LLANDUDNO has been named one of the most affordable places for a beach holiday in the UK.

The Victorian seaside resort is a gem for anyone looking for a UK break on a budget thanks to its affordability, highly rated beaches and activities.

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The promedade along the Llandudno beach is lined with palm trees[/caption]

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The tram goes all the way up to Great Orme – a limestone headland in Wales[/caption]

According to Which? Llandudno is rated as one of the top 10 seaside towns in the country.

Up against the likes of Salcombe, Whitley Bay and Newcastle, Llandudno came out on top for being budget-friendly and having incredible beaches.

It also has highly rated beaches with the North Shore Beach and West Shore Beach being known as the “Queen of Welsh Resorts”.

It fell short of being Which?’s cheapest beach break in the UK because of its average hotel price of £93 (although this was half the price of the more expensive Salcombe, at £208).

It was beaten by Whitley Bay (£69) and Southport (£66) although they were not rated as highly as a destination.

And we found some accommodation for as little as £18.50 per night.

Through Hotels.uk.com, we found The Elsinore Hotel on the main promenade in Llandudno offered a one night stay for £18.50.

The Astonwood Hotel came in at £20 per night and was called by some visitors their “go to place” to stay in Llandudno.

But there is more than enough to do while there.

There is the pier on the Llandudno North Shore Beach, which is the most popular, is open all year around.

It has shops, stalls, and arcades as well as a Ferris wheel, funfair and quite often, live music.

On the North Shore Beach, you’ll find the long promenade which is that of a classic British seaside town.

The only exception is that it’s lined with palm trees, which gives the impression of being abroad, particularly on a hot day.

From the West Shore Beach, on the other side of town, you can see the Snowdonian mountainside and even Puffin Island on a clear day.

The beaches are a must-see for anyone visiting Llandudno with one visitor on TripAdvisor expressing it’s the “very best of British coastal resorts”.

Another added it’s a “very grand old seaside town” with a third loving the prom, they wrote “it’s the best seaside promenade in the UK”.

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The pier is open all year found and has arcade games and a Ferris wheel[/caption]

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The cable car journey up to the peak of Great Orme only takes nine minutes[/caption]

Just along from North Shore Beach is the Great Orme cliffside and for anyone wanting to head into the hills, there’s a Great Orme Tramway that will take you up there.

A return ticket on the Great Orme Tramway in Llandudno, Wales costs £11.85 for adults and £8.95 for children aged 3–16.

For anyone wanting a more varied view of the hills and seascape, you can always head up on the cable cars, which are the longest in Britain.

Catch them from Happy Valley where they travel 679 feet up into the air all the way up to the summit of Great Orme.

The journey only takes nine minutes and costs £14 for an adult return and £11.50 for a children’s return ticket.

Thirty minutes along the coast is the popular Sun Centre, or SC2, waterpark, in Rhyl, which will be reopening this year.

There’s also a soft play and ninja tag at the centre, so it’s sure to be top of the tourist list this year.

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Llandudno is one of the cheapest places for a break in the UK[/caption]

A MAP reveals a postcode lottery of a ‘sneaky’ energy charge that means some areas pay up to £91 more than others.

Energy bills will rise from £1,738 to £1,849 per year under the new price cap from April 1, announced today by Ofgem.

It’s a blow to 22million households on standard variable tariffs which are subject to the price cap, with average bills rising £111 a year.

The exact amount more you pay will depend on usage though, as the cap applies the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas and electricity,

Another factor affecting how much you pay is the area you live.

All households are billed a standing charge – a fixed daily fee simply for being connected to the energy grid – and this rate is different across the country.

The average daily standing charge is falling for the majority of people and will drop on average from 92.62p to 86.47p.

This fee covers operational costs, such as maintaining the network of wires, pipes, and cables needed to deliver power to your home. It also includes staffing and office maintenance expenses.

But in the small print of Ofgem’s announcement it’s revealed that in three of 14 areas this charge will rise.

