What the papers say

Journalist Grania McFadden takes a look at what is making the headlines in Wednesday's morning papers.

"Not if, but when" is Sir John Stevens' chilling warning about the threat of a terrorist attack in Britain.

His comments are described by the Times as "stark and disheartening".

The Daily Telegraph believes "pubs, buses and trains are the obvious targets for Islamic terrorists".

But the Guardian notes the police chief's revelation that security along the River Thames - which could offer terrorists a route to targets like the Houses of Parliament - has been tightened.

The Mirror believes there is only one way to defeat the bombers: "To be cleverer and more cunning than them".

Sir Reg admits that he is interested in the leadership if Mr Trimble voluntarily decides to move on The Irish News

The Irish Independent stresses the need for countries to work together to fight terrorism - particularly European nations and the United States.

Fears of attack from terrorists rather closer to home occupy the News Letter and the Irish News.

They both lead with reports that tobacco giant Gallaher has been forced to ship cigarettes bound for Dublin via British ports, after police said they could not guarantee security on Ireland's busiest road.

The Irish News reminds readers that the IRA hijacked a lorry carrying cigarettes worth £1m close to the border last December.

Under the headline "PIRA ruling the border," the News Letter reports that NIO representatives are to meet with Gallaher's management to discuss security.

The Irish News reports that Ulster Unionist Sir Reg Empey has signalled he will not stand against party leader David Trimble.

Fury

However, the paper says Sir Reg admits that he is interested in the leadership if Mr Trimble "voluntarily decides to move on".

The papers are divided about a lead story on Wednesday.

The Express reveals that Britons spend more on credit cards that the rest of Europe put together - more than £120bn pounds last year.

The Mail focuses on the fury of Mrs Kelly, the widow of government weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

The paper says the scientist's widow has intensified the row about his death by accusing Lord Hutton of letting the government off the hook.

It is Budget day, and the Financial Times believes that the chancellor will announce plans to merge the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise in a shake up which could mean thousands of job losses.

It is also St Patrick's Day of course - a day the News Letter believes "resonates with Irish people all over the world".

The experts say this occurs in any liquid, it is just easier to spot in a pint of the dark stuff The Independent

However, the paper warns that many Protestants and unionists feel alienated from events in Belfast.

It calls for festivities to be "free of all rancour" if they are to have real meaning.

To mark the day, the Independent has solved the mystery of the bubbles in a pint of Guinness.

"They move down instead of up, contrary to the law of physics," the paper says.

"A team of researchers have produced video evidence of bubbles being dragged to the bottom of the glass.

"The experts say this occurs in any liquid, it is just easier to spot in a pint of the dark stuff."

Finally, the Mirror introduces readers to a County Londonderry student who has landed a dream job - touring Europe looking for the best Irish pub.

Che Murphy was asked by a travel company to drink Guinness in ten bars from Prague to Amsterdam in search of the most authentic pub outside Ireland.

Flanagans pub in Vienna, Austria, which was once a traditional pub in Cork was chosen by the Portstewart man.

The pub's owner dismantled it and flew it to Europe.

Che says the Guinness there is just grand.