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Ministers explore handing Post Office ownership to sub-postmasters

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Ministers explore handing Post Office ownership to sub-postmasters

Ministers are exploring plans to hand ownership of the Post Office to thousands of sub-postmasters across the UK, sources have told the BBC.

The proposal is in its early stages and is one of many under consideration.

The Department for Business and Trade has asked management consultancy BCG to explore the possible ownership model, as first reported by Sky News.

The business secretary expects to receive a report in the coming months, a government source said.

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Sub-postmasters are responsible for the everyday management of more than 11,500 post offices across the UK.

In July, former business secretary Sir Vince Cable told the Post Office inquiry that he had wanted to “address the imbalance” between the Post Office and sub-postmasters by creating a “mutual structure”.

He said he had raised some of these issues with the then Post Office boss Paula Vennells, but the change “unfortunately never came to fruition”.

Instead, the Post Office was split from the Royal Mail group under Sir Vince’s watch and remains a government-owned company.

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The relationship between the Post Office and the sub-postmasters has received widespread attention following the Horizon scandal.

Between 1999 and 2015, more than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted after the faulty Horizon IT accounting system made it look like money was missing from branch accounts.

It has been called the UK’s most widespread miscarriage of justice.

Hundreds of affected sub-postmasters took legal action against the Post Office in 2019, led by Sir Alan Bates – with some still waiting to be compensated.

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An ITV drama about the case in January sparked renewed public interest in the scandal.

The Metropolitan Police said it was investigating the Post Office for possible fraud committed at the time.

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Money

Aldi’s seven energy-saving winter Specialbuys hitting stores TOMORROW – prices start from just £1.99

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Aldi's seven energy-saving winter Specialbuys hitting stores TOMORROW - prices start from just £1.99

ALDI is bringing out some hot deals to heat your house as the cold nights draw in.

With the ongoing cost of living crisis and energy bills scarier than Halloween, Brits are looking for alternative ways to keep toasty this Christmas.

Aldi is releasing a offers on their heating range on October 20

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Aldi is releasing a offers on their heating range on October 20Credit: GETTY

Certain gadgets on sale could keep you from tampering with the radiator and risking racking up the energy bill.

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Aldi Specialbuys are a selection of products released each week at a discounted price so you can be ready to help tackle the icy nights.

This week on the Special Buy range are a collection of heating products designed to keep your house as warm as possible without breaking the bank.

The Sun has collected a list of energy bill-saving bargains to look out for.

These products aren’t available yet at their discounted price but will be on the shelves October 30.

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The deals are published on the Aldi website but they are sold on a  first-come, first-served basis so make sure to snap them up quickly if you spot something you like.

Heated Airers

Heated airers dry your clothes more cost effectively than a tumble dryer

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Heated airers dry your clothes more cost effectively than a tumble dryerCredit: Aldi

With the bitter British weather, the washing line might be out of action, but this doens’t mean you need to turn to the tumble dryer.

The Ambiano Heated Airer, which you can pick up for £34.99, offers 18 bars of heat to dry clothes quickly and efficiently.

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It stretches out to 1.4m so you can dry all your winter warmers ready for bed.

Fan Heater

It costs around 22p or 45p to run a fan heater for an hour

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It costs around 22p or 45p to run a fan heater for an hourCredit: Aldi

For that extra blast of warmth you can take home a Kirkton House Fan Heater for £24.99.

The product offers two different heating settings – 1000W, or you can double heat and have 2000W of powered warmth.

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This means it will cost around 22p or 45p to run for an hour.

With a ‘modern freestanding design’ Aldi claims the portable gadget even has tip-over protection.

Insulation Wrap

Insulation wrap can prevent heat loss by 65 per cent

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Insulation wrap can prevent heat loss by 65 per centCredit: Aldi

To keep your house as warm as possible you can line the walls with Multi Purpose Insulation Wrap by Superfoil.

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Priced at £12.99, this item tackles the chilly air by keeping out the cold, trapping heat inside, and reflecting UV light.

It also prevents damp and condensation which can cause mould and temperature drops.