These regional differences reflect the varying costs of transporting energy to and within each area.

Higher standing charges disproportionately impact lower-usage households.

That’s because they pay a larger percentage of their total bill for the fixed daily fee, and this amount can’t be reduced through cutting back on energy usage.

Households in London will see their annual standing charge rise from £268.49 to £299.93 a year – up by £20.44 (7.61%), and the biggest increase of any area.

In North Wales and Merseyside, the annual standing charge will increase from £364.23 to £373.87 – a rise of £9.64 (2.65%).

Meanwhile, households in North West England will experience a more modest increase, with their combined standing charge rising by just £1.02 per year

Standing charges will decrease in eleven other regions from April 1.

This means a proportion of their bill will fall regardless of usage.

Where are standing charges falling?

The largest saving will be felt by households in the Southern England region, where the total annual standing charge will fall from £348.83 to £282.84.

This represents a substantial saving of £65.99 a year, or a 18.92% reduction.

This means that Southern England now has the lowest annual standing charge,

It’s a £91 difference between that and the most expensive charge of £337.88 per year in Northern England.

Similarly, households in the South Western Region will enjoy a notable reduction, with their annual standing charge dropping from £363.18 to £316.53 – a saving of £46.65 a year, or a 12.84% reduction. 

In South Wales, households will benefit from an annual saving of £41.32, as the total standing charge falls from £350.11 to £308.79 a year, equating to an 11.8% reduction.

Meanwhile, residents in the Northern England region will experience a similarly significant decrease, with their total annual standing charge reduced from £378.94 to £337.88.

This change translates to a saving of £41.06 a year, or 10.84% reduction.

The Midlands will also see a considerable drop in costs, with the total annual standing charge falling from £347.74 to £313.24, resulting in a saving of £34.49 a year, or a 9.92% reduction.

In the Eastern Region, households will see the most modest reduction, with the total annual standing charge decreasing from £300.29 to £296.09 a year.

This equates to a saving of £4.20 a year, or a 1.4% reduction, offering only minimal relief.

Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch.com, said: “Standing charges cover fixed costs suppliers face, including metering and the infrastructure to get energy to homes including pylons and cables. 

“These costs can vary across regions, and so this is reflected in the standing charges set by the price cap. 

“Because of how different tariffs balance between standing charges and unit rates, it’s important to run a comparison because different tariffs can be better for you depending on where you live and how much energy you use.”

CHANGE ON THE HORIZON

Millions of households will be able to access “no standing charge” energy tariffs at all suppliers from this winter.

Low energy users, those with prepayment meters and those with second homes who don’t use their heating or electricity very often are most likely to benefit from the new tariffs. 

The energy regulator Ofgem plans to keep the option of having a standing charge, which is good for low-income families in poorly insulated homes or those who rely on medical equipment.

Charlotte Friel, from Ofgem, said last week: “We’re looking closely at how these tariffs will work in practice, but everyone will need to carefully consider which option best suits their needs. 

“The costs included in the standing charge ultimately have to be paid. But while they may not save everyone money, they will give people a choice, and greater control over their bills.”

The regulator first announced the shake-up to energy rules in December last year but today it confirmed firms will have to offer the tariffs to customers in time for winter.

It also announced a consultation on how the new tariffs would work.

Martin Lewis said the plans were “progress”.

He added: “Standing charges are by far the most complained-about part of an energy bill.

“They’re a moral hazard that disincentivises lower users from cutting their bills, and leaves many older people, who only use gas for heating in the winter, still paying for it every day in summer.”

However, he pointed out that there is a “big hole” under the current plan as customers will have to opt in.

Richard Neudegg from Uswitch.com welcomed the change but said “the devil will be in the detail”.

He added: “Consumers can take action now to reduce what they pay for their energy. 

“There are a range of fixed deals on the market, which can help households beat the January cap and the predicted price rise in April, and often come with lower standing charges than the cap.”

