National news

Here are the latest stories from the team at Radio News Hub. The links will open in a new page and take you to the Radio News Hub website. You can hear the latest national news every hour on the radio station.

• Twenty wickets tumble on frenzied first day at MCG as England trail by 46 runs

  Chaos ruled in front of a record Ashes crowd as Australia got the better of the Boxing Day madness at the MCG.

• Tracy Ann Oberman returns to EastEnders as Chrissie Watts

  Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman has spoken about her emotional return to EastEnders, as her character is back on screens to “create havoc” in Albert Square.

• Cold health alert issued for Christmas Day

  A cold health alert has been issued for Christmas Day, as forecasters said the prospect of a white Christmas was “highly unlikely”.

• Flu hospital admissions fall as health officials warn virus still with us

  Hospital admissions for flu in England are falling for the first time this winter, though health officials have warned the virus is “still with us” and that infections could “bounce back” in the new year.

• Tributes paid to 13 year old girl as police continue to investigate death

  The family of a 13-year-old girl have said they are “heartbroken” by her death, as police continue to investigate after arresting a teenage boy on suspicion of harassment.

• Passengers face rail disruption during Christmas Eve getaway

  Passengers travelling home on Christmas Eve have faced travel difficulties after railway services from a major airport were disrupted because of a lack of staff.

• More shoppers hit high streets and retail parks for late Christmas purchases

  Shoppers descended on UK high streets and retail parks to buy last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve, boosting retailers amid a challenging consumer backdrop.

• More than a million expected to be working on Christmas Day

  More than one million people will be working on Christmas Day, often in low-paid jobs, according to new research.

• Kings pilgrimage themed Christmas message filmed in Westminster Abbey

  The King has chosen Westminster Abbey as the location for his Christmas broadcast, which will have the key theme of pilgrimage.

• Pregnant women urged to get flu vaccine as soon as possible

  Royal Colleges representing more than 90,000 health professionals have joined forces to urge pregnant women to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible.