Wales take on the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium Twickenham next Saturday ahead of the Nations Championship.

Steve Tandy is expected to be without 15 of his squad because the game falls outside of World Rugby’s designated international window.

But even so the Wales coach should still be able to select a strong side. This is the matchday squad he is likely to select.

15. Blair Murray

Louis Rees-Zammit is unavailable for the Barbarians game so Tandy will have to look at alternative options, particularly with the Bristol man declaring he wants to remain a winger going forward.

Blair Murray was Tandy’s full-back during the autumn, although concerns surrounded his aerial ability.

Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee are other potential options but Tandy is likely to go with Murray’s attacking threat.

14. Mason Grady

The Cardiff wing is currently recovering from a fractured thumb but is expected to be fit by the time Wales face the Barbarians.

Grady is a very effective runner when put into space; his size, explosive power and space are potentially big assets to this Wales side.

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13. Eddie James

Many experts believe James’s best position is inside centre.

That might be the case in the long-run but Tandy might want to go for continuity this summer.

James is a very powerful ball carrier capable of making significant post-contact metres.

12. Joe Hawkins

Hawkins’ partnership with James improved as the Six Nations wore on. While Tandy could look at Bryn Bradley at some point, the Harlequins centre is unavailable against the Barbarians.

The Scarlets centre is a talented footballer with a physical presence, and his distribution is generally very good.

11. Josh Adams

The 31-year-old finished the season strongly for Cardiff and his experience will be important for Wales moving towards the Rugby World Cup.

Adams is strong both under the high-ball and in defence, while he is also a potent finisher.

10. Dan Edwards

The Ospreys outside-half finished the Six Nations with an outstanding individual performance in the victory over Italy at the Principality Stadium.

Edwards will relish the challenge the Barbarians will present and his attacking instincts should come to the fore.

9. Kieran Hardy

This is a good opportunity for the 30-year-old with Tomos Williams unavailable.

Tandy also has the option of Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ellis Bevan but based on recent selections Hardy is higher up the pecking order.

8. Aaron Wainwright

The 28-year-old was Wales’ best player during the Six Nations and elevated his game to a whole new level.

Wainwright is a dynamic ball carrier who is extremely physical and is also effective when put into space where his skillset comes to the fore.

7. Jac Morgan

Tandy will be delighted to see Morgan fit again after the 26-year-old missed the Six Nations due to dislocating his shoulder against Argentina last autumn.

Morgan is a world class player and one of the first names on Tandy’s team sheet.

His return creates intense competition for the number six shirt given how well certain players performed in his absence.

6. James Botham

Wales have some strong options at blindside flanker but Botham had a fine Six Nations campaign.

The 28-year-old has a huge engine and gets through a mountain of unseen work in defence while he also offers himself as a carrier.

5. Teddy Williams

The 25-year-old has not played since dislocating his foot against Connacht last October.

But he is expected to be fit by the time the Barbarians game comes around and this is the perfect opportunity for Tandy to give the Cardiff lock a run out.

Wales are also without Dafydd Jenkins, Freddie Thomas and potentially Adam Beard, as the Top 14 final is the same day as the Barbarians fixture.

4. Ben Carter

The Dragons lock stepped into Adam Beard’s shoes in Wales’ narrow defeat against Scotland and impressed.

Carter called the lineout during the Six Nations and is a workhorse who puts his body on the line.

It will be interesting to see how he kicks on this summer.

3. Dillon Lewis

The 30-year-old has not played for Wales since March 2024, so he will undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to represent his country again.

Lewis will arguably be Wales’ most important player this summer given the injuries at tighthead with Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin and Keiron Assiratti all unavailable.

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2. Dewi Lake (Captain)

The Gloucester-bound hooker missed the latter part of the Ospreys’ season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he is expected to be fit this summer.

Lake was outstanding towards the back end of the Six Nations as Wales’ lineout improved dramatically while he also carried well.

1. Gareth Thomas

With Rhys Carré and Nicky Smith unavailable the Barbarians fixture could prove a good opportunity for Thomas.

