Batteries left on charge which then overheat have sparked six house fires in a county so far this year, a fire service has warned.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said the electrical devices involved included e-scooters, e-bikes, power tools, a games console and a portable power bank.

In the most recent incident on Tuesday, a battery from a DIY home conversion e-bike kit exploded at a house in Wisbech, starting a large fire and leaving one resident with burns.

"These incidents highlight the potential risks that lithium-ion batteries can pose and how it is vital for people to be alert when charging any kind of device," said station commander Gareth Boyd.

He urged people to use charging packs provided by manufacturers, not cheaper replacements that might not work safely and could lead to "explosions and rapidly intense fires".

Other incidents in the county have included a fire on the ground floor of a house in the Chesterton area of Cambridge.

An e-scooter and several power tools had been on charge in the living room and one battery had exploded.

In March, there was a fire in the kitchen of a house in Soham, where a games console controller and a portable power bank were being charged.

Just days later, crews went to Orton Malborne in Peterborough, where there was a fire involving a battery used in a DIY home conversion e-bike kit, bought in an online marketplace.

One resident's burns needed hospital treatment.

Firefighters in the county have put out 33 battery-related blazes since January 2023.

Safety tips include making sure replacement batteries and chargers are the right voltage and are fully compatible, and charging devices while you are awake, not during the night.

The fire service's Take Charge and Be Safe page has more advice.

Plans for a new paintball and laser tag centre in a former farm building in Surrey have been put forward.

The centre could be launched at The Paddock in Langley Vale Road, next door to Epsom Down's racecourse and golf club.

The proposed range, named PandaWarz, would offer laser tag to under 16's and paintball to those aged 16 and above.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council will decide whether the scheme can go ahead, with local people able to comment on the plans until 30 April.

The developers claimed Epsom was a "thriving town with much to offer", but was "limited in leisure".

Planning documents said there were "minimal opportunities for young children and young adults", particularly when it came to their "special annual celebrations".

Details of the scheme include changing the existing agricultural building into an indoor children's laser tag arena, while two containers could also be installed to make closed arenas, along with a temporary roof covering for indoor paintball, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The two play areas would be made up of shipping containers, internal rooms, mazes and obstacles.

Fine mesh is proposed to cover the arenas so no paintballs could be fired beyond the confines of the play area, while a gantry has been designed over and around the arena with a temporary roof covering to protect both spectator and player from any weather.

Noise will be reduced by containing the games within the existing building, the application states.

Car parking for up to 15 vehicles would also be included.

The Green Party has celebrated a landmark performance in the 2025 local elections in a county, emerging as the third largest party on a unitary authority.

The party took eight seats on North Northamptonshire Council, double that of Labour.

It also picked up 19 of the 20 seats on Kettering Town Council.

Emily Fedorowycz, Green Party leader on North Northamptonshire Council said: "We're very appreciative. We've always said we would work with anyone to get things done for the good of the community."

What does the Town Council do?

Kettering Town Council serves a community of about 50,000 electors and consists of 20 councillors, elected for a term of four years.

Town councillors are all elected members and they receive no financial allowances for their term in office.

Town councils take responsibility for providing and maintaining local amenities such as open spaces, allotments, public clocks, village halls, footpaths and litter bins.

They also provide community buildings and a wide range of facilities, from cemeteries and allotments to grants and community groups.

Responding to planning applications and accessing grant funding for projects can also fall under their remit.

Town councils can influence local laws and policies that address community needs, such as zoning regulations, public safety measures, and environmental policies.

They also raise a precept – a form of council tax – to help fund its operation and oversee the allocation of funds for various services, ensuring taxpayers' money is spent effectively.

What are the Green's policy priorities?

While the Greens do not have control of North Northamptonshire Council, they can propose items to the local authority.

However, the party does have a majority on Kettering Town Council.

Ms Fedorowycz said: "We want to act as a spark for local action – we will push for funding to empower local people and businesses, and work proactively to get more done for the town.

"We want to have a positive influence on North Northants Council, especially on big issues like improving our town centre, creating opportunities for young people and, of course, getting our roads fixed.

"Kettering Town Council already has money allocated to doing more for young people in Kettering, and as Greens we want to support our younger generations."

How did the Greens win 19 seats?

Green councillors credit grassroots engagement and voter disillusionment with traditional parties for their success.

"It's been a huge team effort," said Ben Jameson, 29, who was elected to represent Ise ward in Kettering.

"[Kettering was where the party has] been the most active and had the most presence. People are so fed up and disenfranchised – they voted for change, whatever that looks like."

Mr Jameson, who entered politics just over a year ago, added: "We need to look at how we make people feel valued again and how we make sure they have a voice."

How will they work with Reform UK?

Following the local elections, Reform UK now controls North Northamptonshire Council – with 39 councillors.

While the party's national policies differ significantly, Ms Fedorowycz said the Greens are prepared to work across party lines where needed.

"We've always said we would work with anyone to get things done for the good of the community. Once you're elected as a councillor, you need to put the politics aside and work together for the good of the area," she said.

She added: "Obviously we're not really aligned with [Reform] on a national level, but that isn't relevant locally. We want to be the experienced person in the room and guide them, making sure local people don't miss out."