Lynette Horsburgh

A contractor was taken to hospital with a leg injury after falling from a height at LIPA Sixth Form College in Liverpool. Firefighters rescued him from an enclosed rooftop room, and ambulance staff said his injuries were not thought to be serious. Construction work on the college’s new roof has been suspended while the principal contractor investigates the incident, although the college said student enrolments would continue as planned.

Two eight-year-old children were rescued from the sea during Blackpool’s annual air show after getting into difficulty in the water. HM Coastguard said patrol staff were in the right place at the right time, including when one child was fully submerged. Coastguard teams also helped locate missing children and people cut off by the tide, with thousands attending the event.

Cancer survivor Gemma Coleman describes the physical and emotional effects of undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian and womb cancers, including surgical menopause and the loss of fertility. Now in remission, she and her husband hope to adopt when her health allows. She has welcomed a £2.5m Cancer Research UK grant supporting research led by Professor Stephen Taylor at the University of Manchester into how ovarian cancers grow and respond to treatment, with the aim of identifying weaknesses for future targeted drugs.

Thousands of passengers across northern England and parts of the Midlands faced delays, cancellations and stranded trains after a 90-second power outage at Network Rail’s Manchester Rail Operating Centre caused signalling systems to fail. A delay in backup power activation exacerbated the incident, leaving at least eight operators affected and disrupting services well beyond Manchester. Network Rail warned that disruption could continue into Friday because trains and crews were displaced. Passengers described costly and stressful journeys, while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig called for services to be restored and for a thorough investigation. Passengers affected by delays may be eligible for compensation through individual rail operators or Delay Repay.

A 90-second power outage affecting Network Rail’s Manchester Rail Operating Centre caused signalling failures, stopped trains and disrupted at least eight operators across northern England and beyond. A delay in backup systems activating worsened the incident, while the resulting displacement of trains and crews was expected to cause disruption into Friday. Passengers reported lengthy delays, evacuations and expensive alternative travel. Network Rail said engineers were repairing the problem, while Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig called for an investigation and assurances that the failure would not recur. A separate wartime bomb discovery briefly blocked lines between Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent, and affected passengers may be eligible for compensation.

Work has begun to convert an under-used former squash room at Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre into a youth hub for 11- to 17-year-olds. South Ribble Borough Council is asking young people to help design the space, with possible features including chill-out areas, gaming zones and creative facilities. The project received an additional £20,000 for interior refurbishment and support from the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner’s community fund, with the aim of providing a welcoming place to socialise and reducing anti-social behaviour. The consultation is open until 20 August.

Nine-year-old Rory stars in a Crosby Leisure Centre water-safety video teaching children what to do in an emergency, including the “float to live” technique. The campaign has gained attention on social media and at Rory’s school, with staff and the Royal Life Saving Society UK praising his ability to communicate the message. The initiative is particularly important because nearby Crosby beach is marked unsafe for swimming due to dangerous conditions and sinking sands, and has been the site of previous tragedies.

The People's History Museum in Manchester will display an exceptionally rare jug commemorating the 1819 Peterloo Massacre from 1 August to 3 January. The object features a map of the protest site, where soldiers charged a crowd demanding political reform and voting rights, killing as many as 18 people. Acquired with support from the Art Fund, the jug is expected to deepen understanding of the massacre's public impact and legacy alongside other Peterloo artefacts in the museum's collection.

Residents living near the Henfold Estate warehouses in Tyldesley say Whistl’s freight operations have caused persistent nighttime noise from lorries, air brakes, reversing and trailer movements. Whistl says it is complying with its interim operating licence, monitoring noise and taking measures where practicable. The licence restricts nighttime vehicle movements and the use of horns and reversing alarms, creating an apparent conflict with routine horn-testing guidance. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner says operators should adopt a sensible, risk-based approach. Wigan Council is working with the company and residents to explore mitigation, while the regulator considers Whistl’s application for a full licence.

Three base jumpers from the group LMSD bypassed locked windows at Blackpool Tower using a specialist tool before parachuting onto a nearby building and the promenade. Blackpool Tourism Ltd condemned the act as extremely dangerous and launched an internal inquiry while alerting police. LMSD defended the jump as meticulously planned, disputing claims about window security. Lancashire Police opened an investigation and appealed for additional information or footage.

Authorities across North West England issued warnings about the dangers of open water after two men died in separate reservoir incidents in Greater Manchester. Police, fire services, and coastguard teams reported increased risks as hot weather drew more people to reservoirs and the coast, highlighting the dangers of cold water shock, strong currents, and restricted escape points. Safety experts urged swimmers to choose lifeguarded beaches, follow red and yellow flag markers, and use techniques such as floating to live if in difficulty. Emergency services also cautioned against attempting rescues and advised calling 999 or 112 instead.

Fish and chip shops across north-west England report severe working conditions as temperatures exceed 30C, with staff describing kitchen heat as extreme and in some cases forcing early closures. Business impacts vary by location, with coastal outlets seeing increased demand while inland shops often experience a drop in sales. Many owners implement measures such as increased breaks, relaxed uniforms, and additional staff to maintain operations. Delivery orders generally rise as customers avoid going out in the heat, and shop owners emphasize balancing customer reliance with staff well-being.

Police arrested and bailed a man in his 40s on suspicion of murdering a woman found dead after a fire in stables at Higher Tunshill Farm in Milnrow, Rochdale. Firefighters were called to the blaze shortly after midday on Friday, and an investigation into the circumstances of the death continues.

A 13‑year investigation led to the conviction of Medicina Ltd and director Kenneth Harrison for illegally supplying improperly certified medical devices used to feed newborns in critical care units worldwide. The MHRA found feeding pumps, gastrostomy buttons and blunt fill needles had been placed on the market with invalid CE markings, resulting in their use across UK hospitals despite lacking required safety assessments. Authorities described the conduct as dishonest and confirmed confiscation proceedings to recover profits. The company stated the offences occurred under former ownership and that its operations have since been restructured. Harrison will be sentenced in September.

An organiser of the Indian Cultural Festival in Blackpool emphasises the event’s goal of breaking down barriers and fostering community cohesion. The Fylde Coast Hindu Society plans to showcase Indian culture through dance, music and food while encouraging connections among diverse communities. Chairman Chirag Khajuria highlights the festival’s role in dispelling misconceptions and promoting understanding as it returns for its fourth year on the Comedy Carpet.

A convicted murderer, Paul Sharpe, admitted kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15‑year‑old girl in Greater Manchester after holding her captive for eight hours. He pleaded guilty to six offences including kidnapping, sexual assault and threats with a blade, and will be sentenced in September. Police located him through CCTV inquiries, arresting him in a hotel car park. Sharpe claimed he was distressed and did not intend sexual motives, but prosecutors condemned his actions and praised the victim’s cooperation.

An assessment by Lancashire County Council found no evidence of a kidney cancer cluster near the former ICI chemical plant in Thornton-Cleveleys, where PFOA contamination has been detected. Local MP Lorraine Beavers criticised the investigation as too narrow, arguing that other cancers and health effects linked to PFOA should have been examined. Public health director Dr Sakthi Karunanithi said the study initially screened all cancers but focused on kidney cancer after detecting a potential signal that warranted further review. Soil sampling identified elevated PFOA levels at several properties, and two nearby allotments were closed as a precaution while broader environmental investigations by the Environment Agency and Wyre Council continue.