Farmers strike

ABOUT 2,000 British farmers have launched a three-day strike in protest at the low prices paid by retailers for the goods they produce.

Milk, meat and vegetables will be among the goods withheld to put pressure on retailers to ensure producers "get a substantial return for their product".

Campaign group Farmers For Action, which has organised the stoppage, said peaceful protests would also be held. This will include disposing of gallons of milk and giving perishable produce to charitable causes, said FFA.

Primark blaze

FIREFIGHTERS were tackling a massive fire at a Primark warehouse today.

Primark, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc, has more than 120 stores in the UK and Ireland, selling clothes to young fashion conscious under-35s.

Leicestershire Fire And Rescue were called to the blaze at the 440,000 sq foot premises, in Lutterworth, yesterday evening.

Stress rockets

STATISTICS show that stress levels have rocketed in recent years and it is now estimated that half a million people in Britain are experiencing work-related stress at a level that is making them ill.

Up to five million people feel very or extremely stressed by their work. Today is National Stress Awareness Day.

Building slows

ACTIVITY in the housebuilding industry fell for the first time in five months after firms were frustrated in breaking ground on new projects, a survey showed today.

Almost one in four people aged between 30 and 50 were currently considering switching jobs, a survey of 2,000 adults showed.

Men were most likely to change jobs, with many saving up to fund a career change, said the report by savings bank ING Direct.