Most of us are shy to some degree, but acute shyness is one of the most under-recognised mental health problems of the modern age, say some. So when is being shy an illness?

Tens of thousands of people across the UK have voted for the wild flower they think best represents their county.

To mark World Book Day 2002 BBC News Online users voted to read Joseph Heller's classic Catch-22. This experimental online reading group reaches its climax here as users and journalists discuss the book.