But there’s a historic fishing village with “timeless appeal” and cobbled streets that’s just been highlighted by travel experts among the “most beautiful” in England.

You might have already been, or it could be one to add onto your travel bucket list.

In a newly published guide, it was none other than Staithes, close to Runswick Bay, that was named alongside the likes of Rye in East Sussex and Aylesford in Kent.

It comes as World Atlas has revealed the quaint destinations that show “how much of the country’s character can be seen in its smaller communities”.

The geographical publication explained: “England’s smaller towns and villages are often defined by medieval streets and abbey ruins that still mark the landscape around them.

“In Staithes, traditional homes look out over the North Sea from between Cowbar Nab and Penny Nab, and visitors can hunt for fossils along the beach below.

“In Ludlow, medieval architecture and Ludlow Castle still anchor the town’s presence, and the town is also known for the Ludlow Food Festival and its excellent food scene.”

Take a look at all of England’s “most breathtaking” towns and villages online now.

All the reasons Staithes is among England’s ‘most breathtaking’ villages

Commenting on Staithes, World Atlas wrote: “Staithes offers beach walks in a postcard setting and the chance to stay in a colourful cottage that used to be a fisherman’s home.

“Once you have settled in, make your way to The Staithes Museum to find out more about the village’s connections to Captain Cook and the Jurassic period that defined its surroundings.

“The museum also features a section with locally crafted products for purchase.”

In recent years, Staithes has also made headlines after being named one of Britain’s “little-known hip towns” as well as being praised for having one of the UK’s “cutest” harbours by the sea.

Not to mention, The Cod and Lobster in the village was hailed among the nation’s top pubs for a seaside pint last year.

However, Captain Cook isn’t the only famous person to have set foot in Staithes, as Last One Laughing’s Bob Mortimer also explored the coastal spot once upon a time.

Bob came to the area with his pal Paul Whitehouse back in 2020 when Staithes starred in the BBC’s Gone Christmas Fishing programme.

While filming the festive special five years ago, the comedy duo stayed in the Fisherman’s Cottage.

The cottage, which sleeps two in a “pretty” double bedroom with a small ensuite shower room, has a cosy beamed sitting room with an open fire and a “well-equipped” refurbished kitchen, reports Staithes Holidays.

It adds: “Fisherman’s enjoys a south-facing sun terrace with amazing views.”

Speaking at the time of Whitehouse and Mortimer’s visit, Sean Baxter, a tour guide and co-owner of Real Staithes, told The Guardian: “It’s a wonderful village becoming more and more touristic.

“It’s a lovely place to come and have a holiday.

“No candy floss and no McDonald’s, it’s very much an old-fashioned place to come and relax and have a wonderful time.”

Meanwhile, there’s one street that has made @adventures.in.yorkshire “fall in love” with Staithes – Gun Gutter.

The North Yorkshire content creator said in a TikTok video: “For generations, this snicket has echoed with the rhythm of coastal life.

“Fishermen once hauled their crab pots and nets up and down these stone steps, and even today you’ll often see them stacked against the walls, drying in the sea air.

“Lobster pots, ropes and floats line the lane much as they always have – a quiet reminder that Staithes is still a working fishing village, not just a pretty postcard.

“Gun Gutter was used as an escape route from press gangs and a hidden passage for smugglers, but it was also a lifeline – connecting homes to the harbour below.

“Artists later captured scenes like this in their paintings, drawn to the textures, light and everyday industry of village life.

“It’s not just a street you walk down — it’s a place that still feels lived in.”

Have you been to Staithes or any other villages and towns along the North Yorkshire coast recently? Let us know in the comments below.

I compared ‘ready to eat’ avocados from both budget supermarkets and found one was unripe for days, while the other was perfectly soft and creamy

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Avocados are one of the nation’s favourite fruits. They had an enormous surge in the 2010s across Britain, driven by the rise of wellness trends, when snapping a photo of your breakfast and sharing it on Instagram was all the rage.

