Ahern and Blair in last-ditch talks to save agreement

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair were today flying to Northern Ireland in a last-ditch bid to prevent the peace process going into freefall.

With three days to go before Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble carries out his threat to quit as First Minister, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern will hold talks with the North's pro-Good Friday Agreement parties at Hillsborough Castle.