Tomb Raider is not as popular as it used to be (Amazon Game Studios)
The Monday letters page discusses the often impenetrable decision making of video game publishers, as one reader is disappointed by the Switch 2’s second year.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Nostalgic raid I see the new Tomb Raider: Catalyst game (not the remake) has been delayed until 2028, which is a bit of an upset. However, I also notice that less people than I thought seem to care and there’s generally not much discussion of the two games online, even though I thought the trailers for both were pretty good.
It’s eight years since Shadow Of The Tomb Raider and not everyone like that one, or that whole trilogy in general. It wasn’t that big a hit either, or Square Enix wouldn’t have sold it off. I think the games were generally good, but not that much like Tomb Raider, if that makes sense. So I feel the series has probably lost a lot of fans over the years, and there’s probably a lot of people that don’t feel there’s been a proper Tomb Raider for a long time now.
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Nostalgia is a hell of a drug but is it going to be enough for the remake to put the series back in the top-hitters again? I hope it does, but I have my doubts as to whether the original gameplay of Tomb Raider has much appeal nowadays. That’s why the reboot trilogy turned it into a generic action adventure and why it’s lost its popularity. It’s a difficult situation. Gantz
Toilet break To be honest, the idea of ad-based streaming games sounds like it’d be a great deal for us and a terrible one for advertisers. As far as I understand, all you have to do is go put the kettle on for the five minutes the ads are playing at the beginning and they never come back until you turn the game off. That sounds almost too good to be true to me.
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Maybe they’ll try and run them while pressing the pause button, but who wants to be playing The Witcher, or some other medieval game, and suddenly you get an advert for Daz come up. Sounds awful but I guess if you’re getting a £60 game for free in return it might be worth it. Menson
Third time lucy I don’t think even Nintendo would be mad enough to pass up the opportunity to have a special edition Switch 2 for Zelda: Ocarina Of Time and/or the 40th anniversary general. Still, it’s going to be very odd seeing Nintendo’s big Christmas game being a 28-year-old game that most of their younger fans have no idea about.
There’s still a chance of an unannounced game lurking in the shadows but I don’t think there’s any chance of it being anything big. Maybe The Duskbloods will come out around the same time – sometime around Halloween seems a good idea – but it still seems an odd line-up to me.
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It’s not been a great second year for the Switch 2, after the first one was already a bit suspect. There’s still a hope that there’ll be something good in the first half of next year, but when are they going to announce that? Coolsbane
Yearly fee 140 quid for FIFA, sorry, EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Plus edition is just mind boggling. Obviously, people can spend their money on exactly what they want to, and If someone is big into FUT then it probably is worth it in the long run. But, blimey, that is a big chunk of money to shell out in one go for a video game, especially if you’re on a budget, like me.
The recent games haven’t been particularly well received, either. Used to be a big thing each year when the two footy games were due for release. Since PES morphed into eFootball, and with the most recent EA iterations receiving generally mixed reviews, I’ve kinda lost interest.
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My personal faves of recent times (Xbox One/PlayStation 4 era) are PES 2016, PES 2019, and FIFA 17. I still play these games fairly regularly. They’re cheap as chips on physical nowadays. One of the many reasons to have a machine with a disc drive. Paul C.
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Repeat play I’ve started playing through the The Witcher 3 again, as I like a long open world game to play over weekends. I forgot how dark this game can be with the Bloody Baron and the Crones. As with all of these types of games, the side quests can be a bit boring but overall, I’m loving it all over again and Gwent is still the best thing ever.
The Ciri sections are absolutely awful though and I remember hating them when I first played through the game, but they seem even worse now. I know it will be different for The Witcher 4 but hopefully they can iron out the kinks and it will be another great game. Simon
Different worlds That list of the best-selling remakes was interesting because it yet again shows why companies make decisions that hardcore gamers think are wrong. The Last Of Us Part 1 might have seemed pointless to us but it actually sold really well, so it was easy money for Sony and something that a lot of people were prepared to pay for.
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The most surprising thing to me was Dead Space. EA specifically said it was a flop and dropped the entire franchise over it and yet it sold over 4 million copies?! Were they expecting it to outsell GTA or something? What could they have possibly been expecting from a remake of a game that originally only sold 1 million copies?
