North Yorkshire Council granted planning permission in December last year for the relocation of a marquee and catering tent at the Middleton Lodge estate, near Middleton Tyas.

The marquee, which can accommodate events for up to 200 people, is on an existing gravelled area about 70 metres south of the Grade II*-listed Middleton Lodge.

However, Middleton Lodge Events Ltd has now appealed against seven conditions attached to the permission, including restrictions on music, fireworks and lighting.

One condition states there can be no live or amplified music or entertainment anywhere on the site after 11pm.

Another requires music to be played through a noise limiter approved by the council.

The appeal argues the 11pm restriction should be removed, claiming noise assessments demonstrate events could operate without an unacceptable impact on nearby homes.

Instead, the company proposes specific noise limits at Little Kneeton, Mill Farm and Copperfield Farm, with different limits applying between 9am and 11pm and between 11pm and 2am.

It proposes that no events take place in the marquee between 2am and noon.

The appeal states that while noise complaints have previously been made about the venue, Middleton Lodge is not aware of any being substantiated following investigation or resulting in enforcement action.

It claims complaints have even been received for dates when no events were taking place.

The company says it has installed its own monitoring equipment to record noise during events.

Consultants acting for the venue argue a blanket 11pm restriction is unnecessary and disproportionate, particularly as modelling found noise at nearby homes would remain within acceptable limits.

The appeal also challenges a complete ban on outdoor fireworks and Chinese lanterns.

Instead, Middleton Lodge wants a condition preventing firework displays connected with the marquee between 10pm and 7am, except for exemptions contained within national fireworks regulations.

A lighting condition would also be amended so that it applied specifically to the approved marquees rather than potentially covering the wider estate.

Another disputed condition requires the tents to be removed and the site restored by January 10, 2026 — just weeks after permission was granted.

The appeal describes this as an administrative error and proposes allowing the marquee to remain until March 31, 2031, with the site restored by the following September.

A man who killed his wife and refuses to reveal where her body is cannot be freed from prison, after the High Court overturned the Parole Board’s decision to release him.

Glyn Razzell, 66, was jailed for life in 2003 after being convicted of murdering his estranged wife Linda, who disappeared in Swindon the year before. He has never disclosed what he did with her body.

The Parole Board decided in April that Razzell could be released as his imprisonment was “no longer necessary” to protect the public.

It is the first time the Secretary of State for Justice’s power to refer the decision to the High Court has been used to overturn a Parole Board ruling.

Announcing her decision earlier, judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said: “I am not persuaded that the risk has diminished to such a level that offender management is capable of keeping the public safe if the defendant is released.”

Lanarkshire Police are responding to incidents around Western Avenue and Toryglen Road.

Police Scotland are responding to ‘ongoing incidents of youth disorder’ in Rutherglen.

E-bikes and e-scooters have been ridden in a way that has alarmed the public, while fireworks have been thrown at windows.

Now, an ‘increased visible police presence’ has been promised to tackle the issues, around Western Avenue and Toryglen Road.

Lanarkshire Police said: “We are aware of ongoing incidents of youth disorder in the Rutherglen area, particularly around Western Avenue and Toryglen Road, and understand the concern this behaviour is causing within the local community.

“Recent incidents have included fireworks being thrown at windows and individuals riding e-bikes and e-scooters in a manner which has caused alarm to members of the public.

“A dedicated policing action plan is in place, supported by local officers and additional policing resources. Residents can expect to see an increased visible police presence in the area as we work to prevent further incidents, identify those responsible and keep our communities safe.

“We would encourage parents and carers to speak with young people about the serious risks associated with fireworks and dangerous / anti-social use of e-bikes and e-scooters.

“We also ask members of the public to continue reporting incidents to the police. Information from the community helps us build a clearer picture of what is happening, identify those involved and direct our patrols to where they are most needed.

“Anyone with information regarding those responsible is encouraged to contact Police Scotland via 101, or 999 in an emergency.”

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By ALESIA FIDDLER – TRAVEL REPORTER

Published: 11:34 BST, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 12:15 BST, 14 August 2026

Tourists visiting the Lake District have been warned about a blue-green algae growing that can be poisonous to humans and dogs. 

Around 40 permanent information boards are set to be placed around popular Lake Windermere informing people of the dangers of the cyanobacteria algae blooms.

A further 40 signs are also to be installed across other locations in Cumbria too. 

