Former Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly and BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay put on a united front at an event following the announcement of their separation last week

Amanda Holden has said Tess Daly and Vernon Kay’s split appears to be the “most amicable separation ever” after the pair were spotted at Pub in the Park over the weekend. The outing marked the first time they had been seen together since announcing their shock split after 23 years of marriage last week.

In pictures from the event, the former couple appeared all smiles as they mingled with fellow guests and posed for photos with fans.

Speaking on Heart Radio Breakfast, Ashley Roberts shared details about her time at the festival, prompting her co-star Jamie Theakston to comment: “Nice to see Vernon and Tess Daly there together.”

After Ashley went quiet after his comment, Amanda, who has reportedly been a close friend of Tess for many years, shared her thoughts.

“I think it’s the most amicable separation ever,” she said, before Jamie replied: “Good for them.”

“They’re friends and they’re showing everybody how it’s done I love them both,” the Britain’s Got Talent judge added.

Advertisement

An onlooker at the event said of Tess and Vernon’s appearance together: “Tess and Vernon seemed super-relaxed in each other’s company despite the news of their split.

“It’s clear to see that they are still very much happy around one another and there’s been none of this messy split business. They chatted to fans, posed for selfies and had a well-earned boogie,” they added to The Sun.

The pair announced their separation in a joint statement shared on their respective Instagram pages, writing: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.”

Tess and Vernon went on to say the decision had “not been an easy choice”, but came “from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us”.

They added that they “remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority”.

The presenters met at a BBC Christmas party while working in the same TV circles. After romance blossomed, they tied the knot in 2003 and went on to have two daughters, Phoebe and Amber.

Speaking to the Daily Mail following their split, Vernon’s father Norman said: “It’s an amicable split, and there is no bad blood between them.

“They have just gone in different directions, that’s all. Sometimes these things happen for the better and this is one of those cases.”

Shutting down suggestions that another person may have been involved in their decision to separate, he added: “That’s absolutely rubbish. He’s not interested in finding anyone else at the moment, and there is nobody else involved.”

Use our interactive widget to fill your car for less

The cheapest place in Greater Manchester to fill up your car with petrol is at a Costco Wholesale garage in Stretford.

According to the latest data supplied by retailers, a driver in an average family car could save up to £12 by filling up at this forecourt – compared to the most expensive petrol station.

The Costco Wholesale garage on Barton Dock Road in Trafford Park is charging motorists 147.9p per litre, which means it would cost £96 to fill up an average 55 litre tank. This is based on a feed of live petrol prices which is published by the government.

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

Here are the cheapest places to top your car with petrol today:

• 147.9p – Costco Wholesale, Barton Dock Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M41 7PP
• 147.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 148.9p – Texaco, Horwich Service Station, Bolton, BL6 6DT
• 148.9p – Texaco, Lime Service Station, Manchester, M28 3NS
• 149.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA
• 149.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Manchester, M46 0AG
• 149.9p – Tesco, Mansell Way, Bolton, BL6 6JS
• 149.9p – Asda, Brackley Street, Bolton, BL4 9DT
• 149.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 149.9p – Sainsbury’s, Parsonage Retail Park, Leigh, WN7 5SJ

The most expensive filling station in Greater Manchester is a Shell station on Dunham Road in Altrincham. The cost of standard petrol at this station is 165.9p, meaning it would cost a total of £108 to fill up an average family car at this forecourt.

For the owners of diesel cars, the cheapest place to fill up is also the Costco Wholesale garage in Trafford Park. The cost of a litre of standard diesel at this forecourt is 174.9p, according to prices supplied by retailers.

Here are the cheapest places to fill up your car with standard diesel today:

• 174.9p – Costco Wholesale, Barton Dock Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M41 7PP
• 175.9p – Texaco, Lime Service Station, Manchester, M28 3NS
• 176.9p – Costco Wholesale, The Broadway, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 8AU
• 177.9p – Esso, 240 Warrington Road, Wigan, WN3 6PF
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Stalybridge, SK15 2BJ
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Extra, Leigh, WN7 4BA
• 177.9p – Tesco, Tesco Stores Ltd, Manchester, M46 0AG
• 177.9p – Asda, Brackley Street, Bolton, BL4 9DT
• 177.9p – Valero, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 1PD
• 177.9p – Tesco, Manchester Rd, Manchester, M43 6TQ

You can use our interactive widget to find out the price of fuel at the petrol stations near you.

