Ed Sheeran has raised £52,765 for a school in his hometown by raffling off one of his guitars.

Another year of restrictions, lockdowns and limited live entertainment meant more heavy reliance on screens, and TV and film certainly delivered - despite productions having to adhere to new COVID protocols in order to keep cast and crews safe.

You can't have Christmas without cardboard, or Boxing Day without a box for that matter.

COVID is used "as a weapon" against police officers, as the number of assaults against constables is estimated to have reached almost 80 per day nationwide.

It's been another turbulent year as coronavirus and the government's handling of the pandemic dominated the headlines in 2021 - while the Royal Family once again featured heavily.

People will be able to get a COVID-19 booster on Christmas Day as part of NHS England's "jingle jab" campaign.

Ireland's president has commended the "courage, resilience, patience and deep commitment to others" in response to the global pandemic.

Lloyds has apologised after some customers were unable to access their online banking accounts on Thursday evening.

Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer have each issued a solemn Christmas message to the nation expressing sorrow at the heartbreak of families who have lost a loved one to COVID this year.

The Queen is expected to deliver a particularly personal Christmas Day message as she prepares for her first festive period since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.