Imagine being tasked with counting every blade of grass in a field, noting every single species as you go. This is not far from the challenge many scientists face when analysing microscopic samples packed with thousands of tiny particles.

Imaging flow cytometry (IFC) solves this by guiding particles single-file past a camera and lasers, capturing detailed images of tens of thousands per second. It records the particles’ size, shape and optical properties, turning what was once painstaking manual work into automated analysis.

IFC has become a staple of biomedical research, with scientists using it to study blood viruses or classify tumour cells. It’s also increasingly used in environmental science – for example, to monitor water quality and detect microplastics.

Now, we’re using this medical tech on ancient mud, peat and lake sediments. It may help us identify exactly when ancient climate tipping points were crossed.

Blood to mud

To predict future climate change, we need to understand how things changed in the past. To do this, scientists use natural archives such as sediment found at the bottom of lakes or oceans, long “cores” drilled into peat or ice, or stalagmites and stalactites found in caves.

These archives effectively work as layered climate logbooks, recording environmental change over hundreds to thousands of years. As researchers dig deeper into sediment, peat or ice, they move further back in time. Each layer captures conditions at the time it was formed, from temperature and precipitation to the strength of ocean currents and wind belts.

Microscopic fossils and climate change

The abundance of certain microscopic fossils can be used to reconstruct these past conditions. For instance, the presence of certain species of pollen in peat or algae in lake sediments reflects changes in the climate system.

Pollen preserved in Amazon rainforest mud today is very different from that in Arctic tundra. In the far future, geologists will be able to tell from the fossilised form of this pollen which region once had tropical trees, and which had cold-weather shrubs.

This approach to reconstruction underpins a large portion of palaeoclimate research. Traditionally, however, it has involved counting thousands of particles by eye under a microscope. Because this is so time-consuming, only a small fraction of the total sample is analysed, while the rest is estimated by scaling up those results.

IFC dramatically speeds up counting, meaning climate reconstructions that previously took months can now be done much faster.

This makes it possible to produce higher-resolution records by analysing more samples, and to quantify rare species. Scientists using this technology can focus on questions that were previously too time-consuming to address, such as exactly when a certain environmental change occurred in the deep past.

Also, IFC digitises each sample, making results easier to share, reproduce and reanalyse, promoting more robust, open science.

Hidden patterns and tipping points

As IFC makes it feasible to count a much larger fraction of any given sample, it allows us to detect subtle changes that would have taken too long to detect manually.

Uncovering these small shifts in the particles found in a given place could provide early warning signals of abrupt climate change. For example, we can trace the migration of wind belts via the abundance of non-native pollen species at particular locations. Such movement of the winds may be responsible for triggering sudden change, perhaps by melting ice sheets or drying out a rainforest.

As a result, we may be able to precisely date the timing of past climate tipping points – and with that, the order in which these thresholds were crossed. This could let us distinguish between cause and consequence, as we can determine which changes happened first.

This approach also has the potential to uncover entirely new data, such as the presence of rare species at particular sites. These new records can then act as novel proxies for climate change – leading to more detailed reconstructions and deeper insights into how the climate works.

A tool designed to scan blood now offers us an exciting opportunity to read Earth’s history in finer detail and decipher hidden mechanisms. It could also help us predict abrupt changes in the near future.

The boss of a drug group known as the ‘Tupperware Gang’ has been jailed for supplying £1.3 million of cocaine throughout Suffolk.

Marc Kane, 43, was in charge of the large-scale drug group which distributed cocaine throughout Great Yarmouth by hiding the drugs in plastic containers in hedgerows along quiet country lanes.

Police body cam footage showed the moments before Kane’s arrest, in which he was clambering over two fences while trying to escape an armed officer and his dog on foot.

He was later found hiding behind a rolled-up rug and chair cushions inside a shed.

A complex operation by Norfolk Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit seized cocaine estimated to be worth over £1.3 million.

