The Soham murderer was reportedly beaten with a metal bar at the prison workshop on Thursday, February 26.

The 52-year-old suffered severe brain trauma and died in hospital on Saturday, March 7.

Anthony Russell, 43, has been charged with murder and will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (March 11).

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “A man has been charged with murder following an incident at HMP Frankland in Durham.

“Emergency services were called to reports of an assault in the workshop on the morning of Thursday, February 26.

“Ian Huntley, 52, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died on the morning of Saturday, March 7.

“Anthony Russell, 43, of HMP Frankland, has been charged with murder and will appear via video link at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 11.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it has decided to prosecute Anthony Russell with murder following a police investigation into a fatal attack on Ian Huntley at HMP Frankland.

Christopher Atkinson of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with Durham Constabulary as they carried out their investigation.”

The Soham murderer had been on life support in hospital after being hit repeatedly over the head by an inmate armed with a metal bar.

His life support was switched off at lunchtime on Friday after brain tests showed he was in a vegetative state, The Sun reported. He was confirmed dead on Saturday morning.

Huntley murdered ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after hey left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch.

The Reform UK leader, who was speaking ahead of a ‘headline’ event’ in Houghton-le-Spring on March 26, said he would visit the area as it “deserves better than the managed decline delivered by Labour and the Conservatives”.

He will be hoping it proves as fruitful as a rally at Sunderland Live ahead of last year’s local elections when Reform took control of Durham County Council.

Nigel Farage said: “I’m coming to Sunderland because this community deserves better than the managed decline delivered by Labour and the Conservatives.

“They have broken Britain, and they refuse to admit it.

“This campaign is about telling the truth and offering real change.

“Reform UK is ready to fix Britain – but we can’t do it without you.”

Sunderland City Council has been a Labour stronghold for decades, with the party currently holding a clear majority on the council, and the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats forming the main opposition groups.

However, recent elections have shown a more crowded field.

In the 2024 local elections, Reform UK pushed the Conservatives into third place in wards where Labour still won, while the Greens and Liberal Democrats also polled consistently in several seats.

In late 2025, Reform won its first seat on the council in a Hetton by-election, taking more than 45 per cent of the vote and overturning a long‑standing Labour ward.

Reform’s vote share has grown recently in other areas, including pushing into second place behind Labour in Hartlepool, Spennymoor, North Durham and Newton Aycliffe at the 2024 General Election.

The rally event will take place at 7pm at the Sunderland Live arena on Thursday, March 26, with the party touting speeches from Farage and other party figures. It is open to party members and supporters, and ticketed costing a fiver.

Fire crews were called to Bradshaw Meadows at around 11.10pm on Monday, March 9, where a van was found well alight on the road outside a property.

The blaze was concentrated at the front of the vehicle, with the bonnet and engine area engulfed in flames.

Witnesses said the front of the van was destroyed.

The front of the van has been completely ‘burnt out’ (Image: Chris Holt)

Chris Holt, who lives nearby, said he heard two loud bangs before seeing the fire.

He said: “I heard two loud explosions.

“The first one I thought was a firework, then I heard the second one and went out to look.

“With the size of the flames I’m surprised it didn’t spread to another vehicle or home.

“It lasted around 10 to 15 minutes and one fire engine arrived and put it out very quickly.

“The front of the van was destroyed, it was all burnt.”

One fire engine from Bolton North tackled the blaze (Image: Chris Holt)

Despite the intensity of the fire, it did not spread to nearby properties or other vehicles.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 11.15pm on Monday, crews from Bolton North Fire Station attended a van fire on the road outside a house on Bradshaw Meadows.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire.

“There were no suspicious circumstances.”

No injuries were reported and no police attended the scene.

The visa complications highlight a potential issue for Haiti at this summer’s World Cup, which Canada and Mexico are co-hosting alongside the United States.

Haiti have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history, and have been drawn in a group with Morocco, Scotland and Brazil.

While the United States says players will be given exemptions to travel bans, the same has not been promised to spectators.

In January, the US State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment, which allows Fifa World Cup 2026 ticket holders to access prioritised visa interview appointments in the United States, does not allow people “who are otherwise not eligible” to be issued a visa.

Guidance from the State Department specified there are exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives”.

However, it added “the exception does not apply to fans or spectators”.

