This time, Bolton is playing host to the cast of the upcoming Netflix crime drama The Woods.

Filming started in Bolton on the day Netflix announced they were adapting another novel by the writer Harlan Coben.

Based on the bestselling 2007 novel, The Woods follows top barrister Paul ‘Cope’ Copeland – a man who’s life was turned upside-down when, 20 years ago, his sister Camille disappeared from a summer camp under mysterious circumstances.

Michelle Keegan ((Ian West/PA)

Now a father to ten-year-old Cami, Cope seems to have his life back in order. But things take a dark turn when a man’s body is discovered – a man who was supposed to have died 20 years previous alongside Camille.

Now knowing that this man had survived the first incident, Cope begins to suspect that his sister did, too. The Woods follows Cope down this rabbit hole as he unearths years of lies, cover-ups, and family secrets, all of which threaten to destroy the life he has managed to built.

The eight part series stars Tom Bateman in the role of Cope, with Michelle Keegan co-starring as Lucy Silverfield – Cope’s first love, and the woman who will join him on his search for the truth about his sister.

But this isn’t the first Harlan Coben adaptation to be filmed in Bolton – in fact, the town has a long history of providing a backdrop for his works.

In 2020, Billboards advertising Netflix’s The Stranger went up in Times Square New York – a far cry from the Bolton and Bury locations where the show was shot.

The Stranger adapted Harlan’s 2015 novel of the same name, wherein a man’s life unravels after a mysterious stranger reveals to him a fact about his wife.

The series shown on Netflix was produced by Red Productions.

The company has previously told The Bolton News: “RED Production Company are proud of their Northern roots, basing themselves in Manchester and filming in and around the North.

“For over twenty years RED have filmed several dramas in the area, including the recent Years and Years and current productions Traces and The Stranger.  Bolton has a great feel of a large town without being too big like a city centre. 

Production vans (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“It is also very film friendly and always so accommodating to our crews across all our shows.”

The new thriller is being produced in partnership with Quay Street Productions, with Nicola Shindler, who formed Red Productions, acting as executive producer.

And 2024 saw film crews return to the North West for an adaptation of Fool Me Once, with scenes filmed inside Bolton School.

Bolton School (Image: NQ)

As with much of Harlan’s work, Fool me Once deals with dark, macabre themes, as Maya Stone – Also played by Michelle Keegan – comes to terms with the murder of her husband.

That is – in a classic Harlan Coben twist – until she finds evidence that he may still be alive.

The book is set in New York, but the adaptation translated the action to Manchester.

Michelle Keegan spoke to Radio Times at the time, saying: “The book’s set in New York, so it’s totally different now, because they’re in Manchester.

Production vans (Image: Dan Dougherty)

“It sort of grounded it for me.”

And last year Netflix crews were back filming key scenes for an adaptation of Harlan’s Run Away, starring Gavin & Stacey actress Ruth Jones and Cold Feet actor James Nesbitt.

The drama quickly became the number-one rated show on Netflix, with many viewers likely unaware that they were watching scenes filmed in Rivington and Oldham’s Alexandra Park.

Harlan signed a multi-billion dollar deal with Netflix in 2018, giving them the right to produce adaptations of 14 of his novels, with Harlan acting as executive producer.

The Rivington (Image: Google Maps)

The shows tend to be released on January 1, with Run Away, Fool Me Once, and The Stranger being released on this date in 2026, 2024, and 2020 respectively.

Bolton’s popularity with crime show producers of various stripes is in part attributable to the old court building on Le Mans Crescent, which is often used for courtroom scenes. The exterior of the building is popular too, notable for its Grade II listed architecture.

This was the case when Cillian Murphy made an appearance on the street in 2021, decked out in Peaky Blinders garb, as he filmed scenes for the hit show.

Cillian Murphy in Bolton

The producer of the first series of the Sarah Parish crime drama, Bancroft, which was filmed in the town said he had deliberately chosen Bolton because of its crescent, town hall and civic centre architecture which created a Paris/ New York feel.

Phil Collinson said, at the time of the release of Bancroft: “We didn’t want this to feel like every other police show you watch. We looked at film noir and some American influences. And so we went to Bolton very deliberately. Bolton has an incredible Victorian crescent, town hall and civic centre. It really feels like Paris or New York around there with the old cobbled streets and big sandstone buildings.

“Then once you get inside there are long marble corridors and great big open spaces.

“The CID office is a large old room with pillars in it. Lots of old, dark wood. We tried to make it feel like the present inhabiting locations with lots of history bearing down on them.

