When Neven Ciganovic woke up from getting a nose job, he was more than a little surprised to notice he had an erection.

He was even more surprised when that erection didn’t go away for three months, and required three surgeries to get it back to normal.

The blogger, stylist, and TV personality, from Croatia, had developed a priapism – a painful long-lasting erection not accompanied by sexual desire – after undergoing rhinoplasty surgery in Iran to correct his septum back in 2017.

Doctors still aren’t sure why this happened, but Neven believes the unexpected side effect may have been caused by a food supplement he had been taking to boost his gym performance, as the pills claim to boost male sex drives.

He was lucky to have the problem fixed by three surgeries and says he is now happy with his penis-related function, even declaring that he ‘lasts much longer than other guys’.

‘Thank God I don’t have any problems with my priapism anymore,’ Neven said. ‘Even now after this complication, I’m happy because my erection still lasts much more longer than other guys.

‘When I woke up from anaesthesia after my nose job with priapism, I went through a really hard time – literally hard.

‘I had a full erection for almost three months. I think I even brought down the world record.

‘I had three surgeries on my penis, and after the third one, my willy started to go down. It was a really painful experience, but I survived with my head up high.

‘Doctors don’t have any real theories as to why this happened to me and actually this can happen during the anaesthesia, deep sleep or for reasons like genetics, blood pressure or problems in the veins, but in my case, they’re not sure what caused the problem.

‘Then a few months ago, I was cleaning my closet and I found some food supplements named L-Arginine, that I had been taking at the time for more strength in the gym and I read on the box how there are possible side effects with your blood pressure and that this supplement pumps blood in your veins and this can cause this problem.

‘I also read that it can help boost a man’s sex drive, but at the time I didn’t know that this could happen to me, I just used it to help at the gym.’

The rhinoplasty isn’t the first surgery Deven has had done and won’t be the last.

Since his teens Deven, who’s now 48, has always had a clear idea of how he wants to look as he gets older, having fallen in love with the look of male Bratz dolls.

He had his first cosmetic surgery in the form of fillers in his lips back in 1992, and has maintained his youthful appearance with three nose jobs, Botox injections, cheekbone implants, and fillers in his jaw and chin.

Deven also makes sure to work out four to five days a week and does special exercises – known as mewing – in an attempt to make his face look more chiselled.

But despite his love of tweakments, Deven is keen to raise awareness of the risks and urges those pursuing surgey to do his research.

He’s now set up a consultation agency to help recommend people reputable surgeons.

Deven said: ‘For those who decide to have surgery please be careful with what doctor you go to, check reviews on the internet, check his expertise because you can go very wrong.

‘After the world found out what happened to me after my last nose job, people started to contact me asking for my advice, recommendations, to help them to make the right decision when it comes to surgery.

‘I started my own business giving consultations and helping people to choose the right clinics and right doctors for the procedures they are planning to do.

‘I have started running one clinic in Croatia with specialists. We do surgeries based on the knowledge and experience I have learned from many doctors around the world.

‘I will be glad if I can help people make the right decision.’

Oh, and along with that consultation venture, Deven has also set up an OnlyFans under his stage name, Rick Vendeta, because why invest in your appearance if you’re not going to make some money from it?

‘What I like the most about my look is that it’s really difficult to guess my age. I don’t look too young but I also don’t look too old,’ he said.

‘I just have a pretty friendly face that everyone can find something to love about. If not, they hate me completely.

‘Before all my surgeries, I used to be unhappy with my looks, like I was always missing something but I had a clear picture of how I wanted to look in the end.

‘The reaction to my look from both men and women is divided, there are guys who like this different look and there are some who think my look is weird, too much, or a bit freaky.

‘But it’s normal that people have their own opinion, it is impossible to be liked by everyone.

‘The only message I want to spread about beauty is to let people do what makes them feel happy and good in their own skin.’

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The country has been in the grips of a scorching heatwave over the past week, with temperatures hitting 37 degrees in places.

And although some parts of the country have been struck by storms and flooding, for many, the humid conditions still linger.

Doctors have been on hand to give tips on cooling down, but if you’ve had your Screwfix fan plugged in for days or developed stronger abs by flapping your handheld fan and still can’t cool off, you might be interested in investing in a more comprehensive air-cooling system.

Portable air conditioners (PACs) can cost more than a fan, but if you really struggle with the hot weather, that could be a smart investment.

What to consider when buying a PAC and what are some of the best portable air con units you can buy in the UK?

What’s the difference between air con and an air cooler?

First, let’s explain the difference.

An air conditioner circulates the internal air of the room over and over again, whereas an air cooler pulls fresh air from outside and then cools it down.

Air coolers tend to be a bit less expensive, as air con units are more built-in and use more power.

Air coolers to buy

Lmani Arctic Air Space Cooler, Amazon, £15.47

At just 10.3 inches and 2.9 pounds, this is a portable solution to keep you cool wherever you’re going.

Simply fill with water, plug it into a USB port or power bank and the three-speed fan will start blowing lasting up to 8 hours.

USB Air Cooler, Argos, £25

This desktop-sized unit cools, humidifies, and purifies the air.

Fill up the tank and enjoy up to eight hours of cooling, plus and a colour-changing mood light that changes between 7 different colours.

Portable air con units in the UK: what you need to know

Portable air conditioners (PACs) are rated in British Thermal Units (BTU). What this means is the higher BTU number, the larger the space which can be cooled.

PACs work by installing the device and hanging a hose out of a window or door. The machine will then suck the heat out of the room and filter in new, cool air.

Best portable air conditioners to buy

electriQ 18000 BTU 5.2kW Portable Air Conditioner with Heat Pump for Rooms up to 46 sqm, Appliances Direct, £579.97

On the pricey side, but if you live in a shared space, you can all pitch in and cool a bigger living room or shared area.

This machine goes up to 65 decibels in sound, so it is a little on the noisier side but will give your room a thorough cool down.

Dyson Pure Cool Me Personal Purifying Fan, Very, £299.99

A less expensive option, this smaller fan will cool you down and improve the quality of the air in your room.

It’s on the smaller side so could be quieter, and other features include a sleep timer you can set for anywhere between 30 minutes and 8 hours.

De’Longhi PAC AN98 ECO Real Feel Portable Air Conditioner,  Aircon Centre, £528.95

This smaller device cools down a smaller space of up to 100 cubed metres. However, benefits of this model include a dehumidifying feature and the fact that it’s a quieter machine.

It registers around 47-50 decibels, which is one of the quieter PACs on the list, and it runs on R290, an eco-friendly gas.

Princess 9K Air Conditioning Unit, Argos, £319.99

Key features of this include a high output of 9000BTU, an energy efficiency classification of A as well as a 24 hour timer.

