A BEAUTY fan has revealed the controversial trick that keeps her skin looking youthful.

So if you want glowing skin but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place and will need to take notes. 

Raquel Velasco, a lifestyle content creator who often shares wellness and skincare advice online, recently took to social media to share the simple way she keeps her complexion clear.

Posting online, the brunette, who is from the United States, confirmed that people always say to her: “I thought you were 35.”

Revealing her age and setting the record straight on how she stays looking so young, the influencer wrote: “I’m 50. I’ve been shaving my face for 25 years and NO my hair doesn’t come back thicker.”

Raquel then explained that she shaves her face using a facial cleanser and does this once or twice a month. 

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She also acknowledged that shaving her face helps with exfoliating the skin and means her skincare “gets absorbed way better.” 

The beauty enthusiast began shaving her face around the age of 23 and confirmed that she uses the Harry’s Men’s 5 Blade Razor.

You’ll be able to buy it for £8.75 from Boots but for those on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know it has currently been reduced to just £6.90 at Waitrose. 

However, if you’re looking for a men’s razor that’ll do just the job but for more than half the price, you’ll find an affordable Amazon own-brand alternative for just £1.57. 

While many are sceptical about shaving their face in fear it will cause irritation or spots, Raquel got candid on the controversial beauty hack as she confirmed: “To avoid acne, I exfoliate and cleanse before, then I use a facial cleanser to shave and always a sharp blade.” 

Not only this, but according to Healthline, while shaving your face could cause damage or lead to ingrown hairs, it can also help clean up and brighten your skin, making it easier to apply make-up.

In addition to removing hair, the experts recognised that facial shaving can also be used as a mechanical exfoliator to remove dead skin cells.

Beauty fans beam

Raquel’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @raquelschwetzv, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly gone viral and racked up 2.1 million views. 

Beauty fans were in awe of Raquel’s “amazing” skin and many were in total disbelief at her age. 

WHAT you look in your 20s

TikTok user

One person said: “You look amazing!” 

Another added: “I would never have guessed you are 50. Your skin looks amazing.” 

A third commented: “WHAT you look in your 20s.” 

Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “50 years???? Are you serious?? I give you 30 years.” 

At the same time, one user wondered: “Does your face feel spikey?”

In response, Raquel confirmed: “No. The hair is fine so it’s not spiked like legs.” 

While one beauty fan gushed: “I do this once a week. Love it.”

To this, Raquel responded: “I love it too! Especially putting on skincare and make-up right after.” 

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As US and Iranian peace negotiators hold desperate talks to try and avoid war on Friday morning the American military has continued building up its assets parked in the Arabian Sea

US commanders have continued to boost the military strength of their potential attack force in the Middle East amid intense fears war with Iran could break out.

As well as a carrier strike force and six destroyers, squadrons of F15 fighter jets and electronic jamming planes, another aircraft carrier may be deployed, according to sources. The latest of several communications planes have also arrived in the Middle East to help plan a war on Iran if peace talks on Friday in Oman fail.

A third US Air Force E-11A aircraft departed from Chania International Airport on the Greek island of Crete yesterday. It touched down about four hours later at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia in readiness to help commanders in any attack on Iran.

READ MORE: Donald Trump hits out warning Iran’s Supreme Leader he ‘should be very worried’READ MORE: War fears soar that Iran will launch drone blitz on US taskforce

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Earlier in the week US stealth bombers and F-15s flew into a base in Jordan. And in Qatar four UK Typhoon attack jets have deployed to help the US and Israel defend against possible attack.

But the vanguard of any attack is likely to be launched by USS Abraham Lincoln’s F-35C and Super Hornet fighters. A carrier-launched F-35C brought down a Shahed-139 attack drone sent by Iran towrads the carrier fleet days ago.

On Thursday afternoon a White House official confirmed Jared Kushner, Donald Trump ’s son-in-law and a key figure in his Middle East policy negotiations, and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, have arrived in the Qatari capital. It is believed the pair flew into Doha to prepare for their meeting On Friday morning with an Iranian delegation which include Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister.