Kane, of Coronilla Green, Gorleston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Norwich Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Judge Anthony Bate said he found the defendant had been performing a ‘leading role’ in the operation and was ‘well acquainted in class A drug dealing’.

Prosecutor Lori Tucker said Kane had been buying and selling drugs on a ‘commercial scale’, and his sentencing makes him the seventh person to be arrested from the drug gang after six other members of the group admitted their part in the conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Ashley Youngman, 34, Dominic Wilkins, 25, Hayder Gilgil, 20, Joe Drysdale, 31, Ben French, 49, and Michael Rushmer, 34, were jailed for a combined total of 25 years and 8 months between them.

The heads of that group were Marc Kane and Ashley Youngman, with Kane having ultimate control and whose number was saved in another drug dealer’s phone as ‘Corleone’ – a reference to ‘The Godfather’ novels and films.

The group used hedgerows in quiet country to stash cocaine in plastic pots, which they could later retrieve and sell.

Danielle O’Donovan, mitigating, said that Kane was ‘not a lone actor’ or ‘the lead actor in this enterprise’.

During the course of the investigation, surveillance of Kane and Youngman revealed the lengths the pair would go to evade detection – including hiding drugs in remote ‘stash sites’ until they were needed.

Police recovered cocaine worth hundreds of thousands of pounds from these sites. Both Kane and Youngman lived lavish lifestyles despite having no significant legitimate income.

Kane in particular flaunted his wealth, and following his arrest, his home address was searched, and designer clothing valued at £20,530 was seized.

Kane also used hire vehicles to move the drugs, and between January 2024 and his arrest in August 2024, had spent £5981 on car hire.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Eddie Hammond said: ‘Kane and Youngman saw themselves as ‘untouchable’ – the fact that they are both now behind bars is testament to months of hard work by dedicated officers.’

Six others were also sentenced.

Ashley Youngman, 34, of Cliff Hill, Gorleston, was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months imprisonment.Dominic Wilkins, 25, of South Quay, Great Yarmouth, was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment.

Hayder Gilgil, 20, of Anchor Court, Great Yarmouth, was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment. Joe Drysdale, 31, of Beavans Court, Great Yarmouth, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment.

Ben French, 49, of Fritton Close, Lowestoft, was sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment. Michael Rushmer, 34, of HMP Norwich, was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months imprisonment.

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A Labour MP who has vowed to topple Keir Starmer has said what the Prime Minister needs to do to make her change her mind.

Catherine West sparked chaos in the Labour Party by saying she will launch a leadership bid if a Cabinet member does not put themselves forward.

The backbencher will listen to Starmer’s make-or-break speech on Monday before sending an email to all her fellow MPs asking for their support.

She told Metro what she needs to hear in his address to stop her pulling the trigger – and revealed that no Cabinet contenders have messaged her in support of her intervention.

The Prime Minister is facing mutiny in the wake of disastrous local election results, which saw the party ousted from power in Wales and lose more than 1,400 council seats in England.

Although a wave of MPs called for Starmer to resign, no senior Labour figures have said they will challenge him.

So West – who once backed Jeremy Corbyn for leader – announced yesterday she would put her name forward if no one in the Cabinet makes a move over the weekend.

The Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP said: ‘We are heading towards electoral disaster in two years time.

‘We have to turn the Labour Party into a fighting machine for the next general election, so we can get a second term.

‘We need a better communicator. I would have expected the Cabinet to have met over the weekend to ask the Prime Minister to step aside.’

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson called West’s plan ‘completely wrong’ this morning, but the veteran MP is undeterred.

The only thing left in her way is Sir Keir’s do-or-die speech on Monday, setting out how he will reset his premiership.

West said: ‘Once he has spoken, I will decide whether he is convincing or whether we need to move to put out the timetable to elect a new leader.’

Asked what the prime minister has to do to win her over, the left-wing MP responded: ‘I want to see Keir Starmer fighting. He is not fighting. He has got to fight for working people.’

