HARRIET the tortoise, one of the world's oldest living creatures, has died from a heart attack at 175. DNA testing showed the 23 stone Giant Galapagos was born in the 1830s. Scientists believe she was studied by Charles Darwin. Australia Zoo said it was "peaceful".

ASDA is taking legal action in a last-ditch bid to prevent a strike by 5,000 warehouse workers. Bosses last night claimed there were "serious irregularities" in a GMB staff ballot. The union said "we will defend ourselves".

A MODEL of one of the 140mph bullet trains that will run from central London to the 2012 Olympic Games site was unveiled yesterday. From 2009, it will also cut the journey between King's Cross and Ashford in half.

A MAN who tattooed the word prostitute and other insults on his girlfriend's body against her will has been sentenced to death in China. Zhou Jingzhi, 44, who used a needle dipped in ink, also attacked two other women.

THORN BIRDS heartthrob RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN has taken his first gay role at the age of 72 - three years after outing himself. He will star in Nip/Tuck as an older man who forces his younger lover to undergo cosmetic surgery. Chamberlain said taking the role was part of his new freedom after revealing his sexuality. "It was my big painful secret," he said. "I couldn't talk about it when I was playing leading men. I thought I was a bad person because of it."

Former RAF squadron leader NEIL AIREY has been granted permission to park a jet fighter in his garden. The 55ft-long Electric Lightning is one of only four left in the world. It will sit behind his house near Ulverston, Cumbria.

Legally Blonde star SELMA BLAIR, 34, has filed for divorce from AHMET ZAPPA - the oldest son of rocker FRANK - after two years of marriage. Blair, who shot to fame after planting a lesbian kiss on Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions, revealed she was splitting from Zappa, 32, in court papers in Los Angeles.

LUCY HOLT celebrated her 100th birthday alongside her OLDER sister DORIS. The 102- year-old raised a glass to toast young Lucy at her home in Reading, Berks.

This is cache, read story here