THE Church of England faces being “disowned” by other members of the worldwide Anglican communion for its policy towards gay clergy. Leaders of some of the largest Anglican churches abroad say allowing gay clergy to register under the new civil partnership act represents the “final nail in the coffin” of the church’s unity. In September they plan to begin moves to suspend the Church of England.

Victims’ memorial

A GARDEN in memory of those killed by the mass murderer Dr Harold Shipman was opened in Hyde, Greater Manchester, yesterday. The opening ceremony was attended by friends and relatives of the victims.

15 hurt at Disney

A CRASH on a roller coaster at the Disney theme park in Anaheim, California, yesterday injured 15 people. One of the vehicles on the California Screamin’ ride ran into the back of another. The ride was closed for examination.

Paedophile given court summons

A BRITISH man who has spent 37 of the past 39 years in prison in Australia for child-sex offences arrived at Heathrow yesterday to be met by detectives and armed police. Robert Excell, 66, who was with his wife Maxine, was served with a summons to appear in court in London this week to be placed on the sex offenders’ register. He was taken to secret location by Metropolitan police officers.

Protesters beaten

DOZENS of people protesting against Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president, were beaten by riot police and government supporters in central Cairo yesterday before being pushed into police vans and driven away.

Cheese hits bottom

CANADIAN divers are looking for a piece of cheese weighing three-quarters of a ton that was dropped into a lake in Quebec to improve its taste. Luc Boivin put it in the Baie des Ha! Ha! last year. Inspectors must test it before it goes on sale.

Tornado victims allowed to see homes

OWNERS and tenants of more than 50 buildings damaged by Thursday’s tornado in Birmingham were allowed supervised access to their properties yesterday afternoon. More than 1,000 structures — including schools, shops and churches — have been surveyed by engineers, who have earmarked 20 for demolition. Cordons were lifted, allowing people to visit their homes.

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