A terrific directing debut from Duffy – who also wrote the screenplay taken from the Sam Taylor novel 'The Republic of Trees' – and a clutch of outstanding performances from a young cast.

A 22-year-old man who knifed a French chef outside a classical music concert was jailed for a minimum of 23 years today after being convicted of murder.

Francois Doumen delivered a powerful rebuttal to fears over the well-being of his string as he dominated proceedings at Sandown Park, highlighted by a one-two in the £100,000 Racing Post Chase.