A470 closed after suspected WWII bomb found
Extra spring sunshine boosts strawberry crops
A SECTION of one of Wales’ busiest roads was temporarily shut yesterday – after a suspected World War II device was found near a Brecon Beacons beauty spot.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the discovery was made near the Cantref reservoir, between Merthyr Tydfil and Storey
Arms, yesterday.
Part of the A470 was closed as officers waited for a bomb disposal team to arrive.
The road was shut from the southern end of the A470 at Nantddu Lodge, and the A470/A4059 junction was also been closed as a precaution.
After the explosive ordnance disposal team attended the scene, the road was later reopened.
No update was given on the device. A police spokesperson said: “The A470 near to Cantref reservoir has now reopened. Thank you for your patience while we dealt with the incident.”
SIZZLING spring weather has been great news for strawberry farmers – with 2020 on track to produce one of Britain’s biggest ever crops of sweeter-than-usual fruit.
According to Tesco, record levels of sunshine in recent weeks have led to an estimated 20% increase in strawberry production.
The excess crop has enabled the retail giant to keep down the price of British-grown fruit, offering 2.2lb (1kg) boxes for £3.
Tesco berry buyer Laura Mitchell said: “The fantastic UK weather and extra sunshine so far this spring has brought on British strawberries faster than expected, with many growers seeing production 20% higher than normal for this time of year.
“And it’s resulted in exceptionally good quality and sweet strawberries with sugar levels boosted by the plants enjoying the longer, sunny days.”
As a result of the increased availability, Tesco has bought an extra 300 tons of British-grown strawberries.
The extra sunshine has contributed to increased strawberry crops across Britain, including Wales, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Hampshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Lancashire and Scotland.
Paul Avery, sales director at suppliers Berryworld UK, said: “The British strawberry crop is in great shape this year and it’s on track to be one of the biggest ever. “The quality is superb and we’re working hard to bring an iconic piece of summer to the British public.” Last month was the sunniest April on record for the UK, according to the Met Office, with the Isle of Wight seeing the most sunshine.
The country received an average of 224.5 hours of sunshine during April, comfortably beating the previous record of 211.9 hours set in 2015.