UK drivers are currently paying 158.8p per litre of petrol, while people who own diesel vehicles are paying 188.0p on average.

In Greater Manchester, owners of petrol cars are currently being charged 3.4p less than the national average of 158.8p. Diesel car drivers in the region are paying 4.3p less than the national average.

The cheapest place to buy petrol in the country is at a Blakenhall Service Station garage in Wolverhampton, where a litre of standard petrol is 147.6p. The most expensive petrol station in the country is an Esso garage in Warrington, where motorists are charged 184.9p a litre.

The prices quoted are for standard grade petrol (E10) and for standard grade diesel (B7).

The figures are supplied by the major retailers under a scheme operated by the government to ensure motorists are given a fair deal at the petrol pumps.

The low-cost airline pointed to ongoing conflict in the Middle East and related economic uncertainty as key factors pressuring prices and demand.

While it has hedged 80 per cent of its fuel needs, the cost of the remaining 20 per cent has surged.

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, said: “Pricing in recent weeks has eased somewhat in response to economic uncertainty caused by higher oil prices, the fear of fuel shortages, and the risk of inflation adversely impacting consumer spending.”

Ryanair FY26 Results = €2.26BN profit after tax (+40% vs FY25)

✈️ Traffic up 4% to record 208M
✈️ Rev. per pax up 7%
✈️ Earnings insulated; cost advantage reinforced with 80% of FY27 jet fuel hedged at $67/bbl.

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) May 18, 2026

Despite booking a 36 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to €2.42 billion (£2.1bn) in the year to March 31, and a 40 per cent increase in underlying after-tax profits to €2.26bn (£1.96bn), the airline said it was “far too early” to provide guidance for the current financial year.

The carrier now expects first-quarter fares to fall by a “mid-single digit” percentage, with no growth forecast between July and September.

Mr O’Leary said: “The conflict in the Middle East has created economic uncertainty and we still don’t know when the Strait of Hormuz will reopen.

“Despite this, Europe remains relatively well supplied with jet-fuel, with significant volumes sourced from west Africa, the Americas and Norway.”

Bookings are increasingly being made at the last minute, though overall demand remains “robust,” according to the airline.

Ryanair plans to carry 216 million passengers by March 2027, reflecting year-on-year growth of four per cent.

The board and Mr O’Leary are close to finalising a four-year contract extension for the CEO, from the end of March 2028.

The proposed extension includes 10 million shares awards, contingent on achieving “very ambitious profit after tax or share price growth targets.”

It said: “These discussions have almost concluded and engagement with the group’s largest institutional shareholders will commence in the coming days.”

Are you worried about going abroad this summer? Let us know in the comments

REALITY TV star Matilda Draper sizzled as she stripped off to a yellow bikini on holiday in Ibiza.

The 25-year-old split from her TOWIE boyfriend Roman Hackett back in March and fans were quick to point out how stunning the star was looking in her “single era.”

Brunette bombshell Matilda flaunted her incredible abs as she posed on a balcony in the famous party isle.

The TV personality put on a busty display in a beautiful yellow bikini and gold belly chain.

She surely to sent pulses racing in the sexy ensemble as she gave the camera a sultry pout.

Matilda stunned as she pulled her locks back from her face, soaking up the last few rays as the sunset.

Read more on Matilda Draper

Advertisement

MAT’S NOT ON

Love Island’s Matilda Draper hits back at trolls after Roman Hackett split

Advertisement

LIKING WHAT HE SEES

Towie’s Roman Hackett likes sexy bikini vid of ex Matilda despite split

Advertisement

In another snap, Matilda flashed a smile as she showed of her enviable physique.

The star donned a pair of pink lensed Miu Miu sunglasses as she prepared for a night out on the town.

Matilda was spotted wearing a matching pair of plaid low-waisted trousers as she posed next to her pal Albie in a mirror at their hotel.

The pair went on a boozy night out at a beach club as Matilda was seen flashing her middle finger and kicking her leg up in the air as she laid on a sofa.

It seems the star is living it up post break up and fans were quick to applaud her.

One fan penned: “Entering her hot single era,” followed by three heart eye emojis.

