Jollyes Pets opened at the Teesbay Retail Park in Hartlepool on Saturday (February 14), with a Valentine’s theme throughout.

The opening was complete with a romantic backdrop of love letters, floral arrangements and a red carpet to set the scene for a special pet blessing.

But no one was expecting store manager Adam Davis from Bishop Auckland to get down on one knee and propose to his partner, Angela Raine – who said yes.

Adam and Angela, from Bishop Auckland. (Image: Dave Charnley)

Adam and Angela, from Bishop Auckland, have been together for 12 years and share two sons, Alfie and Jack.

Adam and Angela, from Bishop Auckland, share two sons, Alfie and Jack. (Image: Dave Charnley)

Meanwhile local Jessica Hecker and her cocker spaniel Ginny had their bond blessed by a local celebrant.

Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)

Local dog lover Jessica Hecker and her cocker spaniel Ginny (Image: Dave Charnley)

Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)

Eileen Temple-French led the blessing with a personalised sermon, as a live accordionist played romantic songs.

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, the leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, and MP Jonathan Brash, joined staff for a red-ribbon cutting, while retired police dog Nash bit through a string of sausages to declare the store open.

Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)

Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)

It has created eight jobs.

Store manager Adam added: “We’re delighted to finally open the doors and welcome customers to our new store in Hartlepool.

“We know people are mad about their pets, and today was all about celebrating that bond with the pet blessing between Jessica and her cocker spaniel Ginny.

Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)

Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)

“It was a truly heartwarming day, filled with wagging tails, happy faces, and a little bit of love.

“The whole team here is excited to bring their pet expertise alongside the kind of value that’s been making a real difference to pet parents right across the UK”.

This year, Jollyes has opened stores in Blackpool and Ponders End, and is due to open in Whitehaven on Friday, February 27.

It’s been named the best place in the East of England according to Zoopla

Rising incomes and recent falls in mortgage rates may make getting on the property ladder easier for some people who are buying on their own, according to a property website. Zoopla analysed prices for smaller homes with one or two bedrooms, and compared this with average incomes for single earners to pinpoint cities where single home buyers may have a particularly good chance of getting on the property ladder.

The website said that single buyers account for around two-fifths (39%) of first-time purchases, with affordability constraints often working against single earners and making it harder to “go it alone”.

Zoopla found that in Peterborough was the most affordable city for single buyers in the East of England, with a typical first-time buyer home there costing around six times their average earnings. The average home price in the city is around £183,200, while the average buyer’s income is £30,500.

Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “Buying a home can feel out of reach for many singles who have to rely on just one income to cover mortgage and other costs of home ownership. Rising incomes and lower mortgage rates mean that owning a home by yourself is increasingly possible.

“For many, that means buying a smaller-sized home where property prices have risen more slowly than for larger, family-sized homes in recent years. It’s important to do your research, digging into mortgage affordability and products aimed at singles while considering alternative locations and selecting the right area for you.”

Kesha Foss-Smith, regional director at John D Wood & Co, said: “Single buyers are becoming far more strategic about where and what they buy. Many are prioritising affordability over postcode prestige and choosing areas that still offer good transport links, local amenities and long-term value.

“The combination of stabilising house prices and improved mortgage rates has opened doors again, and we’re seeing renewed confidence in the market, particularly for one and two-bed homes. With more choice coming on to the market and sellers being more open to negotiation, this is one of the more favourable windows we’ve seen for single buyers in recent years.”

Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; S Prendergast, Casey; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Ryan, Izuchukwu, Doris (capt), Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, Crowley.

Yellow card: Casey (32 mins)

Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Menoncello, Marin; Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Zambonin, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, A Garbisi, Odogwu.

Yellow card: Lynagh (10 mins)

Prince William allegedly wanted his ‘ignoramus’ uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, banished from the royal family following his disastrous Newsnight interview.

The royal family is making headlines – and for all the wrong reasons from a PR perspective – as more details continue to emerge about Andrew’s friendship with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The former prince Andrew, who lost his royal titles last year, could face a misconduct in public office investigation after he allegedly shared confidential government reports with Epstein.

