Research by the CIPD found a jump in the number of firms planning to hire more apprentices and school-leavers. A survey of more than 1,000 companies found that half were taking measures to boost the skills of their workforce in response to recruitment difficulties. A third were looking to take on more apprentices, the survey indicated. Gerwyn Davies, labour market analyst for the CIPD, told Today: "The underlying factor is that the jobs market is very strong, that's forcing more employers to look at a wider range of applicants." He added that young people had fared worse than other age groups over the past decade, so there was an element of catch-up, but also that employers wanted to address their future skills needs. In a statement, he said: "After a long, dark decade, the prospects for young people are finally looking brighter."

Summary: Job prospects for young people are improving as firms try to fill skills gaps, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development suggests.


Simon Griffiths, 52, from Pembroke, withheld £60,000 from the sister of one of his clients after she died. Swansea Crown Court heard Griffiths, who ran Eaves Solicitors in Milford Haven, was struck off in 2013 and is now bankrupt. Griffiths, who admitted fraud, transferred the cash into the accounts of a firm he was director of. The court heard when Helen Ward-Jones died in 2011, Griffiths paid her sister Barbara Collins her share of the estate but did not pay her other sister, Christine Sheridan. Dyfed Thomas, defending, said: "He was a man who was a trusted professional until his spectacular fall from grace."

Summary: A former Pembrokeshire solicitor has been jailed for two years for defrauding the family of a dead woman.


Shortly after midday the FTSE 100 was down 29.88 points at 7,409.41. Meanwhile sterling rose 0.4% against the dollar to $1.2732, and climbed 0.2% against the euro to 1.1401 euros. The FTSE 100 often falls when the pound rises because many firms in the index operate abroad. A stronger pound means overseas earnings are worth less when changed back into sterling. Comments from brokers were behind some of the bigger share movements. BAE Systems fell 1.8% after JP Morgan cut its rating on the company to "neutral". Broadcasting company ITV was the biggest riser in the FTSE 100, up 2.3%, as Morgan Stanley raised its rating to "overweight". In the FTSE 250, shares in Domino's Pizza fell 3.5% after analysts at Berenberg cut their rating on the company to "hold".

Summary: The pound climbed back above $1.27 but the FTSE 100 share index was on track for its third week of losses in a row.


Andrew Le Masurier died three months ago. Geoffrey Morris from the club said Mr Le Masurier was an inspiration as well as a dedicated and passionate collector. The club's first model railway exhibition since the death of Mr Le Masurier started on Saturday and is one of its largest. It attracted hundreds of model railway fans from across the island and featured a range of different trains and models. Mr Morris said: "The late Andrew Le Masurier was profoundly deaf, but he was one of our most active members. "We were so proud to make a lovely nameplate in the form of a Great Western Railway nameplate, which proudly says the 'Andrew Le Masurier Hall'. "This is our 33rd exhibition. We have held them at various venues around the island."

Summary: The headquarters of the Jersey Model Railway Club has been renamed in memory of one of its members.


The orchestra was on the brink of closure two years ago because of funding cuts. However, it received a last-minute deal from Stormont and Belfast City Council. Sir George, who is stepping down as chair later this week, said the orchestra's financial situation has greatly improved. "Two years ago, to use an accounting term, we weren't sure we we were going to be able to say it was a going concern - that is that you could look ahead 12 months and say you were going to be solvent," he said. "This year, already, we know that we're going to be getting funding from government sources that will make our future secure." The orchestra is the only full-time professional orchestra in Northern Ireland. It plays the majority of its concerts in Belfast's Ulster Hall and the Waterfront Hall.

Summary: The outgoing chair of the Ulster Orchestra, Sir George Bain, says the organisation's future is more secure than it has been for a very long time.


The blaze at Finsbury Chase in the Monkston Park area of the town began just after 08:00 BST. The roof of the terraced house has partially collapsed and adjacent homes have been damaged. A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said the children - a baby girl and a boy - did not have life threatening injuries. Neighbour Gerald Ekosso told the BBC a Nigerian family lived in the house. "Roof tiles were popping off and there was intense thick white smoke coming out of the roof," he said. "I ran to the apartment house to make sure there was nobody in it. My downstairs neighbour and I were told by the growing crowd of people that the family had left." The narrow cul-de-sac has been closed off to the public while crews ensure the fire is completely extinguished. The cause is not yet known.

Summary: Two young children have been taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a home in Milton Keynes.


Joseph Batty, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The charges related to two incidents on the 25 and 29 September 2014, involving the same female victim, who was based outside of the county. Batty, of Broad Ings Crescent, Kendal, was jailed for four years at Carlisle Crown Court. The court heard he had been disowned by his family having committed the latest in what were a "long line of sexual offences against females". Expert assessments found he posed a "high risk" of reoffending, the court heard. Judge Peter Hughes QC ordered that Batty should be subject to an extended licence period of four years following his release. He will be subject to the sex offenders notification requirements for life and was also made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Summary: A Cumbrian man has been jailed after admitting child sex offences.


Somerset County Council said it had been told WebberBus would cease to operate from Friday morning "due to financial difficulties". The authority said it would try to ensure "dozens of important bus routes" served by the company would be covered. WebberBus managing director Tim Gardner said a statement would be issued later on Friday. Affected services include those serving six schools, four colleges and more than a dozen public routes. Councillor David Fothergill, who is responsible for highways, said: "WebberBus is by some distance the second largest operator in the county and organising replacement services at very short notice is a significant task."

Summary: A family-run bus company in Somerset which has been running for more than 50 years is to stop trading.


Bournemouth midfielder Jordon Ibe, 20, was driving home from a training session when his car was hit in Surrey Quays, south-east London. The £15m former Liverpool player was threatened with a knife by one of the assailants, police said. Scotland Yard said it was investigating whether the collision, at about 13:45 GMT on November 6, was deliberate. Ibe, who was uninjured during the robbery, handed over a Rolex watch worth £25,000, according to the Sun newspaper. The robbery came four days after West Ham striker Andy Carroll was allegedly threatened by gunmen as he drove to his home in Essex from the club's Rush Green training ground. A man is due to appear in court in connection with the attack on Carroll.

Summary: A Premier League footballer was robbed at knifepoint of a watch reportedly worth £25,000 after his car was struck.


His mother, Alison, has been invited to unveil the newly-christened Bloomfield House on 25 April, the first anniversary of his death. He spent ten years with the station, where he was breakfast show presenter at the time he was diagnosed with stage four melanoma. Mr Bloomfield, 33, died at a hospice in his home county of Shropshire. Updates on this story and more from Derbyshire Radio Derby editor Simon Cornes said: "Colin spent so much time here working on his programmes that we thought it would be really fitting to name the building after him. "It will mean a great deal to everyone here to come to work each day in Bloomfield House." The presenter also lent his name to the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal which has raised more than £152,000.

Summary: BBC Radio Derby is to rename its building in honour of presenter Colin Bloomfield, who died from skin cancer.


The blue blubber jellyfish have completely covered the sand and surprised people who live nearby. Charlotte Lawson took the pictures after noticing an unusual colour on the beach. "When we got closer we realised it was jellyfish," she said. "It was like bubble wrap across the beach." The blue blubber jellyfish is a common sight on the Australian east coast but is not normally seen in such big numbers. Marine biologist, Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, said the unusual sight was probably caused by warmer water and an absence of predators. Wind and tide conditions may have also been factors. According to locals the jellyfish had started to smell "pretty rank".

Summary: Thousands of jellyfish have washed up on a beach in Queensland in Australia.


Caskey is expected to join former Wrexham manager Gary Mills at fellow National League side York City. Wrexham said the former Tottenham Hotspur, Reading and Notts County midfielder has tendered his ''resignation." Mills was re-appointed York manager three days after he was sacked by Wrexham on 13 October. Dean Keates has been appointed Mills' successor at Wrexham and will be assisted by Andy Davies. Meanwhile, Mills has made his first signing since returning to Bootham Crescent. The Minstermen have signed Birmingham City midfielder Charlie Cooper, 19, on a one-month loan deal.

Summary: Former assistant manager Darren Caskey has left Wrexham, the National League club has confirmed.


Thomas's birthday cake design beat off fierce competition from more than 2,000 school children across south Wales. The first strike of the medal will be presented to the Queen to wish her a happy birthday. The pupil attended the Llantrisant-based mint in to see how and where his medal was made. As part of his prize, his class will join a schools workshop at The Royal Mint Experience, the organisation's visitor attraction. The Royal Mint Museum's education manager, Lucy-Ann Pickering, said: "We would like to thank the primary school children of south Wales for their overwhelming response to this competition." In 1967, the Royal Mint moved to Llantrisant in Rhondda Cynon Taff from London's Tower Hill where it makes billions of coins a year.

Summary: A seven-year-old from Cwmbran has designed both sides of the Queen's 90th birthday medal for the Royal Mint.


McGregor fuelled speculation with a tweet showing him head to head with Mayweather, who retired last year. Five-weight world champion Mayweather, 39, said he would want $100m (£69.3m) to fight the 27-year-old Irishman. "Keep your fingers crossed, it may be a boxer versus an MMA fighter," Mayweather told fighthype.com. "It was a name that was shot at me. It may not be a rumour." Mayweather's father recently said his son had told him he would face "some kind of MMA fighter", while McGregor told BT Sport he wants a "billion-dollar fight" against the American. McGregor, who lost to Nate Diaz in his most recent fight, was pulled from the UFC 200 card last month after refusing to fulfil promotional duties. Mayweather's 49th and last fight was a unanimous decision over Andre Berto in September, after which he said: "My career is over, that's official."

Summary: Former boxer Floyd Mayweather says he "started the rumour" about a potential bout with a mixed martial arts fighter - thought to be Conor McGregor.


