unfortunately, relatively few flowers are in bloom across the UK at this time of year, and those that are often too immature to supply bees with the pollen they desperately require. Helen Keating, a botanist with the Woodland Trust, is calling on gardeners to reconsider their spring tidying habits, as weeds represent one of the few reliable food sources bees can depend upon during the early spring months.

She said: “Lawn weeds such as dandelions are excellent bee plants, providing vital pollen early in the season. White clover attracts masses of honeybees, while the longer tongued bumblebees prefer red clover.

“If you can’t bear to let your lawn grow, consider leaving a patch that’s less frequently mown to give them a chance to flower.”

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While an overgrown, weed-filled garden may be an unwelcome sight, the consequences of bees failing to find sufficient nectar at this time of year could prove catastrophic for our ecosystems.

Queen bees face a very real risk of starvation in early spring without adequate food sources, meaning countless colonies may never get the chance to establish themselves.

Any established hive colonies will be depleted of energy and experiencing significant stress, meaning they’ll produce considerably weaker bees later in the year, reports the Express.

Britain’s bee population is already declining at an alarming rate, with two species having already become extinct, so simply maintaining a slightly untidy garden now can genuinely benefit your local wildlife.

Flowers, fruit and vegetable plants depend heavily on pollination, and without it their growth capacity will decline dramatically, which not only damages gardens but on a broader scale makes farming increasingly challenging.

Fewer plants growing will trigger a domino effect on wildlife such as birds and other insects, who’ll also struggle to locate food and become more vulnerable to extinction.

Mowing less frequently, tolerating a few weeds or even allowing a small section of your lawn to grow wild is amongst the simplest ways to help your local bee population flourish in spring.

Dandelions, particularly, are brilliant for bees as they’re protein-rich, so simply leaving them undisturbed is an effortless method to support wildlife.

It’ll also prove enormously beneficial to cultivate wildflowers in your garden at this time of year, and there are specific crops that’ll also reach maturity now for bees to pollinate, such as apple and wild cherry trees.

If you absolutely must tackle weeds, then it’s strongly advised to avoid chemical solutions as they’ll kill bees, and there are natural methods to eliminate dandelions that won’t harm any wildlife.

Four alpacas have died after being mauled to death by two dogs at a farm in Cambridgeshire.

Two other alpacas were left with facial injuries requiring veterinary care after two dogs attacked livestock at a farm in Wisbech St Mary.

Pictures of the injured alpacas show bloodied noses and part of their fur missing from their face.

The Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) were called to reports of two dogs attacking livestock at 6.30am on March 24.

Officers seized the dogs involved in the attack, and an investigation remains ongoing.

The team said the recent dog attack on livestock marks the latest in a worrying string of incidents.

Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the RCAT, said: ‘This was an extremely distressing incident for all involved, and I would like to thank the victim and the dog owner for continuing to be cooperative with our investigation.

‘Livestock worrying is a criminal offence under UK law. Following the introduction of the Dogs Protection of Livestock Amendment Act 2025 last month, llamas and alpacas are now included in the definition of livestock.’

He also issued a reminder to all dog owners to ‘ensure their animals are kept secure and on a lead in the rural areas of our county in a bid to keep all animals safe’.

The attack comes less than a month after the UK government made it law that police can now detain any dogs that could attack cattle, sheep and other livestock.

The advice from RCAT for dog owners also include observing local signage and seasonal rules, prevent pets from escaping by checking fences and gates are secure, and be extra vigilant and aware of surroundings.

The team added ‘only allow dogs off lead in areas free of livestock’ and urged owners to call 101 immediately if their dog is involved in an incident.

Their advice for farmers and landowners include installing clear signage reminfing walkers of the legal requirement, position troughs away from public paths and consider deterrents like electric fencing.

Officers also suggest farmers and landowners can install CCTV to record evidence or take photographs of injuries and cover carcasses to retain DNA evidence.

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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Permits that have been bought will be refunded by the council

Parking enforcement in part of Cambridge has been partially scaled back due to unclear signs. Cambridgeshire County Council said on-street checks have identified issues with “the clarity and placement” of some signs relating to the Milton Road Resident Parking Scheme.

It means that drivers have been left confused over which parking restrictions apply and where. The scheme’s original design had aimed to reduce the number of signs, particularly along longer stretches of road with multiple marked bays. But the authority said that a marked bay without any required upright signage could be interpreted by drivers as unrestricted parking. On‑street checks have confirmed that this approach has led to a lack of clarity in some areas, they added.

