Bank Of England Keeps Interest Rates At 0.5%

The Bank of England has opted to keep interest rates at 0.5% for the third month in a row. The Bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) said after its latest monthly meeting borrowing rates would remain at the historic low. It added that it would not increase the scale of its quantitative easing programme to boost money supply. This currently stands at £125bn. The European Central Bank also kept its rate on hold at 1%. Under the quantitative easing programme, the Bank of England prints money and uses it to buy government and corporate bonds to increase the amount of money in circulation and stimulate economic activity.

Appeal To Trace Next Of Kin Of Man Killed In Collision

Officers are trying to trace the family of a Hyde man who died in a traffic collision in Failsworth last week. Roy Ashton, 46, from the Hyde area of Greater Manchester, died shortly after 8pm on Friday 29 May 2009 after his motorbike was in collision with a Volkswagen Polo on Green Lane in Failsworth. It is believed his ex-wife now remarried using the name of Yvonne Haywood and their two children Adam and Nicole emigrated to Australia a few years ago. They are believed to be in the New South Wales area. Officers have been working to trace the family but have so far not been able to do so. A 19-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed pending further police inquiries until 14 August. A 46-year-old woman involved in the collision remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Man Dies After Bridge Fall

A man has died after falling from a bridge on to the M25 in Essex and being hit by several vehicles. Police were called shortly before 7am to reports a man was on a motorway footbridge near J25 in Waltham Abbey. A police spokesman said the body of a man was later found on the southbound carriageway after having been struck by a number of vehicles. The southbound carriageway has been closed while the scene is examined, and motorists were told to avoid the area. The police spokesman said further details would be released later.

M74 Closed Following Road Death

A motorway has been closed after a man died in a road crash on the M74 in South Lanarkshire. Emergency services were called to the scene, near Larkhall, at about 4.35am on Thursday. An 18-year-old man was also injured in the crash. The northbound carriageway of the M74 has been closed between J8 Canderside and J6 Hamilton. Traffic is being diverted via the A71 and the A72. The crash has caused major delays to rush hour traffic. The motorway is expected to open later on Thursday.

Inquest Into Fight Death Man

An inquest has heard a 46-year-old man died from head injuries after a fight outside a Norwich nightclub. Emergency services were called to Chicago Rock Cafe in Prince of Wales Road at about 2.45am on Saturday. An ambulance took Phillip Ward, a married father-of-four from Drayton near Norwich, to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where he died. On Wednesday a Norwich inquest opened into Mr Ward's death and heard he died from head injuries. A police spokesman said a 28-year-old man had been arrested and released on police bail. Officers are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the incident.

Circuit Bench Appointment - Murray Shanks

Murray George Shanks appointed by the Queen to be a Circuit Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Jack Straw MP. The Right Honourable The Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales has assigned him to the South Eastern Circuit, based at Snaresbrook Crown Court with effect from Wednesday 17 June.

(JM/BNcC)