The series, which is pre-recorded, nearly saw Collins quit the series early after falling for a practical joke and declaring the infamous phrase, “I’m a celebrity get me out of here”.
Recalling the prank at a press roundtable, Sinitta said: “I think we’d done really hard trials all day, or some sort of game, so we were physically exhausted.
“We got back and we’re all relieved (that) nothing else can happen now, because they’ve exhausted us, it’s getting dark now it’s getting late, so that must be it, we can relax.
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“And Harry (Redknapp) comes in and says, ‘guys, you’re not going to believe this’, and he’s got the board, and he starts reading this awful trial, I think it’s called something like the House Of Hell, Prison Of Hell, or something.”
She said Redknapp told his fellow campmates that the challenge would involve rats and being tied up among other things.
Sinitta continued: “We’re already broken (and) literally before he could finish reading it out, Gemma was like, ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’.
“I have to admit, my hand went up that I was like, ‘you know what? me too, I’m too exhausted, gotta go’ – and he was pranking us.”
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The Only Way Is Essex star Collins famously appeared on the series in 2014, however, lasted only three days in the Australian jungle.
As a result, former boxer David Haye, who also appears in the upcoming series, did not have high hopes for Collins – however, he praised her for being part of some “real heavy challenges” in the upcoming series.
He said: “She was the one that I was told going into it, that she kind of flaked out the first time around, and I didn’t have high hopes.
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“But of all the people watching her go through what she went through, she doesn’t have an ounce of quit in her at all.
“Whatever she did the first time round, she obviously looked back, a few years have gone by, and she’s like, ‘I’m going to give it everything’.
“Fortunately for the show, she did, because she was part of some real heavy challenges that she should be proud of herself.”
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The series also stars comedian Seann Walsh, Red Dwarf’s Craig Charles, ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard, Coronation Street star Beverley Callard and actor Adam Thomas.
Hosted by Ant and Dec, the second series will give the public the power to cast their vote for the winner in a live grand final broadcast direct from London, crowning the “ultimate legend 2026”.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa starts on April 6 at 9pm on ITV1 and airs every weeknight Monday to Friday.
The rabbit could have been stuck down the narrow pipe for hours before he was rescued
The RSPCA had to rescue a rabbit from a Cambridgeshire home after it got stuck in a pipe. The resident spotted the rabbit in a pipe at the end of his driveway in Gamlingay, South Cambridgeshire, at around 3.30pm on Sunday, March 29.
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The resident, along with a neighbour, was unable to reach the rabbit and so he called the RSPCA. The Animal Rescue Officer, Nicole Scott, was able to attend to the scene.
Nicole said: “The rabbit was about down the narrow pipe and unable to get himself free – it must have been scary for him. The pipe had previously been covered by a small piece of slate, which had blown off at some point since the previous evening – so he could have potentially been stuck there for hours before he was finally discovered.
“Thankfully, I was able to hook my fingers around his back legs and support his belly as he wriggled up out of the pipe. He seemed OK, other than a sore patch on his nose where he’d rubbed all the fur off – but otherwise unscathed.
“As we weren’t sure how long he’d been there we took him to a local vet for a once-over and to make sure he didn’t have any ill effects from balancing on his head all day, or go into shock.”
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After being rescued from the pipe, the rabbit has made a full recovery and seemed “bright and happy” the next day. He was collected from Henlow Vets in Bedfordshire by the homeowner, who helped release the rabbit back into the wild.
Nicole added: “This was a fantastic example of teamwork between the RSPCA, members of the public and local vets – this must have been very distressing for the poor rabbit, and we’re so pleased he made a full recovery and was able to hop back home for Easter.
“We’d always encourage people to check for and cover any open drains or pipes to help protect wildlife, especially as they become more active in the spring months. This particular rescue needed some specialist help, but there are lots of small wildlife and pets which the public can safely help, and the fastest way to do this is by taking them to a local vet.”
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The RSPCA has released advice online on how people can help sick or injured wildlife. The charity is calling on people to become a Local Animal Hero by watching its training video that features RSPCA ARO Emma Baker showing how people can help small wild animals and pets in need and how to create their own rescue box.
