Gordon Fraser: Suspended Police Officer Dead

A suspended senior police officer has been found dead on a railway track after being hit by a train.

The body of Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Fraser was discovered on a train line on Friday in Aston Magna, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

The circumstances of his death are being investigated by British Transport Police but are currently not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Fraser had been suspended by the force since December 2010 over allegations of gross misconduct and fraud, pending an investigation by Merseyside Police.

He also faced a separate allegation of perverting the course of justice, being investigated by Hertfordshire Constabulary, and was due to appear before St Albans magistrates alongside his wife Teresa, a serving officer with West Midlands Police, on Monday.

It is alleged Mrs Fraser, who has been suspended from her force pending the outcome of the probe, accepted responsibility for a speeding offence committed by her husband in Strathclyde last September.

Leicestershire Police Authority and Leicestershire Police said they were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the death of Mr Fraser.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends," they said in a joint statement.

Mr Fraser had been offered welfare support during his suspension.

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Missing Vet: Man Remanded On Murder Charge

The family of a missing vet vowed to "bring her home" after a man appeared in court charged with her murder.

Clive Sharp, 46, from Bethesda, Gwynedd, was remanded in custody at the hearing at Mold Magistrates' Court.

He is charged with murdering Catherine Gowing, 37, between October 11 and 17.

The vet, who is originally from Clonlee, Co Offaly, in Ireland, failed to arrive at work at the Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, North Wales, on Monday.

She was captured on CCTV at an Asda store in Queensferry, Flintshire, at 8:06pm on Friday October 12.

Ms Gowing was captured on CCTV at an Asda store

After the court hearing, Detective Inspector Iestyn Davies said on behalf of Ms Gowing's family: "Our primary concern and objective is that we find Catherine.

"The support we have received from the police, the public and all Catherine's friends and family has kept us going and will continue to do so.

"We will bring Catherine home."

On Friday, police confirmed a burnt-out Renault Clio found at a disused quarry in Pinfold Lane, Alltami, near Mold, was Ms Gowing's.

Detectives say they have devoted "extensive" resources to the search, including dog teams and underwater search specialists.

Sharp is due to appear before Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday.

:: Anyone with information should call North Wales police on 101.

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Ben Needham's Grandfather Returns To Kos

The grandfather of missing British toddler Ben Needham has made an emotional return to the site where his grandson disappeared 21 years ago.

Eddie Needham is helping a joint force of English and Greek officers who are carrying out a fresh search on the island of Kos.

New doubts have recently emerged about whether parts of the site were examined thoroughly at the time. 

One theory police are working on is that Ben, who was 21 months old, may have been accidentally buried beneath rubble from excavators working at the spot. His grandfather was renovating an adjacent farmhouse when the boy disappeared.

Detective Superintendent Matt Fenwick of South Yorkshire Police is leading the search operation. 

He said: "He (Eddie) is walking our experts right around the scene and he's giving some detailed description of exactly what it looked like back in 1991; how the earth has changed even down to what the terrain was like, whether it was just soil or farmland, whether there were crops growing.

The investigation is expected to take between seven and 10 days

"It is all important to the level of search that is being undertaken. Eddie is pivotal to this."

Mr Fenwick paid tribute to Mr Needham saying: "It is a really difficult time. I have just met him there walking around with the search advisers. He really is emotional about this. It's a difficult thing for him to go back to the scene."

Search specialists include a team of metal detectors and officers with sniffer dogs.

Ground-penetrating radar equipment will be used once more superficial methods have finished.

The police team say they are making good progress with the operation, which is expected to last between seven and 10 days.

Ben's mother Kerry is also expected to visit the search site some time over the next few days. 

She took Ben from her home in Sheffield to Kos in 1991 "to start a new life" with her parents who had already settled on the island.

She has said that she is pleased the Greek authorities are committed to the new search but still believes Ben is alive and the operation is an important part of the "process of elimination".

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Goalkeeper Attacked: Suspect Identified

A man believed to have attacked Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during a match against Leeds has been identified by police.

The suspect, who has not yet been arrested, is thought to have run on to the field from the away end in the 77th minute, seconds after Leeds had equalised in the Yorkshire derby and knocked Kirkland to the ground.

He then returned to the stand while trouble continued around him, with a number of other travelling supporters invading the pitch.

The Football Association is also investigating crowd trouble at the match and is awaiting the referee's report.

Bottles and seats were believed to have been thrown, South Yorkshire Police said.

Chief Superintendent Jason Harwin added: "Such incidents are not acceptable and won't be tolerated. We will be working with both clubs to identify and quickly bring to justice the persons responsible.

"Thankfully, such incidents are a rarity and we see a minority spoil it for the majority of genuine supporters."

Kirkland needed treatment after the assault

Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro, said: "With the public's assistance we have clearly identified the offender who ran on to the pitch during last night's game between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Leeds United FC and who is suspected of assaulting the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper.

"We are dealing with the complaint made by the player and we are currently taking statements, collating evidence and making inquiries to locate and arrest the offender.

"We are also using CCTV footage from around the ground to identify suspects who may have been responsible for other offences before, during or after the match."

Former England international Kirkland required treatment after the attack, but was able to continue. The game ended 1-1.

In a post-match interview, Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones described Leeds fans as "vile animals", adding: "You talk about racism, the chanting, that's a form of racism.

"Then (for the Leeds players) to go and wave at them ... not in my book. You don't wave at them after that."

Riot police were present at the game and tried to diffuse ugly scenes in the away end.

Describing the scenes as an "absolute disgrace", Leeds manager Neil Warnock called for Kirkland's assailant to be given a jail sentence.

He said: "They should get the guy and prosecute him and put him in prison. He (Kirkland) went down like a ton of bricks but that doesn't make a difference. Nobody should be on the pitch doing that.

"I am not proud of being Leeds manager when I see that. I don't mind the rivalry between us - there was a great atmosphere.

"To see things like that on the field of play there is no place for it - I am absolutely embarrassed."

The visiting club issued a statement after the game, saying: "Leeds United Football Club would like to publicly apologise and condemn the action of the fan who came on the pitch and attacked Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

"The club will fully co-operate with the police and the football authorities in identifying the individual concerned."

