Matthew Dougherty

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has sharply reduced elective-care waiting times, with most patients now starting routine treatment within the NHS’s 18-week target and fewer than 0.8% waiting more than a year. Changes include community clinics for more than 500 dermatology patients, one-visit vascular testing, and additional clinics including at weekends. Cancer services are also reported to be performing strongly. The Trust rose 24 places in the latest national acute-trust performance table to 98th out of 134, while continuing plans to modernize facilities and expand care closer to home across Chester, Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas.

Bishop Heber High School in Malpas recorded strong GCSE results, with 83% of Year 11 grades at Grade 4 or above, 66% at Grade 5 or higher, and more than 28% at Grades 7–9. Beth Manson achieved seven Grade 9s, while several students earned six Grade 9s or multiple top-level grades. More than 90% of grades in subjects including biology, chemistry, English language, French, music and physics were at Grade 4 or above. School leaders praised students, families and staff for their hard work, resilience and personal growth, with many students expected to continue into the school’s sixth form.

The Whitby High School celebrated its highest-ever proportion of top GCSE grades, with record results in English and strong performances in science, ethics, creative subjects, German and French. Headteacher Geraldine Fraser praised students and staff, while several pupils were highlighted for achieving multiple grades 8 and 9 results. Sixth-form enrolment was reportedly particularly busy, including a rising number of external applicants.

Fire crews attended a fire in the living room of a two-storey detached property on York Drive in Mickle Trafford near Chester at about 11:25 a.m. Two crews extinguished the fire using breathing apparatus and a hose reel, accounted for all occupants, and ventilated the property. The fire was believed to have been caused by a battery.

Further talks are planned between the RMT and CAF Rail after three rounds of strikes by workers at CAF Rail’s Chester Traincare Depot, who are employed on the Transport for Wales contract. The dispute concerns pay, increased anti-social hours and weekend working. The RMT says CAF Rail has refused to improve its offer and retaliated against workers by restricting overtime after lawful industrial action. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey urged the company to resume meaningful negotiations, while CAF Rail had not provided a comment.

Becki Barratt, a 34-year-old health and fitness coach from Chester, suffered a stroke while breastfeeding her three-week-old son Beau, leaving the left side of her body paralysed. Doctors treated her with thrombolysis after an initial CT scan showed no stroke, and an MRI confirmed a clot in her brain. Her recovery involved hospital care and intensive physiotherapy, while the cause remains under investigation. Barratt is sharing her experience through the Stroke Association to raise awareness that strokes can affect younger, fit and healthy people, and she aims to run the London Marathon in 2027.

Two fire crews from Powey Lane and Ellesmere Port responded to a hay baler fire in a field on Mudhouse Lane near Neston. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose-reel jets to extinguish the blaze and dampen the surrounding area after the fire began spreading into the field.

Adam Baker, 29, admitted handling a stolen Game of Thrones DVD boxset taken from HMV in Chester and attempting to sell it to CEX shortly after leaving prison. The court heard he had numerous previous convictions and that his offending was linked to heavy alcohol and cocaine use. Chester Magistrates Court imposed a 12-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days, revoked two conditional discharges, and ordered him to pay HMV £180 in compensation.

Jake O'Hare, 34, of Runcorn, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court to possessing class B cannabis and driving with cannabis above the legal blood limit after police stopped his Audi in Ellesmere Port. A blood test recorded 4.2 micrograms per litre, exceeding the 2-microgram limit, and officers found illicit cannabis in the vehicle. The defence said O'Hare had a medicinal-cannabis licence following a serious assault but had bought street cannabis after his prescription was running out. He was fined £120, ordered to pay a £48 surcharge and £85 in costs, and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Sick to Death, Chester’s museum of medical history, is celebrating its 10th anniversary after attracting more than 250,000 visitors since opening in 2016. Founder and Big Heritage CEO Dean Paton explains that the attraction combines playful presentation with rigorous academic research, covering the history of illness, healthcare and medical misinformation. Its popularity extends to families and couples, including a recent engagement held at the museum. Big Heritage also operates the nearby Deva Roman Experience and supports Chester Pride, while planning a third attraction to further contribute to Chester’s visitor economy.