Since then, they’ve remained a staple in countless weekly shopping trolleys, mine included. I eat avocado almost daily, whether paired with scrambled eggs on toast or added into a poke bowl with sticky rice, eggs and veg. Because of this habit, I’ve been on a mission to discover the best value avocados, lately pitting Aldi against Lidl in a head-to-head comparison.

I do much of my grocery shopping at these two retailers, partly because they’re both conveniently located nearby, but also because they’re brilliant for keeping costs down. I’ve discovered both Lidl and Aldi to be excellent for many weekly essentials, including Greek yoghurt, sourdough bread, salmon, eggs, coffee and oat milk.

But when it came to avocados, there was a striking difference in quality. One stubbornly refused to ripen whatsoever for more than a week, staying rock-solid with an unpleasant flavour when I finally got round to eating it. The other was beautifully soft and ready the very next day after bringing it home.

That unfortunate avocado came from Lidl. It cost me 75p, and was labelled as ‘ready to eat’ on the display, so naturally I brought it home anticipating exactly that.

However, that wasn’t the case. Looking back, I should have selected a different one, so I’m partly to blame for making a poor choice. This avocado was anything but ‘ready to eat’, not for at least a week anyway, reports the Express.

It remained rock solid for days on end, and while determining avocado ripeness can be tricky, this one was clearly nowhere near edible. I left it outside of the fridge, as recommended, but that did little to speed up the ripening.

When I finally sliced into it more than a week later, it gave off quite an earthy aroma, instantly signalling it still wasn’t properly ripe. The stone was also enormous, occupying most of the actual fruit, leaving minimal flesh when I scooped it out.

The taste was bitter as well, which I’d unfortunately expected.

In contrast, the Aldi avocado performed a lot better. Priced at 70p, making it cheaper than the Lidl option, it was also labelled ‘ripe and ready’.

Its flesh had a gentle give, without being excessively mushy. An avocado feeling overly squishy usually means it’s past its best, and you’ll discover it’s turned spoiled and brown inside when opened, which is always disappointing.

The line between ripe and overripe avocados is remarkably fine, requiring careful judgement. I cut into the Aldi version the following day after bringing it home, and was delighted to discover it was perfect inside.

It lacked that harsh, strange smell the Lidl version had, and the texture was far creamier as well. I found it simple to mash with a fork, while the alternative needed a lot more work.

How to tell if an avocado is ripe

To save anyone from repeating my error, here’s a straightforward way to quickly determine whether an avocado is ready before purchasing it at the shop.

According to experts at Aldi, when the avocado appears green and feels solid, it hasn’t quite ripened yet but is ideal for bringing home to ripen naturally over coming days.

On the other hand, if the outer layer is darker and gives somewhat under light pressure, that indicates it’s ready to eat right away.

The crucial point to bear in mind is using light pressure while testing firmness to prevent damaging the fruit and ruining its taste.

A single mum of three was moved to tears after receiving a ‘life-changing’ gift on Rich House, Poor House on Channel 5

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A single mother-of-three, struggling with mounting debts, was brought to tears after a millionaire invested £100,000 in her emerging restaurant business and cleared her debt on Rich House, Poor House.

Valerie Mayer, from Portsmouth, who balances raising her three children while working as a full-time carer, featured on the Channel 5 programme on Sunday (March 29) evening alongside mum Cleopatra.

The gifted home cook has always had dreams of opening a Zimbabwean restaurant in the UK, however with a weekly budget of merely £53 her lifelong dream has been sidelined as she struggles to stay afloat financially.

In a heartbreaking revelation, she confessed that she has received threats from debt collectors. She said: “My financial situation got so bad that I had bailiffs come in, and I just went into a state of panic. I was looking out of the windows to see if anyone was there. I got scared to leave the house.”

