What is the test?
2. Use the Sharpie to mark the water level on the bottle
3. Add another 200ml of water, and mark the new water level. Repeat until the bottle is full
4. Fill the bucket with water, and dip the full bottle upside down until it is fully submerged
5. Keep the bottle in this position before placing one end of the rubber tubing inside the bottle neck
6. Take a deep breath and blow into the tube
7. Either you (or someone else) count how many lines of water you can blow out of the bottle
8. Time the number of lines by 200ml. For example, two lines is 400ml, three is 600ml etc. This number is your vital lung capacity (VC).
(Picture: Getty Images)
How to improve lung health
• Keep warm and drink plenty of fluids
• Stay active, stay well
• Consider the air quality outside
• Keep up to date with vaccinations
• Stop smoking (obviously, this only applies to smokers)
Extra tips for long-term lung conditions:
• Stay on track with your regular medicines (including inhalers)
• Take time to put a self-management plan in place
(Picture: Getty Images)
4 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Major supermarket launches new scheme amid backlash against ‘dystopian’ self-checkouts
From shopping to dating, real-life interaction is being eroded from almost every corner of society.
Thanks to self-checkouts, you can now easily get your groceries, buy a new top, and stock up on cat food without uttering a word to a single human being.
And while some people have embraced this new technological era, individuals struggling with loneliness are longing for those little moments of connection.
In an effort to combat the issue, Morrisons has now teamed up with the 1 Million Minutes campaign – an initiative launched in the UK in 2016 that asks members of the public to donate their time (as opposed to their money).
From Thursday 4 December to Sunday 7 December, the supermarket’s ‘Talking Tills’ will offer customers the chance to spend a tad more time at checkout, having a conversation with staff and hopefully brightening their day.
According to David Scott, corporate affairs director at Morrisons, the scheme will help ‘create space for those meaningful moments, offering customers the chance to slow down and chat if they’d like to.’
‘At Morrisons, supporting the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do,’ he continued. ‘We know that for many people, especially at this time of year, a simple conversation can make a real difference.’
A simple conversation can go a long way
Loneliness is a significant problem in the UK.
A Government survey, which looked at different aspects of British life and community from 2023 to 2024, found that 7% (approximately 3.1 million Brits) reported feeling lonely often or always, marking a 1% increase against the previous year.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, where the 1 Million Minutes campaign first launched almost 10 years ago, former care worker Pat shared how, with so many day centres shutting down, the supermarket is one of the only places isolated people can chat and mix with others.
Others feel the same, showing support for Talking Tills online.
‘Get the till staff to chat away to customers and allow them to take their time like they used to,’ wrote X user @BetsyMcBotty. ‘A lot of customers used to really enjoy that.’
‘This is a great idea for people to stay in touch and tackle loneliness, especially at Christmas time,’ said another, @PaulYoung, while @littlenic1976, added: ‘Supermarkets don’t want you talking to anyone. I have worked in two and they get rid of all the till lanes. It’s so sad. I always used to get told off for talking too much to the elderly. I might have been their only conversation all day.’
Daniel Robinson, editor of Good Morning Britain commented: ‘This year feels more urgent than ever, with rising prices in the shops and pressure on families, it’s so easy to feel disconnected.’
‘We all know what it feels like to feel lonely. And whether it’s a family member, a friend, a neighbour or a stranger, pledging just a few minutes of time can really make a difference.’
Since its inception, the 1 Million Minutes campaign has seen over 880 million minutes pledged by members of the public.
It may slow down your shop
While Morrisons’ Talking Tills initiative has been well-received by many, some on social media have expressed concerns over how it might affect the speediness of checkout services.
Responding to GMB’s video, @Padelgirl wrote: ‘That’ll not go down well during the lunchtime & afternoon rush!’
‘What nonsense!’ added X user @JohnDoe. ‘Personally, I want a quick checkout not a chat that centres around the weather, what I am doing later on or something else equally facile. That’s why I use self service!’
However, @DaveHenson hit back, commenting: ‘So that lane isn’t for you then!’
More self-checkout news
How are supermarkets tackling loneliness?
Alongside the ‘Talking Tills’ initiative this Christmas season, Morrisons has donated £50,000 to fund 100 of Royal Voluntary Service’s festive spreads and providing 400 free Christmas meals in Morrisons cafés in partnership with Age UK.
And they aren’t the only ones getting involved in this effort.
In 2024, Asda launched its ‘Chatty Cafés’ scheme, pledging almost £1 million to combat loneliness in older generations.