Iran has apparently told the US some of its demands are ‘off the table.’ The US is believed to have insisted on no nuclear material inside Iran, security for protesters and limitation of Iran’s ballistic programme.

It is believed Tehran has responded by telling the US the ballistic weapons programme negotiations are completely ‘off the table.’ Some officials inside Tehran, sources told the Daily Mirror, are now believed to have decided a conflict is inevitable.

And it is thought the Israeli government may already have decided it will attack Iran’s missile sites if the American military force is not given the attack order. The US began building up its huge armada in the Middle East weeks ago amid reports the Tehran regime was violently clamping down on opposition protests.

Trump threatened military action if Iran does not agree a deal on its nuclear programme and to stop killing protesters. Asked whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei should be worried, he said: “I would say he should be very worried.

“He should be. As you know, they’re negotiating with us.” But Khamenei, who went into hiding for weeks as security officials launched a violent crackdown on protesters, warned the US on Sunday that any attack on Iran would spark a “regional war,”

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It is believed more than 7,000 deaths can be accounted during the Iranian uprising but investigators fear at least another 17,000 deaths took place. And it is even thought the killing has continued.

Cold weather might mean it is natural to raise the heating but there could be health implications

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As the temperature drops outside, it seems only natural to amp up the heating inside to warm up. But one optician has revealed that putting your central heating on full blast or whacking it on for extended periods of time could be exposing eyesight to risks.

This is because the high humidity indoors caused by your heating can dry out your eyes. Not only can this lead to discomfort and pain in your eyes, you could develop dry eye syndrome, which can potentially cause permanent damage to your vision if left untreated.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or if the quality of your tears isn’t quite right. This condition normally affects both eyes and can cause an uncomfortable gritty, itchy feeling, a burning or sore sensation and/or a temporary or fluctuating blurred vision.

The NHS warns: “While symptoms of dry eye can be irritating, for most people no long-term vision loss is expected. In certain cases, however, dry eye can be a progressive disease, and if left untreated over time, constant inflammation may damage the surface of the eye.

“Patients with severe dry eye are more at risk of infection, ulceration and thinning of the surface of the eye. These conditions can cause permanent damage to the vision.”

Specsavers warn that in more serious cases, dry eye syndrome can lead to symptoms such as extreme sensitivity to light, very red, painful eyes, and a change in your vision. But, there are many ways to stop your eyes becoming affected by environmental issues in the colder months.

Last week, Google searches for ‘why are my eyes dry’ rose by 33%. In light of this, Khuram Sarwar, a Dispensing Optician at Feel Good Contacts, has revealed his top tips to protect your eyes this winter. To battle against dry eyes caused by your central heating, he suggests to lower the temperature or put it on in shorter cycles.

If you are having to use heating for extended periods of times, he suggests purchasing a humidifier to help keep your eyes lubricated. Khuram says other environmental factors may be causing your eyes to become dry such as windy weather, especially for contact lens wearers.

The wind can dehydrate your eyes as it can cause them to not produce enough tears or cause your tears to evaporate too quickly. To prevent this from happening, Khuram says to drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated when the air is drier outside.

Khuram said: “Windy weather, especially, can dehydrate the eyes, which leads to dryness and discomfort. Eyes become dry when they don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly.

“This problem especially affects contact lens wearers, as dry lenses can be very uncomfortable in the eyes. However, this can also be caused by a high humidity in the air indoors, while the central heating is on.

“You should drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated when the air is drier outside. Artificial tears can also be a great way to keep your eyes lubricated if you find that they are not producing enough tears themselves.

“Even though it is tempting to fully blast the heat while you are indoors to warm up, consider lowering the temperature or heating in shorter cycles to prevent your eyes from drying out. If you must have the heating on for extended periods, using a humidifier can help keep your eyes lubricated.

“Ultrasonic humidifiers start from as little as £30, so they are a worthwhile investment for the colder winter months. While some causes are environmental, it is important to never ignore chronic dry eye syndrome.

