Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh warns bird feeders can attract rats during spring breeding season – but there’s a simple solution to keep them away from your garden

Rats are a familiar nuisance in gardens, and with spring now upon us, the problem is only set to worsen. As the weather warms up, many households will be keen to spend more time in their outdoor spaces.

However, spring marks the peak breeding season for rats and mice. They’re on the hunt for food and shelter, and our gardens often provide perfect nesting locations and easy pickings.

Infestations can become incredibly difficult to eliminate and expensive to tackle. It’s crucial to prevent rats from taking hold, and Alan Titchmarsh has some essential guidance.

The gardening expert has highlighted how one activity beloved by gardeners could actually be inviting rats in. Feeding birds may be luring these rodents into your garden, as they’re equally keen to feast on the offerings.

Alan said: “Most gardeners, myself included, love encouraging garden birds, so bird feeders are everywhere in this garden. But, they can also be a magnet for rats.”.

Fortunately, there’s a way to prevent rats from going after the bird food and infiltrating your garden. Alan explained it’s all down to the positioning of your bird feeder.

He said: “The key to success with them is to position in the open, in the middle of your lawn. Rats hate running through exposed areas.

“If you put your bird feeder alongside a hedge or wall, that’s great as they have shelter and they rush out and grab what they want and rush back.” Alan advises positioning your bird feeder right in the centre of your garden, well away from bushes, hedges and walls. As a bonus, this will also give you a far better view of the birds when they pop by for a meal.

The gardener urged: “So, in an open space is by far the best place for a bird feeder. Then, you shouldn’t have the rat problem.”

Alongside repositioning the feeder, Alan has another handy tip for keeping rats out of your garden — simply avoid leaving any bird food out overnight.

Alan said: “Put it out first thing in the morning.” He acknowledged that many gardeners might have reservations about this approach, given that birds tend to feed early in the day.

However, he insists this won’t cause any problems for the birds, as they’re perfectly capable of waiting a little while. Alan added: “If you have had a rat problem, they can wait half an hour before you put it out.

“That way, you’ll enjoy the garden birds and hopefully not a rat in sight.”

Sedgefield Community College has been shortlisted for ‘Secondary School of the Year’ at the TES Schools Awards.

The school faces tough competition from seven other schools around the UK.

The TES Schools Awards are a highly prestigious national educational awards.

The winner of ‘Secondary School of the Year’ will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Friday, June 19.

Headteacher Paul Fleming said: “We’re delighted that the fantastic efforts of our students, families, governors and staff have been recognised and that we have been shortlisted for this award.

“With so many exceptional schools in our region and beyond, it is an honour to have been acknowledged in this way.”

WARNING: This article contains distressing details A couple are on trial accused of a harrowing series of sexual assaults and abuse against a toddler they were in the process of adopting in Blackpool, a court has heard

A couple allegedly subjected a toddler they were in the process of adopting to sleep deprivation and sexual assaults before he died after being in their care for just three months, a court was told.

Preston Davey had been placed with Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazackerley at their Blackpool home in April 2023 when he was nine months old. During the three months that followed, right up until Preston’s death on July 27 that year, the pair are alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted the infant and inflicted serious injuries said to have been caused by 37-year-old Varley sexually assaulting the toddler.

The couple stood trial at Preston Crown Court on Monday, April 27, facing a combined total of 29 charges. Varley, a former teacher, is accused of murdering Preston, along with 25 additional counts of sexually and physically abusing the child, reports Lancs Live.

McGowan-Fazackerley, 32, faces charges of causing or allowing the death of the child, sexual assault and four further offences relating to neglect and ill-treatment. Both men, of Chandlers Way, Grimsargh, deny all charges.

Advertisement

A jury comprising seven men and seven women was sworn in during the afternoon, before Peter Wright KC opened proceedings on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Wright KC cautioned the jury from the start that the trial was expected to run for six weeks and would contain deeply upsetting details, images and footage. Some of that material, retrieved from Varley’s phone, was presented to jurors, including a sequence of three photographs depicting a sleeping Preston slumped over the bars of his cot.

The prosecutor stated that staining found within the cot had been analysed and was “consistent with the presence of fluid containing saliva, the microscopic characteristics of a sperm cell and a mixed DNA result that could have originated from cells from Preston and Mr McGowan-Fazackerley were found”.

The court was told that Preston had been born on June 16 in 2022. In April 2023, at nine months old, he was placed into the care of the defendants as they sought to formally adopt him.

Mr Wright KC said: “The defendants were living together as a couple at an address in Blackpool. They had been together as a couple for some considerable time. Less than four months later, at about 6.30pm on Thursday July 27 in 2023 Preston was brought to the accident and emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital by these defendants.