The blue-green algae thrives in still bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs and slow-flowing rivers – and grows faster in hot, dry weather.

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Nutrients found in pollutants like sewage can also encourage the growth, according to the BBC. 

Humans can become ill from coming into contact with the toxins the algae produces and ingesting it can be fatal to animals and wildlife, including dogs.

The Lake District hotspot is currently at its busiest, drawing in hordes of visitors every day over the summer months who come for the beautiful views of the water and surrounding hills.

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Signs are being installed by Lake Windermere and other locations across Cumbria warning tourists about potentially dangerous blooms of algae

Each sign will provide information on what the algae looks like, to help people identify the potentially dangerous blooms. 

The signs have been funded by the Environment Agency and are the result of a collaboration between organisations within the Love Windermere partnership.

The permanent signs will provide year-round guidance on the blue-green algae including what it looks like, where people can find current bloom information and how to report sightings of it. 

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The signs link users to the Bloomin’ Algae app and other sources of up-to-date information. 

People and animals can become exposured to the blooms through swallowing the water, inhaling airborne droplets or coming into contact with water containing the algae.

Symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, irritation of the eyes or throat as well as breathing difficulties, the BBC previously reported. 

They aim to spread awareness of the toxic blue-green algae that blooms on still bodies of water

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The algae is known for its distinctive blue-green hue bur can be fatal to animals who drink it, and can cause skin and eye irritation in humans (Pictured: The algae at Frampton on Severn in Gloucestershire)

Visitors who plan to spend time on or around the water have been advised to check current conditions before travelling and familiarise themselves with the signs of blue-green algae. 

Liz Cheslett-Davey, catchment coordinator at the Environment Agency, said:  ‘Blue-green algae can appear quickly and the conditions that encourage it to form aren’t always easy to predict. 

‘These are both actions that affect water quality and natural factors. 

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‘Clear on-site signage, alongside the Bloomin’ Algae app and other online resources, helps people make informed decisions about using the water safely.’

Nearly 250 cases of the toxic blue-green algae have been reported in Northern Ireland‘s waterways, with others hitting Scottish lochs and lakes as far afield as Lancashire to Hampshire.

The latest case on a lake in Essex has left heartbreaking scenes of dead ducks, geese, moorhens and fish floating on a surface of ‘scum’ left by the algae, with many residents hitting out at council bosses for not taking enough action.

Andrew Robinson, of Weir Street, Darlington, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 11.

The court heard the 51-year-old was driving a Mini on June 23. Robinson gave a breathalyser reading of 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

On July 16, Robinson pleaded guilty to driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge. He must pay in monthly instalments of £20, starting September 8, 2026.

Robinson’s disqualification may be reduced by 17 weeks if he completes an approved drink-drive rehabilitation course by June 18, 2027.

An interim disqualification took immediate effect on July 16.

The city council leader insisted “this is not just a one-off spring clean”

A large amount of needles were reportedly discovered during a city centre clean-up operation in Peterborough. City council staff and councillors were out in high-vis jackets on Wednesday as part of Operation Horizon, which aims to get tough on issues in the city centre.

Councillor Chris Wiggin, cabinet member for environment, was among those who carried out a litter pick during the morning and said he was shocked by what they had found.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’d been out with officers from the environmental side, along with volunteers from the Litter Wombles and IRC, looking at areas around The Embankment and nearby. We were finding all sorts of things in there. One of our teams found over 71 drugs needles which have now been cleaned up.

“We also found evidence of homeless people living in the woods and we were looking at the river front to see what we can do to make it a nicer place for people to enjoy.”

Cllr Wiggin added: “We did a walk along Potters Way and found some fly-tipping which included evidence of the name and address of the person who left it, so that’s been passed onto our enforcement team to be dealt with.”

Some of the action taken during the operation has included: jet-washed streets, street drinkers being handed fines and offered support, litter picking in hot spot areas, and businesses being visited to check they were meeting licensing requirements and Food Safety Standards.

Other issues being tackled included: begging, rough sleeping, taxi and private hire compliance, parking contraventions, and boat-related anti-social behaviour/encroachment onto the embankment.

Peterborough City Council leader Shabina Qayyum noted that Operation Horizon was a continuous effort that would see the team of staff, councillors and other volunteers meet every few months to keep on top of the issues that harmed the city centre.

“This is not just a one-off spring clean,” she said.

