Shoppers can save up to £1.60 on individual items, with the cuts covering everything from fruit and vegetables to meat, dairy and store-cupboard essentials.

The biggest cash saving is on organic balsamic vinegar, which has fallen from £6 to £4.40, giving shoppers £1.60 off.

Other reductions include organic honey granola, down from £5.20 to £4, while organic lamb mince has dropped from £7.50 to £6.40.

One of the biggest percentage reductions is on organic crop potatoes, which have fallen from £2.65 to £1.70 – a cut of almost 36 per cent.

M&S Organic Breakfast Tea has been reduced from £2.75 to £1.90, while organic carrots are now 90p and organic garlic starts from 70p.

The price cuts form part of a £4 million investment by M&S aimed at making its organic range more affordable as the retailer looks to compete more aggressively with Britain’s supermarkets.

Selected organic carrots, lamb, pasta and potatoes are also joining the M&S Remarksable Value range.

M&S makes major price change to more than 50 products across UK stores (Image: Jam Press/M&S)

Prices in the Remarksable Value range are benchmarked against rival supermarkets, while M&S says the products continue to meet its usual quality and sourcing standards.

Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, said: “We’re on a journey at M&S Food to become a true shopping list retailer, giving customers more reasons to shop with us more often and for more of what they need each week.

“Organic is a category with huge potential.

“That’s why we’re investing over £4 million to lower prices on more than 50 organic staples, bringing together trusted M&S quality, accredited organic sourcing at great value.

“It’s another important step in making M&S accessible to more customers while supporting our ambition to grow the food business.”

Organic grocery items from M&S (Image: Jam Press/M&S)

Full list of M&S price cuts

• Organic Plain White Flour – £2.60 to £2.05
• Organic Red Kidney Beans – £1.35 to £1.25
• Organic Honey Granola – £5.20 to £4
• Organic Coconut Oil – £4 to £3.85
• Organic Breakfast Tea 50 – £2.75 to £1.90
• Organic Baked Beans – £1.10 to £1
• Organic Chopped Tomatoes – £1.30 to £1.25
• Organic Self Raising White Flour – £2.60 to £2.05
• Organic British Butter – £3.30 to £3.20
• 1pt Organic English Semi-skimmed Milk – £1.25 to £1.20
• Organic Honey – £3.70 to £3.35
• Organic Carrot Bag – £1.25 to 90p
• Organic Green Lentils – £2.70 to £2.30
• Organic Couscous – £2.30 to £2
• Red Lentils – £2.40 to £2.30
• Organic Fusilli – £2.30 to £1.90
• Organic Crop Potatoes – £2.65 to £1.70
• Organic Strong White Bread Flour – £2.60 to £2.05
• Organic Pink Lady Apples – £3.25 to £3
• Organic Strong Wholemeal Flour – £2.60 to £2.05
• Organic Raisins – £3 to £2.80
• Full Fat Organic Milk – £2.40 to £2
• Organic Sultanas – £3 to £2.80
• Organic Gala Apples – £2.40 to £2.20
• Organic Cucumber – £1.65 to £1.30
• Organic Unwaxed Lemon – £2.25 to £2
• Organic Blueberries – £3 to £2.90
• Organic Chestnut Mushrooms – £2.50 to £2.25
• Organic Mixed Pack Pepper – £2.25 to £1.75
• Organic Mature Cheddar – £5 to £4.50
• Organic Courgettes – £2.60 to £2.45
• Organic Rosa Tomatoes 375g – £2.50 to £2.25
• Organic Gem Lettuce – £1.80 to £1.60
• Organic Carrots – £2.10 to £1.60
• Organic Lamb Mince – £7.50 to £6.40
• Organic Eggs Medium x6 – £3 to £2.60
• Organic Celery – £1.50 to £1.40
• Organic Eggs Large x6 – £3.65 to £3.30
• Organic Cooked Prawns – £5.50 to £4.95
• Organic Dates – £3.60 to £3.50
• Organic Soft Prunes – £3.60 to £3.50
• Organic Spinach 200g – £2.25 to £2
• Organic Soft Apricots – £4.25 to £4.20
• Organic Cauliflower – £2.30 to £2
• Organic Balsamic Vinegar – £6 to £4.40
• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – £7.25 to £6.75
• 300ml Organic Cream – £2 to £1.70
• Organic Sweet Gem Lettuce x2 – £2 to £1.70
• Organic Baby Rocket Salad 80g – £2.40 to £2
• Organic Rocket 80g – £2.40 to £2
• Organic Avocados – £2.75 to £2.60
• Organic Mixed Eggs x12 – £5.50 to £5.40
• Organic Leeks – £2.20 to £2.10
• Organic Cabbage – £1.50 to £1.35
• Organic Salad Pots – £2.25 to £2
• Organic Brown Onion – £1.75 to £1.65
• Organic Butternut Squash – £2 to £1.90
• Organic Red Onions – £1.50 to £1.45

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The retailer is aiming to double its share of Britain’s organic food market, which is worth almost £2 billion.

