Borders strike on eve of Olympics

Home Secretary Theresa May branded the PCS decision to strike shameful

Thousands of staff at the Home Office, including airport immigration workers, are to stage a 24-hour strike the day before the opening of the Olympics in a row over jobs, pay and other issues.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said its members will walk out on July 26, and will take other forms of industrial action, such as a ban on overtime, from July 27 to August 20.

The action will hit border controls at ports and airports including Heathrow, threatening disruption to people travelling to London for the Games.

The union warned it will announce further action if ministers continue to "refuse" to negotiate an agreement, warning that job and spending cuts are hitting services to the public.

The strike will involve staff across the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Ministers have known about these issues for a very long time and need to act now to sort out the chaos they have caused. They're acting recklessly in cutting so many jobs and privatising services, and are provocatively refusing to talk to us with a genuine desire to reach an agreement."

Home Secretary Theresa May branded the PCS strike decision "shameful". "I think that is shameful, frankly," she said in a round of broadcast interviews. They are holding a strike on what is one of the key days for people coming in for the Olympic Games. We will of course put contingency arrangements in place to ensure we can deal with people coming through the border as smoothly as possible."

Immigration Minister Damian Green said the low turnout in the strike ballot, which saw just one in five vote, showed most union members did not back a walkout.

He told BBC Two's Newsnight: "PCS members don't want this strike to happen; seven out of eight of them didn't vote for a strike. They are patriotic people, they care about their job, they care about the reputation of this country. It's a small group in the union leadership that is behaving disgracefully, trying to make political capital out of the Olympics, which is meant to be a great national celebration."

He said previous action failed to cause significant disruption at Heathrow, with enough staff available to replace strikers.

Spice Girls to perform at London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony? *squeals*

Despite their reunion tour in 2007, we still have a hankering to see the Spice Girls perform together again. They were notably absent from the Queen's Jubilee Concert, and we were pretty gutted.

The Spice Girls are said to be close to confirming a performance at the Olympics.However, it seems that we may just get the Spice Girls back on stage for the London 2012Olympics closing ceremony.

We're already dusting off our union jack dress, practicing our 'girl power' signs and screaming out zig a zig ah.

In fact, we feel like we might need to have a little lie down until we've collected ourselves.

The Spice Girls are apparently 95% certain that they'll perform at the Olympics closing ceremony.

The Spice Girls were last together on stage at their reunion concerts in 2007.A source revealed: "The girls were approached for the Games two years ago. It's always been on the cards.

"Victoria is in London until the end of the Games and David's exclusion from the football team means she has time to reunite with the Spice Girls."

It was widely believed that it was Victoria Beckham who was refusing to reunite with the rest of the Spice Girls, what with her pretty successful fashion career and four sprogs taking up quite a lot of her time.

The Spice Girls at the launch of Viva Forever. However, it seems she's done a bit of a U turn, saying recently: "I'm so respectful of my past and I love the other girls.

"We have some fantastic fans. Who knows, maybe some day we'll do something else with the Spice Girls. I would love nothing more.

"I don't know about a comeback tour but I loved being back with the girls."

Well, a comeback tour would be amazing, but we will happily settle for a performance at the Olympics.

Now, confirm it girls.

Err, Jodie Marsh and Kirk Norcross, get a room *giggles*

Jodie Marsh and Kirk Norcross have, up until now, only shared cute pics of themselves kissing on Twitter.

Jodie Marsh and Kirk Norcross - a little TMI. Copyright [WENN]However, this latest photoshoot from Jodie Marsh and Kirk Norcross is perhaps the most full-on, blush-inducing, jaw dropping, eye-popping thing we've ever seen. And we don't usually shock that easily.

In fact, the bare flesh, the arched backs, the snogging...it's all little too much for this early on a Friday morning.

Kirk Norcross and Jodie Marsh doing what everyone does in public. Copyright [WENN]Jodie Marsh and Kirk Norcross have donned some very revealing outfits for the photoshoot - in fact, most of the outfits just consist of tiny pieces of material covering up the necessary areas.

In some pictures, the pair are actually completely naked, but they're so revealing we've refrained from posting them here.

*spits tea out everywhere* Copyright [WENN]After donning their skimpy underwear, Kirk and Jodie got into multiple positions which are suggestive to say the least.

The pictures of Kirk between Jodie's legs, as well as the amount of fondling, lip biting and seductive staring going on is slightly at odds with Jodie's recent claim that she and Kirk are yet to seal the deal.

