Latest News

WEST HAM players will pay tribute to team-mate Michail Antonio before the match with Wolves after his terrifying car crash.

The Hammers host Gary O’Neil’s side tonight at the London Stadium, just two days after the horrible incident.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.

WEST HAM will wait to make a decision on extending Michail Antonio’s contract until he has left hospital.

The Hammers are offering full medical and personal support to the striker after he was airlifted to hospital following a shocking car crash on Saturday.

Antonio, 34, is out of contract next summer and will not play again this season following surgery on a broken leg.

But the club will hold talks about extending his deal in order to support him throughout his recovery.

West Ham have form for sticking by their players in these situations, having extended long-serving defender Angelo Ogbonna‘s deal after he suffered an ACL injury in 2021.

For now, however, it is considered far too soon to be making decisions on Antonio, with the club focusing on his well-being following the traumatic incident.

Once the former Nottingham Forest man, who is still being monitored in a London hospital, has begun his recovery, discussions will be held over an extension.

The Jamaica international, who has 83 goals in 323 West Ham appearances, had to be cut out of his Ferrari near Theydon Bois by firefighters and was trapped inside for just under 45 minutes.

The Hammers squad are planning to show their support for the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorer ahead of tonight’s game against Wolves.

Essex Police have appealed for information or dash cam footage and added their Road Policing Unit will carry out an investigation.

Antonio’s Hammers teammates will show their support for him ahead of their game against Wolves.

The West Ham squad will warm-up in specially made shirts bearing “Antonio, 9”.

They will also walk out of the tunnel ahead of kick-off in tops with his name on.

All warm-up shirts and match-worn West Ham shirts will be signed by the squad, including Antonio, and auctioned off for charity.

The proceeds will be split between the NHS and Air Ambulances UK Charity – with the West Ham board matching the proceeds.

The club said: “Everyone at the Club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident.”

SCIENTISTS have said big cats are lurking among us in the UK countryside after DNA belonging to lions and snow leopards was found on a carcass.

Prof Robin Allaby found proof of big cat DNA in the wild in the UK and he claims that up to one hundred of the apex predators are on the loose and prowling through the British countryside.

Getty

Big cats could be among us in the UK according to scientists[/caption]

The expert from Warwick University analysed a sample taken from a sheep’s carcass in the Lake District.

He discovered ‘Panthera genus’ DNA – meaning it had to have come from a lion, leopard, tiger, jaguar or snow leopard.

The remains of the sheep were discovered by Sharon Larkin-Snowden in Cumbria last October.

She disturbed whatever had been feeding on the carcass and the animal ran towards a stone wall before disappearing.

Sharon took a swab of the carcass and sent it to big cat expert Rick Minter who passed it on to Prof Allaby, Professor of Life Sciences.

He analysed the sample at his laboratory and discovered both fox and Panthera DNA.

He said the findings suggested the sheep had been eaten by both a fox and a big cat such as a leopard.

Prof Allaby said: “With the evidence we have now I’m 99 per cent sure. I always leave one per cent room for the possibility you may turn out to be wrong no matter how convincing the evidence is.

“I don’t think this is an easily faked piece of evidence from what I’ve seen. We know the evidence we’ve seen so far is hard to fake.

“It seems very likely on the balance of probabilities that on the basis of this there are panthers in the UK at the moment.

“Population viability analysis tells us that in general a minimum viable population needs to be probably something over 50-100 individuals.”

Prof Allaby added: “This summer was really quite exciting. In the news there were reports of DNA of the Panthera genus recovered from the swab of a sheep carcass in the southern Lake District.

“Is it real? Could it be a hoax?

“Ours was the lab that detected it and we think it is real. Firstly there is absolutely no doubt that the DNA sequence was that of the Panthera genus.

“So could it have been planted? Well that doesn’t seem likely either for a number of reasons.

“Obtaining panther DNA is not going to be as easy as it sounds. Get some from a zoo? Fine, go ahead, try it.

“Enclosures are large and the edges that the paying population will be able to get to are not going to be laced with panther DNA.

“Even if we imagine a Victorian cage zoo with bars that our panther is licking, you could swab those bars, but it’s not going to be enough DNA with which to lace a carcass.

