The jury in the trial of two Travellers accused of enslaving vulnerable men was discharged yesterday.

Across the UK, a general election campaign is beginning to gather pace. It may have gone unnoticed but, be assured, canvassing is in full swing; supporters are going door-to-door and the candidates are engaging in political tête-à-têtes at the hustings.

The English capital has more Gallic residents than Calais and Lille combined. And next month expats in the stronghold of South Kensington will have a big say in who is returned as the first French overseas MP

Is Hertfordshire the most patriotic place in the country?

German by birth and buried in France: a BBC film sheds light on the enigma of Frederick Delius. By Jessica Duchen

A BBC film will shed light on the enigma of Frederick Delius

The late comedian Kenneth Horne, master of the double entendre, used to tell a joke about a town in London's commuter belt with a somewhat unfortunate name: "How to get rid of unsightly Staines – blow up the bridge and burn the cinema!"

An increasing number of England's beaches have won Blue Flag awards this year, bringing the country into the top 10 worldwide.

Last year Fleet in Hampshire topped a national quality of life survey, now a new study might explain why: its residents spend more money on sex toys than anywhere else.

Left-leaning David Hare's new play is based on his days as a scholarship boy at public school. Michael Coveney meets him

How does left-leaning playwright David Hare make a return to the stage with a play based on his days as a scholarship boy at public school? Michael Coveney asks him.

A 14-year-old sea cadet fell to his death from the rigging of a training ship after he unclipped his harness to go to the assistance of another cadet, an inquest was told yesterday.

A man was killed during a fight that broke out in a residential street after a late-night party early yesterday morning.

A four-year-old girl has been accepted into Mensa after achieving a score of 159 on an IQ test.