Another fan wrote: “I’m actually obsessed with you.”

Meanwhile, her Love Island pal Uma said: “OH SHE’S SEXAAAAAY.”

Matilda and Roman, 23, went Instagram official in December 2024 but parted ways earlier this year after just over a year together.

The split left fans baffled as the pair looked very loved-up on social media.

A source told The Sun at the time: “Matilda is absolutely devastated about the split.

“They tried for a while to make things work but they aren’t together any more.”

Content creator Peter Green visited former Manchester United footballer David Beckham’s favourite pie shop to see what it was really like

A man who sampled David Beckham’s favourite pie and mash establishment was left with a one-word verdict. Content creator Peter Green decided to visit Tony’s Pie and Mash shop to discover why the former Manchester United star is so fond of it.

David, 51, is said to take pride in his East London roots and has even been spotted bringing son Romeo out for a meal at the Waltham Cross establishment. Peter, known as GreenoEats online, opted for the pie, mash and liquor – a parsley sauce – along with pie, mash and gravy.

His bill totalled just £17.45 including a cup of tea and a pudding. Peter chose to tuck into his pie and liquor first, accompanied by chilli vinegar and black pepper.

Sampling the mash, he commended it for being “good and thick” without feeling “lumpy”. “That pepper and little bit of chili vinegar, that hits the spot, it really does hit the spot,” he said in a video.

He was soon making his way through the minced beef pie. Peter said: “Comfort food at its finest.

“The liquor has that lovely parsley taste, it’s got the kind of thick…it’s a bit gelatinous the sauce, kind of gloopy, but the flavour of it just works.” When it came to the beef mince pie, he delivered one straightforward verdict – “phenomenal”.

Having tried the liquor, Peter proceeded to sample the gravy, comparing the selection of sauces to a north/south divide. After working through his meal, he said: “That’s a really nice, rich, flavoursome gravy that.

“It’s really thick, a similar consistency to the liquor, it’s got a really good flavour, like an onion gravy without the onion in it. If you got that in a chippy, you’d be really happy.”

Peter described it as a “tough call” when attempting to decide whether he preferred liquor or gravy with his pie and mash. The content creator rounded off his meal with a school cake and custard, referring to it as “proper traditional grub”.

He said: “The actual quality of the pie and mash was really good. The pies themselves, lovely and soft on the bottom, crispy on the top, you can actually ask for more burnt ones as well, if that’s your thing and you want it really, really crispy, that burnt flavour no problem.”

When weighing up if he preferred liquor or gravy, Peter concluded: “Overall, I think I preferred the liquor, it just adds a little bit more lightness to it. The gravy was great, that’s the sort of thing I would probably be more likely to make at home.”

Former England star Sir David isn’t the only famous face to have enjoyed a trip to Tony’s Pie and Mash either. Television hardman Danny Dyer has previously spoken fondly of the shop, which also caters for his beloved West Ham United.

When asked about his favourite restaurant by Rolling Stone, the Rivals star said: “I’m very much a basic man so it would be Tony’s Pie and Mash Shop from Waltham Abbey. I have a double double, loads of liquor, laced with chili vinegar, that’s important, and white pepper.

“It’s a lovely restaurant in Waltham Abbey and it hasn’t changed for like 100 years. It’s the same tiles and little benches. There’s nothing quite like a f*****g pie and mash to start your day.”

It’s party time with a new processions and family fun day in Overtoun Park.

Rutherglen is set to enjoy a major new outdoor celebration as part of the town’s 900th anniversary celebrations.

‘Striding the Streets’ will kick off with a free community parade on Saturday, June 13, followed by a ‘Party in the Park’ event later that day.

Organisers from the Rutherglen 900 group hope to revive the spirit of Rutherglen’s historic parade traditions for a new generation, bringing together local people, artists, schools and community organisations.

Councillor Robert Brown, chair of Rutherglen 900, urged local people to come out to cheer the parade and support the event in the park.

He said: “This is a huge opportunity for local people to show their pride in the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen and its amazing 900-year-old history – and to enjoy themselves at the same time.”

A lively public procession will stride from Fernhill Road/Blairbeth Road junction to Broomieknowe Road/ Rodger drive and culminate in Overtoun Park.

