70 police officers to guard one little flame might seem excessive, but the seven and a half thousand Olympic torch bearers still to run will no doubt be glad of the protection, after it has emerged that the torches they will carry have a street value of more than £100,000.

Leader's position secure after difficult spell in charge as more than 800 council seats are won

Crowds of people gathered today to wave off one of the Royal Navy's newest and most powerful warships as it set sail for the Falkland Islands a day before the 30th anniversary of the British task force setting sail for war.

One of the Royal Navy's newest and most powerful warships is to set sail for the Falkland Islands a day before the 30th anniversary of the British task force setting sail for war.

A man has been found guilty of impersonating a qualified barrister at crown court after he donned a wig and robe to represent a friend he met in prison.

The waterman constable and the bogeyman

Tom Daley faces missing out on an Olympic medal unless he reduces his media commitments, according to British Diving's performance director Alexei Evangulov.

It is an afternoon session at Sheffield's council-run Ponds Forge pool, and the usual flotilla of keep-fit swimmers is determinedly groping its way up and down the lanes.

Two men are to stand trial after a founder member of the 1970s rock group Electric Light Orchestra was killed by a giant rolling hay bale.

The Wolves midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is returning to Arsenal after his loan spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers was cut short by a serious knee injury that has ended his season.

Preston North End have parted company with manager Phil Brown after less than a year in charge at Deepdale. Brown, 52, who had guided Hull City into the Premier League via the play-offs in 2008, was appointed in January but was unable to save them from relegation from the Championship.

Twenty cities likely to launch local TV services have been named by Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary.

Preston North End have appointed Peter Ridsdale as their new chairman.

Johnny Williams cut a majestic figure as he bestrode the Plymouth Argyle midfield for 11 seasons from the middle 1950s, surging forward with a dignity and style which called to mind some Atlantic-bound ship in full sail departing the city's historic harbour.