Economy

A discount store branch in Cornwall has lost members of staff after the "tragic" cutting of a bus route, managers say.

Go Cornwall Bus has dropped the number 11 service that used to run from Bodmin Parkway railway station to Liskeard along the A38 and drop into the Trago Mills store in the Glynn Valley en route. Passengers now are asked to travel from Bodmin Parkway to Liskeard via train and catch a bus from there.

Cornwall Council said passenger numbers "had reduced significantly" and the route was "no longer sustainable".

Go Cornwall Bus said bosses were "genuinely sorry" over Trago job losses, but it could not reinstate the service unless funding could be found to support its cost.

Ellie Robertson, business developments director at Trago Mills, said: "We weren't approached by the bus company in any way, shape or form.

"The first thing we knew about it was a new timetable was put down on the bus stop.

"We wrote to the bus company and to Cornwall Council and tried to fight the decision, but, unfortunately, they have gone along with the changes, which has meant we have lost staff over it.

"It's really sad on top of the redundancies that we've just gone through. It couldn't have come at a worst time. It's tragic."

Ms Robertson said they a post on their social media had had a huge response.

She said: "Dozens and dozens of people saying they used to shop with us but they no longer can, which is heartbreaking to hear. We need every sale we can get at the moment.

"We put memos up on the staff notice board so that people could put their name forward for car sharing. We've had a little bit of an uptake on that.

"But it's really hard because everyone works in different departments and has different start and finish times and different shift patterns.

"Fortunately, one of our members of staff that has been with us for 40 years, who was going to have to leave because he couldn't get the bus anymore, we did manage to get a car share for him, so we do get to keep Steve the gardener."

Jenny Day, catering assistant at the store, used that service and said: "Initially I could catch one bus into work at a decent time and one bus home. Now I have to catch two buses to get into work and rely on lifts to get home.

"If I miss a bus or there's a bad connection, it means getting a taxi into work, which from Liskeard costs £12, which is what happened the other day.

"People from Bodmin, and one in particular that I worked with, had to leave.

"In fact, two or three people have had to leave because there is just no bus service anymore," she said.

Bob Winn, from Wadebridge, was a regular passenger on the former service, despite having his own car.

He said: "So, if you want to go Trago Mills, you want to go Liskeard, Saltash or Plymouth, hard luck.

"You have to go on the train, and we all know how much the train costs, so we just don't go anywhere. That's it."

Cornwall Council said: "Commercial bus services and those subsidised by the council on the supported network need passengers to be financially viable and ensure we can maximise the allocation of our limited resources.

"Services continue to run between Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin and Bodmin Parkway.

"Passengers can continue their journeys on to Liskeard and Plymouth by rail."

"These bus services are timed to ensure passengers can make reasonable connections with the trains at Bodmin Parkway."

Two robbers who were thwarted in their attempt to rob a corner shop by a "courageous" father and son have been jailed for three years each.

Gary Brown, 38, thrust a Stanley knife towards a shopkeeper as he and Mark Robson, 43, tried to steal money from a store in South Shields in November, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

After initially managing to grab some cash, the pair were overpowered by the father and son who ran the shop.

Both the accused, of Beach Road in South Shields, admitted robbery with Brown also pleading guilty to possessing a knife.

The pair entered the shop at about 20:00 GMT on 17 November and demanded money, prosecutor Ian Cook said.

The shopkeepers, an adult father and son, were "showing some bravery" when they tackled and "got the better" of the robbers, Mr Cook said.

'Particularly unpleasant'

In statements read to the court, the shop owners said they were now fearful of future robberies and the risk that posed to their younger relatives who regularly worked there.

They had also spent a lot of money installing new security measures including a £70 a month panic button alarm system, the court heard.

In mitigation, the court heard both men were living in a hostel at the time, were fuelled by drink and were "deeply ashamed" of their actions.

Recorder Peter Makepeace KC said it was a "particularly unpleasant" crime which had had an ongoing impact on the victims.

He said the shopkeepers had shown "courage" but their fears for their younger workers were understandable.

Both Robson and Brown were also made subject to restraining orders banning them from contacting the two victims or going to the shop for 10 years.

A Bristol-based charity is hoping to make the city the first in the UK where smartphones are banned from all classrooms.

The charity Papaya – Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adolescents – is calling on parents to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the age of 14. Campaigners believe this could significantly improve young people's mental health.

The organisation is working with more than 100 schools in Bristol and has secured commitments from 10 institutions to implement stricter policies.

