Eight fire engines and up to forty fire fighters from Salford and Greater Manchester are currently tackling a huge blaze which has broken out in a building on Langley Road in Pendleton at around 11am this morning (31st March).

Firefighters are currently tackling the fire from above via a platform.

Locals have been advised to close their windows and doors as there is heavy smoke in the area which could cause breathing dificulties, a trail of smoke can be seen in the sky for miles.

Diversions have been put in place between Agecroft and Whit Lane and drivers are being diverted onto Littleton Road.

It is unlcear at the moment if anyone has been injured but there have been reports of ambulances attending the scene.

The cause of the fire at this moment remains unclear.

A spokesperson for GMFRS said:

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"At just before 11:00 on Tuesday 31 March, eight fire engines were called to reports of a fire at a single-storey building on an industrial estate on Langley Road, Salford.

"Crews were quickly on the scene and are currently fighting the 50x50m blaze, using eight breathing apparatus, four jets, and one aerial appliance.

"Local residents are being advised to keep all windows and doors closed and to avoid the area."

 

Photo: Louise Talbot & Tom Nolan

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a wanted man from Wigan.

Gary Gage (19/11/1967) is wanted for breaching the terms of his bail conditions. He is also wanted in connection with a robbery, section 18 assault and burglary that occurred in June 2019.

At around 11.15am on Monday 10 June 2019 a 52-year-old man approached a woman in Wigan Town Centre armed with a knife and stole her handbag. As he fled the scene the man assaulted a member of the public leaving the victim with a cut to the throat.

Gage is known to have links to the Denton, Eccles and Wigan areas of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 7953

Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police have confirmed that the body of a 53-year-old male has been found in the water at the Kersal Wetland this afternoon.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said:

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"Police were called at around 12pm today (Monday, March 30) to a report of a concern for welfare near Kersal Way in Kersal.

"Emergency services attended and sadly found the body of a man, aged 53.

"There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a file has been passed to the coroner."

 

We wish to send our condolences to the mans family at this time.

A man has been charged after an NHS staff member was punched in the face and left with a fractured cheekbone at Salford Royal Infirmary on Sunday 29 March 2020.

Daniel Shelvin (29/04/1992), of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of section 20 assault and one count of section 4a of the Public Disorder Act.

He has since been remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today (Monday 30 March 2020).

Police were called just before 1.50pm on Sunday 29 March 2020 to reports that a man had assaulted a member of NHS staff at a hospital in Salford.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault.

The NHS staff member – a man in his 50s – required treatment for a fractured cheekbone but has since been discharged.

Two men have been charged following a burglary at a gym in Manchester.

Christopher Leader (05/04/1975) of Sirius Place, Salford and Thomas Jones (11/07/1975) of Pegwell Drive, Salford, have both been charged with one count of burglary.

Both men have been remanded in custody to appear before Manchester Magistrates Court today (Wednesday 25 March 2020).

Shortly after 2.30am on Tuesday 24 March 2020, police were called to reports that a gym on Bury New Road Manchester had been broken in to and property had been stolen.

Salford City Council has set-up the Spirit of Salford helpline along with a dedicated web page which residents can use to get in contact for extra help. 

Launched on Tuesday 24 March in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the helpline will be open from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

And as part of the campaign four thousand leaflets are being posted to people aged 75 and over who live alone, pointing them to the new service and offering help and support. After this initial batch, leaflets will be sent to other groups that could require help.

Information will also be posted on social media and made available for general circulation to support residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“I’m absolutely determined and passionate that we do all we can to provide support to our residents in this difficult time, so we have launched this dedicated service. I’d like to thank the councillors, council staff and Salford CVS who have all worked around the clock to get this service up and running.

“Many of our residents don’t have family and friends living locally to support them and will be worried about the current situation. We want to take those concerns away by offering help with food shopping, getting essential medication, getting fuel if they are on a pre-paid meter or looking after pets. This way they can get the vital support they need and continue to self-isolate.

