A second batch of tickets for the popular Christmas attraction will be released at 12pm on Friday, September 11, with places available for both the Manchester and Ascot experiences.

The four-and-a-half-hour immersive Christmas experience is expected to be in high demand.

Families who missed out when tickets were first released in March are urged to be ready to book when the final batch goes live.

Lapland booking includes a set of beautiful invitation letters from Father Christmas (Image: Luke Dyson)

LaplandUK’s 2026 season will run from November 7 until December 24, with ticket prices ranging from £60 to £195, depending on the date and time chosen.

Launched last year, the Manchester experience gives families in the region the chance to enjoy the attraction without travelling to the Ascot site.

Visitors can expect a Christmas-themed experience designed to bring the story of Christmas to life for children and their families.

The first 90 minutes of your visit comprises of a scripted, interactive, and immersive theatrical experience (Image: Luke Dyson)

Tickets will be available through the official LaplandUK website from midday on Friday.

Those hoping to attend are advised to have their preferred date and time in mind before the sale begins, as tickets are expected to sell quickly.

Tomorrow’s sale is the final opportunity to secure tickets for the 2026 season.

Both immersive experiences follow the same narrative, taking families on a Christmas adventure to visit the mythical home of Father Christmas in Lapland.

Each child ticket will receive a completed version of the toy they helped to make. (Image: Luke Dyson)

Children have the opportunity to help make toys in the Lapland Toy Factory, decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas and her Elves, skate on Father Christmas’ Frozen Pond, and enjoy all the “Elftastic” activities the Elven World has to offer.

The Ascot experience is based in Whitmoor Forest, where parts of the experience are outdoors within the natural forest setting.

The Manchester LaplandUK site replicates a magical forest setting in an undercover environment, protected from the elements in the grounds of Capesthorne Hall in Siddington.

To find out more, visit: https://portal.laplanduk.co.uk/

Lewis Monaghan attacked the woman after accusing her of stealing money from his mother, despite being barred from going to her home.

The 27-year-old repeatedly punched the woman while she was on the ground before taking £15 from her pockets on June 14, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson said Monaghan attacked the woman who helps his disabled mother.

She said: “He punched her in the face, kicked and punched her from behind, and she told him to check her pockets, denying she had taken anything.

“He has punched her again, causing her to fall to the floor, and as she was laid on her back, he has continued to assault her by punching and kicking her.

“He has checked her pockets and removed £15 before saying – ‘have you ever been hit with a frying pan?’ and then hit her arms and hands.

“He has dragged her into the hallway, but she managed to get up, before dragging her into the bathroom.

Lewis Monaghan admitted GBH and breaching a restraining order after attacking a woman with a frying pan and threatening rape. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“He said to her, ‘You’re not going anywhere tonight – I’m going to kidnap and rape you’.”

Miss Atkinson said the woman escaped Monaghan’s mother’s Middlesbrough home and called police.

Police arrested Monaghan at his mother’s home the next day, finding him hiding in the pantry.

Monaghan admitted grievous bodily harm and two breaches of a restraining order following his arrest on June 15.

His defence lawyer asked for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports before he was sentenced.

Judge Jonathan Carroll adjourned the case until November for the reports and to consider whether Monaghan is dangerous before sentencing him.

Monaghan, who has no fixed address, was remanded in custody.

Monaghan was previously jailed for 46 months and two weeks after attacking police officers and breaching a restraining order; the court also heard he had been diagnosed with psychosis.

Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd, founded in 2007, was an independent travel agent offering holidays to destinations worldwide, including:

• New York
• Egypt
• Turkey
• Las Vegas
• Greece
• Cyprus

However, after 19 years, ABTA confirmed that Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd ceased trading on Tuesday (September 9).

As a result, the travel agent’s website is now offline.

Are holidays booked with Barnes Worldwide Travel affected?

ABTA has confirmed that bookings made through Barnes Worldwide Travel should not be affected.

The Liverpool-based travel agent was not the operator of the holidays it sold, meaning bookings should remain valid through the named tour provider.

Customers are advised to check their paperwork to identify the tour operator or principal travel business responsible for their booking.

This information should be listed on booking documents or, for flight-inclusive packages, on the ATOL Certificate under the section ‘Who is protecting your trip’.

ABTA said: “To ensure your holiday continues as planned, you will need to contact the credit control department of your tour operator or other principal travel business with whom you have a contract.

