Thee times Scottish Senior Women’s Open winner Karen Ferguson-Snedden died on Cullin Ridge.

A champion golfer died while climbing a mountain on Skye.

Karen Ferguson-Snedden suffered a cardiac episode on Cuillin Ridge on May 26 after having summited two Munros.

Her guide and a paramedic performed CPR but sadly Karen could not be saved.

Skye Mountain Rescue Team announced two people died in the area last week and thanked the crew of Coastguard Rescue 853 from Oban, and staff at Sligachan Hotel for their support

Karen was a keen golfer and clinched her third Scottish Senior Women’s Open title in a row at Aboyne Golf Club in 2023.

Her wife, Susan, left a touching tribute online following the tragedy.

She said: “My family and friends are rallying round me, and I am feeling very supported and loved.

“In the meantime please hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. Karen and I did that every day, so although this was completely sudden and unexpected, I don’t feel we left anything unsaid.

“Words can’t describe how much I’m going to miss my beautiful kind cheeky chancer. I was so lucky to have had 20 years with her.”

Susan added: “I can’t put into words how grateful I am for all the efforts that everyone made to save my lovely wife Karen. You are wonderful people.

“I know it must have been difficult for all involved, and I hope everyone is doing ok. If there is a way I could contact the crew of Coastguard Rescue 853 directly,

“I would really love that. Karen loved the Cuillins, so if this had to happen, it gives me some comfort that it happened there.”

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Slugs and snails might be “more outdoors than in”, but after a shower, they can be “everywhere” – something that can spell bad news for your plants, even if they are potted

Preventing slugs and snails from devouring your potted plants might simply require one unexpected bathroom product, it has been claimed. While they’re often regarded as pests, slugs and snails are actually part of your garden’s natural biodiversity, and are “superb at recycling waste vegetative matter”, according to BBC Gardener’s World’s Monty Don.

However, as he explains, they “do not discriminate between a fallen leaf and a delicious young seedling” – though there could be relief for exasperated gardeners.

A recent piece covering how rainfall can force common pests indoors highlighted creatures including rats, mice, ants, spiders and mosquitoes – alongside slugs, which Monty describes in his blog as having been considered gardeners’ “public enemy number one”.

Slugs and snails are “more outdoors than in”, according to Household Advice Editor Katie Mortram, though she cautioned that they’ll get “everywhere” after a shower, potentially meaning trouble for your plants.

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She explained in Good Housekeeping: “The additional moisture on the ground and in the air makes the environment ideal for their survival and travel. And your damp plants are pre-watered for consumption.”

Katie subsequently offered some guidance: “As for slugs and snails, you can protect your plants with a few small adjustments. You can create a barrier of eggshells, coffee grounds, wool pellets or copper rings.

“For potted plants, applying petroleum jelly on the outside of the pot acts as another measure.”

In other news, Richard, who presents Sheffield Made Gardens and Sheffield Made Plants on YouTube, revealed a cost-free technique for deterring slugs and other pests using an everyday garden item.

As part of a series highlighting why you should retain your old plant pots instead of discarding them, Richard recommended using one for this purpose, noting that pests appeared to have gone on an “absolute rampage” in his garden.

He said: “This year, it seems like slugs and other pests have been on an absolute rampage. My marigolds over there have been eaten by something in the greenhouse. So, I need something to keep them at bay. And plastic pots are just the answer.

“So, grab a pot that’s going to fit over the plant, very susceptible to pests, like my marigolds are. And we’re just going to take our scissors and just go through the drainage hole and make a snip.”

Following this, he punctured the base of a plastic plant pot with the scissors and cut around it to create a protective “collar”. He added: “And then we can get in there and just cut the bottom off like so.

“Just go all the way around. Doesn’t have to be too neat. And there you have it. So that has just created a nice collar that I can stick over my susceptible plants and just dig it into the soil a little bit, just so it protects them a bit better.”

‘Lovely dress and I feel wonderful in it. The material is soft and comfortable to wear’

White Stuff is a great place to shop for flattering summer dresses and timeless holiday-ready fashion, and right now the retailer has discounted several popular styles in its seasonal sale. Among the standout deals is a popular blue linen-blend dress, which is nearly £16 off.

The Kate Midi Dress, now £63.20 from £79, has proved popular with customers, earning praise for its comfortable, flattering fit. One delighted shopper even highlighted how well it works for those with a fuller bust, making it an appealing option for women who often struggle to find dresses that fit comfortably across the chest.

With a cinched waist and feminine V-neckline, the piece creates a flattering silhouette while the breezy midi length makes it ideal for warm-weather dressing. Finished in a soft sky-blue shade with a delicate floral print, it’s the kind of versatile piece that can easily take fans from sightseeing on holiday to a relaxed beachside lunch.

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For an effortless summer look, pair the dress with tan leather sandals, a woven raffia tote and oversized sunglasses. On cooler evenings, layer it with a lightweight denim jacket and simple gold jewellery to complete the outfit.

Shoppers have been quick to snap up the style, however, and stock is already beginning to dwindle. Larger sizes are currently selling out, while the petite version has completely sold through, although regular sizes 6 to 18 remain available.

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£79

£63.20

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White Stuff

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This linen-blend midi dress is ideal for summer.

Beyond White Stuff, Boden is also hosting a huge sale right now. This Belinda Linen Shirt Dress is our top pick (£127.20 from £159 with code HDQN) for its elegant silhouette, softly flared skirt, self-tie waist belt, and flattering princess seams.

