An inquest into the sad death of 38-year-old Alex Hughes was opened and concluded at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington today, Wednesday.

The dad-of-two, originally from Wrexham and son of former United striker Mark Hughes, was discovered by his two sons on the floor of his bedroom unresponsive at their family home in Prestbury, Cheshire on June 19.

Cheshire coroner Victoria Davies opened an inquest into the death of Mr Hughes, who worked as Grimsby Town FC’s player recruitment lead, and previously held roles at clubs including Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn and 1860 Munich.

It was heard that Mr Hughes was ‘found collapsed on the floor of his bedroom’ at around 4am in the morning by his two sons.

An ambulance was called and his children attempted to carry out CPR whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive at their home.

Paramedics arrived on the scene but sadly Mr Hughes was pronounced dead the same day, the coroners court heard.

Coroner Davies said: “An inquest is requested due to the death being unknown, instead of unnatural.”

Referring to notes made following the postmortem, Ms Davies said that the doctor stated there was ‘no significant results’ with no signs of alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of death.

She added: “It was noted this is a sudden cardiac death.

“The cause of death should best be explained as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.”

Coroner Davies provided further background on the conclusion, noting that the syndrome occurs mainly in young men in England.

Concluding the inquest, she said: “Alex Hughes was found collapsed in his bedroom at home by his sons.

“His death was due to natural causes.”

Alex had a brief football career, on the books of Stockport County and Wrexham, before joining Blackburn in 2007, working as a performance analyst during his father’s time as manager.

He followed his father Mark to Manchester City in 2008 and worked with him again at Fulham before forging his own path abroad. He joined Grimsby Town Football Club in 2025.

Following the news of his death, a spokesman for the club said: “Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes.

“Alex was a devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother and friend, and a highly valued member of the Grimsby Town family.

“Alex joined the Mariners in 2025 and quickly became a valued and highly respected member of the football club. Working closely with Head Coach David Artell and the football department, he played an important role in shaping the club’s recruitment strategy and supporting the continued development of the men’s first-team squad.

“Prior to joining Grimsby Town, Alex built an extensive career in football spanning performance analysis, recruitment and player representation. His experience included roles with Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, AFC Fylde and Morecambe, earning a reputation as a dedicated professional with an outstanding knowledge of the game.

“Beyond his professional achievements, Alex was deeply valued by those who knew him. His warmth, professionalism and positive personality made a lasting impression throughout the football club and the wider football community.

“The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club are with Alex’s wife Jessica, his children Sebastian and Leonardo, his parents Mark and Jill, his brother Curtis, his sister Xenna, and all of his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

“The club respectfully asks that the privacy of Alex’s family is respected as they come to terms with their loss.

“Rest in peace, Alex. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.”

The exemption can save driver’s £100s a year on vehicle costs

People with disabilities may qualify for a vehicle tax exemption or a 50% reduction that could save them hundreds a year. Car tax is required for vehicle’s driving along British roads and the revenue generated is used by the UK government to fund highway construction and maintenance.

Last year the average road tax cost £195 a year but new tax increases could see that average fee rise this year.

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, payments, grants and concessions. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

The DWP has confirmed the list of people that are eligible for a car tax exemption to aid disabled individuals and give them financial support.

If you are disabled you can apply for multiple transport benefits including exemption from paying vehicle tax and parking benefits with a Blue Badge.

How to apply for a Blue Badge

Unlike England and Scotland, it is free to get a Blue Badge in Wales if you are eligible. A person does not have to drive to apply for a Blue Badge as it can be used for any car when that person is a passenger or driver.

An individual may be eligible for a badge, without the need for an assessment, if they receive the following disability benefits or have sight impairment:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement

In some circumstances a person could be eligible if they do not receive any of the benefits. These include:

• A person over two years old who has a permanent and substantial disability making them unable to walk or have difficulty walking
• A person who is unable to plan or follow any journey without the help of someone else
• A person, who has a severe disability in both arms, has considerable difficulty, or is unable, to operate all or some types of parking meter
• Child under the age of three who has a medical condition that means: they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without difficulty or they must always be near a vehicle to access life saving medical treatment for that condition or they can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.

An individual can also apply for a temporary 12 month badge if they are recovering from, or awaiting treatment for serious illnesses or injuries.