The experienced Ospreys prop was a Wales regular up until recently and will want his shirt back.

Replacements

16. Evan Lloyd

If this were a Test match Ryan Elias would be on the bench but Tandy might want to use his bench to look at certain players.

Lloyd could thrive when the game is looser in the second-half.

17. Rhys Barratt

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine season with Cardiff and thoroughly deserves his place in the Wales squad.

Barratt offers a huge amount around the park.

18. Ben Warren

Wales have been hit by a plethora of injuries at tighthead but this could be the uncapped Warren’s breakthrough campaign.

19. Ryan Woodman

Wales are without three front-line locks against the Barbarians so Woodman may have to cover the second-row.

The former Wales U20s captain is a fine prospect who has gone well for the Dragons this season.

20. Taine Plumtree

The Scarlets man has his critics but when at his best he can be very effective.

Plumtree would thrive in a looser game against the Barbarians.

21. Reuben Morgan-Williams

The Ospreys scrum-half has had to bide his time with Wales and will be eager to make an impact.

22. Sam Costelow

The Scarlets playmaker has not played since injuring his shoulder against Scotland.

But at his best Costelow can be very effective and his battle with Dan Edwards for the number 10 shirt can only be a good thing moving forward.

23. Ellis Mee

The Scarlets man is strong under the high ball and a decent broken field runner who can cover wing and full-back.

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Ben Shephard delivered an update, which he described as ‘shocking’, during ITV’s This Morning, as he spoke openly about the death of a famous tree

This Morning host Ben Shephard shared some “sad news” on Thursday’s show.

On Thursday’s ITV show, Ben and his co-host Cat Deeley were back at the helm to deliver another jam-packed programme. During the show, the presenters spoke to resident gardener David.

This is when the death of the 1,200-year-old oak tree was mentioned. He said to David via video link: “Just before you go, because there has been some sad news here today, which is the ancient oak tree that has been linked to the Robin Hood legend, it has been featured in all sorts of films, has sadly died.

“It’s really shocking to see it looking how it is now!”

Located in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, the ancient oak was considered the oldest and largest tree in Europe. After enduring several years of unusually hot and dry summers, it failed to produce leaves this spring, signalling the end of its life.

According to local folklore, the tree once served as a hiding place for Robin Hood, the legendary outlaw who stole from the wealthy to help the poor.

It is said he sought shelter beneath its branches while evading the Sheriff of Nottingham. In 2010, snowfall on the trunk even created a striking image that many believed resembled Friar Tuck.

For more than two centuries, the Major Oak has attracted visitors eager to see the iconic tree and its connection to the Robin Hood story.

However, the constant stream of tourists has compacted the surrounding ground over time, making it harder for rainwater to reach the tree’s roots and contributing to its decline.

Although previous reports suggesting the Major Oak had died proved inaccurate, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) confirmed on Thursday that the historic tree has failed to regenerate, despite conservation efforts launched in 2023 to preserve it.

The famous oak earned its name after being featured in a 1790 publication about oak trees by Major Hayman Rooke, sparking widespread interest and drawing visitors to Sherwood Forest.

While experts cannot pinpoint a single cause of the tree’s death, a combination of factors is believed to have contributed. Heavy foot traffic from millions of visitors over the years compacted the surrounding soil, while measures taken to support its enormous branches with cables and props may also have affected its health.

Arborists examining the oak discovered that its root system had become severely deprived of both space and nutrients, leaving it weakened and unable to survive.

Robert Brackley, an outdoor educator who has proudly shown the Major oak to thousands, told The Guardian: “The stories it has given us are the legacy. It’s the most famous tree in the world.”

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

Repeated and mindless vandalism at Norton’s toilets in Church Street is causing significant damage and disruption for residents and visitors alike

Cllr Keane Duncan has joined with North Yorkshire Council, North Yorkshire Police and Norton Town Council to discuss action to prevent further damage.

