A proposed ballot measure on voter ID, popular with Republican voters, could help drive turnout, he added. Hilton has said that he has not seen evidence of voter fraud in the state, but has called for electoral reform, including ending the practice of mailing ballots to California’s 23 million registered voters – a practise that largely causes the state’s slow ballot count.

Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours has introduced its Taste of Yorkshire Food Tour, taking visitors to five venues across the city serving classic dishes rooted in the county’s culinary heritage.

Founder Kay Atkinson said the idea came after years of feedback from visitors expecting a more traditional menu.

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Kay said: “When I have been on food tours elsewhere in the world, they mostly focus on foods particular to the destination.

“Over the years, we’ve had people come on our York Food Tour who are surprised that they’re tasting a diverse range of cuisines and not traditional Yorkshire dishes.

“Although we’re very clear on our website that our standard York Food Tours focus on York’s influences from around the world and not Yorkshire food, this did spring an idea.

“I felt there was a place for a food tour that focused on traditional and authentic Yorkshire dishes.”

The tour features five stops at well-known city venues – Love Cheese, The Royal Oak, Drake’s Fish and Chips, Thomas the Baker and York Cocoa Works.

New York food tour showcases traditional Yorkshire dishes – including Yorkshire puddings with beef and lashings of gravy at The Royal Oak. Photo: Submitted

Guests will sample a range of sweet and savoury specialities, including Yorkshire puddings, fish and chips cooked in beef dripping, traditional cake and locally made chocolate.

Kay added: “Yorkshire food is warm and welcoming, like our people. Our dishes are hearty and comforting. They’re like a hug in a dish.

“Our Taste of Yorkshire Food Tour focuses on popular Yorkshire dishes that the county is known for and the great produce our lush landscape produces.

“Yorkshire puddings make an appearance, of course, as well as the staple fish and chips, cooked the Yorkshire way in beef dripping.

“Guests will also try a traditional cake and locally made chocolate, which is a big part of York’s heritage.”

Fish and chips cooked the traditional Yorkshire way with beef dripping at Drake’s Fish and Chips. Photo: Submitted

The new four is fully guided, with visitors meeting outside York Minster before setting off on foot between the tasting locations. Along the way, guides share insight into Yorkshire’s food traditions and local history.

Kay said the tour is aimed particularly at international visitors keen to experience regional cuisine, although UK guests are also encouraged to take part.

Guests on the Taste of Yorkshire Food Tour in York. Photo: Submitted

She said: “Our new tour is generally aimed at international travellers who may not be familiar with the delicious food that our wonderful county produces. We want to give them a Taste of Yorkshire.

“Guests from the UK are, of course, very welcome to join us as well, whether they’re from the south or elsewhere in the country and want to try our local fare, or if they’re from Yorkshire and the north and want a taste of home.”

The Taste of Yorkshire Food Tour runs on selected Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year. The three-and-a-half-hour experience includes five tasting stops and costs £75 per person.

For more information or to book, visit the Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours website.

Perhaps the most unexpected recommendation was micellar water, usually associated with removing make-up rather than upholstery mishaps.

From tomato sauce to baked beans and ketchup, reader Lindy Lou has tried Garnier Micellar Water on some of the toughest food stains.

She discovered this hack when she was in hospital: “So much more food fell into the ‘drop zone’.”

“You need to use it soon after you drop something,” she says, and “it works as a pre-wash treatment” too.

You can find the best deals on Amazon and make sure to buy “the plain ordinary one, not the one with moisturiser”, she adds.

Many readers were perplexed about how to remove blood stains, but one reader, Monica Stansfeld, 73, insists that hydrogen peroxide works best, either on fresh or dried blood, however “it does have a bleaching action”, she warns, “so is best used on a white or light coloured cloth”.

If you have a look in your local pharmacy, you can “usually find a three per cent solution for cleaning dentures”, she explains.

Lots of cold water, still or running, can also “flush out fresh blood”, just as well, or if the stain is small, “your own saliva will remove it”.

Not everyone is against shop-bought cleaning products. For tougher stains and everyday mishaps, readers return to a handful of trusted brands that are praised for their reliability and ease of use.

Most readers agreed with one of Smallman’s recommendations – Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover – as the product they return to, including Catherine Francis, 64, from Conwy County Borough. She commended its ability to “tackle pet stains brilliantly, even on a light-coloured carpet”.

“I always have a bottle on standby,” Francis says, “it’s simple to use and removes odours as well as stains.”