The US will host 78 of the 104 matches at the World Cup across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

JP McManus turns 75 on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and our tipping expert has selections across the card to help you build your accumulator bets

JP McManus could mark his 75th birthday in style by securing a tenth Unibet Champion Hurdle victory with THE NEW LION (4.00) on the opening Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Limerick-born billionaire celebrates his milestone birthday on Tuesday and has a strong chance of visiting the Cotswolds winners’ enclosure thanks to Dan Skelton’s seven year old gelding, who previously triumphed for him at the venue in last year’s Turners’ Novice Hurdle.

The New Lion faces stiff competition from three exceptional mares in Tuesday’s feature race, including Willie Mullins’ triple Festival winner Lossiemouth, along with last year’s Golden Ace victor and Brighterdaysahead, creating an intriguing contest.

Whilst Lossiemouth’s late switch from pursuing a hat-trick in Thursday’s Mares’ Hurdle has seen The New Lion lose his position as favourite, he still possesses the qualities needed to deliver trainer Dan Skelton and brother Harry their maiden Champion Hurdle success.

Graduates from the Turners’ boast a strong track record in the Champion, and this runner combines exceptional pace with stamina, whilst appearing to have resolved his jumping issues when claiming a Grade 2 Hurdle at the course in January, reports the Irish Mirror.

Lossiemouth represents formidable opposition at Cheltenham, and the addition of cheekpieces may provide the edge she needs following an unexpected loss to Brighterdaysahead at the Dublin Racing Festival. Both mares possess the ability to triumph with a 7lb advantage over The New Lion, yet given the anticipated quick pace, we’re backing The New Lion’s strong finishing burst to prevail in this contest.

Golden Ace is also seeking a third Cheltenham triumph, having claimed the Mares’ Novice Hurdle in 2024 before capitalising on a chaotic Champion Hurdle 12 months ago at 25-1.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle opener has the potential to be an exceptional renewal, with at least half of the 12 runners showing signs of being top-quality prospects for years to come.

Throughout the winter, Willie Mullins appeared to lack a genuine Supreme contender, but a late tactical shift regarding Mighty Park’s objective sees him line up in the Festival curtain-raiser following one hugely impressive outing at Fairyhouse in January.

The Mullins team are hailing the JP McManus-owned gelding as a future star, however we’d rather back a horse that’s already demonstrated its quality at the elite level, which is why TALK THE TALK (1.20) earns our selection.

Joseph O’Brien’s five year old claimed the Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival by the narrowest of margins and would likely have secured the Grade 1 at Christmas too, had he not stumbled and fallen after clearing the final flight.

That DRF victory seemed improbable 100 yards from the line, but he displayed a remarkable acceleration on heavy ground in a steadily run race to catch Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey in an exciting finish. He should be far more comfortable on today’s predicted good ground, and assuming he can produce a clean jumping display, he possesses both the pace and endurance required to claim victory.

This son of Born To Sea appears to be an extremely promising talent, with JJ Slevin likely to hold him up before unleashing his turn of foot in the closing stages to overhaul his rivals.

El Cairos is another runner blessed with speed who firmly sits in the ‘potential star’ bracket following his two outings for Gordon Elliott, though question marks remain over his jumping accuracy and his limited exposure to Grade 1 competition.

The locally trained Old Park Star has maintained an unblemished record and may prove superior to the visiting Irish challengers, whilst Mydaddypaddy is expected to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Formby at Aintree.

The subsequent Arkle Chase promises equal intrigue, with the showdown between Kopek Des Bordes and LULAMBA (2.00) representing one of the Festival’s standout contests.

Kopek Des Bordes captured last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle whilst Lulamba was denied in the Triumph by a 100-1 outsider, and anticipation for this encounter has been building throughout the winter months.

The two horses have followed contrasting routes to this meeting, with Kopek arriving following just one outing—albeit a commanding performance—in a Beginners’ Chase at Navan, whereas Nicky Henderson has given Lulamba three preparatory runs, even testing him against seasoned rivals in the Game Spirit on his latest start. That wealth of experience could prove pivotal, and whilst there are legitimate concerns about Kopek’s superior pace, the expectation is that Nico De Boinville can remain competitive and grind down his opponent in the final stages.

Henderson has captured this prize a record eight times, and Lulamba appears to share similarities with Altior – a horse that requires time to find rhythm but becomes formidable once in full flow.

The sentiment emerging from Mullins’ stable suggests Kopek is unbeatable, yet achieving victory in this contest following just a single chase outing has occurred only twice throughout the race’s history.