“Your booking should continue as normal, and they will be your direct point of contact.

“Please ensure that you have your documentation with you, as they may require information from this to assist you.”

Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026

Several other UK travel companies have ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:

Wayfairer Travel Limited has also suspended all services “until further notice” as it looks to appoint an administrator.

Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:

• Ascend Airways (liquidation)
• EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
• Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
• European Cargo (administration)

Have you booked a holiday through Barnes Worldwide Travel recently? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

He told reporters at the company’s headquarters: “You might find some people will choose not to fly with Ryanair – but you know they’ll be overrun with the people abandoning Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, BA, and others desperate to get to Ryanair’s low fares because they can’t afford to fly with the high-fare rapists around Europe.”

Manchester United have made a change at the academy level that could benefit JJ Gabriel and the club’s other top prospects

JJ Gabriel has received a boost to his hopes of making his competitive Manchester United debut due to a change made during Michael Carrick’s tenure. The 15-year-old is one of several academy prospects with hopes of breaking into Carrick’s team this season.

Teenage sensation Gabriel captured attention with his eye-catching U18 performances last term, scoring 26 goals in 29 games. He has since stepped up to the U21s, scoring twice and recording two assists across his two appearances.

Gabriel is eligible to play in the Premier League this season as he continues to make waves at the age group level. Gabriel featured for the first team during pre-season, and Carrick has repeatedly praised the young attacking midfielder, who can also play as a striker.

Many academy players are hoping to catch the United manager’s eye, given that he attends United’s U21 and U18 games. A crucial rule change should create a smoother transition to the first team for the club’s rising stars.

United’s academy players have now been aided in their efforts to make a first-team impact by U21 boss Adam Lawrence switching from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 system. Under Carrick, the new policy of mirroring the senior side’s formation should ensure that the club’s youngsters, including Gabriel, have a better understanding of their roles when they move up to the senior side.

The Daily Mail reports that the formation change allows Gabriel to learn Bruno Fernandes’ No.10 position. Meanwhile, the U21s have copied Carrick’s deployment of Matheus Cunha as a false nine by playing Amir Ibragimov up front.

The report adds that the decisions to send Chido Obi out on loan and allow Louie Bradbury to join Stoke City could hint at a long-term strategy involving false nines. A move away from orthodox strikers may also give Gabriel another opportunity to force his way into the United team, given his prolific form as an academy player.

Carrick watched Gabriel make his United U21s debut last month. The 15-year-old got on the scoresheet and assisted two in a 5-0 win over Ipswich Town, earning praise from the first team boss.

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“I thought the boys played ever so well, actually,” Carrick said after the game. “Really good team, really strong team that we had, and you could see that the quality. I really enjoyed the game. Really pleased with the boys, the way they went about it. The quality, the attitude, everything about the game was really good. So, really encouraged by that.

“JJ is one of the boys. He’s obviously got a really big talent. He’s trained with us quite a bit. He’s getting experience all the time. He’s physically adapting to each step that he makes, and just continuing his development.”

While intrigue continues to surround Gabriel, United star Bryan Mbeumo has said the teenager could be suited to a different position. The forward previously suggested that the attacking midfielder would potentially flourish as a winger for the Reds.

“He’s actually kind of a winger, he’s a dribbler and even in front of the box, I still think he’s good, honestly,” Mbeumo told Zack En Roue Libre in March. “He’s strong, the little guy is strong. Yeah, he’s strong, he’s really something, frankly… I think he’s 15.

“You feel that he’s bound to be a little kid but he trains quite a bit with us and actually you see, you can feel that the little guy has something special.”

Benbow described the scene on the ridge as “full winter conditions”.

He said he was told by Long’s family that he had been walking in the Lake and Peak District but this was his first time in Eryri.

While the pair had spiked footwear they did not have crampons nor ice axes, Benbow said.

He said there was signage at various parts of the mountain range warning that certain routes require experienced climbers with Crib Goch described as an “extreme scramble”.

Benbow said at the time he was first alerted there was not enough information about the location and nature of the call to deploy immediately.

Det Con James Lloyd from North Wales Police’s professional standards department told the hearing that although attempts were made by the control room to make further contact with the 999 caller “the incident wasn’t escalated as it should have been”.

He said there had been “learning” for staff and the force to pass on similar calls to mountain rescuers sooner for them to assess.

