The county council issued an update to repairs at Selby Swing Bridge on the A63 bypass over the River Ouse to the east of the town.

North Yorkshire Council said it is unable to confirm a timeline for repairs (Image: North Yorkshire Council)

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A council spokesperson said: “After a steel plate became detached from the bridge in March, two-way traffic lights and a 20mph speed limit were put in place until investigations and temporary repairs could be designed and carried out.

“During these repairs, we uncovered issues with more plates, so the 20mph restriction and speed ramps remain in place.

“This is not a straightforward repair, and we are working with partners on a design scheme.

“We are unable to confirm a timeline for repairs, but we expect it to be later this year.

“We will provide updates when possible and are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Rupert Smith’s eyes would flicker ‘from side to side, up and down’, before finally ‘locking to the side’

A baby was diagnosed with an incurable, one-in-a-million condition – after his parents noticed his eyes would “flicker from side to side”. Rupert Smith, who turns one on May 28, was diagnosed with alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) in January this year.

His parents, David, 40, and Siobhan Smith, 36, first noticed baby Rupert’s eyes were “flickering from side to side, up and down” before “locking to the side” when he was just two weeks old. Rupert was also having breathing difficulties and episodes of his body tensing up, but extensive testing returned normal results.

But when Rupert had to be resuscitated at six months, genetic testing finally revealed the ultra-rare condition. Since, mum Siobhan had to perform CPR in Tesco on her little boy before he was airlifted to hospital and he now requires round-the-clock care to manage unpredictable episodes of paralysis, seizures and serious medical emergencies. Two big emergencies have followed at eight and 11 months old.

The life-threatening, progressive condition is linked to no fewer than seven neurological conditions, including tremors, Parkinson’s, ADHD, autism, stroke, Alzheimer’s, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.

As a result, he is in the care of neurology, respiratory, cardiology, physiotherapy, speech and language, dietetic, hospice and community nurse care down the chain from Great Almond Street hospital to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The family are now fundraising £1.5m to prepare them for an emergency trip to the US for treatment, and a cure if it becomes available, and to fund research and raise awareness. David, a police officer from Broughton, North Wales, said: “At about two weeks old we noticed his eyes were flickering side to side, up and down, then they’d lock to one side, so we had him tested for neuroblastoma but that came back okay.

“Then he started having rigid episodes where his whole body would tense up, along with the eye movements, which they thought was epilepsy but those tests were normal.”

The family were asked by the NHS, who were “learning on the job” given the rarity of the condition, to film his seizures to help them gain a better understanding.

David said: “They were so confused to what it was. The testing started at two weeks old, but in hindsight we think the stress of being born was why he was struggling to breathe in that first week. It’s incredibly difficult, we’re both absolutely exhausted and anxious.

“This is our life, it’s completely changed since he was born. You plan your life around a baby, get excited, plan for them to meet their brothers. There’s a huge psychological, financial impact on us, and Rupert’s health is so uncertain, so our future is too.”

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Rupert was thought to be healthy beyond some breathing difficulties, when he was born in May 2025. But when his parents noticed his abnormal eye movements and breathing difficulties they took him to hospital.

Tests for neuroblastoma, lumbar Punctures, EEGs, ECGs, MRI and CT scans and cameras down his throat returned normal results. It was only after his first near-death episode the genetic condition was revealed. The condition is extremely hard to manage, because health episodes can be prompted by a huge variety of inconspicuous causes.

Siobhan, a pharmacy technician, told Talk to the Press: “We’re on edge all the time. You can’t take your eyes off him at all. It’s very unpredictable, one minute he can be smiling, next minute he’s having a life-threatening seizure.

“It’s not something Dave or me carry, it’s just a misspelling in his genes. Episodes are triggered by stress on the body; if he’s tired, hungry, too excited, too hot, cold, exposed to water. Even going outside can cause a seizure.

“This last set of seizures – over 48 hours he probably had 12 – was triggered we think by teething. Something as little as that can cause a significant event. We have his oxygen, rescue medications with us everywhere we go.

“We can’t allow him to become too excited, too upset or too happy because that can trigger something. To not allow your child to be too happy is really hard to take. But he’s still so smiley, and so determined.”

The family are fundraising, with proceeds being split towards preparing the family for an emergency trip, and funding research into cures and treatments. They have raised £285,000 so far – and say the extra money raised will go to funding the research of the condition through research foundations RARE Hope CareAHC (focused on a cure) and For Henry AHC (focused on treatment).

The family are hopeful a trip to the US for treatment can happen soon, with specialist consultations and clinical trials on the horizon. The family say “emerging therapies such as Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy and genome editing show genuine promise”.

Siobhan said: “He has two brothers, George, who’s six, and Henry, who’s four, and they’re obviously aware of it, but don’t know how life-threatening it is. It’s difficult for them because Rupert’s spent a lot of time in hospital and they’ve been passed from pillar to post.

