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A fond farewell to

Wild at Heart With a last-ever special episode of Wild at Heart coming to the small screen soon, we chat to two of the show’s stars, Hayley Mills and Stephen Tompkinson

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By Alison James and Richard Barber ayley Mills will be 67 next birthday but she is as slim and pretty as she was in her 1966 film The Family Way. Her voice is still as familiar and endearing, too, as she speaks about successfully battling breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2008.

She says: “It has changed the way I live my life. It makes you prioritise and consider what’s really important. Now I try and grab every second. I hate wasting time and having pointless arguments over things that don’t really matter.

“I’ve changed the way I live in a practical way, too. I haven’t eaten meat for years, but since having cancer I try not to eat dairy products or sugar. That’s not to say I don’t treat myself occasionally – at Christmas I’ll have pudding and mince pies – but I try to eat a mainly alkaline diet, which means no acid-forming foods. It’s too risky to go back to the way I was eating before. Having cancer brings everything into sharp focus and what’s more important to me than anything is spending time with the people I love.”

Two of those people are her grandsons, Keshava (4) and Harry (1), the children of her eldest son, the musician and film

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producer, Crispian Mills.

“I’m so lucky that they live just around the corner from me in London,” Hayley smiles.

“They are such a joy and I take complete advantage of being a grandmother to spoil and indulge them. It’s lovely not having to be consistent about chocolate cake and ice-cream as you are when you’re a parent!

“They call me Mayi which is an Indian word for grandma or nanny. They already have a Nanny, my daughter-in-law Jo’s mother, who is brilliant. She has a garden full of climbing frames

‘It’s New Year’s Eve in the South African bush – and have your tissues ready as it’s a real tear-jerker’ and is a great cook. It’s made me pull my socks up, let me tell you!”

Hayley has been with her partner, actor Firdous Bamji, since the late 1990s, but they have no plans to marry. “If it ain’t broken, why fix it?” she quips. “We feel as married as we could ever be.

We’re completely committed

Talk to the animals: Hayley (pictured with sister Juliet) loved working with Wild at Heart’s exotic creatures

to each other and very happy.

“The only thing that would make me happier is if I saw more of my brother, Jonathan, and sister, Juliet. He lives in Tasmania, she lives in Los Angeles and I live here – you couldn’t get much more geographically distant if you tried.

“We do stay in touch, though.

Juliet is my best friend. We’re both actresses but there’s never been any professional rivalry between us. She’s the first person after Firdous, Crispian and my younger son, Jason, that I tell my news to – both good and bad.”

It is certainly good news for all Wild at Heart fans that there is going to be one last episode of the wildlife drama set in South Africa in which Hayley plays Caroline du Plessis.

“Having a special last episode is such a lovely thing,” says Hayley. “It’s only right that we’ve been able to tie up all the loose ends. I’m not saying what happens except that it’s New Year’s Eve in the South African bush – and have your tissues ready as it’s a real tear-jerker.”

She admits that the cast were all in tears at the initial readthrough of the show which is due to be screened on Sunday, December 30.

After spending five months a year for the last five years filming Wild at Heart in South Africa, won’t Hayley miss it?

“I’ve had the most wonderful time,” she says. “It was a great gig, as they say. The people are so lovely, then there’s the scenery, the sunrises, the animals, the wonderful cast and crew. Being part of Wild at Heart has been an absolute joy and I’m so glad we’re going out on a high.

“On a personal level, though, I’m fairly content with the way things have turned out. I love my work but there’s so much else I want to do – like visiting my brother in Tasmania and spending more time with my grandsons.