The incident has ended, but two inmates remain on the roof of the prison and have caused significant damage, according to prison authorities. The stand-off began when 60 prisoners refused to leave an exercise yard. Forty-five returned to their cells, but 15 armed themselves with homemade weapons and fought with prison officers. Prison officers with riot shields and batons moved in and forcibly returned the inmates to their cells. One inmate, who was taken hostage by other prisoners, was attacked and sustained a broken arm. Eleven prisoners have been taken to Dublin's Tallaght hospital. Two other inmates climbed onto the prison roof. Prison authorities are working to bring the prisoners down.

Summary: Eleven prisoners have been taken to hospital after a stand-off by inmates at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin.


The Cobblers opened the scoring after four minutes when Diamond headed in from Danny Rose's corner. Joe Piggott could have levelled for the Hatters but he failed to convert Pelly Ruddock's cross from close-range. Marquis capped an excellent Northampton move by latching onto John-Joe O'Toole's delivery, before Sam Hoskins struck the post for the home side. Chris Wilder's side were presented with the League Two trophy on the pitch at Sixfields after the final whistle.

Summary: Goals from Zander Diamond and John Marquis gave League Two champions Northampton victory over Luton.


The British Horseracing Authority decision follows a dispute with East Lothian Council, which holds the majority on the management committee, over the track's administration. The Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee has agreed to an independent review of its governance. Forthcoming fixtures on 14 and 25 July can now go ahead as planned. The BHA says a nine-month timeline for completion and implementation of recommendations has been put in place after talks. "We hope the proposed independent governance review will create a modern blueprint which puts the interests of the racecourse first and prevents any similar situation from arising in the future," said Bill Farnsworth, the racecourse's chief executive.

Summary: Musselburgh Racecourse has been granted a temporary licence until the end of the year.


The 21-year-old steps up to League One after helping Conference North side City reach the second round of this season's FA Cup. "It hasn't really sunk in to be honest. I'm absolutely delighted to be here," Williams told the club website. "I only heard about the interest a couple of days ago and now I'm here, so it's been a bit of a whirlwind." After beating League One Coventry City 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena, Worcester narrowly failed to make the third round. After drawing 1-1 at Scunthorpe United, they lost their second round replay at Aggborough on penalties, after an epic, record-breaking, shootout. Media playback is not supported on this device

Summary: Barnsley have signed Worcester City full-back George Williams on an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee.


The American fighter, 34, won the IBF super-lightweight title in 2007 and the WBA welterweight title in 2012. He was beaten by British pair Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton and Saturday's defeat by Birmingham's Sam Eggington took his record to 36 wins from 44 fights. Malignaggi said he has many "incredible memories" from boxing and he will continue to work in the media. In a statement released 19 years to the day since his first amateur bout, Malignaggi said his life is now in a place he "never dreamed it could be in". He added: "I'm looking forward to a long fruitful career now behind the mic, staying around the sport I love so much and the sport that changed my life for the better."

Summary: Former two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi has retired from boxing after over 15 years as a professional.


Natural Resources Wales (NRW) previously said the beds would not open as usual on 1 July after a sharp drop in the number of cockles. But cocklers reported a "very late and unusual" appearance of young cockles. NRW said another survey in August showed that there were about 600 tonnes which could be harvested. Tim Jones, NRW's executive director for north and mid Wales, said: "This really is good news for all concerned and demonstrates how managing these beds in a way that helps the environment and the economy can work." The beds will be open for the limited time from 21 September.

Summary: Cockle beds in the Dee estuary in Flintshire can open for eight weeks this autumn, environment officials have announced.


The 41-year-old makes the step up into management after spells coaching at Palace, Bolton Wanderers and most recently Nottingham Forest. He has signed a deal until 2019 after Ricardo Moniz was sacked last month with the Magpies 15th in League Two. The former Scotland U21 international also played for St Mirren, Dundee United, Brentford and Southend. Notts County chairman Ray Trew said: "I don't think I have ever been as impressed by someone at an interview as I was by Jamie. He had us all captivated throughout what turned out to be a lengthy assessment of his suitability for the role." The Magpies have lost one game since Moniz's departure, a 4-2 defeat by Oxford, and are now 18th in the table - nine points off the play-off places.

Summary: Notts County have appointed former Crystal Palace midfielder Jamie Fullarton as their new manager.


Queensland declared on 240-9 in Brisbane, in reply to Ireland's first innings of 155. Ireland opener William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien put on 56 for the second wicket before both retired. However, the Irish lost five wickets for 26 runs and were 83-6 when the teams shook hands with a session left. Gary Wilson hit 16 and Andrew Balbirnie nine but Stuart Thompson, Stuart Poynter and Ed Joyce all failed to score. Ireland trio George Dockrell, Max Sorensen and Andrew McBrine played for Queensland, with the latter scoring an unbeaten 49. Ireland move on to Townsville to face Papua New Guinea, with the third-round encounter starting on Sunday. The Netherlands top the Intercontinental Cup table with Ireland six points behind in second.

Summary: Ireland struggled to a draw with a Queensland XI in a two-day practice game ahead of their Intercontinental Cup match against Papua New Guinea.


Police said the drugs found in Mullaghbawn on Wednesday were thought to be worth Â£275,000. The find was made as part of an international drug trafficking investigation, a spokeswoman said. The men, aged 32, 40 and 53, are expected to appear before special court sittings in Newtownards and Newry on Saturday. They have been charged with various drugs offences, including conspiracy to supply cannabis. Police said the arrests were made as part of an international investigation into the supply of 'skunk' cannabis in Northern Ireland. The PSNI is the lead investigator in the operation, which involves officers from the Italian police and the National Crime Agency.

Summary: Three men are to appear in court charged in connection with cannabis plants found in south Armagh.


The 22-year-old defender, who is the son of former England defender Martin, spent the second half of last season on loan at Firhill from the Royals. He made 16 appearances for the Jags as they finished sixth in the Premiership. "All at the club are excited to see the defender back wearing red and yellow once again," said Thistle on their website. Keown has also featured for Republic of Ireland Under-21s and made two senior appearances during his spell at Reading. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Partick Thistle have signed Niall Keown from Reading for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.


Skye has been placed third, Arran seventh, mainland Orkney eighth and isles of Lewis and Harris joint ninth. Jersey, a British Crown Dependency, was rated by TripAdvisor as the UK's top island followed by the Isle of Wight. The list is compiled annually and suggests the best islands in the UK, Europe and other regions and the world. Jersey has also made it on to the European top 10, but the Scottish islands have not. Last year, Arran was fourth on the UK list, Skye fifth, mainland Orkney sixth and Lewis and Harris were joint eighth. This year's UK top 10 have been listed as: The various lists are based on the millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers across the world. The company said the winners were determined by using an algorithm that takes into account 12 months' worth of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Summary: Scottish isles have made it on to a TripAdvisor list of the UK's best islands for travellers compiled from tourists' reviews.


The exchange-traded fund (ETF) is run by celebrated financier and Pimco co-founder Bill Gross, who has been interviewed by US authorities, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Pimco Total Return ETF has grown rapidly in the past couple of years. Pimco said the investigation was a "private matter" and that its pricing procedures were "entirely appropriate". The Californian firm confirmed it had been co-operating with the US regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the investigation had been going on for months and concerned the manner in which Pimco purchased and valued certain bonds. The company, widely considered to be the world's biggest bond manager, was set up in 1971, and acquired by insurance giant Allianz in 2000. Shares in Allianz have fallen slightly following news of the SEC investigation.

Summary: A fund run by investment firm Pimco is being investigated over allegations that managers inflated returns.


Kevin Wright died after he became trapped at Fresco Environmental Ltd in Widnes, Cheshire, on 1 March, 2016. The jury at Warrington Coroner's Court said "systems of storage" at the depot "contributed" to the 27-year-old's death. The company declined to comment on the inquest's findings. Workmate Stephen Maloney had earlier told the hearing he had heard a loud bang. He described how his colleague was "holding onto my leg saying 'help me mate, help me'." "I just tried to keep him stable I just tried to keep him going," he added. The jury reached an accidental conclusion on Mr Wright's death. It added: "It is more likely than not that the systems of storage and the movement of carpet bales contributed to the death." A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said its investigation into Mr Wright's death was ongoing.

Summary: A man who was crushed at a recycling plant by a falling bale of carpet was killed accidentally, an inquest concluded.


Part-time limits will be put in place outside 33 schools where the highest number of accidents involving children have occurred. The schools include seven in Bishop Auckland, six in Chester-le-Street, five in Seaham and four in Consett. Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg said the move would help keep young people safe. Durham County Council approved the plans at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Only three such zones have been created in the county over the past 10 years, in Seaham, Durham City and Ferryhill. The authority said 86% of accidents involving children happened within a 1,968ft (600m) radius of a school.

Summary: Plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit outside dozens of schools in County Durham have been given the go-ahead.


The child, who apparently could not swim, was paddling in The Lagoon on the Western Esplanade in Southend just before 18:00 BST on Wednesday. He wandered into a 2m-deep section and struggled to keep afloat before disappearing under the water. Essex Police has appealed for his rescuer, who jumped in fully clothed to pull him to safety, to come forward. Sgt Ian Hughes said: "There is no doubt that he saved the boy from drowning and deserves to be recognised for his quick-thinking and bravery. "Unfortunately he left the scene soon after the rescue because his own son wanted to go on a ride at Adventure Island. His clothes were soaking wet but he wanted to make sure his son had that ride." The boy, from Peckham in south London, was checked by paramedics and was found to have made a full recovery.

Summary: A six-year-old boy was saved from drowning in a seafront lagoon by a stranger, police have said.


The 66-year-old man and his dog died in the accident, west of Penicuik on the A702 near the Flotterstone Inn, at about 18:00 on Tuesday. The man was hit on the northbound carriageway by a red-coloured Mercedes Sprinter van. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The roadway was closed for five hours for investigations to be carried out. Police have appealed for anyone who was travelling in the area around the time of the incident to get in touch. Sgt Andrew Gibb, of Police Scotland, said: "Our inquiries into the full circumstances of this incident are ongoing and I am keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident."

Summary: A man and his dog have been hit and killed by a van while walking across a road in Midlothian.


