Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved Kenneth Marsden’s plan for the site.

The two agricultural buildings to be demolished and replaced are next to Silk Hall Cottage on Tockholes Road.

Mr Marsden has been granted approval for a change of use from agricultural to flexible commercial C1 use (hotel).

Owing to the size of the site — less than 150 square metres — the development is likely to be a one- or two-bedroom guest house connected to and serviced from the farm building.

Such short-term accommodation falls under the C1 planning use class for hotels.

Any external alterations or extensions to the building will require planning permission, but the principle of the conversion does not.

A supporting statement says: “The applicant seeks to change the use of two existing agricultural buildings to C1.

“The application site, together with a further parcel of land in close proximity, forms the applicant’s agricultural unit.

“Currently, the agricultural buildings are used for storing machinery and the wider area is used for sheep grazing. Historically, livestock has been kept in the buildings.

“The site is accessed via an existing access point on Silk Hall Road.

“The site adjoins Tockholes Village Hall and is bounded by residential dwellings to the south and an engineering business to the north.

“The wider area consists of verdant countryside.

“The building has been used solely for agricultural purposes since July 3, 2012.

“The cumulative floor space of buildings which have changed use within the agricultural unit will not exceed 1,000 square metres.

“The site subject to this application consists of two buildings — one approximately 10m x 10m and the other 10m x 5m.

“The building closest to Silk Hall benefits from a partially brick-built frontage. Both buildings are partially timber-clad and include a steel frame.

“The buildings have been in situ on the site for more than 26 years.

“Taken as a whole, the site can be considered to constitute buildings for which permitted development rights apply.”

Organisation looking to recruit up to 20 young people aged 12-15, from across the UK, to join the group.

The NSPCC is asking Lanarkshire youngsters to put themselves forward to join their campaigning group ‘The Voice of Online Youth’.

The organisation is looking to recruit up to 20 young people aged 12-15, from across the UK, to join the group.

This is an “incredible opportunity” for youths from all backgrounds who have an interest in the digital world to be at the heart of the charity’s online safety campaign – and work to make the internet safer for children across the country.

Having young people’s voices and experiences heard and recognised is one of the main driving forces behind the NSPCC achieving its goal that every child is safe online, can enjoy age-appropriate online experiences and help to ensure tech companies are held accountable for making their platforms safe for children.

Kids’ opinions and experiences of the online world should be invaluable to decision makers as they know first-hand the risks young people are facing.

Members of the Voice of Online Youth will enable the charity to amplify children’s voices and experiences and help keep others safe online.

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They will meet with key decision makers, help influence policies, laws and regulation, share their experiences and opinions, and help tackle online safety issues.

No previous experience is required – just a passion for making the online world safer for children and young people.

Membership will run for 18 months, and successful applicants will need to attend online sessions and workshops every other month – with some in-person meetings.

The NSPCC will cover the cost of travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses for regional and national meetings.

Child safety online senior project officer, Adam Diment, who runs The Voice of Online Youth, said: “Children and young people can teach adults so much about the online world.

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“The more we listen to their experiences, champion their voices, and include them in the national conversation, the safer we can make the online world for young people and for everyone. Through my work, I have watched young people grow in confidence and develop skills that will last them a lifetime.”

More details on how to apply can be found at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/our-people/online-safety-youth-taskforce/; applications close on May 22.

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Chelsea youngster Jesse Derry has posted his first update after a sickening head injury on his Premier League debut for the Blues.

The 18-year-old started in the clash with Nottingham Forest on Monday afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

The teenager had turned out twice in the FA Cup for Chelsea, but was thrown into the starting XI for his first taste of Premier League football.

It was a bad outing for Chelsea, who were beaten 3-1 by Forest, but Derry was one of the bright spots in their poor performance.

However, his top flight debut ended before half-time after a nasty clash of heads with Zach Abbot as they both challenged for a bouncing ball.

Derry got there first, so won a penalty when he was clattered by Abbott, but was felled and received lengthy treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off.

There was great concern for the teenager, but he appears to be positive and is looking forward to a swift return to the pitch.

‘A dream come true to start at Stamford Bridge for my Premier League debut,’ Derry wrote on X.

‘I’d like to thank all the Chelsea medical staff, everyone at St Mary’s Hospital, my teammates, and all the fans for their great support.

‘I can’t wait to be back playing in front of everyone very soon.’

The club posted a statement on the youngster’s status, writing: ‘Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their swift response.’

Chelsea’s interim manager Calum McFarlane told the BBC: ‘All signs positive at the moment so we’re hopeful he’s in a good condition and from what we’ve heard it’s positive.

