The annual event, held by Hays Travel, took place at The Fire Station in Sunderland and welcomed colleagues from across Hays Travel’s head office departments for a day of celebration.

The Fire Station’s parade ground was transformed for the occasion, with live music, street food, and cocktails all on offer.

Guests attend the Hays Travel Summer Garden Party at the Fire Station in Sunderland (Image: David James Wood)

The party, which began decades ago at John and Irene’s home, has become a cherished tradition for head office staff.

Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, chief operating officer, opened the festivities with a welcome speech, before guests enjoyed entertainment from band Cool as Vegas and a DJ.

Head office apprentices Talan Heaton and Owen Smith (Image: David James Wood)

Mr Woodall-Johnston said: “This day of the year is really special for Dame Irene and many others.

“It has certainly been a difficult year with what has been happening in the Middle East, but each and everyone of you has supported our customers and each other.”

She said: “We had another memorable day at the Hays Travel Summer Garden Party.

Guests attend the Hays Travel Summer Garden Party at the Fire Station in Sunderland (Image: David James Wood)

“Upholding this much-loved tradition is very important to us as it is a great way to thank our head office colleagues for their hard work behind the scenes.

“As always, I would like to thank the team at the Fire Station for their hospitality.

“As a business we are committed to supporting the communities where we operate, so it is fantastic we can host our event just a stone’s throw away from our Sunderland head office.”

The ‘appalling’ driver drove at more than double the speed limits and went the wrong way around a roundabout

A “dangerous” driver led officers on a pursuit, crashed into a car, and then tried to run from police wearing only one shoe. Cian McCluskey, 31, was speeding in a Ford Transit truck in Bretton Gate, Peterborough, on April 24 when he attracted the attention of officers on patrol.

The officers turned their car around and began following McCluskey, indicating for him to stop. According to Cambridgeshire Police, he did not stop but instead led officers on a pursuit.

He drove at more than double the speed limits, ignored multiple keep left bollards, went through a red light, and drove the wrong way around a roundabout. The pursuit ended in River Lane, near Crescent Bridge, after McCluskey crashed into a parked car.

He ran from the scene in an attempt to flee police, but left a shoe behind. He was soon arrested by officers.

PC Chris Euerby said: “McCluskey’s behaviour was appalling. His dangerous driving put other innocent road users at risk, many of which had to take evasive action to prevent a serious collision.”

McCluskey, of East Cobgate, Moulton, near Spalding, refused to comply with alcohol or drug tests and failed to provide blood for analysis in custody. Further checks confirmed he didn’t have insurance to drive the vehicle.

He admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years on Monday, June 29, at Cambridge Crown Court. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

PC Euerby added: “I’m pleased the pursuit came to an end before anyone was injured and he has now appeared in court to answer for his actions.”

Manchester City might have already agreed a club record deal for a new midfielder but that doesn’t mean they won’t strengthen further in the middle of the park.

Elliot Anderson’s £116million move will be confirmed in the coming days with the 23-year-old signing from Nottingham Forest.

Midfield is a major area that City are looking to invest in this summer and Anderson’s arrival will help fill the void created by Bernardo Silva’s departure after nine years at the club.

City could add another blockbuster arrival in the middle of the park. The Blues are interested in several midfielders and chief among them are Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali or Lille and Morocco prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The choice facing City when looking at Bouaddi or Tonali is potential vs impact. The latter has proven himself in the Premier League for Newcastle, producing consistent performances in the Premier League and Champions League.

The Italian could slot straight into the City first team with very few concerns about his ability to cope with the style under Enzo Maresca or the intensity of the division.

His passing range and positional sense make him an attractive option while he has the ability to produce all-round displays in the middle of the park. He still needs to develop a goalscoring instinct to his game – having failed to score in the Premier League last term – but he is a combative and classy operator.

Newcastle are seeking £100million for his services and Tottenham had an opening bid rejected. Spurs have now struck a deal for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes but are still reportedly monitoring Tonali and may well move closer to Newcastle’s asking price for a player who is quiet and unassuming off the pitch but possesses the tenacity and temperament required at the highest level on it.