The Turkish club announced the signing on Tuesday, with the player revealing his delight to work under Paul Le Guen. The former France youth international was called up for DR Congo's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic in September 2015. However Kembo-Ekoko did not play in the tie and is yet to earn his first cap. His father Kembo Uba Kembo played for DR Congo (formerly Zaire) in the 1974 Fifa World Cup. Kembo-Ekoko is the cousin of French youth sensation Kylian Mbappe, their fathers are brothers.

Summary: DR Congo target Jirès Kembo Ekoko has joined Bursaspor on a two-year deal from UAE side Al Nasr.


The former Leicester City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers midfielder was honoured by Wrexham's Glyndwr University for services to sport. Savage, 40, earned 39 caps for Wales and played for six different clubs in a career spanning 17 years. He said: "I am very thankful to be offered this honorary fellowship... and accept this accolade wholeheartedly." The father-of-two and former Manchester United trainee is now a regular pundit for Match of the Day and Radio 5 Live and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. The university's vice-chancellor, professor Michael Scott, said: "Robbie Savage is Wrexham through and through so we are thrilled that he will be accepting this honour." Other fellows being honoured at the graduation ceremony include Mario Kreft, owner of Pendine Park care organisation, technology firm NU Instruments' managing director Alan McCall and Tim Baker, artistic director of Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold, Flintshire.

Summary: Former Wales footballer Robbie Savage was awarded an honorary fellowship at his hometown university on Wednesday.


People attending the festival on Anglesey on Monday were asked to take shuttle buses to the Bodedern Maes from the Anglesey Show ground at Mona. But some visitors complained of waiting up to two hours for a bus. Eisteddfod chief executive Elfed Roberts had urged visitors to "be patient". He said the change was a "temporary measure" to conserve the ground. "The rain yesterday was horrendous, that's what was at fault," Mr Roberts added. "There are people complaining that there is some mud on the Maes, I don't think that any field anywhere would have coped with what we got last night. "We all need to be patient, we need to calm down and not panic." The shuttle bus system will stay in place on Tuesday. Blue badge holders should park in Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern, with a system in place to bring people to and from the Maes.

Summary: Organisers of the National Eisteddfod have apologised for delays following a decision to shut the main car park after it became waterlogged.


Tobias Gordon, 32, was one of two men hurt in the blast, which destroyed the ground floor home in Aldersmead Road. Mr Gordon and a 27-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of causing an explosion likely to endanger life, police said. Detectives previously said they were investigating illegal drug production as a possible cause. A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the exact cause of Mr Gordon's death, police said. The younger man remains in a "serious but stable condition" in hospital. Det Insp Justin Spanner, of West Midlands Police, said the cause of the 23 November explosion had yet to be established. The property, in West Heath, has been slated for demolition.

Summary: A man who suffered serious burns in an explosion which destroyed a Birmingham flat has died from his injuries.


The 36-year-old right-back has made more than 150 appearances for the Seagulls and his new deal keeps him at the Amex Stadium until June 2018. "Bruno has been really consistent throughout my time here and has been one of our key players," manager Chris Hughton told the club website. "He has been a model professional and has been a great player to work with." Hughton added: "He works hard to keep himself in great shape and looks after himself very well." The Barcelona-born defender is in his fifth season with Brighton, having joined from Valencia in 2012.

Summary: Brighton club captain Bruno has agreed a one-year contract extension with the Championship side.


The man, in his 50s, crashed off Corn Du, near Pen y Fan, at about 15:20 BST on Thursday. Rescue teams were called and treated him for suspected spinal and pelvic injuries, Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) said. He was then flown to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales. Central Beacons and Western Beacons rescue teams were also involved, along with a helicopter from the Maritime Coastguard Agency. Brecon MRT team leader Mark Jones praised passers-by who helped the injured man. "In this instance having help from passers-by was critical," he said. "Those members of the public that helped this gentleman were calm and professional and were able to help his breathing difficulties without compromising any spinal injuries that he may have suffered until mountain rescuers were on scene."

Summary: A man has been airlifted to hospital after a paragliding crash in the Brecon Beacons.


Grzegorz Beyer, 40, was assaulted by "a number of people" near the water fountain in the early hours of Monday. He died on Wednesday evening at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, Wiltshire Police said. His family described him as a "loving husband, father and son" and said they were "completely devastated". Family members were "struggling to come to terms with the void Grzesiek's passing has left in our lives," they said. Officers are analysing CCTV and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Det Chief Insp Jeremy Carter said: "This was a Bank Holiday Monday, therefore, the area would have been busier than usual. "I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the area of Bridge Street, Canal Walk, The Parade or Regent Street to please call police."

Summary: A murder investigation has been launched after a man died two days after he was attacked in Swindon town centre.


Sheila May Thorpe was mayor of Slough Borough Council in 1993-94 and served as both a Berkshire county councillor and Slough borough councillor. Mrs Thorpe, 68, suffered a heart attack while celebrating her golden wedding anniversary with her husband, Mike, a former leader of the council. The flag has been lowered on the council's offices at St Martin's Place. Deputy mayor Mohammed Rasib said: "My thoughts are with Sheila's family at this unexpected and sad time for them all. "She will be greatly missed by all who knew her."

Summary: A council is flying its flag at half mast following the sudden death of its former mayor.


The lottery operator said the winner had not yet decided whether to go public or keep their identity secret. The ticket was for Friday night's draw, and is the latest in a string of EuroMillions wins in the UK. In March Richard and Angela Maxwell, from Lincolnshire, won £53m, and in June an anonymous UK ticket holder won £93m. The largest UK win was £161m, won by Colin and Chris Weir from Scotland in July 2011. On Wednesday Camelot said a £191,161 prize from the 1 August Lotto draw had not yet been claimed. It said the ticket was bought in Perth and Kinross, and asked players to "check and double-check their tickets".

Summary: A UK ticket holder has come forward to claim a £28.5m EuroMillions jackpot, Camelot has confirmed.


Twenty-five firefighters from both sides of the border were called to the blaze at the 19th Hole in Bridgend at 03:10 BST. No-one was injured. The bar is located on the road to Buncrana, on the western outskirts of Londonderry. Barry McDowell of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it could have been much worse. "It was good work between our partners in Donegal and ourselves," he said. "When we arrived the bar was well alight and, in order to put that fire out, we had to put firefighters into the building with hoses, along with breathing apparatus, because there was a lot of smoke in the building. "It was a good stop to prevent the whole building from being destroyed. It just looks like it was an accidental fire to be honest," Mr McDowell added.

Summary: A fire which extensively damaged a bar in County Donegal is believed to have started accidentally.


The bank, which received aid of 18bn euros, made a loss of 19.2bn euros (Â£17bn, $25.2bn) for 2012 and put aside provisions of 26.8bn euros. Last year, Bankia and its parent firm, BFA, asked for EU funds to help rebuild its capital. Spain's bank rescue fund said Bankia itself had a negative value, although its parent had some worth. Bankia was born out of the merger of seven savings banks that were highly exposed to Spain's property sector, which crashed five years ago. The Bankia-BFA group as a whole made losses after tax of 21.2bn euros in 2012. Bankia's seven component banks were severely damaged by their loans to property developers and home buyers during the country's property bubble that ended in the late 2000s. The bank's shares were suspended at the start of the year.

Summary: Spain's troubled Bankia - formed of the merger of seven floundering savings banks - has reported a record loss.


A delegation from the club's operations team spent time analysing Celtic's standing section ahead of Sunday's final league match at Celtic Park. It is thought the standing section at Tynecastle could be introduced in the stadium's Gorgie Stand if given the go ahead. Celtic introduced a safe standing section last summer. The 2900-capacity section is used for domestic matches, with retractable seating that can be used for European fixtures.

Summary: Hearts are considering the introduction of a safe standing section at Tynecastle.


Swansea-born Sprake made more than 500 appearances during 11 years at Leeds United, and was a First Division title winner in 1969. He also won a second division winner's medal in addition to the League Cup in 1968 and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. Sprake, who won 37 caps during a 12-year career with Wales, joined Birmingham City in 1973. Leeds United sent its "condolences and support to the Sprake family at this difficult time". Sprake's former Leeds and Wales team-mate Terry Yorath said "football had lost a good man." "He was such a character both on and off the field," Yorath told BBC Radio Wales Sport. "He was the most natural goalkeeper I ever played with but he never practiced, that was the amazing thing about him. "He didn't really work at his game and if he'd had worked at his game he would have been even better."

Summary: Former Leeds United, Birmingham City and Wales goalkeeper Gary Sprake has died at the age of 71.


Music stars and MPs have recorded the tribute to the member for Batley and Spen who was murdered in her constituency. It is a cover version of the Rolling Stones classic, You Can't Always Get What You Want, to raise money for a charity set up in her name. The Jo Cox Foundation supports a range of charities championed by the late MP. The recording features musicians including Kaiser Chiefs' frontman Ricky Wilson, Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley, KT Tunstall and David Gray. The government is to make a charitable donation equivalent to the VAT payable on the sales of the single to the foundation, the treasury has announced. Chancellor Philip Hammond said: "I am pleased to confirm that every single penny of sales from this single will go towards the good causes the Jo Cox Foundation supports."

Summary: A Christmas single in memory of Jo Cox MP is to have the VAT on sales given to charity, the chancellor has announced.


The 21-year-old, son of former Canaries keeper Bryan, was part of Championship club Norwich's academy until he joined Pep Guardiola's side in 2011. He is yet to make a senior appearance for City, but was regularly an unused substitute for the Premier League side last season. Gunn, a boyhood Norwich fan, will officially join the Canaries on 1 July. "It's a great pleasure for me to come back and sign on loan," said Gunn. "The main thing for me is to come and get experience, so to mix that in with coming to Norwich is a great feeling." Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Norwich City have signed England Under-21 goalkeeper Angus Gunn from Manchester City on a season-long loan.