According to Worldpanel figures supplied by M&S, the organic market grew by 4.4 per cent over the past year, while more than a third of M&S customers say they buy more organic food than they did five years ago.

M&S is also introducing dedicated organic sections at larger and newer Foodhalls, bringing frozen, chilled and store-cupboard organic products together.

Thousands of pounds worth of possessions were taken

Criminals who cut their way into storage units and ransacked their contents are still at large months after the incident.

In February Pink Self Storage Swansea customers told WalesOnline they were met with holes cut through their units in Port Tennant while valuable items were either taken or “strewn” across the ground.

Three separate customers told WalesOnline their missing items were worth thousands of pounds each in value amounting to a combined total of more than £13,000.

One couple told WalesOnline they felt “absolutely devastated” and “let down”, while another customer said: “I have felt completely helpless throughout this situation “ Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here

Those affected claimed they were not aware the incident had occurred until days later by which point more of their items became damaged by rainwater.

Pictures and video footage taken of the scene at the time showed holes at the back of a number of units which appeared to back onto a field. A metal fence separating the field and the units appeared to be damaged. Beyond the fence more valuable items were seen strewn across the field.

A Pink Storage spokesman told WalesOnline at the time that a total of 10 containers were broken into with more damaged.

The spokesman for the company said CCTV was not running at the time due to it having been seized by police in November following a separate incident.

He added that “a number of storage operators” in Swansea and south Wales had been targeted. At the time South Wales Police said it was investigating the break-in at the Swansea site but did not address claims of other locations being targeted.

Seven months after the incident in September South Wales Police confirmed there has not been “any major update” including no arrests. An affected customer confirmed she had received no updates.

A spokesman for Pink Storage said in February: “We are aware of the incident at our Swansea site and understand how distressing this has been for the customers affected. Our priority has been, and remains, supporting those impacted.

“To clarify the facts of the incident there were 10 units broken into out of a total of 267 at the Swansea site. In addition there was criminal damage to a number of containers backing onto the dock area. All affected customers have been informed and assistance is being provided.

“All affected customers had content protection in place. Two claims have already been settled, with payments issued within 48 hours, and the remaining claims are currently being reviewed and progressed. We have also implemented additional security measures including increased monitoring, repairs, and physical patrols and we are continuing to review and strengthen site security.

“In a separate incident not related to the break-in South Wales Police removed the NVR that provides remote CCTV monitoring via DSOC. As this remains an active investigation there are some matters we are unable to comment on in detail at this stage. However we are committed to transparency and will continue to update customers as appropriate.”

Two businesses are now under investigation

Two Cambridgeshire businesses were allegedly caught selling age-restricted products to children. Trading Standards officers conducted a series of test purchasing operations across the county.

The exercises were conducted over the summer by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards team, working alongside Volunteer Police Cadets in Cambridgeshire, aged between 14 and 16, and licensing teams from the city and district councils.

The cadets attempted to purchase age-restricted products, including alcohol, vapes and tobacco, from 26 premises. The businesses involved were selected following complaints and intelligence suggesting they may have been selling age-restricted goods to underage individuals.

Most businesses demonstrated good practice, with staff challenging the cadets about their age and refusing sales where appropriate. However, two premises sold age-restricted products to an underage cadet and are now under investigation, according to Cambridgeshire County Council.

The activity forms part of Trading Standards’ ongoing work to tackle the illegal sale of age-restricted products to children and young people. Peter Gell, Head of Trading Standards at Cambridgeshire County Council, said that “it is vital that businesses remain vigilant” with changes to legislation coming into force in the future.

He said: “Selling these products to children can have serious impacts on their health and wellbeing. Young people may not fully understand the long-term risks associated with using products such as tobacco and vapes at an early age.

