Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is set to trial changes to its hiring process for wholetime firefighters in early 2027 to remove unnecessary barriers and attract a more diverse workforce. The trial will lower minimum qualification requirements from five GCSEs to a Level 2 qualification, introduce treadmill assessments as an alternative to bleep tests, incorporate behavioural assessments using realistic scenarios, and modify the swim test.
Summary headline: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service to trial changes to entry criteria for firefighters
Residents and business owners in the Herefordshire village of Ewyas Harold are expressing anxiety over the approaching autumn and winter following predictions of wetter-than-average conditions. The village has experienced flooding four times in the past six years, most notably when Dulas Brook reached a record-breaking 2.9 metres during Storm Claudia in November 2025. Locals are hoping to benefit from government flood protection investments while local builders report a surge in demand for property flood defences.
Summary headline: Ewyas Harold villagers fear another wet winter after flooding four times in six years
Max George, member of the 2010s boy band The Wanted, has spoken about his late bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away from a brain tumour in 2022. George and fellow bandmate Siva Kaneswaran are currently touring the UK as The Wanted 2.0. George shared that hearing Parker's recorded voice in his earpiece on stage is his favourite part of the show, making him feel that Parker is always there. George also discussed his recent recovery from heart surgery following a medical error with a pacemaker.
Summary headline: The Wanted's Max George says late bandmate Tom Parker is 'always there'
Suffolk County Council is considering proposals to close up to 12 children's centres, known as family hubs, and relocate their services to alternative locations or libraries in order to save £450,000 annually. Under the plans, 17 out of the 32 existing family hubs would remain as Best Start Family Hubs following a government scheme funded with £6.5m. The proposals will be subject to a council vote regarding a public consultation, with a final decision not expected until early 2027.
Summary headline: Suffolk County Council proposes closing up to 12 children's centres
A section of the M60 in Greater Manchester has been closed in both directions between Junction 17 at Prestwich and Junction 18 at Simister Island due to a police incident. Emergency services, including Greater Manchester Police, the North West Ambulance Service, and fire crews, are at the scene, resulting in delays of over 30 minutes and three miles of congestion.
Summary headline: Long delays on M60 after motorway closed in both directions due to police incident
Shropshire YouTubers Chris and Marianne Fisher, known for their 'Tread the Globe' channel, have reached Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia as part of their latest campervan journey from New Zealand to the UK. Travelling in a new pop-top campervan named Trevor, the couple plan to visit at least 50 countries over six years across multiple continents.
Summary headline: YouTube campervan couple Chris and Marianne Fisher reach Malaysia on new world trip
Shropshire Council has approved a new social care transformation plan aimed at helping vulnerable and elderly residents live more independently while easing severe pressure on council budgets. With social care accounting for 71% of its overall budget and the authority having declared a financial emergency, the plan prioritises prevention, early support, and keeping residents in their homes for longer. Up to £4 million will be invested over the next three financial years to support the changes.
Summary headline: Shropshire Council launches new social care plan focusing on early intervention and independence
Wildlife photographer Brian Johnston has captured rare photographs of a white hart deer in the wilds of Devon after a two-day search. Experts from the British Deer Society stated the red deer is albinistic or leucistic, making it extremely unusual. Conservationists have warned against revealing the deer's location to protect its welfare from hunters.
Summary headline: Photographer captures rare encounter with albino white hart deer in Devon
Parents in Northamptonshire have criticised delays and restrictions on ADHD and autism assessments after being told that private assessments funded by the NHS had been put on hold due to limits set by the local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Victoria McConnachie, whose nine-year-old daughter has been waiting since 2023, expressed frustration with the 'right to choose' scheme. Charity ADHD UK also condemned the pausing of assessments, while Northamptonshire ICB cited significant increases in demand and stated its aim to develop a more joined-up, needs-led approach.
Summary headline: Mum critical of ADHD and autism assessment delays in Northamptonshire
The attorney general has committed to raising the case of Harshita Brella with ministerial colleagues following an appeal in the House of Commons by Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Lee Barron. Harshita Brella, 24, was found dead in a car in east London in November 2024 after being strangled. A murder charge and accusations of rape and controlling behaviour have been authorised against her husband, Pankaj Lamba, who is believed to have fled the UK for India, with the ongoing search and police contact investigations continuing.
