Life Style

We’ve teamed up with Aintree Racecourse to give Express readers half-price tickets to The Randox Grand National Festival. This great offer is valid on Opening Day (Thursday April 9) within the Festival Zone enclosure at the racecourse.Enjoy access to watch world-class racing, enjoy fantastic live music and entertainment, plenty of food and drink and the opportunity to see top class horses with four grade one races to kick off the three-day event.The Randox Grand National Festival is horse racing with a difference - a national institution that draws a global audience. The half-price ticket offer is valid for Thursday, April 9 only.HOW TO CLAIM: Simply visit the Aintree website HERE. Your half price discount will already be applied when purchasing your tickets for Thursday, April 9, 2026....

A lot of traffic on the freeway (Image: Jackyenjoyphotography via Getty Images)British motorists are being warned they could incur fines of up to £1,000, fail their MOT, and potentially invalidate their car insurance policy if discovered with non-compliant registration plates. Whilst many drivers turn to online forums such as Reddit seeking advice about their vehicle number plates, securing expert guidance remains essential.With this in mind, motor insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk are emphasising the legal requirements as the new '26' registration plates launched on March 1.Registration plates are issued twice yearly throughout the UK and generally see a surge in buyers keen to obtain the newest plate – either to personalise their vehicle or as an investment, potentially enhancing t...

Martin Lewis chatted about what people learn when they retire that they want others to know (Image: ITV) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Martin Lewis has highlighted a "really important" life consideration that people say 'everyone should be aware of' when approaching retirement in a recent instalment of his BBC Sounds podcast.The Money Saving Expert founder regularly publishes episodes of The Martin Lewis Podcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, featuring "extra tricks and inside information you won't find anywhere else".In his latest episode, the financial expert explored retirement during his 'Tell Us' segment, discussing lessons people have discovered after finishing work that they'd now share with others beforehan...

They might appear to be relics of a bygone era, but demand for the modest cassette remains strong. CDs and digital streaming seemed to spell doom for the mixtape, yet in a tucked-away spot within Manchester's Northern Quarter, they're flying off the shelves.Credit goes to Mars Tapes — widely regarded as Britain's final cassette retailer. Operated by Alex Tadros and situated within Manchester's alternative shopping destination, Afflecks Palace, the venture has thrived and now stands poised for its latest evolution."After seven years of growth, we are entering into our third expansion," Alex says. "This time moving down to a much larger unit on the 1st floor of Afflecks Palace - one of the biggest units in the building."Mars tapes stocks an assortment of classics, a 'Rewind' collection, w...

Mother's Day is just a matter of weeks away, set to land on Sunday, March 15 this year, and you might already be thinking ahead to the perfect gift. Flowers are always a safe bet (you can see some of our favourites for under £50 here), of course, but if you fancy giving your mum something a little more special – and bagging a decent deal while you’re at it – this might be the moment to think beyond a bouquet.Jo Malone is one of those names that feels made for gifting, and if the mum in your life is anything like mine, it’s pretty much guaranteed to go down well. The brand is known for its iconic, fresh scents that work beautifully on their own or can be layered to create something completely personal. There are candles and bath and body treats too, all in the same instantly recognisable...

She can't get over her dog's new look (stock) (Image: Getty)A dog owner was left "horrified" after picking up her pet from the groomers to discover his drastic new haircut.She had shown the groomer inspiration photos, confident that her "little poodle" would be well cared for and she'd be collecting a "handsome boy".However, she was shocked when she saw him - with some social media users even likening him to a "rat" after seeing his transformation.In a TikTok video, the owner, known as @sadetdiaz online, shared before-and-after footage of her dog, captioning it: "I'm traumatised! I will be brushing him daily from now on because who is this even."She had envisioned a charming, fluffy bubble-style trim, but instead he was shaved so closely that his breed was barely discernible at first s...

One in three dog owners avoid taking their pets in the car (Image: Simon Jacobs/PinPep / SWNS)One in three dog owners have avoided taking their pets in the car. A poll of 1,000 dog-owning drivers found they have left their dog at home over concerns they won’t settle (31%) and worries they’ll be distracted while driving (24%). Other worries include not knowing how to secure them safely (19%), the mess they might leave behind (26%) and the possibility of a mid-journey toilet mishap (20%).Even getting them in and out of the car has left some owners feeling uneasy, and these fears aren’t unjustified. The study, commissioned by Škoda, automotive sponsor of Crufts for the fourth year, found 20% have endured a ‘nightmare’ journey with their four-legged friend at some point. Read more: Woman p...

Choosing where to do your weekly food shop could make a bigger difference than many shoppers realise. Recent figures show that the UK’s cheapest supermarket comes in around £24 less per trip than Tesco for a comparable basket of groceries.Over time, that price gap can translate into substantial annual savings for households looking to cut everyday costs. The new research from Which? reveals Aldi was the UK’s cheapest supermarket in February for a basket of 89 popular grocery items. This comes in at £23.93 cheaper than Morrisons.However, shopping the same basket at Sainsbury's costs £27.62 more while shoppers would have paid an extra £55.46 at Waitrose.Aldi has also recently been named Which? Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for 2025 and topped the consumer group’s rankings again in Janu...

Spring celebration season is on the way, whether it be a wedding in the calendar, or a holiday marked for the future, there are many reasons why people are racing to snap up Roman's popular Cream Floral Print Pleat Neck Midi Dress. Shoppers are calling the 'very elegant' monochrome midi dress 'great value' at £45, stocked in sizes 10 to 20.One of the most frequently noted events Roman customers are wearing this frock for is a spring or summer wedding. Not only should the dress keep wearers cool and comfortable all day, it's a figure flattering option ideal for a day where photographs will likely be taken.Someone left a review that reads: "I bought this beautiful dress it to wear for a spring wedding. It is fully lined and the material is perfect for such an occasion. I teamed it with a ...

Tonie boxes have become a hit with parents, grandparents and children alike for a while now. For those not in the know, a Toniebox is a screen-free audio player designed for children aged three and up that can play songs, stories and other educational spoken content for little ones to enjoy. The brand claims they are designed not only to entertain and educate, but to also spark their imagination.However, at full price they can retail around £90 to £100 (unless they are on sale). Each colourful speaker box comes with a magnetic character (known as a Tonie) that can be placed on top of the box to activate it. Once this happens, it automatically starts playing, which makes it super easy for little ones to use. You can purchase these little characters individually, but they typical cost aro...