Experts are urging people to check carefully before buying solar eclipse glasses online, with counterfeiters and unscrupulous sellers accused of exploiting the last-minute rush.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday August 12, with more than 90 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon at its peak.

When is the eclipse?

The eclipse will reach maximum coverage at around 7.12pm in London, but experts have issued a stark warning about the dangers of looking directly at the Sun without proper protection.

Even a brief glance can damage the retina and potentially cause permanent sight problems.

And with many certified eclipse glasses already sold out online, shoppers who have left it until the last minute could be tempted by unfamiliar sellers, suspiciously cheap products or glasses making claims that cannot be verified.

Celestron solar eclipse glasses on sale at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

Kyla Black, Boots Opticians Director of Optical Practice, said: “It isn’t worth taking the risk with your eyesight.”

She warned: “No. Even when most of the Sun is covered, it is never safe to look directly at it with the naked eye during a partial solar eclipse.

“Looking at the sun without the correct protection can damage the retina, which may lead to permanent vision loss.”

Which eclipse glasses are safe?

Anyone planning to look directly at the eclipse should use purpose-built solar eclipse glasses or viewers which meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

Ms Black said: “There are several safe ways to enjoy the eclipse such as wearing certified eclipse glasses that meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

“Another option would be to watch the solar eclipse from the comfort of your own home on a livestream.”

She added that anyone using cameras, telescopes or binoculars must use specially designed solar filters.

“The same filters can also be used for the secret astronomers amongst us who own a telescope or simply a pair of binoculars,” she said.

The sun polarised through a pair of Celestron solar eclipse glasses at the Royal Observatory Greenwich (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

Can you wear sunglasses during an eclipse?

No.

Experts have repeatedly warned that ordinary sunglasses, even extremely dark ones, do not provide enough protection.

Ms Black said: “Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide enough protection to safely view a solar eclipse.

“Only specially designed eclipse glasses or solar viewers should be used.”

Wearing two or more pairs of sunglasses is also not a safe alternative.

Ms Black said: “It’s a common myth that wearing multiple pairs of sunglasses can protect you from any harmful UV light – this is untrue and should be avoided at all costs as only purpose-built eclipse glasses can allow you to watch an eclipse.”

Check your eclipse glasses before using them

Parents have also been urged to be particularly careful if children are watching the eclipse.

Ms Black said: “You should never look directly at the sun without certified eye protection.

“As a result, parents should be particularly careful if they are going to let their children view the eclipse and ensure they supervise them closely.”

Anyone who has already bought eclipse glasses should inspect them carefully for signs of damage.

“If you’re purchasing specially made eclipse glasses, make sure to double check that they are undamaged before use as even a glimpse of damage could have an impact on your eyesight,” Ms Black warned.

Experts have also cautioned against homemade filters using household materials.

Ms Black said: “Although a fun idea for many may be to make DIY filters and pinhole projectors out of cereal boxes, this can also be dangerous.

“Objects such as smoked glass, colour film, floppy disks, X-ray film, and dark sunglasses are unable to block invisible infrared and ultraviolet rays, potentially leading to damage to your eyesight.”

She added: “Budding astronomers who will be looking through cameras, binoculars or telescopes at the eclipse must make sure they have approved solar filters attached.

“If you’re not sure your telescope does, then contact the maker of the product to ensure you know you’ll be safe.”

Fake eclipse glasses warning

The rush to buy eclipse glasses has also raised concerns about counterfeit and misleading products being sold online.

Tamzin Burch, Marketing Manager at Corsearch, said major events can create a perfect opportunity for counterfeiters.

“We see how counterfeiters exploit sudden spikes in consumer demand, and major events like a solar eclipse can create exactly that opportunity,” she said.

“Bad actors can move quickly, using online marketplaces and misleading claims to sell products that appear legitimate but may not meet required safety standards.”

She warned that when a product is designed to protect someone’s health, fake versions can have serious consequences.

“Fake eclipse glasses could give consumers a dangerous sense of security when looking directly at the sun,” she said.

“Consumers should follow official safety guidance and purchase protective products from trusted, verifiable sources.”

Daniel Mohacek, CEO of review authenticity platform TruthEngine, said shoppers should not assume a product is safe simply because it has thousands of positive reviews.

“People searching online at the last minute may be presented with products that look legitimate, carry convincing claims and have glowing reviews, but that does not necessarily mean they are safe,” he said.

“When something is designed to protect your eyesight, consumers need to be particularly cautious.”

