All news by author: Martin Winter

Two-thirds of those who have a pet dog consider their furry friend part of the family - and four in ten even believe they respond more to certain dialects

Reykjavik and Barcelona also rank highly for short European breaks - with almost half of Brits trying not to look too much like tourists while travelling

Old cupboard classics such as corned beef and Spam, are now giving way to modern ingredients like coconut milk and harissa paste

Three-quarters of youngsters have asked their parents for the latest toys or games - with little understanding of the environmental impact of these playthings

Other little things that go a long way to boosting people's moods include being smiled at by a stranger, or receiving a nice message from a friend or loved one

Amanda Willis from Exeter, Devon, and Alexandra Gossage from Taunton, Somerset, both won stays in the B&Burrow after sharing their biggest holiday mishaps

To commemorate the latest instalment in the series of Agatha Christie Poirot film, A Haunting in Venice, two cloaked figures eerily glide through London's canals.

Research reveals Brits aren't as clued up on their motors as you'd think - with many not knowing logos and countries of origin

Laughter, alcohol, satisfying food, and tears of happiness are among other things that make the big day special, according to wedding guests

Other top tips to get over the ending of a relationship include booking a holiday, rediscovering your own identity - and getting rid of your ex's belongings from your home

Consumer review website Trustpilot has shared the top names most likely to leave a one-star review – with over 20,000 negative reviews left by men named David

It comes as figures show what £15 could have bought you 15 years ago, compared to today - with a portion of fish and chips almost quadrupling in price

The choice is as tough as deciding which school they should go to - and more difficult than choosing who they should be playing with, according to parents

Seven in ten adults admit to worrying about their ageing parents as often as 10 times a week - but almost half say they don't want to get in the way of their independence

The top chores they will carry out before their guests arrive include vacuuming, shoving clutter away in cupboards - and spraying air freshener, the research found

Keeping dogs hydrated, being mindful of algae when they swim in lakes - and keeping them away from angry birds - are also among some of the top tips

The 20 feet long and 10 feet high model is being displayed on London's South Bank - to celebrate Vodafone being named the Best Network in the city

It comes as seven in ten holidaymakers have faced a flight delay or cancellation in the last 12 months - and nearly two-thirds of those did not receive any compensation

Nearly a fifth of motorists have stopped taking their car to professional car wash services in the past year - and over half reckon they do a 'good' job themselves

One in four adults without children like to go away outside of traditional summer months - due to lower costs, cooler autumn weather, and fewer noisy kids

The top ways mums and dads use mobile phones are to take photos, to send messages, and for downloading or streaming content to keep their little ones entertained

Three-quarters of Brits say they actively make time in their day to go outdoors – but almost two-thirds are unsure of places worth exploring near where they live

Turkey has emerged as the fastest-growing holiday destination of the last five years – with over half of those who have visited saying it has the best history and culture in the world

The most cringeworthy things dads do whilst abroad include dad-dancing, telling bad jokes, and falling asleep and snoring by the pool, the survey found

The top struggles about preparing for a new term including shopping for new school uniforms and shoes, and all the admin involved