So I guess the lesson is that sometimes companies make sensible business decisions and sometimes they make crazy stupid ones. Either way, what ordinary gamers want, or think is a good idea, has nothing to do with it. A lot of the time it seems what we want, and how we think things should be handled, is the opposite to what actually happens.
I guess that’s just business though. We want good games and they want maximum profits; those two goals don’t easily go together. Focus
Say nothing So I see Sony handled that PSN outage in their usual style: by saying absolutely nothing and leaving everyone wondering what’s going on. It’s really hard not to get the impression that Sony hates its customers and will do anything to avoid talking to them.
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They act like some Victorian era toff that won’t speak to the lower orders. It really is a shame Xbox is so useless because there’s such an open goal there for someone else to come in there and offer a real alternative to PlayStation. Kimble
Indie July Just checked out a couple of new indie games on Steam, with Rubinite being a very promising demo of a very decent looking action adventure game with similarities to Zelda: A Link To The Past. The premise is a dark fairy tale type setting, taking control of a princess type character trying to reclaim a fallen kingdom using a top-down perspective.
It looks to me that the exploration is there, but with more preference given to high-focused action, like a Soulsborne variation of some sorts, which to me is the perfect blend of gaming art and mechanics for this day and age. Which leads me on to another interesting style of gameplay for a title called Dive Or Die: Children Of Rain.
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I have always been a fan of Lovecraftian style games and they have come in a variety of forms with varying success. The setting is an apocalyptic rain-flooded world with just mountain top islands left and an eldritch deity to appease. The game requires you dive into something called an abyssalpPool for a variety of survival reasons.
It could be like a cross between Subnautica or Dave The Diver and Cult Of The Lamb. But it’s the mysterious deep which fascinates me in this game, where your management of oxygen, sanity level, and health is needed as you explore the depths, avoiding creepy sea creatures. On top of this you must rise onto the land and upgrade your surroundings for survival, but at a cost of making some dark decisions involving crew sacrifices to the dark deity.
These two games are exactly why indie gaming is the place to be for all the unusual, surreal, and terrifying scenarios, without the need to have the experience dampened by a lack of money and the need to have mass sales to survive. Just a good imagination and the skills and capabilities to develop these into a successful game, without too much pressure. Of course, you also need the important word of mouth to get your title out there into the world and have the income to create more titles later. Alucard
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Inbox also-rans Does anyone think Microsoft might end up cancelling Forza Horizon 6 for PlayStation 5? They haven’t mentioned it once since they went back to having exclusives, and the summer State of Play was the obvious time. If they haven’t cancelled it, this is the worst marketing campaign ever. Korbie
So what do we think is going to be the next remake of Assassin’s Creed, now that we know Black Flag has been a big hit? I really hope it’s Assassin’s Creed 2. Toad
GC: The only rumour has been for the first game, but who knows how the success of Black Flag might influence Ubisoft’s plans.
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Several crews from across the area have responded to tackle the fire which broke out this afternoon on a farm near RAF Leeming.
People living in the area are being advised to keep their doors and windows shut as putrid, thick black smoke can be seen for miles.
North Yorkshire crews tackle fire near RAF Leeming at an agricultural building. (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)
A North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We currently have five fire appliances from Bedale, Northallerton, Richmond, Thirsk and Ripon and a water bowser on scene at an agricultural building fire.
“Crews currently have six breathing apparatus and four hose reel jets in use to extinguish the fire. The building measures approximately 50 x 30 metres.
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“We have received reports that smoke is blowing over the A1, please try avoid the area if possible.”
Several crews are tackling a large fire at an agricultural building by RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. (Image: North Yorkshire Weather Updates)
RAF Leeming – home to the Hawk Mk 167 and Grob Tutor T1 – is not thought to be affected by the agricultural building fire.
Drivers are being urged to try to avoid the area if possible due to reports that smoke is blowing over the A1.
Record View says those in well-paid leadership positions – in government and in our health boards – need to up their game. Lives are at stake if they continue to fail us.
Scotland’s emergency service workers are true heroes who go the extra mile to help us when we need it most. There’s absolutely no doubt those who provide our 999 services are highly trained, world class operators.
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But there is clearly a long term problem with ambulance waiting times and people are dying as a result. Today, the Daily Record reports on two families who know this only too well.
Julie Parker died after waiting almost four hours for help last month. Brian Hurton died alone on his bathroom floor after twice being told an ambulance was not being dispatched.
The families are joining forces to demand improvements. They say nobody in desperate need of medical help should be waiting hours for an ambulance to arrive.
And they rightly declare that no Scot should die due to delays in getting an ambulance to them. Hopefully our MSPS – and Health Secretary Angela Constance – will take heed of what the families are saying.
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However, it would be unfair to single out the ambulance service for blame. Wider problems within the NHS mean that crews are often forced to wait in queues outside A&E departments for hours on end.
This leaves frustrated paramedics sitting outside hospitals rather than out on patrol saving lives. To sort this problem out, more resources need to be diverted to emergency provision within the NHS – and that means wider reform of the service, which is long overdue.
Scots pay higher taxes than every other part of the the UK. So we expect to see better public services as a result – with hospitals obviously benefiting from the extra cash available.
That does not appear to be the case. Those in well-paid leadership positions – in government and in our health boards – need to up their game. Lives are at stake if they continue to fail us.
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Cold hard facts
Wildfires continue to rage in the Cairngorms, with smoke and fumes from the blaze blowing in over Aberdeen.
In France and Spain, hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as blazes rage out of control.
Anyone who doubts the effects of climate change – or who thinks it somehow doesn’t affect us – can’t continue to keep their heads in the sand.
It’s clear that drought and extreme heat are going to become a fact of life from now on, even in rain-soaked Scotland.
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Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.
More than four people may have been involved in the young mum’s kidnapping and murder, police have said, with a $62,000 reward on offer for information that helps locate the baby and those responsible
The gruesome slaying of a 21-year-old pregnant woman has sent shockwaves through an entire city, with the body of the young mum found dumped beside a river with her baby nowhere to be found.
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María Camila Potosí was eight months pregnant when she was last seen riding on the back of a motorcycle in Polvorines, a town in the southwestern city of Cali in Columbia last week. She was declared missing on July 16 and, after days of searching by her family and by authorities, she was found by a the banks of the River Meléndez.
Her body had been discarded after she was stabbed to death, with her baby nowhere to be found; cut from her womb.
As per local radio station La FM, the baby was reportedly to be named Alahia and had been expected to be born in August. A baby shower was planned just days before the horrific tragedy unfolded.
Confirming the discovery of María’s remains, Cali Police deputy head of criminal investigations Maj Alirio Acuna said: “The body of a pregnant woman was found at kilometre 3 on the La Buitrera road, specifically on the banks of the River Meléndez. Preliminary findings suggest that the physical characteristics and clothing match those of the 21-year-old woman who had been reported missing since last Thursday, July 16.”
María was last spotted climbing onto a motorbike with an unidentified woman who, at the time of writing, remains unknown. According to Noticias Caracol, María had just attended an appointment at the Los Polvorines health centre in southern Cali before boarding the motorbike that was recorded on CCTV.
Discussing María’s appointment just hours before her tragic death, Ladera Health Network manager Diana Carolina said: “It was a routine consultation, in line with clinical practice guidelines.
“She arrived at our healthcare centre at around 9am. She entered the consultation room alone and underwent the necessary check-up.”
María’s mum Ana Rubi Gomez has made a desperate plea for her granddaughter’s safe return, urging the public to assist in locating the missing infant.
She revealed to La FM: “The first thing I asked was whether the baby was still in her womb, and they told me no, that the baby wasn’t there.
“That filled me with hope that the baby might still be alive. So I’m asking the public and the community to help me find my little girl.”
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Potosí was at her boyfriend’s home when they say when she received a phone call from a woman later identified in a video as driving the motorcycle. The family said that Potosí told them that she was going with the woman to pick up gifts for her baby. She had recently met the woman at a Cali center for expectant mums.
On Friday (July 24), a man named Carlos Rincón posted a video on social media in which he identified himself as the female suspect’s former boyfriend and revealed that she did not return to sleep at his home the day that Potosí disappeared.
He added that his ex-girlfriend told him in January that she was pregnant. “I was excited about (her) pregnancy,” he said.