“What you need is fluids for which you will need the cooperation of a professional. It’s not likely that professionals are going to risk their jobs to provide such samples.

“Secondly if the sample had been laced, then we would expect plenty of DNA for us to be sure we would find it.

“That was certainly not the case and takes some understanding of DNA taphonomy. However, to be truly convincing we need to find more samples.

“To be utterly convincing we need multiple samples, genome level information and a demonstration through that evidence that these are part of a coherent population.”

Rick Minter, of Big Cat conversations podcast, added: “The Cumbrian DNA result showed the value of testing saliva from a carcass which had really fresh saliva.

“Sharon Larkin-Snowden actually watched what she described as a black leopard slink away, close to the scene, so she assumes she disturbed it when checking the field.

“She swabbed the carcass later in the day, when she returned with a swab kit.

“But even in that time, the swabs yielded both fox and Panthera results indicating how soon the fox scavenging began.

“Mating black leopards produce black litters exclusively. So has a strain of black leopards emerged in Britain by accident, now culling deer in our woods, from the irresponsible past release of trophy pets?”

BIG CAT SIGHTINGS

Cumbria Police receive a steady stream of reports about a black panther-type cat prowling the Lake District.

In 2016, one police chief believed he caught the “beast of Cumbria” on camera.

Kevin Pitt a former chief superintendent with Cleveland Constabulary, photographed what he believes to be a large, non-native black cat on a railway embankment at Eden, Cumbria.

Other sightings of big cats have taken place over the years.

The Beast of Exmoor is a large, mysterious feline that has been reported in the moors of Somerset and Devon since the 1970s.

In 2021, it was spotted stalking the countryside in one of the most convincing big cat sightings to date.

The black cat was filmed by Lisa and Nathan Deere, who said it was bigger than a domestic animal. 

A neighbour spotted it days before in the same field near Yeovil, Somerset, but Lisa was unconvinced until she saw it, too.

She and fiancé Nathan filmed the cat for a few minutes in what is some of the clearest footage yet.

Earlier this year, footage showed a suspected “big cat” watching walkers after being spotted at a remote Yorkshire beauty spot.

The large animal, which onlookers believed was “twice the size” of a domesticated moggy, was seen on farmland near the town of Askrigg, North Yorkshire.

One passerby, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the sighting had come after a sheep was found “ripped to shreds” in a nearby field.

And a dog-walker snapped a photo of what he claimed was a huge black cat in the grounds of Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, in October 2018.

Meanwhile in February this year a 71-year-old pensioner allegedly spotted a large big cat roaming a residential area in Kirriemuir, Angus.

Kennedy News

The ‘Beast of Exmoor’ running across a filed near Yeovil, Somerset[/caption]

cascadenews.co.uk

The animal, believed to be a big cat, was spotted in Cumbria by Kevin Pitt in 2016[/caption]

EMERGENCY crews are rushing to a Syrian hellhole jail amid fears prisoners locked up in underground cells could soon choke to death.

The barbaric Sednaya Military Prison – headed up by ousted dictator Bashar Al-Assad – has long been dubbed a “human slaughterhouse” after years of torture, abuse and executions inside.

Getty

Syrian civil defence group, the White Helmets, are inside the prison trying to locate the trapped prisoners underground[/caption]

Getty

Rebels have found access to the prison plans to try and help locate the remaining prisoners[/caption]

Getty

Pictures of inside one of the secret cells in the hellhole prison shows the horror conditions inmates were forced to live in[/caption]

Rebels have been terrorising the streets of Syria for days and finally managed to overthrow the Syrian tyrant over the weekend.

Since forcing Assad to flee to his pals in Moscow the rebels have continued their operations across the nation.

One of the first moves was to open up the gates to a number of prisons containing inmates who had been allegedly left fighting for their lives behind bars due to the unlawful Assad government.

The biggest prison liberation has seen thousands released from the harrowing Sednaya Military Prison.

Footage shows rebels storming into the compound and breaking open cell doors as thankful inmates flood out.

Many prisoners are still believed to be trapped in secret underground cells set up by Assad and his cronies, however.

More than “100,000 detainees” can be seen on CCTV still inside the prison, according to the Damascus Countryside Governorate.

