Police investigating the deaths of six children in an arson attack on their home have arrested their parents on suspicion of murder.

As every punter knows, even impeccable lineage and short odds can't guarantee success at the Epsom Derby. According to DJ Taylor's novel, it was ever thus. In a Victorian melodrama surrounding a clever betting sting, Taylor portrays a society in the midst of preparing itself for a new kind of front-runner.

Hundreds of passengers stranded because of a faulty Tube train are to be given £40 each in compensation amid claims that London could become an Olympic “laughing stock” because of problems which have hit the transport system this week.

As Somerset celebrated signing Twenty20 world record holder Richard Levi, his future team-mate Nick Compton was progressing in contrasting style towards his own record.

A fatal fire that killed six children from the same family was deliberately started by someone pouring a "substantial" amount of petrol through the letter box and lighting it, police said today.

A house fire in which six siblings died as they slept in their beds is believed to have been deliberately started, police said.

Rail services will be hit tomorrow because of a strike by hundreds of drivers in a dispute over pensions.

With all respect to Derbyshire, they may not make many headlines this season. Savour the moment, then, Dan Redfern, who will retain the distinction for posterity of the first century of the 2012 County Championship.

Though the whole purpose of this meeting is to bring together disparate racing cultures, punters can hardly know beforehand how the varied form lines will measure up. In pure value terms, however, it seems a little presumptuous to be making So You Think a warm favourite for the Dubai World Cup, not least when the reputation that preceded him from Australia last year ultimately seemed to be placed in due perspective.

Derby have apologised to the family of the late Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty over offensive chants from its supporters during the npower Championship clash at Pride Park on Tuesday night.

Approaching from the east, the first thing you see in the Lincolnshire village of Winteringham, an isolated straggle of houses on the fringe of the Humber, is a sign that baldly declares 'FERRETS'. It is an unlikely milieu for an upmarket 'restaurant with rooms'. Yet there it is at the heart of the village: a slate-topped, two-storey structure, possibly a former Georgian inn, with pantiled extensions. The facilities include a helipad, but our spirits failed to soar on entering Winteringham Fields. Booked in for Friday lunch (three courses £39.95, four courses £45), my wife and I found ourselves deposited in a small, unpopulated lounge. Our refusal to take a drink before the meal was greeted with an expression of surprise ("Oh!") as if apéritifs were pretty much compulsory.

Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath has challenged his side to keep their push for a play-off place on track by ending their poor run against Premiership leaders Harlequins at Kingsholm today.

Rivals meet on Sunday with Rams' form and finances in better shape. By Jon Culley

Local rivals meet on Sunday with the Rams' form and finances in far better shape