Cllr Qayyum insisted that there would be a “renewed focus” on the city centre and residents would be able to see a change in the look and feel of the city centre over the coming weeks and months.

The council is carrying out the operation alongside partners including Peterborough Positive and Cambridgeshire Police.

Mehmet Gundez, 24 of Bridlington, entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ during a plea and trial preparation hearing at Hull Crown Court today (August 14).

The 24-year-old was charged with murder after the death of Ibrahim Yesildeniz, 25, in Bridlington on Monday (August 10).

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Humberside Police said Mr Yesildeniz was pronounced dead in hospital after reports of an incident in First Avenue at about 5.20am on Monday.

“Ibrahim’s family are being supported by specially trained officers and have asked for privacy,” a police spokesperson said.

A further appearance is scheduled for September 28 and the case is set to go to trial on November 23 at Hull Crown court.

Firefighters battled for an hour and a half to get the fire under control at Errington Woods in New Marske, on Thursday (August 13).

They were called around 7.20pm to reports of smoke coming from a field near the woodland.

Four fire engines from Coulby Newham, Grangetown, Redcar and Saltburn attended and used water bowsers to put out the blaze. They left the scene at about 8.40pm.

Cleveland Fire Brigade believes the blaze covering an area of about 40,000 square meters, was started deliberately.

A spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident at Errington Woods, New Marske at 7.21pm on August 13.

“Four fire engines from Coulby, Grangetown, Redcar and Saltburn were in attendance.

“Approx 200m x 200m field well alight. Ground beaters and a water bowser were used. A stop message was received at 8.40pm. The cause is believed to be deliberate.”

A royal expert has claimed to have noticed a significant shift in the dynamic between Prince Harry and Meghan during their recent trips to Australia and the UK, suggesting Harry appeared to be leading the charge

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A royal commentator has suggested they observed an unexpected shift in the dynamic between Prince Harry and Meghan during their recent visits to Australia and the UK. The remark came while discussing the couple’s evolving public persona on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast.

Harry and Meghan undertook a four-day visit to Australia in April which bore many of the hallmarks of a conventional royal tour, despite the couple travelling in a private capacity.

Their itinerary included events celebrating Indigenous culture, Australian sport, charitable initiatives and a visit to the national war memorial. Royal correspondent Bronte Coy told the podcast that she had been struck by the difference after seeing Harry and Meghan in Australia, having previously felt their life in the US had largely been shaped by Meghan.

She said: “I made this point when I came back from Australia when I was there earlier this year, I found this really intriguing because I agree that everything I’d seen of them prior to that was the Meghan show.”

She suggested Meghan had previously appeared to be the driving force behind their lives since stepping down as working royals, reports the Express.

“I think in the US, certainly, when this Megxit happened, she’s very much been sort of the architect of what their life was going to be,” she added.

However, Bronte said she noticed something different when the couple appeared together in Australia, as well as during their more recent UK visit. Harry recently travelled back to the UK for a series of engagements linked to charities and organisations including the Invictus Games, which he founded.

Meghan and their children later joined him, with the family understood to have visited Highgrove with King Charles in June.

Bronte added: “I was fascinated by the fact that when they arrived in Australia, and in this UK trip as well recently, it more felt like he was the one that was leading the charge, which surprised me.”

She suggested the shift might indicate Harry has grown more at ease with his life outside the Royal Family.

“So again, this may be a tonal shift over the years, you know, with him sort of figuring out what the rest of it was.”

TalkTV presenter Samara Gill suggested Harry’s behaviour could be connected to his experience of royal tours, arguing that this was a setting in which he seemed particularly confident.

She said: “It was more of a royal tour as well, and that’s what he’s kind of been trained to do, like a sort of well-trained racehorse or something. He knows exactly how to do it. That’s where he’s in his element.”

She noted that Meghan had never seemed as comfortable in that environment.

She said: “She’s absolutely not comfortable there and never was really, if you look at it.”

The couple’s previous Australian tour in 2018 took place while they were still working members of the Royal Family and drew substantial crowds, with tens of thousands attending during their nine-day tour.

The reception this time around was notably more muted, with the BBC reporting that many Australians were either unaware of or uninterested in the couple’s visit.

Their public appearances also drew criticism amid concerns that Australian taxpayers could be contributing to the cost of their security.

The couple’s UK visit also marked a significant family reunion for King Charles and his grandchildren, as Archie and Lilibet had not seen their grandfather in person since the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.