Latest news with #LucySteele
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
Warning after tortoise 'smuggled into UK in cigarette packet'
A woman who allegedly bought a baby tortoise for £10 at a Tunisian market then smuggled it into the UK in a cigarette packet has sparked a police 29-year-old woman from Boston is being investigated by Lincolnshire Police on suspicion of bringing the reptile into the country without a is believed to be a Testudo graeca - also known as a Greek tortoise - which is an endangered species protected under international law."We are using this report to warn and educate the public about the dangers and legal consequences of buying exotic animals abroad," a Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said. The incident has also been criticised by Wild Things Rescue UK, where the tortoise - named Gulliver - is now being cared Steele, from the charity, said the animal was "not in the best condition" when he arrived."It was a surprise to be asked to care for an animal from Tunisia, especially under such distressing circumstances," she said."He is a wild animal, not an accessory and should never have been treated this way." The suspected offences came under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 and the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and can result in a fine or up to seven years in Con Aaron Flint, from the force, urged anyone thinking about bringing animals into the UK to check laws."What may seem like an innocent souvenir - even if purchased for a small amount -can result in serious criminal charges," he said."Don't take the risk – the consequences can be severe."Anyone with information about the potential illegal trade or importation of endangered species should contact the force. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
ITV News
17 hours ago
- ITV News
Lincolnshire woman smuggled baby tortoise into the UK
Police are warning travellers not to bring exotic animals into the UK after seizing a baby tortoise that was smuggled into the UK inside a cigarette packet. A 29-year-old woman from Boston, Lincolnshire, is under investigation after allegedly bringing the reptile from Tunisia, where she reportedly bought it at a market for £10. A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: 'Smuggling wildlife can pose serious risks to both an animal's welfare and UK biosecurity. 'Wild animals are not an accessory and no tortoise should ever be treated this way.' The tortoise, which has been named Gulliver, is thought to be a Testudo graeca, commonly known as the Greek tortoise or spur-thighed tortoise. The species is protected under international law due to its endangered status and trade in such animals is heavily restricted. An import permit would be needed to bring a Greek tortoise into the UK. Wildlife crime officer Det Con Aaron Flint said: 'Endangered species such as tortoises are protected under international law, and bringing one into the country without the correct permits is a criminal offence. 'I ask that anyone thinking about bringing animals or animal products into the UK checks the legislation around how this must be done. 'What may seem like an innocent souvenir — even if purchased for a small amount - can result in serious criminal charges." The tortoise has now been taken into specialist care at Wild Things Rescue. Lucy Steele, of Wild Things Rescue, said: 'We usually work with British wildlife, so it was a surprise to be asked to care for an animal from Tunisia, especially under such distressing circumstances. 'The tortoise is not in the best condition and will be seeing a specialist vet to give him the best possible chance at a healthy future. He is a wild animal, not an accessory and should never have been treated this way.'
South Wales Guardian
02-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Expert shares 35p white vinegar hack that cleans patios
While you might reach for the jet washer when your patio becomes discoloured, it's not an essential tool for the job, according to experts. In fact, a simple kitchen cupboard ingredient will do the trick just as well – let's take a look. Have you tried this jetwasher alternative? (Image: Getty) Lucy Steele, a paint expert at Valspar Paint, suggested cleaning your patio with white vinegar – a cheap alternative to jet washing. White vinegar will clean a patio and remove any stains, but that's not all, as it can kill weeds in between paving stones too. A 568ml bottle of distilled vinegar (sometimes used instead of white vinegar) costs 35p at Tesco and Aldi. To use this hack, you'll need to mix together white vinegar and water at a 50:50 ratio, then apply it to your patio and leave for around 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, scrub the patio with a hard brush and wash it down with clean water. If you've got tougher stains on your patio, you'll need to repeat this method. Retailer B&M said: 'Although multipurpose cleaning products are certainly convenient because they can be used on a range of surfaces, many of them aren't good for our health or the environment. 'White wine vinegar, on the other hand, is a powerhouse of an ingredient when it comes to natural and eco-friendly cleaning. Vinegar is also made of acetic acid, which is a natural disinfectant for killing some of the most common germs like salmonella and E. coli. Recommended reading: Expert shares 90p tea hack that improves your garden's health and deters pests Garden expert shares £1 coin hack to make ideal environment for grass seeds Homeowners urged to try this 5p test to keep rats and mice away 'This is why here at B&M we recommend using white vinegar as it doesn't break the bank, is a non-toxic alternative and is eco-friendly.' The bargain retailer shared some items around the house that can be cleaned with white vinegar including washing machines, coffee makers, blenders and food processors, windows, cloudy wine glasses and more. For more information on how to clean these items with white vinegar, you can visit the B&M website (linked above).