The parking scheme applies to around 27 roads in the Milton area of Cambridge. It involves people purchasing permits that cost between £35 and £105 per year in order to park in that part of the city.

A notice on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website said: “The County Council is carrying out a detailed ground survey to identify where additional signage is required and where changes to existing signage are needed to improve clarity and legal compliance. This may include installing new signs, as well as moving, replacing, removing or updating existing signs to ensure correct spacing and that the correct restrictions are clearly displayed. This work will ensure the scheme is clear, consistent and fully enforceable. At this stage, the Council is not able to provide a definitive timeline for completion.

“While this work is being completed, the scheme cannot be fully enforced in all areas. During this period, enforcement will be limited to double yellow lines and single yellow lines during their signed hours of operation.”

The review and signage improvement works are expected to take ‘several months’, the council added. All Milton Road parking permits already purchased, including resident, temporary resident, tradesperson and visitor permits, will be refunded. Any new permit applications received before the work is completed will not be processed.

Milton Road Permits (visitor, resident or tradesperson) bought on or after February 2, 2026 will be refunded fully by the end of April. Resident permits bought before this date (for the previous Ascham scheme) will be refunded pro-rata from when the scheme merged on February 2.

Once the scheme meets all legal requirements, residents will be invited to apply for permits again. The six‑month post‑implementation review of the scheme will begin once it is fully operational.

A powerful 5.8 magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan has claimed the lives of at least eight members of a refugee family on the outskirts of Kabul. The victims, who had recently returned from neighbouring Iran, were killed when the tremor struck on Friday night.

A three-year-old boy, the sole survivor, sustained injuries and is currently receiving hospital treatment in the capital. Mohibullah Niazi, a neighbour who assisted in the rescue efforts, confirmed the family’s tragic fate.

Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, confirmed on Saturday that the overall death toll from the quake had risen to 12, with an additional four people injured. However, the Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority reported a lower figure, stating nine fatalities. The reason for the differing casualty figures was not immediately apparent.

Mr Fitrat also detailed the destruction, noting that five homes were completely destroyed and 33 others significantly damaged, impacting 40 families across the provinces of Kabul, Panjshir, Logar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan.

The family near Kabul were among the millions of Afghan refugees who have recently returned from Iran and Pakistan, after both countries launched crackdowns in 2023 on foreigners – particularly Afghans – living in their countries.

They had arrived 15 days ago and were living in a tent on land next to Mr Niazi’s home.

The family head, Najibullah, who was about 50 years old, “had no other shelter”, Mr Niazi said.

“He was a very poor person.”

The family had set their tent up next to a wall separating the plot of land from Mr Niazi’s home, which stood on higher ground, in the village of Ittefaq on the eastern outskirts of the Afghan capital.

Heavy rains over the past several days, which have led to deadly floods in many parts of Afghanistan, had left the ground sodden and soft.

When the earthquake struck, the wall collapsed on the family.

“My daughter shouted to me that a wall had fallen on them. The whole family ran, but there were so many big rocks,” Mr Niazi recounted as he stood at the scene.

“We tried our best.”

On Saturday morning, piles of bricks and mud were all that were left, along with blankets, cooking utensils and other personal belongings salvaged from the rubble and set into a pile.

“For about three minutes, I could hear the voices of these people,” Mr Niazi said.

“But we couldn’t do anything. There were two or three of us, but this was not the work of three people.”

Neighbours soon rushed to help, digging through the mud and rubble with spades and their hands.

They alerted the local Taliban police checkpoint, which sent rescuers and ambulances.

The young boy, Aarash, was pulled out alive but injured, and rushed to hospital.

Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman, who visited the boy on Saturday, said he was being treated for a severe head injury.

For the rest of the family – the father and mother, four daughters aged between 12 and 23, and two sons – it was too late.

The rescuers could only recover their bodies.

Mr Niazi said he had hosted the family in his own home one night.

On Friday, just half an hour before the earthquake struck, he had renewed the offer, telling the family they could spend the night in his own guest room to shelter from the cold and rain.

“But they did not come with me,” he said.

Friday night’s quake had an epicentre in the Hindu Kush mountain range, about 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of the northern city of Kunduz, according to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre and the US Geological Survey.

