The community centre in Moisant Street, Great Lever, has been empty since closing in 2018, being described as an ‘underutilised and deteriorating asset’ in a previous report.

But if the plans are accepted by Bolton Council‘s planning committee on Thursday, April 16, the space will be converted into a new shop with a café.

The planning report stated: “The application site is a disused community centre located within a predominantly residential area.

The Sunnyside Community Centre gates (Image: Martini)

“The proposal would bring back into use an empty building – the proposed development seeks to refurbish the building and provide facilities that would better serve the local community.

“Allowing this vacant building to be refurbished and brought back into use is to the benefit of the site and local area.”

Various community groups used the Sunnyside Centre before it was closed down in 2018, including the Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme and Sunnyside Residents Association.

After closing, Sunnyside was repeatedly targeted by vandals, including a 2022 incident which left the area strewn with canisters of nitrous oxide.

Sunnyside Centre after it was broken into and vandalised in 2022 (Image: Martini)

Executing the new plans is estimated to cost approximately £400,000.

This will see a ‘discount surplus store’ installed in the building, as well as a café and community advice spaces.

The report noted that, if the space was not regenerated in this or some other way, it “would likely require demolition”.

The proposed hours of opening are: 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am-3pm Saturday, with closures on Sundays and bank holidays.

There will be changes made to the building’s windows, and some will be bricked up to allow the building to become internally single-storey.

The community centre was broken into in 2022 (Image: Public)

The existing gable roof will be replaced with a hipped roof – a type of roof where all four sides slope inwards towards a central ridge and away towards the exterior walls of the building.

The proposed works to the roof would result in the loss of the mock Tudor beam features to the North, South and West elevations of the building, though this loss is considered ‘acceptable’.

The report raised concerns around the impact the development may have on the neighbouring streets.

However, ‘it is considered that the public benefits to the community as a result of the proposal outweigh the Officer’s concerns regarding the impact on the immediately adjacent roads.’

The planning committee are recommended to approve the application.

Vice-President JD Vance has said that the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement following lengthy peace talks in Pakistan.

The delegations met in Islamabad, Pakistan during a temporary ceasefire.

Vance said the US “could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms”. Halting Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been a “core goal” that wasn’t reached.

Iran’s foreign ministry says the talks were “intensive”, and called on Washington to refrain from “excessive demands and unlawful requests”.

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Nicole Michelle Dolby was found by her daughter lying unresponsive in her bed and sadly declared dead by paramedics on February 23.

An inquest into her death at her Westwood Close home was formally opened at Bolton Coroner’s Court on Friday, April 10.

Police coroner’s officer Julieann Hyde told the coroner that a police investigation was launched into the 37-year-old’s death, but “there doesn’t appear to be any suspicious circumstances”.

The cause of Nicole’s death was given as 1A combined drug toxicity, and her body has since been released to her family.

HM senior coroner for Manchester West, Timothy Brennand, requested a statement from her GP, including patient records, and addiction services to be approached to see if she was known to them.

He also asked for GMP’s special procedures investigation report and a final toxicology report with all evidence to be submitted before May 22.

Mr Brennand adjourned the inquest until 10am on July 2, 2026, to be heard by Assistant Coroner Ceri Owen.

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Family and friends have paid tribute to young dad-of-one as a fundraiser is launched for young daughter.

Tributes have poured in for a young Celtic dad who lost his life aged just 20 in a tragic motorbike crash in Greenock.

Josh Renfrew has been named by family as the man who died in the fatal crash on Friday, April 10, after a dirt bike crashed into a parked car.

Josh, from Greenock, was dad to a one-year-old daughter and a fundraiser has been launched to help his child and partner in the wake of the tragedy, which has already raised over £11,000 in less than 12 hours.

Josh’s heartbroken dad Stewart Bell paid tribute to him online. He said: “Yesterday we lost our boy Josh Renfrew. He sadly passed away far too young.

“Yesterday was the hardest day we have ever faced and today feels worse.

