The Gogs endured a slow start to last season and will be determined to avoid a repeat, with Jessie Williams stressing the importance of picking up early wins and building momentum.

“The hard work starts now,” Williams said.

“It’s a tough league and a long season, and a lot of success comes down to building momentum. If you can get off to a good start, pick up some wins and put a run together early on, it can really shape how your season goes.

“Our focus is on these opening games in September, and they’ll give us a good idea of where we are as a group.

“Pre-season gets you to the starting line, and on Saturday the starting pistol goes. We’re ready to get going.”

RGC will face a Newport side that has historically proved difficult opposition. The Gogs' last league victory away at the Black and Ambers came in April 2022, when they edged a dramatic contest 32-31.

RGC scored tries through Afon Bagshaw, Zac Clow, Rhys Tudor and Brodie Coghlan before Dion Jones held his nerve to kick a last-minute penalty and seal victory.

RGC finished last season among the competitive group in Super Rygbi Cymru and had one of the competition's standout individual performers.

Billy McBryde finished as the league's leading points scorer with 224 points, while winger Caio Parry scored 14 tries, putting him joint-second in the try-scoring charts.

RGC also reached the Super Rygbi Cymru Plate final, where they were beaten 29-13 by Swansea.

Super Rygbi Cymru is the WRU’s top domestic men’s competition, bringing together 10 clubs from across Wales.

Teams play home and away league fixtures before the competition moves into the play-offs, with separate cup competitions also running alongside the league.

It was introduced in 2024 as part of efforts to strengthen the pathway between community rugby and the professional game, and has quickly developed into a highly competitive league.

RGC's opening fixture therefore represents a serious test straight away, but a win in Newport would give the Gogs an early boost as they look to improve on last season's campaign.

After Newport, RGC return to Stadiwm Eirias on Saturday, 19 September, when they host Carmarthen Quins in their first home league game of the new season.

The veteran Independent councillor was elected leader at a full council meeting at County Hall in Ruthin today (Tuesday, 8 September), taking charge with just eight months before the next scheduled local government elections.

Councillor Evans, who represents Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd and Gwyddelwern, has served on the council since 2004 and previously led the authority between 2007 and 2022.

Following his election, he announced a new Cabinet and said his immediate focus would be on laying strong foundations for the future and addressing the challenges facing the county.

He said he had spent the past week meeting the Chief Executive and senior officers to gain a better understanding of the council's current position.

Councillor Evans said the authority had many dedicated officers and strong services, but that the connection between its strategic ambitions and the everyday experiences of residents needed to be strengthened.

He said he wanted to create a culture of openness and transparency, with the Cabinet focusing initially on three key areas – the council's budget, its role as an authority, and its communities and culture.

He said: “We have only eight months, but there is much we can achieve.”

Councillor Evans also thanked outgoing Leader Jason for the work carried out by the previous Cabinet, adding: “We're all here for our residents. We are all champions for our communities.”

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Independent member for Ruthin, has been appointed Deputy Leader.

He has been a county councillor since 2012 and previously served as Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and the Welsh Language between 2017 and 2022.

He said it was a "huge honour" to become Deputy Leader and that he looked forward to working with Councillor Evans and the new Cabinet to restore trust and confidence in the council.

Jason Fen Hender, of Ger Y Winllan, Llangefni, appeared at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 7 September, after being charged with sexual assault and possession of cocaine.

The court heard that on 5 September, two police officers were on patrol in Llangefni when they came across an altercation in the street which was putting members of the public at risk.

The officers intervened and managed to de-escalate the situation, but Hender then sexually assaulted one of the officers.

He was arrested and found to be in possession of cocaine.

Hender admitted both offences and was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

District Support Sergeant Matt Bentley said the incident had been a humiliating and degrading experience for the officer who was trying to protect members of the public.

He said the case had been dealt with quickly, with Hender appearing before the court just two days after the incident.

Sergeant Bentley added that the case should send a clear message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated, and that such behaviour would be challenged.

North Wales Police also encouraged anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward, saying officers would listen and take action to bring offenders to justice.

Lolita, 32, had been reported missing on 22 August, before her body was discovered in the water off the West Shore side of the Great Orme on 26 August.

A member of the public raised the alarm after seeing a body in the water, with HM Coastguard and Conwy RNLI involved in the recovery. An inquest has since been opened and adjourned.