Experiencing how the wealthiest 1% live, Valerie exchanged homes for a week with tech startup millionaire Steve Bolton, who lived in a luxurious £1m, six-bedroom property in Bournemouth, reports the Mirror.

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The father-of-four left school at 16 without qualifications but established a business from the ground up, with his firm now holding a portfolio valued at £750m.

Given his demanding lifestyle as an entrepreneur, he missed out on precious time with his children, so he decided to invite his eldest daughter, marketing expert Ella, and his clothes shop owner son Charlie to accompany him on the programme.

The family swapped their home — complete with two lounges, a dining room for eight, six bedrooms and five bathrooms — for a week-long stay in Val’s council house, situated 60 miles along the coast.

While Steve and his two children were required to manage on a weekly budget of £51.93, Valerie and her mother were afforded a taste of affluent living with £2,000 to spend. Val and Cleopatra splashed out on expensive seafood, embarked on shopping trips and even enjoyed a day at the races.

Meanwhile, Steve and his family struggled to adjust to their new surroundings, and emotions ran high when Steve was visibly moved upon discovering the extent of Valerie’s debt.

It became apparent that Steve was determined to help Valerie turn her life around, and he had several surprises in store when the pair were finally reunited following their swap.

The millionaire not only pledged to invest £100,000 into her restaurant venture, but also cleared all her outstanding debts and had her garden transformed.

Seated across from one another, Steve told her: “We’ve been talking a lot about how we might be able to help you guys because that’s obviously a big part of what we want to do and we’ve thought about three things that we can do to help you.”

He went on to add: “The first one is already done and it’ll be a surprise when you get home, the second one is about your debt situation, so we wanted to get you out of debt and then the third thing is we want to back your vision, your dream, your passion and your talent for business.

“Support you financially, support you with mentoring, support you with anything and everything you need up to a value of £100,000.”

Visibly emotional, Valerie struggled to compose herself as she responded: “Oh, wow. I don’t even know…How do you say thank you? Thank you. Wow, this is amazing.”

With tears streaming down her face she said: “I’m feeling really overwhelmed right now. Happy tears. This can change mine in my family’s life. I really wanted this so much and I’m so glad that my family’s also going to be involved in this because it’s going to change everything for the better.”

Rich House, Poor House airs Sunday night from 9pm on Channel 5

CHICAGO (AP) — It was Yaxel Lendeborg, Elliot Cadeau and Aday Mara. Morez Johnson Jr., Trey McKenney and Nimari Burnett, too. The list goes on and on.

Michigan got it done together, just like it has all season long.

“The biggest focus is playing team basketball,” Lendeborg said. “We thrive off of that.”

Lendeborg scored 27 points, Cadeau had 10 assists and the deep, unselfish Wolverines rolled into the Final Four, overwhelming Tennessee for a 95-62 victory in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.

Johnson added 12 points for Michigan, which has 11 victories this season by at least 30 points. Mara had 11 points and blocked two shots in the Midwest Region final.

Making the most of its size and athleticism on both sides of the court, Michigan (35-3) advanced to its first Final Four since 2018 and ninth overall. Next up is a showdown with fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in Saturday’s national semifinals.

“We always wanted to play against them, that team,” Lendeborg said. “They’re a really, really good team, so it’s going to be a super fun matchup.”

Under second-year coach Dusty May — who took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023 — the Wolverines became the first school to win at least four games in an NCAA tourney by double digits while scoring at least 90 points in each.

“Our guys have been up to the challenge, to deliver in the biggest moments all year, and nothing changed tonight,” May said.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 21 points on 8-of-22 shooting for Tennessee (25-12), which lost in the Elite Eight for the third straight year under Rick Barnes. The 71-year-old coach reached his only Final Four in 2003 with Texas.

Felix Okpara finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for the Volunteers, who shot just 32% (24 of 76) from the field. Each team had 42 rebounds — a major problem for a Tennessee team that usually enjoys an advantage on the glass.

