Having hit the big 70, I am determined to maintain my garden with two days of work a week. One from me and a second from Dave, who helps me keep things in shape. The huge advantage in my favour is the massive surge in great tools and techniques, which reduce the time required from me.

Over the last 50 years of gardening, my favourite tools have changed dramatically. My biggest time saver is the robot lawn mower. I love almost all aspects of gardening, but starting mowers, cleaning spark plugs and emptying the box are all more of a chore than a joy. Their carbon footprint is also staggering.

Here I share the ten essentials categories and items I consider worth investing in for every gardener.

If you don’t like gardening in inclement weather, you are in the wrong clothes. The Genus Three-Season Gardening Trousers (£159) have built in kneepads, useful pockets and they are in a cut that allows for easy movement. They keep me snug but not sweaty and have transformed my attitude to gardening in all weather.

I also never garden without a hat to shield my face from damaging rays. On a hot summer’s day, it helps keep me energised rather than wilting in the heat. I love Niwaki’s camo hat (£24). It has a deep peak and is fully adjustable, plus it washes well. In winter, I often use a woollen hat with a built-in head torch. Ideal for working in the dark, you can often find one on Amazon or a local garage for less than £10. Just look for an LED light that is rechargeable.

I have chronic Reynaud’s syndrome, so have tried many gloves. For me, the best for wet, cold gardening are Toolant’s 100% Waterproof Gloves (£16.99). Available in several sizes, they have grip and they are touchscreen-compatible. Designed for working in deep freezers, they have revolutionised my winter gardening. For warmer months, I like Portwest’s A310. They come in many sizes, cost around 49p per pair, and allow you to have great connectivity with plants.

YAS is appealing for caring and compassionate individuals to join its volunteer team, supporting others through emergency response, patient transport, or service development.

To make getting involved easier, the service has launched a new website showcasing roles, training opportunities, and stories from current volunteers.

Amy Ingham, volunteer development manager at YAS, said: “We have over 1,000 volunteers who come from all walks of life to support their local communities.”

Ms Ingham explained that the volunteer opportunities are varied and flexible to suit individual circumstances.

She added: “Whether it’s supporting patients in an emergency, taking people to vital medical appointments, or contributing to service developments, our volunteering opportunities are varied.

“We also offer total flexibility so you can choose when you volunteer to fit around your work, family, and other commitments.”

The three main roles include:

• Community first responders, who are trained to attend 999 emergencies in their area.
• Patient transport service volunteers, who use their own vehicles to take eligible patients to and from their pre-booked hospital appointments.
• Critical friend network volunteers, who have experience with the ambulance service, help shape its development.

More information is available at yasvolunteering.uk.

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is attracting interest from fellow Premier League clubs in a summer that could prove significant for the forward ahead of the World Cup

Premier League clubs are monitoring Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers ahead of the summer window. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are long‑standing admirers of the 23‑year‑old, who is expected to attract significant interest at the end of the season.

Rogers, who came through West Bromwich Albion’s academy, joined Villa in 2024 and has become a mainstay in Unai Emery ’s attack. He signed a six‑year deal last November, but that is not expected to deter potential suitors.

The Sun claims Rogers and Villa’s hierarchy have an understanding that it is ‘probably the right time to part ways.’ Villa have limited room to manoeuvre under financial rules and have been forced to sell before they buy in recent windows.

READ MORE: Ex-Liverpool star sent off for bizarre X-rated gesture as VAR intervenesREAD MORE: Arsenal transfer target’s agent confirms talks – ‘Mikel Arteta likes him very much’

Currently fourth in the Premier League, Villa are fighting to secure Champions League football next season but any slip‑up could make it harder for them to keep hold of their prized asset. Even so, there remains a possibility that Rogers could depart if it allows Villa to reinvest across the squad.

However, Villa are expected to demand a hefty fee, with Rogers viewed as one of their most valuable players and a potential England starter at the World Cup. Villa boss Emery always been full of praise for Rogers and recently said: “He is growing up so quickly and performing more and more better. He has qualities and he is strong. His mentality is a huge mentality.

