A MAJOR German chocolate brand said to be cheaper than others is now selling chocolate bars in the UK for the first time.

Cocoa-free chocolate brand ChoViva has made its UK debut through a tie-up with bargain retailer Aldi.

The German brand has so far launched its first product Peanut Butter Mini Eggs under Aldi’s chocolate label Dairyfine.

It has been priced at £1.49 for a 90g pack.

The chocolate is made from sugar, vegetable fat, skimmed milk powder, sunflower seed flour, grapeseed flour and emulsifiers.

While the creamy filling inside is made from peanut flour, chopped peanuts and cocoa butter, the Grocer reports.

The German chocolate is said to be cheaper than others because it doesn’t use cocoa which is currently rising in price.

Sara Marquart, founder of ChoViva, said: “We didn’t want to produce something, manufacture something that is only for the elite or the have a high purchasing power.

“Our prices are comparable or lower than conventional cocoa and chocolate. And I think what’s very important is that we have no volatility in prices.

“The ingredients that we use (primarily sunflower seeds) are highly abundant,” Sara told the Grocer.

The world is witnessing a global cocoa shortage after production in West Africa – which accounts for around 70 per cent of global supply – fell sharply.

This has forced chocolate manufacturers to increase the prices of our favourite bars.

Nestle has blamed a rise in costs for both cocoa and coffee as it warned of having to pass on the increase to shoppers.

The company’s CEO Laurent Freixe said: “It is clear that when it comes to coffee and chocolate as input costs further increase, you should see some pricing, but it is the same story, we will try first to mitigate… the impact of input costs and price right.”

The firm’s CFO Anna Manz added: “We are taking more price in 2025, so this may give rise to more customer challenges.”

Meanwhile, the viral “Dubai chocolate” sensation has finally arrived in the UK, causing a frenzy amongst shoppers.

The dessert, inspired by the Middle Eastern treat knafeh, features a rich pistachio filling and crunchy Kadayif pastry at its centre, all coated in chocolate.

Morrisons has introduced the Pistachio Kunafa Dubai Chocolate cake bar, priced at £5 each.

The ‘Dubai chocolate’ trend gained momentum on social media platforms like TikTok, captivating dessert enthusiasts worldwide.

Its unique combination of flavours has made it a must-try delicacy.

One Facebook user shared their excitement, posting a picture of the chocolate with the caption: “Look what I found in Morrisons this morning was £5 but worth a try”.

Elsewhere, Cadbury shoppers have been left delighted to bag bargains in a huge chocolate sale where prices start from just 39p.

Christmas chocolates are being sold at slashed prices at Cadbury Gift Directs.

RAGING Burnley players wanted Milutin Osmajic to be subbed after Hannibal Mejbri accused Preston’s forward of racism.

Clarets’ Zian Flemming went to the Preston bench to ask why Osmajic had stayed on following the accusations of a slur against Hannibal during Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate.

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Burnley wanted Milutin Osmajic to be subbed after an alleged racist comment to Hannibal Mejbri[/caption]

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The incident allegedly occurred during Burnley’s 0-0 draw with Preston on Saturday[/caption]

Caretaker Stuart McCall stood his ground and refused, sparking CJ Egan-Riley to hurl the ball in his direction — greeted by sarcastic applause from the coach.

The North End stand-in boss stood by Osmajic who was taken off later in the 77th minute. 

Hannibal went off six minutes earlier.

Preston insiders reveal Osmajic was close to tears when he went to see referee Andrew Kitchen after the game.

Osmajic and Hannibal were called in by the official who will report the incident to the FA ahead of an investigation.

The Montenegrin striker said he has black team-mates and pals in the Preston ranks and would NOT have insulted them.

The FA will quiz both about an alleged racist comment.

In October, Osmajic was hit with an eight-match ban after biting Blackburn’s Owen Beck.

The incident took place during Preston’s 0-0 draw with Rovers in September.

Osmajic was only shown a yellow during the game and was able to play in Preston’s next two games.

But the FA launched an investigation and subsequently charged him.

Osmajic missed Preston’s next eight matches and was also fined £15,000.

ELEONORA Incardona has been hailed by DAZN viewers as the ‘new Diletta Leotta’.

The stunning TV presenter, 34, hosted coverage of Juventus vs Inter on Sunday for the streaming giant.

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Eleonora Incardona wowed DAZN viewers with a stunning look[/caption]

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Stunniing Eleonora wore a see-through top and knee-high leather boots[/caption]

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Glam Eleonora was compared to stunning TV presenter Diletta Leotta[/caption]

And fans were left in awe of the stunning brunette’s amazing look.

