The owners of the Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World have praised the firefighters who stopped the fire spreading any further

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Three animals died after a huge fire broke out at a popular zoo on Monday.

The owner of the family-run Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World near Telford, England, confirmed three animals died in the blaze.

In a video update shared on Monday evening, owner Will Dorrell said: “Sometime around 7 AM this morning, a fire broke out in the building just behind us. That is the zoo office.”

He said the blaze was discovered around 30 to 45 minutes later by the owners and a member of staff. Mr Dorrell said: “Fortunately, at that time the fire was contained to within the building, but sadly, three animals did lose their lives, reports the Express.

“We lost some stick insects, a hedgehog, and a snake, all of which were personal pets ourselves and not part of the zoo. We are absolutely devastated about it.”

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Mr Dorrell also revealed that two of the zoo’s owners – his wife and father – were taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering smoke inhalation but were later discharged.

During the video update, Mr Dorrell identified the two owners taken to hospital as his wife and father.

He said: “They both ended up in hospital, but I’m very, very pleased to say that they’re both back now. They were just taken to be checked over for smoke inhalation… they’re both absolutely fine.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Mr Dorrell also praised Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for preventing the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings, many of which are made of wood.

He said the zoo office had been “completely gutted”, while the first aviary sustained only a small amount of damage, which he said was “hopefully rectifiable”.

He added: “Without Shropshire Fire and Rescue, that wouldn’t have been possible, and we probably would have lost significantly more, a lot more animals.”

The zoo is expected to reopen to visitors on Tuesday, with Mr Dorrell asking people to “bear with us” while repairs continue around the site.

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He also thanked those whose visits had been disrupted and said anyone with bookings would be contacted to rearrange them.

He said: “Those of you haven’t yet been in touch with us, we will be reaching out over this evening and into tomorrow… offering to rebook your tickets.”

The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World was recently named Tripadvisor users’ second-best zoo in the UK for the second consecutive year and was also voted the ninth-highest rated zoo in Europe earlier this year.

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Arsenal are pushing hard to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle

After a slow and somewhat disappointing first half of the summer transfer window, Arsenal are ramping up their pursuit of several key targets. Since the Gunners’ Champions League final defeat to PSG in May, Mikel Arteta has repeatedly stressed the need to add quality signings, especially in forward positions.

The Premier League champions’ underwhelming early business included announcing Piero Hincapie’s permanent move and signing third-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier. They followed that up by replacing the recently-departed Leandro Trossard with £34million Greek winger Christos Tzolis, who grabbed a goal on his debut against Girona last Saturday.

Arsenal’s first game of the 2026/27 campaign – a Community Shield clash with Manchester City on August 16 – will soon be in view as the season draws closer. As such, sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to push hard in the coming days to bring in a defender, a midfielder and a forward – which Arsenal hope will be Vinicius Junior.

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Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two of the latest transfer stories involving the Gunners.

Second Bruno Guimaraes bid looms

Several reports claim that Newcastle United have rejected Arsenal’s first official offer for Bruno Guimaraes. The Gunners’ opening bid fell short of the £80m valuation the Magpies have placed on their captain and star midfielder.

However, Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer for the 28-year-old, whose contract expires in June 2028. Guimaraes has emerged as Arteta’s most pressing target in recent weeks and has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the north Londoners.

The Brazilian has also made Newcastle aware of his desire to leave, with the Emirates Stadium said to be his favoured destination. It is understood that Guimaraes is not willing to force an exit, however. Arsenal had floated a £45m verbal offer at the start of the transfer window but they were immediately shut down by the Magpies.

Arteta’s private message to target

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Arteta has reportedly taken charge of Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius by directly speaking to the Brazilian winger on the phone. The Gunners boss, according to Spanish outlet AS, has told Vinicius he will base the entire Arsenal project around the 26-year-old, should he join this summer.

It emerged last month that all key personnel at Arsenal had decided to pursue the Real Madrid forward, sanctioning the move in spite of the enormous cost of getting a deal over the line. Despite Vinicius’ contract expiring next summer, a fee of around £130m has been mooted in order to convince Los Blancos to part ways with the two-time Champions League winner.

Real Madrid remain determined to keep Vinicius but will look to sell him if he refuses to agree to a contract extension. They are reportedly unwilling to adjust their most recent contract offer to Vinicius and the club believes the decision now lies with the player.

