The Met Office has issued two weather warnings for thunderstorms in southern England, including Milton Keynes.

Yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms are in place between 12pm and 8pm on Friday 20th September, and again in place for the whole day of Saturday 21st September.

The warning said that while some places are expecting to remain dry in this time, thunderstorms and heavy showers could cause some disruption on Friday and Saturday in a few places.

Under the yellow warnings, the Met Office advise that there is a risk of some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes, and that some short term loss of power and other services is likely.

Delays to train services are possible, while driving conditions may be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus.

There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds, and there is also a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life.

In a statement, the Met Office’s Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong, said that the storms are expected as a development following a period of calmer, warmer weather.

Armstrong said, “Thundery downpours are expected to develop in places across the south on Friday afternoon bringing frequent lightning, gusty winds, hail, and spells of heavy rain. The risk of thunderstorms persists into Saturday with potentially longer spells of heavy rain for some along with a continued risk of hail and lightning accompanying the most intense storms, particularly in parts of the Midlands, southern England and east Wales during Saturday afternoon and evening.

“The warnings cover the areas of the country most at risk of seeing thunderstorms but not everyone within a warning area will experience a thunderstorm. For many much of the time it will remain dry.

“We are also expecting these showers to merge into longer spells of heavy rain on Sunday and Monday across some southern and central parts, and once the full details become clearer, we may well issue further severe weather warnings so keep up to date with the latest forecast for your area”

Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to extend a ban on anti-social drinking in some public spaces in the city.

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which specifically tackles anti-social behaviour connected with drinking alcohol, will be renewed pending a city council decision to be made next week.

The option for people to drink responsibly is unaffected, while MK City Council stated that the PSPO is there to support the city council, The Parks Trust, and Thames Valley Police to work together to tackle anti-social behaviour and support community safety.

Earlier this year, the city council asked local people their views on its proposals, along with evidence provided by Thames Valley Police and other partners.

The City Council reported that over 400 responses were received, with 96% of respondents saying they supported the extension. Following the feedback received, the PSPO will be extended for three years, with the ban now covering 15 parishes in the city, including the new addition of Great Linford. A full list of areas can be found on the city council’s website. 

The PSPO allows police or other authorised officers to be able to ask someone causing anti-social behaviour to stop drinking and hand over their alcohol or be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice if that person does not comply. 

Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Amber McQuillan, said, “Extending the PSPO gives us and other relevant authorities to continue to take on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. We have always been clear that this specifically targets people who are drinking irresponsibly in public areas and causing nuisance for others. My thanks go out to everyone that responded to the consultation and I look forward to working with partners to continue our work to ensure everyone can enjoy our public spaces.”

MK Dons’ Head Coach Mike Williamson has left the club to take the vacant Head Coach role at Carlisle United.

Williamson, along with his coaching staff Chris Bell, Carl Magnay and Ian Watson, have moved from Stadium MK to Brunton Park, with Williamson signing a contract of undisclosed length with the Cumbrians.

The move ends Williamson’s tenure at MK Dons, with the former Newcastle defender and Gateshead Head Coach leaving after 11 months at Stadium MK.

MK Dons confirmed that the club had rejected an initial bid by Carlisle, but that a second offer that met a release clause in Williamson’s contract with MK Dons was accepted.

Williamson replaces Paul Simpson, who was sacked at the end of August by Carlisle after two years in his second spell in charge. Simpson had taken Carlisle to promotion in the 2022/23 season, but the Cumbrians finished rock bottom of League One last season and won one of their opening four games before Simpson’s departure.

One of Simpson’s final games in charge had seen Carlisle beaten 3-0 by Williamson’s MK Dons at Stadium MK, in one of the Dons’ two wins in all competitions so far this season.

Williamson leaves with MK Dons 20th in the table, having lost 4 of the first 6 games of the season.

The former Gateshead boss initially impressed in Milton Keynes, winning 10 of his first 15 games in charge

MK Dons captain and player-coach Dean Lewington has been confirmed as taking caretaker charge of the first team squad, including for Saturday’s match against Doncaster Rovers at Stadium MK.

In a statement confirming the departure, MK Dons said, “MK Dons would like to thank Mike, Ian, Chris and Carl for their efforts during their time at Stadium MK. Everyone at MK Dons wishes them every success in the future.

“Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim, CEO Neil Hart, Sporting Director Liam Sweeting and Performance and Operations Director Simon Crampton have already actively begun the search for a new Head Coach.

“MK Dons look forward to updating supporters on the appointment very soon.”

Williamson told the official Carlisle United website that he was looking forward to getting started.

He said, “It’s been a whirlwind, as they always are. I’ve just had a look around. It’s a fantastic club and I’m really excited, I’ve got a lot of energy and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“It’s a historic club, as soon as I spoke to the owners, you could see the passion and the values that they embodied.

“It’s really exciting, I can see all the developments going on.

“I just want to get on the grass, I want to meet the lads now. Really exciting times and we just want to come here and make sure that we give everything we’ve got and we’re here to support the club and do what we possibly can and we know we can help the players on the field as well.”

When asked about his decision to change, he added, “There was a multitude of reasons. I think obviously again about how well supported Carlisle are and how passionate these guys are.

“I live in the North East and my family are settled there so obviously there’s a lot of elements that go into it. The project and the owners were key. From the outside there’s nothing but good said about them.

“You can see they just want it for the community, they want it for the supporters. I really liked that, I really liked the feel and that was important to me.”

MK Dons’ campaign in the EFL Trophy began with a 2-1 defeat by fellow League Two side Colchester United.

Stephen Wearne had put MK Dons in front, scoring the Dons’ first away goal in any competition so far this season, but goals either side of half-time by Anthony Scully and Fiacre Kelleher won the day for the home side.

Defeat was the Dons’ second in Essex this season, having lost at Colchester in the league in their first away game of the season last month.

The team chosen by Mike Williamson featured 8 changes from the one beaten by AFC Wimbledon in their previous game, with the match coming on a night when rumours emerged from multiple sources linking the Dons’ Head Coach with the vacancy at fellow League Two side Carlisle United.

The reshuffled Dons side included first starts for late signings Sonny Finch and Joe White, as well as a first appearance of the season for Brooklyn Ilunga after an injury absence.

MK Dons took the lead with 34 minutes on the clock, when a deep cross by Jack Tucker found Wearne to glance a header into the Colchester net.

But Colchester would equalise seven minutes later after the referee ruled Dean Lewington fouled Mandela Egbo and Scully scored the penalty.

Colchester then took the lead after the break when Kelleher beat Harness to the ball when a corner was flicked across the goalmouth, and the Colchester man was able to poke the ball home.

Home goalkeeper Tom Smith made saves to keep out efforts by Joe Tomlinson and Tommy Leigh but the home side would see the job through. Kelleher was denied by Harness late on, but it was the U’s who started their EFL Trophy campaign with the three points.

MK Dons’ next assignment in the competition will come on October 8th, when they welcome an Arsenal U21s side to Stadium MK.