“We certainly know what it takes to get here,” Barnes said. “Now we’ve got to figure out getting through to the next level, and it’s on this day, you’ve got to really be at your best.”

Michigan grabbed control with a 21-0 run in the first half, going from a 16-14 deficit with 11:22 left to a 35-16 lead with 6:10 remaining.

“That’s when our defense started clicking,” Lendeborg said. “We started running out on the break and started doing what we do best, and once that happened, man, I think the game was pretty much called right there.”

Once again, Lendeborg was the conductor of an offensive show for the Wolverines. The 6-foot-9 forward switched hands on a slick reverse layup, then made a no-look pass to Roddy Gayle Jr. for a 3-pointer on a fast break. Then he set up a 3 by Cadeau with 7:52 to go.

After Tennessee made a push to get back in the game, Lendeborg scored on a fast break and found McKenney for a 3 at the end of a 7-0 run that made it 48-26 at halftime.

“We didn’t do a great job cutting off transition,” Okpara said. “I think it was also the point of emphasis going into the game, just kind of taking on the transition game. But we didn’t do a great job with that, so they took advantage of that and they converted.”

It was more of the same in the second half. Mara, a 7-foot-3 center, stepped outside for one of the Wolverines’ 10 3-pointers. The Michigan portion of the United Center crowd cheered wildly when seldom-used reserves Charlie May — the coach’s son — and Oscar Goodman entered for the final few minutes.

Goodman scored with 2:32 left and May made a 3 with 1:02 remaining for Michigan’s final basket.

“Just playing together and understanding that we all need each other to be successful,” said Burnett, who finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. “So making that extra pass, that unselfish play that leads from a good shot to a great shot, I feel like we had a lot of that, especially in the first half that built that lead.

“We like where we are right now at the end of the game.”

Lendeborg, who was named the region’s Most Outstanding Player, was 10 for 19 from the field. He became the first Michigan player to score at least 23 points in three consecutive NCAA Tournament games since Juwan Howard did it in four straight in 1994.

“We all trust each other,” Lendeborg said. “We play hard for each other. We make extra plays for each other. We’re going to do whatever we want for each other. So just being able to make it this far and continuing to want to get more, it means a lot.”

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Venus enters Taurus, shifting the energy towards creative endeavors and home comforts. Approach the day ahead with ease.

Pisces, Aquarius and Gemini, allow the tempo to relax. Be gentle with yourself and embrace the softness that enters your life.

Not everything requires high pressure or intense emotions. Sometimes, the best things come completely naturally.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Monday March 30, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Desire can slow to a luxurious simmer. With Venus entering Taurus, any need to rush toward the next thrill softens into appreciation for what feels solid, sensual and real. You may crave good food, soft fabrics, loyal company and moments that linger. Romance deepens when you show consistency too. This is a time to value what lasts, so invest in comfort and self-worth.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

As luscious Venus sashays into your sign, pleasure becomes a priority and confidence feels natural, not forced. You’ll radiate warmth without trying. Indulge in beauty, pampering, makeovers and meaningful connection, as the mirror is on your side, so trust it. You’re also attractive when you move at your own pace. There’s no rush – let others adjust to your rhythm.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Your tempo softens over the coming weeks. The buzz quiets and pleasure can become more tactile, more grounded and real. You may crave solitude, soft music, long baths and conversations that do not require cleverness. Rest is not boredom, so let yourself move slowly and enjoy it. Romance may feel private or subtle, blooming behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Cancer 22 June – 23 July

Your heart relaxes in the right company. With Venus now warming your tranquil social zone, friendships feel steadier, sweeter and wonderfully reassuring. You’ll crave loyalty over novelty and depth over noise. This is perfect for cosy dinners, nice conversations and linking up with people who feel like home. You do not need to impress anyone – just be fully yourself.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