The area is roughly 290 kilometres (180 miles) north east of Kabul.

Afghanistan lies in a highly seismically active part of the world, and quakes have caused thousands of deaths in recent years.

Last August, a 6.0 earthquake that struck a remote, mountainous part of eastern Afghanistan killed more than 2,200 people.

Most casualties were in Kunar province, where people typically live in wood and mud-brick houses along steep valleys.

In November, a 6.3 earthquake struck Samangan province in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 27 people and injuring more than 950.

It also damaged historical sites, including Afghanistan’s famed Blue Mosque in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, and the Bagh-e-Jahan Nama Palace in Khulm.

On October 7 2023, a 6.3 quake followed by strong aftershocks in western Afghanistan killed thousands of people.

The forecaster has warned of “disruptive and potentially damaging winds” from 7pm on Saturday (April 4) evening to 3am in the early hours of Sunday.

Initially, the region was placed under a yellow alert but the Met Office now says flying debris could cause a danger to life, power cuts may occur and buildings may be damaged.

The amber weather warning covering the North East. (Image: MET OFFICE)

Gusts of 60-70mph are expected widely, while gusts of 90mph are possible in Scotland.

The forecaster added: “A spell of very strong southwesterly, then westerly winds is expected across north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland on Saturday evening and overnight before easing early on Sunday.

“Gusts of 60-70 mph are possible widely with some coastal or exposed locations seeing gusts of around 80 mph.”

Motorists are advised to drive slower in the blustery conditions, people have been urged to stay indoors and those living along the coast are warned to stay away from large waves.

Included in the amber warning is:

• Darlington
• Durham
• Gateshead
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Redcar and Cleveland
• South Tyneside
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Sunderland

⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️#StormDave brings strong winds across northern England, southern Scotland and northwest Wales

Saturday 19:00 – Sunday 03:00

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Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs

Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/SFNZe404xo

— Met Office (@metoffice) April 4, 2026

When will Storm Dave hit the North East?

According to WX Maps, strong winds are expected to hit the region at about 6pm on Saturday.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said: “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west.

“By Saturday afternoon winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 60-70mph expected at times across parts of Scotland with the potential for gusts of 80-90mph in exposed coastal locations in Scotland.

“Gusts of 50-60mph are likely more widely in northern Britain.

“As well as strong winds, Storm Dave will also bring heavy snowfall over the hills in northern Scotland where up to 10-20cm of snow could accumulate.

“Along with the strong winds this will lead to blizzard conditions.

“Elsewhere there will be heavy spells of rain as the system moves through eastwards across the UK.

“With Storm Dave a few days away, people should prepare their property for the strong winds and keep updated with the latest weather forecast as the weather warnings are likely to be updated.”

Cambridge, with it’s perfect blend of historic charm and picturesque scenery, is a popular destination for day trippers and people looking for a staycation

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A Cambridge local has described how they would spend their perfect 24 hours in the city, but not everyone agrees. The city of Cambridge welcomes a huge 8.1 million people each year, with is being a destination popular with day trippers and people looking for a staycation.

Cambridge is the perfect blend of historic charm, academic excellence, and picturesque scenery. Many visitors head to the city to explore the medieval architecture, world-class museums and the vibrant culture of a compact, bike-friendly city.

When it comes to figuring out where to go when you’re visiting a new city, the best thing to do is ask people who have lived in the area for a long time.

This is where social media sites such as Reddit can be very useful, as within a matter of minutes you can be connected with millions of people across the world.

One Reddit user asked explained in the R/Cambridge that their parents were coming to visit her in the UK, and they would be going on a day trip to Cambridge.

She said: “Hi all, My parents coming to visit me from abroad and we will be going to Cambridge for a day. We will go see and explore the main bits, but wondering if there is hidden gem, or some quirky pub? Thank you all”

One local described their idea of a perfect 24 hours in Cambridge to the Reddit user.

The local said: “Walk along Orchard Street (which looks like a row of country cottages in the heart of the city) from Christ’s Pieces, then have a meal and a drink in The Free Press pub.

“If you’re coming by train, walk past the taxis, through the car park and find either the Devonshire Arms, Kingston Arms, The Petersfield, or Scott’s All Day.

“And do try to spot as many Dinky Doors as you can, if only the one in Cambridge’s Downing Street and the one at the base of Reality Checkpoint.

