Know your legal rights when neighbours park in your designated space

Arriving back home following an exhausting day to find another car parked in ‘your’ space can prove an incredibly frustrating situation for both homeowners and tenants. However, while many motorists believe they can take immediate action, parking rights are often considerably more complicated than most individuals realise.

Citizens Advice indicates that conflicts between neighbours over parking are growing more common across the UK. The body explains that rows usually arise from residents being unsure about whether a parking bay is legally possessed, officially assigned, or merely utilised on a casual arrangement.

Legal experts highlight that public highways outside homes aren’t automatically reserved for the adjacent property owner, reports the Liverpool Echo. The RAC indicates that drivers are typically allowed to park on public thoroughfares, as long as they comply with local parking regulations and don’t illegally block entry.

The situation can, nevertheless, vary substantially regarding private driveways, allocated parking spots, and spaces specified within property documentation or rental contracts. The HomeOwners Alliance suggests that property owners examine Land Registry records or tenancy paperwork to determine exactly what parking rights relate to their home.

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According to official GOV.UK guidance, it is against the law for anyone to block access to a driveway in a way that stops vehicles from being able to pull in or out of a property. Local councils and police forces may step in where such obstruction creates difficulties accessing a property or breaches parking rules.

Specialists also warn homeowners against taking matters into their own hands by boxing vehicles in, clamping cars or causing damage to property. Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, clamping vehicles on private land without lawful authority was made illegal in England and Wales.

For those living in flats or managed developments, parking rows can occasionally draw in management companies or permit schemes. Consumer advice consistently recommends carefully reading through lease terms before taking complaints further with neighbours.

Online forums are filled with complaints from homeowners frustrated by neighbours repeatedly parking in designated bays, visitor spaces or directly outside their driveways. Many disputes appear to escalate when parking shortages worsen during evenings and at weekends.

According to Citizens Advice, residents dealing with persistent parking issues are generally encouraged to first attempt to resolve matters informally through a calm conversation. Should problems continue, homeowners may need to contact landlords, managing agents, councils or seek legal guidance depending on where the disputed parking space is located.

On Thursday, the Israeli charge d’affaires Daniela Grudsky Ekstein was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which said the move reflected the UK’s “strong condemnation of his (Mr Ben-Gvir’s) conduct in taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla”.

Ashley Cole was cemented as England’s first-choice left-back for the 2010 World Cup, but who would go to South Africa as his understudy?

With Wayne Bridge making himself unavailable, the choice for boss Fabio Capello came down to either Everton’s Leighton Baines or Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock, who both made the provisional squad.

When the group returned home from their pre-tournament training camp in Austria, it was still unclear who he would take.

“We were told we’d get a phone call one way or another,” Warnock recalled. “We knew the call would come on the day the squad came out, from a certain number and before a certain time, because they would be announcing it straight afterwards. So I was at home, literally just waiting by the phone.

“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to go because in the two warm-up games we’d just played, against Mexico and Japan, I hadn’t kicked a ball.

“My England career at that point was the seven minutes I’d played against Trinidad and Tobago two years earlier, in June 2008.

“I’d gone to Austria with an ankle injury that I’d picked up in Villa’s last game of the season.

“I went on holiday but had a scan when I was away and then spoke to the physios when I came back and basically told them I am going to do everything I can to get in the World Cup squad.

“I told them to strap me up and I would limp through training for the first week. When I was in Austria I was having physio every hour of the day I could get it, and I worked on my ankle as much as possible.

“I don’t know if that was being relayed to the management, but when I didn’t play in either game, I thought that was me done, that Capello wasn’t going to take me now.

“I remember exactly where I was when I got the call.

“I am divorced now but I was in the house with my now ex-wife and I went upstairs to my bedroom when the phone rang, because I just wanted to be on my own. I just remember walking downstairs saying ‘I’m going!’ and I was probably in a bit of shock.

“It was Franco Baldini [Capello’s assistant] who rang and I have no idea if he called everyone else to tell them – I didn’t know how it worked, and I didn’t care!

“Baldini just said, ‘listen, you’ve had a great season, we knew what you were capable of anyway and we love your attitude – we think you will be perfect around the camp for training and things like that.

“‘You know Ash is going to be difficult to budge, because he doesn’t get injured and he doesn’t not play, but we think you’re the perfect back-up to him, in terms of your professionalism and everything else’.

“I was like, “yeah 100%, that will do me”. I knew what my role would be anyway, so that was fine.”

While the good news came as a surprise to Warnock, a clue was already out there.