“So this modern world is crashing together with the past. A sense the past is around you all the time. A happy by-product of that was we got really handsome locations. The whole things feels special. Steeped in history.

He added: “The locations are a big star of this show and really important to the atmosphere of the whole thing.”

This action doesn’t show any sign of slowing down, with Netflix crews spending an entire week on the street filming scenes for The Woods.

Cllr Nadeem Ayub, executive member for culture, said: “Film crews love coming to Bolton because of the fantastic architecture on Le Mans Crescent.

“It’s such as beautiful location to come and film around.

“It’s great for Bolton too – it puts us on the map and it puts us in the limelight not just in the UK but worldwide as well.

“It brings plenty of business to the town centre too, not just directly, but the crews also go around the shops in the town centre and spend money.”

These things considered, is it any wonder people call Bolton the Hollywood of the North?

Welsh woman Summer shed 11 stone after a humiliating experience but has now transformed herself and people don’t recognise her

A woman has transformed herself after a humiliating experience where ‘everybody stared at me’. Summer Thomas has lost 11 stone. Now people are unable to recognise her. Summer would previously spend her days consuming sharing bags of crisps, entire packets of chocolate digestives and calorie-laden takeaways.

The 27 year old had turned to food for comfort following the death of her mother during childhood and her step brother during her teenage years. At her heaviest, she tipped the scales at 19st 3lbs and wore a UK dress size 22.

Despite being self-conscious about her figure, the wake-up call came during a trip to a funfair with a friend – when she became stuck on one of the attractions. “As I sat down and pulled the seat belt over the top of me, the clip wouldn’t go in,” the care assistant, from Blaenau Gwent, said.

“I thought I had gotten a dodgy one by mistake. The attendant saw I was struggling and came over to help – but it wouldn’t click into place.

“I was told I had to get off as I was too big for the ride. It was a struggle getting off the seat and I thought I was stuck.

“Until my friend hoisted me up. I was so humiliated – everyone was staring at me.”

Summer would secretly consume biscuits and sweets as a youngster, burying the wrappers at the bottom of the bin to conceal the evidence, a habit that began following her mother’s death from a brain haemorrhage.

Food became her mechanism for managing her emotions, and it wasn’t until she started secondary school that she began to notice the impact of her weight. Summer explained: “I was surrounded by people who were so much smaller than me.

“I became self-conscious of how I looked. I tried to diet, but would quickly fall back into old habits.

“When I got my first job at McDonald’s, the access to burgers and endless fries each shift meant I only piled on more weight.” Summer chose to join her local Slimming World and, within 12 months, shed three stone.

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The success proved temporary, however, as tragedy struck when her step brother died in a car crash. Breakfast would consist of a sugary cup of tea accompanied by an entire pack of chocolate digestives, followed by sharing bags of crisps as a snack and large multi-packs of chocolate bars.

For dinner, she’d opt for McDonald’s or KFC. Before long, her previously loose work uniform had become uncomfortably tight.

She recalled: “It had spiralled out of control. I tried to still enjoy myself and went on nights out with friends.

“But once, while in Wetherspoons, a person looked at me and said: ‘Look at the size of her.’ I felt sick.

“I knew I had let myself go, but for a stranger to say that about me – it was mortifying.” Shortly before the distressing incident at the fairground in September 2021, Summer had rejoined Slimming World and had shed a stone.

Resolute in maintaining the diet programme and refusing to remain the “fat friend”, she transformed her eating patterns. Breakfast became granola with strawberries, lunch featured chicken and salad, while dinner comprised a low-calorie ready meal accompanied by vegetables. Sharing-size crisp packets were swapped for a single portion of a fat-free alternative.

Within two years, she had shed five stone. Yet the progress then ground to a halt.

Having grown despondent, she discovered weight loss injections and took out a monthly subscription for Mounjaro. Now, just over a year on, she tips the scales at 8st 9lb and fits into a UK dress size eight.

She went on to say: “I feel fantastic. I no longer get out of breath walking upstairs anymore.

“And I take our dogs out for two long walks every single day. I’m finally happy with my weight and slowly coming off the injections.

“Recently, I saw someone I knew in the supermarket and as I walked off, I heard them mutter that I must’ve had gastric sleeve surgery. I wasn’t offended – it was a sign of how different I looked and the progress I’ve made.

“I’m now in control of my relationship with food. And I’m excited to get back on those fair rides.”

