Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak is in pole position to become the UK's next prime minister after Boris Johnson bowed out of the race to become the Conservative Party's next leader.

One eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was on the ride as the drama unfolded and there had been engineers working on it before it set off.

Researchers at the Civitas think tank plan to tell ministers to make an £8,000 childcare allowance available for mums that choose to stay home to look after their children.

Court chaos as staff began strike on Saturday over digital systems.

The fleet forms part of the National Highways' two-year £44m investment of 252 faster, cleaner and high-tech gritters assembled in preparation for freezing conditions on England's motorways and major A-roads.

Chief Inspector Lisa Parker, of the Met's North East BCU, said that her force's "thoughts and sympathies" were with the women and their loved ones.

A statue of Margaret Thatcher in her hometown has been targeted by vandals, who spray-painted 'Tories out' on the plinth.

Samantha Morris has given birth to twins just three months after her husband Aaron died in a motorbike accident on her 28th birthday.

Sir Salman Rushdie has lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand after he was brutally stabbed at a New York literary event.

Eleanor May Blackburn had to learn to walk, talk and eat again following the accident that left her hospitalised.