Nationwide will hold a special event at its Chester city-centre branch on August 18 to mark 150 years of banking connections in the city. The branch’s history dates to the 1876 founding of the Chester and North Wales Building Society, while Nationwide first opened locally in 1933 and later took over the former society’s business in 2008. The event will involve customers, staff and Dementia UK representatives. Nationwide also highlighted its pledge to keep every branch open until at least 2030, dementia clinics delivered with Admiral Nurses, and plans to install defibrillators and bleed-control kits at all branches, including Chester.

Tom Jones and Nile Rodgers & CHIC performed for a sold-out crowd of 17,000 at Chester Racecourse, making it the venue’s largest single-day event. Rodgers opened with CHIC classics and career collaborations, while Jones delivered a 17-song set and encore featuring several signature hits and covers. Chester Race Company said the concert was a major success and emphasized the economic benefits that large events bring to local businesses, hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Ryan Shead, 33, was jailed for 20 months at Liverpool Crown Court after being convicted of three counts of recording images under women's clothing without consent and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. He was detained after bar security staff reported him filming women on Wood Street in Liverpool. Merseyside Police praised the staff's quick response and highlighted its efforts to improve safety in the city centre, including the Halo Points safe spaces.

Bradley Thompson, 40, of Aintree, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 14 years in prison after EncroChat messages linked him to conspiracies to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis, produce heroin, and handle criminal property. Using the handle “Mindwaiter,” he was found to have brokered the supply of 135kg of heroin, 6kg of cocaine and 10kg of cannabis across the UK between March and June 2020. Merseyside Police said the case formed part of Operation Aquarium and the wider Operation Venetic investigation into EncroChat users, while also highlighting Project Medusa’s work against county lines crime.

The A550 Welsh Road near Chester was closed in both directions after a collision involving two cars between the A540 Parkgate Road and Woodbank Lane. Firefighters from Powey Lane and Ellesmere Port rescued one casualty and assessed two others before handing them to paramedics, while police closed the road. The southbound carriageway later reopened, but northbound traffic remained closed and slow.

Jason Wheeler, 49, of Green Lane, Great Boughton, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He allegedly communicated with an undercover police decoy account portraying a girl under 16, requesting sexually explicit conduct and making comments indicating sexual attraction. The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report, and Wheeler was granted conditional bail pending sentencing.

Upton-by-Chester High School celebrated another strong set of A-Level and vocational results for its Class of 2026. Almost one-third of grades were A* to A and more than 60% were A* to B. Yalinya Ekanayaka achieved four A*s, while several other students earned multiple top grades and secured places at universities including Oxford, Manchester and Cardiff. Other students are progressing to apprenticeships, employment and specialist training, including Cecelia Robb’s place at Norland College.

Ellesmere Port Church of England College is celebrating strong A-level results, with students progressing to universities including Queen Mary University of London, the University of Liverpool and Manchester Metropolitan University. Other students have secured apprenticeships with organisations including TTE, Airbus and Bank of America, while some are moving directly into employment. Principal Paula Phillips praised students, staff and families for their hard work and wished the graduating students success in their next steps.

Students at Christleton High School in Chester celebrated strong A-Level and BTEC results, with the school highlighting the hard work, resilience and determination behind their achievements. Several top-performing students were named, including Heidi Burkinshaw and Brandon Hearfield, who each achieved two A* grades. School leaders said students were moving on to universities, apprenticeships, employment, training and other opportunities, while praising staff and families for their support.

Cheshire College South & West students in Ellesmere Port are celebrating strong A-Level, BTEC and T-Level results. Fifteen A-Level subjects achieved a 100% pass rate, while Law, Mathematics, English Language and Psychology were among the highest-performing subjects. BTEC students recorded a 99% qualification success rate, and T-Level students achieved a 94.2% overall pass rate, with five courses reaching 100%. Principal and CEO Jasbir Dhesi praised students’ resilience and said they were progressing to university, apprenticeships, employment or further study.

Four fire crews attended a late-night incident at a property on Sydney Road, near Chester city centre. Firefighters extinguished a small cooking-related fire, rescued one person who was uninjured, and used a large fan to clear smoke from the property.

