The change, which came into effect on Friday (May 1) gives tenants in the private rented sector in England the legal right to request permission to keep pets in their rented homes.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse pet requests, marking a significant shift for Oxfordshire renters who have long faced blanket pet bans.

This has been widely welcomed by pet owners across the country, with many now able to keep their animals with them in rented accommodation.

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Among the animals who may benefit from the new law is Sweeny, a Mastiff who has spent nearly a year at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm Animal Centre in Birmingham.

Brittanny Baker, animal care assistant, said: “He’s been with us for 11 months now, but he is constantly overlooked by potential adopters, which breaks my heart.

“Sweeny may be a big boy, but he’s certainly got a big heart.

“He’s goofy, playful and loveable. He learns fast and enjoys training as well as quiet walks out, and playing in the off-lead paddock.”

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “For too long, families have lived with the constant fear of eviction, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives.

“Today we are putting that right. We promised to fix a broken rental system, and we’re delivering.

“This historic action will make renting fairer, safer and more secure for millions, so people can settle, put down roots and build their lives.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Renters have been living at the mercy of rogue landlords and in fear of losing their home for too long.

“We are putting a stop to this with historic changes that give renters the security they deserve – marking the beginning of a new era for private renters.”

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The new rules have heftier penalties of up to £40,000 if they are broken.

Dogs Trust pet-friendly housing lead Jennifer Leonard said: “Across the UK, one in seven requests we receive from people wishing to hand over care of their dog is due to a housing-related issue.

“Now, we hope that fewer renters will face the heartbreaking choice between finding a safe place to live and keeping their beloved pet.”

Joanna Elson, chief executive at Independent Age, said: “Many of the tenants in later life that we speak to say that, until now, they lived in a constant state of anxiety, worried about being evicted for no reason and the consequences of asking their landlord for repairs.

“Although the job of making renting safe, secure and affordable for everyone is not yet done, today we are a significant step closer.”

Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said: “These extra protections will make a big difference for millions in rented accommodation. Tenants are often among the lowest earners and need the extra help.

“But the next step must be to introduce rent controls. That will stop landlords forcing people out by ratcheting up fees to unaffordable levels.”

The actress, who was born and grew up in Oxford, is well known to audiences around the world after starring as Professor Sprout in several of the Harry Potter films.

Known for her character actor work across film, television, and stage, she received the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film, The Age of Innocence.

One of her other famed roles was as Mother Mildred in the long-running BBC drama programme, Call the Midwife.

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Now, the actress is being lined up for a new lead role in a spin-off series of the popular Netflix show, The Crown.

The royal drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II ran from November 2016 to December 2023, with 60 episodes released in total.

Created by Mr Peter Morgan, the six‑series show dramatises royal history from the late 1940s up to the early 2000s.

Now, Reports suggest that Netflix has approved a new prequel run of the series, covering royal history from 1901 to 1947.

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The planned spin‑off would open with the death of Queen Victoria and conclude with the wedding of the future Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Philip.

Amid this, The Telegraph has named Ms Margolyes as the publication’s dream casting for the lead role of Queen Victoria.

The national newspaper stated: “The outrageous actress is a natural. After all, she played the diminutive monarch in Blackadder’s Christmas Carol.

“However, she also has a serious passion for the subject, and narrated one of the queen’s many letters to her eldest daughter (also called Victoria) in Letters Live.”

The sought-after “Blue Peter” 50p, created to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games, recently fetched £220 on eBay after attracting 10 bids. Another example of the coin has previously sold for as much as £286.

Designed by Florence Jackson, the winning entrant of a Blue Peter competition, the coin features a high jump athlete and was first released in 2009 ahead of the London Olympics.

Although around 20,000 of the coins were minted, they were never officially released into general circulation. Despite this, collectors believe many have since entered everyday use, meaning some could still be sitting unnoticed in loose change across the UK.

(Image: PA)

The coins were originally sold for £1.09, but their rarity and Olympic connection have significantly boosted their value among collectors.

Experts say anyone with old 50p coins should check their designs carefully, as rare editions like the Blue Peter coin can be worth far more than their face value.

Five Incredibly Rare and Valuable British Coins

What makes a coin valuable?

The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas.

Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.

The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors.

Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.

The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value – while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.

Royal Mint top 10 most valuable 50p coins

Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted:

1. Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
2. Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
3. Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
4. Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
5. Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
6. Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
7. Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
8. Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
9. Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
10. Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500