With Venus lighting up your sector of ambitions from today, charm becomes a key asset. Colleagues notice your stability and your appeal. It’s not about being powerful – it’s about showing up consistently. Polished presentations, thoughtful gestures and patient follow-through win admiration. A creative project gains traction because you make it look effortless.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Venus activates your adventure zone, so exploration is less frantic and more intentional. Think scenic routes, amazing bookstores, art-filled cities and fabulous meals. Romance blooms through shared itineraries or a spontaneous getaway. Learning becomes pleasure rather than pressure. Enjoy wandering and your world will expand gently and meaningfully.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

With Venus entering Taurus in your sector of business, shared assets and deep emotions, trust becomes your real currency. Talk openly about money, effort and expectations. Transparency feels good rather than awkward and a financial arrangement can strengthen if both sides value fairness. Emotionally, bonds deepen through reliability and touch, not through grand gestures.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Relationships become more committed and they’re less about intensity and more about stability. You’ll be looking for loyalty and shared comfort as drama loses its appeal. If you are attached, trust deepens as Venus enters practical Taurus. If single, someone secure and sincere may catch your eye. Plus, business partnerships benefit from patience and mutual respect.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

From today, better coffee, stylish gym clothes and a calmer schedule feel essential, not indulgent. You are more motivated by daily satisfaction than frantic deadlines too. Improve one habit at a time. Small upgrades bring lasting results and, at work, diplomacy and reliability attract appreciation. You’ll find wellness thrives through consistency rather than heroic effort.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 20

It’s time to loosen the tie and relax your serious side. With Venus entering Taurus, fun and pleasure become productive in their own way. Creativity flows when you stop measuring outcomes. Say yes to invitations that make you smile. Hobbies deserve attention too, not just deadlines. You do not have to earn joy – you just allow it, so balance ambition with delight.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 21 to February 19

Comfort becomes a priority and you may want softer lighting, better meals and a living space that is warm rather than functional. A small makeover could shift your mood dramatically. Family ties benefit from patience and practical affection. Stability can be deeply nurturing too. There’s no need to retreat from the world – just build a base that supports your big ideas.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Your voice turns velvety and persuasive now, as words become a pleasure to share and to hear. Conversations naturally slow in the best way, so choose quality dialogue over scattered chats as you’ll listen more deeply and speak more deliberately. A gentle influence is excellent for writing, negotiating or saying what you mean. Siblings or close contacts feature warmly.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of March here.

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“Significant numbers of youths are still gathering in the area and causing distress to members of the public who are simply visiting to shop or meet friends”

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Parents of youths misbehaving in a town centre have been warned they may have to attend police stations as issues continue in the area.

Police say anti-social behaviour continues in Leigh town centre, despite repeated warnings.

Earlier this month, a dispersal order was put in place in a bid to tackle issues in the area – with a second put in place the next week.

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Despite this, police say problems continue, with ‘significant numbers of youths’ gathering and ‘causing distress’.

Now police have warned that letters will be sent to parents of those engaged in anti-social behaviour – with the possibility of having to attend a police station for a meeting.

In an update on Sunday night, March 29, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Youth-related anti-social behaviour continues to impact Leigh Town Centre.

“Despite repeated social media posts warning that groups of young people—both male and female—are engaging in large-scale anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre, significant numbers of youths are still gathering in the area and causing distress to members of the public who are simply visiting to shop or meet friends.

“The Neighbourhood Policing Team is regularly patrolling the town centre and actively using the current Public Spaces Protection Order to issue 24-hour Directions to Leave to offenders. Any young person who refuses to provide their details when asked by officers may be arrested. Parents will then be contacted and required to collect their child from whichever Greater Manchester custody suite they are taken to.

“In addition, letters will be sent home to the parents of all young people dealt with for anti-social behaviour. After three letters, parents will be required to attend the police station for a meeting to discuss an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement.

