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Shocking footage released of metal tank explosion that left two employees at Colwick firm with life-changing injuries

Emily Sanchez
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Shocking footage released of metal tank explosion that left two employees at Colwick firm with life-changing injuries

A Colwick firm has been fined more than £300,000 after an explosion caused two employees to suffer life changing injuries.

The metal tank the two men were working on was projected high into the air before crashing to the ground nine seconds later.

Footage of the blast has been released.

On September 20, 2017, two employees of Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited were using a grinder to cut and replace pipework at the top of an 11-metre high metal tank containing waste slurry. They were not using harnesses. Sparks from the grinder ignited flammable gasses causing the tank to explode.

Footage of the explosion captured by CCTV has now been released.

Tomasz Patek was flung out of the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) into the air and landed on the ground in the slurry around the tank. He suffered serious injuries to his back, head and torso and was in hospital for two months.  His injuries were so severe that he was not able to work for more than two years.

Tomasz said he suffers from pre and post-traumatic amnesia and has no specific recollection of the events.

In a statement, he revealed the psychological scars from the incident;

“After the accident, I was unable to recover emotionally.

Tomasz Patek was flung out of the mobile elevating work platform into the air and landed on the ground in the slurry around the tank
Robert Tyrko was thrown into the air and landed back in the basket of the MEWP
The metal tank the two men were working on was projected high into the air before crashing to the ground nine seconds later

“I did not realise what had happened and was in deep shock. I could not cope with the pain. I could not accept an accident had happened to me.”

Robert Tyrko was thrown into the air and landed back in the basket of the MEWP. Following the incident, Robert’s leg was amputated and he remains wheelchair bound as treatment is still ongoing to receive a prosthesis. Also, he sustained a fractured skull and a piece of metal in his elbow that continues to affect his daily life.

In his statement, Robert explained how the explosion has affected his day-to-day life; “This whole situation is having a huge impact on my relationship. I can’t help my wife in anything like I used to be able to. Magda is both wife and husband because all my responsibilities fell on her; along with the kids.

“Also my personality is explosive. I lose my patience very quickly. I attended appointments with a psychologist because I had nightmares that I was still having this accident.”

A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency found that the company had failed to ensure the health and safety of its employees and others nearby.

The company had kept and treated waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment.

The explosion was caused by multiple failures in the company’s management system and exacerbated by multiple breaches of the company’s environmental permit.

At a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on November 22, 2024, Bio Dynamic (UK) Limited, of Colwick Industrial Estate, Nottingham:

  • pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
  • pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016 (EPR), and s.33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA).
  • They were fined a total of £304,500 and ordered to pay £229,988 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Richenda Dixon said: “It’s remarkable that Robert and Tomasz weren’t killed.

“This incident resulted from fundamental and multiple failings by the company to properly manage its health and safety risks.

“These included failing to ensure that the design, installation and use of the tanks were safe; failing to carry out risk assessments; failing to put in place a safe system of work; and failing to train and supervise employees.”

Senior Environmental Crime Officer Iain Regan said: “This was a lengthy and technically complex investigation by the Environment Agency and the HSE during which we found that the company’s attitude towards environmental compliance was largely cosmetic. 

“Although the site had an environmental permit, the company was not complying with the conditions of the permit or with their own management system and procedures.

“The site had unauthorised gaseous emissions points and undertook modifications to their process which were not risk assessed or notified to the Environment Agency.  The company did not recognise or understand the impact that these changes had on the safety of the plant and failed to take action, when warned, which could have prevented the incident.  These factors, and a failure to implement permit to work procedures, including appropriate risk assessment, created all the necessary conditions on 20 September 2017 for the explosion which occurred.

“Sites which receive, treat or dispose of waste must be permitted to ensure that they minimise the risk to the environment or human health.  Incidents such as the explosion at Bio Dynamic show why it is essential that such sites strictly comply with all the conditions of their environmental permit and take their environmental responsibilities seriously. 

“The consequences of the company’s failure to comply with its environmental permit could have been fatal.  As it is, two employees have been left with life changing physical and mental injuries which continue to devastate their lives seven years on from this incident.”

Second councillor joins race to become leader of Nottinghamshire County Council

Joe Locker (LDR Reporter)
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Second councillor joins race to become leader of Nottinghamshire County Council

Nottinghamshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance has announced his bid to become the Conservative-run authority’s next leader.

