European challenges dominates papers

The Euro 2000 football tournament and Britain's entry to the European single currency both attract much coverage in the newspapers.

As football fans and players, alike, eagerly await the kick off of Euro 2000 the Daily Mail says its own investigation has revealed how easy it is for English hooligans to buy tickets, despite measures to keep them away from potential flashpoint games.

The paper says tickets, even for the England-Germany match, are readily available via the internet, making a nonsense of security for the championship.

The Sun describes the "madness" of English thugs being able to buy lethal weapons from a knife shop in the Dutch town of Eindhoven, just two doors along from an official gathering place for supporters.

The shop owner has told the Sun that he is not breaking the law and he will continue selling knives to anyone over 16.

But, the paper says police are worried that hooligans may seek revenge against Turkish fans for the fatal stabbing of two Leeds supporters.

European currency

While much attention is given to football in Europe, the issue of Britain's entry to the European single currency also gets widespread coverage.

The Independent says that pro-European ministers are celebrating after the Trade and Industry secretary, Stephen Byers, was given the go-ahead - from the top - to speak out in favour of the Euro.

Until Friday, the paper says that rifts within the government had stopped such a public statement of support.

The Financial Times says there is a view within the Treasury that the economic tests for Britain to join the 11 Euro-zone countries could be met in two years.

However, the Mirror says Chancellor Gordon Brown has been left out on a limb over his cautious approach towards single currency - and warns him that "Eur on your own".

Teachers get lessons in grammar

Teachers are going back to school, according to the Daily Express, for their own lessons in grammar.

Many people of teaching age have had little formal tuition in grammar.

So, the paper says literacy consultants are being brought in to give primary teachers, in particular, a crash course.

It is hoped this will improve their punctuation and sentence structure, so they can give more assistance to pupils with their writing.

Morris men controversy

The tradition of Morris dancing generally conjures up an image of summer in the English countryside. But, it appears that Morris men in Cumbria have reeled into a "race minefield", as the Daily Mail puts it.

The paper says the Carlisle Sword, Morris and Clog Dancers have been told they cannot blacken their faces for a performance, even though the use of black make-up goes back 200 years, to represent a time when poachers wore it as camouflage.

A member of the troupe says it is the first complaint they have ever received, although they have performed in front of black people.

However, Carlisle City Council believes the routine will cause offence to ethnic minorities and has told the dancers they will be banned unless they drop their plans.

Pooch in boots

And, while the Morris men may be having problems falling in step, it is all go for one "pooch in boots".

A number of papers feature the picture of Lucy, a collie-cross - wearing her very own wellington boots.

According to the Mirror, Lucy became so allergic to grasses and pollen during the summer that she could not go for her beloved walks.

Now, however, after an inspired purchase by her owner, she can step out in style in her wellies.