“How to be a Good Neighbour in Salford from Salford CVS also gives residents the chance to donate money, goods and time to help those most in need. You can see more about this at www.salfordcvs.co.uk. This shows the strength of partnership working in this city.

When residents make contact with the helpline, the council will use its own resources and work with partner organisations such as Salford’s Community & Voluntary Sector (CVS) organisation, the NHS and housing providers to get the required help that people need.

Salford City Mayor continued: “Salford is a place with a very proud history and our residents are our greatest asset. The Spirit of Salford always comes together when it is needed most and the whole city will pull together to get through this crisis. A big thank you goes to all those who are helping, especially carers, our social workers and our NHS staff who do a fantastic job and need us all to get behind them at this moment in time.”

 

Any residents that have to self-isolate (stay at home) for any length of time and need assistance, or any carers that need advice and support, should visit www.salford.gov.uk/spiritofsalford or call 0800 952 1000 between 8.30am and 6pm (Monday to Friday).

Police are appealing for information following a firearms discharge in Salford.

Last night (Saturday 21 March 2020) at around 10:15pm, officers were called to reports that a firearm had been discharged through the window of a property on Windale, Worsley.

A 65-year-old woman and her three young grandchildren were home at the time.

No one was injured and this is believed to be an isolated incident with no further risk to the public.

No arrests have been made and an investigation is underway.

A police cordon is currently in place on Windale and Hilton Lane while investigation work is carried out.

Inspector Katie Allen of GMP’s Salford district, said:

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“This was an extremely frightening event for all involved, especially as there were young children present at the time.

“I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to protect residents and investigate this incident. Additional high-visibility police patrols will be present in the coming days to ensure the safety of those in the area.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed anything or has any information about this firearm discharge to get in touch with police as soon as possible. No matter how insignificant you may feel the information is, it could prove vital in helping us with our enquiries.”

 

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 2894 of 21/03/20.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

With our social media pages being flooded on a daily basis with images of bottles of hand sanitiser and other household necessities being sold by some unscrupulous local businesses and vastly inflated prices, City Mayor Paul Dennett has this evening warned those shops looking to exploit people on their time of need to think again.

In a statement issued this evening (20th March) Paul said:

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"In light of evidence that 'price gouging' is occurring amongst some Salford businesses, the City Council would like to make clear that profiting from public desperation during the Coronavirus /Covid-19 pandemic is completely unacceptable and we are working alongside the Competition and Markets Authority and Government to document known cases."

salford.media has been shown evidence of one local business having hiked the price of a 99p bottle of hand sanitser to ten times its value, charging an extortionate £9.99, meanwhile, another store in Eccles was reportedly selling the same product for £6.99.

We have had reports of prices being hiked on products in multiple shops across the city including a receipt from one Pharmacy which shows them clearly selling boxes of 32 Solpadeine Plus tablets for £9.99 which is almost twice the price of its regular RRP.

Salford Council is now asking Salfordian's to help stamp this 'Price Gouging' out by reporting incidents and sending evidence to them via either general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk or trading.standards@salford.gov.uk, putting 'Excess Pricing' as the emails subject.

It is completely and utterly disgusting that a small number of local retailers consider it to be acceptable to rake in huge profits at the expense, misery and plight of the people of Salford. These retailers are taking advantage of a scared public who are desperate to secure the medicines they need due to shelves being stripped of them by panic buyers.

We ask that all of those who witness such price hiking speak with their feet in future and take their custom elsewhere. 

Fortunately the majority of local businesses in Salford have been standing in solidarity with the people at this time of unprecedented crisis, keeping their prices the same and doing their best to maintain stock for those who are finding it hard to fill their shelves due to the selfishness of panic buyers who have stripped supermarkets bare over the past week.

As with everything in Salford, it always seems to be a minority that make things worse for the majority.

Salford Council has also been busy galvanising support from local community members, businesses and groups as it responds to what is essentially a fight against an invisible enemy that had declared war on each and every member of our community, we all need to do our bit to ensure that we bring this to an end as quickly as possible and with as few deaths as possible.

