Tesco has recalled two chicken salads because it contains the food bug Campylobacter.

The supermarket giant was told by its supplier that the bacteria, which is the the most common cause of food poisoning, had been found in its 160g Chicken Salad and 315g Chicken, Broccoli, Almond & Cashew Nut Salad tubs.

The bacteria are usually found on raw or undercooked meat particularly poultry, unpasteurised milk and untreated water.

It causes 280,000 cases of food poisoning each year and four out of five come from contaminated poultry.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.

The incubation period between eating contaminated food and the start of symptoms for food poisoning caused by campylobacter is usually between two and five days with symptoms usually lasting less than a week.

The 160g tub costs £2.10 and contains mix of salad leaves, roast chicken pieces, beetroot and carrot with a pot of crème fraîche and chives dressing.

The 315g tub costs £3.50 and conatisn Roast chicken pieces, cooked brown rice and quinoa, broccoli stalks, egg, red & yellow peppers, a mix of salad leaves, cashew nuts and almonds with a pot of vinaigrette dressing.

Both products use chicken from Thailand and have use by dates of 12/07/2017 and 13/07/2017.

No other Tesco products are known to be affected, the Food Standards Agency said.

It urged consumers not to eat the salads but return them for a full refund.

Tesco said: “We have been made aware by our supplier that they have detected Campylobacter in a small number of products.

“Tesco is recalling the affected products from customers as a precaution.

“Please return the affected products to store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required.

“Tesco apologises to our customers for any inconvenience caused.”

The Food Standards Agency added: “Tesco is recalling two chicken salad products because Campylobacter has been found in the products.

“The presence of Campylobacter in the products. The usual symptoms caused by Campylobacter are fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

“If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.”

Police are appealing for information after an elderly man was assaulted by a pair of youths in Leighton Buzzard high street.

The incident took place on Wednesday, June 28, and saw the duo squirt ‘silly string’ from cans at an elderly man as walked along the street.

Staff at nearby Wilko are understood to have came to the man’s aid and called police.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating after a man was assaulted by two men in Leighton Buzzard High Street on Wednesday, 28 June.

“The incident happened at approximately 3.30pm.

“Both men are described as white and in their late teens. One was believed to have been wearing a blue top with grey trousers and had curly black hair. The second man was wearing a dark t-shirt and blue jeans, and had short dark hair.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference JD/27462/2017.

An inspirational Woburn man who has multiple sclerosis has been awarded for his hard work to ensure Bedfordshire citizens receive quality health care.

Michael Hyde, 68, who volunteers with the charity Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, received an Outstanding Contribution award at the council’s Cheering Volunteering ceremony last month at Dunstable’s Grove Theatre.

Michael, a quadriplegic, who can no longer use his arms, has dedicated two to three years to helping the Healthwatch team at their community events.

Michael said: “Being disabled, I’ve got an insight into the healthcare system and I enjoy volunteering because I get to help a variety of people.

“We visit surgeries, supermarkets, and different towns. People often need a little advice about healthcare access or they have a problem and don’t know how to complain.”

Healthwatch can put their findings to local councils and Michael has starred in a Healthwatch video highlighting experiences he’s had of the home carer service.

He said: “I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1988 but was able to carry on my role as a retained firefighter in Woburn (c.1978 -1992).

“Twelve years ago I chose to have my legs removed above the knee at Milton Keynes Hospital.

“After my operation, I noticed a lady was crying in the recovery ward. I said ‘what’s the matter?’ She said: ‘I’ve just had four teeth out.’

I said: “I’ve just had my legs off!’ I’ve never been unemployed - you’ve got to get out there and enjoy yourself!”

Michael, who retired at 65, has previously seen the world with the Merchant Navy, and has also held a range of jobs, including as a chimney sweep and lorry driver.

He has three grown-up children and often frequents The Woburn Hotel, crediting them for their “fantastic disabled access”.

To see Michael’s video for Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, visit: www.healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk/videos/

A teenager who played a pivotal role in revamping the theatrical lighting in his Linslade school is in a competition that hails the ‘giving to others’ of Bedfordshire’s younger generation.



Josh Mitchell, 16, always had a keen interest in theatre design. Despite living in Dunstable he applied to go to Cedars Upper because of its theatre.


Over the last two years he has redesigned and updated the lighting rig for the school theatre, allowing staff and students to enjoy better and brighter lighting for school productions and events. The project is still ongoing as he hopes the lighting will be maintained by like-minded youngster after he leaves school.



Now he been nominated for the Atlas Young People of the Year awards or ‘YOPEYs’ – Oscars for young people who ‘give to others’.



