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Gardening guru on how to defend plants from slugs and snails

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Slugs can wreak havoc in our gardens and can often be found munching away on our plants.

While getting rid of them completely is a difficult task, gardening expert Simon Akeroyd has shared a hack you can use in order to minimise the damage they cause.

The simple method uses just one item and is completely free, as you’ll be able to find it in your own garden.

Gardening expert reveals hack to stop slugs and snails

Simon revealed Brits can use thorn-covered twigs and sticks to use as a’ slug barrier’ around plants. 

In a video shared with his 824,000 TikTok followers, Simon ventures into a densely planted area of his garden to search for thorny twigs and sticks.

He then returns to his greenhouse, where he cuts the twigs into smaller sections and uses them to create a barrier around the edges of the plant he is trying to protect.

By doing this, he claims your plants are better protected from slugs and snails as they’d rather not slither over sharp thorns.

In his post, Simon is seen to compare the method to barbed wire, ‘just for slugs and snails’.

While he admits it may not completely stop slug damage, he says it will help to reduce it.

Simon said: “Cut lengths or thorny twigs, such as roses or brambles, and place these thorny sticks around the edges of your plant.

“Slugs would prefer not to slither over sharp thorns, which reduces the chances of slugs eating your plants.”


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The gardener added: “To be fair, it won’t completely stop slug damage, as some are already in the compost or soil, whilst others are completely impervious to any barriers.

“But it will hopefully reduce the damage.”

What gardening hacks do you use? Let us know in the comments.





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Crime & Safety

SlotsUp launches tournament feature with weekly competitions

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How the tournament system works

Each event runs for a set period and uses a fixed group of games. Only those titles count toward scoring. That keeps things level across all participants, since everyone plays within the same setup.

Points come directly from gameplay. Every round adds to the total score. There are no additional layers behind it; activity in the selected games is what counts. The leader board updates as the event goes on, so positions can continue to change during the tournament period.

Once time runs out, the leader board stops updating. Rankings are fixed at that point, and those final positions are used to assign rewards.

(Image: SlotsUp)

Weekly and monthly competition format

There are two types of tournaments running at the same time. Some last a week, others stay open for a month. The way they work doesn’t really change, but the pace feels different.

Weekly tournaments run for a shorter period, while monthly tournaments remain active longer and allow more time to build points.

After joining once, the format becomes familiar. Nothing resets in terms of rules or scoring, only the timer and the leader board.

Entry conditions and participation

Joining a tournament does not require any payment. There are no entry fees, and deposits are not part of the process. The only requirement is account verification.

Users need to register and provide accurate details before taking part, as this information is used later when rewards are processed. Aside from that, everyone enters under the same conditions. Points come only from playing the selected games during the event, and there are no paid advantages or separate levels.

First tournament results

The first completed tournament provides a clearer picture of how the system performs in practice. A total of 13 players took part in the Cricket Duel event powered by EvoPlay, competing for a $200 prize pool distributed across the top 10 positions.

The final leader board shows a noticeable gap between the leading player and the rest of the field, with the winner reaching over 5,200 points. This suggests sustained activity rather than short bursts of play, as players continued accumulating points throughout the event.

At the same time, the spread of scores across the top 10 indicates that competition remained active beyond just the leading positions. Even lower-ranked players secured rewards, which reinforces participation incentives across different levels of engagement.

Once the time ran out, the rankings were fixed in place. The system then reviewed the results and confirmed final positions. The top 10 players finished in prize spots and received their rewards after verification and rule checks were completed. The outcome follows the leader board, with rewards issued after verification and rule checks are completed.

Rules, verification, and restrictions

Each tournament comes with its own set of rules, listed on the event page. These cover the scoring method, selected games, duration, and prize structure.

Users are expected to review these details before joining. Verification is required for participation and for receiving rewards. Accurate account information is necessary, and any inconsistencies may delay the process.

Standard restrictions also apply, including age requirements and regional limitations, which determine whether a user can access tournaments. SlotsUp provides support for account verification, entry, and reward-related questions.

(Image: SlotsUp)

Role within the SlotsUp platform

The tournament feature isn’t separate from the rest of the product. It comes out of the same structure that has been in place for years.

