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A PICTURESQUE town in Devon is home to one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches – complete without arcades and rides.

The Victorian town of Sidmouth in east Devon has a 200million-year-old coastline, being the gateway to the Jurassic Coast.

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The Victorian town of Sidmouth in east Devon has a pretty beach and even has no arcades[/caption]

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The town and beach are part of the Jurassic Coast[/caption]

What’s more is that the town is also loved by celebs including Jeremy Vine and Stephen Fry.

Fry stayed nearby the town when starring in the TV adaptation of Jeeves and Wooster.

As for Jeremy Vine, the radio presenter got married nearby and spends summers returning to the town.

In fact, when he set his first whodunnit novel called Murder on Line, in the town, he included a scene where a wave sweeps a radio station manager and her just-sacked DJ into the water together.

Vine noted in The Guardian: “What I love most about Sidmouth is that it feels like a town going places.

“It’s chintzy in places, drab in others, but it feels real.

“And real by the sea is a different kind of beauty.”

But celebrity visitors also extended to literary legends and royalty.

Jane Austen – famous for her novels Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey – spent the summer of 1801 in Sidmouth.

The town had become a popular spot among high society due to its spa waters, mild climate and calming atmosphere.

During the summer Austen was in Sidmouth, she had a fling with a young man – however, it had a tragic end.

Her suitor caught typhus and died, ending the fleeting relationship.

Austen isn’t the only writer to have spent some time in the town – JRR Tolkien, the creator of Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit also holidayed at the seaside resort.

Tolkien used to stay at Kennaway House, which is rumoured to be the location where he wrote the first parts of Lord of the Rings.

And in the town itself, one of the pubs is believed to have inspired Aragon’s introduction.

Later, in April 1908, Beatrix Potter was also in Sidmouth.

On family holidays, the popular children’s writer would stay at the Hylton – where there is now even a plaque commemorating her stays.

Potter used to talk of the views, her local walks in the area and also the atmosphere – which helped her to complete the Tale of Little Pig Robinson.

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Celebrities including Jeremy Vine and royalty such as Queen Victoria have visited the town[/caption]

As for royalty, Queen Victoria (who at the time of visiting was Princess Alexandrina) also frequented the town.

In 1819, she stayed at Woolbrook Cottage – now known as the Royal Glen Hotel.

However, the holiday was not particularly happy as her father became ill and died.

For things to do in Sidmouth, there is plenty of choice, with the beach undoubtedly being the main attraction.

This year Sidmouth Town Beach was awarded a Blue Flag for the sixth year in a row – recognising the pebble beach as being under excellent management including beach safety and water quality.

Being amongst the cleanest beaches in the UK, it is a great spot to go for a dip when the sun is shining before heading into the town and grabbing an ice cream.

But if you aren’t done with exploring, you could always head over to Hill View along the coastal walk, which boast amazing views across the sea.

One particularly special thing about Sidmouth though, is that it doesn’t have any amusement arcades, loud sports bars or dodgy street food vendors.

Instead, the places that these would usually be have been filled with galleries and antiques shops, independent retailers and tearooms.

To get to the quaint town, from London it takes around four hours to drive.

Alternatively, also from London, you could hop on a train to Honiton, taking around two-and-a-half hours before catching a bus from Honiton to Sidmouth.

Britain’s ‘trendiest’ beach town is also set for biggest transformation in a decade as fresh plans unveiled.

Plus, a UK seaside town crowned top place in the world to take bored kids this summer.

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Reporter Cyann Fielding has been to the town and loves it for it’s unique feel[/caption]

GEORGE KAMBOSOS and Richardson Hitchins almost sparked a mass brawl on stage after clashing over a $50,000 fight bet.

Kambosos returns to New York – where he stunned Teofimo Lopez to win the lightweight titles in 2021 – to challenge for Hitchins’s 140lb IBF belt.

Geoffrey Knott

Richardson Hitchins challenged George Kambosos to a $50,000 bet[/caption]

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It sparked a brawl on stage[/caption]

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Hitchins trainer Lenny Wilson grabbed a chair[/caption]

And the American champion brought $50,000 (£42,500) cash on stage with him at their press conference to challenge Kambosos to a wager.

He said: “As far as George Kambosos, a lot of people want to say that – you know when they fight me a lot of guys game plan to go forward, hit him in the shoulder, break him down.

