Stuart Alderson has urged people to familiarise themselves with the countryside code to stop livestock from being attacked and killed by dogs.

The NFU Mutual said this week it estimates that farm animals in the North West of England worth £195,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2025, a 49 per cent rise compared to the previous year.

The Bolton News has previously reported on how Stuart, a farmer in Ainsworth, has had sheep killed or left seriously injured as a result of such attacks.

Speaking this week, he said: “It causes me extra work just to keep my sheep safe from them.”

“When it’s a high population time for dog walkers like holidays, weekends, things like that,

“I know there’s going to be more dogs out, there’s also going to be people who don’t come out that often who are unfamiliar with what they should be doing with their animals.”

He has previously warned that pet owners are not always aware of a dog’s instinct to chase livestock and even if the sheep is not attacked it could cause her harm.

Stuart, has said that most dog owners do obey the code, but urged all to ensure their dogs are on leads when walking through fields.

NFU Mutual survey of 1,407 dog owners revealed 57 per cent let their dogs off leads in the countryside. But alarmingly, one in 10 admitted their dog has no recall while 44 per cent said their dogs came back only ‘some’ or ‘most of the time’.

Stuart Alderson Image: NQ

One in 20 dog owners confessed their dogs had chased livestock, and more than three-fifths felt that other dog owners in their area did not treat livestock worrying as a serious issue.

Despite this, 72 per cent highlighted they were not actively taking steps to prevent their dogs from chasing and almost two-thirds said they do not believe their dogs are capable of harming or killing animals.

This comes as the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was passed earlier this year, following prolonged industry campaigning, granting police enhanced powers to address dog attacks on farm animals in England and Wales.

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, Hannah Binns, said: “As the lambing season gets underway, a time when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are vulnerable, it is deeply concerning to see the estimated cost of livestock worrying rise to nearly £2 million in 2025.

“As a sheep farmer’s daughter, I know first-hand the hard work, long hours and emotional investment that goes into the lambing season. For farmers and their families, witnessing these horrific incidents or finding injured or dead livestock after an attack can be utterly heartbreaking.

“Farmers across the UK are living with the constant fear of repeat incidents, which cause immense suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath. Anecdotally, we continue to hear reports of dogs injuring or killing sheep while owners are either unable to control their pets or are nowhere to be found.

“Ignoring the risks is never an option; regardless of breed, size, or temperament, all dogs can chase, injure or kill livestock. Even without physical contact, the stress of being chased can lead to exhaustion and stress, and in some cases separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead to them being orphaned.

“It is crucial dog owners act responsibly by keeping their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks. If there is an incident, we urge those involved to do the right thing by informing a local farmer and reporting it to the police, so that any injured animals are not left suffering in pain.”

Darlington Borough Council and Citizens Advice Darlington have been recognised for their joint work on the Benefit Entitlement Action Team (BEAT) partnership, earning a place on the shortlist for the 2026 LGC Awards in the Public/Private Partnership category.

Out of 74 entries, just nine partnerships have been shortlisted in the category.

Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “This is fantastic news.

“We are extremely proud to work with Citizens Advice Darlington, whose team works so hard to ensure people receive the financial support they’re entitled to.

“The LGC Awards shine a light on the people who make a real difference, and this shortlisting, especially from so many, reflects the dedication of everyone involved across both organisations.”

The BEAT partnership, relaunched in October 2024, has supported residents in accessing £3.3 million in extra income to date.

The scheme has achieved a 95 per cent success rate on claims and 85 per cent on appeals.

Helen Howson, chief executive of Citizens Advice Darlington, said: “The council’s support has been vital.

“Quite simply, BEAT would not exist without it. We are delighted our partnership has been recognised, but there’s still so much more work we must do.

“Many residents are still missing money that belongs to them.

“We are determined to make sure it reaches the people who need it most.

“Together, the organisations act as a lifeline for people struggling with the cost of living.

“BEAT really is a life changing partnership.”

Addressing inequalities is one of the core principles of the Council Plan for 2024–27.

