Strike warning

THE man at the centre of a dispute at a Rolls-Royce factory warned today that a strike by engineers in his support will hit production "by the hour".

Jerry Hicks said he was heartened by the support of fellow members of Amicus who mounted a picket line outside the Bristol plant today as part of an indefinite walkout.

Tornado help

TAX payments from traders affected by last month's tornado in Birmingham should be deferred, business leaders in the city demanded.

They have written to the Prime Minister asking him to provide similar assistance to that given to firms in the MG Rover supply chain following the car giant's collapse earlier this year.

Recovery drive

RETAILER WH Smith said its recovery drive was on track despite high street conditions remaining tough in recent months.

The group, which has 667 stores and a news distribution arm, said in an update ahead of full-year figures that results should be in line with expectations.