Uncertainty over the UK’s status in the EU continued to ripple through markets and unsettled businesses in the countdown to today’s two-day summit of European leaders, as German chancellor Angela Merkel threw her political muscle behind the push for a deal to keep Britain in.

GARDEN centres will enjoy a welcome boost during the recession as 43% of people plan to spend more money on their gardens, a Bord Bia survey shows.

The UK Conservative Party raced into a record 24-point opinion poll lead today among those certain to vote as Labour hit a 30-year-plus voter rating low.