The noise level goes up to 65 decibels, so again, the noise level is akin to background chatter.

Black + Decker 10K 3 in 1 Air Conditioning Unit, Argos, £449.99

This 3-in-1 air conditioner/fan/dehumidifier features an output of 10,000BTU and a quieter noise level of up to 53 decibels.

Carbon filter helps to eliminate unpleasant odours and bacteria.

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As someone born in 1993, I’m not going to pretend to understand the visceral reaction to any reference to Marathon chocolate bars, and how they used to be called Marathon bars before they were renamed as Snickers.

It all sounds very upsetting and I’m sorry you went through that.

For all of you stuck in the 90s, back when chocolate bars had names related to running events, we have some good news: Marathon bars are back… for a limited time only… again.

You may recall that last year, Snickers temporarily changed their name back to their previous name of Marathon, after nearly 30 years of the change.

It turns out that was a massive hit, because Mars Wrigley, the brand behind the chocolate, are doing it again.

Throughout August, September, and October selected stores around the country will have Snickers bars that are called Marathon bars, with the packaging declaring them as such.

Alongside multipacks, this year solo Marathon bars will be available, too, which is also very exciting, I think.

From August 10, the retro chocolate bars will be available in Morrisons and McColl’s stores for three months only. Then they’ll disappear once again, so don’t get too used to the comforting embrace of your 90s chocolate.

Post-October, Marathon bars will be Snickers once again… which is the same chocolate, just with a different name.

David Manzini, General Manager at Mars Wrigley UK said: ‘At Mars Wrigley we’re all about creating better moments through our sweet treats.

‘It’s clear that after nearly 30 years away, people loved the return of the Marathon bar last year.

‘When the British public speaks, we always aim to deliver! It’s great that after making chocolate in the UK for nearly 90 years people still love our chocolate!’

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Marks and Spencer has apologised after a customer complained about ‘racist’ bra colours on their website.

29-year-old Kusi Kimani was shopping for bras on the supermarket’s site, and noticed that the different skin-coloured items were named differently depending on how dark they were.

The lighter-coloured bras – which retailed for £12 – were named after sweet treats and deserts like ‘cinnamon’ and ‘fudge’, while the darkest colour was named ‘tobacco’.

‘I saw it about two weeks after George Floyd’s death and it was particularly raw to see at that time,’ Kusi told The Mirror.

‘Why not call it cocoa, caramel or chocolate – sweet dessert items? But they used tobacco. I was shocked when I saw it.

‘It’s hurtful to me and my friends. If a young girl who is already uncomfortable with the colour of her skin (sees it) she will be feeling even more alienated.

‘Each week that website is showing that racism is another week a young girl may come across it and feel bad for the rest of her life.

‘To see that “tobacco” is for their skin tone will make them feel unwanted by society. Tobacco is referred to in society as bad, unhealthy, and highly likely to kill – “smoking kills”.

‘This is an example of how bias is ingrained into society and only helps fuel racism, be it overt or covert, however in this instance this is a form of covert racism.’

Kusi’s comments were raised in the Mirror, which prompted a statement from the high street chain.

Thankfully, they did not fall on deaf ears at M&S, and a spokesperson for the company said in a response: ‘In June we shared our commitments to being a truly inclusive place to shop and work and were honest that we have more to do and more to learn.

‘As part of this, we are reviewing our ranges, supported by our BAME network, to ensure we have lingerie items that are flattering and suitable for all customers.

‘All of our product colour names have been taken from a design colour palette used across the industry, but we agree with Kusi.

‘We are changing the name of the bra colour and are writing to Kusi to confirm that, and let her know that we’re sorry for not moving faster.’

Kusi commented on this saying: ‘It’s great news. The only thing I’d say is that it’s a shame I had to get in touch with the media in order for that change to be made.

‘Me on my own wasn’t enough. As an individual I went to executive team who had the power to do it – but they didn’t.

‘It would be good if in future individuals are taken seriously.’

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Gainer Bull began his weight gain journey over 20 years ago, back when he weighed around 180lbs. He has since hit around 500lbs.

The 44-year-old, whose real name is Bryan, is a member of the fat fetish community, and enjoys gaining weight and participating in ‘loading sessions’ online.

Erotic weight gain has been a well-known subculture in the gay community since the Girth & Mirth movement became popular in the US in the 70s.

Gay men may describe themselves as chubs or bears, with both of these communities holding pageants and events.

It’s important to note, though, that this is certainly not limited to the LGBTQ+ community, and fat fetishism and feederism have been around in many spheres for as long as people have been exploring their sexuality.

For Bryan, who lives in Palm Beach, Florida, the idea of wanting to bulk up came at an early age. He told Metro.co.uk: ‘I can’t say anything in particular got me into gaining.

‘I can remember being as young as six and watching cartoons with exaggerated body proportions of muscle and bellies that just caught my interest as an ideal.

‘In my teens I started working out and in my early twenties I started to work on bulking up my gut as well.

‘It turned sexual in my teens when I realised the idea and process of getting bigger excited me more than anything else.’

Giving yourself over to intense gaining like this, however, is no cheap way to live, with Bryan eating around 10,000 calories a day – four times the standard amount for an adult man.

To pay for the food and continue his chosen lifestyle, Bryan decided to monetise his gaining on OnlyFans, which he says allows him to be ‘able to afford continuing to provide more results for those who want to enable me.’

Subscribers pay $20 (roughly £15) a month to see his content, with the niche influencer now having posted over 1,000 times for his fans.

Although Bryan won’t say how many subscribers he has, he does say: ‘My followers do know the more subscribers I get, the faster I’m growing larger.’

He continues: ‘A typical day these days is consuming ten thousand calories a day, more if I can.

‘I don’t gain easily so it’s always been an uphill battle. The bigger I get the more challenging it gets too.

‘It’s been years of escalating my intake and binging to increase my capacity but these days just the regular eating keeps me going though sometimes an encourager or two like to really push me to go much farther.’

The encouragement is a major part for Bryan, pushing him forward to eat large amounts in single meals to ‘stuff’ himself.

Bryan tells us: ‘In a meal that would stuff me, in terms if fast foods, it’d be three large combos with anywhere from three to six additional sides.’

Although Bryan’s partner isn’t specifically into gaining or feeding, he supports Bryan through his journey, and ‘encourages the encouragement of others who are into it.’

Because of Bryan’s unique ‘ball gut’, clothes are particularly hard to find in his size. Once he outgrew a 3XL, he’s struggled to find shirts that fit his arms and stomach equally well.