Cllr Richard Jackson confirmed his decision to stand for leader with the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Friday (November 22).

The council’s current leader, Ben Bradley, announced he would be stepping down in December following a “challenging” year and two election defeats.

Mr Bradley lost the race to become the first mayor of the East Midlands in May to Labour’s Claire Ward. He later lost his Mansfield MP seat to Labour’s Steve Yemm in July following a party landslide victory nationally.

Cllr Richard Jackson, cabinet member for finance, confirmed his decision to stand for leader with the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Friday (LDRS)
Cllr Sam Smith, 27, who represents Trent Valley on Gedling Borough Council and Newark East for the County Council, tabled his leadership bid earlier in November.

Mr Bradley will hold the leader position until December 4, after which the Conservative Group at the council will appoint a new leader the following day.

Cllr Jackson, who was born in Chilwell, now sits in the County Council’s cabinet with responsibilities for finance.

He was previously leader of Broxtowe Borough Council between 2015 and 2019.

“I’ve had several colleagues ask me to put myself forward,” he said.

Ben Bradley will hold the leader position until December 4, after which the Conservative Group at the council will appoint a new leader the following day. PHOTO: LDRS

“I’ve got 23 years on the County Council serving the Conservative Group. I’ve been the leader of Broxtowe Borough Council for four years.

“Considering my portfolio I have it means I am up to speed with the council’s situation. We’ve got five months left until the local elections, we need someone who will be able to step in and be up to speed with everything already.

“It has always been our mantra to find the savings we need by doing things differently to other councils, rather than cutting services. We’ve kept council tax as low as we can. I want to continue that.”

Cllr Sam Smith, 27, who represents Trent Valley on Gedling Borough Council and Newark East for the County Council, tabled his leadership bid earlier in November.

He said he hopes to become one of the youngest leaders in the country.

It is expected a third candidate will step forward in the coming days before nominations close on Sunday.

A new leader is then expected to be chosen on Monday (November 25) by the Conservative Group.

Anti-social behaviour crackdown: Hooligans face two years in jail for wreaking havoc in borough’s towns and neighbourhoods

Gedling Eye
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Anti-social behaviour crackdown: Hooligans face two years in jail for wreaking havoc in borough’s towns and neighbourhoods

Hooligans who wreak havoc in Gedling borough’s towns and neighbourhoods could now face up to two years in jail for breaching so-called respect orders as the Government looks to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Failing to comply with the orders will be a criminal offence.

As well as a prison sentence, courts could hand out unlimited fines and order those who flout the rules to carry out unpaid work or abide by a curfew, the Home Office said.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the orders as “a modernised version” of anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) aimed at toughening action against repeat offenders.

The measures would make sure the “most serious offenders are dealt with before their behaviour can escalate and cause further harm”, the Government department said as Ms Cooper unveiled details on how the orders would work on Friday.

Too many town centres and neighbourhoods were being “plagued by anti-social behaviour” and this “chips away at communities’ sense of confidence and pride, undermines local businesses and can have a devastating impact on victims”, she said, adding: “This cannot be allowed to continue

“Respect orders will give police and councils the powers they need to crack down on repeated anti-social behaviour, keeping our communities safe and ensuring repeat offenders face the consequences of their actions.

“These new powers alongside thousands more neighbourhood officers and PCSOs will help this Government deliver on our mission to take back our streets.”

Police and councils will be handed powers to ban persistent offenders from town centres or from drinking in public places such as high streets and parks, with officers able to arrest anyone breaching their order.

Perpetrators could also be told to take anger management courses or attend rehabilitation treatment for drug and alcohol problems to address the causes of their behaviour under the plans.

Police will also no longer have to issue a warning before seizing vehicles, allowing forces to tackle the “scourge of off-road bikes in parks and dangerous e-scooters on pavements, street racing and cruising” quicker as well as disperse car meets which can sometimes attract hundreds of cars and lead to “loud aggressive engine revving and intimidating music”, the Home Office said.

The move signals the return of rules similar to anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) which were previously in force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are still used in Scotland.

£50,000 reward offered as police reinvestigate 1994 execution-style murder of taxi driver in Gedling

Gedling Eye
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£50,000 reward offered as police reinvestigate 1994 execution-style murder of taxi driver in Gedling

Detectives are re-investigating the execution-style murder of a taxi driver in Gedling with charity Crimestoppers offering up to £50,000 for information which leads to a conviction.

Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, aged 26, of Sherwood Rise, known to his friends and family as Shami, was shot dead in his taxi on Tuesday, November 22, 1994.

He was found by a milkman at 4.30am at Lambley Lane Playing Fields with his hands tied and bound to the steering wheel.

He had been shot in what has been described by police as “an execution.”

Already the father of a five-year-old son, Shami was killed just five months before his baby daughter was born.

Now on the 30th anniversary of his murder, a dedicated team of detectives have been re-investigating the crime.

Shami pictured with his family (PHOTO: Notts Police)
Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor was found shot at Lambley Lane Playing Fields (PIC: Gedling Eye)
The taxi belonging to Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor was found discovered at Lambley Lane Playing Fields

They are hoping to provide his family with the answers they desperately need and ensure justice is finally served. 

Shami had been working as a taxi driver in the city on the night he was killed and was well-known among his colleagues.

The last known sighting of Shami was at 2.40am in Carlton Square where he was seen with three Asian men in his black and white Ford Sierra.

The location his body was found was secluded especially at night and not a location usually used for taxi pick-ups or drop-offs.

The weapon used to take his life has never been recovered.

However, due to major developments in forensic science, a number of items have been examined from the scene of the crime which is providing detectives with new opportunities.

A number of people were arrested at the time of Shami’s murder but no one has ever been convicted of this horrific crime.

Detectives believe the answer to his murder lies within the community and are appealing for those who have any information, no matter how small, to please come forward.

Crimestoppers, a charity which is independent of the police, is supporting this investigation by offering a reward of up to £50,000 for information that they exclusively receive that leads to a conviction.

‘Horrific crime’

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said:“This was a dreadful murder of a young man, a soon-to-be-dad, who was executed in his own taxi in a secluded area of Nottinghamshire.

“At the heart of this horrific crime is a family; a family that have waited 30 years for answers, 30 years for justice, 30 years for the closure they rightfully deserve.

“Shami’s mum never got that closure. She died never knowing why her eldest son’s life was taken so cruelly from her.

“Shami’s daughter was born without a dad, forced to live with other people’s anecdotes of him, never having any of her own.

“Shami’s brothers and sisters, who have shown immense bravery and are supporting our appeal, live with the pain and loss of their brother’s death every day.

“We stand beside them and want exactly the same – to ensure those who took his life are found and put behind bars. I would ask the community to do the same. To put themselves in Shami’s family’s shoes. 

“Shami’s family can never move on with their lives without answers and you could be sitting on the very answers they require.

“We know that there will be people out there that know what happened, that have that information.

“We know that Shami was probably associating with some members of the criminal fraternity.  I don’t think he was involved in organised crime, but I do think he got himself involved with people who were and probably found himself out of his depth. This is why I think he was killed.

“We know that loyalties change over the years, and this is exactly what we are relying on. We are hoping that people that felt they were not able to speak out all that time ago will feel differently now and feel able to come forward.

“Now is the time to act, to pick up the phone, anonymously, if need be, and provide us with information.

“Crimestoppers is offering up to £50,000 reward as an extra incentive. This is a huge reward for information that leads to conviction. I would like to personally thank Crimestoppers for their help and wanting to support us in ensuring justice is served.  

“While a number of reviews of this terrible crime have been carried out over the last 30 years, unfortunately his killer or killers have never been caught.

“We have been working closely with Shami’s family over the last 18 months, during which time I have personally met with them several times. I have explained to them why we have put together a new team of senior detectives, a fresh pair of eyes, to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that all new and existing avenues are explored.

“We are now calling on the community for their help and assistance to ensure that this crime does not go unsolved.”  

The reward is available for three months and is due to expire on the February 22, 2025.

They are appealing to the public to contact them anonymously if they have any information.

Typical energy bills set to rise by £21 a year in January – and predicted to stay high into summer

Gedling Eye
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Typical energy bills set to rise by £21 a year in January – and predicted to stay high into summer

The new energy price cap has been announced for January by regulator Ofgem.

It will rise to £1,738 from the current level of £1,717 – an increase of 1.2%. 

Every three months Ofgem revises the cap based on wholesale costs.