The annual contest has over £1,000 to be won by Bedfordshire young people who ‘give to others’.

There will be at least two Beds Young People of the Year. A senior YOPEY, aged 17-25, winning £500, and a junior YOPEY, aged 10-16, winning £300. Either prize can be won by an individual or group and the winners have to invest most of their winnings in their good cause but can keep £100 to treat themselves. There will also be several £100 runners-up prizes.



Josh, of Guilded Acre, Dunstable, was nominated by his form teacher, Ashley Calloway. She said: “Josh is passionate about lighting and has been involved in lighting all the school musicals and fashion shows. He has undertaken a revamp project to improve the lighting of the school which hadn’t been updated in years.


“To fund the project, he wrote letters to the PTA, and held meetings with the school head and the site team to see what needed to be done and how the project would be sustained once he left school.



“It is Josh’s forward-thinking and successful planning that I admire so much. The project must have taken many hours of his time but he just keeps giving.”


Josh realised the school lighting needed updating after he helped with a few productions. In fact it was the possibilities for the school theatre which attracted him to apply for a place at Cedars. 


He explained: “What attracted me to the school was their school theatre. Even though I live in Dunstable, when we went to look at Cedars Upper, I felt that it was more inspiring for me and the theatre had potential.



“At the end of year 10 I realised the lighting rig was not what it could be and the equipment needed to be replaced or upgraded to cater for all the different school productions.



“I couldn’t get any funding from the school headteacher so had to go higher up to the school PTA. They agreed with my plans and kindly offered me a budget of £350. I met with the finance department and allocated the funding to what was needed and then ordered the equipment. 



“I then had the bigger task of organising and setting up the rig. I came in during school holidays as well to see my project become a reality.


“I’m happy to say the better lighting has made a great difference to the school community, and I am determined that many students in the future will continue to benefit from it.”


Outside of school Josh helped to run the lighting for the Aylesbury Mayor’s Carol Service at St Mary’s Church in the town, and the Totternhoe Farm Fest, a pub beer and music weekend at The Old Farm Inn in Dunstable in aid of Prostrate Cancer UK. Later this year he will be doing the sound for a concert in Milton Keynes too.



Josh has also completed volunteer work with Oxfam for a year. After spending three months with the charity’s shop in Leighton Buzzard High Street for his Duke of Edinburgh award, he stayed on for another nine because he enjoyed the volunteering so much.



YOPEY started in Bedfordshire in 2006 and has expanded to many other counties. Its founder, former national newspaper journalist Tony Gearing, said: “There are many young people in Bedfordshire doing wonderful things for others. It’s just that they live in the shadow of a well-publicised anti-social minority. 



“We need to give young people the respect they deserve and set up the best as positive role models for others to copy rather than focusing on the small number who appear in the press for negative reasons.”



About this entry, Tony said: “Josh has found a unique way of giving to others. With his experience in production lighting, he has enabled his school to benefit from his work for years to come.”



As well as Atlas Converting, which is based in Wolseley Road, Kempston, this year’s Beds YOPEY is sponsored by the county’s fire & rescue service and recruitment company Guidant Group.


The Bedfordshire awards will be presented at St John’s College, Cambridge, this autumn when a joint ceremony with Cambridgeshire young people will be held. But there will be separate winners for each county.


> Do you know somebody who deserves the title Young Person of the Year? To nominate logon to yopey.org or write, enclosing a stamped-addressed-envelope, to YOPEY, Woodfarm Cottage, Bury Road, Stradishall, Newmarket CB8 8YN for a paper entry form. Entries close on July 31.

MP Andrew Selous has commended the work of British architect Bill Dunster who spoke at public meetings in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable last week on increasing low cost affordable housing with low energy bills.

The South West Beds MP, speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, said: “Zero-energy bill homes at below market prices are being built by British architect Bill Dunster, with the support of the Building Research Establishment.

“Given their potential to help people find affordable housing, what more can the Government do to help expand this type of housing as part of our commitment to both enterprise and social justice?”

Damian Green, the First Secretary of State, said: “I am happy to join him in welcoming this type of innovation. Bill Dunster’s firm is a good example of such innovation.

“I know that it has been supported by the Government’s enterprise investment scheme, so the Government are doing their best to support this type of measure.

“We are stimulating the growth of the off-site construction sector, which enables more houses to be built, through our accelerated construction programme and the home building fund.

This is another very important issue to make sure that we spread the benefits of prosperity around this country.”

Speaking afterwards Mr Selous said: “Bill Dunster set out a compelling case for affordable zero energy bill homes that people want to live in.