The parade will set off at 2pm and feature over 100 local people, host Jack McGinty, travelling music from Oi Musica, giant horse puppets by Puppet Club, a new R900 community banner, school-designed flags and appearances from mascot Dougie the Pigeon.

Residents are invited to cheer on the procession along the route before making their way to Overtoun Park for a free afternoon of live music, performances and family activity.

From 2.45pm, Party in the Park will offer a packed programme led by a high-energy opening from eclectic big band Oi Musica, bold choreography from international dance artists Vince Virr and Aishwarya Patil, performances from Rutherglen 900 Schools Choir and Cambuslang and Rutherglen Rock and Pop Chorus, with a headline appearance from acclaimed folk music star Siobhan Miller and her trio.

The afternoon will build to a finale from Kings Park Brass Band performing a new R900 song, alongside the chance to meet Clydesdale horses up close, and enjoy workshops, walkabout performances and creative activities across the park.

Local event partners Grow 73 and Overtoun Park Bowling Club are also open on the day, with additional food vendors and accessible public toilets available.

Created as part of the wider Rutherglen 900 programme, Striding the Streets has grown out of local consultation and collaboration with schools, community groups, artists and partner organisations across the town.

The wider Rutherglen 900 programme has been developed to celebrate the people, heritage and future of Rutherglen throughout its anniversary year. Audiences can attend for free, with no ticket required.

More information is available on where to watch the parade and what’s on at rutherglen900.com.

The parade is intended to be watched safely from the pavement and designated public viewing points rather than followed behind. Organisers kindly ask audiences not to join the procession.

READ MORE: Rutherglen exhibition highlights creativty of local artistsREAD MORE: Schoolchildren show off dance moves and creative skills to mark Rutherglen 900 anniversary

Cllr Brown added: “This Novocentenary year we have a Landemer Fortnight with Landemer Day events on Saturday, June 6, and Striding the Streets the following Saturday, June 13.

“Watch out too for other Landemer events including the Mortified Monies lunch, the model railway exhibition, the walking tours and the heritage bus events.

“There is something for everyone but particularly for the children and young people. Older people too will see echoes of the Landemer festivals of the past.

“Our grateful thanks to Creative Scotland who have funded the event and to our other partners on the day. Let’s party.”

■ ‘Striding the Streets’ takes place on Saturday, June 13.

■ The parade starts at 2pm from Fernhill Road/Blairbeth Road junction to Broomieknowe Road/ Rodger drive and culminates in Overtoun Park.

■ The parade ends in Overtoun Park, where Party in the Park runs from approximately 2.45pm until 5pm.

■ The event is free, unticketed, and family-friendly.

■ Rutherglen 900 is a community-led initiative created to celebrate the town’s 900th anniversary across 2026.

■ Core event funding for Striding the Streets is provided by Creative Scotland, with additional support from Healthy ‘n’ Happy, Feral, Specsavers, Clyde Gateway and South Lanarkshire Council.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: Knife yob avoids prison after scaring man at train station

ELITE divers have resumed a gruelling operation to recover five Italian tourists – amid a desperate scramble to stop sharks eating their bodies.

The perilous mission to recover the missing divers – which has been hampered by severe weather – has already left one rescue worker dead.

On Monday, three Finnish cave divers joined the high-risk recovery operation, which has so far only located one body.

Sami Paakkarinen, Jenni Westerlund, and Patrik Grönqvist have now arrived in the paradise archipelago to help local authorities.

The elite trio can dive to depths of nearly 500ft, giving them much more flexibility to search the difficult cave complex.

Advertisement

The unit, which was assembled in 48 hours and dispatched by DAN Europe – a diving safety organisation – will be searching the Alimatha cave complex near the Vaavu Atoll.

CAVE RISK

Top diver reveals chilling details of Maldives cave tragedy after limit ‘ignored’

Advertisement

Advertisement

FATAL DIVE

Diver dies during hunt for Italians who drowned in Maldives as death toll hits 6

Advertisement

Paakkarinen, who has been cave diving since 2004, and Grönqvist, gained international renown for their role in recovering surviving divers in the 2014 Plura incident in Norway.

The divers have worked on some of the world’s most difficult missions.

Laura Marroni, CEO of the European diving network, told La Stampa: “We’ll bring them back. We can’t leave them at the mercy of the sharks. We need experts here.”