The public can also sign up to become an RSPCA Wildlife Friend, which is a volunteering scheme aiming to change the lives of animals for the better. You can sign up to the scheme via the RSPCA website.
Seven injured in Russian drone strike on Sumy as Zelensky warns of ‘Easter escalation’
Russian drone strikes killed five people and wounded 19 in Ukraine after forces targeted a street market in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze caused by the attack, which damaged market stalls and a shop in the city of Nikopol on Saturday.
Another attack, in the city of Sumy, targeted houses, cars, and utility networks, and wounded 11 people, the National Police said.
It comes after Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of an “Easter escalation”, with Russian forces firing 286 drones at Ukraine overnight.
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Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed or jammed 260 drones in the country’s north, south, east and centre, with hits recorded in 10 locations.
The Ukrainian president had proposed a halt in strikes for Easter, telling Russia it would reciprocate if it stopped attacks on the energy sector.
In a post on social media, Zelensky said: “Not a single hour of peace for our people, and this is Russia’s response to our proposal for an Easter ceasefire. Essentially, the Russians have only intensified their strikes, turning what should have been silence in the skies into an Easter escalation.”
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Slovak PM calls on EU to lift Russian oil and gas sanctions to tackle Iran war energy crisis
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union to end sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports and restore flows through the Druzhba pipeline, arguing the bloc needs to draw on all available energy sources to address the supply crisis triggered by the US-Iran war.
Fico made the call in a statement after a call with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán on Saturday, saying the EU should renew dialogue with Russia and ensure member states could access gas and oil from all sources, including Russian ones. “It is not enough to deal with the energy crisis only at the national level,” he said.
Hungary and Slovakia are outliers in the EU for maintaining relations with Moscow, and were the only two member states still importing Russian oil when a Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in Ukraine in January, disrupting Druzhba flows. Budapest and Bratislava have accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying repairs to resume the pipeline, triggering a political dispute that has seen Hungary block an EU loan to Kyiv. Ukraine says it is fixing the damage as quickly as possible.
Oil prices have surged since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on 28 February, creating what the International Energy Agency called the biggest oil supply disruption in history. The EU had cut Russian oil imports to just one per cent of its total supply by the final quarter of 2025 following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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Stuti Mishra5 April 2026 07:15
Oil pipeline at Russia’s Primorsk port damaged in Ukrainian drone attack
A Ukrainian drone strike has damaged an oil pipeline at Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, local governor Alexander Drozdenko said on Sunday.
No injuries were reported.
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The pipeline was shut down and a fire was safely burning out, Drozdenko said on Telegram. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russia’s Baltic Sea ports over the past month.
Stuti Mishra5 April 2026 06:12
Ukraine deploys firefighting robot to extinguish blaze
Ukrainian soldiers deployed a firefighting robot to extinguish a blaze in the Kramatorsk region following a Russian strike on a house.
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After discovering that gas canisters were stored at the scene of the fire, the fire brigade decided to use the robot to prevent putting soldiers at further risk.
“With its help, the fire was extinguished and prevented from spreading to neighbouring homes,” the brigade said.
“Ukrainian [ground robots] prove their uniqueness and effectiveness not only on the battlefield, but also in civilian life.”
The “Zmiy Firefighting” ground robotic systems are created by Ukrainian defence tech company RoverTech and are designed to operate in high-risk environments.
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The system can be remotely controlled at distances of up to 3,000 meters, according to the company.
Zmiy firefighting robot in Donetsk Oblast (State Emergency Service of Donetsk Region)
Harriette Boucher5 April 2026 04:00
Seven injured in Russian drone strike on Sumy as Zelensky warns of ‘Easter escalation’
Seven injured in Russian drone strike on Sumy as Zelensky warns of ‘Easter escalation’
Harriette Boucher5 April 2026 03:00
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Russia warns citizens against travelling to dozens of countries
Harriette Boucher5 April 2026 02:00
Ukraine rescues eight children from occupied territories
Ukraine has brought back eight children and teenagers from occupied territories, a Ukrainian humanitarian NGO has announced.
Mykola Kuleba, the founder of Save Ukraine, said they had all been living in conditions of pressure and fear, and their lives were under constant threat.