While the senior royals have taken steps to distance themselves from the former Duke of York in recent months, the family’s discussions about what to do about the disgraced Andrew go further back to the aftermath of his Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.

During the interview, Andrew was quizzed about his friendship with Epstein and why he went to visit him in New York even after the businessman was convicted of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.

He denied ever having witnessed anything illegal or suspicious while visiting Epstein’s properties, and he has always denied accusations of any wrongdoing.

However, in the court of public opinion, the 2019 interview was considered a trainwreck for Andrew and the royal family.

Prince William reportedly pleaded with his dad, then Prince Charles, and the Queen to take immediate action, according to a new biography written by The Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers.

A source claimed William was keen to get Andrew out of sight ‘before the rot set in, according to The Mirror citing the upcoming book.

They said: ‘Once you understand the fact that everything that happens in the here and now, affects everything in the future, William’s future, it is very easy to put yourself in his shoes.

‘He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in.

‘William’s view was that he got himself into the whole mess, so he should be left to his own devices to sort it out away from the family.’

Sources claim William and Charles had a disagreement at Sandringham the following Christmas over whether Andrew should be banished.

Prince William is said to have questioned the benefit of his uncle ‘to the wider operation’ long before Virginia Giuffre’s sexual abuse allegations involving Andrew became public.

A source with knowledge of the family conversations claimed William thought Andrew was ‘a bit of an ignoramus’ and they had ‘never seen eye to eye.’

While he has a good relationship with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, he is said to have wanted to keep Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, away from the family in public and private.

But this is said to have been overruled by Charles, the palace source added.

Duncan Larcombe, a royal commentator and former royal editor of The Sun, told Metro that the Andrew-Epstein relationship has ‘bubbled up at times since before 2011.’

‘And yet the royal family have thought that if they just shut their eyes and put their fingers in their ears it is all going to go away,’ he said.

He continued: ‘There have been many occasions along the route where the royal family could have taken the initiative on this.

‘But they didn’t out of loyalty to Andrew and especially with the late Queen.

‘They had many opportunities to properly nail this down, but they didn’t because they were loyal to Andrew. And this is why we’ve ended up in this situation we are today.’

You can read the royal expert’s analysis of what the next steps are for the royals amid the Andrew scandal here.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Andrew ‘brought woman flown in on Epstein’s Lolita express into Buckingham Palace’

MORE: Andrew ‘owes £12,000,000 to Royal Family after failing to pay off loan’

MORE: Andrew could face misconduct in public office inquiry over Epstein Files

The route a drug takes into the body can matter as much as the drug itself – and rectal use brings risks that are rarely talked about openly.

Often called “boofing”, “booty bumping” or “plugging”, the practice involves taking drugs via the rectum rather than swallowing, snorting or injecting.

In health settings, this route is familiar through suppositories and enemas, especially when patients cannot take medication by mouth. Outside clinical contexts, however, rectal drug use brings a distinct set of dangers that are widely misunderstood. What matters from a public health perspective is not what people call it but how it affects the body.

Boofing itself isn’t new. Alcohol enemas were documented in early 20th-century medical journals. Opium and herbal preparations were used rectally in ancient China, Egypt and Greece. What is new is the way today’s drug markets intersect with this type of administration.

First, modern illicit drugs are often stronger and less predictable. High-potency MDMA or ecstasy, synthetic stimulants and adulterated cocaine mean people may seek faster or more intense effects from smaller amounts.

Second, boofing is sometimes presented as a way to avoid the perceived harms of snorting or injecting. Third, social media and nightlife networks have made it easier for different drug-taking practices to spread quickly, often without the medical context needed to understand the risks.

What happens when drugs are taken rectally?

The rectum has a dense network of blood vessels. Substances absorbed there can enter the bloodstream rapidly, often bypassing parts of the liver that would normally reduce a drug’s potency when swallowed.

The result can be effects that arrive faster and feel stronger than expected. That also means there is less room for error. A dose that feels manageable when taken orally or nasally may become overwhelming when absorbed rectally, increasing the risk of irritation, injury or potential overdose.

While dangers vary by substance, several risks apply broadly to rectal administration. Overdose risk is higher because absorption can be rapid and unpredictable. People may re-dose too quickly, assuming nothing has happened, only for delayed effects to arrive suddenly.