“There is a huge demand for affordable housing and last Friday’s conference pointed towards some solutions. I will do what I can to keep this matter at the top of the Government’s list of priorities”.

Mr Dunster, who has built low carbon houses across the UK, Europe and China spoke at a public meeting at All Saints Church in Leighton Buzzard onJuly 6 to over 70 people and at a conference the following day at the Incuba Centre in Dunstable.

He explained with detailed practicality how affordable homes for key workers and young people with zero energy bills can be built over carparks thus removing the high cost of purchasing new land.

The houses have solar roofs, electricity storage and high insulation thus both zero energy bills and the ability to power electric cars below.

These designs, as well as being high quality homes can incorporate communal space, gardens and even orchard and allotments.

Mr Dunster also explained the dramatic speed of technological development, the drop in costs of solar and battery technology and how we can use the roofs of building, factory retail areas as power plants.

He explained how to retrofit offices so that as well as being offices they can produced their own energy and could become attractive in their own right incorporating greenery and biodiversity.

Solar trees along the street can provide both seats and charging points for electric bikes, making it easy to get around without pollution and congestion.

The dramatic changes in the Smart Grid, demand flexibility and battery storage was described by Chris Banks of RES at the All Saint meeting, and Thomas Mougkasis of UK Power Networks at the Incuba conference.

The battery at Woodman Close in Leighton Buzzard which was the largest in Europe, when it was built, will be just one of 700 similar batteries across the SE East and London area.

A huge transformation is already well under way from the old model of a centraliwed power generation being distributed to customers, to the new model of lots of local renewable energy generation, local and national storage.

In addition, flexibility and demand management – i.e. when there is a lot of demand for energy Tesco can turn off their freezers for a short while – could save the taxpayer between between £17 and £40 billion a year.

Mr Mougkasis stressed that UK Power Networks were keen to work with the local community in Leighton Buzzard.

Neil Witney, a Senior Policy Adviser to the government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, who lives Leighton Buzzard, highlighted the opportunities from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial strategy in the Industrial Strategy and funding stream.

He explained that although the government has committed legally to the Paris Agreement and to cut emission by 57% by 2032, and is doing well at cutting present emissions, in the long term “effective new strategies and new policies are urgently needed to ensure emissions continue to fall in line with the commitments agreed by Parliament... current policies are currently insufficient to meet those requirements.”

Heat and transport are two key areas requiring significant cuts in emissions,

In Friday’s conference, Mr Selous reminded people that people area already dying from Climate Change in Sub Saharan Africa and spoke of his support for this type of zero bill housing.

Ali Hadawi, the Principal from Central Bedfordshire Council, spoke with enthusiasm about the local community and the need to train the next generation of house builders and designers to be able to use and develop the new, greener building techniques.

Local businesses, officers from both Central Beds Council and Leighton-Linslade Town Council, councillors, housing associations, Leighton Buzzard Society, South Beds Friends of the Earth, Community Energy Leighton Linslade, Buzz Cycles and Central Bedfordshire College all attended the conference and enthusiastically networked.

Victoria Harvey of South Beds Friends of the Earth said: “In many urban areas we are used to the idea of underground carparks under houses.

“We have a housing crisis for young people and huge concerns over losing the green belt and this solves both problems at low cost.

“Above all we urgently need to cut emissions to stop disastrous climate change. Bill Dunster’s Zero bill designs dramatically cut emissions, gives local people control of their own renewable energy production and really improves the whole area.

“It has been great to work with Central Bedfordshire College and are very grateful for the support of the MP.

“ Partnership working is the way forward to make these things actually happen in Leighton Buzzard.”

A spokesman for Central Beds College said: “Ali Hadawi CBE, the Principal from Central Bedfordshire College, spoke with great enthusiasm about the need for local community to engage through training and for the need to train the next generation of house builders and designers to be able to use and develop the new, greener building techniques.

“This will not only help the environment and our economy but also community cohesion.”

Large drinks cooler and ice-cream cabinets, shopping baskets, and other items of rubbish were removed on Wednesday from Bryants Lane, Heath and Reach, after fly tipping caused upset to residents.

Garden rubbish and broken paving stones appeared on the week of July 3-7, before a stool, part of the base of a bed, and a gas canister were added over the weekend of July 7.

But residents were even more upset that a Tizer drinks cooler cabinet, with most of its shelves stacked separately, a Wall’s ice-cream cabinet, and three wire shopping baskets then appeared at the scene.

A worried resident, claimed: “As a Heath and Reach resident I resent our village being defaced in this way.