Similarly, all of his gaining is done with balance in mind. Despite his intent to continually gain, Bryan knows the dangers of this and tries to mitigate it through eating a variety of food groups.

‘Extreme body size is risky and I do my best to balance out the junk food with nutrition,’ says Bryan.

‘I make sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables as well as lots of high protein foods while keeping active in the gym. It’s a challenge but it’s important to understand the risks involved with becoming such an extreme level of huge.’

But – as with many fetishes – along with the sexual side spurring him on, there’s also a community of people who help him feel confident and appreciated.

Bryan, who has around 7,500 followers on Instagram, posts his gains and meals, with each post featuring a number of comments from people saying how well he’s doing.

He says: ‘It’s been really great having men who understand my desire to grow encourage and push me.’

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If you’ve ended up on witch TikTok (again) you might have also seen a new subculture appear on the platform recently – starseeds.

This is nothing to do with the gardening craze from the start of lockdown, or some new Animal Crossing New Horizons feature coming in a new update.

No, starseed refers to people who believe they’re beings from space who were born into human bodies.

Starseeds or starseed souls believe that – unlike earth souls, who reincarnate on earth over and over and have always done so – they, at some point have reincarnated from another planet and now were born on earth.

One of the main traits of starseeds is apparently a longing for a home that isn’t where they live, always feeling slightly out of place in their humanity.

TikToker astroemmaa stated: ‘Starseeds really came here to help with the ascension of everyone on earth. To raise the frequency, raise the vibration of earth.’

It’s thought that starseeds have a higher capacity for empathy and emotional awareness than us lowly earth souls, and may have a higher level of intelligence.

Other traits are said to include a keen spiritual intuition or a sense of knowing things before they happen.

However, according to those who believe in starseeds, these traits will vary so wildly that it’s impossible to simply say ‘I’m intelligent therefore I’m starseed’ – for example.

Gaia lists a number of different subsets of starseed souls, with some said to be on earth to help others learn and grow and others apparently here to fulfil their own selfish needs.

Others may simply want to go home to where they feel they belong, and will do so in a spiritual sense rather than physically.

With the explosion of starseed-adjacent videos (127million views on TikTok for the hashtag) there have been criticisms.

One person tweeted one video with the caption: ‘The lengths to which white people will go to feel oppressed is honestly impressive.’

Hopefully if starseeds were real they’d block out the haters… And maybe help us out of this weird and scary time with some of their alien magic.

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As an iconic seaside destination, Brighton is already a popular option for staycations this summer, with families and day-trippers flocking off the train from London’s Victoria station.

Local businesses here report a steep increase in visitors over the last few weeks as the weather has improved and international travel seemed riskier.

As British holidaymakers in Spain experienced in July, going on a trip abroad at the moment can come with concerns that the getaway could be called off or the destination hastily removed from the government’s air corridor list.

Many people simply cannot risk 14 days of quarantine on their return to the UK – so a British staycation is their only option for a summer escape. 

Some travellers are understandably concerned about staying in hotels right now. With social distancing measures in place and the breakfast buffet long gone, many hotels do not look the same as they did pre-coronavirus. 

Where to stay in Brighton

But at the Artist Residence hotel, based in Brighton’s Regency Square, it is hard to notice the difference. The most obvious signs are the hand sanitiser on arrival and the advice on the narrow staircases of the property, built in the 1820’s, urging visitors to keep their distance. 

You can tell there has been a lot of preparation behind the scenes by the hotel staff. You must book a time slot for check in and breakfast in advance so the arrival of guests is spread out.

The hotel rooms are also deep cleaned between each stay. But all in all, a slight lack of spontaneity seems a very fair price to be able to go on holiday once again. 

The Artist Residence is covered by artwork at every turn and this reflects its unique history. Justin Salisbury, the co-founder, dropped out of university to help out the family bed and breakfast in Brighton.

As part of the refurbishment, they invited artists to live there for free in return for paintings and murals. The concept for the hotel was born and later expanded to Cornwall, Oxford and London. There will soon be another Artist Residence hotel opening in Bristol. 

The relaxed charm of the artist is apparent throughout the hotel. The service is chilled out and friendly. There are lots of luxury and thoughtful touches all over, like the organic Bramley toiletries, tea from Joe’s Tea Co, fluffy bathrobes and an enormous freestanding rose gold bathtub. Could Heaven Ever Be Like This by Idris Muhaammad plays on the stereo. All these little touches soon make you feel relaxed.

Keep going on your arty tour with another welcoming option for a Brighton staycation. Hotel Una, on the other side of Regency Square, features a series of original artwork from local Brighton artists.

The rooms inside the Regency townhouse are also just as relaxing as ever, with big bright windows, waterfall showerheads, White Company toiletries and fancy fittings throughout.

Breakfast is plentiful, too, including the millennial favourite smashed avocado on toast and unlimited tea and filter coffee. You can also order your breakfast as room service if sharing a room with other guests is a concern. The staff are kind and very mindful of issues such as that. 

There are more obvious signs of coronavirus prevention at Hotel Una. There is a glass screen at reception, social distancing stickers on the floor and hand sanitiser on arrival.

This approach is different, but may make some guests feel more settled and relaxed. It does depend how much you want to be reminded of the coronavirus pandemic during your trip. Personally, I find it more relaxing to not be nudged about it. But many of the steps are essential to limit the spread and keep guests safe. 

What to do in Brighton

There is plenty to do once you are ready to get out from the hotel in Brighton. The pebble beach is a good starting point for some sunbathing or a swim in the sea, although it is slightly too windy to brave a dip when I visit.

The Brighton Lanes have always been some of my favourite streets to wander down, hopping between one of the many independent coffee shops and the little boutiques. Street art, including Banksy’s ‘kissing coppers’, decorate the walls. 

The more traditional sights of the British seaside are here too, if that is your thing. Brighton Rock is plenty and you will see a fish and chips takeaway on every other street. The iconic Palace Pier and its slot machines are back open for business, but I don’t find the idea of touching levers very appetising right now so I give it a miss. 

Where to eat in Brighton

When I visit Brighton it is the first two nights of the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. The town is heaving with diners and over 20 customers are turned away when I head to the Curry Leaf cafe in Brighton Lanes, which offers vibrant South Indian food – and craft beer.

It may take some time for businesses to adjust to the demand of the scheme and as a result, when I visited the staff are extremely busy. Despite this, the quality of food is high.

The spinach and onion pakoras are seriously moreish, as are the chickpea chaats. The aubergine kuzhambu curry is another highlight.

Things are just as busy at The Chilli Pickle, another Indian restaurant in the centre of town. It takes almost twenty minutes for our drinks to arrive and the staff look overwhelmed by the number of customers. The demand is certainly flattering, it’s clearly a very popular option for Brighton locals.