Residents who need support can contact BEAT by emailing beat@citizensadvicedrc.org.uk or calling 01325 466888.

Callers are asked to leave a message, and a member of the team will return their call.

The winner of the LGC Public/Private Partnership Award will be announced on Wednesday, June 10.

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for imprisoned British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell are fighting the requested release of 90,000 pages related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, saying a law used to force the public release of millions of documents is unconstitutional.

The lawyers filed papers late Friday in Manhattan federal court to try to block the release of documents from a since-settled civil defamation lawsuit brought a decade ago by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell. The Justice Department recently asked a judge to lift secrecy requirements on the files.

Maxwell’s attorneys said the Justice Department obtained the documents — otherwise subject to secrecy orders — improperly during its criminal probe of Maxwell. They said the documents include transcripts of over 30 depositions and private information regarding financial and sexual matters related to Maxwell and others.

Some records from the year-long exchange of evidence in the lawsuit battle were already released publicly in response to a federal appeals court order.

Maxwell’s lawyers say a law Congress passed in December to force the release of millions of Epstein-related documents violates the Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.

“Congress cannot, by statute, strip this Court of the power or relieve it of the responsibility to protect its files from misuse. To do so violates the separation of powers,” wrote the lawyers, Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca about the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

“Under the Constitution’s separation of powers, neither Congress nor the Executive Branch may intrude on the judicial power. That power includes the power to definitively and finally resolve cases and disputes,” the lawyers added.

The release of Epstein-related documents from criminal probes that began weeks ago has resulted in new revelations about Epstein’s decades-long sexual abuse of women and teenage girls. Some victims have complained that their names and personal information were revealed in documents while the names of their abusers were blacked out.

Members of Congress have complained that only about half of existing documents, many with redactions, have been made public even as Justice Department officials have said everything has been released, except for some files that can’t be made public until a judge gives the go-ahead.

Giuffre said Epstein had trafficked her to other men, including the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. She sued Mountbatten-Windsor in 2021, claiming that they had sex when she was 17.

He denied her claims and the two settled the lawsuit in 2022. Days ago, he was arrested and held in custody for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in having shared confidential trade information with Epstein.

In a memoir published after she killed herself last year, Giuffre wrote that prosecutors told her they didn’t include her in the sex trafficking prosecution of Maxwell because they didn’t want her allegations to distract the jury.

Maxwell, 64, was convicted in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Epstein took his own life in a federal lockup in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was moved from a federal prison in Florida to a low-security prison camp in Texas last summer after she participated in two days of interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Two weeks ago, she declined to answer questions from House Oversight Committee lawmakers in a deposition conducted in a a video call to her federal prison camp, though she indicated through a statement from her lawyer that she was “prepared to speak fully and honestly” if granted clemency.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

All three games have kicked off in the Premier League game this afternoon. 

The lineups one last time: 

Chelsea vs Burnley

Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, James, Chalobah, Fofana, Santos, Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro

Burnley: Dubravka, Laurent, Worrall, Esteve, Walker, Ugochukwu, Mejbri, Humphreys, Edwards, Anthony, Flemming

Aston Villa vs Leeds

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Douglas Luiz, Onana, Bailey, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

Leeds: Darlow, Justin, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Bogle, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin

Brentford vs Brighton

Brentford: Kelleher, Hickey, Ajer, van den Berg, Henry, Henderson, Janelt, Ouattara, Jensen, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Milner, Hinshelwood, Gross, Gomez, Welbeck, Mitoma.

The major UK supermarkets have issued “do not eat” warnings for a range of reasons.

Several recalls are currently active, affecting products sold nationwide.

Customers who have purchased any of the affected items are advised to take note of the possible health risks and follow the official guidance.

Tesco recall

Tesco has apologised to customers after it was forced to recall a fruit product due to salmonella contamination.

During testing, the supermarket giant detected salmonella in its Tesco Grape & Berry Medley.

As a precaution, Tesco is recalling the 230g packs of the product with a use by date of February 16 and 17.