“Not only can having dry eyes cause discomfort and pain, but it can also permanently damage your vision if left untreated. You are likely to be more at risk of getting an eye infection without adequate tears. A lack of lubrication means that your eyes are more likely to suffer abrasion of the corneal surface, a corneal ulcer and eye inflammation.”

In the winter months, Khuram pointed out other environmental factors which may cause you issues with your eyes. The optician says that cold air causes moisture to evaporate from your eyes which then triggers them to produce more tears and therefore water.

Khuram suggests using eye drops to stop your eyes from overwatering in the cold air. The expert said: “It’s natural for your eyes to water when exposed to colder temperatures. This is because the cold air evaporates the moisture from our eyes which then triggers the eyes to produce more tears.

“Watery eyes due to the cold weather can be avoided by making sure your eyes are hydrated before venturing outside. Eye drops can help lubricate the eyes to minimise the chance of them overwatering when outside in the cold.

“Hydrating eye drops are available from as little as £2.50 but contact lens wearers especially are advised to check whether their drops are compatible first.

“There are a wide range of reasons that could be behind watery eyes. If it starts to become a constant problem, you should seek medical advice from your GP or optometrist, especially if you experience a change in vision, painful eyes, swollen eyes, lumps on the eye, or the eyelid turning inwards or outwards.”

Khuram also revealed the winter sun may put you more at risk of developing eye issues. In these months, the sun shines at a lower angle and during sunrise and sunset, this can cause more direct sunlight to enter your eyes.

To combat the winter sun and decrease the risk of developing cataracts and other eye conditions, Khuram suggests wearing sunglasses with UV protection even on cloudy days. Khuram said: “In winter, the sun repositions itself to shine at a lower angle when compared to summer. During sunrise and sunset, this can cause more direct sunlight to enter the eyes.

“Wear sunglasses with UV protection even on cloudy days. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can penetrate the clouds and increase the risk of developing cataracts and other eye conditions.

“When choosing a pair of sunglasses, consider a pair of polarised sunglasses as they reduce glare and can enhance visual comfort. It is important to be able to recognise the symptoms of photophobia so that you can seek the correct treatment.

“The most obvious symptom is the sun or bright indoor lights causing discomfort. However, other symptoms such as excessive squinting, watery eyes, excessive headaches and dizziness, can also indicate other more serious health conditions, so it’s important to get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.”

For information on eye care, check out the Feel Good Contacts website here: https://www.feelgoodcontacts.com/eye-care-hub

Regarding bail, the Crown barrister voiced concerns of Robinson committing further offences “given that he is 32 years old and has 194 previous convictions”

A 32-year old man facing domestic-related offences was granted bail on Thursday with a condition imposed banning him from contacting his ex-partner.

James Robinson was due to be arraigned at Belfast Crown Court on four charges dating back to last March.

From Broadway in Belfast, Robinson was due to be charged with non-fatal strangulation, common assault and breaching a restraining order.

All three charges relate to the same female and are alleged to have occurred on March 25, 2025.

Robinson also faces a charge of attempting to damage the door on a cell van belonging to the PSNI on the same date.

Whilst the arraignment did not proceed due to the current withdrawal of services by criminal barristers in a dispute over fees, an application to release Robinson on bail was made and granted.

A Crown barrister told Judge Neil Rafferty KC that Robinson had been granted bail on a previous occasion for the charges in March 2025 but was remanded back into custody “following other charges.”

These, the court heard, arose when Robinson was arrested last August and charged with disorderly behaviour and assaulting police.

The prosecutor revealed these two charges against Robinson “have now been dropped.”

Regarding bail, the Crown barrister voiced concerns of Robinson committing further offences “given that he is 32 years old and has 194 previous convictions”.

Addressing the Judge, Robinson’s solicitor pointed out his client was “previously deemed suitable for bail” in relation to the March 2025 charges.

Saying Robinson has “found himself in custody” from last August on charges that have now been withdrawn, the solicitor said the proposed bail address at Broadway “has been deemed suitable by the police.”