What would show that he’s fighting? ‘His demeanor,’ she said.

‘He’s got to wake up every morning thinking, “Why am I awake? I’m awake to make this country fairer and to help working people in their daily lives.”‘

The north London MP also suggested Starmer pledge to expand his top team to include areas of the country where they are losing voters.

West explained: ‘We have Members of Parliament in seaside towns, in the cities, in Scotland and Wales, and yet there’s no attempt to use them to get the message out.’

The backbencher insisted she would ‘rather not’ put herself forward and hopes that the media frenzy around her bid will encourage the Cabinet to act first.

However, West revealed that no Cabinet politician had been in touch to say they supported her plan.

The only Minister she has even spoken to since her announcement has been the Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds, who she encouraged to stand.

‘I did suggest to him he might be good. He’s done a lot of good things on bringing steel back into public ownership. He’s from a working family background in the northeast.’

Despite silence from the Cabinet, West said a lot of backbenchers had texted her to say ‘Well done’.

She added: ‘That’s not the same as saying that they want to see me as the Prime Minister. What they are saying is we need change.’

West refused to disclose if she would back out if other contenders eventually came forward. ‘It is far too early to say,’ West insisted.

The parliamentarian also won’t say if she backs any of the leading contenders to replace the PM – thought to be Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham. Instead, called on female MPs to have a go.

She said: ‘Everybody has an idea of their perfect candidate. There is no perfect candidate. I have said to all the women in the party, “Stand up,” because I think that could be the sort of thing that we need.

Keir Starmer vowed to stay on in Number 10 for another eight years in an interview with The Observer over the weekend, saying he would fight any leadership challenges.

He told the paper his government was a ’10-year project of renewal’ and has pledged to set out ‘with clarity’ his values and convictions during his speech on Monday.

He added: ‘I’m not going to walk away from the job I was elected to do in July 2024,” he said. “I’m not going to plunge the country into chaos.’

West accepted that any leadership contest to find a new Labour leader would bring ‘an element of uncertainty’ but said that was ‘worth it’ to find a more suitable Prime Minister.

Starmer also used his interview to address to rise of Reform and the Greens, who stole voters from Labour at the ballot box on Thursday.

He said: ‘I have a strong belief that there aren’t many people who actually want Zack Polanski or Nigel Farage as prime minister.

‘I think that the mainstream majority actually want to know that we, the government, have progressive answers to the challenges that they face on a daily basis, and we need to spell out in terms and with conviction that we do have those progressive answers.’

West’s challenge to Starmer has also been criticised by other Labour MPs.

Richard Burgon, also a former ally of Jeremy Corbyn, said there ‘a real danger that, whatever her good intentions, her move will be exploited by people on the right of the party who want a coronation and not a proper democratic contest in the party.;

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Jordan, 30, is running 33 marathons in 33 days to raise funds and awareness of dementia, with support from physio brother Cian, 25.

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The Prince of Wales has sent a message of support to two brothers undertaking an all-Ireland marathon challenge, describing them as “inspiring”.

Jordan and Cian Adams have been diagnosed with a rare gene which causes early-onset frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which means they are likely to develop the condition in their 40s.

Their mother Geraldine died from FTD at the age of 52.

Jordan, 30, is running 33 marathons in 33 days to raise funds and awareness of dementia, with support from physio brother Cian, 25.

William wrote that he is “incredibly impressed with your inspiring journey and ambitious challenge”.

The siblings, from Redditch, Worcestershire, have raised over 1.3 million euro (almost £1.2 million) to support the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the work of their non-profit organisation, the FTD Brothers Foundation.

The challenge started with Jordan running the London Marathon on April 26 while carrying a 25kg fridge on his back.

The brothers then immediately travelled to Ireland where Jordan is running a marathon a day in each of the island’s 32 counties.

The royal letter was read to the pair by their father Glenn on Sunday morning.