Specifically targeted at the over-60s, the supermarket’s cafés offered £1 soup, bread rolls, and unlimited tea and coffee – providing a space for people to chat and eat together.
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Princess Anne dazzled with a statement tiara on Wednesday evening at the German state banquet inside Windsor Castle – but she once wasn’t happy with the heirloom piece
4 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Sparkle in style this festive season with Christmas party outfits from only £29
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It’s that time of year again. The countdown to Christmas is on and party season is just around the corner.
Suddenly every evening is booked with office drinks, secret Santa swaps, or festive nights out with friends and the question on everyone’s lips is the same: what on earth am I going to wear?
Whether you’re leaning towards a laid-back look with the classic jeans-and-a-nice-top combo or ready to embrace full festive glam with head-to-toe sequins, velvet, satin or sparkle, the high street is absolutely delivering this year.
From budget-friendly gems to statement pieces, there’s something to suit every vibe, every dress code and every budget.
And because party season is busy enough without spending hours scrolling through endless options, we’ve done the legwork for you.
Below you’ll find the newest drops, standout trend pieces and the most affordable finds to bring you the outfits that are guaranteed to get you in the festive mood.
M&S Sequin Wide Leg Trousers
These M&S Sequin Wide Leg Trousers have added stretch, a flattering wide-leg fit and all-over sequins for an incredible party look. Available in blush or chocolate and in short/petite, regular and long lengths, they’re designed to suit a wide range of styles and heights.
Boden Kate Velvet Shirt Dress
The Kate Velvet Shirt Dress from Boden has a soft velvet finish that’s polished enough for parties but comfortable to wear. Princess seams allow ease of movement, while puff sleeves, a waist-defining belt, and a button-through design let you wear it buttoned up or open. Available in multiple colours and petite, regular and long lengths, it’s an elegant, easy-to-wear choice for festive occasions.
River Island Black Embellished Sheer Zip Up Top
Add some sparkle to your wardrobe with the River Island Black Embellished Sheer Zip-Up Top. This sheer long-sleeve design features a crew neck, zip fastening, and dazzling sequin and bead embellishments. Perfect for festive occasions, it can be worn layered or on its own for an effortless party-ready look.
New Look Black Faux-Pearl Trim Square Neck Jumpsuit
New Look’s Black Faux-Pearl Trim Square Neck Jumpsuit features a wide-leg cut and an elegant square neckline. Ideal for parties and festive events, it’s finished with subtle faux pearls along the neckline and makes a simple, stylish option that’s easy to wear and versatile.
Friends Like These Red Foil Spot Short Sleeve Chiffon Tiered Maxi Dress
This Friends Like These Red Foil Spot Short Sleeve Chiffon Tiered Maxi Dress is made from lightweight chiffon with a flattering tiered hem. It features short flutter sleeves, a crew neckline, and maxi length for a comfortable, elegant fit. The red foil spot print adds subtle shine, perfect for Christmas parties.
Monsoon Patricia Ruffle Sleeve Midi Dress Red
Get ready for Christmas celebrations in the Monsoon Patricia Ruffle Sleeve Midi Dress Red. Featuring ruffled sleeves, a fitted bodice, and a flattering midi-length hem, it’s perfect for festive parties and family gatherings. The vibrant red hue pairs beautifully with a sparkling clutch and strappy heels for a standout seasonal look.
Dorothy Perkins Velvet Sequin Mini Skirt
This Velvet Sequin Mini Skirt from Dorothy Perkins brings festive sparkle to your Christmas wardrobe. Featuring shimmering sequins, it’s ideal for parties or nights out. Style it with a sleek top and heels or knee-high boots for a show-stopping seasonal outfit.
It’s time to get your Christmas party wardrobe ready and sparkle all season long!
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4 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
300 people queued for 4 hours for this high street store with prices from £1
Blind boxes with mystery treats tucked inside; cutesy home accessories; trading cards, and more games than you could shake a stick at.
These are some of the offerings available at Miniso, a shop selling trinkets and collabs with the likes of Disney, Barbie, Pokémon, and Care Bears.
Starting out in China as a chain specialising in household and consumer goods, Miniso has since expanded worldwide to include more than 6,000 shops across 100 countries.
In the UK alone, there are already more than 44 stores, including one on London’s Oxford Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Camden, as well as locations in Brighton, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Manchester and Leeds.
