Economy

A £10m investment will "future-proof" a key port which links Lancashire, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man, its operator has said.

Peel Ports Group, the UK's second largest port operator, claimed its "substantial investment" would boost Heysham's operations and resilience.

The work is also intended to create additional capacity at the Lancashire facility.

Peel said the work would begin in coming weeks.

The operator said the investment would benefit all operators at Heysham Port, "with Isle of Man Steam Packet, CLDN and Stena Line all set to gain from improved efficiency, increased capacity and enhanced terminal operations".

It said extra space created by reconfiguring the site's trailer park would accommodate future growth, including Stena Line's deployment of two new-build "NewMax" ferries at the port, which will boost freight capacity by 40% compared to previous vessels.

Peel said the new gate operating system would result in a "better experience for hauliers by improving reliability, reducing congestion, [and] creating additional space".

'Additional traffic'

The new terminal operating system is designed to make it easier for arriving hauliers to identify trailers at the site.

The group's Mersey ports director Phil Hall said the investment was "hugely positive news for Heysham Port and the local community".

He added: "We believe this work will future-proof our operations here for decades to come."

Stena Line's regional trade director Paul Grant said: "With the first of our new hybrid ships due to begin on the route later this year, the improved efficiency and extra space at the terminal will help facilitate the additional traffic and ensure a reliable service for our customers."

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's managing director Brian Thomson added: "This investment is a significant step forward for the port, enhancing efficiency and capacity for all users."

A new law which is intended to protect nature and reverse the loss of wildlife has been introduced by the Welsh government.

If passed in the Senedd, it will allow members of the public to challenge organisations in Wales, including councils, on environmental issues such as water pollution.

Public bodies in Wales will also be forced to publish nature recovery action plans, with targets set by the Welsh government.

Campaigners say the bill is long overdue, citing the "systemic failure" of the Welsh government and regulatory bodies "to keep our rivers clean and prosecute those who pollute them".

Reform UK has secured its second council seat in Greater Manchester after winning a by-election.

Jordan Tarrant-Short said he was "ecstatic" to win the Balderstone and Kirkholt seat on Rochdale Council.

His 766 votes were enough to beat six other candidates including Labour's Leanne Greenwood, who was 142 behind.

"This seat has been one of the safest for Labour in the past 50 years," said Tarrant-Short. "So for me, winning this is a real bloody nose for them."

'Second councillor'

He also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It is an amazing win and it really shows the political apathy in the area.

"I can't wait to start working with the people of Balderstone and Kirkholt."

He said residents were "fed up with the two main parties and they wanted a different choice".

Tarrant-Short joins Allan Hopwood as Reform's second elected representative in Greater Manchester.

Last month, Hopwood won the Longdendale ward on Tameside Council in a by-election.

The Rochdale seat became vacant after the resignation of Elsie Blundell, who was elected as MP for Heywood and Middleton last year.

Following the by-election, Balderstone and Kirkholt councillor and cabinet member Danny Meredith said: "Unfortunately, we didn't win this evening. It was a close-run fight between ourselves and Reform.

"We will continue to work for the residents of Balderstone and Kirkholt. Congratulations to the new councillor."

Masked intruders who held Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish at knifepoint as they robbed his house must repay more than £750,000 or face six extra years in prison each.

Romario Henry, Ali Sesay and Jo Jobson broke into the athlete's house in Ongar, Essex, while he and his family slept.

Two Richard Mille watches, valued at £400,000 and £350,000, are still missing after the raid on 27 November 2021, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

The jailed robbers were told their sentences would be extended if they did not pay £754,525 within three months.

The gang, who covered their faces with balaclavas during the robbery, also stole three phones, worth £2,325, an empty safe and a £2,200 Louis Vuitton suitcase.

They repeatedly punched Sir Mark, who was in bed with his wife, Peta, upon entering his bedroom.

