There's been more activity in the mortgage market. Woolwich, Barclays' lending arm, has cut its fixed rates by up to 0.6 percentage points.

A woman who drowned her four-year-old daughter was ordered to be detained indefinitely at a secure hospital yesterday. Laura Fletcher, 23, drowned Chloe in a bath of cold water before attempting to kill herself, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

A woman who drowned her four-year-old daughter was ordered to be detained indefinitely at a secure hospital today.

Northern Rock yesterday slashed mortgage rates in a move experts said could inject further life into the housing market.

Three major lenders cut their mortgage rates today in a further sign that competition is creeping back into the market.

A cage fighter who helped plan Britain's largest ever cash robbery was jailed for 18 years today after admitting his role in the plot.

A court hearing for five companies charged with health and safety breaches in connection with an explosion at the Buncefield oil depot was adjourned today.

A police community support officer (PCSO) who persuaded a 12-year-old girl to perform sex acts on a webcam had "fallen well short" of professional standards, police said today.

A 20-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison today for the murder of a teenager shot dead in a shop, Scotland Yard said.

England rugby star Lesley Vainikolo today had charges of causing grievous bodily harm dropped.

The Woolwich today became the second lender in two weeks to launch a mortgage with a rate of less than 2 per cent.

The jury in the trial of England rugby star Lesley Vainikolo - who fractured a fan's skull on a players' night out - retired to consider its verdict today.

One of Scotland Yard's most wanted men has been arrested in Holland six years after escaping from a prison van, police said today.