“That’s every guy’s f**cking game plan. I think that George Kambosos is at this level because obviously he’s got boxing skills. That’s what f***ed Teofimo up.

“Teofimo came at him as if he was just a regular guy and you know he ran into his face.

“Saturday night I’ll be right in front of him all night long and if he’s confident in himself, they say I’m easy work. I know for sure I’m confident in myself, I’ve been saying it since the face off.

“I want to bet $50,000. His dad said he got the bet, so hold up, he said bring the money. The money’s here, hold up.”

After Hitchins produced the cash – Kambosos alleged it was “fake” money causing the two camps to clash on stage.

And Kambosos’ dad and trainer Jim is said to have attacked Hitchins’ trainer Lenny Wilson in defence as security were forced to intervene.

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Kambosos, 31, has only lost to Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko and stepped up to super-lightweight to beat Jake Wyllie in March.

Unbeaten Hitchins, 27, meanwhile won the title against Liam Paro in December to spoil an all-Aussie title bout against Kambosos.

Kambosos, the challenger again, said: “As you know, I love that underdog role, but there are no maybes, I’m doing this. There’s no fake stuff.

“I’m going to this home in a familiar place where I’m 2-0 already. This is the trifecta. Like Lenny said, the talk is finished and we don’t need to sit and talk.

“I’m coming here as the underdog and I’m coming here to win this fight. You have seen it before and I’m here to win this fight; whatever it takes there is no plan B. 

“He’s the one who is making statements and saying he’s going to knock me out.

“We have our plans and have worked extremely hard in training camp and who knows maybe I will learn from him and run the whole fight.

“You know I can box and fight and dictate the fight to do whatever it takes. I can get knocked down and get back up again to win a championship fight.

“I’ve seen it all at the highest level and have been at the pinnacle and he isn’t. When you fight the best and beat the best and lose to the best you’re still here.

“This warrior is still here back at his favourite home grounds to do the trifecta in a Matchroom show and I never lost in America or a Matchroom show.” 

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Hitchins defends his IBF title[/caption]

ISRAEL’S audacious blitz of Iran that killed top generals and targeted its nuclear sites took years of planning, IDF sources have revealed.

Intelligence agents spent months tracking senior commanders before taking them down in pinpoint strikes in the dead of night.

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Smoke rises above Tehran after an attack by Israel[/caption]

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Israel dealt a major blow to Iran’s chain of command – with Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei among those eliminated.

Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami and Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces were also wiped out.

Their inglorious deaths came as Israel unleashed an unprecedented attack, dubbed Rising Lion, on Iran‘s nuclear sites – with blasts first heard in Tehran around 3.30am local time (1am BST).

Missiles pounded Iran’s main nuclear enrichment site, the Natanz atomic facility, and the regime’s ballistic missile arsenal.

At least six of Iran’s top nuclear scientists were killed during the sweeping assault.

Iran has already fired around 100 drones at Israel while vowing bloody revenge and warning strikes were a “declaration of war”.

Senior military and political sources in Israel told The Sun in April how it was poised to strike Iran within weeks as its nuclear scheme should have been dealt with “a long time ago”.

Retired IDF general Miri Eisin today said Israel has been planning to blitz Iran for at least a decade – and this exact plot would have been months in the making.

Eisin, who advised Benjamin Netanyahu’s PM predecessor Ehud Olmert, told The Sun: “[The attack] is years in the making.

“But this is something which evolves, meaning it isn’t that the specific plan that is still being enacted today is necessarily the one that they started thinking of years ago.

“But Israel has been planning as a plan to attack the nuclear and projectile facilities for many years because of the Islamic regime’s threat.

“That plan evolved over the years, meaning you’re always looking at what happens in the Islamic regime, the new nuclear sites, the new capabilities that they built, and you have to adapt all of the time.”

Israel’s decision to strike comes after a senior diplomatic source in Jerusalem told The Sun Iran was “much closer than anyone can be comfortable with” in developing a nuclear weapon.

Fears have been rising internationally about Iran’s nuclear programme as its progress has become more and more cloak and dagger in recent years.

The UN watchdog this week confirmed the country is breaking its obligations for the first time in 20 years.

Israel’s attack overnight – aimed at diminishing the regime’s nuclear threat – was spearheaded by Mossad commandos who smuggled kamikaze drones and precision weapons into Iran.