Bills for a typical household will rise by £21 a year from January.

It means someone paying by direct debit and using a typical amount of gas and electricity will pay £1,738 a year, which remains high compared with pre-Covid norms.

Prices rose in October and with a similar level now confirmed for the rest of the winter, charities are warning many will struggle to cope with bills or choose to go without heating at the coldest time of year.

The new cap will be 1.2% higher than current levels, and means a household bill will typically rise by £1.75 a month.

It is also 10% down on the same period last year, but Ofgem said many billpayers would still be stretched.

“We understand that the cost of energy remains a challenge for too many households,” said Tim Jarvis, from the regulator.

“However, with more tariffs coming into the market, there are ways for customers to bring their bill down so please shop around and look at all the options.”

Help in place

While the cost of each unit of gas and electricity is capped, the total bill is not. So, a long, cold winter could see higher energy use and high bills.

Energy companies say they have put extra support in place to help customers cope with the situation, such as emergency credit, hardship funds or striking off some debts or standing charges.

However a period of high prices – which analysts say is likely to continue – means households have collectively built up debt of £3.7bn to suppliers.

The average household in arrears owes more than £1,500 for electricity and £1,300 for gas.

The charity National Energy Action said many people were already “rationing their energy use” or building up debt to try to keep warm.

To estimate the effect on an individual’s annual costs, billpayers can add 1.2% to their current bill.

Decision expected on plan to convert former Arnold baptist church into apartments

David Bratton
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Decision expected on plan to convert former Arnold baptist church into apartments

A decision is due on plans to convert a redundant baptist church in Arnold town centre into new apartments.

Plans submitted to Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee reveal that the former religious building will contain nine apartments and a further 14 will be constructed within the grounds.

The church building was last used as a place of worship in September 2020 and has been unused since then. The building has since been vandalised multiple times by young people who have broken inside.

The scheme proposes the retention of the existing church building and the attached Victorian school room which will be converted into residential apartment accommodation consisting six one-bedroomed units and three two-bedroomed units arranged across 2.5 storeys.

Cross-Street-Church
The Baptist Church on Cross Street in Arnold pictured while in use back in 2017
A decision on the proposals will be taken by Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee when they meet at the civic centre in Arnot Hill Park next Wednesday

The new building proposed to be erected within the existing grounds will house 14 one-bedroom apartments.

The Nottinghamshire County Council Archaeology team said they welcomed the revised proposal to retain the Baptist Church. But warned that in 2017 human remains had been found in the burial ground that had been missed when it was cleared at an earlier date.

In a reporty to the planners they wrote: “It is likely that other burials remain within the site boundary. Disturbance and removal of human remains without the necessary licences in place and in line with an approved scheme of works is a criminal offence and it will be essential that the developer accounts for this in their plans.”

They recommended that further archaeological work takes place at the site ‘to mitigate the impact of the development’.

Planning officers have recommended that permission is granted if developers entered into a legal agreement with the Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority and the County Council to secure an affordable housing financial contribution.

In a report to the planning committee they wrote: “The design, scale and layout of the proposal is acceptable and does not have an unacceptable impact on the character or visual amenity of the area or on the non-designated heritage asset and will not increase flood risk in the area”

Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee are expected to make a decision at a meeting next Wednesday (27).

Tesco launches more than 200 price cuts in Express stores – including two in Gedling borough

Emily Sanchez
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Tesco launches more than 200 price cuts in Express stores – including two in Gedling borough

Tesco has announced it has cut prices of more than 200 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores -including two in Gedling borough.

Milk, bread, pasta and coffee are among 222 household essentials that have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10%. 

From this week, customers can get their hands on a four-pint bottle of milk for £1.45 at the supermarket giant’s convenience stores while 300g chicken breast portions are down 25p to £2.25 and a 200g jar of Tesco Gold Instant Coffee costs 25p less at £2.25.

Tesco Express on Carlton Hill
PICTURED: Tesco Express on Carlton Hill

Among the branded products cut are Warburtons White Sliced Sandwich Rolls, with the price of a six-pack cut by 10p to £1.20, while Domestos Original bleach is £1.19 following an 11p reduction.

There are Tesco Express stores on Carlton Hill and on Mansfield Road in Woodthorpe.

Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy said: “Today’s round of price cuts on more than 200 lines in our Express stores underlines our commitment to offering great value to Tesco customers.

