Blue berets in the red

Slow payment by the UN has helped put out of business the company in New Zealand which supplies the organisation's distinctive blue berets.

Hills Headwear was put into receivership after a year of trading troubles made worse by the UN's tardiness, The Dominion newspaper said.

Bankers pulled the plug on the company, which supplies berets to Singapore, Japan and Saudi Arabia as well as the UN, after its debts reached $550,000 (pounds 343,000). The chief executive, Harry de Krey, said serious problems set in last year after a $1.45m payment for 250,000 berets became overdue. AP - Wellington