Vehicle tax exemption eligibility

If you are eligible you can get a vehicle tax exemption on a car that is registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

The car has to be used for the personal needs of a disabled person not the nominated driver.

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you receive:

• higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

Vehicle tax reduction eligibility

If you are not eligible for a complete tax exemption you may be eligible for a 50% tax reduction.

You can get the reduction if you get:

• PIP standard rate mobility component
• ADP standard rate mobility component

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

The Ballyclare teen will get her A Level results while competing in Vietnam

Northern Ireland will be represented on the Miss World stage this year after news that Miss Northern Ireland Carly Wilson withdrew from the competition.

Miss NI runner-up Amelie Moore will now travel to Vietnam this weekend in hopes of becoming Miss World 2026.

The 18-year-old student from Ballyclare has just completed her A levels in Biology, Psychology and Health and Social at Methodist College, Belfast and will open her results whilst in Vietnam.

A keen sportswoman, Amelie plays polo at a national level and has competed successfully in Ireland for many years.

She is one of seven sisters, and this week has been taking it all in her stride as she prepares for the seven fast-track events culminating in the Gala Final on September 5.

Amelie said: “I’m thrilled, excited and really cannot wait to fly the flag for ‘our wee country’ Northern Ireland and compete on the world stage.

“It’s been a hectic few days already pulling all together in such a short space of time, thanks to the huge help and support of my family, especially my mum, Tara.

“I’m sad for Carly that she is unable to travel, I do wish her well, what a special, beautiful girl she is, she is actually lending me her Miss N Ireland sash, so a little bit of her will be by my side for the entire trip!

“I promise to honour her and all of Northern Ireland by doing my best throughout the competition to showcase what we have to offer internationally on the world stage.”

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The news comes after the current Miss Northern Ireland announced that she won’t be able the upcoming Miss World competition for health reasons.

But in a statement on social media on Saturday, the Co Down woman said: “It is with deep regret that I announce I will not be attending the Miss World festival in Vietnam this month. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to attend and must prioritise my health.”

Amelie will now be one of more than 130 contestants who will take part in Miss World this year across the cities in Vietnam – Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Nha Trang.

Contestants will begin arriving on August 8, followed by a welcome reception on August 9 and the official opening ceremony on August 11.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

A spot in Cambridge is among 32 bathing water spots rated as ‘poor’ across England

A Cambridge bathing spot’s water has been rated as ‘poor’ in the latest assessment by the Environment Agency (EA). Sheep’s Green on the River Cam in Cambridge received a ‘poor’ rating, which means that the water has not met the new minimum standard.

This means that the EA advise against bathing in the water. The same spot was also rated ‘poor’ in 2025 and 2024.

Nearby at Rutland Water, Whitwell Creek and Sykes Lanes were both rated as ‘excellent’. Along the Norfolk coast, the majority of places were rated as ‘excellent’, except for Heacham and Hunstanton which were rated ‘sufficient’ and ‘good’ respectively.

Around one in every 14 bathing sites in England has poor quality water, according to the Environment Agency. Heat waves are set to return after a brief cool spell, with hot and sunny weather forecast up and down the country.

But while much of England’s bathing spots enjoy excellent quality water, that’s not true of them all. Each year, the Environment Agency (EA) assesses the water quality of officially designated bathing spots. From those, the EA give the water one of four ratings:

• Excellent – the highest, cleanest class
• Good– generally good water quality
• Sufficient – the water meets minimum standards
• Poor – the water has not met the new minimum standards

You can check out the rating of your nearest bathing spots by using our interactive map:

The vast majority of sites are rated either excellent (66 per cent) or good (21 per cent). That leaves six per cent which are rated sufficient, and seven per cent which are rated poor. That’s a total of 32 bathing spots given the worst possible water quality rating.

Many of those are inland bathing spots, such as Derwent Water in the Lake District. Three are on rivers in Yorkshire – the River Nidd in Knaresborough, the Wharfe in Ilkley and the Wharfe in Wetherby – and one on the Ribble at Edisford Bridge in Clitheroe in Lancashire.

