Talking posh

Almost eight out of ten people in Birmingham told pollsters they wish they had a different accent - higher than anywhere else in the country. Overall, almost three-quarters of people said they did not like the sound of their own voice.

Dr Tony Robinson, a linguistic expert, said: "The majority of Britons now aspire to received pronunciation and to share the sound of their voice not only with the Queen but with celebrities like Liz Hurley and Hugh Grant."

Daily Telegraph (J Clark)

Amazing party

Found: Zorro mask, three books, a turtle shell and Shrek's ears, believed to have been misplaced in the Village Hall on Saturday night. A huge thanks to everybody who made it such an amazing party.

Strathspey and Badenoch Herald (Lyonel and Sheila Evans)

Flights of fancy

As part of its drive to go greener, from 2009 Glyndebourne will no longer allow audience members to arrive by helicopter.

Opera magazine (Linda McGowan)