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Two Held After Children Killed In House Fire

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating a house fire in which a woman and two children died.

A 20-year-old woman, a boy aged four and a two-year-old girl were pronounced dead by firefighters after the blaze broke out at a property in Maes Y Groes, Prestatyn, on Friday night, a North Wales Police spokeswoman said.

Her 23-year-old partner and her 15-month-old son were taken to hospital by ambulance in a critical condition, she added.

Police confirmed the two people in custody are a 45-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, who live in a ground floor flat underneath the victims.

Neighbour Adele Gordon described the chaotic moments as the fire took hold: "There were people everywhere. This man came running up the street shouting 'my kids are in there, my kids are in there'.

Fire crews recovered five people from inside the property

"People started smashing the windows but the smoke was mad, I've never seen smoke like it. It was thick black smoke bellowing out of the house."

Another neighbour, Mike Foster said: "I can't believe it. I'm just in shock. I didn't even know them but I'm just so upset."

A joint investigation is being carried out by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police.

A Welsh Ambulance Services spokeswoman said the man and baby were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital.

The man was later transferred to Whiston Hospital, Merseyside, while the baby was moved to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

Both were said to be in a serious condition.

Detective Superintendent John Chapman said: "We would appeal for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Maes y Groes area of Prestatyn yesterday evening to get in contact as soon as possible by calling us on 101.

"We are deploying Family Liaison Officers to work closely with the next of kin at this difficult time.

"There is a team of dedicated officers working on specific lines of enquiry in relation to this incident."

He said a "meticulous" forensic investigation of the house was under way that could take up to three days to complete.

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Clubber Murder: Taxi Driver Jailed For Life

A taxi driver has been jailed for life after he admitted murdering nightclubber Sian O'Callaghan.

Father-of-three Christopher Halliwell, 48, from Swindon, pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court.

Sentencing Halliwell, the judge Mrs Justice Cox told him he would serve at least 25 years behind bars.

Miss O'Callaghan, 22, disappeared after leaving Swindon's Suju nightclub in the early hours of March 19 last year.

Hundreds of volunteers turned out at Savernake Forest to help in the search for her but she was found dead in Uffington, Oxfordshire, on March 24.

Miss O'Callaghan left the nightclub at 2.53am to walk the short distance to the home she shared with boyfriend Kevin Reape.

Shortly after she walked past the Goddard Arms on the High Street in the Old Town area, she got into Halliwell's taxi.

He had signed off from work earlier that night but, instead of going home, he cruised the streets of Swindon in his green Toyota Avensis taxi looking for a victim.

The court heard that he took Miss O'Callaghan, an office worker, to Savernake Forest where he murdered her.

In the 24 hours after Miss O'Callaghan was abducted, Halliwell made four visits to the area where her body had been hidden.

Prosecutor Ian Lawrie QC told the court: "He had carried out a reconnaissance for a possible deposition site for Sian O'Callaghan."

By the early hours of March 21, Halliwell had moved Miss O'Callaghan's body from Savernake Forest to the spot where it was later found.

He then attempted to cover his tracks by cleaning his car and burning his seat covers.

Within three days Halliwell was the prime suspect for Miss O'Callaghan's kidnap.

He was detained at an Asda Walmart car park in Swindon where experienced detectives carried out an "urgent interview".

Mr Lawrie told the court: "He said he didn't know the whereabouts of Sian and requested to speak to a solicitor."

Miss O'Callaghan's body was discovered lying face down and naked from her waist to her ankles.

A post-mortem found she had died from the combined effects of two stab wounds to the head and neck, as well as compression to the neck.

There was further evidence of blunt trauma to the back of the head and areas of external deep bruising to her face.

Forensic examinations found Miss O'Callaghan's blood in the rear of Halliwell's car. Police also used CCTV to establish he was in the Old Town area when she vanished.

The court heard extracts of statements made by Miss O'Callaghan's loved ones.

Mr Reape said: "My heart was ripped out, my life has been destroyed. Sian was a beautiful, happy-go-lucky person who could cheer up the most miserable of people."

Her mother, Elaine O'Callaghan, said: "There is never total closure, just accepting my life has changed forever."

Mick O'Callaghan, her father, said: "My eldest daughter was the most lovely and fantastic daughter."

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Ben Needham: New Search For Missing Toddler

A team of British experts have begun their search for the body of Ben Needham who went missing 21 years ago on the Greek island of Kos.

Ben vanished on the island in July 1991 when he was 21 months old after his mother and grandparents moved there from Sheffield.

Despite a number of possible sightings and a range of theories about what happened, no trace of him has ever been found.

The new search, led by South Yorkshire Police, will centre on a large, grassy mound close to where the youngster went missing.

It is close to a farmhouse next to the one his grandparents were renovating in 1991.

One theory is that the mound consists of building material dumped there the day Ben vanished and that he could have been accidentally buried beneath it.

JCB operators working there at the time have now told police some of the rubble was not searched properly.

Ben's mother, Kerry Needham, who has spent two decades looking for her son and has consistently said she believes he was abducted and is still alive, told the Daily Mirror she is praying the police dig fails to find him.

Ben's family

"If they find his bones my life will be finished," she told the paper.

In previous interviews, Mrs Needham, 41, has said she believes the mound was already there when Ben disappeared.

Earlier this year, she said: "I find it very, very unlikely that Ben is there, unless he buried himself."

South Yorkshire police said the search will involve the use of geophysical ground examination equipment and search dogs. They will also be helped by a a forensic archaeologist.

The operation is expected to last a week to 10 days and follows a Greek police request for specialist support.

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Former Lib Dem Candidate Guilty Of Fraud

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

A former Liberal Democrat candidate for Parliament has been found guilty of 25 counts of fraud at Coventry Crown Court following a Sky News investigation.

Dr Vincent McKee, 56, used his national tutorial agency, ICUT, to get clients' credit and debit card details, then systematically raided their accounts.

Some of the fraud against students took place when he was running for election to become MP for Coventry North West in 2010, while campaigning against tuition fees.

In 2010, Sky News interviewed numerous defrauded parents and students who claimed McKee overcharged them after they had arranged private lessons through his network of tutors.