The BBQ Padron Peppers are a new and welcome addition to the menu, followed by their famous chicken jalfrezi curry.

Over time the restaurants in Brighton will get used to the well-needed and encouraged extra customers from Eat Out To Help Out and hopefully there will be many more visits to follow.

How to get to Brighton

Trains from London Victoria to Brighton are an hour long and leave every half an hour, with fewer trains at the moment. Tickets start at £19 per person one way.

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Don’t be too quick to rejoice at the news that property prices are set to fall.

First-time home buyers will ‘still struggle’ to get on the ladder, says a think tank.

While house prices might fall in the post-pandemic recession, incomes may also drop, and along with that mortgage lending criteria could get stricter, making it just as hard to buy a house as it was long before coronavirus, says the Resolution Foundation.

Special deals for first-time buyers, such as lower deposit schemes, have been dropped from many mortgage providers in recent months due to concerns that borrowers will fall into negative equity long-term, eventually owing more on their loan than their house is worth.

Combine that with those falling incomes we mentioned, along with the financial difficulties many have faced during Covid-19, and it’s just not realistic to think buying your first home will be a walk in the park.

Lindsay Judge, principal research and policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: ‘The coronavirus crisis has had a big impact on the education, career prospects and incomes of young people – and unfortunately there’s no silver lining for this group when it comes to house prices.

‘Although prices are projected to fall – perhaps dramatically – in the wake of the pandemic-induced recession, this drop won’t make things any easier for typical young first-time buyers looking to purchase their first home.

‘Instead, falling incomes and credit restrictions will likely make homeownership every bit as difficult as before for many young people.

‘Only those who already had high levels of savings before the pandemic started, or those who are able to borrow from their family, will truly benefit from the house price fall.

‘This means the current crisis looks set to deepen pre-existing inequalities and the growing divide between those who are able to look forward to home ownership, and those for whom this dream is increasingly out of reach.’

The report also suggests that young renters who had been on track to buying a home may have had their plans derailed by having to dig into their savings amid the financial precarity of the pandemic.

Unless you’re really raking in the cash or were already stocked up on savings, the pandemic won’t have brought those dreams of owning any closer.

And we hope you’re ready for a rather gloomy statistic, also from the report.

The Foundation says that back in the 90s, a typical couple putting away 5% of their income each year could save enough for a house deposit in just four years.

By 2019, that figure had increased to an average of 21 years.

And now, the reports estimates that if the average first-time buyer loan-to-value ratio fell to 80%, the level seen back when the financial crisis hit, by 2024 it could take 27 years to save for a deposit – even if house prices were to fall significantly.

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Meet Manchester, another extremely cute cat to your list of favourite internet animals.

Manchester is a mixture of a Scottish Straight and a Munchkin, a breed known for their short little legs – and he lives up to that mix with legs that are just four inches long.

The black and white feline doesn’t let what he lacks in height hold him back.

Living with his owner Alexander Ushakov, 36, in Moscow, Russia, Manchester has become an online star, with more than 57,000 followers.

Owner Alexander said: ‘Manchester was born on September 15, 2018 and I bought him at the age of four months.

‘I decided to call him Manchester in honour of the Manchester United football team as I have been a fan of them since 1998.

‘I decided to create an Instagram account for him because I thought he was cute enough to please other people. As it turned out, he has quite a lot of fans!’

‘I think the main reason he has been so popular is because of his cute appearance and adorable posts.

‘So many of his followers message me with support and love and regularly share his snaps with their friends.

‘That’s what motivates me to continue sharing his photos and videos with followers.’

The two-year-old cat is also having a great time offline, spending his days snoozing, playing, and being fussed over by his doting owner.

‘Manchester is very playful and vociferous,’ Alexander added. ‘He is always meowing, loves playing mad games, and is always running around the house.’

‘He always wants to be played with and we love him very much.’

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Most of us have thought to ourselves that we really should try yoga.

We know there are a whole load of benefits – improved flexibility, stress reduction, stretching out those sore muscles.

And yet here we sit, on the sofa, our yoga mats gathering dust.

Here’s some fresh motivation: new research suggests yoga does more than simply tackle stress; it could even be used as an effective treatment for those with anxiety disorders.

Doing yoga stretches and adjusting your breathing can improve symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder, a study shows.

In the study, 226 men and women with generalised anxiety disorder were randomly assigned into three groups, each receiving a different mental health treatment: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Kundalini yoga, or stress-management education.

Each treatment was given in groups of three to six people over weekly two-hour sessions for 12 weeks with 20 minutes of daily homework assigned.

After three months, both CBT and yoga were found to be ‘significantly’ more effective than stress management education.

More than half of those who practiced yoga for just three months showed meaningfully improved symptoms.

And while CBT was more effective – seven in ten people in this group had improved symptoms, and the effects of this were found to still be better six months later – the research highlights that yoga could be a helpful complementary therapy for those struggling with their mental health.

Basically, it really is worth having a stretch.

Lead study author Professor Naomi Simon, from NYU Langone Health in New York City, USA, said: ‘Generalised anxiety disorder is a very common condition, yet many are not willing or able to access evidence-based treatments.

‘Our findings demonstrate that yoga, which is safe and widely available, can improve symptoms for some people with this disorder and could be a valuable tool in an overall treatment plan.

‘Many people already seek complementary and alternative interventions, including yoga, to treat anxiety.

‘This study suggests that at least short-term there is significant value for people with generalised anxiety disorder to give yoga a try to see if it works for them.

‘Yoga is well-tolerated, easily accessible, and has a number of health benefits.’

A heads up that along with rolling out your mat and limbering up, for yoga to have those benefits you’ll also need to include the breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices associated with yoga.

You definitely shouldn’t ditch medical treatment for mental illness in favour of jumping right into yoga, but the research suggests it could be worth adding weekly yoga sessions into your routine as part of your self-care.

But as always, if you’re struggling with anxiety do chat with your GP about treatment options, which may include medication, CBT (which, as we said above, was found to be the most effective treatment of the three tested), and talking therapy.

Dr Simon added: ‘We need more options to treat anxiety because different people will respond to different interventions, and having more options can help overcome barriers to care.

‘Having a range of effective treatments can increase the likelihood people with anxiety will be willing to engage in evidence-based care.’

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While we’ve rejoiced at the reopening of McDonald’s stores for takeout, delivery, and even a few eat-in orders, there’s been a tinge of disappointment when we peruse the limited menu.

The demands of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic have meant that McDonald’s stores haven’t been serving up every item on their full menu, instead gradually reintroducing items as they go.