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One 14 year old, Zoryana, was among those rescued. Mr Kuleba said she had been separated from her father by Russians, who was stripped of his documents and deported.
The girl was forced to study in a Russian school, where she was told about the greatness of Russia and taught to use weapons, he said.
Mr Kuleba wrote: “They are all in our Hope and Recovery centers and are receiving psychological support, documentation assistance, housing, and care — everything to help them regain a sense of security and start building a future.
“But thousands of children still remain under occupation. They are forced to be silent, conformed, and prepared for war. But we are not stopping.”
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Harriette Boucher5 April 2026 01:00
Russia offers huge payments to students to join its drone forces in Ukraine
This recruitment drive is further evidenced by documents indicating that companies in Russia’s central Ryazan region have been given quotas to enlist workers for the army.
Top officials also deny any shortage of recruits, despite Ukrainian claims – dismissed by Moscow – that Kyiv is eliminating Russian troops faster than they can be replaced.
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Harriette Boucher5 April 2026 00:00
Five dead after Russian drone hits street market
Ukraine said three women and two men were killed in a Russian drone attack on a market in the city of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Another 19 people were injured in the attack, the prosecutor general’s office said.
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A strike also wounded 11 people in the city of Sumy, not far from the border with Russia.
A street market hit by a Russian drone strike (via REUTERS)
Harriette Boucher4 April 2026 23:52
Russia suffers record losses in March, Zelensky says
Nearly 34,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or seriously wounded in March, the highest level since the start of the war, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Another 1,363 Russians were “eliminated” in artillery and other strikes over the month, bringing Russian losses to more than 35,000 in March.
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“Importantly, the results in the destruction of Russia’s air defence systems have also significantly increased, with 274 such systems hit in March alone,” Ukraine’s leader wrote on social media.
“There have also been tangible results in the destruction of Russian depots and military logistics. The Ministry of Defence, together with the Armed Forces, will present a detailed report to the public for March – data that may be made public.”
Harriette Boucher4 April 2026 23:00
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Stress from Russian bombardment causing premature birthrates in Ukraine, UNFPA warns
Stress from Russian bombardment causing premature birthrates in Ukraine, UNFPA warns
Your latest round up of cases heard between March 30-April 3.
06:30, 05 Apr 2026
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Despite many courts being in recess for Easter, some cases were still heard this past week. They included a Northern Ireland music teacher in court over allegations he trafficked and drugged a child for sex.
Also a transgender woman avoided jail over a homophobic attack on a neighbour, calling him a ‘fa***t’.
Meanwhile a man also avoided jail after being caught engaging in what a judge called a ‘disgusting’ sex act at a train station by a young boy.
And a man appeared in court in Dublin on Good Friday after an extradition request following the murder of Robbie Lawlor in Belfast six years ago.
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Here is your latest round up of cases before the courts between Monday, March 30 and Friday, April 3.
Victim was ‘stabbed seven times’ in ‘frenzied and brutal attack’
A Lithuanian man accused of murdering a man in a Portadown flat has told a court that he was acting in self-defence.
Rolandas Kvederis, 49, died after sustaining seven stab wounds to his neck and lower back inside the property in Ranfurley Road on Thursday, March 26.
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Ruslanas Kovalkovas, 51, appeared in the dock of Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with his murder.
Kovalkovas, who was living at the Ranfurley Road apartment at the time of the incident, was denied bail and remanded in custody.
At the outset of the remand hearing, when asked whether he understood the charge he was facing, Kovalkovas – wearing a grey track suit – spoke through an interpreter to deny murder.
“I did not kill him, I was defending myself,” he told district judge Rosemary Watters.
Antoin Duffy, aged in his 40s and of no fixed abode, appeared before a Dublin court charged with the murder of ex-Sinn Fein official Donaldson in Co Donegal in 2006.
He was arrested earlier in the day at Casement Aerodrome following his extradition from Scotland on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.
Appearing before the Special Criminal Court on Monday afternoon, he was charged with the murder of Mr Donaldson at Cloghercor, Doochary on a date unknown between April 3 and 4 in 2006.
Snapchat pervert who pestered girls for sexual images back in jail
A convicted sex offender has appeared in court facing multiple allegations of breaching court orders.
Appearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court by video link from police custody on Tuesday, 38-year-old Gary Savage was charged with a total of seven offences, alleged to have been committed between 1 September last year and 28 February 2026.
Savage, originally from Ballynahinch but now of no fixed abode, Newtownabbey, faces six charges of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and one of breaching the requirements of the sex offenders register.
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The SOPO, an order designed to protect the public and potential victims from further offending, was first imposed as long ago as 2018 when Savage was sentenced for sexual communication with a female child “for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification” and attempting to cause her to engage in sexual activity.
Since then, Savage has repeatedly been before the courts for a multitude of SOPO breaches and further offending.
Man avoids jail after engaging in ‘disgusting’ sex act at busy NI train station
A man whose partner performed a sex act on him in full view of a busy train station, including a 13-year-old boy, has been handed a four-month prison sentence on Tuesday, suspended for two years.
Sentencing Martin McMillan at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, District Judge Nigel Broderick told the 40-year-old: “This was a disgusting act to be engaged in.”
He added that as well as multiple other people on the opposite platform, there had also been a 13-year-old boy witnessing the offending by him and 48-year-old Lisa O’Neill.
Last week O’Neill, with an address at Maple Crescent in Dunmurry, was put on probation for nine months after she admitted an offence of indecent behaviour.
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McMillan, with an address on Gallows Street in Dromore, admitted the same charge and re-opening the facts of the case on Tuesday, a prosecution lawyer said it was the teenage schoolboy who contacted police about the incident at Antrim Train Station, around 8pm on 14 December last year.
O’Neill, the court heard, “was performing a sex act” on McMillan (40), on the platform at the train station.
Man accused of domestic abuse granted bail but excluded from part of Belfast
A west Belfast man awaiting trial for charges including domestic abuse and assaulting his partner was granted bail on Wednesday.
As part of the conditions for his release, Robert Martin Braniff has been banned from contacting the complainant either directly or indirectly.
The application to release the 41-year old, from Norglen Road, was made and granted at Belfast Crown Court and he attended via a videolink with HMP Maghaberry.
Braniff is awaiting trial on four charges he denies dating back to March 3, 2025 – namely possessing a knife with intent, assaulting a female, stealing two of her phones and engaging in a course of behaviour that was abusive to her and likely to cause her to suffer physical or psychological harm.
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As his pending trial has been exempted from the current industrial action, it is listed to proceed later this month.
Transgender woman avoids jail over homophobic attack on neighbour
A transgender woman who subjected a neighbour to homophobic abuse when she assaulted him has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
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District Judge Amanda Brady told Michelle James she was satisfied “that the custody threshold has been crossed,” particularly given the fact the offence was aggravated by reason of hostility.
Imposing a four-month prison sentence, Judge Brady told the 64-year-old that given her guilty plea, she would suspend the sentence for 18 months.
Appearing at court on Wednesday by video link from the women’s prison, James, with an address on Main Road in Cloghy, entered a guilty plea to a single charge of common assault, arising from an incident on 2 December 2024.
Opening the facts of the case, the prosecution counsel told the court it was just after 2.30 that afternoon when the victim reported that James had assaulted him.
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He told police that having put rubbish in the bins, he was in the communal stairwell when an “intoxicated” James called him “a f****** fa***t” and threw a punch at him.
Man accused of sending threatening messages to MLA faces court
A man has appeared before court accused of sending threatening messages to DUP MLA Trevor Clarke.
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Andrew Moran, 30, of Grange Lane, Newtownabbey, faces seven charges in total.
They include sending threatening electronic messages, possession of cannabis and breaching a restraining order.
There is also a charge for intimidation of a witness on March 29 2026 for allegedly threatening Mr Clarke for speaking with police, and for allegedly harassing Mr Clarke between March 27 and April 1.
Following a brief mention at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning, Moran was remanded into custody after the case was adjourned on request of the defence because it was not ready.
Teacher in court over allegations he trafficked and drugged a child for sex
A music teacher and the manager of a youth orchestra has appeared in court charged with supplying drugs and exploiting a child for sex.
Appearing in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday, 48-year-old Robert James Briscoe confirmed his identity and that he understood the eight charges against him.
