Hoax call followed by yacht rescue in busy weekend for Holyhead lifeboat

Holyhead lifeboat tows in a yacht

A HOAX mayday call sparked a major search and rescue operation in “horrendous seas”, needlessly putting the lives of 50 rescuers, and members of the public at risk.

Holyhead coastguard hit out at the “dangerous” action of an unknown woman who called the distress channel (16) to say she spotted two kayakers in difficulties off the coast of Holyhead.

Hundreds at Blaenau Ffestiniog's Gwyl y Glaw rain festival

Blaenau Ffestiniog's Gwyl y Glaw (Festival of Rain)

RAIN is what Blaenau Ffestiniog is best known for and the town was out in force to celebrate its weather at the weekend.

Hundreds of people had a splashing time at the first-ever Gyl y Glaw – and the weather was true to form with several downpours.

Blaenau is second only to Fort William in Scotland for rainfall in the UK with an annual average of 2,391mm (79in).

The inaugural Gyl y Glaw centred around Diffwys Square, with hundreds of people having bucketloads of fun.

Anglesey spy Gareth Williams cause of death still days away

Gareth Williams

INVESTIGATORS are still days away from finding out the exact cause of death of British code-breaker Gareth Williams, according to police.

The complicated nature of the tests currently being carried out mean it could be well into next week before police are able to piece together how the Anglesey maths genius died.

A post mortem examination  last week proved inconclusive and officers are still days away from determining if he was asphyxiated, poisoned or if drugs or alcohol were present in his system.

Bangor man and pal's 3,000-mile USA bike trek for cancer research

Adam Sewell (left) and Bret Bkorkman on their 3,000-mile cycle ride across the USA

TWO men are braving blistering hot temperatures during a marathon coast to coast cycle ride across America to raise money for cancer research.

But later in their trip they could face freezing temperatures as they climb into the Rocky Mountains.

Adam Sewell, originally from Llandegai near Bangor, described US route 50 across Nevada as the “Loneliest road in America”.

The 31-year-old ski shop manager is cycling 3,000 miles from San Francisco to Washington with his friend Bret Bjorkman.