Her family has now launched a GoFundMe appeal to help pay for funeral costs and the expenses involved in returning her to Latvia, where they want her to be laid to rest.

The appeal, organised by family member Wiktoria Januszewska, had raised more than £7,000 from more than 240 donations when checked today, although the family had initially set a £5,000 target.

Writing on the fundraising page, Wiktoria said the family had been left "heartbroken" by Lolita's death and had not been financially prepared for the unexpected costs.

She described Lolita as "bubbly and a joy to be around", adding that she had plenty of stories to tell about her travels and the places she had visited.

The family says they want to give Lolita the funeral and farewell she deserves and bring her home to Latvia.

They have thanked everyone who has donated or shared the appeal, saying that spreading her story can also help if people are unable to contribute financially.

Lolita was a Digital Media Librarian at Channel 4 and had previously worked for streaming company DAZN. She had travelled to North Wales in the days before her death. An inquest hearing was told that she had travelled from Halifax to visit her father in Manchester before travelling onwards to Liverpool and Llandudno.

A post-mortem examination found injuries consistent with time spent submerged in water, and the inquest has been adjourned to a later date.

The fundraising appeal can be found on GoFundMe – In memory of Lolita Visa.

The mural was created by Greenpeace following the major wildfire which affected Conwy Mountain and the Sychnant Pass area earlier this year.

The environmental organisation used the fire-damaged landscape to create a large-scale message highlighting what it described as the threat posed by climate change and the increasing risk of extreme weather and wildfires.

However, the decision to paint the mural on the mountainside attracted criticism, particularly because Sychnant Pass is an environmentally protected area and local residents had been directly affected by the fire.

Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Senedd for Aberconwy, wrote to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth raising concerns about the potential impact of the mural on wildlife and the environment.

She also called for such demonstrations to be recognised as environmental vandalism.

In response, Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister Llyr Gruffydd said Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had carried out a site inspection to establish whether the mural had damaged features of the area's Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

NRW concluded that the mural had been painted on ground which had already been severely affected by the wildfire.

The fire had burnt away the heathland features of the SSSI in the area where the mural was created, meaning NRW found no evidence that the painting itself had caused damage to the protected heathland.

NRW also advised that any remaining paint was unlikely to affect the long-term regeneration of the habitat.

The findings mean that, although the mural generated considerable controversy, there is no evidence that it caused lasting environmental damage to the protected site.

The Sychnant Pass area is particularly sensitive because heathland habitats can take many years to recover after major fires. The landscape is also home to a range of wildlife and forms part of an area designated for its ecological importance.

Minister Llyr Gruffydd nevertheless said people should respect the countryside and behave responsibly when visiting areas recovering from environmental damage.

He said recovery could take many years and additional disturbance should be avoided.

He also highlighted the impact of the wildfire on local residents, businesses and communities, saying particular sensitivity should be shown towards those who had been directly affected.

Greenpeace's action was intended as a visual environmental campaign, using the blackened landscape left by the fire to draw attention to the climate emergency. However, critics argued that using paint on a protected landscape was inappropriate, regardless of the message behind the demonstration.

Janet Finch-Saunders said she welcomed the finding that there had been no lasting environmental damage, but maintained that a precedent should be established to prevent similar actions.

She said Wales had a duty to protect its green spaces, mountains and waterways and argued that the impact on families who had been forced to leave their homes during the wildfire should also have been considered.

She also pointed to the actions of two local residents who removed as much of the paint as they could.

The Senedd member said: “We cannot allow an event like this to happen again.”

The NRW assessment means the environmental consequences of the mural itself appear to have been limited, but the row has highlighted a wider debate over how environmental campaign groups can use sensitive landscapes to make political statements – and where the line should be drawn between protest and damage to the environment.

The annual day is held on 16 September, the date in 1400 when Owain Glyndŵr was declared Prince of Wales by his supporters and the beginning of his uprising against English rule.

The rebellion lasted around 15 years and, although it ultimately failed to achieve independence for Wales, Glyndŵr became an enduring symbol of Welsh national identity.

As part of this year's celebrations, under-17s will be able to enter Cadw-run monuments across Wales for free on Sunday, 13 September, giving families the chance to explore sites with direct links to Glyndŵr and his rebellion.

Several castles, including Caernarfon, Coety, Dinefwr and Kidwelly, came under attack or siege during the uprising.

There will also be special events at a number of locations.

