Mischievous puppy sparks fire warning after turning on a microwave
Image by: Josh Hill
A pet owner today described how his mischievous puppy Bear sparked a fire scare after accidentally turning on a microwave cooker while he was out.
Josh Hill, 25, only discovered his pups antics when he checked a camera feed on his phone during work.
To his horror he saw his kitchen full of smoke and he rushed home to see if his six-month-old husky mastiff puppy was okay.
He arrived home to find a guilty-looking Bear and a room full of smoke pouring in from the kitchen.
To his astonishment, he realised cheeky Bear had managed to switch on a microwave which was on a kitchen worktop.
A packet of bread rolls which were left in the microwave began to burn causing plumes of thick smoke to billow out of the appliance.
Josh, who works in logistics, said: "He must have just jumped up and it has a knob on the microwave which he must have just brushed past and set off.
"I couldn't believe it.
"I bought a cheap camera on Amazon because Bear has the run of the whole of downstairs and I just like to keep an eye on him. We usually take him with us wherever we go but he was left for a few hours yesterday.
"I thought I'll check the camera before I leave and I saw some smoke in the corner so I rushed home and called the fire brigade.
"I walked in and saw smoke coming out of the kitchen. As soon as I came in Bear ran over to me with his ears down and head down.
"I grabbed him and put him in the garden, shut the back door, opened the windows and waited outside the front for the fire brigade."
Image by: Josh Hill
Image by: Josh Hill
With Bear safely away from the smoke, Josh waited for the fire brigade and thought about how he'd tell them about his peculiar scenario.
Josh from Essex said: "I didn't care about the house I just wanted to get him out of there. It wasn't as serious as it first looked, I was just happy that Bear was okay.
"I had put some bread buns in the microwave just to put them off the surface away from Bear and just forgot about them. I usually switch everything off but obviously we don't live in a perfect world.
"I normally take Bear to work with me or I'll take him to my mum's or doggy day car but yesterday was only a short day."
On arrival the fire brigade ventilated the house opening all the windows and using a huge fan to clear out the smoke.
Thankfully Bear was not harmed in the incident and he was back to his usual self in no time.
Josh added: "I can't really explain him. He's got a lovely temperament, every Gsingle person who sees him loves him because he is so chilled out.
"He loves sleeping- we have to get him out for a walk because he's always so chill!"
'I'm A Celeb' star and aristocrat Lady C has been sacked from turning on the Christmas lights in Prince Charles' home town - after comments about Prince Andrew
Image by: Jon Mills
'I'm A Celeb' star and aristocrat Lady C has been sacked from turning on the Christmas lights in Prince Charles' home town - after comments about Prince Andrew.
Lady Colin Campbell had been set to appear at the switch-on in Tetbury, Glos., on December 6.
The posh market town is located right on the doorstep of Prince Charles' Highgrove House estate.
But the 70-year-old's appearance has now been pulled by furious organisers after she said 'soliciting sex was not the same as paedophilia'.
Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain yesterday (Tues), Lady C made the comment when discussing the scandal-hit Duke of York and disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
Image by: Jon Mills
Image by: Jon Mills
She said: "You all seem to have forgotten that Jeffrey Epstein, the offence with which he was charged and for which he was imprisoned, was for soliciting prostitution from minors.
"That is not the same thing as paedophilia."
A statement from Tetbury Town Council said: "The Town Council has been advised by the organisers of the Christmas Lights Switch on Event that, in view of the recent controversy, they have decided to ask the Mayor to turn on the Christmas Lights, with a pupil from St Mary’s Primary School."
The posh personality appeared on the fifteenth series of 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!', quitting the show on 'medical grounds'.
She is no stranger to controversy, having claimed earlier this year that the #MeToo movement has "prevented men from being men".
Highgrove House, the family residence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, is located just two miles from the centre of the town.
British man claims new record for running a marathon in every nation on earth in 22 months
Image by: Steve Chatterley
A British endurance athlete has set a new world record after running 196 marathons in every nation on earth in just 22 months.
