Shannon Matthews' mother charged with kidnap
THE mother of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews, who went missing for 24 days earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment, a court heard today.

'Cremated' father found alive by son
A MAN has been reunited with his father after recognising him on a television programme – five years after arranging his cremation.

New car sales slowest since 1966
SALES of new cars are forecast to continue to plunge over the next year after manufacturers announced the worst August figures for 42 years.

Bank holds interest rates amid fears of recession
THE Bank of England kept interest rates on hold for the fifth month in a row yesterday despite the looming threat of recession.

Briton among seven killed in oilrig crash
A BRITON died when a helicopter crashed into an oilrig off the coast of Dubai, the country's civil aviation authority said yesterday.

Elderly should work 'as long as able' says Blunkett
PENSIONERS should work as long as they are physically capable and take greater responsibility for paying for their care as they grow infirm, David Blunkett, a former Cabinet

Afghanistan death toll hits 117 after bomb kills soldier
A BRITISH soldier was killed on patrol in southern Afghanistan yesterday.

IN BRIEF: Woman fined for stealing fire engine as crew dealt with flood
South Wales: A 45-year-old woman was fined after she admitted stealing a fire engine while its crew dealt with a flood near her home.

More problems for airline as two jets are grounded
PASSENGERS on a Qantas Airways flight to London were stranded overnight because of damage to a wing, and another was cancelled today after fumes were detected on board.

One in seven in UK has been bullied at work
ONE in seven people has been bullied at work, with higher paid staff most likely to have problems, according to new research.

Hairdressers' cups half-full
HAIRDRESSERS have overtaken builders for taking the most tea breaks, but many workers do not have time to stop for a cuppa, according to new research. A survey of 1400 worker

Autumn storms hit south
BRITAIN was set to be buffeted by heavy rain and strong winds today with the first major storm of the autumn.

Officer suspended over gun in toilet
A HIGH-FLYING female police officer who used to be Tony Blair's close protection officer has been "removed from operational duties" after leaving her gun in a coff

Taxi driver found guilty over cocaine delivery
A LONDON minicab driver caught on the A74 with £160,000 of cocaine claimed he thought he was delivering a pair of shoes to Scotland. But a jury at the High Court in Gla

Yasmin Le Bon is model example of style
YASMIN Le Bon has topped a list of the best-dressed British women over 40.

Yasmin the best dressed over-40
YASMIN Le Bon has topped a list of the best-dressed British women over the age of 40.

High-speed rail link inquiry
MSPS are to launch an inquiry into a potential high-speed rail link between Scotland and England.

Government 'not up to Olympics'
MOST Britons believe the government is incapable of managing the 2012 Olympics. Only 11 per cent of those questioned in a survey said the government was up to running the p

Ice in fuel prompts fears over all jets
REGULATORS were urged to review the safety of all passenger aircraft last night after investigators found a British Airways jet probably crash landed because of ice in its fu

Cash ultimatum to on-the-run crook
FRAUDSTER Raymond Nevitt, 43, from Bury, Lancashire, on the run since being sentenced to nearly four years in jail in 2006 and thought to be in Spain,

Release order for WMD dossier
THE government has been ordered to release further details of its controversial dossier on Saddam Hussein's supposed weapons of mass destruction, following a ruling by the

£21.5k for grown-up offspring
PARENTS now spend an average of £21,540 supporting their children after they have reached adulthood.

Record drop in property values
UK HOMES lost nearly 13% of their value during the past year as prices continued to slide at a record rate, figures showed today.

Bank of England holds interest rates
THERE was no sign of relief for hard-pressed homeowners and borrowers today after the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold for the fifth month in a row.

Tony Blair's bodyguard suspended after leaving gun in coffee shop
TONY Blair's former close protection officer has been "removed from operational duties" after leaving a gun in a coffee shop, police said today.

Scottish restaurants keep seat at top table, judges foodie bible
FOUR Scottish restaurants have maintained their positions in The Good Food Guide 2009’s list of top 40 restaurants, Britain’s best-selling annual foodie bible, which is releas

No Mr Bond, we expect you to buy…
A RARE set of 007 novels owned by the Scots baronet thought to have partly inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond character fetched £31,000 at auction yesterday.

Interest rates on hold for fifth month in a row
THERE was no sign of relief for hard-pressed homeowners and borrowers today after the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold for the fifth month in a row.

Rate-cut calls grow as pound falls again
THE pound fell to a two-and-a-half year low against the US dollar yesterday as fears increased that the British economy was spiralling towards a recession.

Power firms under fire for delays in aid package to ease bills
MINISTERS were yesterday accused of surrendering to "blackmail" by the big power companies amid reports that plans for a cash handout to help needy families pay energy