This wrap reduces loss by up to 65 per cent for each large insulation wrap, according to Aldi.

Radiator Foil

You can get the Superfoil Radiator Reflector for £9.99

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You can get the Superfoil Radiator Reflector for £9.99Credit: Aldi

Radiator foil is effective at preventing heat loss by reflecting the heat directly back into the room.

This increases the radiator’s efficiency and ensures they are working at their max capacity.

You can nab the Superfoil Radiator Reflector for £9.99 and cut it to adapt to any radiator.

Aldi claims the foil to reduces heat loss by up to a whopping 86 per cent and it comes 0.6m x 3m which should be enough to cover three radiators.

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Thermal T-shirts

To minimise your energy bills it's always best to layer up first

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To minimise your energy bills it’s always best to layer up firstCredit: Aldi

For £9.99 you can grab a pair Workwear Thermal T-Shirts to keep as warm as possible while still wearing something lightweight and breathable.

In black or grey, the short-sleeved thermal set come in sizes medium to extra-extra-large.

Money saving experts always recommend piling on the clothes before whacking on the heating.

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Oil Radiator

The Kirkton House Oil Filled Radiator costs 20p an hour to run

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The Kirkton House Oil Filled Radiator costs 20p an hour to runCredit: Aldi

Oil radiators are a cost-effective way to heat your house as quickly as possible.

Costing around 20p per hour to run the Kirkton House Oil Filled Radiator can provide a much needed burst of warmth.

The compact product is marked at £29.99 and comes with a carry handle so you can bring it do your bedroom for those frosty mornings.

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With three heat settings and an adjustable thermostat you can tailor your temperature without compromising on cost.

Draught excluder

Aldi is pricing the Workzone Adhesive Draught Excluder at £1.99

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Aldi is pricing the Workzone Adhesive Draught Excluder at £1.99Credit: Aldi

If you want the most bang for your buck, Aldi is offering a Workzone Adhesive Draught Excluder for only £1.99.

The Workzone Adhesive Draught Excluder lines the gaps between your windows to prevent drauphts.

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Heat often escapes through breaks in the window and can drastically change the temperature of a room.

With the choice of white, brown, or black, you can match the accessory to a range of window frames.

Aldi Specialbuys dropping October 20

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Travel

Why hotels always have white sheets, according to experts – and it’s not just for cleanliness

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Using bright white sheets is actually a well-thought out choice

HOTEL linen is always bright and white – but experts have revealed the decision is more tactical than you’d think.

Apparently there is more to using the classic crisp white sheet than just aesthetics.

Using bright white sheets is actually a well-thought out choice

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Using bright white sheets is actually a well-thought out choiceCredit: Getty

Hotel experts reveal the reason behind the colour theme isn’t just coincidence, but is due to cleanliness, practicality and design function.

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Here are the reasons why the next hotel room you stay in will most likely have bright white bedding.

Cleanliness

Area general manager for Coury Hospitality Delane McCoy told Travel + Leisure: “After safety, cleanliness is always the hotel’s first priority.

“White, crisp linen reminds the guest how clean the hotel is.”

Delane explained how when you first walk into a nice new hotel room, more often than not the first thing you notice is the bed.

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She added: “The hotel bed is the focal point of any guest room, and all attention is drawn there.

“A bed with fresh, crisp, clean, white linen gives guests the peace of mind that the entire room is clean and sanitized.” 

Practicality

A lot of luxury hotels will opt for white bedding because it immediately flags which sheets need cleaning.

Using a white linen also signposts when linen needs replacing, as any marks are easier to spot.

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Healthcare is often associated with the colour white – it’s often used in hospitals, dentist offices, and health clinics.

I tried Premier Inn’s new Next Evolution rooms

This is because you can tell when dirt accumulates on a white surface and so by observing the colour white it appears clean.

Another perk of using these sheets is that they haven’t been dyed a different colour, and so with multiple washes they won’t fade or change.

This makes all the linen uniform and allows lets them last longer before they need to be exchanged.