Ultra runner Nick Butter, 30, quit his banking job and embarked on his solo expedition in January 2018 after being inspired by a friend with terminal cancer.
He has since covered 5,130 miles in organised events across seven continents, overcoming the extreme heat of the Sahara Desert and bitter cold of Antarctica.
Nick has averaged three marathons in three new countries every week for the last 96 weeks - burning an estimated 1.5 million calories in 5.1 million steps.
During the 675-day adventure he has been hit by a car, bitten by a dog, broken his elbow and even been shot at.
Today he completed the final event - the Authentic Marathon in Athens, Greece - making him the first man in history to complete the feat of running a marathon in every nation.
He hopes to raise a total of £250,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
Nick, of Dorset, said: "It's been the most incredible experience, I've seen things you wouldn't even imagine as I've run across the world.
"It took two years to plan which was really daunting, sorting out all the logistics and organising the flights and everything.
"Over the past 18 months, I've been through 10 passports and something like 120 Visas, I've lived in airports and hotel rooms, it's just been a total whirlwind.
"It's been such an eyeopening adventure.
"I thought the sights would be the best part of this experience but it's actually been the people - I've got around 2,000 new contacts in my phone from people I've met across the world.
"Sure, the views I've seen have been breathtaking - but it's the little kids running next to me wanting to hold my hand in some country I've never heard of before in Africa that has been the most amazing bit for me.
"It's gone so fast, yet at the same time feels like I've been doing it forever, it's a weird reality and I can't believe I'm at the finish line."
Nick has always been a keen runner, taking part in marathons across the globe, but his world changed in 2016 when he met fellow runner Kevin Webber during the Marathon Des Sables in Morocco.
He was immediately drawn towards Kevin's positive attitude and bubbly personality, but as he got to know him over the gruelling five-day event, Kevin dropped the bombshell that he had terminal cancer.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 and told he had two years to live, Kevin had set off running marathons across the world to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Nick said: "I couldn't believe that this guy, who always seemed so happy and full of life, had just told me he had terminal cancer.
"I was shocked, and when Kevin told me 'Don't wait for the diagnosis' it really struck a chord with me and I just knew I had to do something to raise money for the charity.
"Kevin changed my life that day and in the months that followed, I quit my job at the bank and swapped my suit for running shorts forever.
"People wait so long to live their dreams tomorrow, but tomorrow might not come, and Kevin's words motivated me to get out there, see the world and do what I'm really passionate about whilst raising money for charity.
"I took my camera along on my journey as I'm a keen photographer as well, and I've got photos and souvenirs from across the globe - it's been incredible."
Nick raised an initial £46,000 in donations to cover his costs and started his adventure running in -25 degrees Celsius in snowy Toronto, Canada in January 2018.
During his travels he carried everything he needed to survive, camping wild or bedding down with supporters.
He took 201 flights covering 13,500 miles between countries, along with 45 train journeys, 15 buses and 280 taxis.
Since setting off he has raised a further £63,000 for Prostate Cancer UK on his Just Giving page as well as about £20,000 in external donations.
With two books planned to be released in 2020 and a 1,000 day running expedition in the pipeline for 2021, Nick has set himself up for a busy return to his home in Dorset.
Set to run the circumference of Iceland in July 2020, he's not hanging up his running shoes just yet and is embarking on a speaking tour to inspire others to follow their dreams.
Nick said: "I'm looking forward to going out to schools and sharing my experience with others to hopefully inspire them to pursue what their passionate about.
"I've learnt so much about other countries and cultures throughout my journey, and the idea of teaching kids about things like a Nepalese prayer wheel is just amazing to me.
"The average human lives for 29,747 days, and if you're British, you spend about 9 years watching television, so it's interesting to get people thinking about how much time you waste not doing something you're truly passionate about.
"You don't know when you're time is going to run out, so get out there and chase your dreams today - as Kevin said, don't wait for the diagnosis."
Nick is continuing to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and has a Just Giving page set up to help him reach his £250,000 target.
Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runningtheworld
GREATEST SHOWMAN - This is the moment superstar Hugh Jackman went 'full Wolverine' for one of his biggest fans during a show
Image by: Taylor Van Engen
This is the moment Hugh Jackman delighted a front row fan during a concert by grabbing his phone and recording an epic Wolverine tribute.
Taylor Van Engen, 29, was standing in front of the stage during Hugh Jackman's singing and dancing tour and screamed in delight as the showman did a Wolverine pose.
His reaction caught the attention of the X-Men actor who walked over and went "full Wolverine" - growling and shouting into Taylor's phone.
Taylor can be seen jumping up and down uncontrollably before Jackman hugs him and says: "You've waited one-and-a-half hours for that moment!
"For that moment! I love you brother!"
Image by: Taylor Van Engen
Image by: Taylor Van Engen
Image by: Taylor Van Engen
Image by: Taylor Van Engen
Image by: Taylor Van Engen
Postman Taylor said: "I lost sleep because I was too excited. For a week, I watched the videos we took and videos from other people's perspectives over and over again.
"During the intermission, I told my wife that I knew the Wolverine pose was coming - and I was gonna be ready for it.
"Hugh was going to do his tap routine, finish with the drums, then kick it out of the way.
"I was going to walk up to the security guard in front of us, stop there so they knew I wasn't going to be trouble - and Hugh did the rest.
"After the show, a few people shared their videos and pictures with us, and several others congratulated me.
"Even more would point me out and go - 'that's him, that's the guy!'
"I still like the fact that someone even referred to me as Wolverine to get my attention."
Taylor, from Rock Valley, Iowa, has taken his wife Sarah, a social worker, to see Jackman's show 'The Man. The Music. The Show.' twice this year.
He's has been a massive Hugh Jackman fan since he was 10, and has gone to the cinema to watch every X-Men film made.
His close encounter with the actor came when he went to see the show at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 13.
He said he wanted to get close enough to give Hugh a 'high five'.
As the lights went down, Hugh posed as mutant Wolverine from his X-Men movies - leading to cheers from the crowd.
Taylor went wild, shouting at the top of his lungs to attract Jackman's attention.
Taylor said: "One security guard came up to me and said that Hugh didn't do all of that for every show.
"He said it was special and really awesome. I totally agree."
Video by: Gabriella Petty
Family run hardware store creates tear-jerking Christmas advert to rival big budget John Lewis' for under £100
Image by: Thomas Jones
A family-run hardware shop is giving John Lewis and M&S a run for their money after creating their own tear-jerking Christmas advert - for less than £100.
Hafod Hardware in Rhayader, Powys, Wales, has launched its own emotive commercial with many claiming it is already the best festive advert of 2019.
The independent store's DIY efforts have been met with rave reviews online and the video has notched up over 100,000 views in just a day.
The adorable two minute advert, which took just one day to film, features cute two-year-old Arthur Jones stealing the show.
Arthur's proud dad Tom Jones, whose family owns the shop, and film-maker friend Josh Holdaway incredibly filmed and edited the video for less than £100.
The heart-melting clip has already won over the hearts of customers in the small town and has also grabbed a nationwide audience since being uploaded online.
The video begins with little Arthur getting out of bed before donning his apron and carrying out a day's 'work' at the family-run hardware store.
Sweeping the floors, polishing the counter and replacing stocks on the shelves are all part of his duties as the busy boy is also on hand to deal with customers - all with a friendly smile and big thumbs up.
The commercial - which features four generations of Tom's family - has a special twist at the end when Arthur shutting up shop before carrying home a Christmas tree.
It features a cover of Alphaville's 1984 hit 'Forever Young', performed by American singer-songwriter Andrea von Kampen.
It is the third year in a row that Hafod Hardware, which opened in 1895 and is one of the oldest businesses in the town, have released a Christmas advert.
The previous commercials have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times to huge acclaim and Tom is again hoping to once again put a smile on people's faces.
Image by: Thomas Jones
Image by: Thomas Jones
Image by: Thomas Jones
Image by: Thomas Jones
Tom, 30, said: “The aim is to make it the best Christmas advert of the year. The comments we've had so far have been amazing.