“He was my boy and my friend and am so proud to have called you my son.

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“I promise to look after your mum, Sean, Nadia and Ella for you and make sure you live in Ella and she knows you were the best dad.

“My heart’s broken and don’t know how we will ever be the same. Sleep tight ma boy.”

His mum Jacqueline Strachan shared a photo Josh in a matching Celtic strip with his daughter.

She said: “Life will never be the same. Forever young my boy.”

Josh’s aunt, Louise Strachan, who started the GoFundMe said: “We are all totally heartbroken with the worse news a mother, partner, family, could ever recieve. We lost Josh on the 10th of April due to a motorbike accident at the age of 20 years old and I thought making this page will help his gorgeous baby Ella, partner Nadia and his mum through such a hard difficult time.”

Dozens of other tributes have been paid in the community with Josh being described as a “lovely boy”.

One person said: “Fly high Josh. Forever young. Thoughts to all his family especially his wee baby girl.”

“Love and strength to his partner and baby girl plus all his family and friends,” another added.

Another person commented: “So tragic heart goes out to his family and friends at this time. You’ll be missed Josh rest in peace.”

Police were called to Earnhill Road, at the Larkfield industrial estate, after the alarm was raised at around 3.35pm on Friday, April 10.

Officers from Police Scotland were responding to reports of a crash involving an orange KTM off-road motorbike and a yellow MG 3 Sport, which was parked at the time.

Ambulance crews attended, however police confirmed earlier today that the rider of the bike, a 20-year-old man, was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

The road was taped off to allow enquiries to be carried out and reopened around 6pm. Detectives are now appealing for information.

Sergeant John Houston said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has died. Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the crash and may have witnessed what happened to contact us.

“In addition, anyone who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage is asked to get in touch as this may be able to assist.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting reference 2079 of 10 April 2026.

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This moment was a central storyline in the theatre, but for so long for McIlroy it seemed – to adapt the Masters motto – a perdition like no other. This is not the first time that Augusta National has turned a procession into a recession for the pacesetter and into a cavalry chase for the rest. And it was not the first time that McIlroy had seen his lead gobbled up and spat back in his face.

McIlroy knows from his own experience that shots here can scatter like confetti on the breeze. And if he cannot remember 2011, when he fired that final-round 80 – and believe it, he can – then this Saturday roller coaster can serve as a timely reminder.

From the off, his record six-shot advantage became two in less than half an hour. Patrick Reed, his sometime nemesis, birdied the first three and with McIlroy bogeying the first and failing to birdie the par-five second, the yawning gap was suddenly tighter.

No matter. Reed began to fade away, with his putter being anything but obliging (the 2018 champion eventually finished with a 72 on seven under and is not yet out of it) and after McIlroy hit a rare good drive on to the green at the par-four third and made his first birdie of the day, his scoreboard superiority was back to four. Not what it was, but healthy enough.

The late Dr Michael Mosley warned about so-called ‘healthy’ foods that can sabotage weight loss goals

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The late Dr Michael Mosley cautioned his many followers about so-called “healthy” foods that aren’t actually as beneficial for us as we might believe. Before his tragic death in 2024, the fitness and nutrition expert offered plenty of health guidance on his social media platforms, through his Just One Thing podcast and in his numerous books.

With supermarket aisles filled with products claiming to be the best choices for those watching their weight, it can be difficult to identify which are genuine. The health expert said many of these products don’t truly deliver the nutrition they promise and could do “more harm than good”.

In a 2023 post on the Fast 800 blog, Dr Mosley wrote: “In a world full of food manufacturers, with clever marketing and a lack of science behind their claims, it can often become confusing to know exactly which foods are healthy when you’re navigating the supermarket.

“With huge signs at the end of each aisle, telling you exactly why the latest products will turn your health around, it’s easy to fall into their well set traps and spend a fortune on “healthy” foods that are not so healthy.”

The late doctor provided an overview of four products marketed as healthy, but which he recommended against consuming.