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PIC:TVV/REX FEATURES

❙ tv classic ❙

All

21 bold and beautiful bags from £8

By Jo Winch

BRIGHT NOW

✢ Yellow shoulder bag, £8, Matalan

Pics: Ruth Jenkinson; Stylist Jo Winch. Details correct at time of going to press

✢ Pink satchel, £18, Heatons

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP ✢ Yellow satchel style bag, A-Wear, £25 ✢ Red shoulder bag, £35, Red Herring at Debenhams ✢ Green flower embossed bag, £32, Next ✢ Pink/brown reversible shopper, £32, Next ✢ Blue mock croc bag, £32, Marisota ✢ Red patent bag, £25, M&S YOURS

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✢ Green holdall bag, £22.99, A-shu.co.uk

STOCKISTS: Accessorize 0844 811 0068; A-Wear www.awear.com; Brantano 0870 9901601; Bhs 08444 116000; Debenhams 08445 616161; Fifty plus www.fiftyplus.co.uk; Heatons www.heatonstores.com; Littlewoods www. littlewoods.com, 0844 8228000; Marisota www.marisota.co.uk; M&S 0845 6090200; Matalan 0845 3303330; Monsoon 0844 8110068; Next 0844 8448939. We can’t guarantee stock availability and prices during sale times

Style notes

✢ Mustard shopper, £79, Monsoon

✢ Dark pink bag, £40, Accessorize

Bags of tips ✢ Maroon buckle bag, £20, Marisota

✢ Snake blue bag, £38, Accessorize

✢ Red bowler bag, £35, M&S

✢ Slouch turquoise bag, £28, www.very. com ✢ It’s true; a small bag can make you look bigger and an oversized bag can make you appear smaller!

✢ Orange ‘Birkin style’ bag, £26.99, A-shu.co.uk

✢ Turquoise bag, £12, Matalan

✢ Best high street store for bags?

Accessorize has bags for any occasion, whether it’s a glitzy evening style, a classic day bag or a shopper. ✢ Best online shop for bags? We’re really impressed with the website www.A-shu. co.uk; it’s full of bright, trendy, designerinspired bags at really great prices. ✢ A bag is a clever way to add style especially if you’re not confident of wearing bright colours or bold prints – let your bag make the statement for you. ✢ Still yearning for a designer bag but not prepared to pay a fortune? Try www. vestiairecollective. com – a treasure trove of secondhand items.

✢ Red flower detail, £40, Fifty plus ✢ Peach drawstring bag, £12, Brantano

✢ Green bag, £39, Bhs

✢ Red messenger bag, £35, Marisota

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Now visit www.yours.co.uk for lots more fashion accessories

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Next issue: We put the claims of slimming jeans to the test!

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Style WINTER notes

Every day can be a good hair day however bad the weather, if you follow the advice from our experts cy winds, cold damp days and central heating can leave you with dull, lifeless hair. To ensure your locks stay shiny, healthy and manageable all winter, we’ve asked the experts to tell us how to solve your top winter hair woes.

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PROBLEM: Frizz caused by damp weather “One of the main reasons hair goes frizzy is because it absorbs moisture from the air. Colouring, styling and brushing all leave hair damaged and this allows moisture into the hair, causing it to expand,” explains celebrity hairdresser Mark Hill. Using a finish product will help.“Go for dedicated frizz-busting products that have a humidity block to lock out the elements that cause frizz.” ✢ COMBAT IT WITH: John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Agent Flawless Finishing Creme (£5.49/ 100ml) – use on dry hair to smooth away frizz. Or Lee Stafford Poker Straight Dehumidifier spray (£5.99/200ml) – shields hair from damp weather.

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PROBLEM: Flat, limp hair “Wearing hats, hoods and scarves can cause hair to go flat and limp during winter,” says Mark. “Inject some volume into your hair by using heated rollers after blow-drying.”

A root-boosting mousse or spray, used on towel-dried hair will help to lift hair at the roots to give you more body. Blow-dry upside down for even more volume. ✢ GIVE HAIR A BOOST WITH: Andrew Barton I Love Volume Volumptuous mousse (£3/200ml) – adds great body without weight. Or try John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening blow dry lotion (£5.89/ 125ml) – thickens hair shaft to give fullness to hair.

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PROBLEM: Static, flyaway hair Cold, dry weather and central heating all conspire to strip your hair of moisture, making it prone to static and hard to control. “Using a leave-in conditioner will help to rehydrate your hair and a serum will help to control fly-aways. Brush hair sparingly and limit the use of heated appliances as much as possible,” advises hairdresser Tasha.

