Innovation

Reform UK has taken control of Durham County Council after winning more than half of the seats.

It secured 65 councillors, gaining heavily from Labour, the Conservatives and independents, with all 98 results declared.

Party leader Nigel Farage MP, who visited the area during the election campaign, spoke at a celebration event in Newton Aycliffe.

He warned those at the council working on climate change or diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, or anyone who "thinks they can go on working from home, I think you better all be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly".

He criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not taking Reform seriously when he joked the party would "have the Conservatives for breakfast".

"But he missed a bit. We were going to have the Labour Party for lunch and that's what we have done," Farage said.

Among the newly elected councillors is former GB News presenter Darren Grimes, who is from County Durham, and who won one of two seats for Reform representing the Annfield Plain and Tanfield ward.

"I gave up a job in telly land to stand here and do this," he said.

"I'm obviously personally delighted but I'm also really humbled by the number of people who put their trust and faith in us to deliver for them."

He said if Reform took control of the council, they would "get the auditors in" to make sure no money was being wasted.

The council was previously run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Tories and independent councillors.

Liberal Democrat leader Amanda Hopgood – who previously led the council – has retained her seat, with her party securing 14 councillors, increasing its number by one. The Green Party also picked up an extra seat, taking its number of councillors to two.

Labour has been left with just four seats on the council, with local leader Carl Marshall one of the political casualties, losing his seat in Stanley to Reform.

Marshall said the council was in "decent financial nick" but Reform would have to have some "very challenging discussions because of the cost pressures" County Durham faced.

The Conservatives have just one councillor from the previous 16, with local party leader Richard Bell holding on to his Upper Teesdale seat. There are 14 independent councillors.

Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett Liz Twist, who attended the Durham County Council count, said the local election results showed her party needed to "move faster" when enacting its policy changes.

"We have a clear plan and we need to make sure people understand that plan," she said.

Results elsewhere

Reform also won its first seat on Hartlepool Borough Council following a by-election.

Amanda Napper took the Throston ward seat from Labour with 889 votes.

Speaking after the count, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service her priorities would be to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"When you see the state of Throston ward it makes you realise how much hard work it needs to pull it into shape, so I'm fully eyes wide open to the amount of work needed," she said.

Elsewhere in the North East, Labour managed to hold off Reform in a tightly run race for North Tyneside mayor.

Karen Clark was elected to the post, replacing Dame Norma Redfearn who stepped down from the role, which effectively leads the council.

In Northumberland, the Conservatives held on to 26 county council seats to remain the largest party there, but fell short of the 35 needed for a majority.

Reform surged into second place, with 23 new councillors elected.

A hit TV drama set in York is due to start filming its second series next month.

Airing earlier this year, Channel 4's Patience became the broadcaster's biggest drama of 2025 so far and averaged 4.2 million viewers.

The drama follows police archivist Patience Evans, a young autistic woman who brings her "unique insight into a series of perplexing cases".

Alison Kee, the show's executive producer, said: "We're really delighted it has been recommissioned and obviously York is the big star of the show for us."

The second series will run over eight episodes and will see the return of Ella Maisy Purvis as Patience Evans, Nathan Welsh as Det Sgt Jake Hunter and Mark Benton as Det Ch Insp Calvin Baxter.

Bafta-winning actor Jessica Hynes will take on the role of new boss Det Insp Frankie Monroe and "roar through the streets of York on her motorbike", according to Ms Kee.

City landmarks including Clifford's Tower, the Shambles and York Minster will feature in the show again.

Purvis, 21, previously described filming in York as "magical".

"The response and popularity of series one was staggering, so I am beyond thrilled to dive back into the world of Patience," she said.

The second series is set to be released in 2026, although a specific date is yet to be confirmed.

Ms Kee added: "We're hoping the show will look bigger and better than before."

Hundreds of homes have been left without water after a pipe burst.

Anglian Water said it had been working through the night to carry out repairs in March, Cambridgeshire.

About 600 homes do not have water and some areas have experienced low or no pressure at peak times.

The water company said teams were "working hard", but low pressure was likely to continue throughout Saturday.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and appreciate our customers' patience as we try to restore service to those affected as soon as possible," a spokesperson added.

Firefighters in Jersey are holding a fundraising event in memory of two colleagues who were killed in a fire at a business park in Oxfordshire earlier this month.

Crews from green watch will be in the Royal Square between 11:00 BST and 14:00 on Tuesday.