The beige Vauxhall Astra ploughed into the property in Grovehill Road, in Beverley, East Yorkshire, at about 10:40 GMT. Police said two people suffered minor injuries in the incident. About 10 neighbouring homes had to be evacuated over fears of a gas leak after the vehicle hit and damaged an external meter, the fire service said. Residents have since returned to their properties after gas engineers ensured the area was safe, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said. The road between Cherry Tree Lane and Armstrong Way was also closed for a short time.

Summary: Two people were injured and 10 homes had to be evacuated when a car crashed into a house.


She became Kenya's first high-profile athlete to fail a test when she tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug EPO in 2014. Jeptoo, 33, says she may have been prescribed banned substances at a local hospital after a road accident. The ruling means she forfeits her 2014 Boston and Chicago Marathon titles. She is now banned until 30 October 2018 and has also been fined 15,000 Swiss francs (£12,396) as a contribution to the IAAF's legal fees and expenses. Kenya has been in the spotlight for the past two years after a German television programme claimed many athletes from the east African nation are doping. Jeptoo, one of most successful runners in Kenyan history, was due to be crowned World Marathon Major Champion for 2014 but the ceremony was called off soon after news of her failed test.

Summary: Kenyan marathon runner Rita Jeptoo has had her two-year ban doubled after an IAAF appeal was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.


Mayor Clive Davies will announce the change on Thursday and Jumper will remain a Ceredigion town until Christmas Day. Cardigan town council joined forces with charity Save The Children to promote the annual tradition of wearing a Christmas jumper on 16 December. Schools, businesses and the town's castle have also changed their names. Other places which may be missing a trick include: Here are some suggestions for festive place names left on the BBC Wales News Facebook page:

Summary: The town of Cardigan has been temporarily renamed "Jumper" to coincide with Christmas Jumper Day.


He joined the League Two side from Sligo Rovers last year on an initial 18-month deal and has started every league game this season. The 27-year-old started his career at Galway and moved to Sheffield United in 2011, but did not make a first-team appearance for the Blades. "I'm very pleased to get this sorted early" he told the club website.

Summary: Full-back Seamus Conneely has extended his contract with Accrington Stanley until 2018.


In a month that has seen summer flooding, preliminary stats show some areas nearing 200% of their average. Perth has hit 225% so far, while Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness are way above where their rainfall figures should be. BBC weather presenter Christopher Blanchett said this week's rain should slowly clear for a slightly improved Wednesday and Thursday.

Summary: Parts of Scotland have seen almost double their normal July rainfall.


Avon Fire and Rescue Service was called to a two-storey property in Sylvan Way, Sea Mills, at 19:55 BST on Tuesday. Firefighters managed to rescue the woman from the fire but paramedics were unable to save her and she died at the scene. The fire caused extensive damage to the ground floor. An investigation has found the cause was accidental.

Summary: A 91-year-old woman has died in a house fire in Bristol.


Christopher Joyce, 81, Mary Joyce, 60, Helen Collins, 45, and Timothy Joyce, 45, all of Redbridge Hollow, Old Abingdon Road, were cleared after a six-week trial at Oxford Crown Court. The charge related to Nicholas Iliff, who lived with them since the 1980s. All but Timothy Joyce were convicted of conspiracy to defraud him of his benefits. The four defendants faced a charge of conspiracy to force Mr Iliff to perform forced labour, but the jury failed to reach a verdict. Timothy Joyce was also cleared of assault by beating against police officer William Stockwell. The arrests were made as part of Thames Valley Police's Operation Rague, which relates to suspected human exploitation and slavery. The Crown Prosecution Service will announce if there will be a retrial on the forced labour charge at a hearing on Friday.

Summary: Four people from a travellers' site in Oxford have been found not guilty of keeping a man as a slave.


The sign welcomes visitors to "Dull - paired with Boring, Oregon, USA" and says "Drive Safely". The move came about after a friend of a local resident cycled through Boring and suggested the link. The difference in size between Boring and Dull meant they could not officially become twin towns. Boring has a population of 12,000 while Dull is a tiny village. The potential link between the two locations was the brainchild of Perthshire resident Elizabeth Leighton, who passed through Boring while on a cycling holiday. Boring was named after William H Boring, an early resident of the area and former Union soldier in the American Civil War. Dull's name is thought to have come from the Gaelic word for meadow, but others have speculated it could be connected to the Gaelic word "dul" meaning snare.

Summary: The Perthshire hamlet of Dull has marked its decision to pair with the US town of Boring by unveiling a road sign.


Police were called to the Thickthorn roundabout on the A11 near Norwich shortly after 12:30 BST after reports the 30-tonne truck was missing. Six squad cars and a helicopter were involved amid reports the vehicle was being driven dangerously. The truck was stopped in Brandon, Suffolk and a man in his 30s arrested at about 14:30 BST. The dumper was driven along the A11 to Thetford before turning north on the A134 towards Mundford. Police said the two-hour pursuit continued in the Santon Downham area until the truck was stopped in Brandon on Bury Road. Police said the man had been taken into custody for questioning. The helicopter was from the National Police Air Service.

Summary: A man has been arrested after police pursued a stolen dumper truck more than 30 miles across Norfolk and Suffolk.


They allegedly wounded the girl's mother and a man at a village in the central Mityana district on Monday. The four officers were not on "official assignment" and the motive behind the shooting is unclear. Police described the incident as "highly regrettable" and said they would pay for the treatment of the wounded. "The Uganda Police Force has received reports that persons suspected to be officers of the Flying Squad allegedly shot dead three-year-old Viola Nakuwuka and injured her mother," a police statement said. It described the incident as murder that "will be treated with serious action". The men are reported to be on the run and the police have issued an all-points alert for the officers.

Summary: Ugandan police have launched a manhunt for four Flying Squad officers accused of shooting dead a three-year-old girl.


Officers said a 43-year-old had been picked up in a car and driven to Century Mill in Farnworth, Bolton at about 12:00 BST on Friday. He was attacked by a group of men, police said, before being returned to Masefield Drive with serious injuries. He died four days later in hospital. A 28-year-old man remains in custody for questioning. Det Insp Cheryl Hughes, from Greater Manchester Police, appealed for information, adding: "We are determined to bring these violent criminals to justice. "This incident happened in broad daylight - the offenders picked the victim up and then returned him with serious injuries to a residential area - so someone must have seen something."

Summary: A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a man who was assaulted at a former mill.


Lawrence and Ryan ten Doeschate (52) helped the Division Two leaders to 333 all out in reply to the hosts' 255. After Gloucestershire had added 37 runs to their overnight score, Josh Shaw removed Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara to leave the visitors 57-3 before lunch. Lawrence survived the hat-trick ball and, although Shaw (4-72) struck twice more, Essex forged a handy advantage. Teenager Lawrence, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Tuesday, reached his second Championship hundred of 2016 off 162 balls. Earlier, Jamie Porter (3-67) had taken the home side's final two wickets, while Matt Quinn ended with figures of 7-76 after his fine display on day one.

Summary: Dan Lawrence's 127 put Essex into a 78-run lead at the end of day two against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.


The seven electric-hybrid double decker vehicles will cover the Kirriemuir, Forfar and Brechin 20 and 21 routes to and from Dundee. The Scottish government's Scottish Green Bus Fund has contributed £300,000 towards the cost of the vehicles, which include free wi-fi access. Stagecoach introduced 18 electric hybrid buses in 2015, which run on the 73 route between Dundee and Arbroath. Jon Oakey, Stagecoach East Scotland acting general manager said: "We're committed to improving public transport in Angus and Dundee so I'm delighted to be introducing our latest investment for the area. "These new vehicles will complement our existing 18 electric-hybrid buses already in the area, helping reduce our environmental impact and hopefully encourage more customers to opt for our greener, smarter travel."

Summary: Stagecoach has launched its new £2.1m fleet of buses in Dundee and Angus.


Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Irfan and Shahzaib Hasan have been charged with breaking the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) anti-corruption code. The charges relate to allegations of spot-fixing during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL). All five of the men have played international cricket for Pakistan Jamshed, 27, is still in Britain, following his arrest by the National Crime Agency in February. The batsman was bailed until April pending further inquiries. Batsmen Sharjeel, 27, and Latif, 31, are contesting the charges against them and have been instructed by the PCB to attend a preliminary hearing in front of a three-member tribunal in Lahore on Friday. Latif and 34-year-old pace bowler Irfan gave statements to the Federal Investigation Authority in Lahore on Monday, while Sharjeel and 27-year-old batsman Shahzaib are due to give statements on Tuesday.

Summary: Five cricketers provisionally suspended as part of an anti-corruption inquiry have been barred from leaving Pakistan.


Cafodd Janice Griffiths ei chludo i'r ysbyty yn dilyn ymosodiad yn Ffynnon Taf nos Lun, ond mae hi bellach wedi marw. Mae dyn 22 oed wedi ei arestio, ac mae'n parhau i fod yn y ddalfa mewn uned iechyd meddwl ddiogel. Dywedodd y Ditectif Brif Arolygydd, Ceri Hughes: "Mae hyn yn adeg hynod o drist i deulu Janice a chymuned Ffynnon Taf, ble roedd gan Janice lawer o ffrindiau. "Hoffwn ddiolch i'r tystion wnaeth ymyrryd a gwneud popeth allen nhw, a'r staff meddygol weithiodd yn ddiflino i geisio achub Janice. "Rydym yn cynnig cefnogaeth i deulu Janice ac mae gennym ni swyddogion heddlu ychwanegol yn y gymuned i dawelu meddyliau trigolion."

Summary: Mae Heddlu De Cymru wedi dweud eu bod bellach yn ymchwilio i achos o lofruddiaeth, yn dilyn marwolaeth dynes 59 oed.


Ghadami, who has played Kush Kazemi since 2014, said it was "such an honour" to be on the dancing show. "It's going to be exciting, challenging and terrifying all at once and I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to dance." He joins The Saturdays singer Mollie King in the 2017 Strictly line-up. The 35-year-old, who won best newcomer at the TV Choice awards in 2015 for his portrayal of the gym-loving market trader, has also appeared in Doctor Who, Silent Witness, The Bill and Law & Order. He stars in EastEnders alongside Tameka Empson, who was in Strictly last year. Other contestants for this year's show will be named in the coming weeks. Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami has been named as the second celebrity contestant to be taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.