Video from the rebels appears to show forces desperately trying to break through walls and the concrete floor in Sednaya in search of the men and women.

They say that electronic underground doors lead to dark bunkers filled with prisoners somewhere in the sprawling complex.

Authorities in Damascus have been leading the efforts to access the secret cells but fear some could be “almost choking to death” from a lack of ventilation.

They are also struggling to break through the electronic doors which are all locked shut and require a passcode to access.

Syrian civil defence group, the White Helmets, are leading the investigations.

They have deployed five “specialised emergency teams” to help find and break through the underground cells.

The White Helmets are also offering a $3,000 (£2,300) reward for any information from the public which may help discover the trapped prisoners.

Footage shows groups of specialists and rebels all drilling holes into the ground and smashing at walls with hammers trying to break through the cement.

Others have spent hours walking through the extensive compound looking for any signs of life.

Rights groups believe the hidden room were used as holding pens before taking prisoners to be executed.

Getty

Syrians seen outside Sednaya Prison waiting to see if their family and friends will make it out alive[/caption]

Getty

Inside the prison where rebels have broken into to help free jailed those jailed under Assad’s regime[/caption]

Twitter

CCTV footage claiming to show the hidden rooms inside the prison where thousands remain trapped[/caption]

Freed prisoners have since spoken out about the horrors they faced inside.

A 63-year-old who says he was due to be executed on Sunday, told AP: “I haven’t seen the sun until today.

“Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life.”

Another man told a rebel: “We are kept in the dormitory, with 25 people crammed together.

“We only know some of each other’s names because we are forced to sit and look down at all times.” 

A third young Syrian man told Al Jazeera: “I had no name in the prison, just a number. I lost my identity, my name and my character.

“I was taken by the regime, and my family assumed I was dead.”

Amnesty International have spent years scrutinising Assad’s reign of terror and have labelled the jail a “human slaughterhouse” in the past.

They claimed that hundreds – if not thousands – of inmates had been executed by authorities at the highest level of Assad’s government.

The Turkey-based Association of Detainees and The Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP) claim the prison became a “death camp” after the start of the Syrian civil war.

They estimate more than 30,000 prisoners had been executed or died in horrific circumstances, such as torture or starvation, between 2011 and 2018.

Around 500 more inmates had been executed between 2018 and 2021, ADMSP said.

The Syrian government has always dismissed the claims as “baseless” and “devoid of truth”.

Getty

People walking through the prison after it was liberated[/caption]

Getty

Twitter

Prisoners reaching through the bars of their cells awaiting to be rescued by the rebels[/caption]

Harrowing accounts from thousands of inmates claim physical and psychological abuse was a daily occurrence inside Sednaya.

Some say they were badly beaten, sexually abused and forced to face torture.

Many of their family members were never told if they lived or died behind bars.

The conditions were said to be equally as barbaric with overcrowding and a lack of food, water and medical supplies all being claimed.

The prison liberation comes amid a cascade of events that have toppled Assad’s 24-year rule.

After seizing Damascus in a swift and decisive offensive, rebel forces declared victory and announced that the city was “free of Assad.”

The dictator fled the capital on Sunday, reportedly aboard a plane that disappeared from radars.

He has been given refuge in Moscow and is currently under Russian protection.

The collapse of Assad’s regime ignited celebrations across Syria.

In the capital, thousands poured into the streets, waving rebel flags and lighting flares.

Statues of Assad and his late father, Hafez, were toppled in symbolic acts of defiance.

At Assad’s presidential palace, rebels filmed themselves looting valuables, including luxury vehicles and designer goods.

It comes as there are now fears that Islamic terror outfits could steal Assad’s stockpiles of poisonous chemical weapons and orchestrate deadly attacks across the world.

Getty

Teams continue to investigate the hellhole prion[/caption]

Twitter

Freed prisoners have been seen flooding onto the streets of Damascus and neighbouring Sednaya[/caption]

Getty

An aerial view of the Sednaya Military Prison[/caption]

Getty

The horrific iron press has been seen inside the Sednaya jail[/caption]

A BREWERY has increased the alcohol level of a popular beer after finally answering punters’ prayers.

Marble Beer was among a string of big name brands to slash their booze content.