“Making this video with my son has been an experience I will cherish for a lifetime. They say never work with animals or children but he was a joy.
“He's such a bright boy and I would be lying if I said it was difficult to get him to perform on screen.
“He often comes to visit me in the shop, so weren't really asking him to do anything he hadn't done before.
“Whenever I watch the advert, it makes me well up with pride.
“Forever Young was the song I really wanted. I asked Andrea if she could do a cover and she was happy to do it.
“She recorded it in a studio and paid $100 for a sound engineer. I said we'd pay - so that's all the advert has cost us. She's got an incredible voice, it's perfect for the advert.
“All three adverts touch upon the significance of family at Christmas and so it was extremely important to me that Arthur had a role in each one.
“Showing the transition of him as a young baby in the first advert, through to the young man he is today, really does capture the essence of what we have been trying to create.
“We are told every year that Christmas is for kids, but there's nothing stopping us all from being big kids at Christmas.
“All the time, people are coming into the shop and asking us about our Christmas adverts. Even strangers pop in to say they've seen them.
“People are always asking whether we were doing another one this year. It's hard to say no, we feel obliged to do it.
“The locals love them. It's nice to think we can put a lot of smiles on people's faces in the community. It's always nice to do something for the town.
"People always compare our videos to the likes of John Lewis and we try to get the same message across as the mutli-million pound adverts do.
“But there is an underlying message. We are just a small independent shop in Mid Wales trying to compete with the big boys like John Lewis and M&S.
“We've shown that it can be done on a very small budget.”
Jo Lowe wrote on the firm's Facebook page: "Absolutely fabulous, well done another great Christmas advertisement who needs John Lewis when you got Hafod."
Angela F added: "Beautiful, made me cry. Well done for making such a lovely advert."
Sophie Walters wrote: "Best Christmas advert of 2019, hands down. Absolutely beautiful."
Video by: Thomas Jones
This inspiring dog with dwarfism is stuck in perpetual puppy-hood
Image by: Steve Chatterley
These pictures show an inspiring dog with dwarfism - that is stuck in perpetual puppy-hood.
Ranger is two-year-old purebred AKC German Shepherd who has ‘Pituitary Dwarfism’.
It means he retains his puppy-like appearance much longer than is normal for his breed.
Ranger was diagnosed with the rare condition - which German Shepherds are predisposed to - after he contracted a parasite called Giardia.
After recovering from the infection his owners noticed Ranger wasn’t growing at the same rate a German Shepherd should.
They took him to their vet who surmised that little ranger may have the Pituitary Dwarfism mutation.
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
As a side effect of his dwarfism the poor pup has contended with various health issues including shedding fur and flaky skin caused by hypothyroidism.
With the unconditional love of his owners and some help from his legion of online followers Ranger was able to get all the treatment he needed and has now made a full recovery from all his health issues.
Despite all the adversity this under-dog has never let any of it hold him back.
Ranger is happy and healthy and can be found playing the day away with his family and sisters or enjoying online fame and adoration as the star of his own Instagram page.
Ranger has been filmed performing his ‘signature’ head tilt and playing with his sisters Hazel the Labrador and fellow German Shepherd, Jessie.
Shelby Mayo who is Rangers guardian, said: “When we originally got Ranger from the breeder, he was smaller than all his other littermates, but we figured that was because he had a parasite called Coccidia.
“In the weeks following we took him home and he was parasite free but later on ended up getting a parasite called Giardia.
''At the same time, we also discovered that Ranger had a large infection on his neck.
“We were eventually able to get the infection under control, fast forward a few months later we were finally able to get rid of Giardia.
''During this time Ranger remained very small, the vet had suspected that he may have Pituitary Dwarfism, a genetic mutation
“But we were still sceptical as this condition is very rare.
''Over time Ranger still did not get much bigger, and at this point we are certain he does have this condition.
“After a few more months we got him neutered and that’s when we started to see big changes.
“He lost his appetite, started to lose weight, lost almost all of his fur, and had extremely dry and flaky skin.
''Many people on our Instagram page warned us that Pituitary Dwarfs can have many medical issues, but up until that point we hadn’t experienced any.
