The Met Office has issued thunderstorm warnings across the UK for bank holiday Monday. The yellow warnings, which covers parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, are in force for most of the afternoon and evening.
26.04.2024 - 17:15 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Britain is bracing for a record invasion of the toxic Giant Hogweed due to mild and wet weather conditions, experts have warned.
The invasive species, known as the UK's 'most dangerous' plant, has seen an early boom this year. The sap of the Giant Hogweed can cause severe burns that blister within 48 hours, often resulting in hospitalisation and permanent scarring.
In the past, landowners and gardeners who failed to clear the plant from their properties have been issued with anti-social behaviour orders. Now, Britain is preparing for a "huge year for the proliferation" of Giant Hogweed after the plant was spotted much earlier in the year than anticipated.
READ MORE: Captain Sir Tom Moore's home where he walked 100 laps of garden for NHS is up for sale at £2.2 million
The plant, scientifically known as Heracleum Mantegazzianum, can grow up to six metres tall. Keith Gallacher, director of Complete Weed Control in Scotland, who handle ground maintenance and tree management, noticed young shoots of the rapidly-spreading plant emerging from winter dormancy in March.
Mr Gallacher said: "Our teams saw the much-earlier-than-expected appearance of the young Giant Hogweed during routine inspections in East Lothian, near Musselburgh. With such an early start, and with the rate of growth of which the plants are capable, it is likely that 2024 will be a bumper year for this rapacious invader."
Like many invasive species, such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, it was brought to the UK as an architectural oddity, but now it has escaped and, without any natural enemies, it grows into dense colonies, especially along watercourses. "It is part of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, parsnip, cumin, coriander and
The Met Office has issued thunderstorm warnings across the UK for bank holiday Monday. The yellow warnings, which covers parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, are in force for most of the afternoon and evening.
UK borrowers may have to wait longer to see interest rates come down, as policy-makers look set to hold out for stronger signs that the cost of living crisis has subsided. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets the level of UK interest rates, will announce its latest decision on Thursday.
Prince Harry will return to the UK on Wednesday, 8 May for the 10-year anniversary service of the Invictus Games at St Paul's Cathedral. Despite this celebration, no other members of the Royal Family, or Meghan Markle, will be present to mark the occasion.The Mirror reports that while the Duke of Sussex will manage to fit in a meeting with his father on his return to London, he is not expected to see his brother, the Prince of Wales, despite wishing to, as "now is not the time.” A source told the publication: "Their relationship remains extremely fractured.
As the UK eagerly awaits its first heatwave of the year, green-fingered Brits are preparing to transform their gardens into lush summer havens.
UK holidaymakers heading abroad this year are being warned to stay wary of a hidden charge that could impact the budget they have set by for their trip.
A former NHS psychiatrist who says he was bullied so badly he couldn’t eat or sleep says he left the country for Canada to escape the 'toxic' workforce.
Police and the Welsh government have issued over parking in Snowdonia this Bank Holiday weekend. It comes after dozens of cars were towed away from the area when it was thronged with visitors at Easter.
Six warning signs of the silent killer condition that can appear in the legs. Elevated cholesterol, also known as hypercholesterolemia, is a potentially fatal condition, where there's too much of a fatty substance known as cholesterol in your blood. Although it may not be problematic initially, over time it can increase your likelihood of developing serious health issues - including heart attacks and strokes.
High cholesterol is a serious health issue that shouldn't be ignored and can manifest itself all over the body - including legs.
King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla have officially marked one year since the crowning ceremony held at Westminster Abbey.
Experts are warning people in the UK to be on the lookout for warning symptoms of a common cancer - including a little-known sign that can be spotted in your legs.
A Home Bargains enthusiast has taken to social media to rave about their latest find - a 'lovely' garden mirror that's been snagged for the 'perfect price'. The budget-savvy shopper shared images of their newly adorned garden on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group.
Millions of Brits will now be venturing outside to sort their gardens out ahead of the summer. There are many ways that you can improve your outdoor space from laying down new decking or patio, to sorting the hedges or even adding in a garden room.
Founded by Gordon Rigg himself, the Garden Centre began as just a greenhouse, a shed, and a small selection of garden tools. However, fuelled by his passion for gardening and a vision for growth, Gordon Rigg's Centres have flourished over the decades, expanding exponentially to become one of the largest garden centres in the North West.
Christie Brinkley is supporting Billy Joel at his latest show!
BBC news presenter Huw Edwards was warned about his conduct online two years before the scandal that triggered his departure from the corporation, The Sunday Times reports.
Madonna after the singer made him wait “six hours” for a television interview.The presenter has spoken about the incident on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, recalling being furious that he was forced to wait until the early hours to get to speak to the Queen of Pop.“I was so angry,” he told his co-host Susannah Reid, explaining that the interview, which was “years ago”, “didn’t start until about one in the morning”.When Reid asked whether the interview was “worth waiting for”, he replied: “No it wasn’t, actually. She was weird”.It comes as Madonna is being sued for late starts to her concerts, with three fans claiming that the singer broke the law by arriving on stage two hours late at a pair of gigs at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
The Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning for people flying to France as flyers are urged not to head to the airport without checking with their airline.
Dunelm's chic garden storage box, which also serves as a comfy bench, is earning rave reviews from outdoor enthusiasts.The Hudson 2 Seater Storage Bench has been applauded for its "handy dry storage" capabilities and its comfort factor – becoming the garden must-have. Keeping gardening tools and other essentials organised can be challenging for many of us, hence the surge in popularity of storage boxes, particularly among those lacking the space for a shed or garage. Dunelm's affordable solution offers a "spacious interior" that not only provides brilliant storage but can seat two adults to relax during the summer months.
Rawandan-British actor Ncuti Gatwa is on the rise with roles in “Sex Education,” “Barbie,” and currently, as the lead of “Doctor Who,” the wildly popular BBC sci-fi comedy series that first aired in 1963. Gatwa’s casting in “Doctor Who” saw the actor face an extreme level of racist backlash, reminding us all over again of the sexism that fellow “Doctor Who” alumni Jodie Whittaker experienced when she was hired to play the Doctor in 2017 (the role has mostly been portrayed by white men so far).