Fire crews are battling a massive blaze mere hours after the fire service issued an urgent wildfire warning for the weekend

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Fire crews are battling a wildfire in Aberdeen mere hours after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) issued an urgent bushfire warning for the region across the coming weekend.

Six firefighting appliances and specialist vehicles were dispatched to the brushfire at nature reserve Kincorth Hill on Thursday evening, April 23.

Emergency services rushed to the nature reserve, known locally as ‘The Gramps”, after receiving calls that alerted them to the fire shortly after 6pm. Smoke could be seen stretching for miles over the Scottish city, while nearby residents took to social media to report they were “choking” on the fumes and the smell of burning, according to The Sun.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’ve received a call regarding an incident at Gramps on Kincorth Hill in Aberdeen.

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Crews were still at the scene in Aberdeen two hours later, according to an update shared by the SFRS at 8:40pm advised nearby residents “to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution”.

The Gramps overlooks Scotland’s ‘Silver City’, and offers panoramic views of the city, the North Sea, and the surrounding countryside.

Mere hours before the wildfire broke out, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF), issued wildfire warnings for large areas of Scotland for the coming weekend, spanning Western Scotland and “Central and Eastern Scotland.

The SFRS warning states: “Western Scotland: starting Thursday, 23 April, there is a very high risk of wildfire. From Friday, 24 April to Sunday, 26 April, the warning will increase to an extreme risk of wildfire.

“Central and Eastern Scotland: from Friday, 24 April to Sunday, 26 April there will be a very high risk of wildfire. “

Head of Prevention and Protection for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deputy assistant chief officer Kenny Barbour said: “Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.

“People living in the impacted areas should avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread, causing a large amount of damage. Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire.”

Mr Barbour added: “Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors. And if anyone spots a large outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”

Wildfires are usually sparked by humans, with only a spark needed to start a wildfire. A cigarette butt out of a car window or coals from an unextinguished campfire are prime examples of intended fire starters.

BBC Scotland weather presenter Gillian Smart echoed concerns from Scottish fire crews, confirming that conditions this week are ideal conditions for wildfires.

“The current dry spell – combined with strong sunshine at this time of year, and the brisk winds we’ve had at times this week – make for a dangerous mix in terms of wildfire risk,” she said, as per the BBC.

“All of these factors can really dry out vegetation.”

She added: “Spring generally presents ideal conditions for wildfires, with the combination of new growth and typically drier ground. And with high pressure remaining in charge into next week, and very little rain in the forecast, the risk will be ongoing.”

Last month, the Scottish government warned that the northern nation was facing a grim wildfire season, with a ban on campfires and barbecues introduced in early April to the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands in an attempt to reduce the fire threat.

Peter McGee has applied for planning permission to build a two-storey extension at the Griffin pub on Bader Avenue and Newton Avenue, Thornaby.

It is proposed to extend the “public house and retail development”, which also includes a Morrisons Daily store and a Pizza & Co takeaway, with five retail units at the ground floor, nine offices on the first floor and a reconfigured car park and service yard.

“Careful consideration has been given to the proposed development in terms of scale, character and general external appearance in order to ensure that the established street scene and local setting is respected and not unduly compromised,” says Rod Hepplewhite, principal planning consultant for Prism Planning, the developer’s agent, in a planning statement.

He said the car park would be “reconfigured and extended” to 51 spaces, including six accessible spaces, with an extended services area, storage for 14 bicycles and a new access from Bader Avenue to serve pub customers.

“The existing access from Newton Drive is to be widened and improved and a new access to the south is to be created, providing car parking for the retail units and the offices,” he added.

The developer says the site is the “preferable location” for the proposals, with no vacant units at other nearby shop parades, with three empty units in Thornaby town centre described as too large for the businesses.

It says the development will have a “positive economic impact” and provide construction, contractor, manufacturing, fit-out and retail work, describing the development as “visually attractive” and “a safe, inclusive and accessible building”.

The statement adds: “The proposed development will add to the vitality and vibrancy of the locality and provide enhanced local facilities for the local population… The surrounding area is lacking local facilities such as hairdressers, barbers, chemists, florists, greengrocers, butchers, bakers/confectioners, café or bookmakers.

“The proposed building, representing an extension to the existing buildings, is of a design and appearance in tune with and sympathetic to the existing buildings… It is not considered that the proposed building would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

It says neighbouring areas passed the “overshadowing to gardens and open spaces test”.  It also argues the scheme would not harm road safety or traffic, adding: “It is not considered that the proposed development would be a significant trip generator and that the proposed commodious parking arrangements would be more than adequate.

“Overall, it is considered that there are no adverse impacts associated with the proposed development which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal.”

Village ward Councillor Mick Moore has objected to the plan on grounds including loss of privacy overlooking into back gardens and rooms, loss of natural light to nearby properties, overdevelopment of a small car park, traffic and parking on surrounding estate roads “as access to the rear of the shopping precinct will be restricted” and “due to the loss of parking bays on the Griffin car park”.