Advertisement

The one body that has been recovered was found in Thinwana Kandu cave, also known as the “Shark Cave”.

Fears are mounting that the remaining four holidaymakers may be scavenged before recovery workers reach them.

There were 20 other tourists on the Duke of York yacht when the tragedy unfolded.

The group have now returned home after landing at Malpensa Airport in Italy.

Advertisement

They departed from the capital, Malé, and stopped in Dubai before arriving in Italy.

So far, only one body of the five Italian divers has been recovered on Friday, Maldivian authorities confirmed.

They said: “The body was recovered from about 60 metres deep from inside a cave structure.”

Authorities added: “It is assumed that the rest of the divers would also be inside this cave which is about 200 feet in length.”

Advertisement

Five scuba divers on a university research trip went missing on Thursday morning – with only one body recovered so far.

The divers were led by the highly-experienced diver and renowned marine biologist Monica Montefalcone and boat captain Gianluca Benedetti.

They were joined by Monica’s daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenino, and marine biologist Federico Gualtieri.

The death of a Maldivian military rescue diver on Saturday highlighted the mission’s extreme danger – with the total death toll rising to six.

Advertisement

Sergeant-major Mohamed Mahudhee, died on Saturday from decompression illness, prompting the MNDF to temporarily suspend the recovery effort which has been taking place in rough weather and sea conditions.

It has since been revealed that the Duke of York yacht, from which they launched the expedition, did not have a permit allowing dives of more than 100ft.

A former military diver claimed that “rules were broken” in the high-risk cave – questioning why the group were allowed on the mission in the first place.

Shafraz Naeem, a veteran of the Maldives National Defence Force, said:  “The authorities have confirmed that the operator exceeded the Maldives’ recreational depth limit of 30 metres and conducted the dives without the necessary permits.

Advertisement

“Everyone knows the rules were broken; they didn’t even have a permit to conduct research at those depths.”

The ex-diver is very familiar with the caves and described the complex series of tunnels.

The entrance to the cave is between 180 to 190ft, nearly double what the permit allowed, and extends down to 330ft.

It forks into different tunnels, and soon becomes pitch-black.

Advertisement

Naeem said: “Even the most experienced divers can face considerable challenges in such environments.”

He believes that the Italian team died due to a combination of factors and stressed that just one “unexpected event can quickly turn into tragedy” at those depths.

GOLF fans need to make the bucket-list trip to witness The Masters at Augusta at least once in their lifetime. 

The most prestigious event in the sporting calendar is calling, and you could be walking beside the hallowed, emerald-green fairways of Augusta National. 

See The Masters in 2027

Rory McIlroy, 36, made it back-to-back wins in Augusta with a brilliant display to see off the likes of Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler. 

And you could be there to see if the Ryder Cup star can make it a three-peat among the azaleas.

MVP Travel has unveiled its ultimate 2027 Masters packages, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the battle for the Green Jacket in person.

Based in the vibrant city of Columbia, South Carolina, these expertly curated tours provide the perfect base for your pilgrimage. 

ONE ‘EK OF A DEAL

Play golf at stunning Turkey resort for 7 nights and flights for £850

Advertisement

Advertisement

MAJ-ESTIC

Play Majorca’s iconic golf course on budget-friendly 7-night break for under £600

Advertisement

See The Masters in 2027

Key Trip Information:

• ✈️ — Flights: Return flights from London Heathrow to the USA included
• 💰 — Price: 3 nights From £7,280pp – Based on double occupancy
• 🏨 — Accommodation: Columbia Marriott Hotel, South Carolina
• ⛳ — Highlight: Guaranteed official Masters badges

Whether you want to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the practice rounds, feel the tension of the opening days, or hear the legendary Augusta Roars on Sunday afternoon, there is a package tailored for every type of enthusiast.

This premium experience includes return flights from London Heathrow and a three-night or four-night stay at the centrally located Columbia Marriott Hotel, putting you right in the heart of the downtown action. 

Not only will you secure a guaranteed official badge for Masters Sunday, but you will also get to test your own skills with a round of golf at the prestigious Woodcreek Farms.

With seamless transfers, 24-hour on-the-ground support, and an exclusive welcome pack, every detail is handled so you can focus entirely on the magic of the tournament.