“Try to see the very Cambridge rus-in-urb Cambridge Cows on the commons close to the city centre. Being young neutered males, they’re docile.”

Many people replied to say they thought the list was great, but added in a few extra places that they thought would complete the day.

One person said: “I’d also add King Street for a pub crawl aka King Street Run. Go visit The Handsome Prince, which, while not a pub, is the only taproom of local craft brewers Baron Brewery.

“And there’s a lovely little Korean spot next door. And a lovely (sweet) pie shop The Cherry Pit a few doors down. Personally, Scott’s All Day is kinda average to me, I’d go to other restaurants and bars if I were making my way to Mill Road.”

A second said: “I’d do punting as the view esp around Kings is very nice. Pickerel is a nice pub with a bit of a quirky feel.”

A third advised: “If you happen to be walking past Lloyd’s Bank in Sidney Street while it’s open, it’s worth a look inside as there are some beautiful tiles and a very grand Victorian interior.”

Storm Dave is bringing fierce winds, rain and snow to the UK over the Easter weekend, and the Met Office has now been forced to issue an amber weather warning

The Met Office has issued a rarely-seen amber weather warning for Storm Dave, due to come into force within hours.

The amber wind warning lasts from 7pm until 3am on Sunday and covers North Wales, northern England and parts of southern Scotland. It comes alongside yellow wind warnings and one yellow snow warning, impacting northern Scotland.

The new amber warning says there is a “good chance of power cuts” in the impacted areas as wind speeds could reach 80mph. There is also a “danger to life” from flying debris and large waves.

The Met Office has urged people to prepare for power cuts. “Consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items,” it states.

READ MORE: Met Office issues new Storm Dave snow warning for 13 hours as UK faces 12 inchesREAD MORE: Met Office predicts 23C hottest day of year after Storm Dave – warmer than Ibiza

People are told to “stay indoors as much as possible” and secure loose items around their home. The warning says: “In advance of high winds, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.”

Areas covered by Met Office’s amber wind warning:

North East England

• Darlington
• Durham
• Gateshead
• Hartlepool
• Middlesbrough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Redcar and Cleveland
• South Tyneside
• Stockton-on-Tees
• Sunderland

North West England

• Blackburn with Darwen
• Blackpool
• Cumbria
• Lancashire
• Merseyside

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• Scottish Borders

Wales

• Conwy
• Gwynedd
• Isle of Anglesey

Yorkshire & Humber

• North Yorkshire
• West Yorkshire
• York

READ MORE: British Gas urges UK households to buy food for three days and sleeping bags

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: “Storm Dave will bring a period of very strong winds, with the strongest gusts most likely in the amber warning area. People should be prepared for impacts with disruption to travel likely and possible power cuts.”

“Wind speeds will peak at different times as the deep area of low pressure moves across the north of the UK, with peak gusts in Northern Ireland expected earlier on Saturday afternoon before spreading more widely across the north of the UK.”

Met Office advice for power cuts

• If electricity is crucial for any medical equipment you have, please contact your DNO at any time as they may be able to put you on their Priority Register (see below) for assistance during any power outage
• Make sure you have multiple torches along with extra batteries
• Make sure you keep your mobile phone charged so you can make calls in case of an emergency
• Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over as they will stay cold for many hours
• Keep important documents safe and handy
• Look out for elderly neighbours and ensure they are prepared for a possible power cut
• Switch off appliances – turn off items such as irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers as they could pose a hazard if the power comes back on when you are not there
• For people using a digital landline who don’t have a mobile phone, or who live in an area with poor/no mobile signal, speak to your communications provider about additional support they can offer you in advance

The Met Office has upgraded a severe yellow weather warning for wind to amber.

An amber weather warning for wind has been issued for parts of Scotland on Saturday as Storm Dave is set to batter the country.

The Storm is set to hit the UK on Saturday evening.

The Met Office has upgraded a severe yellow weather warning for wind to amber, meaning flying debris could lead to “injuries or danger to life”.

Storm Dave is described by the Met Office as a “rapidly deepening area of low pressure” moving northeast across Scotland. In addition to the wind warnings, a yellow snow and rain alert has been issued for Moray and Highland in Scotland, running from 2pm on Saturday.