Judge Alexander Mills said the trio took "joint control" of the stolen property and "obtained the benefit that flowed" from the robbery.

He said the watches were "never located at the scene and have not been seen since", despite Henry claiming they had been sold.

They were luxury items that would not depreciate, but instead act as a "store of wealth", Judge Mills said.

"I don't accept it was inevitable that they were sold," he added.

The judge said they were "clearly in it together" and that each defendant benefited financially from the break-in.

Judge Mills said 28-year-old Jobson, who was convicted of robbery, was paid £4,000 to take part.

"He was promised a further £6,000 on completion, but this was never paid to him," the judge added.

Analysing the defendants' finances, Judge Mills said Sesay owned a £1,000 Mercedes and £24,740 in cash, while Henry had no assets.

Jobson had an unspecified amount of money in a bank account, which was seized alongside Sesay's goods.

The judge said the £754,525 sum could be paid off by any of the defendants.

He also ordered £1,897 to be paid in compensation to Sir Mark and £3,359 to Mrs Cavendish, as well as an unspecified amount to a company that leased the watches to them.

Henry, 34, of Bell Green, Lewisham, south London, was found guilty of two robbery offences after a trial in 2023, while 30-year-old Sesay, of Holding Street, Rainham, Kent, admitted the same offences.

They were jailed for 15 and 12 years respectively.

Jobson, 28, of no fixed abode, went on the run after the break-in. He was given a 15-year prison term after a separate trial.

Carrie and Boris Johnson have announced the birth of their fourth child, a girl.

Poppy Eliza Josephine Johnson was born on 21 May, Mrs Johnson wrote in an Instagram post accompanied by a series of images of the baby.

"I can't believe how pretty and tiny you are," she said. "Feel so incredibly lucky. We are all totally smitten."

The new baby joins their sons, Wilfred and Frank, and daughter Romy. Poppy – or "Pop Tart", as she has been nicknamed – is the former prime minister's ninth child.

Pictures of the new arrival included Poppy lying in a bassinet with their other children standing over her, as well as being held by Carrie, 37, and Boris Johnson, 60, in hospital.

"Not sure I've slept a minute since you were born as can't stop looking at how completely lovely you are," Mrs Johnson wrote.

She also thanked the maternity team at University College London Hospital in Euston, north London, "and particularly to Asma and Patrick who have looked after me so well through all my pregnancies".

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The Johnson's first two children – Wilfred and Romy – were born while the couple were in Downing Street during the Covid pandemic.

Frank was born in July 2023, their first after Boris Johnson left office.

Mrs Johnson, a former communications director for the Conservative Party, hinted that their fourth child would be their last, describing Poppy as a "final gang member".

She said her other children were "utterly delighted" with the addition to the family, noting Romy was "desperate for a little sister".

The former Tory leader has four grown-up children with his second wife, Marina Wheeler, and another daughter from an affair.

He was prime minister from July 2019 until his resignation in September 2022.

Surrey County Council has issued a temporary stop notice after suspected unlicensed burning of waste in Caterham.

The council said it served the notice – a tool for enforcing planning restrictions – on Friday.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of two large bonfires in an allotment on Stanstead Road on 1 May, a spokesperson said.

The Environment Agency says it is investigating reports of an illegal waste site.

Agency officers "have been at an address to gather evidence before deciding on appropriate next steps", it added.

The county council said its enforcement officers would "continue to assess compliance with the temporary stop notice throughout its period of effect", which runs until 11 July.

Non-compliance with the notice is a criminal offence that can lead to a fine of up to £20,000, according to the local authority.

The fire service said the blazes caused between 1001 and 2000 sq m of fire damage at the site.

Surrey Police said it was aware of the issue but "not investigating as a criminal matter".

The force is supporting the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council, it said.

A series of prints designed to "brighten" family visiting areas at prisons are to be put on display at the Isle of Man's facility.