“Our work with partners to identify and take action against businesses that break the law will continue. These exercises play an important role in protecting young people and ensuring retailers meet their legal responsibilities.

“With changes to legislation relating to tobacco and vape sales coming into force in the future, it is vital that businesses remain vigilant. Retailers should ensure staff receive appropriate training, along with regular refresher training, and that robust procedures are in place to prevent underage sales.”

Inspector Hayley Thind, from Prevention, Custody and Partnerships at Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “The Volunteer Police Cadets promote good citizenship and have done a fantastic job in assisting our Trading Standards colleagues with this operation.

“The cadets’ on-going support of operations such as this is testament to their resilience and ability to work under pressure, so well done to them. I am glad to see that the vast majority of local businesses complied with legislation and kept the young people in our communities safe.”

The work is funded by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Public Health team, helping Trading Standards and its partners to protect young people from the harms associated with alcohol, tobacco and vaping products.

Trading Standards is encouraging retailers to review their age-verification policies and ensure staff consistently challenge anyone who appears under the age of 25. A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “If you have concerns about young people accessing alcohol in your local area, please report these to Cambridgeshire Police online.

“Information about shops selling vapes or tobacco products to children under the age of 18 can be reported to Trading Standards advice partner, Citizens Advice Consumer Service, on 0808 223 1133 Monday to Friday or via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service online form over the weekend. You can remain anonymous if you wish.”

‘I hope you’re ready for the best sandwich you’ve ever had in your life’

Slabz Sandwiches has announced that it is set to open its fifth location very soon.

They took to social media to let their followers know that they will be opening in Portrush, calling it a “North Coast takeover”.

Slabz opened in the North Coast town of Portstewart in 2024 and quickly became a big hit for its American deli-style sandwiches, attracting large queues out the door.

They then went on to open a location in Belfast City Centre, Coleraine and Castlerock soon after.

OPINION

In the post on Instagram, they said, “someone told us the Port needed better sandwiches. So today we got the key for our next location. Portush let’s be having ya.”

They added, “Portrush, I hope you’re ready for the best sandwich you’ve ever had in your life.”

There is no set opening date, but they have said the new store is “coming very soon”.

Customers can get their hands on sandwiches and loaded fries in the store and they have even been teasing the return of their famous Christmas sandwich.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter here

It’s a habit 60 percent of us undertake at least once a week. 

Many see mouthwash as an essential part of oral hygiene, killing bacteria in the mouth to banish bad breath and help prevent tooth decay.

But dentists are now warning that, for most people, the habit is unnecessary – and may even be doing more harm than good.

Dr David Conway, from the University of Glasgow Dental School, previously said: ‘I would not advise routine use of mouthwash, full stop.

‘It isn’t needed as part of general oral hygiene.’

Researchers warn that there is no good evidence that mouthwash is more effective than tooth brushing in preventing cavities or solving bad breath.

At the same time, some small studies have warned that it could raise blood pressure – or even put users at a higher risk of cancer. 

So, should you really keep using mouthwash regularly?

To maintain mouth health, doctors recommend brushing teeth at least twice a day using a toothbrush and toothpaste that contains sodium fluoride, which strengthens enamel and prevents cavities.

The mechanical action of the toothbrush removes bacteria that could cause cavities and any food they could colonize, raising the risk of tooth decay. The foam formed during brushing also helps fluoride adhere better than if it were in mouthwash.

There are two main types of mouthwash: Therapeutic mouthwashes, which contain active ingredients that kill bacteria and help with common dental issues such as bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay, and cosmetic mouthwashes, which temporarily mask bad breath and leave a pleasant taste but do little more. 

While cosmetic mouthwashes simply mask a problem such as bad breath, experts warn that therapeutic ones could do damage to your health because of the disruption to the mouth microbiome.

The mouth is home to billions of bacteria that help boost oral health. But when a mouthwash is used, both the ‘bad’ and ‘good’ bacteria are swept away, raising the risk of complications. 

According to Dr Joanna L’Heureux, a public health expert in the UK, one of the main roles of bacteria in the mouth is to create chemicals to help manage blood pressure, with high blood pressure being one of the most common health conditions in the US.

Bacteria at the back of the tongue convert nitrate in our food, from sources such as leafy greens, into nitrite. The body absorbs this and converts it into nitric oxide, a compound that is essential for helping blood vessels dilate to lower blood pressure.