“We have seen repeated and mindless vandalism at Norton’s toilets, causing significant damage and disruption for residents and visitors alike,” he said.

“I feel very strongly that we should not give in to a small minority by closing facilities that the wider community relies upon. Those responsible should face the consequences of their actions, not local people who need access to these important amenities.

“However, the vandalism is repeated and costly, which is why partners are working together to prevent further incidents.

“We discussed a range of measures including additional inspections, faster reporting, extra cameras, vandal-resistant fixtures and improvements to the surrounding area. We are also open to suggestions from the community.

“We are determined to do everything we can to protect these facilities and stop further damage occurring in the future.

Cllr Di Keal, Mayor of Norton on Derwent said: “Norton Town council believes that providing public toilets is an essential part of what a town provides for our residents and as Mayor I have spoken out again recently after the toilets were vandalised for the third time in the last few months. They are now thankfully open again.

“Our county councillor has assured us that the toilets are not under threat of closure for the time being, but the costs involved in repairs after repeated bouts of vandalism are huge, which is why we are appealing to local people to help us identify those who are determined to do this damage and deprive others of these important facilities.

“If anyone notices any suspicious behaviour around the public toilets they should report it to the police immediately on 101.

“The town council will fight to retain our toilets, which is why we have invested in CCTV to monitor the area, but I am appealing again for public support to help us. We are working with North Yorkshire Council and the police on the issue and hope that the culprits who are repeatedly ruining these facilities will be identified and prosecuted.”

England did not want to go through the play-offs but were given an unkind draw in the qualifying groups when they met world champions Spain.

It does mean, however, that Sarina Wiegman’s side are in a strong position for the play-offs and will fancy their chances with a kind trip to Greece in October.

They beat potential round two opponents Ukraine in both matches in the qualifying group stage, which will give them confidence too.

There is a tricky tie for Northern Ireland, who come up against a talented young squad from Portugal in round one. Portugal twice beat Northern Ireland in Euro 2025 qualifying.

Their task gets trickier if they make it through to round two with potential opponents Iceland proving to be difficult to break down in their matches against England this year.

Scotland are hoping to reach just their second Women’s World Cup finals having failed to qualify in 2023.

They performed well in this year’s qualifying group stages, including draws with Belgium that showed they can compete with Europe’s strongest teams.

They will need to produce their best in round two if they meet big-hitters Sweden, who have been semi-finalists in the past two Women’s World Cup finals.

Wales have never beaten a top-20 ranked nation in a competitive fixture and are likely to need to do so to qualify – and their away form needs improvement.

But Rhian Wilkinson’s side face familiar opponents in round one. They thrashed Albania 4-0 in their qualifying group so who says they can’t do it again?

Meanwhile, having performed superbly in qualifying, the Republic of Ireland have a tricky play-off route with established European opposition Belgium potentially waiting in round two.

First, Carly Ward’s side will have to navigate a 3,100-mile trip to Kazakhstan, against relatively unknown opposition.

I used to get up in the morning, look at my wardrobe and decide what colour I was going to wear that day. Well, it was no surprise that most days it was pink.

I still do the same today, but it is not just my clothes, shoes and jewellery I try to match. I have an additional accessory which must blend in with my daily wear – my power-chair.

Now, to those that do not use mobility equipment the thought of having a colour for that aid might seem a bit alien. An aid is an aid right. If it gets you from A to B, less pain, less stress what’s the problem? However, having to use mobility aids is more than just needing an extra arm or leg to lean on. It is something that for many becomes a part of us for our lifetime.

When I swapped my dancing feet of the stage for the wheels of my chair, my first thought was not the colour I’ll be honest.  It never crossed my mind that maybe if I had a chair that represented me, I might have accepted me.

My first chair, a manual, was a black hand-me-down, a bit battered and dented and I would look at the chair and feel depressed. It didn’t occur that it was because there was nothing on the chair that screamed “me”.

My next chair, a power-chair, was silver with paint peeling in places. Not the best-looking thing but I could get around the shops without relying on others and without my joints sublaxing from pushing myself.