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Steve Chatterley
One of our followers ‘Guardians Farm’ are a small company that makes handmade soaps, lotions, etc and they sent us goat milk soap, which ended up helping Rangers skin immensely.
“At the same time another one of our followers who also has a Dwarf German Shepard told us to get his thyroid levels checked as many dwarfs suffer from hypothyroidism.
“So our vet checked his thyroid levels and sure enough he was low, this can cause hair loss and a loss of appetite.
“After getting Ranger on Levothyroxine and using this soap his fur grew back and the dryness went away.
Rangers litter was the first litter that our breeder had bred those to specific dogs together.”
“We believe this was the cause of the genetic defect. And as a responsible breeder will not breed the two dogs together again.
''He healthy and happy as can be as of now and loves jumping around and playing with his ball and squeaky toys with his two sisters Hazel and Jessie”
You can keep up with the adventures of Ranger and his family by visiting his Instagram page @ranger_thegshepherd.
Video by: Ellis Wylam
THEY SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD! - Neighbours want no more than five "shrieking" children allowed in nursery playground
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
A nursery is locked in a planning battle with its neighbours - who want no more than five "shrieking" children allowed in the playground.
Winton House Day Nursery, in a leafy suburb of Cheltenham, Glos., has been the subject of stringent operating restrictions since it opened several years ago.
Following repeated complaints from a single neighbour, planners stipulated that no more than five children could play outside at any one time.
The windows must also remain shut at all times to avoid disturbing locals in the residential neighbourhood.
But nursery bosses say the restrictions have become impractical and have applied to have them relaxed to allow 12 children in the playground.
They have also requested permission to open nine windows in the six-room baby unit.
However three neighbours have submitted written objections to Cheltenham Borough Council, saying noisy play ruins the enjoyment of their gardens.
One complainant wrote: “Unfortunately when we sit in the garden our pleasure is greatly diminished by the noise of shrieking children.
“We appreciate that there is a need for nurseries but surely a business such as this would be better sited in an area of family homes.
“We feel that it is rather unfair that we cannot enjoy peace and quiet in our own garden.”
The property in Warden Hill Road was converted from a residential property into a nursery for 20 children aged from birth to five years in 2000.
It has a 300 square metre garden which is surrounded by laurel hedging and a cluster of mature trees, beyond which are neighbouring bungalows.
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
The business has now swelled to accommodate 40 children and says the restrictions are unfair on the children and staff.
The application submitted by the nursery says: "The children who attend Winton Day Nursery are, by virtue of their age and sociability, not excessively loud.
“Any potential noise source, ie babies crying, is not sustained, as it is the job of a nursery to retain a peaceful environment.
“Furthermore, by virtue of their age, the babies have scheduled nap times during the nursery’s opening hours.”
But neighbours fear more children in the playground will result in more noise disturbing their peace.
One objector pointed out that many people living in the bungalows surrounding the nursery are retired and spend a lot of time at home and in their gardens.
Another complainant who has lived on the street for 19 years said that whilst they have accepted the current level of noise, the idea of it getting louder was distressing.
The complainant wrote: "The proposal to more than double the number of children in the garden does however worry us.
“It must be that noise levels will increase substantially and we cannot see that it would possible or desirable to ask carers to quieten their children in any way.”
The letter also included: "The words quoted from the application, put in simple lay terms, are saying that expansion equals more children, equals more noise, equals the need to reduce residential amenity to accommodate the increased noise.
“The logic is one-sided and is unreasonable. The currently acceptable situation will deteriorate.
“Clearly 12 children will make far more noise than five."
However, a neighbour who lives directly next door to the nursery where they run their own business, wrote in support of the nursery's application.
The resident wrote: "Throughout the summer I have the windows open and so am as directly impacted by noise from the nursery and their gardens as anyone could be.
“The noise in the day from the garden is very light, there is a background sound of children playing which is nice and barely noticeable.
“This never disturbs me working in the office and I can't recall a single time when I have been inconvenienced or annoyed by the noise.”
A decision on the application is expected to be made next week.