It has previously been said that Vinicius is not in a rush to renew his deal, but new boss Jose Mourinho was prepared to step in in order to keep his star players.

Countdown to Kickoff: The Ultimate 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle

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By CHARLIE SPIERING, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: 18:24 BST, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 03:51 BST, 4 August 2026

President Trump fired back against claims from Iranian officials that they were not negotiating a peace agreement with the United States.

‘Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!’ the President wrote on Truth Social. ‘They ask for a meeting, some would say ‘beg,’ talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with ‘Oman.”

The president reacted to remarks made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei who disputed peace talks during a press conference on Monday.

‘We are not currently holding negotiations with the United States,’ Baghaei said, ‘Our talks are with Oman.’

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Trump also dismissed Iran officials claims that they were controlling the Strait of Hormuz as ‘blather,’ insisting the United States was in control of the waterway.

‘Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished,’ he said.

On Sunday, Trump said he called off a ‘massive attack’ planned for Iran which would have been the ‘biggest attack since WWII.’

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Last night, Donald Trump (pictured) claimed to have called off the the ‘biggest attack since WWII’ planned for Iran over the weekend

Iranian missiles ‘Zolfaghar’ on display at the Azadi square in Tehran, Iran, July 30 2026

He said Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, had asked him to postpone the attack. 

‘When the allies asked to call it off, you gotta say, ‘Well, let’s see.’ And the reason why they asked is because I think there’s a deal.’

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The President repeated Monday that talks continued in the process to end the conflict with Iran.

‘It is very simple, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon!’ he added.

The President spoke about Iran as reports surrounding an email sent by US Central Command’s intelligence branch requesting new ideas to help pressure Iran.

‘We are looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran,’ the email to military officials and service members read. 

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A CENTCOM spokesperson responded to the email’s contents and defended the message as part of the organizations ‘long history of thinking and working in innovative ways.’

Smoke rises after reports of multiple U.S. strikes on the city, as loud explosions were heard according to the Iranian state TV on Thursday

Trump has repeatedly claimed that his administration has control over the Strait of Hormuz

The president has considered a series of punishing airstrikes, including a dramatic attack on Pickaxe Mountain, where Iran is believed to be holding some of its enriched uranium.

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‘We’ll be hitting that area very probably pretty soon. And there’s not a thing they can do about it,’ Trump said last week during an Oval Office meeting.

But the President continues looking for a more peaceful exit from the conflict that began in February, frequently backing down from threatened attacks on the grounds of ongoing negotiations.

The Pentagon estimated that the war has cost $37.5 billion so far and eighteen US service members have been killed in the fighting so far.

LNER has applied to City of York Council to replace terrazzo flooring at York railway station on the inner and outer concourses and between platforms five and eight with natural stone.

The existing terrazzo flooring has been identified as a persistent safety hazard, particularly during warm and wet weather, due to its tendency to become slippery, the council planning documents read.

Recommended reading:

When the concrete flooring is cooler than the surrounding air, moisture can condensate on the surface which creates a significant slip hazard.

Design documents within the plans said: “LNER has sought to manage this risk over several years and has tried a variety of approaches, including chemical etching, anti-slip coating, ad hoc matting and enhanced cleaning arrangements.

“However, none of these alternatives have been successful in arresting the increase in risk.

“These options, in the long term, are also much more expensive and disruptive than replacing the flooring with a more suitable alternative.”

The proposal is to remove all areas of terrazzo flooring from the outer and inner concourses of York railway station and between platforms five and eight and replace it with a more suitable alternative (Image: Network Rail)

Specialist advice has indicated that terrazzo is not suitable for use in environments that are not climate-controlled, such as York station, the plans said.

In addition, the bespoke nature of the flooring makes repairs difficult, often resulting in patches that do not match the original finish and detract from the Grade II* listed-station’s historic character.

LNER is proposing to invest in new flooring for the affected areas using a natural sandstone product.

The selection followed a detailed evaluation process that considered slip resistance, durability, ease of maintenance, cost, and heritage considerations.

The plans said: “There was therefore a strong overall consensus within the project to proceed with a lighter Yorkstone (with softer yellow tones), the Woodkirk.

“This was bolstered by its proven use at other stations, its operational benefits in terms of maintenance and slip resistance and the consistency offered throughout the LNER estate.”