“Details of all individuals involved will also be shared with Wigan Council, where Tenancy Enforcement Action may be taken when appropriate.

“Once again, we urge parents and guardians to check where their children are going in the evenings and to speak with them about the consequences of this behaviour.

“If you are in the town centre and witness anti-social behaviour—and you recognise any of the young people involved—you can provide names privately by replying to this post. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via CrimeStoppers.

“Please feel free to share this message with friends and family or repost it on your preferred social media platforms.

“Whether or not you visit the town centre regularly, this is still your community. Let’s work together to tackle this behaviour.”

NASA is making final preparations for the historic Artemis II launch with an 80% favourable weather forecast, as teams monitor cloud cover and winds at Kennedy Space Center

The crew at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is completing final preparations ahead of commencing launch countdown procedures for the Artemis II mission, scheduled to lift off no earlier than Wednesday, April 1.

During a countdown status briefing on Sunday (March 29), NASA specialists delivered a progress report on Artemis II launch readiness three days ahead of departure. Amongst considerable anticipation for the forthcoming mission, attention is firmly focused on meteorological conditions and cloud coverage before launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The outlook for launch day indicates an 80% probability of favourable meteorological conditions, with principal worries being cloud coverage and the likelihood of strong winds in the vicinity. Personnel will continue observing the weather over the next few days, reports the Mirror.

Shawn Quinn, programme manager, Exploration Ground Systems, stated: “The one thing we are watching is the weather, and we got a latest forecast from the weather officer from Space Launch Delta 45. The thing we’re watching is cumulus clouds, the Thick Cloud Rule, and also winds.

“So right now we’re forecast to be 80% go on Wednesday afternoon, so that’s good.”

The ‘Thick Cloud Rule’ represents a launch safety requirement prohibiting rocket launches through cloud layers exceeding 4,500 feet (1.4 km) in thickness that extend into freezing temperatures (0C to -20C). It prevents triggering lightning by highly electrified, non-stormy clouds, necessitating a launch postponement to safeguard the vehicle.

READ MORE: NASA announces seven Artemis 2 launch dates as historic moon mission days awayREAD MORE: NASA’s Artemis 2 set to be historic crewed mission to the moon

Mr Quinn said: “This has already been an incredible week with the arrival of our Artmeis II flight crew. As they were pulling up in their aeroplanes, we could actually see the moon in the daylight and it was really really cool.”

A launch countdown pre-test briefing took place on Saturday (March 28), marking the final stage prior to the launch countdown commencing on Monday afternoon.

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“It was one of the cleanest launch countdown pretest briefings we’ve ever had,” Mr Quinn added.

Fellow specialists at the press briefing included Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator of the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, Chris Cianciola, deputy manager of the SLS Programme, and Howard Hu, manager of the Orion Programme.

Dr Lori Glaze said: “We are getting very, very close and we are ready. We held our flight readiness review a couple of weeks ago and since that time, all of our operations have been going very smoothly, it’s been going very well.”

“Our flight systems are ready, the ground systems are ready, our launch and operations team are ready and our flight operations teams are also ready.. The crew arrived yesterday and I know that they are ready, they are more than ready, they can’t wait to get off the ground.”

Chris Cianciola said: “We are incredibly excited to be here. This is our first opportunity to launch humans into deep space in more than 53 years – you think about that.” He continued: “Our teams are working hard to get the rocket ready… The energy and dedication as a team is truly electric. Everybody’s excited – we all recognise the historical significance of this mission. We are still focussed on making sure the rocket is fully prepared and ready to go.”

Howard Hu added: “I am also very excited to be here and representing the entire Orion team. We’ve worked very hard to get to this point… We’ve had our share of work that we need to get done, and when we roll back to the vehicle assembly building, we powered on, and we didn’t have anything that we needed to fix – we did top off our launch report system battery – but there are no issues that we’re working to right now.”

