The scheme aims to give residents in busy areas the chance to park closer to their homes

A new “demand-led” residents’ parking scheme has opened for applications across Northern Ireland. The parking zones aim to give people in residential areas the chance to park closer to their homes or businesses.

The scheme follows on from a pilot run in the busy residential streets close to Queen’s University in Belfast since 2018. There are certain criteria areas must meet to be eligible for the scheme, which is open for applications until July 31.

Residents are entitled to one permit per household, which allows them to park in spaces available within the zone. A pay and display option is typically available for those parking in the area without a residents permit.

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What are residents’ parking schemes?

A residents’ parking zone is an area where only vehicles with a valid permit or parking ticket are allowed to park during certain times of the day.

Residents and businesses can apply for a permit to allow them to park within that particular area. Only those with a valid permit are allowed to park within the zone during its hours of operation.

Which areas are included in the parking schemes?

To be considered for a residents’ parking zone, an area must:

• have persistent commuter or nuisance parking
• be all public (not private) roads
• have less than 50 per cent of properties with access to off-street parking (driveways etc)
• include evidence of local support for a scheme

How to apply for a resident’s parking scheme

You can apply to request a parking scheme in your street or area. When applying, you will need to outline the parking problem in your area and provide evidence to show local support for the proposed zone.

Applications to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for residents’ parking zones can only be made during the designated application window, which is open from April 28, 2026 and closes on July 31, 2026.

You can find out more and apply for a parking scheme by clicking here.

Will a residents’ parking scheme guarantee a space outside my home?

No, residents’ parking schemes do not guarantee residents a specific space outside their homes or businesses. The aim of a residents’ parking zone is to improve the overall availability of parking within an area so residents can park close to their houses. A permit does not guarantee availability of parking spaces.

How does the scheme work for HMO properties?

If you’re a tenant in the residents’ parking zone area, you will need to provide your tenancy agreement and your V5C(NI) document for your vehicle.

A household which has been split into a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) but that only has one Unique Property Identification Number and therefore one rates bill, will only be eligible for one resident permit for the household.

How much does a resident’s parking permit cost?

If you live in the residents’ parking zone area, you can apply for a resident permit, which costs £30 per year.

Permits are issued free of charge to Blue Badge holders who are residents within a parking zone, and residents of zones either wholly or partly within a Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

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Stilt-walkers, jugglers, balloon artists and aerial performers from Newcastle Circus Arts gave displays of their talents and workshops for visitors to Hopetown.

The Hopetown Circus Spectacular included everything but the big top, with youngsters having a go at some of the basic circus skills.

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Foundry Green, at Hopetown, played host to the event, which benefited from a largely sunny day.

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Newcastle Circus Arts is a hub for circus arts and training in the North East, with the aim of inspiring trainees to try their hand at a range of multidisciplinary circus arts.

Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Image: Stuart Boulton – The Northern Echo)

Read next … more cultural events from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Hopetown Darlington is a railway-themed visitor attraction which formally opened in July 2024.

It highlights Darlington’s pioneering railway heritage, while serving as a community focal point, hosting events, activities and festivals.

Hopetown is situated on the route of the ground-breaking route of the 1825 Darlington to Stockton Railway, the world’s first steam-powered passenger railway.

It shares the site with North Road Railway Station.

What do you think of this event? Let us know in the comments

The popular Channel 5 documentary is back on Tuesday, May 5, following Reuben Owen’s work and life in the Yorkshire Dales.

Owen, son of Our Yorkshire Farm’s Amanda Owen, stars in the show alongside close friends Tommy and Sarah as they grow his heavy plant machinery business in the countryside.

Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales (Image: CHANNEL 5)

Taking to Instagram this week, he said: “So excited for the start of the new series. Here are a few shots of what to expect. It’s going to be fantastic. Tune in next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 5.”

The programme offers a behind-the-scenes look at the farmer’s efforts to expand his business, Reuben Owen Ltd, which handles a variety of rural construction projects, including drainage, muck shifting, and landscaping.

Season three opens with a job to build a sheep pen for a local farmer.

But when a gate post proves difficult to secure, the team is left scratching their heads and looking for a solution.

The episode also features a more personal moment, as they gather to celebrate Owen’s father Clive’s 70th birthday at the village pub.