Getty

The controversial move came after new duty legislation by the government in August last year.

The Salford-based brewery reduced their traditional ABV of 3.9 per cent to 3.4 per cent.

But after listening to customers, the company have decided to restore their original percentage.

Marble Beer’s sales director, Paul Plowman, told Beer Today: “On the back of the change to duty relief made by the government, Marble made the decision to drop the ABV of Pint from 3.9% to 3.4%.

“The intention was to give us some breathing space when it came to our duty bill.

“While we were happy with the 3.4% version, it became apparent many of our loyal customers were not. Although we never compromised on quality, sometimes things just shouldn’t be messed with.

“As a result, we’ve gone back to the original 3.9% recipe, which hopefully will return Pint to one of the most loved and respected pints in the country!”

Pint is an ale with an all-pale malt bill, as well as New Zealand and US hops, which gives it a fresh citrusy taste.

It comes after drinkers of Grolsch were going hopping mad after it also reduced its alcohol strength.

The Dutch Pilsner has gone from 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) to 3.4%, according to The Grocer.

It comes after the beer was relaunched in the UK by brewer Asahi in 2020 after being discontinued the previous year due to a decline in popularity.

Before the relaunch, it was sold at 5% ABV and it continues to be sold at this higher strength in Europe.

Hophead has also been reduced from 3.8% to 3.4% ABV so its makers can take advantage of a new, lower rate of tax on alcohol under 3.5%.

And, John Smith’s bitter faced the same fate.

Owner Heineken said top-selling John Smith’s Extra Smooth will be reduced from 3.6 per cent ABV to 3.4 per cent.

Kronenbourg fans were also disappointed after the lager became the latest to slash its alcohol strength.

The French golden pale lager, recently rebranded 1664 Bière, has gone from five to 4.6 per cent ABV.

DAVID Coote has been sacked as a Premier League referee after videos of him ranting about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and snorting a white powder emerged.

The 42-year-old was caught on video labelling the former Reds boss a “German c***”.

Reuters

X

Then the Sun exclusively revealed a film of Coote snorting what appears to be cocaine while officiating at this summer’s Euros in Germany.

In the eight-second WhatsApp clip, the under-fire ref was wide-eyed as he used a rolled-up US banknote to snort a four-inch line of the substance in his Uefa-funded hotel room – the day after acting as a VAR for France’s quarter-final shootout win over Portugal.

The PGMOL, who are responsible for refereeing in English professional football, were investigating the anti-Liverpool matter and suspended Coote pending an outcome.

They have now confirmed his employment has been terminated.

A statement read: “Following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into David Coote’s conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated today with immediate effect.

“David Coote’s actions were found to be in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable.

“Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare.”

“David Coote has a right to appeal the decision to terminate his employment.”

Uefa had already removed Coote from their matchlist for a Nations League game during the international break.

Meanwhile, FIFA are also looking into his part-time position with them.

The sensational videos were set to end Coote’s career and cost him a fortune in lost earnings.

As a Select Group 1 referee he is understood to earn in the region of £100,000 a year.

The initial video posted in November shows Coote laying into Klopp and labelling him “f***ing arrogant”.

He also said Liverpool were “s**t” in the footage, which was recorded several years ago.

Coote has not denied the authenticity of the video but “does not recall” making it.

The official has history with Klopp, who left the Kop giants in May.

They clashed after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield in July 2020 during the pandemic-hit season.

The explosive comments cast serious doubt on his impartiality and suitability to referee in English football again.

The man who filmed Coote’s anti-Liverpool rant has been named as former Nottinghamshire cricketer Ben Kitt.

Kitt has also reportedly been suspended from his job.

After the video emerged, PGMOL chief Howard Webb said: “We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously.

“We’ve instigated a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.

“There’s not much more I can say at this stage until we’ve worked through that investigation.”

The referee is also at the centre of an FA betting probe after it emerged he discussed giving a yellow card before a match.

The conversation occurred as Leeds took on West Brom in the Championship in October 2019.

During the game, he booked Leeds ace Ezgjan Alioski for a foul on Darnell Furlong, which experts have suggested was justified.

The 42-year-old messaged pals after the game saying: “I hope you backed as discussed.”