From today, 13 August, six more items are back on offer – and a few of them are classics you might have been missing (but one is carrot sticks, which we doubt was the top of anyone’s McDonald’s-specific cravings).

Back on the menu in the UK and Ireland from today are the Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese, the Chicken Legend (in all three flavours; Cool Mayo, Spicy, and BBQ), the Apple Pie, the Toffee Latte, the Millionaire’s Donut, and Carrot Sticks.

These items are able to return following a successful trial, and we reckon they’ll be welcomed back with open arms and mouths – McDonald’s reports that the Apple Pie and Chicken Legend have been among the most frequently requested ‘missing items’ from the menu.

The Double Quarter Pounder With Cheese, meanwhile, was massively popular back in August 2019, and returns to the McDonald’s offering benefitting from the Government’s VAT reduction, meaning it’s available now for £4.29.

It’s worth noting, too, that if you order to eat-in and sit down in a McDonald’s restaurant on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday in August, you’ll get 50% off up to £10 per person on food and drinks thanks to the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.

Do you have a story to share?

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If lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that having access to outdoor space is beneficial for our health and our sanity – and the more green it is, the better.

This newfound yearning for nature has seen a dramatic rise in property searches outside the capital as young professionals and families look to invest in places that can provide them with the best of both worlds: an affordable home with that all-important outdoor space. But there is a downside, which is you often have to move miles out of the city, thus extending your commute – not ideal.

However, you don’t actually have to leave the capital anymore to find a home surrounded by greenery. In fact, you can have a natural wonderland on your doorstep and still be within just two-minutes’ commute of Canary Wharf.

Here, we look inside Greenwich Millennium Village, a development that ticks all the right boxes for those searching for luxury city properties combined with rural-style living.

Village life in the city

For many of us, life in pre-lockdown London could be defined by cramped apartment living, no outdoor space, and little to no contact with your neighbours. But Greenwich Millennium Village is changing that.

Situated in 50 acres of lush parkland on the Greenwich Peninsula, this innovative development offers one, two and three bedroom beautifully designed apartments, as well as townhouses with outdoor space, in an area that feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city – but it’s just moments from North Greenwich Underground station, and less than 10 minutes from London Bridge.

Tree-lined avenues, leafy cycle paths and parks bursting with plants and wildlife surround all the properties here, creating a beautiful and safe environment in which to get a little closer to nature – and even get to know your community, too. 

27-year-old Jamie Mead moved into his brand new one-bedroom apartment here in 2017. He feels very lucky that his first property, purchased with the London Help to Buy scheme, is in such a beautiful and welcoming setting. He’s also conveniently placed for work, which is a short Tube ride away in Tottenham Court Road.

He says: ‘I’d looked around a few new build developments, but the standard at Greenwich Millennium Village is much higher than the others I’d seen. The quality of everything in my apartment is fantastic, especially the kitchen and bathroom.

‘My neighbours are great too – we all went out together and even have a WhatsApp group! It really feels like a community.’

This lifestyle is also ideal for families, who can enjoy proximity to the city for work and school while enjoying a more wholesome home life. Young households can take advantage of on-site childcare at Millennium Minis, where 0-4-year-olds can make friends with their neighbours just moments from home, while older children have well established educational facilities such as Millennium Primary School (which was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2015), Blackheath High School, The University of Greenwich and UCL within easy reach of their front door.

With its own four-acre ecology park, home to a flower-dusted meadow, two lakes and even a beach, everyone can find their own personal escape without paying to travel or stay somewhere out in the sticks. And, during a time where we’re all looking to reduce the time we spend on public transport, it’s good to know we can access peace, leisure and work quickly, easily and safely.

Finding your perfect home

The wealth of greenery here is the main draw, but partner this with convenient on-site amenities such as spas, hairdressing salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies – and even a nearby cinema – it seems Greenwich Millennium Village is, well, like an actual village, but with the unique advantage of being very close to central London.

So, what home is right for you? With the new stamp duty holiday recently announced by the government, there is now no stamp duty to be paid on properties up to £500,000. Plus, there’s much less to pay on homes over this amount, saving you up to £15,000, and giving you a little more freedom when it comes to finding your perfect abode. 

And homes in Greenwich Millennium Village can be bought using the London Help to Buy scheme which is currently open to first-time buyers and those taking their second step on the property ladder. With this scheme you only need a 5% deposit and a mortgage worth 55% of your chosen home’s value, then the government will provide an equity loan of 40% which is interest-free for the first five years.

With changes coming to London’s Help to Buy from April 2021, which will restrict it to just first time buyers, now has never been a better time to buy.

Roxana Davoudi and her husband Andre had been looking for their dream home where their three-year-old daughter Estelle could grow up; somewhere that offered greenery, safety and that family feel – all while staying in London.

It seemed like a big ask, but London Help to Buy made their wish come true. Roxana says: ‘I was able to buy my first home thanks to the availability of London Help to Buy at Greenwich Millennium Village. The process was incredibly easy and Greenwich Millennium Village were extremely helpful.’

The latest development on site is Commodore’s Quarter, an area designed with Greenwich’s maritime heritage in mind, and just a short walk away from Greenwich Yacht Club and the River Thames.

This new area has properties available now, so you can take advantage of the current Help to Buy rules and the Stamp Duty Holiday, meaning anyone can find the perfect property for less. Here, there is a mixture of spacious three-bedroom maisonettes, as well as chic one and two-bed apartments, providing spaces ideal for single professionals, young couples and families in search of a greener yet convenient lifestyle.

All of the maisonettes centre around the hub of the home – the kitchen – which have all been designed with an open-plan feel to create a light and welcoming atmosphere. They also open out onto private terraces, so you have the choice of enjoying the outdoors with, or without your neighbours depending on your mood. In addition to large living rooms, the three bedrooms are all well proportioned, and the master bedrooms come with an ensuite as standard.

As for the apartments, these offer the same homey feel, with emphasis placed on the kitchen at the centre of the property. There is also a balcony in every apartment, as well as a wealth of clever storage space and fitted wardrobes, so you can dedicate more space to the things that are important to you – such as working from home or chilling with your friends.

These properties are all closely situated to Southern Park, another green area that will help you feel completely removed from the city during your downtime – even though in reality, you’re just 20 minutes from central London, and a short bike ride from the O2 arena.

All of the Greenwich Millennium Village homes start from £419,995 with London Help to Buy available on all homes up to £600,000, making it easier for first-time buyers to live in a place that combines greener living with an urban lifestyle, too. 

Visit the Greenwich Millennium Village website today to find out how you could enjoy village style life in the city.