The proposal is to remove all areas of terrazzo flooring from the outer and inner concourses of York railway station and between platforms five and eight and replace it with a more suitable alternative (Image: Network Rail)

The council was engaged in a pre-application process, which included a site visit and formal feedback.

While council officers expressed a preference for grey-toned stone, the project team concluded that such materials would darken excessively over time, the plans say.

The replacement of the terrazzo flooring forms part of LNER’s broader efforts to improve passenger and staff safety while preserving the station’s heritage value.

The new flooring is expected to reduce incidents of slips and falls and will be easier to maintain.

Routine repairs will be simpler to complete without compromising the appearance of the concourse areas.

City of York Council said consultation on the plans runs until Wednesday, August 19

Thylane Blondeau has finally shared the making of her Miu Miu wedding dress after she married DJ Ben Attal last month.

The model, labelled the most beautiful girl in the world by Vogue Enfants, tied the knot in the lace fishtail gown at the $64million Chateau Diter in the South Of France.

Sharing the finer details in behind-the-scenes snaps on Instagram on Monday, Thylane said it was a life-long ‘dream’ to wear the brand.

Thylane revealed her custom dress took 240 hours to make and required 30 meters of French lace. 

Miu Miu is the more spontaneous sister label to Prada, owned entirely by the Prada Group and founded by lead designer Miuccia Prada. 

She wrote: ‘My wildest dream. I never imagined that one day I’d be wearing the wedding dress of my dreams, custom made by @miumiu

The model, labelled the most beautiful girl in the world by Vogue Enfants, tied the knot in the lace fishtail gown at the $64million Chateau Diter in the South Of France

Sharing the finer details in behind-the-scenes snaps on Instagram on Monday, Thylane said it was a life-long ‘dream’ to wear the brand

‘Made with over 30 metres of French lace and requiring 240 hours of craftsmanship, every single detail was created with incredible care and artistry.

‘Thank you to every single person who made this dream come true. I am beyond grateful. 

‘I started working with Miu Miu when I was 16 years old, and I never could have imagined that, years later, they would create the dress I’d wear on one of the most important days of my life.

‘This is a memory I’ll cherish forever. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.’

The venue, which is owned by British millionaire Patrick Diter, is a Tuscan-style estate on a 17-acre plot in Grasse, and includes 18 suites, two helipads, saltwater pools, manicured Italian gardens, a medieval cloister, and a wine-tasting cellar.

Hiring the venue for a wedding starts at £17,000, though with the addition of decorations and added amenities, the total cost is expected to be much higher. 

In June, she revealed that she and Ben had celebrated their legal wedding in a custom couture gown by Eva Bouskila.

Pictures from their big day show the couple beaming as they walk hand in hand at the ceremony, which took place in a city hall ceremony in Paris’s 16th arrondissement.

The couple, who began dating back in 2020, married just three months after announcing their engagement.

Thylane revealed her custom dress took 240 hours to make and required 30 meters of French lace

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She wrote: ‘My wildest dream. I never imagined that one day I’d be wearing the wedding dress of my dreams, custom made by @miumiu’

Miu Miu is the more spontaneous sister label to Prada, owned entirely by the Prada Group and founded by lead designer Miuccia Prada

‘I started working with Miu Miu when I was 16 and I never could have imagined that, years later, they would create the dress I’d wear on one of the most important days of my life’, she gushed

Thylane pictured with her husband Ben on their wedding day 

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She was carrying a bouquet of white calla lilies, while holding out her other hand to her new husband Ben as they entered the venue.

Thylane confirmed her engagement to Ben after he proposed during a romantic trip to Greece.

Thylane began dating Ben in 2020, little more than a year after ending her former relationship with French DJ, Milane Meritte.

The model daughter of retired footballer Patrick Blondeau, she walked for Jean Paul Gaultier at the age of four and then later, aged ten, became the youngest ever model to pose for Vogue Paris.

She would rocket to fame in 2006, at the age of five, after being named the ‘most beautiful girl in the world’ by Vogue Enfants. 

It is an accolade that she won on two separate occasions, as 12 years later Thylane once again cinched the coveted title, coming in top of TC Candler’s 2018 annual awards list.