Now in his early twenties, Owen has quickly established himself as a young entrepreneur, running his own “five-star business”.

Recent updates on the company’s Facebook page show the variety of work undertaken by his team, including installing 900 metres of water pipe in just one day across difficult, boggy ground.

The social media post drew praise from followers.

Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales (Image: Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales/INSTAGRAM)

Away from the cameras, Owen’s personal life has also attracted attention.

He is in a relationship with Jessica Ellwood, whom he met at a Young Farmers’ convention in 2024.

Ellwood, who works on her family’s farm at Brough Castle, regularly appears in his social media posts.

The couple went public in November 2024.

Before his relationship with Ellwood, Owen was dating Sarah Dow, a long-time friend.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, Owen confirmed the pair remain close despite no longer being together.

He said: “Me and Sarah were together, we’re no longer together but we’re still very good friends.

“She’s kind of gone her own way and is pursuing her own career.”

The new series is expected to build on the success of previous episodes by combining light-hearted workplace challenges with insights into daily life in rural Yorkshire.

Viewers can expect a mix of mechanical mishaps, problem-solving, and the camaraderie that has made the show a hit.

It airs Tuesday, May 5, at 8pm on Channel 5.

In the midst of this there has been renewed speculation over Sir Keir’s leadership of the party, with suggestions that possible challengers to the PM, such as UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner could be preparing to move.

Wu Yize was able to celebrate the greatest moment of his young life as he lifted the World Snooker Championship trophy aloft in front of a packed Crucible crowd after one of the greatest finals of all time with Shaun Murphy.

The fact he was flanked by his parents resonated even more as he revealed the health struggles his mother had been through and the sacrifices he had to make to achieve his lifelong dream.

Wu came out on top in the first deciding frame in a world final for 24 years, holding his nerve to make a break of 85 and beat Murphy 18-17 – becoming the second-youngest snooker world champion in history and also just the second to come from China.

“My parents are the true champions,” an emotional Wu told the BBC after his triumph. “Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also been going through a lot over the years, they are the source of my strength, I love them so much.”

The 22-year-old – who moved over to Sheffield as a teenager with just his father in order to focus on his snooker career – expanded on his mother’s health struggles in his post-match press conference and delivered some good news about her current status.

“My mum wasn’t in very good health condition for a long time,” he explained. “During that time we were in Sheffield, she has been in hospital a lot. She is forever a source of strength to me.

“She is feeling much better now. This is the second time she has visited me in the UK, I think in the future I will take her more to tournaments to be by my side.

“She sacrificed everything for me. At that time she told me ‘don’t come back home, I can manage everything’. It was the second year I was playing in the UK. At that time my ranking was very low so it was a crucial time for me to achieve some good results and keep my professional status. She means everything to me.”

Wu’s rag to riches story is remarkable as he and his father sacrificed a lot to move from the Chinese city of Lanzhou to Sheffield, while speaking almost no English.

His father quit his job and moved to England so his son could practise his snooker but they were so short of money shared a “tiny windowless room, sleeping on the same bed” for the first two years in Yorkshire.

Homesickness was also a problem, with Wu initially brining in limited prize money to pay the bills and buy food.

Earlier in the tournament, Wu explained: “Especially the first year when I arrived in the UK to train and play I wasn’t mentally in a good place. But I’m really happy I overcame many difficulties to come to where I am today.

“There was definitely a lot of pressure and also there was a lot for myself to improve in terms of my game, so I was definitely feeling the pressure at the time.”

Winning the world final lifts Wu to No 4 in the world and the £500,000 cheque for winning at the Crucible means his money troubles are now behind him.

But after beating Murphy, he confirmed that the thought of quitting snooker never crossed his mind.

“I never had a thought to give up,” he said. “Obviously that time was a very tough moment in my life. Living in a poor condition like that, I had so much acne, maybe because of an infection from the air conditioning.

“But I think it was a strength I have built over the years. If you really love snooker it is the path you have to go through and fight through.”

Wu always had an immense work ethic, which is now paying off, and childhood coach Roger Leighton – who tutored the new world champion as an 11-year-old in Foshan, China – spotted it immediately.

