​North Yorkshire Council’s ‘asset rationalisation’ plan, which includes the purchase of Resolution House by the A64 in Scarborough for an undisclosed sum, and a move of staff from Scarborough Town Hall and Ryedale House, has been given the green light by councillors.

​The authority has said that new customer access points will be created in town centre sites in Scarborough and Malton.

​A group of coastal and independent councillors called for a “full independent cost assessment” and for a full meeting of the authority to make a decision on the scheme, which was announced by the council earlier this month.

​However, at a specially convened meeting of NYC’s overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday, March 26, members voted 9-5 against the motion.

​Cllr Rich Maw, proposer of the motion, said: “This call-in seeks to safeguard financial prudence because the assurances provided so far aren’t enough. There is insufficient documentation to support a purchase of this significance, and if other members believe there is, that is on their conscience.”

​The scheme has been presented as a way to avoid up to £19m of costs to upgrade “appalling working conditions” at the ageing coastal town hall site, and could see Malton’s Ryedale House office sold to make way for housing.

​At the meeting, council officers were at pains to emphasise that the Scarborough town hall ‘campus’ consists of four buildings and that it was not seeking to demolish the Grade-II Listed historic town hall property.

​Scarborough’s town mayor, Cllr Thomas Murray, asked for assurances that “the town hall remains at the centre of civic life and will be maintained for civic use”, highlighting the absence of “explicit safeguards”.

​However, the council said it could not give any “cast-iron guarantees”.

​The council said its position was that it “does not oppose the listed Town Hall building being retained for community or civic use, provided this does not place substantial costs on this council.

​“While no cast-iron guarantee can be given regarding the long-term future use of the building, there is no short-term requirement for the town council to vacate the premises.”

​​A provisional sum of up to £750,000 has been approved to support the establishment of new front-facing customer service points within Scarborough and Malton town centres, and to fund costs associated with the advancement of redevelopment proposals for vacated sites.

​Cllr Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff asked if the council had commissioned an independent survey on the condition of Resolution House and added: “Surely we should have some independent verification that it is a bargain.”

​NYC corporate director Gary Fielding said: “It’s worth remembering that Resolution House has been refurbished to a very high spec by Anglo American, and we have had assessment support from Align Property. It’s in extremely good condition.”

​Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Gareth Dadd, told the meeting: “Let’s be clear, there’s a misconception that big, bad NYC is coming to knock down the historic Town Hall, and that could have been communicated better.

​“In a civilised society, we cannot let our staff work in these conditions, and the time for action has come.

“We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with the residents of Scarborough because it’s the right thing to do.

​“I believe what we are buying is virtually risk-free and helps regenerate Scarborough. If we miss this opportunity, we’re missing the opportunity of a generation.”

​According to a report prepared for the executive committee, the scheme would create “minimum ongoing savings in property running costs of £400,000 per annum and savings of more than £20 million in backlog maintenance liabilities across Ryedale House and Scarborough Town Hall”.

Mr Fielding said: “The condition of Scarborough Town Hall is not acceptable and it is not fit for purpose. To do nothing is frankly not an option.

​“Would members prefer to spend £19m to bring the town hall campus up to date for and if not, there has to be an alternative and that has to be presented pretty quickly.”

​The overview and scrutiny committee also voted to endorse the decision of the executive with 11 members in favour and three against.

Sergeant Tim Ansell was stabbed as he stood in between a knifeman and fellow officer in Whalley Range

A Greater Manchester Police officer bravely risked his life to tackle a knifeman who launched at colleagues in the street following a traffic stop. Sergeant Tim Ansell was stabbed when he protected his colleague during the armed attack in Whalley Range in 2023.

Ansell, of the Trafford district response team, was recognised for his courageous actions on July 26, 2023 after responding to what began as a routine road traffic accident. The situation had escalated when a hooded man, identified as Jacob Brown, 27, lunged at officers from behind with a knife, attacking Ansell’s colleague, Sergeant Foster, first.

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Dramatic bodycam footage from the scene captured the moment the officer staggers to his feet and calls for help. He is heard telling a colleague: “Put something on my neck here, I’ve been f***ing stabbed here.”

Sgt Ansell then placed himself between the knifeman and his fellow officer, shielding from further harm. Sgt Ansell was stabbed repeatedly, sustaining open wounds to his neck and injuries to his arm and body.