“Preston was unconscious and he was in a state of cardiac arrest. His heart had stopped. By now he was aged just 13 months. Despite the best efforts of medical staff Preston was in terminal decline. His condition was irreversible and at 7.20pm that evening he was pronounced dead.

“A post mortem examination revealed the cause of his death to be, in the opinion of the pathologist, the result of acute upper airways obstruction. In the opinion of the forensic pathologist that obstruction which led to his death was as a result either of a smothering, most likely with a hand or soft fabric, or by the insertion of an object or objects into his mouth.

“Someone, with something, so compromised this little boy’s ability to breathe that he was smothered to death. This tragedy was not some unforeseen accident or natural phenomenon. The evidence gathered revealed a much more sinister pathology.”

The prosecutor detailed some of the injuries Preston suffered, which the Crown claims were inflicted by the accused.

“In his brief life [Preston] was routinely ill treated, sexually abused and physically assaulted,” the KC said. “At the time of Preston’s death he was found to have sustained around 40 traumatic injuries over the course of the time he had been in their care.

“He had a healing fracture to his left upper arm that was non-accidental.”

The jury heard that Varley stands accused of capturing multiple images of Preston “in a state of undress in which the focus is the genitalia of that little boy” including while he and Preston were bathing together. Varley is alleged to have transmitted some of these images and videos to McGowan-Fazackerley. Addressing the events of the day Preston died, 27 July 2023, Mr Wright KC stated: “These events took place in the defendant’s home when Jamie Varley was the only person at home.

“It was only later, when Preston’s condition became so extreme that it led to his collapse, that the defendant Jamie Varley together with his then recently-returned partner Mr McGowan-Fazackerley took that little boy 0.9 miles to the hospital. They didn’t live very far away. But it was all too late.”

Turning to McGowan-Fazackerley’s involvement on the day Preston lost his life, the prosecutor continued: “He was working in the Manchester area and it was only when he returned home they took that little boy to the hospital.

“But that doesn’t absolve him. He had joint responsibility for Preston’s care and his well-being. Mr McGowan-Fazackerley failed to take steps to protect Preston. The unlawful act that caused his death occurred in circumstances that he foresaw or ought to have foreseen. He must have known about it and we say he had, on one occasion, participated in sexual assault.”

‘No stranger to A&E’

The court was told that Preston “was no stranger to Blackpool Victoria Hospital”. The prosecutor explained: “After he was placed with [the defendants] Preston was admitted to Blackpool Victoria on three occasions in May, late June and early July with a variety of ailments including difficulty breathing, seizures, a nosebleed and a fracture to his elbow.

“Staff noticed facial bruising but it was explained by the defendants. On admission Preston appeared to recover quickly from any reported breathing difficulties or abnormality. Although physicians put it down to non-specific viral chest infections the tests conducted after death disclosed findings that were consistent with earlier episodes of respiratory obstruction.”

Mr Wright KC revealed that in one clip discovered on Varley’s phone, Preston was being spun on a playground ride “at such a force that his eyes were going in opposite directions”. The footage was subsequently set to music with Preston’s eyelids “spinning round and round which Mr Varley clearly thought was amusing and sent to a friend,” he added.

Jurors were also shown footage of Preston struggling to keep his eyes open while sitting upright, with blaring music repeatedly disturbing him.

The trial continues.

Cameras caught floor stickers directing President Donald Trump where to stand alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their historic state visit to the White House, with viewers sharing their reactions online.

Cameras have revealed stickers positioned to guide President Donald Trump on his exact placement outside the White House before King Charles ‘ and Queen Camilla’s state visit.

Live broadcast images showed small markers seemingly indicating where the president should position himself next to King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The stickers were labelled “KING,” and “PRESIDENT.”

The footage documented King Charles’ arrival at the White House, showing him greeting President Trump with a handshake, while Queen Camilla warmly embraced the first lady. The camera perspective also revealed the floor markers.

READ MORE: Nurse left in coma after honeymoon tragedy as family issue health updateREAD MORE: Meghan Markle accused of ‘exploiting the vulnerable’ in ‘most vile move yet’

Trump then gestures towards the ground while conversing with Queen Camilla and King Charles, who subsequently move into position for a photograph. Numerous observers remarked on the uncomfortable photo opportunity, suggesting the British Monarchs appeared reluctant to be present, reports the Mirror US.

“They’re so pissed that they have to be there. They really don’t like Trump at all,” one individual wrote on X.

