Celebrities, advertisers and the public must stop normalising flat-faced dogs’ health problems for the sake of animal welfare, said British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Gudrun Ravetz on BBC Radio 4’s Today.

Talking on the programme about the health and welfare issues faced by flat-faced or brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs, French bulldogs and British bulldogs, the BVA President made it clear that what is seen as “normal” and cute for these dogs, such as snorting and snuffling, is in reality a result of debilitating respiratory problems due to the squashed faces that have made them the dogs du jour. The problems are so severe that many of these dogs suffer breathing difficulties even when doing day-to-day activities like walking or eating.

Today also outlined a recent Kennel Club report showed that all flat-faced breeds have experienced a huge boom in popularity recently, with the French bulldog soon set to be the most popular breed in the UK. They also highlighted that media, advertising and celebrity owners have helped drive the appeal of, and increase the demand for these breeds.

Following the interview Gudrun said:

“We shouldn’t be buying and breeding dogs on the way we want them to look - it should always be about prioritising welfare above appearance. These are breeds that can suffer just by walking around or eating, which is why we’re calling on the media and advertisers to stop using them in their adverts. It is also difficult to turn on the TV, check Instagram or see a celebrity photo without also seeing a brachycephalic breed so it’s not surprising that demand for these dogs is rising.

“And we would also encourage anyone considering getting a brachycephalic breed to speak to their local vet and think about choosing a healthier breed or crossbreed instead.”

Back by popular demand, Romans’ annual Local Picture Competition – entries open on 12th June.

To enter, send in a photograph showcasing your hometown in the best possible light, demonstrating why it’s a great place to live. Those who accomplish this in a single photo can win up to £500 in vouchers as well as a £1,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

“We want to know what makes your hometown unique! Whether it’s a historic landmark, a breath taking view or a busy high street, we want to see why you love to live there” explains Romans Sales Director Antony Gibson.

In addition to winning shopping vouchers, the lucky winners and runners up can select a charity of their choice for a donation of up to £1,000 to be made by Romans. We have four prizes up for grabs, a winner selected by the public and a winner and two runners up chosen by our panel of independent judges.

The judges are looking for a photograph that…

• Captures your home town
• Demonstrates why it’s such a great place to live
• Could be used on a postcard

The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over. Voting commences immediately once the competition begins, and anyone can vote - even those who don’t enter the competition.

The rules are simple; the photographs must be taken within an area Romans estate and letting agencies operate, this includes; Reading, Wokingham, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Henley-on-Thames, Maidenhead, Winchester, Sunningdale and Farnham and everywhere in between. If you’re not sure where your nearest Romans branch is, simply visit romans.co.uk.

Good Neighbour is part of Provident’s company value of lending a helping hand to those who need it. This year, the programme has awarded funding to projects including assistance dogs charities, vocational training projects, youth clubs and autism communication groups.

Projects nominate themselves by visiting https://www.providentgoodneighbour.co.uk/submissions. A panel of judges will then select three finalists which are then subject to a public vote. The winner will receive £2000. There is also funding of £750 and £500 for the first and second runners up respectively.

Provident’s Home Credit Director, Andy Parkinson, said of the campaign:

“Our Good Neighbour Programme is all about recognising projects and organisations, no matter how small, which bring about positive changes in their communities. Provident agents have always worked closely within the communities in which we operate, and we see first-hand the importance of community spirit.”

Nominations can be submitted by anyone, whether they are part of the charity or an outside supporter.

It is the show that has been in the making for years – 67 million years to be exact – as Dinosaurs in the Wild, a new immersive live action dinosaur experience of unparalleled reality, comes roaring into the NEC.

Combining theatre, theme park fun and the very latest scientific research, Dinosaurs in the Wild will not only be the first event of its kind to be hosted in the UK, but heralds the dawn of a new era for the NEC as it will be the first long-stay show the venue has hosted.

Created by award-winning producers with a track record on some of the most successful dinosaur productions of all time, the multi-million-pound attraction will take up residence in the UK’s No.1 venue for over nine weeks this summer.

“We were keen to create something new that raised the bar for live action experiences. We are confident Dinosaurs in the Wild will do just that and we are equally confident that the NEC will be a fantastic launch venue,” explains Producer Jill Bryant, who also headed up the development and launch of the arena show Walking with Dinosaurs, which has attracted 8-million visitors worldwide.

“We chose Birmingham for Dinosaurs in the Wild partly because we felt it was the perfect location in the middle of the country, but also because of the great expertise and facilities the venue offered”.

She added, “We encourage everyone in this wonderful city and its surrounding regions to come to the NEC to enjoy a dinosaur experience of unparalleled reality and truly encounter these animals in ways they have never seen before.”

A global first, Dinosaurs in the Wild cleverly weaves together live sets, cutting-edge computer-generated imagery and animatronics to create a believable prehistoric world. Visitors will be able to see – and feel – for themselves what the world was like millions of years ago under the realm of the dinosaurs.

It is designed to make visitors feel as if they really are there with living dinosaurs, at that time in their world.

The show itself will be spectacular as stunning technology recreates the late Cretaceous period in all its primeval glory. The 70-minute adventure will transport visitors, who will be guided throughout the tour, back 67 million years by time machine to the scientific research station TimeBase 67 run by Chronotex Enterprises, the UK’s pioneering time travel company.

Nine incredible dinosaurs will feature in the experience, including the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex, the iconic Triceratops, the gigantic Alamosaurus and the club-tailed Ankylosaurus.

