AMAZON has slashed prices on its devices hours ahead of Prime Day, with one tablet stealing the limelight.
The Fire 7 tablet has been cut from £64.99 to a bargain price of £29.99, and it’s flying off the shelves.
Amazon Fire 7 tablet, £29.99 (was £64.99)
The 7-inch tablet is currently gracing the top of Amazon’s Movers & Shakers list of best-selling devices.
In the past 24 hours, sales have rocketed by a staggering 1,140% since the asking price took a nose-dive.
That’s unsurprising, given the popular tablet is currently over half price, at just shy of £30 quid.
The deal comes hours ahead of Amazon’s second Prime Day, set to officially kick off at midnight and running for 48 hours from October 8-9.
Of course, Amazon often likes to treat its shoppers to an early wave of deals, and this is one of many on its popular range of devices.
The entire range of Fire tablets is on sale this week, so you’re spoilt for choice.
Our Deputy eCommerce Editor, Matt Breen, also reported on a 48% price cut on the premium Fire Max 11 tablet with ‘superb battery life’.
But the real bargain comes on the cheap and cheerful Fire 7 tablet, reduced to £29.99.
There’s also been a wave of ideas on Fire streaming sticks, Echo speakers, and Ring doorbells in the mix.
Typically these deals are exclusive for Prime members, but for the time being, the deals are open to all shoppers, but that can quickly change.
The budget tablet is great for kids or anyone who just wants a cheap tablet to access the internet or streaming platforms.
Its 7-inch display means you can slip it into your bag or coat pocket, using it as an e-reader that’s capable of doing that bit more.
There’s no arguing with that price tag, though, at just £29.99, it’s well worth snapping up.
This option comes with 16GB of storage, which is enough for your little ones or light entertainment use.
But you can bump that up to 32GB for an extra £10 if you plan on downloading a lot of content or games.
Amazon Prime Day kicks off tomorrow (8th-9th October), but there's already some early deals to check out. Here's our favourites:
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
We’ll be keeping a close eye out for some of the best deals so remember to check back to snag these deals
We’ve rounded up more great offers here:
‘My wife loves this tablet, such a bargain too,’ writes one shopper, who described the Fire 7 as a ‘brilliant little tablet.’
‘I use it for watching YouTube videos and Facebook in the wee small hours. The sound and picture quality are excellent,’ added another.
‘I use a full-size PC in the daytime but I take my little Fire 7 to bed with me,’ they continued.
A third concluded: ‘It’s brilliant, I can read my books and watch downloads of films and documentaries when flying.’
With the sale now hours away, you’ll find discounts on Fire TVs, streaming sticks, Kindles and other gadgets on our Amazon device deals page.
When the 48-hour sale kicks off next week, we’ll have all the finest bargains we find listed on our best Prime Day deals page.
Amazon Fire 7 tablet, £29.99 (was £64.99)
Discover more top deals and savings at your favourite tech retailers by heading to Sun Vouchers. Sun Vouchers is the one-stop shop where you can find hundreds of discount codes for top chains including Currys, Argos, AliExpress, Dyson and more.
Stuck between buying a tablet or an e-reader? Read our Amazon Fire tablet vs Kindle explainer.
Head to our shopping tech section for more tech deals and discounts.
AN URGENT search has been launched for a missing mum who vanished two weeks ago as new CCTV footage is revealed.
Mary White disappeared from her home at Downham Market in Norfolk on Tuesday, September 24.
The 73-year-old was last seen at around 10pm.
She was reported missing the next morning after her house in Nelson Avenue was found empty.
CCTV footage revealed Ms White walked along Railway Road at 3.30am on Wednesday.
She was wearing white pyjamas and police say there has been no sign of her since despite specialist search teams operating for two weeks.
Her daughter shared a heartbreaking appeal on Facebook which read: “Please anyone in the Downham Market area or near keep a eye out for my mum Mary White she has gone missing either last night or early hours of this morning, she will probably be confused, as far as we know she is still in her pyjamas and slippers.
“Police are out looking so please any sightings or anything contact them or me.”
Ms White is described as around 5ft tall and of slim build, with shoulder-length grey hair.
Ch Insp Chris Banks said: “We do have to be open to all possibilities and our focus remains on finding Mary.
“Clearly this is a distressing time for her family and we continue to keep them updated.
“Anyone who has seen Ms White or has any information should call Norfolk Police on 101, quoting ref 48 of 25 September 2024.”
A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: “Officers are continuing their inquiries to locate missing Downham Market woman Mary White.
“Mary was last seen at her home address in Nelson Avenue at around 10pm on Tuesday 24 September 2024.
“She was reported missing by family the following morning when it was discovered she was no longer in the house.