“King Charles is giving off that ‘I’d rather be anywhere else right now’ vibe,” another commented.

King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday, where British embassy personnel welcomed them.

This visit represents King Charles’ inaugural trip to the U.S. as sovereign, and the first state visit by any British monarch since 2007, occurring amid mounting tensions between British leadership and the Trump administration. During their time at the White House, the royal couple enjoyed a private afternoon tea with the first couple.

The royal pair will spend a total of four days in the US during the state visit, taking them from Washington D.C., to New York, and finally on to Virginia.

The first day will include a garden party following the afternoon tea, while the second day will feature a formal White House welcome and a ceremonial military review. King Charles and President Trump will also hold a meeting, which is expected to be closed to the press.

King Charles will deliver a speech to US Congress, marking only the second time a British monarch has ever addressed Congress. The first occasion was Queen Elizabeth II’s address during her 1991 state visit.

President Trump and the King will both make further speeches at a state dinner held at the White House. The royal couple will then head to New York City on Thursday to visit the 9/11 memorial, where they will meet with families of the victims of the World Trade Center terror attack.

The King will visit a community organisation and attend a gathering of business leaders, while the Queen will attend a literary event celebrating the 100th birthday of Winnie the Pooh. Friday marks the last day of the state visit. A wreath-laying ceremony will pay tribute to fallen soldiers from both countries, before the royal couple head to Virginia to visit a national park and take part in a community celebration marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Follow our live blog here for the latest updates on the Royal visit to the US.

Stress Less, Live More: A Six-Week Journey to Resilience is a free, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based course launching across Stockton, designed to help people better cope with anxiety, overwhelm, and other pressures in a supportive community setting.

Delivered by cognitive behavioural coach Jo Fawell of JoVivi Consultancy and Coaching, the programme is being run in partnership with the Stockton Wellbeing Hub and Catalyst Stockton.

Sarah Jones, project manager at the Stockton Wellbeing Hub, said: “Supporting community wellbeing through accessible programmes is a priority for us at the Wellbeing Hub.

“We know that early support can make a real difference, and this programme offers exactly that.”

Each weekly session lasts 90 minutes, offering practical tools to understand and manage stress, reframe unhelpful patterns of thinking, improve emotional regulation, and boost resilience.

The course also addresses the impact of stress on sleep and physical health, helping participants make sustainable changes before difficulties become overwhelming.

Ms Fawell, founder of JoVivi Consultancy and Coaching and an accredited CBT coach with the Association for Coaching, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be working with the Wellbeing Hub and Catalyst to deliver this course free to the local community.

“Many people are struggling with stress and the impact it has on their daily lives.

“We may not always be able to change what’s causing our stress, but we can learn how to understand it and respond in a healthier way.

“This programme is about giving people practical tools, space, and support to feel calmer, think more clearly, and take back control, with the aim of living happier lives.

“We all deserve that.”

Feedback from previous participants highlights the programme’s impact.

Outcomes data shows:

• 78 per cent reported feeling happier and more content
• 63 per cent saw a reduction in stress-related sleep issues
• 56 per cent felt less anxious about the future

All participants said they felt more confident managing stress and would recommend the course to others.

One participant said: “I can now recognise the signs early and handle triggering situations in a calmer, more balanced way.

“I feel more in control and at peace with myself.”

Another added: “I really wish this type of course had been taught at school.

“It would help people throughout their lives.”

To maintain a supportive environment, each group is limited to 10 participants.

Sessions are held outside standard working hours to accommodate working adults, carers, and those with other commitments.

The first programmes are taking place in Billingham and Thornaby, with more locations expected to launch across the borough.

Courses include IB Leisure in Thornaby from May 30 to July 4, 2025, with sessions on Saturdays from 10.30am to 12pm, and at Billingham Forum from June 2 to July 7, 2025, running Tuesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Open to Stockton residents aged 18 and over, the programme requires a six-week commitment and includes a brief screening process to ensure suitability.

Register at: www.jovivi.co.uk/event-list.

Cole Tomas Allen was taken into custody after the shooting on Saturday night

A man who allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with guns and knives has been charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, the Mirror reports.

Cole Tomas Allen was taken into custody after the shooting on Saturday night and is being charged in federal court in Washington.

He appeared in court on Monday April 27 to face charges in a chaotic encounter that resulted in shots being fired, Trump being rushed off the stage and guests ducking for cover underneath their tables.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Authorities say an officer wearing a bullet-resistant vest was shot in the vest but is expected to recover.

Allen, of Torrance, California, is being represented by lawyers with the federal defender’s office and sat beside them in court in a blue jail uniform. He also was charged with transport of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce and with discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He did not enter a plea.