With coronavirus leading us all to accept a ‘new normal’ – effectively reshaping our entire lives and routines – mental health has taken a massive hit through the uncertainty and anxiety of lockdown.

So imagine being in that situation in the year you were due to take your exams – whether it GSCEs or A-levels.

Your future rests on these results. Children and teens have this hammered home to them at every available opportunity, from every angle. Through your whole school experience, you are told how important this little piece of paper with a number or letter on it is and how it will define the rest of your life.

Despite the world evolving, we still have a long way to go in our approach to exams and the outdated expectation that the only route to success is university, job, marriage, kids, retirement.

But, due to schools being closed down and the actual exams not being taken, we have a generation in a bizarre scenario where they feel they don’t really get the chance to have a say in what’s on that piece of paper.

The impact this will have on a developing mind could be catastrophic.

So we, as adults, as parents and as carers, need to be there to reassure the next generation that we are here to support them in the best way that we can.

Thankfully, governments are beginning to take some steps to avert the crisis of simply slapping a grade on a student, seemingly based on very little.

Already, nearly 125,000 students are set to have their exam results upgraded after outcry over marks.

But as one parent explained to Metro.co.uk, that doesn’t take away the gut-punch of opening that envelope and seeing less than you deserve and less than you have worked for.

The mum, who asked to remain anonymous, told us: ‘My son has received four of his ten GCSE results, due to one particular exam board posting their results early – one of these was English Language.

‘He worked so hard in this subject and was predicted an 8 (an A). He achieved an 8 in his mock exam in January, so was confident that he would be awarded at least that when it came to the real thing.

‘So he was stunned and completely confused to be given a 6. His other results were as expected, but he can’t celebrate those as this has cast a shadow over everything.

‘It feels like a huge slap in the face, and it has made him incredibly nervous about the rest of his results, which he will receive on the 20th.

‘I can only assume that he has been a victim of a standardisation process, as it seems so arbitrary.

‘He also found out that someone from a different school to him who achieved a grade 7 in an English mock exam – less than what he got – has been given a 9, so that adds salt to the wounds.

‘I’ve always told my kids that if they work hard at school, it will pay off. You get out what you put in. But this result gives a very different message.

‘There’s nothing like feeling duped to demotivate someone. Now I need to find a different motto to trot out, and try to find a way to get him back on track for when he starts studying for his A-Levels in September.’

Straight away this opens up a wealth of potential problems – young people comparing themselves to others, feeling inadequate or cheated, feeling anxiety about their future or fearing their dream career is in tatters.

They may be feeling angry, devastated and numb all at the same time if they didn’t get the results they had worked so hard to achieve, on top of the fact they didn’t get all the usual highlights that come as you finish school.

They didn’t get that last day of term saying goodbye to their friends, getting shirts and yearbooks signed or letting their hair down at a prom. They were left in a state of limbo, their school journey suddenly cut short. They may question if it was worth it all. They will be silent, they will be angry and they will cry.

They will be feeling so many emotions at once. And let’s not forget those pesky hormones.

So how do we help our kids? Strip it back. Go back to basics. Let them go through their process because this is the first time they will be hit with this.

It is something that is completely out of their control so listen to them. Really listen to them. As we don’t actually know what this feels like in the way that they do.

Don’t just use phrases like ‘well this is the real world now’ – discuss with them how and why it’s at this point and how it isn’t their fault.

The system is broken and it has been for a long time, rewarding children that can pass tests and forgetting emotional intelligence and empathy.

Already, the exams felt like a production line with students and teachers barely able to enjoy experiencing the subjects because everything is aimed at targets and exam preparation.

Your child could be the catalyst for an overhaul of a system that places far too much importance on academic achievement so teach them that they can be the part of the change the world needs.

You can still help them fight to get the grade they deserve or help them find another path but most of all, just be there. Be their safe place because every child needs one, no matter what their age.

Claire Lindsay is childcare expert with 10 years experience as an attachment nanny and qualifications in child psychology and development.

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Sleeping in this intolerable heatwave has been difficult for many people, where no matter if you have a fan or sweat-wicking bedsheets, you just can’t get comfortable.

Let’s face it, our British homes and bodies just aren’t built for heatwaves. We’re prepped for cold winters – which is actually where this hack comes in.

On the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, one inventive poster recommended freezing a hot water bottle and sleeping with this to cool down.

They wrote: ‘If you’re feeling the heat – fill a hot water bottle no more than 2/3 full of cold water and pop it in the freezer for a few hours, stays cold for hours especially at night #bliss (cover if needed).’

The post attracted a lot of attention (likely from the hot, bothered, and sleepy among us) and now has over 12,000 likes on the group.

It’s important to note, however, that this tip isn’t without its risks.

One commenter warned: ‘Pretty sure I read if you also do this then don’t use the same water bottle during the winter, as freezing affects the seal at the top. Don’t want any burns to happen.’

This is because the water in the bottle expands as it freezes, and if it expands around the vacuum seal at the top it can damage it, making it leaky in future.

Although reducing the amount of water in the bottle can make a difference, it’s certainly not worth getting burned once winter comes around.

If you want to freeze your hot water bottle make sure you use it in only this way, perhaps marking one as a cold water bottle and one for hot water to avoid confusion.

It was also noted that this might leave a wet patch in your bed, so if you have some sort of mattress protection now would be the time to deploy it.

Mattresses typically take a while to dry, and can get damp-smelling or mouldy if they’re not ventilated while this happens.

Basically, be safe and careful if you try this hack. But if you’re suffering in the heat and have another hot water bottle (and/or don’t mind a wet patch in the bed) it could be just the thing.

Do you have a story or hack you’d love to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

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Life was great before coronavirus grounded me.

I finally started earning decent money and cleared all my debt, I was going out all the time and having flings.

Lockdown wasn’t too painful because I live with my sister and I kept my job. I continued speaking daily with a guy I was seeing before lockdown and we’ve picked up where we left off.

But something’s different now.

The sex feels less passionate and yet I feel so pulled to him. He’s very interesting and kind. When I suggested wearing something sexy for him he was hesitant.

What do you think is going on?

You’re not alone in missing pre-pandemic life and you’re not alone in finding change difficult, either.

‘But do we still want the same things we wanted before? Probably not,’ says James McConnachie. ‘The pandemic has changed the world and it has changed all of us. We’ve got to know sides of ourselves we weren’t so familiar with. We’ve had to get used to anxiety, uncertainty and doubt – and, for many, loneliness and isolation.’

You say lockdown was soothed by the company of your sister and retaining your job. How was his lockdown?

‘Knowing this may help you understand what’s going on now,’ says Dr Angharad Rudkin. ‘Some of us aren’t slipping back into our old life and our old self.’