At Harlech Castle, there will be a parade celebrating Glyndŵr. The castle has a particularly strong connection to the Welsh prince, having served as an important residence for Glyndŵr and his family. He also held his parliament there after the castle was captured by his forces in 1404.

Meanwhile, Criccieth Castle will host costumed guided tours, bringing the period and Glyndŵr's story to life for visitors.

Welsh Government Culture and Sport Minister Heledd Fychan said Glyndŵr's story remains closely connected to Welsh identity and that free access would give younger generations an opportunity to experience the country's history.

Cadw chief executive Dr Kate Roberts said the organisation hoped the initiative would encourage more families to discover Wales' historic sites, many of which were directly affected by Glyndŵr's rebellion.

She said that although his campaign ultimately fell short, his legacy continues to resonate at many of the historic places now cared for by Cadw.

The latest PISA results, published today, show Wales continues to face a major challenge in raising standards in schools, although performance in science has improved slightly and Welsh schools compare relatively well internationally when it comes to supporting disadvantaged learners.

PISA – the Programme for International Student Assessment – is organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development every four years. It assesses how effectively 15-year-olds can apply their knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics and science to real-world problems.

In Wales, 3,406 pupils from 113 schools took part in the latest assessment in September and October 2025.

The biggest decline was in maths, where Wales' average score fell from 466 to 456. While scores in the other UK nations were broadly stable, the results mean Wales has fallen further behind.

Reading scores also declined, from 466 to 459, continuing concerns about literacy following the sharp fall recorded in the previous assessment.

Science was the only subject where Wales recorded an improvement, with the average score rising slightly from 473 to 476. However, the improvement was smaller than in some other countries and parts of the UK. England's science score, for example, rose to 516.

The OECD said Wales' results showed that its "overall downward trend" was continuing.

The latest figures follow the 2022 PISA results, published in 2023, when Wales recorded its lowest-ever scores in all three subjects.

However, the Welsh Government says the results also highlight areas where the education system is performing comparatively well.

Education and Welsh Language Minister Anna Brychan said the results were "not where we want them to be", but insisted there would be no knee-jerk response.

She said improving reading and maths, while ensuring high-achieving pupils reach their full potential, would be priorities.

The minister also praised teachers for supporting disadvantaged learners, saying their performance compared well internationally regardless of background.

She said the government had inherited an education system lacking "clarity, coherence and a sure sense of direction", and said work was already under way to address those issues.

A Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan is due to be launched shortly and is intended to set clearer expectations for schools, establish roles and responsibilities and bring organisations together to help raise standards.

The minister said PISA was not the only measure of school performance, but that Wales had to take international assessments seriously.

She said the focus now needed to be on what happens next and on providing schools with better support to improve standards.

The results are likely to renew debate about the performance of Wales' education system, particularly the widening gap in maths and the continuing decline in reading, while also highlighting the importance of tackling educational disadvantage and ensuring the highest-achieving pupils are supported to reach their potential.

Figures from Report Fraud, released by the City of London Police, show £93.8 million was lost through fraud by abuse of position during 2025/26.

People aged 70 and over accounted for more than £51 million of those reported losses, with those aged 80 to 89 suffering the highest number of reports and the highest financial losses in any age group.

There were 3,812 reports of this type of fraud during the year.

Abuse of position happens when someone exploits a position of trust or authority to gain access to another person's money, property or assets. Offenders can include relatives, friends, carers, employees or others trusted to manage someone's financial affairs.

The figures have particular relevance in Wales, where financial abuse is recognised as a safeguarding concern under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act.

Welsh Government safeguarding statistics show that 265 financial-abuse concerns resulted in care and support protection plans across Wales in 2023-24. The official figures cover all 22 local authorities, including Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

Welsh Government guidance describes financial abuse as including having money or property stolen, being defrauded, being put under pressure over money or property, or having money or property misused.

The City of London Police figures reveal that 764 reports involved the misuse of powers of attorney, with reported losses of £34.6 million.

A further 444 reports involved social care workers, with reported losses of £13.3 million.

Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, from the City of London Police Lead Force Operations Room, said the offences could be particularly devastating because they were committed by people trusted to act in the victim's best interests.

He said the fact that people aged 70 and over had more than £51 million stolen highlighted the significant threat to older and sometimes vulnerable people.

Cases can involve relatives or close friends taking bank cards or banking details, making unauthorised transfers, or exploiting access to accounts.