Jodie said: "I've said it before n I'll say it again, to be a "s**t" you need to be actually having sex, no? I may be snogging Kirk's face off..... every night but I haven't slept with him. I'm still celibate and proud of that ‪#savingmyself‬."

We're a little confused. But hey, they seem happy and we guess that's all that counts.

Get the look: Kate's electric blue dress.

 The Duchess of Cambridge gets into the summer mood in a bright blue dress teamed with a gold Olympic-inspired necklace

The Duchess of Camrbridge stepped out today, as the sun finally made an appearance, in a pretty electric blue dress by Stella McCartney. She paired the brightly coloured dress with simple black Prada heels and a very Olympic-inspired, gold hooped necklace. The look was finsihed off with her trademark glossy, blow-dried hair.

Kate was visiting the Road to 2012: Aiming High exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, where they were unveiling a portrait of the Queen.

If you want to get Kate's summer style, we show you how to get your hands on something very similar. Simply scroll across the photo and click on the stars to dress like the Duchess of Cambridge.

Give me an A! Alexandra Burke gives a feisty performance at the basketball

Great British Chefs - Summertime: app of the day

Great British Chefs 2012

What is it?
A new app from the makers of Great British Chefs, rounding up 105 summery recipes from 21 chefs including Marcus Wareing, Tom Aikens and Pascal Aussignac (yes, born in France, but cooking in Britain, since you ask).

Coolest feature
The lip-smacking food photography, especially when viewed on an iPad. You'll want to cook most of the recipes all at once, right now.

Platforms
iPhone/iPad - £1.99

Review
When the first iPad was announced, nobody thought parents would be happily handing the device over to sticky-fingered toddlers to play apps on. Yet that's become one of the most popular uses for Apple's tablet. For similar reasons, cookery has been an equally surprising category.

Prop up a £329 (at least) tablet in a steamy room when flour, eggs and hot water are being thrown around? Never. Yet cookery apps from the likes of Jamie Oliver and the BBC have confounded those fears in style.

The original Great British Chefs app was released in July 2011, and later spawned a 'Feastive' Christmas edition in November that year. Now there's a third: Great British Chefs - Summertime. Get it now, and you'll be well prepared if summer ever deigns to arrive in the UK in 2012.

The idea: 21 chefs working in Britain have been asked for five recipes each. The emphasis is on chefs famous for their restaurants rather than TV fame, with biographies of each one to tell you where they're cooking in the real world.

You can browse the recipe collection by chef, or by attributes including course, complexity and food categories (meat, picnics, BBQ etc), marking any that you love as favourites to make them easily findable in future.

Video tutorials are also part of the app, if you need help to clean a squid, open an oyster, butcher a duck or "section an octopus" - one imagines the latter involves lots of form-filling and a crew of eight men in white coats.

The dishes look delicious, with the app making an understandably big deal out of its beautifully-shot photographs both when browsing for a recipe and actually cooking it. There's also a built-in timer, and the ability to add your own notes to any recipe.

And the floury fingers? There's a neat voice-control feature that, once triggered, lets you say 'next' and 'back' to move forwards and backwards within the recipe instructions while cooking.

Also good is the ability to add individual ingredients - or all those used for a particular recipe - to a shopping list section. A tie-in with online shopping site Ocado lets you add them to its online basket if you're a customer, although that's not so useful on iPhone where you're taken to a full-size website.

All this, and the app is benefitting charity too: at least £1.20 from each £1.99 sale goes to Action Against Hunger. Which at least makes the fact that the app isn't a universal build - you'll have to pay once for iPhone and again if you also want it on iPad - a little easier to swallow.

Lloyds sells 632 branches to Co-op

Lloyds Banking Group has reached an agreement to sell 632 branches to the Co-operative Group in a deal worth up to £750 million. 

Lloyds will sell 632 branches to the Co-operative in a deal hoped to be completed by the end of November 2013

Lloyds Banking Group has reached an agreement to sell 632 branches to the Co-operative Group in a deal worth up to £750 million.

The part-nationalised bank, which is offloading the branches to meet European Union rules on state aid following its Government bailout, hopes to complete the sale by the end of November next year.

Under the deal, the Co-operative will pay £350 million initially and a further potential £400 million based on performance until 2027 - but the price is far short of the £1.5 billion price tag first mooted.

The Treasury welcomed the announcement, which it said formed part of a raft of measures to reform the banking system and improve competition.