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William wrote: “Taking on such a demanding challenge, to honour your mother’s memory and raise awareness of frontotemporal dementia, speaks to your remarkable strength.

“You are inspiring people far beyond those who stood along the marathon route here in London, and those who will no doubt be cheering you on along the roads of Ireland.

“It takes great courage and generosity to turn such personal adversity into hope for others.

“By sharing your story so openly, you are helping to change understanding of dementia and giving countless families strength, comfort, and a sense that they are not alone.

“I hope you are both proud of all you have accomplished so far and wish you both every success for the road ahead.”

The letter came on day 14 of the fundraiser as they travelled though County Leitrim.

It is a poignant moment for them as the county was home to many of the 12 Irish relatives they have lost to FTD.

The brothers are scheduled to finish the challenge in Dublin on May 28.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Passengers are being evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship after a hantavirus outbreak, with Britons set to be flown home to isolate at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. A total of eight cases, including three deaths, have been reported linked to the ship.

Passengers are being removed from a cruise liner struck by a hantavirus outbreak this morning, after the MV Hondius docked in Tenerife.

British travellers aboard are now set to be flown back to quarantine at the UK’s original coronavirus > Covid isolation facility. The MV Hondius reached Tenerife on Sunday morning, with Spanish authorities commencing evacuations organised by passengers’ nationalities.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that British passengers will be transported to an isolation facility at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, Merseyside, following their return to the UK via a chartered aircraft. Representatives from the UKHSA and Foreign Office were expected to meet the MV Hondius upon its arrival in Tenerife, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, with British passengers undergoing hantavirus testing prior to disembarkation.

Those who test negative and show no symptoms will be escorted directly to a specially chartered repatriation flight, equipped with medical staff and personal protective equipment including face masks.

In a social media update on Sunday morning, World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The disembarkment of the first group of MV Hondius passengers has started. WHO experts on the ground are working with the Spanish Health Ministry on the epidemiological assessment of the passengers and coordinating charter flights with the Interior Ministry.” Upon their return to the UK, passengers will be accommodated in a dedicated block at the Arrowe Park site, situated away from the hospital’s public-facing areas, where they will undergo clinical assessments and testing as a precautionary step. The facility previously served as Britain’s first Covid quarantine centre, with blue tarpaulin fencing surrounding accommodation blocks being installed on Sunday morning, reports the Irish Mirror.

Emergency services across the North West of England indicated that passengers are anticipated to remain in the “managed setting” for as long as 72 hours. They emphasised that the NHS Trust and hospital continue “operating as normal” with no danger posed to patients, visitors or staff, stressing that “people should continue to come forward for care as usual”.

After their period of isolation, public health experts will determine whether passengers may self-isolate at home or another appropriate venue depending on their domestic circumstances. British nationals returning to the UK will remain in self-isolation for 45 days and will be prohibited from using public transport to reach their residences.

The WHO confirmed on Saturday that no symptomatic passengers were aboard the MV Hondius, while the UKHSA maintained the risk to the public “remains very low”. The UN health body reported six confirmed hantavirus cases connected to the MV Hondius, with four patients presently receiving hospital treatment. The agency confirmed that eight cases in total had been recorded, including three fatalities, with one previously suspected case now ruled out after testing negative for hantavirus. According to the UKHSA, three of the eight cases involve British nationals – two confirmed hantavirus infections and one suspected case.

The two confirmed British patients are receiving treatment in hospitals in South Africa and the Netherlands, while the third British national with a suspected infection is receiving support on Tristan da Cunha, the British overseas territory where they reside.

A team comprising six paratroopers, an RAF consultant and an Army nurse from 16 Air Assault Brigade were parachuted onto the remote South Atlantic island, alongside oxygen supplies and medical equipment dropped onto Tristan da Cunha, which is typically only reachable by sea.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed this marked the first occasion medical personnel had been parachuted in to deliver humanitarian assistance.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

NEW YORK (AP) — “The Lost Boys” and “Schmigadoon!” each earned a leading 12 Tony Award nominations Tuesday, as nominators also made June Squibb the oldest Tony-nominated actor in history at 96. Danny Burstein is now the most-nominated male actor in Tony history.

