The UK government has added its voice to demands from sponsors for Fifa president Sepp Blatter to resign with immediate effect.

Swiss criminal proceedings were opened against the 79-year-old last week.
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: "The sooner Blatter goes, the sooner wide-scale reform at Fifa can begin."
Major Fifa sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald's on Friday called for him to quit, but Blatter said he would not step down until 2016.
Coca-Cola said "every day that passes Fifa's image and reputation continues to tarnish", while McDonald's claimed it would be "in the best interest of the game" for Blatter to stand down.
Blatter is accused by Swiss prosecutors of signing a contract that was "unfavourable to Fifa" and making a "disloyal payment" to Uefa president Michel Platini, but denies any wrongdoing.
In a statement released through his lawyers on Friday, Blatter said resigning now "would not be in the best interest of Fifa, nor would it advance the process of reform".
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke described Friday's developments as a "game-changer".
Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as president of world football's governing body in May, but the election was overshadowed when seven Fifa officials were arrested in dawn raids at a five-star Zurich hotel at the request of the United States.
The US later indicted 14 current and former Fifa officials and associates on charges of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" corruption following a major inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Blatter then announced he would step down as president in February 2016.
He has said the 2011 £1.5m payment made to Platini, the head of European football's governing body, was "valid compensation and nothing more".
Platini, 60, has said he received the payment for work as Blatter's technical advisor between 1999 and 2002 and has written a letter to Uefa members denying any wrongdoing.
The contract described by Swiss prosecutors as "unfavourable to Fifa" is thought to refer to a 2005 TV rights deal between Fifa and Jack Warner, the former president of Concacaf, the governing body of football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
According to an investigation by Swiss broadcaster SRF in September, the deal allegedly resulted in a multi-million pound profit for Warner's company.
Meanwhile, a separate Swiss investigation is looking into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which will be held in Russia and Qatar respectively.


A police investigation is under way after the death of a man whose body was found in an abandoned hotel in Sheffield.

Thomas Rhodes, 19, was found dead about 16.15 BST on Sunday in Hallam Towers on Manchester Road in Fulwood.
A post-mortem examination showed he died of multiple injuries consistent with a fall, the West Yorkshire Police said.
The force is treating his death as unexplained and appealed for witnesses.
Det Insp John Fitzgibbons said Mr Rhodes' family were "devastated by his death".
"I want to trace Mr Rhodes' movements from Saturday, 25 March, and into the early hours of Sunday," he explained.


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his Football Association fine is a "disgrace" after being ordered to pay £50,000.

Media playback is not supported on this device
Mourinho had claimed officials were "afraid" to award his team penalties after Robert Madley denied the Blues a spot-kick in a 3-1 loss to Southampton.
It was announced on Wednesday that the 52-year-old had also been given a suspended one-match stadium ban.
However, the Portuguese will not face further punishment from the FA.
The governing body is less concerned about criticism of itself than that aimed at individuals and match officials, given this could call into question their integrity.
On Thursday, Mourinho said: "I'm happy I don't have an electronic tag.
"£50,000 is a disgrace. The possibility of getting a stadium ban is astonishing."
Mourinho also had another dig at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger - without naming him.
He felt aggrieved Wenger went unpunished for calling referee Mike Dean "weak" and "naive" following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat by Chelsea last month.
Mourinho claimed the FA had set a dangerous precedent by rescinding a red card given to Arsenal's Gabriel, who had been sent off for kicking out at Chelsea striker Diego Costa.
Wenger also faced no action after pushing Mourinho in the Stamford Bridge technical area in October 2014.
"Afraid costs £50,000. Weak and naive - you can do it," added Mourinho, who signed a new four-year deal at Chelsea in August.
"We can push people in the technical area. We can, no problem."
Later, in an interview with the BBC's Dan Walker, to be shown on Saturday's Football Focus, Mourinho reiterated his unhappiness with the FA.
When asked if his relationship with English football's governing body could be fixed, he said: "It's not my relationship with the FA, it's their relationship towards me.
"You should analyse what's happening with me, compare it with other managers. Do you think a word is comparable with a push in the eyes of everyone?
"I can't say anything because the next time I speak, seriously a stadium ban, then after that, an electronic tag."
Last month, Mourinho was cleared by the FA of making discriminatory comments to former club doctor Eva Carneiro.
He was also charged last season for claiming there was a "campaign" to influence referees' decisions against his Chelsea side.
Mourinho was also given a formal warning for comments before the Blues' 2-0 win at Stoke on 22 December 2014.
Chelsea entertain Aston Villa on Saturday (15:00 BST) seeking a third Premier League win in nine games after a poor start to the season.
The reigning champions are 16th in the table after losing four out of eight top-flight games.
Mourinho has said he will only resign if he loses the backing of the players, with club captain John Terry stating the squad remain firmly behind the manager.
Chelsea subsequently took the unusual step of reiterating their "full support" in a statement on the club website.
Asked by Walker for the reasons for the bad start to the campaign, Mourinho said: "There's an accumulation of factors which I'm not ready to discuss."
Jose Mourinho's £50,000 sanction was the seventh time he has been fined by the FA in 10 years, with those punishments totalling £181,000. Figures published in March showed that Mourinho earns approximately £13.2m (18m euro) a year.
On that basis, the latest fine is
15 October, 2015 - £50,000: Mourinho had claimed officials were "afraid" to award his team penalties.
28 January, 2015 - £25,000: He made comments claiming there was a "campaign" to influence referees' decisions against his Chelsea side.
8 May, 2014 - £10,000: Mourinho was fined for comments after his side's Premier League game against Sunderland on 19 April. He "congratulated" referee Mike Dean after Chelsea lost.
10 April, 2014 - £8,000: Mourinho was sent off in the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa. He was dismissed after walking on to the pitch to speak to referee Chris Foy after Ramires was red-carded.
24 October, 2013 - £8,000: Mourinho was fined for "improper conduct" in his side's Premier League match against Cardiff. He was ordered from the technical area by referee Anthony Taylor after protesting about apparent time-wasting.
10 August, 2005 - £75,000 (reduced from £200,000): Mourinho was fined over his role in the 'tapping-up' of Arsenal defender Ashley Cole.
9 June, 2005 - £5,000: He was charged for comments made after the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United. Mourinho was unhappy that Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to referee Neale Barry as the teams left the pitch at half-time.
During his time at Chelsea, Mourinho has also been fined £8,900 by European football's governing body Uefa.
31 March, 2005 - £8,900 (plus two-match touchline ban): The charges relate to Chelsea's Champions League tie against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on 23 February. Mourinho claimed he saw Frank Rijkaard speaking to referee Anders Frisk.
Thursday's London Evening Standard claimed Mourinho is fighting to stay in control of the dressing room with several players increasingly unhappy with his handling of the club.
The report alleges a "significant section" of the first-team squad have become unsettled by the manager's public criticism of players and backroom staff.
"What they write is an absolute disgrace," Mourinho told Football Focus.
"I don't need to repeat what the players are saying over the international break, they don't have the obligation to say this.
"I'd say every player had the chance to go to the press with their national team, but they think about Chelsea, their manager - and I think it's a disgrace the lengths people go to disturb people working."
Dan Walker's interview with Jose Mourinho will be shown on Football Focus on Saturday starting at 12:10 BST.