The previous day, England kit manufacturer Umbro had sent muralists to the hometowns of every player in the squad to paint their shirt number in a prominent place as a play on their ‘tailored by’ slogan.

For Warnock, that was a wall on the side of the O’Este restaurant at a busy crossroads in Ormskirk.

As Wales prepares for a heatwave reaching 32C, Abereiddy’s Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire offers the perfect wild swimming escape – named by The Telegraph as one of the UK’s finest spots, with turquoise waters that rival the Greek islands

A stunning blue lagoon presents the ideal opportunity to escape the heat as Britain prepares to sizzle hotter than Ibiza.

The nation is bracing for scorching temperatures, with some areas forecast to hit a sweltering 30C on Saturday, 23 May, and 32C on Sunday, with the hot spell anticipated to extend into the week ahead. Britain’s blistering conditions will surpass Ibiza’s Mediterranean warmth, which is expected to reach just 23C and 24C over the weekend, undoubtedly encouraging Britons to embrace the glorious home-grown sunshine.

The timing of the heatwave couldn’t be better, arriving just before the May half-term and bank holiday weekend, with people across the country already plotting excursions to local beaches, parks and lidos to soak up the sun.

One tranquil bathing location that could be mistaken for a slice of Greece, thanks to its striking azure waters, lies in Pembrokeshire.

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The Blue Lagoon, alternatively known as Abereiddy, is a cherished wild-swimming haven tucked within Abereiddi Bay, surrounded by striking, craggy cliffs. The protected lagoon offers perfect conditions for cooling swims throughout the summer season, while its vivid blue depths have established it as a favoured location for cliff diving from its rocky platforms.

Undoubtedly amongst Britain’s most breathtaking natural swimming spots, this lagoon has been sculpted from a former quarry, with traces of its industrial past still on display. The quarry’s slate is thought to give the lagoon its signature turquoise colour, which attracts countless visitors, and The Telegraph even ranked it amongst the nation’s best wild swimming destinations.

After a visit last September, one Tripadvisor user gushed: “What a wonder, a beach indeed a bay with breathtaking views, climbing the hill is simple and the view of the lagoon is simply spectacular. Not to be missed.”

Another traveller remarked: “A real surprise! A five-minute walk from the beautiful beach, this lagoon is different. It’s in a stunning setting with gorgeous views. Green water, deep and clear, pretty cold! Places to jump in, but you need to know what you’re doing! It’s a slate quarry mixed with water, so skin and clothing mixed means you end up pretty grubby, but it’s worth it! Memorable early evening experience.”

A third observed: “Much easier to view Blue Lagoon from Aberrieddy than walking from Porthgain unless you’re more energetic than me. When we went in May, people were jumping from the top. Nice beach at Aberrieddy and ice creams.”

Yet Pembrokeshire’s appeal extends far beyond its stunning Blue Lagoon. The county boasts extensive sweeps of golden sandy shores, striking clifftop panoramas, and vast expanses of undulating rural terrain within the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Keen walkers can tackle the 186-mile coastal path, with the flexibility to cover whatever distance suits them while absorbing the scenic beauty along the way. Nevertheless, with warm sunshine bathing the UK, a cooling plunge into its azure waters and a leisurely beach day could prove the ideal way to spend the weekend or May half-term break.

The former Manchester United manager has been linked with a return to Portuguese football having been out of work since leaving Old Trafford in January

Representatives of Ruben Amorim have released a statement confirming the Portuguese manager will not return to work in Portugal, emphasising his desire to pursue his career overseas. The former Manchester United boss had been touted as a potential successor to Jose Mourinho at Benfica, with ex-United chief Mourinho poised to take over at Real Madrid after agreeing to rejoin the Santiago Bernabeu.

Amorim, who established his managerial reputation with Sporting Clube de Portugal, joined Old Trafford with considerable acclaim. But he experienced a difficult 14-month tenure in charge before being dismissed by the club in January.

United’s form has subsequently improved significantly under Michael Carrick, who is now widely anticipated to be given the head coach role permanently. Amorim, on the other hand, maintains strong connections to both Sporting and Benfica and shares a close friendship with Benfica president Rui Costa, who worked as the club’s sporting director during Amorim’s playing spell at the Estadio da Luz.

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Their relationship had generated speculation about a potential homecoming to Benfica as manager. Nevertheless, AS1 Sports, the agency acting for Amorim, has stated that he will not assume control of any Portuguese club.

The 41-year-old has previously managed SC Braga, Sporting and Casa Pia during his spell in his homeland.

