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Championship side Derby beat Manchester United in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Pride Park.

A 99-year-old woman spent almost 10 hours in A&E at Lancaster because staff were under pressure with a huge influx of patients.

A firm making frozen ready meals blames a downturn in sales for the loss of almost a quarter of its 395 employees.

The cost of providing extra security during a meeting of the cabinet in Leeds was almost £138,000, police say.

Almost 100 drivers in the Lothians and Scottish Borders are caught drink-driving over the festive season.

Bungling thieves who ram-raided a business in Shropshire flee almost empty handed after their getaway vehicle crashes.

Worcester Warriors escape their frozen pitch at Sixways to enjoy almost full training sessions in their indoor 'shed'.

The number of road deaths in NI in 2008 was the lowest since records began almost 80 years ago, according to the DoE.

One of the north-east of England's best known landmarks is looking for almost 100 volunteers to act as stewards.

Princess Beatrice's dog returns home safe and well after being missing for almost two weeks.

Imported whisky is Venezuela's favourite drink but will economic problems blunt the taste for a perceived luxury item, asks the BBC's Will Grant in Caracas.

A record turnout of almost 1,000 runners is expected for a road race which is marking its 50th anniversary.

A grandmother who spent almost five years running around the northern hemisphere becomes an MBE.

Taunton is to receive almost £8m in government grants to boost its growth plans over the coming decade.

Just declassified top-secret papers show 1970s Britain would have been almost defenceless if the Soviet Union had decided to attack.

An NHS Trust spent almost £9,000 sending staff members to Australia for a conference, it is revealed.

Nigeria's Dickson Etuhu is delighted to be back playing for Fulham after almost a year out of action folowing a knee operation.

A film-maker and trustee of a wildcat association writes in defence of Scotland's rare and elusive animal.

Liverpool take a three-point lead in the Premier League after they thrash Newcastle and Chelsea are held by Fulham, while Robinho earns Man City a dramatic draw at Blackburn.

A Berkshire shopping centre has reports a rise of almost 10% in the number of shoppers through its doors on Boxing Day.

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