Five prints depicting family relationships were designed for display in prisons across the UK by Sir Quentin Blake, known for his illustrations of Roald Dahl's books.

Motiv8 Addiction Services has been granted permission to use the five prints at its group hub as well as the Jurby.

Prison governor Leroy Bonnick said the team hoped the prints would "reinforce the importance of keeping families connected".

'Warmth and connection'

He said: "'Visiting a loved one in prison can be a stressful and difficult experience for anyone, but particularly for younger children."

It was hoped the prints would help to "improve relationships and reduce reoffending", he added.

The project, which was supported by Ramsey Crookall, has been designed to serve as a reminder in the importance of family ties.

The ink and watercolour illustrations depict parents and children engaging with each other through activities like playing and reading.

The charity, Motiv8, supports those in prison with weekly one-to-one clinics, and helps family members as well as individuals once released.

Tiffany Crookall of Motiv8 said the "evocative artwork" would give prisoners and their visitors "a sense of connection and hope".

"Having grown up with Sir Quentin Blake's artwork through the works of Roald Dahl, I hope that the warmth and connection they brought to me and others globally is extended to those in prison," she added.

A gold ring and bracelet presented to a racing car mechanic for his role in two victories in the Indianapolis 500 race are set to go under the hammer.

Mike "Charlie" Underwood's winner's ring, commemorating the Parnelli team's 1970 triumph, features an enamelled chequered flag and the words "1970 Champs" – with a guide price of £800 to £1,000.

A bracelet commemorating Mr Underwood's role in McLaren's 1974 and 1976 wins is expected to fetch between £1,000 and £1,500.

Director Will Gilding, of Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, said they were expecting a "great deal of interest" in the items.

The auction coincides with the 109th Indy 500, which takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.

Underwood, who was based in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, before relocating to the US, started his career as a radar operator in the RAF before moving to Lotus Components in 1963.

Mr Underwood's subsequent role as a senior mechanic with Lotus saw him heavily involved in the Indy 500 races of the mid to late 1960s, a period encompassing Scottish driver Jim Clark's famous win in a Lotus car in 1965.

Prior to his success with McLaren in the mid-1970s, Mr Underwood returned to Indiana in 1970 with the Parnelli team, where he worked alongside the legendary Indy 500 crew chief, George Bignotti, on Al Unser's winning car.

Mr Gilding said: "We're all revved up to offer this golden opportunity to acquire memorabilia from America's most famous automobile race.

"As well as their powerful link to this great all-American sporting event with a global reach, this ring and bracelet have the added bonus of their connection to the fine tradition of British motorsports through Charlie Underwood.

"So, we are expecting a great deal of interest from far and wide, and we look forward to seeing where this very special memorabilia finds a new home."

A specially-produced game for phones and tablets is being prescribed by the NHS after it was shown to help reduce anxiety among children – by using quests to get them to face their fears.

Lumi Nova combines gaming with cognitive behavioural therapy and was commissioned for use in Gloucestershire to tackle increasing emotional difficulties among younger children after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on survey feedback from 50 Gloucestershire families, 71% of children who used the app before other treatments were tried required no further support.

The digital therapy app does not require a prescription or referral, with NHS Gloucestershire offering it for free to families.

A 63-year-old man has died after an "industrial incident" involving a forklift truck at the Port of Liverpool.

Merseyside Police said the incident happened around 10:15 BST on Seaforth docks, and the man died at the scene.

A spokesperson said a joint investigation into the circumstances of his death would be carried out by detectives and the Health and Safety Executive.

No further details were confirmed about the nature of the incident.

The force said the man's family had been informed and were being supported.

Phil Hall, port director, said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a fatality occurred at the Port of Liverpool earlier today.

"Full details of the incident are not yet clear. Our immediate priority is supporting the family of the deceased, and any of our colleagues who have been impacted by the incident, in any way we can.

"We will fully cooperate with the Merseyside Police and the Health and Safety Executive in their ongoing investigations."