Bulgarian officials are set to meet with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone at next week’s German Grand Prix, as the country steps up its pursuit of bringing a race to the Balkan region.

THE Danube river broke through flood defences in southeastern Europe yesterday, driving thousands of people from their homes along its banks in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, officials said.

Three people have been killed and two are missing as storms and floods hit large areas of northern and eastern Bulgaria.