“CCTV shows the 73-year-old walking along Railway Road at 3.30am on Wednesday 25 September 2024 wearing white pyjamas.
“There have been no sightings since, and Mary remains missing.
“Over the last six days specialist search teams including the marine unit and police drone have carried out extensive searches around the town, in open areas, and along the riverbanks.
“They have also searched insecure buildings and carried out door-to-door inquiries.
“These specialist searches are now largely complete.
“Officers will continue regular searches in the area and are also carrying out ongoing inquiries.”
A SCHOOLGIRL today told a court she stabbed two teachers and a pupil on the playground because she “woke up in a bad mood”.
The teen, who was aged 13 at the time, is accused of launching into a frenzied attack at Ysgo Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Wales.
Jurors heard she first knifed assistant headteacher Fiona Elias after telling her: “I’m going to f***ing kill you”.
The girl also stabbed Fiona’s colleague Liz Hopkin, 53, as she rushed over to help and a 14-year-old student, it is said.
Giving evidence at Swansea Crown Court today, the girl was asked why she brought a bladed “fishing multi-tool” to school.
She said: “I get very upset or grumpy when I’m on my period. I woke up in a bad mood that morning.”
The teen, now aged 14, told jurors she had armed herself with a knife in school since Year 3 as she felt “scared and worried”.
Six months before the attack, she was caught with a vegetable knife in lessons and suspended for a week.
But on April 24 – the day of the attack, she smuggled the blade into school in the waistband of her trousers, the court heard.
In footage shown to jurors, the girl could be seen stabbing Fiona before lashing out at brave Liz.
She also attacked a pupil in the upper torso and leg and left Liz with knife wounds to her neck, back, legs and arms.
The court heard the horror only came to an end when two male members of staff, Stephen Hagget and Darrell Campbell, rushed over.
After she was arrested, the girl told police: “I’m pretty sure this is going to be on the news so more eyes will be looking at me. That’s one way to be a celebrity.”
Giving evidence, she claimed she now feels “terrible” and “guilty” over the attack.
She added: “I regret the way I behave, I feel sorry, I’d do anything to go back.”
The girl also told the court she didn’t attempt to murder anyone and didn’t want them to die.
She told jurors: “I remember thinking to myself: “What am I doing? Stop. I can’t look back, it’s dark, I remember being very hot.”
Police searched the girl’s home and discovered a school planner with the words “death before dishonour” written on it.
The court was told she also wrote about how a girl would “burn” and had scrawled “cut their mouths and eyes” on a drawing of a woman.
She also labelled another drawing “Mrs Frogface Elias”, it was said.
The girl, who can’t be named, denies three charges of attempted murder but admits three counts of wounding with intent and one of possessing a bladed article article on school premises.
The trial continues.
CHRISTMAS is getting closer and some of the UK’s biggest attractions are dusting off their baubles and hanging up the festive lights in preparation.
If you fancy treating the kids to some extra fun in the run up to Christmas, theme parks across the country will soon start running festive entertainment alongside their most popular rides.
Twinkling lights and a giant Duplo Christmas tree are set to transform Legoland Windsor later this year.
From November 23, 2024, guests will enjoy Father Christmas’s Magical Sleigh as it travels from Heartlake City to Pirate Shores.
After making its debut in 2022, Ollie’s Christmas Chaos show is back for another year and it promises the same level of mischief.
A selection of 25 rides will also be open to the public, and there will also be an opportunity to visit the big man himself.
Christmas tickets cost £34pp as well as an additional £25 per child to see Father Christmas inside Santa’s Grotto.
WHEN it comes to the Christmas build-up, there’s only one place to be.
Legoland Windsor promises to get budding builders of all ages into the festive spirit after transforming the brilliant brick paradise into a winter wonderland.
And it didn’t take long for my lad and his mate to be bowled over by the Christmas delights on offer. On entering the park we were met by a towering 33ft Duplo tree, cleverly adorned with intricately built baubles and a huge star.
While the boys stood in wonder, I used the Legoland app to plan our day – a useful tool to avoid any pesky queues. As we headed to the Driving School – a family fave – sleigh bells were suddenly heard ringing in the distance.
This was very soon followed by squeals of delight ringing in my ears as the boys whooped and waved at Santa whizzing past on his sleigh – made of Lego, obvs.
But now it was time for the main event. A meeting with a gruffly-voiced fellow with a bit of a belly and scraggly beard. No, not Daddy, but the main man himself – Father Christmas.
If you really want to spoil the kids then a visit to see Santa in his log cabin costs a little extra but is worth every penny when you see the smiles that result.
The boys, led by Mr C’s little helpers, were buzzing as they weaved through a maze of snowy Lego trees right up to Mr Claus’s ho-ho-home. After a nervous wait, his door opened and the kids were led in, their jaws dragging on the floor behind them.