Long’s father, questioning Lloyd via videolink, described the situation as “incompetence”.

Lloyd said he found the force did not contribute to the deaths of the two men.

Assistant coroner for North West Wales Sarah Riley said both men died of multiple traumatic injuries.

The inquest continues.

Police were called to the post office on Stockton High Street at around 2.20pm on Wednesday (September 9).

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.

No injuries were reported.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “At 2.20pm on Wednesday, September 9, police were called to Stockton High Street following reports of a robbery involving a man with a knife.

“There were no injuries reported.

“A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and is currently in police custody.”

Thousands of people will fill the streets of Wigan today (September 10) as the town pays its respects to rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston – one of the most celebrated players in the sport’s history.

Sir Billy sadly passed away last month at 92-years-old, just weeks after the death of his wife, Lady Joan. The funeral service will be held at The Brick Community Stadium – the home of Wigan Warriors – at 12.30 pm on Thursday. Entry to the stadium is controlled by pre-allocated passes.

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Before the service, a funeral cortege will pass through Wigan, starting at 11.20am at the Bold Hotel in Wigan. Wigan Warriors said at the request of the Boston family, anyone in attendance is encouraged to wear traditional funeral attire, but items of cherry red like scarves, ties and headwear can be worn.

The club said: “We kindly ask that all attendees respect the privacy of the family and the occasion by refraining from taking videos and photographs of the funeral service. At the end of the funeral service, we ask that fans remain in their seats whilst the funeral procession leaves the stadium.

“The service will be conducted by Fr Paul Grady and Sue Gibbons Funeral Service with music performed by Lauren Waterworth. Wigan Warriors’ first team will also be in attendance to give Sir Billy a guard of honour as he makes his final journey.”

Last year, Sir Billy made more history when he became the first rugby league player to be knighted after he was honoured by King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

Following the news of his death, Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, led the tributes for Sir Billy. Mr Burnham, an avid follower of the sport, said he was “heartbroken” to learn of Sir Billy’s death, just four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan.

“Heartbroken to hear my friend Sir Billy Boston has died,” Burnham wrote on X. “Billy was one of the greatest rugby league players of all time but also one of the kindest and most down-to-earth people you could ever wish to meet. He always had time for people and gave so much to back to his adopted home, Wigan.

“I will miss him greatly and am thinking today of Billy’s family, still grieving the recent loss of his beloved wife Joan. A giant of a man in every way. Thank you, Billy, and rest in peace.”

This is a live blog, updates will be shared below

Bolton Council Trading Standards officer and Greater Manchester Police officers took action against Tia’s Wines, on Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge.

It was served with a Closure Order at Manchester Magistrates’ Court last Friday (September 4) in relation to the sale of nitrous oxide, illicit tobacco and illegal vapes.

The order means the premises must remain closed for a period of three months.

Cllr Robert Morrisey, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:

“Illegal tobacco, illicit vaping products and nitrous oxide pose significant risks to residents and can contribute to wider criminal activity.

“This successful closure order demonstrates the strong partnership between Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in tackling businesses that break the law and undermine responsible local traders.

“We will continue to take robust action against premises involved in the sale of illegal goods and activities that negatively impact our communities.”

Closure orders are used to protect local communities from premises linked to criminality and anti-social behaviour.

Sergeant Zach Keneally from the Bolton District of GMP, said: “The closure of Tia’s Wines demonstrates our commitment to responding to concerns raised by the local community and tackling activity that has a negative impact on our neighbourhoods.

“Working closely with Bolton Council and our partner agencies, we gathered evidence that supported this application and are pleased that the court granted the closure order.

“The sale of nitrous oxide and other activity linked to anti-social behaviour can cause significant harm to communities.

“We will continue to take action against businesses and individuals who contribute to crime, disorder, or public nuisance and we encourage residents to keep reporting concerns to us.”

Tia’s Wines is not the only Bolton store which was recently investigated for selling illegal goods.

It’s the latest shop to be served with such an order.

Two were ordered to close last month after being accused of being involved in the sale of “illicit tobacco, illegal vapes and nitrous oxide”.

Secretary of state for the treasury, Scott Bessent, recently declared that the US is readying a comprehensive package of sanctions targeting Iran that in size and scale amounted to an “economic D-day”. Although a problematic analogy that does disservice to the memory of those Allied soldiers who landed in Normandy, Bessent’s choice of words does at least make clear that the events of June 6 1944 continue to have purchase in contemporary culture.