‘Gutted for Jesse, I thought he did well in the game. He gave us a threat – a massive moment for him that has ended sadly.’

19-year-old Abbott was making just his second league appearance for Nottingham Forest, and replied to Derry’s update by writing: ‘Best wishes, mate.’

The defeat for Chelsea leaves them ninth in the Premier League table and in real danger of missing out on European football next season.

‘Massively disappointing – we know we are a lot better than what we showed today,’ said McFarlane. ‘I don’t think we ever got to our level so very disappointing.’

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“John Swinney has repeatedly warned that he will push for another referendum if he wins a majority, yet Labour and the Liberal Democrats are complacent on the issue, while the fake Unionists of Reform are fielding pro-independence candidates and providing the Nationalists with a roadmap to breaking up the UK.

Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Tuesday’s (May 5) episode that is now available to view on Channel 4 streaming. The episode in question will air on E4 on at 7pm.

Sienna Blake’s (Anna Passey) sins finally caught up with her as her horrified loved ones made the devastating decision to report her to the police after a series of grisly discoveries.

The much-loved show favourite, as viewers know, is no angel, having always skirted the line between light and darkness due to a difficult upbringing at the hands of patriarch Patrick (Jeremy Sheffield).

But despite her past misgivings, she has spent the better part of a decade attempting to make amends for her dastardly deeds, becoming a well-liked and valued resident of the village, who has won the heart of just about everyone she crossed paths with in recent years.

The discovery that Patrick’s twin brother Jez (also Jeremy Sheffield) was her biological dad, however, ultimately changed everything, setting in motion a dark descent, with Jez proving to be a full-blown serial killer.

Jez’s penchant for darkness certainly influenced Sienna, who later killed husband to be Ethan Williams (Matthew James Bailey) – on their wedding day – and pushed nemesis Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix) to her supposed demise.

Following the latter incident, Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin), who was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis just months ago, was appalled to discover that not only did Sienna claim Clare’s life but that she lied about it, claiming Cleo did it.

Sienna has been tampering with Cleo’s medication and using her mental health against her for weeks, in the hopes of making her believe that she needs to rely on Sienna for everything, but Cleo worked out what she was up to and confronted her this week.

After a showdown, Sienna admitted to her crimes, telling Cleo that she desperately wants to go back to the way things were. Cleo, however, made it clear that such a thing wasn’t an option – at least not without her taking accountability for her actions.

Working out that Sienna also killed Ethan, Cleo urged her to go to the police, but Sienna managed to convince her to come to the allotment first so that she could complete the floral arrangements for Ste and Rex’s upcoming wedding.

In dramatic scenes, Sienna claimed that Cleo doesn’t love her any more and a grim showdown ensued – with Cleo falling to the floor and hitting her head.

Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas), meanwhile, uncovered the truth about Clare’s ‘demise’, informing Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) that Sienna was the one to blame – not Sophie or Cleo.

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When Dodger arrived at the allotment and called for back up, Sienna fled the scene, hoping Warren would help her get out of dodge.

Instead, enraged Warren drove her right back to the village, where she was taken away by the police in front of everyone. Warren told her that he’d see her ‘in hell’ but Sienna made it quite clear that she’ll see him before that, hinting that she’s got unfinished business that needs dealing with.

The question is: have we actually seen the last of the almighty Sienna Blake? Or will she be staging a comeback in the future?

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

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Footage circulating on social media appears to show a brawl between Armagh and Down supporters

Tensions boiled over between Down and Armagh fans ahead of the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final in Clones on Sunday, with unsavoury scenes marring the build-up to the match.

Video footage circulating on social media appears to capture a group of supporters from both counties engaged in a violent altercation near a bus in what seems to be a drop-off point for match-goers.

An Garda Síochána confirmed to the Irish Mirror that they “had received no reports of any incidents,” relating to the Ulster semi-final encounter.

On the pitch, Armagh dominated their fierce rivals, cruising into the Ulster final with a commanding 3-33 to 0-14 victory, reports the Irish Mirror. Kieran McGeeney’s side will now face Monaghan as they bid to lift the Anglo Celt Cup for the first time since 2008.

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Polls open at 7am across West Lothian and will close at 10am on Thursday. Registered voters should have received their poll card advising where to vote.

Voters are reminded that they do NOT need ID to vote in the Holyrood elections this Thursday.

Polls open at 7am across West Lothian and will close at 10am on Thursday. Registered voters should have received their poll card advising where to vote.

There are now three constituencies covering the county. A new Bathgate constituency covers the northern half alongside the existing Almond Valley constituency around Livingston. The town of Linlithgow has been incorporated into a new East Falkirk and Linlithgow constituency.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service will cover the two counts being held in Livingston and also the Linlithgow one from Falkirk.