“He is a really fantastic guy. I need to push him sometimes and we need him. He feels the ambitions I want, but it is not pressure. Ambitions. In the dressing room is also very important. He is fantastic as a person.

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“He is funny and he is responsible, focusing on his task. I am so, so happy how he is responding. The idea I have is to use him through our structure. All the players need to feel confident and working in our demands.”

Chelsea are expected to move for a new attacking midfielder this summer if Enzo Fernandez leaves, with rumours continuing to link him to Real Madrid.

Rogers is also close friends with Cole Palmer, having come through Manchester City’s youth ranks together while Liverpool could make a major push for a forward of Rogers’ profile as they prepare for life after Mohamed Salah, who is set to depart on a free at the end of June.

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For now, Price must be fully focused on Saturday’s title defence against Pineiro.

The 35-year-old is undefeated as a professional, with 10 wins under her belt – all in her home country of Puerto Rico.

Pineiro’s camp have been adamant she will shock the Cardiff crowd.

“She’s strong, she’s tough. She’s going to throw the kitchen sink at me from round one,” Price said.

“I do believe that I’m a level above. I think I’ve boxed better opposition than her before, but it’s all about Saturday night.

“I just want to go and put on a good performance in front of the fans.”

Pineiro cut a relaxed figure in front of the media.

And the 5ft 9in southpaw said she is ready to draw on the experience of being the pantomime villain.

“I’m excited, I want to hear the boos – that will be energy for me,” Pineiro said.

Although a mouth-watering fight with Shields may lie in weight, Shalom was quick to warn of Pineiro’s threat.

“Lauren has to prove herself against Pineiro – who is a phenomenal fighter,” said Shalom.

“It’s hard to look past that, but what lies beyond it is possibly one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing.”

There are two ways of looking at a racing driver’s job.

Primarily, it is to get whatever car they have been given around a lap as fast as possible. In that sense, nothing has changed.

But on a more philosophical level, F1 is meant to be the ultimate challenge – the driver taking their machine and themselves to the limit of what is possible. In that sense, it very much has changed.

There is almost unanimous agreement that the challenge of a flat-out qualifying lap has diminished as a consequence of the demand for energy management. To the extent there is no longer such a thing as a flat-out lap.

Some of the sport’s most challenging corners have been made less demanding because they are now what Fernando Alonso has referred to as “charging zones”.

On some circuits, drivers are having to ‘lift and coast’ – lifting off the accelerator before corners so the electric motor can run against the engine – on qualifying laps to produce the best all-round performance.

Suzuka, which hosted the Japanese Grand Prix last weekend and is regarded as possibly the most challenging circuit on the calendar, was a test case for the new rules. And in the eyes of the drivers, the rules failed it.

The Esses – perhaps the most technically demanding piece of racetrack on the planet – was designated a “zero kilowatt zone”, where teams could deploy no electrical energy.

That meant the engines operated at more or less half power through there. The speed changes in between corners were not very much different from before, and the corners were still grip limited, but it changed the nature of the challenge.

Worse were the two Degner corners.

As McLaren team principal Andrea Stella put it: “Degner One has always been one that the drivers will mention in a season. Like, what are the most challenging corners? That’s one of those.

“Now, you think about the battery as you go through the corner, you don’t think about gaining half a tenth just by committing to it. It is now a corner in which you almost lift and roll through, and then you have to avoid going on power between Degner One and Two, because that way of using your battery would not be efficient.”

The same applied to the entry to Spoon Curve, and through Turns One and Two.

Norris said a lap of Suzuka “still feels special” but admitted it “hurts the soul” to lose, as the cars were, about 37mph from the high-speed 130R kink until braking for the chicane because the car had run out of electrical power.

Leclerc, meanwhile, swore over the radio to his team after Saturday’s session, saying: “I honestly can’t stand these new rules in qualifying. I go faster in corners, I go on throttle earlier… I’m losing everything in the straight!”

Essentially, drivers are having to do a series of actions in qualifying that McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has described as “counter-intuitive”.