Now, though, Miniso is proving that it’s still got fans wrapped around its oh-so-cute thumbs, as a brand-new shop has just debuted in Livingston, up in Scotland – and there was quite the welcoming committee.
This was no small fanfare: more than 300 people joined the queue up to four hours before the shop was opened, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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2025 has been a grand old year for Miniso, as countless new stores have opened – and in November, stores in Uxbridge, Peterborough, Hammersmith, Glasgow Buchanan and Sheffield Meadowhall were announced, with other notable additions so far this year including Brighton North Street, Bond Street Station, and Telford.
What can you buy at Miniso?
Prices start as small as £1, including things like lemon-patterned wire storage baskets and dustproof containers, so if you’re looking to add a few trinkets to your home office, now’s your chance.
Need to up your cleaning game? There’s plenty in this realm on offer, including handsomely priced cleaning brushes and sponges, as well as Hello Kitty-themed teaspoons, bento boxes and cookie cutters for the wider kitchen cupboard.
Miniso is famed for its brand collaborations, with ranges including Sanrio, Barbie, Minions, Pokémon and Disney, as well as the popular ‘blind box,’ which gives shoppers the chance to purchase a goody bag with a bunch of mystery offerings, including the Shrek (£9.79), Sanrio characters (£13.99), and My Melody Afternoon Tea collections (£14.99).
As such, there’s been plenty of hype on social media about Miniso – with many fawning over the collabs in particular.
‘This store is literally the cutest thing I’ve ever been in,’ @freyaheath told her TikTok fans of her visit to the brand’s Trafford Centre location up in Manchester.
‘The little keyrings that they had – I wanted to buy them all. They also had these little figures you could get, and they did Toy Story, [Lilo and] Stitch, Disney Princess, Care Bears…they were just too cute.’
Elsewhere, @gothiquegirly filmed herself taking her partner to a Miniso store, joking: ‘me taking him to the pinkest, cutest, girliest store in the mall,’ while @rinawyd said: ‘buying everything my girlfriend touches from Miniso.’
Three words: take our money.
A version of this article was originally published on October 16, 2024.
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4 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
This jewellery brand lets you upgrade your style and savings with pure metal pieces you can cash in as they rise in value
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Carrie Bradshaw once said she liked her money hanging in her closet, but what about the pieces sparkling in your jewellery box?
7879 is making a strong case for a new kind of sparkle that’s both stylish and savvy, with gold and platinum pieces that don’t just elevate your look but also double as a genuine financial investment.
The London‑based brand’s name comes from the atomic numbers of the two precious metals it specialises in: platinum and gold. Every piece is crafted from pure materials and sold by weight at real market value, with a small markup for craftsmanship and costs. That means as the price of your gold or platinum rises, so does the value of your jewellery.
You can literally watch your earrings, necklaces and rings gain value through your personalised portfolio. And if you decide to sell, 7879 will buy them back at the current market price of the metal, with only a small transaction fee.
For extra peace of mind, you can chat instantly with an expert for advice, and the brand’s range is responsibly mined with traceable sources and ethical suppliers.
There’s a variety of price points, plus you can pay for most pieces over four interest‑free instalments with Klarna and Clearpay.
The collection is timeless and elegant, with highlights including the Cable chain necklace in 24k gold – a simple yet stunning piece. The Fantasia chain bracelet, available in different lengths, features diamond‑shaped links with cut‑outs for a sleek finish, while the Star stud earrings are best‑sellers in both 24k gold and platinum.
If you’ve already got a chain, you can make it pop with a striking charm. The Evil Eye is said to ward off negativity, while the Wings charm symbolises encouragement to fly freely on your journey.
Celebrities are already fans, with Call the Midwife’s Helen George, Downton’s Joanne Froggett and comedian Jack Whitehall among those spotted wearing the brand.
So if you’re looking for a statement piece that could also boost your bank balance, 7879 proves accessorising can come with added assets.
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The Princess of Wales oozed glamour in a stunning Jenny Packham gown and grand tiara as she joined Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla in welcoming the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, to the UK for a state visit with a state banquet at St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.
The Duchess of Sussex is sticking to her guns about a decision around her filming etiquette as her new one-off ‘Holiday Celebration’ episode of With Love, Meghan is released
3 Dec, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Queen Letizia extends quiet message of support for local non-profit
Queen Letizia extended a quiet message of support for a local non-profit during a visit to the opening of an exhibition on Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain on Tuesday, 2 December, at the Gallery of the Royal Collections at the Royal Palace