After Amy and Chris contacted police, Peter Ferguson was given an antisocial behaviour order but breached the terms at least seven times.

A couple’s nightmare ASBO neighbour has been evicted after nearly two years terrorising them – caught on doorbell cam.

Chris and Amy Masterson have lived fear of Peter Ferguson as he carried out a campaign of verbal abuse and threats.

Ferguson was captured on camera calling Amy a “f*****g w***e,” and the couple were left barricading their own doors after a threat to petrol bomb their car.

After Amy and Chris contacted police, Ferguson was given an antisocial behaviour order but breached the terms at least seven times.

Finally, after what the pair described as am ongoing “toxic” situation, South Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that Ferguson has been evicted.

Chris, 46, told the BBC: “It’s a weight off our shoulders. When he was in the street, we couldn’t have sat outside without getting abused. We would get shouts and threats so it has been a massive weight off everybody’s shoulders.”

The couple, who had lived in their Forth home since 2016, described the area as “absolutely brilliant,” until Ferguson moved to the street in 2024.

Chris, who suffers from mobility issues following a stroke, described how he feared for the lives of Amy and their two children.

Chris said: “Ferguson started verbally abusing my wife for no reason. Then he started abusing our visitors, and it’s continued to escalate ever since.

“After he threatened to petrol bomb our car, the council took him to court to get an ASBO – which he’s broken many times.

“He’s rang the doorbell at half past one in the morning, and a few seconds after that, our car windscreen was smashed.

“My mobility is poor, so I can’t look out the window – I keep an eye on the doorbell to see if he’s going to start abusing her or be violent towards her. He’s a ticking time bomb.”

The couple appeared in court nearly 20 times over the last two years for various hearings relating to Ferguson’s behaviour, and said the legal battle had a negative effect on the whole family’s mental health.

They say they are deeply relieved to have the situation resolved.

South Lanarkshire Council said: “Eviction proceedings were concluded at Lanark Sheriff Court on 23 February 2026, and the tenancy was subsequently recovered by the council on an agreed date.

“An anti-social behaviour order granted in relation to the former tenant remains in place.”

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Trump’s strikes on Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have driven oil prices up, with a barrel of Brent crude, a major oil benchmark, hitting a four-year high of $126 on Thursday. It has since fallen back to $111 but it was trading at around $73 before the war broke out at the end of February.

The Balmoral Hotel, in Bradshawgate, said that a female worker at the venue was the victim of an alleged assault on Friday night, May 1.

Police have now confirmed that Liam Jenkinson, 31, of no fixed abode, has been charged with common assault.

A pub spokesperson said: “Here at the Balmoral, we do not condone or accept any form of violence towards our staff or management. May it be verbal or physical, you will feel the full force of the law.

“Don’t know what has happened tonight, full moon or what not, but all the plastic gangsters have been out!

“No member of staff in any venue deserves violence against them, from verbal to physical.

“We are lucky that these instances happen extremely rarely, as we do not attract these types of people and never intend to do so!

“But across venues daily, you see these sorts of things happen, and it shouldn’t. We stand by every venue in the town centre in making sure the full value of the law is given.”

Jenkinson has been bailed to appear at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates on July 15.

Ray Wood found within the Castle Howard Estate in the Howardian Hills near Malton turns into a “stunning maze of colourful displays” and is especially worth a visit during spring.

As the warmer weather arrives and the sun shines a little bit more, the hundreds of rhododendron varieties begin to flower and offer a “colourful spectacle” for locals and visitors to admire.

Those who have recently visited the Castle Howard house and gardens have complimented the grounds, including the “beautiful” woodland, lakes and walled garden.

When it comes to Ray Wood in particular, many on social media have hailed it as “magic” and “too gorgeous”.

North Yorkshire woodland ‘must be seen to be believed’ in spring

The Castle Howard website reveals about Ray Wood: “Explore the serpentine paths which meander through Ray Wood and discover an impressive botanical collection from around the world.

“Such a large and varied collection means that there is normally something of interest all year round.

“However, make sure to pay us a visit in spring when the rhododendrons begin to flower; it’s a colourful spectacle that must be seen to be believed.

“With nearly 800 species of Rhododendron as well as glades of Pieris, wild roses, magnolias, hydrangeas, viburnums, maples and rowans, Ray Wood is a stunning maze of colourful displays.”

Ray Wood stands on the site of an ancient woodland and has undergone “several transformations” during the past three centuries. 