Earlier in the week a support group on Facebook was started by local councillors in partnership with the NHS, Salford CVS and Salford Council, and hundreds of local volunteers with the aim of aiding as many as possible of those who need help and assistance as we battle through what is undoubtedly the worst health crisis in modern times.

The Spirit of Salford Group can be found on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/630588901059643/

A form to volunteer is available via the Salford CVS website here: https://www.salfordcvs.co.uk/emergency-response-volunteer-registration-form

Police were called after a suspected stolen Vauxhall Astra was involved in a collision with a wall at St James Church (Hope) in the early hours of this morning (Friday 20th March).

The collision happened at the junction of Eccles Old Road with Lancaster Road, both of which were temporarily closed this morning.

Police say that the occupants of the vehicle somehow managed to miraculously flee the scene before they arrived. 

The collision was so strong that it sent a safety bollard flying through the air which embedded into one of the churches stained glass windows and the wreckage of the vehicle somersaulting over the opposite side of the wall.

For awhile the police helicopter hovered over head as they searched for those involved.

SalfordOnline member Victoria Blair posted a video of the scene onto the group.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.kidd.77/videos/10156597564167134/

Enquiries are still on going into the incident.

A GMP Spokesperson said:

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“Shortly after 4.35am today (Friday 20 March 2020), police were called to reports that a Vauxhall Astra had collided with a church on Eccles Old Road at the junction with Lancaster Road in Eccles.

“The occupants of the suspected stolen Vauxhall fled the scene prior to police arrival.

“Officers are searching the area with the support of the police helicopter and road closures are in place.

“No arrests have currently been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 392 of 20/03/20, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

 

Photo/Video: Victoria Blair

From the end of the school day, all schools in Salford will be complying with the governments requirement for closure to all but the children of those who are deemed to be essential key workers in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic.

Many schools will be sending children home with education packs to allow them to continue being home schooled for the foreseeable future.

A list of those deemed to be key workers can be found below.

Additionally, this years GCSE and A Level examinations have been cancelled.

Health and social care

Frontline health and social care staff such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition it includes those working in supply chains including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment.

Education and childcare

Nursery, teaching staff and social workers.

Key public services

Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

Administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.

Food and other necessary goods

Those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.

Public safety and national security

Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and those responsible for border security, prisons and probation.

Transport

Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.

Utilities, communication and financial services

Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.

A man who conspired with his brother to carry out a terror attack that killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena has been jailed.

Hashem Abedi (08/04/1997), formerly of Fallowfield, has today (Tuesday 17 March 2020) been found guilty of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.

During the course of a six week trial at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) in London, the jury heard compelling evidence of Hashem's activities in the months leading up to the attack, which was carried out by his brother Salman on 22 May 2017.

These included persuading close acquaintances to purchase chemicals on his behalf that could be used to manufacture explosives, sourcing metal drums that were used to build bomb prototypes and buying a Nissan Micra that was used to store the bomb components back in Manchester whilst the brothers were in Libya.

Witnesses also gave evidence in court which suggested the brothers had developed an extremist mind-set. One witness stated in court that, in his opinion, Hashem 'believed in terrorism'.

Prior to the events at the Manchester Arena, the brothers used three key addresses to prepare for the attack. A property on Lindum Street in Rusholme was used as a delivery address for the chemicals. The chemicals were subsequently taken to a flat on Somerton Court in Blackley where they were manufactured into explosives. The final version of the bomb would be built at a flat in Granby House in Manchester City Centre in the days prior to the attack.

After gathering all the materials needed to construct the final version of the device, Hashem and Salman flew to Libya to see family in 15 April 2017, the month before the attack took place. Whilst the brothers were out of the country, the bomb components were stored in a Nissan Micra that was parked near Devell House in Rusholme.

Hashem remained in Libya when his brother returned to the UK on 18 May 2017. Salman would then collect the components from the car in a blue suitcase before taking them to Granby House to finish the construction of the bomb.

