The north-south divide in house prices is widening, according to figures for May published today. Rising property values in London helped push the latest national Hometrack house price index into positive territory, despite seven out of 10 regions posting falling or static prices.

The north-south divide in house prices is widening, according to May figures published today. Rising property values in London helped push the latest national Hometrack house price index into positive territory, despite seven out of 10 regions posting falling or static prices.

Durham's attempt to lift themselves off the bottom of the First Division and record their first win of the Championship season was thwarted by a spirited Somerset side on the second day at Taunton.

Nottinghamshire 423 & 174-7 Middlesex 300-9 & 87-0 (Match drawn)

Safety checks aimed at spotting improper spending by schools and academies are inadequate, MPs will warn today.

Talks aimed at resolving a row over pensions which has led to strikes by train drivers ended without agreement today.

A north-south divide in the prevalence of alcohol-related problems has been revealed by a new study.

The Netherlands posted an impressive total of 239 for 6 in their first Clydesdale Bank Pro40 fixture of the season, against Gloucestershire yesterday. After losing the toss and being put in at Bristol, the Dutch reached their total thanks to Stephanus Myburgh's impressive 77, which featured 11 fours and two sixes, and Cameron Borgas's 38. Ed Young, who picked up 2 for 31, was the pick of Gloucestershire's bowlers.

Hundreds of people attended the funeral yesterday of Claire Squires, whose death during the London Marathon resulted in more than £1m being raised for the Samaritans.

England seamer James Anderson came through an injury scare with nothing more than bruising to his right thumb after returning to county action at Old Trafford this morning.

Nottinghamshire 243 & 88-2 Worcestershire 157 (Nottinghamshire lead by 174 runs)

Somerset batsman Nick Compton has been rewarded for his prolific form in a so-far bowler-friendly season with a place in a 12-man England Lions squad to play West Indies at Northampton from 10 May.

A former leader of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers has been jailed for four years for stealing almost £150,000 from a charity which cared for elderly miners.

Thousands of people donated money yesterday in memory of an "inspirational" 30-year-old woman who collapsed and died during the London Marathon.