However, after getting my head around the idea of having to use a chair in the first place I started to think about how I could make it a part of me and bring out my personality. It gave me an idea.

The next year I was graduating with my law degree, that’s when I decided I didn’t want to go on stage with a battered silver chair, I wanted something that would represent me and my lifestyle. Something that stood out and said, I am more than just a girl in a chair. I turned to my PA and said: “Get out the spray can, we’re painting my chair.”

This was a bit much, even for her, so hitting her list of contacts on Facebook, a request was put out. That’s when a kind stranger stepped in. A week later and my chair was in a workshop being stripped down and re-painted. I left the shade of pink up to the garage. Used to painting police cars, ambulances and the Sainsbury’s vans, I think they were in shock at having a power-chair in their possession being painted…. PINK!

The colour I was presented with upon pick up was amazing. It just said: “this is me”. I was beyond belief. I got in my chair and it was like putting on that one pair of shoes you own that says: “I’ve got this”. For the first time since needing the chair I felt empowered.

The generosity of a stranger changed my outlook on life that day.

However, it was not just my outlook on life that the colour of my wheelchair changed, it was how people saw and treated me too.

When I graduated, rather than people pointing me out for my disability, they were pointing me out for the colour of the chair: “Did you see the girl in the pink wheelchair?”

Yes, they still saw the chair, but it will always be a part of me that I cannot change, but I was no longer the “disabled girl”.

My chair has become a real talking point. A trip to Tesco for a pint of milk can take 40 minutes as people stop and tell me they love the colour of the chair, saying their mum, daughter, auntie, sister would love it.

I just wish that the option for chairs with colour was open to everyone. The range is widening but there are still limitations. Unless you can afford to buy your own you are stuck with very few choices. Pink is available on the NHS but when you compare what I have to what is on the market there is no comparison.

We are talking about people who will need aids for the rest of our lives, whether that is  wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches. Don’t we have the right to feel empowered too!

I talk to many people about the colour of wheelchairs, and have asked them whether it matters to them.

Amanda said: “It gives me my personality. You’re not going to go voluntarily and wear a school uniform every day of your life. You come home from school as a child and you put on your clothes.

(Image: Victoria Jayne Scholes)

“You come home from work as an adult, and if you are in scrubs or you’re in specific uniform, you change out of it. That’s effectively what this is. This is me. It’s my colours. I have purple gloves that go with my purple wheels. It’s a little bit of a talking point”

Roisin said: “I think having a mobility aid that represents you is really important. I use a wheelchair and I use it everyday so I would want it to be something I feel comfortable and stylish in.

“As a disabled model, style is important to me as it’s how I show up in the world.

(Image: Victoria Jayne Scholes)

“How we show up, can affect how we are treated, and my wheelchair plays a part in this. Also being disabled, there is often a focus on practicality and functionality, especially in medical settings, and while I acknowledge that this is important – having a wheelchair that more accurately represents me makes me feel in control of my identity.

“Plain mobility aids can feel less personal and at times dehumanising. A wheelchair is more than just a mobility aid, it becomes part of someone.”

Dean said: “I’m quite a bubbly and cheerful character, and I feel that my chair should also reflect that.

(Image: Victoria Jayne Scholes)

“It reveals a bit of my personality, and I find people notice the colour of the chair and the flashing lights rather than noticing that I’m disabled. It becomes this awesome icebreaker that everyone comments on and asks questions about, rather than being a mobility aid that people sometimes get a bit intimidated by.”

Rebecca said: “I see my wheelchair as an extension of myself. Because of this I like to customise my wheelchair to echo parts of who I am. The colourful butterfly on my spoke guards highlights my love of colour and enables me to have confidence as a wheelchair user.

(Image: Victoria Jayne Scholes)

“As a byproduct, when I see others noticing my wheels and perhaps smile, I think it might change in their mind how wheelchairs are viewed. This is what I think most wheelchair user want – for wheelchairs not to be seen as a negative thing.” 