Eleonora donned a see through top that revealed a brown push-up bra.

She matched that with a mini skirt and some sexy knee-high leather boots.

The gorgeous host shared her glam outfit on Instagram to her one million plus followers.

Needless to say, they were full of compliments in the comments section.

One wrote: “Super attractive.”

A second shared: “Perfect beauty.”

A third posted: “The new Diletta Leotta.”

While a fourth added: “So gorgeous.”

Eleonora was once engaged to Leotta’s stepbrother Mirko Manolo.

However, she now dates Italian international midfielder, Samuele Ricci.

She revealed in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I am very happy with him. I met him in one of the most complicated periods of my life.

“I was only thinking about work to distract myself from everything else. And instead I met a wonderful person, with sound principles and strong values.”

FEBRUARY half-term is here – but it won’t feel like a holiday to many parents, thanks to the bleak weather and our even bleaker post-Christmas bank balances.

Just remember that you can still have fun as a family without spending a fortune.

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Emma Lazenby has scoured the UK for free events and activities this half term[/caption]

Emma Lazenby has scoured the UK for free events and activities to get the kids off their screens, without burning a hole in your wallet.

And most are wet-weather friendly, too.

LONDON & THE SOUTH EAST

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Take in the planes at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon[/caption]

PLAY among the planes at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, North London.

Toddlers have plenty of room in the hangars to stretch their legs, while the bigger kids will love exploring the aircraft and checking out the drones.

 EXPLORE a secret tropical oasis in the heart of the city at the Barbican Conservatory in central London.

Entry is free but tickets must be booked online in advance.

 CHILDREN’S faves Bagpuss and The Clangers are among the eclectic exhibitions at The Beaney House Of Art & Knowledge in Canterbury, Kent.

This hub has a collection of insects and artefacts gathered by world explorers.

See canterburymuseums.co.uk.

 GO back to your own childhood, or that of your children, at The Novium Museum in Chichester, Sussex.

It has more than 200 items from Rubik’s Cubes to My Little Pony in its special exhibition, I Grew Up 80s.

MIDLANDS

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The Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester explores the science of the railways[/caption]

GET hands-on with the exhibitions at Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester, which explores the science of the railways.

Entry is free and it costs just 50p for a ride on the Narrow Gauge Steam Railway.

 HEAD into the forest to find Julia Donaldson’s beloved character and his family tree at the Stick Man trail at Sherwood Pines, Notts.

It’s free to follow but you can also get a family activity pack for £4.

See visitnottinghamshire.co.uk.

 CREATIVE kids can investigate new artwork at the Half Term Art Explorer session on Wednesday at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham.

There will also be mini-modelling sessions and collage-making.

 SHIMMY up the trees in the climbing forest at Coombe Abbey Park, Coventry.

There’s also an adventure playground and, if you can shell out for a treat, the 1950s-themed Sundae Club is open at weekends.

See coventryrocks.co.uk and sundae-club.co.uk.

EAST OF ENGLAND

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Fossil fans will be in heaven at the Museum Of Zoology in Cambridge[/caption]

SEE science at work by heading to The Explorium, part of Norwich Science Festival, which runs until Saturday at The Forum.

There are new activities and exhibitors each day, so you can even go more than once.

See norwichsciencefestival.co.uk.

SET the kids’ imaginations soaring at Norfolk And Suffolk Aviation Museum in Flixton.

The collection of more than 60 aircraft includes fixed and rotary wing models dating from ­wartime to the present day.

FOSSIL fans will be in heaven at the Museum Of Zoology in Cambridge, which has dinosaurs aplenty.

There’s also a ­special twilight session on Wednesday and Pride In Nature tours on Saturdays.

NORTH WEST

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World Museum Liverpool has exhibitions on fashion, dinosaurs, Egypt and even bees[/caption]

THERE’S something for every interest at the World Museum in Liverpool, with exhibitions on fashion, dinosaurs, Egypt and even bees.

Don’t miss the aquarium, too.

See liverpoolmuseums.org.uk.

IT’S party time over at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery, with a special programme of events to mark ten years of February For Families since the gallery reopened.

Check out the Afrocats sessions from Tuesday to Thursday or MacFest on Saturday.

 SEE submarines, Viking artefacts and the bones of the oldest Northerner at the Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

There’s also an adventure playground and free parking.

YORKSHIRE & THE NORTH EAST

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Prepare for battle at the Royal Armories Museum in Leeds[/caption]

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Seven Stories in Newcastle has exhibits on kids books[/caption]

PREPARE for battle at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, which has a vast collection of weapons from across the ages.

