THIS week we take a trip down memory lane in a car which will still — hopefully — resonate with many readers.

Shareholders in Alliance & Leicester today approved its takeover by Spain’s Banco Santander after being told the deal would provide “certainty and stability” amid the global credit crunch.

Former building societies Abbey and Alliance & Leicester are to be merged under a £1.26bn (€1.5bn) deal announced today.

RARELY has bird life in Ireland been receiving such publicity. Eagles, kites and hen harriers are all making headlines and attention could now be turning to the plight of songbirds which are facing a relatively new threat.