Bradford teenager Eloisa Atkinson, 15, is making preparations to take part in a barrel racing competition in the US state of Georgia.

One in eight (12%) parents surveyed start back to school shopping in the first week of the summer holidays, while 13% who are planning even further ahead start as early as April.

Clearpay said its own data points to a rise in purchases in items that could keep children entertained while travelling.

MPs said Baroness Manzoor’s letter was ‘unnecessary and disrespectful’ after she declined to answer questions about the departure.

Actor and comedian Eric Idle has said he feels lucky “every single day” after surviving pancreatic cancer. Idle, 82, revealed in 2022 that he had received an early diagnosis and been successfully ...