Getting in my chair is not only about feeling empowered but when I am feeling down it can help, as people talk to me rather than stare.

In a society where disabled people are getting a hard time anything to brighten a day is positive. This maybe something that should be looked at further, can a coloured wheelchair help people in the workplace? Would it stop bullying of disabled people? Maybe, maybe not. Can a colour really be that powerful?

Choice should matter and the choice of colour should be included, not just a little touch here, why can’t a wheelchair be fully pink?

We should have that choice with our aids, they are our personality, they help us stand up in the world, and they should reflect our character. They shouldn’t be viewed as a negative thing, a colour says to everyone, this is who I am!

All of the eyes of Westminster will be on the outcome of the Makerfield contest

As the polls open for the much-talked about Makerfield by-election today (Thursday, 18 June), questions are mounting across the country regarding the exact timeline for the next general election.

The extraordinary circumstances surrounding the Makerfield vote – which was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons last month to clear a path for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to re-enter Parliament – have fundamentally shaken the political landscape.

With Westminster bracing for potential leadership challenges and a surging Reform UK opposition, speculation regarding the next date the public will head to the polls is dominating discourse.

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According to official guidelines from the UK Parliament website and constitutional analysis by the Institute for Government, the outer limits of the current parliamentary term are strictly governed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022. This legislation repealed the old Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, which previously mandated rigid five-year intervals between general elections.

The 2022 Act revived the traditional royal prerogative, meaning the government of the day can decide exactly when to call a general election by requesting that the monarch dissolve Parliament. If a Prime Minister chooses not to exercise this right to call an early election, Parliament is legally scheduled to dissolve automatically on the exact fifth anniversary of its first meeting.

Following the July 4, 2024 general election, the current parliament met for the first time five days later on July 9. This means that the automatic dissolution is scheduled to take place on July 9, 2029.

The law states that 25 working days must follow dissolution to allow for the campaign, making the ultimate legal deadline for a general election is Wednesday, August 15, 2029.

While elections can legally be held on any weekday, holding them on a Thursday has become a firm British election convention. Every UK general election since 1935 has taken place on a Thursday.

This means that if this parliament runs to its absolute limit, the vote would likely be pulled forward slightly from the Wednesday deadline to Thursday, August 9, 2029.

While the absolute deadline is years away, the Makerfield by-election has forced political strategists to evaluate their long-term survival plans.

The 2022 Act returned a distinct tactical advantage to Downing Street – allowing the Prime Minister to choose a favourable polling window. However, a major upset in Makerfield could strip away that strategic leverage.

Police had previously recommendd Robbie Kenneth Diffey’s licence be revoked, but before it was he killed Pete D’Arcy in a terrifying crash

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A man who killed himself and an innocent father-of-three in a head-on collision was high on cannabis and filming on his phone as he drove at 92mph.

Pete D’Arcy, 57, died after his Volkswagen T-Roc car was hit by a speeding Audi A4 being driven by Robbie Kenneth Diffey, 24, on December 13, 2025.

Diffey was also pronounced dead at the scene, travelling at 92mph under the influence of drugs and alcohol before swerving onto Mr D’Arcy’s side of the road before the crash.

He had been stopped by police two months earlier after he was found to be driving under the influence of cannabis. Dorset Police recommended his license be revoked, but it wasn’t until a few days after the tragedy.

A coroner ruled at an inquest on May 28, 2026, that Mr D’Arcy was unlawfully killed, reports SomersetLive.

Pete’s widow, Louise, has said the fatal crash could have been avoidable, and the resulting impact of his death has meant her two of three children, Lucy, 24, and Jack, 17, now struggle with driving.

Louise, a carer from Salisbury, Wiltshire, said: “The other driver was recording it, and he was going nearly 100mph – he was on Pete’s side of the road, and the worst of it is he’d been stopped weeks before for drug driving.

“He didn’t have his license taken away, and he was waiting to be banned – the police had sent the paperwork off to the DVLA saying they were waiting on blood results to ban him.

