Southend ranked 14 in the newspapers list, with Leeds City Centre claiming the top spot. The list by The Times prioritised housing prices when forming their list, and Southend has often been praised as a good place for first time buyers. Readers of the Echo have agreed with The Times' ranking of the south Essex residence, with some commenting the following:Tracie Breakey said: "Great place to live great schools, two train lines, beach and its own airport and very easy to get to London then back to the coast so great commute too." Julie Barns added further praise: "Something for everyone beach, parks, open spaces, great food places good connections to London." The overall response has been mixed, but one thing for sure is that Southend is receiving plenty of positive recognition.

Oti Mabuse is a former Strictly professional (Ian West/PA)In an interview with The Times, Mabuse said: “I love Strictly. “Strictly belongs to the people, and as long as the people still love it, it will go on for years. “Claudia and Tess are … I get emotional when I talk about it, because they are just so brilliant. “Nobody really sees the work Tess has to do — that show’s live, she’s making sure it’s not running over. “But we’ve lost judges, we’ve lost pros, we’ve lost producers and the show is just itself.

The Sun reports that United are now considering a move for Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon. The January transfer window alters the landscape for Blackburn, the player, and the teams pursuing him as he approaches the end of his scholarship. January presents the final chance for Blackburn to secure a development fee for the young striker before potentially losing him in the summer. For United, significant activity this month looks doubtful, with focus already turning to the summer transfer period. Arsenal have already secured deals for Edwin and Holger Quintero from Independiente del Valle, as well as Victor Ozhianvuna from Shamrock Rovers.

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The front page of the Guardian, external shows a burning building, and fire engulfing a row of cars in Tehran, with the headline saying Iran is preparing for "violent clashes". The Telegraph, external says Ali Khamenei is facing his "gravest threat" - and that he fears defections by the armed forces and police. The Telegraph, external carries an article by the shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, in which he says British police forces are "giving in to Islamists". The i Weekend, external says the government will "ramp up" measures to close asylum hotels, with evictions beginning in the spring. The i quotes a senior Labour MP as saying they expect "big movement" on the closure of asylum hotels in "the next couple of months".

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The Gallivant Littlestone Beach in Kent was named in a list by The Times, highlighting 24 of the best new hotels across the UK. The Kent beachfront hotel you need to visit this yearLittlestone Beach, near New Romney, in Kent's Romney Marsh area, offers views across the shingle beach, the sea and beyond. The Littlestone Beach hotel will host 13 bedrooms with a Hamptons-style glamour throughout, according to The Times. On Tripadvisor, The Gallivant Camber Sands has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 from more than 2,450 reviews. The Gallivant Littlestone Beach is expected to open in Summer 2026.

Atypify, a UK-based charity, has launched the scheme to support neurodivergent individuals aged 14 to 25. The workshops, which take place in north London, will focus on building confidence and pathways into further education and employment. Lara Akinnawo, co-founder of Atypify, said: "Too many neurodivergent people are excluded from education and employment because systems are not designed with them in mind. "These workshops are about empowering individuals, building confidence and ensuring they have the tools and support they need to succeed on their own terms." Atypify also hopes the workshops will help increase wider understanding of neurodiversity and promote more inclusive environments in education and the workplace.

As well as appearing in print, our death notice pages will remain online as a lasting tribute to the memory of those we have lost. Anyone who wishes to send their own message of condolence can do so by visiting the deceased's death notice page. Here are the most recent notices placed in The Oldham Times:Pam TaylorThe funeral of the late Mrs Pam Taylor, will take place on Friday 19th December 2025, with service at St Anne's Church, Royton at 12:00 noon, prior to Committal at Oldham Crematorium (Hollinwood). Read Pam Taylor's full death noticeMichael Patrick DayPassed away peacefully on 18th November 2025 aged 79 years.Requiem Mass to take place at SS Aidan &Read Michael Patrick Day's full death noticeMore death noticesYou can see all our death notices here, or you can place a death notice here.

A man who coerced a woman into having sex with more than 100 strangers over three decades has been jailed for a minimum term of 16 years. Rodney Johnston threatened the woman if she did not comply with his demands to engage in a range of sex acts with men at secluded countryside locations as well as in cars and in hotels, the court has heard. The 67-year-old, from Starston in Norfolk, was found guilty after a trial in September, which also heard he photographed and filmed the abuse. Sentencing him to life in prison at Norwich Crown Court, Judge Alice Robinson said the victim's impact statement was "harrowing" and showed "the severe and lifelong impact" of the abuse.

B & M Retail Limited has applied to Somerset Council to sell alcohol at a new B&M Store, which was a former Wilko, located on 62/64 East Street, Taunton. READ MORE: B&M confirm new store in Taunton after works beginREAD MORE: B&M signs go up ahead of planned opening in TauntonIf approved, the licence will allow for the sale of alcohol from 7am to 11pm over seven days. Members of the public can view the licence application on Somerset Council's website under the 'object to a licence application' section. B&M applies for alcohol license at new site, formerly a Wilko in Taunton. When asked if B&M planned to open at the former Wilko site in Taunton, a spokesperson from B&M told the County Gazette: "Yes, this store will be opening early next year.

LONDON: The UEA has removed Britain from the list of countries Emirati students can study at on government scholarships due to fears of radicalisation by Muslim Brotherhood on university campuses.The UAE ministry of higher education and scientific research maintains an approved list of universities and majors eligible for scholarships for Emirati students studying abroad. The majority of students take these scholarships. “The UAE does not want their kids to be radicalised on campus,” the UAE official told the newspaper. Officials also told the UK Times that “funding for the UK was being cut owing to the influence of Muslim Brotherhood on campuses”.Emirati families can still pay out of their own pockets to send children to the UK.The UAE designated Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation in 2014. Fortunately, Indian students have typically not been drawn into such movements, but nonetheless we advise all our students to exercise caution on campus.”

Sad sign of the times as 400-year-old North Staffordshire pub shut for JanuaryIt's back open in FebruaryView Image Inside The Yew Tree Inn, in Cauldon (Image: )One of North Staffordshire's most-iconic pubs is shut throughout January. The Yew Tree Inn was last open on New Year's Day and will remain closed until Sunday 1 February. ‌In a social media post to drinkers, The Yew Tree Inn stated: "The Yew Tree Inn will be closed from January 2 to January 31. The pub trade is struggling with unprecedented difficulties which are unlikely to change and are ultimately leading to many more rural pubs closing. The Yew Tree Inn, having flourished for 400 years is not immune from the factors that are causing this rapid decline of the traditional boozer.

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