Some hairdryers such as Remington Keratin Therapy Pro Dryer (£49.99) have ionic technology to reduce

PROBLEM: Dry, itchy scalp “A combination of being in extreme cold outdoors and heat indoors can dry your scalp, as well as over-washing hair which strips it of natural oils. In winter allow an extra day between washes if your scalp is dry and flaky,” says hairdresser Tasha Stevens.

Choose a specialist shampoo and conditioner that won’t dry out your scalp or irritate it with perfume or colouring. “A good home remedy is to add a few drops of lukewarm olive oil to your conditioner to help relieve a dry scalp.” ✢ WHY NOT TRY? E45 Dry Scalp shampoo (£5.49/200ml) – gently relieves dry, itchy scalp and is fragrance-free. T-Gel shampoo for Sensitive Scalp (£6.99/250ml) – clears flaky scalp and soothes itching fast.

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SCUE

STOCKISTS: Andrew Barton – www. andrewbarton.tv (Asda stores); Aussie www. aussiehair.com (Boots, Superdrug); E45 www.E45. com (Boots, Superdrug); John Frieda 0800 652 1496 www.johnfrieda.co.uk; Lee Staford – www.leestaford. com (Boots stores); Mark Hill www.markhill.co.uk (Boots stores); Pantene www.pantene.co.uk (Boots, Superdrug, Tesco); Remington www.remingtoneurope.com (Argos, Boots); T-Gel 0845 601 5789, www.neutrogenauk.co.uk

PROBLEM: Dull, lacklustre hair “If styling and winter weather have left your hair looking dull, invest in regular at-home or salon treatments to boost shine,” says Tasha.

The key to shine is keeping hair hydrated with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner. Always spritz hair with a heat protection spray before blow-drying or using heated appliances, as these dry out hair.

Finishing your style with a gloss spray will give it a mirror shine. ✢ GET YOUR GLOW BACK WITH: Aussie Miracle Shine shampoo and conditioner (£5.99/500ml) – with Australian ginseng and pearl powder for great shine. Lee Stafford Argan Oil Miracle Shine spray (£9.99/200ml) – a lightweight spray with argan oil complex for shiny locks.

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Now visit www.yours.co.uk for more great hair advice

››

Next issue: How to have radiant skin all through winter

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PICS: RUTH JENKINSON; GETTY IMAGES; ISTOCKPHOTO

static and are keratininfused to protect hair from damage.

“A quick tip is to spray your comb or brush with a light mist of hairspray and then run it through your hair,” says Mark Hill. ✢ TAME YOUR TRESSES WITH: Mark Hill Defrizzilicious Magic Drops Rescue and Repair serum (£6.49/50ml) – smoothes fly-aways instantly. Or Pantene Pro-V 24h-Lite Nourishment Leave-in Conditioning Foam (£4.49/150ml) – long-lasting hydration for hair without weighing it down.

A New Year diet you can stick to!

MIX & MATCH FROM COLUMNS

We’ve taken the hard work out of dieting by providing you with our simplest ever healthy eating plan. The plan is based on 1200-1300 calories per day and should help you to lose between 1-2lbs per week without even trying!

We’ve written your shopping list for you too (see page 49), to make things even easier.

Try these delicious meals – specially created by our nutritionist to help you stick to your daily calorie allowance.

Pick your breakfast

Choose your lunch

Decide on dinner

Pancake with Crème Fraiche and Berries Make up enough pancake mix for one pancake and top with 1 tbsp low-fat crème fraiche and 80g (3oz) berries. 1 glass orange juice (200ml/7fl oz).

Walnut and Apple Salad Dice 1 apple and break 25g (1oz) walnuts into similar sized pieces. Toss with some lettuce leaves and 1 tbsp low-fat salad dressing. Serve with 1 small brown roll spread with a little low-fat spread.

Beef Bolognese with Pasta See recipe, right

Apple Muesli Mix 40g (1½oz) porridge oats, a grated apple, 3 chopped dried apricots and 200ml (7fl oz) semiskimmed milk together in a bowl. If possible, leave in fridge overnight.