Up to 15 centimetres of snow is expected, with blizzard conditions likely in hillier regions. The amber alert covers 25 areas across the UK and will be in force from 7pm on Saturday until 3am on Sunday.

Residents in Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, north Wales, and southern Scotland have been warned of disruptive and potentially dangerous winds, which could delay or cancel travel by air, rail, or ferry. “A spell of very strong southwesterly, then westerly winds is expected across north Wales, northern England, and southern Scotland on Saturday evening and overnight before easing early on Sunday,” the Met Office said.

“Gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour are possible widely, with some coastal or exposed locations seeing gusts around 80 miles per hour.” The forecaster added that flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life.

Coastal residents are particularly at risk, with large waves and beach material potentially being thrown onto roads, seafronts, and properties. Power cuts are also expected, which may disrupt mobile phone coverage and other services. People in affected areas have been urged to stay indoors where possible.

Tom Crabtree, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west.

“By Saturday afternoon winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour expected at times across parts of Scotland and the potential for gusts of 80 to 90 miles per hour in exposed coastal locations.

“Gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour are likely more widely in northern Britain.”

According to the Met Office’s weather map, the storm will first reach the south-west coast at around 10am on Saturday, bringing heavy rain and snow. Central and northern Scotland will see snow flurries by mid-afternoon, while by 6pm, most of the northern half of the country will be affected. Southern regions are expected to experience heavy downpours at the same time.

The worst of the rain is expected around 8pm, with up to eight millimetres per hour falling widely and some areas seeing up to 16 millimetres. With wind warnings coming into effect around 5pm and 6pm, the strongest gusts will coincide with the heaviest precipitation, increasing the risk of damage and disruption.

Residents are being advised to plan journeys carefully, expect delays, and take extra precautions in exposed or coastal areas. Storm Dave’s combination of high winds, heavy rain, and snow could make travel hazardous and pose a threat to life, the Met Office said.

Regions and local authorities in Scotland affected

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• Scottish Borders

“It’s frustrating, and at times, disheartening, when we are so proud and determined to bring a little colour and vibrancy to what can sometimes feel like a very grey city.”

The owners of a Belfast coffee shop say they have been left frustrated and disheartened after their business was targeted for the fourth time in weeks.

Dilly and Dolly’s on Ann Street in the city centre was broken into on Friday night with cash taken and damage caused to the premises.

The business took to social media to share news of the incident, which they say is one of a series over recent weeks.

READ MORE: Irish Cup semi-final disorder sees child struck by bottle and nine police officers injuredREAD MORE: Police hunt suspects after two men ‘manhandled from vehicle’ in north Belfast hijacking

They said: “Tonight, Dilly & Dolly’s was broken into. Money was taken and there was some damage done and to be honest, it’s been a tough one to process.

“It’s already been a difficult year, watching so many businesses around us close their doors, leaving us surrounded by empty buildings. It’s hard not to feel like that makes things like this easier to happen.“This is the fourth incident in just a few weeks, and the police have been called out 3 times in the last two weeks alone. It’s frustrating, and at times, disheartening, when we are so proud and determined to bring a little colour and vibrancy to what can sometimes feel like a very grey city.”

Natalie Lennon opened Dilly and Dolly’s on the Upper Lisburn Road in June 2021 after losing her job during the pandemic.

The Hannahstown woman previously told Belfast Live she wanted to bring something different to Belfast and since their opening, the Dolly and Dolly’s name has grown – with a second location on Ann Street following a year later.

Despite this latest setback, Dilly and Dolly’s said it would be business as usual on Saturday: “But we’re still here. And we are not going anywhere. I want to say thank you to my team, who continue to show up, work hard, and care so much about this place every single day. So tomorrow, we will dust ourselves off and open our doors as usual.

“Thank you to all our lovely customers who continue to support and encourage us, we will see you tomorrow! Team Dilly & Dolly’s & Natalie x.”

When contacted, police said they are appealing for information and witnesses in relation to a report of a burglary at commercial premises in the Ann Street area of Belfast yesterday evening, Friday, April 3.

A PSNI spokesperson added: “At around 8.45pm, it was reported that entry had been forced to the premises, and a sum of money taken from the till.

“Enquiries are ongoing, and we are appealing to anyone who might have been in the area at the time and saw any suspicious activity, or who has any information which could assist, to get in touch. The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1560 of 03/04/26.”

You can also report online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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