The statement read: “In light of the latest news regarding Ruben Amorim’s future, particularly by SIC’s ‘Jornal da Noite’ – it is important to clarify the following: Ruben Amorim made the decision a long time ago to pursue his career abroad.

“Therefore, he has not had any meetings with Portuguese clubs to discuss working conditions, structure, squad, salaries, or any other matters; anything said beyond this is mere speculation and has no basis with reality.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

With Amorim having taken himself out of contention, reports now suggest Fulham manager Marco Silva is poised to assume the role at Benfica, with an ‘agreement in principle’ already said to be in place.

Silva, who has been at Craven Cottage since 2021, is understood to have favoured a homecoming over prolonging his tenure with the west London club. When quizzed about his prospects, Silva acknowledged he has never ruled out embracing a fresh challenge.

“[The Premier League] is a league that, I won’t hide, fulfils me – It’s a league where I believe all coaches have that goal and that little bug of wanting to try it one day,” he said in an interview with DAZN Portugal last week.

“It’s a league where I want to see my team fighting for other things, I want to see my team able to fight for something more, and that has always been the goal.

“But I’ve also never closed any doors to anything, I’ve never said that I wouldn’t be in league A, B, C or D in the future. Regardless of controlling all the decisions I might make regarding it, the future is open.”

Born in Lisbon, the manager had brief spells in charge of Sporting and Estoril before taking the reins at Olympiacos, subsequently going on to manage four English clubs – Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident on Douglas Street around 9.10am on Thursday, May 21.

Hamilton properties have been evacuated and a road is closed after a car crashed into a building.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident on Douglas Street around 9.10am on Thursday, May 21.

The road is currently closed between Clydesdale Street and Almada Street. It is unknown if there are any injuries at this time.

Police say a number of properties have been evacuated “as a precaution” and members of the public have been urged to avoid the area.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Douglas Street in Hamilton is closed between Clydesdale Street and Almada Street following a report of a car crashing into a building, around 9.10am on Thursday, 21 May, 2026.

“A number of nearby properties have been evacuated as a precaution and members of the public are being asked to avoid the area.”

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READ MORE: Hamilton-based butcher enjoys success Scottish Craft Butcher Awards

The King and Queen have kicked off the final day of their three day visit to Northern Ireland with a visit to Newtownards.

Bringing Their Majesties’ NI visit to a close, The King and Queen are visiting the Co Down town and its community.

The King is visiting Ards Allotments, which was founded by Maurice Patton after watching Charles visit an allotment on the news more than 20 years ago.

Charles is meeting the community of volunteers, gardeners and growers who use the allotment space to grow fresh produce as well as forging social connections.

Elsewhere Camilla is set to meet survivors of domestic abuse being supported by Women’s Aid in Newtownards.

The royal couple arrived in Belfast on Tuesday. Their latest Northern Ireland visit began with a vibrant celebration of music, creativity and rich, diverse cultural heritage, as they joined organisers and performers to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann coming to Belfast this August, for the first time.

The King and Queen also visited Titanic Distillers where they met distillery staff, learned about the whiskey‑making process and had the opportunity to sample some themselves.

In the afternoon, the royal couple went their separate ways. The King visited the W5 Life (Learning Innovation for Everyone) programme, at Belfast SSE Arena, which works in partnership with the King’s Trust, Microsoft and Almac to build Stem capability and open up new career pathways.

Meanwhile Queen Camilla visited Fane Street Primary School, which has 285 pupils representing 45 countries and speaking 47 different languages.

Later during audiences at Hillsborough Castle, King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

On Wednesday, The King received an unwanted memento from a visit to Newcastle where he celebrated the work of local charities – a splattering from a seagull. The Queen carried out a solo royal visit in Royal Hillsborough which included pouring a pint of Guinness.

The royal couple ended their day by hosting a garden party at Hillsborough Castle, the King’s official residence in Northern Ireland, and the Queen met soldiers and officers from The Rifles, the regiment she serves as Colonel-in-Chief.

Follow our live blog below or for all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here.

The group have moved to the car park of Newbury Community Centre in Farnworth.

The Bolton News received reports of the encampment on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, with images showing multiple caravans parked across the site at Buckley Lane, Bolton.

Their arrival comes just a day after travellers were reported to have parked up in Peel Park, Little Hulton, on Monday, May 19.

Unauthorised encampments happen when groups stop on land without the landowner’s permission.

Councils and police have legal powers to deal with encampments, but they must follow specific procedures before people can be moved on.

It is not yet known how long the group intends to remain at the site.

