A man yesterday pleaded not guilty to causing the deaths of 29 animals. Lee Howard appeared before magistrates in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, where he denied causing unnecessary suffering to 13 horses, four dogs, 11 hens and a rabbit by unreasonably confining them in an environment detrimental to their welfare. The bodies of the animals were found at Bank Top Stables, Trimdon, County Durham, in May. Mr Howard, 39, of Douglas Street, Middlesbrough, also denied abandoning three dogs in circumstances likely to cause them unnecessary suffering. He was granted unconditional bail and will appear at the court again on December 14 for a pre-trial review.

Bomb blasts: At least 18 people were killed and more than 120 injured when explosions rocked three hotels in the Jordanian capital Amman last night. The explosions struck the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels, which are frequented by business people and diplomats from Europe and the US.

Snow hopes: Bookmakers could face huge payouts this winter after a flurry of bets being placed on Britain having a white Christmas. The odds have already been cut after a spate of betting, Ladbrokes said yesterday. This year, punters can also bet that the temperature on December 25 will fall below the Christmas Day record of -18.3C, measured in Gainford, near Darlington, in 1878.

SEA TRAGEDY: Two bodies were found yesterday at Lulworth Cove, Dorset, where teenagers Matthew Myburgh, 16, and Charlie Morrell, 15, were swept into the sea six days ago. Formal identification of the bodies has yet to take place.

PENSIONER DIEs: A 79-year-old who was trapped in her bedroom for a week died in hospital yesterday. The pensioner, from Cleveleys, Lancashire, fell and became wedged between her bed and a cupboard, said police. She was rescued on Tuesday and taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia and dehydration.