Otherwise, Nobody’s Child has this Green Sleeveless Charlie Midi Dress (£89), now back in stock after selling out earlier this year. This moss green piece features a round neckline and a shirred bodice for a comfortable fit.

Back to White Stuff, the Kate Midi Dress has racked up some great reviews from shoppers. This person shared: “Fits so well, usually I struggle with WS dresses with buttons down the front as I have a larger bust (34G).

“This dress is perfect. I’m 5’4, and I got the 14P, and it’s exactly the length I wanted – mid-calf. The photos don’t do the fabric justice.”

Meanwhile, another said: “A lovely dress – I liked it so much that I bought it at full price. Good weight material that falls well and is very flattering to the figure, with useful pockets. Lovely colours and very stylish.”

However, they added: ” I did need to go down a size as fitting comes up rather big and neckline is on the low side, so I wear a camisole underneath.”

On a brighter note, this fan chimed in: “Lovely dress, and I feel wonderful in it. The material is soft and comfortable to wear. I particularly liked the detail in the sleeves and bodice. I would recommend it to anyone.”

Hughes, which has 18 stores across East Anglia, said it would be closing some of its smaller retail stores in the region

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An electrical appliances retailer is set to close eight branches this weekend – including one in Cambridgeshire – as it looks to channel greater investment into its digital platform and remaining stores.

Hughes, which was established in 1921, confirmed that several of its smaller retail outlets across East Anglia would be shutting down. The company’s first shop opened its doors in Lowestoft in 1928.

The company has announced it will be closing its store in Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire on Saturday, June 6.

Chief executive Mark Wardell said employees were briefed on the decision earlier and assured they would receive support throughout the “difficult process”.

He acknowledged that many of those impacted had been with the firm for considerable periods and had “played a huge part” in its operations.

In a statement, Hughes said: “The business recognises the need to adapt and evolve its offer in the face of rising operating costs, the increasing popularity of online shopping and changing customer expectations when it comes to the modern in-store experience.”

“These have not been easy decisions to make,” he said.

“All will receive the honesty, respect and support they deserve through the difficult process ahead.

“We understand the news will be very upsetting for our teams, but we have acted now to ensure the long-term success of the business.”

The eight branches closing at the end of trading on Saturday, 6 June will be:

• Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
• Dereham, Norfolk
• Diss, Norfolk
• Hunstanton, Norfolk
• North Walsham, Norfolk
• Norwich Mason Road
• Thetford, Norfolk
• Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

The shop closures will impact 35 members of staff. A proposed closure of its delivery depot in Mason Road could result in 25 employees facing redundancy, a spokesperson confirmed.

The firm will continue to run its 10 other East Anglia branches, which are situated in:

• Lowestoft
• Great Yarmouth
• Beccles
• Norwich Hall Road
• Bury St Edmunds
• Fakenham
• King’s Lynn
• Ipswich Felixstowe Road
• Martlesham
• Colchester

An 18-year-old Southampton student, Henry Nowak, was handcuffed after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who lied to police at the scene, claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack.

Digwa has been jailed for life with a minimum 21-year term.

Nowak’s parents said they hold Digwa solely responsible for the murder of their son, but the way he was treated by police was inhumane and degrading. Hampshire police has apologised to Henry’s family and the case has now been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

BBC Verify has analysed bodycam footage that was released by the police, with the permission of Nowak’s family, and looked at the key moments before Henry Nowak’s death. Merlyn Thomas reports.

Additional reporting by Emma Pengelly. Produced by Tom Joyner. Graphics by Sally Nicholls.

The Class 599 trains have been in service for 46 years and will be fully phased out this summer.

Metro operator Nexus has announced that the final week to guarantee a journey on the iconic yellow carriages will begin on Monday, June 22, with a train operating between 9.30am and 5.30pm each day on both the Yellow and Green lines until June 26.

Haymarket platform (Image: Paul Young)

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “After giving our region 46 years of service, I’m pleased to confirm the original Metro train fleet will soon be phased out completely.

“I promised that by summer every single journey people made would be on a new train, and that’s what we’ve done.

“This is a really significant milestone for our region, one that I’ve no doubt will generate a lot of nostalgia and fond memories for many.

Archive picture from 1982 (Image: Nexus)

“It’s great that people will have one last chance to travel on them before they go.

“It’s the end of an era for Metro, but it’s time we look ahead.”

The original trains have carried 1.7 billion passengers since they began service in August 1980 and have travelled a combined total of 500 million kilometres.

Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, said: “The old Metro trains have given us sterling service over the last 46 years, but we’re now getting ready to say that historic farewell.

“We’re in the final few weeks where customers are guaranteed a journey on the few that remain running.

A Metro train taken in 1982 (Image: Nexus)

“These trains helped to change the face of public transport in our region in 1980, and over the four decades that followed.

“They have served us well, surpassing their expected life expectancy.

“They’ve now come to the end of the line.

“They’re making way for the new generation of trains, which are delivering a bright future for the Tyne and Wear Metro.”

The £362 million Stadler fleet is now in service, marking the biggest upgrade in the Metro’s history.

Nexus plans to have all 46 new trains operational by the end of 2026.

The new fleet was designed following an extensive customer consultation which resulted in over 23,000 responses and features linear seating, charging points, 44 CCTV cameras, climate control, battery technology, and improved accessibility, including an automatic sliding step at each set of doors.

Most of the old trains are being recycled at a specialist facility in County Durham.

However, two have been preserved for heritage purposes, and one has been donated to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for training use.