Police failed to act on concerns raised about an illegal dog before it killed a baby girl, a report has found.

Six-month-old Molly-Mae Wotherspoon was fatally attacked by an American pit bull named Bruiser at a house in Daventry in October 2014.
Mother Claire Riley, 23, and grandmother Susan Aucott, 55, are currently in prison in connection with the death.
Northamptonshire Police said it had "overhauled" its dangerous dogs policy.
LIVE: For more on this and other Northamptonshire stories
The serious case review highlighted a number of failings.
The report states Riley took Bruiser - one of two dogs in her home - to a vet in January 2014 when Riley was pregnant.
The vet voiced his concerns about the fact the animal was an illegal breed to the RSPCA, which made a referral to the police.
The report said the force failed to act on these concerns.
Det Supt Steve Lingley, head of safeguarding at Northamptonshire Police, welcome the report's findings on what he said was "a very challenging case on a number of levels".
"Within weeks of the tragedy," he said, "Northamptonshire Police had carried out a complete overhaul of its response policy to dangerous dogs."
Keith Makin, chairman of the  Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board (NSCB), recommended "greater curiosity" about family pets amongst health workers.
He also called for "all police officers to be made aware through safeguarding training of the dangers which aggressive dogs pose to young children".
The report stated: "The dog was so fierce that a vet had earlier refused to examine it for an illness unless it was first fully sedated."
It also said that while Riley was "fully aware that her own mother had alcohol-related problems" she went out for evenings leaving her in "sole charge of the baby while the dogs were in the house".
The report concluded "although some poor practice has been highlighted" by the board's inquiries, there was nothing which suggested "any single professional could, or should, have prevented" Molly-Mae's death.


Aston Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez has joined Italian Serie A side Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal with an option for a permanent move.

Sanchez joined Villa on a four-year deal from Spanish side Elche for an undisclosed fee in August 2014.
The Colombia international played in 23 games last term, but could not help his side avoid Premier League relegation.
He was not included in Villa's squad for their first game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
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Down on Cyprus Avenue is the only place to be on Monday for Van Morrison fans.

That is because the singer will play two concerts on the tree-lined Belfast street that gave its name to one of his songs to mark his 70th birthday.
People from around the world have descended on Morrison's home city for the shows taking place a short distance from where he spent his childhood.
Among them is one Vanatic who has travelled more than 10,000 miles for what will be his "dream come true".
For Andrew Robertson, from Adelaide in Australia, Morrison's lyrics on the song Saint Dominic's Preview that "it's a long way to Belfast city, too" ring truer than they do to most people who will be at the show.
He has had a near life-long obsession with Morrison's music, and along with his wife Gayle has secured tickets to both gigs.
"Some people think we're mad, others are amused," he said.
He has already seen Morrison in concert twice since he arrived in Northern Ireland, at two intimate gigs at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, County Down.
Mr Robertson first heard Morrison's songs when he was a teenager and was immediately hooked.
"In the '60s, music was so exciting - the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc. But of everyone, the voice that stood out for me was Van.
"He has an amazing voice. He's often been called the best blues singer.
"His musical style, how he has embraced rock, soul, jazz, traditional celtic and other forms to create virtually his own version.
"He can write in a unique and simple way. "
Mr Robertson said he was aware of people from 18 different countries, including the United States, India and South Africa, that have journeyed to Belfast for the gigs.
It is the first time the Australian native has visited Ireland.
On Sunday, he will join about 200 others at a gathering of international fans who have arrived in Belfast for the sold-out Cyprus Avenue shows.
"We're so lucky to get tickets to both concerts," he said.
"His music has enriched my life."
BBC Radio Ulster will exclusively broadcast Van Morrison's full 70th birthday concert live from Cyprus Avenue on Monday from 14:45 BST, while BBC One Northern Ireland will screen it on Friday 4 September at 22:35 BST.