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“And many people think I had something to do with it — the kidnapping and murder of the 21-year-old woman — because I had been the motorcyclist’s partner.
“We had nothing to do with it. We knew nothing. My family was another victim. We trusted her, we believed in her.”
After María’s body was discovered, the Cali Ombudsman’s Office has demanded a swift and thorough probe into her death. Additionally, they’ve stressed the urgency of tracing the missing infant immediately in case she remains alive.
Officials reportedly stated that the post-mortem findings confirming the baby’s removal “makes it even more urgent to clarify the facts and locate the newborn baby”.
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They continued: “As the Public Prosecutor’s Office, we call on the Attorney General’s Office and the relevant authorities to carry out all investigative measures as swiftly as possible and to put in place the necessary measures to locate the baby, ensuring the protection of her life and safety.
“We also urge members of the public to provide any information through official channels that may assist the investigation. Every minute counts.”
The two-day event was held at the Oakleaf Sports Complex on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, with more than 2,500 people expected across the weekend.
Friday night’s “Warm Up” saw the marquee host a run of high-energy sets from North East bands and solo acts, including Another Crisis, an 80s versus 90s smash hits party band, and C-Collective.
Here’s our gallery of the weekend:
Ayclive Festival in full swing (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Festival acts keep the main stage buzzing throughout the day (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
A lively weekend at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Festival-goers enjoy Ayclive (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Ayclive Festival featured a packed line-up of live music across the weekend (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
One of the weekend’s acts entertains the audience at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Ayclive Festival crowds in Newton Aycliffe (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
The crowd enjoys a high-energy set at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
North East acts brought plenty of energy to the Ayclive stage. (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
The audience gets into the spirit of Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Festival crowds enjoy a sunny weekend of live music in Newton Aycliffe (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Families and friends make the most of Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Revellers enjoy the music and atmosphere at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Crowds danced and sang along at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Music fans packed into the festival site for a day of live entertainment (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
There was a lively atmosphere as crowds gathered for the weekend event (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Festival-goers enjoy the action at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Families and music fans enjoyed a day of entertainment at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Festival-goers soak up the atmosphere at the town’s biggest live music event of the summer (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Ayclive Festival brought thousands of music fans to Newton Aycliffe (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Thousands of revellers descended on Newton Aycliffe for Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
The weekend’s festival crowds enjoyed live music, food and entertainment at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Crowds gather for the fourth edition of Ayclive Festival at Oakleaf Sports Complex (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Festival-goers make the most of the sunshine at Ayclive Festival (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Saturday brought 11 hours of continuous entertainment on the main stage, running from late morning through to late evening.
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The day’s line-up featured a mix of tribute and covers acts, including MixtNutz, Wednesday Flowers, The Angelettes, The Skandals, Nuromantica, MOOBs, and The UK Rock Show, building towards a headline set from indie-pop group The Hoosiers, best known for hits including “Worried About Ray” and “Goodbye Mr A”.
Away from the main stage, festival-goers had access to a fairground, food stalls, a bar area, and a dedicated kids’ entertainment zone, alongside activities aimed at younger children including a silent disco tent, face painting, and circus skills workshops.
Organisers had built in a re-admission policy for the day, allowing parents to bring tired children home and return to enjoy more of the festival later on.
Ayclive Festival was launched in 2023 to mark Newton Aycliffe’s 75th anniversary, with its inaugural line-up featuring Britpop-era acts Cast and Dodgy alongside local group Sound Divide.
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Run entirely by volunteers, the festival reinvests its profits into the following year’s event and into local causes, with organisers describing it as a celebration of community spirit as much as live music.
The Brownlee Foundation, launched by triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee in 2014, celebrated its 100th event on Tuesday 16 June 2026 in Mold, North Wales.
Alistair Brownlee attended the milestone event, which gives primary school pupils the chance to take part in a non-competitive triathlon.
More than 92,000 children have now participated in Brownlee Foundation events across Yorkshire, the North West, Midlands, London, and beyond.
Olympic Brownlee brothers celebrate 100th school triathlon event (Image: Supplied)
Alistair Brownlee said: “When Jonny and I started the Brownlee Foundation, the aim was simple.
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“We wanted to give more children the chance to experience sport in a positive, accessible and enjoyable way.
