9am Briefing: Lloyds looks to shareholders for £13.5bn

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 08:39

LLOYDS Banking Group today set out details of its £13.5 billion UK record cash call to the bank's army of 2.8 million private shareholders.

The group, which is 43 per cent owned by the taxpayer, is offering shareholders stock at a steep 38.6 per cent discount under plans to avoid taking part in the Government's toxic asset insurance scheme.

The average Lloyds private shareholder will be asked to stump up 336.67 to take part in the fundraising and maintain their stake.

London rival to Fringe

LONDON is to launch a rival to the Edinburgh Fringe, it was reported this morning.

Initially organisers of the London Festival Fringe are looking to establish 100 venues by the summer.

Crucially, it is scheduled to take place at exactly the same time as Edinburgh's world-famous event.

Chiefs in Edinburgh said they are relaxed about the challenge.

Boyle to get TV show

AMERICAN television is making a special programme starring singing sensation Susan Boyle.

The one-hour documentary, I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story, on TV Guide Network, will feature performances by Boyle, 48, plus interviews with her as well as friends and celebrities including Simon Cowell, a producer of the special.

The shy unknown from Blackburn, West Lothian, stunned the judges with her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream when she stepped on stage to audition for Britain's Got Talent last January.

Porter in new love

GAIL Porter has revealed on the website Twitter that she has found love with a younger man.

The Edinburgh television presenter, 38, "tweeted" that she was happy with new boyfriend Jonny Davies, whose band New Vinyl she manages. He is 24.

She took him to see the Capital recently when she presented a prize at the Radio Forth Awards, writing on the site: "Had the best time in Edinburgh. Everything is good with JD around! X."