Symptoms caused by Salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Monday 16 February 2026. Tesco recalls Tesco Grape & Berry Medley because of contamination with salmonella #FoodAlert https://t.co/3rP5LS0c4c pic.twitter.com/uIbRc3LKYj

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) February 16, 2026

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A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “Tesco is recalling the above product and has issued a recall notice to alert customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. For further information, please visit Tesco’s contact Tesco page at: tesco.com/help/contact.

“If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others.”

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A Tesco spokesman added: “No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Farmfoods Recall

Farmfoods is recalling a Ritz Cheese Sandwich sold at its stores because it contains milk, soya and wheat not mentioned on the label.

This recall only affects products originating from Indonesia, and does not affect products originating from other countries.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “Farmfoods is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product, and on their website.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought this product, and have an allergy or intolerance to any of the allergens listed, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from which you bought the product for a full refund.

“For further information contact the Farmfoods Customer Services on 0121 700 7160.”

Lidl recall

null (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

Lidl has apologised to shoppers after it was forced to recall a snack product.

The supermarket is recalling Snaktastic Multigrain Bites Sour Cream & Black Pepper because it may contain pieces of foil.

The affected bags have a best before date of April 4 and a batch code of 207 345.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned: “Lidl GB is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought any of the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to a Lidl GB store for a full refund.

“For further information contact Lidl GB’s Customer Care team on 0203 966 5566 or at customer.care@lidl.co.uk .”

A Lidl spokesman added: “No other Snaktastic products in Lidl GB stores are affected by this recall.

“If you have bought the above product we advise you not to eat it.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.”

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Aptamil recall

Parents have been warned not to use a batch of baby formula because it may contain a toxin that could make their child ill.

Danone has recalled its Aptamil First Infant Formula because of the possible presence of cereulide toxin.

The toxin can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, and is unsafe to consume.

It is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus and is highly heat stable meaning it is unlikely to be destroyed by cooking, or when making the infant milk.

Friday 23 January: @Danone recalls Aptamil First Infant Formula because cereulide (toxin) has been found in this batch #FoodAlert https://t.co/1z8zL5bd4t pic.twitter.com/rqjkOYQFcW

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) January 23, 2026

The impacted batch of formula has a best before date of October 31, 2026.

A Danone spokesman said: “It was sold in May – July 2025. The expiry date, batch and time can be found on the lower back of the pack.

“No other batches are affected by this notice.

“Customers who still have products from this batch can return it to the shop where they bought it for a full refund with or without a receipt.”

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: “Danone is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought any of the above product do not feed it to babies. Instead, return it to the shop where they bought it for a full refund with or without a receipt.

“For further information, contact the Aptamil Careline team on 0800 996 1000 or at www.aptaclub.co.uk .

“Even if you have not identified ill-health in your baby as a result of consumption of this product, it is essential to stop using it.

“If the infant formula was prescribed by a health professional for your infant, consult a pharmacist or other medical professional before changing formula.

“If you have fed this product to a baby and have any concerns about potential health impact, you should seek advice from healthcare professionals, using the most appropriate route depending on where you live, (i.e., visit your GP, call NHS 111).”

TK Maxx recall

Drinks products sold at TK Maxx and Homesense have been recalled as they pose a “potential health risk” to some shoppers.

TJX Europe is recalling its Ten Acre Gifts/Coffee Syrup collection because of the safety concerns.

The items were sold in TK Maxx and Homesense between October 2025 and January 2026 and have a best before date of September 9, 2026.

The collection may contain nuts, peanuts, soya and wheat (gluten) which are not mentioned on the label.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “This product may contain nuts, peanuts, soya and wheat (gluten) making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts, peanuts, soya, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, or with coeliac disease.

“TJX Europe is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

“These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. 

“If you have bought the above product and have an allergy and/or intolerance to any of the allergens listed above, do not eat it.

“Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund. Please contact customerservice@tjxeurope.com or 01923473561, for further information.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

The chicken will be moist, juicy and full of flavour with every bite

Roast chicken is a go-to dinner, offering a scrumptious meal that requires little fuss. Yet, to avoid ending up with dry meat, there’s one straightforward technique you can employ beforehand to guarantee it stays succulent and packed with taste.