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I'm an interiors expert – four hacks to get the Love Island ‘look' in your home
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island is officially back on our screens, which means we'll all be spending the summer watching contestants compete in their quest to find true love. While the show is ready to turn heads with new twists and more drama, and plenty of coupling up, there's one thing that remains loyal — the iconic look of the Villa. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Stars stay in the iconic Villa in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar Credit: ITV 6 And experts have revealed how you can recreate the Villa look at home Credit: ITV 6 And it won't cost a fortune to make your space look like a real villa bombshell Credit: ITV 6 There are four easy ways you can incorporate the look Credit: ITV As always, stars in the 2025 series are staying in the swanky Villa in Mallorca, on the east coast of the island in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. But it had undergone a makeover for the tenth year anniversary to make sure it's bigger than ever with glam touch-ups. This year, there is a new, supersized hideaway, walk-in wardrobes, an exercise bike and a steamy hot tub beside the huge pool. A purple theme has also been added and extended through to the fire pit, while the rooms have been touched up with gold furnishings. Even though you might not be able to install a built-in hot tub or pool in your own garden, there are still ways you can 'crack on' and add a touch of Love Island luxury to your home. Interior experts have revealed that there are a few clever design choices that will serve up a vibe that's trendy and timeless. And they are surprisingly easy for anyone who loves the popular ITV show. Paint and interiors expert Lucy Steele from Valspar Paint shared her four tips for helping your space look like a real villa bombshell. Go bright or go home Lucy has said that an essential tip for nailing the Love Island look at home is by pairing bright whites with pops of bold colour. She explained: "The interior of the Villa uses lots of brilliant whites as an easy backdrop for the bursts of fun colours throughout the space. Love Island fans spot clue islander is pretending to fancy her partner after awkward recoupling "Regularly using bold pinks, blues and butter yellows in the colour scheme of the Villa makes for a fun and playful aesthetic. "If you already have neutral walls at home, you can achieve this by using the iconic colour trio to paint feature walls. "Or simply coat doorframes and mirror frames for an instant refresh." Firepit drama No Love Island-inspired garden would be complete without the legendary fire pit. So if you want to recreate the look of the Villa in your own space, then you definitely need to pick up one of these. Lucy said: "This is an absolute must for the home, and it's actually fairly cheap to recreate. "In more basic styles, you can get a fire pit for as little as £20 in standard retailers like B&Q. "For a full-on Love Island garden vibe, add string fairy lights, sun loungers, and a splattering of colour-blocked cushions in the same blue, pink and yellow colour scheme. "You may also want to coordinate the colour of your outdoor furniture with natural wood and whites. "An easy way to achieve this cohesive look without splashing the cash is by painting your existing garden furniture with exterior paint, helping you stay loyal to the look." 6 The experts say every Love Island fan should have a fire pit in their home Credit: ITV Pop art inspo This is a fairly new one, but pop art goes perfectly with the theme of the Love Island Villa. Lucy advises: "Pop art was introduced to the design of the Villa fairly recently, and it works perfectly with the colour scheme throughout. "Pop art prints are relatively low cost, or you could DIY your own to give your space a cheeky, flirtatious edge. "Pop Art is a great way to add the Love Island look to your casa at a low cost. "And it can also be easily changed in the future to new and exciting art pieces." The five colours that are becoming outdated in 2025 IT'S important to make sure that when you update your space, you create a look that won't quickly become outdated. With that in mind, interior designers have revealed the five colours that are beginning to fade now that we are halfway into 2025. Interior pro Paulina Wojas from Stunning Chairs has said that 2025 is all about creating warm, inviting places. Emerald Green - "While this colour is still loved for its luxe vibe, its declining popularity could be due to it being oversaturated". Camel - "This could be due to Camel's brown-yellow undertone that may be too warm for a clean aesthetic, and 2025 interior trends favouring more muted, earthy tones such as taupe and olive.' Burgundy - "A prominent trend this year is open, airy spaces with organic elements, which could explain burgundy's declining demand". Scarlet Red - "While its vibrant hue is desirable for maximalist interiors, scarlet red's intensity can become overpowering, resulting in colour fatigue. Teal - "While this aquatic shade is still desirable and perfect for coastal, Greek-inspired interiors, the low number of teal sales could be due to changing preferences and trends shifting towards warmer colour palettes.' I've got a text… it says you need neon! According to the experts, anyone looking to bring the vibe of the Villa into their home needs to bring in touches of neon. Lucy explains: "Neon lights are an absolute must-have to achieve the Love Island look at home. "Think playful phrases, a neon heart above your bed, or a cheeky cocktail sign for the garden. "Neon is glam, Insta-ready, and surprisingly affordable. "Plus, it'll give your space that unmistakable glow. "It's perfect for setting the mood for your next pre-coupling party!"