The Co-op said the purchase would create a "real challenger bank" on the high street, tripling the size of its banking arm to nearly 1,000 branches and increasing its share of UK branches to around 10%. The business will bring around 4.8 million customers to the Co-op, meaning the combined business will have a near-7% share of the current account market.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "This is another step towards creating a new banking system for Britain that gives real choice to customers and supports the economy. The sale of hundreds of Lloyds branches to the Co-operative creates a new challenger bank and promotes mutuals."

The announcement comes after lengthy talks and mounting speculation that the deal was on the rocks. Lloyds chose the Co-op as its preferred bidder in December, but sale plans suffered a series of delays and initial hopes to sign a deal by the end of March were dashed due to protracted talks with regulators.

Peter Marks, group chief executive of the Co-op, said: "This deal would deliver the biggest shake-up in high street banking in a generation. Consequently, we believe this would be a great deal for customers, for the public, for UK banking generally and for The Co-operative Group in particular."

Lloyds said there would be no changes for the 4.8 million customers affected by the deal until next year.

It will communicate with all Lloyds customers about the changes and clients of the branches being sold will be given the chance to transfer to the Co-op or remain with Lloyds.

Anne Hathaway fuels pregnancy rumours at Dark Knight premiere with another baggy dress

Anne Hathaway certainly knows how to play the press, and that she did at last night's The Dark Knight Rises premiere in London.

Anne Hathaway hinted at a baby bump in this loose-fitted Gucci dress. Copyright [WENN]

While rumours circulate that the beautiful brunette is pregnant, Anne Hathaway did nothing to dispel the reports that she has a baby in her belly.

Instead of wearing a figure-hugging frock the A-lister stepped out of her cat suit (which she wears in the movie) and into a loose fitting dress.

The Gucci gown also conveniently skimmed past her stomach and in fact only put her arms on display.

The only flesh on show was Anne's arms and the side of her torso. Copyright [WENN]

The dress was a glittering gold creation featuring a floor-length hem and small split at the back to allow for some red-carpet movement.

To add interest to the smothering of sequins over the fabric the cut featured large open ovals for her arms and a bronzed floral collection around the neckline.

Anne worked her look with gold heels and her new pixie crop that had been cut into shape for her latest role in Les Miserables.

Anne also opted for a figure-disguising frock earlier this week. Copyright [WENN]

She has also lost a considerable amount of weight for the part although this follows an intensive workout schedule to allow her to look her best in the cat suit in The Dark Knight Rises.

On Monday evening the actress teased us as she rocked a peplum which also skimmed past her stomach and hid any would-be bump.

Come on Anne, stop teasing us!

Olympics bring best out of Bellamy

Craig Bellamy trains with the Great Britain team

Those who were there agreed they had never seen anything like it. At the GB Olympic football team press conference this week, Craig Bellamy was positively gushing. A man whose normal exchanges with the media are characterised by the donning of steel helmets, the footballer who generally puts the grump in grumpy was giddy with excitement.

Bellamy had just checked into the Olympic Park and was beginning to take in the scale of the event in which he was about to play a part. He admitted that it is not often in the world of the Premier League star, where everything from adulation to cash comes on tap, that he has his breath taken away. But this was one of those moments. The scale of the place, the enormity of it, the diversity.

The night before he and the rest of the GB team had been given a talk by Dame Kelly Holmes, in which the great runner had encouraged the celebrity footballers to cast aside cynicism, to plunge into the new world surrounding them and to enjoy themselves. Don't isolate, yourself, she had said. Engage with your fellow athletes. Take advantage of an experience that may well never come again. Bellamy insisted that was precisely what he intended to do. And already he was out hunting for Usain Bolt to seek an autograph.

It was a delight to hear, not least because it is so rare to come across a sportsman exhibiting the same levels of childish enthusiasm all of us would show given just a minute in their shoes. The default position for the modern pro is world-weary disaffection. And here was Bellamy telling us how fantastic it was to be in an athletes village which is about as close to his normal environment as a student dorm is to the Ritz.

Alongside him Ryan Giggs was equally excited, suggesting that Team GB should become an Olympic fixture rather than a home games one-off. And of course the cynic might point out that the root of their positivity might lie in the fact that, deep into their thirties, this is the first and last time that the pair of Welshmen will be involved in a major international competition. Why the old timers were so enthused may have had something to do with the fact that at last they are getting a taste of what their team-mates have so long experienced.