Sgt Ansell then fought to take hold of the assailant’s upper body to prevent him from harming others. Colleague PC Marcus Wolstencroft deployed a Taser to restrain and handcuff Brown, who was then arrested and taken into custody.

All three police officers involved later received multiple accolades for their bravery, including the Chief Constable’s Annual Bravery Awards, the John Egerton Bravery Award from GMP’s Police Federation and the North West Bravery Award.

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It was then announced that Sgt Ansell was to be awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery. Greater Manchester Police said he received the King’s Commendation at St. James’ Palace in London on Wednesday (March 25).

“The actions of all three officers ultimately saved each other and meant no members of the public suffered any injuries,” the force said.

Brown, who had been carrying a blue-handled craft knife and had no connection to the original collision, was sentenced in April 2024 to an indefinite hospital order after pleading guilty to attempted murder with three counts of wounding with intent.

The UK and its NATO allies in Europe must prepare for a “worst case scenario” of the US not defending them in a crisis, an influential committee of peers and MPs has warned.

Tensions between Donald Trump‘s administration and Sir Keir Starmer‘s government could also compromise the reliability of critical pillars of UK national security, including the maintenance of Trident missiles used in the navy’s nuclear deterrent submarines, intelligence sharing and access to programmes such as the F-35 jet, it said in a report.

The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy urged London to “plan to move away from a bilateral relationship with the United States that is so dependent on the latter for nuclear and intelligence operations, and conventional defence”.

Follow latest on Middle East war

It also advised the UK, Europe and Canada to develop a plan “for a transition towards greater European leadership of NATO“.

The intervention, published on Friday, came as President Trump again lambasted his allies – and the UK in particular – for choosing not to join his war against Iran.

He mocked the Royal Navy’s two aircraft carriers as “toys”, while accusing fellow NATO countries of having “done absolutely nothing” to help combat the Iranian regime.

Posting on social media, the president added: “The USA needs nothing from NATO, but ‘never forget’ this very important point in time.”

The comment is a further signal that Washington’s support to the transatlantic alliance under Article 5 of its founding treaty on collective defence – where an attack on one ally is deemed to be an attack on all – cannot be guaranteed.

Mr Trump has already repeatedly dismissed Mr Starmer as not being like Winston Churchill.

Read more:
British public’s fears of war revealed
Putin’s ‘hidden hand likely helping Iran against Trump’

The increased unpredictability of the White House’s security priorities is upending NATO assumptions on the defence of Europe – which has always been built around a belief that the US armed forces would be the dominant power on the side of the allies in a war.

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe – the top operational commander in the alliance – has only ever been an American, while the US military provides critical elements to any fight such as satellite feeds, electronic warfare jammers and overwhelming mass.

It means a European-only force would be a lot less capable.

The committee – which was assessing the UK’s National Security Strategy, published last June – said it was important for the government to continue to collaborate with the US where practical.

But it must also “develop a clear plan, along with other European allies, for a transition towards greater European leadership of NATO”.

“Preparing for a ‘worst-case scenario’ whereby Europe can no longer rely on US support in the event of a crisis, the Government must work with European partners to invest in its own capabilities to offset this potential withdrawal,” the committee added.

Britain is uniquely exposed to any weakening in this transatlantic bond because of its close security and defence partnership with the US, developed over decades and based on the “special relationship”.

The committee listed areas of particular importance, including the UK’s dependence on the US for maintenance of its Trident missiles, intelligence sharing arrangements, delivery of the F-35 fast jet programme, and a new plan to build attack submarines.

But it warned of the potential for Mr Trump to use any leverage he has against allies if they do something he does not like.

Referring to Britain’s reliance on the US in various defence and security domains, the report said: “There are demonstrable areas of tension in the UK-US relationship that may compromise the reliability of these dependencies in the near future.”

Two people were killed in a missile attack in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 26 March as the UAE said it was responding to an active missile threat from Iran.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said that authorities responded to “an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems.”

The country continues to recover from the temporary closure of airspace earlier this month, which grounded flights and severely disrupted travel plans in the UAE.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi say they are gradually resuming some flights to and from its airports.

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE as the regional escalation poses “significant security risks”.

Here’s the latest travel advice for the UAE, plus all the key questions and answers.

Read more: LIVE: Iran-US war latest

Is it safe to travel to the UAE?

As of 26 March, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates as regional escalation “poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.