“This has never been about creating elite athletes.
“It’s about helping children try something new, build confidence and discover what they are capable of.
“To reach 100 events and know that more than 92,000 children have now taken part is something we are incredibly proud of.
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“Sport has given us so much throughout our lives, and we know the impact it can have on confidence, resilience, friendships and wellbeing.
“Seeing children cross the finish line with a smile on their face is exactly why the Foundation exists.”
The events are free for primary schools and aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils.
No previous triathlon experience is needed, and all equipment—including bikes and helmets—is provided.
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Each child receives a t-shirt before the event, as well as a medal, goody bag, and healthy snacks at the finish line.
Jonny Brownlee said: “The most powerful thing about the Foundation is that it gives children an experience they might not otherwise have.
“For some, it is their first time trying a triathlon.
“For others, it might be the first time they have enjoyed being active.
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“That matters.
“Not every child sees themselves as sporty, but every child gets the chance to be active, have fun and feel proud of what they have achieved.
“Reaching 100 events is a brilliant milestone, but it also makes us even more determined to keep going.
“We want to inspire the next generation to enjoy being active and to make sure more children can access those opportunities, whatever their background.”
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The foundation has grown significantly since its first event in 2014, now working with schools, volunteers, local sports clubs, councils, and other partners.
Its events are designed to be inclusive, fun, and non-competitive, giving children a positive introduction to swimming, cycling, and running.
The 100th event forms part of a busy year for the foundation.
More than 17,500 children have taken part across 17 events through their schools.
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The achievement comes as national attention turns once again to school sport provision, following recent government changes that will see England’s PE and Sport Premium replaced by a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network from spring 2027.
Schools and sector leaders have called for continued clarity and support to ensure children continue to have access to high-quality physical activity.
The good news is that restaurants, pubs, cafés and supermarkets across the UK are once again offering kids eat free, 88p meals , £1 deals, free breakfasts and even free fruit to help families save money.
Here’s a list of restaurants, pubs and cafés where kids can eat free or for less:
Angus Steakhouse
Offer: Children under eight eat FREE
When: Daily, 12pm-5pm
How: One free children’s meal with every paying adult.
ASK Italian
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Every day during the summer holidays
How: Via the free ASK Perks app when an adult buys a main. Maximum two children per adult.
Asda Café
Offer: Kids’ meals for £1
When: Every day
How: No adult purchase required.
Banana Tree
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Sundays
How: One free children’s meal with every adult main.
Bella Italia
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Sunday to Thursday
How: Three-course children’s meal and drink with an adult main.
Bill’s
Offer: Two children eat FREE
When: Monday to Friday until August 31
How: Adult orders a main course.
BrewDog
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Daily until August 31
How: Select the Kids Eat Free offer when booking.
Brewers Fayre
Offer: One child eats FREE
How: With one paying adult.
Chiquito
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Throughout the school holidays
How: One free children’s meal, side, dessert and drink with every adult main.
Dobbies Garden Centres
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Until September 1
How: With any adult breakfast or main meal.
Farmhouse & Farmhouse Kitchen
Offer:Two children eat FREE
When: Monday to Friday, July 20-August 28
How: Buy an adult breakfast, main or carvery and two children eat free, plus each receives a free scoop of ice cream.
Flaming Grill
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Weekdays until August 28
How: One children’s meal, drink and pudding for 88p with every adult meal.
Franco Manca
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Monday to Thursday
How: One free pizza for under-12s with every adult main.
Frankie & Benny’s
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: With an adult main at participating restaurants.
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Offer: Under-eights eat FREE
When: All day, every day
Where: Selected restaurants including Street Pizza and Gordon Ramsay Burger.
Greene King pubs
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Monday to Friday until August 28
How: Children’s meal, dessert and drink for 88p with an adult meal. Larger meals cost £1.31.
Harvester
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Until September 4
How: With an adult main.
Hungry Horse
Offer: Kids eat for 88p
When: Monday to Friday until August 28
How: Up to two children receive a meal, drink and pudding for 88p with every adult meal. Upgrade to a larger meal for an extra 43p.
IKEA Restaurant
Offer: Children’s hot meals from 95p
When: Every day.