On 22 May 2017, Salman Abedi entered the Manchester Arena and detonated the device that he and Hashem had created, killing himself and 22 other people, and injuring almost 1,000 members of the public.

Hashem was arrested in Libya the following day and successfully extradited to the UK on 17 July 2019.Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson of Greater Manchester Police said:

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"Almost three years ago, Greater Manchester Police had to announce to the world that Manchester had suffered one of the worst terrorist attacks this country has ever experienced.

“Twenty-two lives had been suddenly and brutally taken in a barbaric act, leaving behind heartbroken families and friends. Their loss is sorely felt and, for many, the pain of that loss will never ever heal.

“There were also almost 1,000 people injured, some incredibly seriously and many still suffer with deep physical or psychological injuries which will remain with them for years, if not forever.

“Salman Abedi exploded the bomb which caused this devastation, but people now know that this horrific attack was planned with his brother, Hashem Abedi, who we now see convicted of the 22 murders and the attempted murder of all those others who were injured.

“Although he was in Libya at the time of the attack, Hashem Abedi is every bit as guilty as his dead brother and this is reflected in the judgment we see today. He was his brother’s driver, the quartermaster sourcing deadly material and the munitions technician in those months running up to the attack.

“During his police interview, he professed not only his innocence but his desire to help police with their enquiries before then refusing to answer all further questions put to him. Then at his trial, he offered no testimony in his own defence.

“In the last few weeks Abedi absented himself from court, such was the contempt he showed for the proceedings and all those so deeply affected by this cowardly act.

“We are very pleased at this verdict and we thank the jury for their deliberations.

“And so this verdict marks the end of a very long investigation by police and the CPS and we know many will welcome it, but we also know that even this will do little to ease the pain caused to so many people.

“When this happened almost three years ago it shook Manchester deeply, there was an outpouring of grief which spread across the country and far afield abroad.

“Since that terrible day, our thoughts have always been with the families of those murdered and all those injured and our actions have sought to put them first.

“This will continue to be our priority as we move towards the public inquiry scheduled to take place in a few months.”

 

At around 8.15am on Wednesday 9 October 2019, police were called by a member of the public who had found a rucksack containing a firearm in their back yard in Salford.

Officers attended and the member of the public told them that, minutes earlier, a man had knocked on and asked them if they had found a rucksack in their back yard.

The rucksack was searched and found to contain a firearm, a home-made silencer and ammunition as well as trainers, trousers, a jacket, gloves and a balaclava.

Later that day, covert officers observed Craig Taberer (24/05/86) of Sunningdale Drive, Swinton hanging around near where the rucksack was found.

Following an examination of the items, Taberer was forensically linked to the firearm and clothes.

On Sunday 20 December 2019, officers from GMP’s Operation Artic team attended an address in the Culcheth area of Warrington and arrested Taberer on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He was taken into police custody for questioning, during which he claimed he had been asked to look after it by men whose names he would not disclose.

Taberer was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a silencer with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Yesterday (Monday 16 March 2020), he was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to 12 years imprisonment.Detective Sergeant Daniel Worthington, of GMP’s Operation Arctic team, said:

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“This is a great result for both police and members of the public across Greater Manchester - the items in the rucksack could have been used to kill or cause serious injuries but are now off the streets. 

“I would like to use this opportunity to thank the individual who found the rucksack for contacting police and assisting us with our investigation – intelligence from members of the public helps us protect communities from serious and organised crime. I would also like to highlight the work of our surveillance officers and the Operation Arctic team – they are thorough and absolutely committed to keeping Greater Manchester safe.

“I hope Taberer’s sentence serves as a stark warning to anyone who is involved in serious and organised crime or is even in possession of a weapon that neither GMP nor the justice system will tolerate this and, once caught, you are likely to receive a hefty prison sentence.”

 

A Salford-based housing association’s community fund programme has helped over 200 local projects since 2017. 

Salix Homes’ Springboard fund aims to support projects that boost community spirit, improve the environment, reduce isolation and promote health and wellbeing.