Students in Chester, Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas are preparing to receive their A-Level results. The Chester and District Standard is inviting students, parents and schools to submit results, photographs and personal experiences for coverage in a live blog featuring schools and colleges across Cheshire West.

Chester and surrounding areas are expected to have good conditions for viewing the partial solar eclipse, with clear and sunny skies, dry weather and little cloud forecast. The Met Office cautions that high-level cloud could make viewing more difficult, while Cheshire and much of northern England have a good chance of unobstructed views. The eclipse is expected to begin around 6:13 p.m., reach maximum coverage between 7:05 and 7:16 p.m., and end by 8:10 p.m.; viewers are advised to observe it safely.

Marcin Golembowski was fined £807, ordered to pay a £323 surcharge and £85 in court costs, and received eight penalty points after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to report an accident. He had struck dog walker Matthew Roberts while turning into Castlecroft Road in Lache, stopped briefly, but failed to provide his details or notify police. Roberts later reported headaches and possible whiplash and concussion. Golembowski said he had not seen Roberts because the sun was in his eyes and misunderstood his continuing duty to report the incident.

Anthony Goss, 19, and Carter Johnson, 20, of Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to two counts of being concerned in the supply of ketamine and cannabis. Goss was sentenced to 24 months in a young offenders’ institution, while Johnson received a drug rehabilitation order and 80 hours of unpaid work; both were ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge. Police recovered more than £2,500 worth of drugs, along with five e-bikes and two e-scooters allegedly used in the operation. Four other suspects arrested during a warrant at Flint Court remain on police bail while enquiries continue.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has begun a six-week consultation on using automatic number plate recognition cameras to enforce traffic restrictions at 11 potential locations across the borough. Four sites would initially be selected, including locations in Chester, with further enforcement planned in 2027 subject to available resources. The council says its first phase of Moving Traffic Enforcement reduced contraventions by about 68%, and it is seeking public feedback before making implementation decisions.

Fire crews responded to a blaze on Hale Road in Hale, Cheshire, which began in a garage containing a car and spread to a nearby house. Teams from Cheshire and Merseyside attended, using breathing equipment, extinguishing equipment and thermal imaging cameras while removing burning straw to prevent further spread. The cause remains under investigation.

A water pipe burst beside Whitby Road in Ellesmere Port while United Utilities engineers were restoring supply to a nearby block of flats. The incident sent a jet of water over the road, prompted a lane closure and was captured on video by resident Rob Campbell. United Utilities said the burst was quickly repaired and that water supplies to the flats were fully restored.

Kashif Rehman and Khalid Yassin were sentenced at Chester Crown Court to three years and eight months and three years respectively for offences including supplying heroin and crack cocaine. The case followed reports of threats at an Ellesmere Port address allegedly being used for drug dealing, with police recovering cannabis, phones, messages, packaging and weighing equipment that linked the men to the operation. Cheshire Police urged residents to report suspected drug dealing.

Two fire crews attended a commercial premises on Herons Way in Chester after reports of a strong smell of burning. Firefighters found two melted lithium batteries, isolated the electrics, allowed the batteries to vent, and monitored the site with gas-monitoring equipment and thermal imaging cameras. Nearby properties were advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.

The Stanley Arms in Chester has reopened after a four-week refurbishment overseen by Punch Pub’s Unity Social concept. New landlady Claire McCormick and her partner John Woodrow have refreshed the historic pub while retaining features such as its fireplaces and bar, adding space for live music, pool, darts and a front terrace. They aim to make the venue a welcoming community hub offering affordable drinks, events and support for local initiatives. Further improvements, including a rear beer garden, are planned for a second phase.

Firefighters from Runcorn, Powey Lane and Ellesmere Port, along with a weekday fire engine, responded to a large field fire on Bank House Lane in Frodsham. Crews surrounded the fire and worked to dampen it and bring it under control, while nearby residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed if affected by smoke and to avoid the area.

David Abraham, 63, of Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court to driving with an alcohol level above the legal limit after police stopped him for disregarding a mini roundabout. His lowest breath-test reading was 60 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres, against a limit of 35. The court heard that losing his licence could cost him his job as a commercial joiner. He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £120 fine, a £48 surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Jonathon Drinkwater, 43, of Saltney, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court to two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Prosecutors said he asked a 15-year-old girl about her bra size, requested images of her breasts and sought to exchange photographs. The prosecution identified a starting point of about one year in custody, but magistrates retained sentencing powers. Drinkwater was released on unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced on August 28 with the aid of a pre-sentence report.