Their daring mission paved the way for Israeli forces to hammer 100 targets using 200 war jets – eliminating military chiefs and scientists and striking atom sites.

Eisin, who served in the IDF for 20 years and has a background in military intelligence, said a combination of different security and intelligence capabilities would have spent months tracking senior commanders.

Speaking from Tel Aviv, she said: “You have to find them and you’re attacking them all at the exact same time.

“So it’s putting together that intel picture of where they are and knowing that at that specific time you’re getting all of them.

“In addition, you have to gather intel on all of the different nuclear sites and air defence sites and projectile sites. Those are three different elements.

“It’s the intel of knowing where they [commanders] are, and then it’s the operational decision of doing it, because you understand that they’re all where you want them to be simultaneously.

“It is very complex.”

An IDF source, speaking to The Sun in Israel earlier this year, said its forces had been working for months to clear the path for a major strike on Iran.

They told how three air campaigns in Iran have eliminated strategic aerial defences which were “the main obstacle” protecting the rogue nation’s nuke facilities.

The insider said the IDF has also worked to significantly downgrade the threat posed by Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi – effectively leaving Iran isolated.

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A building a that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran[/caption]

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Fire burns in a building damaged in an Israeli blast[/caption]

Vitally, this allowed Israeli aircraft to get to Iran’s borders without fear of being blasted.

The overnight attack is just the first phase of what is set to be two weeks of action aimed at ran’s atom threat.

Ex-military intelligence agent Dr Raz Zimmt, whose work on focussed on Iran, previously told The Sun it would require a “long process” to properly downgrade Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

But he conceded it would be highly unlikely Iran’s nuclear scheme could ever be fully wiped out.

“It’s too scattered, the knowledge and technology are already inside Iran,” Dr Zimmt said.

The Sun last month exposed one of Iran’s secret nuclear sites – dubbed “Rainbow” – but there are believed to be more clandestine bases.

IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin today confirmed it will be a “long campaign” against Iran – but that the military was “well prepared” to continue until achieving its goal.

Eisin said the IDF will be continuing to gather intel and launching pre-emptive attacks.

She said: “It isn’t that we destroyed everything that Iran has. It’s the beginning of the campaign.

“I think that we will continue to attack. They will try to attack us.

“We have our defence systems, but it isn’t over. We’re still right at the beginning of this.”

Israel hoped to coordinate an attack with the US after enraged Donald Trump gave Iran 60 days to thrash out a nuclear deal – a deadline that passed on Wednesday night.

Trump had warned Israel not to undermine talks with Tehran that could jeopardise his administration’s efforts.

But Nadav Shtrauchler, who previously advised Netanyahu, said the PM wanted to cement his legacy.

He The Sun: “Eliminating Iran, the head of the snake, is his life mission.

“He sees them as the immediate threat and as today’s Nazis.

“He said that he will not stop until he strikes the head of the snake.

“And after so many years of planning it started with a very strong offensive opening.

“He planned it and waited for the right timing and I’m sure it was not an easy decision to go without the US – but it had come to a place that we had to do it.”

The US has publicly distanced itself from the Israeli operation and Trump today urged Iran to make a deal before it’s too late.

Writing on Truth Social, the president said: “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”

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MILLIONS of Brits will be heading abroad in the next few months to make the most of the summer holidays.

However, thousands of families are also being caught out by a number of strict rules in place, which has seen them banned from their flight.

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Stamps in your passport are just one of the ways you could be breaking the rules – and be banned from boarding your flight[/caption]

Most of the confusion comes down to not knowing all of the passport rules in place.

So we have explained the five ways that people are being forced to miss their holidays, all because they made a mistake with their passport.

Fake souvenir stamps

Some holiday destinations offer a souvenir in the form of a novelty stamp.

Places such as Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Japan, Machu Picchu and Ciudad Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador (where the equator runs through) are just some of the places offering the fake stamps.

Even in the UK, the Welsh village Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch which has the world’s longest place name offers them.

However, don’t be tempted to put the stamps in your actual passport, and instead ask for them on a piece of paper instead.

One woman said she was stopped from entering Thailand after getting a stamp in Machu Picchu.

Another was banned from her flight to the US because of a Hello Kitty stamp in Taiwan.

Someone person on Reddit said they struggled to get a visa for India because of a novelty stamp, while another said they were banned from entering Malaysia for similar reasons.