Don’t miss the daily selection of historical sword-fight re-enactments at the venue, too.

MARVEL at the skills of Sheffield’s famous metal workers at the city’s Millennium Gallery.

There’s an impressive collection dedicated to the local trade and seasonal exhibitions, with the Winter Garden next door the perfect spot to eat lunch.    

See sheffieldmuseums. org.uk.

STEP aboard a bullet train at York’s National Railway Museum, which throughout 2025 is celebrating its 50th birthday.

There are trains from across the ages and a play area, plus the option to pay extra for the interactive Wonderlab area.

 IMMERSE yourselves in the world of your favourite tales at the Seven Stories National Centre For Children’s Books in Newcastle.

It has interactive exhibitions, workshops and daily story-telling sessions.

See sevenstories.org.uk.

SOUTH WEST

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Red House Museum in Christchurch, Dorset, is a former Georgian workhouse[/caption]

THE wonders of the natural world are on display at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

It is hosting the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year exhibition, with special late opening sessions on Thursday and ­February 27, complete with DJs, until 9pm.

TRAVEL from the Ice Age to the present day at Red House Museum in Christchurch, Dorset.

This former Georgian workhouse has a family area with hands-on activities and dressing-up costumes, as well as quizzes and trails.

MEET the cows, goats and turkeys at Roskilly’s Organic Farm in Helston, Cornwall.

Visitors can also enjoy a number of meadow walks for free – and if you have cash to spare, head to the ice-cream parlour.

WALES

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Why not follow the White Rabbit on the Alice In ­Wonderland Trail, which is located in the seaside town of Llandudno[/caption]

STEP back in time at St Fagans National Museum Of History in Cardiff, with its park full of historic buildings showing life across the ages.

There will also be free song and dance workshops celebrating Welsh culture.

 OR why not follow the White Rabbit on the Alice In ­Wonderland Trail, which is located in the seaside town of Llandudno, north Wales.

You’ll learn about what inspired the wonderful, weird Lewis Carroll classic, with a £3 guide available from the tourist office if you want to find out more.

 DESCEND 300ft underground at the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Pontypool, south east Wales, a former working pit turned attraction.

You can take a tour of the coalface and explore the history of the mining industry.

SCOTLAND

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Take part in the Harry Potter trail in Edinburgh[/caption]

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The Lego Manhunt is at Glasgow Police Museum on Tuesday and Friday[/caption]

TURN detective with the Lego Manhunt laid on for the under-eights at Glasgow Police Museum on Tuesday and Friday.

Older kids can earn a Junior Detective Award in the Museum Quiz on the same dates.

 FALL under the spell of the Harry Potter Trail in Edinburgh, with knowledgeable guides taking you along the real-life Diagon Alley. 

You need to pre-book and these walking tours are free, but donations at the end are welcome.

 CREATE a masterpiece at V&A Dundee, which has Drop In + Design workshops year-round.

You can also explore the exhibits and see the new Dundee Tapestry, stitched by 140 volunteers.

NORTHERN IRELAND

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A walled garden awaits you at Carnfunnock Country Park in Larne, County Antrim[/caption]

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A model triceratops exhibit in the Ulster Museum Belfast[/caption]

YOU can find everything from a triceratops skeleton to oral histories of the Troubles at Ulster Museum in Belfast.

There are hands-on experiences to enjoy in its three themed Discovery Centres, too.

 FOREST walks and a walled garden await at Carnfunnock Country Park in Larne, County Antrim.

There’s also a Family Fun Zone with extra paid-for activities within its 191 hectares.

NATIONWIDE

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Enjoy a free 60-minute session with arts, crafts and games in a ­Smaland Ikea creche[/caption]

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Take the kids to your local Junior Park Run event[/caption]

GRAB a Billy bookcase or a cuppa in peace while your kids enjoy a free, 60-minute session with arts, crafts and games in a ­Smaland Ikea creche.

They’re available at most of the chain’s stores, excluding Manchester, ­Birmingham and Croydon, and are suitable for three to ten-year-olds.

BLOW the cobwebs away at your local Junior Park Run event – a 2km run for ages four to 14.

All speeds and abilities are welcome, plus there are free trackers to monitor progress.

Check the website parkrun.com for your nearest weekly event.

 GET green-fingered at a Dobbies garden centre with their Little Seedlings holiday clubs.

The free, hour-long plant and flower-based ­activities and workshops are suitable for four to ten-year-olds, although they must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

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