Bathing spots at the River Severn in Shrewsbury, River Severn at Ironbridge and River Teme in Ludlow all received poor water quality ratings. So too did Sheep’s Green on the River Cam in Cambridge, Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford, the River Frome at Farleigh Hungerford outside Bath, the River Avon at Fordingbridge in Hampshire and the River Tone at French Weir Park in Taunton.

Parts of Silvertonhill and Coatshill are no longer served after route changes and the withdrawal of an SPT service

Residents in parts of Hamilton and Blantyre are calling for the reinstatement of valued local bus routes after service changes left their neighbourhoods feeling “cut off”.

The SPT-funded 230 service was withdrawn four months ago after being considered to duplicate much of a newly-revised commercial route – meaning that a number of streets in Silvertonhill as well as the Coatshill loop in Blantyre are no longer on the route map.

Politicians from all parties are campaigning for stops in the areas to be reintroduced, with both Hamilton MP Imogen Walker and Clare Haughey MSP, whose constituency includes Blantyre, this week meeting bus operators to highlight residents’ needs.

First Bus replaced their former 229 in March with the new 211 which runs from Eddlewood and Silvertonhill to Hamilton town centre and on to Motherwell and Airdrie, “providing cross-Lanarkshire links”.

It was then deemed to replicate much of the 230 route supported by public transport body SPT – with the service being withdrawn and its then-operators informing passengers: “SPT have cancelled the contract for peak-only service 230 between Silvertonhill and Hamilton town centre. therefore this service will be withdrawn from March 29; please contact SPT for alternative travel options.”

The cancelled bus had served the Aitken Road and Fenwick Drive areas of Silvertonhill, meaning residents now have to walk up to half a mile to reach a suitable bus stop on Silvertonhill Avenue; as well as Coatshill in Blantyre, which is not part of the new 211 route ending in Eddlewood.

Residents in Coatshill now have “no direct bus service” with the loop serving streets including Carlowrie Avenue, Morven Avenue, Farm Road and Station Road not being part of the new service and passengers from areas including Buller Crescent, Tarbet Avenue and Monteith Place now facing 15-minute walks to their nearest stop.

Constituency MSP Ms Haughey has raised the issue with both SPT and First Bus, including meeting the commercial operator this week to ask about reinstating provision such as by extending or rerouting the 211 to cover the area.

She noted the company’s reversal last summer of plans to withdraw the 65 service in Cambuslang and Rutherglen following appeals from the community; and First Bus have responded by saying they will “assess whether it would be viable”.

Ms Haughey told the Hamilton Advertiser: “Residents in Coatshill made it very clear just how vital a link [the fomer 230] was, particularly to older, disabled or vulnerable people in the community.

“Given First Bus’ willingness to partially reverse their cut to the 65 service after a significant number of people outlined to me how it would affect them, I was keen to work with them to look for a solution in Blantyre.

“At a recent meeting with First, I asked if they would be able to introduce a new service or amend existing ones to take in the Coatshill loop. Although they are unsure if their buses will be able to drive safely along the old 230 route, I’m pleased they’ve committed to investigating this.”

She added: “As it stands, there’s a significant part of Blantyre – Coatshill, Priory Bridge, and the Village – that no longer have direct access to a bus. I will continue to press this issue with SPT, and urge them to take action to support these areas.”

Ms Walker also met First Bus representatives at their Blantyre depot this week “to discuss whether the new 211 service could be amended to serve Aitken Road and Fenwick Drive, ensuring the route better reflects the needs and travel patterns of the community”.

The Hamilton & Clyde Valley MP said of the affected Silvertonhill neighbourhood: “This section of the route was relied upon by many local residents, particularly older people – [they] now have to walk to Silvertonhill Avenue to access a bus service, which can be extremely difficult or impossible for those with limited mobility.

“There is a real risk of increased social isolation with some residents finding it harder to access shops, healthcare and maintain social connections.”

Ms Walker asked that some of the route changes “be looked at again with another stop opened up to make journeys easier”, and told constituents: “First Bus has agreed to walk the new 211 route with me to go through the impact of the changes and explore whether amendments can be made to better meet the needs of the wider community.

“We’ll meet again to discuss the route later in the year when they have been able to review the situation. Public transport is vital across our towns and villages, and services must reflect the needs and travel patterns of the communities they serve. I’m grateful to First Bus for being open to this discussion.”