One small trial published in 2020 tracked 36 healthy adults in Britain who rinsed their mouths twice a day for seven days with a placebo mouthwash, and then did the same with a therapeutic mouthwash.

It found there was a ‘major shift in the salivary microbiome’ of the mouth and a major drop in the population of bacteria needed to maintain healthy blood pressure.

Many use mouthwash to help reduce their risk of dental cavities 

Another small study of 19 healthy volunteers found that adults who used mouthwash for seven days saw a small increase in blood pressure and reduced levels of nitrite. 

In another trial involving 15 adults who already had high blood pressure, three days of using mouthwash was found to further increase blood pressure. 

In these studies, the mouthwashes used contained chlorhexidine, a strong antiseptic available via prescription in the US that is only recommended for short-term use in people with gum disease or other dental problems. 

Some experts have warned this may also raise the risk of heart disease because high blood pressure is known to cause more damage to blood vessels, raising the risk of suffering from heart problems. 

There is also evidence to suggest that using a mouthwash may raise your risk of cancer.

Many mouthwashes contain up to 27 percent alcohol, which helps to kill off bacteria but is also a known carcinogen – linked to cancers of the mouth, throat and larynx.

A study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2014 linked mouthwash to oral cancer, although only among people who used it more than three times a day.

When it comes to treating bad breath, experts also warn there is particular concern over using mouthwash to do this. 

Dr Praveen Sharma, a dentist in the UK and adviser to the British Dental Association, said: ‘Bad breath may be caused by gum disease, in which case using mouthwash is effectively just blasting it with air freshener – it’s masking the symptom without treating the cause.’

So, how often is it safe to use mouthwash? 

Dr Purnima Kumar, an oral medicine expert at the University of Michigan, previously told the New York Times that if someone uses mouthwash occasionally, such as once a week or once a month, it is unlikely to do damage to their oral health.

But she warned that using mouthwash daily for months or years on end could lead to various complications.

She said: ‘Do I have a bottle of mouthwash next to my toothbrush? Absolutely. But do I use it every day? Certainly not.’

NEW YORK (AP) — Mirra Andreeva remembers looking up to Anastasia Potapova well before they became rivals on the court.

So when Potapova fell and was injured late in their fourth-round match Monday at the U.S. Open, Andreeva put aside the tennis and went to assist.

The French Open champion helped Potapova up so she could get treatment, then finished off a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory that sent her to the quarterfinals in Flushing Meadows for the first time.

“It’s not the perfect end to the match,” Andreeva said.

Andreeva led 5-3 in the final set when Potapova lunged to hit a running forehand and went down holding her left knee. As Potapova sat on the court in pain, the 19-year-old Russian came from the other side of the net and rested her hand on the 25-year-old’s shoulder.

She helped the No. 24 seed up and Potapova was able to limp to her bench, where Andreeva asked if someone could bring her ice. Potapova was treated and eventually able to continue with her knee bandaged, though with limited movement she didn’t win another point and didn’t even attempt to get Andreeva’s final shot.

Potapova appeared to be tearing up as Andreeva came around the net for a long embrace after the final point.

Potapova now represents Austria, but she was born in Russia and still played under that flag when she won the junior Wimbledon championship in 2016.

“For me, Nastya, she was always like a prodigy,” Andreeva said. “She came on tour early. She also had a lot of wins. I also remember we were all watching and cheering for her when she won juniors Wimbledon title. I remember watching that match. For me, she was always, like, a little star that I was kind of always looking at.”

Potapova won their first meeting on tour in 2022 but Andreeva has won the last four. This one prevented Potapova from reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

“First, she just beat me. So after, I just kind of knew that she’s a tough player to play, but at the same time, she was so nice,” Andreeva said.

“Then since then we would practice together, and just like that, the more you see each other, the more you spend time together, then you just talk about everything, discuss everything. Then just like that, I feel like we have a good connection off the court.”

___

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

By QUENTIN LETTS, PARLIAMENTARY SKETCHWRITER

Published: 21:40 BST, 7 September 2026 | Updated: 21:53 BST, 7 September 2026

John Healey, our new Chancellor, gave a speech designed to soothe the financial markets. Soothe or sedate? Mr Healey probably sent them to sleep faster than a doxepin bap.

He ambled to the lectern mid-morning at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry. Strong coffee beforehand. It was soon evident why. They should have issued cattle prongs, to prod audience members who started snoring.