“Local children do cycle up and down the lane quite frequently and it is also a popular area with dog walkers.

“The Tizer and Wall’s cabinets can only have come from a shop.

“It is, of course, possible that the shop owner did not know what the person removing the rubbish was going to do with it, but everyone getting someone to remove rubbish - especially if paying for it to be removed - should check what will be done with it.

“There does not seem to be any identification on the items, though I did not inspect them too closely.”

The resident claimed the first items were reported to Central Bedfordshire Council on Thursday, July 6, and the newer items on Monday, July 10.

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokeswoman, said: “Once the council were made aware we arranged for the items to be cleared.

“The site was cleared on Wednesday, July 12.

“There is no indication of where the items have come from, but it does include some commercial fridges which imply that it is from a commercial source rather than from a household.”

Budget supermarket Aldi has launched what could be Britain’s cheapest school uniform - which will see children fully-kitted out for only £3.75.

Savvy shoppers can get two polo shirts, a skirt or trousers and a sweatshirt for the knock-down price after the chain revealed it was slashing the original £5 ticket price.

The retailer says the back to school range is durable, great value and does not compromise on quality.

Parents can also pick up PE kit, shoes and stationery as part of the range but, warns the retailer, they will have to be quick - once they’re gone, they’re gone!

A spokesperson for Aldi said: “We understand that sending the kids back to school is an expensive time for families and we make it our mission to ensure that we aren’t beaten on quality or on price.

“That’s why we’re reducing the price of our package; two polo shirts, a sweater and a skirt or a pair of trousers - to £3.75.”

Leighton Buzzard’s MP has called for the misery to end for commuters following the Government hitting Govia Thameslink with a £13.4m fine for providing a poor service on its Southern Rail services.

Andrew Selous, who previously raised the problems Leighton Buzzard commuters have been facing in the House of Commons, said: “Commuters from Leighton Buzzard have had to endure months of misery from Southern with an overtime ban affecting commuters yet again last Thursday.

“ It’s time for Southern and the unions to put their passengers first and sort this matter out urgently. A fine, is of no good to train travellers if the industrial action continues.”

Relatives of a little boy who died from rare childhood Alzheimer’s are taking part in a ‘Colour Dash’ this Sunday in aid of Keech Hospice Care.

Five-year-old Roman James, of Cheddington, sadly lost his fight on April 11 after a brave battle with Niemann-Pick Type C Disease.

Roman was diagnosed with the condition – which affects one in 150,000 children – at the age of two, having enjoyed a completely normal babyhood.

For the rest of his life, he and his parents Scarlet and Ben were supported by Keech Hospice Care and the family are keen to give something back.

On July 16, more than 30 people will participate in the ‘Colour Dash’ – where sprinters are treated to a few splashes of paint – and they are hoping to raise as much money as possible.

Grandmother, Beverley James, said: “Keech’s service from Roman’s diagnosis through to the end of his life was absolutely phenomenal. We’re just looking to give back as much as we can.

“It’s not just children who are cared for, it’s also an adult hospice and it provides brilliant respite support.

“You never know when people are going to need their services and they rely on 70per cent of their funding through donations.”

Roman’s mum, Scarlet, said: “Not only did Keech provide invaluable respite care for Roman in order for myself and Ben to have a break from the gruelling day-to-day care Roman so desperately needed but they also provided a beautiful, welcoming and supportive place for Roman to stay after he died.

“It gave myself and Ben the time to grieve with Roman right next to us in the first few days after his passing. This time was very very difficult for us but I will never forget those days we spent holding our little boy’s hand and kissing his peaceful face.”

She added: “Those days cost Keech nearly £4,000.”

To date, the campaign has raised over £2,500 of its £5,000 target and the family are eager for sponsorship to help them reach their goal.

Keech Hospice care is delivered to patients, children and their families in a variety of settings including the family home, school or in hospital. Its care has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

To donate to the cause or to find out more information, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-James1.

As any parents or carers know exercise for children has lots of advantages.

Strong bones, healthy heart and low cholesterol to name a few. Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, children who are physically fit sleep better.

They’re also better able to handle physical and emotional challenges. Although riding a bike is great for their health, and is a great activity for the summer holidays, it does come with the risk of having accidents. These accidents are often the result of a child playing, doing tricks, riding too fast or losing control. Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is reminding parents and carers to keep a fully equipped first aid kit at home.

Most accidents are minor and can be treated with a first aid kit and lots of hugs. But when was the last time you checked your first aid kit?