“When he came to me, his highest break was 49,” Leighton told The Independent earlier this month. “After a couple of weeks, he hit an 86. I said, ‘That’s great, amazing.’ He said, ‘It’s no good, because Ronnie [O’Sullivan] would have cleared up.’ That’s his mentality. But he was a fun-loving kid. If he missed a ball he hated it, but he laughed a lot and that was his way of releasing pressure.”

That fun-loving kid has now won snooker’s biggest tournament but not without a few hurdles along the way.

After suffering a 28-point loss to Armagh in the Ulster SFC semi-final, the Mournemen face Leitrim in the first round of the Tailteann Cup

It isn’t where Down wanted to be. They were aware of the risks. They knew the consequences.

Two years on from winning the Tailteann Cup, they find themselves back in the second-tier competition.

Winning Division Three this season gave them a fighting chance of making the Sam Maguire, but Westmeath’s surge to the Leinster final ultimately denied them that opportunity.

Of course, Down could have controlled their own destiny. After their heroic defeat of Ulster champions Donegal in Letterkenny, another scalp against Armagh would have demoted Cavan to the Tailteann.

Alas, the Mournemen fell on their sword and succumbed to a record-equalling 28-point loss in Clones .

Back in 2024, they had the consolation of knowing they gave Armagh an almighty fright with Kieran McGeeney’s men needing a late Jason Duffy winner to edge a tight semi-final battle.

How does Conor Laverty now galvanise his men after such a harrowing loss?

“That’s the million dollar question,” stated Laverty.

“How we get ourselves back in a position and a frame of mind but I suppose it’s too early now to explain how that plans because it wasn’t in our thoughts at all.

“We have to take a bit of time now and reflect on our performance and reflect what has gone right for us in many ways over the last number of weeks but also what didn’t work and then assess our plans.

“We’ll have to chat to the lads and see where our hunger is at. We are in the Tailteann Cup now, it wasn’t in our plans but that’s life, that’s where we are at.

“Fair play to Westmeath, they didn’t get out of Division Three but for their performances over the last couple of weeks, you have to give them credit for that as well.”

With Westmeath’s Leinster SFC semi-final against Kildare going to extra-time in Tullamore, Down would not have been aware of the result prior to throw-in against the Orchard men.

However, with Laverty taking a seat in the Gerry Arthurs Stand, news soon filtered through that Down would need to win in order to clinch a spot in the Sam Maguire.

“We all knew, that’s the rules. So there is no point complaining about that, that’s just where it is,” added Laverty.

“We’d probably felt we had done our part in Division Three, to win it, and it was still in our own hands coming here today.

“It’s not where we wanted to be, it’s not where the group wanted to be but we’ll have to dust ourselves now, reassess things and have a long hard think about the next part of the jigsaw and how we approach this and what manner we approach the Tailteann Cup.”

Down will have two weeks to prepare for their round one clash at home to Leitrim, managed by Mourne native Steven Poacher, on the weekend of May 16/17.

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The Moon moves into Capricorn, linking to Mercury and the North Node, bringing insight and intuition. Ground yourself using all senses today.

Pisces, Aquarius and Capricorn, your creativity shines and you easily tune into your surroundings. Fresh perspectives are on your side.

Don’t shy away from big decisions, as the comos implores you to take action. Remain humble, but tap into the highly concentrated power at your fingertips.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Tuesday May 5, 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 order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

With the Moon moving later today into the practical Capricorn and forging a positive link to both Mercury and the North Node, an intuitive nudge could give you some guidance about a work or worldly issue, which can benefit from both sensitivity and being grounded in your approach. Your enthusiasm can remain high, but getting a tangible result will be satisfying.

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

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Your great gift is for knowing that continuity and stability have their place and not everything needs radical change in order to keep evolving but can benefit from sensible adaptions along the way. Yet, you could find yourself really enthusiastic about a fresh approach now. And someone can be very encouraging about the pathway you want to gently embrace.

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

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

For all the excitement of Uranus’s recent arrival in your sign and the glamour of having Venus with you too, your ruler is in a sensitive connection today with the powerful if subtle Point of Destiny. So however much something seems bubbly and bright, it’s still a good thing to listen to your instincts. Some quiet research can also prove beneficial and unearth revealing facts

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

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

The Moon is going to move into your sector of relating. It’s a great place for her to be because it’s going to help you to be conscious of both others’ needs but also being aware of yours too. If something needs to be discussed around a partnership matter, the chances are you can do it with sensitivity, but also practicality, with Mercury showing up in the mix too.