See The Masters in 2027

Imagine seeing the world’s top players battle it out for the coveted green jacket, a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed.

Rory McIlroy will be the defending champion in April 2027, after his spectacular and unforgettable victories in 2025 and 2026.

You can be there among the patrons to witness his defence, and watch history written once again before your very eyes,

Witness the splendour of the famous 12th hole, and the drama of the closing holes during Sunday’s closing rounds.

But the experience doesn’t end with the final putt of the day. 

From the blooming azaleas and towering pines to the rich history and tradition that permeates every corner of the course, The Masters is an experience that will stay with you forever.

With limited availability, golf enthusiasts are urged to act fast to secure their place at this iconic event. 

Green Jacket Tour

• 💰 — Price: From £7,280pp (Double Occupancy) / £7,995pp (Single Occupancy)
• 📅 — Dates: 9th April – 12th April 2027
• 🏨 — Accommodation: 3 nights at the Columbia Marriott Hotel (Daily breakfast included)
• ✈️ — Flights: Return flights from London Heathrow to Charlotte (One checked bag included)
• ⛳ — Golf: 1 round of golf at Woodcreek Farms (Tee times and clubhouse access included)
• 🎟️ — Masters Access: Official Masters Sunday Badge for the final round and Green Jacket presentation
• 🚗 — Transfers: Return airport transfers plus daily transfers to golf and Augusta National

The Flexi Tour

• 💰 — Price: From £7,450pp (Double Occupancy) / £8,395pp (Single Occupancy)
• 📅 — Dates: Flexible departures available across Masters Week (April 2027)
• 🏨 — Accommodation: 4 nights at the Columbia Marriott Hotel (Daily breakfast included)
• ✈️ — Flights: Return flights from London Heathrow to the USA via Atlanta or Charlotte
• ⛳ — Golf: 1 round of golf at a top local Columbia course
• 🎟️ — Masters Access: Choice of one tournament day badge (Wednesday through Sunday options)
• 🚗 — Transfers: Return airport transfers and return transfers to Augusta National on your selected day

Don’t miss your chance to be part of golfing history in 2026.

This is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime.

MVP Travel also have two packages to The Masters in April 2027.

We can also offer other travel bargains with our carefully chosen partners.

We have an unbeatable deal for 5 nights at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June for just £599.

And affordable trips to the British GP in Silverstone and the legendary Monaco GP.

Also check out these offers to F1 races in Monaco, Monza and Austin, Texas.

Unbeatable golf travel deals

GOLF fans can get to see the world’s best tournaments, for less than you think.

We have teamed up with some of the UK’s leading travel companies to come up with some unmissable trips.

Advertisement

⛳ The Open — See the world’s finest golfers at Royal Birkdale with ticket and hotel packages to suit every pocket— MORE INFO HERE

🏌️ The Masters — Book a bucket-list trip to Augusta next year with 3-night packages to see Rory McIlroy — MORE INFO HERE

✈️ Plus check out these golf holidays to some of Europe’s finest courses — MORE INFO HERE

* If you click on a link we will earn affiliate revenue.

Advertisement

A spokesperson for the dental practice confirmed they have “already undertaken significant work across the practice”

Concerns related to the management of medical emergencies and infection prevention risks have been raised at a Cambridge dental practice. Antwerp House Dental Practice in Cambridge has been served with a warning notice for “failing to meet the regulations related to good governance” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In a report published on May 7, it was revealed that the clinic, located on Brookfields, had not met all the regulations in the area ‘well-led’. The inspection raised concerns that the processes in place “were still ineffective for identifying and managing all risks” including in the maintenance of equipment, management of medical emergencies, infection prevention and control and the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH).

Other concerns included complaints not being responded to “appropriately” as the CQC were shown the most recent complaint which had not been managed in line with their policy. The practice was unable to show the inspector any previous complaints as no log was present.

The CQC had previously undertaken an announced on-site inspection of Antwerp House Dental Practice in February 2025 which found the registered provider was “not providing safe or well led care” and was in breach of Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment) and Regulation 17 (Good governance).

Following this, the practice was issued with a warning notice for Regulation 12 and conditions were placed on the provider’s registration relating to Regulation 17.