• Fighter stops road rage incident
• He stepped in to help two women 
• Do you know more? tips@dailymail.com.au 
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By JOSH ALSTON, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 00:53 BST, 4 August 2026 | Updated: 03:12 BST, 4 August 2026

A professional fighter is being hailed as a hero after stepping in to protect two young women during a road rage confrontation on Queensland‘s Sunshine Coast. 

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Dashcam footage of the incident shows a van trying to merge into another lane of traffic on the Bruce Highway.

The van driver then stopped, left his vehicle and approached a car carrying two young women. 

He allegedly tried to open the driver’s door – before Muay Thai champion Ryan McDonald intervened, confronting the man as other motorists gathered nearby. 

‘It was just two girls on their own in the car,’ he told Channel Seven on Monday.

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‘And I was thinking this would be a good opportunity to help and use what I know to protect these two girls, or de-escalate the situation.’ 

Muay Thai champion Ryan McDonald stepped in after a road rage confrontation threatened two young women in Queensland

A motorist reportedly backed down after realising McDonald was an experienced professional Muay Thai fighter and competitor 

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McDonald and the van driver exchanged words before both men removed their shirts in the middle of the road.

However, the confrontation ended without a punch being thrown when the motorist learned that McDonald was, in fact, a professional fighter. 

McDonald has recorded eight victories during his fighting career, including four by knockout.

‘He came back up to me and was like ‘Are you sure you want this?’ I was like, ‘Yeah’,’ McDonald said.

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The van driver returned to his vehicle and drove away.

McDonald said that preventing the confrontation from becoming violent was the ideal result.

‘It was the best possible outcome, to de-escalate the [situation]… everybody got home safe that day,’ he said.

Footage of the incident has since attracted more than three million views across social media, where McDonald was widely praised for helping the women. 

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Dashcam footage showed a van veering into the lane where the car containing the two women was driving 

The 19-year-old fighter, pictured centre right, has recorded eight professional victories during his career, including four wins by knockout so far. 

The fighter has drawn comparisons to WWE star Cody Rhodes, who will play Guile in the upcoming Street Fighter movie 

‘What a legend to put himself in that position and defend those girls he didn’t even know,’ one social media user said.

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Another person said: ‘Glad he stepped in. I’ve got daughters and granddaughters and that man trying to open the car door isn’t on.’

A third added: ‘I cannot quite believe this man stepped in to help two vulnerable women, and most of you only want to make comments on his appearance!

‘Good on you mate, I’d be glad to have you there if this happened to me or my daughter.’

Some social media users said the incident would have been a ‘scary experience’ for the women. 

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‘Only a complete loser of a man would try to intimidate or threaten young women. Thankfully there are still decent men around prepared to step in,’ a commenter said.

Other Australians compared McDonald’s distinctive bleached blonde haircut and muscular appearance to the character Guile from the Street Fighter video game series.

‘Why does he look like Guile from StreetFighter?’ one user asked, to which a second said: ‘Because he IS Guile from Street Fighter!’

Another person said: ‘Why ask that question when you and I both know that is Guile? Living breathing legend.’

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The comparison comes ahead of the new live-action Street Fighter movie, which is scheduled to reach Australian cinemas on October 15.

WWE superstar Cody Rhodes, known to wrestling fans as the ‘American Nightmare’ and also sporting bleached hair, will play Guile in the upcoming film.

Naga Munchetty has reportedly been given ‘special treatment’ at her new BBC 5 Live role by being able to work from London on the Salford-based programme.

The BBC Breakfast host, 51, has held the role for 17 years at their London studio, but will be making a move north when she starts her new job.

However, according to sources Naga has been told that she can work two days a week from the capital, a privilege that has been offered to several big names. 

The ‘two-tier system’ is apparently starting to become an issue at the broadcaster and colleagues who have to work full time up north are making it a ‘talking point’.

The show relocated to Salford 15 years ago as part of the BBC’s initiative to spread investment in programming across the country and not just in London. 

However, BBC bosses have been accused of giving Naga, who was paid about £360,000 last year, special treatment as she’ll reportedly be allowed to host the show from London for two days a week.

A job advertising the role as Naga’s co-host also says they would be required to present from Salford five days a week. 

A BBC source told The Times: ‘The non-Salford shows are becoming a talking point as more presenters are given special treatment to do it.

