UK news: Pilgrims set to descend on Hyde Park for Pope

Thousands of people were set to descend on London's Hyde Park today for a prayer vigil led by the Pope, as six men remain in custody over an alleged plot to attack him. Pope Benedict XVI's schedule has not changed as a result of the police investigation and today he was due to meet David Cameron.

Britons football crazy

Britons think Premiership footballers should be paid more per year than the Prime Minister or FTSE 100 chief executives, a new poll suggested today. If pay packets were adjusted according to the BBC poll results, chief executives would face a 94 per cent pay cut, with the PM losing 16 per cent.

Hotel chain offering 199 budget wedding

A "BARGAIN" wedding costing just 199 has gone on offer for couples unable to afford the average bill of 21,000.

Budget hotel chain Premier Inn is offering the deal, including the bride and groom's outfit, a reception for 20 guests and even a two-night honeymoon.

But guests will have to content themselves with just one alcoholic beverage over the course of the celebration, as will the bride and groom on each night of the honeymoon.

Lib Dems set for meeting

Liberal Democrats today gathered for their annual conference, with its leadership braced for a rough ride.

There are deep concerns among the activists heading for Liverpool in record numbers. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has urged his party not to give in to their "anxiety" over the direction the new coalition Government is taking, with its plans for swingeing spending cuts.

Hotel opens Hendrix shrine

A LONDON hotel, famed as the last known address of Jimi Hendrix, was set to open up a shrine to the guitarist today to mark the 40th anniversary of his death. The Cumberland Hotel has revamped a room favoured by the star and is allowing fans to stay the night.

Wales: A swan nicknamed "Hannibal" after he killed 15 other birds and injured dozens more could be removed from a pond to end his reign of terror. Hannibal has lived with his mate, "Mrs Hannibal", and their cygnet alone on Castle Pond by Pembroke Castle since February.

Essex: A five-year-old needed hospital treatment after suffering a head injury when he fell from an ice cream van. Officers said the boy was found lying in the road in Canvey Island. "The boy has told his parents that he was playing near the ice cream van and fell from the back of it as it drove off," said a spokesman.