“I knew it wasn’t Pete’s fault. I’ve known him for 25 years, we were together 23 years. He’d never had an accident, and he drove across the country for his job daily.

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“I know his [Diffey’s] family have lost somebody as well, but it was his choice to get behind that wheel – he didn’t think of anyone else.

“My 17-year-old, he doesn’t want to drive now because of this. My daughter, Lucy, passed her test last year, and she doesn’t want to drive either.”

Louise and Pete had separated three years before the crash, and Louise said he had dropped off their son at home just minutes before he died.

She told Sell Us Your Story: “He had taken our 17-year-old son out for the day to watch the football.

“He had dropped him back, and on the way back, about 10 minutes away, there was an accident.

“The police came round about half 10 in the evening. You get a knock on the door and see two policemen, but it didn’t even enter my head that I’d be in that situation.

“We were told what had happened, but they couldn’t give us a lot of detail at the time, only that both drivers had died at the scene.

“It’s been a rollercoaster with so many questions. We’ve seen pictures of the car – the impact was so bad that the engine came out of the car and the bonnet flew off.

“The other guy was coming from the Wimborne side, and Pete didn’t stand a chance basically – there have been a number of accidents there.”

The inquest on May 28 heard that police had found an open bottle of Peroni between Diffey’s legs after the crash.

Police also found a Snapchat video which showed Mr D’Arcy flashing his lights a second before impact.

Coroner Rachael Griffin concluded that Mr D’Arcy’s death was “unlawful” and described Diffey’s driving as “audacious and abhorrent”.

Reacting to the inquest, Louise said the crash could have been “prevented.”

She added: “It was really upsetting – it could have been prevented if the police had more power to take licenses off him when he got stopped.

“He was stopped on October 25, and they didn’t get the blood test result until December 24, and the crash was on the 13th.

“They need more powers and to be able to speed the process up. It’s just awful.”

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The Dorset Coroners’ Office said: “At approximately 18.04 hours on December 13, 2025, Robbie Kenneth Diffey was driving his motor vehicle an Audi A4 registration OE60 PVP along the northbound carriageway of the B3078 Cranborne Road, Knowlton, Dorset, whilst under the influence of alcohol and cannabis and whilst using his mobile phone in his hand, at a speed of at least 92mph when he crossed onto the southbound carriageway and collided in an offset head on position with an oncoming motor vehicle.

“At approximately 18.04 hours on December 13, 2025, Peter John D’Arcy was driving his motor vehicle a Volkswagen T-Roc registration VO70 CDF along the southbound carriageway of the B3078 Cranborne Road, Knowlton, Dorset, when an oncoming vehicle being driven in the northbound carriageway crossed onto the southbound carriageway and collided with Pete’s vehicle in an offset head on position.

“At the point of the collision the driver of the other vehicle was travelling at a speed of at least 92mph, using his mobile phone in his hand to video his driving, and driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and cannabis.”

North Yorkshire Council Planning Committee has given the go-ahead for an application to repair Nunnington Bridge following a vehicle strike.

The demolition of a section of the parapet of the bridge next to Nunnington Hall has led to disruption to the traffic for many months.

As the repair of the bridge is the responsibility of North Yorkshire Council, which is also the applicant, a listed building consent application has to be considered by Councillors sitting on the Thirsk and Malton Area Planning Committee.

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Councillor George Jabbour, who represents Nunnington on North Yorkshire Council, submitted a statement to the meeting of the Planning Committee in favour of approving the application.

Following the approval, he said: “I am pleased with the decision of the Planning Committee.

“After many months of waiting, we have finally reached an important milestone that will pave the way for Nunnington Bridge to be repaired following the car accident.

“A mixture of original and new stone will be used to rebuild the parapet wall of the bridge to preserve its historic features.”

Organisers British Cycling have announced that stage four of the men’s race will start in Helmsley and finish in Leyburn.

The route between the two towns has yet to be revealed.