He said previous similar applications had been rejected on these grounds, while the developer’s statement said the company previously put in plans for a two-storey extension with three shops and 21 “self-contained residential units” in 2021, but that proposal was withdrawn.

Humberside Police said the woman, who was a passenger in a Ford Fiesta travelling down Roman Road (A166) in Stamford Bridge when she was involved in a crash with a white Mercedes, died at the scene yesterday (Wednesday, April 22).

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A force spokesperson said: “It is reported at around 2.30pm, a Ford Fiesta was travelling down the A166 and, for reasons that are still unknown, has driven into the opposing carriageway and collided with a white Mercedes van near the junction with Dolegate.”

The crash happened close to the A166 junction with Dolegate (Image: Google Maps)

They added: “Emergency services attended and the road was closed to allow them to work safely.

“The driver of the Ford Fiesta, an 81-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.

“Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances around the collision, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to please contact 101 quoting log 280 of 22 April.”

The DWP has confirmed early state pension and benefit payment dates for May 2026 as the UK prepares for two Bank Holidays

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the dates when millions of people across Britain should anticipate receiving their benefit and pension payments during the forthcoming bank holidays. Next month sees two bank holidays in the UK: the early May Bank Holiday, falling on Monday, May 4, and the spring Bank Holiday on Monday, May 25.

Because of these bank holidays, the DWP has confirmed that any payments scheduled for either date will be issued earlier than usual. GOV.UK states: “Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a Bank Holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.”

Anyone expecting a payment on Monday, May 4, will receive their funds on Friday, May 1 instead.

Those awaiting their payment on Monday, May 25 should anticipate it arriving on Friday, May 22.

Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payments, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, and Attendance Allowance will all be distributed ahead of schedule, reports the Express.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to understand that these early Bank Holiday payments will not affect subsequent payment dates. These will continue to be issued on their regular schedule.

Should a payment fail to arrive on the anticipated date, claimants are encouraged to verify their bank account and online DWP account before getting in touch with the department.

Those needing to contact Universal Credit can ring their helpline on 0800 328 5644 from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, excluding public holidays. The same applies to state pension payments, with anyone expecting theirs on Monday, May 4 receiving it on Friday, May 1 instead. Those anticipating payment on May 25will get it on May 22.

The day pensioners typically receive their payment is determined by the final two digits of their National Insurance number.

Those with numbers ending 00 to 19 are paid on Mondays, 20 to 39 on Tuesdays, 40 to 59 on Wednesdays, 60 to 79 on Thursdays and 80 to 99 on Fridays.

Proposals had been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to provide the properties on 23.5 hectares of agricultural land to the north of Elwick Road and south of Worset Lane.

The outline application, from Hartlepool-based Cecil M Yuill, stated the scheme would be the third phase of the Quarry Farm housing development.

It also included a local centre comprising 400sqm of retail units and areas of open space.

In total 26 objections had been submitted to the council from residents raising concerns over the proposals.

Worries were voiced around “inadequate” road infrastructure, congestion, noise and traffic, impact on countryside, trees, fields and wildlife, and the lack of demand for the properties.

The application went before the local authority’s planning committee yesterday (Wednesday, April 22) for a final verdict after councillors previously twice deferred making a decision.

The panel decided by majority vote to approve the application, which was in line with recommendations from planning officers.

Their report stated: “It is anticipated that a scale of development could come forward that would achieve a satisfactory form that would not adversely impact upon the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”

The approval will be subject to the completion of a section 106 legal agreement securing more than £8million from the developer to mitigate the impacts of the scheme.

This includes more than £5million towards highway infrastructure, more than £1.4million for primary school provision and just under £1million for secondary education.

It will also ensure seven per cent of the properties provided are classed affordable homes.

The scheme will include two distinct parcels of residential development separated by an existing “local wildlife site” which will be retained and “enhanced” by the application.

Each section will feature a village green and a children’s play area.

Meanwhile a new vehicular entrance into the site will be taken from Elwick Road.

A statement from JW Planning said the development will provide “significant direct economic benefits for the town and its residents”.

It adds: “The introduction of additional population in this location will generate significant increased levels of expenditure in the town

“It will also provide a mix of high quality 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed houses, including a proportion of bungalows, in a high-quality landscaped setting which will meet the needs of present and future generations.”

She also said that Ms Jarman believed that the disclosures were “neither necessary nor reasonable”, but that Countess Spencer “has asserted, and continues to assert, that it was entirely justified and legitimate for her to tell everyone she did that the claimant had MS in the context of discussing the breakdown of her marriage”.

The application, which goes before North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area planning committee on Tuesday, seeks permission for the outdoor courts and a social area already built at the David Lloyd Harrogate gym in Oakdale Place.

A previous application was rejected last September due to concerns over noise and the impact on local ecology.

To address these issues, the leisure company has proposed mitigation measures, including four-metre acoustic barriers and upgraded “asymmetric” lighting designed to reduce spill into the nearby Oak Beck wildlife corridor.

