Life Style

An investigation took place over allegations of gross misconduct (stock image) (Image: Getty)A Lidl worker was sacked after drinking a 17p bottle of water because he felt "dehydrated" whilst on checkout duty, an employment tribunal has heard. Julian Oxborough had worked at the supermarket's Wincanton branch in Somerset for more than a decade before losing his job.An employment tribunal has now thrown out his claim for unfair dismissal. On 19 July, 2024, Mr Oxborough served a shopper at the till who wanted to buy a bottle of water that had been taken from a multipack and didn't have a barcode.The shopper swapped the multipack bottle for one with a barcode and abandoned the original bottle at the checkout. The tribunal was told that later during his shift, Mr Oxborough drank from the bott...

A driving instructor has detailed the meaning behind a common road sign (stock image) (Image: Getty)A driving instructor has detailed exactly what a potentially “confusing” road sign means to help people who are learning to drive pass their theory tests. There are hundreds of road signs on UK roads, all accredited by the Highway Code.Traffic signs are used to give orders, offer warnings or directions, provide information and notice of road works.Though many drivers see them everyday, with so many signs to keep track of, it’s no surprise when some people need a little refresher of their meaning.Annie is a professional driving instructor who amassed a devoted following on social media, where she breaks down driving rules and shares easy to understand tips and tricks to help learners remem...

As the days get lighter and the weather a bit milder, shoppers might be looking for the perfect transitional jacket to take them through to the next season. M&S might have just the style, with one happy customer calling the Air-Yarn Pocket Detail Knitted Jacket 'gorgeous' and 'beautifully made'.The chic jacket costs £38 and comes in four colours: light beige, black, mid grey and chilli (vibrant red), with sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. Made from 'breathable air-yarn', M&S says this makes it a 'comfy choice', particularly as the jacket has a bit of stretch to it. With a timeless boxy shape, two front pockets and a collared neckline, this is the kind of jacket that would go well with an office look, or dressed down with jeans and trainers. Either wear on its own, o...

The anonymous caller said she fell pregnant with her dad's baby (Image: GETTY)A woman has said she was raped by her own father over a horrific three-year ordeal and subsequently gave birth to his child. Speaking under anonymity on the Other People's Lives podcast, the 22-year-old recalled once believing she had a "good relationship" with her father, only to later realise that his behaviour was far from normal.She remembered him regularly exposing her to explicit content on adult websites and television, parading around naked, and even supplying her with cannabis as a teenager.When asked when she first sensed something was wrong, she pinpointed it to around the age of 13 when he began making sexual comments about her friends. "I remember being in the car and he mentioned one of my friend...

Fresh flowers are meant to brighten your home with colour and a natural scent, but they can quickly start to rot and smell unpleasant if they’re not cared for properly. One florist has warned that many people unknowingly shorten the life of their bouquets within days. The good news is that keeping flowers fresh isn’t complicated; it just comes down to following a few key habits.The expert at If The Florist shared: "You expected a delightful fragrance to fill the room, but instead, you're greeted with a stench that could clear the house. Don’t worry—you’re not alone in this floral horror story." Here’s how to keep them fresh with four simple steps.1.  StemsThe florist states that in order to keep flowers fresh, you should cut about an inch off the bottom of the stems every couple of days...

Five major high street shops confirm closures in 2026 - shoppers left ‘genuinely gutted’ (Image: Getty)The UK’s high streets have had a rough few years. With shoppers going online more and more, several household name brands fell into administration, leading many stores to close their doors. In 2024, more than 13,000 high street shops shut down, as reported by the Centre for Retail Research. While official statistics for 2025 are not available yet, it is believed that the number of store closures was even higher that year.Unfortunately, Britain’s high streets are bracing for a tough year ahead, as more store closures are already scheduled for 2026. Here are the five major retailers confirmed to be closing branches in 2026. Read more: Asda set to introduce major change on Saturday for s...

Several foods have been recalled over the past few weeks, including a popular brand of oven chips (Image: Getty)Over the past couple of weeks, several food items have been urgently recalled, with shoppers warned not to eat them. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a string of food and allergy alerts for a range of different products sold at supermarkets all over the UK. Food items are often recalled due to label misprints, which could pose a risk for anyone with allergies or intolerances. Other things like foreign bodies or the presence of harmful bacteria are also reasons for recall. Here's a list of all the major food recalls in February you need to know about, with products like oven chips, desserts and snacks all affected.  Read more: Farmfoods recalls popular snack from she...

Several urgent product recall notices have been issued this week, with shoppers strongly advised to cease using the affected items immediately. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has refreshed its list to include children's books, a pushchair and a Valentine's Day present.Certain products present potential hazards to users, whilst others have been refused entry at UK borders owing to significant risks. Some recalled items were manufactured and distributed to buyers several years ago. Individuals possessing the products are instructed to verify barcodes and serial numbers to confirm whether their items are affected.For additional queries or concerns, the OPSS advises contacting the original point of purchase.Children's booksMultiple Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee books have bee...

A popular fashion brand is coming to the UK, with stores set to open in summer 2026. Lefties, a clothing retailer with prices that could rival Primark, has confirmed it will be opening its first-ever locations in Britain.Owned by retail giant Inditex — the parent company behind fashion giants including Zara, Pull&Bear and Bershka — Lefties is a Spanish brand known for its affordable and trendy fashion. The move will see the company open its first physical stores in the UK after success in other Euorpean countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and France.Lefties has confirmed that its first two UK stores will open at:Lakeside shopping centre in EssexLiverpool ONE shopping centreMore details on opening dates and potential future expansion are expected later this year.Lefties already ...

Pasta instructions are to be ignored, according to one home cook (Stock Image) (Image: Getty)A home cook has gone to the effort of calculating how long you need to cook every single type of pasta for, in order for it to be al dente, which literally translates to ‘to the tooth,’ meaning it’s slightly harder than the soft pasta you may be used to.If you like your pasta cooked this way, then read on. If you’re sick of following the box instructions and getting “mush” for your evening meal, heed this advice instead.The methodology for the home cook, who posted their advice on Reddit’s cooking forum, was they used the “same brand (Barilla) for consistency where possible”. They used “4 quarts water per pound, 1 tbsp salt per quart, rolling boil before adding pasta, tested every 30 seconds sta...