The immersive experience uses the latest scientific research to truly reflect how these majestic animals looked.

Creative Director Tim Haines, who also produced the landmark BBC TV series Walking with Dinosaurs which was seen by 800 million globally, said, “Dinosaurs were not as lizard like as once thought. Following the latest scientific research revelations, it is believed they would have would have sported everything from spines, quills and even elegant flight feathers. Even Tyrannosaurus could have had a shaggy mane!”

Tim added, “Dinosaurs in the Wild will be the first time the public has seen realistic representations of these animals since these discoveries were made, so it really is a world first opportunity.”

Kathryn James, Managing Director of the NEC Group Conventions and Exhibitions can’t wait for Dinosaurs in the Wild to start, “We are thrilled to be hosting this incredible show and we are really excited that the NEC was chosen as its global launch venue. It is brilliant for the people of the West Midlands to be able to experience Dinosaurs in the Wild before anyone else in the world and the thought of stepping out into a land of virtual reality is certainly an exciting one - I can’t wait!

“We are making the NEC campus a 24/7 destination, and this is one of the next steps to bringing even more long-stay leisure content to our venue. We hope people will come, enjoy the show and explore the shops, bars, restaurants and other activities available at Resorts World which opened on site in 2015.”

With Father’s Day fast approaching why not treat your dad to a gift that he wasn’t expecting?

PLAYMOBIL have the perfect gift that will not only bring delight to petrol-heads, but also transport dads back to their youth.

The new Porsche 911 Targa 4S is the sporty must have car featuring working headlights, rear lights plus a light-up dashboard. The car is customisable, just take it to the showroom and decide what you’d like to have done. And if Father’s Day on June 18 is a warm one this year, then you can go for a cruise with the roof off as the car is perfect for some open air driving.

For all those dads who enjoy re-living their youth, then why not treat them to a gift that will ignite their inner child – the new PLAYMOBIL Ecto-1 from the recently released Ghostbusters range. With space for up to four Ghostbusters figures, their proton packs, ghost traps and other ghost equipment there are hours of entertainment to be had. You can guarantee there will be no trouble in your neighbourhood this Father’s Day.

These fantastic gifts also work for those dads with little ones who want a piece of the present action. This is because the PLAYMOBIL sets provide perfect bonding time between dads and their little angels.

Jamie Dickinson, Marketing Manager from PLAYMOBIL, said: “The joy of PLAYMOBIL sets is the fact they can be enjoyed by people both young and old. Many dads up and down the country will delight in the nostalgia presented with these two fantastic products – and of course these are toys that all car lovers will enjoy.”

The Porsche 911 Targa 4S and Ecto-1, along with all other PLAYMOBIL sets can be purchased both in store and online. For more information visit playmobil.co.uk.

A new play which explores how social media, peer pressure, advertising and fashion magazines impact on how young people view themselves premieres this weekend in Birmingham (Friday 9 – Sunday 11 June).

Performed at mac birmingham, ‘Do You See What I See?’ is a cabaret show devised from research and improvisation, and is aimed at young people aged 11 to 14 and their families.

Featuring original songs and music, the show has been devised and performed by first year students on the Applied Performance undergraduate course at Birmingham School of Acting, part of Birmingham City University.

Working with a team of professional practitioners, including directors Gillian Adamson and Terina Talbot, the cast have called upon their own struggles with body image to ensure the play can tackle what pressures young people are experiencing today. In researching for the show, they also spoke with young people and distributed a survey on various social media platforms about body image. 

Birmingham School of Acting’s Applied Performance course seeks to prepare passionate and skilled theatre-makers, who want to make a real difference through drama, singing, dancing, spoken word, a documentary or digital art. The focus is on creating new performances and projects with a purpose.

In ‘Do You See What I See?’ 12-year-old Molly struggles with the way she looks and, affected by society around her, she desires to have the ‘perfect body’. Through social media, catwalks, makeup and fairy tales, the audience is taken on a journey through a day in Molly’s life. A cabaret company assists this journey and tries to answers questions of why she feels the way she does, through music and fun.

Birmingham School of Acting student Samuel Speed from Rotherham, South Yorkshire is one the cast members of ‘Do You See What I See?’ He said:  

“Body image should not be ignored. It is one the main factors which affect younger people like myself today. The fact that we have to change something about ourselves every second of the day just to have that sense of fitting in and belonging is upsetting and growing worse.

“The subject matter which we are tackling here is not to give a right or wrong answer to an audience, neither is it to solve the problem. But we are at least standing up to the reason and saying that there is help out there and no one has to or should feel alone.

“Each day at Birmingham City University I learn something new, which I feel is shaping me in all different kinds of ways and is opening my eyes up to the world in a bigger picture than before. I may not be ready to face what's beyond the doors just yet, but I know I am being equipped for whatever comes my way.”

As a cabaret show, music plays an integral role to ‘Do You See What I See?’ and the students worked with the Musical Director, Gladstone Wilson, to compose original songs that help propel the story forward.

The play opens with the sentimental ‘Lost and Found’, which establishes the cabaret company as there to ‘help fix what’s broken’, while the play is peppered with a lullaby called ‘Molly’s Theme’.

The cabaret show also includes pop music parodies of Beyoncé’s ‘Pretty Hurts’ and Justin Bieber’s ‘Sorry’, which further highlight the play’s central themes.