A British MP has backed calls by the families and colleagues of four Britons who went missing when a yacht capsized in the mid-Atlantic Ocean for the American authorities to relaunch the search and rescue mission to find them.

One of the UK’s main underground oil pipes has been shut down as police investigate whether tens of thousands of litres of fuel have been extracted from it.

Book chain Ottakar’s today said it was looking to conclude takeover talks with entertainment retailer HMV “as quickly as possible” as the company reported a further sharp drop in sales.