For many, everything is different now. ‘We’re experiencing a global trauma that’s impacted every level from broad, social functions such as work and the economy to personal things such as emotions,’ says Rupert Smith, who wonders whether your concerns might be because he is getting too close.

He adds: ‘Before, you were having flings and avoiding emotional entanglements, which can be great fun as long as you’re not avoiding involvement because something painful happened in the past.’

While many of us are content to be unattached, you say he has qualities you want more of, which according to Rudkin ‘is a sign of long-term compatibility rather than a fizzing fling’.

And the kind of sex you have during a fling is very different from the sex you have with a potential partner.

‘When you’re in a relationship, sex is a way of reaching a deep connection as well as getting your rocks off,’ says Smith. ‘Dressing up is great fun but, in my experience, not an obvious way of achieving deep intimacy. So perhaps this hesitancy as you get closer is coming from you, not him.’

Stop looking backwards and ruminating about what used to be or what could have been.

‘Instead of comparing the present with the past, compare what you have with what you want and deserve,’ says McConnachie. ‘Does this guy fit into the future you want? That’s all that counts.’

The experts:

• Dr Angharad Rudkin is a clinical psychologist
• James McConnachie is the author of Sex (Rough Guides)
• Rupert Smith is the author of Interlude (Turnaround)

Got a sex and relationships dilemma? Email it to Lisa.Scott@metro.co.uk.

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Where do you keep your vegetables in the fridge?

Most of us slot them into the bottom drawer – the crisper – and don’t think twice about it.

However, a mum has revealed that this may be wrong.

Posting in the Mums Who Clean Facebook group, the woman shared an image of her carrots in the crisper, along with a sticker on the drawer’s front.

The sticker says: ‘Do not store fruits or vegetables in the chilled room. The fruits or the vegetables could be frozen’.

The mum wrote: ‘So I’ve been doing this wrong my whole life??’.

If you also store your fruits and veggies in this drawer, you may be making a mistake.

Some of the followers of the group commented that they’d also been putting their fruits and veggies in the crisper and it left the items frozen.

Others said the crisper is for storing meats as it keeps them cold and fresh.

One person commented: ‘Meat should always be at the bottom of your fridge as if it leaks on things that won’t be cooked you can get food poisoning’.

Another echoed the thought, saying: ‘I keep my meat in the bottom crisper – always colder and safest place for meat to be’.

Not everyone uses the drawer for veggies or for meat. Some admitted they store their drinks in there.

One person wrote: ‘I call it the beer cooler. I’ve never put veggies in there,’ while another said: ‘[My veggies] get frozen in there. Fits a carton of beer perfectly though!’

It’s worth noting that it could be the fridge model you have that makes this spot unsuitable for fruit and veg, and that not all crisper drawers are the ‘wrong’ place to store these food items.

One commenter wrote: ‘I’ve always used this for fruit and veg. Actually my Fischer & Paykel says it is for fruit and veg. Who knows??’.

Mimi Morley, a chef at HelloFresh, disagrees with all the Facebook chat and says the bottom drawer is for our five a day.

But, she says, it’s not as simple as just tossing everything in and hoping for the best.

She says: ‘It’s a common misconception that the two drawers at the bottom of the fridge are the same.

‘In fact, each drawer has its own exclusive purpose with one designed to create a high humidity, and a low humidity.

‘Fruit and vegetables which are best served with a crisp crunch and may be sensitive to moisture loss, such as cabbage, carrots, and strawberries, should be kept in the high humidity drawer (30-40 degrees) to avoid wilting.’

Mimi adds: ‘The low humidity drawer should be stocked with goods that produce high-ethylene gas and aren’t as sensitive to moisture loss such as kiwis, stone fruits and apples.

‘This will keep the products as juicy as can be and avoid unnecessary food waste.’

The more you know.

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Are you managing to save money in lockdown?

While some of us have put away money with ease thanks to a lack of commute and limited social spending, others have fallen at the hurdle of online shopping.

Among that second group is Kayla*, a 26-year-old primary school teacher living in Edmonton, North London.

We’re chatting with Kayla this week as part of our series, How I Save, which tracks someone’s saving and spending habits for a week and gives them some expert advice for how they (and we) can save more money.

Here’s how Kayla has got on with her finances in lockdown.

How Kayla Saves:

I earn £34,000 a year and in my savings account right now I have £5,450 – then I’ve got around £500 in my current account a week before payday.

I’ve saved this in the last few years when I decided to get serious about my saving.

Every month on payday I move £250 into my savings account and try to just not touch it. I have gone into my savings a few times for big purchases, like the bike I bought in the first few weeks of lockdown.

I’m saving in the hopes of one day being able to put down a deposit on a flat in London with my boyfriend. We don’t have a deadline or an exact goal because we’re not properly looking at places to buy yet (it’s too depressing), but I think I’d like to have £20,000 saved before we get started – I might need help from my parents for part of that.

The main way I save is just transferring that £250 each month the second I get paid and trying to forget it’s there. I don’t have a budget or any other saving rules, I just try to look for good deals and if I know I’ve overspent I’ll scale it back the next few weeks.

I struggle with saving because I love going out and making the most of living in London. My boyfriend and I go out for a good meal at least once a week (or we did, until lockdown!) and a lot of my money goes on/did go on London events like outdoor film screenings, exhibitions, and food markets. I feel like our lifestyle is expensive but if we’re not doing these things there’s little point in living in London.

Lockdown has definitely lessened my spending because we haven’t been able to go out and do things, but I’ve then spent the money we would have saved on more online shopping – spending more time at home made me want to buy more stuff for the house. I went a bit crazy on houseplants and prints.

How Kayla Spends:

Monthly expenses:

• Phone: £40 a month
• Rent: the total rent is £1,050 a month so I pay £550
• Bills change but are around £120 a month each for Sky, Netflix, internet, water, energy etc
• Spotify: £9.99 a month

A week of spending:

Monday: We didn’t do much today – I’m off for the summer holidays but doing some planning for the next school year, but my boyfriend is still working from home, so it was me watching Netflix in the bedroom and him doing calls in the living room.

He finished at 5pm and we decided to try out the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, so went to GBK. We managed to forget that alcohol isn’t included in the discount, so spent more than planned – £24.90 total, so I paid £12.45.

Tuesday: I did a bike ride around the park today as it was pretty sunny, then stopped off on the way back to get a Frappuccino (£4.75) as a reward. I got back and wanted to get some more plants for the flat, so spent £56 on Patch. That sounds like a lot but I easily could have spent more than £100 – I have big dreams of plants everywhere!