Bouaddi, meanwhile, has risen to prominence at this World Cup, becoming a breakout star of a likeable Morocco side who are into the last-16 four years on from reaching the semi-finals.

The teenager’s performances have prompted plenty of speculation linking the Lille midfielder with some of the Europe’s biggest clubs and City are keen on the 19-year-old.

But a price tag of £85million means any deal will be expensive, even if there is a suggestion that the French side would lower that figure if Bouaddi returned on loan for the 2026-27 campaign.

The midfielder has impressed at the World Cup with his attacking instincts, work-rate and ability to impose himself on the biggest stage.

He made his debut for Lille at just 16 as a highly rated academy prospect and was magnificent when the French side beat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday.

He’s always been marked out as one for the top of the game and has the box-to-box ability that could thrive in the Premier League. He’s yet to develop a goalscoring instinct, having failed to score for club or country at senior level, but this is a player whose ceiling is high and whose potential has not yet been realised.

He’s proven himself capable in one of Europe’s top five leagues and while a move to England would be a sizeable step up, there’s nothing to suggest the teenager couldn’t handle it. He’s also a grounded individual away from the pitch, a professional who has an interest in maths and a dedication to his sport.

The decision between them rests on that crucial question of the here and now or the future. But given Anderson is arriving as a readymade Premier League performer, Bouaddi looks the better bet, particularly if City can negotiate the fee down, allow him to remain at Lille on loan and then integrate him into the first team picture. The Morocco man has shown at the World Cup he was it takes and looks a player too good to overlook.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

By EVE BUCKLAND, US SHOWBUSINESS DEPUTY EDITOR

Published: 13:15 BST, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 13:28 BST, 1 July 2026

Danny Glover has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The acclaimed actor, 79, who is best known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon franchise and The Color Purple, publicly announced his battle with the degenerative condition during an emotional appearance on Wednesday’s The Today Show.

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Glover revealed he had been diagnosed ‘not long’ after receiving an honorary Oscar in 2022. 

He said, ‘I can live with it in a sense. I’m sure as it advances, different things will be different and changing.’

Glover’s daughter Miranda added during the pre-taped appearance that it is ‘really important’ for her father to speak on his own terms.

She said, ‘And the time is now. What better time but now for him to speak for himself? It’s important because people ask questions sometimes, and I don’t want to be a dishonest person and say, ‘Oh, yeah, everything is all right. It’s all great.’”

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Danny Glover has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease – pictured 2019

The acclaimed actor, 79, who is best known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon franchise and The Color Purple, publicly announced his battle with thecondition during an emotional appearance on Wednesday’s The Today Show – pictured with Mel Gibson in 1989’s Lethal Weapon II

Glover also spoke candidly about his condition with People – with his daughter Mandisa revealing ‘he’s aware sometimes and then sometimes not.’

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The actor said he is ‘still not accepting in my mind all parts of it.

‘There are the moments that you keep remembering that validate the fact that you can remember stuff. And there are moments I’ll never forget.’

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.

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This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. 

More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it.

WHAT HAPPENS?

As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. 

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That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. 

The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. 

On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years.

EARLY SYMPTOMS:

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• Loss of short-term memory
• Disorientation
• Behavioral changes
• Mood swings
• Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call 

LATER SYMPTOMS:

• Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places
• Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior 
• Eventually lose ability to walk
• May have problems eating 
• The majority will eventually need 24-hour care   

 Source: Alzheimer’s Association

 

Officers also seized illegal vapes and hand-rolled tobacco

Trading standards has seized thousands of illegal cigarettes and vapes across East Cambridgeshire. Inspections at premises in Ely, Soham, and Littleport were carried out on June 23 by Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, Cambridgeshire Police, and HMRC.

As a result, officers seized 25,000 illegal cigarettes, 6.85kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and more than 138 illegal vaping products from three locations.