Las Iguanas
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Throughout the holidays
How: Via the app with an adult main.
Morrisons Café
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Every day
How: One child aged 16 or under receives a free meal and drink with an adult meal costing more than £5.
Pausa Café at Dunelm
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: Mini main, two snacks and a drink with every £5 spend.
Pizza Hut
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Daily from 3pm at participating restaurants.
Prezzo
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: Join the Kids Club (£1.99 per month) for free three-course children’s meals with every adult main.
Sainsbury’s Café
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Daily from 11.30am
How: With an adult hot meal.
Sizzling Pubs
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Monday to Friday
How: With every adult main.
Subway
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: July 28-August 17
How: One free Kids’ Meal with every Footlong Sub at participating stores.
Tesco Café
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Throughout the summer holidays
How: Get one free Kids’ Hot Meal Deal, Kids’ Breakfast or Pick ‘n’ Mix meal when an adult buys any item from just 60p and scans a Tesco Clubcard. There is no limit to the number of free meals.
TGI Fridays
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: Via the Stripes Rewards app with an adult main.
The Real Greek
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Sundays
How: With a £15 adult spend.
Toby Carvery
Offer: Kids eat for £1
When: Weekdays
How: With an adult carvery or main meal.
YO! Sushi
Offer: Kids eat FREE
How: One children’s meal with every £10 adult spend.
Zizzi
Offer: Kids eat FREE
When: Every day
How: One child can eat free with every adult main
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Supermarkets offering even more free food this summer
Tesco
Tesco is expanding its support for families over the holidays.
Alongside its Kids Eat Free café offer, the supermarket is bringing back Free Fruit for Kids until August 30 , with children able to pick up a free apple at checkouts in more than 800 Tesco stores and 77 larger Tesco Express stores.
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Morrisons
Morrisons is once again running its free Kellogg’s Breakfast Clubs throughout the summer holidays.
Adults and children can enjoy a free bowl of Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, served with milk or a dairy alternative, plus a free apple or banana every day during the school holidays.
The supermarket is also continuing its Kids Eat Free café offer, meaning families can enjoy both breakfast and lunch for less.
Expert tips for saving even more
Ben Smye from Hotukdeals recommends:
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Book ahead , as restaurants fill up quickly during the holidays.
Download restaurant apps , as many offers are app-only.
Join free loyalty schemes to unlock extra discounts.
Check your local branch , as not every venue takes part.
Read the small print , including age limits, minimum spends and valid days.
Try apps like Too Good To Go to pick up discounted food from cafés, bakeries and restaurants while helping reduce food waste.
He adds: “Eating out as a family can feel like a luxury. Planning around kids-eat-free offers can cut a typical £100 family meal bill almost in half.”
With some family meals costing well over £80, planning around these offers could save parents hundreds of pounds over the summer holidays.
Manchester United are close to making their next moves in the transfer market
Manchester United are close to making further inroads in the transfer market – and some deals could be completed this week. It’s a crucial summer for United as they look to build on the progress made under Michael Carrick over the second half of last season.
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With Champions League football a welcome addition to the schedule, Carrick needs a stronger, deeper squad than the one he ended last season with. United also need to move players on, either permanently or on loan.
They have already strengthened their spine with the arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa but at least one more midfielder is set to follow.
Clubs are also in a rush to get their finances in check before July concludes to meet financial fair play regulations. Here’s a rundown of the moves that could potentially go through this week…
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
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Manu Kone
United are believed to have agreed personal terms with the Roma star, who is valued at around £50million. Corriere dello Sport reported over the weekend that United still hadn’t made a concrete offer and are ‘moving slowly’ over the signing.
That is said to be frustrating for Roma, who are eager for the deal to go through this month to avoid copping a hefty fine from UEFA. They have a settlement agreement with the governing body to ensure their losses do not exceed £51.25m but have until July 31 to prove they have stayed within financial limits. Therefore, they will be pressing for a deal to go through in a matter of days.
Radek Vitek
Having impressed on loan at Bristol City last season, the Czech keeper will be on the move again this summer. With a route to the United first-choice looking blocked following the arrival of Karl Darlow as chief back-up to Senne Lammens, Vitek could leave permanently.