It is understood that Coote accepts a discussion took place, but claims it was only “banter” and nothing improper took place.

The FA said it was investigating the “very serious allegations as a matter of urgency”.

Leeds have broken their silence on the matter with the release of a statement.

It read: “Leeds United are aware of allegations regarding the conduct of a match official, involving our Championship fixture v WBA in Oct 2019.

“We respect & have full confidence in the FA, EFL & PGMOL regulations & processes.

“We will be making no further comment at this time.”

Coote has denied any wrongdoing in relation to this matter.

There has also been no suggestion that he made any financial gains.

Coote maintained his innocence on the matter in a statement and claimed he has always held the “integrity of the game in the highest regard”.

A statement read: “Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field.

“I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability.”

Last month, SunSport’s bombshell exclusive showed Coote snorting the white powder on his bedside table alongside scattered packets of prescription drugs, a credit card, and the Terry Hayes novel The Year of The Locust.

He sent the clip to a pal and it’s believed he filmed himself in the hotel he stayed in during the tournament.

The ref sent another photo from Frankfurt on July 1.  It showed his credit cards on a saucer either side of six chopped-up lines of suspicious white powder.

Other videos were sent over the summer from France, where Coote officiated at three football matches at the Paris Olympics.

The friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, also reveals that the referee made other derogatory remarks about Everton and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.

Coote branded Goodison Park – the ground of Liverpool’s rivals Everton – as the worst place to referee due to the fans “shouting abuse so close to the pitch”.

He hates officiating at Bournemouth games because it’s “too far away” and moaned he was “too big” to have to ref at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena for their Championship clash against Oxford United on August 16.

The pal is speaking out to highlight Coote apparently bragging of taking drugs repeatedly during tournaments and big Prem matches.

Reuters

Getty

David Coote is at the centre of a betting probe from the FA[/caption]

Reuters

The ref also made derogatory comments about Everton’s Goodison Park[/caption]

A BABY girl has tragically died after doctors failed to induce the child’s mother for 60 hours due to “a lack of hospital capacity”.

Chelsea Wootton, 31, was sent home by staff at Birmingham City Hospital despite being 31 weeks pregnant.

SWNS

Mum Chelsea lost her daughter after doctors failed to induce her for 60 hours[/caption]

SWNS

Adyn Humphries and Chelsea Wootton with their baby Ava-Lea Humphries[/caption]

The expectant mum, from Pheasey Farm Park, then pleaded for a C-section when her waters broke, but was rebuffed as doctors rushed to address other emergencies at the ward.

Chelsea gave birth to Ava-Lea Humphries on August 27 last year.

However, the baby developed sepsis from a lack of oxygen in the womb and died the following day.

An inquest into the tot’s death at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner’s Court heard that delays in her maternity care were responsible for Ava-Lea’s demise.

“It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe what the last year has been like,” Chelsea said.

“When we found out we were expecting we were overjoyed and couldn’t wait to welcome Ava-Lea into our lives and start our family.

“I wasn’t told about any risks of going overdue and even after my readmission to hospital, I was never given the impression there was anything to worry about.

“Even though I was a first-time mum deep down I knew something wasn’t right.

“I kept trying to raise concerns and I asked for a caesarean but I felt I was being ignored.

“It was only when concerns were raised about Ava-Lea’s heartrate did it feel that our care was a priority. By then it was too late.

“Seeing Ava-Lea after she was born was awful. We can’t thank the neo-natal doctors and nurses for everything they did for Ave-Lea and make her as comfortable as she could be.

“We’ll always cherish those precious few hours we got to spend with her but I’m not sure we’ll ever get over what happened.

“Instead of bringing her home and starting our new lives together we had to say goodbye and leave her in hospital.”

Chelsea and her partner Adyn are being supported by the charity Libby Mae’s Little Angels as they mourn their daughter’s death.

She continued: “What should have been the happiest moment of our lives turned to total despair. When we lost Ava-Lea our lives changed forever.

“We can’t thank enough those who have supported us following Ava-Lea’s death for everything they’ve done.

“Losing a baby is such as traumatic experience but people shouldn’t suffer alone as help and support available.

