Quirkies

News headlines at 02:03

Policeman dies amid flooding chaos
It was the wettest day ever - and a family were left mourning a "heroic" policeman while thousands of others were left counting the cost.

Widow pays tribute to 'best friend'
The widow of a hero police constable swept away when a bridge collapsed in floods has paid a moving tribute to her husband.

Kidnap couple's captors 'impatient'
The British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates said their captors were "losing patience" and they could be killed within a week.

Supermarket deals worse than 2008's
Supermarkets are giving customers more money-off deals in the run-up to Christmas but they offer smaller savings than last year, research has suggested.

Brown 'an optimist' over UK economy
Gordon Brown has brushed aside gloomy economic news, insisting he remained an "optimist" over the future of the country's finances.

'No need' to keep troops in Germany
British troops could be withdrawn from Germany for good, nearly 70 years after the end of the Second World War, if the Conservatives win the general election.

Bank outlines plans to rein in risk
The Bank of England has outlined plans for "top-up" charges to boost bank balance sheets, as it sought to add the "missing ingredient" to financial regulation.

Expenses-row MP denies 'house ban'
The head of the Commons committee that deals with MPs' expenses abuse has dismissed an allegation that his wife banned him from the constituency home he claimed for as "akin to Harry Potter".

Police 'should visit crime victims'
Every victim of crime should be visited by the police, irrespective of how serious the offence, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has indicated.

Children in Need passes £15m mark
BBC newsreaders have turned "bootylicious" as they braved a Beyonce dance routine for Children in Need.