On selected dates from November 29 until January 5, 2025, Alton Towers will also be on the receiving end of some festive magic.
The theme park’s Magical Days Out have returned for another year, and they’re set to feature a new live show called Santa’s Toy Workshop.
Park-goers will watch as a team of hard-working elves prepares for Christmas Day, with Santa even making an appearance.
Also new for 2024 is the Reindeer Games, where visitors to Alton Towers must help find a missing reindeer.
Tickets to the Magical Days Out start from £18 per person and include entry to CBeebies Land and Mutiny Bay.
Santa Sleepovers are also back for another year, with the festive staycation including a visit to Santa’s grotto, Christmas activities and entertainment, a festive meal and an overnight stay.
The stay also includes complimentary breakfast, entry to the Caribbean-themed waterpark and crazy golf.
Two new pantomime shows have been added for 2024, including a Jack and the Beanstalk Panto and a festive courtyard show featuring Santa.
The Christmas-themed staycations are available from £90pp this November and December.
During the Santa’s Sleepover days, not all of the standard theme park rides are available, but there are plenty of other activities to keep the little ones busy.
For instance, make sure to schedule time for the included visit to Santa’s Grotto, where the kids will be able to speak to the big man himself.
On selected dates from November 23 until December 31, Drayton Manor will also play host to a range of festive attractions.
Christmas at Drayton Manor will feature decorations, Santa’s grotto and access to 25 family-friendly rides and attractions in Thomas Land too.
In Thomas Land, a Festive Light Train, which is new for 2024, will take passengers on a journey where they’ll enjoy a magical Christmas tale with Sir Topham Hatt.
The journey will end at Rusty and Dusty’s Hot Chocolate Factory, which is also new for 2024.
Park-goers will learn the secrets behind the art of hot chocolate making as they warm their little hands on a cup of sweet cocoa topped with marshmallows – other treats are also set to await.
Santa’s Grotto experience will return for another year where children will be provided with entertainment as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas who will give them a gift.
An accessible Christmas Grotto that’s been specially designed for kids who need more time or a calmer setting will also feature in this year’s line-up.
Park entry starts from £19pp, with tickets that include festive additions like a visit to Santa’s Grotto, starting from £32pp.
The Winter‘s Tail is back for another year and, from November 23 to December 31, guests can visit Father Christmas and be given access to a top-secret toy workshop.
A new Christmas village has been installed for 2024 complete with a cosy grotto where guests can meet Father Christmas.
Park-goers can also explore the Enchanted Hollow where Santa’s Elves have set up their Toy Workshops in the underground town.
Guests can also visit selected theme park rides, and a zoo with its very own reindeer.
Tickets for the Winter’s Tail event start from £32pp.
On selected dates from December 6 until December 23, Paultons Park will also be getting into the festive spirit.
The park will be filled with magical illuminations, and a selection of rides and attractions will be open for the festive period too.
Guests will get the opportunity to meet their favourite Christmas characters like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer and Billy and Belinda Elves.
Theatre shows have also returned for another year, with Santa’s Christmas Wish Show set to feature singing, dancing, special effects and Christmas characters.
Christmas tickets cost £38.75 each for those over 1m tall.
THOUSANDS of Christmas lights sparkle as we walk up to the Alton Towers Hotel.
I’ve arrived for a Santa’s Sleepover with my two and four-year-old children and it already feels like we are in a winter wonderland.
Our moon voyage-themed room is spacious with a double bed and bunk beds tucked in their own cove.
It’s the perfect set-up for families and my four-year-old boy is especially excited to see an Xbox.
We head to the bar where a Christmas helper draws all the kids into fun and games so that Mummy can get into the festive spirit with a tipple.
The atrium is decorated with gorgeous garlands and a huge tree.
Then it’s time for dinner at the Secret Garden – a roast dinner buffet with all the trimmings, plus kids’ specials.
The food gets the thumbs-up from my two fussy eaters.
We hotfoot it to the Robin Hood panto.
Filled with laughs, singing and dancing, the show really impressed me.
In the morning, we head to Mistletoe Lane where we’re booked in to meet Father Christmas.
The little ones are excited to head to the grotto and knock at the big red door, answered by one of Santa’s elves.
There’s two chances for photos before we meet the big man himself.
Miraculously, my kids have made it on to the nice list and are overjoyed to get an Alton Towers teddy to take home.
We’ve made it to lunchtime and most of the rides are working – we clamber aboard Postman Pat Parcel Post and the In The Night Garden boat rides.
Queue times are short and we manage to pack in most of the attractions.
Tickets to LaplandUK went on sale earlier this year – and they may already be sold out.
And a much-loved Christmas steam train is set to make a return to the UK this year where passengers can meet Santa.