The parents of a baby who drowned after being left in a bath have been jailed.

Wayne Dale and Lisa Passey left 13-month-old Kian Dale in the bath at their Worcestershire home in September 2015 while they entertained a friend.
The child had been left unsupervised for about 15 minutes when Dale found him lifeless in the water.
Dale, 46, and Passey, 28, were convicted of their son's manslaughter by gross negligence and were ordered to spend at least four years in prison.
Read more Hereford and Worcester stories here
Dale received a sentence of four-and-a half years in prison and Passey was sentenced to spend four years in jail.
Worcester Crown Court heard during the trial that Passey had left the child in a bath seat at their home in Tenbury Wells along with a two-year-old child.
Both parents were accustomed to leaving him unattended in his bath seat, in spite of the manufacturer's instructions that clearly stated: Warning: Prevent drowning: always keep baby within arms' reach, the court heard.
On that occasion, Passey went downstairs and was with a friend drinking coffee and smoking, while Dale was "socialising" and "using his computer".
She dialled 999, after Kian was found motionless, his head submerged in an overflowing bath.
Following sentencing earlier, Emily Lenham, from West Midlands CPS said: "The death of Kian Dale was tragic and completely avoidable.
"Wayne Dale and Lisa Passey owed their son a duty of care, to protect him from harm, but they failed in that duty and due to their grossly negligent acts both were responsible for his death."


Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew says the champions will face an Ards side determined to bounce back from an opening day thumping at Cliftonville.

The Blues started their title defence with a 2-0 win over Carrick while Ards were beaten 6-3 by the Reds.
"Ards had a disappointing result so they will be eager to put that right - it will be tough for us," said Mulgrew.
"They gave us a hard match at their place last season so we know we have to be on top of our game."
The Bangor Fuels Arena encounter is part of a full Premiership programme on Tuesday night.
Crusaders began their bid for a third Gibson Cup success in four seasons by defeating Ballymena United 4-1 at the Showgrounds on Friday night.
Paul Heatley bagged a double and the winger is upbeat for a Seaview meeting with Warrenpoint Town, who lost 3-2 to Glenavon on their return to the top flight.
"Warrenpoint have done fantastic to come back up straight away," said Heatley.
"They will work hard, they'll be well drilled and disciplined and tactically they will have looked very closely at our team.
"But we have dynamism in our team and versatility with our players - will will go into the game with a lot of confidence."
Cliftronville also caught the eye at the weekend with Barry Gray enjoying a winning start to his managerial reign at Solitude.
The Reds will travel to face a Coleraine side missing the suspended Steven Douglas after his dismissal in Saturday's 3-1 win at Dungannon Swifts.
Dungannon keeper Andy Coleman was also sent-off in the game so he is banned for the visit to Glentoran.
Glenavon will hope to build on their win at Warrenpoint in the Mourneview Park game against Ballinamallard United.
Ballymena and Carrick will be eager to chalk up a first win of the campaign when they meet at Belfast Loughshore Arena.


Two police officers and two men they were trying to arrest have been killed in a gunfight in Saudi Arabia's restive Eastern Province, officials say.

The interior ministry said the officers came under fire while trying to detain "armed troublemakers" in al-Awamiya, and had "responded to the source".
It named the civilians who were killed as Ali al-Faraj and Hussein al-Faraj.
However, opposition activists said there had been no exchange of fire and that the two men had been unarmed.
The police officers had burst into the house of a man in search of his wanted brother who was not there, they added.
Ali, the house owner's 22-year-old son, was shot 11 times while running away, one activist told the Reuters news agency. Hussein, a 34-year-old local photographer, died "as he documented the raid", the activist said.
The local news website mirataljazeera.net said Hussein had documented anti-government demonstrations and the funerals of the more than 20 people who have been killed in Eastern Province since early 2011.
The oil-rich Eastern Province is home to a Shia majority that has long complained of marginalisation at the hands of the Sunni ruling family.
Protests erupted there when the pro-democracy uprising in neighbouring Bahrain, which has a Shia majority and a Sunni royal family, was crushed with the assistance of Saudi and other Gulf troops.
The Saudi authorities deny discriminating against Shia and blame Iran.
In 2012, they named 23 suspects - reportedly among them Ali al-Faraj's uncle - in connection with the disturbances in Eastern Province, accusing them of possessing illegal weapons and opening fire on the public and police. Several have since either been killed or captured.
Activists say that of the more than 950 people arrested since 2011 for involvement in the unrest, 217 are still being held.
On Wednesday, a court sentenced several people to up to 20 years in prison for joining a protest in Eastern Province and chanting anti-government slogans, according to the AFP news agency.