Image by: Tom Wren SWNS
DELIVERY SUITE DISASTER - Young mum left in agony as her epidural 'stopped working' during her emergency c-section
Image by: Jodie Marsden
A mum has told how she was in utter agony after her epidural wore off midway through her c-section - and she could feel EVERYTHING.
Jodie Marsden, 27, had no idea of the nightmare that lay ahead when she arrived at hospital to be induced - but it left her vowing to never get pregnant again.
After two days of very slow labour, Jodie's unborn baby's heart started to dip with every contraction and doctors rushed her into theatre for an emergency c-section.
They gave her an epidural - an anaesthetic around the spinal cord - and while it worked at first, Jodie said she began to feel pain.
By the time she realised what was going on, she was in so much pain she could barely whisper - despite being able to feel the clamp, suction, "jiggling" and shoving inside her.
Thankfully baby Arthur was healthy but the whole experience - which happened on Friday the 13th - has put Jodie off having any more kids.
Jodie from Wakefield said: ""I could feel them juggling about inside my stomach - one person was shoving down on the top of my stomach whilst another was pulling the baby out.
"It was agony. I could feel the clamp inside me and the suction going around and I was really struggling to breathe."
"The whole experience was absolutely terrifying and I am totally traumatised from the birth.
"We said ourselves that he would wait until Friday the 13th to make an appearance, and then we noticed it was a full moon, but it never crossed our mind what would happen.
"I could feel them actually pulling my stomach apart as they were ripping the muscles and I was in extreme pain.
"It felt like I was screaming in pain, but my partner said it was only coming out as a whisper, but luckily they could see I was uncomfortable.
"I'm never having another baby ever again, that's for sure."
Dog groomer Jodie was in no rush to start a family after tying the knot with husband Matt, 34, in September 2018.
She fell pregnant unexpectedly but weeks later, but sadly miscarried at just seven weeks.
The miscarriage changed Jodie's thoughts on motherhood, and after celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple, the pair found out Josie was pregnant again.
Jodie said: "We didn't actually plan on having children so soon after the wedding, as I'm a very career driven person and wanted to focus on my dog grooming business.
"I've never really been a maternal person, it was never something I had in a plan and I could never see myself with children, but the miscarriage changed my way of thinking.
"After the miscarriage, I was convinced that there was something wrong with me.
"We had no plans to try again, we just went with the flow and said if it happens, then it happens, and if it doesn't, then it wasn't supposed to be.
"I found out I was pregnant again just after Christmas, and although I was happy, it was a tough set of emotions to deal with as I was convinced it was all going to happen again."
She developed pregnancy hypertension in the last six weeks of her pregnancy so was induced on her due date, 11 September 2019, at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.
Image by: Jodie Marsden
Image by: Jodie Marsden
Image by: Jodie Marsden
Image by: Jodie Marsden
Doctors administered an epidural, but two days later, she had only dilated 6cm and was given a hormone drip as well to encourage her baby to arrive.
As the contractions started, doctors grew concerned when Jodie's unborn child's blood pressure dropped dangerously and prepped the young mum for an emergency c-section.
Once in theatre, doctors upped the dose of Jodie's epidural, but despite checks to ensure she was numb, all hell broke loose when she could suddenly feel everything.
Jodie said: "They did multiple checks to make sure I was numb, with an ice cold spray on several areas of my stomach, followed by jabbing me with a needle, and all was fine, I was numb.
"For the incision, I just felt slight pressure, but then I felt them actually pulling my stomach apart as they were ripping the muscles and I was in so much pain.
"The anaesthetist was asking me if it was pain or pressure, and I was saying pain, but Matt said it was just like a whisper coming out of me.
"They could see I was uncomfortable, so they gave me more medication to try and get the pain under control but I was still in pain."
Jodie's pain relief from the epidural had stopped working in the middle of her c-section, and the first time mum was able to feel the entire procedure.
Her blood pressure rose dangerously and after her baby Arthur was born, doctors were forced to put her under general anaesthetic, fearing she might suffer a stroke or heart attack.