Dr Chris Marshall for Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) said: “Self-care is often best for cuts, scrapes and grazes, so it’s a good idea to check your first aid kit to make sure it’s stocked for all eventualities. There’s nothing worse than getting out the first aid kit to discover you’ve run out of plasters or antiseptic wipes.

“Your local pharmacy can advise you on treatment for minor injuries and over the counter medicines that are safe for your child.

“To keep your child safe as possible make sure they wear appropriate head gear, and if possible, protect their knees and elbows.”

A typical first aid kit should include:

> high factor sunscreen (SPF 50 provides the best protection) – apply before going in the sun and apply regularly.

>antiseptic – to clean cuts before they are dressed (bandaged) - most can treat other conditions including insect stings, alcohol-free antiseptic wipes are useful to clean cuts.

>tweezers – to remove splinters; if left in, they can become infected.

>plasters – a range of sizes, waterproof if possible.

>sterile dressings – larger injuries should be covered with a sterile dressing to prevent infection until treatment can be given by a health professional.

> medical tape –to secure dressings and or to tape an injured finger to an uninjured one, creating a makeshift splint.

>bandages –can support injured limbs, such as a sprained wrist, and also for applying direct pressure to larger cuts.

>cooling gel packs or flannels – dip in cold water and use as a compress if your child has a small bump to the head.

>eyewash solution – this will help wash out grit or dirt from the eyes

>insect bite and nettle rash cream – good for reducing skin irritation.

>allergy medicine – your local pharmacy can advise you on the best type.

>thermometer – digital thermometers are accurate, quick and easy to use.

>coughs, colds and pain relief remedies - paracetamol or ibuprofen are good for relieving discomfort but avoid ibuprofen if your child has asthma, unless advised by your GP.

If you’re worried about your child’s injuries and unsure if they need medical help, call NHS111. This service offers advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can advise you where to go if your child has experienced a bang to the head or a bad sprain. Just dial 111 to talk to the NHS.

For more information about what to do if your child has an accident, visit www.nhs.uk

For more information contact communications@bedfordshirecg.nhs.uk

01525 864406/ 01525 864430 or 07813 969786

Two Leighton men are celebrating after reaching a total of 30 years’ service with a sales and letting company.

Christopher Hollins and Steven Root of M & M Properties reached the significant landmark with the M & M business.

Christopher has celebrated 10 years as lettings manager and his director Steve 20 years.

Both ex-Gilbert Inglefield and Vandyke Upper School students, Chris and Steve have dedicated their careers to the company after short spells working for local firms after leaving school.

Steve said: “In a time where we see more and more moving around of staff and an increasingly transient work force, it’s reassuring to note that loyalty still exists in our industry.

“At each landmark throughout my career my first instinct is to instantly thank the clients who have given us the opportunity to have such a long running business.”

Chris commented: “I have enjoyed the challenges that the industry brings and the progression which I have made over the 10 years within the company”

Managing director Mike Smith said: “Well done and a very big thank you to Steve and Chris for their hard work.”

Bedfordshire Police’s Junior Police Squad marked the end of its first year with a ‘passing out’ parade.

On Saturday and Sunday, July 8-9, the force hosted two events at police headquarters to celebrate a successful first year, and congratulate the children who took part for all of their hard work.

Putnoe Primary School and Grange Academy, Kempston, passed out on the Saturday, and were presented with certificates by T/Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire.

St Martin De Porres Primary School in Lewsey Farm and Leighton’s Brooklands Middle School passed out on the Sunday and were presented with certificates by Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.

The Junior Police Squad was launched by Bedfordshire Police in 2016, and is aimed at children between nine and 11-years-old. The scheme, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway, aims to develop and maintain trust in the force through positive interaction.

Commissioner Holloway funded the squad’s uniforms.

Sergeant Ben Dimmock, who introduced the scheme to Bedfordshire, said: “We have had a really busy first year, and holding the two passing out parades was a great way to say thank you to all of the children for their hard work.”

T/Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire said: “The Junior Police Squad is a fantastic initiative, and it was a pleasure to meet some of the young people involved.”

Rushmere Country Park is celebrating after winning a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveller reviews over the past year.

The park in Heath and Reach is managed by the Greensand Trust on a not for profit basis.

The trust’s chief executive Gill Welham said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded an internationally recognised standard of excellence, thanks to many visitors who’ve visited Rushmere Country Park posting highly positive reviews.

“We appreciate feedback from our visitors which helps us to improve our offer – as a charity all proceeds made are reinvested into the running of the park.”

TripAdvisor’s vice-president of industry marketing Heather Leisman said: “With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honours hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travellers. ”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality and quantity of reviews submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period.