Peter Gell, head of service for Cambridgeshire Trading Standards, said: “These targeted enforcement operations send a clear message that the sale of illegal tobacco and nicotine products will not be tolerated in Cambridgeshire.

“This was a positive result for the local community and a strong example of partners working together to tackle organised crime. Disrupting this activity helps keep our communities safe and protects vulnerable people from harm.

“The sale of these products helps to fund organised crime, and there is clear evidence that the availability of cheap tobacco undermines efforts to help people stop smoking.”

Among the items confiscated were vapes with oversized tanks, incorrect, or missing labelling, and products that had not been notified to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). These are illegal to sell in the UK. Officers also found tobacco products that didn’t carry the required health warnings in English.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Mat Lupton-Pike, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: “Protecting our communities is at the heart of everything we do, and the sale of illegal cigarettes, vapes and tobacco not only damages people’s health but also supports wider criminal networks.

“Working alongside our partners is a vital part of the everyday work carried out by our neighbourhood teams in response to issues raised by the public.”

The beloved series is a spin-off of the popular detective drama Inspector Morse and first aired back in 2006.

The nation was gripped by the ITV crime drama when it first kicked off a decade ago.

Lewis ran for a total of nine series before coming to an end in 2015, much to the dismay of viewers.

A direct sequel to the classic Inspector Morse, the show followed Detective Inspector Robert Lewis (played by Kevin Whately) and his younger partner DS James Hathaway (Laurence Fox).

The detective duo were tasked with solving complex murders in and around the academic world of Oxford.

However, along the way, there were plenty of twists and turns as they faced decades-old secrets, complex cases, long-held grudges and dark acts of revenge.

Although the series came to an end over 10 years ago, the detective drama has been highly praised, with many calling for it to return.

Sadly, actors Kevin and Laurence announced they were retiring from their roles as Kevin touched on playing DI Lewis for decades.

He said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have shared a decade of fantastic worldwide success with Laurence and with the most brilliant crew, cast and production team anyone could wish for, and all that time with the loyal support of so many fans and of our backers ITV and WGBH ‎Boston.”

Speaking about the programme over the years, many have compared it to the original Inspector Morse series, with many believing it tops it.

One person said: “The continuing adventures of Detective Inspector Lewis and his trusted sidekick Detective Sergeant Hathaway stand out for the strength of production values, acting, writing, and direction that are credits to the Masterpiece: Mystery!”

Someone else wrote: “Even better than Inspector Morse. This is a review of Series One to Seven of LEWIS (also known as INSPECTOR LEWIS). I never imagined that a sequel series could surpass the original (INSPECTOR MORSE), but this is what has happened.”

Another viewer commented: “Only One Complaint: It’s Over!! Just binged the whole series with my husband over the past few weeks, and to my surprise, I’m sitting here a little tearful that it’s over. I will miss these characters deeply. Once in a while, I get really attached-such a well-produced and classic body of work.”

While a fourth person shared: “The Perfect Series. Normally, a good television series only lasts for four years before the suits step in and ruin it. This amazing series was perfect from start to finish. Nothing about the arc of the characters was forced or oblique.”

As one person said: “Kevin Whately brought the heart and soul of this iconic character, with acknowledgment of his mentor and predecessor in his portrayal and realisation of Lewis’s evolution and coming to maturation. The pairing with Hathaway, with his own comparisons and contrasts with that of DCI Morse, is a brilliant extension of the original.”

Inspector Lewis is available to watch on ITVX.

The Environment Agency is conducting tests on the water in Hemlington Lake in Middlesbrough after blue and green algae were reported.

Residents are being advised to stay out of the water as a precautionary measure while test results come back.

High levels of the algae could make the water toxic to both humans and dogs, especially when ingested.

Middlesbrough Council has warned that all pets should be kept away from the lake.

Connor Atkins is also wanted for failing to attend court and in connection with a reported shop theft, North Yorkshire Police said.

The force said the 30-year-old, from Scarborough, is “likely to be in the Scarborough, York or Hull area”.