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On an indictment covering a time period between 30 September 2025 and 10 March 2026, Briscoe faces two counts of human trafficking of a child, and single offences of paying for the sexual services of the child, administering a substance to the complainant in order to overpower or stupefy them to facilitate a sex offence and attempting to pay for sexual services.
The 48-year-old, with an address at Seamount in Belfast, faces three drug charges, accusing him of possessing and intending to supply Class A methamphetamine and simple possession of Class B nandrolone.
Street preacher ‘subjected Belfast’s deputy Lord Mayor to foul-mouthed rant’
A street preacher allegedly subjected Belfast’s deputy Lord Mayor to a foul-mouthed rant outside City Hall, the High Court heard on Thursday.
Prosecutors claimed Councillor Paul Doherty had to retreat amid fears Colin Houston would assault him during last week’s confrontation.
Houston, 61, is also accused of swearing at council security staff who asked him to take down a Jesus flag and then injuring two PSNI officers.
The Christian pastor, of Forthriver Way in Belfast, faces charges of common assault, three assaults on police, disorder behaviour and resisting arrest over the incidents.
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He was granted bail but barred from returning to the city centre.
Houston allegedly became abusive while standing at the gates of City Hall with a loud speaker and flag on March 23.
It was claimed that he initially shouted at an elderly member of the public: “Shut your mouth you f***ing c**t’.”
Mr Doherty, an SDLP councillor and current deputy Lord Mayor, alleged the street preacher then directed his aggression at him during a confrontation in the grounds.
Man appears in court over murder of Robbie Lawlor in Belfast
A man has appeared before the High Court as he faces extradition over the murder of Robbie Lawlor in Belfast.
Jonathan Gill, 44, with an address at Malahide Road, Clontarf, appeared before Judge Barry O’Donnell on Friday on the foot of a warrant in Northern Ireland for him to be charged with the murder of Lawlor, which occurred in the Ardoyne area of Belfast on April 4, 2020.
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He is also to be charged with possession of a 9mm pistol on a date unknown between April 2nd and April 5th 2020.
If approved, the new two-floor houses would “retain the agricultural character of the building” on land at Brinsop Farm near Blackrod, said McDonald Wilkinson Tonge in a design and access statement.
They said the site, which lies on the green belt, “is characterised by a semi-rural setting, with a mix of agricultural buildings and residential properties in the surrounding area”.
They added that the building has “limited visibility” from Chorley Road and said the plan would be “efficient use of an existing building” – with “limited” alterations.
Plans for the barn conversion (Image: Building Design Services)
The chartered planners also submitted a self build/custom house statement with the application which said the applicant “intends to market the new dwellings as self-builds”.
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Andrew Smith, a public rights of way officer at Bolton Council, raised concerns about a nearby footpath which runs past the site plan.
The barn (Image: Bolton Council)
Though outside the site, he said it “might be affected” and the development’s impact on a public right of way is a “material consideration” when deciding whether to grant planning permission.
He said that “due to its close proximity to the development”, the applicant “should be made aware of the need to safeguard people using this public right of way”.
Entrance to the public right of way from Chorley Road (Image: Google Maps)
Mr Smith said the proposed development “must be contained within the site boundary” and cannot “extend over the public right of way”.
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He added that the applicant must make sure that “surface water is not discharged onto the public right of way” and drainage solutions should be provided within the application site.
He said that any temporary obstruction of the path which is “unavoidable” must seek a temporary closure order from the council.
Town planners will have until May 25, 2026, to make a decision on the application.
Self build homes are Self-build homes are residential properties designed, commissioned, or built directly by the individual who intends to live in them.
The winner of this year’s men’s FA Cup will pocket £2.1m in prize money. A decent sum, perhaps, on the surface of it. That is until you compare it to the prize money on offer for finishing one position higher in the Premier League.
According to the Premier League website, in 2024-25 each position was worth £2.7m, so finishing 17th, one place above the drop, earned £10.8m – more than five times the amount for winning the FA Cup.
Not only this, but the financial impact of relegation is enormous. Broadcast money, plus matchday and commercial revenue all take hits.
And while the actual amount will vary on a club-by-club basis, football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes dropping out of the top flight in 2025-26 will cost clubs an average of £100m.