To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

A budding author wowed the judges with her entry into a national competition.

Zoe Latchford, a Year 10 student at Vandyke Upper School, won The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition.

Zoe and the other age group winners attended an awards ceremony in London.

She met special guest, author Frances Hardinge, as well editors, publishers, agents, and other professionals in this field. Frances Hardinge presented her with her award.

The competition is open to anyone under the age of 19 and this year there were hundreds of entries.

Entrants had to complete a story begun by last year’s winner, author of Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot, Horatio Clare.

Zoe said: “I am thrilled to have received this award as this has given me encouragement to carry on with my creative writing, I have received many positive comments about my story especially from literacy judge Prue Goodwin and France Hardinge.”

Zoe’s parents, Darren and Fiona Latchford, said: “This has been an amazing achievement for Zoe and we are very proud of her.”

Prue Goodwin, lecturer in literacy and children’s books, judged the entries and said: “Well done to all the young writers who entered the Henrietta Branford Writing Competition 2017.”

The Henrietta Branford Writing Competition is an annual competition for young people which runs in conjunction with the Branford Boase Award.

Do know your knights from your ladies and Kings Landings from Castle Blacks?

Prove it by taking our ultimate Game of Thrones trivia quiz.

Sand play pits harbour the emerging superbug C. diff that causes stomach upsets and diarrhoea and in rare cases damages the gut, a new study found.

More than half of all sandpits for children and pets tested were swarming with the bacteria Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff.

And worryingly scientists found genetically diverse strains of C. diff including certain strains displaying increased toxin production, and in some cases multidrug resistance.

C. Diff causes watery diarrhoea, painful tummy cramps, nausea, dehydration, a fever and a loss of appetite and weight.

Serious infections may require surgery to remove a damaged section of the bowel.

The latest finding was over double the amount of found in soil in public parks, gardens, playgrounds and other locations around Cardiff in 1996 where it was found in a fifth of samples.

Professor Prof José Blanco of the Complutense University of Madrid said: “The soil of playgrounds is a reservoir of diverse parasites and infectious agents.

“Furthermore, free access of domestic and wild animals to recreational areas can increase the burden of microbiological contamination.

“Children are generally regarded as the main group at risk for environmental exposure to pathogens, not only because they are frequent users of playgrounds, but also due to the high prevalence of geophagia in that consumption of sand within this group, and the immaturity of their immunological, neurological and digestive

systems.

“Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium of widespread distribution in the environment, where it can survive under adverse conditions through the production of spores.

“This bacterial species was traditionally regarded as a primarily nosocomial pathogen,

but this view has been challenged as the incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in people outside hospitals started to increase.

“In this context, diverse animal species, food products and environmental sources have been suggested to play a role in the transmission of the C. difficile and, in particular, of some epidemic genotypes such as ribotype 078.

“However, to the best of our knowledge, the presence of C. difficile in sandboxes of playgrounds has only been explored in a limited number of studies.”

So the researchers tested 20 pairs of recreational sandboxes for children and dogs in different playgrounds within Madrid.

Overall, 52.5 per cent or 21out of 40 samples were positive for the presence of C. difficile.

Eight of the 20 available isolates belonged to the toxigenic ribotypes 014 and 106, both regarded as epidemic, and CD047.

Prof Blanco added: “The growing number of pets and other animals leaving excrements in the sandboxes of playgrounds and other recreational areas constitutes

a serious epidemiological threat.

“Current tests for assessing the sanitary conditions of sandboxes focus on detecting some select pathogenic parasites and bacterial indicators of faecal contamination, but mostly neglect the possible presence of other emerging pathogens such as C. difficile.

“In this study, we demonstrated that C. difficile is widely distributed in soils samples from both children’s and dog’s sandboxes located within the metropolitan area of Madrid.

“Furthermore, our results revealed that recovered isolates were genetically diverse and displayed resistance to several antibiotics, more than two drugs, including in all cases imipenem and levofloxacin.

“Our results are just a call to action.

“Due to the zoonotic potential attributed to some ribotypes of C. difficile, the possible presence of this emerging pathogen should be considered in any environmental risk assessment.”

The study was published in the journal Zoonoses and Public Health.

Kids born to mums who smoke are more likely to be an antisocial teen and their loutish behaviour increases the more their mums puff away.

They are more at risk of getting a criminal record for violence, theft or vandalism than those who were not exposed to tobacco toxins in the womb.

Although the numbers of mums who smoke has dropped those who do tend to be teenage mums and the poorest in society.

The study compared mums who admit to smoking during pregnancy and the criminal records of their children.