“The Lost Boys,” an adaptation of a 1987 teen movie vampire thriller, and “Schmigadoon!,” an adaptation of an Apple TV series that gently mocks Broadway musicals, were followed by a revival of “Ragtime,” a big, soaring musical celebrating early 20th-century America, with 11 nominations, and “Death of a Salesman,” Arthur Miller’s masterpiece that looks at the unraveling of the American Dream, starring Nathan Lane, which nabbed nine nods.

Twenty-four shows got at least one nomination across the 26 Tony categories, a revival of “Chess,” the Cold War-set love triangle between two chess grand masters and the woman who loved both, and “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” which reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic feline musical into a celebration of queer ballroom culture.

“I’m over the Jellicle moon about this!” said Bill Rauch, who secured his first Tony nomination for co-directing the reimagined “Cats.” “I’ve spent my whole career trying to connect the dots between classics and the place and time we’re living in, and so to have ‘Cats’ have this life on Broadway right now just really feels like an affirmation of everything I’ve been trying to do for decades.”

The best new musical crown will be between “The Lost Boys,” “Schmigadoon!,” “Titanique,” a camp musical comedy that reimagines the 1997 megahit movie “Titanic,” and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),” an opposites-attract rom-com set during a New York City weekend.

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Ali Louis Bourzgui, nominated for best featured role in a musical playing a seductive vampire in “The Lost Boys,” took a bite on why his show was so well received: “I think that people, including myself, love a villain that they can care for,” he said. “Some of my favorite performances are technically villains on paper, but the person who’s playing them actively makes them a full 3D person that you can root for. I think that’s the most interesting kind of character.”

The best new play nominees are the John Lithgow-led “Giant,” which explores accusations of antisemitism against children’s author Roald Dahl; “Liberation,” about a consciousness-raising women’s group in 1970s Ohio that won the Pulitzer Prize for drama on Monday; “The Balusters,” a wry comedy about a small-town neighborhood association that descends into chaos over whether to install a stop sign; and “Little Bear Ridge Road,” about a struggling writer who returns to his rural hometown to settle his dead father’s estate.

“The Fear of 13,” the true story of a man who spent more than two decades on death row, didn’t get any acting nods, despite starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson in their Broadway debuts. Former “Glee” star Lea Michele will still be seeking her first Tony nomination after having missed out for her work on “Chess.”

Squibb is now the oldest Tony-nominated actor in history, besting the record set by Lois Smith, who was 89 when she was nominated in 2020 for “The Inheritance.” Squibb’s Broadway resume reaches back to a stint in the original production of “Gypsy” in 1960 with Ethel Merman, and she recalls rehearsing a musical by dancing on a concrete floor. It is her first Tony nomination.

In Jordan Harrison’s play “Marjorie Prime,” a widow played by Squibb is brought an artificial companion who looks precisely like her dead husband. Premiering in 2014, the work in 2026 capitalizes on the recent frenzy over technological advancements like ChatGPT. Squibb said she saw the original, but only now fully comprehends the implications of things like AI.

As for her age, she said she doesn’t really think about it: “I can’t ignore my body is different than it was when I was young. And when I read a script now, I have to think can I physically do what they’re asking me to do. And that’s about it,” she said. “As long as it’s not dancing on concrete floors.”

Burstein becomes the most-nominated male actor in Tony history with nine nods after his work in “Marjorie Prime,” beating the record set by Jason Robards. Kelli O’Hara got her ninth career nomination for a revival of the comedy “Fallen Angels,” tying her with Rosemary Harris for third on the all-time acting nominations list.

Who lost out?

A trio of actors from the hit TV series “The Bear” struck out in their Broadway debuts this season — Ayo Edebiri in a revival of “Proof” and Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach who both appeared in “Dog Day Afternoon,” an adaptation of Sidney Lumet’s 1975 bank robbing drama.