For the makers of Pressure, this is no doubt reassuring. Directed by Anthony Maras and cowritten with David Haig, the film revisits the well-known story of D-day but with a novel focus: the meteorologists who helped the generals make the decision on when exactly to land. It is beautifully shot and often engaging but flawed in key details and loses its way towards the end.

Pressure is an adaptation of Haig’s successful 2014 play of the same name. At its centre is the story of Group Captain James Stagg (Andrew Scott). Stagg was the RAF meteorologist responsible for the weather reports that helped the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser), prepare for the invasion of France.

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Eisenhower’s plan had several specific requirements deemed essential to success. These included a full moon, a low (but rising) tide, and calm seas. Accurate weather reports were an operational necessity. This was especially the case given the famously turbulent nature of the waters between Britain and France.

The film is at its best when it sticks closely to what had previously made the play such a success – the often tense interactions between humans dealing with enormous pressure. From the stately grounds of the Allied headquarters (Southwick House near Portsmouth), we see Stagg argue with his American subordinate Colonel Krick (Chris Messina) over the science of forecasting.

Stagg believes in using accurate real-time data from measuring stations far and wide. Krick believes that future weather cycles can be best predicted by looking at what similar pressure systems have done in previous years. On their dispute hangs the likelihood of a successful landing and also, therefore, ultimate victory in the war (or so we are told).

As the narrative builds to its expected crescendo (the invasion), we also see Stagg navigate the challenge of dealing directly with the intimidating figure of General Eisenhower. And in the background throughout is another significant pressure, one that the taciturn Stagg largely keeps to himself: the uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of his pregnant wife. He has lost contact with her following a German bombing raid on her hospital.

Alliance politics

The film offers two overall takeaways. First, that science is a complex and sometimes contested business. Eisenhower wants absolute certainty; Stagg can only offer the data together with his interpretation based on years of hard-won expertise. As he tussles with “Ike” – as Eisenhower was known – we are also given a welcome lesson in the importance of speaking truth to power, regardless of the pressure that results.

The second takeaway is that the success of the operation was at root the work of an alliance of Britons and Americans who worked together towards a common goal. As such, while we see plenty of disagreements and rivalries – Damien Lewis as a self-obsessed General Montgomery is particularly good – the Allies ultimately rally for what Eisenhower famously called the “great crusade”. Given today’s tensions in the transatlantic relationship this, too, is very welcome.

For all its qualities, though, and for all Andrew Scott’s skill in his portrayal of Stagg, the film does have some flaws.

Like several other historically focused productions, Pressure overplays the extent to which it is delivering an “untold” story. After all, it is based on a successful play, while the contributions of Stagg to pre-D-day planning also received attention in both The Longest Day (1962) and, more recently, Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2004). Stagg himself also authored a 1971 account of his D-day role. The story of D-day’s meteorologists might not be widely known; but that’s not the same as saying it is “untold”.

There are also some problems with Fraser’s portrayal of Eisenhower. He successfully captures Ike’s famously short temper as well as the extent to which he almost drove himself to breaking point in the days before the invasion. We’re also given a tantalising glimpse of his close and complicated relationship with Kaye Summersby, his indispensable driver, assistant and confidante (brilliantly played by Kerry Condon).

But we see relatively little of those other qualities which made Eisenhower so well-suited to the job he’d been given. Ike was an instinctive diplomat who successfully managed a transatlantic command team that included a good quota of egos and primadonnas. Unfortunately, though, this does not really come through, and we’re often left with the sense that he brought to the role little more than a capacity to glare, shout, smoke and drink.

Perhaps the film’s biggest flaw, however, is in its final scenes which drift into what almost becomes a homage to Saving Private Ryan (1998). In doing so, Pressure loses sight of where its real contribution to the cinematic history of D-day lies. Not in revisiting the heroism of those brave souls who landed in the first waves, but in telling the story of those who worked steadfastly behind the scenes to give them the best chance possible of success.

The latest in a long line of D-day focused productions, Pressure is an engaging film that shines a welcome light on an important aspect of the Allied landings. But Maras would have done well to keep the focus throughout on the fallible humans working behind the scenes in England to meet the epic challenges that accompanied an epic operation.