The lining of the rectum is delicate and easily damaged by caustic substances or repeated irritation. Small tears and inflammation increase vulnerability to infection. There is also a risk of transmitting HIV, hepatitis C and other infections, particularly if equipment is shared or hygiene is poor. Micro-abrasions can make transmission more likely too.

And unlike injecting, rectal drug use leaves no obvious external marks, which can delay recognition of harm when someone is in trouble.

À lire aussi :
When did humans start experimenting with alcohol and drugs?

Different substances also carry different dangers. Stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cathinones or “bath salts” are commonly linked to boofing-related harms. Rapid absorption can put severe strain on the heart and nervous system, raising the risk of overheating, agitation, stroke or cardiac events.

MDMA brings concerns around dehydration and dangerous changes in body temperature, especially when faster onset of effects leads to repeated dosing. Opioids, including heroin and synthetic variants, can suppress breathing. Rectal absorption may still be fast enough to cause fatal overdose, particularly when combined with alcohol or sedatives.

Alcohol enemas are especially risky. Because alcohol bypasses the stomach, the body loses its natural warning system – vomiting – dramatically increasing the chance of alcohol poisoning.

There are also growing concerns around GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), a powerful depressant with a very narrow margin between intoxication and overdose. In a 2019 Channel 4 documentary, a Prison and Probation Service safeguarding professional warned about cases involving GHB absorbed rectally when mixed with lubricant. The effects can be sudden and hard to detect, raising serious risks of unconsciousness and breathing suppression, and, in non-consensual contexts, drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Who does it and why context matters

There is no single “type” of person who engages in this practice. Research is limited, but people may experiment for different reasons including curiosity, faster onset or avoiding damage to the nose or veins.

Because boofing is highly stigmatised, open discussion is rare. That makes reliable information harder to find. This is a problem from a harm reduction perspective. Non-judgemental, evidence-based advice helps people make safer choices, whatever their circumstances.

Online, boofing is sometimes described as safer than injecting or snorting. That comparison is misleading. While it avoids needle injuries and nasal damage, the lack of visible harm can also create a false sense of security.

Much of the danger does not come from the route alone, but from unknown drug strength, contaminants and inconsistent supply. In illicit markets, changing how a drug is taken can increase risk.

Reducing harm

From a public health perspective, the goal is not to sensationalise this practice, but to reduce preventable harm. The University of Pittsburgh developed a safer boofing guide in 2023 to offer harm reduction advice.

Hygiene also matters. Rectal drug use can interact with sexual health. Invisible injuries can raise the risk of infection, including sexually transmitted infections, particularly if drugs are taken shortly before anal sex. Condoms, regular testing and HIV prevention tools remain central to reducing harm.

Boofing reflects a much older human tendency to experiment with different substances. What has changed is the context. Today’s drugs are often stronger, more adulterated and less predictable. At the same time, practices circulate rapidly online, frequently stripped of medical or public health advice.

Understanding rectal drug use, rather than sensationalising it, allows for more honest conversations about risk. This is not about encouraging drug use, but about recognising reality and reducing preventable harm in an increasingly volatile drug market.

The special instalment, officially set to air on Monday (February 16) was mistakenly released three days early yesterday afternoon, but was taken down moments later.

It revealed a confirmed date for Carla Connor and Lisa Swain’s hotly anticipated wedding.

Viewers were also given a glimpse of a new murder-mystery and “whodunnit” plot with several potential victims and suspects.

corrie uploading monday’s ep early by accident and deleting after thirty minutes must be the funniest thing ever pls pic.twitter.com/8xURlQ0GUa

— Iris ୨ৎ (@carlaconnorsgf) February 13, 2026

The Radio Times synopsis for Monday’s episode shares: “Several weeks into the future, a detective interviews Betsy about her discovery of a dead body, but which of five potential victims will be murdered and who is their killer?”

Coronation Street fans say accidental upload of special flash-forward episode is ‘genius’

However, fans of the ITV soap have said the early upload made in error on unlucky Friday 13th, was a “genius” move as it was a “flash-forward of the flash-forward”.