Summary headline: Corby MP urges attorney general to raise Harshita Brella murder case with ministers
St Albans-based theatre company OVO has raised over £1m to transform a 17th-century Grade II listed threshing barn in Verulamium Park into a 120-seat performance space. Before undergoing full renovation in 2027, the venue is launching with a series of productions starting with Macbeth, supporting under-represented industry talent through repertory-based contracts.
Summary headline: Historic St Albans barn opens as new 'daring' theatre space by OVO
Thousands of Sunderland fans are travelling to north-west Portugal for the team's Europa League fixture against Torreense, marking the club's first competitive match on mainland Europe in 53 years. Because Torreense's home ground is small, the match is being held in Leiria. Supporters have undertaken complex travel journeys involving multiple flights, drives and buses, with many expressing that the rare European campaign is a monumental occasion that might never happen again.
Summary headline: Sunderland fans travel to Portugal for the club's first competitive European fixture on mainland Europe in 53 years
The French Navy is assisting Guernsey in a marine anti-pollution training exercise designed to improve the island's preparedness for maritime emergencies. The specialist salvage and anti-pollution vessel Bourbon Argonaute will participate in an oil pollution response drill alongside the Guernsey Ports Sarnia workboat.
Summary headline: French Navy collaborates with Guernsey Ports on anti-pollution training exercise
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Martine Legg, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, shares her experience to show that the disease is not the death sentence it once was. Following radiotherapy, she has returned to acting and stresses the importance of staying strong. Health professionals in Guernsey also emphasize regular self-checks, awareness of alcohol as a risk factor, and participation in the local breast screening programme.
Summary headline: Breast cancer survivor in Guernsey highlights that diagnosis is not a death sentence
Plans have been submitted to Cheshire East Council for an industrial development, community space, a memorial, and up to 58 homes at the former wood flour mill site in Bosley, Cheshire, where four workers died following a devastating explosion in July 2015. Applicant Boden and Davies Ltd reduced the proposed number of homes from 70 to 58 following community feedback, with the scheme including 47 houses and 11 flats alongside retained and improved industrial floorspace.
Summary headline: Plans submitted for 58 homes and industrial development at the site of the fatal Bosley mill explosion
The little tern colony at Seaton Carew has experienced its toughest breeding season since establishing the site in 2019, with 83 nesting pairs producing only 17 fledglings. Factors including flooding, washed-away perimeter fencing, late food supplies, predation, and dogs entering the exclusion zone contributed to the difficult conditions, according to the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.
Summary headline: Seaton Carew little tern colony records its worst breeding season
Food allergy campaigners in Jersey have criticised repeated delays to the implementation of pre-packaged food labelling laws, calling the situation a 'ticking time bomb'. Although the legislation was agreed in 2022, its introduction has been postponed since 2024 as the government continues discussions with businesses. Campaigners, including Nadim Ednan-Laperouse and Néva Richardson, argue that Jersey is risking lives and lagging behind the UK and EU by failing to enforce comprehensive allergen labelling.
Summary headline: Campaigners criticise delays to Jersey pre-packaged food allergy labelling laws
A springer spaniel named Sprite, rescued by the RSPCA from a severely squalid home in Doncaster alongside 83 other dogs, is rehabilitating with new owners in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Her owners described her initial timidity and lingering distress from her past conditions. Meanwhile, three members of the same family have been convicted of animal welfare offences and are awaiting sentencing in December.
Summary headline: Springer spaniel rescued from squalor in Doncaster learns to trust again in Lichfield
Jersey's health minister has confirmed that stronger legislation regarding medicinal cannabis will be brought to politicians in early 2027. The announcement follows an inquest into the 2025 death of David Morgan, where a coroner ruled that a medicinal cannabis prescription significantly contributed to the deterioration of his behaviour and subsequent death. Proposed legal changes include mandatory medical record reviews, face-to-face patient meetings, and recording adverse reactions.
Summary headline: Jersey to strengthen medicinal cannabis laws following inquest findings