What is the government advice if you are already there?

British nationals in the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have been told to register their presence for updates.

The FCDO has also advised people to stay away from security or military facilities and American or Israeli facilities and institutions.

It adds to follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information. Britons should read the FCDO’s crisis abroad guidance and sign up to travel advice email alerts.

“Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, financial institutions, oil production sites, water systems and airports,” the FCDO says.

The FCDO is also advising that “if local authorities advise you to take shelter, stay indoors or move to the nearest safe building immediately.”

“The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Choose an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible for additional protection.”

It asks people to also limit movements to essential journeys, and when travel is unavoidable, move in daylight hours, avoid crowded venues, keep your mobile phone with you and charged and let friends or family know where you are going.

“If you are away from your home or hotel, and an attack occurs or you receive an alert from the official UAE warning system, seek shelter in the closest building immediately,” it adds.

British embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai “continue to operate as normal”.

Travellers are also reminded that it is illegal to post material, including videos and photographs, online that is “critical of the UAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE”, following the arrest of a British man in Dubai after allegedly filming missiles.

Are flights going to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

The latest update from Dubai’s main airport (DXB) said: “Dubai Airports confirms the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International (DXB) to selected destinations.”

DXB told travellers “to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.”

A notice from Zayed International said: “Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket and have been explicitly advised by their airline to do so. Access to the airport will be restricted to confirmed travellers only.”

UAE flag carrier Emirates is currently operating a reduced flight schedule following the partial reopening of regional airspace.

Emirates said in an update: “We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly. We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.”

Customers booked for travel between 28 February and 15 April will be rebooked on the next available Emirates flight in the event of disruption.

Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline that has seats available.

How can I get home from the UAE?

The Foreign Office says British travellers should limit movements to “essential journeys only” and “follow the instructions of the local authorities”.

There are a limited number of commercial options available to leave, including air travel from the UAE and Oman.

According to the FCDO: “If your presence in the UAE is not essential, you may wish to consider departing – if you judge you can access these options safely. Check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator, as well as the instructions from local authorities, and the status of any border crossings before you travel.

“If you are travelling by air, do not travel to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your reservation.”

The Foreign Office adds that travel “within or out of the UAE is at your own risk”.

British nationals attempting to leave via Saudi Arabia on emergency travel documents should call the embassy in Riyadh or Jeddah for advice.

Can I cancel my holiday to the UAE?

Should you decide to cancel a flight ticket, holiday, tour or excursion to the UAE, speak to your travel provider. As the FCDO advises all but essential travel – urgent family or business commitments – to the UAE, you may be able to cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. Package holidays must follow the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, with refunds issued if there has been a “significant change at your destination” before you travel. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.

Read more: Middle East flights crisis: 11 answers travellers need as Iran war continues to bring travel chaos

Scots photographer Brian Anderson has recalled how death threats were made by Glasgow crime bosses to real life Goodfellas mob member Henry Hill

Goodfellas gangster Henry Hill was too scared to come to Glasgow and cancelled a planned visit during a UK tour after death threats from the city’s underworld.

Hill was once part of New York’s Lucchese crime family before turning FBI informant and his character in the iconic 1990 gangster movie was famously played by the late Ray Liotta.

Scots photographer Brian Anderson says he met Hill in Newcastle a few days after he arrived in Britain for a series of Q&A speaking appearances in 2012.

His promoters were anxious to set a date in Glasgow and Brian offered to put him in touch with organisers there. However when word got out of the planned visit the Glasgow promoter was told that the ageing former hood’s life would be in danger if he set foot in the city.

Brian recounts the story in the latest edition of his Naked City online magazine

The 56 year old added:”We were told that if Hill ever came Glasgow he would come to harm and that stopped the whole thing in its tracks.

“The message was that Hill was a dog, a rat and a grass and not welcome in the city.

“The calls were coming from the type of people you don’t ignore.

“We were being told that Hill was going to be stabbed, slashed or even worse.

“This was communicated back to Henry Hill and he decided to cancel.

Brian added:”He was definitely interested in coming to Scotland.

“His people were also looking to get some dates in London and the same thing happenned there.

“It appeared both Glasgow and London were communicating with each other over this.

“While his time in Newcastle passed without incident, in Glasgow his past still carried consequences even though he hadn’t been involved in crime for decades.