It comes as someone posted on X: “And on Friday the 13th having a flashforward of the flashforward. Very clever. Hopefully whoever it is doesn’t get into trouble.”

Someone else put: “A flashforward of a flashforward. Genius, really.”

Corrie’s Top 5 Villains 

This person shared: “corrie posting the flash forward ep 3 days early you have to laugh.”

Others who managed to watch some of Monday’s episode yesterday said: “I watched it before they took it down, and I assumed they meant to release it early, but I don’t think it’s done any harm. I’m quite excited to see where this is all going and who gets killed in April.”

One user commented: “Coronation Street putting out Mondays episode already!! Oops watching it now. #Swarla #Corrie.”

Meanwhile, some were too late, as this profile put: “i’ve just sat and watched it but they took it down 2 minutes before it ended.”

Another chimed in: “We seen only the first 10 minutes before it was taken down!!!”

Over on Reddit, this viewer discussed: “For some reason they surprised us by they uploaded the next episode 3 DAYS EARLIER than they usually do. And yep I watched the episode and I already have a bad feeling about the one thing that I saw on the end of the episode.”

An account responded: “Imagine being the person who accidentally uploaded not just any episode early, but the one that kicks off Corrie’s much-hyped big murder mystery.”

Newsquest has contacted Coronation Street for comment.

Coronation Street airs on Monday, February 16 from 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Living in a village is one of the most peaceful lifestyles – but it still has its drawbacks

The age-old debate of city versus village life is one that is hotly contested. Are you someone who craves the fast-paced city or do you prefer the serene peace of the countryside? I have lived in a rural village on the Cambridgeshire border all my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Living in Therfield, I have become accustomed to the charms of living in a village. But having spent a lot of my time commuting to Cambridge, I can see why some people are put off by the idea of rural living.

I used to commute to Cambridge around three times a week, and although the train journey can take as little as 15 minutes, the whole commute takes much longer in reality. I start by driving around 10 minutes to the station and then paying just over £10 for a full day of parking.

Once that is all sorted, it is a matter of waiting for the train. Sometimes I have waited for more than an hour due to delays.

In Therfield, you have two options when it comes to modes of transport – walking or driving. So, best believe, I began learning to drive the moment I turned 17. People from Cambridge truly are spoiled when it comes to transport. I’d be beyond happy to have regular trains, or better yet, a train station I could actually walk to.

For those who have never lived in a village, and have only heard rumours, there is one I have learned to be true. Neighbours do actually bring baked goods to your door, and pop round for a chat on a regular basis. Everyone really does know everyone within our tight-knit community, and more often than not I see and speak to my fellow residents every day.

Therfield, alongside many other villages, is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and lots of wildlife can be spotted waddling around. Yes, I said waddle – because the number of ducks you find crossing the roads is endearing.

Being in the countryside means being able to silence the noise of a bustling city and relax in the beauty of the idyllic views. On a sunny day, a walk along the public footpaths circling around the village can lift your mood, especially if you finish at The Fox and Duck for a drink and a meal afterwards.

This pub really holds the village together and acts as the perfect meeting point to spend time with the community. They serve both classic pub-grub and a la carte food. In the summer especially, it can get really busy, with regular entertainment and events taking place outside on the green.

Therfield hosts an annual village fete filled with many different stalls, a raffle, and usually involves activities like a coconut shy and welly-wanging. After the fete, the majority of locals walk over to the pub and indulge in some drinks and party the night away.

As well as a pub, the village is home to a preschool and a primary school which I attended. For me, growing up in a village allowed me to make close friends from a young age. Some of my fondest memories are knocking on my friend’s doors after school and playing silly games out on the green.

As much as these things are all lovely, I would still like to have a post office, or even just a small shop that I can walk to for essential items. My nearest supermarket is Tesco in the nearby town of Royston. This takes me over 10 minutes to drive to, and by the time I get back home, it’s somehow been over an hour.

In Cambridge, you may not have baked goods brought to you on a regular basis, but you do have everything you could possibly wish for right on your doorstep. From supermarkets to do your food shop and easy access to GPs, to independent shops like Lilac Rose or Podarok.

