Many locals who went to birthday parties as children have also taken their own children to the venue.

A laser force centre where local children have enjoyed parties for 25 years is set to close. Laser Force in Brook Street, Peterborough, has provided entertainment to lots of children in the area since 2001.

A Laser Force spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we have been unable to secure a new lease of the established Laser Force operators who wanted to take over the site. So, after 25 years Laser Force Peterborough will close on March 2.”

Locals who went to Laser Force as children, and have since taken their own children there, have shared their sadness over the impending closure. Georgia Jones said she went to Laser Force “most weekends” with friends, or with her dad.

She continued: “Each time it was so fun and you always competed with your friends to get the highest score, which you would see once you were out of the game. It’s sad to see it’s closing down. As a mother myself, I was looking to take my children in the next year as they are older to understand how to play the game.

“Peterborough is slowly becoming a ghost town with only soft plays and the odd crazy golf place to take our children. Laser Force is something different and fun for children to experience.”

Matthew King, 36, said he “loved” Laser Force as a child. He added: “I remember hiding from that alien thing coming out of the wall. Good memories, I’m sad to see it close.”

Abigail Goodliffe has memories of her father taking her there during the holidays. She said: “My dad is self-employed and works a lot over the half-terms. However, he’d always try to get a day off here and there and he’d take me and my brothers to Laser Force for the day.”

Abigail associates the entertainment venue with her “dad and family time”. She added: “We’ve been going for at least the last 10 years and thoroughly enjoy the time together. Staff were always kind and fun. We will definitely miss it.”

Vicky Margaret’s favourite memory of Laser Force was going there on a school trip. She said: “I had the best time. Me and my friends were pouring with sweat by the end, but we loved it.

“Now my children enjoy it as much as we did. As a family that enjoyed this activity, which my daughters and sons loved, we will be extremely sad to see it go. But, we will always be grateful for the memories from being a child to now seeing my own children love it just as much as I did and still do.”

Shelley Bradshaw previously worked on the PTA at Winyates Primary School in Peterborough. She praised Laser Force for its involvement in fundraising events. She said: “We would host fundraising events for the kids in school, like raffles and prize bingo.

“I would write to local companies asking if they could help in a way of a donation of any kind – very few companies responded. Every single time, they [Laser Force] would provide four free entries.”

Laser Force is still accepting bookings for February, including the half-term. Final sessions will take place on March 1.

A Republican running to unseat South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham has accused his rival of lobbying to have Fox News host Trey Gowdy replace Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general.

“Lindsey Graham is reportedly pushing for Trey Gowdy to replace Pam Bondi as Attorney General if she is forced out,” Greenville businessman Mark Lynch wrote on X (Twitter) Sunday.

“This is EXACTLY the type of globalist, swamp-monster Beltway RINO who should NOT be the next AG. We need results, not press conferences. Arrests, not FOX News appearances.”

By calling Gowdy a “RINO,” Lynch was invoking a popular MAGA acronym for establishment members of their party, standing for “Republican in name only.”

In another post, citing a right-leaning account called Publius as his source, he said: “This poor advice, on top of globalist tendencies and atrocious voting record, are just a couple of the reasons I will be REPLACING Lindsey Graham.”

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Gowdy, the TV star so objected to by Lynch, was a South Carolina Republican congressman from 2011 to 2019 and served as chair of the House Oversight Committee for two years before joining Fox.

The Independent has reached out to Graham’s office, Lynch’s campaign, Fox News, and the White House for comment on the speculation promoted by the candidate.

Bondi made a fiery appearance before the House Judiciary Committee last Wednesday, at which she sparred angrily with Democrats and declined to apologize to, or even acknowledge the presence of, the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, several of whom were sitting behind her.

California Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia subsequently called for Bondi to step down.

More surprisingly, so did an eclectic group of conservatives from MAGA and beyond, including Kyle Rittenhouse, Erick Erickson, Tim Pool, and Nick Fuentes.

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However, there is currently no indication she is likely to do so.