“But they love him, and he adores them. They stimulate him, perhaps that’s why he’s so determined, because he sees his brothers and wants to do what they’re doing.

“We’d do anything for him. He’s beautiful, everyone who meets him falls in love with him. That’s why we’ve got so much support, everyone wants to do what they can to help because he’s so resilient. But there’s only so much you can take, he’s had to deal with more than most people do in their life, and he’s not even one yet.”

Dave and Siobhan’s brother, Liam, are flying out to Boston for a conference on AHC research progress and its future in June, but Rupert is not well enough to travel yet.

Instead, he will mark his first birthday on May 28 when over 50 landmarks, including the CN Tower in Toronto, Ally Pally and Cardiff Castle will light up with “Rupert’s Rainbow” to raise awareness.

Siobhan said: “Time is critical. We’re hoping treatment comes through in 12 months, and a cure hopefully in a couple of years. But we’ll need to fund Rupert’s treatment to allow him to develop normally while they work on it. We just need to be in a position to pounce on it when treatment or a cure is available. We’re hopeful.”

Rupert’s fundraiser can be found here

St Lawrence Parish Church garden party will take place at The Manor House in Heslington on Saturday, June 6, from 2pm to 5pm.

The garden, known for its appearances on the front cover of The English Garden magazine and features in various other notable national and international publications, will be open to ticket holders only.

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Since Covid, the garden has only been opened to the public once.

The event also marks the 82nd anniversary of D-Day and will be attended by Ken Cooke, York’s only remaining veteran of the Normandy campaign.

Attendees can enjoy refreshments, including tea and cakes, while a saxophone quartet provides the musical backdrop.

Tickets must be obtained in advance, with numbers limited.

The garden party is being held in aid of church funds for the parish church in Lawrence Street, the second largest parish church in the city.

For more information and tickets contact info@stlawrenceparishchurch.org.uk

Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.   

That amounts to an average of four dogs taken every day, according to police figures analysed by Direct Line, which revealed around 25,000 reported dog thefts over the past 11 years.

French bulldogs, Staffordshire bull terriers, and dachshunds remain among the most frequently targeted breeds.

Adam Burgin, head of trading and customer at Direct Line, said: “Any reduction in dog theft is welcome, but it’s important not to confuse lower numbers with lower risk.

“More than four dogs a day were still stolen in 2025 and, with over 25,000 dogs taken in the last 11 years, it’s clear this issue hasn’t gone away.

“Certain breeds, particularly French bulldogs and staffies, continue to be targeted, and we see the emotional and financial impact this can have on owners.

“Dog theft often results in lengthy recovery periods and, in many cases, permanent loss, especially when animals are stolen opportunistically or sold on quickly.

“While it’s encouraging to see more dogs reunited with their families, the reality is that most stolen dogs still don’t come home.

“Thieves can strike at any time, so taking preventative steps – such as keeping pets identifiable, ensuring microchips are up to date, and remaining vigilant – can make a real difference.”

Direct Line suggests that increased public awareness and the introduction of the Pet Abduction Act in May 2024, which made pet theft a specific criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland, may have contributed to an 11 per cent drop in thefts compared to the previous year.

Despite this decline, the insurer emphasised that the risk persists, particularly for certain breeds.

‘Mouse’ went missing in Buckinghamshire during a walk at a local golf club (Image: PA)

Staffordshire bull terriers, German shepherds, and dachshunds all saw rises in thefts, while cocker spaniels recorded the fastest year-on-year increase despite ranking eighth overall.

An estimated 344 stolen dogs, around 21 per cent, were reunited with their owners.

The issue remains deeply personal for those affected.

Anne Maynard’s adult female Jack Russell, Mouse, went missing from Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, in December 2023.

She said: “Every day has been a struggle.

“I still cry every day, we’ve searched so much I no longer know where to look.

“I’ve tried everything within my means to find her but there’s been nothing. We check every Jack Russell we see.

“We’re sent pictures which could be Mouse, they look so similar and we have to really scrutinise the photo but no sign of her yet. We will not give up.

“We have so much hope that we’ll find out what happened that dreadful day.

“Thieves have no idea what happens when they do what they do.

“It’s devastating, heartbreaking and life-changing.

“We just want our girl back home where she belongs.

“Someone has an opportunity to turn our lives back round again. Please give her up.”

Anne Maynard is offering a £6,000 “no questions asked” reward for the safe return of Mouse (Image: PA)

Fears of pet theft remain widespread among dog owners.

Half of owners surveyed by Direct Line said they worry about their dog being stolen, with 33 per cent saying they only ever walk their dog on a lead and 26 per cent supervising their dog while in the garden.

Other security measures include motion-activated cameras (18 per cent) and tracking devices (17 per cent).