But it has been confirmed that the five-day event will visit North Yorkshire on the penultimate day on Saturday, September 5.

The tour last visited Helmsley four years ago, while Leyburn welcomes a finish of the race for the first time.

Councillor George Jabbour, North Yorkshire councillor for Helmsley, said the town hosted an “amazing” stage finish 2022 and he was delighted the event was returning to the town.

He added: “I am so pleased with the announcement this week, particularly given the tremendous effort that many have put in over the past few years to build on the 2022 legacy, to promote our stunning and welcoming area and to raise the profile of our breathtaking part of the world.”

Councillor Alison Littlewood-Laws, chair of Leyburn Town Council, said there were “so many positives” to her town’s involvement.

“It’s different to previous situations where we’ve been on the route; this is a finish, so there are some great opportunities for showcasing Leyburn and the surrounding areas on international media.”

The councillor acknowledged that there were concerns locally about the disruption.

But she added: “We’ve got the chance of increased footfall and increased spend, because people are not just coming for five minutes to watch the race go through.

“We’re in the early planning stages for how we take part in the delivery of the event, and so if people have got ideas or want to come along and volunteer to support the town council, then we’d welcome their participation.”

North Yorkshire councillor for Leyburn, Karin Sedgwick, also welcomed the news.

She said: “I’m pleased that it will be finishing in Leyburn and proud to support the event.

“It will be a good event for those who wish to attend.”

The opening stage will be a start-finish in Lincoln before the second stage starts in Boston with a finish on the coast in Skegness.

The race continues its journey up the east of the country with a stage from Hull, before heading into the Wolds for the finish in Beverley.

After the North Yorkshire stage, the race will conclude in the Scottish Borders with a start-finish location in the market town of Earlston.

The Tour of Britain is billed as one of the world’s leading cycling competitions, attracting elite international teams and broadcast to more than 100 countries.

Organisers say each stage can generate between £2m and £12m  for the local economy.

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed to provide £350,000 of mayoral investment funding to host the event.

Additional costs of up to £400,000 will be shared on a 50/50 basis with North Yorkshire Council to cover road closures and event management.

The proposal by Durham County Cricket Club would see a six-storey hotel built at the Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street.

Plans submitted to Durham County Council show the development would include a bar and restaurant, meeting spaces, a small club shop and a permanent tiered seating terrace overlooking the cricket pitch.

(Image: Howarth Litchfield Architects)

Hotel operator Hilton has expressed an interest in running the development.

As part of the development, the ground floor would contain a car park and foyer, while the first floor would include restaurant facilities, a lobby and guest bedrooms. Additional bedrooms would be located on the upper four floors.

A nine-tier seating terrace would be attached to the southern side of the building, providing views across the cricket ground.

The scheme is set to provide a new source of income for the cricket club, helping it remain financially competitive at a national level while bringing investment into the wider area.

It will be determined by Durham County Council’s planning committee on Thursday, June 25.

However, the application has attracted 24 objections from the public, raising concerns that the hotel could worsen existing parking pressures during major cricket matches and events at the ground.

Responding to the concerns, Durham County Cricket Club said it “appreciates the constructive engagement” with the Riverside Residents Association and “remains committed to maintaining positive relationships with residents while delivering a development that will benefit Chester-le-Street and the wider county.” 

The statement added: “The proposals would not result in unacceptable parking or highway safety impacts. 

“Appropriate operational measures are already in place to support safe and efficient site management. 

“The cricket club has been reviewing wider Riverside operations in discussion with the Riverside Residents Association and there continues to be positive dialogue with residents and stakeholders.”

Three letters of support were submitted to the local authority. 

Tourism body Visit County Durham also backed the proposal, saying it would help meet an identified need for additional overnight accommodation in the county.

Planning documents state the development would have some impact on local and wider landscape views, including the Grade I-listed Lumley Castle.

However, officers concluded the overall landscape harm would be of “minor to moderate” significance and have recommended that councillors approve the scheme, subject to conditions.