Simon Falush

Britain’s top share index rose in early trade on Friday, lifted by stronger mining stocks that were helped by firm growth data from France and Germany and a recovery in metal prices.

The future of Petroplus’ UK refinery Coryton, which employs around 900 people, will be decided by the middle of May, when the current deal supplying it with crude runs out, administrator PwC said on Tuesday.

Britain may shut its second major oil refinery in just two years in the fallout from a bitter labour dispute at the Grangemouth refinery that provides most of Scotland’s fuel and is crucial to the pumping of crude oil from the North Sea.

“Goth Girl” author and illustrator Chris Riddell was named Britain’s new Children’s Laureate on Tuesday and said he would like to use to the post to encourage children to draw as well as read.

* Brent down over 10 pct this month, U.S. crude nearly 15 pct

A growing glut of petrol and diesel, as well as crude oil, is set to keep oil prices under pressure near their current low levels in the coming months.

Optician group Specsavers has its plan to trademark the use of “should’ve” approved by the UK Intellectual Property Office.