Tranmere moved to the top of the National League with a routine victory over managerless Guiseley.

Daniel Atkinson twice thwarted Andy Cook in a dominant first half for Rovers, first saving his bullet header before fumbling his long-range drive.
James Norwood finally ended their resistance, evading the offside trap to fire home his fifth goal of the season.
Guiseley's Javan Vidal had a rare effort on target but they remain bottom after six consecutive defeats.
Match ends, Tranmere Rovers 1, Guiseley 0.
Second Half ends, Tranmere Rovers 1, Guiseley 0.
Jake Lawlor (Guiseley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Guiseley. Jordan Preston replaces Adam Boyes.
Substitution, Guiseley. Michael Rankine replaces Will Hatfield.
Javan Vidal (Guiseley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Guiseley. Oli Johnson replaces Adam Smith.
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Adam Mekki replaces Jay Harris.
Second Half begins Tranmere Rovers 1, Guiseley 0.
First Half ends, Tranmere Rovers 1, Guiseley 0.
Goal!  Tranmere Rovers 1, Guiseley 0. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers).
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.


No-one will be allowed back in the dismantled "Jungle" camp at Calais now that it has been cleared of thousands of migrants and refugees, says French President Francois Hollande.

The final shelters were destroyed on Monday, after an operation to move some 7,000 people to centres elsewhere in France.
Mr Hollande praised the operation as "dignified but firm and efficient".
Some 1,500 unaccompanied minors were staying at a temporary centre, he said.
But they would be taken to dedicated reception centres where their cases could be investigated individually by UK officials, he told French newspaper La Voix du Nord.
The sprawling Jungle site had long been a staging post for irregular migrants fleeing war and poverty who were trying to cross the Channel to the UK.
Ferry terminal
Migrant camp
Security fence
CALAIS
Eurotunnel
Migrant camp Oct 2016
Ferry
terminal
Area cleared
in early 2016
Security fence
Camp
Mr Hollande said in under a year 13,000 people who had travelled to Calais had been taken in as refugees in France.
The camp has for years been a source of friction between the French and UK governments. The UK has taken in some 200 children in recent weeks and is expected to take in hundreds more.
"Those who don't go will be looked after by child welfare services across France," he said.
Last shelter destroyed
Volunteering in Calais: The impact of the Jungle
What next after the Jungle?
Praising the people of Calais for their handling of the migrant crisis over a long time, the president made clear that the camp would not be returning.
"It's been cleared, it will be made secure and no-one will be able to go back there," Mr Hollande added.
France respected the right to asylum, he insisted, but stressed that border controls had stopped 49,000 people crossing into the country since last November.
While many of the migrants from Calais have been moved to reception centres across the country, numbers have swelled at makeshift camps in Paris too.
Part of a tent camp was cleared on Monday near Stalingrad metro station in the north-east of the capital. Police have raided the camp some 30 times in the past year.
The government is facing calls to dismantle the Stalingrad camp completely because some 2,000 migrants have been sleeping rough there.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.


Gregor Townsend says the security measures in place for their match against Racing 92 in Paris will not be a distraction for his players.

The European Champions Cup match was rearranged after November's terror attacks in Paris.
A man was shot dead on Friday while trying to attack a police station in the city.
"As a playing group we get on a bus and go straight to the stadium, so it won't affect us," Townsend said.
The Warriors squad were in Paris when the terror attacks in November claimed 130 lives. The match against Racing 92 was postponed along with all other sporting events in Paris that weekend.
Townsend says his players will be aware of the heightened security, but is confident they will keep their minds on the match.
''It's the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks and we saw on the news that there had been another incident in Paris, so security will be a priority for us and for Racing," the Warriors head coach said.
"We are certainly aware there will be more security on show around the game and around our hotel.
"But I'm not worried about it being a distraction. The best security is the security you don't see.
"It will be more the supporters who have to take that little bit more time getting through security for the game."
Townsend says his players will be focussed on beating a team he says are the best in France, and features one of the best players ever to play the game.
''In Racing's previous Champions Cup matches, they selected experienced international players like New Zealander Joe Rokocoko and their French internationals.
"They also have Dan Carter who has just recently joined them after winning the World Cup with New Zealand. He's in great form, he had brilliant World Cup and has been outstanding since joining Racing.
''Since the original match in November was postponed they've become the best team on France and are top of their league.
''It's a huge match for use, we are still very much in the mix in the pool. Our destiny is very much in the hands of ourselves and Racing.
"If we win our remaining three matches we win the pool; if Racing win their matches they win the pool.
"If we lose tomorrow we have to look to the last two matches and see what we need to do to finish as pool runners up."


China won their 26th gold at the Rio Olympics with a tight victory over Serbia in the women's volleyball final.

China lost the first set 25-19 but fought back in the second to level the game at 1-1.
Despite a Serbia fightback late in the fourth game, China stayed calm to register a 3-1 victory, with many players left in tears after the match.
The United States, who were silver medallists in 2012, won bronze after beating the Netherlands 3-1.
Find out how to get into volleyball with our special guide.
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Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale says he does not know why his team have been "flat" when trying to come from behind in their last two games.