Leclerc said: “Consistency is paying off more than being brave and going to take something that you’ve never tried before, which is a shame and which makes qualifying a little bit less challenging. This is something we need to work on.

“It’s a known issue. It’s not that the FIA or the teams are just accepting the situation as it is. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes and I hope that we can find a solution as soon as possible.”

Good Friday (this year marked on April 3) is arguably the biggest day in the country for fish and chips – a British staple which can be found in thousands of shops and restaurants across the UK.

And in the North East, we are no stranger to a good chippy. Our proximity to the seaside means a classic, tasty portion is always close by.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most-loved spots in the region, including their food hygiene ratings, so you can decide where to go this Good Friday.

Which one is your favourite?

Seaham

• Bells Fish and Chips – Five stars
• Downey’s Fish and Chips – One star
• Seaham Chippy – Five stars

South Tyneside

• Colmans Food Temple – Five stars

North Tyneside

• Bill’s Fish Bar – Four stars
• Fisherman’s Bay – Five stars

Teesside/North Yorkshire

• Oliver’s Fish and Chip Restaurant – Five stars
• The Little Chip – Five stars

Why do we have fish and chips on Good Friday?

Well, it all stems from the fact that Christians believe that Jesus was executed on Good Friday, sacrificing himself for his followers.

Because of this, Christians do not eat red meat on Good Friday to honour this, and instead eat fish as an alternative.

‘War’ Chisora was in a typical mischievous mood; he repeatedly swore as he predicted a “one-round” knockout.

Host Adam Smith was forced to frequently interrupt and apologise to viewers for the bad language, but Chisora did not relent, at one point encourgaing chants from the crowd.

Despite 13 losses against elite opposition – including Vitali Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk, and three bouts with Tyson Fury – Chisora has built a loyal fanbase through his quirky personality and relentless, come-forward style.

“Boxing is so easy: it’s put your hands up and hit the other guy. That’s it,” he said.

A loss for Wilder would also likely spell the end of his career.

Arriving 45 minutes late and apologising for his “tardiness”, the American made a bizarre plug for a brand of mouthguard before repeating previous comments about needing to “heal” from personal issues and past losses.

Once regarded as boxing’s most devastating puncher, the former WBC heavyweight champion has stopped 43 opponents in 44 wins, often in spectacular fashion.

“What happens when a warrior comes against a freak of nature? Derek comes to fight, but I’m coming with detonation,” Wilder said.

However, the “Bronze Bomber” has lost four of his past six fights. Since his punishing trilogy with Tyson Fury – a rivalry that saw him knocked down five times and stopped twice – Wilder has struggled to rediscover his destructive form.

“I know when I hang up the gloves, people will miss me,” he said. “When I say I’m gone, I’m gone. So enjoy me while I’m here.”

Key changes to the state pension are taking effect over the coming years

HMRC has issued a statement on how tax on the state pension works. The update follows an enquiry regarding the deductions that apply to payments.

A person contacted the tax authority via social media with a query. They asked the organisation: “Where can I find a monthly statement of my state pension showing the payment and deductions?” Now is an opportune time to review your state pension payments.

The state pension is rising by 4.8 per cent from April, increasing the full new state pension from £230.25 a week to £241.30 a week. In response to the enquiry, HMRC outlined the essential rules to understand.

The organisation said: “State pension is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and no tax is deducted at source.

“Your pension payments do appear only on your bank statements – DWP pays the same amount every four weeks.” This means if you’re entitled to the full new state pension, you’ll receive £965.20 each payment period.

If you’re receiving the full basic state pension, this will amount to £184.90 a week, or £739.60 each four-week payment period. Payments typically arrive in arrears.

The particular day you receive your state pension depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number. This is how it operates:

• 00 to 19: Monday
• 20 to 39: Tuesday
• 40 to 59: Wednesday
• 60 to 79: Thursday
• 80 to 99: Friday

Those planning for their retirement should be aware of another significant change set to take effect from April 2026.

The state pension age will rise from 66, moving up gradually to reach 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.

