UK

A fire has broken out at Blackpool Tower, with video showing flames at the top of the iconic structure. Firefighters in climbing gear are “on their way up”, according to a tourist information page, as high winds continue to hit the seaside resort. In a statement Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service said: “We have six

Travellers on their way home from the Christmas break are set to endure more disruption today as roads and train lines battered by Storm Gerrit look to recover from the worst of the weather. Heavy rain and winds of up to 80mph brought misery to parts of the UK’s transport network on Wednesday. Storm Gerrit

Self-driving cars could be on British roads as early as 2026, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said. Asked if people could soon be travelling “with your hands off the wheel, doing your emails”, he agreed the prospect was possible in as little as three years’ time. He told the BBC: “I think that’s when companies

Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson have led tributes to “wonderful human” Australian chef Bill Granger, who has died at the age of 54. According to a statement from his family, the restaurateur, chef and food writer “died peacefully in hospital” in London on Christmas Day with his family by his bedside. Lawson, 63, said she

The UK is bracing itself for Storm Gerrit which is set to batter much of the country. Multiple yellow weather warnings for strong winds, heavy rain and periods of snow have been issued by the Met Office for 27 and 28 December. Wednesday is forecast to be the worst affected day, with strong winds due

As many begin to travel home after Christmas celebrations, the weather is set to remain unsettled, with a number of yellow weather warnings for ice, rain and wind in place from Boxing Day onwards. The Met Office says low pressure moving across the UK on the 26 December will bring breezy and wet conditions for

Sarah, Duchess of York, joined the Royal Family at church on Christmas Day for the first time in decades.  The royal, who has had a troubled relationship with the monarchy, was pictured smiling as she walked beside her ex-husband, the disgraced Duke of York. For the second year in a row, Andrew made the walk

Today (Sunday) has provisionally been recorded as the warmest Christmas Eve since 1997, according to the Met Office. The weather agency said temperatures reached 15.3C at Heathrow, west London. The warmest Christmas Eve on record was in 1931, when 15.5C was recorded in Aberdeen and Banff in Scotland. Meanwhile, Christmas Day is expected to be

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United Football Club will be announced today, 13 months after the launch of a review initiated by the Glazer family. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport will take control of the football side of the club. This breaking news story is being updated and more details

James Cleverly has apologised after joking about putting a date rape drug in his wife’s drink in comments made at a Downing Street reception within hours of the Home Office announcing plans to crack down on spiking. The home secretary told female guests “a little bit of Rohypnol in her drink every night” was “not

A woman charged with murdering her five-month-old daughter has appeared in court in Leeds. Hayley Macfarlane, 39, was charged with the murder of her daughter, Evelyn, following an incident at Woodhouse Moor Park on Wednesday 20 December. West Yorkshire Police were called to reports of a baby in a serious condition at the park at

“Last-minute getaway trips” could be disrupted due to wet and windy weather in the run-up to Christmas, the RAC has warned. A number of yellow weather warnings for rain and wind are coming into force from Saturday 23 December until Christmas Day morning, mainly affecting northern Scotland but stretching down to parts of the east

A body has been recovered from the River Tay in the search for a missing woman. Although formal identification is yet to take place, the family of Clare Marshall have been informed. A search was launched for Ms Marshall at the beginning of the week, with specialist help from the Police Scotland helicopter. The 64-year-old

FIFA and UEFA acted unlawfully in blocking the creation of the European Super League (ESL), the European Union’s top court has ruled. The court said both bodies were abusing their dominant position in the sport. But it added its ruling does not mean that a competition such as the Super League must necessarily be approved.

“Every time I go to the hospital, I collect one from the play lady,” Oliver says.  Oliver Chapman, 11, is softly spoken. And he is obviously quite shy. This explains why he does not make eye contact when he talks. He is talking about multicoloured beads and his small fingers are playing with a long

Christmas travel plans could be under threat as Storm Pia is set to bring winds of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for high winds for the northern half of the country on Thursday, bringing the potential for travel chaos in the run-up to Christmas.

A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after killing a pensioner while released on licence – after he was jailed for two previous murders. Lawrence Bierton has been sentenced to a rare whole-life order at Nottingham Crown Court for murdering 73-year-old Pauline Quinn. Bierton bludgeoned the 73-year-old to death with her

Another winter. Another strike. Except this time the industrial action by junior doctors will be longer than any other NHS history. In total, three days starting on Wednesday morning. Then back out again for six consecutive days from 3-9 January. In all, there will only be four weekdays unaffected by strike action or holidays over

The long-awaited transgender guidance for schools in England has been published by the government. The main points from today’s developments include:• Schools and colleges to be told that parents should be involved in decisions affecting their children• Single-sex spaces must be protected for the safeguarding of all children• A sea change in approach on social

Alex Batty – the British teenager found in France after going missing for six years – has reportedly told journalists he is “glad to be home for Christmas”. He was 11 when he went on holiday with his mother Melanie Batty – who does not have legal parental guardianship – and his grandfather, David Batty,