The Irish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm an interiors expert – four hacks to get the Love Island ‘look' in your home
LOVE Island is officially back on our screens, which means we'll all be spending the summer watching contestants compete in their quest to find true love. While the show is ready to turn heads with new twists and more drama, and plenty of coupling up, there's one thing that remains loyal — the iconic look of the Villa. Advertisement 6 Stars stay in the iconic Villa in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar Credit: ITV 6 And experts have revealed how you can recreate the Villa look at home Credit: ITV 6 And it won't cost a fortune to make your space look like a real villa bombshell Credit: ITV 6 There are four easy ways you can incorporate the look Credit: ITV As always, stars in the 2025 series are staying in the swanky Villa in Mallorca, on the east coast of the island in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. But it had undergone a makeover for the tenth year anniversary to make sure it's bigger than ever with glam touch-ups. This year, there is a new, supersized hideaway, walk-in wardrobes, an exercise bike and a steamy hot tub beside the huge pool. A purple theme has also been added and extended through to the fire pit, while the rooms have been touched up with gold furnishings. Advertisement Even though you might not be able to install a built-in hot tub or pool in your own garden, there are still ways you can 'crack on' and add a touch of Love Island luxury to your home. Interior experts have revealed that there are a few clever design choices that will serve up a vibe that's trendy and timeless . And they are surprisingly easy for anyone who loves the popular ITV show. Paint and interiors expert Lucy Steele from Valspar Paint shared her four tips for helping your space look like a real villa bombshell. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Go bright or go home Lucy has said that an essential tip for nailing the Love Island look at home is by pairing bright whites with pops of bold colour. She explained: "The interior of the Villa uses lots of brilliant whites as an easy backdrop for the bursts of fun colours throughout the space. Love Island fans spot clue islander is pretending to fancy her partner after awkward recoupling "Regularly using bold pinks, blues and butter yellows in the colour scheme of the Villa makes for a fun and playful aesthetic. "If you already have neutral walls at home, you can achieve this by using the iconic colour trio to paint feature walls. Advertisement "Or simply coat doorframes and mirror frames for an instant refresh." Firepit drama No Love Island-inspired garden would be complete without the legendary fire pit. So if you want to recreate the look of the Villa in your own space, then you definitely need to pick up one of these. Advertisement Lucy said: "This is an absolute must for the home, and it's actually fairly cheap to recreate. "In more basic styles, you can get a fire pit for as little as £20 in standard retailers like B&Q. "For a full-on Love Island garden vibe, add string fairy lights, sun loungers, and a splattering of colour-blocked cushions in the same blue , pink and yellow colour scheme. "You may also want to coordinate the colour of your outdoor furniture with natural wood and whites. Advertisement "An easy way to achieve this cohesive look without splashing the cash is by painting your existing garden furniture with exterior paint, helping you stay loyal to the look." 6 The experts say every Love Island fan should have a fire pit in their home Credit: ITV Pop art inspo This is a fairly new one, but pop art goes perfectly with the theme of the Love Island Villa. Lucy advises: "Pop art was introduced to the design of the Villa fairly recently, and it works perfectly with the colour scheme throughout. Advertisement "Pop art prints are relatively low cost, or you could DIY your own to give your space a cheeky, flirtatious edge. "Pop Art is a great way to add the Love Island look to your casa at a low cost. "And it can also be easily changed in the future to new and exciting art pieces." The five colours that are becoming outdated in 2025 IT'S important to make sure that when you update your space, you create a look that won't quickly become outdated. With that in mind, interior designers have revealed the five colours that are beginning to fade now that we are halfway into 2025. Interior pro Paulina Wojas from Emerald Green - "While this colour is still loved for its luxe vibe, its declining popularity could be due to it being oversaturated". Camel - "This could be due to Camel's brown-yellow undertone that may be too warm for a clean aesthetic, and 2025 interior trends favouring more muted, earthy tones such as taupe and olive.' Burgundy - "A prominent trend this year is open, airy spaces with organic elements, which could explain burgundy's declining demand". Scarlet Red - "While its vibrant hue is desirable for maximalist interiors, scarlet red's intensity can become overpowering, resulting in colour fatigue. Teal - "While this aquatic shade is still desirable and perfect for coastal, Greek-inspired interiors, the low number of teal sales could be due to changing preferences and trends shifting towards warmer colour palettes.' I've got a text… it says you need neon! According to the experts, anyone looking to bring the vibe of the Villa into their home needs to bring in touches of neon. Advertisement Lucy explains: "Neon lights are an absolute must-have to achieve the Love Island look at home. "Think playful phrases, a neon heart above your bed, or a cheeky cocktail sign for the garden. "Neon is glam, Insta-ready, and surprisingly affordable. Read more on the Irish Sun "Plus, it'll give your space that unmistakable glow. Advertisement "It's perfect for setting the mood for your next pre-coupling party!" 6 Neon signs are a 'must have' if you want to receate the villa vibe Credit: ITV