‘I’m not sure it’s what [culture secretary] Lisa Nandy and Andy Burnham envisioned [for the BBC’s] Salford base.’

Another insider told the publication: ‘Salford still hasn’t really worked as envisaged. It’s just more evidence of a two-tier system.’

Other presenters who present from both Salford and London include Nicky Campbell and Matt Chorley.

The Daily Mail contacted the BBC and Naga’s representative for comment.

A spokesperson for the BBC has insisted that they remain focused on their commitment to broadcasting from Salford. 

They said: ‘BBC Radio 5 Live is proudly based in Salford which remains the main production base for the station and 5 Live Breakfast.

‘As a national live news and sport service, it is important that 5 Live also broadcasts from locations across the country so it can reflect and serve all audiences across the UK.’

The BBC Breakfast host, 51, has held the role for 17 years at their London studio, but will be making a move north when she she starts her new job

It emerged last week that the investigation into Naga’s behaviour was ‘quietly dropped’, with the star announcing this week she would be leaving BBC Breakfast.

The Daily Mail revealed on Wednesday that Naga was ‘made to look like a monster’ on BBC Breakfast, and her departure means a win for its ‘boys club’ culture. You can read Katie Hind’s full story here.  

Her decision to leave was announced on Tuesday and an insider said the move is no doubt ‘two fingers’ to the TV bosses who had spent more than a year investigating allegations of bullying and misconduct against her.

Naga was reportedly placed under review last summer amid complaints about alleged bullying and off-colour jokes over a three-year period – but always remained defiant and on air.

She was alleged to have been unkind when fellow presenter Sally Nugent unveiled a glam new look and was also said to have remarked that weather presenter Carol Kirkwood had ‘aged a bit’.

There was also said to be a frosty relationship with co-host Charlie Stayt, despite them being all smiles on screen. 

The claims emerged after BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani took an extended period of leave following separate allegations of bullying and misconduct. At the time, Munchetty was reported to be among those who raised concerns. Frediani has since been cleared of wrongdoing and returned to work.

Naga pictured for the first time since she announced she would be leaving BBC Breakfast 

Some BBC insiders see her appointment to the 5 Live Breakfast role as a sign she retains the corporation’s backing. Just weeks ago it was revealed she had received another pay rise, meaning her annual salary is now between £360,000 and £364,999 per year.

A BBC 5 Live insider told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s brilliant for Naga and she’s giving Frediani two fingers. It’s a big promotion for her and a massive coup for us.’

Naga was reportedly questioned by bosses over an alleged sex joke, claims she was unkind to co-presenters and allegations she upset Geri Halliwell-Horner.

There were complaints that she made sexual comments during an ad break and was even alleged to have asked a female colleague whether she had ever carried out a certain sex act.

She was accused of telling off an intern over the quality of her Marmite on toast.

When Sally Nugent unveiled a new look, Naga allegedly said: ‘We’re meant to be serious journalists, not trying to look like we’re presenting This Morning.’

There were also allegations that she described Carol Kirkwood as ‘really stern’ and said she had ‘aged a bit’.

Before Kirkwood retired from BBC Breakfast, viewers complained when Munchetty said on air: ‘I’m just waiting for the countdown for you to go.’

There was also said to be a frosty relationship with co-host Charlie Stayt, despite them being all smiles on screen

Another on-air row came when Geri Halliwell-Horner appeared as a guest and later vowed never to return.

Naga asked her: ‘Do you not like being interviewed?’ reportedly prompting an apology from BBC bosses.

Naga will front the show alongside a co-host, who is yet to be recruited, from Monday to Friday, broadcasting live from Salford for three days a week and London for the remaining two.

On the move to 5 Live, Munchetty said: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January. Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly.

‘It has been a privilege to be part of the BBC Breakfast TV team for the past 17 years, working alongside an incredibly talented and hard-working group of journalists who are not only outstanding colleagues but also great friends.

‘Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up. It will take a huge amount of work and require 100% of my focus and energy, and I’m really looking forward to throwing myself into the role.

‘Over the last five years, I’ve been privileged to build a relationship with 5 Live listeners on the mid-morning programme and help shine a light on the issues that matter most to them. I’m excited to build on that in the Breakfast slot and to start each day with our listeners every morning.

‘Between now and January, I’ll continue presenting the two programmes I love. I’m sure there will be plenty of news to cover, and it will very much be business as usual.’