Others who missed out this year include Bobby Cannavale, who starred in a revival of “Art” with Neil Patrick Harris and James Corden that was snubbed by the nominators. “Bill & Ted” stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winters reuniting for a revival of “Waiting for Godot,” were also left off, although Brandon J. Dirden was nominated for a featured role. Laurie Metcalf was in a position to earn two but will have to settle with a featured role nod for “Death of a Salesman.”

Nominations include a return

The best play revival category is stacked with well-received work: “Every Brilliant Thing”; “Death of a Salesman”; “Oedipus,” a modern retelling of Sophocles’ classic tragedy set on election night in a modern campaign office; “Becky Shaw,” Gina Gionfriddo’s dark comedy about a newlywed couple who decide to play matchmaker; and “Fallen Angels,” Noël Coward’s alcohol-fueled competition between two upper-crust ladies over the attention of a former lover.

Daniel Radcliffe secured a nomination for “Every Brilliant Thing,” a one-person show that explores the antidotes to depression.

Rose Byrne, the “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” star who plays one of those upper-crust ladies in “Fallen Angels,” secured a nomination for best actress in a play, becoming the 22nd actor in history to be Oscar- and Tony-nominated in the same year. In addition to Byrne and O’Hara, Lesley Manville secured a nod for “Oedipus,” Susannah Flood for “Liberation” and Carrie Coon for her work in her husband Tracy Letts’ play “Bug.”

O’Hara — winner for the 2015 “The King and I” revival — said there will be no chill descending between her and her co-star: “I’m moving with great bravery because of someone who’s brave right next to me. And if she takes home that prize, it would mean we both win.”

The nominations also seemed to be an official welcome back to producer Scott Rudin, who scored nods for “Death of a Salesman” and “Little Bear Ridge Road.” In 2021, Rudin said he was stepping back after allegations of bullying.

The Tony Awards will be handed out June 7 at Radio City Music Hall during a telecast hosted by Pink. The awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Last year’s show — hosted by “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo — drew 4.85 million viewers to CBS, its largest broadcast audience in six years, according to Nielsen.

Running from Saturday, May 16 to Sunday, May 24, the national campaign invites people to explore the personal histories behind Commonwealth war graves through free guided tours.

Elizabeth Smith, public engagement coordinator at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: “War Graves Week is an opportunity for people to see familiar places in a new light.

“Across the North East of England, there are stories of courage, loss and resilience that are part of the community’s history yet often go unnoticed in everyday life.

“We are encouraging everyone to explore local CWGC sites in the area and share their own stories to connect the North East to our shared global history.”

In the North East, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintains thousands of graves belonging to individuals who served in both world wars.

Some of those individuals came from the region, while others were from across the Commonwealth.

In Tynemouth Cemetery, visitors will find the graves of 26 men from HMS Patia, a ship sunk off the Northumberland coast during an air attack in April 1941.

Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate is the final resting place of Sergeant Joseph Raymond Pollon of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who died in a training accident at just 17-years-old, only weeks after arriving in Britain.

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During War Graves Week, free tours will be held at Preston Cemetery in Tynemouth, Linthorpe Cemetery in Middlesbrough, Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate, and Ripon Cemetery.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit these sites, attend an event, or share their own stories online.

More information and event details can be found at www.cwgc.org/war-graves-week.

THESE photos will take many readers back!

We are taking you back to the year 2001 and sharing photos of new starters at a range of schools across York and Ryedale too.

To jog your memory of the time, in 2001 Tony Blair was the Prime Minister, Sven-Göran Eriksson became manager of the England football team, and York’s new Millennium Bridge opened to the public.

This gallery of photos accompanies one we shared last week, also of school starters in 2001.

Lakeside Primary School class of 2001.

You can see that article and look through the photos here: www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/26065172.13-photos-york-children-starting-school-2001.