Officers are urging anyone who sees him or knows his current whereabouts to phone 101 or 999 if the sighting is immediate.

Information can be passed anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.

Quote reference number 12260122991 when providing information to the police or to Crimestoppers.

Lloyds Banking Group has announced that Halifax will be phased out over time, with customers gradually transferred to Lloyds-branded accounts as part of a major overhaul of its retail banking business.

The decision marks the end of one of Britain’s best-known banking names, which has been part of the high street since 1852.

The banking giant says the transition will happen gradually and insists customers will not lose the features they currently use.

What happens to Halifax customers?

Lloyds says existing Halifax customers will eventually become Lloyds customers, but they will keep many of the things they already have during the transition.

That includes:

• The same account number and sort code
• The same banking app design
• Access to the same branch network
• The same familiar staff in branches

Jas Singh, Lloyds’ consumer relations boss, said: “As Halifax changes to Lloyds, our Halifax customers will keep everything they know and love today – the same fantastic app design, the same friendly faces in our branches – even the same sort code and account number.

“But as Lloyds customers, they’ll get the best innovation and experiences we offer.

“Our Lloyds customers are already benefiting from a significant investment into propositions like Club Lloyds, Lloyds Premier, Lloyds Ultra and Lloyds Rewards – and now we’re really excited that Halifax customers can bank on Lloyds for more.”

Why is Lloyds making the change?

The banking group is simplifying its consumer banking business by bringing Halifax customers under the Lloyds brand.

Lloyds says this will allow customers to benefit from newer banking products and services already available through its flagship brand, including Club Lloyds, Lloyds Premier, Lloyds Ultra and Lloyds Rewards.

Will anything change immediately?

No.

The changes will happen over time, meaning customers do not need to do anything straight away.

There is no indication that customers will need to change their debit cards, direct debits or standing orders immediately, with Lloyds saying account details will remain the same throughout the migration.

Branches are already shared across Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, meaning customers can continue banking as they do now while the transition takes place.

Recommended reading:

Will Halifax branches close?

Lloyds has not announced any branch closures as part of the rebrand.

The group has previously invested in its Halifax headquarters and says customers will continue to have access to its branch network during the migration.

The decision represents one of the biggest changes to Britain’s banking landscape in recent years, bringing the curtain down on a brand that has served customers for more than 173 years.

What do you think of the changes? Tell us in the comments below.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said everyone employed by the PSNI must understand the importance of professional standards and a respectful workplace culture.

Two PSNI officers have been dismissed from the force over ‘abhorrent’ behaviour towards female colleagues.

The officers were dismissed on Thursday, May 28, following Special Case Hearings conducted by the Chief Constable after behaviours they demonstrated were identified as ‘abhorrent and completely dismissive’ of any respect towards colleagues in the workplace.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher outlined his commitment to having only the highest standards of professional behaviour in the PSNI at a recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Mr Boutcher said everyone employed by the PSNI must understand the importance of professional standards and a respectful workplace culture. Head of Professional Standards branch, Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said: “One of the male officers was dismissed after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault against a female colleague. These occurred during social events whilst the officers were off duty – and consisted of non-consensual sexual touching of a female colleague’s buttocks.

“This was determined by the Chief Constable to be gross misconduct and the officer was dismissed from the organisation. A second officer, in a separate case, faced internal misconduct proceedings following unacceptable behaviour during a work night out.

“The male officer made a sexualised comment towards a female colleague, and groped the buttock of another female colleague.

“This represented a serious breach of professional standards, and risked significant damage to confidence in policing. The Chief Constable determined this behaviour to be gross misconduct and this officer was also dismissed. The officer had been previously found guilty of sexual assault, in a criminal court, in respect of the same incident.”

Chief Superintendent Murray continued: “These dismissals demonstrate that sexual misconduct, misogyny and sexist behaviour have no place in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and reflect our zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour.

“We recognise the significant harm that sexual misconduct, harassment, misogynistic and sexist behaviour can cause to victims, individuals, teams and public confidence.”

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