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“The club that finished bottom of the Premier League two years ago, the last set of dates we have, got £111m,” Maguire told the Daily Mail in January.
“I think by the end of this season, we’ll be looking at somewhere in the region of £120m from the television companies alone.
“That will drop to around £45m in the Championship, so that is already about £75m [lost].”
Once you add the loss of matchday and commercial revenue, it means clubs are staring down the barrel of £100m+ losses.
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So, when it comes to rotating players, is it really any wonder that managers are increasingly choosing to use domestic cup competitions as rotatory playgrounds?
While there is seemingly a lot to gain for fans, and you could argue the players, that gain isn’t nearly as appealing for many of those charged with steering the ships.
*Astro line horoscopes are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3390
Scientists say even the smallest lifestyle tweaks could have a meaningful impact on how long we live and how healthy those years are.
A major new study led by researchers in Australia suggests that modest adjustments to everyday habits may be enough to extend lifespan.
Analysing data from tens of thousands of participants, the team found that adding just a few minutes of sleep, a short burst of physical activity and a slight improvement in diet could collectively make a measurable difference.
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The power of tiny daily tweaks
The findings indicate that as little as five extra minutes of sleep, roughly two additional minutes of exercise and a small increase in healthy food intake, such as half a serving of vegetables, may add a year or more to life expectancy.
While each of these changes might seem insignificant on its own, together they appear to have a much greater effect.
In fact, the research suggests that combining these small adjustments produces stronger benefits than making a larger change in just one area.
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“There seems to be a unique synergy” between sleep, movement and diet, said Emmanuel Stamatakis, senior author of the study.
The work adds to a growing body of evidence showing that realistic, manageable improvements can have an outsized impact on long-term health.
“We’re not talking about big, ambitious goals,” Stamatakis said. “We’re talking about four extra pieces of broccoli at dinner tonight, that kind of thing.”
What is SPAN and why it matters?
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The researchers focused on three core pillars of wellbeing, sleep, physical activity and nutrition, sometimes referred to collectively as SPAN.
While each has long been recognised as essential, the study aimed to understand how they interact, and what minimum changes might still deliver benefits.
To explore this, the team analysed data from nearly 60,000 adults, most in their 60s, drawn from the UK Biobank.
This large-scale dataset includes detailed records on lifestyle, including sleep patterns tracked by wearable devices, physical activity levels and dietary habits.
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Using this information, the researchers built a statistical model to estimate how different combinations of habits might influence longevity.
The model suggested that the “optimal” balance included just over seven hours of sleep per night, around 40 minutes of daily activity and a high-quality diet, a combination associated with significantly longer and healthier lives.
However, the more striking finding was how little change was needed to move the needle. Even minor improvements helped lift individuals out of the lowest health category, potentially extending both lifespan and the number of years lived without serious illness.
By contrast, trying to achieve the same benefits through a single behaviour alone required far greater effort. For example, the model suggested that substantially more exercise would be needed to match the effect of small, combined changes across all three areas.
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“We found changes could be more minimal” when combined, Stamatakis said, making them potentially easier to implement. “Putting your phone away a little earlier in the evening might be enough” to help you sleep five minutes more, he said.
“Plus taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work and using whole grain bread on a sandwich. Those small things add up.”
The results underline a simple but encouraging message: improving health may not require a complete lifestyle overhaul, just a few small, consistent steps in the right direction.
Cork & Coffee, based in Seaham, has added the new space to create a relaxed environment where guests can enjoy coffee in the morning or wine and cocktails into the evening.
Danielle Smith and Tam Ali, owners of Cork & Coffee, said: “At Cork & Coffee, we are always looking for ways to refine and enhance the experience we offer.
“With the summer months approaching, it felt like the perfect time to reimagine our outdoor space.
“We have introduced additional table seating along our seafront location, creating a more open and relaxed setting for our guests to enjoy.
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“Whether it is coffee in the morning or wine and cocktails into the evening, the new layout allows people to make the most of the surroundings.”
Cork & Coffee is also planning to launch a new tapas menu soon.