He added: “Don’t simply choose a pair because it has thousands of five-star reviews or because the product description says it is ‘certified’.

“Look carefully at who is actually selling it, whether the seller can be identified and whether the safety claims can be verified.”

Eclipse glasses prices soar

With demand surging and many online retailers already running low, shoppers could also face inflated prices.

Marty Bauer, ecommerce expert at Omnisend, said eclipse glasses could end up being sold for four or five times their normal price.

He said: “Eclipse glasses are a perfect example of a product most people would never normally think about buying, but which can suddenly become a must-have item almost overnight.”

He added that major online marketplaces were already struggling to meet demand, meaning some shoppers could be forced to look elsewhere.

“Brits must now turn to the high street to see if any retailers were able to stockpile enough ahead of Wednesday,” he said.

“We may even see them being sold for four or five times the price at local organised events.”

How to watch the eclipse safely

The safest option for anyone without certified eclipse glasses is to watch the eclipse indirectly, rather than looking directly at the Sun.

A livestream is one option, while astronomy societies may also host organised viewing events using specialist equipment.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has also suggested using a household colander to project the image of the eclipsed sun onto the ground, allowing people to see the changing shape without staring at the sun.

The key message from experts is simple: do not gamble with your eyesight for the sake of seeing the eclipse.

As Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director and IFA at Mather and Murray Financial, put it: “Saving £5 isn’t worth gambling with your eyesight.”

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He added: “Make sure they’re genuine, properly certified eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2, or use a safe indirect viewing method instead.”

With more than 90 per cent of the Sun set to be covered over parts of the UK, the August 12 eclipse is expected to be one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible from Britain in years.

But viewers are being urged to make safety their priority before looking up.

Jen Lumb, founder of Studio 444, is shortlisted for Best New Salon and Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards.

The studio, located on Wigan Road, was launched with the aim of creating a different kind of beauty and aesthetics business in Bolton.

Ms Lumb said her aim was “to raise the bar for beauty and aesthetics by putting safety, professional standards and collaboration at its heart.”

Rather than operating as a traditional salon, the business provides a shared space where beauty and clinical professionals can run and grow their own businesses while offering clients a range of services in one location.

The founder said the concept was inspired by concerns about standards within parts of the industry, including unlicensed practitioners, counterfeit products and inconsistent safety practices.

By carefully vetting professionals and encouraging the use of legitimate and appropriately regulated products, she hopes Studio 444 can provide reassurance to clients while supporting practitioners to deliver high-quality treatments.

The double awards recognition marks a significant milestone for the business, which Ms Lumb built largely through her own determination and hands-on efforts.

She feels as though the Entrepreneur of the Year nomination recognises the work involved in establishing Studio 444 from the ground up, including renovating the premises herself, overseeing registrations and clinical requirements, managing marketing and even teaching herself coding skills to create the company’s website.

Ms Lumb said the journey had required a willingness to learn new skills and overcome challenges at every stage of the business’s development.

Since opening, Studio 444 has sought to create a supportive environment where professionals can collaborate, share knowledge and build successful businesses while maintaining high standards of care for clients.

Her long-term ambition is to help reshape perceptions of the beauty and aesthetics sector locally and create a model that other businesses can follow.

She said her goal is “to create a new standard that beauty and aesthetics businesses in Bolton can aspire to.”

The winners of the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards will be announced later this year.

A flight to a popular holiday destination has been cancelled, while other departures were delayed, according to live flight information.

Among the delays was a British Airways service to London Heathrow, which was running more than 90 minutes behind schedule on Wednesday morning.

A Jet2 flight to Heraklion in Crete, due to depart later today, has also been cancelled. The service had been scheduled to leave from Terminal 2.

Meanwhile, another departure to Spain was showing a delay of around 20 minutes.

Manchester Airport’s live departure information showed most flights were operating as planned, although passengers are being advised to keep an eye on updates from their airline as schedules can change throughout the day.

Richard Hammond was left in a two-week coma after filming a Top Gear episode almost 20 years ago.

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Richard Hammond will once again be Jeremy Clarkson’s right-hand man as they reunite for The Grand Tour reboot.

Richard, Jeremy and James May are going to feature in the upcoming new series of The Grand Tour on Prime Video to help hand over the baton to the new line-up of hosts.

But before the trio returns for the new series which lands on Friday, September 4, here’s all there is to know about former Top Gear star Richard Hammond.