Smoked Salmon, Soft Cheese and Watercress Bagel 1 bagel filled with 2 slices smoked salmon, 1 tbsp light soft cheese and a little watercress. 1 pot low-fat yogurt (125g/4½oz) with 1 plum.

Chicken Risotto See recipe, right

Cinnamon Banana Toast 2 slices wholegrain toast, topped with 1 mashed banana and a sprinkle of cinnamon. 1 glass orange juice (200ml/7fl oz).

Beef salad roll 1 brown roll filled with 2 slices lean beef, 1 chopped tomato, 1 tbsp low-fat mayonnaise and lettuce leaves. 1 pot low-fat yogurt (125g/4½oz) with 1 plum.

Ratatouille Bake with Mini Roasties See recipe, right

Porridge with Chopped Banana 40g (1½oz) porridge made with 200ml (7fl oz) semi-skimmed milk.

Chop 1 banana and mix with the porridge. Follow with 1 pot low-fat yogurt (125g/4½oz).

Tomato and Cheese Omelette Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a frying pan. Beat 2 eggs, add to pan and cook until almost set. Top with 2 tbsp finely chopped onion, 1 sliced tomato and 25g (1oz) grated low-fat cheese.

Continue cooking until set. Serve with 1 slice wholegrain toast with a little low-fat spread.

Chicken and Rice Soup See recipe, 48

Scone with Fruit and Milk 1 wholemeal scone spread with a little low-fat spread. 2 mandarins.

1 glass semi-skimmed milk (200ml/7fl oz).

Ham Salad Roll Split 1 roll, fill with 2 tsp low-fat spread, 2 slices ham, 1 tbsp low-fat cheddar cheese. Toast for a couple minutes. Add in salad leaves and serve with a few cherry tomatoes.

Cumberland Pie See recipe, p48

Nutty Porridge 30g (1¼oz) porridge made with 200ml (7fl oz) semi-skimmed milk.

Mix with 1 tbsp nuts. 1 glass orange juice (200ml/7fl oz).

Cheese and Bacon Baked Potato Microwave 1 large potato for 10 minutes. Grill 1 lean bacon rasher and cut into strips. Heat 1 tsp olive oil and cook 1 sliced spring onion with a little chopped leek for 2-3 minutes until soft. Mix in 40g (1½oz) low-fat soft cheese with 1 tbsp low-fat crème fraiche and spoon mixture over potato.

Pork, Apple and Rosemary Casserole See recipe, p48

Beans on Toast 2 slices wholegrain toast spread with a little low-fat spread, topped with 1 small tin (200g/7oz) baked beans.

Chicken Salad Sandwich Fill 2 slices wholegrain bread with 2 thin slices chicken, 1 tbsp low-fat mayonnaise and lettuce leaves. 1 apple and 1 pear.

Grilled Cod with Curried Potatoes and Peas See recipe, p48

1, 2 & 3

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❙ diet plan ❙ Ratatouille Bake with Mini Roasties

✢ 1 tbsp plain flour ✢ 1 pinch oregano ✢ 100g (4oz) aubergine, chopped ✢ 50g (2oz) courgette ✢ 5 mushrooms ✢ 1 tomato ✢ 2 tsp olive oil ✢ 30g (1¼oz) low-fat mozzarella cheese ✢ 1 small potato

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or Gas Mark 4.

2. Mix together flour and oregano, and season with black pepper.

3. Slice all the vegetables, cutting aubergine into 1cm (½in) thick slices.

Coat aubergine on both sides in seasoned flour.

4. Heat 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan and, over a medium heat, brown aubergine on both sides.

5. When cooked, place in an oven-proof dish. Add a layer of the other vegetables and top with the cheese.

6. Cut potato into 2cm (1in) cubes, toss in rest of the olive oil and place on a baking tray, adding herbs such as rosemary or thyme if you wish.

7. Place both dishes in oven and cook for 30-40 minutes.

Beef Bolognese with Pasta

✢ 75g (2½oz) lean minced beef ✢ 1 onion, sliced ✢ 1 garlic clove, sliced ✢ 1 small tin chopped tomatoes ✢ ½ tbsp tomato purée ✢ 1 tsp herbs ✢ Sprinkle of sugar ✢ 40g (1½oz) pasta (uncooked weight) ✢ Salad leaves

1. Place the minced beef in a large pan and cook over a medium heat until browned right through.

2. Drain off any excess fat, then add onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.

3. Add tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and sugar. Bring to a boil.

Turn down heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, leaving lid off if sauce needs to thicken.