Police also found cases where alleged abuse continued after a person's death, including the manipulation of wills, estates and other legal documents.

The warning comes as Welsh Government figures show that safeguarding remains a significant issue for older people receiving care and support. In 2024-25, more than half of adults receiving care and support in Wales were aged 75 or over.

People are being urged to look out for unexplained withdrawals, unpaid bills, missing possessions or unexpected changes to bank accounts or wills.

Anyone who suspects financial abuse should contact the person's bank or card provider as soon as possible. Safeguarding concerns can also be raised with the local authority's adult social care team.

Concerns about a solicitor or deputy misusing their position can be reported to the Office of the Public Guardian.

The City of London Police says families, carers and anyone responsible for managing another person's financial affairs should remain vigilant and act quickly if something does not appear right.

On-call firefighter Joey, who serves with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, travelled to Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday to take part in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

The event saw firefighters climb the equivalent of 110 storeys, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers, in memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives responding to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

This year's event has added significance as 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

The Atlanta climb brought together firefighters from across the United States, the UK and other countries. Organisers say more than 1,200 US and international firefighters are taking part in the wider 2026 memorial event, with firefighters from more than 48 UK and Irish fire and rescue services represented.

The memorial climbs have become an important tradition within the international fire service. Participants climb around 2,200 steps, symbolically completing the journey undertaken by firefighters who raced into the World Trade Center to rescue those trapped inside.

The first 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was held in Denver in 2005, when five firefighters climbed 110 floors in memory of their fallen colleagues. The event has since grown into a series of climbs held across the United States and internationally.

For Joey, taking part was both a physical challenge and a deeply personal act of remembrance.

He said: “I am immensely proud to have travelled to Atlanta to take part in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, it was a profound honour. Climbing those stairs in remembrance of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day was both physically demanding and deeply moving.”

The climb is not simply about remembering those who died. Events organised through the memorial programme also help support firefighters and the families of fallen firefighters through programmes run by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and other organisations.

The 9/11 attacks killed almost 3,000 people, including 343 members of the New York City Fire Department who died while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center. The consequences for the emergency services have continued long after that day, with firefighters and other first responders also suffering serious illnesses linked to their work at Ground Zero.

Joey's participation means the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been represented alongside firefighters from around the world in marking one of the defining moments in modern emergency service history.

And after completing the demanding 110-floor challenge, he has been praised for taking part in a remarkable tribute to the 343.

A huge well done to Joey on completing the challenge and helping to ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten.

S3 Padel Bangor has eight indoor padel courts and four pickleball courts, creating a new venue for people of all ages and abilities to try two of the UK’s fastest-growing racket sports.

The club, at Unit F1, Bryn Llwyd, also includes a social and events area, pro shop, warm-up space, changing facilities and a bar and café serving hot and cold food and drinks.

The opening will be marked by a community open day on Saturday, September 19, with taster sessions for beginners, families and children, alongside music, games, giveaways, food and drinks. Walk-ins will also be welcome.

Padel is played in doubles on a smaller enclosed court surrounded by glass walls. It combines elements of tennis and squash and is designed to be relatively easy for newcomers to pick up.

Pickleball is also available at the new Bangor club. Played with a perforated plastic ball, it can be played in singles or doubles and is known for being accessible to players of different ages and abilities.

S3 Padel is operated by Social Sports Society and says it now has six clubs across England and Wales, with more than 36,000 players using its facilities. Bangor is its first Welsh club.

Natasha Waterfield, Chief Operating Officer of S3 Padel, said Bangor was an exciting step for the organisation.

She said the club was intended to appeal not only to experienced players, but also to people who had never picked up a racket before, families and groups of friends looking for a different way to socialise.

The company also has a commitment to provide 250,000 hours of free court time over five years for schools, charities and community organisations across its clubs, with the scheme extending to Bangor.

Club manager Gavin Williams said the team wanted to make the facility welcoming to everyone, regardless of their previous experience.

The weekly programme includes introductory sessions for beginners, social events, coached sessions and competitive matchplay, as well as dedicated women's sessions, family socials and junior programmes.

The community open day takes place at S3 Padel Bangor, Unit F1, Bryn Llwyd, Bangor, LL57 4SP, from 11am on Saturday, September 19.

Booking details can be found at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/s3-padel-bangor-launch-day-tickets-1999664786205

Courts can be booked through the Playtomic app, while information about the club and the launch event is available through S3 Padel.