In December 2010, a Sky journalist posed as a client and arranged a £60 lesson with one of McKee's tutors in London. Three days later, it emerged McKee had withdrawn £328.50 from Sky's account.

The next day he attempted to take a further £225, but Sky had blocked the card. 

This first investigation, broadcast in January 2011, in which McKee denied the allegations, led to him losing his membership of the Liberal Democrat party.

Shortly afterwards, he began trading under a new company name, University and Academy Tutors (UAT). He also started using a pseudonym, Patrick Murray.

Jonathan Miller claimed almost £2,000 was taken from his account

A second Sky investigation two months later found he was still taking money from students' bank accounts without authorisation.

Sky passed the evidence to Coventry Trading Standards and, in September 2011, McKee was charged with 34 counts of fraud totalling nearly £30,000.

During a six-week trial, witnesses travelled from across the UK to give evidence. The jury heard McKee tried to intimidate customers who asked for their money back.

The Coventry Telegraph reported that Nigerian Student Afolabi Oyedeji recorded a conversation in which McKee told him to: "F*** off back to where you came from," adding: "You may do that in Nigeria, we don't do that in Britain."

Ben Mills, prosecuting, asked Mr Oyedeji in the witness box: "You were asking for a refund. Did you think that was a satisfactory response?"

McKee blamed misunderstandings, bad record-keeping and other staff for taking money by mistake while he was ill. He described the Sky investigation as a "horrible onslaught", according to the paper.

Two Sky journalists also gave evidence in the trial and Sky's recorded calls were played in court. In one call McKee suggested someone must have broken into his office, when explaining how money had been taken from our account and put into his.

Two weeks into the trial, McKee pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Breach of Professional Diligence.

In the witness box, he admitted responsibility for the "mess" and failures at his company, but he denied dishonesty.

He had also pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice - allegedly providing falsified copies of written agreements with students to investigators at Trading Standards.

McKee insisted he had been entrapped by Sky News. In a statement, he said: "Mr Farrell's actions smacked of an attempt at devious entrapment that never quite came off in the way he intended."

Coventry Trading Standards has revealed they had their first complaints against McKee in May 2008.

But despite repeated warnings, McKee's practice of overcharging continued in 2009 and escalated through 2010, when he unsuccessfully ran for Parliament to become a Liberal Democrat MP.

Two television investigations and subsequent criminal charges in 2011 failed to stop him defrauding students.

In August 2012, just one month before the trial began, Sky was contacted by another customer who claimed he had been overcharged.

Many students have been unable to get their money back.

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Terror As Passenger Jet Fills With Smoke

Passengers have spoken of their terror as smoke filled the cabin of their plane just before take-off and it was brought to a shuddering halt on the runway at Glasgow Airport.

They said the pilot of the Jet2 aircraft slammed on the brakes before the 189 passengers were evacuated using inflatable chutes.

The incident happened on a 737 plane bound for Alicante, Spain at about 7.40am.

Strathclyde Police said five people were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and a further 15 were treated at the scene. No one was seriously injured.

Passenger Jean Walker said some people had to jump from the aircraft wing to the ground.

She said: "It was terrifying. We were about to take off and the plane started shuddering and there were lights flashing and smoke and the crew started shouting 'Get out, get out'.

"We were sitting at the wing and the girl opened the door and we went out on the wing, but there wasn't a chute there.

"There were about eight or 10 of us on the wing and I was saying people couldn't come out because there was no chute.

"Two girls jumped off the wing on to the ground. They were OK.

"Other people got hurt coming down the chutes - they were inflated, but the hostesses were just shouting 'Jump, jump' and people were just banging into each other at the bottom, and about four people were taken to hospital."

Her husband Gordon Walker said: "You better believe it was terrifying.

"The stewardesses were panicking and shouting (at) people to go one way, then the other. It all happened really quick and I've never seen anything like it."

Glasgow Airport said flights were suspended until 10am but the runway has since reopened.

Six inbound flights were diverted and 19 others were cancelled or delayed.

Earlier this month, around 60 passengers had to evacuate a Thomas Cook plane by emergency chutes when the cabin filled with smoke after landing at Glasgow.

The flight from Dalaman, Turkey, touched down on October 11 as normal and was on the stand when the incident happened.

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Jimmy Savile Inquiry Now Criminal Investigaton

Judge To Lead BBC's Savile Inquiry

Updated: 6:46am UK, Wednesday 17 October 2012

Former High Court judge Dame Janet Smith will lead the BBC's internal inquiry into sex abuse claims against Jimmy Savile, it has been announced.

The corporation also revealed former head of Sky News Nick Pollard will head a review into Newsnight and its decision to axe an investigative report about the late presenter.

A statement issued by the BBC said the Pollard Review would "seek to establish whether there were any failings in the BBC's management of the Newsnight investigation" into claims against Savile - and in the broadcast of tribute programmes after his death.

Meanwhile, Dame Janet will head up a review into the culture and practices of the BBC during Savile's time there and look into whether the broadcaster's child protection and whistleblowing arrangements are "fit for purpose".

The Smith Review will begin only once police have indicated they are happy for it to proceed. Sky News understands Mr Pollard's investigation could start in the next few days.

Downing Street had previously indicated David Cameron could order a public inquiry into the scandal once the BBC and police investigations are concluded.

Number 10 insisted it was still an option after Labour led calls for the Government to set up an independent inquiry into the sex abuse allegations.

A spokesman said: "Nothing has been ruled out, but our view is it would be premature to prejudge the outcome of the two BBC inquiries and the police investigation."

The comments came after Culture Secretary Maria Miller appeared to rule out an independent inquiry as she expressed confidence that BBC chiefs were taking the claims "very seriously".

Labour leader Ed Miliband is insisting that the BBC's internal investigations are not enough and the victims deserve more.

He told Sky News on Tuesday: "I think we owe it to the victims to say 'look we are not going to have the institutions where the activities took place investigating themselves, we are going to have a separate inquiry across all those institutions'.

"I think they deserve truth and justice - and I think that is the best way of getting to it."

He had earlier told ITV1's The Agenda: "These are horrific allegations. In order to do right by the victims I don't think the BBC can lead their own inquiry.

"We need a broad look at all the public institutions involved - the BBC, parts of the NHS and Broadmoor. This has got to be independent."