“So, from our perspective, our spaceship is ready to go and fly Reid [Wiseman], Victor [Glover], Jeremy [Hansen] and Christina [Koch] to the moon and back.”

Labour approaches the May 7 elections struggling in the polls and facing challenges from both Reform UK to the right and a resurgent Green Party to the left

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Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to “fight for our values” in a volatile world as he kicks off Labour’s local election campaign on Monday.

Labour approaches the May 7 elections struggling in the polls and facing challenges from both Reform UK to the right and a resurgent Green Party to the left.

But despite predictions of heavy losses, the Prime Minister is expected to begin the campaign urging the country to “stand together” under Labour’s election slogan: “Pride in Britain.”

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He will say: “This is about pride and hope.

“That is the political choice in this election.

“Our opponents respond to this war on two fronts by dividing our communities.

“We meet this test by unlocking the pride that is our communities.”

Joined by deputy leader Lucy Powell and his Cabinet colleagues, Sir Keir is expected to tell the launch event in the West Midlands: “We’re going to fight to earn every vote. Fight for our values. And fight for the country we are building together, a Britain built for all.

“Because, in the context of everything that is happening in the world.

“Those values, that fairness we stand for, it’s never been more important.”

May’s local elections represent a major test for the Prime Minister, with some warning a disastrous result could spell the end of his premiership.

Pollster Lord Robert Hayward warned earlier in March that Labour faced a “very substantial” threat, especially following a series of “absolutely horrendous” council by-election results.

But Sir Keir will hope that a series of measures intended to help with the cost of living, including a lower energy price cap and an increase in the minimum wage, will translate into votes.

He will say: “We meet this moment with hope.

“The hope of an NHS where waiting lists are coming down – and they are.

“The hope of a country where wages for working people are rising – and they are.

“And the hope of a country where poverty is being slashed and our children have a better future – and it is.

“That is what we are building. That is what we are fighting for.”

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Under Labour, Britain isn’t working.

“Rachel Reeves has stifled growth with her tax hikes and economic incompetence.

“Keir Starmer is too distracted by threats from within his own party to focus on his job.

“And Ed Miliband, who is running the country, has sacrificed our energy security on the altar of his net-zero zealotry.

“Labour have nothing to offer hardworking families and businesses other than higher taxes to pay for higher welfare.

“At the local level, council tax is soaring on Labour’s watch, leaving residents paying more and getting less.”

For nearly 44 years, Stephen Housam has worked on Redcar and Cleveland’s Highways Team, with 28 of those spent as a dedicated Highways Inspector.

At 60 years old, he still loves the job just as much as when he started.

The council has four Highways Inspectors looking after over 700 km of highways and 500 km of footpaths across the borough.

Stephen covers Guisborough and much of East Cleveland, including Loftus, Easington, Liverton, Moorsholm, Lingdale, and Boosbeck.

Below, he talks us through a typical day keeping our roads and footpaths safe.

Early morning

My day starts with a cup of tea and a look through my emails.

Before I even set off, I prioritise what needs doing, public reports, complaints, and councillor enquiries, because some things just can’t wait.

I’m in the van by 7.30 am, heading to the most urgent jobs first.

These can range from flooding and safety defects to traffic‑accident damage, trees down, missing manhole covers, potholes, broken kerbs, water leaks, or knocked‑over bollards.

The list is endless.

In the last year, the council has filled in more than 9,000 potholes, with nearly 45,000 being repaired since 2020.

Wherever I can, I call the member of the public back straight away to explain what action we’re taking.

People appreciate being kept in the loop — and it’s important they know their concerns are being dealt with.

Late morning

Once the urgent jobs are under control, I move on to my routine inspections.

These can include checks of busy shopping areas, like Westgate in Guisborough, inspections of the main roads and estates.

This is when I pick up most of the safety defects that need repairing.

I measure everything, record it, and mark it with spray paint so the repair crews can find it easily.