The crash happened at around 4.25pm on Saturday, September 5, on the A547 Rhuddlan Road, towards Borth Roundabout.

The motorbike rider and pillion passenger both suffered minor injuries.

Officers are now asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage of the incident, to come forward.

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact North Wales Police via their website or by calling 101, quoting reference 26000728928.

The international partnership will see a new award at this year’s Go North Wales Tourism Awards to recognise businesses that keep their door open through the traditionally quieter winter months.

The 4 Seasons Tourism and Sustainability Award is being sponsored by Switzerland’s Region Dents du Midi region which has become a key ally of event organisers North Wales Tourism.

The Oscars-style ceremony to celebrate the heroes of the tourism and hospitality industry will be held at  Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, November 19.

It’s once again being supported by headline sponsors Harlech Foodservice and the glittering occasion will be hosted by former BBC journalist and TV presenter Sian Lloyd who hails from Wrexham.

The window for submissions is open until Sunday, October 4, and more details can be found at https://gonorthwalestourismawards.website/

The new partnership grew out of the long-standing twinning between Llandudno and the Swiss ski resort of Champéry with the two destinations now sharing ideas and expertise on making the most of tourism throughout the year.

The relationship began more than five years ago with Champéry looking for a Welsh town that offered easy access and great sports facilities including a dry ski slope, Llandudno fitted the bill perfectly.

According to North Wales Tourism CEO Jim Jones, the Swiss resort is “forging ahead and trailblazing the four seasons approach” with its focus switching from skiing to mountain biking when the snow recedes.

 He said: The relationship is already bringing visitors and athletes in both directions with top young Swiss skiers recently travelling to Llandudno for a summer training camp with the Welsh elite team. The Swiss resort is also very keen to develop stronger links with Welsh mountain bike industry.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to all our sponsors, particularly Harlech Foodservice who have been fantastic champions of the tourism and hospitality sector over many years.

“Harlech are a key employer and also have a real focus on supporting Welsh products and suppliers like Llaeth y Llan yoghurt, Edwards the Welsh Butcher and Snowdonia Cheese which gives visitors to North Wales a real sense of place.”

One of the driving forces behind the new campaign is Ray Pritchard, who was born in Llandudno and raised in Llanfairfechan, before moving to live in Switzerland in the 1990s.

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s birthday honours for his pivotal role in establishing the Welsh Alpine Ski Championships in Champéry 20 years ago.

Ray said: We have a fantastic relationship between Champéry, Region Dents du Midi and Llandudno, North Wales which has been developing over the yearsand there is a lot of synergy between the two places and the mindset is very similar.

“The whole idea is to extend the tourism season in both areas in a way that is very complementary to each other.

“As part of the partnership, last year we have launched a Hospitality Excellence Fund with Lord Mostyn looking how we can improve hotel service in North Wales.

“We have also launched a number of other initiatives, including how the mountain biking industry and the small companies involved in both countries can work together for mutual benefit.”

Jim Jones added: “The twinning came about around five years ago because Champéry approached Llandudno Town Council and us and together we have developed this relationship that’s gone from strength to strength.

“They have just hosted the world downhill championships in Champéry so it’s helping to raise their profile and ours.

“Traditionally, tourism in North Wales has been very seasonal with lots of people coming in the summer and then things dying down over the winter months.

“Our aim is to extend the tourism season here around the shoulder months so we can even out the peaks and troughs of income and employment,

“We’ve always pushed to be an all-year-round destination but this campaign will give the drive renewed impetus.

“If we can extend the season it makes tourism more sustainable in so many different ways – benefiting local suppliers and creating more permanent jobs.

“The Region Dents du Midi’s generosity in sponsoring the award will give our celebration a truly international flavour.

“Tourism is still one of our biggest industries in North Wales and over the years we have recognised the contribution of hundreds of businesses for all the good work they do, despite all the challenges they face.

“It’s tough out there at the moment and this is an opportunity to sit back, relax and celebrate our tourism heroes.

“There are so many brilliant things happening here with innovative new ideas and destinations reinventing themselves.

“What we hope is that the Welsh Government will recognise the potential of tourism and work with the industry to create a brighter future for all of us.”

Harlech Foodservice managing director Mark Lawton said he was delighted they were sponsoring the awards again because the company was “passionate” about supporting tourism and creating jobs and prosperity in its North Wales heartland.