City were beaten 2-0 at York on Tuesday, having lost 1-0 at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday in League Two.
"I thought we finished flat again, I don't know why," he told BBC Devon.
"I think we've played very well for the first half, gone a goal down and I didn't see the sort of response I wanted from the team."
The 43-year-old added: "I'm culpable for the result and the players are accountable for their results within."
The two defeats mean Exeter stay in 13th place in League Two, eight points off the play-off places.
"Our season's not over, but we've got to find a way of doing better in the circumstances," Tisdale said.
"I cannot criticise the way the players started the game, there's been no apathy or a lazy starts in either of the two games this week we've lost.
"Both games we've been at it, but somehow we've managed to come away with no points."


This has been a grim and bruising week in the news, with 22 people killed and 64 injured in the Manchester suicide bombing.

The attack occurred after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday.
Read more of the BBC's coverage of the attack.
In a hugely emotional week, we also saw warm-hearted tributes to the likes of former Bond star Sir Roger Moore who died this week at the age of 89.
In the entertainment world, there was also news of a Mamma Mia sequel, a Top Gun sequel, Katie Hopkins' departure from the LBC and a new character in Coronation Street. Here's a round-up:
Sir Roger Moore, James Bond actor, dies aged 89
Obituary: Sir Roger Moore
Roger Moore's classic quotes
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.


They strike glamorous poses in posters in shopping malls and on the sides of buses.

But they are not movie stars or supermodels: they are Hong Kong's A-list "tutor kings" and "tutor queens", offering pupils a chance to improve mediocre grades.
In Hong Kong's consumer culture, looks sell. Celebrity tutors in their sophisticated hair-dos and designer trappings are treated like idols by their young fans who flock to their classes.
And they have earnings to match - some have become millionaires and appear regularly on television shows.
"If you want to be a top tutor, it definitely helps if you are young and attractive. Students look at your appearance," said Kelly Mok, 26, a "tutor queen" at King's Glory, one of Hong Kong's largest tutorial establishments.
Her designer clothes and accessories are not just for the billboards; it's how she likes to dress outside classes. But she is also careful to add that she wouldn't be in such high demand if she could not deliver top grades in her subject, English.
Richard Eng from Beacon College is often credited with being the first of Hong Kong's "star tutors". A former secondary school teacher, he says he got the idea after he featured in photographs advertising his sister, a performance artist.
"In school all the teachers look the same, there's no excitement," he said.
His own image appears on special ring-binders and folders containing study tips, or pens which harbour a pull-out scroll with his picture and other gifts. Such items became so sought after that they propelled him to near-rock star status among young people.
The celebrity tutor phenomenon is a result of the huge growth in out-of-school tutoring in Asia.
It is fuelled by highly pressured examination systems and ambitious parents wanting their children to secure places at top universities and high-status secondary schools.
In societies where success is equated with good exam results, parental anxiety converts into a "steady stream of revenue" for tutoring establishments, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The tutoring industry, or "shadow education" as the ADB calls it, has become very widespread in Asia, fed by the growth in universities and the rising proportion of school leavers aiming for university.
Hong Kong University's professor Mark Bray, one of the authors of the ADB study, said a staggering 72% of final-year school students in Hong Kong now go to private tutors.
Richer families have always paid for individual tutoring, but the star tutors offer exam tips and revision notes to the less well-off,  studying in groups of over 100.
It's not just Hong Kong. Tutoring has "spread and intensified in Asia and become more commercialised," said professor Bray. In South Korea, 90% of primary school children attend such classes.
In South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India, tutorial schools use star tutors to attract even more students. "They have found a way to appeal to young people and pull them in. They create a buzz," he said.
"We had this phenomenon of star tutors in Kota as well," said Pramod Maheshwari, chief executive of Career Point Coaching School in Kota, Rajasthan, India, a city of residential tutorial colleges which attract students from all over the country.
"It can give you an edge." But ultimately, he says, expansion of tutoring is driven not by personalities but by "the inefficiency of the school system".
"Across India, students' education level is not up to the mark, and millions are preparing for competitive college examinations. It is a huge market," said Mr Maheshwari.
In China, where private tutorial schools were unknown until the economy opened up in the 1990s, New Oriental Education and Technology has grown to become one of the largest tutoring schools in Asia with around 2.4 million students this year.
It boasts 17,600 teachers in 49 cities and an online network of over 7.8 million users.
Listed on the New York stock exchange since 2006, its founder Michael Yu (also known as Yu Minhong), became a multi-millionaire on the back of his blend of rote learning exercises, stand-up comedy and motivational speeches.
A man from a humble background, who had become an English teacher at Peking University, Mr Yu used the Hong Kong model of employing star tutors to prepare students for tests for universities abroad.
Extensive tutoring is sometimes seen as contributing to East Asian countries' high performance in international school comparisons, particularly in mathematics.
But professor Bray points out that the high performers in the international Pisa tests (Programme for International Student Assessment) also include countries that do not use much tutoring, such as in Scandinavia.
There have also been attempts to reduce the impact of tuition.
In the 1980s, the South Korean government issued a blanket prohibition on such private tutoring.
It proved to be unenforceable, but it reflected worries that tuition can put too much pressure on pupils, with teachers complaining that pupils were falling asleep in class after long nights of tutoring.
In 2009, the South Korean government adopted measures to limit the number of hours students spent in "hagwons" or tutorial centres in a bid to reduce childhood stress and increase the level of creative thinking.
But the impact has been limited, pushing many tutorial classes online.
The government has since realised that the only way to change is to alter the exam culture, reducing the number of university entrance exams and encouraging universities to consider applicants on more than just exam scores.
A Singaporean study showed that while tutoring can have a positive influence on the subject being tutored, time taken away from other subjects may lead to a decline in overall academic performance.
The ADB report says in all parts of Asia, families are spending a considerable amount of the household income on tutoring. It may contribute to improved achievement for individual students, but it can exacerbate social inequalities.
Although there is some evidence of a cultural propensity to pay for tutoring - cities such as Vancouver in Canada and Sydney in Australia with large Chinese communities have a lot of tutoring - this is not the only factor.
"What happens in tutoring depends on what the schools and universities ask for. The parents will respond to whatever they think will get them in," said professor Bray.
Hong Kong recently shifted from a system similar to GCSEs and A-levels used in the UK to a single examination taken at age 17, leading to an explosion in tutoring. "There is greater pressure on students because there is only one examination that determines whether you get into university," said Kelly Mok.
"With so many tutors in Hong Kong, students don't know who to choose so they go for the 'tutor kings' and 'tutor queens'," she said.
Some students just attend the lectures and watch video recordings of lectures while others purchase add-ons such as personalised interaction with the star tutor or tutor's aide via Facebook or email.
But as more students enrol, it can become increasingly difficult to keep up with examination tips learned by classmates. "Students who would not otherwise have had tutoring may now do so in order not to be at a competitive disadvantage," says professor Bray.
But Richard Eng denies that tutors are sowing panic. "Panic comes from the exams themselves. If there was no examination in Hong Kong, no matter what I say or look like, they would not come to me."