It has been estimated the project could be worth nearly £750,000-a-year to the local economy. Dumfries and Galloway Council also endorsed a bid for Heritage Lottery Fund support. The overall cost of transforming Kirkcudbright Town Hall into an art gallery would be just over £3.1m. The local authority has been asked to commit a little more than half the funding, with an application set to be made to the HLF to complete the financial package. If funding is secured, work on the new gallery is earmarked to begin early next year with the opening in time for the 2017 visitor season. It is hoped the building could also house one of the most important hoards of Viking treasure ever found in Scotland.

Summary: Councillors have approved the business case for plans for a gallery of "national significance" in Kirkcudbright.


Gloucestershire Police were called to the High Street at about 06.30 BST by a woman in her 30s who was grabbed by a man as she left Bentley's Bar. She was pushed against a wall, kissed and threatened with rape, but managed to get away. It is believed the man also approached another woman. A 37-year-old man from Frome has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and is in police custody.

Summary: A woman has been attacked and threatened with rape in Cheltenham.


PC Matthew Watt, who worked at Reading's Loddon Valley station, sent photos of a detainee on WhatsApp messenger. He also insulted a male detainee, as well as sending photos of witness statements to friends. He was sacked from Thames Valley Police at a public misconduct hearing, after committing the offences on 5 March. "For the public to have confidence in the force, it is vital that our staff and officers manage information in accordance with legislation and policies," Det Ch Insp Matt Stone said. "Thames Valley Police takes such breaches extremely seriously and investigates incidents of gross misconduct thoroughly, with the outcome being that PC Watt has been dismissed without notice from the force."

Summary: A policeman who sent pictures and images of witness statements from his phone to friends has been sacked.


Tigers have previously said they are keen to bring in a marquee signing at inside centre, but 34-year-old De Villiers opted to stay in his homeland. "We had discussions and thought we may have had a deal, but we move on," Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester. Meanwhile, wing Gonzalo Camacho has signed a new one-year contract. A shoulder injury has kept Camacho out of action for two years, meaning he has yet to play for Tigers. But he made his international comeback for Argentina against Australia in the Rugby Championship this summer. Cockerill added: "Gonzo has had a tough time and has worked really hard. "We have agreed a contract with him so let's hope he is injury free and gets back to how we know he can play."

Summary: Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has confirmed the club offered a contract to South Africa captain Jean de Villiers.


The blaze at St Michael's Hospice, in St Leonards, meant patients, staff and the fundraising operation had to be moved quickly to other temporary sites. Irene Dibben, chairwoman of the hospice, said the consequences of the 11 July fire had been "quite major". Rodney Smith, 67, of Quarry Hill, St Leonards, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life. During the blaze 23 people had to be evacuated. Two patients, Jill Moon, 62 and David Denness, 81, suffered smoke inhalation and died later in hospital. Ms Dibben said: "The difficulty is that it took out all of the power, the boilers were lost, the servers for IT was lost and smoke damage was extensive. "Although people might look at the building and think it was a limited fire, the consequences for us have been quite major."

Summary: A hospice damaged by fire in which two people died may take up to a year to reopen.


The Etixx-Quick Step rider pulled ahead in the final 150m of the 190km stage between Arnhem and Nijmegen before easing over the line. Frenchman Arnaud Demare (FDJ) finished second, with Italian Sacha Modolo (Lampre) third. Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) retains the leaders's pink jersey after winning Friday's opening stage. No British riders are competing in the race for the second year in a row. Sunday's third stage - taking the riders 189km from Nijmegen to Arnhem - is also expected to be won in a sprint finish. Stage two result 1. Marcel Kittel (Ger/Etixx-Quick-Step) 4hrs 38mins 31secs 2. Arnaud Demare (Fra/FDJ) same time 3. Sacha Modolo (Ita/Lampre) 4. Moreno Hofland (Ned/LottoNL) 5. Nicola Ruffoni (Ita/Bardiani Valvole) Overall classification 1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Giant) 4hrs 49mins 34secs 2. Primoz Roglic (Slov/LottoNL) same time 3. Marcel Kittel (Ger/Etixx - Quick-Step) +1sec 4. Andrey Amador (Crc/Movistar) +6secs 5. Tobias Ludvigsson (Swe/Giant) +8secs

Summary: Germany's Marcel Kittel dominated a sprint finish to win the second stage of the 99th Giro d'Italia.


Ebosse died after being hit by an object thrown by fans after an Algerian league match last month. The decision was taken by the Confederation of African Football during a meeting in Ethiopia. Kabylie had qualified for next year's African Champions League after finishing second in last season's Algerian league. Caf has also decided to establish an annual fair-play award named after Ebosse. The executive committee said it will be "awarded every year to a member association based on a fair-play rating adopted by ExCo and to be applied in all Caf competitions for clubs and national teams of each member association." Algerian football authorities have already punished Kabylie. The club have been banned from playing at home for the whole of the 2014-2015 season and their fans are also not able to attending any matches - home and away - until the start of the year.

Summary: Algerian club JS Kabylie have been banned from African competitions for two years over the death of Cameroonian footballer Albert Ebosse.


Higgins made a high break of 88 to beat Mark Joyce 5-1 and Bingham went through with a 5-3 win over Ian Burns. Shaun Murphy overcame David Grace to go into the second round before a 5-3 loss to Mark King in Beijing on Wednesday. Jimmy Robertson lost 5-1 to 2011 winner Judd Trump, while Martin O'Donnell beat Matt Selt by the same scoreline. "There are only a few top-16 players left but that shows how much class there is lower down the rankings," said Bingham. There were also second-round wins for Stephen Maguire and Ricky Walden. Maguire will face Dominic Dale in the next round after the Welshman knocked in two centuries to beat Leeds teenager Darryl Hill 5-3. Graeme Dott won 5-2 against 15-year-old amateur Yuan Sijun, the schoolboy who whitewashed Martin Gould on Tuesday. Full China Open scores and schedule

Summary: Former world champion John Higgins progressed at the China Open, with world number two Stuart Bingham also making it into the third round.


North Wales Hospital in Denbigh is being sold as a long-running row about its future continues. It is described as having potential for up to 20 acres of residential development land. Denbighshire council has been due to compulsory purchase the building after taking legal action against the owners. Freemont (Denbigh) Ltd still has the right to try to sell the site as it has not been transferred into the ownership of the council. Over 1,000 staff were employed within the hospital before it fell into disrepair and closed in 1995. A council spokesman said it would need to negotiate with the new owner if it was sold before the compulsory purchase is confirmed. The auction was conducted by Allsops auctioneers in London on Thursday.

Summary: A former Victorian asylum in Denbighshire failed to sell at auction after its £2.25m reserve price was not met.


The works, lasting six weeks, will see part of the A4 Bath Road in Calcot resurfaced ahead of the Ikea store opening in Pincents Lane Retail Park. West Berkshire Council said the work to replace the road surface, which starts on Friday, will be carried out at night and during off-peak hours. The £10m development is expected to be open in the summer. The retailer has already spent £4m on improving junctions and widening the road to improve access to the new store. The Conservative-run council said the works would be a "significant investment in Calcot's road network". It added the new road surface would reduce the need for further work in the area and last 10-15 years.

Summary: A Berkshire council is to spend £900,000 on improving roads at a new multi-million pound store in Reading.


The 44-year-old was arrested in Reading on Saturday afternoon on suspicion of assault and a drugs offence and was taken to nearby Loddon Valley Police Station. Officers became concerned for his welfare and took him to hospital. He was discharged the same day but was then found unresponsive in his cell on Sunday and died later, police said. Formal identification has not taken place yet but the man's next of kin have been informed. He was found unresponsive in his cell at about 04:00 BST on Sunday and was declared dead in hospital an hour later, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said. It is mandatory for cases involving the death of detainees to be referred to the IPCC. Det Ch Supt Tim De Meyer said Thames Valley Police was "co-operating fully" with the investigation. "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," he added.

Summary: The police watchdog is investigating the death of a man who collapsed in custody.


Craig Smith, 28, is also accused of two counts of child neglect after the young boy was found unresponsive at a house on Woodville Road, Birkenhead, on Wednesday. A woman, Ashley Willet, 24, has been charged with causing or allowing a child to suffer physical harm and two counts of child neglect. Both will appear at Wirral Magistrates' Court on Monday. Mr Smith and Ms Willet are both of Woodville Road, Birkenhead. Paramedics carried out CPR on the child but he was later pronounced dead at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Summary: A man has been charged with murder following the death of a two-year-old.


German media say the move followed some creepy clown ambushes in Germany like those in the US and UK. In some cases the terrified victims were injured. But the Deiters fancy dress store is still selling such masks. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere warned there would be "no tolerance" of creepy clown attacks. "When people face threats of violence on a wide scale, it can be treated as an offence," he said, referring to the clown hysteria. "It no longer has anything to do with harmless Halloween traditions." He said it was "no joke" when pranksters terrified people by brandishing chainsaws or knives. The clown panic began in August, in the US state of South Carolina, with locals reporting people in clown masks trying to lure children into the woods. Fuelled by social media, the craze spread to the UK and incidents were reported in some other countries too.

Summary: The German department store chains Karstadt and Galeria Kaufhof have stopped selling "creepy clown" masks in the run-up to Halloween.


Bosses said insulation debris was left in the Paddock, but repairs can be made before a meeting at the weekend and the British Grand Prix is not under threat. Engineers are currently assessing the damage to the Wing and the circuit was working to ensure minimal disruption during repairs. The roof was damaged on Sunday afternoon and again on Monday night. Sporting director Stuart Pringle said: "Although it looks a bit of a mess at the moment, the damage is largely cosmetic and the structural and functional integrity of the roof remains completely intact. "Whilst clearly we will have to smarten the section of roof and clear the insulation debris from the Paddock, we don't anticipate any impact on this weekend's race meeting. "It will not affect the season opener, the FIA World Endurance Championship over the weekend of 10 - 12 April."