“Those organising the potential event were left in no doubt about the risks and as a result Hill’s visit to Glasgow never materialised.”

Brian however doubts whether Hill would have been taken out had he come to the city but the threats were serious enough to convince him to stay away and return to the USA. He added:”He was quite a pathetic character and was affected by drink and drugs.

“I don’t think he posed a threat to anyone and had been quite safe back in the States.

“However it seems that at least in Glasgow they don’t forgive and forget easily.”

Brian also recounted his meeting with Hill 14 years ago in Newcastle.

He believes he was the last person to photograph the former gangster as he died a few weeks later.

Brian added:”It was surreal meeting him after seeing Goodfellas.

“He was nothing like the character played by Ray Liotta and not as good looking or glamorous.

“Initially he was relaxed and smiling as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

“He spoke like a man who knew too much and didn’t care what people thought of him.

“It was hard to figure out what was real and what was b******t.

“Hill was full of conspiracy theories and ranting and raving about how Marilyn Monroe and John F Kennedy were killed by the Mob.”

Goodfellas which also starred Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, narrates the rise and fall of mobster Hill and his friends and family from 1955 to 1980. It has been described as one of the greatest films ever made.

After his arrest in 1980 on drugs charges Hill testified against his former gangster pals resulting in fifty convictions and was put into a witness protection for seven years. He then collaborated on a book about his life of crime which was turned into Goodfellas by Hollywood.

Over the years the former New York mobster turned FBI informant has reflected on his violent past in interviews, expressing both nostalgia for his criminal life and regret over his actions. He also made several documentaries and appearances on talk shows, including The Howard Stern Show.

Hill famously described his life in the Mafia as being treated like “movie stars with muscle.”

On his decision to turn informant he said: “I know that I saved a lot of lives because every one of these guys were homicidal maniacs. It took me many years to forgive myself for what I did”.

“I was the poster boy for the Witness Protection Program for a lot of years. I did a lot for the government, not only myself, but my whole family did.

” Believe me, I don’t feel bad. I’m proud of what I done I saved the government millions upon millions.

“The Feds kept coming to my house.They kept showing me pictures of the bodies. Henry, you’re gonna be next, you gotta co-operate.’ I didn’t then, but they put the seed in my head”.

On his new life going straight Hill said: “It was a horrible culture shock but really I was so relieved to be out of that world and that life.

“I love to cook and I love to see people enjoy my cooking. I consider myself an excellent chef”.

Before he death Hill also talked how he would never even have dreamt about being an informant when in the Mob and that he would rather have stuck a gun in his mouth and blown his brains out than ” be a rat”

Brian’s Naked City magazine can be viewed on youtube – https://m.youtube.com/@brianandersonnakedcity

All but two areas of Cambridgeshire have seen an increase in property prices

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One area has been named Cambridgeshire’s property hotspot, with prices growing faster than anywhere else in our county. Average house prices in the Peterborough City Council area were £237,000 in the year to January 2026.

That’s an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the same time last year, the equivalent of an extra £14,000 per home. It’s the largest annual increase in our county and far higher than the UK average of 1.3 percent.

East Cambridgeshire, meanwhile, has seen average house prices increase by 5.0 percent to £346,000. That’s the equivalent of an extra £16,000 on every home. In Fenland, average prices are up by 4.8 percent (equivalent to £11,000 per home), and in Huntingdonshire by 3.3 percent (equivalent to £10,000 per home).

Two parts of our county have, however, seen prices fall over the last 12 months. Cambridge’s average house price was £477,000 in the year to January 2026. That’s a fall of 2.5 percent compared to a year earlier, equivalent to £12,000 being shaved off every house.

South Cambridgeshire has seen a less dramatic drop. The average house price there was £430,000 in January, down by 0.6 percent over the course of the year, equivalent to £3,000 per house.

Use our gadget below to see how house prices have changes across the country

Across the UK, house prices have continued to fall, down by £4,000 in just three months. It cost £268,000 to buy the average house in the UK in January, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

That’s down for the second month in a row, falling from an all-time peak of £272,000 in November 2025. It means prices have dropped by £4,000 in the space of just three months, and average house prices are now back to where they were in June last year.

Despite these recent falls, however, the cost of buying a home is still higher now than it was at the same time last year. January’s average prices are 1.3 percent higher than in January 2025, when the average was £265,000.

