Housebuilding giant Persimmon today said it had laid off more than a fifth of its workforce since January as it faced up to the toughest conditions in the group’s recent history.

One of the UK’s biggest housebuilders is expected to announce hundreds of job cuts today and provide a further insight into the woes in the industry.

DAVID PIPE has been issued with his training licence by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority and will send out his first runners at Kelso today.

Rayshan is set to have his first outing for new connections in the totesport Lanzarote Hurdle at Carlisle on Saturday.