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

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Although you have a reputation of being comfortable with the limelight, not every Leo needs to be in charge of every situation. And yet, with both the Sun and also Mercury in a very visible part of your situation, you could be asked to take on some kind of leadership role or show direction to others. Fortunately, a mix of common sense and perception can assist you.

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

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

If you enjoy writing, teaching, training or publishing you can truly sparkle today, Virgo, particularly later in the day when the Moon emerges from a sheltered location and into a much more effervescent one. Your words and ideas can land just so with the people that you’re connecting to. Even if you see yourself as cautious, just be guided by your instincts.

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

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Things are being shook up just now, but in a gentle enough way for you to see what needs to evolve or be released. The Moon makes a fleeting but important connection today to Chiron, the healer, giving you an opportunity to interact with someone and share your wisdom around a relationship issue they have, but equally, they could give you some powerful input too.

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

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Conversation doesn’t always equal comprehension but today gives you a platform to not only have a two-way discussion but also get some important insights from it. And if you’re enjoying a developing relationship, the Sun’s link to the charming Venus suggests that there’s a lot that could reassure you about the direction that it’s taking, in whatever type of bond.

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

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Although you’re very much a free spirit, there’s lots to be gained today by tackling practical issues that may constrain your freedom a little bit now but will help you to create a framework that gives you greater liberty at a later date. You could also support a friend, relative or colleague with a thoughtful gesture that can be much appreciated and create some goodwill.

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

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Your creativity and flair are amped up today in a really bright way and are supported by some intuitive nudges. These can grow stronger as the day goes on and the Moon arrives in Capricorn this afternoon, adding more self-belief. All this can see you enjoy some sparkling encounters and with a dash of fun, but can also see you busy, productive, and upbeat.

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

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

If you’re a maker or a home hobbyist, you’re being nudged to try some fresh approaches. But equally, there may be a small business idea that you’ve been grappling with that can start to shape up positively. You have a rare gift for blending innovation with practical tactics, and this can shine out brightly. However, later today, you may enjoy retreating into your own space.

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

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Two complementary planetary angles are supportive to you today, Pisces, and both of these can see your mind agile, but it doesn’t mean to say that you need to sacrifice your appreciation of atmospheres and how things feel. If you want to discuss family matters or make some home improvements, today’s energies can be very helpful to these too.

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.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

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

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The pair were taken into custody after concerns were raised surrounding their fitness to perform their duties.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police were called to an inbound flight at Gate 49 at Manchester Airport on Saturday, May 2.

It is understood that captain of the flight was requested to go to the gate after he raised concerns.

Both cabin crew staff were arrested after initial breath tests showed readings were above the limit for aviation duties.

However, further tests in custody revealed they were within the legal limit, and both individuals were released without charge.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police attended the Manchester Airport on 2 May 2026 after concerns about the fitness of two cabin crew members to perform their duties.

“Both individuals were arrested after initial breath tests indicated readings above the limit for aviation duties.

However, subsequent tests in custody they were within the legal limit, and they were released without charge.

“Any further action is a matter for the airline.”

Manchester City managed to leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium with a draw but they were also full of regret at what had happened

As the second half progressed, Manchester City fans could be forgiven for watching through their fingers as it got more and more tense. After Pep Guardiola’s side threw away a lead and two points at Everton, it may take a while for some to remove their hands from their head.

That will go for the players too, especially after a first half in which they could and should have had more of an advantage – in terms of goals or men – than they did. But a horrible unforced error from Marc Guehi opened the floodgates for Everton to drive a stake through the heart of City’s title hopes.

In the end, two late goals from Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku gave City a point that could be priceless in the final reckoning. But the lack of celebration for the goals, and the desolation that greeted the final whistle, said far more about how the point and the game feels to the Blues right now.

Click here to find out the latest Manchester City news in our daily newsletter

Guardiola had said there would be more twists along the way, and he now has to hope that they concern an Arsenal side who have recovered impressively from their defeat at the Etihad last month. If City don’t get a favour in a match they cannot control, there is a chance they will not top the table again this season.