Labour wants an independent inquiry that has the power to call for documents and summon witnesses and would look at Savile's activities at the BBC, Stoke Mandeville hospital and Broadmoor.

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman also told Sky News on Tuesday that Savile's alleged victims would not be satisfied with the BBC investigating itself and insisted wider action was required.

"There was obviously a culture of silence which fermented a situation where more and more victims were able to be abused by Jimmy Savile," she said.

"Instead of just looking at the BBC, we need to look at those other organisations as well. Instead of a number of different inquiries, we need one inquiry to look at all these horrific allegations."

She added: "Until we have really got to the truth, then we can't ever be complacent that these sorts of things won't happen again."

Before Labour's demand, Ms Miller had rejected calls for an outside inquiry to restore the public's faith, warning it could hamper police investigations.

"In terms of a wider inquiry, we have a police investigation on-going at the moment," she said.

"Everybody would agree that it is really important that those individuals who have been victims know that that investigation can go on unfettered and that that should be our priority at this stage."

She cited the three separate internal investigations already launched by the BBC into the affair.

Police believe the DJ and television presenter's alleged catalogue of child sex abuse could have spanned six decades and included around 60 victims and are also investigating.

But former Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair has questioned the validity of a police investigation, given that Savile is no longer alive.

Appearing on Sky News, he said: "I don't quite know what this police inquiry is going to be into. They need to be taken seriously by the responsible authorities and when a man is dead, the police are not that person.

"It just seems to me that the police might be the right clearing house but this really is a matter for other authorities. Jimmy Savile is standing before a different tribunal now."

BBC director-general George Entwistle is due to appear before the Commons culture, media and sport select committee next week where he will face further questions about the affair.

Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton said his constituents, who turned out in their thousands to pay tribute to the broadcaster when he died, felt "betrayed and angry".

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Energy Prices: Urgent Question In Commons

Labour has accused the Government of making up "policy on the hoof" amid confusion over David Cameron's vow to slash energy prices.

Mr Cameron promised during PMQs on Wednesday that new laws would be brought in to force energy firms to give customers the cheapest tariff available.

The announcement appeared to take the Department of Energy and Climate Change by surprise and prompted immediate questions about how it could be delivered.

Labour tabled an urgent question on Thursday morning to demand answers, where shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint accused Mr Cameron of creating "chaos".

She said: "We all mis-speak from time to time and the Prime Minister was under a lot of pressure yesterday but for the Government to spend a day pretending to have a policy they have no intention of implementing is no way to run the country.

"It is like something out of The Thick of It... Millions of families and pensioners worried about how they will heat their homes deserve better than policy made on the hoof and this House needs answers."

Ms Flint asked Energy Minister John Hayes if his department had known of the change in advance, how it would work and when it would be implemented.

"Of course we understand what the Prime Minister was considering because we have been debating and discussing the provisions of the Energy Bill for months," he said.

But the minister notably did not confirm Mr Cameron's pledge, instead saying the Government would legislate to "help" customers get the best deal.

"We want to use the Bill to get people the lowest tariffs," he said.

"There are a number of options that are being considered, for example a voluntary agreement with energy suppliers announced in April secured a number of measures which will be evaluated to see if we should make legislation binding.

"This is a complicated area and we will discuss with the industry, consumer groups and the regulator in order to work through the detail."

Mr Hayes said he was "profoundly concerned and disappointed" by recent price hikes and said he would be discussing the rises with the companies "as a matter of urgency".

And he vowed that the Energy Bill would be a "landmark piece of legislation" delivering lower energy prices for businesses and households.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey was giving a speech on energy market reform in the City at the time of the Commons question where he appeared to distance himself from the PM's pledge.

He sidestepped questions about the statement and pointed instead to voluntary agreements secured earlier this year under which firms are forced to tell customers the best deal available.

"We are looking at how that can be built on, and how we can drive switching arrangements. We will be legislating for those arrangements in the forthcoming Energy Bill," he said.

Consumer group Which? urged Mr Cameron not to backtrack.

Executive director Richard Lloyd said: "Just giving people information on the lowest tariff is not enough when trust is at an all-time low in the industry and switching levels are falling."

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UK Car Makers Hit By Fall In Demand

A fall in European demand for British-made cars hits the manufacturing of vehicles across the UK, according to automotive industry figures.

Car manufacturing fell 5.8% in September, with 128,192 cars made in the Britain, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Commercial vehicle production dropped by even more - 20.2% - and the total number of all vehicles made fell by 7%.

It follows recent figures that showed Europe's car market shrunk at its fastest pace for 12 months last month.

Only the UK had managed to buck the trend - but the SMMT said the effects of the eurozone debt crisis had now hit home.

"Declining demand for cars and vans across the major European markets impacted UK vehicle and engine production in September," SMMT's chief executive Paul Everitt said.

"The strong demand for UK products outside Europe and the investment committed by major vehicle manufacturers will secure future growth, although the coming months will be challenging for companies at all levels in the supply chain."

He said European governments had to focus on securing financial stability and economic growth, "or they risk long-term damage to key industries."

Despite the September fall, vehicle production is still up in the year so far, which SMMT said "reaffirms the strength of global demand of UK-built products".

The managing director of Vauxhall Motors, Duncan Aldred, told Jeff Randall Live it was a difficult time for car makers.

"All manufacturers are having to take production breaks in order not to build up excess inventory," he said.

"There is too much capacity at the moment on a european level for the number of buyers there are out there - so clearly, there will be winners and losers."

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Manchester Robbery: CCTV Shows Violent Attack

Police have released footage of the moment a gang of robbers burst into a supermarket armed with a crowbar, an axe and a hammer.

Two shop staff were lucky to survive the attack, which happened at a store in Greater Manchester as they were locking up.

The pictures show the four men - all wearing hoods or balaclavas - grapple with the workers as they gain entry to the building, where they stole a large sum of money.

One of the robbers, wearing a grey hooded tracksuit top, can be seen raining down blow after blow with a hammer - his target just out of shot.

The raid happened at the KP Supermarket in Tavistock Square, Harpurhey, Greater Manchester, at 8.15pm on Saturday.

