'Little Britain' star David Walliams has been nominated for a top children’s book prize for a second year running, it was announced today.

BEAR FLIES HIGH, by Michael Rosen and Adrian Reynolds (Bloomsbury; €8.80 with CD), is a seaside escapade featuring big, jolly Bear. As he dances along the sand, he meets four youngsters who invite him to the fairground. The large, sunny-coloured spreads and jaunty, repetitive rhymes are perfect for toddlers.

WITH the Children’s Book Festival imminent, now is a good time to introduce the very young to the pleasure of reading.

'Little Britain' star David Walliams was shortlisted today for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, which honours humorous books for children.

A marketing chief is suing German toy maker Steiff for $80m (€58m) , accusing the company’s chief executive of raping her in a car during a campaign of unwelcome advances that she said went on for years.

Showbiz stars including former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker today condemned London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s suspension as an “outrage against democracy”.