The most galling part for City was that this was all so avoidable. They racked up nearly 90 per cent of possession in the opening 20 minutes and bossed the half but were unable to have anything to show for it until Doku curled in just before the break; the failure to send Michael Keane off for a wild lunge on the Belgian may not have made a difference but still irked the Blues.

City have not lost at Everton since 2016 and the Hill Dickinson is far less intimidating than Goodison Park to visit. The Blues had nothing to worry about and got themselves into a winning position.

Yet even before the second half, signs of a wobble had been there. Donnarumma had already come to City’s rescue once when Iliman Ndiaye raced through with the ball on the back of three separate errors from City defenders and it felt like Son Heung-min versus Stefan Ortega all again.

The Italian made the save but that still wasn’t enough to snap City out of their slump. Guehi’s awful backpass was slapped into the net and was the first of three goals scored in 14 minutes by the rampant hosts.

Just as City looked out, Haaland pounced to get them back into the game. And with one of the last actions, Doku stepped up again to rescue a point.

That gives them something, but the looks at full-time revealed that the feeling is it could leave them with nothing to lift at the end of the Premier League season.

Shaun Murphy was left ‘absolutely heartbroken’ by a deciding frame defeat in the World Snooker Championship final, but was proud of his performance in an epic battle with Wu Yize.

The Chinese star emerged with an 18-17 victory in the first deciding-frame Crucible final for 24 years, a match which will go down as one of the greats in Sheffield.

Both players provided immense entertainment, going for their shots relentlessly throughout and looking deadly from distance and in the balls over 35 frames.

The Magician was left with no regrets after a fabulous contest, but a fourth defeat from five trips to the World Championship final still stings.

‘It was a great match, I thought we put on a great show,’ Murphy told a post-match press conference.

‘Wu is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen and as I said to Hazel [Irvine] out there – I hate being right about things like this – I said after we played in China a few months ago that he would be world champion.

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‘I’m delighted for him, I’m absolutely heartbroken for me.’

The 43-year-old edged Fan Zhengyi 10-9 in his opening round before downing Xiao Guodong, defending champion Zhao Xintong and John Higgins on a brilliant run to the showpiece.

‘I couldn’t have tried any harder for the whole tournament,’ he said. ‘I should have lost the first match and then once I found my stride I felt like I played really, really well for the whole tournament, including the final.

‘Some of the clearances I made to keep myself in it in the penultimate frame and others to steal. The match had everything.

‘I guess people might say I was in first in the decider with a chance, I just lost position early on. But I didn’t really do anything wrong. I played the best shots I could play from where the ball’s finished. As a snooker player that’s really all you can do.’

Wu knocked in a superb 85 in the decider to win it, with Murphy hailing the bravery at the crunch.

‘The shot that he went for, to have the courage to go for a shot like that, if he misses that shot, he loses. Of course if he gets it, he wins,’ said the Englishman.

‘I remember what that feels like as a 22-year-old, having never won a match here and coming here and getting to the final.

‘But all credit to him, when he got his chance, especially having messed up in the penultimate frame, when he got his chance he took his chance.

‘I don’t feel like I lost the match, I feel like Wu Yize won the match.’

Murphy added: ‘I don’t feel like I’ve done a great deal wrong in the whole match to be honest. I thought it was 35 frames of top-flight professional snooker. Unfortunately there has to be a loser.’

It is a sore end to a good season for Murphy, who lifted the British Open title and came as close as he could to a second World Championship without managing it.

‘Everything is looking positive,’ he said. ‘The only negative is that I’m not taking the trophy home but I got very, very close.

‘I’m back up into the top-end of the rankings from a standing start last season. I’ve had a really good season, possibly my best ever.

‘To win and to be in more finals, the semis of the UK, got to the final here and all the rest of it. The indicators are all going in the right direction. I will allow myself a little break now although I’ve got plenty of shows in the next few weeks.

‘I won’t really go away from snooker but I’ll have a bit of a break and once I’ve mended my heart I’ll come back next season.’

MORE: Wu Yize sends tear-jerking message to his parents after mum’s health struggles

MORE: Shaun Murphy chops Wu Yize’s lead to set up thrilling climax to Crucible final

MORE: The youngest snooker world champions as Wu Yize bids to join list