“A great denim dress for spring. Lovely quality material that gives a good fit”

With spring on its way, prepared fashion fans will no doubt be thinking about their transitional weather wardrobes. If your dress collection could do with an update, it’s worth turning your attention to Marks and Spencer.

The high street retailer has recently released a dress that is perfect for spring and shoppers are snapping it up. In fact, the Pure Cotton Denim Midi Shirt Dress has been labelled as ‘in demand’ and is currently the number one bestselling dress on the Marks and Spencer website.

The Pure Cotton Denim Midi Shirt Dress cost £46 but looks a lot more expensive than its modest price tag, it has longer arms for those who want to cover them up a little more, and a tie waist gives a slimming effect. Ticking all the boxes when it comes to style and practicality, those who have already got the spring dress of dreams insist that it is ‘perfect’.

READ MORE: Mature fashion fans say ‘flattering’ £36 spring dress is ‘perfect for the young at heart’

READ MORE: I found the prettiest dress for spring that’s easy to throw on with trainers and a denim jacket

Available in sizes six to 18 in petite, regular and tall lengths, the dress is designed in a regular fit, with a button-through fastening and an elasticated self-tie belt that cinches the waist. The short-sleeved piece is finished with a shirttail hem and contrast stitching for added interest.

Thanks to its versatile design, the Pure Cotton Denim Midi Shirt Dress can be styled with virtually any pair of shoes. Chuck on a pair of trainers or flats when you want to style the dress down or pair it with boots on cold days. Even a pair of heels would look good with it too.

Elsewhere, Roman’s Denim Denim Button Through Midi Dress is available for £36 instead of £40 with the discount GRAB10 applied at checkout. Crafted from soft cotton denim fabric, a stylish V-neck collar and sleeveless design make the dress perfect for warmer days.

Alternatively, Next’s Dark Blue Denim Midi Shirt Dress comes in at £58. The classic denim shirt dress offers a timeless silhouette, effortless styling and all day comfort thanks to the adjustable belt and press stud fastening.

Back at Marks and Spencer, the Pure Cotton Denim Midi Shirt Dress boasts an overall star-rating of 4.4 out of five based on almost 20 reviews. One satisfied shopper said: “Just love this dress. The denim is not too thick, not too thin. A quality piece I shall wear again and again.

A second wrote: “A great denim dress for spring. Lovely quality material that gives a good fit. Generous size, I’m normally a size 10, ordered 8 and it’s perfect.”

“This was love at first sight,” a third penned. “I ordered a size 18 as I’m a busty size 16 and kept my fingers and toes crossed it would fit. It does fit my bust perfectly and it’s not too big in the body too.

“I can’t wait to wear it. Looks great with any footwear, boots, flats, trainers, loafers, the lot. I cannot recommend this enough, ooh and I forgot it has pockets too, what’s not like?”

One shopper, however, was left feeling disappointed with the Pure Cotton Denim Midi Shirt Dress because of the sizing and gave it a two-star review. It reads: “I love the style of the dress but it’s meant to be petite and is still too long for me at 5ft 1ins. I M&S petite to not actually be petite. Disappointed.”

But another loved their latest Marks and Spencer purchase, adding: “Very nice dress. I upsized so I could layer underneath. Very comfy but also smart.”

Passengers will be moved to another plane according to Cornwall Airport Newquay

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A Ryanair flight heading for Newquay Airport was forced to divert to Spain due to a ‘technical’ problem. The diversion happened today (February 14) as the FR9448 flight was due to land in Newquay at 4.45pm.

However Newquay Airport has said the flight is delayed and expected at 5.55pm, CornwallLive reports. A passenger on the plane said that the flight landed safely in Madrid after taking off in Malaga.

The passenger said there was an issue with the plane “burning excess fuel” as it was “not able to climb high enough”. Passenger Eileen has revealed that the flight has landed in Madrid and at the time of reporting, passengers are still on the plane.