The health of the property market varies across the UK. Average house prices in the Newry Mourne and Down council area in Northern Ireland have seen the steepest increases over the last 12 months. The average house price in the area in January was £219,000. That’s a 12.4 percent increase compared to a year earlier, equivalent to an extra £24,000 per home.

Mid Ulster has the UK’s next largest increase for a local authority area. The typical home there cost £189,000 in January. That’s a 10.7 percent increase compared to the same time last year, equivalent to an extra £18,000 per home.

The third largest increase is also in Northern Ireland, with prices in Fermanagh and Omagh rising by 10.2 percent, equivalent to an extra £18,000 per home. Meanwhile, back in England, Forest of Dean has seen the largest increase. The typical home there cost £301,000 in January, 9.6 percent more than a year earlier and equivalent to an extra £26,000 per home.

Darlington has England’s and the UK’s next largest increase at 9.5 percent. That’s followed by Wirral at 8.8 percent and West Dunbartonshire at 8.6 percent, which is the largest annual increase in Scotland.

The Pentagon is reportedly considering diverting crucial weaponry initially earmarked for Ukraine towards the Middle East.

It comes as the escalating Iran conflict places significant strain on the United States military’s critical munition supplies.

The potential redirection of weapons, including air defense interceptor missiles, was reported by the Washington Post, which cited three informed sources.

The missiles were acquired through a Nato initiative launched in 2025, designed for partner nations to purchase U.S. arms for Kyiv.

The potential move coincides with a marked intensification of U.S. military operations across the Middle East.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, said on Wednesday that American forces had struck over 10,000 targets inside Iran and were on course to curtail Tehran’s capacity to project power beyond its borders.

A Pentagon spokesperson told the Washington Post that the Defense Department would “ensure that U.S. forces and those of our allies and partners have what they need to fight and win.”

Neither the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, nor Nato immediately responded to further requests for comment.

Last week, U.S. defense officials told the Associated Press that a sizable number of U.S. Patriot air defense missiles had been moved from Europe toward the Middle East.

Two Patriot missile systems were sent from Germany to Turkey after several ballistic missiles were fired toward Turkey from Iran since the start of the war, the Turkish defense ministry and three U.S. officials said.

The U.S. officials said missiles for the Patriot system were moved from various locations around Europe in an effort to reinforce air defenses towards the Middle East.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.

They said that the diversion of resources towards the war on Iran had left concerning gaps in Europe’s air defenses against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia is close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran to bolster its war effort, according to a report.

Senior Iranian and Russian officials began secretly discussing the delivery of drones days after Israel and the U.S. launched their first attack on Tehran in February, two officials briefed on the intelligence told the Financial Times.

Moscow began its deliveries in early March, and they were expected to be completed by the end of the month, western intelligence said.

The shopper couldn’t believe their luck after discovering an unbelievable bargain in charity, so many people even claimed to be “disgustingly jealous” at the recent purchase

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Charity shopping can be rewarding but a lengthy process. You might get lucky instantly when bagging a bargain, or spend ages finding designer items for less, either way it can surprise you.

Now one shopper recently visited a thrift shop and came across quite the item. Charities are a good place to donate money to a great cause and pick up any second-hand items someone may no longer want anymore. Just recently, a person bagged a designer jacket for an insanely great deal – and many people are extremely jealous of the purchase.

Posting on Reddit, the person revealed: “Vintage Burberry trench (reversible) for £38!” On the r/CharityShopFindsUK thread, a photo showed the bargain hunter wearing the designer trench coat.

New Burberry trench coats certainly don’t come cheap and typically retails for £1,385 or more.

Prices vary based on length, material, and design, with specialised styles costing over £2,500.

Since they shared their charity shop purchase, people were floored by the price. One said: “Oh I am disgustingly jealous, what a find,” to which the buyer replied: “I honestly couldn’t believe my luck!”

Another commented: “I’m sick with jealousy, that’s an unreal score.” A third gushed: “Suits you. Love an occasional charity shop find!”

While a fourth posted: “What a BARGAIN,” as a fifth chimed in: “YOUR coat found you! And you’re rocking it.”

Also in the comments section, the person revealed the purchase was made at a charity shop in London.

Charity shops offer significant benefits by funding causes through the sale of donated goods, raising roughly £300million annually in the UK.