But maybe there is something about the Olympics. Maybe the fact that football is not the be-all and end-all, that players normally so cossetted are plunged into the harem scarem of communal living, alongside everyone from three day eventers to Greco-Roman wrestlers really has made this special. Maybe it will give them all a moment's pause to recognise how privileged they are.

Whether such enthusiasm will spread into their play — or indeed infect the crowd — is another thing. With Spain, Brazil and Uruguay all fielding strong teams, it seems unlikely Team GB will make it to the latter stages of the competition, whatever the encouragement of home backing. At the outside, the most we might hope for is a semi. But who knows how the squad will gel, who knows who — if anyone — will score the goals, who knows if the coach can cast aside a career favouring the long ball game and really adopt the more measured approach suggested by his choice of squad (including three from the Premier League's tika-taka specialists, Swansea).

One thing, at least the players will be fresh. There will be none of the exhaustion that generally undermines English teams heading to international tournaments at the end of a fierce domestic seasons. Everyone has reported for duty off the back of a decent break, recharged and ready. Even Daniel Sturridge, who has spent much of his summer laid up with illness, reports that he is anxious to get out there and kick a ball around.

And we don't have to worry too much about whether they will get enough sleep in the student block atmosphere of the athletes' village: after one night in its Spartan surrounds, the team headed up to Middlesbrough's training ground, where they are being billeted in the five star Rockcliffe Hall hotel next door. On Saturday, after they have played a friendly at the Riverside against Brazil, they are heading to the equally swanky Mottram Hall hotel ahead of their game with Senegal in Manchester which opens their campaign. There is no doubt everything is being done to help these boys perform.

And in Manchester we will see if this London Olympics really is as wonderful as Bellamy insists. Then we will discover if there is something more to it than novelty. Then we will find out if it might fire the imagination of a public who — if ticket sales are anything to go by — have yet to be convinced.

Hammers sign Maiga

West Ham have completed the signing of Modibo Maiga from Sochaux on a long-term deal.

The 24-year-old has been regularly linked with a move to English football and has joined the Barclays Premier League new boys on a four-year deal, with an option for a further two.

Maiga, who can play as a centre forward or on the wing, joins the Hammers for an undisclosed fee.

Modibo Maiga has joined West Ham on a four-year deal

"I am really happy and excited about joining West Ham United," he told the club's official website, www.whufc.com.

"I know West Ham are a big club in England and I'm really looking forward to representing them. They have huge tradition and it is like joining part of a family and that is one of the main reasons I wanted to come here.

"I know some of the big names that have played for the club in the past and I am proud to be part of a new team back in the Premier League."

Maiga becomes West Ham's fifth signing since winning the npower Championship play-offs, following deals for Mohamed Diame, George McCartney, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Stephen Henderson.

The Mali international began his career with Stade Malien in his homeland aged 15, before moving on to Moroccan club Raja Casablanca in 2004.

Maiga moved to Ligue 1 side Le Mans three years later and then on to Sochaux, netting 16 goals in his first season with Les Lionceaux.

The Bamako-born striker scored nine times in 23 league appearances last season and looked close to a move to Newcastle before reportedly failing a medical.

Hot new trend alert: white dresses

You know you're onto a new trend when not one, but two stars are snapped on the red carpet working it - and this is exactly what happened last night at the premiere of the new Batman film. It was all white at the Dark Knight as both Anne Hathaway and Marion Cotillard stepped out in white dresses. Anne chose wore a Grecian-style gown which showed off her décolletage for a sexy twist on the otherwise angelic ensemble while Marion opted for a opted for a show-stopping minidress by Christian Dior don'tcha know...

And it seems the white dress has been making quite the appearance in other A-lister's wardrobes too - meaning it's an item which should be featuring in yours. It's time to say goodbye to the little black dress and say hello to this new hot white trend.

If you're struggling for inspiration of how to work it, check out this gallery of celebrities all looking white hot. 


Jennifer Aniston shows off her enviable legs in this thigh-split Burberry creation. Californian tan not included...







Emma Stone rocked an Andrew GN white dress of the red carpet at the Amazing Spiderman premiere in Germany. Gorgeous.









Jessica Biel rocked this minidress at the ESPY Awards and managed to combine another hot trend in her outfit too - neon heels. These block heel beauties are by Christian Dior.








Ginnifer Goodwin looks a vision in this lace dress. Her black heels and clutch help 
toughen up her girly attire.



Girl crush Blake Lively looks amazing in this batwing dress by Marchesa. We love the flashes of her silver accessories too.