A building firm employed to revamp Northampton Town's stadium says it is owed almost £3m.

The East Stand at Sixfields remains half-built after Buckingham Group downed tools in June.
The company is trying to reclaim the money it says it is owed through a petition for bankruptcy.
A prospective takeover of the club, which faces a winding-up petition over unpaid tax, fell through earlier this week.
Buckingham Group says it had to stop work twice - initially when contractors 1st Land Limited went into administration and again when contracting company County Development Northampton Limited (CDNL) failed to pay them in full.
Northampton Town chairman David Cardoza and his father Anthony Cardoza are the only company directors listed for CNDL.
In a statement, Buckingham Group said: "We wish to make it clear that the reason why the East Stand construction works ceased completely in early June 2015 was entirely due to non-payment of monies due and certified.
"We stopped work because we were not paid."
A hearing is listed for Thursday at Birmingham County Court, which the building firm said it will attend.
Meanwhile, the club is the subject of a winding-up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
A statement from the club said the debt is "a temporary issue due to the delays in completing the takeover".
Mr Cardoza has been in talks with HMRC to resolve the matter and expects it to be resolved by the end of next week, according to the club.
Mr Cardoza was not available for comment, but in a statement on the club website he said: "Meetings have and are continuing this week and we are very close to reaching an agreement on the sale of the club to one of a number of interested parties and we believe we will have some definite news very soon."


Scunthorpe scored two goals in the final six minutes to complete a come-from-behind victory over Coventry which saw them finish third in League One.

The already-relegated Sky Blues struck first via Vladimir Gadzhev nine minutes before the break, but three second-half strikes saw the home side run out convincing winners.
The Iron had started the match the brighter of the two teams - with visiting goalkeeper Lee Burge denying Kevin van Veen and Paddy Madden - before Gadzhev's shot deflected off a home defender to put them in front.
Scunthorpe equalised via Van Veen's stunning, 20-yard curler seven minutes after the restart and, after Joe Anyon had produced a smart save to thwart George Roberts, they went on to take command.
Neil Bishop rifled in from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-1 in the 84th minute and substitute Hakeeb Adelakun compounded Coventry's misery as the contest neared stoppage time.
Scunthorpe will face Millwall in the play-off semi-finals.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Scunthorpe United 3, Coventry City 1.
Second Half ends, Scunthorpe United 3, Coventry City 1.
Attempt saved. Craig Davies (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Craig Davies (Scunthorpe United) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Goal!  Scunthorpe United 3, Coventry City 1. Hakeeb Adelakun (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Murray Wallace.
Conor Townsend (Scunthorpe United) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Coventry City. Michael Folivi replaces George Thomas.
Goal!  Scunthorpe United 2, Coventry City 1. Neal Bishop (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Duane Holmes.
Sam Mantom (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Kwame Thomas (Coventry City).
Attempt missed. Hakeeb Adelakun (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Levi Sutton replaces Jordan Clarke.
Attempt missed. Craig Davies (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Hakeeb Adelakun replaces Josh Morris.
Substitution, Scunthorpe United. Craig Davies replaces Kevin van Veen.
Attempt missed. Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
Attempt saved. Kevin van Veen (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Corner,  Coventry City. Conceded by Joe Anyon.
Attempt saved. George Thomas (Coventry City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Substitution, Coventry City. Kwame Thomas replaces Jodi Jones.
Corner,  Coventry City. Conceded by Josh Morris.
Attempt blocked. Duane Holmes (Scunthorpe United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. Paddy Madden (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Attempt missed. George Thomas (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Sam Mantom (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Marcus Tudgay (Coventry City).
Attempt missed. Duane Holmes (Scunthorpe United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Goal!  Scunthorpe United 1, Coventry City 1. Kevin van Veen (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner.
Attempt saved. Jordan Clarke (Scunthorpe United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Kevin van Veen (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Dion Kelly-Evans (Coventry City).
Second Half begins Scunthorpe United 0, Coventry City 1.
First Half ends, Scunthorpe United 0, Coventry City 1.
Attempt saved. Ruben Lameiras (Coventry City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Foul by Jordan Clarke (Scunthorpe United).
Marcus Tudgay (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by David Mirfin (Scunthorpe United).
Marcus Tudgay (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Duane Holmes (Scunthorpe United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jodi Jones (Coventry City).


New Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay has cast doubt on the country's pursuit of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

The concept is overused and masks problems with corruption and low standards of living, Mr Tobgay told AFP news agency.
GNH aims to measure quality of life in more complete terms than gross national product (GNP), striking a balance between the spiritual and material.
The term was coined in 1972 by Bhutan's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
It has been at the heart of government policy since then, although recently some critics have taken to referring to GNH as "Government Needs Help".
Mr Tobgay was elected in July after his PDP party won 32 of the country's 47 parliamentary seats.
He has projected himself as a reformer, rejecting the trappings of power including an official limousine and luxurious prime ministerial accommodation.
Mr Tobgay, 47, said that while he supported the notion that "economic growth is not the be-all and end-all of development", GNH should not distract from tackling Bhutan's pressing problems, including chronic unemployment, poverty and corruption.
"If the government of the day were to spend a disproportionate amount of time talking about GNH rather than delivering basic services, then it is a distraction," he said.
"There are four issues that can compound to make matters extremely bleak: our ballooning debt that if we're not careful will not be sustainable; the big rupee shortage; unemployment, in particular youth unemployment; and a perception of growing corruption.
"These four combined can make a lethal combination."


England's men caused an upset at the World Team Championships in Malaysia by beating second seeds Germany 3-1 in the Championship Division.

Paul Drinkhall, Sam Walker and Liam Pitchford all beat higher-ranked players in Kuala Lumpur.
The win means England lie joint-third in Group B, alongside Germany but behind Sweden and leaders France.
England women maintained their 100% record in the Second Division with a 3-1 win over Canada.
Tin-Tin Ho and Kelly Sibley secured the victory, and England will play Serbia in a clash of the Group E joint leaders on Wednesday.
England's men, back in the top division in the world for the first time since 1997, finish the group stage against bottom-placed Malaysia on Wednesday.
A third-placed finish in the group would ensure qualification for the round of 16.
Drinkhall beat Bastian Steger 3-1, while Walker defeated Patrick Franziska. Pitchford lost to Ruwen Filus but saw off Steger 3-1.


Tanzanian police have detained a pastor after two worshippers drowned while being baptised in a river near Rombo in the north of the country.

The two victims were overwhelmed by the current of the River Ungwasi, a police spokesman has told the BBC.
It is not clear how the pastor and the other worshippers involved managed to survive, the BBC's Odeo Sirari says.
They are members of a local church, Shalom, which is part of the charismatic Christian movement.
Africa Live: Updates on this and other stories
Baptism in a river rather than in church is seen as a way of re-enacting the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.
The ceremony is a symbol of washing away sin and the start of a new life.


Syrian refugees in Aberystwyth have thanked locals for welcoming them to the Ceredigion town.

They gave out flowers to the passers-by and thanked everybody who stopped.
They said they wanted to show appreciation for the kindness of the community, which has treated them so well.
Ahmad Al Najjar, who has been in the town for four months, said he came up with the idea after the welcome they received.
"It's very nice and quiet and people are so friendly," he told BBC Wales.
"We brought some flowers and each had a piece of paper saying thank you.
"We also got some board and wrote 'thank you for welcoming us' in English and Welsh."


When Edwina Hart became the economy minister, the joke doing the rounds among business leaders was whether, after years ruling out the use of the private sector in the Welsh NHS, she would do the same in the Welsh economy.

