More than 65,000 teenagers may have missed out on C grade passes in their English GCSE because of last-minute changes to grade boundaries, according to the latest analysis of the figures.

His mouth and his texting fingers may let him down but when Kevin Pietersen allows his bat alone to do the talking it is difficult not to take notice and approve. Reduced to the ranks as a mere county player while his international future remains in the air, Pietersen marked his return to Championship action for Surrey at Taunton by hitting 163 off 168 balls against Somerset.

A man who abused a Tory MP in a crude email after the politician was headbutted at Westminster by a rival was fined £110 and ordered to pay £100 costs today.

Surrey gave themselves a fighting chance of preserving their place in the First Division with a tense eight-run win over Middlesex at The Oval, where they had their opponents on the brink of defeat at 197 for 9 chasing 254 to win but then took 29 overs to claim the last wicket.

In a bleak season, some beacons of hope shine for Surrey. Two left-handers, both Surrey-born, combined to set a partnership record with a century apiece at The Oval yesterday to give their side at least a chance of easing their relegation fears with a win over their nearest neighbours.

Jonny Bairstow could be forgiven for having the image of Kemar Roach uppermost in his mind as he walked to the wicket yesterday for perhaps the most important innings of his nascent England career.

Hospital chiefs have launched an investigation after a mortuary fridge containing the bodies of five infants broke down.

The father of Lieutenant Andrew Robert Chesterman of the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who died as a result of wounds sustained in enemy action while on patrol in Afghanistan, said today that his family had lost “a fine young man”.

Ten free places on this iconic ride from London to Brighton

Rachel Cawthorn admitted she was so nervous ahead of her kayak final yesterday that she was sick.

Rachel Cawthorn admitted she was so nervous ahead of her kayak final today that she was sick.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested following a burglary where a grandmother was “waterboarded” inside her own home.

Britain's Rachel Cawthorn booked her place in the final of the women's sprint kayak with an impressive performance today at Eton Dorney.

A grandmother who was tortured inside her own home by a pair of masked burglars has described the terrifying ordeal as "sheer hell".