4. As your sauce simmers, cook pasta according to packet instructions, omitting any suggested salt or oil.

5. Combine with sauce and serve with salad leaves.

Chicken Risotto

✢ 1 tsp olive oil ✢ 1 onion, finely chopped ✢ 1 garlic clove, finely chopped ✢ 1 chicken fillet ✢ 30g (1¼oz) risotto rice (uncooked weight) ✢ 1 pinch dried thyme ✢ 200ml (7fl oz) chicken stock ✢ 50g (2oz) peas ✢ 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

1. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan.

2. Add finely chopped onion and garlic, and cook for a few minutes to soften.

3. Cut chicken fillet into strips and add to onion.

4. Turn heat up slightly and brown chicken pieces all over.

5. Once chicken is browned, stir in rice and mix in well. Reduce heat and cook, stirring, for just a couple more minutes.

Add the thyme.

6. Keep a jug of hot stock beside you; pour this in, a little at a time, stirring gently all the time.

7. Wait until each addition of stock has been absorbed before adding more.

This will take around 15 minutes.

8. After this time, add the peas and allow to simmer for 2-3 more minutes.

9. Stir in Parmesan just before serving.

Lose weight with yoursdietclub.co.uk – Join

us today!

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How to...

find forgotten cash Could you be in line for a New Year windfall?

Sarah Jagger shows you how to track down the money you might be due ave you lost an old savings account or pension? Perhaps you have misplaced shares that you invested in many years ago?

It is not too surprising that an estimated £850m is sitting around unclaimed in accounts.

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Name changes, house moves and company mergers all mean it’s easy to lose track of your money.

In many instances people forget about childhood savings, or die without telling their beneficiaries that investments exist. Read on to find out how to trace cash that could be yours.

OLD PENSIONS

OLD WINNINGS

OLD ACCOUNTS

“Few people these days stay in the same job for years at a time which can create problems keeping track of past years’ pension entitlement,” says Yours money expert Michael Wilson. “Even if you still have the original paperwork, your old employer may have moved or even stopped trading. The same applies to some insurance companies.”

Speak to the Pensions Tracing Service, which should be able to help you locate contact details. One in five people using the service finds a pension worth an average of £1,900 or £16 a week, and seven per cent receive a lump sum in excess of £20,000.

To contact the Pension Tracing Service call 0845 600 2537 or visit www. gov.uk/find-lost-pension

“You’d think that if your numbers came up on the National Lottery you’d make sure you claimed the prize,” says Sarah Pennells of savvywoman.co.uk. “However, there’s currently an unclaimed prize of £3m and several prizes worth more than £50,000!

The rules say that lottery winners have six months (180 days) from the date of the draw to claim. Miss the deadline, and the money goes to good causes.”

The National Lottery has information about unclaimed prizes on its website, www.national-lottery.co.uk.

Find old bank and building society accounts or premium bonds by registering with ww.mylostaccount.org.uk. The free service is run by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA), the Building Societies Association and National Savings & Investments. It searches more than 40 banks and 50 building societies, including those that have closed or merged.

Searches take up to three months and you’ll need to verify your identity if an account is found. The sponsors also offer paper-based search facilities for those not online.

This service isn’t designed to be used by executors to settle the banking affairs of someone who’s died. Your first point of contact should be the bank or building society in question. The BBA has a leaflet to help with a deceased person’s account: visit www.bba.org.uk or call 020 7216 8800.

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There’s currently an unclaimed prize of £3m When it comes to NS&I Premium Bond prizes there’s no time limit for claiming and the oldest unclaimed prize dates back to November 1957 for the sum of £25. Search for outstanding NS&I Premium Bond prizes using the prize checker at www.nsandi.com or call free on 0500 007 007.

7 steps to...