One of the staff managed to call the police while the gang was still in the store, but they drove away from the scene moments later in a waiting car.

The two workers, men aged 50 and 37, suffered head and back injuries and were left shocked by the attack - but their injuries are not life-threatening.

All four robbers are white, thought to be aged between 25 and 28 and were wearing balaclavas or hoods and dark clothing.

Detective Constable Tina McAndrew of North Manchester CID said: "The robbers used shocking levels of violence during this raid.

"The staff were effectively rushed by the robbers, so they had little option but to struggle with them. They clearly came off much worse as these offenders were determined to use whatever violent means necessary to escape with the cash."

:: Anyone with information is asked to call North Manchester CID on 0161 8563240 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Spy Scheme: XBox Generation Are Signed Up

Britain's intelligence agencies are to recruit apprentice cyber spies in an attempt to harness the talents of the Xbox generation.

Up to 100 18-year-olds will be given the chance to train for a career in the secret services countering the threat of cyber warfare and internet criminals.

The scheme, announced by Foreign Secretary William Hague, is aimed predominantly at GCHQ - the electronic communications agency.

But some recruits will go on to work in the other agencies - the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and the Security Service, MI5.

Bletchley Park, the home of the World War II codebreakers

The move marks a break with past practice - when the agencies traditionally recruited mainly university graduates.

The Government said it was important to use the most talented people to help secure the UK against the increasing threat of cyber attacks.

Mr Hague announced the scheme in a speech at Bletchley Park, the home of Britain's World War Two codebreakers and the forerunner of GCHQ.

"It will be the young innovators of this generation who will help keep our country safe in years to come against threats which are every bit as serious as some of those confronted in the Second World War," he said.

A different breed of spy: James Bond

"Today we are not at war, but I see evidence every day of deliberate, organised attacks against intellectual property and government networks in the United Kingdom from cyber criminals or foreign actors with the potential to undermine our security and economic competitiveness.

"This is one of the great challenges of our time, and we must confront it to ensure that Britain remains a world leader in cyber security and a pre-eminent safe space for e-commerce and intellectual property online."

Officials said the Single Intelligence Account apprenticeship scheme was aimed at tapping the skills of the "Xbox generation" who had grown up in the world of social media, global connectivity and interactive gaming.

Recruits will undergo a two-year programme of training with a foundation degree course in communications, security and engineering at De Montfort University in Leicester.

They will also study for a Level 4 diploma in IT, software, web and telecommunications professional competence.

Mr Hague also used his visit to announce £480,000 in Foreign Office funding for the preservation of Bletchley Park, unlocking £5m of heritage lottery funding.

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Abortion Row Over Belfast Marie Stopes Clinic

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

Four hundred pro-life campaigners are staging a mass rally in Belfast in protest at the opening of the first private abortion clinic in Ireland.

They braved pouring rain to occupy an area directly outside the Marie Stopes centre and the opposite side of Great Victoria Street in the city centre.

Some held large banners proclaiming the word "life", others waved placards bearing graphic abortion images in a bid to make their point.

"We're protesting against murder," said one protestor. "Protestants and Catholics have united against the opening of this clinic," said another.

Until now, women seeking a termination have had to travel to Great Britain, but the new clinic in Belfast lists "medical abortion up to nine weeks' gestation" among its services.

Dawn Purvis, programme director at Marie Stopes Northern Ireland, said: "We will be able to meet family planning and sexual health needs in a way not seen here before."

The 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland - termination remains illegal unless there is an immediate threat to the mother's mental or physical health.

Hundreds of pro-life campaigners gathered in Belfast city centre

Liam Gibson, from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said: "The law is clear. The Northern Ireland Assembly has jurisdiction over abortion, not Marie Stopes."

Precious Life, the group behind the protest, branded the opening of the clinic "evil". They urged people to participate in three days of "prayer and fasting" in opposition.

Department of Health figures show 43 abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland hospitals last year. However, 1,007 women travelled to England or Wales for a termination.

One of those women spoke to Sky News on condition of anonymity.

"It was very stressful, not just the fact that it was unplanned, but having to think about where to get the money to travel to England for the procedure and keeping it secret," she said.

"You can't really have an opinion unless you're in that situation. You're not entitled to express an opinion unless you've been there and been faced with that decision to take."

Pro-choice groups have opted not to stage a counter-demonstration outside the clinic. They feared that would up the ante further and deter potential clients from attending.

Tracey McNeill, UK and Europe Director for Marie Stopes International, confirmed they had hired security guards to ensure the safety of staff and patients.

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Flooding Fear As More Heavy Rain Forecast

Heavy rain has fallen in parts of Britain for the second night, bringing with it the risk of flooding to some areas.

By Friday afternoon, a band of rain that hit the South West had swept across Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England.

Up to 35mm of rain fell in some areas of the South, leading the Environment Agency to issue more than 30 flood alerts for the South West.

Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "Last night's (Friday) heavy rain has cleared the South now with the cloud breaking to bring a fine day for most places.

"Flooding concerns are likely to increase again late on Sunday and into Monday as a frontal system sweeps in across southwest Britain, bringing heavy rain.

"As a result, the Environment Agency has now issued seven flood warnings across the southwest region.

"Fortunately, the weather forecast is a positive one for most of this weekend with sunny spells for many, but expect cold mornings with some patchy frost and fog".

The Environment Agency has said Sunday's expected deluges could result in significant disruption.

In a statement, the agency said: "We're warning communities across South West England and southern Wales to be vigilant and alert for flooding as heavy rain is set to return on Sunday afternoon and into Monday."

A man was also killed when a falling tree hit his car near Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, hitting two cars, a Ford Mondeo and a Mini, at about 2.45pm on Friday.

The driver of the Mondeo, a 64-year-old man from Sheffield, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A front seat passenger in the car, a woman, was also taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be serious. A woman from the mini has been taken to Frimley Park Hospital for treatment after being freed from the vehicle by the fire service.

Her condition is not believed to be life threatening. In total, more than 500 homes and businesses were flooded across England and Wales.

Parts of the UK were left devastated by heavy floods last week. Yorkshire was the area worst hit as more than the average rainfall for September fell in just a few days in many areas.