Judge Rafferty granted Robinson’s release on bail with a series of conditions imposed.

These include a ban on Robinson seeing, speaking to or contacting his former partner, a ban on him consuming alcohol and illegal drugs and obeying an 8pm to 7am curfew.

The hearing concluded when Judge Rafferty said he would review the case on March 19.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Tom Brady has been criticised by former Patriots teammates Vince Wilfork and Asante Samuel after he said he won’t be supporting New England in Super Bowl LX

Former Patriots legend Vince Wilfork has brutally criticised Tom Brady for refusing to back New England in Super Bowl LX. In the build-up to the showpiece event, Brady sent shockwaves through the NFL when he announced he wouldn’t be supporting the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

His unexpected remarks triggered a furious backlash online, with Asante Samuel quickly taking aim at him on social media. Throughout his two-decade tenure with the Patriots, Brady secured six Super Bowl crowns, 17 NFC East titles and three MVP awards.

Yet despite his remarkable history with the franchise, the former quarterback insisted that he doesn’t “have a dog in the fight” when it comes to this year’s Super Bowl clash.

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“I think there’s always different chapters in your life,” Brady explained during his appearance on the ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast. “And you have different chapters and moments that you go through where you are affiliated with a certain team. Michigan, and then I was with the Patriots for 20 years.

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“I was with Tampa for three amazing years. I’ve been in broadcasting, now I’m an owner of the Raiders. So, those memories that I have are forever ingrained in me and I’m indebted to all the people who worked so hard to help make our team successful.”

“Look, I don’t have a dog in the fight in this one,” he later added. “May the best team win. And in terms of the Patriots, this is a new chapter in New England. And I’m glad everyone has embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so hard to get their club to this position.

“We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back and it’s a very exciting time for everyone in New England.”

Brady’s neutral stance provoked a fierce reaction from Wilfork, his former teammate across 11 seasons in New England between 2004 and 2014. “That’s bull****, Tom,” he told Savage Sports.

“Come on now. All that political – this ain’t political. It ain’t political, what it is. The Raiders ain’t in it. Say what it is, what you see?

“At the end of the day, if you’re a Patriot for life you know what it is. Don’t give me that political bull****. That’s just what it is. If you don’t think we gonna win, just pick Seattle then! Don’t straddle the fence.”

Wilfork isn’t alone amongst NFL icons in voicing frustration with Brady. On X, Samuel slammed the 48-year-old for seemingly creating distance between himself and both New England and his old colleague.

Like Wilfork, current Patriots boss Mike Vrabel shared eight campaigns with Brady from 2001 to 2008. “Tom Brady I am highly I mean highly disappointed in you not rooting for your ex teammate, Mike Vrabel who is about to do something special,” Samuel penned on X.

“I’m going to fye your a** up one of these mornings. Tag Brady let him know I’m on his a**.”

In another post, Samuel added: “Brady you can’t be the only one winning Super Bowls. Let me find out you hating on Drake Maye and Vrabel. ‘I don’t have a dog in this fight.’ Not what I wanted to hear. Brady knows how I get down. This ain’t nothing new to him.”

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A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teacher was injured at a school, police said.

Emergency services were called to Milford Haven Comprehensive School in the Pembrokeshire region of south-west Wales at about 3.20pm on Thursday.

Dyfed-Powys Police said a teacher was reported assaulted by a pupil brandishing a weapon.

Superintendent Chris Neve said: “We can confirm police are at Milford Haven Comprehensive School following a report of the assault of a teacher by a pupil brandishing a weapon at the school at approx 3.20pm.

“The teacher’s injury is not a stab injury. A lockdown was implemented but has now been lifted.

“The teacher is receiving medical treatment for their injuries.

“All pupils at the location are safe and most have gone home. Officers remain at the school.

“A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in police custody.”

This is a breaking news story, more follows…

It comes as part of its new Fans Reunited campaign, which is being fronted by Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson

Greene King is giving away free pints of Guinness this weekend as the Six Nations rugby kicks off.