Summary: Part of the "Wing" roof at the Silverstone motor racing circuit has been damaged by high winds.


The Batley and Spen MP, 41, was shot and stabbed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on 16 June. Thomas Mair, 52, was told by an Old Bailey judge that a provisional trial had been fixed for 14 November. He is also charged with grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon. Mrs Cox was attacked shortly before she was due to hold a constituency surgery. Mr Mair, from Birstall, appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from Belmarsh Prison. He only spoke to confirm his name. A plea and case management hearing is due to take place in October.

Summary: A provisional trial date has been set for the man accused of murdering MP Jo Cox.


The 28-year-old was released by the Championship club in May after spending most of last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One. "It's an exciting move for me. Oxford are a club making great progress and they were very impressive last season," Henry told the club website. "He has played a lot of football in the Championship and has real quality," manager Pep Clotet added. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

Summary: Oxford United have signed former Wolves winger James Henry on a free transfer.


The W19 service single-decker bus hit a tree on Capel Road near Manor Park station at about noon. London Ambulance Service (LAS) said 10 passengers had been taken to hospital. It said a man in his forties with a head injury and a woman in her sixties with a hip injury had been taken to Royal London Hospital as a priority. The emergency services, including London Fire Brigade and LAS's hazardous area response team, remain at the scene. The nearby A117 Forest Drive has been closed while the incident is on-going, the Metropolitan Police said.

Summary: Two passengers had to be freed from a bus which crashed in east London, injuring 12 people.


Cleveland Pools, near Bath, closed in 1978 and the site has since fallen into disrepair. But a group is raising Â£5.2m to breathe life back into the 200-year-old site as a naturally-treated, heated, community-run open air swimming pool. The plans include a separate heated children's pool, outdoor lounging areas and a pontoon for River Avon access. Cleveland Pools Trust hopes to have fundraising and building work complete to welcome the first swimmers in Spring 2018. Members of the group are inviting comments through an online survey as well as making themselves available to discuss the plans in Bath city centre on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Summary: A concept for the restoration of the UK's only surviving Georgian lido has been put on public display.


It will house two of Flint's GP practices, as well as dental services and occupational therapists. The centre will replace services previously provided by sites including Borough Grove Clinic and Flint Hospital, which campaigners fought to save. Health Minister Mark Drakeford said it would bring "health and social services together under one roof". The centre is one of three being developed in north Wales, along with Llangollen, Denbighshire, and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.

Summary: Funding of £5m has been announced for a new health centre in Flintshire.


On 1 October, the woman reported a sexual assault which she said happened near Ashbourne Road in Derby. Following an extensive investigation, police confirmed the attack had never taken place. Det Ch Insp Sam Slack from Derbyshire Police said all reports of rape or assault were thoroughly investigated by the force. "It is always disappointing when a large amount of police time is wasted on reports such as this," said Det Ch Insp Slack. "But this case should not deter anyone from reporting any type of offence immediately so that full inquiries can be made."

Summary: A 19-year-old woman has been cautioned for wasting police time after lying about being raped.


A "blustery weekend" is expected with westerly and south-westerly winds of up to 60mph (97km/h) hitting on the coast on Saturday, the Met Office said. Saturday's Irish Ferries fast craft sailings from Anglesey have been cancelled, and a speed limit is in force on the A55 Britannia Bridge. Gusts around western coasts could reach 70mph (113km/h) on Sunday. Irish Ferries said adverse conditions for Sunday also mean its Rosslare-Pembroke ferry crossing are "in doubt", and passengers are advised to check with the operator before travelling. Highways officials say the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, has been closed to high-sided vehicles due to the wind. The Met Office warning runs until 18:00 on Sunday, with further yellow alerts issued for rain on Monday 30 November, and on 1 December.

Summary: A yellow "be aware" warning of high winds issued by the Met Office remains in place across Wales for the weekend.


Police were called to Regent Street in the town shortly after 21:00 GMT on Satuy following threats made in the business premises and at members of the public on the street outside it. PSNI officers saw the man threaten pedestrians on a nearby street. "The male was restrained and subsequently arrested," the PSNI said in a statement. Bus driver Peter Knight, who witnessed the incident, said he encouraged members of the public who were standing on the street to board his bus for protection. "There were people standing around, most of them were waiting on various buses, so I told them to just get on my bus and closed the doors until he was arrested," he said. The 19-year-old is being held on suspicion of attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

Summary: Staff at business a premises in Newtownards, County Down, have been threatened by a man wielding a knife.


West Midlands Fire Service was alerted to the fire on Stafford Street, Willenhall, at about 08:15 GMT on Saturday. Roads were closed while the fire was extinguished, and residents were advised to keep doors and windows shut due to large amounts of smoke. Nobody is believed to have been injured in the fire, a spokesman said. A spokesman for the fire service said a cause had not yet been established, but a fire investigation officer would examine the site once it was deemed safe.

Summary: Twelve crews of firefighters dealt with a blaze at a derelict factory in the West Midlands.


It happened near to the railway bridge on the A428 near Church Lawford, at about 03:15 BST. "The man, who is believed to be aged 43 and from Coventry, was declared dead at the scene," a police spokesman said. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) which said it had begun an investigation. Police said the man's family had been informed and officers were awaiting formal identification. There were no other vehicles involved, and no-one else in the man's vehicle, police said.

Summary: A driver died when he crashed as he was being followed by police in Warwickshire.


Sixth-seed Konta, 25, was 3-0 up in the decider but German Siegemund took five straight games to progress 3-6 7-5 6-4. The match ended at 02:17am local time and defeat means British world number seven Konta has still won just three games on the surface in her career. Siegemund will face Estonia's Anett Kontaveit or American Coco Vandeweghe. The world number 30 won the second WTA Tour title of her career last week at the Stuttgart Open. She started poorly in the Spanish capital as Konta broke serve twice to take the opening set but then fought back to claim a tie-break in the second having been 5-4 down. And she showed the same battling qualities in the decider, fighting back from three break points that would have given Konta a 4-0 lead to win the game and subsequently the match.

Summary: Johanna Konta's struggles on clay continued as a final-set slump saw her lose to Laura Siegemund in the first round of the Madrid Open.


The muntjac deer were seen at Mere Sand Wood, near Rufford, and Nab Wood reserves, near Preston. Also known as a barking deer, the animals, which are native to southern Asia, are thought to have come from a private herd. Lancashire Wildlife Trust said people should report any sightings of them as they "do a lot of harm in woodland". South Lancashire Reserves Officer John Haddon said the animals, which eat bluebells and primulas, were "not easy to spot and could easily be mistaken for dogs". "They are small, compared to roe deer, and do not have the distinctive white tail like roes." He added that the "introduced" deer were believed to be part of a herd that has been seen around Samlesbury.

Summary: A herd of exotic deer with a distinctive dog-like bark have been spotted in Lancashire woodland.


The 43-year-old, who has not been named, died at The Verne, Portland, on Sunday. An investigation is under way. His death comes a month after campaigners raised concerns about the effects of detention on the 500 men held at The Verne. The Verne Visitors Group said many detainees had no indication about how long they would be held there. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a 43-year-old man who had been detained at the Verne Immigration Removal Centre died at the centre on 9 April 2017. "Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. A full independent investigation will be conducted by the prisons and probation ombudsman." Following last month's criticism, the Home Office said it detained people for the "minimum time possible" and that individuals could challenge their detention in the courts.

Summary: A man detained at an immigration removal centre in Dorset has died, the Home Office has said.


With nearly three-quarters of the 150 constituencies having reported results, the governing Patriotic Front (PF) candidate, Edgar Lungu, was on 48.8%. Hakainde Hichilema of the opposition United Party for National Development was on 46.8%. Final results are expected to be released later on Friday. The vote was caused by the death in office of Zambia's then president, Michael Sata, last October. The winner will serve the remainder of Mr Sata's term, leading up to elections in 2016. Both main parties requested a meeting on Friday morning with the electoral commission to discuss the vote. Those talks have taken place but there has been no public comment so far by those involved.

Summary: The two leading candidates in Zambia's presidential election are in a tight race, according to partial results from the election commission.


The ex-Wycombe and Accrington midfielder suffered two serious knee injuries during his time at the club. Full-back Liam Wakefield, 23, is also released by Morecambe. Michael Rose, Kevin Ellison, Barry Roche, Aaron Wildig, Alex Kenyon, Paul Mullin and Ryan Edwards have been offered new contracts. Andy Fleming and Lee Molynuex are also in talks with the Shrimps. "On the eve of my most recent operation to repair a new injury sustained in the game against Wycombe I was informed over the phone that I was to be released," Murphy said on Twitter. "I was informed by the surgeon the very next day that the injury I sustained is career ending. "I feel fortunate to have played the game I love for a living for the time that I have." Earlier this week, Diego Lemos' ownership claim to Morecambe was dismissed with tax consultant Graham Burnard announced as sole director.

Summary: Morecambe captain Peter Murphy has announced his retirement at 27 because of a career-ending injury and his release from the Shrimps.


The body of Elsie Frost was found near a tunnel under a railway line in Wakefield on 9 October 1965. She had been stabbed several times. A man, 79, who was re-arrested earlier this week on the suspicion of her murder has been granted police bail. West Yorkshire Police is sending a file of evidence to the CPS. Police have been questioning the man after arresting him for a second time. He is understood to be Peter Pickering and was arrested near Newbury, Berkshire, on Monday. He has also been questioned about allegations of an unconnected kidnap and rape in 1972. After granting him police bail on Thursday evening, Det Supt Nick Wallen said officers were sending a file to the CPS for it to consider charges of kidnap, rape and murder.

Summary: Police are to ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider a murder charge over the death of a 14-year-old girl more than 50 years ago.