The Healey voice whirrs. You sense it is there yet you remain unsure in which corner of the room it has settled. There is just this bucolic bombilation. It is not quite a buzz, more an amiable susurration as it dawdles in the dahlias. You find your eyelids becoming heavy. Your pulse slows. The chin droops.

Give that person a prod!

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He is not the first Chancellor to be a boring orator. Geoffrey Howe was humdingingly dull. John Major‘s speeches had the colour and texture of whipped egg white. I used to keep myself awake by staring at his hairy hands and imagining what horrors they committed in that bath with Edwina.

Alistair Darling was charming but his Budgets would leave the Commons in various states of narcolepsy, some MPs with heads back, mouths like sinkholes, others having slumped against colleagues’ shoulders. And yet those Chancellors were not entirely without their merits, so a comatose tone may not intrinsically be a bad thing. It may indicate fiscal caution.

Mr Healey’s speech, sadly, merely exuded continuity. His words were little different from those Rachel Reeves used to utter. He desired growth but would not promise the spending and tax cuts that could create it. He claimed to ‘want to leave a sense of real urgency and imperative’ but there was no concomitant undertaking actually to do anything. One week before the TUC conference, and three before Labour’s, he was probably never going to say anything radical.

He is less obviously a bluffer than Reeves. The eyes do not dart so much – Rachel used to look like a shoplifter – and Mr Healey comes across as more experienced and calm. But the cliches were terrible. We had ‘win-win’, ‘brightest and the best’, ‘let me be clear’, ‘acting at pace’ and ‘defining mission’. These were typed in his script. Why does no special adviser edit such atrocities? Do political aides not understand how language can kill interest?

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The Healey voice whirrs. You sense it is there yet you remain unsure in which corner of the room it has settled. There is just this bucolic bombilation, writes Quentin Letts

Meanwhile, Angela Rayner made a triumphant return to the Commons front bench, mispronouncing Worcester as ‘Whirrchester’

Mr Healey has a slender face, long chin and a forehead that often wrinkles. His upper lip lifts at the left, baring larky teeth. Had he a little more hair, the effect would be vintage Leonard Rossiter. If he leaned backwards and put his hands on his hips he would basically be a bald Reggie Perrin.

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He began by praising his ‘brilliant Treasury team – James, Dan, Lucy.’ Pause. Then: ‘Torsten’. Fancy that: almost forgetting Torsten Bell. The speech’s buzz-phrase was ‘growth in every postcode’. He blamed the Tories for lack of growth in those postal codes: ‘Cameron’s austerity, Johnson’s hard Brexit, Liz Truss’, plus Thatcher-era deindustrialisation. 

Even as he spoke, just down the road, Jaguar Land Rover was axing 4,000 jobs. Maybe Labour’s high energy and employment costs had something to do with that. As for Ms Truss, Labour has now zoomed past her record on gilt costs.

Having complained about Brexit, Mr Healey boasted about the trade deals that, er, Brexit made possible. He claimed the credit for interest rate cuts. When a reporter mentioned the possibility interest rates could soon rocket, that was attributed to global factors.

The venue by this point resembled the day room of an old people’s home, the audience in various stages of poleaxed slumber.

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Which leaves room briefly to report that Angela Rayner made a triumphant return to the Commons front bench, mispronouncing Worcester. It popped out as ‘Whirrchester’. John Prescott used to beam when he mangled words. Ditto Mrs Rayner. Beside her sat Matthew Pennycook, her deputy. For a few precious months he thought he had escaped Big Ange. Now she is back.

Poor old Pennycock’s expression was unbearably tragic.

Chief Constable Victoria Fuller and Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey have written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to ask for an increase of £20m of funding per year. 

They say that “longstanding and systematic funding inequalities” has left the region “disproportionately underfunded for many years”. 

It comes in the wake of the devastating A66 crash on August 22 where PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough died in the line of duty. 

Police at the scene of the crash on the A66. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The letter, backed by a string of civic leaders across the region including mayors and council leaders, has laid bare how there are no police force areas with higher levels of crime than the region that receive less funding than Cleveland Police.

There are approximately 40 per cent more crimes per police officer in Cleveland than the national average, and despite this level of demand, Cleveland receives around 35 per cent less funding per crime than the average police force. 

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The letter also reveals that bringing officer workloads closer to the national average would require around 500 extra officers.