The young mum lost 2.5 pints of blood and stayed in theatre for another hour and a half before being monitored in recovery for 16 hours.
Jodie said: "When they finally pulled Arthur out, all I remember was hearing this little scream which suddenly stopped.
"I can't remember seeing him, and I turned to Matt and repeatedly asked him 'Where is my baby?'
"Then it was like an out of body experience, I could hear things but it was like I was just watching from above.
"I could hear them saying they needed to get the bleeding under control, and then the anaesthetist said 'We're going to have to send you to sleep'.
"They escorted Matt out and then took Arthur to see him and my mum, but I had to stay in theatre for another hour and a half without holding my baby.
"Before the c-section, the anaesthetist told me that general anaesthetic is literally the last resort because it's best for mums to have skin to skin contact straight away, but nothing was working for me so they had to do it."
Jodie finally got to hold her baby boy Arthur the next day, and thankfully the young mum is now doing well and is back home with her family.
Traumatised by the experience, Jodie has decided not to have any more children and is focusing on raising her only son.
Jodie said: "It definitely wasn't what we expected - it's not like you see on One Born Every Minute where they're laid all calm and comfortable.
"It was like living in a nightmare, and I'm definitely not having any more children.
"I love Arthur and am enjoying being a mum, but there's no way I'm going through that all ever again."
Clinical background information released by Pinderfields Hospital states that when a woman has an epidural for labour, it can be topped up for a c-section, which means a stronger solution of analgesia would be administered to the patient.
During a c-section under local anaesthetic, the hospital advises women that they will feel some pressure during the surgery, and if a woman complains of pain, the surgery is stopped and analgesia is given.
Anaesthetists can not administer a spinal block during a c-section but they can top up the epidural and if an epidural is not effective then a woman will be given analgesia (such as morphine or diamorphine) through an intravenous drip.
The hospital states that if a woman is still not comfortable at this point they will be given a general anaesthetic, however the priority is to get the baby delivered if the uterus is open and cord exposed.
Where mothers have raised blood pressure, it is normal that they would be monitored closely for 12 or more hours following surgery.
British holidaymaker tracks down eight-year-old stray mongrel she found roaming the streets on holiday in Greece - and brings him home
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
A woman has tracked down an eight-year-old stray mongrel she found roaming the streets on holiday in Greece - and brought him home.
Levi Danyeil, 22, visited Zante earlier this year and befriended a stray pooch named Punter.
When her holiday came to an end, Levi was devastated to leave Punter behind and return to her home in Plymouth, Devon.
But she said she couldn't forget about him and contacted search groups on the island in a bid to reunite.
The pooch was eventually found and has now been brought back to the UK with Levi travelling to London this week to greet him after he arrived on a ferry.
Levi said: "I was in Greece for seven nights and on the very first night I met him.
"Then I saw him the night after that, and then the next until I grew really attached.
"I started to ask the locals about him to find out if he was owned, but lots of them said he was new to the village and they hadn't seen him before, so then I found out he was a stray.
"I tried to track him down before we left, roaming the streets with a lead and dog treats, but unfortunately I was unsuccessful and had to leave the country without finding him."
Levi was determined to track Punter down so she got in touch with two Zante-based animal charities, Zante Strays and Healing Paws.
She begged them to help her, and soon they got to work and started looking for Punter.
Levi continued: "I'd been in England for about 24 hours when a lovely lady who was there on holiday messaged me a photo of the dog asking if it was the one I was looking for.
"Straight away I contacted the charities who sent a volunteer down to the beach to get the dog. Then they started the process of bringing him home."
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
After choosing a name for her new furry friend, Levi waited patiently while Punter was put into boarding in Zante, paying fees to get him vaccinated and a passport.
And yesterday Punter finally arrived in the UK after a couple travelled to bring him home on the ferry.
Levi added: "I travelled to London to be re-united with him yesterday, and I just cried. All the way home he had his nose on my hand."
"He's settling in now, he's been going mad roaming around the house and it's so nice to finally have him here.
"I already have Oscar, a Jack Russell and Bella, a Bull Mastiff cross, so he's even gained a new brother and sister.