Ashley Green couldn't look less like her Twilight character Alice Cullen if she tried. Her gothic frocks have been replaced by this ladylike Michael Kors number.





This wrap dress by Salvatore Ferregamo would be our perfect summer dress - If we could afford the price-tag like Jessica Alba...

Tulisa v Pixie Lott: Who wore thigh-skimming leather best?

Thigh-skimming leather is the kind of clothing we need lengthy preparation to squeeze into (gyming, defuzzing, lots of deep breaths).

Both Tulisa and Pixie Lott opted for thigh-skimming leather yesterday. 

So all credit to Tulisa and Pixie Lott who both donned some TIGHT AS leather items yesterday.

N-Dubz star Tulisa hit X Factor bootcamp Day 1 in Liverpool in a miniscule pair of leather hotpants.

And in true Tulisa style she opted for BOTH legs and boobs - in a monochrome print bomber jacket which was zipped open to reveal her cleavage.

The XF judge completed the look with a pair of black pantent heels and some simple hoop earrings.

And she tied her new peroxide blonde hair in a side plait as she headed in to get going with the show along with fellow judges Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.

Tulisa arrived at X Factor bootcamp in Liverpool in the tiny leather hotpants. 

Fellow X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger ALSO opted for leather as she hit Liverpool bootcamp yesterday - but didn't go for the leg-revealing variety.

She opted for a leather studded waistcoat, which hung loosely over a white T-shirt and leather look silver trousers.

Nicole Scherzinger chose a different type of leather at bootcamp. 

Meanwhile Pixie Lott his London for a night out with boyfriend Oliver Cheshire in HER leather number.

The singer opted for the androgynous look, teaming her tiny black mini with a pair of flat brogues, a tweed blazer and a white tailored shirt.

Pixie, who partied at Morton's Club, completed her stylish look with lashings of red lippy and a wicker bag.

Pixie Lott paired her leather with a sharp shirt and blazer. 

Boyf Oliver echoed her style in jeans, brown brogues, a crisp white shirt and a matching grey blazer.

Ever the stylish couple!

And the pair, who have been known to be affectionate in front of the paps before, put on another PDA as they left in a taxi together.

Pixie Lott and Oliver Cheshire put on a PDA for the paps as they left the club.

Oliver and Pixie are quite the stylish couple. 

David Cameron visits UK troops in Afghanistan

Pictures of the prime minister's secret trip to Helmand Province. David Cameron has paid a visit to British troops stationed in Afghanistan. The trip was kept secret for security reasons. In this picture, Mr Cameron poses to have his picture taken with female British soldiers (names not given) at Shawqat forward operating base in Helmand Province.

Peter Andre takes Emily MacDonagh on another date, looks rather happy

Peter Andre made our girlfriend radar buzz again this morning as he took Emily MacDonagh on ANOTHER date last night.

The Aussie singer said yesterday that he's still getting to know the gorgeous brunette - but that she's beautiful.

And by the looks of things he's not wasting any time bonding with her, after the pair headed out for an0ther night together last night.

Peter Andre headed out on another date last night. 

Peter Andre and Emily were spotted leaving the Mayfair Hotel in London last night with his brother Andrew to see Ghost The Musical.

And the 39-year-old looked rather a happy chappy to have 23-year-old Emily MacDonagh - who is the daughter of his surgeon - on his arm.

Pete said yesterday that she is very "beautiful". Ooo err. 

Peter Andre has made no secret of the fact he's looking for love. 

Emily showed off her hot figure in a simply LBD and black heels, while Pete dressed down in jeans, Converse and a blue velvet jacket.

Yesterday Peter Andre finally opened up about his new relationship in his new! magazine column.

He said: "'I've know Emily, who's studying to be a surgeon herself, for about a year.

"She's a beautiful girl and we've been on a few dates but we're continuing to get to know each other."

The two were first spotted together as they hit the 'Magic Mike' premiere in London last week.

Peter Andre was first spotted with Emily at the Magic Mike premiere last week. 

We spotted instantly that it was Emily - as she'd appeared in his reality show in the past.

During one episode the couple were even married during a trip to Africa, so they're ACTUALLY taking a step backwards.

Katie Price's ex has made no secret of the fact he's single and looking for that special person.

HTC Desire C review

What is it?
A budget android handset from the HTC Desire line.

What's great
The pocket-friendly design, up-to-date operating system and NFC chip, decent battery life.

What's not
The low-res screen and lack of power under the hood.

The bottom line
An attractive, easy-to-use handset that's let down slightly by a sluggish processor.

