All eyes on Bush visit

Tuesday's newspapers examine the huge security operation to protect US President George Bush during his state visit to the UK.

The Independent estimates that one in every nine police officers in England and Wales will be involved.

Many of the broadsheets picture a protester who managed to evade security and scale the gates of Buckingham Palace.

They all report that officials are worried about both anti-war protesters and the threat of an attack by al-Qaeda terrorists.

Of the thousands of officers on the streets, the Daily Telegraph reports that five have been earmarked for the "daunting if not impossible task of tracking down children playing truant to join the protest".

The Daily Mail asks if the unprecedented level of security is "overkill"?

It says that half London's police will be guarding President Bush, 250 American armed secret service agents will be deployed and that mobile phones may be blocked for fear they could be used to trigger a bomb.

Rugby hopes

Security has also been stepped up in Sydney where England rugby officials are concerned about the threat to the England fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson.

The Sun reports he's being surrounded by a team of minders to protect him from "being nobbled by over-zealous fans".

The paper says it would be a disaster if he were injured ahead of Saturday's world cup final against Australia.

Potential bidders

The Guardian suggests that the Daily Telegraph and its sister Sunday title are being greedily eyed by potential bidders in the wake of Conrad Black's resignation as chief executive of the paper's holding company.

His departure from Hollinger International is a result of an inquiry into unauthorised payments of millions of pounds to executives.

Potential bidders for the titles include Richard Desmond, the owner of the Daily Express, and the Daily Mail's proprietor, Lord Rothermere.

'Hunting debate'

The Independent looks ahead to the Queen's Speech next week, reporting that Tony Blair has refused to include a bill to outlaw fox hunting.

The paper's political editor, Andrew Grice, thinks ministers are worried that their failure to make progress on hunting will fuel a revolt over foundation hospitals.

He says the government - which is trying to overturn a defeat in the Lords - will face a "nail-biting vote".

The Times reports that the prime minister has appealed to Labour backbenchers to unite behind his reforms of schools and hospitals.

The paper quotes Mr Blair telling MPs that under the leadership of Michael Howard, the Tories were a far more formidable challenge.

Racehorse row

The Daily Mirror's front page is devoted to a report that the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson is suing the club's biggest shareholder in a row involving a racehorse.

Sir Alex is apparently demanding millions of pounds in fees that the horse could earn in stud.

He claims that he was given a half share in Rock of Gibraltar by the Irish tycoon, John Magnier.

A source at Manchester United is quoted saying that Sir Alex "won't back down because he's a feisty so and so".