La Luna Artista had been our selection for the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, though she ultimately didn’t qualify, leaving us to back OLE OLE (2.40) trained by Gavin Cromwell with Keith Donoghue in the saddle.

This former French-trained runner has consistently finished second across three hurdle starts for Cromwell, having also secured a placing during his only French appearance.

Whilst the stable has endured a challenging campaign, they burst back to form at Naas on Sunday by capturing a prestigious handicap, and this powerful traveller looks well suited to strong pace and firm going.

Donoghue is expected to time his challenge carefully, and there’s every indication this horse would have already broken his maiden had he not been rested following Christmas to preserve his handicap rating ahead of this assignment.

He represents excellent each-way value. The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase has been dominated by UK-trained horses consistently since 2006, and all signs point to that pattern continuing this year.

Henry De Bromhead’s The Short Go is expected to put in a solid performance, but attention is firmly focused on the JP McManus-owned pair of Jagwar and IROKO (3.20) – both trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

The bookmakers favour Jagwar, though doubts linger over whether he can handle the extended three-mile distance, and his record suggests he can be difficult to get past the post despite his triumph in last year’s Festival Plate.

Iroko is using this race as preparation for the Grand National, where he secured fourth place last year, but he’s a high-quality performer who operates above handicap level and was at one stage being considered for the Gold Cup.

Winning a Festival handicap whilst shouldering 12st is a considerable challenge, but with a full month until Aintree, he’ll have sufficient time to recuperate before attempting to go one better in the National.

Olly Murphy is yet to register a Cheltenham Festival victory, but that could change in today’s concluding National Hunt Chase as his WADE OUT (5.20) appears to possess the necessary qualities to prevail.

He captured a Listed contest over 3m1f at this venue in November, having previously defeated Wendigo at Worcester, though the distance proved insufficient for his needs when last seen at Windsor. Champion jockey Sean Bowen is in the saddle and in what appears a below-par renewal, he stands out as a horse that’s continuing to progress and able to handle top weight.

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Padel is easy to learn and suitable for players of all ages and abilities, making it an accessible alternative to tennis while still offering a strong cardiovascular workout and social element.

The Bannatyne Health Club and Spa in Livingston has secured planning approval for new padel courts, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing sports to the West Lothian club.

West Lothian Council has granted permission for the development at the club on Charlesfield Road, which will see three full-size doubles courts installed within the grounds of the health club, open to both members and non-members.

The courts will feature artificial turf playing surfaces, glass and mesh surrounds, canopy cover and floodlighting, allowing the facilities to be used throughout the year.

The new courts will be located on an area currently used for football pitches within the club grounds and will form part of Bannatyne’s ongoing investment programme to expand its racquet sports offering across the UK.

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Padel is easy to learn and suitable for players of all ages and abilities, making it an accessible alternative to tennis while still offering a strong cardiovascular workout and social element.

Played on an enclosed court where the ball can rebound off surrounding glass walls, the sport combines elements of tennis and squash and is typically played in doubles format.

Originating in South America, padel has grown rapidly across Europe and the UK in recent years as more people look for sociable ways to stay active. Spain now has more than six million regular players and the sport is widely predicted to become an Olympic event within the next decade.

Work on the Livingston courts is expected to begin before the summer, with the new facilities set to be open to both members and non-members once completed.

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Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said: “Padel is becoming one of the most popular participation sports in the UK and we are continuing to invest in courts across our clubs to meet that growing demand.

“The sport is accessible, sociable and great fun, which makes it a perfect fit for the Bannatyne community. These new courts in Livingston will give both members and local residents another exciting way to stay active and enjoy time together.”

The Livingston club already offers a wide range of facilities including a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, spa and group exercise programme. The addition of padel will further enhance the club’s sports and wellbeing offering for members and the wider community.

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Ian Huntley was attacked in prison on February 26 and died on March 7

A man has been charged with murder after the death of Soham killer Ian Huntley. Huntley was serving a life sentence for the murder of schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, 10.

Huntley killed the two girls on August 4, 2002, in their hometown of Soham. While serving his sentence in HMP Frankland in Durham, Huntley was attacked by another inmate on February 26.

The 52-year-old died in hospital on Saturday (March 7). Durham Constabulary has now charged a man in connection with Huntley’s murder.

A police spokesperson said: “Anthony Russell, 43, of HMP Frankland, has been charged with the murder of Soham killer Ian Huntley.” Russell will appear before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon (March 11) via videolink.