Dr Susie Davies, founder of Papaya, said: "We want them to have a phone-free environment in schools so they concentrate on their learning, but also socialising in breaktime."

Papaya predicts that by the start of the next school term, a majority of Bristol's secondary schools could be signed up to their smartphone-free initiative.

Dr Davies, who is also a Bristol-based GP, said: "We want Bristol to be a smart phone-free city, where children don't get their first smart phone until they're 14."

Papaya is supporting schools to enforce phone-free environments through tools like Yondr pouches and lock boxes.

"It gives young people an extra two to three years of childhood," Dr Davies explained.

"Time to play, to enjoy each other's company, and to concentrate on learning and social development without the distraction of constant notifications."

A woman has marked her 60th year as a Girlguiding leader – earning her a service award presented by a celebrity and an afternoon tea.

Marion Davies, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, began volunteering for the organisation when she was 18, and has no plans to stop.

"I love the outdoors, I love the camping and giving the girls the opportunity to enjoy it and appreciate it," she said.

Her award was presented by Phil Harding, an archaeologist who starred on Channel 4's Time Team and who is also a deputy lieutenant for Wiltshire.

Parents in Wolverhampton are being urged to carry out detailed checks if they are hiring vehicles for their children's prom night.

Not all companies advertising the services of stretched limousines and other luxury or performance vehicles were licensed, the city council warned.

The council's licensing team said it was working with schools and other local authorities to alert families to the potential safety risks, including dangers linked to drivers plus uninsured or non-roadworthy transport.

Extra vigilance was said to be particularly needed when booking services advertised on social media, where the unlicensed trade primarily operated.

Companies hiring out a vehicle and driver with fewer than nine seats may require a private hire vehicle operator licence from the city council and people should check that with the service provider and the council, the authority said.

Companies hiring out a limousine and driver with nine passenger seats or more must have a public service vehicle (PSV) operator licence.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said: "Prom nights are special occasions for young people to get together and celebrate all that they have achieved.

"Unfortunately, we are aware there may be unscrupulous companies looking to take advantage at this time of year. The driver may not have had a criminal record check or the vehicle may not be roadworthy. In addition, unlicensed vehicles and drivers won't be insured.

"Hiring a vehicle and driver that hasn't been properly vetted and licensed could put your child and their friends at risk.

"Please consider making checks on the company you are thinking of hiring from to make sure everyone has fun and stays safe on prom night."

A pledge has been renewed to provide better phone signal along a rail line, despite a lack of progress in recent years.

Tyne and Wear Metro bosses said they were "fully committed" to delivering 4G and 5G connectivity across the system.

Nexus, which operates the line, had dropped plans to install wi-fi on the Metro's new fleet of trains in 2023, but said it wanted to fix connectivity blackspots in areas such as Pelaw and Fellgate, as well as the underground section in central Newcastle and Gateshead.

Head of ICT Steve Duchar said improving connectivity was a "time consuming and costly" operation.

He said the company is engaging with "major network providers" to deliver improvements.

Mobile network EE has provided 4G connectivity through the tunnels since 2019, but other providers like O2, Vodafone and Three have not followed suit in subsequent years.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said it understood no work had been carried out since the February 2023 pledge to install new infrastructure.

In London, uninterrupted 4G and 5G mobile coverage is being rolled out to all underground station ticket halls, platforms and tunnels on the Tube.

A woman says a book club for cancer patients has helped her to cope with the disease.

Florence Moore, from Boston, was invited to join the Lincolnshire-wide group, which meets online, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.

She said the free books, which are sent to members monthly, had helped her to take her mind off the cancer by escaping "away into this other world".

Annie Theed, a Macmillan care co-ordinator, founded the club to help patients feel less isolated. She said: "We have created an atmosphere where people feel relaxed and can talk openly."

Ms Moore, an activities co-ordinator at a Boston care home, described how she "kept thinking about cancer all the time" before joining the club.

"I was sent my first book, which was set in the 1800s," she said. "It was brilliant reading it, as it took me away from my situation."

She added: "I'd forgotten how much I liked reading. I was being sent books that I wouldn't normally buy, yet I read every one and always got something from it."

The club, which was set up during the Covid-19 pandemic to help patients keep in touch with carers and one another, holds virtual meetings, allowing anyone in Lincolnshire with a cancer diagnosis to join.

It is funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.

Ben Petts, a manager for the charity, said: "The cost of a book could be a lot for some families to find each month. By providing this funding, we have ensured the book club is inclusive to everyone."