Graham, for his part, has the “complete and total endorsement” of President Donald Trump and is therefore likely to sweep Lynch and fellow challenger Paul Dans aside in the battle to retain his Senate seat this year.

“I’m his north star,” the incumbent said of Trump in an interview with NBC News last week. “We disagree, but he knows where I am coming from. He sees me helping him as much as anybody in the Senate.”

Asked how he maintains his bond with the president – whom he blasted as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” when they were rivals for the GOP nomination in 2015 – Graham said he had a secret formula.

“Be mildly entertaining. Play golf. And understand he’s been a great president,” the senator advised. “You know what we have in common? I like him and he likes him.”

Explaining the importance of retaining the president’s ear, he said, “Let’s put it this way: I’ve heard senators say things. Most of them are very uninformed about what actually goes on at the White House.”

Administration spokesperson Abigail Jackson, in turn, said of the veteran: “Senator Graham is a close ally to the president and plays a critical role in helping to advance the president’s America First agenda in the Senate.”

A white Mercedes AMG was spotted on the motorway after speeding off from GMP officers

A teenager has been arrested after a 150mph police chase on the M6. Officers from Greater Manchester Police first attempted to stop the vehicle at around 2am last Wednesday (February 11) before the driver sped away and was later sighted on the motorway.

A search was carried out by Cheshire Police and Staffordshire Police, when a white Mercedes AMG was spotted near to Sandbach Services on the M6. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver made off at speed, and a chase followed.

Cheshire Police said traffic officers followed the vehicle as it travelled at speeds of up to 150 mph, including through areas coned off by roadworks. A police stinger was used to slow the vehicle, and the pursuit was subsequently brought to a conclusion on Alsager Road, near to the A500.

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The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old man from Telford, was later arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. He’s since been released on bail.

Inspector Bradley Hughes of Cheshire Police’s Roads and Crime unit said: “This was a great example of teamwork between forces to stop and arrest a dangerous driver who clearly showed no regard for the safety of members of the public.

“Thanks to our officers working together, we were able to bring this dangerous behaviour to an end. Let this be a reminder – if you commit crime on Cheshire’s roads, there is nowhere you can hide.”

Jofra Archer took two wickets in the first over of Italy’s chase but Ben Menenti smashed 60 from 25 balls and Grant Stewart 45 from 22 to give Italy real hope.

With Stewart at the crease, the tournament’s lowest-ranked side needed 30 runs from the final two overs for an almighty upset.

That England came through is obviously a positive. Sam Curran, who also defended 10 from the last over against Nepal, dismissed Stewart in the penultimate over.

He admitted there have been nerves throughout the initial group stage.

“It’s actually just a tricky stage in a World Cup,” Curran told the BBC.

“You’re nervous, you’ve got all kinds of nerves and expectation.

“I had a little chat with Morgs [former England captain Eoin Morgan] before the toss and said these are the hardest games because we want to get there so badly.

“Now we’ve done it it’s [about] enjoying it. This is our first aim and now we focus on the teams that we know will be in our group.”

Doctor Tamara McNamee, 40, gave evidence on Monday at the trial of 77-year-old David Campbell.

The death of a man allegedly murdered by a former gamekeeper was not treated as suspicious until an autopsy was carried out.

Doctor Tamara McNamee, 40, gave evidence on Monday at the trial of 77-year-old David Campbell. He is accused of murdering Mr Low, 65, at the Leafy Lane near to the Pitilie Track close to Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross on February 16 2024.

Campbell denies the allegation and has lodged a special defence of alibi.

Consultant histopathologist Dr McNamee was tasked with doing a single doctor autopsy on ex-groundsman Brian Low.

Dr McNamee told the High Court in Glasgow that when she received the body, a report said it was a non suspicious death.

She told the court she escalated the matter after she opened the body bag and saw a shotgun pellet inside the bag beside his remains.

The court heard that Mr Low was pronounced dead at 9am on February 17 2024.

Prosecutor Greg Farrell asked Dr McNamee if the initial report into Mr Low’s death was a non-suspicious death.

She replied: “Yes.”

The doctor went on to explain that she was to carry out a single doctor autopsy on Mr Low’s body as a result of the report.

