Eleanor Barlow

A wildfire at Dunwich Heath near Leiston, Suffolk, has expanded to 150 hectares, prompting a major incident response involving more than 100 firefighters and 18 fire engines. Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged full government and mutual-aid support, while additional engines and specialist wildfire resources were brought in. Around 50 people were evacuated to Westleton, Cliff House Holiday Park was cleared, and parts of the RSPB Minsmere reserve were damaged. The blaze is near Sizewell B and the Sizewell C construction site, but EDF said Sizewell B operations were unaffected. Dry weather and changing winds are expected to prolong the response for at least 48 hours, with power cuts affecting 116 customers.

Southport will mark the second anniversary of the dance-class attack that killed Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe and injured eight children, teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. A three-minute silence will be held at 3pm, with Sefton Council, Merseyside Police and residents invited to participate. The victims’ foundations continue to support young dancers, children and grieving families, while the council has designated spaces for reflection. A public inquiry earlier in 2026 concluded that the attack by Axel Rudakubana could and should have been prevented if agencies and his parents had taken appropriate steps.