Cork & Coffee in Seaham have expanded. (Image: Cork & Coffee)
Ms Smith and Mr Ali said: “This is a natural step for us as we continue to evolve the space in line with how our customers enjoy Cork & Coffee.
Read more:
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“We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our customers for their continued support.
“It is because of this that we are able to grow, and as we look ahead, we will be exploring opportunities to expand into new locations in the future.”
The outdoor seating area is now open for guests to enjoy.
York Cocktail Week is back for the second year and will celebrate 26 of the city’s finest venues from Friday (April 17) until Sunday (April 26).
Organised by Ma.d Agency, the event will allow people to access hundreds of exclusive deals – with each participating venue offering up its own signature cocktail.
Recommended reading:
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A wide range of £5 to £7 cocktails will be available – a fraction of their original price – through a special York Cocktail Week wristband.
Speaking about this, event organiser Alice Christison said: “Not only is it exciting to be bringing Cocktail Week back to York for the second year but to see so many top venues signing up to join in the fun is fantastic.
“I know first-hand how wonderful these cocktails and mocktails are, delivered by some of the finest mixologists, so I know visitors will have the best experience.”
A full list of participating venues is as follows:
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The Botanist
Bobos Cocktail Bar
Vudu Lounge
DumDum Tiki Bar
Kennedy’s Bar
Impossible
Pink
Manahatta
Ask Italian
Cosy Club
Social8
Brew York Tap Room
Jalou
Whippet Inn
Cicchetti Lounge
Rosa’s Thai
Revolution
Yemen Heaven
Dusk
House of Trembling Madness
Shambles Tavern
Slug & Lettuce (Riverside)
Slug & Lettuce (Swinegate)
Tomahawk Steakhouse
Moxy
Boho Mixologists
Aside from the deals, signature cocktails will be available, along with mocktail options – with a little something for everyone.
Top picks, event organisers say, include This Sh*t Is Bananas from Manahatta, the Amalfi Sunset at Ask Italian, the Katy Berry Cosmo at Brew York Taproom, The Cosy-Cabana at Cosy Club and The Lavender Lady at Kennedy’s Bar.
More on the deals and wristband purchasing options can be found here.
Scotland and parts of northern England are expected to be affected by Storm Dave in the coming hours.
Disruption could be seen on roads, as well as on rail, air and ferry services, so whether you’ve got travel plans or are interested in seeing where the storm is, here’s how you can track it.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️#StormDave brings strong winds across northern England, southern Scotland and northwest Wales
Brits can track Storm Dave via the Met Office website today through to tomorrow.
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The Met Office’s tracker allows you to see the movement of Storm Dave and the impact of the storm.
You can see the rainfall, wind gusts, cloud cover and temperature as the storm moves across the UK.
#StormDave has been named and is forecast to bring damaging winds across northern parts of the UK, with some disruptive snow possible in northwest Scotland later on Saturday and into Easter Day #WeatherAwarepic.twitter.com/J0NZYD2SPC
Up to 30 centimetres of snow could fall, with the Met Office issuing a yellow severe weather warning in Scotland for heavy snow and blizzards, causing some travel and power disruption.
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Meanwhile, an amber weather warning for wind has been issued for parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales tonight.
The Met Office has upgraded a severe yellow weather warning for wind to amber, meaning flying debris could lead to “injuries or danger to life”.
What different Met Office weather warnings mean
The amber warning covers parts of Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, North Wales and Scotland, and comes into effect at 7pm this evening and is due to remain in place until 3am on Sunday.
When is Storm Dave expected to hit the UK?
The warnings are in place this evening and tomorrow morning, with the storm expected to hit during this period.
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Storm Dave will hit hardest on Saturday evening, before beginning to weaken on Sunday as it moves into the North Sea.
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The Met Office has issued multiple warnings for wind covering the whole of mainland Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England and North Wales from Saturday evening into Sunday.
Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “There is cold air across Scotland at the moment and, as the rain pushes across this afternoon, it is going to turn to snow.
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“We’ll see heavy snow forming across parts of the Highlands as we go through the rest of the afternoon into the evening time and early hours, as much as 20 to 30 centimetres could fall over the higher ground, and five to 10 centimetres over lower ground.”
Will you be tracking Storm Dave? Let us know in the comments.
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