He said: “This is our chance to give something back to the businesses and people who have shown incredible resilience, creativity and determination through some very challenging times.

“We passionately believe North Wales has everything it takes to be one of the UK’s must-visit destinations, from stunning scenery and world-class attractions to our unique heritage and culture.”

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on proposals for a single national public energy company, bringing together existing publicly owned energy organisations.

The aim is to increase Welsh ownership of energy projects and ensure more of the economic benefits from Wales’s abundant renewable resources reach communities, businesses and public services.

Wales has some of the best renewable energy resources in Europe, but ministers say more needs to be done to ensure the country benefits financially from the energy it produces.

The proposed company would not replace existing energy suppliers or directly set household energy prices.

However, the Welsh Government says greater Welsh ownership of energy projects could help bring down energy costs over the longer term, while allowing more money to be reinvested in communities and public services.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, said Wales was on the verge of another energy revolution.

He said: “We want to make sure that the benefits of that energy are felt by people and communities across Wales, both in jobs and growth but eventually in lower bills too.

“This consultation is about how we can build a stronger Welsh energy sector, support local ownership and create lasting value for future generations.

“It’s about cheaper, cleaner energy that is made and owned in Wales.”

The Welsh Government says it is also continuing to provide immediate support for households struggling with energy costs.

More than £37 million is being invested this year in the Nest scheme, which helps low-income households tackle cold and damp homes through energy efficiency improvements.

Support is also available through fuel vouchers and heating assistance.

The Claim What’s Yours service can help people check whether they are entitled to additional income, while the Nest advice line offers guidance on reducing energy costs and assessing eligibility for free energy efficiency measures.

The consultation is open until 30 November 2026, with people, communities, businesses and organisations across Wales being encouraged to have their say on how the proposed company should operate and what it should deliver.

The incident happened sometime between 5.30pm and 6pm on Friday (August 21).

Three sheep suffered injuries to their hind legs and another sheep remains missing.

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team is appealing to anyone who was walking their dog in the area at the time and may have information about what happened.

PCSO Rhys Evans said: “Anyone who was walking their dog through the fields at the time and has any information is asked to get in touch.

“We are once again urging dog owners to keep dogs on leads whilst walking in fields where livestock are present as not to cause distress or harm to the animals.

“If your dog has escaped in a rural area, you should contact the police as early as possible so local farmers and landowners can be alerted.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police on 101 or through the force's website, quoting reference 26000686983.

Clwyd MS Darren Millar has called for the needs of residents and their families to be placed at the centre of the process after the Codi Group announced plans to close Abbeyfield House facilities in Abergele, Mold and Ruthin.

The Codi Group, which owns and manages the three homes, announced the proposed closures in June.

The news has caused concern among residents, families and staff, with questions raised about where residents will live and what will happen to employees working at the facilities.

Following the announcement, Mr Millar wrote to the Codi Group seeking an explanation for the closures and assurances that residents' needs would be prioritised.

In its response, the organisation said it was “highly unlikely” that the proposed closures would be reversed.

However, it said it would work with local authorities and registered social landlords to identify suitable alternative accommodation and ensure residents' needs are met. The group also said it would manage the process “as sensitively as possible.”

Mr Millar said the announcement had come as a shock to those living and working at the homes.

“News of the closure of these facilities came as a shock to staff, residents and their families.

“It is absolutely vital that vulnerable residents get the support they need from the Codi Group to find alternative housing, and that staff get the help they need to find new jobs.

“Residents have built their lives, friendships and support networks at Abbeyfield over years, so news that these closures will almost certainly go ahead will be extremely difficult news to hear.”

He said finding alternative accommodation should not simply be a case of offering residents the first available property.

“Residents must not simply be moved into the first accommodation that becomes available. Their individual needs, preferences, friendships, support networks and connections to their local community must all be properly considered.”

Abbeyfield homes are designed to provide older people with accommodation alongside varying levels of support and opportunities for social interaction, allowing residents to retain a degree of independence while having help available when needed.

For residents who have lived in the homes for many years, a move could therefore involve more than simply changing their address, potentially affecting established friendships, routines and links with their local communities.

Mr Millar said he would continue to monitor the situation.

“I will continue to monitor this situation closely and will press Codi, the local authorities and other partners to ensure residents and their families are properly supported and kept informed at every stage.”