A further inspection was carried out in May 2025 which found that the practice was providing safe care and treatment however, time was still needed for the improvements to be fully embedded. In the most recent published assessment, in April 2026, it was determined that “whilst some improvements had taken place, the practice had still not met all regulations and remained in breach of Regulation 17”.

A spokesperson for Antwerp House Dentistry said: “The CQC report confirms that Antwerp House Dentistry is providing safe, effective, caring and responsive care to patients, which our team is extremely proud of. While the inspection identified areas for improvement relating to governance processes and fire safety compliance, we have already undertaken significant work across the practice, including major fire safety upgrades and further strengthening of our governance, compliance and risk management systems.”

The report states: “The provider had made insufficient improvements to put right the shortfalls and had not responded to the regulatory breach we found at our inspection on 4 February 2025. We have told the provider to take action. We will be following up on our concerns to ensure the provider has made the required improvements.”

Further betterment was found to be needed to “strengthen oversight” with clear processes to monitor completion of key tasks. This included servicing, training, audits and risk reviews, within required timeframes, so that the practice can demonstrate “sustained improvement and consistent assurance for patients and staff”.

The spokesperson for the practice added: “We recognise that embedding these improvements takes time, but patient safety and quality of care remain our highest priorities throughout. We are also very proud of the positive feedback we consistently receive from patients regarding the care and support provided by our team.

“We remain fully committed to continuous improvement and to working constructively with the CQC to ensure the highest possible standards are maintained.”

Residents believe the road is in ‘desperate’ need of repairs

A Cambridgeshire road that’s uneven and has large cracks has been slammed as being “absolutely lethal” by drivers. Some Cambridgeshire country roads aren’t in the best condition, especially those in the Fenland area.

One frequently used by drivers who feel the road is in “desperate” need of repairs is Forty Foot Bank in Ramsey. Ryan Wilson, from Ramsey, blew two tyres as a result of the large cracks in the road.

He thinks the “whole road” needs repairing. He added: “Having a double tyre blow out could have put me in the water. We have to make our cars road worthy, so they should make the roads car worthy. I use this route everyday for work. I would cycle but it’s too dangerous for cars, so biking would be more dangerous.”

Kate Bunting described the road as “absolutely lethal”. She said: “The road is so damaged that it throws cars into the middle or the side of the road. [They are] close to the bank as well. It’s not fit for purpose whatsoever, and neither are the roads surrounding it.”

Kate said drivers on the road have “no choice” other than to “compromise their vehicles and drive unsafe roads”. She added: “It’s absolutely crucial that it’s improved.” Kate referred to November 2025 when there were four crashes on the same day along the road.

She added: “Not to mention the multiple cars that have veered off into the bank over the years, sadly causing people to lose their lives.”

Darren Imms said Forty Foot Bank is the “most direct route” to places like Peterborough, and believes it is important it is properly repaired. He said: “Like many residents that live here or in neighbouring villages, we have been subjected to vast expansion in an area that was never designed to take it.

“This has resulted in a triple amount of vehicles using the roads that were never designed to take it. You cannot keep adding and adding without expecting some form of negative reaction and one of these things has been our roads. The council not maintaining the roads for many years has just been the final straw that broke the camel’s back.”

When repairs have been made to the road, residents feel they are not sustainable. Primvs Aebvtivs, who uses the road five to six times a week said: “The roads don’t seem to have long lasting repairs made.

“I’ve been here almost 12 years and the current repairs seem to have partially stabilised the surface where it’s been done. No matter how well the road has been resurfaced, I continually follow vehicles that straddle the white line. I see this and believe it’s because the driver is staying on the least damaged part or flattest part. I know people who will either not or they dread driving on the water side [of the road].”

Cambridgeshire County Council oversees the maintenance of roads across the county. A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of cracks that have recently appeared in a section of the Forty Foot Bank, Ramsey. This road is inspected on a monthly basis. We have scheduled repairs at this location which will be completed by early June.

“The Forty Foot Bank, like many Fen roads, is built over peat soils which means the road surfaces can become significantly uneven with seasonal and weather changes, within a relatively short period of time.

We are doing everything we can locally to maintain and keep soil affected roads safe, however, addressing this challenge properly requires national support and government funding for long-term solutions Residents can help us keep our roads and paths safe by reporting the issues they find online via our website.”