They promote sustainability by reducing landfill through recycling and reusing, provide affordable clothing and household items to the public, and offer valuable volunteering opportunities that build confidence and skills.

Finding designer fashion in charity doesn’t come easy but it’s certainly possible depending on where you shop.

Certain locations in London, like Mary’s Living & Giving (Primrose Hill) and British Red Cross (Chelsea) curate high-end brands like Gucci, Prada and Chanel.

Some of the prime locations for finding designer donations are Chelsea, Notting Hill, Kensington and Hampstead.

You can also look for charity shops branded as “boutiques” or ones with dedicated vintage sections.

Meanwhile Oxfam Online Shop, Barnardo’s online on eBay, and Retromania offer online options to hunt for bargains.

Lisa Riley, known as the legendary Mandy Dingle on the Yorkshire Dales-set ITV programme revealed she had a “very bad fall” at the weekend, which resulted in “massive damage” – a UCL tear in her thumb.

The actress, who appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in December last year blamed the accident on an “extremely slippy” breakfast stool and her cardigan.

Lisa has also praised her specialist surgeon at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) for looking after her.

In a post on Instagram, the 49-year-old told her followers on Wednesday evening: “OUR NHS @nhsengland IS INCREDIBLE……. I have to massively thank my specialist surgeon Mr Daniel Thornton at LGI LEEDS hospital and all the beautiful team, every single one of you who treated me this afternoon – I had a very bad fall over the weekend (no I’m sober) no drunk jokes – it was my extremely slippy breakfast stool and a woollen cardi – my left thumb took all of it – so today hence the massive damage I have had my operation, surgery, treating my UCL in my Thumb repaired.

“#NHS at it’s absolute best – bye for now I have some fantastic pain relief to take #surgery #leeds #hospital #thumb.”

The photos in the social media post show Lisa posing with her arm in a foam sling, and smiling next to her surgeon.

Many of Lisa’s celebrity friends and fans have sent well wishes to the Emmerdale favourite, including presenter Steph McGovern who commented: “Oh no!! Sending love xx.”

Former jungle queen Scarlett Moffatt replied: “Sending love chick xxxx.”

Coronation Street star Cait Fitton put: “Sending love beautiful one.”

Is Lisa Riley going back to Emmerdale?

Lisa recently returned to Emmerdale as Mandy (a role she has played for more than 30 years) after taking a break to appear on I’m a Celeb.

Towards the end of 2025, her character was seen heading off to stay with Irish relatives, so Lisa could take time out to film the ITV show in Australia for three weeks.

Although Lisa has been in high demand after becoming the eighth celebrity to leave the jungle in December, Emmerdale still remains her primary focus.

She told The Sun last month: “That is where my heart lies — I love working there.

“I never ever take anything for granted and, as long as the Emmerdale ­producers want me, I want to stay.

“I’ve just signed a new one-year ­contract. If I were to take any extra things on, it would have to be around Emmerdale.”

Who is in I’m a Celebrity South Africa 2026?

Following Lisa’s success on I’m a Celeb 2025, the spin-off series will be returning in just a matter of weeks.

I’m a Celebrity South Africa will be back on our TV screens for a second year, starting on Monday, April 6 from 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

An all-star cast made up of those who have left their mark in the Australian jungle over the years, will be battling it out once more to be crowned the ultimate legend.

The celebrities taking part are:

• Adam Thomas
• Ashley Roberts
• Scarlett Moffatt
• David Haye
• Beverley Callard
• Seann Walsh
• Sinitta
• Sir Mo Farah
• Gemma Collins
• Craig Charles
• Jimmy Bullard
• Harry Redknapp

The series, hosted by Ant and Dec was pre-recorded in South Africa last year, but a twist for 2026 will see viewers able to vote for their winner during a live final broadcast from London.

The champion will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of I’m a Celebrity South Africa 2025’s ultimate legend, Myleene Klass.

Who are you most excited to watch on the programme when it starts in April? Let us know who your favourite I’m a Celeb campmate is, in the comments below.

Altrincham residents say ‘it’s a great atmosphere, very easy-going, nice mixture of people. It’s superb’

It was one criticised as empty and a ‘ghost town’. But now, Altrincham residents feel nothing but fiercely proud of their sought-after town after its rapid rise to the best place to live in the North West.

Back in 2010, the Trafford market town was labelled a ‘ghost town’ by the national press and had the highest shop vacancy rates in the UK. A third of its shops stood empty. One of its two main shopping centres, The Graftons, was in administration.