While some places might not might the stamps, it is best not to risk putting them in your passport.

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Different surnames to your kids

If you are going on holiday with any kids that don’t share your last name, you could run into problems at the border.

Strict anti-trafficking rules mean that border staff are required to ask for any documents that prove they are related to you, or you have permission to take them out of the country.

For example, if they are your children but you do not share their surname, you will need something like a marriage certificate alongside your passport.

Mum Eddi Fiegel was nearly banned from boarding their Eurostar home with their daughter from Disneyland Paris, as she was not married to her partner – so had a different surname to her.

And a family missed their Christmas holiday to South Africa because their son had a different name to the mum, and the dad wasn’t travelling with them.

An alternative option is a consent letter, sharing permission from their legal guardian although this may not be accepted in all countries.

Any minor damage (depending on country)

When it comes to damaged passports, the UK government cite the following as damage:

• you cannot read any of your details
• any pages are ripped, cut or missing
• holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• cover coming away
• stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)

Any passport that falls under these rules will need to be replaced.

However, some countries have much stricter rules when it comes to what a damaged passport is.

Indonesia is known for having some of the world’s most restrictive rules with a number of travellers banned from travelling to Bali.

One man said there was a “minuscule tear on the photo page, barely visible to the naked eye” while another person was told it was “too dirty” to be allowed.

Any tiny tears or spills on a passport is likely to get you banned from a holiday to Bali.

Vietnam is also just as strict, with the UK Foreign Office warning: “Your passport must have no damage.

“British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage.”

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Bali (pictured) along with Vietnam have some of the strictest rules[/caption]

Incorrect expiry date

One of the most common mistakes thousands of Brits are still making is having the correct expiry date on their passports.

Pre-Brexit rules allowed UK passports to have a validity of 10 years and nine months (rolling over unused months from the previous passport).

This is no longer allowed, so any extra months are no longer seen as valid.

This is only affecting Brits with a burgundy passport, as the new navy passports only have a 10-year validity.

If you have a different start date to an expiry date, you might run into trouble, so make sure to add 10 years to your start date to find your correct expiry.

You will also need a few extra months on it depending which country you are travelling to.

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Make sure you have enough empty blank pages to leave room for entry and exit stamps[/caption]

Not enough blank pages

If you are a frequent traveller, you might find your passport is getting a bit full.

But most countries require at least one page to be fully blank, to leave space for an entry and exit stamp.

For Europe, every country requires one full page, while countries including Germany, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Netherlands and Portugal require two pages.

One person on Reddit said they were told to get a new passport as they only had “three [blank] pages scattered about,” while another said they had to get an emergency passport in Bangkok after needing a full blank page to go to Laos.

One of the strictest is South Africa, which requires three blank pages.

Standard passports have 34 pages, so you might want to pay extra for a 54-page passport if you plan on travelling a lot.

Or you can try the sneaky trick, where passengers put a blank post it note on a page so border officers don’t use it to stamp.

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Follow the rules and you won’t have any problems heading abroad this summer[/caption]

LADIES DAY at Royal Ascot 2025, and shoppers have found the perfect race day outfit.

As part of Phase Eight’s The Goodwood Edit, this stylish piece is the perfect blend of equestrian-chic and comfortable for a day spent outdoors.

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The jumpsuit blends chic style with summer comfort[/caption]

Maxine Spot Chiffon Jumpsuit, £149

Royal Ascot officially kicks off on June 17, ending on June 21.

Those still hunting for the perfect outfit should look no further than the Maxine Spot Chiffon Jumpsuit from Phase Eight.

Although you’ll see high fashion throughout all of Ascot, Ladies’ Day (June 19) is its own thing entirely.

This elegant Phase Eight jumpsuit is perfect for race day glamour with a contemporary twist.

The floaty one-piece is quickly becoming a must-have for race day wardrobes, with one shopper raving that they ‘can’t wait to wear it.’

The jumpsuit retails for £149 and is available in petite and regular lengths in sizes from 6 to 20.

Boasting latte-toned spots, the print is timeless and easily dressed up with accessories.

The chiffon fabric adds movement and a sense of occasion, while the wrap-style bodice and tie belt help to cinch the waist in, and the wide-leg silhouette flatters in all the right places.