Chef Stephen Beaddie recently revealed his method for transforming an ordinary roast chicken on TikTok. Stephen champions the use of a dry brine for any cut of meat, urging home cooks to incorporate this crucial step to “level up” their roast chicken game.

Stephen said: “You may think this is a lot of salt, and you’d be right, it is a lot of salt. But it’s exactly what the chicken needs.”

The chef outlined how salting meat well in advance of cooking, particularly a substantial piece such as a whole chicken, does more than simply season it. By coating the bird in salt, it draws moisture from the flesh, before that salt dissolves and redistributes the liquid back through the meat once more, reports the Express.

He added: “That’s how you get your chicken seasoned the whole way through so it’s tasty and delicious with every bite, not just the top. About 24 hours is usually the sweet spot.

“Just do it in advance, do it as early as possible. Anything is better than nothing.”

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Salting the meat can enhance its flavour, make it juicier and improve its texture during cooking. Stephen said: “You will never ever go back, I can guarantee that.”

In the comments section of his video, he shared some more advice on the dry brining process: “One thing to do before you cook chicken & makes it better… simples. Salt it well & do it early. This is a dry brine.

“So what’s happening is… Salt draws moisture to the surface. That salty moisture gets re-absorbed. It seasons the meat all the way through. Proteins relax = juicier chicken. Skin dries out = better colour & crisp.

“Do it 12- 24 hours in the fridge, uncovered. But if you don’t have time, even 30-60 minutes helps. Something is always better than nothing. The difference is night & day!”

Stephen’s video has racked up over 19,000 views. Darragh suggested in the comments: “I’d recommend wet brining when cooking big birds bud. Gives it such a great overall texture and locks in flavour too.”

To which Stephen replied: “Completely agree!! This method is just more doable for the home cooks.”

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WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Justin Rey, 35, was found in astorage unit with his two daughters and the dismembered remains of his wife who died after giving birth in a motel room

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In a grim story of life and death, a father-of two-has been found living in a storage unit alongside his daughters and the skinned and dismembered remains of his wife, who supposedly died just hours after she had delivered their baby girl.

Justin Rey, 35, horrifically “skinned” Jessica Monteiro “like a fish” following her death aged just 32 in a motel, before taking a shocking photograph with her body and their two children.

Jessica’s body parts were discovered spread across several containers. Rey initially insisted she had taken her own life, though he later claimed she died during labour. The coroner conducting the post-mortem was unable to establish a definitive cause of death.

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After Jessica died following the birth in a Kansas City motel, Rey failed to contact emergency services, instead dismembering her body in the bathtub. He defended this appalling act by saying he feared their two daughters would be removed from his care, reports the Express US.

Rey spent eight harrowing hours cutting up his partner’s body before placing it in a cooler, according to Jessica’s sister, reports the Mirror.

At his preliminary hearing, Rey gave evidence: “It’s something I had to do. My family is very dear to me. It’s something I had to do to protect my family.”

Following his arrest in October 2017, Rey admitted his culpability to Johnson County District Court, expressing his desire to keep his family intact. Following reports of someone living in the storage unit with two children, police discovered Rey alongside his newborn baby girl and his two year old daughter.

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An officer gave evidence that the older child “almost looked like she had cancer”. Rey subsequently told officers he was heading to Arizona to give his wife a proper ceremony. Rey was arrested and his children were placed into protective care.

Lenexa police detective Shannon Murphy gave evidence that Rey had made his children pose for photographs with their mother’s dead body, and Rey confessed that he had “skinned her like a fish”.

Murphy presented evidence Ray admitted to placing the body parts that wouldn’t flush down the toilet into containers.

Deputy Johnson County Coroner Charles Glenn told the court there were a “number” of stab wounds on the body parts but said it couldn’t be established whether they occurred before or after her death.

During his disturbing testimony, Rey claimed they had only been at the storage facility for 11 hours when they were discovered. He also told the court he only flushed the placenta down the toilet and not any other body parts.

“It was not fun for me,” he said.