Prosecutors say six former officials in his government were also held. Mr Saca, 50, has not publicly commented on the accusations. He held office from 2004 to 2009. He is one of three former presidents - who were in power in the last 16 years - currently under investigation by the country's prosecutors. Mauricio Funes, who succeeded Mr Saca and left office in 2014, is facing a civil action in connection with funds discovered in his bank accounts, allegedly obtained illegally. He is also facing a related investigation into possible political corruption during his time in office. Mr Funes denies the accusations. In January, Francisco Flores died from a stroke as he waited his trial on charges of embezzlement and illegal enrichment. He was in power from 1999 to 2004. In its announcement, the prosecutor's office said that Mr Saca was accused of fraud and money laundering.

Summary: El Salvador's former President Elias Antonio Saca has been arrested over accusations of embezzling millions of dollars of public funds.


Manager Darrell Clarke told said: "I've told Mark McChrystal, Will Puddy, Liam Lawrence, Jermaine Easter, Tyler Lyttle and Jay Malpas they will no longer be considered for first-team selection." Defender McChrystal, 32, and goalkeeper Puddy, 29, both started Saturday's loss at Fleetwood, while striker Easter, 35, was a second-half substitute. Midfielder Lawrence, 35, was also on the bench for the same league game. Clarke added: "It was a tough decision to make, but by making it now it gives these players, who remain under contract with Bristol Rovers, the opportunity to find themselves a new club."

Summary: Bristol Rovers have told six players they can leave the League One club.


Arafa Nassib is accused of conspiring with her 18-year-old son Adil Kasim and another man, Yusuf Abdullah, to commit fraud against Scottish Widows. Ms Nassib is said to have attempted to fake her own death in Zanzibar. All three appeared at Birmingham Magistrates' Court and were bailed to appear at the city's crown court on 31 May. Read more Birmingham and Black Country stories here Police arrested Ms Nassib in February when she returned to the UK. It followed an inquiry into claims the 48-year-old had died off the coast of mainland Tanzania. The alleged fraud was carried out between March and December last year. Ms Nassib, 48, Mr Kasim, and Mr Abdullah, 24, all of Lower Rushall Street, Walsall, did not enter pleas.

Summary: A mother allegedly plotted to fake her own death in Africa to claim a £140,000 insurance payout, a court heard.


Bitterly cold conditions on Sunday will see showers move east across all counties, along with westerly winds. Many of these showers will be falling as rain and sleet for low level areas, but hills and mountains are more likely to have a covering of snow. Snow depths of 2-5cm are possible above 250m, with some temporary accumulations below this. Above 400m, there may be as much as 5-10cm of snow. The warning comes into effect at 14:00 GMT on Sunday and lasts until 12:00 GMT on Monday. It also contains a risk of ice on untreated surfaces.

Summary: The first snow warning for Northern Ireland this winter has been issued by the Met Office.


The former youth coach at Crewe Alexandra denied the eight counts when he appeared at Chester Crown Court. The charges all relate to allegations of abuse between 1981 and 1986. Mr Bennell, 63, wearing a blue polo neck shirt and appearing via videolink from HMP Woodhill, in Milton Keynes, answered "not guilty" to all the charges as they were put to him. The ex-coach, who also worked at Manchester City, Stoke City and junior teams in north-west England and the Midlands, was remanded into custody until 20 March. Owen Edwards, prosecuting, told the court the alleged victim "preserves his anonymity".

Summary: Former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded not guilty to eight charges of sexual assault against a boy under 16.


The EDP reported Florence Follen, five, put pen to paper to say she was "very upset" and wanted her "baby" back. Judy disappeared from her field in Brandon, Suffolk, on Tuesday. After Florence's mum, Lucy Follen, put the letter on Facebook it was shared by 1,500 people. Mrs Follen hopes the thief will see the plea and "just return Judy". The 18-month-old pygmy goat was kept in a field with four other goats at a kennels owned by Florence's grandfather on Lingheath Road. "There was no sign of entry and no way Judy could have escaped," Mrs Follen said. "It's a complete mystery, but I think they are professional goat rustlers." Mrs Follen added: "Florence is very sad. "Judy is the friendliest little goat and likes to sit on her lap and have her belly rubbed. "Florence keeps saying, 'I miss Judy', but we have hunted everywhere."

Summary: A child has written a letter to suspected thieves begging for the return of her pet pygmy goat.


The two-month-old birds at Loch Arkaig in Lochaber are believed to be a male and a female. Woodland Trust Scotland has come up with the naming competition as part of its efforts to raise funds to buy Loch Arkaig Pine Forest. Forestry Commission Scotland is selling the woodland. Parts of the forest still bear the scars of a fire that broke out during commando training in World War Two. Scorched tree trunks still stand in the woods that in war-time formed part of a large area near Fort William used for secret training of Allied commandos. Woodland Trust Scotland is working with the group Arkaig Community Forest on the bid to purchase the woodland. The wood includes areas of ancient Caledonian forest, which provides habitat for birds such as Scottish crossbill.

Summary: Members of the public have been invited to suggest names for two sea eagle chicks that have hatched in a west Highland pine forest.


Dobson & Crowther Limited in Llangollen, a manufacturer of bespoke envelopes, had to restructure in 2014 after the loss of its biggest customer. Christopher Ratten of Baker Tilly, a joint administrator, said it had "experienced a challenging 18 months". Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, said: "This is terrible news for the 79 workers." Administrators are now considering the possibility of continuing the business for a short period in order to fulfil outstanding orders.

Summary: A printing firm in Denbighshire has gone into administration, putting 79 jobs at risk.


The £30m islands project will offer a boat ride where people can see plants and animals from south east Asia. Linked by a series of bridges, the development will be home to animals including tigers, orangutans and crocodiles. Work on the project is expected to start in the new year and be completed by Easter 2015. The project will also include educational exhibits, play areas and restaurants. The zoo's director general, Dr Mark Pilgrim, said he thought the animals would be a huge draw, adding: "It will be the first time a UK zoo has attempted anything on this scale."

Summary: Work is to start on a multi-million pound development at Chester Zoo after planning permission was granted.


The Nigerian government say the release comes after negotiations with the extremist group. 276 schoolgirls aged 16-18 were taken from a school in Chibok in Nigeria in April 2014. Some managed to escape but 219 were still missing. Boko Haram took the girls because they are against children - especially girls - getting an education, like they do in the UK. At the time they were taken people all over the world who were shocked by the story and they started a campaign called "bring back our girls". Up until now, only one girl had been found: 19-year-old Amina Ali Nkeki was rescued in May. The 21 schoolgirls have been taken to an army base by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Summary: Twenty-one of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Africa have been freed, according to the country's President.


The 29-year-old is Town's top scorer this season with three goals and will remain at Portman Road until 2017. The former Wolves centre-half, who was set to be out of contract this summer, has played 51 times since joining Mick McCarthy's side last summer. "I'm delighted to see Christophe commit to a new contract here," McCarthy told the club website. "It's great news for Ipswich Town, as he's been absolutely fantastic for us since he first walked through the door."

Summary: Scotland international Christophe Berra has signed a new three-year deal with Ipswich Town.


Cronin's club Leinster said on Monday that the 30-year-old had sustained a high-grade tear which could rule him out for 10 weeks. The injury, sustained in Leinster's recent Pro12 win over Zebre, was initially thought to be a minor strain. The news is a blow to Ireland as Cronin was the main cover for skipper Rory Best at hooker. Ireland's first Six Nations match is away to Scotland on Saturday, 4 February. "It's quite a significant hamstring injury," said Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster. "He went to push-off and accelerate around the corner and saw it go. He is deeply disappointed but he will be back a better player."

Summary: Ireland hooker Sean Cronin is expected to miss the Six Nations Championship because of a hamstring injury.


The rare native species is under threat of extinction due to cross breeding with feral and domestic cats and habitat loss. The three kittens, born at the end of April, are part of a conservation breeding programme. It aims to build up a sustainable population to boost the long-term prospects for the species. Captive breeding forms part of the Scottish Wildcat Conservation Action Plan unveiled in September 2013. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said it was necessary to conserve the cats. They are among 30 organisations backing the action plan. However, the project has been criticised by the Captive Animals' Protection Society. It instead supports the use of the the Wildcat Haven, a 500 square mile area that covers parts of the Ardnamurchan and Morvern peninsulas.

Summary: Three Scottish wildcat kittens bred at the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore have gone on display.


The infection has seen patients at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary suffer vomiting and diarrhoea. The outbreak is understood to have started after a visitor attended a ward with symptoms of the virus. In a bid to halt a further spread, hospital bosses have asked people to avoid seeing friends and family if they are unwell themselves. Restrictions may be imposed if the situation does not improve, they added. Anyone who has shown symptoms of the highly contagious infection within the past 48 hours is asked not to visit patients. Known as the winter vomiting bug, it affects between 600,000 and one million people in the United Kingdom annually. Health officials say it is normally a short-lived, self-limiting infection from which people will usually recover within 12 to 60 hours.

Summary: An outbreak of norovirus at a Cumbrian hospital has seen health chiefs issue a plea for some visitors to stay away.


Uihlein carded a second consecutive four-under 67 at Le Golf National. Otaegui set the early clubhouse target with a superb five-under 66, before an afternoon thunderstorm led to a delay of two hours and five minutes. England's Tommy Fleetwood shares third with Alexander Bjork after completing a three-under 68 following the delay. "It's always quite tricky when you have to go back out," said the 26-year-old, who finished fourth at the US Open. "It was a shame because I felt like I had a lovely rhythm again." First-round leader Paul Waring could only add a one-over 72 to his opening 64 to finish six under par alongside fellow Englishman Nathan Kimsey, with Graeme Storm, Ross Fisher and Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters a shot further back.

Summary: American Peter Uihlein and Spain's Adrian Otaegui share the lead on eight under par after a weather-affected second round of the Open de France.