Christopher Atkinson of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We have worked closely with Durham Constabulary as they carried out their investigation.”

The CPS said it was “vital” there was no “reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings”.

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It turns out old CDs are the key to protecting your flower buds and fresh grass from being harmed in spring.

Do not chuck your old CDs in the rubbish, as they can prove remarkably handy for gardeners looking to safeguard their flowers, lawns and seedlings from birds this spring. It may sound peculiar, but now we’re in March, plants are vulnerable ans only just starting to sprout.

Spring also marks nesting season for many British birds. Species including blackbirds, pigeons and sparrows are frequently scouring gardens for seeds to nourish their young. Birds can rapidly wreak havoc on a garden during this period by unearthing freshly planted seeds, whilst also nibbling flower buds and grass shoots.

Gardens can find it difficult to flourish if birds aren’t kept at bay from plants in early spring, and Tanya Anderson, a gardener and founder of Lovely Greens, reckons hanging CDs is a highly effective deterrent.

Tanya explained: “Tie old CDs by a string in your fruit trees, bushes, or elsewhere in your garden. Their reflective surfaces will flash as they move in the breeze, scaring birds away.”

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CDs frighten birds by bouncing back sunlight and creating flashes of light, which they frequently confuse with the rapid movements of predators, reports the Express.

Birds are instinctively wary, particularly during nesting season, and unexpected movement makes them far more inclined to maintain their distance.

The flashing light can also bewilder them whilst flying, reducing the likelihood they’ll touch down in your garden and diminishing their opportunity to peck at your lawn or plants.

This straightforward technique works not only with CDs, but equally well with strips of tin foil, old metal pie lids, or even purpose-made bird deterrent tape, all operating on the same principle.

If you’re fond of feeding birds, simply position the CDs in parts of your garden you want to safeguard, such as a vegetable patch or lawn, whilst keeping them well away from your bird table or birdbath.

It’s worth noting that smaller birds like robins, chaffinches and goldfinches typically forage close to the ground and are less likely to spot CDs.

They also tend to be accustomed to humans, displaying more curiosity and boldness, meaning they’re more inclined to examine a shiny object rather than flee from it.

CDs prove more effective against larger birds, such as pigeons, as they’re naturally more wary since they’re easier targets for predators.

Their bigger eyes also mean they detect sudden flashes of light more readily, and they’re slower than smaller birds too, so they must be cautious about where they land, as getting away from danger proves harder for them.

Larger birds can also inflict considerably more harm on your garden, but investing just a few minutes hanging CDs in elevated spots, such as trees, can help deter them throughout spring.

With 5.8 million people in the UK living with diabetes, doctors are urging people to watch out for three key warning signs.

Diabetes is a generally lifelong condition that results in a person’s blood sugar level becoming dangerously high. Most sufferers typically have type 2 diabetes, which is frequently triggered by lifestyle factors such as carrying excess weight and insufficient physical activity.

Charity Diabetes UK estimates that over 5.8 million people across the UK are living with diabetes, representing “an all-time high”. Their figures reveal that almost 4.6 million people in the UK live with a diabetes diagnosis.

Furthermore, nearly 1.3 million people may be living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. As with any condition, certain signs and symptoms can indicate its presence, and Doctor Mohan Sekeram, known as @docmerton on TikTok, has highlighted three that serve as “red flags”.

1. Regular trips to the loo

Generally, people urinate between four and seven times each day. Should you find yourself visiting the toilet more often, especially waking numerous times throughout the night, it could signal that your kidneys are labouring to flush excess sugar from your bloodstream, reports the Express.

Consider restricting fluids after 7pm and avoiding caffeinated beverages after 5pm. Should you continue waking repeatedly at night to use the loo, it may point to an underlying problem.

2. Unquenchable thirst

Should you be drinking more than four litres daily and water fails to quench your thirst, it could indicate raised blood sugar levels.

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3. Fatigue

When sugar can’t get into your cells to fuel them, your kidneys have to put in extra graft to get rid of the surplus sugar. This can lead to feelings of tiredness, weakness and exhaustion.

It’s a “red flag” if you find yourself too weak to carry out everyday tasks that used to be a doddle, or you feel wiped out after eating a meal.

Dr Amir Khan also identifies fatigue as a primary symptom of diabetes. In a recent health podcast titled No Appointment Necessary, he stated: “Tiredness is the most common presenting symptom of type 2 diabetes.”