Today’s article with its photo gallery will be one of a series we will be running in coming weeks.

Children in these photos will now be in their 20s – can you spot anyone you know?

New pupils at Clifton Green School. Class of 2001

Where are they now? What are they doing?

Please leave an update in the comments section below.

Share more nostalgia

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

Read more:

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email maxine.gordon@thepress.co.uk.

Westlife took to the stage during the third semi-final of talent contest BGT – but one member was missing.

Westlife paid tribute to Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell as they made a guest appearance on the show. The band performed some of their biggest hits ahead of their 25th anniversary tour during the third semi-final of the talent contest last night.

The heartfelt message saw bandmates Shane Filan, Nicky Bryne, and Kian Egan thank Cowell for being instrumental in their success. However, they remain without Mark Feehily, the fourth member of the quartet, who won’t appear on the tour.

On stage, Nicky said: “It’s been a long time since Simon Cowell suggested standing up from our stools on a key change.” Kian went on to pay tribute to Simon and said they wouldn’t have been there without him, reports the Mirror.

Stand-up comedian Ted Hill and foot juggler Liwei Yang took the plaudits during the semi-final and will now contest the Britain’s Got Talent final on Saturday, May 30.

Last year, Westlife confirmed that Mark, who has been battling a number of health issues since August 2020, would not be able to take part in the tour.

In a statement, they said: “Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always.”

Mark announced he would be taking a break from Westlife just days before first ever tour of America in 2024. At the time, he shared: “Hello and much love to you all! It’s Mark here.. Most of you are aware that I have had some health challenges over the past while.

“It actually all started 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when I had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery I was in severe pain and was rushed into A&E.

“I eventually ended that awful day in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with the surgery, I had developed severe ‘Sepsis’, a life-threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life.”

He explained that he was in hospital for months during lockdown, and was later told he needed more surgery.

“It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU. In late 2021, I became very ill in Newcastle before a concert and ended up back in A&E, this time being told I had pneumonia. I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December,” he said.

Speaking about Mark missing their big anniversary tour, Kian said: “We’re devastated he won’t be joining us on this tour. We’ll be missing him every night just as much as the fans will. But he’s given us his full support. This is the 25th anniversary, it’s something that we all felt needed to be celebrated. We hope as soon as he’s ready he’ll be back with us and we look forward to that moment.”

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Two young children are among more than a dozen people injured after an explosion rocked a tourist boat in Florida.

At least 11 people have been taken to the hospital following the blast on a charter boat in Biscayne Bay, a popular holiday spot near Miami.

One of the children caught in the explosion was scorched by serious burns in their body.

Another adult sustained burns to 30 per cent of his body, the Sun reported.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at 12.50pm on Saturday, where they rescued passengers left in the water in lifeboats.

Other US outlets reported that as many as 15 people were caught in the blast.

The incident occurred at the Haulover Sandbar, a shallow shipping area known for hosting parties at North Miami Beach.

An investigation into the explosion has been opened by the area’s conservation commission.

The cause remains unknown; however, one person onboard the vessel who was not injured suggested the blast was the result of a gas leak.

The Miami Herald reported that fire crews were studying the boat’s fuel tank as a possible source of ignition.

Patrick Lee, a local business owner, said he saw people sent flying after a ‘puff of smoke’.

He told NBC: ‘Somebody pulled up and dropped a bunch of people on that boat, and when we looked back out, we saw three people flying off of the boat and a puff of smoke.

‘It was pretty obvious what it was.’ Mr Lee added he had seen 12 stretchers carrying burnt victims leaving the scene.

Last year, an 18-month-old toddler was left with ‘life-changing burns’ after a fire on a boat in the River Thames that injured nine people.

The boat exploded on the banks of the river in the town of Lechlade, on the edge of Wiltshire, in June.

The toddler was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for urgent medical care, according to Wiltshire999s.

Eight others were taken to the hospital in the aftermath of the blaze, with one airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

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