A couple drowned in a swollen river in Wales and a block of townhouses in Newburn, Newcastle, were condemned to be knocked down after floodwater gouged out the earth under their foundations.

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Gatwick Airport Planning Second Runway

Gatwick Airport bosses have started to draw up detailed options for a new runway which could help resolve the UK's air capacity crisis.

But Gatwick said it would honour a 1979 legal agreement that states no runway can be built at the West Sussex airport before 2019.

The options, to be submitted to a Government-appointed aviation commission, will assess the environmental and economic impacts of a new runway.

The chief executive of Gatwick, which serves 197 destinations and handles around 34 million passengers a year, said a new runway would benefit passengers.

"I believe a new runway at Gatwick could be affordable, practical and give passengers a greater choice of routes to key markets," Stewart Wingate said.

"We have the space, capability and access to financial resources."

London's busiest airport, Heathrow, is operating close to full capacity after the Government blocked a third runway because of the resulting increase in planes flying over the city.

Mr Wingate said a new runway at Gatwick had "clear practical advantages" over expansion at Heathrow.

"When compared with a third runway at Heathrow, we would have a significantly lower environmental impact whilst adding significantly more capacity," he said.

He added that it would also be preferable to other London alternatives.

"Stansted is half empty today, we already have much better surface transport links and feel our business case will be much stronger," he said.

"As for the Estuary airport concepts, there are major questions on affordability, environmental issues and whether they are deliverable."

But the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign has always been opposed to a second runway at the airport on environmental grounds.

"We have had massive support from across Surrey, Sussex and west Kent," Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign's chairman, Brendon Sewill, said following the announcement.

"We have been supported by all the local MPs and all the county, district and parish councils in a wide area.

"If necessary, we will resume the battle."

Gatwick has safeguarded the land that would be required for a new runway since it was bought by Global Infrastructure Partners in 2009.

It estimates that for the rest of this decade, London's airports will be relying on their existing physical capacity.

As such, its submission to the commission will evaluate how the capacity of its existing runway can be maximised.

It will also argue that a second runway would help ensure that London's airports provide the South East and the rest of UK with the connectivity needed in the future.

The commission, led by the former head of the Financial Services Authority Sir Howard Davies, will make its full report into the South East's airport capacity in 2015.

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Missing Woman And Four Children Found

A mother and her four children have been found safe after a judge ordered a nationwide search for them.

The hunt for Jennifer Jones and her children Jessica, 14, Tomas, 12, Eva, nine, and David Palacin Jones, eight, was sparked after she failed to obey a court order for the youngsters to be returned to their father in Spain.

All five were found at around 11am today in Gwent - more than 50 miles away from her home in Llanelli, Wales.

After losing a legal battle in the High Court against her divorced Spanish husband Tomas Palacin Cambra, Ms Jones left London and is thought to have travelled home.

She and her children were not at the property when police and social services called, prompting a judge to release their details and launch an appeal for information.

Dyfed Powys Police said the family had been found and Mr Palacin Cambra was "overjoyed" with the news.

A Gwent police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that the four children missing from the Llanelli area were found in the Gwent area just after 11am this morning.

"Police and local authority are now working together with family members to ensure the ongoing safety of the children."

Judge Mr Justice Roderic Wood, who asked on Tuesday for the public's help finding Miss Jones and the children, is due to analyse developments at a High Court hearing in London later.

Lawyers representing Mr Palacin Cambra updated the judge at a private hearing earlier before Ms Jones was found.

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Frankie Boyle: 'Characters Are Racist, Not Me'

Frankie Boyle has told a High Court jury that while the characters in his jokes might express racist views, he does not.

The 40-year-old was giving evidence on the third day of a trial in London, after complaining that the Daily Mirror libelled him in an article published last July.

He was labelled a "racist comedian" in the report but says the newspaper "misunderstood" his jokes and that he has "actively campaigned" against racism.

Mr Boyle answered questions put to him by Ronald Thwaites, a barrister for Mirror Group Newspapers, which publishes the Daily Mirror.

He was asked about a joke he made about US President Barack Obama, which it was claimed made "gratuitous use of a well-known black man".

"You are punctuating your programme with racist references that some people will find clever and others will find normal and acceptable," Mr Thwaites said.

Mr Boyle denied the allegation and said he was playing characters who were "dressed up".

He added: "These are phrases that a racist will use. There is no way they are an endorsement of racist terminology. It is the absolute opposite of that.

"If I dressed up as Godzilla, people would not accuse me of wanting to crush Tokyo myself."

The hearing continues.

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Blind Man Tasered: Police Mistake Stick For Sword

A "terrified" blind man was hit with a 50,000 volt Taser gun after police mistook his white stick for a samurai sword.

Stroke victim Colin Farmer, 61, collapsed to the ground in shock after he was hit in the back with the gun while walking down the street in Chorley, Lancashire.

Police had received reports of a man walking through the town armed with the deadly martial arts weapon and raced to the scene to hunt down the offender.

Meanwhile Mr Farmer, who has suffered two strokes and walks at a "snail's pace", was on his way to the pub to meet friends for a drink and was unaware of the reports.

He had no idea a police officer had mistaken his thin white stick for a machete and ordered him to stop before pulling the trigger on the Taser gun.

Mr Farmer cried out, "I'm blind! I'm blind!" while collapsed on the floor but was still handcuffed by the officer from Lancashire Police.

"The whole thing was like being trapped in a nightmare," he told the Chorley Guardian.

Mr Farmer said he heard shouting on the street but did not know what it was about and thought he was about to be "attacked by some hooligans".

He was then struck by the Taser and fell to the ground, dropping his white stick on the floor before a policeman handcuffed him.

He was taken to Chorley Hospital for treatment and was later released following the incident at about 5.45pm last Friday.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Williams, from Lancashire Police, said: "We received a number of reports that a man was walking through Chorley armed with a samurai sword and patrols were sent to look for the man.

"One of the officers believed he had located the offender. Despite asking the man to stop, he failed to do so and the officer discharged his Taser.

"It then became apparent this man was not the person we were looking for and officers attended to him straight away.

"He was taken Chorley Hospital by officers who stayed while he was checked over by medics. They then took him to meet his friends in Chorley at his request.