Firefighters Martyn Sadler, 38, and Jennie Logan, 30, were killed along with business owner Dave Chester in the fire that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 May.

Money raised will go towards supporting their families, and those of two other firefighters injured in the incident.

"The thoughts of SJFRS [States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service] are with Jennie and Martyn's families and with the two firefighters who are still in hospital", the service said.

The flag at SJFRS headquarters at Rouge Bouillon has remained at half-mast since news of their deaths broke.

The event will provide an opportunity for islanders to talk to firefighters and take a tour of two fire engines.

It would allow the public to find out more about the range of incidents it attends, how the emergency services work together and how to reduce the risks of fires and other emergencies, the service added.

'Stand in solidarity'

The Fire Fighter's Charity has supported the event and said: "This tragedy is a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice shown by firefighters every day.

"We stand in solidarity with our fire family at this incredibly difficult time."

A 103-year-old church could be converted into 15 flats, if plans are approved by Calderdale Council.

Ebenezer Methodist Church, in St James Road, Halifax, has been vacant since about 2011 when it was used as a community hall.

New company Ossett 1 recently bought the property with a view to giving it a "new lease of life".

Although the church is not listed, the applicant said the aim was to keep many of its features when converting it into apartments.

"Many of the existing external features will be respected and retained," the applicant said.

"There is no heritage feature within the internal church building, so the change of use will not cause any harm to the heritage."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the chapel was built in 1922 and is described as an "imposing building in an elevated corner junction position between St James Road and Pellon Lane."

It was built by John William Standeven, in memory of his mother Charlotte.

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

A teenage Muslim convert who posted Islamic State videos online because he "wanted to join the trend" has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Leo Walby, 19, from Swanley, Kent, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey last month to six charges of disseminating a terrorist publication between 10 July and 20 August last year.

He also admitted to failing to comply with a notice issued under the Regulatory of Investigatory Powers Act by not providing a password to a cloud-based storage device.

Walby had posted the material on Telegram and on TikTok – where he had more than 1,500 followers and had accumulated more than 10,000 likes, the court heard.

One video included footage of IS fighters in combat scenes and a western soldier killed by an explosion, together with subtitles describing the benefits of martyrdom.

Another propaganda video showed a speaker in a chair describing executions and beheadings as being "normal".

He also posted a speech from Abdullah Yusuf Azaam who the court heard "is known as the father of global jihad" with links to Osama bin Laden.

Walby had also sought donations to support jihad and to send to camps where IS members were being held.

From 20 August the defendant had used the IS flag as his logo on the channel, the court heard.

'Sucked into extremism'

Walby was subject to a referral to the government's counter-terrorism Prevent programme in 2017 which was closed without any engagement with the family.

There was also some information to suggest Walby had a history of mild autism.

Prosecutor Frederick Hookway said that Walby had accepted putting the relevant posts on TikTok and Telegram.

"He had created these accounts because he saw others doing it, and wanted to join the trend."

In mitigation James Hasslacher said that Walby had converted to Islam in 2023 after a period of youth offending.

Walby had endured a "bad childhood" and "found succour in Islam and found himself descending into the madness of what he was posting," said Mr Hasslacher.

He "deeply regretted his actions," the court heard.

Sentencing Walby on Friday, Judge Anthony Leonard KC said his refusal to reveal his password to police showed a "complete disregard for the rule of law and causes me concern about what you did not want the police to find in your telephone".

He added the defendant's posts were "intelligently and carefully planned" after he was "sucked into extremism".

The judge said that Walby had used social media platforms to gain a wider audience and had continued to use them despite being banned.

Walby had also used pseudnoyms to disseminate a "significant amount" of terrorist publications, Judge Leonard said.

Walby was sentenced to three and a half years for the six dissemination charges with an extended licence period of 12 months.

He must serve a consecutive sentence of one year for failing to comply with a notice.

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Four former council-run leisure centres are said to become more family friendly and accessible, following a programme of investment.

Blaydon, Dunston, and Heworth leisure centres, along with Gateshead International Stadium, were recently taken over by charitable social enterprise group GLL.

It has now allocated £750,000 to replace health and fitness equipment in the gyms at the four centres with state-of-the-art machines.

It will also be working with the council to operate six community tennis courts, which the authority is currently refurbishing.

GLL said it was putting in place measures to ensure its facilities were inclusive and accessible to everyone, and there would be specially designed equipment to support those with disabilities.

A multi-sensory lighting system being introduced at Dunston Leisure Centre will cater to children with sensory processing needs.