From August 17, changes to the 16-17 Saver railcard will allow holders to continue receiving half-price train fares until the card expires, regardless of when they turn 18.

Previously, the railcard expired on a passenger’s 18th birthday.

DfT said the change will particularly help students, noting that more than 70,000 students each year lose out on an average of £175 due to the existing policy.

The new policy brings the 16-17 Saver, which costs £35 per year and gives a 50% discount on most train fares, into line with other railcards.

What railcards are available for passengers across the UK?

National Rail has shared the railcards that you can buy to reduce your rail fares and how much they cost for a year and for three years, where applicable.

• 16-17 years old – £35 for one year
• 16-25 – £35 for one year or £80 for three years
• 26-30 – £35 for one year
• Disabled Persons Railcard – £20 per year or £54 for three years
• Family & Friends Railcard – £35 for one year or £80 for three years
• Network Railcard – £35 for one year
• Senior Railcard – £35 for one year or £80 for three years
• Two Together Railcard – £35 for one year
• Veterans Railcard – £35 for one year or £80 for three years

Rail minister Lord Hendy claimed this “common sense change” is “exactly what passengers should expect from the railway”.

9 of the most scenic rail routes in the UK

He continued: “I’m proud that this change will support young people and their families to lower the cost of travel at a critical time for teenagers, whether they’re pursuing further education, vocational pathways or getting their footing in the jobs market.

“Making travel fairer and more affordable is central to the vision for Great British Railways.

“By delivering simpler fares and putting passengers first, we’re creating a railway that’s easier to use, better value for money and focused on meeting the everyday needs of the people who rely on it.”

Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said extending the railcard’s validity demonstrates the sector’s commitment to “offering better value fares and delivering a more joined-up railway”.

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Kaynat Ahmad, vice president for further education at the National Union of Students, described the railcard as “essential for young people reliant on trains to get to college, work or training”.

The announcement comes after the Government said the cap on most single bus fares in England will be cut from £3 to £2 next year.

Do you use a railcard? Tell us in the comments below.

Northern services between Driffield and Scarborough are currently not running.

Emergency services, including the air ambulance are at the scene.

Affected stations include Scarborough, Seamer, Filey, Hunmanby, Bempton, Bridlington, Driffield, Beverley, Cottingham, Hull, Brough, Goole, Doncaster, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Thorne North and Selby.

Residents have hit out at plans to triple the size of an immigration removal centre to make it one of the largest in Europe. 

Haslar Immigration Detention Centre in Gosport, Hampshire closed a decade ago but  is set to be reopened and enlarged to house 600 foreign criminals and illegal migrants over three storeys. 

People living near the site say they have seen the price of their homes drop by as much as £25,000 after the plans were revealed and fear they will be left ‘trapped’ inside them due to a lack of willing buyers.

The Home Office also wants to expand Campsfield House immigration removal centre in Oxfordshire from 160 beds to 400.

Both sites will be used to hold foreign criminals and immigration offenders awaiting deportation. Plans to expand them were proposed by the Conservatives but are being carried out by Labour at an estimated cost of around £399million. 

The developments have been designated as having ‘national importance’, meaning the planning process is dealt with by ministers rather than the local councils under the recently introduced Crown Development scheme. 

Residents in Gosport say their lives have been made ‘hell’ by two years of ‘constant’ building work starting in the early hours of the morning.

The facility will have 600 beds provided for the detained men, who will be unable to leave the centre or access the local area. The biggest immigration removal centre in Europe is Harmondsworth near Heathrow, which has a capacity of 676.  

Work to expand the centre is largely completed but is subject to a public consultation that closes on August 6

It is being refurbished after shutting down in 2015 following a parliamentary review, which highlighted immigration detention as ‘expensive and damaging to detainees’.

Dave Wakefield, 69, who lives directly opposite the seafront site with his wife Katie, was worried about the scale of the plans. 

‘We know it is going to be different – how can you go from 150 to 600 people?’ he said. 

‘Now we have seen everything that has gone on, and it is getting bigger and bigger. The people who are going there are criminals, so I have no time of day for them.

‘But they have got 600 people and 450 staff; where’s the planning and how’s it going to be governed?

‘Normally issues like this are sorted out by the boroughs, but it has gone straight to the government.’