Investigators alleged Rey took photographs with his wife’s body and his newborn and two-year-old, then dismembered the body two days later in a hotel bathtub and placed some of the remains in a large cooler. CCTV footage captured him manoeuvring a red cooler with a black bag atop it through the hotel, whilst pushing a pram with a toddler ambling alongside.

When probed about the dismemberment, Rey told The Associated Press, “What was I supposed to do? I wasn’t going to leave mama behind.”

Rey’s solicitor only cross-examined him regarding the images discovered on his mobile, thereby preventing the prosecution from grilling him about the children and the fate of his wife. However, during a series of telephone interviews, Rey claimed he refrained from alerting the police as he didn’t want them to “steal more children.”

He alleged that he and his wife had six children together and that the police had previously “stolen our children before.”

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In a letter addressed to AP dated 23 June, Rey penned, “My children had not been in any danger, I’m not a murderer, I never abandoned a corpse, never lived in a storage unit/facility, never looked up/screenshot child porn.”

Yet, he conceded: “I did dismember a dead corpse under religious views.”

Rey was facing charges including two counts of aggravated child endangerment and two counts of contributing to a child’s misconduct – these were unrelated to his own offspring but rather stemmed from photos of teenagers found on Rey’s phone after he asked law enforcement to scrutinise it for evidence he believed would assist him at trial.

Rey was made to watch the hearing via video link from a separate room after his numerous interruptions led to a judge ordering his removal. As part of his nine-year prison term, Rey will be obliged to register as a sex offender.

The village was once lost in time before it saw its rich mining history bought to life once again

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Nestled between the Irish Sea and the Eifl mountains at the very edge of civilisation, this small village was once frozen in time before its prosperous mining heritage was brought back to life.

The quarry – Nant Gwrtheyrn – began operations in 1861, next to Porth y Nant, which has become a cherished language centre at the forefront of campaigns to revitalise the Welsh language.

As an isolated village, residents’ lives centred around extracting and transporting Nant Gwrtheyrn stone used for road surfacing – dispatching materials predominantly via the Irish Sea, which resulted in limited interaction with the wider world, according to Nant Gwrtheyrn.

History.

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After demand declined in the early stages of World War Two, the quarry shut down, leaving the local population devastated. The worldwide conflict meant operations came to a standstill, reports Wales Online.

The locals left and their properties deteriorated. Apart from a brief spell when a handful of outsiders attempted to revive the village in the 1860s, the settlement remained abandoned.

You can step back in time to when quarry labourers inhabited the local dwellings by exploring the quarryman’s cottage. This property and its entire contents have been recreated to demonstrate how a quarryman and his family would have existed in 1910.

Later, the location received an injection of funding that would construct a new school – which was eventually taken over by a local trust, spearheaded by Dr Carl Clowes, who established it to create a Welsh language centre.

Tre’r Ceiri.

Close by stands Tre’r Ceiri – among Wales’ most striking ancient monuments.

Initially documented by renowned ‘Tours of Wales’ writer Thomas Pennant, this represents some of the earliest archaeological proof of life in the Iron Age hillforts scattered across the hills above Nant Gwrtheyrn.

Both Tre’r Ceiri and Yr Eifl were occupied between 150 BC and 400 AD – little is understood about them apart from their significant reliance on local iron which was traded and distributed.

Debs wrote on Trip Advisor: “What a fabulously tranquil place. We spent several hours here, walking and enjoying the peace and quiet. Found the history of Nant Gwrtheryn fascinating.

“We sampled the tasty cakes in the cafe. Would highly recommend a visit. We will most certainly return.”

One reviewer said: “What a beautiful place. The Welsh Language Centre. The story behind the revival of this village is inspirational. The vision on a local doctor and the surrounding communities is worthy of a Hollywood film.

“The views are breathtaking and the road down is incredibly steep but worth it.

“We had breakfast in the cafe. Highly recommended good quality produce and full flavoured coffee. Another great plus was the indoor seating where we could have food with our dog.

“The lady who greeted us was so welcoming and friendly too. Just a beautiful place great walks too.”