SlotsUp started small, mainly as a free slots site. As time went on, it picked up more sections, game data, casino overviews, written pieces. It wasn’t a sharp shift, more like a steady build. The focus stayed on laying things out clearly without pushing users in any direction.

After the relaunch, the direction began to change. The platform shifted toward a more user-focused model. Tournaments follow that line. They don’t replace existing sections or change how the platform works, but they add another layer on top of it.

Game browsing, filters, and comparisons are still there. The difference is that some of those same titles now appear inside tournaments, where outcomes come down to play activity rather than research.

Access and ongoing events

Tournaments are already in place and run one after another. Weekly and monthly formats are both active, and once an event ends, the next one starts shortly after. Tournaments run on a weekly and monthly schedule.

The structure stays the same each time. After taking part once, the flow is clear and doesn’t change in later events.

All the key details are visible on the platform. Users can check active tournaments, follow leader board positions, and go through the rules before joining. The first event has already been completed, and the top 10 players received their rewards after results were confirmed. At this stage, the feature is part of the regular setup rather than something new being tested.

Final note

The tournament system adds a competitive layer while keeping the core structure unchanged. It remains free to access, and results depend on leader board positions tied directly to gameplay.

The first event shows how the process works from start to finish. With weekly and monthly tournaments now running, the feature continues as a regular part of the platform.





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Crime & Safety

Blind and elderly Labrador rescued from Oxfordshire road

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Poppy was discovered by Thames Valley Police whilst on patrol in Steventon, between Abingdon and Didcot, last night (Monday, April 27).

The dog had been found running in the road, sparking the officers on duty to spring into action and catch her.

Once the force managed to get ahold of Poppy, officers used her tag to phone her owners and reunite the pet with her “furry siblings”.

READ MORE: Exclusive look at £24m luxury Cotswolds holiday resort opening in 2027

Poppy. (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Photos of the Labrador were shared on the Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Team Facebook page last night, along with a statement informing residents.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Whilst on routine patrol tonight, PCs Dollery and Kamalee came across this beautiful black Labrador running in the road in Steventon.

“The officers were able to catch the dog and immediately call the owner thanks to up-to-date tag details on the collar.

“Poppy, who is elderly and blind, has been collected by her owner and is now back home safe with her other furry siblings.”





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Cokethorpe School in Witney: ‘How we help to stop stress’

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The school’s approach, which includes peer mentoring, mindfulness, daily tutor support and counselling, aims to help pupils understand stress, build resilience and develop coping strategies for exams and beyond.

Andrew Uglow, deputy head academic at Cokethorpe School, said: “One of my big bugbears is the false dichotomy that exists in people’s minds between caring for children’s wellbeing and having high standards and expectations of them.

“It is absolutely possible to hold both at the same time.

“In fact, it is through caring deeply about the individual, and providing the right support, space and mechanisms to help them manage challenges, that we are able to get the very best out of them.”

The school places a strong focus on peer support, with lower sixth students offering one-to-one mentoring for younger pupils.

These informal conversations provide a safe space for pupils to talk openly, seek guidance and benefit from the experience of older peers.

As exam periods approach, the school encourages students to continue participating in sports and outdoor activities to help maintain balance and perspective.

Mr Uglow said: “Exercise, fresh air and consistent routine all help pupils maintain perspective, sharpen focus and sustain positive energy levels during periods of pressure.”

Resilience-building begins in Year 7 with a structured programme designed to help students understand anxiety, recognise stress responses and develop coping strategies.

Mr Uglow said: “We can’t protect children from stress, and nor should we.

“What we can do is build resilience so that when stressful moments arise, they have the tools and confidence to cope.”

Pupils are also guided in practical revision techniques, including time management and striking a balance between study and rest.

Daily tutor contact ensures that pupils are well known individually by staff, enabling early identification of concerns through subtle changes in behaviour.

When more specialised support is needed, students can access trained child and adolescent counsellor Tanya Smith through self-referral, staff, or parent requests.

Mrs Smith emphasises the importance of emotional support during adolescence, describing it as a complex period of development that requires both understanding and structure.

The school’s philosophy supports the wider message of Stress Awareness Month: while stress cannot be eliminated from young people’s lives, schools can equip them with the tools, confidence and support networks they need to manage it effectively.

Cokethorpe School is an independent, co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18, set on 150 acres of parkland.





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