Wednesday: Nothing spent today, stayed in and we had food from the shop we did on Sunday.

Thursday: I was so close to signing up to a £24 a month houseplant subscription – I had it in my basket after getting an Instagram advert offering a free plant when you sign up – but my boyfriend convinced me not to… so that’s a savings win.

I did an ASOS shop because I’m always unprepared for hot weather and I need some clothes for next week’s heatwave. I ended up spending £98.

Friday: We had stuff in the fridge but just didn’t have the energy to cook, so ordered pizza – it made sense to get sides so we could do a deal for £20.99 for two medium pizzas and two sides.

Saturday: We booked a table at the pub garden earlier this week and I’m glad we did, as there was a big queue outside. I had a few rosés and a cider, which came to £18. On the way back we got an ice cream each – £5.50.

Sunday: We always do our big online food shop on a Sunday (apart from early on in lockdown when online deliveries were all booked up). This week came to £58.67, split down the middle so I paid £29.33.

Total spent this week: £245.02

*Name has been changed.

How I Save is a weekly series about how people spend and save, out every Thursday. If you’d like to anonymously share how you spend and save – and get some expert advice on how to sort out your finances – get in touch by emailing ellen.scott@metro.co.uk.

If you want more tips and tricks on saving money, as well as chat about cash and alerts on deals and discounts, join our Facebook Group, Money Pot.

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A mum was left in hysterics when her toddler stole a pack of condoms from her bag and refused to give it back.

Maisey Davison, 20, from Chester went to her doctor to pick up a contraceptive pill and was given a free paper pack with condoms.

The single mum had left the paper pack in her handbag – but her cheeky 19-month-old toddler, Isabella, went rummaging through her bag and found them.

Isabella ripped open the bag and grabbed the pack of pink condoms in her hands.

When Maisey asked for them back, Isabella refused to let go,

Maisey decided to film the hilarious scene, where she is heard asking Isabella to give her the condoms as the toddler repeatedly shouts ‘no’.

After Maisey uploaded the video to Twitter, it soon went viral.

Maisey wrote as the caption: ‘My child has managed to get into the “goodie bag” you receive after picking up your contraception and I am MORTIFIED’.

The video has since gained over 37.3K views and 1.8K likes.

Speaking about the hilarious incident, Maisey said: ‘I went to pick up my contraceptive pill from my doctors and they give a paper bag of condoms inside with it.

‘I left them freely in my bag and Isabella rummaged through it and found them.

‘I was absolutely mortified at first but then found it hilarious when she refused to give them back to me.

‘She did give them over in the end when I tempted her with a few her toys which she swapped with me.

‘I just find the video funny now and glad it’s made others laugh.’

We’re sure Maisey will be showing the video to Isabella in a few years and embarrassing her plenty.

Do you have a story you want to share?

Email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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Everyone’s talking about – or on – a staycation right now.

With plenty of European holiday destinations on quarantine lists due to high coronavirus cases, it makes a lot more sense to see more of the beautiful country we call home.

Sometimes, though, hotel stays and public transport make the whole thing just as expensive as a foreign holiday – sometimes even more so.

This creative holidaymaker, however, has made herself a chic new holiday home that can be transported to whatever seaside or beauty spot her heart desires.

Vicky Hibberd, 25, from Stoke on Trent, managed to snap up a bargain caravan from Facebook Marketplace for £750, and set about transforming it herself using Frenchic paints and accessories from B&M and The Range.

Her caravan now looks as good as new – and Vicky managed to totally transform it in just five days for just £198.

So, for £948, that’s far less than the price of just one break abroad for her and her partner (£855 per person per holiday according to ONS statistics) and can be used time and time again.

Vicky told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘Me and my fiancé are long term campers, and we’ve been wanting an old caravan or camper van for a long time, but all of the ones I’d been seeing were full of damp. 

‘We had a camping holiday booked for two weeks – a week in Somerset and a week in Newquay, Cornwall. 

‘The Sunday before we were planning to go away, my mum sent me the link to this caravan on Facebook Marketplace. 

‘We went to have a look and it was solid: a 1995 ABI two-berth little caravan for a bargain of £750! 

‘For its age, it was quite clean – we picked it up on Sunday and we were going away the following Saturday – so I had five days to put my stamp on it. 

‘Luckily, everything worked so it was just a case of making it look nice and homely. My family kept telling me not to paint it, saying that I didn’t have enough time and wouldn’t get finished before our holiday on Saturday, but I did it anyway! 

‘Everyone loved it and I proved them wrong. I couldn’t have done it without my fiancé Marcus, best friend Sam and mum and dad.’

Vicky used Frenchic paint (three tubs at £18 each) to revamp the tired-looking cupboards and ceiling, and bought new handles from Amazon for £25 for 20.

She continues: ‘The accessories are from B&M and The Range and cost around £80 – I bought throws for the seats, cushions and fake plants. I also bought a carpet off-cut for £19 from Carpetright.’

After a good clean with some sugar soap, the caravan was ready for its makeover, and although the paint normally needs three weeks to cure, Vicky and Marcus have been careful and there have been no accidents.

‘I am absolutely over the moon with it,’ says Vicky.

‘It’s not perfect, I’ve still got some bits and bobs to do, like recovering the seats and putting in new curtains, but I’m currently on holiday in our little home from home and it’s fabulous! 

‘Fletcher, our dog, loves it too! No more soggy holidays in a tent – we’ve had our fair share of those!’

Do you have a great DIY transformation you’d like to share?

Send your story and pictures to MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

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Our condolences go out to anyone who had to get on the tube throughout this heatwave – particularly the central line.

Much of the London Underground network still hasn’t been equipped with air conditioning, which when combined with the cramped conditions and now mask wearing, makes things extremely sweaty.

There is a commuting saviour here to make our days a little easier, though, in the form of a tube map showing only routes with that hallowed cooling technology.

Author and train fanatic Geoff Marshall created the alternative map so you can plan your journey accordingly, and has also updated it for 2020.

Not even half of the Underground network has been equipped with air conditioning, although it is being (slowly) updated – such as the new addition of the Northern City Line trains out of Moorgate.

Those who take the London Overground, trams, City Thameslink, TfL Rail, Circle, Hammersmith and City, District, and Metropolitan lines are in the clear temperature-wise.

Anyone else is going to have to alter their journey or face the hellfire that is our public transport network.

In future it looks as though Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Central, and Waterloo and City will be getting their own air condiytion systems. According to reports, howeverm it’s up to a ten-year wait.

Not exactly ideal given London has seen plus-thirty temperatures for at least a week now.

Alas, Geoff has given us a tool in the meantime to make our days a little less puddle-like.

Do you have a story you’d like to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

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