June 2009 Archives

A popular nudist beach is to get a "perv patrol".

Wardens will police the dunes at Studland Bay - a famous gay haunt in Dorset - to spot sexual misconduct and incidents which threaten to "bring naturism into disrepute".

Sgt Des Connor said: "This new venture will reduce anti-social behaviour."

Curvy cucumbers and knobbly sprouts will be back on supermarket shelves following an EU U-turn on wonky vegetables.

On Wednesday, Brussels will lift a ban on the sale of misshapen fruit and veg, which could see prices fall 40%.

For 30 years, farmers have been binning up to a fifth of produce which breached size and shape rules.

But now ugly items may be sold as a budget range in shops.

Previously, cucumbers could be sold only if they curved less than 1cm for every 10cm. Cauliflowers had to measure 11cm in diameter and forked carrots were a no-no.

In all, 26 fruits and vegetables, including brussels sprouts, carrots, cherries and plums, were covered by the restrictions.

Sainsbury's, which lobbied for the rule change, said: "It'll reduce waste."

Tesco added: "We look forward to selling curvy cucumbers and knobbly carrots."

Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "Some people aren't bothered what shape their five-a-day is."

Parents were warned today not to take their children to "swine flu parties" in the hope they will catch the disease now and build up immunity.

Although no firm evidence has emerged of such events taking place, family website mumsnet.com has witnessed discussions over whether parents should take steps to ensure their children acquire immunity before the main flu season in the winter, when some people expect the virus to be more potent.

For many years, parents have deliberately exposed their children to playmates with chickenpox in order to allow them to have the once-only disease at a convenient time, but British Medical Association expert Dr Richard Jarvis today warned against taking the same approach with swine flu.

His warning came the day after news emerged of the first death of a child with swine flu in the UK.

The national lottery has just handed out its cheekiest sum yet - £20,000 to an artist to study women's bottoms.

Sue Williams, of Swansea, is getting the funding to examine different attitudes towards "female buttocks".

She hopes to study its significance to different cultures. She claimed: "It is quite clear the bottom is sacrosanct to the African man and woman."

But Lib Dem MP Adrian Sanders said: "No doubt some people consider this is a good cause, but the majority buying lottery tickets are bound to question this."

They say looks aren't everything - but her jaw-dropping appearance won £600 for Miss Ellie, officially the world's ugliest dog.

The blind, pimple-ridden, 15-year Chinese hairless walked off with the title at Sonoma Marin, California

This doesn't really need an introduction, but the female host's reaction is golden...

UFOs and pranksters have been blamed for them in the UK but it seems that in Tasmania crop circles are being blamed on stoned Wallabies.

The animals are snacking in opium poppy fields are getting "high as a kite" and hopping around creating crop circles.

Tasmania is the world's largest producer of legally-grown opium for the pharmaceutical market.

Two ballgirls found themselves the centre of attention on Court One yesterday - for very different reasons.

First, Erin Lorencin felt just how powerful French star Michael Llodra can be when he crashed into her while racing across the grass trying to return a shot.

As Erin, 15, sat somewhat startled on the floor and the Frenchman received treatment for an injury, lucky Chloe Chambers got to play a few rallies with Llodra's opponent Tommy Haas.

A six-foot snake, a rabbit and a whip are among items left behind in college digs at the end of term, says student housing provider Unite.

An audit by Unite has revealed that trophy traffic cones and road signs are no longer the must-have collectibles.

Instead, students are leaving behind a more eclectic collection of items when they leave their digs at the end of the year.

He may stand almost as tall as the Coke bottle, but Khagendra Thapa Magar is a giant among record holders.

At just 2ft tall, the 17-year-old is four months away from being named the world's smallest man.