According to her PR, "nothing on the record was re-recorded or overdubbed". Bush performed 22 sold-out concerts at London's Hammersmith Apollo - her first live performances in 35 years - between 26 August and 1 October 2014. The live album - attributed to "The KT Fellowship" rather than the 58-year-old alone - will be available on a 3-CD and 4-vinyl set on 25 November. Divided into three acts, Bush's stage show combined renditions of such hits as Running Up That Hill with song cycles from her Hounds of Love and Aerial albums. The album - released on Bush's Fish People label - includes Never Be Mine, a song that featured during rehearsals but was not included in the final show. Follow us on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, on Instagram at bbcnewsents, or if you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

Summary: Singer Kate Bush is to release a live recording of her Before the Dawn concert - with no post-show tinkering.


Daniel Boylett, 35, of Eltham, south-east London, was arrested after trouble at a Palace home game against Charlton Athletic on 23 September. He did not enter a plea on a charge of attempted criminal damage to the eagle, worth an estimated Â£20,000. He and two other men pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Croydon Magistrates Court. Mr Boylett, Colin Kitto, 48 and Andy McConville, 47, will next appear at Croydon Crown Court on 26 April. They were released on bail. Kayla has been Crystal Palace's mascot since 2010 and flies around the stadium at every home game.

Summary: A man has appeared in court accused of trying to attack Crystal Palace's bald eagle mascot.


The Kings Science Academy in Bradford said Sajid Raza Hussain, who founded the school, would be replaced by an interim principal. He is on bail following his arrest over alleged fraud offences at the school. The school's governors also said they had asked the government to help find a suitable academy trust to join. The academy, one of England's first free schools, opened in September 2011 and was praised by Prime Minister David Cameron when he visited it in March 2012. The Department for Education (DfE) investigated the school after a whistleblower made allegations about its governance, and found nearly Â£80,000 of public money had not been used for "its intended purpose". In a report, the DfE said it had found "serious failings" with the school's financial management.

Summary: A free academy principal who was arrested over fraud allegations has been dismissed following a disciplinary investigation by the school.


The 22-year-old joined the Super League side on an 18-month deal last June and helped the Yorkshire club retain their top-flight status. He has scored three tries in 12 Super League appearances this season. "I had a slow start to the year, but once (coach) Chris Chester came into the club I found my groove again," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

Summary: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats hooker Michael Sio has signed a two-year contract extension.


R&B Distillers launched its "big question" survey earlier this year. Peebles has been announced as the winner after stacking up more votes than all the other potential sites added together. The company said that "exactly how and when" its plans would unfold was now being developed. The project is one of a number which hope to open the first distillery in the Borders in nearly 180 years. Two weeks ago the Three Stills Company announced it had secured funding of Â£10m to support its plans to establish a distillery in Hawick. Last year, Mossburn Distillers also unveiled plans for a Â£40m project south of Jedburgh. R&B found overwhelming public backing for Peebles over the other sites it was considering. They were the Tweed Valley, Kelso, Eyemouth, Selkirk, Coldstream, Melrose and Galashiels.

Summary: A public vote has seen Peebles emerge as the preferred location for a whisky distillery project in the Borders.


Slater was originally appointed to the role in 2014, but two injury-hit seasons have seen seeing Tom Youngs take over as skipper. "Injury and captaincy don't really go hand in hand. For me I need to focus on getting fit and playing," he told BBC Radio Leicester. The 27-year-old lock has played 87 matches for since joining in 2010. Slater was ruled out for two months with damaged knee ligaments in January and also missed the start of the 2015-16 season with knee problems. "I was going to have a clean out but when we looked at the knee it was actually looking really healthy," he added. "I've been fully training since pre-season started so it's not interrupted that."

Summary: Former Leicester Tigers captain Ed Slater expects to be fit for the start of the season following knee surgery.


The Robins, who were relegated to League Two in their penultimate game of the season, parted company with head coach Luke Williams on 5 May. In the past, Power has often been heavily involved in transfers himself. Power also tried a director of football model, appointing his friend Tim Sherwood to that position in November. But the former Tottenham boss has taken a step back from the role in recent times, after Swindon won only seven of their 31 games since his arrival. Following Williams' departure, Power has revealed there will be a change in the club's structure, with a new manager given a budget to control. They hope to make an appointment within the next eight days. Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald has been linked with the vacancy at the County Ground, along with Mansfield's Steve Evans and former Queens Park Rangers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Summary: Swindon Town's new manager will have 100 per cent responsibility for player recruitment, chairman Lee Power has told BBC Wiltshire.


A 27-year-old woman and two men aged 25 and 23 were killed in the crash on Radford Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, at about 02:45 BST. Two men, aged 21 and 20, were described as stable in hospital. A 20-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. A blue Citroen Saxo travelling out of Leamington crashed near to the junctions of Willes Road and Eastnor Grove. The three people who died had multiple serious injuries, while the two injured men were taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. One suffered serious leg and head injuries and the other had back and neck injuries.

Summary: Three people died and two others were seriously injured when a car hit a tree and a wall in the early hours.


The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) said it was looking into Timea Bacsinszky's win over Vitalia Diatchenko. Swiss Bacsinszky, the 15th seed, beat Russia's world number 87 6-1 6-1. The TIU said the alert did not mean match-fixing had taken place, adding: "There are many reasons other than corrupt activity that can explain unusual betting patterns." It cited "incorrect odds-setting, well-informed betting, player fitness, fatigue and form, playing conditions and personal circumstances" as factors which could prompt betting organisations to raise an alert. However, the organisation was critical of the manner in which details of the investigation were released, blaming a "leak". "Publicising match alerts is premature and inevitably draws unwarranted attention to the players involved in the match," it said. "Under the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, all players are considered innocent unless proven otherwise at an independent anti-corruption hearing."

Summary: A first-round match at the US Open is under investigation after suspicious betting patterns were detected.


Reigning champion Rea was unscathed in the crash on lap six with his main title challenger and Kawasaki team-mate Tom Sykes finishing second. American Nicky Hayden completed the podium in Saturday's opening race, dominated by Ducati rider Davies. Davies led from start to finish to win by more than 10 seconds. The championship resumed at the Lausitzring circuit following a two-month break. Rea failed to finish for the second successive race, seeing his series lead shrink by 45 points as Yorkshireman Sykes picked up a win and second place. Davies, who enjoyed a sixth win this season, consolidated third place in the standings but he trails Rea by 83 points and is unlikely to be a title threat. Following the second race on Sunday, the riders have three rounds remaining in France, Spain and Qatar.

Summary: Jonathan Rea saw his World Superbikes Championship lead cut to 26 points in Germany after crashing in a race won by Welshman Chaz Davies.


It will provide adult diagnostic services, support for families and carers, help with transition from child to adult provision and training. Wales is the first part of the UK to create a national service providing lifetime support to children and adults with autism and their families. The announcement was made at the beginning of Autism Awareness Week. Social Services and Public Health Minister Rebecca Evans said: "It will help ensure people receive consistent services and get the right support, at the right time, wherever they live in Wales." It will also help deliver the Welsh Government's Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) action plan, promoting understanding and acceptance of autism.

Summary: An extra £7m has been pledged for a national autism service in Wales, bringing funding to £13m until 2021.


Orient's Mathieu Baudry's had a second-half header cleared off the line before Shaun Brisley hooked the winner home after Notts County failed to clear the danger from a corner. Notts, who are yet to win at home under Jamie Fullerton, rarely threatened. Victory leaves Orient outside the play-off places on goal difference alone. Defeat sees Notts slip to 15th in the League Two table. Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan told BBC Radio London: Media playback is not supported on this device "Obviously after the disappointment of last week I thought we came here and limited them to very few chances today. "I'm delighted with the response of the lads from last week and that's the main thing. "We're going to be looking at what we've done over the last few games at home, but hopefully next week you'll see me smiling like I am today."

Summary: Notts County goalkeeper Roy Carroll was confronted by angry fans after Leyton Orient consigned the Magpies to a third straight defeat at Meadow Lane.


Molly Davidson, 19, from Sutton-in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was last seen in Nottingham on Monday. It was thought Miss Davidson, who has learning difficulties, went to London to see a stranger she had met online. Her father Anthony said she had not been in contact and her devices were all offline, but the tracking technology showed she was in Edmonton. It appeared she met a man through Facebook, where he had multiple accounts. They have now been deleted. Her father said Miss Davidson's friends told him she and the man had been chatting online for several months. Her parents had travelled to the north London district to find their daughter.

Summary: A missing vulnerable teenager has been found more than 100 miles away from her home thanks to mobile phone tracking.


The animal was found on the river bank in Darby Green Lane, Blackwater, Hampshire. Hampshire Constabulary said two men were seen armed with a crossbow and a large rifle, presumed to be an air weapon, at about 12:30 BST on Sunday. One man is described as white, in his 20s, tall and with ginger hair. He was wearing a khaki baseball cap and was carrying a case for an air rifle. The second man was described as white, in his 20s and of a stocky build. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue top and was carrying a sack. PC Geoff Hill said: "This was a horrible incident where an animal was needlessly killed. "I am appealing for anyone with any information that could assist the investigation or who might have seen anybody fitting the descriptions to contact me on 101."

Summary: A swan was found dead after being shot with a crossbow bolt, police said.


The man, who has not been named, was crossing Manchester Road near the junction with Hollins Road in Failsworth, at 22:20 GMT on Friday. The 59-year-old was taken to hospital but died a short time later. Police said he was hit by a red Honda Jazz. The driver stopped at the scene but police have asked for witnesses to contact them. In particular they would like to speak to the occupants of a light-coloured Hackney cab and a Mitsubishi Shogun waiting to turn right on to Hollins Road at the time.

Summary: A pedestrian has died after being knocked down in Oldham, police say.


Kevin Baker, 35, died from "self-strangulation by ligature" while his wife Tracey, 42, had multiple head injuries, police said. The couple, who are believed to have three children, were found at the house in Wellings Close, Chard, on Sunday. Police began a murder inquiry but have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. Avon and Somerset Police added investigations would continue "to develop a full understanding of what happened" and a file would be sent to the coroner's office. Senior investigation officer Andy Mott said: "Our thoughts are very much with the families affected by this tragic incident and they're continuing to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers."

Summary: A man whose body was found beside his wife's at their Somerset home killed himself, a post-mortem has suggested.