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Registered postal voters cannot be issued with ballot papers at the polling station, but they can return their completed postal ballot pack to their polling station on polling day by 10pm.

Alternatively, they can hand deliver their postal vote to polling stations in the constituency or to West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston.

The Scottish elections use a proportional system of voting which means that you vote for both a local constituency MSP and for additional regional MSPs.

This means that when you arrive at your designated polling station, you will receive two ballot papers – a constituency ballot paper and a regional ballot paper.

Your lilac-coloured ballot paper is for your local constituency and will contain a list of candidates running to be your area’s Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP).

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Your peach-coloured ballot paper will be used to elect MSPs for your region. On this second ballot paper instead of voting for a specific candidate, you will be asked to cast a vote for a political party.

You must indicate your preferred choice on each paper by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your preferred candidate or party.

If you put a cross (X) next to more than one box on the ballot paper, your vote will be considered a ‘spoilt ballot’ and will not be counted. Once you have completed your ballot papers, fold and put them into the appropriate ballot box – there will be one ballot box for the constituency vote and another for the regional vote.

Staff in the polling places will be available to provide any support you may need. Arrangements will also be in place in polling stations to assist those with accessibility requirements.

Arrangements are available in the polling stations for voters who need help with reading the ballot paper or marking it. No photos can be taken inside the polling station.

READ MORE: Almond Valley SNP candidate visits Livingston Community Shed

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MacDonald had thrown a phone at his victim’s face, which injured her lip and chin.

A man has been jailed after harassing and assaulting his former partner. Ryan MacDonald, 29, of Fen View, Stanground, Peterborough, threatened to smash the victim’s windows and doors on March 21, 2025.

The victim reported the incident to the police but two days later, she withdrew the complaint because she felt she and MacDonald, who she had a child with, had been getting on better. Three months later, MacDonald started messaging her at work and said he was outside her home.

Even though he was told to leave her alone, he had been waiting nearby her home when she finished work. The victim went with MacDonald to a park out of fear where they had an argument.

A few days later, the victim was collecting her child from school when MacDonald appeared and started shouting at her. He grabbed her phone and threw it at her face, which injured her lip and chin.

Over the course of around a week, MacDonald followed the victim and bombarded her with calls, text messages, and unannounced visits before he was arrested. While he was on bail, he made several calls to the victim to get her to withdraw the charges.

This led to him being arrested again. On Wednesday, April 29, at Huntingdon Law Courts, MacDonald was sentenced to two years and four months in jail after he pleaded guilty to harassment involving fear of violence, actual bodily harm (ABH), and intimidating a witness or juror.

Counts of stalking involving fear of violence, threats to damage or destroy property, threats to kill, and two counts of assault by beating were ordered to lie on file.

DC Isabelle Wilding, who investigated, said: “MacDonald’s behaviour was persistent, intimidating and left the victim living in fear. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions and sends a clear message that harassment and abuse will not be tolerated.

“We take reports of stalking and harassment extremely seriously and would encourage anyone experiencing similar behaviour to come forward and seek support.”

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Ask Jeeves was among the first internet search engines to launch back in 1996, two years before Google (in 1998).

Visitors to the search engine were greeted with the iconic butler character, known as ‘Jeeves’.

Ask Jeeves was rebranded in February 2006, changing its name to Ask.com.

Ask.com shuts down after 30 years

Now, after 30 years, Ask.com has shut down (effective as of May 1, 2026).

The website says: “Every great search must come to an end.

“As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com.

“After 30 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026.

“We are deeply grateful to the brilliant engineers, designers, and teams who built and supported Ask over the decades.

“And to you—the millions of users who turned to us for answers in a rapidly changing world—thank you for your endless curiosity, your loyalty, and your trust.

“Jeeves’ spirit endures.”

Ask.com shut down on May 1, 2026. (Image: Ask.com)

“End of an era” – Internet users saddened by Jeeves’ “retirement”

The closure of Ask.com has hit users hard, with some labelling it the “end of an era”.

One person, posting on the Reddit group r/technology, said: “Ask Jeeves. Such an OG. Enjoy retirement.”

Another added: “Oh man. End of an era.”

A third user commented: “It’s actually quite amazing the staying power some of these early internet giants despite having fallen out of relevance decades ago. RIP, Jeeves.”

This person posted: “This was the first search engine I ever used when I first came online. Thank you for your service.”

While another fan wrote: “Nooooo, not Jeeves. What’s next, Alta Vista?”

Do you remember Ask Jeeves? Will you miss the search engine now that it’s shut down? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.