The report notes the site sits within flood zones two and three, meaning it is at a high risk from river flooding.

A test is required to prove such developments in these zones cannot be placed in lower-risk areas, but the report notes that the applicant only looked at alternative spots within their own grounds.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting by council planners admits this represents a policy conflict, but they say the benefits to community health are so clear, that this is not a key issue.

The proposal has divided opinion in the community, with the council receiving 175 letters of support and 34 objections.

Supporters praised the “inclusivity” of the sport, while neighbours on Norwood Grove and Oakdale Glen raised fears over the “sharp, repetitive and intrusive” noise of padel rackets.

To protect residents, officers have recommended new operating hours from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 7pm on Sundays.

Recommending approval, case officer Lisa Alder concluded that the revisions are sufficient to ensure the courts “would not result in unacceptable harm to neighbouring amenity or ecology”.

A manhunt was launched to try and locate the man before he was found dead

A man was found dead the day after he killed his partner at their Cambridgeshire home, an inquest has heard. An inquest into the death of Cody Parker, 27, was held today (Thursday, April 23) at Vantage House in Huntingdon, led by Coroner Elizabeth Grey.

The inquest concluded that Cody died of hanging, after he was found in a toilet cubicle at Hinchingbrooke Hospital at around 6am on February 27, 2025. Before Cody was found, Cambridgeshire Police launched a manhunt for him.

Cody’s partner, Simone Smith, 35, was found dead at the couple’s flat in Saunders Close, Huntingdon at around 5pm on February 26. Police tried to locate Cody as it was concluded that he murdered Simone.

In her conclusion, Coroner Grey said that Cody was “responsible for the death of his partner and went on to take his own life”. She added that it was not for the inquest court to “determine why he took the actions he did” on February 26.

Before the inquest’s conclusion, Coroner Grey recounted the events leading to when Cody was found. Cody was due to appear in court on February 25 at around 2.30pm.

The reason he was due to appear in court was not heard, but Coroner Grey said it would have “put him on the sex offenders register”. The court then heard that 11.13am on February 25 was the last time Simone spoke to her mum.

Cody went to stay at his mum’s house at around 11pm on February 25, and left at around 2pm the next day on February 26. During this time, Simone’s mum called the police to report that she was worried that she hadn’t heard from her daughter, and said it was “out of character for her”.

Police attempted to contact Simone and Cody on February 26, but received no response. At around 5pm on February 26, police “forced entry” to the couple’s flat and found Simone dead. A manhunt was then launched to locate Cody.

From a police report read out, the court heard that Cody and Simone had been in a relationship for “several years” and there had been “no history of abuse”.

Appearing in court was Simone’s sister Karina, who wished for her surname to not be included, Karina’s partner and a representative from Peterborough Women’s Aid. Coroner Grey asked if Karina would like to say anything in court, but Karina told the court it was “difficult enough”.

Appearing remotely were Cody’s parents and auntie. Before concluding the inquest, Coroner Grey read out a note from Cody’s mum in which she sent her “condolences to the family of Simone”.

The inquest into Simone’s death has not yet been held, and the coroners confirmed that no date has been set for it. Cambridgeshire Police also confirmed the investigation into Simone’s death had been closed.

LNER has submitted proposals to upgrade  the men’s loos next to Platform 12 at Newcastle Central Station, which it says are being constantly vandalised.

It comes after complaints last year about the poor state of the toilets, which date back to the 1890s and  were reopened in 2021 following a restoration project.

The men’s toilets next to platform 12 at Newcastle Central Station, which are to be refurbished. Photo: AHR / LNER. Free to reuse for all LDR partners.

The Rev Mark Edwards MBE told the Local Democracy Reporting Service last year that he had been left “physically nauseated” during a visit to the station and described the toilets as “shocking and unhygienic”.

Having pledged to press ahead with another refurbishment, LNER has now applied to Newcastle City Council for permission to carry out a major overhaul of the loos.

Their plans include a “deep clean” of the room, new wash basins, toilets with auto-flush sensors, and individual urinals to replace the existing communal trough.

Documents submitted to city planners say that the existing toilets have become a “constant maintenance and repair issue for the station team and are constantly being damaged”, with seats broken off and chains stolen.

LNER’s plans also include a new fresh air ventilation system to “remove stale air and provide clean air to all cubicles and the urinals”, as well as repairs to timber cubicle doors and frames. 

Their planning application states: “The condition of the existing gentlemen’s toilet area on Platform 12 has deteriorated with constant use and is now in need of repair and restoration.

As such, there is a strong requirement to refurbish the area and deliver facilities that meet modern passenger standards while ensuring that the area remains sympathetic to the building’s historic character and Grade I Listed status.”

The application adds:“Our designs will aim to provide simple proposals that can be implemented in a manner that has minimal effect to the building’s heritage yet is effective in addressing the need for improved toilet facilities to the station. Complaints from passengers using the toilets is commonplace at the station and exemplify the need for refurbishments and repairs.”