"Lancashire Constabulary deeply regrets what has happened. We have clearly put this man through a traumatic experience and we are extremely sorry.

"We have launched an urgent investigation to understand what lessons can be learned and the matter has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."

Mr Farmer is reportedly considering legal action against the force.

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Hillsborough Tragedy Set For New Inquest

The Attorney General has paved the way for a new inquest into the deaths of 96 football fans in the Hillsborough tragedy by applying for the verdicts of the original hearing to be quashed.

The move comes after a report into the 1989 disaster revealed a cover-up that attempted to shift the blame for the tragedy on to its victims.

Dominic Grieve told the House of Commons: "I believe that these deaths, arising as they do from a common chain of events, should all be considered afresh.

"However, before reaching any final view on the scope of the application, I want to give the families affected the opportunity to make any representations in respect of the family member or members they lost.

"I will therefore be in contact with each family seeking views."

Mr Grieve said any criminal proceedings emerging from the fallout of the Hillsborough Panel Report, which said many of the victims could have survived and scores of police statements were altered to prevent criticism of officers, could affect when the new inquest could take place.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has said a "large number" of current and former officers will be investigated over their actions on the day of the tragedy and during the subsequent alleged cover-up.

Liverpool MP Steve Rotheram said the move "marks one of the biggest steps forward in the fight for justice for the families in 23 years".

"The undeniable fact is that the original inquest was unsound and this application, if successful, will mean that evidence will be able to be heard after the 3.15pm cut off imposed by the original Coroner in the 1989 inquests," he said.

"For the first time in over two decades, all the evidence can now be reviewed into the disaster and potentially a new verdict recorded on the death certificates of the deceased."

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Gary McKinnon: May Blocks Extradition To US

Long Wait Over Extradition Ruling

Updated: 12:47pm UK, Tuesday 16 October 2012

Computer hacker Gary McKinnon has been living under the threat of extradition and prosecution in the US for more than 10 years. Here is a summary of the key events in his case:

:: 2001-2002 Between February 1 2001 and March 19 2002, the Glasgow-born computer expert allegedly hacks into 97 US government computers from his home in north London.

He is accused of leaving 300 computers at US Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey unusable immediately after the September 11 2001 terror attacks on America.

US prosecutors also allege he deleted files which shut down the US army's military district of Washington DC network of more than 2,000 computers for 24 hours.

Mr McKinnon later denies causing any damage and says he was only looking for files that would prove the existence of UFOs.

:: 2002 Between March 19 and August 8, Mr McKinnon is interviewed about his hacking by the UK's National Hi-Tech Crime Unit at the request of the US government.

On October 31, the District Court of New Jersey in the US issues a warrant for his arrest before Paul McNulty, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, says on November 12: "Mr McKinnon is charged with the biggest military computer hack of all time."

:: 2004 The US District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia issues another warrant for McKinnon's arrest on August 12 and, on October 7, the US government files a request for his extradition.

:: 2005 On March 31, a warrant for Mr McKinnon's arrest is issued by Bow Street Magistrates' Court and officers from Scotland Yard's extradition unit arrest him at his north London home on June 7.

:: 2006 Then-home secretary John Reid signs an order on July 4 for McKinnon to be extradited to the US.

:: 2007 Mr McKinnon loses an attempt to appeal against his extradition at the High Court on April 3.

:: 2008 The House of Lords, then Britain's highest court, dismisses a further appeal bid by the computer expert on July 30 and McKinnon - who is diagnosed as suffering from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, on August 25 - also loses his bid to get the European Court of Human Rights to stay the extradition on August 28.

Then-home secretary Jacqui Smith rejects a request from Mr McKinnon's legal team on September 13 to stop the extradition on the grounds of his Asperger's diagnosis.

:: 2009 In January, Mr McKinnon wins permission in the High Court to seek judicial review of Ms Smith's decision and, a month later, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announces that it will not bring charges against him in Britain.

Mr McKinnon makes a bid at the High Court in July to force the Government into allowing a trial in the UK, challenging the CPS's refusal to sanction a trial in this country, but two High Court judges refuse to block his removal.

Then-Tory leader David Cameron joins the growing call for a review of extradition laws in July, saying McKinnon is "a vulnerable young man and I see no compassion in sending him thousands of miles away from his home and loved ones to face trial".

The following month, Mr McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp criticises the then-home secretary Alan Johnson for linking her son to the September 11 terror attacks and the deaths of nearly 3,000 US citizens.

In November, the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee calls for a "comprehensive review" of the controversial treaty under which Mr McKinnon could be sent for trial while Mr Johnson, as home secretary, rejects a last-ditch appeal for him to block the extradition, saying: "I have no general discretion."

:: 2010 Mr McKinnon's mother receives 173 votes when she stands against Jack Straw, who helped agree the extradition treaty with the US, in his Blackburn constituency at the general election in May.

Later that month, the new Home Secretary Theresa May gives campaigners a glimmer of hope by agreeing his case should be adjourned while medical evidence is considered.

Now Prime Minister, Mr Cameron discusses Mr McKinnon's case with US President Barack Obama in July, saying he hopes "a way through" can be found.

It also emerges through leaked documents in November that, as prime minister, Gordon Brown unsuccessfully proposed a deal to allow McKinnon to serve any prison sentence in Britain.

:: 2011 The Government should renegotiate the UK's extradition treaty with the US to ensure British citizens get the same protection as Americans, the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) says in June.

But in October, a long-awaited review of extradition arrangements by retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Scott Baker finds the current treaty between the US and the UK is both balanced and fair. Many MPs and campaigners urge the Government to change the Extradition Act anyway.

:: 2012 The High Court expresses concern in January over the length of time Mr McKinnon's case in taking and attempts to speed matters up by listing it for a hearing in July.

In March, Mr Cameron and Mr Obama agree to review the operation of the controversial extradition treaty, but do not mention any individual cases during talks at the White House.

On October 16, the Home Secretary announces she is blocking Mr McKinnon's extradition on health grounds.

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Legal Highs: Drugs Charity Warns Of Dangers

The dangers of so-called legal highs and club drugs are being highlighted in a new campaign.