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A return to the Championship is on the cards, with Middlesbrough among the clubs to hold an interest in the 22-year-old. With the start of the Championship season less than three weeks away, they may want to get a deal over the line sooner rather than later.
Joshua Zirkzee
The Dutch striker appears to have little future at Old Trafford. It’s evident Carrick isn’t keen on the 25-year-old, although United can probably forget about recouping the £36.5m they paid for Bologna in 2024. A return to Italy is likely, with Juventus reportedly interested.
Altay Bayindir
Another player with no future at the club, Bayindir has been granted extra post-World Cup leave to complete his departure. The Turkey keeper, who didn’t play at the World Cup, has been linked with a return to his homeland with Besiktas.
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Bayindir has not played for United since his error in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford in September. The team lost seven of the 17 games he started, conceding 31 goals.
Marcus Rashford
It would be a surprise if the seemingly never-ending Rashford saga concludes this week, but don’t completely rule it out. The forward’s career is in limbo after Barcelona declined to convert his loan into a permanent deal.
United are eager to get him off the wage bill, but are reluctant to sell to a direct rival. As it stands, Rashford will join up with the United squad in August, unless another club decides to take the plunge on the enigmatic forward before then.
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Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
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Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.
Over 300,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to rage across Spain and France.
At least one man has been killed in Spain and dozens others have been injured including at least 68 firefighters in France.
Government officials from both countries have commented on the historic nature of the blaze, with Madrid’s regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso describing it as “the worst fire in the history of the region”.
“The fires which are hitting our country have reached a level that has never been seen before,” French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X on Saturday.
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Lecornu promised that over 1.5 million face masks would be provided as even areas unaffected by the worst of the blaze saw air quality deteriorate and smoke spread.
Below we look at the areas affected and evacuated as a result of the wildfires.
The fires appeared to be advancing towards the French city of Bordeaux after the flames continued to spread, with several suburban regions on the city’s outskirts evacuated on Saturday morning.
This included the evacuation of large parts of Bordeaux’s suburbs, including the areas of Le Haillan, Eysines and Merignac.
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French officials told Sky News on Sunday that they are considering a total evacuation of the city of Bordeaux – the sixth largest city in the country – if needed.
Beach goers sit on the beach of Moutchic in Lacanau, southwestern France on July 24, 2026, as clouds of smoke rise into the sky from a wildfire. (AFP/Getty)
Local prefect Sophie Broca described the fast-spreading blaze throughout Gironde as an “XXL fire”.
Another major fire began further along the coast near the town of Biscarrosse in the Landes region on Thursday afternoon with several of the surrounding areas also evacuated for safety.
The French army has also been drafted in to help with the crisis as the inferno showed no signs of slowing down.
Over 220,000 people have been evacuated across France as it is experiencing worsening drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages.
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Spain
The government of Spain has declared a national emergency as the worst of the fires burned close to the country’s capital of Madrid, which is home to 6.8 million people.
Regional president Ayuso said that that conditions had been made worse by a combination of high temperatures, wind and the merging of blazes.
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The Spanish interior ministry reported that a total of 70,000 people had been evacuated from villages outside Madrid.
One man died in Manises, near the Spanish city of Valencia, the country’s interior ministry has said, after he was found in a car in a ravine hundreds of kilometres away from the severe wildfires spreading near Madrid.
Elderly persons evacuated amid wildfires rest in a sports hall in Villaviciosa de Odon, 20 kms west of Madrid, on July 25, 2026. (AFP/Getty)
While Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet said that the fire risk remains at “very high” levels across vast areas of the country and “extreme” in the north-east and east, the threat was “lower that in previous days” in central and western Spain, according to an update on X on Saturday.
Spain’s health minister Monica Garcia warned people to be mindful of the air quality across Madrid as she advised residents to stay in doors and pay special attention to vulnerable people.
“Due to the fires, today’s air quality in Madrid is not good, with PM2.5 levels well above those recommended by the WHO,” she wrote in a post on X on Saturday.
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A view of a wildfire near Lacanau, amongst worsening drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages across much of France, July 25, 2026. (Reuters)
“Avoid physical activity and staying outdoors. If you go outside and there is smoke or ash, use an FFP2/95 mask and goggles to protect your eyes. Seek medical attention if you notice difficulty breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
“Pay special attention to vulnerable people around you. Stay informed through official sources and follow the instructions from emergency services.”