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Hotel bedding is constantly being washed so by replacing them less frequently the hotel is able to save money.

Design

General manager of The Hamilton Alpharetta Amber Edwards believes plain white sheets elevates the look of the rest of the hotel room.

She said: “The beauty of crisp, white bedding is that it complements the room’s design, allowing other elements — like plush throws, elegant pillows, and carefully chosen décor — to stand out and create an elegant, cohesive look.”

By using bedding without patterns and colours, guests are better able to appreciate the style and layout of a carefully designed room.

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White also also fits in with a range of interior design styles and so would be a suitable pick for most hotel rooms.

How to make your bed feel like a hotel

WHETHER you want to recreate the perfect hotel stay or impress guests during their visit – these hacks are a game-changer.

Self-professed Home Hacks Queen, Carolina McCauley, shared her three top tips for making your bed.

The first trick is to use a bed making tool, an iron-shaped plastic device that acts as a “mattress jack” and keeps it propped up.

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This helps you tuck the bed sheet under to ensure it doesn’t pop off and leave any mattress exposed from underneath.

“To help lifting heavy mattresses and tuck in sheets without braking your nails,” Carolina added.

Another way to make your bed looks five-star is to get rid of those crinkled duvet covers.

An easy hack to avoid ironing only requires some warm water and a spray bottle.

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“Add warm water to a spray bottle and spray over your bed while smoothing with your hands to remove wrinkles with no ironing,” the homemaker explained.

The third tip to recreate a luxurious hotel bed is to “keep the sheets tag in the right hand corner so your sheet fits every time.”

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Shoppers are rushing to Dunelm for household bargain that’s scanning for £3.50 instead of £14

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Shoppers are rushing to Dunelm for household bargain that's scanning for £3.50 instead of £14

SHOPPERS were flocking to Dunelm to get their hands on an item scanning for a fourth of the marked price.

The Elora Stripe Green 100 per cent Cotton Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set was being bought for only £3.50 despite being marked at £14.

The popular retailer is known for slashing prices

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The popular retailer is known for slashing pricesCredit: Alamy
Shoppers could grab the The Elora Stripe Green Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set for £3.50

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Shoppers could grab the The Elora Stripe Green Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set for £3.50Credit: Dunelm
The 100 per cent cotton duvet set has a striped print on one side and a gingham pattern on the other

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The 100 per cent cotton duvet set has a striped print on one side and a gingham pattern on the otherCredit: Dunelm
The offer was so popular most stores quickly went out of stock

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The offer was so popular most stores quickly went out of stockCredit: Dunelm

Dunelm fans were quick to comment on the offer, posted on hotdealsuk.

One user wrote: “Woohoo! A Dunelm deal locally in stock for me.”

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Another added: “Good deal but nearest store that has them from me is 16 mile away. Would cost me that in petrol to collect them.”

The soft cotton set is designed with button to keep your bedding secure to keep you warm during these chilly winter nights.

With a striped print on one side and a gingham pattern on the other, there are multiple ways this bedding bargain can by styled.

For £3.50 shoppers were able to go home with a duvet and two matching pillowcases.

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That works out as less than £1.17 per item.

The deal sparked such interest the bedding quickly went out of stock in many Dunelm stores, much to the dismay of multiple keen customers.

Unfortunately the deal expired four days ago and is no longer available.

Primark has everything you need to buy an autumn boo basket – and prices starting at just £2.50

For those gutted that they missed out on the cheapest bedding about, there are still chances to bag a bargain at the popular homeware store.

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There are a few things sneaky shoppers can do to get discounts all year round.

If you check out the shop’s “Returns Outlet” page on the website there are often a range of discounts and deals.

All these products have been bought by customers but then returned to the retailer, but are always in good nick.

The only thing missing from these items are the box.

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Another way to hunt down a deal at Dunelm is by visiting one of their outlet stores.

Shoppers can grab discounts worth up 70% at some of the outlet stores, with the items still in perfect condition.

Dunelm describes them as: “Practically perfect pieces at irresistible prices.”