Councillors in both areas have also shared residents’ concerns about the changed services, including Blantyre representatives Mo Razzaq and Maureen Chalmers, and Hamilton South councillor Gavin Keatt.

A spokesperson for First Bus told the Advertiser: “During the discussion in our recent meetings with Imogen Walker MP and Clare Haughey MSP, we confirmed we are considering their requests, and currently assessing whether it would be viable to provide a service for the Coatshill area of Blantyre.

“We have explained that the previous service covering Coatshill was subsidised by SPT and was not operated by First Bus on a commercial basis.

“We regularly review our network and are always open to opportunities to improve services for local communities where it’s feasible to do so.”

An SPT spokesperson said: “In the current deregulated market, changes to bus services and competition are for commercial operators to decide. When commercial changes are implemented, SPT routinely reviews the remaining supported bus provision and must make adjustments where necessary in line with our frameworks and available budget.

“While we note that the revised bus provision may not be as convenient for some communities, both Silvertonhill and Coatshill continue to have access to bus provision within a reasonable walking distance.

“SPT views on the current market and the future are clearly set out in the Strathclyde regional bus strategy. SPT is currently taking forward a franchising assessment under the 2019 Transport (Scotland) Act.”

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Known to fans as “The Dogfather”, Graeme is a revered canine expert who has been offering his tips for dog owners on both TV and in print for years.

Announcing his latest unexpected venture on Wednesday morning, he admitted he “can’t believe” that he’s landed a spot on the next Strictly line-up.

“I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true,” he enthused. “I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can’t wait to get started.”

“Bring it on!” he added.

Graeme is the eleventh name confirmed for the upcoming run of Strictly Come Dancing, the line-up for which already boasts an eclectic mix of stars from the world of music, sport, TV and beyond.

By AIDAN RADNEDGE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 14:30 BST, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 15:46 BST, 5 August 2026

Four men have been rushed to a major trauma centre after stabbings near Covent Garden in central London.

A woman, 47, has been arrested following the incident this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said – while four men were being treated for injuries.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene in Endell Street at around 12.30pm.

A police cordon was put in place and an air ambulance helicopter was seen landing in nearby Trafalgar Square. 

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The injured men are aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, according to Scotland Yard, who said a pair of scissors was seized from the scene.

The arrested woman is being held on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assault.

Reports have suggested that the stabbings were carried out using scissors, while police said they believed it to be a ‘mental health related incident’. 

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Police officers arrested a woman after four people were stabbed in central London

A man wearing a blood-soaked shirt was seen alerting police officers to his injuries

Police and paramedics were called to Endell Street in central London after four men were stabbed on Wednesday afternoon

An air ambulance helicopter was seen landing in Trafalgar Square after nearby stabbings today

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Four men were taken to a major trauma centre following stabbings near Covent Garden in London’s West End, the LAS said. Paramedics are seen in nearby Trafalgar Square

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The radio station LBC reported a witness at Endell Street’s Craft Beer Co bar as saying a woman approached people outside the Shaftesbury Theatre showing the musical Avenue Q.

Two men were reportedly stabbed in the back there, ‘with scissors’, before others were attacked further along Endell Street.

A London Ambulance Service Spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 12:29pm today (5 August) to reports of a stabbing on Endell Street, WC2H.

‘We sent an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer.

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‘We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

‘We treated four patients at the scene and took them all to a major trauma centre as a priority by road.’

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said that the four men were found with stab wounds after officers were called at about 12.27pm.

They said: ‘They have since been taken to hospital and we await an update on their injuries.

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A police cordon was put in place after four men suffered stab wounds near Covent Garden

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said four men aged 34, 39, 42 and 52 were found with stab wounds after officers were called at about 12.27pm – officers remained on the scene

‘A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault. She was taken to custody where she remains.

‘Police remain in the area, with a scene in place on Endell Street and the surrounding areas in Covent Garden.

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‘Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD3449/05AUG.’

The force added that this was believed to be ‘a mental health related incident’ and that officers had seized a pair of scissors at the scene. 

A large police cordon was put up from High Holborn to the St Mungo’s homeless centre in Endell Street, where officers were speaking to people before they entered the building.