“By sharing our story I hope I can help other families so they don’t have to go through what we have.

“Mums know their body and need to be listened to more. I’d urge any mums to push for their voice to be heard and if they need demand a second opinion.”

A Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch investigation found there was an opportunity to review Chelsea earlier and speed up the birth through a caesarean section.

Admitting Chelsea could well have saved the tot’s life, according to the family’s lawyers Irwin Mitchell.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs City Hospital, has since accepted liability for Ava-Lea’s death Jessica Allan.

The specialist medical negligence lawyer representing the couple said: “This is truly tragic case in which worrying failings in Chelsea’s and Ava-Lea’s maternity care have been identified.

“While most babies remain healthy over their due date the longer past this a mum goes, the increased risk there is of developing complications.

“We firmly believe that had Chelsea been appropriately advised about the risks associated with pregnancy beyond 41 weeks, she would have arranged to be induced before she reached that milestone and the sequence of devastating events that unfolded would have been avoided.

“Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case and we too often see the catastrophic consequences families can be left to face because of pressures on maternity units nationally.

“Staff need to be supported so they can uphold the highest standards of care at all times.

“While it’s too late for Ava-Lea, we join Chelsea in calling for lessons to be learned to improve maternity safety for others.

“We continue to support her and Adyn at this distressing time so they can access the specialist support they require to try and come to terms with their ordeal the best they can.”

The Sun Online has reached out to Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust for comment.

SWNS

The brave mum has spoken out following the tot’s tragic death[/caption]

ALMOST half of adults without perfect vision admit they’re held back by their eyesight – with it stopping them from working on their computers or participating in sport.

Yet, according to the poll of 2,000 adults without 20-20 vision, a quarter don’t do anything to try to improve their vision, such as visiting an optician.

Getty

Half of Brits without perfect eyesight admit it holds them back[/caption]

While 59 percent are regularly left feeling frustrated by their sight without the help of glasses or contact lenses, with it impacting the confidence of 23 percent.

Inability to see details, feelings of anxiety from imperfect vision and struggling to recognise people from a distance are the top reasons their confidence is lowered.

A third (32 percent) even feel held back in their work life as a result, due to an inability to focus on detail for prolonged periods.

It also emerged that three quarters (76 percent) report experiencing ‘tired eyes’ on a regular basis due to extended screen time and reading for long periods.

According to the research, commissioned by the contact lens brand ACUVUE, evenings are generally when tired eyes are experienced most often, and this leaves respondents compensating by having to take a nap (37 percent) or rubbing their eyes (34 percent).

And 31 percent say they’re simply unsatisfied with not being able to see the world as clearly as they’d like, with 18 percent lacking confidence in themselves when wearing glasses.

However, amongst those who wear contact lenses, 89 percent say they feel more confident when using them, according to the OnePoll data.

The ACUVUE research was part of the brand’s ‘I See You Campaign’, which encourages adults to get the most out their city by maximising their visual comfort and clarity through the benefits of their contact lenses.

Chirag Amin from Johnson & Johnson said: “Not having clear vision can really take its toll on your lifestyle.

“It is evident that many people in the UK are simply putting up with their discomfort or tired eyes when it comes to their vision care – missing out on the moments that add to life – when they could use a contact lens that is well suited for their lifestyle instead.”

“Prioritising your eyesight is always important but having comfortable and clear vision can particularly have a positive impact when living in major cities where the lifestyle and the environment can be particularly challenging on the eyes.

“And who wouldn’t want to have the best vision possible, to enhance their day-to-day life?”

When vision is left uncorrected, respondents struggle most with reading, watching television or using computers for long periods.

Shopping, going to a concert and sightseeing were other things they felt unable to do.

The survey also revealed residents in Edinburgh, Birmingham and Bristol are most frustrated by how their sight holds them back.

But those in Sheffield, Glasgow and Liverpool feel the least impact on their daily life.

Interestingly, respondents in Scotland report their confidence is impacted most by their vision – with inability to focus on specific detail and recognise people until they’re close-up.

Of all respondents, a third admit the effect of their sight on day-to-day life is significant, with Gen-Z most likely to feel their eyesight is a barrier.