To claim your free pint, you need to book a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 via the Greene King website. You will have to show confirmation of booking at the bar.

The deal is available at all Greene King sports pubs including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse and Belhaven. It comes as part of its new Fans Reunited campaign, which is being fronted by Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.

Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, said: “Fans Reunited celebrates the unique role that sport, and the pub atmosphere, plays in bringing people together.

“By launching alongside the Guinness Six Nations and offering reunited fans a free pint on us, we want to spark those moments where old friends reconnect over a pint.

“Just like the rugby legends joining us, we hope this encourages people to reach out to someone from their past, whether it’s an old coach, teammate, or school friend – and share the joy of the game together.”

Martin Johnson said: “Rugby has a unique way of bringing people together. Friendships formed through sport are unbreakable, and the ones that endure last a lifetime – exactly what Greene King’s Fans Reunited campaign celebrates.

“Combined with the atmosphere of the pub, it takes the experience to the next level. It’s not just about the game; it’s about creating moments that reconnect old friends and strengthen the sense of community that makes rugby, and Fans Reunited, so special.”

It comes after the Treasury announced pubs and music venues will get 15% off their business rates bills from April as part of a major support package.

The Government had been under pressure to act after changes made in the budget in November, alongside the end of support from the pandemic.

Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the help support will be worth £1,650 for the average pub next year. Other hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants and cafes will not receive the same additional support.

Mr Tomlinson said: “This decision will mean that the amount of business rates paid by the pub sector as a whole will be lower in 2028/29. It will also apply to music venues too. Many are valued as pubs and it would not be right to draw the line.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “We are pleased the Government has listened to our concerns, and those of publicans, consumers and MPs who rallied to defend our locals.

“This pub-specific package will stave off the immediate financial threat posed by accelerating business costs and will help keep the doors open for many.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at a family-run west London jewellers. 

Two balaclava-wearing burglars took a sledgehammer to the front window of Gregory & Co in Richmond at around 10.30am on Saturday.

The pair bundled as much jewellery as they could from the front window into a bag before making off on foot.

A vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery has been recovered and is being examined as part of the investigation.

The suspects, however, are still at large.

Superintendent Craig Knight, who leads the Met’s neighbourhood policing in Richmond, said: “Officers are working at pace to identify and locate the men who carried out this robbery.

“We realise incidents of this nature can have a real impact on the local community, especially businesses and those who live in the area.

“Please be reassured that we will be relentless in bringing these people to justice and are pursuing several lines of inquiry.”

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A spokesperson for Gregory & Co said: “This has been deeply upsetting for us all, and we are supporting the police as they investigate who did this.

“We’re a local, independent family jewellers, and have been in Richmond for more than 45 years.

“The public response to this incident has been overwhelming, and we are grateful for the support and kindness we’ve received.

“We are reassured that overall, good outweighs the bad as we look forward to reopening and getting back to normal soon.”

UK broadband company VISPA has informed customers that it has ceased trading.

The long-running provider shared plans to “commence liquidation proceedings” in an email to subscribers.

First launched in 1999, VISPA informed its customerbase that they will need to “immediately” find an alternative broadband provider.

The company sold a variety of Openreach based broadband packages and recently delved into full fibre (FTTP) broadband networks, as well as running its own Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network.

However, ISPreview previously reported a variety of issues facing the company, including overdue accounts, issues with the company’s legal address, and negative reviews on Trustpilot.

Now, the outlet has reported that several VISPA customers have received an email from the company’s boss, informing them “that Vispa Limited has ceased trading and decided to commence liquidation proceedings”.

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“As a result, we regret to advise that Vispa will no longer be able to continue providing broadband services,” the email read.

“To avoid any interruption to your connectivity, you will need to immediately choose a new Internet Service Provider (ISP) as soon as possible.”

VISPA director James Ormerod, who signed off the email, advised customers to “cancel your direct debit”.