I see myself as a highway’s policeman, however, I’m not looking for criminals — I’m looking for defects on our highways and footpaths and making sure they are repaired.

Early afternoon

When inspections are done, I usually hot‑desk at places like the library or the town hall.

That’s where I log all the defects onto my handheld computer and issue the right work tickets.

Response times vary depending on how serious the issue is, two‑hour or 24‑hour responses for anything dangerous.

If I’m first on the scene, I make it safe with cones or tape until the crew arrives.

Six‑day and 30‑day tickets for issues like potholes, damaged flags, or broken kerbs.

99‑day tickets for non‑urgent tasks, such as replacing old street furniture.

The key thing is that everything gets recorded and acted on.

All the while, emails and phone calls keep coming in.

Being a Highways Inspector means being both reactive and proactive: you’ve got to be ready to drop everything when something serious comes in but also stay on top of the routine work that keeps our roads and footpaths safe.

Late afternoon

By late afternoon, it’s often a race to squeeze everything in before the end of the day.

There’s always something new, another call, another inspection, another situation that needs making safe.

Even after nearly three decades in this role, I still enjoy every part of it.

You meet all sorts of people, and the job gives you a real sense of responsibility and purpose.

And, of course, being outdoors means summer days are the best.

I’ve never dreaded getting up for work, and I’ve no plans to retire yet.

As long as I keep enjoying it, I’ll keep going.

For me, being a Highways Inspector is a job to be proud of.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Carl Quartermain, said:

“Stephen is a real asset to the Council and the Highways Team as well as the communities he serves in Guisborough and East Cleveland.

“His experience, dedication and pride in keeping our roads and footpaths safe shines through in everything he does.

“The work of our Highways Inspectors is vital but often goes unseen, and Stephen’s commitment over the last four decades is something we really appreciate.”

A strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia resulted in 12 injured American service members and new images show a number of destroyed US aircrafts at the base

An Iranian strike that wounded US troops at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia also damaged multiple aircrafts including a US command and control aircraft.

The attack took place some 60 miles south of the capital of Riyadh in the early hours of Friday March 27 and is said to have involved a coordinated precision barrage of at least one Iranian ballistic missile and several attack drones. According to reports, 12 American service members were injured in the attack, with at least two in serious condition.

Pictures in the aftermath of the strike show an E-3 Sentry aircraft appears to have been split in two at the base which is a major operating location for US Air Force platforms during the war.

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BBC news has confirmed the photos were taken at the Prince Sultan air base as features seen in the pictures, including pylons, storage units and markings on paved areas, matched with satellite imagery. The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported that at least two US refuelling aircraft were also damaged.

On Sunday Iran’s IRGC-linked Fars news agency said a Shahed drone had struck the E-3 aircraft.

In one of the verified pictures the aircraft’s tail number is visible. Using this we checked flight-tracking site Flightradar24 which showed it was airborne near the base on 18 March. A satellite image taken on Friday appears to show a fire on the air base apron, about 1,600m (5,200ft) east of the E-3. It is not clear whether this was part of the same attack in which the aircraft seen in these pictures was damaged.

What is the E‑3 Sentry?

The E-3 Sentry is an Airborne Warning and Control System-modified Boeing 707 aircraft. Its radar provides 360-degree surveillance across a 250-mile radius, allowing it to detect aircraft, drones, and missile launches. It’s been extensively used in military operations since the 1970s.

The US Air Force had around 30 E-3 Sentry aircraft, with Boeing having delivered the last one in 1992. But as the platform struggles to maintain readiness, the USAF has cut the fleet almost in half to 16 aircraft. Of those, six were sent to the Middle East ahead of the war.

While the platform is nearing the end of its lifetime, it continues to serve as an airborne command post, linking fighters, bombers, and ground commanders into a unified operational picture throughout the region during the war.

US Central Command has not publicly commented on the incident. The Mirror has contacted them for comment.