Annalisa de Carteret, pet loss support manager at Blue Cross, said: “The uncertainty of not knowing where your pet is, or if they are safe, can be just as painful as bereavement, but without the closure that comes with it.

“This can make the trauma even harder to process, especially for children who may be left distressed and confused by the sudden loss of a cherished member of the family.

“Reaching out to someone who understands the emotional impact of losing a pet can make a real difference.

“At Blue Cross, we provide a vital lifeline for devastated owners whose much-loved companions have been stolen, offering practical support and a listening ear during an incredibly difficult time.”

Cambridgeshire Police is at the scene of the crash. Officers have asked drivers to find alternate routes.

In a social media post, a police spokesperson said: “ROAD CLOSURE. A47 South Brink is closed in both directions following a RTC. The closure is between the roundabout at Guyhirn and the roundabout for Cromwell Road, Wisbech. Please try and find alternate routes.”

It is believed to be aimed at getting more people back to work.

The scheme, part of a wider effort to reduce the number of people claiming sickness-related benefits, will refer patients to social prescribers based in GP surgeries instead of issuing a fit note.

According to The Times, social prescribers will be able to recommend alternative routes back to employment, including exercise programmes and career coaching.

More than 11 million fit notes were issued last year, with almost all recipients declared “not fit for work,” effectively excluding them from further employment support.

Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, along with musculoskeletal problems like back pain, remain the leading causes of long-term absence from work.

GPs, nurses, and pharmacists can currently sign fit notes.

The pilot forms part of four new trials being launched across England in July by the Government, each taking a different approach to reducing the number of people signed off work for long periods.

In two of the trials, patients will bypass GPs entirely and be assessed by social prescribers, who will be able to issue fit notes and connect them with targeted support.

The other two trials will involve an initial GP consultation before referral to additional services.

These efforts come amid rising concern about what has been described as a “sick-note culture,” which some believe is holding back economic growth and inflating the cost of sickness-related welfare.

The programme will operate alongside the Government’s WorkWell scheme, introduced nationally in October 2024, which provides tailored support such as physiotherapy and counselling.

Under the scheme, individuals with depression might receive career advice or help finding flexible work, while someone recovering from an injury could be referred to physiotherapy or given a gym pass instead of being signed off work entirely.

In February 2025, 24 million people in the UK were claiming some form of benefit, including the state pension.

This is ridiculous. If a GP thinks a patient is too ill to work that should result in a sick note. Referring them to a ‘social prescriber’ could not only make the patient iller but it takes all the GPs authority away. We are set to have the biggest health crisis ever. https://t.co/j2yFRd4mW0

— Carole Bruce (@CaroleBruce17) May 20, 2026

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Of those, 10 million were of working age, and 800,000 were under the age of 16.

Universal Credit claimants recently reached a record high of 8.3 million.

The new approach represents the first major overhaul of the sick note system since sick notes were first introduced in 2010.

A separate scheme launching in November will give patients access to financial advisers or fitness coaches instead of being signed off work without further support.

Officials hope that by providing more holistic support, people struggling with health issues can be assisted back into the workforce rather than being left on long-term sickness benefits.

Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Let us know in the comments

The scheme, part of the Tees Valley Fusion project, uses real-time digital technology to optimise traffic signals and improve network flow based on live road conditions.

New data reveals the system has saved 5,000 travel hours over 12 months at just six monitored sites, the equivalent of more than 200 days—or six-and-a-half months—of time saved for drivers.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said: “By using new technology to tackle congestion head-on, we’re cutting journey times, easing frustration for drivers, and helping people get where they need to be quicker.

“These are real, measurable results—the equivalent of more than six months of waiting time wiped away.

“It shows how we’re using innovation to build a transport network that works better for motorists across Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool.”

The region-wide FUSION scheme, supported by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, operates across 57 coordinated sites and 196 traffic signals.

It uses Yunex Traffic FUSION Technology to automatically adjust signal timings in response to real-time road conditions.

Travel time reductions at specific locations include 2,780 hours saved at the A174 Parkway Junction, 715 hours near Norton Road in Stockton, and 575 hours close to Hart Lane in Hartlepool.

Other improvements were recorded near Ayresome Street in Middlesbrough (255 hours), York Road in Hartlepool (365 hours), and the South Stockton Bypass A135/A66 junction (300 hours).

The Tees Valley Combined Authority has invested more than £2 million in the FUSION project and its related Digital Twin scheme, both designed to modernise and improve the efficiency of local transport infrastructure.

Delivery has involved close collaboration with the Urban Traffic Management and Control Centre and local authority partners.

Councillor Steve Harker, TVCA cabinet member for transport and infrastructure and leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “These results show how we are already harnessing technology to improve our road network.

“By working closely with our local authority partners, we’re making better use of the infrastructure we already have—and adding to it to help us keep traffic moving more efficiently to deliver benefits to everyone on our roads across the Tees Valley.”