A woman who lives only 50 yards away from the centre – and who asked not to be identified – said the plans had already hit the property market. 

‘At the moment we are prisoners in our own homes. We can’t sell our properties,’ she said. 

‘We are trapped. We feel like prisoners. We can’t go on social media and voice our concerns because if you do, you get trolled.

‘It is nothing to do with the political side of things, it is about a way of life. It is about mental health.’

The woman said she had gone through ‘hell on Earth’ due to builders creating large amounts of noise at 6am and blocking her car in.

She said that the amount of dust generated during the building work has made her worry for her health, and she feels like she can’t leave any of her windows open, even in the sweltering heat.

Another resident, Sandra Card, whose house backs onto the development, said that she felt she had been lied to about the plans as she believed it was only going to be two storeys when it is actually three. 

Dave Wakefield, 69, who lives directly opposite the seafront site with his wife Katie, was worried about the scale of the plans

An aerial view of the facility next to the town of Gosport in Hampshire 

The 67-year-old said: ‘The main issue is the fact that they have lied over it. They have said there was going to be 600 people, but they said it was going to be a two-storey building and now it is going to be three.

‘I think it is going to have a big impact on our privacy. They say it isn’t.’

One woman, who did not want to be named, said that she had her house valued recently and it was now worth £25,000 less.

Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage said she is pressing ministers for answers about the detention centre, having raised the issue in Parliament and written to the Home Secretary after a promised meeting with a minister was cancelled.

Redevelopment work at Haslar has taken a phased approach, with Phase 1 consisting of the refurbishment of existing buildings, and Phase 2 involving the building of new-build accommodation.

Phase 1 will provide 130 beds and is expected to be ready by autumn, while the first inmates are anticipated to move into the site in Spring 2027.

Dame Caroline has called for the application to be considered by Gosport Borough Council as the local planning authority – currently it is due to be decided by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State after the local planning authority makes representations.

In a letter to the Home Office, she said: ‘It takes decision-making away from local people and into the hands of civil servants and Labour politicians in Whitehall.

‘I have serious concerns that the Government are trying to push this application through with minimal scrutiny, which isn’t acceptable.’ 

A local community impact assessment – funded by the Home Office – claims the site will create 341 additional jobs during construction.

‘This employment boost has the potential to provide opportunity to local people who are currently unemployed or with poor labour market contributions, as well as through apprenticeship opportunities providing wider social value in the borough,’ it states.

The document estimates that the project will be worth £19.7million a year to the local economy ‘reflecting the net direct and indirect employment in the local authority’. 

The Home Office also wants to expand Campsfield House immigration removal centre in Oxfordshire from 160 beds to 400. Pictured: A protest at the site in November  

Campsfield Immigration detention facility (pictured) was closed in May 2019 after a review highlighted serious welfare concerns 

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Plans to expand Campsfield House immigration removal centre in Oxfordshire have also been controversial, with the site picketed by protesters holding ‘refugees welcome’ banners. 

The Government says that expanding both centres will increase detention capacity by 40 per cent, which could facilitate the removal of 45,000 people over the next decade. 

It comes as Andy Burnham continues to grapple with the small boats crisis after more than 2,000 illegal migrants crossed the Channel into Britain during his first fortnight in power. 

During a visit to Dover yesterday, the new Prime Minister promised to ‘deal with it head on’ as he attempts to regain Labour’s credibility on illegal migration.

Speaking from the coast, Mr Burnham promised: ‘We have to deal with the issue rather than play politics with the issue. Just deal with it head on, grip it, and then make the changes that will bring that reassurance to the public.

‘The public don’t like the idea that the border looks like it’s not controlled.

‘We need to bring back that control, but also we need to offer support for people who genuinely need it.

‘It’s about changing the whole approach, and slowly but surely we are putting in place those building blocks of a very different approach to this issue. It’s working, but there’s more to be done.’

Hitting back, the Tories accused Mr Burnham of being ‘too weak’ to stop the ongoing migrant crossings, and called on him to follow their plan to quit the European Convention on Human Rights.

A Home Office spokesman said: “All Crown Development planning applications require extensive engagement, and we encourage residents and stakeholders to share their views through the formal process.

“We make no apology for significantly expanding our detention capacity which will see more than 45,000 additional foreign criminals and illegal migrants removed over the coming decade.”