"He's so desperate for love and affection, and such a lovely dog after all he has been through.
"Before he was dodging cars not knowing when he'd next be fed, even having to eat horse faeces to survive, yet he was so loving and happy from the moment I saw him.
Levi's determination to bring Punter home has gained him a whole army of fans on social media.
"Lots of people have been so touched by him and the story, and I've gotten so many messages of support which is just lovely," she added.
"One lady even commented saying that he doesn't have a clue how famous he is, and it's so true, it's so nice to see how many people care about animals too."
Levi also urges anyone who is thinking of adopting a stray not to give up.
She said: "If I hadn't of pushed to find Punter and been so determined, then he probably wouldn't be with me now so to anyone thinking of doing something similar, be patient and don't give up.
"To think about the awful life he must have had, to now know that he's got a bed, he's got food he's got everything that a dog should have, I can't wait to shower him with love!"
I'LL NEVER LOLLI-STOP - Britain’s longest serving lollipop lady has no plans to hang up her stick – after an incredible 50 YEARS patrolling the same stretch of road
Image by: Adam Hughes SWNS
Britain’s longest serving lollipop lady has no plans to hang up her stick – after an incredible 50 YEARS patrolling the same stretch of road.
Ann Perry, 76, has been safely guiding children to and from Kingsbury School since 1969.
Every school day she walks a quarter-of-a-mile from home to do the morning crossing from 8.15am to 9am, and again in the afternoon from 3pm to 3.30pm.
She makes an average of 40 daily crossings of the 5m-wide road, meaning she’s covered over 1,250 miles carrying her lollipop stick back and forth over the years.
Ann started her job at the school in Warwickshire in September 1969 and has just celebrated her 50th year in the job.
She was presented with flowers by the non-selective secondary school as thanks for keeping its 900 pupils - and thousands more over the years - safe.
Ann, who has two grown up children and three grandchildren, says she has no plans to retire.
She said: “I’m very proud of my job and what I do.
“It is a good advert for the service that people can still do the job at this age.
“I’ve crossed some children, then their children and their grandchildren.
“I don’t plan to retire. I want to keep going. It’s the best job in the world.
“I've barely missed a day and when I have it’s been through illness and I’ve missed having the chats with the parents and the kids.
"I love just meeting people and watching the children grow up.
“They are polite and say ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ as they cross the road.
“The job’s the same as always but there’s more traffic now so the roads are more dangerous.
“You still hold the lollipop stick and stop the cars to let the children cross.
"I shouldn't really give my secrets away, but it's important to stay warm because you're out in all weathers.
"I've used hand warmers and little hot water bottles in my pockets."
Image by: Adam Hughes SWNS
Image by: Adam Hughes SWNS
Image by: Adam Hughes SWNS
Image by: Adam Hughes SWNS
Ann, who is married to retired builder Bob, 81, started the job when her two children, Elaine and Robert, started at the school.
She said: “It was handy for me because I could take the children to school and then pick them up after my shift.
“When they left the school I just carried on. I never wanted to stop and I still don’t. No day is the same and people are always so friendly.”
As well as her road patrols, Ann also runs the Kingsbury Youth Club near her home.
Paying tribute to Ann, Kingsbury School headteacher, Martin Clarke said: “As a school
it’s important our students don’t take Ann for granted.
“We wanted to take the time to pay tribute and say thank you to her for keeping all our pupils safe.”
Rosalie Taylor, School Patrol Officer Supervisor at Warwickshire County Council said:
“Ann has been helping children to cross the roads safely for 50 years.
“This is an unbelievable achievement and I am sure that many adults who remember
Ann and all of the children she currently helps will agree that she is a very special person with a real passion for the job she does.
“Standing in all weathers is not an easy job, but Ann has always done it with a smile on her face and a commitment to keeping young people safe on their journey to school.
“Despite her 50 years’ service, Ann has no plans to stop just yet and we couldn’t be more proud.
“Thank you Ann for everything that you do, you really are one in a million.”
Video by: Adam Hughes SWNS
