Former newspaper proprietor Eddy Shah has been charged with raping and abusing a young girl, police said last night.

The Olympic torch took a wrong turn today shortly before it crossed the Clifton Suspension Bridge in a spectacular display of fireworks.

Three-time Olympic sailing champion Ben Ainslie today kicked off the London 2012 Olympic torch relay, saying it was "one of the more nervous moments of my life".

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

Explore the outer edges of our island heritage

Streets ahead of the competition

High winds and driving rain have continued to batter Britain with the south suffering the worst of the April washout today.

We're in drought, water companies in many parts of England declared. Don't dare use a hosepipe, they said, warning of fines, and urging residents to tell on their neighbours if they are seen wielding a hose.

Cities that fail to adopt the idea of electing their own US-style mayors will lose out on jobs and investment to UK and overseas rivals, David Cameron said.

Cornwall blazes a new tourist trail this weekend with the launch of Heartlands (01209 722322; heartlandscornwall.com; admission free).

Firefighters are tackling a blaze on an island owned by a multi-millionaire.

Psychological benefits may be the reason why so many people like to be beside the seaside.

A "reclusive" rocket enthusiast made and stored the same high explosive used by "Shoebomber" Richard Reid in his garden shed using chemicals he bought on eBay, a court heard today.

Not quite up to this month’s London Marathon? Try one of the shorter – or sillier – races in our selection