Restaurants near the cordon towards Long Acre continued business.

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Matt Bishop, 42, who works at a consultancy firm next to the cordon, said he had seen a woman having a ‘stand-off’ with three police officers and waving a weapon around.

He added that he did not see the stabbing but saw the woman running towards the crossroads and said she seemed ‘pretty incoherent’.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about the incident at a Network Rail site in Nether Poppleton at about 10.20pm on Monday (August 3).

The force said four people broke into the site by cutting through fencing and damage “several drums of high value cable”.

A police spokesperson said the alleged suspects were seen fleeing the area on foot towards the Arnold Clark dealership.

They said officers were called and tracked the reported suspects through a field between Hudson Way and the Arnold Clark car park, where three of the four men were seen climbing a fence into the dealership grounds.

“The suspects were then seen attempting to conceal themselves near an electrical and gas box at the front of the depot before making off towards Great North Way and Hudson Way,” the police spokesperson said.

“Significant damage” was caused to three large spools of cable during the break-in, the police spokesperson said.

They said the cable had been cut and placed on the ground, “apparently ready to be removed from the site”.

Police said four men, aged between 36 and 46, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and taken into custody.

Charli Hillman was adjudged to have recorded a member of the public take part in “intimate behaviour”- without their consent- within the confines of the pub’s outdoor area.

A social care worker has been suspended until October after being convicted of an act of voyeurism at an Ayrshire pub.

Charli Hillman was adjudged to have recorded a member of the public take part in “intimate behaviour”- without their consent- within the confines of the pub’s outdoor area.

It was also said that Hillman posted the recording to social media, contrary to section 9 (1), (2) and (4) of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

The offence took place on 23 March 2025 and Hillman was convicted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in February this year. Hillman’s town of employment is Ayr.

Now the industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), has taken the decision to suspend Hillman from her social care duties until later in the year and imposed conditions attached to her registration.

In their decision notice they said Hillman’s current fitness to practise is “impaired” due to the conviction.

The SSSC said to Hillman: “Social service workers must not behave, while in or outside work, in a way that would bring their suitability to work in social services into question. You (Hillman) have been convicted of an offence whereby you recorded another person and shared this footage online.

“Although it did not occur within your employment, this behaviour raises concerns about your character and underlying values. Your actions contribute to societal issues surrounding image-based violence and placed members of the public at risk of emotional and reputational harm.”

The SSSC continued: “The circumstances of your offence were that you were in the outdoor area of a public house and recorded a short video of two individuals publicly engaging in intimate behaviour and shared this on a private social media story. Your criminal justice social worker has described the offence as being situational and opportunistic, influenced significantly by alcohol and impaired judgment, with no evidence of planning, sexual motivation or any underlying pattern of offending. This makes the seriousness of the behaviour significantly lower than if it had been sexually motivated.”

Hillman, it was revealed, expressed “regret,” “accepted responsibility” for her actions and “co-operated fully” with the SSSC investigation.

However, the SSSC accused Hillman of a “distinct lack of insight or reflection” within their response to the regulatory body.

The SSSC said: “You (Hillman) have failed to acknowledge the harm caused to the victim and the long-term implications of your actions on her. Your response also fails to acknowledge the impact of your behaviour on public confidence in the social services profession.”

There were a number of “positive references” produced on Hillman’s behalf, the SSSC revealed, and they spoke “highly” of her professionalism and competency within the social services sector.

Hillman had not previously come to the attention of the SSSC and enjoyed a “positive history” in the social services sector, the report states.

However, the SSSC said: “The nature of your conviction raises serious concerns about your underlying values which suggest a risk of repetition. The SSSC has a duty to protect the public and uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour for social care workers.

“As a result of your conviction, you have been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for a period of six months. Members of the public would have concerns about such a person being employed in a trusted and caring profession.

“Your conviction would undoubtedly damage the reputation of the profession, and a finding of impairment is necessary to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the Register and in the SSSC as a regulator.”

Hillman was suspended until October 25 with conditions applied to her continued registration.

One of those conditions includes a written “reflective account” to the SSSC’s Fitness to Practise Department, showing Hillman understands the “seriousness” and impact of their behaviour and the standards expected of them as a registered worker.