Sharing more about its history, the Castle Howard website says: “In the 18th century it was renowned for its natural style: the 3rd Earl favoured a design of irregular, serpentine pathways – in fact so mazy were these pathways that members of the Howard family are known to have got lost in them.

“Ray Wood was filled with statues, cascades, fountains, pavilions and summerhouses, but all of these features had disappeared by the middle of the 18th century.

“All that remains of these sophisticated waterworks is the Reservoir, which was rebuilt in the 1850s to supply both of Nesfield’s fountains.

“In the 1940s Ray Wood was clear felled, but in the 1970s George Howard and his designer, James Russell, decided to reinstate the winding paths.”

Fast forward to today, and the botanical collection found within the woodland is of “national importance”.

What’s your favourite kind of spring bloom? (Image: Tripadvisor)

Castle Howard continues: “Many of the plants have come here from across the globe and were brought back to Ray Wood by some of the great plant hunters of the 19th and 20th centuries.”

Over on Tripadvisor, Castle Howard house and gardens currently has a “very good” 4.3/5 rating based on just over 4,000 reviews – more than half of which are rated as “excellent”.

Additionally, it has a 4.6/5-star rating on Google from an impressive 8,619 reviews.

In one review, which also includes praise for Ray Wood, this person posted: “I have always wanted to visit Castle Howard for years, but now having a car and with the weather nice, we went for the first time last Friday.

“The car park was free and there is plenty of spaces. We went through the entrance, and the staff member was genuinely friendly and helpful, it was a nice warm welcome.

“We only went to look round the grounds and garden and it was a real treat.

“We had a picnic, whilst looking out at the views from the boathouse and afterwards we shared a tub of ice cream.

“We then walked through the lovely woods, which lead to the temples.

“We walked around the lake, which offered breathtaking views of the house in the distance.

“We eventually ended up at the gardens which were a joy to look around.”

Someone else wrote: “Beautiful gardens and forest. The walled garden is one of the best around.

“The audio house tour is highly recommended. One can easily spend a day wandering the grounds and forest trails.

“Excellent farm and garden shop, and a children’s play area that makes adults want to join.

“Excellent cafe. All in all, a wonderful place to wander alone, or for a day out with the entire family.”

This visitor put: “If you enjoy a walk round some fabulous gardens, lakes, temples then this is for you.

“I didn’t go in the house as I had a dog with me but the tea rooms, gift shop and farm shop all had something to give you joy. Really worth a visit.”

Elsewhere, one explorer commented: “Stately home open to the public, extensive parklands and beautiful gardens and lake.

“Lovely play area for children. Land train which you can get on which drops you off at either the house or the lake, saves walking back uphill.

“When we visited there was a brass band playing which was very entertaining, combining modern songs with humour, really enjoyed it.

“Several places to eat, I had a Yorkshire rhubarb cake and it was delicious.”

Have you discovered Ray Wood at Castle Howard? Let us know in the comments below.

A chilling photo shows a man brandishing a knife he allegedly used to stab a woman to death in a suburb of Barcelona, with police confirming an arrest

A woman has been stabbed to death in a Barcelona suburb in what appears to be a random street killing.

A chilling photo of a man brandishing the weapon he allegedly used to attack the victim emerged overnight as police confirmed they had made an arrest.

The horror crime happened in broad daylight yesterday morning in Esplugues de Llobregat, near to Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium and home to former footballers Gerard Pique and Dani Alves.

Police are still trying to establish whether the attacker knew his victim, whose age and nationality have not yet been revealed.

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But they have said there was no romantic relationship between the two they were aware of and well-placed sources said they were focusing on the theory it was a random stabbing.

The woman, described locally as “young” and in one unconfirmed report as being of possible Asian origin, was knifed in the throat, chest and stomach.

A man aged 50 was also injured in the incident after intervening. and suffered wounds to his arm but his condition is not serious. The brutal killing occurred in a residential area near Sant Joan Deu Hospital, around 11am yesterday.

The suspected killer, who was wearing jeans and a hoodie and carrying a large black rusksack, was arrested around midday in Barcelona’s Les Corts neighbourhood.

Esplugues de Llobregat Town Hall said in an initial statement: “We deeply regret the violent death of a person in the town and extend our condolences to their family and loved ones.

“The council condemns all forms of violence and expresses its concern over these serious incidents, which affect community life and public safety.

“The alleged perpetrator has already been arrested by the Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force. From the outset, the Council has been coordinating with the Mossos d’Esquadra, the force leading the investigation, and the Esplugues Local Police, and is offering all necessary institutional cooperation to help clarify the facts.”