For those looking to give their home an winter make-over there are already some Black Friday deals popping up on the Dunelm website:

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  • Versailles White Square Laundry Basket, 50% off, £14-£24 – buy here
  • Gabriella Washable Rug, 20% off, from £23.20 – buy here
  • Libra Washable Blackout Pencil Pleat Curtains, 50% off, £17.50-£47.50 – buy here
  • Eddie Velvet Tub Armchair, 30% off, £159 – buy here
  • Lynton 2 Drawer Bedside Table, 30% off, £99 – buy here

How to compare prices to get the best deal

JUST because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn’t mean it’s always a good deal.

There are plenty of comparison websites out there that’ll check prices for you – so don’t be left paying more than you have to.

Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.

Here are some that we recommend:

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  • Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.
  • Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and the supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock.
  • Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one.
  • CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of.

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Money

I tested the store bottom-shelf bargains to help you save – one Sainsbury’s item had a 257% price difference

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I tested the store bottom-shelf bargains to help you save - one Sainsbury's item had a 257% price difference

CASH-STRAPPED families could slash the cost of their supermarket shop by going low and picking items from the bottom shelves, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.

There is even a “Store Bottom Shelf” hashtag on TikTok, highlighting how cheaper items are often placed lower.

We reveal the money you can save by scanning the bottom shelves

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We reveal the money you can save by scanning the bottom shelvesCredit: NNP

Consumer expert Jane Hawkes says: “You can get some great bargains simply by looking down.”

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Here, we reveal the money you can save by scanning the lower shelves.

MORRISONS

McVitie’s Digestive biscuits are £1.90 at Morrisons

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McVitie’s Digestive biscuits are £1.90 at MorrisonsCredit: NNP
But Morrisons Digestives are just 85p

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But Morrisons Digestives are just 85pCredit: NNP

Quaker oats 1kg: £2.75
Morrisons oats 1kg: 90p
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: £1.85
Price difference: 205%

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McVitie’s Digestive biscuits: £1.90
Morrisons Digestives: 85p
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: £1.05
Price difference: 124%

Napolina Penne 500g: £1.50
Morrisons Penne 500g: 69p
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: 81p
Price difference: 117%

ASDA

A Pepsi 2-litre bottle is £2.15 at Asda

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A Pepsi 2-litre bottle is £2.15 at AsdaCredit: NNP
The Asda Classic cola 2-litre is just 70p

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The Asda Classic cola 2-litre is just 70pCredit: NNP

Dolmio bolognese sauce 450g: £1.65
Asda smooth bolognese 500g: 69p
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: 96p
Price difference: 139%

Pepsi 2-litre: £2.15
Asda Classic cola 2-litre: 70p
Shelves down: 2
Price increase: £1.45
Price difference: 207%

Bisto beef gravy granules 300g: £3
Goldenfry gravy granules 300g: £1.20
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: £1.80
Price difference: 150%

TESCO

Harpic power and max toilet cleaner costs £1.65 at Tesco

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Harpic power and max toilet cleaner costs £1.65 at Tesco
Opt for the Tesco active toilet gel 750ml instead for just 49p

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Opt for the Tesco active toilet gel 750ml instead for just 49pCredit: Gary Stone

Nutella hazelnut chocolate spread 350g: £3.45
Tesco hazelnut chocolate spread 400g: £1.69
Shelves down: 2
Price increase: £1.76
Price difference: 104%

Harpic power and max toilet cleaner: £1.65
Tesco active toilet gel 750ml: 49p
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: £1.16
Price difference: 237%

Douwe Egberts Pure Indulgence instant coffee 190g: £6.49
Tesco Gold instant coffee 200g: £2.25
Rows down: 5
Price increase: £4.24
Price difference: 188%

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SAINSBURY’S

The Pip & Nut peanut butter 300g is £3.25 at Sainsbury's

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The Pip & Nut peanut butter 300g is £3.25 at Sainsbury’sCredit: NNP
But Sainsbury’s smooth peanut butter 340g is just £1.09

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But Sainsbury’s smooth peanut butter 340g is just £1.09Credit: NNP

