A HERO policeman who was swept to his death in the Cumbrian floods had devoted himself to helping others cope with tragedy, mourners were told.

Investors showed a growing lack of faith in corporate America’s accounting practices today, sending the Dow Jones industrials tumbling nearly 250 points on worries that more companies might be vulnerable to bookkeeping scandals.

The Dow Jones industrials came a step closer to 10,000 today, managing a solid rally as reports of US military victories in Afghanistan increased hopes that the worst is over for the market.