It comes just days after Ms Mahmood announced that the force would get an £2 million to tackle serious and organised crime following the tragic A66 incident and Grangetown house blaze.

Shabana Mahmood announced an extra £2m in funding would be given to Cleveland Police to help tackle organised crime. (Image: House of Commons/PA Wire)

But the letter argues that, despite the boost, the force has a funding model that “fails to reflect the reality of policing one of the most crime-affected areas in the country”.

“These are not simply statistics. They are stark facts that have a significant impact on our workforce,” the letter states. 

“They represent heavier workloads, growing pressure on workforce wellbeing, victims waiting longer for justice, communities requiring greater protection and public services operating under increasing strain.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey (Image: Supplied)

“The consequences are felt far beyond policing, placing significant pressure on our fire service, local authorities, health and mental health services, children’s services, housing providers, schools, community organisations and the voluntary sector.” 

Ms Fuller and Mr Storey argue that a recurring uplift of at least £20 million per year would enable police to recruit, train and retain approximately 200 additional police officers. 

They said: “The evidence is clear, the challenges are longstanding and the need for action is urgent. What is now required is a funding settlement that reflects the reality of the demands facing our force and the communities we serve. Our communities are looking for action. 

PC Matthew Blades (left) and PC Tom Clough (right) (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE/CARMEL COLLEGE)

“While we recognise the Government’s commitment to police reform, Cleveland cannot afford to wait for future reviews, reforms or changes to funding formulas. 

“The challenges we face exist today, and they require action today.” 

The letter has been signed in support by the following people:

• Graham Harrison, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council 
• Matt Wilton, chief executive of Hartlepool Borough Council 
• Chris Cooke, Mayor of Middlesbrough Council
• Erik Scollay, chief executive of Middlesbrough Council 
• Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council
• Brian Archer, chief executive of Redcar and Cleveland Council
• Lisa Evans, leader of Stockton Borough Council 
• Mike Greene, chief executive of Stockton Borough Council
• Lord Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor 
• Tom Bryant, chief executive of the Tees Valley Combined Authority
• David Coupe, chair of Cleveland Fire Authority 
• Simon Weastell, interim chief fire officer, Cleveland Fire Brigade 
• Alison Smith, chief executive of Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust 

• Stacey Hunter, chief executive of the University Hospitals Tees Group 
• Matt Forrest, chief executive officer, Thirteen Housing Group 
• Rosemary Du Rose, chief executive, Beyond Housing 
• Mark Davis, on behalf of Tees Valley Infrastructure Partnership

Lancashire Police were called at 6.30pm on Saturday, September 5, to reports of racially aggravated assault in Harpers Recreational Ground, in Harpers Lane, Chorley.

The force is treating the incident as a hate crime, and an investigation has been launched.

Enquiries are ongoing.

A force spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.28pm on Saturday 5th September to a report of racially aggravated assault on Harpers Recreation Ground, Harpers Lane, Chorley.

“It was reported to us that a six-year-old boy had been approached by two older children and that a racist word had been written on his forehead and arm with a marker pen.

“This is being treated as a hate crime, and an investigation has been launched. Our enquiries are ongoing.

“If you were in the park from around 6pm and have information, please contact 101 – quoting log 1021 of 5th September.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorneys asked the Supreme Court Monday to stay the execution of a Florida death row inmate scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday for the 1996 kidnapping and strangulation of a man who was found nude and emasculated.

Daniel Conahan Jr., 72, was sentenced to death for the April 1996 killing of Richard Montgomery. The victim was found in a wooded area in Charlotte County, Florida, which was described as what appeared to be a dumping area that contained a lot of trash.

Authorities said Conahan killed Montgomery after paying him to pose f or nude photos. Authorities suspect him of similar homicides committed in the 1990s in southwest Florida.

Conahan has denied his involvement in Montgomery’s murder. The petition said he has been requesting DNA testing since March 2025 of evidence collected at the scene and from Montgomery’s body to “conclusively establish that he is not responsible for the death.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant Aug. 11 while his motion for DNA testing was pending, the petition for the stay says. Within 24 hours of that warrant being signed the state postconviction court denied the motion.

“Mr. Conahan does not ask to be declared innocent at this posture. Nor does he ask to be released from prison. All he asks is for this Court to stay his imminent execution so that this Court can review his meritorious claims,” the filing says.

Florida has executed 14 people this year.