Napolina butter beans 400g: £1
Sainsburys butter beans 400g: 48p
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: 52p
Price difference: 108%

Pip & Nut peanut butter 300g: £3.25
Sainsbury’s smooth peanut butter 340g: £1.09
Shelves down: 3
Price increase: £2.16
Price difference: 198%

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Heinz spaghetti hoops 400g: £1.25
Sainsbury’s spaghetti rings 400g: 35p
Shelves down: 4
Price increase: 90p
Price difference: 257%

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From buying pet fish to cleaning a chihuahua’s teeth – your pet queries answered

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From buying pet fish to cleaning a chihuahua's teeth - your pet queries answered

HE is on a mission to help our pets  . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.

Sean helps a reader who is thinking about buying pet fish

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Sean helps a reader who is thinking about buying pet fishCredit: Getty
Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can 'help keep pets happy and healthy'

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Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can ‘help keep pets happy and healthy’

He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”

Q) I AM thinking of getting some fish for my ten-year-old son Toby to get him interested in wildlife.

What size do you think is a good starter tank and what fish do you recommend?

Mark Castle, Birmingham

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A) Buy as big as you can afford, with an appropriate size filter.

Your local aquatics store can advise, and it’s worth finding one dedicated to fish only as they will be able to give you time and expertise.

I always say that you are not keeping fish, you are keeping water.

Water quality is key, and it’s a fine balance between the amount of water, the number of fish and the capacity of the filtration.

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Food in means poop out, and if there is too much food there will be too much of the end product polluting the water and causing issues.

A small freshwater tropical aquarium will cost a fair initial outlay, with weekly maintenance needed.

I’m a property expert, here are the five key things when moving with a pet

So it’s not a small commitment, but will provide hours of fascination and wonder. I’m still mesmerised by mine.

Q) MY chihuahua Sally hates me cleaning her teeth.

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She just won’t have it and runs away. It’s such a struggle.

I have tried all kinds of different flavoured toothpaste, but her breath is a bit stinky.

Are those chews that are designed to clean teeth the real deal? And can I just use them instead of brushing?

Dominic McGrath, Glasgow

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A) Firstly, well done for trying.

This is something many pet owners never get around to and, without cleaning, it’s inevitable your dog will need dental work sooner or later.

Some dogs tolerate brushing very well, others hate it and never come around.

The trick is to start slow and for short periods, gradually building up the time you ask them to tolerate it.

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It’s also important to say some breeds are more prone to dental disease, mainly our toy breeds, ­chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers in particular.

Taking Sally to the vet for an annual check-up is important.

And it’s likely, even with brushing, that she will need a proper dental cleaning under anaesthetic every few years.

Q) AS a pup, my eight-year-old German shepherd had a good hip score.

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But for the last six months, Bear’s back legs have become weak.

He is not in any pain and still runs around full of enthusiasm, but he’s a farm dog who has never been in a car and I don’t want to stress him out by taking him to a vet.

Is this just an age thing that is typical of the breed?

Is there anything I can do to help this matter?

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Sally Hansard, Gainsborough, Lincs

A) I can’t really help you here. Not taking him to the vet for a potential issue that could have lifelong complications isn’t really in Bear’s best interests.

Any stress involved will be outweighed by the knowledge and advice gained by finding out what is actually wrong with him and how best to manage it going forward.

Q) I WANT to have a wildlife pond in my garden, but is it right you shouldn’t put koi or goldfish in it?

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Ideally, I’d like both. What do you think?

Bruce Taylor, Cardiff

A) You definitely need to choose one or the other.

Goldfish and koi are not compatible with wildlife.

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They will eat most creatures in the pond that provide important food for other native wildlife.

Star of the week

RESCUE cat Marley has been crowned the UK’s most loving moggy for comforting trafficked women.

He beat thousands to the Cat of the Year title at the Cats Protection awards, where he met TV presenter and writer Dawn O’Porter.

Rescue cat Marley has been crowned the UK’s most loving moggy for comforting trafficked women

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Rescue cat Marley has been crowned the UK’s most loving moggy for comforting trafficked womenCredit: supplied

The seven-year-old soothes guests at the London safe house, giving out cuddles and posing during art therapy sessions.