Richard Hammond girlfriend

Richard Hammond is now in a relationship with therapist and ex-teacher Keira Glen.

He was first seen publicly with the 53-year-old at an event in September 2025, around nine months after Hammond and his ex-wife announced their separation.

The Grand Tour host was married to journalist Mindy Etheridge for 23 years and share two adult daughters, Izzy and Willow. It’s been reported that Keira also has two grown-up daughters in their 20s.

Richard Hammond accident

Back in 2006, Hammond was filming an episode of Top Gear at Elvington Airfield near York, attempting to break the British land speed record in a jet-powered Vampire dragster.

He was driving at almost 320mph when a tire failure caused the vehicle to flip and roll, leaving him with a life-threatening frontal lobe brain injury. On his podcast Who We Are Now, he said: “I was conscious throughout the whole thing.

“The only thing that really sticks in my mind was the noise because of the impact of a car hitting concrete and that’s the thing that actually like rattled my brain.

“I was completely calm, I’d done everything I could do.

“I’ve pulled the parachute, I’d steered, braked, it was going upside down, there’s no roof and I thought ‘Oh, checking out now’.

“No panic at that point, panic had gone, I’d done everything.”

Hammond was in a medically induced coma for two weeks before he woke up. Speaking to Radio Times in 2014, he spoke of the impact the crash had on him, including losing the “ability to connect emotionally.”

“It was a lot to deal with. I had a pretty tricky few years. The knock-on effects of the injury meant I was susceptible to depression, obsession, compulsion and paranoia, although I wasn’t aware of that at the time.

“It gave me an unnatural platform from which to observe my own mental state, which was exhausting.”

How old is Richard Hammond?

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Richard Hammond is 56-years-old, born on December 19, 1969, in Solihull near Birmingham, before his family moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, in the mid 1980s.

He now lives in a six-bedroom Georgian manor house near Abergavenny, Wales, which he purchased for around £2 million earlier this year.

Richard Hammond net worth

It has been widely reported that Richard Hammond has an estimated net worth of around £37 million.

This comes from his lifelong television career, working on hit shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, as well as through his own production company Chimp Productions and other business ventures.

Tui revealed it suffered a hit of 81 million euro (£69.2 million) in the nine months of its financial year so far from the Iran war and hurricanes in Jamaica, including an extra 20 million euro (£17.1 million) “direct” impact from the Middle East conflict on its cruises arm during the third quarter.

The call comes as the Government looks at ways to create more space in prisons so serious offenders can serve more of their sentences.

Pc Harper was fatally injured in 2019 after becoming caught in a strap attached to the back of a car while responding to a quad bike theft.

Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, said in relation to Harper’s sister: “That I hear you, I feel for you. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t do everything I possibly could to try and lessen your anguish, and I am doing that.

“I am turning over every stone. I am looking at everything. I am pushing the system to go further.”

Pc Harper’s sister, Aimee Harper, had spoken publicly about her experience of sitting in court with the men convicted over her brother’s death.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole are due to be released next year after receiving 13-year sentences for manslaughter in 2020.

The policing leaders, including Mr Watson, have also called for an additional public protection safeguard for the most serious offenders.

The letter says victims and families must be properly considered when major changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.

Mr Burnham said: “I’m not making comments today in a knee jerk way because I wouldn’t raise false hope of people.

“I’m doing it in a considered way, having looked in detail at the situation, having considered a range of advice.”

The Government has already changed early release rules to prevent rapists and paedophiles being released early, but those changes did not cover Pc Harper’s killers.

The Prime Minister has pointed to returning foreign national offenders and dealing with people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences as ways of creating additional prison space.

He said he was “increasingly confident” that more serious offenders could serve their full sentences as a result.

Mr Burnham added: “I am confident that we can develop a plan to free up more spaces in the prison estate, so that we can ensure more serious offenders serve their full term.”

He had previously said he had “pushed the very limits” of the changes made to the early release system.

Mr Burnham has now indicated that further action could be possible as pressure grows over Pc Harper’s killers.

The venues would reopen as value-oriented pubs after being sold by Whitbread, the owner of the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains.

The sites, alongside Bar + Block, Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub restaurants, are all set to close in the coming weeks as part of a major restructuring plan.

However, out of 261 sites earmarked for closure, 53 have been sold to Queensway Inns, who plan to relaunch them as a new chain.

