The updated figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the UK's dominant services sector, which accounts for three quarters of national output, drove the recovery - growing 0.6pc over the three months.

Thursday 10.30 BST. Global stocks are in sharp retreat, led by a savage plunge in Tokyo, as traders are spooked by the prospect of reduced central bank support and a slowing Chinese economy.

The company sold its slots at the London airport to Easyjet for �20m, blaming an increase in airport charges. Flybe operates three flights a day from the resort to London Gatwick.

Thu May 23, 2013 6:21am EDT. * Sees margin improvement of 20-50 basis points this year. * EPS 238.7 U.S. cents vs 239 Thomson Reuters forecast.

Halfords Group Plc (HFD), the U.K.'s biggest seller of bicycles, fell the most ever after announcing a surprise dividend reduction to boost investment in training workers, revamping stores and improving its Web business.