Karen Anstiss, 59, head of Caritas Bakhita House, currently home to 11 women from 11 countries, said: “Marley is a wonderful example of the power of love.

“Often, him placing a paw on our guests’ legs is the first kindness they’ve experienced in years.

“Before he went into rescue, he’d had a hard time, so he recognises our guests’ trauma.”

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WIN: Dog training

WOULD you love a calmer and more relaxed life with your dog?

Win one year of Pup Talk The Pack online dog training membership worth £360.

It includes easy training videos and support from Niki French, author of best-selling book STOP! Walking Your Dog.

To enter, send an email marked PUPTALK to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by Nov 3.

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See puptalk.co.uk.

T&Cs apply.

Learn what makes your pooch tick

DOG owners should carry out personality tests on their pets so they can mix with like-minded mutts.

Pet psychology expert Heather Stevens says your best friend can find their own BFF if you follow her tips.

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Heather Stevens says your best friend can find their own BFF if you follow her tips

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Heather Stevens says your best friend can find their own BFF if you follow her tipsCredit: supplied

The trainer and author of Beyond The Breed: The New Way To Know And Understand Your Dog believes that pinpointing a canine’s character makes for a happy pet and owner.

Heather, who also runs doggy day care, began studying canine characteristics to ensure her clients got along smoothly.

She says: “Identifying the character of your dog helps with training and understanding how they see the world.

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“Owners feel more empowered when they know a little more about what’s really going on with their dogs.”

Heather, 68, from Richmond, North Yorks, adds: “It explains why two dogs from the same litter can be so different and why they may be best friends with one black labrador, but terrified of another that looks exactly the same.

“I wrote the book to help people develop a deeper emotional understanding of their dogs so they can really grasp what’s happening when it comes to their behaviour.”

Learn more about Heather’s work and training tips, and buy her book, at beyondthebreed.co.uk.

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Winter sun European island with 21C sunshine has donkey sanctuaries, waterfall trails and huge new resorts

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Try a spot of yoga on the beach at Larnaca

AS Britain shivered, I was wandering along a sandy beach in Cyprus in dazzling 21C sunshine.

At the water’s edge, a family relaxed on sunloungers while a man struck yoga poses.

Try a spot of yoga on the beach at Larnaca

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Try a spot of yoga on the beach at LarnacaCredit: 2023 Adam Batterbee. All rights reserved.
The funky new Rise Street Art Hotel

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The funky new Rise Street Art HotelCredit: 2023 Adam Batterbee. All rights reserved.
Make some new friends at Golden Donkeys Farm, one of Europe’s biggest sanctuaries for the animals

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Make some new friends at Golden Donkeys Farm, one of Europe’s biggest sanctuaries for the animalsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

And even in winter, the water was warm enough for a dip.

Summer party hot spot Ayia Napa may be slumbering until the spring, but lovely Larnaca, just 40 minutes away, continues to welcome a more relaxed traveller in the depths of winter.

That was my cue to discover just how much there is to do out of season on this Mediterranean island — and brighten up an otherwise dreary winter.

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Food would play a starring role — and I was about to go meze mad.

First up was Larnaca itself, where the new Rise Street Art Hotel has brought a fantastic funkiness to the city.

Street art is everywhere in this place, from the fabulous facade to the rooms and the rooftop bar, where guests get a free welcome drink.

It is a handy base for exploring the city’s Finikoudes Beach and its palm-shaded promenade, where Militzis Restaurant tempted me with its lavish meze.

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Appetisers of creamy tahini dip, tzatziki and salad topped with halloumi set me up for kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb), grilled chicken and pork souvlaki.

How to spend a weekend exploring Cyprus with vineyards, pretty beaches and five-star resorts

These are all dishes I’ve had many times before, but there’s something very appealing about eating authentic Cypriot food by the sea on the island itself.

It was an enticing taste of things to come.

After a nose around Larnaca’s food market and the colourful streets of the old town, I headed off to the village of Skarinou near the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.