Eileen has added that luggage has started to be removed from the plane, she said: “Ryanair flight from Malaga to Newquay lands in Madrid.

“Passengers remain on board. Full flight. Landed safely in Madrid.”

Cornwall Airport Newquay said they were tracking a flight that had a technical fault, which has landed in Madrid. The airport has said passengers are expected to be transferred to another plane.

The A-road from Bowes in County Durham will be shut from 8pm today (Saturday, February 14) in anticipation of bad weather overnight.

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for the entire region from 9pm, until 10am on Sunday (February 15) morning.

National Highways said: Due to the Met Office forecast of heavy snow overnight we will be implementing a full closure of the A66 between the A685 at Brough (Cumbria) and the A67  at Bowes in both directions at 8pm tonight.”

The route, which crosses high ground and is often hit by bad weather, had to be closed on Friday morning due to snow.

It comes as an arctic maritime air sweeps across the country.

Due to the @metoffice forecast of heavy snow this overnight we will be implementing a full closure of the #A66 between the #A685 #Brough & #A67 #Bowes in both directions at 20:00 tonight (14/02)

For advice on travelling in snow visit our website:https://t.co/SsCBfWhkFZ pic.twitter.com/XRtshDIErL

— National Highways: North-East (@HighwaysNEAST) February 14, 2026

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The yellow warning overnight stretches from Derby to Scotland

The Met Office said snow in these areas might be “heavy at times”, adding that this could cause “some disruption to travel”.

They said “accumulations of 1-3cm (of snow) will be possible at low levels, with 3-7cm possible above about 150m elevation, and perhaps 10-15cm above 400m”.

The start of next week will remain unsettled, Mr Stroud said.

Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo came off the bench to help the Blues to an FA Cup win over Salford City in a poor game

Even a man who loves the FA Cup as much as Pep Guardiola can’t have enjoyed that. Manchester City are through to the fifth round but that is the only positive thing to say after an afternoon of football at the Etihad that will be a mercy to be left off any highlight shows.

Guardiola made nine changes from the side that had beaten Fulham in midweek but it was a show of strength for the Premier League title challengers that it did not look a weak side. John Stones was back to start his first game in nearly three months, internationals Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders came into the attack and Nico Gonzalez settled in at the base of midfield.

It all looked routine in the early minutes, with Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross being inadvertently booted into his own net by Alfie Dorrington to give City an early lead. The hosts enjoyed 94 per cent possession in the opening 15 minutes and Marmoush had a goal wrongfully ruled out for offside soon after as Blues began to think of the 8-0 they had inflicted on Salford in this competition last year.

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As it was, Salford ended up being unfortunate to go in behind at the break despite barely having possession as City were as poor as they have been in ages. Stones looked particularly rusty, but ahead of him there was nothing from Reijnders, Cherki or Phil Foden.

City’s manager was banned from the dugout for the last round against Exeter and spent large chunks of this game slumped in his seat, as if even he did not have the energy to try to sort what was going on in front of him. James Trafford was City’s best player by the end of the first half, and went further in front after the break.

That led to the cavalry being called up, with Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly all called for just after the hour mark and Rodri coming on not long after. It was no surprise that it was effort from Semenyo and intelligence from Guehi that earned the second goal late on to make the game safe.

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Semenyo has been sloppy in some of his City performances but never lifeless and he immediately gave the team an energy that had been somehow missing to that point. He may have lost the ball in a tussle with Rosaire Longelo on the left flank, but he won it back and earned the set-piece that City scored from when Guehi poked home his first goal in a City shirt.

That was the level required, and it does not reflect well on any of the outfield starting players that it took a substitute to come on and show them the level required. Guehi and O’Reilly also lifted standards in their own way so that is three players who will surely start next week against Newcastle.

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

This game may be looked back on in a few months as a reminder of how sometimes the only thing that matters is the result, or it may be seen as a reflection of the inconsistencies in the team that have been there for a while.

In the best of all worlds, it simply won’t ever be spoken of again.

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.

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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.