The British Standards Institution has given its stamp of approval to goods from helmets to condoms and steel. Mark Leftly meets the boss of a British success story

Who needs flowerpots? Whether you're planting indoors or on a windowsill, patio or balcony – or even in a garden with (like mine) minimal flowerbed space – take tips from a lovely new book, Teeny, Tiny Gardening by Emma Hardy (£14,99, Cico). It is stuffed with inventive ideas for weeny things you can turn into quirky planters. Such as…

The legendary animator behind beloved children’s creations Roobarb and Henry’s Cat has died.

Britain’s builders struggled to shake off the winter blues in January as activity sank for the third month in a row, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply warned today.

New ways to teach English to immigrants must be found so they do not miss out on the “enormous joy” of TV show The Only Way Is Essex, Eric Pickles has said.

Millionaire racehorse owner Marwan Koukash has been unveiled as the mystery businessman locked in talks aimed at saving Salford.

What to do

The construction sector returned to growth last month, a survey said today, although housebuilders and commercial developers continue to weigh heavily on the industry.

The construction sector continued to decline in September, a survey showed today, as residential building saw its biggest fall in nearly two years.

From cycling stars to best-selling authors, they were the reminder of Britain's extraordinary range of talents. Nick Clark surveys the special guests

The UK's construction sector suffered its sharpest contraction in two-and-a-half years in June, dealing a further blow to the UK's recovery hopes.

Growth in the construction sector slowed in April but another solid rise in new orders shored up confidence in the year ahead.

Nina Lakhani recalls her heartbreaking interview with Tony Nicklinson and his wife

In profit...