The witness said: “On initially opening the body bag I saw a shot in the bag beside his remains and a few injuries to his face.

“I realised it wasn’t a non-suspicious death and it was not a medical death.”

Mr Farrell: “Because of that, you escalated it?”

Dr McNamee: “Yes.”

This resulted in a two-doctor autopsy of Mr Low’s body.

Jurors heard that Mr Low suffered injuries to his chest, right upper arm, left upper arm, neck and face.

His cause of death was stated to be “shotgun wound to neck and chest.”

The witness further stated that Mr Low had shotgun pellets in his right lung which resulted in bruising.

Mr Low was also claimed to have swallowed a blood clot from his nose or mouth.

The witness further stated that Mr Low would have died within seconds and minutes from a gun shot wound to his neck and chest.

When asked about how quick the death could have occurred, Dr McNamee said: “I never like to comment about how quick a death has occurred it can vary.”

Mr Farrell: “It’s not instantaneous but death would result from this shotgun blast in seconds or minutes?”

Dr McNamee: “Yes.”

The doctor later stated that Mr Low was “face on” when he was shot.

When asked by Mr Farrell if there were several shotgun injuries, Dr McNamee replied: “That’s fair.”

In cross examination, Campbell’s KC Tony Lenehan put it to Dr McNamee that times of death are “nothing like on TV?”

The witness replied: “Yes.”

Dr McNamee stated that times of death were better determined by witnesses, social media and banking activity.

Jurors were told that at 4.52pm on February 16, Mr Low’s phone activity had stopped.

Detective constable David Budd earlier stated that Campbell was arrested for the matter while he was using the toilet.

The jury heard that police officers had cameras on them at that time.

Mr Lenehan further stated that a film crew who were following proceedings were also at the property but were not allowed entry.

DC Budd stated that “things became fraught” during the interview process.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.

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A woman has urged people to avoid wearing certain colours during Chinese New Year celebrations, warning that the year of the Fire Horse brings unique superstitions

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Chinese New Year commences this Tuesday (17th February), and individuals have been cautioned against wearing a particular colour to mark the occasion. The 15-day celebration, also referred to as the Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, is observed across various Asian cultures, including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities, and signifies the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

Numerous cities throughout the UK will be staging events to mark Chinese New Year over the coming fortnight, but one woman on social media has encouraged people to pay attention to some particularly significant guidance ahead of the festivities. Rachel, who hails from Canada and Hong Kong, suggested that people should steer clear of wearing one particular colour for the remainder of 2026 once Chinese New Year arrives, as it could represent misfortune.

In a TikTok video, Rachel clarified that whilst 2026 is the year of the horse, it’s more precisely the year of the fire horse. This indicates that fire, and consequently the colour red, is already “at its peak” this year – and donning red could push the balance too far in one direction.

Red is conventionally regarded as a fortunate colour in Chinese culture, and numerous Chinese New Year decorations are typically bright shades of red because it’s thought to ward off malevolent spirits. However, 2026 actually represents an unusual year where red isn’t considered fortunate.

Numerous elements of Chinese culture also emphasise balance, so if you introduce more fiery shades to a year already characterised by the fire horse, you risk going overboard and could potentially turn your year into a catastrophe.

Rachel explained: “I know everyone’s telling you that red is THE lucky colour, especially in Asian cultures, but you need to know that 2026 is the year of the fire horse. Fire is already at its peak, so if you wear red, it’s almost like you’re adding gasoline to the fire. It could lead to burnout, bad tempers, and arguments.”

To “stay lucky” in this unpredictable year, Rachel instead suggests wearing shades that counterbalance the fire. This means it’s the year for natural hues like dark greens or browns.

She continued: “To stay lucky this year, you will need to balance out the heat. For example, this year it’s actually recommended to wear earth or wood colours. Think earth tones like beige, cream, or brown, to ground the energy. Or you can do wood tones like sage or forest green to keep the fire stable.”

For optimal fortune in 2026, Rachel revealed there are even particular shades you can wear depending on your zodiac sign. But for those simply wanting to prevent a Chinese New Year catastrophe, steering clear of red is sufficient.