Reader Mariette Hubert also favours the brand for dealing with stains left by her Irish Setter, Teddy, instead preferring its Pet Stain and Odour remover: “For doggie stains, it’s the uncontested star.”

The Abercorn House group admired the special scenery and even tried out a virtual reality simulator.

Residents from a Hamilton care home enjoyed a special holiday trip – with adventures ranging from scenic walks to trying out a virtual reality simulator.

The group from Abercorn House travelled to Drimsynie Estate holiday village in Lochgoilhead for a fun break which proved such a success that they are already planning their next group getaway.

It follows another recent road trip, when the Hamilton residents travelled to Worcester to see an art exhibition featuring their own creations.

The Argyll trip saw Abercorn’s residents enjoy the “breathtaking” scenery of lochs and Arrochar Alps, including relaxing lunches overlooking Loch Goil.

Fun activities at their holiday lodges included karaoke, basketball hoop games, an air hockey challenge and even a much-enjoyed ride on a virtual reality simulator.

Abercorn House activities co-ordinator Von Ryan Ong said: “This holiday gave our residents a wonderful opportunity to laugh, reminisce, and to experience the joy of going on a holiday, just like they did with their families.

“It was really special to see those moments of happiness, connection and excitement, creating memories they will treasure for a long time.”

“Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter was wonderful. We are so proud to be able to offer experiences like this, which support wellbeing and happiness.”

The Argyll trip followed the Abercorn group’s overnight in Worcester, where they were visiting an art exhibition to which they had contributed, showcasing the creativity of residents from across operator Sanctuary Care’s homes in both Scotland and England.

Abercorn House, on Low Waters Road, has 56 residents and recently received two top “very good” ratings in a Care Inspectorate assessment.

Manager Rowena Alferos said of the group’s successful away days: “Just because you move into a care home, it doesn’t mean you should stop enjoying the kinds of experiences you’ve always loved, like holidays.

“Events like this are so important and are yet another way in which we can truly enrich the lives of our residents.”

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The girl will appear in court later today

A 14-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder in relation to a triple stabbing at a high school.

Police were called to the Co-op Academy Manchester on Plant Hill Road, Blackley in Manchester, on Tuesday, June 9, to reports of a stabbing.

Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, the teenager was charged on Thursday, June 11 with three counts of attempted murder and two charges of possessing a bladed article on school premises.

She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, June 12, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Det Chief Supt Jonathan Chadwick, head of counter terrorism policing north west, said: “These are extremely serious charges against a young girl and, working closely with Greater Manchester Police, we continue to support the victims and their families and offer support to the wider school community, who have been deeply affected by what happened.

“Although charges have now been secured, our investigation is still ongoing, and we continue to work with local policing colleagues in the Blackley area.”

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The new “Cake, Create and Celebrate” workshop has been announced as part of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival‘s 21st birthday celebrations.

Part of the festival’s birthday celebrations, this new experience invites adults and children to roll up their sleeves and get creative in a hands-on cupcake-decorating workshop led by expert bakers Baking Nana and Jill Howard.

Cake Create and Celebrate (Image: Bolton Council)

Taking place on Sunday 30 August, 12pm – 2pm at the Festival Hall in the Albert Halls, the interactive session promises a fun atmosphere for all ages, combining expert demonstrations with plenty of opportunities for guests to get involved.

Those attending can learn a range of decorating techniques, from piping and buttercream finishing to adding creative toppings, before putting the new skills into practice by decorating their own cupcakes.

Each guest will receive two cupcakes to decorate and take home, along with a slice of birthday cake and two glasses of prosecco, with non-alcoholic options available.

The session also includes a relaxed Q&A with the experts, offering baking tips and advice, and a chance to showcase creations, with a prize awarded for the best decorated cupcakes.

The event is hosted by award-winning cake artist and presenter Rosie Dummer and is designed to be informal, social and interactive, making it perfect for both novice bakers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Cllr Debbie Newall, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, said:  “Cake, Create and Celebrate is a fantastic addition to this year’s festival, giving visitors a chance to get hands-on, learn new skills and enjoy a fun, social experience as part of our 21st birthday celebrations.

 “It’s a great opportunity for both beginners and baking enthusiasts to get creative and be part of something special.”

Tickets are priced at £25 per adult and £10 per child plus booking fee and are expected to be in high demand, with limited spaces available for this unique celebration of baking and creativity.

The event is part of a packed programme for this year’s festival, which will also see celebrity chef James Martin return for his 16th appearance, as well as performances from headline music acts Liberty X and The Real Thing.