And adults aged 26 to 35 put off the most activities due to visual limitations, with an average of three things that they would like to do but feel hindered because of existing challenges.

Interestingly, only 18 percent of all those polled wear contact lenses, with 69 percent wearing glasses, yet for the vast majority of people there is no clinical reason not to wear contact lenses.

However, 82 percent of contact lens wearers state that with their contact lenses, their sight is crisp and clear.

Chirag Amin from Johnson & Johnson added: “We want people to really soak up the fantastic cities they live in and enjoy all of the benefits that come with a bustling urban life – but do so without compromising their eyesight.”

“This can be easier said than done if you don’t have the right eye care solution to match your needs – being left frustrated by the impact imperfect vision can have on your life.”

ASTON VILLA continue their European adventure with a trip to Germany to take on Bundesliga heavyweights RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

And brand new William Hill customers who register an account and stake a tenner will be rewarded with a colossal £60 in free bets and bonuses to spend on football!

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

• RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa: Claim your £60 bonus – click here*

• RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa: Claim your £60 bonus – click here*

Not got a William Hill account? No problem!

It’s really easy to register an account and you can get your hands on that generous £60 in free bets and bonuses to spend on the footy!

Simply register a new account and deposit a minimum of £10 using the Promo Code: T60

After that, stake at least £10 from your main balance on football on the William Hill Sportsbook at odds of 1/2 or greater.

After settlement — win or lose — William Hill will credit your account with £60 in free bets and bonuses to spend on football and in the casino!

• RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa: Claim your £60 bonus – click here*

---

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk

---

*18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

BUYING the perfect presents for children has got to be one of the most expensive and stressful things about Christmas.

You can find yourself spending a fortune trying to get it right – with no guarantee they’ll even look at the toy you spent hours picking.

GETTY

Finding the perfect Christmas gift for kids doesn’t need to be expensive, as one shopper has shared[/caption]

One shopper has shared their budget-friendly solution for the perfect gift for kids, though, and it’s genius in its simplicity.

Rather than shopping from top 10 lists of the year or popular and expensive bestsellers, they came up with the “brilliant idea” to buy kids’ magazine subscriptions as gifts for their friends’ kids.

Taking to Reddit to share their brainwave, they listed magazines including Highlights and National Geographic for Kids, and said that they “spoke with the parents first to gauge if they thought the kids would enjoy those.”

“When I was a kid, I had subscriptions to some of those magazines and it would always make me feel special to get mail addressed just to me,” they wrote.

“I have fond memories of doing the puzzles with my parents when I was little, and learning all kinds of cool facts and stories.”

Having gifted the subscriptions, they were pleased to report that they went down really well with the kids.

“So, a year later I’m touching base with the parents and asking, ‘Have they been enjoying the magazines? Should I renew as a gift this year?’ and the answer is yes across the board.”

The poster added, “So it looks like I have my Christmas gifts for those kids figured out for the foreseeable future, until they outgrow them.”

The post on Reddit has been upvoted 281 times since being posted just a week ago, so it’s clearly a popular idea that’s taking off.

It prompted a discussion with dozens of other Christmas shoppers, who said they’re keen to try the same gift idea.

“I was thinking the same thing for my 3 1/2-year-old grandson who loves to go through my wildlife books when he visits,” one person replied.

“Little kids love getting their own mail!” someone else agreed.

“They also like to cut out the pictures and put them on their walls; my niece’s room was plastered in baby animal pics from kid magazines,” they added.

Someone else even said that they’ve become “favourite Auntie” to their three nieces and nephews after buying them the Australian Geographic D-Mag monthly subscription.

Elswhere, one person noted, “For anyone in the UK, I really recommend The Phoenix.

“It’s a magazine of comics, good for ages 5-12ish. It’s on the pricer side, but my kids love it.

“My parents renew it every year and it’s a birthday sorted.”

For another commenter, the gift idea took them back to their own childhood and how much they loved receiving a subscription themselves.

“When I was a kid, someone gave me a subscription to the Weekly Reader, I loved it. The library didn’t have it.

“When the subscription ran out, nobody would renew it for me. My mother thought it was a waste of money. I was so disappointed.

“It’s funny. I’d forgot all about that until now. After all these years some emotions are coming out,” they recalled.