Additionally, black or white garments should be avoided at any festival gatherings you’re planning to attend. These shades are associated with mourning, and since Chinese New Year is a joyous occasion, these two colours must never be worn.

Viewers of Rachel’s video expressed uncertainty about the festival and the appropriate customs to observe. Nevertheless, many emphasised that avoiding black or white attire is more crucial than steering clear of red, so if red is your only option for local festivities, that will be acceptable.

One viewer commented: “If you wanna wear red, then wear it, who cares. Follow traditions. If people say its unlucky, then it is. I trust her because my local temple also says the same thing. To avoid wearing red.”

Another contributed: “Just don’t wear black or white, people. You’ll be fine. If you’re concerned, just wear something red. Like a scarf, a woven bracelet, or shoes.”

There are numerous other activities to avoid during Chinese New Year as well, including consuming porridge for breakfast or starting a laundry cycle in the washing machine. And on the initial day of festivities on Tuesday (17th February), hair washing should be avoided – so ensure you’ve bathed this evening!

The China Highlights website clarified: “Hair must not be washed on Chinese New Year’s Day, as it is seen as not a good thing to ‘wash one’s fortune away’ at the beginning of the New Year. Avoid cutting hair on this day, as it is believed that it might bring misfortune to uncles.”

He pressed: “You’re still prepared to have the Economy Minister go to China, a regime that drips in blood, that crushes dissent, that is a humanitarian abuser, that oppresses Christians – you’re happy to have a member of your party shake the bloody hand of Beijing, but give false reasons why you won’t attend the White House?”

Danny Cipriani’s ex-wife Victoria Rose O’Callaghan is selling a string of his items on Vinted two years after their explosive split.

The former England rugby player, 38, was married to the model-turned-neuroscience-practitioner, 44, for two-and-a-half years before announcing their split in November 2023.

The couple had had been dating for 11 months before tying the knot in an intimate ceremony in April 2021.

At the time of their split, Danny shared: ‘Whilst we’ve had some wonderful times together, we’ve also recognised we’re on different journeys and whilst this is sad news, it’s also a new chapter for us both to pursue our own happiness. I only wish the best for Victoria and her children.’

However, the pair then went on to trade barbs publicly in the wake of their marriage breakdown, with Victoria saying she felt ‘knifed in the heart’ after he publicly announced their breakup ‘without prior notice.’ He also once said their relationship was built on ‘lies’ and ‘deceit’.

Just over two years since they went their separate ways, Victoria is trying to make some cash on her ex-husband’s sporting memorabilia.

Around 40 items from Danny’s playing past have been listed on Vinted account, with some on sale for as much as £280. The proceeds from each sale are being donated to charity.

On her page, Victoria wrote the following to prospective buyers: ‘Hey! Mostly personal kit archive of former England international Danny Cipriani.

‘Over the course of his career, Danny accumulated a huge amount of match-issued, tour, and squad-worn rugby gear from England, Sale Sharks, and international fixtures, much of it personalised, signed, or linked to specific games and milestones.

‘These are genuine player items gathered over years at the top level of the sport, now being released piece by piece for collectors and fans. Designer wear is all authentic.’

She then clarified that Danny – whose career saw him play for the national team for a decade and with clubs including Wasps, Sale Sharks and Gloucester – had formally relinquished ownership of the items to her during their divorce proceedings.

Victoria also said that her decision to sell them simply came after she felt she’d held onto them for too long, rather than wanting to get rid of them over ill will towards her ex.

Last year Victoria explained that she was set to sell her ex-husband’s personal items in an effort to move on from their split.

She claimed that he’d shown no interest in collecting the items from her home and had contacted him about removing them countless times.

‘For months, actually, years, I’ve been paying for storage, holding onto boxes of Danny’s career, memorabilia, kits, medals, and personal items,’ she wrote online.

‘Not because I wanted to. But because I genuinely believed, at some point, he’d want to collect them. That he’d care enough to take responsibility for his own history. He didn’t.