Legislation has also been enacted for a further increase to 68, between 2044 and 2046.

You can find out how much state pension you’re projected to receive using the forecast tool on the Government website.

A woman has shared her experience of being diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer aged just 24, urging others not to dismiss seemingly minor changes to their health

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Changes to your body should never be dismissed, regardless of how minor they might appear. Perhaps you’ve experienced a lingering ache or noticed you’re feeling unusually tired. Most of the time, such changes aren’t cause for alarm. However, it’s crucial to recognise that even the most seemingly “routine” shifts in how you feel could signal something far more serious.

A TikTok user has shared how she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer at just 24 years old, admitting she initially brushed off her symptoms as they seemed relatively unremarkable. Paige Seifert, based in the US, has been sharing her experience with colon cancer – which in the UK is typically classified alongside other cancers and referred to as bowel cancer – on social media to encourage others to seek medical advice.

She identified three warning signs that eventually led her to visit a doctor, despite having overlooked them at first.

1. Fatigue

Fatigue can point to a wide range of conditions. Often, it’s caused by simple factors such as lack of sleep or overexertion during physical activity.

However, fatigue may also be linked to underlying health issues – such as vitamin deficiencies, hormonal problems, and even cancer. If fatigue has been troubling you for some time, it’s advisable to speak with a GP.

Paige remarked: “I know this can be chalked up to a bunch of different things, whether it’s work, lack of sleep, or exercise, but this, combined with all the rest, was a big indicator for me.”

2. Stomach pain or discomfort

Digestive troubles might seem like nothing more than the aftermath of a rich dinner or something disagreeing with you. Yet Paige highlighted her abdominal issues were central to her colon cancer diagnosis.

She explained: “For me, it was super sporadic. I didn’t have it all the time, but when I did, it just felt like something was off. Whether it was nausea or stomach pains and stomach cramping.”

3. Blood in stool

Noticing blood in your stool is one of the most critical warning signs of colon cancer. That said, it doesn’t automatically indicate cancer, as haemorrhoids or anal fissures can also be responsible. Women may also spot blood when wiping during their menstrual cycle.

The NHS recommends seeking medical advice if blood has been present in your stool for three weeks or if you’re experiencing intense pain in the bottom area.

Paige shared: “Blood in your stool is a huge one and is obviously going to tip you off that something is wrong. But I know it can be written off as a bunch of other things, like haemorrhoids, and that’s what I wrote it off as. That’s what the three doctors I first saw wrote it off as.

“But this, along with the other things I was experiencing, was a definite indicator that something was wrong. Hence why I kept going to the doctor and pushing for more diagnostic testing.”

In a recent update, Paige delivered encouraging news regarding her battle with cancer. During her routine monitoring appointments, which take place every few months to track her tumour’s progress, her most recent scan revealed a blood clot on her heart and a node on her ovary, but importantly showed “no colon cancer”.

She explained: “I’m feeling super hopeful, but there’s always that part of you that’s going to worry that something is amiss. Whether it be where the cancer was originally, or a different spot.”

Bowel cancer symptoms

Bowel cancer ranks among the most common forms of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Recognising the warning signs is vital, as early detection through screening programmes can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

The most common symptoms include:

• Changes in your stool, such as softer faeces, diarrhoea or constipation that is unusual for you
• Feeling the need to defecate more or less frequently than is normal for you
• Blood in your stool, which may appear red or black
• Bleeding from your backside
• Frequently feeling the urge to defecate, even if you’ve just been to the loo
• Abdominal pain
• A lump in your abdomen
• Feeling bloated
• Unintentional weight loss
• Feeling extremely fatigued or short of breath – these are symptoms of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer

When to see a GP

If you have experienced any of the symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more, it’s important to consult a GP. The NHS recommends that if your stool is black or dark red, or if you have bloody diarrhoea, you should dial 111 for an urgent appointment.

However, if you’re experiencing continuous bleeding from your backside or there’s a significant amount of blood when you go to the loo, you must head to A&E or call 999 for immediate help.

You can find out more information on the NHS website.