106 Beefeater sites are due to close in the coming weeks (Image: Getty Images)

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites could be rebranded

A Whitbread spokesperson told Newsquest: “Whitbread has reached an agreement for the conditional sale of 53 branded restaurant sites to Queensway Inns, subject to a number of final conditions being met.

“Queensway Inns has extensive experience operating hospitality businesses across the UK and intends to operate the sites as going concerns.

“Subject to completion of the sale and following the relevant TUPE information and consultation processes, around 900 team members could transfer and will be supported through the process.”

The 53 sites are reportedly a mix of all Whitbread brands earmarked for closure, with some Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites potentially being saved.

The future of the remaining 208 restaurant sites remains uncertain.

Queensway plans to rebrand and relaunch the sites as affordable pubs, but the new brand name, menu pricing, and reopening dates have not been confirmed.

Queensway has been contacted for comment.

When are Beefeater and Brewers Fayre closing?

It is all part of Whitbread’s wider Accelerating Growth Plan, which aims to expand its Premier Inn hotels by adding 3,600 new rooms through restaurant conversions.

This programme involves closing or repurposing all remaining branded restaurants by mid-September.

Closures will begin on September 3, with a combined 66 Bar + Block, Table Table, and Cookhouse + Pub sites shutting.

Brewers Fayre will close all 89 of its sites on September 7, marking the end of a brand that has operated for 45 years.

Beefeater, a longstanding favourite for family dining and steakhouse meals, will close all 106 locations on September 10.

Customers are advised to redeem any reward points by August 31.

Whitbread CEO Dominic Paul said the restructure was necessary due to mounting costs, including increased National Insurance and business rates sparked by then Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The group aims to raise £1.5 billion by selling freehold property to fund future growth.

The overhaul is expected to result in 3,800 job losses, but Whitbread has said that it will look to support colleagues affected.

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A Whitbread spokesperson said previously: “The proposed sale represents further progress against Whitbread’s Accelerating Growth Plan, first announced in April 2024.

“In April 2026 Whitbread announced a proposal to extend the programme to include all remaining branded restaurants and add a total of 3,600 new hotel extension rooms in locations with strong demand, whilst continuing to offer a great breakfast, dinner and drinks nationwide through the creation of new Premier Inn restaurants inside all hotels.

“This mirrors the format which is already in operation in over half of Premier Inn hotels and is highly popular with hotel guests.”

Is one of the potential rebrands near you? Let us know what you think about the plans in the comments.

The acclaimed WWI film 1917 has been called a ‘cinematic masterpiece’ by fans and yet the storyline is ‘haunting’ and real

Inspired by the deeply personal stories of a family member who survived the first world war, this epic war film is being called “one of the most important of our generation”.

The British war film has been placed firmly amongst some of the all-time greats of the genre, and yet it all began with the real life experiences of Alfred H. Mendes, who served as a Lance Corporal and messenger for the British Army on the Western Front.

1917 is a film that is set in that very year, directed by Sam Mendes, who also co-wrote the project, after hearing the haunting tales of his Grandfather’s time spent in the first world war. It’s those real and gritty stories that fundamentally shaped the film, and many viewers have praised it for being a true reflection of events.

The story follows the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich, and two British soldiers at the heart of it all. They were entrusted with a vital mission to deliver a message which would halter an offensive attack, and the film builds up to this critical moment, to see if the message makes it in time.

The intensity of the situation is portrayed throughout the film, and is what made it a ‘haunting’ watch for viewers. One Rotten Tomatoes review reads: ” This was a great movie from start to finish, it has one of the greatest scenes ever in cinema which is Lance Corporal Schofield running through the battlefield to delivering the message to stop the battle.”

They added: “It’s truly heart pounding to see movies like this, you can’t beat it.”

The film has garnered widespread acclaim for its special effects, sound design and much more, earning itself 10 Oscar nominations upon release. Ultimately, it claimed the awards for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects — accolades that fans cherish as they rightfully crown it a ‘masterpiece’.

These weren’t the only awards it landed that season, Mende’s captivating story went on to win seven BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, solidifying itself as a modern classic of the genre.

The acclaim isn’t solely reserved for the film’s stunning visual style, however, as the cast has earned richly deserved recognition for bringing this deeply moving story to life. The ensemble includes George MacKay, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Madden.

All of these elements combined is what make it, what many consider to be ‘essentially viewing’, whether you’re a fan of the genre, interested by the history or not. Holding 1917 in such high regard, one person shared: “One of the best war movies ever made.