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There, I was given a masterclass in how to make halloumi, the “squeaky” cheese from Cyprus.

It is now found all around the world — but this stuff was the real deal, and bursting with intense flavour.

It was one of the activities offered by Golden Donkeys Farm, one of Europe’s biggest sanctuaries for the animals — and one of the cutest places I’ve ever seen.

It was hard not to go gaga over these gorgeous beasts, along with adorable baby goats and their mothers, whose milk is used for that wonderful halloumi.

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The milk from the donkeys, meanwhile, goes into products in the farm’s shop, from face creams to a lovely liqueur rather like Baileys.

There was a quick stop at the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, whose ruins date back to at least 7,000BC, before heading to lunch at Dragon Nest in the village of Pentakomo.

Before I could say the word meze, I had plates of tahini dip (my new addiction), moreish courgette patties and possibly the best kleftiko in Cyprus laid in front of me.

I was going to need all that protein for a hike the following morning after recharging my energy at the cosy Petit Palais Boutique Hotel in the village of ­Platres.

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Set in the Troodos Mountains, the village has an almost Alpine feeling and is a great starting point for some exhilarating hikes.

Autumnal forests

My goal was the Caledonian Waterfall Walking Trail.

This two-hour hike took me through autumnal forests and past waterfalls and rushing streams — with a few tricky log bridges and stepping stones to keep me on my toes.

Here in the Troodos range, I was discovering a different side of Cyprus.

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And when I arrived in Marathasa Winery, high above the village of Oikos, I thought I had landed in a James Bond lair.

Perched on a hilltop, the ultra-modern winery and bar features huge windows that give fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and villages below.

It was an enchanting place to try exceptional local wines, including the crisp white xynisteri, which quickly became a favourite.

Tuck into delicious local food

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Tuck into delicious local foodCredit: 2023 Adam Batterbee. All rights reserved.
Take a trek on the scenic Caledonian Trail

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Take a trek on the scenic Caledonian Trail

The winery’s owner, John Papadouris, has brought abandoned vineyards back to life, but didn’t stop there.

He has also rejuvenated parts of the neighbouring village of Kalopanayiotis, including Casale Panayiotis Traditional Village Hotel & Spa.

Its Byzantino restaurant has another winning meze, this time with tomato and vegetable fritters and slow-cooked rabbit added to the mix.

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Afterwards, I wandered round Kalopanayiotis’s pretty lanes, breathing in scents of mulled wine from the food stalls in the glittering festive market, one of the isle’s seven official Christmas Villages that run from late November till mid-January.

Soon, though, it was time to head back to the coast, and Cyprus’s second-largest city, Limassol.

The recently-opened five-star City of Dreams Mediterranean, near Lady’s Mile Beach, offers 500 stylish rooms and a huge casino alongside excellent restaurants, a spa and a massive pool complex with an adventure park, waterslides and wave pool.

Enchanting place

Some of the outdoor pools close for the winter, but not the Beach Pool, which is surrounded by sand and loungers for lazy days in the sun.

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There was still Limassol to explore, especially its buzzing Old Town with lanes filled with bars, restaurants, outdoor terraces and people enjoying the mild evening air.

It was the perfect place for a stroll after another mega Med meze — this time a seafood extravaganza at Afxentis Fish Restaurant. Dish after dish arrived — calamari, prawns, mussels, octopus, sea bream, red mullet. All divine.

Sea, sunshine, superb food, Cypriot hospitality and beautiful landscapes — all I needed for a blissful winter escape.

GO: Cyprus

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GETTING THERE: Fly to Larnaca or Paphos with easyJet, Jet2, Wizzair or British Airways from £31.99 one way.

If you have an early-morning flight, see holidayextras.com for airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers.

STAYING THERE: Doubles with including breakfast are from £82 per night at Rise Street Art Hotel, Larnaca (therisehotel.com), from £117 at Petit Palais Boutique Hotel in Platres (petitpalais.com.cy), and from £218 at City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol (cityofdreamsmed.com.cy).

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