Salford-based organisations or initiatives can bid for the Springboard funding. All they need is a great idea and a local connection to Salix Homes.

Projects that have previously been awarded funding have included computer clubs, football teams, gardening groups, a care home and a social supermarket.

Thomas Lever MBE runs Lower Kersal Young People and Community Group (LKYPCG) with his wife Lesley, which is based in St Aidan’s Church in Lower Kersal in Salford, were just one of the groups who have been funded by the Springboard programme in the last three years. 

The Salford charity has transformed the lives of hundreds of local people, through offering training opportunities and providing a lifeline for people who may otherwise be feeling lonely and isolated.

LKYPCG were named the deserving winners of the first ever Springboard Heroes Awards in 2018 which entitled them to an extra £1,000 cash boost – as voted for by the local public.

Thomas said:

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“Like a lot of charities across the country, funding has been a big issue. The Springboard funding initiative has made a big difference to us and has helped us to be able to keep going.

“Winning Springboard Heroes was great. We put the prize money into a funding pot, which meant we were able create a few more weekly groups for local people.

“There’s the sewing and knitting group, line dancing group and over-50s allotment group. We’re also teaching Local Lower Kersal Community Primary School how to grow their own food and veg. Thanks to the additional support of Salix Homes, these activities are now secure for three years.”

 

Sue Sutton, operations director of Salix Homes said:

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“In a time of budget cuts, we are incredibly proud of our Springboard fund. The cash boosts have meant that several local projects and initiatives around Salford have been able to continue their fantastic work.

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with LKYPCG, so it was great to see them crowned as our first ever Springboard Heroes. The award is our way of honouring the fantastic work that ordinary people in Salford are doing every day.”

 

Last year’s Springboard Heroes winner was Swinton-based care home, The Fountains. They used their prize money to fund a sensory room for their dementia residents.

You can watch the moment they were presented with their winner’s cheque.  

It doesn't matter if you're an established community group, a charity, school, or just an individual with a great idea for a community project, you can still apply for a share of the Springboard funding pot. 

There is no stopping the Neild family, from Swinton, after they all caught the running bug.

Belinda was first out of the blocks by running to raise funds for St Ann’s Hospice where her mum Joyce Bolton died of cancer in 2011.

Daughter Lucia Belle (12) is also a member of Salford Met Athletics Club and husband Stephen has just completed his first 10k.

Steve will join her in a half marathon in Leeds in May, shortly after Belinda competes in marathons in Bolton and Manchester.

Belinda, an art and design teacher at Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley, applies her creative skills to her outfits.

She dressed as a red crayon for last year’s London marathon, earning a place in the Guinness World Record as the fastest female as a ‘stationery item.’

Belinda said:

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 "St Ann's has touched so many people and the staff there do an amazing job and I always want to give something back.

"They focus on patients but recognise it’s also a difficult time for relatives, carers and friends and provide support for them too."

The Bolton race on Sunday, May 17, is billed as a ‘back from the 80s marathon’ so Belinda will enter into the spirit dressed as a Rubik’s Cube.

She has raised almost £8,000 for St Ann’s in Little Hulton which also treated her late father-in-law Kevin Neild and auntie Sandra McStravick.

She carried a memory flag bearing the names of lost loved ones at the London marathon in 2018.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a wanted man from Salford.

Kaileb Harrison (21/12/1995) is wanted after absconding from prison.

He was jailed 11 years in October 2017 for robbery and burglary.

Harrison is known to have links to the Little Hulton area of Greater Manchester.

Anybody with information regarding his whereabouts should contact police on 0161 856 528.

Information can also be passed to the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police and fire services were called after a group of up to five people dressed completely in black brazenly used an Stihl Saw to shear the lock off the roller shutters of the Crypto Exchange Centre store at Hankinson Way on Salford Precinct this evening.

The incident is said to have happened at around 10pm this evening (14th March) and was caught on video and posted onto Twitter moments after.

Shortly afterwards smoke was seen to be pouring from the front of the shop.

