UK news: Cuts 'destroying' Big Society's helper army

David Cameron's Big Society is being undermined by spending cuts which are in danger of "destroying" the country's volunteer army.

Dame Elisabeth Hoodless of Community Service Volunteers said the Prime Minister had overestimated the amount of responsibility volunteers were prepared to take on.

Nurses air staffing fears

Fewer than one in ten nurses believes there is adequate staffing on NHS wards to deliver quality care.

A survey for the Royal College of Nursing found 83 per cent believed poor staffing compromises patient safety.

Just seven per cent said there were enough staff to care for patients properly.

Unemployed training boost to aid job hunt

The government today unveiled plans to offer training and volunteering opportunities to unemployed people in a bid to boost their chances of finding work.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith announced advisers from youth charity The Prince's Trust and other local government voluntary organisations will be located in Jobcentre Plus offices to help jobseekers of all ages find a volunteering or training place.

Park workers spooked

A NEW ride at one of the UK's biggest theme parks has been moved after fears that it had disturbed an ancient burial ground, prompting paranormal activity.

Workers creating the water ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey reported ghostly sightings, including what appeared to be a headless monk. There were also reports of objects being moved and sudden cold feelings being experienced.

Ed is Peaches' fruity fancy

Peaches Geldof has confessed to having an unlikely crush on Labour leader Ed Miliband. Asked to name her favourite thing about Britain she said: "Ed Miliband, he's fit." She added: "In fact, both Miliband brothers, and David Cameron for that matter, are quite fit."

South Wales: Police investigating the murder of a heavily-pregnant teenager have said they believe the crime was "locally based".

Officers launched a murder investigation after a post-mortem examination revealed Nikitta Grender, 19, who was found dead after a flat fire, had been stabbed.

London: A woman has been charged with manslaughter and arson after a fire at a block of flats left two people dead. Some 50 firefighters battled the flames after the blaze took hold at a building in Deptford on Friday. The two victims were women, aged 42 and 59.