Today, the picture couldn’t look more different. Altrincham is thriving. Rain, shine or snow, the town centre always feels busy and bustling.

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First established in 1290, its market has undergone a renaissance and is still going strong today. The market hall was redeveloped in 2014, turning it from a drab, outdated space to a thriving shopping and dining hub.

A growing number of independent businesses, restaurants, bars and cafés fill the high street, drawing people in. These are mixed in with big brands like M&S, Flannels and Waterstones, offering something for every shopper.

Residents are proud of their town and, it seems, with good reason. Altrincham was named the North West’s best place to live in this year’s The Sunday Times 2026 guide, an accolade it last won in 2020.

Judges praised its ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’ vibe, saying: “Alty is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands. Now it’s flying even higher.

“Co-working has arrived on the high street, with three floors of space at Foundation, in the old Rackhams department store; it also houses a bowling alley and the Yum Cha dim sum restaurant.”

As well as noting Altrincham’s development, the judges praised the town’s ‘stand-out’ schools, Georgian and Victorian terraced gems and its resident’s love for fitness.

‘It’s superb – it’s a great place to live’

Those living and working in the town agree with the judges’ assessment. Zoe Poole works as a solicitor at a local firm. The 28-year-old said the town has a ‘great community feel’.

She added: “It’s obviously had quite a resurgence in the last few years. The marketplace is great.

“Lots of people come through the town now that didn’t used to, and it’s nice. It’s been regenerated to a place that actually feels like it’s alive and it’s actually got a really nice community in it but you still get that sort of town feel.”

Retired chemist Paul, 62, has lived in the town for 35 years, saying it is a ‘fantastic place’ and he always likes coming back home to Altrincham when he has been travelling.

He added: “It’s got everything. I think it’s reinvented itself with the market, it’s got a good mix of local shops, is handy for Manchester with the direct tram, and yet you’re on the edge of the countryside as well.

“There’s a great atmosphere, very easy-going, nice mixture of people. It’s superb.”

Paul said he has seen the town struggle in years past, particularly as the Trafford centre is a short drive away. However, he feels Altrincham has ‘reinvented itself’ in recent years.

He continued: “I think it’s a great place to live and new shops are coming all the time.”

Businesses and charities also speak warmly of Altrincham. Jo Cushing, creative director of OYEZ Arts, based in the Town Hall, said local people are proud of the place it has become.

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She added: “[When it was] said that it had the least number of shops open, the whole town got together. There were groups of people from all over the area and they wanted to change the town and change that title.

“The people here are very proud of where they are and where they live, and that is still true, 16 years later. They fight for Altrincham. They’re intensely proud about where we live and want it to succeed all the time.”

Rick Lister moved to Altrincham with his partner 15 years ago, and opened boutique store Madam Butterfly in Greenwood Street three years later. He said they picked Altrincham, despite the negative headlines, because they ‘had an inkling’ of what it could become.

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The journey has been a ‘rollercoaster’, Mr Lister added, and he has seen many businesses come and go during that time.

“I think it’s great,” he continued, “I think it’s almost cool. That’s not something you would have ever said about Altrincham in the past.

“It’s perhaps not as cool or hipster-ish as say Chorlton locally, but it kind of bridges that gap.”

Mr Lister does, however, think Altrincham has a little further to go until it has it all. He said: “Oh, I love the town, don’t get me wrong. I’ve lived here a long time. But I think it lacks certain areas. I think it lacks any kind of live music scene or anything like that.”

Hill and Hill jewellers has stood in George Street for seven years. Manager Bethy Highton said The Sunday Times listing was ‘brilliant news’ and Altrincham was a ‘wonderful place’.

She added: “I think it’s a really lively, vibrant place. It’s got a really nice mix of people, a nice mix of independent businesses alongside some chains.

“It’s got a lovely green space. It’s very well maintained. It’s a lovely place to live.”

Trafford council has also celebrated Altrincham’s new title. Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said she was ‘delighted’ by the award, adding: “[Altrincham] is a huge success story and goes from strength to strength.

“It’s a wonderful mix of national and independent shops and has a thriving cultural scene, amazing leisure facilities and wonderful bars and restaurants. Trafford Council is committed to improving and regenerating all of its town centres and will continue to celebrate them all now and in the future.”