UK News: Postal staff balloted over possible strikes

Royal Mail managers are to be balloted on strike action over the threat of compulsory redundancies.

The Unite union will consult 8535 members working across Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Post Office Limited on the possible walk-out.

The union said about 1500 jobs are set to go.

Doctors' NHS reform fears

ONLY one in four doctors think the government's controversial shake-up of the NHS will improve patient care, according to a survey of medical opinion.

The poll found 45 per cent of doctors said it would be impossible to improve efficiency while implementing the latest reforms.

Shock as diabetes soars by 150,000 cases in year

THE number of people with diabetes has soared by 150,000 in the past year.

One in 20 adults in the UK now has the condition, according to latest figures from GP practices.

Charity Diabetes UK also highlighted figures showing 5.5 million people are obese, almost one in ten adults in the UK.

There are strong links between Type 2 diabetes and being overweight. The charity described the figures as "shocking".

Churches to go for gold

CHURCHES will target sporting venues across London during the 2012 Olympics in an attempt to boost their profile and attract new members.

The "More Than Gold" initiative, whose staff and volunteers are being trained by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, follows a similar drive during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Cameron's all Thai-d up

PRIME Minister David Cameron and his family are to jet out to Thailand to see in the New Year.

Downing Street would not comment on the details, but it is thought they could head for an exclusive beach apartment complex owned by the Thai prime minister.

Cornwall: More than 200,000 bees died after a stolen tractor flattened hives near Liskeard.

Oxfordshire: Britain's oldest fridge, a General Electric model bought for 135 in 1952, is still going strong. Widow Doris Stogdale, 89, from Shotover, said: "It is as reliable today as the day I bought it.

Worcestershire: Seven children aged nine to 16 from Romania have been taken into police protection after they were found picking spring onions in the Malvern Hills. No arrests have been made but inquiries are continuing, police said.