“I’ve watched this movie probably 20 times now and it never ceases to amaze me. This is one of the most important movies of our generation and I think everyone should watch it.”

A crucial aspect of the film that gives the entire picture an extraordinarily “immersive” quality, is the fact it blends seamlessly to seem as though its all in one long take. Many even say this made them feel as though they were experiencing it all, like the characters themselves.

A review reads: “1917 is one of those movies that completely pulls you in the way it’s filmed makes you feel like you’re right there with the soldiers, and every minute feels intense it’s not just about war it’s about courage, sacrifice, and the determination to save lives against impossible odds definitely one of the most immersive war films I have seen.”

On the review platform Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an impressive score of 88%, and it’s plain to see that viewers simply cannot resist returning to it for a rewatch, or 20.

The acclaimed British war epic that is 1917 is available to watch right now on both Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Need to know

Stassi Schroeder’s new show has finally premiered in the UK with those who have already binged it calling it ‘perfection’

Where can I watch House of Stassi in the UK?

1. Reality TV fans have been calling new series House of Stassi absolute ‘perfection’ in the wake of its release stateside. Now fans in the UK finally get to binge-watch the controversial comeback show.
2. The series follows Stassi Schroeder, the former Vanderpump Rules star who was famously sacked from the show in 2020 alongside Kristen Doute. They were fired after calling police on black co-star Faith Stowers for a crime she didn’t commit, and both have since issued lengthy apologies.
3. The meta-docuseries premiered on Freeform before hitting Hulu, showing Stassi’s return to TV with her loved ones. The official synopsis promises that “as cameras roll and truths surface, her closest relationships are put to the test.”
4. All eight episodes are available on Hulu in the US, and UK viewers can stream it from today (August 12) via Disney+. Early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with one fan saying: “I’m on episode five and I can’t stop watching – it’s very entertaining.”
5. Another viewer praised the finale, calling it “exactly what reality TV should be” and noting the cliffhanger ending was “the perfect set-up for Disney to order more episodes.” Fans are already demanding more episodes, with one declaring: “I need a million more episodes.”

READ THE FULL STORY: Reality fans demand ‘a million more episodes’ as ‘perfection’ show lands

The Telegraph has released a list of the 13 best castle hotels found across England, with the Swinton Park Hotel making it onto the list.

The castle hotel is surrounded by 20,000 acres of “breath-taking countryside” close to the Yorkshire Dales.

Whether you want a completely relaxing escape or need some activities to keep you busy, the Swinton Park Hotel offers both.

What is the Swinton Park Hotel like?

On the hotel, The Telegraph said: “This ivy-cloaked Baronial pile, with turrets, castellated parapets and a monumental entrance tower, looks like a castle; in truth, it’s largely Victorian embellishments (by a Bradford wool merchant whose descendants still own the house and estate) of a 17th- and 18th-century core.

“Inside, it’s old-school, English stately home with claret-walled corridors hung with gilt-framed portraits, massive windows draped with pelmeted curtains, and high-ceilinged rooms of numerous sofas and low tables.

“By contrast, the new spa and Terrace Restaurant (in a separate block) are worlds apart; light, fresh, sleek.”

The hotel has multiple restaurants and cafés on site. (Image: Tripadvisor)

There are a few different places you can stay at while in the hotel, from cottages and yurts to the main hotel with rooms decorated with antiques and family portraits.

There are several restaurants and cafés on the estate, including the Terrace Restaurant and Bar, Samuel’s Restaurant, and the Chef’s Table.

You can enjoy an afternoon tea at the Drawing Room or a lunch at the Swinton Bivouac Café.

To spend time around the pool or enjoy some spa treatments, you can head to the Swinton Country Club during your stay.

There are plenty of other activities as well, from wild swimming, archery, and cycling to escape rooms, axe throwing, and cookery courses.

What do guests of the Swinton Park Hotel say about their stay?

One reviewer on Tripadvisor said: “An incredible gem, we are frequent visitors, and will keep returning to this gorgeous hotel in the future!”

Another reviewer said: “We had a wonderful afternoon tea at Swinton Park.

“The drawing room setting is elegant, with stunning grounds that make the whole experience feel really special.

“The selection of sandwiches, mini quiche, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and delicious cakes were excellent, and everything was beautifully presented.

“Gay and Chris who served our tea were friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome without being intrusive.

“A nice birthday treat in a relaxing setting.

“Highly recommended.”

Have you ever stayed at the Swinton Park Hotel? Let us know in the comments.