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

A memorial service has been held for a Canadian airman who was shot down over Guernsey 81 years ago.

On 5 June 1944, the day before D-Day, Lt John Saville was hit as he led his squadron in a successful attack on a German radar in occupied Guernsey.

Each year a memorial service has been held at the site of the memorial plaque on the Castle Emplacement in St Peter Port.

The service was held at 08:30 BST – which is believed to be a similar time to when Lt Saville's plane was struck.

The Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev Tim Barker, led the service.

He said: "It's so important that we keep remembering and when we stop learning from history we place ourselves in an extremely difficult and vulnerable position."

Wreaths were laid at the plaque and the service included a poetry reading from the Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard McMahon.

Lt Saville's plane crashed into Havelet Bay and after the safe return of the rest of 439 squadron a search mission was sent to Guernsey – but nothing was found.

The wreck of the plane was discovered in the 1970s by local diver Mick Peters and upon further investigation the site was declared a war grave in 1982.

The UK food watchdog has warned people with allergies not to buy imported Dubai chocolate if they have any doubts about ingredients because of different labelling standards.

The Food Standards Agency's chief scientific advisor said shoppers should stick to "trusted" retailers in the UK as the products they sell are more likely to be made for the domestic market.

Dubai chocolate has become hugely popular fuelled by so-called "influencers" on TikTok, leading UK supermarkets such as Waitrose and Lidl to impose per person limits to meet demand.

But a recent investigation by the BBC found several TikTok Shop users selling food without listing allergen information.

UK businesses are legally required to declare if a product they sell contains one of the 14 regulated allergens – including nuts and milk.

The FSA found some imported Dubai-style chocolate products may not have been intended for sale in the UK and therefore lack a full ingredients list or allergen labelling that are legally required.

Professor Robin May, the FSA's chief chief scientific advisor, said: "Some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies."

He added: "As it's difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that aren't, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless you're certain it's intended for sale here."

By law, products made to UK standards must have labels that have the ingredients written in English, the name of the food, a best before or use by date, and the name and address of a UK or European Union (EU) business that is responsible for information on the product.

If the food is not from the EU or UK then an importer must be listed.

The FSA said it had worked with local authorities to identify a number of Dubai chocolate products that posed a health risk to consumers with allergies.

It said some of these products may also contain additives and colours which aren't allowed to be sold in the UK.

The popular treat combines the flavours of chocolate, pistachio and tahini with filo pastry, and is inspired by the Arab dessert Knafeh.

The regulator is now sampling products to work out the scale of the problem.

It said shoppers should report any concerns to their local authority and is working with allergy charities to raise awareness.

A woman has called for the law to be changed to better protect pets after her abusive ex-partner attempted to burn down her house, killing her dog.

After subjecting Louise Simpson to a series of violent attacks in 2024, Adrian West tried to burn down her home in Crawley, West Sussex, killing her British Bulldog, Peggy. He was jailed for six years and three months.

Ms Simpson called for the law to consider companion animals, like dogs and cats, as sentient beings rather than property as they are currently treated.

The Ministry of Justice said it had no plans to change the law.

A change in the law would offer pets more protection and allow for stronger sentencing if they were criminally harmed, Ms Simpson said.

The 53-year-old, who designed a tattoo of Peggy and had her ashes mixed into the ink, called the three-year-old dog her "best friend".

"She was my absolute world. She was with me all the time. I adored her," she said.

"I would give up everything I lost to get her back."

After asking West to leave her house in September, Ms Simpson said he attempted to burn down her house while she was napping with Peggy upstairs.

"The next thing I knew, my neighbours were banging on the door saying the house was on fire," she said.

"I was trying to get her out, but she [Peggy] was so scared. She kept running away. I just could not get hold of her."

Ms Simpson said attempts to resuscitate Peggy were "too late", adding she was "completely and utterly broken".

West, 61, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to arson with intent, criminal damage, non-fatal strangulation, common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm.

But Ms Simpson, who said her home in Creasys Drive was destroyed, complained there was "devastatingly" no specific charge for Peggy's death.

"She's classed as property under the law, so she's given as much value as a bookcase, TV, bed or washing machine," she added.

But Ms Simpson said that Peggy was "not an object. She was a living, breathing, sentient being with feelings".

"I want the law to reflect that," she added.

A petition calling for a law change had attracted 15,000 signatures as of 18:00 BST on Monday.