Industrial town and cargo port in Cheshire, linking Liverpool and Manchester, with a 2021 population of 61,145.
Maternity services at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple have been suspended due to staffing shortages, forcing expectant families to consider long journeys to Exeter or Taunton. Trust leaders say the move is temporary and focused on safety, with other maternity services continuing elsewhere at the Royal Devon site.
Recent coverage shows Reform’s leadership grappling with funding questions, internal dissent, and public skepticism as they push controversial policies ahead of a potential snap election. Watch closely for how opponents frame their credibility and whether the party can translate rhetoric into tangible steps.
Police are investigating the theft of around 800 barrels of Guinness valued at about £205,000 from an industrial estate in Runcorn. Trailers connected to two HGVs were used, with both drivers yet to be identified. Dashcam footage and witness accounts are being sought to recover the barrels and complete the investigation.