Bolton Council has been contacted for comment regarding the encampment and whether any action will be taken.

The Rose & Crown, located in Westhoughton on Bolton Road, will welcome customers once again from 12pm on Thursday, May 21.

The refurbishment was funded by Proper Pubs, the community-focused operator division of Admiral Taverns, and marks a fresh chapter for the venue under the leadership of new operator Ray Lester.

Mr Lester said: “I’m delighted to be taking over The Rose & Crown, and it’s been fantastic to see the transformation come together over the past few weeks.

“The space is already looking great, and I’m really excited to start welcoming customers through the doors – both familiar faces and those visiting for the first time.”

With more than 10 years of experience in the industry, Mr Lester said he hopes to establish the Rose & Crown as a vibrant social hub for the neighbourhood.

The pub now features brand new flooring, fixtures, fittings and furniture throughout, as well as updated décor, along with dedicated darts and pool areas in the lower bar.

Outside, customers can enjoy new covered areas to socialise, additional lighting and a children’s play area.

A broad drinks selection will be available, including Madri, Fosters, Coors, Carling, Guinness, Murphy’s and Strongbow, along with a new cocktail menu.

The Rose and Crown before the refurbishment (Image: public)

The Rose & Crown will also host regular entertainment, including live music, karaoke, quiz nights and pub teams for both darts and pool.

In addition to its social offering, Mr Lester said he plans to support the wider community by collecting food donations for the local foodbank and raising funds for a defibrillator on site.

Matt Gurney, operations director for Proper Pubs, said: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Ray to The Rose & Crown, and it’s been fantastic to watch the refurbishment come to life.

“We look forward to welcoming the local community into the pub, especially for the reopening event on the 21st of May.

“On behalf of myself and the whole team at Proper Pubs, we’d like to wish Ray every success in his new venture – it’s great to have him on board.”

Proper Pubs operates more than 200 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.

The company runs an annual programme of events and fundraising campaigns to connect with and support the communities it serves.

Earlier this year, Proper Pubs collected 21,619 Easter eggs for donation to local charities, and last Christmas its operators gathered 17,500 selection boxes for those in need.

In addition, the pub group raised £80,255 for Admiral Taverns’ charity partner, Claire House Hospice.

In 2025, Proper Pubs donated enough food to help feed 1,300 people for a week through UK foodbanks, and has been recognised in a UK-wide defibrillator installation campaign.

So far, the campaign has helped save 11 lives.

In recognition of its community focus, Proper Pubs was named a finalist in the Best Community Pub category at the 2026 Great British Publican Awards.

The company also received the title of Community Pub Operator at the Publican Awards in 2024.

The reopening of The Rose & Crown is seen as another positive step in the company’s ongoing efforts to invest in people and places that matter.

With new facilities, regular events and a renewed focus on supporting Westhoughton, the pub aims to re-establish itself as a gathering place for all generations.

The Rose & Crown is located at 222 Bolton Road, Westhoughton, Bolton.

Eastbourne House, which supports up to 72 older people including those living with dementia, was praised for its compassionate and personalised approach to care.

In a routine inspection carried out in February, the CQC rated the home as outstanding in the categories of effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

The home, operated by HC-One No.2 Limited, retained its previous rating of good in the safe category.

Alison Chilton, CQC deputy director for adult social care in the north, said: “At Eastbourne House, people told us they felt genuinely at home.

“We found an exceptionally skilled and compassionate team who empowered people to be themselves and live as they wanted to.”

Ms Chilton highlighted how staff went “above and beyond” to make residents feel valued, including helping a lifelong football fan celebrate their 100th birthday by arranging for them to walk onto the field with their favourite team and flip the coin to start the match.

She said: “They told us it was one of the best days of their life.

“Many other residents were celebrating in a local pub and watching the event on TV.”

The CQC noted that staff supported residents through difficult times with sensitivity and respect.

In one example, after a resident experienced a decline following a bereavement, staff encouraged them to take part in a fundraising activity in memory of their loved one, helping them reconnect with their sense of purpose and community.

Inspectors also observed that residents appeared happy and relaxed and spoke positively about the kindness and respect shown by staff.

They were encouraged to pursue their interests and take part in meaningful activities, while being supported to remain as independent as possible.

Staff used clear and accessible communication methods, such as picture menus, to help residents express their preferences.

The end-of-life care provided was also commended, with some staff choosing to sit with residents during their final moments even on their days off if family could not be present.

Leadership at the home was described as supportive, knowledgeable, and visible, with a strong culture of learning and continuous improvement.