Four ‘healthy’ foods to watch out for

Low-fat products

Low-fat snacks have traditionally been the first choice for anyone pursuing a healthier lifestyle. However, in recent years, scientific studies have delivered a wealth of fresh evidence highlighting the health advantages of full-fat products. Michael outlined several reasons why low-fat options might not be the wisest choice.

He explained that low fat items are frequently stripped of nutrients and packed with sugar and additives to compensate for the taste lost when removing fat. These high sugar, low fat products can trigger blood sugar spikes, which can fuel cravings and lead to energy slumps.

Furthermore, Michael pointed out that consuming foods high in mono and poly-unsaturated fats deliver rich flavour while keeping you fuller for longer, and they could even support weight loss efforts. He said: “A study, carried out by researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute, tracked the diets of 20,000 women over a period of 20 years.

“The study found links between the consumption of full-fat dairy products (milk and cheese) and weight loss. Over a ten year period, the women who regularly consumed full-fat milk saw a lower [Body Mass Index] BMI.”

Vegetable crisps

In recent years, veggie crisps have emerged as a fashionable alternative to traditional potato versions. Yet according to Mr Mosley, these thin vegetable slices aren’t substantial enough to deliver any meaningful nutritional benefit.

With most fried in sunflower oil to achieve their crunch and doused in salt for added taste, he suggested they may be no healthier than their potato-based counterparts. If you’re after something crunchy and savoury to keep hunger at bay before your evening meal, the health expert instead recommended reaching for raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, or gut-friendly fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi.

Bottled salad dressings

Salads ought to be helping you reach your health goals, but Michael warned they could be the very thing holding back your progress, largely due to their dressings.

He explained: “Not only do commercial dressings have a significant amount of calories per serving (and not many of us actually stick to the recommended serving of one tablespoon), they’re also packed with additives, to extend their shelf life, thickeners, hidden and other nasties that simply don’t belong in your cupboard!”

Rather than reaching for shop-bought dressings, try whipping up your own using equal measures of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.

Flavoured porridge

A bowl of freshly made porridge using rolled oats and whole milk is a fantastic way to kick off the day, though the same certainly can’t be said for those convenient “just add water” sachets.

According to Michael, a single serving of instant oatmeal can contain up to three spoonfuls of sugar, with certain brands packing a whopping 16g per serving.

I Am Maximus became the first horse since Red Rum to win the Grand National twice as one punter landed £800,000 from a sensational £100,000 bet

One punter found themselves £800,000 wealthier after a remarkable wager on I Am Maximus to secure the Grand National title for a second time.

I Am Maximus made history by becoming the first horse since Red Rum to reclaim the Grand National title, with jockey Paul Townend guiding him to victory.

The winning horse was a popular choice throughout the day and was the 9/2 favourite for Townend, trainer Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus.

However, one punter had more reason than most to celebrate after placing an enormous bet on the 10 year old gelding.

Before the race, ITV Racing revealed that on-course bookmakers Fitzwilliam Sports accepted a £100,000 bet on I Am Maximus at 8/1.

Johnny Dineen, a professional gambler who has been working with Fitzwilliam Sports at Aintree this week, shared details of the bet with ITV Racing.

Dineen stated: “It’s the biggest bet we’ve ever taken, £100,000 at 8/1.

“It’s our biggest bet by a mile and we’ll have to try to trade some of it off in the ring.

“It goes without saying it would be a bad result for us!”

Indeed, it proved to be a disastrous outcome for Fitzwilliam Sport, run by Irishman Paul Byrne, the bookmaker and racehorse owner whose blue silks were donned by the triumphant Soldier In Milan in last weekend’s Irish Grand National.

The lucky punter walked away with a staggering £800,000 from their audacious bet on one of the sport’s most unpredictable races.

With Dineen having departed to catch a flight home, Kieran Stokes was left to recount Fitzwilliam’s unfortunate story.

“We did lay some of it off but not enough!” he said.

“It was the money that followed after which made it worse as he went off 9-2, it was just a steady stream of support for him in the final hour.