“Most providers on the Openreach network are able to take over your existing line with minimal disruption,” he wrote, providing a link to a list of alternative service providers.

VISPA’s message did not provide remaining customers with a firm date for the service’s disconnection.

At the time of writing, the VISPA website’s service status page reads “down for maintenance”.

The move comes just weeks after London-based G Network entered administration.

The Sun has reached out to VISPA for comment.

Fire service board members will now make decisions on their service review after the Scottish Parliament election

A decision in the national fire service review which could impact crew hours and appliance locations across Lanarkshire has been delayed until after May’s Scottish Parliament election.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) officials say that they will be unable to complete the work of reviewing 3700 public consultation responses and making final board-level recommendations on the raft of proposals before a mandatory pre-election period in which public bodies are prevented from making significant announcements and policy decisions.

It means an outcome in the review – which could make permanent the withdrawal of the second fire engine from Hamilton, which was temporarily removed in 2023, and Lanarkshire shift changes including the introduction of on-call crewing – is now expected by late June, six months later than originally planned.

SFRS last year ran a three-month public consultation on 30 change proposals affecting stations and crews across Scotland, with two options put forward for Lanarkshire; one of which would permanently withdraw Hamilton’s second appliance and switch another at Cumbernauld to staffing by wholetime firefighters from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and using on-call personnel outside those times while also carrying out necessary building repairs.

The other would reintroduce the second fire engine at Hamilton and add another at Bellshill, both crewed on a dayshift-only basis, with the second appliance at Cumbernauld having daytime cover from wholetime firefighters and then on-call crews outside those hours; along with introducing a nucleus crew of dayshift firefighters at Lesmahagow, to be “tactically deployed across the area when on-call availability is most challenging”.

Public events took place in Hillhouse and Lesmahagow during the consultation; while respondents included South Lanarkshire Council, who made an alternative proposal suggesting that second 24/7 fire engine be restored to Hamilton, citing the Bothwell Road’s more central location and motorway links compared to Cumbernauld.

READ MORE: Hamilton street closed after unsafe building reportREAD MORE: Vehicle fire at Hamilton retail park sees two taken to hospital

SFRS chief officer Stuart Stevens told members of the Scottish Parliament’s criminal justice committee that the review process and recommendations will not now be completed before the crucial start date of the statutory pre-election period in March.

With independent researchers working to analyse both the thousands of public and staff responses plus “the operational evidence that informed the proposals”, he announced: “Regrettably, it is not feasible to complete the remaining work and internal governance processes before the pre-election period begins.

“Therefore, I can confirm that recommendations on the service delivery options will be made to the SFRS board following this period and final decisions will be made by the end of June.”

“We recognise the uncertainty this delay may create for staff, stakeholders and communities where changes are proposed; however, this is a complex process, and it is essential that we take a robust and considered approach.”

He also told MSPs at the committee meeting that balancing the budget for 2026-27 remains “challenging” for the fire service, saying: “The draft budget for next year, along with the Scottish spending review, potentially creates a significant resource funding gap for the service.

“Discussions are ongoing as to how we can achieve a balanced budget this year and where additional savings can be made. Whilst the financial situation is challenging, we will do everything we can to protect our frontline services and prioritise the safety of our staff and the communities we serve.”

READ MORE: Chair sought for Hamilton town centre funding board

The public consultation included 18 public meetings and seven drop-in sessions attended by more than 800 people, plus 52 staff engagement events and nine online sessions.

South Lanarkshire’s response supported the option reinstating a second fire engine to the Hamilton station, noting that they had “raised concerns” regarding its withdrawal in 2023. SFRS has always emphasised that Bothwell Road remains staffed at all times and say: “There is no option to change Hamilton’s appliance from 24/7 cover.”

The local authority advocated for two engines to be based at Hamilton following the service review to meet current and evolving demand, adding: “The area is highly populated [and] currently subject to long-term regeneration to reduce retail floorspace, including new-build development of approximately 450 homes, provision of student or hotel accommodation etc. Various aspects of the regeneration plan are significant developments.”

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