“Whether you are picking up coffee and milk for the office or a loaf of bread and a tin of soup on the way home, our Express stores offer both convenience and great value.”

‘Say goodbye in your own way’: Gedling Crematorium now offering ‘funeral of future’ with immersive audio-visual chapel experience celebrating life of loved one

David Bratton
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‘Say goodbye in your own way’: Gedling Crematorium now offering ‘funeral of future’ with immersive audio-visual chapel experience celebrating life of loved one

New state-of-the-art technology installed at Gedling Crematorium will offer families the chance to say goodbye in their own way to a loved one.

The crematorium on Catfoot Lane can now offer a ‘funeral of the future’ allowing loved ones to uniquely personalise services using the projections of dynamic backgrounds in the chapel which are accompanied by co-ordinated soundscapes and lighting.

The innovative experience is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh Group, who own the crematorium, and the UK’s leading audio-visual provider to the bereavement industry, Obitus.

Families can start their remembrance as they gather in the waiting room prior to the service by viewing the Gallery – a collection of 25 digital frames uploaded with images of their loved one.

Families can personalise services using the projections of dynamic backgrounds in the chapel which are accompanied by co-ordinated soundscapes and lighting
Gedling_Crematorium
The ‘funerals of the future’ are being offered at Gedling Crematorium and are a world first

Inside the chapel, the Canvas service allows personalised visual tributes to be projected onto the front wall, making it part of the theming that surrounds the wider wall space, creating a thoroughly immersive visual and audible experience. The Canvas transforms the whole area around the coffin into a themed backdrop.

High-spec audio equipment and customisable lighting enables the team and families to uniquely tailor the chapel, waiting room and entrance areas to reflect the life of the loved one being remembered.

To begin with, there will be a choice of ten dynamic backgrounds, from Country Hills and Waterfall to a Gentle Glimmer and a Football Stadium, but over time, the background options available will increase.

Debbie Smith, chief executive officer at Westerleigh Group, said: “We’ve always been committed to making the services we host as uniquely personal as possible, which is also an ambition of our partners at Obitus.

“We’re extremely excited to be able to offer the funerals of the future, today, transforming the way the bereaved say their final farewells.

“This offers the opportunity for family members and friends to come together, not only to mourn and grieve but to become fully immersed in celebrating the lives of their loved ones in a way that nobody else in the world can do.

“Some families have already experienced the new technology and the initial feedback has been extremely encouraging, with people telling us they have been able to give their loved one a memorable send-off they would have loved.

“We would like to thank all the Funeral Directors and celebrants who have supported us and bereaved families through the introduction of this exciting development.”

James Crossland, the founder of Obitus, said: “We launched this project in response to the growing public demand for more personalisation at funerals.

“It’s taken several years to get to the stage where we’re ready to start using this, but even so, we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible, and this is something that will continue to evolve and expand.

“While there are ten backgrounds at present, what we’ve got here is a essentially a blank canvas with almost endless opportunities moving forward. The system is extremely flexible and adaptable.

Gedling Crematorium’s new service options of canvas and gallery can be seen by visiting: www.gedlingcrematorium.co.uk/personalising-a-funeral or www.obitus.com/canvas, and can be booked through funeral directors.

Consultation open after hundreds of residents call for formation of new Parish Council in Bestwood that could ‘better serve area’

Gedling Eye
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Consultation open after hundreds of residents call for formation of new Parish Council in Bestwood that could ‘better serve area’

Local people are being invited to have their say on a proposal to create a new parish council for the Bestwood Lodge and Deer Park area.

The Bestwood Lodge and Deer Park area is currently part of St Albans Parish.

Gedling Borough Council is now holding the first stage of a consultation of the Community Governance Review (CGR) and it will run until January 6, 2025.

The review follows a petition signed by 211 residents requesting the formation of a separate council for the area. The petition suggests that a new parish council could better address the unique needs of residents in Bestwood Lodge and Deer Park.

It also proposes that the new council retains the name “St Albans Parish Council” and seeks a 40% share of the existing council’s financial reserves.

The council said it will consider all feedback before deciding whether to make changes.

Options include keeping the existing arrangements, altering council boundaries, or creating a new parish council. A second round of consultation on the councils recommendations will take place between February 21 – May 2, 2025.