 

FOR decades, Playboy has been a springboard for many women seeking fame, fortune, and influence.

While some have used their spotlight to become best-selling authors, others have managed to build a business empire.

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Playboy of the front cover of their January 2005 edition featuring Jenny McCarthy[/caption]

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Hugh Hefner kissing Pamela Anderson at a party in 2003[/caption]

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Hugh Hefner with Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt kissing him on the cheeks in 2007[/caption]

From self-made billionaire Diane Hendricks to entertainment powerhouse Jenny McCarthy and cultural icon Pamela Anderson, these women have transformed their early experiences with Playboy into lasting success – earning millions.

Here, YASMIN HARISHA takes a look at how they turned their moments in the magazine into multimillion-dollar fortunes.

Diane Hendricks

£17.8 billion

Before becoming a billionaire businesswoman, Diane Hendricks worked as a Playboy Bunny.  

In the late 1960s, she took on the role to support herself and her child after becoming a mother at just 17 years old.  

While Diane did work as a Playboy Bunny during her younger years to make ends meet, her role was primarily within the Playboy Clubs rather than being directly involved with Hugh Hefner himself.  

Her time as a Bunny served as a stepping stone before she transitioned into real estate.

Later, she co-founded ABC Supply – a wholesale distributor of building products such as roofing, siding, windows, and doors.  

Today, Diane, 77, is recognised as one of America’s wealthiest self-made women.  

Jenny McCarthy

£16.6 million 

Jenny McCarthy first rose to fame as a Playboy model in the early nineties, earning the title of Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in October 1993.  

A year later, at the age of 21, she was named Playmate of the Year, a milestone that catapulted her into the spotlight.  

From there, she began building her wealth, with the exposure from Playboy opening doors to television hosting opportunities, including her own programme, The Jenny McCarthy Show.  

Now 52, Jenny also ventured into acting, appearing in popular films and shows such as Scary Movie 3, BASEketball, and Two and a Half Men.  

The former Playboy Bunny has further expanded her earnings by authoring several bestselling books and, in 2019, joining The Masked Singer as a panellist.  

Holly Madison 

£12.65 million

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Holly Madison playboy cover[/caption]

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Bridget Marquardt, Sara Jean Underwood, Hugh Hefner, Christi Shake, Shauna Sand, Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson attend the 2007 Playmate of the Year[/caption]

She rose to fame as one of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends and a prominent figure in the Playboy Mansion, having moved in during the early 2000s at the age of 21.  

Holly, now 45, became widely recognised through the reality TV show The Girls Next Door, which focused on Hugh’s girlfriends, including Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt.  

She also boosted her earnings by starring in the Las Vegas burlesque production Peepshow for three and a half years, ending her run on October 21, 2012, which became a significant source of income.  

In addition, Holly has authored bestselling memoirs, including Down the Rabbit Hole and The Vegas Diaries, where she detailed her experiences in the Playboy Mansion and her life beyond it.  

Now a mother of two, the model has amassed 1.2 million Instagram followers, enabling her to earn through sponsored posts and brand collaborations, including partnerships with FashionNova.  

Kendra Wilkinson

£4.75 million

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February 2009 Playboy magazine cover featuring Kendra Wilkinson[/caption]

Joining Holly on the rich list is another of Hugh Hefner’s ex-girlfriends, Kendra Wilkinson, who made a name for herself as one of the main figures in the Playboy Mansion after moving in back in 2004 at just 18 years old.  

She quickly became a fan favourite on the reality show The Girls Next Door, which ran from 2005 to 2010.

During that time, she was also named Playmate of the Year in 2008.  

Now 39, Kendra used her fame to launch her own reality shows, including Kendra (2009–2011) and Kendra on Top (2012–2017), which gave viewers a glimpse into her married life with former NFL player Hank Baskett.  

The pair, who are now divorced, share two kids – 14-year-old Hank Baskett Jr. and 10-year-old Alijah Baskett. 