Prosecutors have not revealed a motive, but in a message that authorities say was sent by Allen to family members minutes before the attack, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin,” made repeated references to the Republican president without naming him and alluded to grievances over a range of Trump administration actions.

Investigators are treating the writings, along with a trail of social media posts and interviews with family members, as some of the clearest evidence of the suspect’s mindset and possible motives.

Allen, 31, is believed to have travelled by train from California to Chicago and then onto Washington, where he checked himself in as a guest at the hotel where the gala dinner was held with its typically tight security, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

Video posted by Trump shows a man, who authorities say was armed with guns and knives, running past a security barricade as Secret Service agents run towards him and managed to bring him to the ground.

Police have previously said that the suspect was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held and they believe he acted alone.

Records show Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile for a man with the same name and a photo that appears to match that of the suspect show he worked part-time for the last six years at a company that offers admissions counselling and test preparation services to aspiring college students.

The research focused on factors like broadband speed, average house price, and transport links

New research has revealed the best area to work from home in Northern Ireland. The new independent research from rural broadband provider Fibrus focused on factors such as broadband speed, average house prices, access to shared and flexible workspaces, proximity to green spaces, and transport links to cities.

Remote working has redefined how and where we live, giving employees the freedom to live where they wish without impacting their job prospects. It has also moved economic activity away from urban centres to support a boom in rural economies.

Fibrus has revealed the top ten places to live as a remote worker in Northern Ireland with Limavady, the north-west town less than 20 miles from Derry City, coming in at number one.

READ MORE: Loftlines: What you can expect from Belfast’s first build-to-rent schemeREAD MORE: ‘How part time study helped me build a new career from scratch at 58’

The broadband provider said by taking a number of factors into account, their Index reveals the locations offering the strongest mix of connectivity, affordability and quality of life for remote workers in Northern Ireland.

Limavady boasts the top connectivity rating, with 95% of homes having ultrafast broadband availability, critical for remote workers.

Ranking favourably with average house prices of £166,332 for a three-bed home and average rent costs of £860pcm, the town also scored well for green spaces with 52% of land within one mile, 85% within two miles, and 92% within 10 miles allocated as green spaces, allowing home workers a solace for a lunch time, pre-or post-work stroll.

Other high-ranking towns were Strabane, Banbridge, Newtownabbey, Ballymoney, and Antrim.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer of Fibrus Group said: “Last year, we commissioned a Futurist to look at the potential of rural communities as engines for growth, and remote working was just one of the pillars of growth over the next 25 years.

“Thanks to Project Stratum, Northern Ireland boasts full fibre coverage of 95%, 9% ahead of the UK average, meaning our rural towns are now competing on a level playing field for broadband speed – not just against NI’s capital city of Belfast but also compared to other urban hubs around the UK where many of NI’s skilled and talented workforce may be residing. We’d like to think there is now a compelling reason to live and work anywhere in Northern Ireland, without compromising your career prospects.

“We know anecdotally from our customers how much this enhanced connectivity has already enabled people to return to their hometown, possibly to start a family or to set up their own business, but we were interested to see how NI’s towns stacked up when it came to other factors that would create a really attractive proposition to a remote worker or someone who regularly ‘works from home’ – especially through the lens of someone considering a return to Northern Ireland from further afield.”

Thomas Adeleaux, Limavady resident and remote worker said: “Remote working has really had a positive impact on Limavady. It’s allowed people like me to work from home, spend in local restaurants, shops and gyms during the working week and it’s also enabled young families to lay roots here – a new generation of users of local nurseries, libraries, schools and clubs.”

Advertisement

Emma McNally, Head of Strategic Partnerships, PropertyPal Group said: “We recognise that reliable broadband connectivity is increasingly becoming one of the most important factors for buyers and renters when choosing a home.

“With the rise of hybrid working as a permanent fixture in many people’s lives, we’re seeing a notable uplift in interest for properties in rural communities, especially now that the digital infrastructure has improved so much.

“This research by Fibrus is a fantastic initiative, offering valuable insights for home movers. It’s great to see such a diverse range of locations represented in the top 10 list, with rural areas ranking so strongly alongside city living.”

The top 10 best places to Work from Home in Northern Ireland

1. Limavady
2. Strabane
3. Banbridge
4. Newtownabbey
5. Dromore
6. Crumlin
7. Omagh
8. Ballymoney
9. Antrim
10. Randalstown

For more information visit the Remote Working Index map at: https://fibrus.com/remote-working-index-northern-ireland-result

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

Advertisement