A Derby-based eating disorder charity says it saw a 10% increase in referrals for its NHS and private services in 2024.

First Steps ED, which operates around the UK, is hoping to increase capacity by 2026 so it can help 4,000 people per year, up from 3,000 last year.

Tilly Wiggins, 18, was helped by the charity after they were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2021.

They said: "The hardest part of recovery is talking to somebody. It's so difficult to admit that something is wrong."

A 2023 NHS England survey found rates of eating problems among young people had risen markedly after the Covid-19 pandemic, compared to surveys before 2020.

Researchers said the data suggested an increase in referrals was due to increased numbers of people with the disorders, rather than increased awareness of the conditions or services to treat them.

It is estimated that between 1.25m and 3.4m people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, according to charities like First Steps ED and Beat.

Their research indicates between a fifth and a quarter of people with anorexia, bulimia or another eating disorder are male.

Tilly, who received support through First Steps ED, said they have had eating difficulties their whole life, with both binge eating and restrictive eating.

They said before getting help, the eating disorder was "consuming my brain" and that they "didn't really know how to get out".

Tilly said the help they received had "taught me how to recover, why I wanted to recover. Because I had a great life before the eating disorder".

Tilly is aiming to do a bungee jump in the summer as part of their recovery to raise money for the charity.

People have been invited to watch the annual public meeting of the Isle of Man's health care provider.

Manx Care's yearly presentation to the public, which will be followed by a question and answer session, takes place from 18:00 to 20:00 BST.

While all the places at the meeting at the Roundhouse have been filled, the proceedings are set to be livestreamed online.

Manx Care's chief executive Teresa Cope said it was a chance for the healthcare body to "continue" with its "commitment to openness and transparency with the Manx public".

The meeting will cover the delivery of health and statutory social care services, and include updates on clinical leadership and operational reviews.

The health body said following feedback from last year's event, it had prolonged the length of time that people could ask questions.

However, due to time constraints, only questions that had already been submitted as part of the registration for the event would be taken, it added.

Details of road closures have been confirmed for a 44th annual international walking event.

The Waendel Walk, which is organised by Wellingborough Town Council and takes place in Northamptonshire, helps raise money for cancer charities and is the only British fixture on the IML Walking Association calendar.

Both amateur and professional walkers from 35 countries are expected to take part in a range of events from 9-11 May.

Specific road closures include Main Road between Wollaston and Grendon and Irchester Road between Irchester and Farndish on Saturday.

Hardwick Road, The Slips, and Harrowden Lane will also be closed on Sunday to ensure the safety of participants.

Wellingborough Town Council said it had appointed a "professional traffic management company" to implement and oversee the closures.

During the closures only residents and their visitors – and those requiring access to businesses within the affected areas – will be permitted entry.

This year's Waendel Walk will feature more than a dozen different walks through Northamptonshire countryside with distances ranging from 5km (3.1 miles) to 42km (26 miles).

Wellingborough Town Council said the event – which is supported by a team of about 50 volunteers – provides "physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing" in a "unique part of the world" and helped put the county "on the map".

Education Minister Paul Givan has asked officials to ensure that his department is complying with the Supreme Court's ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex.

The ruling has major implications for single-sex spaces in Great Britain, such as female changing rooms and toilets.

The court had been asked to decide on the proper interpretation of the 2010 Equality Act, which applies across Great Britain but not in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has said it aims to publish new formal guidance in response to the ruling next month.

A fourth boy has been arrested after a major fire broke out inside a shop at a retail park.

Emergency services were called to the Dunelm store at Nene Valley Retail Park off Towcester Road in Northampton, just after 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Police initially arrested three boys on suspicion of arson, aged 15, 14 and 13. The 13-year-old was released without further action while the others were released on bail.

Detectives have now arrested another 14-year-old boy, who remains in custody.

Det Insp Nick Peters said: "This investigation continues at a fast pace, however I would continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

"We have spoken to a lot of witnesses already but we are still keen to hear from anyone else who has not yet contacted us."

Footage from social media showed the fire had spread into the next door Pets at Home store, which had to be evacuated of staff and animals.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remained at the scene through Saturday night before the blaze was brought under control by 10:20 on Sunday.