Yesterday was a ...

Good Day for Florence Duguoa, 30, who has sent the following message to be included on an American rocket to be launched in October: "Tall female earthling, 1.83 metres (6ft) seeks tall, handsome alien, romantic if possible."

Bad Day for John Duncan, the manager of a 45-person lottery syndicate of students from Leeds Metropolitan University. Each has contributed pounds 1 a week for the past 64 weeks, but they have not even won a pounds 10 prize. "He's cursed," commented Sophie Cooke, 19. "It's like a reverse King Midas touch - everything he touches turns to nothing."

Tidy Day for teenagers, as a survey revealed that only 20 per cent of 11-16-year-olds would describe their bedrooms as "a complete mess".