Papers fear '11 September' in UK

The security alert at Heathrow and other airports around Britain, and the reasons behind it, take the lead in many of Thursday's papers.

The Sun raises the spectre of Britain and America facing a terrorist attack on the scale of 11 September - saying it could happen within days.

It says ministers felt the threat of an attack in Britain was so high, that on Tuesday they considered closing Heathrow Airport.

But the Daily Telegraph detects confusing signals from government over the scale of the threat, with ministers first considering the closure of Heathrow and then keeping it open.

Their alleged change of heart is put down to fears that closing Britain's busiest airport would have inflicted catastrophic damage on the economy and been a victory for the terrorists.

Smuggled missile

The Daily Mail poses the question "How Worried Should We Be?" saying ministers have spread immense confusion about the true scale of the terror threat.

On its front page the Daily Mirror asks "What DO they know?". It says the government has left millions confused and worried over exactly what the threat is.

The Guardian is convinced it knows the answer. The paper claims the security alert was sparked by high-quality intelligence that Islamic extremists, with links to al-Qaeda, have smuggled a portable Sam-7 anti-aircraft missile into Britain.

The Daily Express says police are now racing against time to track down the al-Qaeda gang, thought to be living somewhere in the south-east of England.

Run on stores

Fears of a terrorist attack have, says the Independent, given Americans their worst case of jitters since 11 September.

There has been a run on hardware stores as people stock up on emergency supplies.

The Times describes how it was like the first day of the January sales. Hordes of shoppers battled to buy duct tape, plastic sheets and storm lanterns to help fend off a possible chemical or biological attack.

The Guardian predicts that Downing Street will be keeping a close watch on the contest for a new leader of the Transport and General Workers Union now that Bill Morris has announced his retirement.

The paper says all four candidates have been openly critical of Downing Street.

The Independent says the candidates all claim to be backed by one element of the left or another, and view any hint of backing from Tony Blair as a handicap.

This is blamed on the strong undercurrent of opposition in the union to war in Iraq and the perception that the prime minister is hostile to the unions.

The art of love

With Valentine's Day looming, most of the papers pick up on the research of a German professor who has been spying on kissing couples.

The Times reveals that in the art of love, the right side of the body is a clear winner. Twice as many lovers tilt their head to the right for a kiss, than to the left.

The Mail says you only have to look at the Rodin sculpture The Kiss to confirm the theory.

The Express explains that Professor Onur Gunturkum puts it down to a habit that starts before birth.

Apparently both inside the womb and for the first six months babies prefer to turn their heads to the right.

Perhaps they are getting ready for an army of adoring adults.