Crystal Hefner 

£3.9 million

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Crystal Hefner and Hugh Hefner at a Halloween party in 2015[/caption]

Crystal Hefner first rose to fame as a Playboy Playmate, earning the title of Playmate of the Month in December 2009, which launched her career in the spotlight.  

Her profile grew even more after she married Hugh Hefner in December 2012, becoming his third wife at the age of 26, while Hugh was 86 – marking an age gap of 60 years.  

Although much of her early fame was tied to her relationship with Hugh, Crystal continued to make a name for herself after The Girls Next Door.  

Now 38, Crystal has focused on healing and starting a new chapter in her life. 

In January 2024, she released her memoir, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, which offers a candid look at her childhood and her time at the Playboy Mansion.  

Pamela Anderson 

£15.8 million

PA:Press Association

Playboy magazine cover featuring Pamela Anderson in 2017[/caption]

The Canadian-American actress first gained fame as a Playboy Playmate, making her debut as Playmate of the Month in February 1989 at the age of 22.

Her popularity soared, and she was named Playmate of the Year in 1990.  

Over the years, Pamela graced the cover of Playboy 14 times, cementing her status as one of the brand’s most iconic figures.  

While Playboy launched her career, her success extended far beyond modelling.

She achieved global fame portraying C.J. Parker on Baywatch (1992–1997), one of the most-watched television shows of the decade.  

Her image as a sex symbol, combined with her Playboy exposure, opened the door to acting roles, brand endorsements, and public appearances.  

Now 57, Pamela has ventured into various fields, including launching her own fragrances, participating in television specials, and becoming a vocal animal rights advocate, working closely with PETA.  

Her high-profile relationships, such as her marriage to Tommy Lee, along with later pursuits like writing, have also kept her firmly in the public eye.  

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Hugh Hefner and Holly Madison outside The Standard Hotel in 2003[/caption]

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Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris at their wedding with their dog in 2012[/caption]

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Diane Hendricks, CEO of ABC Supply Co., smiling at a company meeting in 2015[/caption]

THE ex-wife of a sick French surgeon accused of raping hundreds of underaged children covered up his alleged crimes for decades, a court heard.

Disgraced Joel Le Scouarnec, alleged to be France’s worst paedophile, has been accused of sexually abusing 299 victims in what is being dubbed France’s biggest-ever child abuse case.

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Marie France (R), the ex-wife of former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, arrives at the Morbihan criminal court in Vannes[/caption]

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Retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec arrives for his trial on charges of assaulting or raping 299 patients at the Criminal Court in Vannes[/caption]

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This court sketch created on February 24, 2025, shows retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec (C) next to his lawyer during a hearing[/caption]

Out of those, 256 were said to be under the age of 15, with the youngest aged one and the oldest aged 70 at the time of assault.

The vile man even kept a sickening diary of his alleged crimes writing that he was a paedophile and “proud of it”.

The depraved doctor is now facing more than 100 rape charges and over 150 sexual assault charges at trial, with the average age of his alleged victims being just 11 years old.

Many victims of the surgeon have now accused his ex-wife Marie-France Le Scouarnec of covering up his “paedo criminal activities” for decades.

Ms Le Scouarnec, the mother of their three sons, insisted she knew nothing about her ex-husband’s crimes.

She told the court: “I wondered how I could have not noticed anything.

“It’s a terrible betrayal that he committed against me and my children.”

However, a letter handwritten by Ms Le Scouarnec in 2010 that was also entered as evidence read: “I ask you to please protect my youngest son, the only one who does not know his father’s past.”

Ms Le Scouarnec also said her husband was an “ideal father” to his sons.

She regretted that her domestic life had in fact been “sewn with lies”.

One of her sons said in an interview that Le Scouarnec was “an intelligent man, a little cold, who is interested in many things”, the court heard.

Marie-Caroline Arrighi, a spokesman for four victims, said outside court: “She knew. Marie-France Le Scouarnec knew and protected her husband.”

Referring to Ms Le Scouarnec’s denials, Ms Arrighi said: “Reading such comments is truly disgusting.

“We affirm, with supporting evidence, that this woman knew about her husband’s paedocriminal activities well before the case broke in 2017.

“She knowingly concealed them, allowing him to act for more than 30 years.”

Calling the couple “evil”, Ms Arrighi added: “Reporting sexual crimes and offences against minors is a legal obligation.”

Ms Le Scouarnec was due to give evidence in person in court on Tuesday but was excused after claiming she had suffered an injury in a minor car accident.

Instead, comments made by her to investigators were read out, along with ones from her three sons.

Le Scouarnec is now standing a criminal trial at the Morbihan Criminal Court in Vannes.

Thibaut Kurzawa, Le Scouarnec’s defence lawyer, said outside court: “He is waiting to be judged, to express himself, to say what he has to say to each of his victims.

Dozens of women were seen outside the court with huge banners protesting against the former surgeon.

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One of the victims of retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, Amelie Leveque-Merle, speaks to the press during the trial of Joel Le Scouarnec[/caption]

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Protestors hold banners during a protest outside the Vannes courthouse[/caption]

SICK ‘FANTASIES’

Officials claimed he would carry out some of the attacks when his patients were under anaesthetic and being operated on.

The former surgeon is already serving 15 years behind bars after he was found guilty in 2020 of raping and sexually assaulting four young girls.

Two of these victims were his nieces, one was his neighbour, and the fourth was a former patient of his.

Horrifying evidence discovered in the previous investigation into the paedophile helped lead to his new bombshell four-month trial which began today.

He stopped working at the hospital and was arrested in 2017 when his six-year-old neighbour reported being raped.

She lived next door to Le Scouarnec and told her parents that ‘the man with a crown of white hair’ had exposed himself and sexually touched her through a broken garden fence.

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The Court President Aude Buresi (C) waits in the Criminal Court, on the opening day of the trial of retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec[/caption]

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This photograph shows files in the courtroom of the Criminal Court in Vannes[/caption]

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Marie Grimaud, lawyer for some of the alleged victims of ex-surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, talks to the media before the opening of the trial[/caption]

They went to the cops who then made shocking discoveries at his home, including the repulsive diary where he detailed sexual acts with children.

The monster doctor described himself as an “exhibitionist, voyeur, sadist, masochist, scatologist, fetishist, paedophile”.

Every year on his birthday Le Scouarnec would record his age and write a vile message to himself.

He wrote: “I am a paedophile and I am proud of it.”

His diaries reportedly described the apparent crimes in great detail and without an ounce of regret or empathy.

He also included the children’s names, the date he allegedly abused them, and where it happened.

Le Scouarnec denied these words were a reality and claimed they were just his sick “fantasies”.

Cops also discovered horrifying child-sized sex dolls, some of them chained up, and over 300,000 child abuse images were discovered.

Worrying questions have been raised after it was revealed a litany of chances to stop the monster were missed.

An FBI warning had alerted the French authorities that the former surgeon had been visiting child abuse websites.

The disgraced surgeon had been convicted of downloading pornographic images of children in 2005.

A psychiatrist at the hospital Le Scouarnec was also working raised the alarm and said this conviction should lead to him being kicked out of his job.

It was revealed the French health ministry was made aware of this conviction in 2006 but decided to take no further action.

In June 2008, Le Scouarnec moved to a new hospital in Jonzac, in southwest France, and told the director he was being investigated.

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The doctor is already serving a 15-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting four children[/caption]

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He allegedly carried out some attacks when his patients were under anaesthetic and being operated on[/caption]

After Deku’s inspiring journey from a quirk-less boy to the greatest hero in My Hero Academia, it’s time for Koichi Haimawari to take over. Koichi is the protagonist of MHA: Vigilantes, the spin-off and prequel to Kohei Horikoshi’s beloved series. The manga started its serialization in 2016, and the anime is scheduled to release in April […]

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