Whether it’s traditional pub grub at The Pint Shop or Bread & Meat, often referred to as having the “best sandwiches”, or even a scone drowned in jam at La Patissier, Cambridge has a cuisine for every need. There are still plenty of places I haven’t tried and tested yet.

The city is also home to some fantastic shops to explore and I enjoy visiting the Lion Yard and Grand Arcade for the variety of shops. This includes New Look, Sports Direct, and Hotel Chocolat – but brace yourself to splash the cash, especially on parking.

On a shopping trip to Cambridge, I can sometimes spend four hours there roaming around and I used to opt to park in the Grand Arcade car park. On a Saturday, up to four hours would cost me £18.90, which is pretty steep. Now, I choose to use the Park and Ride in Trumpington. It is free to park here for up to 18 hours, and you only have to pay £4 for a adult return ticket to the city centre.

The other thing about the city centre that sometimes leaves me feeling frustrated is the crowds of people that often block the footpaths. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck behind a slow walker, especially if you are a fast-paced walker like me!

Although I have my grumbles about Therfield, it is a gorgeous place to live, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else but the countryside. I will continue to enjoy my long walks in a remote area and enjoy food being brought to my house – as well as trips to Cambridge for shopping and socialising.

Beermaker BrewDog, which makes craft beer such as Punk IPA and Elvis Juice, could be up for sale.

The move comes months after the Scottish-based brewer announced its beers were taken off the taps at almost 2,000 pubs across the UK.

Before that, the brewery also announced the closure of 10 of its bars in July last year, citing ‘ongoing industry challenges’ such as rising costs.

Consultants have since been called in to help look for new investors, which could result in significant changes for BrewDog.

One point of concern was job security for its staff at Ellon in Aberdeenshire after the company announced the closure of its distilling brands.

BrewDog, which was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, have appointed consultants AlixPartners to oversee a sale process.

The brewery said it wanted to focus more on its beer products, but maintained that there has been no formal decision to sell the company.

It described the current economic climate as ‘challenging’, which was cited as a factor in considering a sale process.

A spokesperson for BrewDog said: ‘As with many businesses operating in a challenging economic climate and facing sustained macro headwinds, we regularly review our options with a focus on the long-term strength and sustainability of the company.

‘Following a year of decisive action in 2025, which saw a focus on costs and operating efficiencies, we have appointed AlixPartners to support a structured and competitive process to evaluate the next phase of investment for the business.

‘This is a deliberate and disciplined step with a focus on strengthening the long-term future of the BrewDog brand and its operations.’

The spokesperson described the company as a ‘world-class consumer brand’, adding that it is rated the number one independent brewer in the UK.

They said: ‘We believe that this combination will attract substantial interest, though no final decisions have been made.

‘Our breweries, bars, and venues continue to operate as normal. We will not comment on any further speculation.’

BrewDog operates 72 bars globally and owns four breweries.

The company gained popularity in the 2010s as pub goers craved independent beers and IPAs.

The brand gained a reputation for its bold marketing stunts, such as driving a tank through London.

It received an unexpectedly bad reputation after a school teacher was spotted drinking what was thought to be a can of BrewDog Punk IPA on the job.

Watt stepped down as BrewDog’s CEO in May 2024 after 17 years, handing over to chief operating officer James Arrow.

Arrow then stepped down from the role in March this year due to ‘personal reasons’, and James Taylor took over.

Watt is still ‘captain and co-founder’ at BrewDog, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: ‘Lovely’ city crowned UK’s cheapest place for single people to buy a home

MORE: Iconic make-up brand Barry M on the brink of collapse after 44 years

MORE: Win an overnight stay for two at ‘stylish’ Edinburgh hotel The Rutland

Steve Borthwick’s confident side brushed aside woeful Wales 48-7 at Twickenham last weekend to make it 12 Test victories in a row, though are arguably without a real statement away victory during that impressive run. Scotland, meanwhile, will be desperate to ease the pressure on Gregor Townsend and bounce back from a shock 18-15 defeat by Italy, when they were caught out during a slow start before the weather conditions in Rome became almost unplayable.