Other areas impacted by wildfires include parts of Scotland where a major incident was declared following a blaze in Cairngorms National Park, with smoke drifting as far as Aberdeen nearly 150 miles away. Parts of Italy and Tunisia have also been affected.
Manchester United continue to push for more transfers this summer ahead of the upcoming Premier League season
Manchester United are pushing for more reinforcements as they continue their pre-season tour of Europe. Michael Carrick has welcomed Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow and Andrey Santos to Old Trafford.
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The United boss needs to build a squad capable of competing domestically and in the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain are next up for the Red Devils before Leeds and then a reunion with Ruben Amorim against AC Milan.
Kone has reportedly agreed personal terms with United. Corriere dello Sport suggest that the Roma midfielder is keen to join the Premier League side, with a fee yet to be agreed.
It is understood that United are in contact with Roma and plan to submit a bid of around £42.7million (€50m). Real Madrid withdrew from the race for Kone after seeing their £34.1m (€40m) offer rejected.
Saudi side Al-Ahli and Chelsea are also interested and Kone’s fee could rise to £51.2m (€60m) if a bidding war ensues.
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Premier League star requests Utd move
Baleba’s camp have reportedly got in touch with United once again to suss out a move to Old Trafford. Fabrizio Romano claims that the 22-year-old’s representatives have made contact and is keen to work under Carrick.
The Brighton midfielder was pushing for a move last year and sees United as his dream destination. The Seagulls were demanding £100m for his services, which stalled any potential deal.
However, Baleba’s transfer fee has fallen to around £70m and could be an option for United after this significant drop in value.
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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Cambridgeshire is home to many beautiful villages, such as the lovely Grantchester and its meadows, the riverside Hemingford Abbots and Castor. But they’ve all been beaten to the top spot
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Editor and Commercial Content Lead
02:47, 27 Jul 2026
The prettiest village in Cambridgeshire has been crowned.
When it comes to fair-looking spots across the country, there are plenty to choose from.
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There is Grantchester, located just two miles south of Cambridge along the River Cam. It is famous for its links to the poet Rupert Brooke, its iconic Grantchester Meadows, and for taking afternoon tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.
Hemingford Abbots is another classic. It’s a highly sought-after riverside village near Huntingdon which features 16th and 17th-century thatched cottages. Its peaceful setting along the River Ouse makes it one of the most picturesque spots in the county.
And who could forget Castor, made up as it is of dry stone walls, thatched cottages, and a stunning 12th-century church. It is also home to the ruins of a significant Roman palace.
As pretty as all of these places are, they’ve been beaten to the top spot by Elton.
“Elton’s highlight is Elton Hall, a magnificent 15th-century estate that has been home to the Proby family since 1660. The Hall’s gorgeously furnished interiors – including a library housing ancient manuscripts – and its serene Victorian gardens make it a historical treasure,” writes Love Exploring, which placed Elton at number 41 on the overall England list.
“If bored of Elton Estate’s 3,800 acres, visitors can meander through woodlands of the Nene Valley, and areas bursting with local biodiversity. Additionally Elton Mill, a three-storey watermill on the River Nene, hints at the area’s industrial heritage.”
There are plenty of reasons to visit Elton.
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Its main draw is Elton Hall, a historic country house that’s been in the Proby family for over 300 years. It’s a genuinely striking place, part Gothic in style, set in over 40 acres of land, including formal gardens, woodland walks, a lake, a large yew hedge, a walled garden, and a water garden.
The house and gardens are open to the public at certain times of year, with guided tours and occasional events like outdoor concerts and art exhibitions.
Beyond the Hall itself, a few things make Elton a good base for a day out. It’s two miles from Fotheringhay, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed, and the atmospheric ruins/church there draw many visitors.
Elton sits near Ferry Meadows Country Park, offering good cycling and walking routes toward Peterborough. Burghley House, an Elizabethan stately home, isn’t far.
Neiter is Oundle, an historic market town five miles away, home to the Talbot Inn. It is built from stones of the ruined Fotheringhay Castle and reportedly contains the staircase Mary Queen of Scots walked down to her execution.
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