The Angelus Foundation said its research suggests a third of 16 to 24 year olds are now likely to try them - but the risks are almost completely unknown and many can be potentially fatal.

The substances may contain a dangerous combination of toxic chemicals which produce side effects such as psychosis, depression, panic attacks, heart problems, seizures, coma, loss of use of the bladder and even death.

Maryon Stewart set the charity up after her 21-year-old daughter Hester died taking the drug GBL in 2009. 

The medical student was given half a dose which, combined with the alcohol she had consumed during an awards dinner, sent her into a coma.

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch has backed the awareness campaign.

Recently, GBL, mephedrone and ketamine have been made illegal but many unregulated legal highs such as Benzo Fury and MDAI are still widely available over the internet and without health hazard warnings.

Mrs Stewart says the Find Out campaign will help give young people the facts about the dangers.

"There has been an unprecedented influx of new legal highs in the country," she said.

"Currently there is a huge knowledge gap in their effects and the dangers they present. Legal does not mean safe.

"Angelus is devoted to raising awareness of the dangers of legal highs and club drugs and providing information and impartial advice to both young people and parents alike."

The campaign is backed by the Amy Winehouse Foundation, named after the singer who died of alcohol poisoning in July 2011. 

Her father Mitch Winehouse said: "A whole generation of young people is at risk from legal highs simply because they don't know what serious harm they can come to by taking them.

"We're delighted to be working collaboratively with the Angelus Foundation to help set the record straight about the dangers of legal highs and club drugs, and to prevent any more senseless deaths."

The charity said 28 new legal highs have become available in the UK in the first five months of this year alone - and the figure is set to rise in 2013.

A number of other deaths have been attributed to legal highs including Joseph Bennett, 17, who died last week after inhaling nitrous oxide.

Police in Scotland confirmed three people had been taken to hospital at the same time earlier this month after taking a legal high called Annihilation.

In February, Northumbria Police issued a warning over the use of legal highs after the death of 18-year-old Andrew Lourie.

In March 2011, 21-year-old Louise Cattell took a dose of ketamine and drowned in her bath while watching a DVD.

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Jimmy Savile: Labour Demands New Abuse Inquiry

David Cameron could order a public inquiry into the Jimmy Savile scandal once BBC and police investigations are concluded, Downing Street has indicated.

Number 10 insisted it was still an option after Labour led calls for the Government to set up an independent inquiry into the sex abuse allegations.

A spokesman said: "Nothing has been ruled out, but our view is it would be premature to prejudge the outcome of the two BBC inquiries and the police investigation."

The comments came after Culture Secretary Maria Miller appeared to rule out an independent inquiry as she expressed confidence that BBC chiefs were taking the claims "very seriously".

Labour leader Ed Miliband is insisting that the BBC's internal investigations are not enough and the victims deserve more.

The abuse allegations span six decades

He told Sky News on Tuesday: "I think we owe it to the victims to say 'look we are not going to have the institutions where the activities took place investigating themselves, we are going to have a separate inquiry across all those institutions'.

"I think they deserve truth and justice and I think that is the best way of getting to it."

He had earlier told ITV1's The Agenda: "These are horrific allegations. In order to do right by the victims I don't think the BBC can lead their own inquiry.

"We need a broad look at all the public institutions involved - the BBC, parts of the NHS and Broadmoor. This has got to be independent."

Labour want an independent inquiry that has the power to call for documents and summon witnesses and would look at Savile's activities at the BBC, Stoke Mandeville hospital and Broadmoor.

New BBC boss George Entwistle

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman also told Sky News on Tuesday that Savile's alleged victims would not be satisfied with the BBC investigating itself and insisted wider action was required.

"There was obviously a culture of silence which fermented a situation where more and more victims were able to be abused by Jimmy Savile," she said.

"Instead of just looking at the BBC, we need to look at those other organisations as well. Instead of a number of different inquiries, we need one inquiry to look at all these horrific allegations."

She added: "Until we have really got to the truth, then we can't ever be complacent that these sorts of things won't happen again."

Before Labour's demand, Ms Miller had rejected calls for an outside inquiry to restore the public's faith, warning it could hamper police investigations.

"In terms of a wider inquiry, we have a police investigation on-going at the moment," she said.

"Everybody would agree that it is really important that those individuals who have been victims know that that investigation can go on unfettered and that that should be our priority at this stage."

She cited the three separate internal investigations already launched by the BBC into the affair.

Police believe the DJ and television presenter's alleged catalogue of child sex abuse could have spanned six decades and included around 60 victims and are also investigating.

But former Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair has questioned the validity of a police investigation, given that Savile is no longer alive.

Appearing on Sky News, he said: "I don't quite know what this police inquiry is going to be into. They need to be taken seriously by the responsible authorities and when a man is dead, the police are not that person.

"It just seems to me that the police might be the right clearing house but this really is a matter for other authorities. Jimmy Savile is standing before a different tribunal now."

BBC director-general George Entwistle is due to appear before the Commons culture, media and sport select committee next week where he will face further questions about the affair.

Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton said his constituents, who turned out in their thousands to pay tribute to the broadcaster when he died, felt "betrayed and angry".

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Queen To Thank Diamond Jubilee Organisers

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will thank organisers and supporters of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at a reception at Buckingham Palace tonight.

Guests will include those who helped stage the central weekend of events between June 2 and 5, as well as those who organised the Queen's 25-day nationwide tour.

Among more than 300 guests invited to the champagne reception will be Take That singer Gary Barlow, who was in charge of organising the Diamond Jubilee Concert.

Gary Barlow performed at the concert alongside Cheryl Cole

The singer-songwriter, who has just announced his 16-date solo tour, also co-wrote the official Diamond Jubilee song Sing with Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Barlow will be joined by chef Heston Blumenthal, who helped palace chefs create the menu for the Diamond Jubilee Picnic in the palace gardens.

The Duke of York and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are expected to attend alongside the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Guests will be received in the palace's White and Blue Drawing Rooms.

Thousands of people took part in the Jubilee celebrations in June

The event comes towards the end of a busy jubilee year in which the 91-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was twice admitted to hospital for bladder infections.

In recent weeks, the Queen, 86, was advised by doctors to rest instead of standing for a long period of time at a Buckingham Palace Investiture.

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