Aldi is seeking suitable freehold, leasehold or long-leasehold sites to open stores in West Widnes, Hartford and Handforth as part of its UK expansion. The retailer says the new locations would improve access to affordable food and create jobs, with store assistants earning at least £13.50 per hour nationally. Aldi plans to invest more than £370 million in new stores this year and ultimately operate 1,500 locations across the UK.

Firefighters tackled a large blaze at a bungalow and outbuilding in Cox Bank near Audlem, Cheshire, which also spread to grass and hedges. Crews from several stations and neighboring fire services used breathing apparatus, water jets, a bowser, an aerial ladder platform and a drone unit. Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed because of heavy smoke, while roads were closed and people were asked to avoid the area. All people were accounted for, and firefighters remained into the evening to dampen down hotspots.

LovelyLocks Hair Salon and Training Academy in Whitby, Ellesmere Port, is celebrating its eighth anniversary after expanding into a larger, newly renovated space and growing its team to seven staff members. Founded by hair extension specialist Charlotte Littlewood, the salon has added private areas for clients experiencing hair loss and quieter spaces for customers who prefer a calmer appointment. It also provides specialist hair extension training, with further investment in the team and local community planned.

A Traveller group has left Westminster Car Park in Ellesmere Port after occupying council-owned land without authorisation. Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed the departure after instructing the group to leave. The encampment was one of four in the town; groups at Whitby Lane and Hartford Way had also received Section 77 notices, while a group at Blue Planet Car Park was due to be assessed by the Cheshire and Warrington Traveller Team.

Cheshire Police arrested four males after a beige Citroën C3 linked to suspected burglaries in Staffordshire fled an attempted stop near Alsager. Officers used a stinger to stop the vehicle, while a police helicopter and dog helped locate three suspects who ran from the scene. The suspects, aged 16 to 24, face allegations including dangerous driving, failing to stop, knife possession and vehicle theft; two remain in custody and two teenagers have been bailed pending further inquiries.

A special Chester food tour organized by Walking Food Tours UK founder Gareth Boyd raised £400 for Children Today Charitable Trust. Boyd waived his tour fee, while Pars Kahve and Artezzan made additional donations. The event combined local history with food and drink at Chester venues and will help the charity provide specialist equipment, including adapted trikes, wheelchairs, seating and buggies, to disabled children and young people across the UK.

James Walker, 30, received an 876‑day prison sentence after admitting to stealing two vehicles and burgling a children’s home in Chester in 2025. Appearing via video link from HMP Berwyn, he declined to seek legal representation and expressed a desire to change his behavior. Judge Simon Berkson cited mitigating factors including homelessness and substance abuse. Walker will serve up to half of his sentence in custody before release on licence.

Endangered Montseny brook newts bred at Chester Zoo have been released at a protected site in Catalonia as part of an international recovery effort. The zoo introduced 32 individuals into the wild while continuing to rear more than a hundred for future releases. Conservationists report the species retains unexpectedly strong genetic diversity despite its critically low numbers. Strict biosecurity, specialized breeding setups and ongoing monitoring support the programme, with zoo staff describing the release as a significant conservation milestone.

Residents of Princes Road in Ellesmere Port won £1,000 each in the Postcode Lottery daily draw, with double winnings for players holding two tickets. The draw was supported by the Postcode Society Trust, part of a network of postcode trusts, and the lottery donates at least 30 percent of ticket revenue to charitable causes, contributing more than £1.8 billion to date.

Cheshire West and Chester Council now requires residents to register their vehicles before using household waste recycling centres, aiming to curb unauthorised commercial use and manage demand. The system uses number plate recognition and replaces paper permits, allowing 30 visits per household each year. The change supports the council’s long-term waste strategy, with assistance available for residents needing help registering.

Traffic on the M53 northbound near Ellesmere Port was temporarily halted due to an obstruction between junctions 5 and 4, causing delays of at least 15 minutes while removal work took place, with stationary traffic extending back to Hooton.