SUCCESSFUL TRACING Gather as much information as you can before you start your search including policy or account details, the account holder name, previous names and previous addresses.

Wherever possible use the free services that are available, such as the Pensions Tracing Service. There’s often no need to pay to be reunited with your cash.

Keep a record of any forms you’ve filled in and keep a note of the dates you sent the information off.

Chase up if you haven’t heard anything within a reasonable amount of time.

Try not to use companies who offer to trace money in exchange for a percentage of what they find. If you do decide to use one, make sure they spell out (in writing) how much they’ll take.

If you’re tracing an account for someone else (such as an elderly relative) you’ll need their permission or power of attorney, which is a legal document that allows you to act on their behalf.

Find out more about power of attorney at www. justice.gov.uk If you’re tracing accounts on behalf of someone who’s died, you’ll need to have a copy of their will or a death certificate.

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| IT’S A FACT | If reunited with their money, 23 per cent of Brits say they would use the funds to pay off bills or debts says NS&I

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LOST LIFE POLICIES

If you have inherited shares or been given some (perhaps when a building society became a bank), you may not have kept track of them.

“If you have share certificates (these are increasingly rare as records are kept electronically), contact the share registrar whose name appears on the certificates. If you think you own shares but don’t know what you own (or even the current name of the company), you can contact each of the three major share registrars. These keep details of who owns shares,” says Sarah.

They are: Capita Registrars (0871 664 0300, www.capitaregistrars. com), Computershare (0870 703 0143, www.computershare.com) and Equiniti (0871 384 2030, www.equiniti.com).

Trace missing life policies, unit trust holdings or share dividends via the Unclaimed Assets Register (UAR) which is run by Experian. For a fee of £25 they will search the register for details of unclaimed policies from a range of pension funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions and results will be received within two working days. Call 0844 481 8180 or visit www. uar.co.uk.

You can also find out who’s responsible for your old policies for free using www.policy detective.co.uk

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If you have share certificates, contact the registrar whose name appears on the certificates YOURS

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PICS: GETTY IMAGES; MASTERFILE. SOURCE: SAVVYWOMAN.CO.UK

MISSING SHARES

0 1 BEST... of the

places to bag a bargain

We’re all hoping to get more for our money in the postChristmas sales, but you can find a bargain all year round at these outlet destinations… ✢ Clacton Factory Outlet, ESSEX

✢ Gretna Gateway Outlet Village, GRETNA,

Open throughout Christmas and New Year, this outlet also hosts a Saturday car boot sale in winter. Wheelchair loan is free for shoppers, and the outlet received five stars in the Loo of the Year awards 2012! A pleasant shopping experience even before you consider the 60 per cent savings!

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY Gretna Gateway is visible from the M6, just as it crosses into Scotland. Once famous as a destination for eloping lovers, Gretna could well become a magnet for shopaholics who can’t resist a bargain! Buses from Dumfries, Carlisle and the surrounding area all stop here.

Call 01255 479595 or visit www. clactonfactoryoutlet.com

Call 01461 339028 or visit www. gretnagateway.com

✢ Junction 32, Castleford, W YORKSHIRE Another outlet open throughout the festive period, Junction 32 is very easy to find (simply come off the M62 at… yes, you guessed it).

For any non-shoppers in your party, the RSPB reserve Fairburn Ings (call 01977 628191) is just a few miles north of nearby Castleford.

Call 01977 520153 or visit www.junction32.com

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✢ Royal Quays, NORTH SHIELDS, TYNE AND WEAR Shop till you drop at Royal Quays which is located just at the top of the road to the Netherlands ferry route. While you are there, be sure to visit the traditional newsagent, Humbugs, which sells more than 80 different sweet treats.

Call 0191 296 3743 or visit www.royalquaysoutlet. co.uk

✢ Dalton Park, Murton, COUNTY DURHAM Dalton, just off the A19, is the biggest shopping outlet in the north east. Its Christmas Big Brand Sale (starting on Boxing Day) discounts up to 70 per cent off selected items until January 23. Mobility equipment is available.

To pre-book, call 0191 526 6500. Alternatively, visit www.dalton-park.co.uk for more information