The findings from this consultation will be reviewed by Gedling Borough councillors, with final decisions expected in July 2025.

To take part, visit www.gedling.gov.uk/haveyoursay, email elections@gedling.gov.uk, or write to Community Governance Review (Elections), Gedling Borough Council, Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 6LU.

Five ‘duds’ online bargain hunters in Gedling borough are being urged to avoid this Black Friday by consumer experts

Gedling Eye
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Five ‘duds’ online bargain hunters in Gedling borough are being urged to avoid this Black Friday by consumer experts

A ‘dismal’ vacuum cleaner and and a pram that failed safety tests are among some of this year’s Black Friday deals that consumers in Gedling borough are being urged to avoid.

Which? tests thousands of products every year to recommend the best products to buy and what to avoid.

These are some of the duds they found – with a better alternative.

Philips 43PUS8108/12 (sale price – £369)

Experts at Which? said this tv offers a smeared picture and shoddy sound. They said the 43-inch 4K TV has real issues with motion, as moving objects tend to streak across the screen. One wrote: “Even still images would look poor, as its shoddy contrast and unnatural colours leave every scene drab and grey. There’s also not enough bass in the sound, so everything sounds tinny and underwhelming. “

Which? experts described it as “one of the worst TVs of 2023, or any year for that matter”.

Better avoid then!

They advised bargain hunters to pick up the LG 43NANO766QA for £399 in the sales instead, which they said is the same size and has a much better picture.

Revamp Progloss Ultra X Shine Wide ST-2000-GB (sale price – £60)

Experts said the higher temperatures on these hair straightness risk damaging your hair and style retention is poor. 

They wrote: “Although these hair straighteners did a good job of straightening hair, with strong results in terms of frizz control and providing shine, our panel of testers found their style retention wasn’t great. Frizz or curls re-emerged within a day of using them.

“The large plates make it tricky to get close to your roots, and the higher heat settings on this straightener could damage your hair.”

“The level of damage that our laboratory observed being caused by these hair straighteners when set to the highest temperature was twice as bad as the next-worse model.”

Those hoping to find hair straighteners at a bargain price were urged to pick up Beauty Works X Molly Mae Straightener Kit that cost about the same at full price, is easier to use and is significantly less likely to damage your hair.

Haier HW90-B14959S8U1 (sale price – £429)

Which? experts said that although it washes synthetics well, this freestanding washing machine did a terrible job at getting rid of dirt and stains from cottons. 

They wrote: “Electricity running costs are about average for machines of a similar capacity, but it uses a lot more water than most. The programs are also incredibly short – too short perhaps, considering how poorly they clean.”

Bargain hunters were instead urged to buy the Zanussi ZWF942E3PW – which will cost you less – both upfront and over a lifetime  – as it’s more efficient with both electricity and water. It’s of equal capacity and it’s better at washing cottons. 

Hoover H-Free 100 HF122GH (sale price – £99)

The experts at Which? described this vac as ‘abysmal’.

The savagely wrote: “Five hours of charging time grants you 20 minutes of battery life with this vacuum, which may not sound like a lot, but it will be plenty of time to demonstrate its poor performance. 

“It only sucked up a measly 34% of the dust in our test carpets, and it struggled to pick up debris from cracks and crevices. 

“It’s nothing short of a failure.”

Consumers on the hunt for a bargain were urged to pick up the Tineco A10 Hero, which is also in the sales, and it cleans well on carpets and hard floors, as well as leaving crevices dirt-free. 

Hisense RB327N4WB1 (sale price – £399)

Which? experts say this fridge-freezer has a terrible and inaccurate fridge that will also increase your energy bills. 

They said: “The freezer part of this fridge-freezer is decent – it works quietly and it freezes quickly. But the fridge… the fridge is diabolical. It takes ages to chill foods, and its temperature will swing up and down with the temperature in your kitchen. 

“It’s also very inefficient for its size, so won’t be doing your energy bills any favours either; not to mention the extra money you’ll have to spend on food when this unreliable fridge fails to keep things fresh. 

“This is among the worst fridge-freezers we’ve seen.”

Experts told bargain hunters not to write off Hisense completely – its RB440N4WWF model can be found at a similar price in the sales, will chill and freeze your food without any issues, and it can cope with the temperature fluctuations in your kitchen. 

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