Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a massive blaze involving 250 tonnes of manure with locals warned to shut windows and doors. Emergency services scrambled to the scene in Brigstock, Northamptonshire, to try and douse the flames. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The fire service are tackling a blaze in Northamptonshire (stock)Credit: Getty It is expected that the blaze will burn for several days, said firefighters. Villagers and others living nearby were advised to stay away and keep their windows and doors shut. A spokesman for Northants Fire and Rescue said: “We are currently at the scene of a large…

From Chichester to Eastbourne and everywhere in between, photographers have been sharing their best images of East Sussex and West Sussex throughout 2025. Here is a small selection of our favourite … Read more here: Click Here

Britain’s electricity demand has risen for the second year in a row after two decades of decline, marking a decisive turning point as electric vehicles, heat pumps and AI data centres usher in a new era of electrification. Provisional figures for 2025 show electricity consumption rose by 3 per cent, the fastest annual increase since 2001, according to analysis by Imperial College London for Drax Electric Insights. It is the first time the UK has recorded two consecutive years of demand growth since 2002–03. Electricity use reached an estimated 273 terawatt-hours (TWh) this year, up from 266 TWh in 2024…

J2 Flooring has snapped up LVT products (Image credit: J2 Flooring) Lancashire-based J2 Flooring, which specialises in luxury vinyl tiles, has swooped for a Northumberland-based business, marking a significant milestone in its long-term growth plans.  The business has acquired VAR Technology Ltd, which specialises in the precision cutting and customisation of LVT products.  As part of the acquisition agreement, Shaun Baston, the founder of VAR Technology Ltd, has joined the J2 Flooring board as a director and shareholder. Stephen Latham, managing director of J2 Flooring Ltd, said: “This is more than a commercial acquisition — it’s a strategic alliance that…

Hundreds of jobs at a UK contruction firm have been protected after it went into administration, according to reports. Thurston Group Ltd, a modular construction specialist firm based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire produces offsite and modular buildings across various sectors, including education, healthcare, industrial and commercial.It’s has been operating for more than five decades and has a number of sites in Yorkshire. But the firm, which had a turnover of £47million to the year ending November 1, 2024, has faced financial challenges in recent times and on December 22 called in corporate recovery company Leonard Curtis, Wakefield Express reports.Hilary Pascoe,…

Like any other high-traffic space in your home, your bathroom design should be the perfect blend of style and function. While features like ample storage and good ventilation are non-negotiable, there’s a lot more to consider if you’re set on crafting a luxurious space. Aesthetics come into play as well—think choosing the right tile, color palette, light fixtures, you name it.That’s why we checked in with multiple pros to find out the top bathroom design trends for 2026. From statement sinks to medicine cabinets equipped with LED lighting, use their predictions to inspire your own setup, whether you’re planning a…

An eye care specialist has spoken of being “humbled” after she was included in the newly published New Year Honours List. And her former employer, University Hospitals Sussex, said that it was “proud to celebrate” Joy White who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM). She was the head of service for orthoptics at the Sussex Eye Hospital, in Brighton, until she retired this time last year. Her BEM was awarded for her outstanding contribution to ophthalmology – both in Sussex and around the world. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said: “Joy retired from the trust last December after…

Landmark legislation around building safety will be reviewed in 2027 – five years after it was introduced, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced yesterday.The landmark Building Safety Act (BSA) was introduced in 2022 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 when 72 people were killed.The department said it will also scrutinise the scope of higher-risk buildings (HRBs) on an annual basis.On Wednesday (17 December), the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) published its review into HRBs, after MHCLG asked it to examine the regime following the publication of the Grenfell Inquiry report in 2024.In it, the…

Under the deal agreed with South Korea, 98% of trade will continue to be tariff-free, the same terms that the EU has with the country, and which the UK maintained temporarily after Brexit.Parts of the UK’s trade agreement with South Korea were set to expire in January 2026, but the new deal will protect £2bn of UK exports from an increase in tariffs, the government said.South Korean culture, including music, cosmetics and food, has become much more popular in the UK in recent years.Trade minister Chris Bryant announced the deal in Samsung’s flagship store in London on Monday night, accompanied…

A greedy handyman has been jailed after paying himself £102,000 from an elderly woman’s bank account – just for doing odd jobs for her. Simon Appleby, 40, had worked for the woman in south Shropshire from September 2019 until she died in December 2022, with one suspicious £15,000 transaction made one hour before she died in hospital. Shrewsbury Crown Court heard how he worked initially as her cleaner, but later went on to do a number of handyman jobs like changing lightbulbs and painting her garage. The trusting pensioner allowed him to take payments after using her laptop to log into…