An 80-year-old poet from Birmingham is one of 19 authors in contention for the 2011 Costa Book Awards.

Sir Paul McCartney is to make his first appearance at legendary Harlem venue the Apollo Theater next month, it is announced.

The Louvre Museum, in Paris, is appealing to the public to help raise 1m euro (£630,000) to keep a Lucas Cranach the Elder painting in France.

A fire at a warehouse owned by Neil Young started in a 1959 Lincoln Continental car he had converted into a hybrid vehicle, authorities say.

An award-winning show, that tells the story of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, opens at the National Theatre (NT) to a standing ovation.

Coronation Street and EastEnders are to join forces for a one-off episode especially for Children In Need.

Helena Bonham Carter and Liam Neeson are to be honoured at the 13th British Independent Film Awards on 5 December.

A new comic series is launched starring a female version of Spider-Man: Spider-Girl.