It found mothers of nearly three fifths of anti-social teens - 59 per cent - had smoked while pregnant with them, and in just over a third of cases, their mothers had smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day.

Smoking an extra pack of cigarettes a day was associated with 30 per cent greater odds of her child exhibiting three or more symptoms of conduct disorder as a teen and a more than tripling in the odds of three or more symptoms of antisocial personality disorder as an adult.

And it was linked to a more than doubling in the odds of her child having a record of non-violent offences as a juvenile and of committing a violent offence as an adult.

Previous studies had suggested a link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the antisocial behaviour of their offspring but it is still not clear whether this association is causal or influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

So scientist from Brown University and the University of Maryland used a particular statistical approach known as between-within decomposition, that can tease out any differences between families and within the same family.

The study involved 3,443 children now aged aged 18 to 33 of women who took part in the Boston and Providence centres of the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP) between 1959 and 1966.

The CPP looked at factors before and around birth that might influence the mental, neurological, and physical capabilities of that child.

Of these 1,684 adults from 1,248 families in Boston and Providence were formally interviewed when they were 39, on average, about their behaviour as a teen and as an adult.

The study published in the BMJ’s Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health said the findings were independent of other factors often linked to smoking in pregnancy.

This suggested smoking while pregnant may have a small to moderate causal effect on the risk of antisocial behaviour in the offspring.

Dr Angela Paradis at the Department of Epidemiology at Brown University School of Public Health said: “Maternal smoking during pregnancy was found to be associated with a range of antisocial behaviours measured by self-report and official records.

“Associations were not specific to antisocial behaviour characterised by violence or aggression.

“Our findings, particularly those based on within-mother estimates, suggest that the elevated risk of antisocial behaviour is independent of other family attributes more

common among women who smoke during pregnancy, such as a history of mental illness and lower y socioeconomic status, and may be directly attributable to smoking exposure.

“The current work also highlights, based on our more precise total estimated effects, that any potential causal effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring antisocial behaviour is most likely small to moderate in magnitude

“In summary, findings from this study support a causal association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring antisocial behaviour.

“Many important risk factors for antisocial behaviour are not modifiable for example sex or family history, but maternal smoking during pregnancy is potentially modifiable and remains prevalent among particular subgroups of women, including teenage mothers and mothers with less than a high school education..

“So although maternal smoking during pregnancy may result in only slight-to-moderate increases in an offspring’s risk of antisocial behaviour , removing this exposure may have substantial impacts at the population level.”

Good things come in small packages.

They say good things come in small packages... well actually I’ve only ever known small men to actually say that... but does it ring true for the return of the classic Micro Machines?

I defy anyone who played the original Micro Machines not to feel drawn to this new release over 25 years on from the original.

And for me the excitement was matched with curiosity. I had so many questions going into this revival.

Would it be a resurrection of racing royalty or a regretable retro relaunch (that’s my obligatory alliteration done for this week).

Well the truth is - rather disappointingly - somewhere inbetween.

Initially it was a real thrill assuming that table top racing position and re-familiarising myself with the quirks and controls which made Micro Machines oh so good back in the day.

The - at times - maddening difficulty has been balanced nicely as ever with reward for great driving and after a disastrous first two races I won the third at a canter.

There is a big focus on multiplayer and levelling up in World Series as that was when the original was at its best.

But I was desperately disappointed to see there was no solo championship mode. In fact I was so desperate I went into every part of the menu hoping it was hidden away in some obscure place.... it isn’t.

The series has somewhat sold its soul with Nerf and Hasbro licensing taking over the Micro Machines world here. That has drawn heavy criticism from other reviewers but if didn’t bother me too much to be honest.

MMWS kept me locked in for a good few hours in the first couple of days... but as I grew tired of multiplayer I found myself yearning for that solo mode, even if just to be able to choose and learn the tracks.

A solid enough return but tinged with the bitter taste of disappointment as that nostalgic tear rolls into your mouth...

Women feel more betrayed by ‘emotional’ rather than ‘sexual’ infidelity when they catch a cheating partner on Facebook, according to new research.

But it is the other way around for men, who are more upset when an unfaithful wife or girlfriend goes to bed with a rival, rather than develops a close friendship.

And, irrespective of the contents, women overall were more upset than men when they had to imagine discovering an infidelity-related message.

Scientists say it shows both sexes display the same type of jealousy when they read compromising messages as if they had caught out a lover offline.

Females were most distressed in response to discovering a close friendship, rather than a physical relationship.

Meanwhile, males felt worst when they found social media accounts revealing their partner had been to bed with another man.

