News that Greece has finally asked for financial aid sparked a relief rally on the London market today and helped offset disappointing UK output data.

Broadcaster BSkyB was centre of attention on the London market today after a better-than-feared verdict from regulator Ofcom over the amount it can charge rivals for premium sports.

BSkyB's clash with regulator Ofcom over the amount it can charge rivals for premium sports content failed to dent its shares today.

A rebound among blue chip banks failed to lift the FTSE 100 Index today as stocks fell in the wake of a shock plunge in US home sales.

Blue-chip banks were on a firmer footing today as immediate fears over America’s plans for radical banking reforms began to ease.

London: Model train-maker Hornby said sales of its Airfix model kits doubled after a BBC programme featured a life-size model of a Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft.

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter will make his comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon in a club game on Saturday.

The London market clawed back lost ground today as major news in the mining sector from Rio Tinto spurred on stocks.

The FTSE 100 stayed in the red today despite the continued rally in bank shares.

Airfix and Scalextric owner Hornby today revealed a 17% jump in profits and said it was well advanced with its next project to revive car firm Corgi.

Model train firm Hornby today said it had struck a £7.5m (€9.5m) deal to buy Corgi, one of the world’s oldest makers of model trains, cars and buses.

Model train firm Hornby warned on profits today after supply chain problems and softening UK demand hit sales.

Continued demand from UK-based model railway and Scalextric fans ensured hobby firm Hornby reported a strong finish to 2007 trading today.

Rio Tinto shares put on another 8% today as traders continued to eye the possibility of a multi-billion pound takeover by BHP Billiton.

Model kit and hobby firm Hornby today said sales of Scalextric enjoyed a boost after the success of Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton sparked renewed interest in the sport.

A bullish mood on Wall Street helped buoy the London market to close at its highest level for almost seven years today.

Takeover talk among property and retail stocks helped drive the London market to gains today.

London markets edged into positive territory today, boosted by gains at Prudential and a late rally on Wall Street on Friday.

Model train maker Hornby said today it was on the right track after sales continued their recovery over Christmas and Airfix joined the business.

Iconic UK plastic plane firm Airfix was rescued today after Hornby struck a deal with administrators.

TRAIN set giant Hornby offset the woes of its Airfix counterpart yesterday by stepping up its march into European markets.

British model railways group Hornby kept profits rolling ahead today after benefiting from its push into new European markets.

The London market ended the week camped in positive territory after investors shook off fresh gloom in the DIY sector today.

The London market resumed its upward path today despite a blow for firms in the DIY sector.

Model railways group Hornby kept profits in line with last year today after a “creditable” performance in the face of difficult market conditions.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the week below the 5000 mark today after disappointing unemployment data in the United States.

London shares started off in lacklustre form today as traders refused to commit their cash ahead of key unemployment data in the United States.

British model group Hornby said today that its trains steamed to their best Christmas sales performance since the mid-1970s.

The FTSE 100 Index built on its recent winning streak today to end the week at another 29-month high.

Positive jobs figures from across the Atlantic helped the London market end the week on a high note today.

Scalextric group Hornby said it had the platform for further growth today after seeing annual profits rise 20% to £6.5m (€9.7m).

Collectors paid more than £35,000 (€52.000) for Hornby and Meccano toys and memorabilia at auction today.

Hornby, the model railway and Scalextric slot car racing company, reported a 33% hike in interim pre-tax profit and predicted strong Christmas trading.

London’s benchmark FTSE 100 Index shrugged off gloomy US economic data today to finish an otherwise subdued session for trading in positive mood.

A LITTLE bit of a gem, this restored rectory at Littleton has an elegant sufficiency of qualities that normally come with country house living.

London shares ended the week on a positive note today as HSBC helped to push the FTSE 100 Index further away from the 4000 barrier.

Hopes of another upbeat performance on Wall Street were supporting the London market today.

Falls in banking and telecom stocks have pushed the FTSE 100 Index down 26.2 points at 5163.5.

The FTSE 100 Index was down 30.7 points at 5159 at mid-morning, wiping out the gains made on Friday.

The FTSE-100 Index is up 32.5 points as the London market picks up from a positive session on Wall Street.