Fire crews rushed to the scene to deal with the situation which we believe could have been an anti theft fogger which activated.

See Video Here: https://twitter.com/i/status/1238941273396051968

GMP & GMFRS have been asked for further information and we will post an update as soon as we get one.

Photo: Twitter

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a wanted man from Salford.

Arann McGinley (16/03/1991) was released from prison in March 2019 after being jailed in 2017 for robbery.

He has failed to abide by the terms of his licence and is now wanted.

McGinley is known to have links to the Salford, Manchester city centre and Altrincham areas of Greater Manchester, as well as Chester and Dublin.

Anybody with information regarding the whereabouts of McGinley should contact the police on 0161 856 5238 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Beloved veterans charity 'Broughton House' is taking no chances when it comes to the health of its elderly residents during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The virus has been shown very clearly to have a devastating effect upon the health of the elderly, sick and those with compromised immune systems and with that in mind, this evening the charity has very wisely issued a statement in which they outline changes which are to be implemented to restrict the potential for residents to come into contact with those carrying the virus.

These include additional hand sanitising for staff as well as limiting visits from members of the local community as well as external entertainment which will be cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Further more, from midnight on Friday 13th March they will be imposing restrictions on visiting their veteran residents to close family members only who will be asked to act with precaution on regarding physical contact.

Visitors who display Flu-like symptoms will be declined contact with residents for their protection.

Eccles Police posted this today about a PCSO having his bicycle stolen, and no, it's not a laughing matter...

Shouldn't have to do this however whilst dealing with an incident today at about 1.30pm Thursday 12th March one of our PCSO's had one of our fully marked GMP electric cycles stolen from inside a corridor at Nelson Street, Eccles (picture of our 2nd identical bike shown below),

He was dealing with an incident at the time and it was locked, the cycle being electric is heavy and wouldn't have been easy to move as it wont freewheel without the key and is not much use without the specialist charger.

If you see it around or dumped or saw anything please let us know quoting log number 1397 12/3/20. The theft of this community asset affects the amount of incidents my staff can attend to in a day and ultimately affects you the public.

Thanks Ps Judd Eccles Neighborhood Team.

Three local primary schools in Salford and Eccles are to close as a precautionary measure after it was disclosed that a parent at one of the schools (Lewis Street in Eccles) has tested positive for Corona Virus (Covid-19).

The parent is said to be at home, self isolating and not hospitalised. It is unclear as yet as to where the virus was contracted.

The decision to close all three schools was due to some staff working across them all.

The closures are not mandatory, nor have authorities insisted they close but the schools have taken the independent and sensible decision as a precaution and to allow for deep cleaning.

Read The Letter From Lark Hill Primary Here

Lark Hill Community Primary, Lewis Street Primary School and Christ Church Primary School are all set to close as a precautionary measure from Tomorrow (Friday 13th March) , it is hoped that the schools can reopen on Monday.

Meanwhile, there have reportedly been chaotic scenes at one school after parents were contacted and asked to come and pick up their children this afternoon. A source has told us that one parent was subjected to vile racist abuse.

The disease as been predominantly more severe in older populations and those with weakened immune systems so far, most infected will experience mild symptoms. At the time of writing there have been 10 deaths attributed to the virus and 590 cases confirmed across the UK, all of those who have died have so far had underlying health conditions which have contributed significantly.

It is important that if you or any of your family members manifest any of the symptoms of the virus, you should self isolate and contact 111 immediately to arrange to be tested.

Symptoms may include:

A dry cough

A temperature

Tiredness

Shortness of Breath (In more severe cases)

Some may suffer from aches and pains, nasal congestion and a runny nose or sore throat, it can also cause mild diarreah.

Most people will recover without medical intervention although some who already suffer from a compromised immune system may have more severe symptoms which require hospitalisation.

Regular washing of hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more is recommended to stop infection and people are being told to avoid touching their faces unless their hands are properly sanitised.

It is highly unlikely you will need a mega pack of toilet roll.

Photo: Flickr