Dr Michael Dunn, of Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “Currently, most snooping research is predominantly concerned with the exploration and understanding of snooping on a romantic partner’s mobile phone.

“However, with Facebook playing such a pre-eminent role in modern society, snooping has rapidly moved online as well.”

This is according to Dr Dunn and Colleague Gemma Billett who investigated how jealousy manifests between the sexes when people find compromising messages on their partner’s social media accounts.

In the study 21 male and 23 female undergraduates were shown a selection of eight imaginary Facebook-style messages portraying either emotional or sexual infidelity.

The former were along the lines of: “You must be my soulmate! Feel so bloody connected to you, even though we haven’t slept together.”

An example of the latter was: “You must be the best one-night stand I’ve ever had. Last night was out of this world sexy bum!”

The ‘discovered’ note was either composed and sent by the partner, or came from someone else.

Participants had to rate how distressed they would have felt if they had come across such messages while accessing their partner’s Facebook messaging service without permission.

Men felt more distressed when they read social media messages that revealed their partners’ sexual rather than emotional infidelity.

However, women were more upset than men in response to emotional messages.

Dr Dunn and co author Gemma Billet also found women were significantly more upset when a potential rival had written the message, compared to when it was composed by their own partners.

For men, the opposite seemed to be true and they appeared to be more upset by imagining their partner sending rather than receiving an infidelity-revealing message.

The study supports evolutionary theories suggesting there are differences in what triggers jealousy among men and women - and in how they subsequently direct such feelings towards a cheating partner or potential rival.

According to the researchers, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying jealousy, and how it plays out in the digital age.

Real or suspected partner infidelity that causes sexual or emotional jealousy is often given as the reason for domestic abuse and violence.

Dr Dunn said applying an evolutionary perspective to understanding the manifestation of jealous behaviour may help combat domestic abuse triggered by infidelity-related anger.

A rise in these is inevitable in an “age where clandestine extra-marital relationships are facilitated by modern forms of media technology.”

He said the heightened use of social network platforms including Facebook has been associated with damaging romantic relationships, with a significant increase online infidelity.

Dr Dunn added: “With online infidelity increasing partner paranoia, inevitably, actions implemented to counteract such behaviours are also on the rise.

“This increased paranoia can help explain the growth of certain mistrusting behaviours, such as ‘snooping’.

“The modern concept of snooping can be defined as checking one’s partner’s private possessions and personal communications including private Facebook messages.

“Snooping has been found to be a reliable and widely used method of determining infidelity within modern relationships.

“With regard to snooping prevalence, it has previously been demonstrated 66 per cent of an undergraduate sample admitted to snooping on their partner’s private messages without permission and at least another fifth admitting they were patiently waiting for the appropriate opportunity to snoop.”

The study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science follows US research last year that found women feel just as betrayed if their husband or boyfriend has a close friendship with another woman as an affair.

Becoming close to another woman was considered ‘cheating’ - even if there was no physical intimacy.

But men were less concerned about this but more so if their wife or girlfriend had sex with another man.

The findings were based on a sample of more than 400 people.

He might have had seven years playing a policeman on The Bill but actor Andrew Lancel will put his detective skills to the rest when he appears in a Ruth Rendell crime drama.

Best known for playing DI Neil Manson in the crime drama, he appears in an all star cast in A Judgement in Stone coming to Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday, July 24, to Saturday, July 29.

Eunice struggles to fit in. When she joins a wealthy family as their housekeeper, the very reason for her awkwardness, long hidden and deeply buried, leads inexorably to a terrible tale of murder in cold blood - on Valentine’s Day.

The story unravels a lifetime of deceit, despair and cover-ups which, when revealed, brings a shocking revelation almost as grizzly as murder itself.

Andrew said: “It’s been a long time since I played copper. But this was a show that ticked all of the right boxes for me. It almost doesn’t have a genre. It’s both a whodunnit and whydunnit and it is quite grizzly in places.

“But most importantly, it is a really good yarn and Ruth Rendell is a queen of the genre.

“It is a dark story as well and there’s a reason why her stories have sold so over well over the years. I heard the show described as a perfect nightmare and think that sums it up well.”

There’s also a real ensemble feel to the cast which features Blue’s Antony Costa and Shirley Ann Field, who got her first break after being chosen by Laurence Olivier for the film The Entertainer.

Andrew commented: “There’s a real mish mash of people who are coming at the show from different areas.

“It suits the tone of the show really well. They are all like my second family which is a lovely feeling.”

Tickets for the show cost from £12.

For further information about the show or to book tickets in advance call the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.