‘In our most recent court appearance, he was once again offered the chance to collect it all. No obstacles. No drama. Just take what’s his. And he declined.’

In an interview with The Sun last year, she also said Danny had walked out on their marriage ‘with no explanation’.

‘I do not know to this day why Danny left. There was no row, no red flags. I’ve still got his toothbrush, his clothes, underwear – he only took a few jogging bottoms,’ she said.

‘We were sat on the sofa watching telly and he stood up and said, “If I go now can I come back?”.

‘Danny took a lot of drugs and had mental health issues, so I tried to just go along with him. I just said “OK” and he left.’

Danny had previously admitted to taking cocaine, a crystallised toad psychedelic and to having so many magic mushrooms he became convinced Victoria was trying to kill him.

Days after he walked out of their home, Danny announced their split on Instagram.

However, in 2024 he told the same publication that their relationship was built on ‘lies’ and ‘deceit’.

He claimed his wife had made multiple claims about her life before him, including that she was headhunted by M15, had a multi-million-pound inheritance and once was in love with a drugs cartel boss.

A drunk driver killed his friend while trying to show off his powerful BMW by driving on the wrong side of the road.

Mariusz Kosinski, 37, was seen driving on the wrong side of the street in Evesham, Worcester, before losing control and flipping his car onto its roof.

The court heard how other drivers heard screeching tyres as Kosinski overtook dozens of vehicles, barrelling down the road before attempting to overtake a car.

It was then that he lost control and his BMW went into a spin before flipping over and landing on its roof on a grass verge.

Kosinski’s mirror dashcam caught him screaming in Polish: ‘F***! He is dead, mate! I killed the dude. F***! Buddy! I killed him!’

His passenger and friend, Pawel Czubacki, 40, died in the passenger seat despite the efforts of emergency services who rushed to the scene.

Kosinski had filmed his speedometer hitting 80mph before he crashed on the A46 on July 27, 2024.

Shocked witnesses told police how his black BMW 330d had sped past 14 cars and two motorbikes before the smash.

A breathalyser test revealed Kosinski had 80mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg.

Kosinski, of Evesham, has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for ten-and-a-half years.

Jailing him at Worcester Crown Court, Judge Nicholas Cartwright said Kosinski deliberately ignored the rules of the road.

He added that in doing so showed a disregard for the safety of other road users while ‘showing off’.

The judge also banned Kosinski from driving for 13 years.

Detective Constable Danny Somner, of West Mercia Police, said: ‘We are pleased to get this conviction and sentencing for Kosinski today whose appalling driving resulted in the tragic death of his passenger and put many other motorists at risk of serious harm that day.

‘It would be easy to think that what happened was just a one-off lapse of judgment or moment of madness.

‘However, the footage recovered from Kosinski’s dashcam showed his usual driving was risky and dangerous, so it is right he is behind bars and has been handed a lengthy ban from the roads.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Andrew was acting as a UK trade envoy during the time

Newly released documents linked to the deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein include photographs showing Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor alongside an unidentified woman.

One image, thought to have been taken during an official trade visit to China in 2010, shows Andrew seated next to a Chinese model and actress while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. The woman has since been identified as Miya Muqi.

The photograph, reportedly taken inside a Beijing restaurant, also features two other men at the table. A second image shows Andrew on a boat with another woman, both wearing life jackets across their laps, reports Express.

The photographs are understood to have been forwarded to deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, accompanied by a remark in which Andrew allegedly used a derogatory term to describe the women.

According to The Times, the former Duke wrote: “We have dinner on Sunday in Beijing with this p.”

Andrew, 65, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his association with the convicted sex offender. The images form part of a tranche of newly released material, including emails, disclosed last month.

Three million pages, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos were posted publicly, including one shocking photo in the latest Epstein files, which shows Andrew, on all fours, kneeling over a woman who is lying on the floor with her arms flat out beside her.

Andrew maintains his position as eighth in line to the throne despite no longer holding his royal titles and honours, of which he was stripped last year by his older brother, King Charles.

He was booted from Royal Lodge earlier this month, though he is currently living on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.