The workshop marks a new addition to a festival programme that has traditionally focused on celebrity chef demonstrations, street food and live entertainment.

This year, TV chef James Martin will return to Bolton to host three live cookery demonstrations, including special recipes created to celebrate the festival’s milestone anniversary.

Visitors will also be able to attend question-and-answer sessions and selected book signings with the chef.

Meanwhile, chart-topping pop group Liberty X and soul legends The Real Thing have been announced among the headline entertainment acts for the festival.

Tickets are available through the Albert Halls website.

Mick’s Chippy, on Birch Avenue, has built a loyal following among customers who regularly travel across the borough in search of some of “the best fish and chips in the area”.

Tucked away on a quiet residential street, Mick’s is very much a hidden gem.

Those who know it, swear by it, while newcomers often discover it through word of mouth.

The unassuming takeaway prides itself on serving traditional fish and chips, and its reputation appears to have spread far beyond Westhoughton.

Best chippy

On Google, the chippy boasts an impressive five-star rating, with customers repeatedly praising both the quality of the food and the remarkable portion sizes.

One satisfied customer said: “The large fish was amazing, great tasting with lovely batter and extremely large, it could feed a whole family.”

Another wrote: “I love Mick’s Chippy. Even what’s classed as a small fish is not small at all, and the chips are proper old-fashioned style.”

A third reviewer added: “The food is insatiable, giant portions. Hands down the best chippy in the area by miles.”

Drawing on the long-standing Bolton and Westhoughton rivalry, another customer joked: “People from Bolton visit for an upgrade from their usual Friday tea.”

If there is one drawback, according to customers, it is the queues that often stretch out of the door.

However, for many, waiting patiently for one of Mick’s much-talked-about “whale-sized” fish is simply part of the experience.

Readers wishing to vote for Mick’s Chippy in the Bolton News Best Chippy Awards 2026 can do so by picking up a copy of today’s Bolton News.

Emergency services were called to the two-storey multi-use warehouse late last night and around 70 people were evacuated from their homes.

Around 70 people were evacuated from their homes overnight as firefighters tackled a fire which broke out in a warehouse. Emergency services were called to the scene on Oxgate Lane in the Brent area of London shortly before 9.15pm on Thursday, June 11.

At its height, 25 fire engines and 150 firefighters were involved in fighting back the flames. People living nearby had been advised to keep doors and windows closed as a result of a significant amount of smoke from the fire.

Crews from Hendon, Willesden, West Hampstead and surrounding fire stations responded after more than 85 calls reported the fire, reports the Mirror. Edgware Road was closed between the junctions of Dollis Hill and Staples Corner, with Oxgate Lane shut to traffic.

The cause of the fire is not yet known but an investigation is underway. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed the blaze was brought under control early this morning.

An LFB spokesperson said: “Twenty-five fire engines and around 150 firefighters responded to a fire on Oxgate Lane, Brent. The fire was located on a business park, and involved a multi-use warehouse building consisting of two floors.

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“At the fires height, the majority of the structure and its roof was alight. Around 70 people from a neighbouring residential block were evacuated as a precaution whilst firefighting operations were carried out.

“There are no reports of any injuries at this time. Residents in the local area had been advised to keep doors and windows closed where possible.

“This was due to the significant amount of smoke being produced by the fire. Four of the Brigade’s turntable ladders deployed to the scene as part of the response, tackling the fire from height.

A High Volume Pump and a Hose Layer were used by crews to increase the amount of water available to fight the fire. The Brigade received the first of over 85 calls reporting the fire at 9.14pm (Thursday, June 11). Control Officers mobilised crews from Hendon, Willesden, West Hampstead and surrounding fire stations to the scene.

“Firefighters were able to contain and bring the fire under control by 5.02am (Friday, June 12). The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Team.”

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Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all pursuing targets with the transfer window fast approaching. With the World Cup now officially underway, some deals might be delayed, though there are examples of nations willing to help facilitate move as long as certain conditions are met. Arsenal, expected to bolster in attack this summer, are in talks for wonderkid Jeremy Monga and are said to hold an interest in Morgan Rogers, Eli Junior Kroupi, Nico Williams and Julian Alvarez.

The young person was stuck on top of the ramp at Norton skate park, near Malton, at 9pm on Thursday (June 11).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said its crew from Malton used a triple extension ladder to bring the youth down from the ramp.

In a statement, the fire service said: “Crew from Malton assisted a young person who had become stuck on top of a skate ramp.

“Crew used a triple extension ladder to assist the youth back to ground level.”