Review
HTC recently launched its new One series phones, all-singing all-dancing devices that, in the case of the flagship One X, allow you to snap a fashion model while falling through the air at 150 mph. Well, at least according to the TV advert currently doing the rounds. We're not in the habit of carrying out skydiving tests here at MSN Tech & Gadgets, so we can't say for certain.

But despite shifting its focus to the One series models, HTC isn't ready to put the Desire line out to pasture just yet. The name has something advertising types like to call 'market penetration' - i.e. quite a few people have heard of it. And the things they're likely to have heard are likely to be good; the Desire and its brethren all won strong reviews.

Hardly surprising then that HTC have decided to gift the name to their latest offspring, the HTC Desire C. It has something of both the One series and Desire lines in its genes, as evidenced by the micro-drilled speaker holes on the all-white back cover. It's a feature that's common to the One Series phones, though not necessarily the kind of detail you'd expect to find on a budget handset.

In fact, the build quality of the Desire C is pretty good all-round. Its dinky, pebble-like shape sits snuggly in the hand, and at 100g it weighs just enough to stop it feeling overtly cheap and light. Yes, the body is heavy on the plastic, but its the solid kind with minimal amounts of flex around the screen. A word of warning: the back cover tends to mark easily, particularly on the white version. However, the smudges our test model picked up cleaned off easily enough.

A trio of touch-sensitive buttons sit below the 3.5-inch display on the front - back, home and recent apps. As with the rest of the screen they're not quite as responsive as we'd like: it often took us a couple of prods to get the phone to react. In addition, the screen suffers from low-resolution - the unlock ring animation is prone to pixilation, for example - and its small size makes typing on the virtual keyboard something of a chore.

On the plus side, the HTC Desire C comes with the latest versions of both the Android operating system HTC Sense 4.0, so it's bang up to date software-wise. Some neat touches - such as the ability to swipe between your emails in the Gmail app, and flick items out of the notification tray if they are not of interest - are also particularly handy given the small amount of screen real-estate available.

We were a bit disappointed with the processor powering the HTC Desire C. Granted it's a budget handset, so we weren't expecting miracles. But when pitted against the impressive speed of recent low-cost Android handsets like the Huawei G300 and Orange San Francisco II, the HTC Desire C comes up short. BBC iPlayer programmes judder noticeably, and there's an occasional lag when flipping between home screens. Some apps also take a frustratingly long time to load.

The web browser is surprisingly nippy. But the low-res screen means desktop sites are too blurry to read comfortably; the HTC Desire C is really only cut out for mobile web browsing. We liked the inclusion of a recent apps button, which overlays the screen with a list of thumbnail images representing your recent activity. This makes it easy to hop back and forth between the browser and the camera, for example.

You're able to add numerous folders, app shortcuts or resizable widgets to any of the five home screens, which, along with the customisable dock bar and unlock screen, makes this a highly versatile phone. Call quality is a bit of a mixed bag: everything sounded fine our end, but several people we spoke too complained of fluctuating volume levels. As a music player it performs admirably though, with your MP3s placed alongside TuneIn Radio and other music-based apps in the Music Hub. Beats Audio is also included.

The five-megapixel camera is fine for quick snaps for Facebook, but it's often difficult to capture a properly focused picture. Unfortunately, there's no LED flash on-board, and video quality is also quite disappointing when played back on a laptop or TV. We did appreciate the self-timer option for the camera though, and the ability to flit back and forth between the camera and video modes in a single touch is useful.

Overall, the HTC Desire C is a decent budget handset. It runs on the same software as premium models, and the design, although not revolutionary, will certainly appeal to anyone who doesn't want a big screen phone clogging up their handbag or pocket. However, with the impressive Ascend G300 and Sony Xperia U also available for around the same price or less (£100 - £150), the HTC Desire C might struggle to stand out on the shelves.

Essential info:
Camera: 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus
Video: Yes
Display: Capacitive touchscreen, 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches
Dimensions: 107.2 x 60.6 x 12.3 mm
Weight: 100g
Internal Memory: 4 GB storage, 512 MB RAM
Card Slot: microSD, up to 32 GB
Colour: Polar White, Stealth Black, Flamenco Red
Touchscreen: Yes
Audio Playback: 3.5mm headphone jack, loudspeaker, Beats Audio
Operating System: Android 4.0 & HTC Sense 4.0
Processor: 600 MHz
Battery Life: Li-Ion 1230 mAh, up to 6 hours talk time