The existing underused squash courts at that site will become a multi-functional space for community activities, health programmes and school holiday clubs.

Scott Holmes, from GLL, said: "Our overarching aim is to improve the health and happiness of communities by investing in facilities and encouraging participation in activities.

"We will continue to work in partnership with Gateshead Council to introduce additional community-led programmes."

The oldest bird watching hide at a nature reserve has been rebuilt to provide "stunning new views" of wildlife and improve accessibility.

The Lower Hide at RSPB Leighton Moss in Carnforth, Lancashire, has been transformed thanks to donations from two of the charity's life members and RSPB groups in Leeds, Liverpool, Macclesfield and York.

The conservation charity said it was a "particularly good spot" for catching glimpses of otters and a wide range of waterbirds such as egrets and ducks.

Jarrod Sneyd, of the RSPB, said: "The new hide will stand for many years to come and provide enjoyment in nature for a whole host of visitors to Leighton Moss."

Lower Hide is situated on the edge of the reedbed on the northern edge of the Leighton Moss nature reserve.

The new hide features larger windows to provide more expansive views of the Lower Pool and is a popular spot in spring to watch Marsh Harriers soaring above the reedbed as well as bitterns flying to their nearby nest with food for their chicks.

The RSPB said in spring and summer Ospreys could also be seen fishing in the pool, often retreating to a nearby tree to consume their catch.

'Special location'

There is a a large accessible ramp and veranda at the back to ensure visitors in mobility scooters and those with pushchairs are able to easily access the hide for the first time.

Mr Sneyd, senior site manager at Leighton Moss, described the lower hide as his favourite one, adding: "I was involved in building it in 1990 and I've spent many hours in it from being a young volunteer on the reserve and throughout my career with the RSPB.

"For me, experiencing nature is about immersion, absorbing sights, sounds, colours, smells and now with a more airy, light experience it is so nice to once again enjoy this special location."

A village pub near Chichester has caught fire for the second time in less than two months.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said five fire engines, one water carrier and one ladder platform responded to a blaze at the Gribble Inn pub in Oving on Friday.

They said the flames were put out just after 19:00 BST, but urged nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed due to smoke.

Crews continue to remain at the site, the fire service added.

It comes after a fire at the pub, which has a thatched roof, at the end of February.

That blaze was likened to a "raging inferno" by Greg Hughes, a sous chef at the Gribble Inn.

Ten fire engines were deployed to the scene at that time, while the high street was temporarily closed.

As the refurbishment of the Welsh Parliament's debating chamber continues, the Senedd's ceremonial mace has been removed.

Work has begun on expanding the chamber ahead of an increase in the number of Members of the Senedd (MS) after the next election.

An extra 36 MSs will be elected in May 2026, bringing the total to 96.

The mace will be transferred to the old debating chamber in an adjoining building, where MSs will sit whilst the changes are made.

The mace sits in front of the Llywydd – the Presiding Officer – who is the Senedd's equivalent of the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Made from gold, silver and brass, it was presented to the Senedd by the Parliament of New South Wales in Australia to mark the opening of the Senedd building in 2006.

Following an election the mace is placed in its holder in the debating chamber to signify the official opening of the Senedd.

Why is it being moved?

The mace is being moved because MSs are having to vacate the debating chamber due to building work.

The chamber needs to be extended to make room for the additional 36 politicians that will be elected next May as the number of politicians in Cardiff Bay increases from 60 to 96.

A Senedd spokesman said £2.8m had been allocated to pay for the changes to the chamber.

For the next year or so, MSs will sit in the old debating chamber in the Tŷ Hywel office building behind the Senedd which is where the mace will be repositioned.

That's where Assembly Members – as they were then called – sat between 1999 and 2006.

Only six serving MSs were in Cardiff Bay for all or part of that period: the Llywydd Elin Jones from Plaid Cymru, Labour's Jane Hutt, Lynne Neagle and John Griffiths and Conservative MSs Mark Isherwood and Laura Anne Jones.

What other changes are happening?

As well as an increase in the number of MSs, the way politicians are elected to Cardiff Bay is also changing.

Wales is being split up into 16 constituencies and each one will be represented by six MSs, elected via proportional representation.

The changes are happening as a result of a deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru.

Supporters of the reforms say more MSs are needed to reflect the extra responsibilities the Senedd now has compared to when devolution began in 1999.

However, opponents – including the Conservatives – say the changes are a waste of taxpayers' money.