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An elegant piece for all occasions[/caption]

Maxine Spot Chiffon Jumpsuit, £149

One fan gave the chiffon jumpsuit a glowing 5-star review, writing:

“I love Phase Eight jumpsuits; they fit my proportions perfectly, and this one is no exception.

“Lovely for a summer wedding paired with the Olivia jacket, which will take me from the service to the reception and evening with ease. I can’t wait to wear it.”

A second happy shopper noted: “I bought the outfit for a wedding, and I also brought the matching hat. It feels and looks more expensive than it actually was.”

While a third buyer shared: “A beautiful jumpsuit, everything I expected from Phase Eight, great fit, and it’s very comfortable to wear, I bought it for a family wedding, worth every penny.”

Sun Shopping fashion writer Sophies Bates has also recommended the Phase Eight wedding guest dresses on her summer wishlist.

Can you wear a jumpsuit to Ascot?

Yes, Ascot’s official dress code allows for jumpsuits, provided they fall within the guidelines (having straps, skirts falling below the knee, etc).

For the Royal Enclosure, jumpsuits should be full-length and have straps of one inch or greater. In the Queen Anne and Village Enclosures, jumpsuits are also welcome as long as they’re smart and appropriate for a formal day event.

Chiffon is also permitted, making the Maxine Spot Chiffon Jumpsuit an option that ticks all the right boxes.

How strict is the dress code at Ascot?

Ascot is famous for its formal dress codes, especially in the Royal Enclosure.

This means dresses above the knee are a no-go, as are strapless numbers or anything sheer.

Modest looks that are tailored and elegant are encouraged.

Although rules have relaxed in recent years, smart daywear is still essential. No formal dress code applies during the Jumps season.

Do you have to wear a hat to Ladies Day at Ascot?

While each enclosure will have its own dress code, it is generally a rule of thumb for ladies to wear a hat, headpiece or fascinator at all times.

For men, it varies, but in the Royal Enclosure, men must wear a black, grey, or navy top hat with morning dress.

Online at Ascot, it is stated: “If your National Dress does not include a hat or headpiece, then you do not need to wear one. Religious headdress is permitted in place of a hat or headpiece.”

Good news! Marks & Spencer are delivering orders again, and M&S shoppers are racing to buy a buttermilk dress that ‘hides lumps and bumps’.

Shoppers looking for a gorgeous new bag this summer should look at New Look’s dupe of the Chloé straw bag – and it’s £650 cheaper.

A BRIT tourist has disappeared in Brazil with his passport and belongings left untouched at his AirBnb.

Denis Kopanev, 33, who works as a financial analyst in London, was last spotted on CCTV leaving the rental on Monday.

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Denis Kopanev, 33, has disappeared while travelling in Brazil[/caption]

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His loved ones have not heard from him since Monday[/caption]

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His last known location was very close to his AirBnb[/caption]

Denis, who is Russian with British citizenship, was staying at the trendy neighbourhood of Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s capital city.

He was supposed to travel to São Paulo the following day to meet an American friend.

The pair had planned to visit Fernando de Noronha – a volcanic archipelago about 215 miles off Brazil‘s northeastern coast.

But Denis’ family and friends have not heard from him since Monday.

The last location shown on his phone is the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon – close to his AirBnb in Rio.

He never checked out of the property and his passport and belongings were found in the room.

His disappearance was registered at the local police station on Wednesday.

Denis’ best friend Benone Moura said the analyst loves Brazil and visits the country often – his last visit being six months ago.

Benone considers his disappearance to be out of character.

He said his friend, with whom he last spoke on Sunday, never travelled without letting loved ones know beforehand.

His family has been in contact with the British Embassy.

A report has been filed, but the family are yet to receive any news.

Denis’ disappearance is being investigated by the Rio de Janeiro Whereabouts Discovery Unit (DDPA).

He was last seen on CCTV wearing a beige jacket and trousers, a dark baseball cap and a white shirt.

It comes as Brit tourist Ashton Jones, 29, was found in a hospital undergoing emergency brain surgery after vanishing on a night out in the Thai capital of Bangkok.

Doctors there believe Ashton, who suffers from epilepsy, was attacked.

Ashton’s family in Cwmbran, Wales, were “worried sick” when they learnt the news.

His cousin Sophie told The Sun: “It’s heartbreaking because we’re all really close.

“We’re shocked and going out of our minds because we don’t know what’s going on.

Jam Press

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