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Welcome to our April newsletter. In this issue further chances to win £100 worth of M & S vouchers. The concerns over potholes, more diesel cars than ever before on our roads, man hospitalized after eating worlds hottest chilli pepper. and more famous names added to the soccer aid line up.

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Pothole roads are the 2nd biggest concern for voters in England

Pothole riddled roads are the second biggest concern for voters in England ahead of housing, policing and even Brexit as local elections loom.

The crumbling condition of the country's local roads is one of the biggest concerns for local residents set to cast their local election votes on 3 May.

Social care is the most important problem that needs to be tackled as England prepares to go to the polls, according to a survey carried out by the AA.

However, local roads maintenance was the second most common worry, ahead of policing, housing, Brexit and education - a clear indication of the appalling state of tarmac on rural routes.

Road worries: AA president Edmund King said the new survey 'sends a clear message to Councillors that residents are fed up of having the roads budget slashed year after year'

Some 20,496 English residents were quizzed by the motoring organisation to gain a clear understanding of what changes they wanted to see made in their local constituencies.

Almost half - 48 per cent - of those polled said that health and social care was the most important issue to them.

That was closely followed by 47 per cent of votes for local roads maintenance.

Despite the Government's best efforts there are MORE diesels on UK roads than ever before

Government's attempts to kill off diesel backfire as official figures show there are MORE on UK roads today than ever before

DfT stats show there were more diesels registered in the UK at the end of 2017 than any other year on record
Some 12.4m diesels were on the road, up from 12.1m in 2016
That's despite new surcharges introduced by ministers
More drivers are deciding to keep their older cars than buy greener new ones
Peterborough is the UK's capital for electric-car uptake, the DfT confirmed

The Government effort to drive diesel cars off UK roads with new taxes appears to have backfired so far, new data reveals.

There was a record number of diesels registered in the country at the end of 2017, statistics from the Department for Transport show.

The DfT's latest vehicle licensing data indicates there were almost 12.4million diesels being driven in Britain at the end of last year.

This is up from 12.1million at the end of 2016, as motorists decided to keep hold of their older, more polluting cars to avoid surcharges on new ones.

More diesels than ever before: New Government figures showed that a record 12.4m diesel cars were registered in the UK at the end of 2017

The figures also suggest the uptake of electric models isn't growing as fast ministers would like - and a greater percentage of residents in Peterborough own an ultra-low-emissions vehicle than those living in London.

The Government's assault on curtailing diesel use in the country has been almost unrelenting in the previous 12 months.

Last April, new Vehicle and Excise Duty changes made low carbon dioxide producing diesels more expensive to tax and surcharges for driving and parking diesels in Central London were introduced by the mayor and some councils.

Feeling hot, hot, hot: Man hospitalised after eating world's hottest chilli pepper in eating contest

A man who took on the world's hottest chilli pepper in an eating contest stunned doctors after suffering excruciating "thunderclap" headaches.

The 34-year-old's symptoms started with dry heaves immediately after he ate a Carolina reaper chilli during the contest in New York State.

He then developed intense neck and head pains along with "thunderclap" headaches which would last for several seconds at a time, according to the medical journal BMJ Case Reports.

The journal said the American had sought emergency care following the contest in 2016, but tests for several neurological conditions came back negative.

Doctors later diagnosed the man with a temporary brain condition called reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), which is identified by the temporary narrowing of blood vessels to the brain.

The authors of the report said it was the first time the condition had been diagnosed after a patient had eaten a chilli.

RCVS usually occurs as a reaction to certain prescription medications or after taking illegal drugs, which brings on the the "thunderclap" headaches.

One of the authors of the article, Dr Kulothungan Gunasekaran of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, said the diagnosis was "a big surprise to everyone".

The report, which warns of the dangers of eating extremely hot peppers, said the patient's symptoms eventually cleared up by themselves, with a CT scan taken five weeks after the incident showing his arteries had returned to normal size.

Dr Gunasekaran said: "We would recommend the general public be cautious when eating chilli peppers and to seek medical attention straight away if you develop symptoms like this."

Cayenne pepper has previously been linked to heart attacks, the study's authors said.

According to the Guinness World Records, the Carolina reaper has a sweet, fruity taste with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate - as well as being extremely hot.

The pepper - a cross between sweet Habanero and naga viper chillies - was named the hottest pepper on Earth last year.

More names added to Soccer Aid 2018 line up - including Jaap Stam, Edwin van der Sar and Patrick Kluivert

Former Manchester United stars Stam and van der Sar are returning, whilst Kluivert makes his debut - but Jonathan Wilkes misses out.

A Dutch trio has been added to the Soccer Aid 2018 line-up - including former Manchester United stars Jaap Stam and Edwin van de Sar.

Patrick Kluivert will make his debut for the Soccer Aid World XI, with Manchester Utd legend Jaap Stam returning to the defence, in front of his former club and international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

The trio will team up with fellow former Dutch international Clarence Seedorf, who is also part of the celeb-packed line up.

TV presenter Paddy McGuinness and Premier League winners Yaya Touré and Michael Owen will also play in the Soccer Aid for Unicef match at Old Trafford, on Sunday June 10.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, said: “I’m really excited to be back playing at Old Trafford. I’ve won one and lost one Soccer Aid match so far, so I’m keen to make it two wins, but this game is a lot more significant than that.

The work Unicef does around the world can only continue with your help, so please come along with your friends and family to support their work.”

Former Reading manager Stam had a three-year stay at United, where he is remembered as part of the ’99 treble-winning side.

He said: “ Soccer Aid for Unicef is a brilliant initiative and I am delighted to be playing once again. This year we want to raise more money than ever before, so please come out and support us.

Having lost in 2016, we’re out to win the trophy back this year and the Soccer Aid World XI is looking strong. I think we’ve got a great chance!”

Soccer Aid for Unicef co-founder Jonathan Wilkes has also confirmed that he is unable to take part in this year’s match due to existing work commitments abroad.

Jonathan and Robbie Williams created the Soccer Aid concept in 2006 and since then Jonathan has been integral to the development of the charity which has raised &24million.

The international friendly match will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday June 10, four days before the FIFA World Cup in Russia begins.

Tickets are on sale now and the game will be broadcast live on ITV. Kick-off is scheduled for 8.00pm.

Get tickets from www.manutd.com/socceraid or by calling 0161 444 2018. They are priced between &10 and &50.

The UK Government will match every &1 donated by the public through its UK Aid Match scheme, doubling the difference for children in danger around the world.