“Grangeclare West was very popular, but we also laid a few quid on Jordans as well so when he shot clear and the only hope we had of getting him beat was I Am Maximus we knew we were in trouble!

“It’s been a great week, our first time here and it’s not put us off, we’ll be back next year to have another go. It’s the hardest race of the year for a reason.

“You grew up on stories of how good trade was in betting rings and this has been a throwback to that I suppose.

“There was an almighty gamble on the winner of the Irish National on Easter Monday as well, but we were on the right end of that as the owner of the horse, Paul Byrne, also owns our company!”

Overall, the outcome proved costly for bookmakers throughout the sector. Nicola McGeady from Ladbrokes remarked: “Hats off to the punters who stayed loyal to I Am Maximus; there was a massive wave of support for him all week.

“It was a result we didn’t want to see, and we can safely say it was a ‘Punters’ Grand National’ through and through.”

A representative from Betfair commented: “It was a bruising result. Punters have had much the better of it, getting involved in what was a mammoth public gamble.

“The winner represented the worst result in our book and the places offered little comfort. Well done to the maestro, JP McManus.”

“My dad was always a big strong man, but he became so frail before he died,” said Amy

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The daughter of a man diagnosed with terminal cancer just days before Christmas has spoken about her devastation but how the family were helped through this heartbreaking time.

Just days before Christmas, Amy O’Neill’s family were left devastated when her father Ernie was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. According to Amy, her family could not have coped without Foyle Hospice, whose `incredible’ support helped bring comfort during the most difficult time of her life.

“I cannot stress enough how amazing this service is within our community,” said Amy, who is a former FUSE FM Ballymoney DJ and Co-owner of Causeway Bowls.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy facing criticism for comment about Masters Champions DinnerREAD MORE: Ambulance service warns protesters not to ‘impede’ emergency vehicles during NI fuel demonstrations

“Foyle Hospice allowed me to simply be a daughter to my dad again, taking away the stress of caring for him. It completely changed our experience, and I know his final days would have been very different if he had remained at home or in hospital.”

Before his diagnosis, Ernie worked as a self-employed IT Technician, and was well-known throughout the local community.

“My dad was always a big strong man, but he became so frail before he died,” said Amy. “However, he took everything in his stride and fought through it.“He was very settled and comfortable at Foyle Hospice. The staff were always so friendly and amazing. Unfortunately, my daddy couldn’t eat and I remember the chef telling him how they could take special requests and make him anything he wanted. Daddy really enjoyed the vanilla milkshakes.

“My daddy had spent a long time in hospital and hadn’t been outside for quite a while. One day, he asked the nurses if he could get some fresh air. Although he was bed bound, they didn’t hesitate — they opened the patio doors and wheeled his bed outside. He was able to enjoy the beautiful views and watch the horses in the field nearby. It’s a moment that will always stay with me.“However, the care was not only offered to my dad but extended to us as a family – the nurses were always helpful and lovely, even asking myself and my mum if we had eaten and would offer us tea and coffee. We felt like we were being supported just as much as my dad. It was very special and I will never forget that.”

Amy, from Limavady, explained that her family were offered access to an apartment at Foyle Hospice, enabling them to remain close to her father and avoid the stress of daily travel.She added: “The apartment was exactly what we needed. It had its own shower and kitchen, and it made everything more manageable for us. We used it during the day and were able to be with my dad in his room at night, allowing us to spend precious time together.

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Following Ernie’s death, on August 2, 2024, Amy began to receive adult bereavement counselling, which is one of many services offered at Foyle Hospice, after the death of a loved one.

Amy said: “The counselling has really helped me. I didn’t cry for months after my dad died, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel and express those emotions. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone, and having someone to talk to has made a big difference.

“I would just like to thank everyone at Foyle Hospice who cared for my father and supported my family. I have experienced first-hand what it is like and I would recommend it to anyone – the care is fantastic. We are so grateful to everyone involved and I know that my dad’s last days would have been so different without the care of the amazing Foyle Hospice.”

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