In a second statement it confirmed it had decreed two days of official mourning which started at midnight today. It described the victim as a local woman.

The Mossos D’Esquadra regional police force said in its own statement in the aftermath of the fatal stabbig: “Officers have arrested a man as the suspected author of a violent death committed this afternoon in Esplugues de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona.

“At around 11 am the 112 emergency number received a report that a man had injured a woman and fled the scene. Police and and the Emergency Medical Service (SEM) attended the scene, but were unable to save her life. The alleged perpetrator was later located and arrested”

Footage from the scene shows a forensic tent erected, concealing the body from members of the public. Terrorism has been ruled out as a motive.

Chiefs have “no powers” to stop fans potentially causing title party mayhem if Celtic or Rangers win the league.

Bosses at Glasgow City Council have admitted they have “no powers” to prevent Celtic or Rangers fans causing carnage on the streets if either of them win the league.

Both sets of supporters have taken to the city’s streets in the last five years to celebrate title triumphs and left a wave of destruction in their wake.

Fears over repeat carnage with the final day of the Scottish Premiership season just two weeks away recently forced police and Glasgow City Council to hold talks in order to prevent similar scenes. But council chiefs have now said there are no tangible enforcements that could stop fans from gathering in the city centre.

A city council spokesman told the Sun: “It is clear there are no powers which could compel fans to not gather in the city centre.

“We have agreed to work together on facilitating celebrations which would be meaningful to fans and less impactful on communities.”

The talks between Police Scotland and the council came after violence marred the recent Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox when both sets of fans clashed on the Ibrox pitch in March.

Concerns about potential disorder are well-founded. In 2021, after Rangers won the league for the first time in almost a decade, fans descended on George Square in defiance of Covid restrictions to celebrate.

Chaos ensued as fans started fighting each other, and riot police on horseback were sent in to try and break up the crowd. The incident saw more than 47 police officers injured and more than 50 arrests made.

The following year, thousands of Celtic fans gathered in the city centre to celebrate their title win. Although the celebrations passed without major incident, a massive clear-up job was left for council staff and residents.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the SPFL, clubs and other partner agencies ahead of end of season fixtures. Proportionate policing plans will be in place to minimise disruption and ensure public safety,” while a council spokesman added: “We are continuing to engage with both clubs and police colleagues.”

In what is set to be one of the most enthralling season finales in recent memory, Hearts, Rangers and Celtic are all set to go toe-to-toe in the final four matches of the season.

The post-split fixtures will see Celtic host Hearts in a potential title decider at Celtic Park on the final day of the season, while Rangers travel to Falkirk.

The SPFL confirmed that the final fixture list had been signed off by police and was shared with the city council for any concerns to be raised.

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Stephen Mangan has been a staple of British TV for years, but the Green Wing star has suffered great personal tragedy.

Stephen Mangan has spoken candidly about a significant family investment made in the wake of two losses.

Love Your Weekend With Alan Titchmarsh returns this morning, Sunday, May 3, with the host welcoming actor and comedian Stephen Mangan alongside his artist sister Anita.

Despite enjoying a flourishing career, including a role in Charles Dance‘s forthcoming film The Inn At The Edge Of The World, Mangan has endured tremendous heartache in his private life.

In 1991, when he was just 22-years-old, his mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and passed away merely six months later.

Then in 2005, his father died of a brain tumour at 63-years-old, also six months after receiving his diagnosis.

“You feel so helpless when something like that happens to someone you love,” Mangan told Metro. “A lot of people live in denial and don’t want to think about what might happen because it’s depressing.

“I find being aware the clock is ticking makes being alive feel more special. You can’t go around thinking you’re going to die all the time but life is precious because there isn’t that much of it.”

He further commented: “It’s a source of tremendous sadness to me that my parents never got to meet my children. It feels wrong but what can you do? You have to get on with it.”

Following their father’s passing, Mangan and his two younger sisters Anita and Lisa combined their resources to purchase a £800,000 country house in Wiltshire.

Speaking candidly about the lavish acquisition, the star revealed to Lauren Laverne on Desert Island Discs: “I think it’s always there because we were so close as kids.

“When dad died, we bought a little place in the countryside, all three of us, that we could use and go to as a family because you no longer have a family home or a place that you can gather so we got somewhere.

“They are the people who made me, my mum, my dad and sisters. From that little family unit everything in my life has sprung.”