It was always going to be a meeting of two worlds giving someone with such a strong trade union background that brief.
But on the whole the business lobby liked her approach which was to make up her mind quickly and it was a reminder of how so many of the decisions made in government are more managerial than political.
She always denied it when I put it to her but she radically changed many of the economic development policies that had been introduced by her predecessor Ieuan Wyn Jones.
He had tried to take Wales away from the kind of old-fashioned grants that existed under the Welsh Development Agency, and introduced a focus on a relatively small number of sectors he felt had a future.
She re-introduced grants and broadened out the focus on particular sectors so that it encompassed virtually the entire economy.
There are no other Welsh government departments with a personal stamp on it like hers and I understand she enjoys a degree of autonomy in the way she runs it that's not afforded to any other minister.
Despite criticism, her approach has been unashamedly interventionist. It's impossible to say whether the Welsh government would have bought Cardiff airport for £52m two years ago without her, but the decision had the Edwina Hart stamp all over it.
If something is failing in the private sector, she believes in using the levers at her disposal to step in.
Without great fanfare, she built up the Welsh government's property portfolio to try to inject life in the economy after the recession.
So if she judged that commercial property firms were slow to invest in new office space in the centre of Cardiff, she followed the recommendations of her advisor David Goldstone to use public funds to buy up office blocks.
The amount of money spent by Welsh ministers to buy industrial sites, business parks and office blocks for economic development could reach £120m.
She has also commissioned a huge number of reports, often called task and finish groups, and created a network of advisory boards, or committees as they used to be called, which regularly attracted the inevitable "talking shops" tag.
There are panels covering sectors and enterprise zones and the city regions of Swansea and Cardiff as part of what has been a giant information-gathering element to her time in the job.
There are three major projects that need to be looked at in the light of her departure next year.
Firstly there is the plan for an M4 relief road which at £1bn would be the largest capital project undertaken by a devolved government in Wales.
Secondly, there is the proposal to re-nationalise the biggest rail franchise in Wales when the current agreement with Arriva Trains Wales comes to an end.
And thirdly there is the metro, an ambitious scheme to improve bus and a rail services in and out of Cardiff.
An announcement on this is expected within days. The smart money is on there being a recommendation to create a new body to to specifically deliver the project.
All of these complex and expensive schemes are wrapped up at various technical stages but we shouldn't under-estimate the importance of personalities in driving through big change.
Edwina Hart has been their main champion of all of these schemes and her departure will bring a new dynamic to all of them.
The M4 relief road is increasingly looking politically difficult for Labour to deliver with opposition from the other parties appearing to harden by the month.
The absence of Edwina Hart next year just made prospects for that motorway look even less likely.
Her decisions also brings the tally of departing Labour AMs to eight with Gwenda Thomas, Keith Davies, Jeff Cuthbert, Christine Chapman, Gwyn Price, Rosemary Butler and Sandy Mewies.
We often talk about the inevitable changing face of the assembly next year as a result of the expected arrival of UKIP members but the internal changes for Labour are significant with more than a quarter of AMs standing down.
All eyes now will be on the quality of the candidates.


Technology plays a key role in teenage romance from initial encounters to eventual break-ups, says a US study.

Teenagers rarely meet online but do use technology for flirting, asking out, meeting up and parting, American think tank, the Pew Research Center, found.
A survey of 1,060 US teenagers aged 13 to 17 revealed that technology brings them closer but also breeds jealousy.
"Digital platforms are powerful tools for teens," said Amanda Lenhart, lead author of the report from Pew.
"But even as teens enjoy greater closeness with partners and a chance to display their relationships for others to see, mobile and social media can also be tools for jealousy, meddling and even troubling behaviour."
Of the 1,060 teenagers surveyed:
What gets discussed during all those frequent social media enabled check-ins?
According to the survey, it is mostly "funny stuff" followed by "things you're thinking about" as well as other information such as where they are and what their friends have been doing.
And forget having to meet up to resolve a conflict - 48% of dating teenagers said that could be done by texting or talking online.
Online tools, with their accessibility and ease of use, also showed some signs of giving this group relationship anxiety.
Females are more likely to be subject to unwanted flirting and 25% of teenagers surveyed said they have blocked or unfriended someone because of uncomfortable flirting.
And 15% of teenage daters said a partner had used the internet to pressure them into unwanted sexual activity.
Nearly half the respondents admitted to concentrating on their phone ahead of their partner when together with 43% of dating teens saying that had happened to them.
"I don't think this survey reveals much that is surprising. But it is affirming. Humans are social animals and we build tools to connect with each other," wrote Julie Beck, an associate editor at The Atlantic news site, of the survey's findings.
"It's not all heart emojis all the time, no, but the tools that facilitate relationships facilitate all aspects of them, good and bad.
"Connecting with others is scary, hard, sometimes dangerous, but usually, hopefully, good. The teens get it."


Ross County have signed winger Joe Cardle from Raith Rovers on a one-year contract.

The 27-year-old scored eight goals in 39 appearances for the Stark's Park side this season.
Cardle began his career at Port Vale and has had spells with Clyde, Airdrie and Dunfermline.
"We have signed an out and out winger," said Staggies boss Derek Adams. "Joe is very creative and direct which will suit our style of play."


Just a few days ago the Russian embassy in London responded on its Twitter feed to the British Foreign Secretary's announcement that he was cancelling his planned visit to Moscow.

Accompanying the Russian tweet was a picture of the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimea War - one of the great disasters of 19th Century British military history.
It was, though, a curious choice of subject.
Maybe the Russian embassy should brush up on their own history, for whilst the charge itself was a glorious failure, Britain and France  - who had gone to war with Russia ostensibly over an arcane dispute involving the Ottoman Empire and access to holy sites - did in fact win and Moscow had to back down.
But there is another more important lesson from the Charge of the Light Brigade that is relevant to today's diplomatic crisis. The flower of Britain's Light Cavalry charged down the wrong valley directly into the mouth of the Russian guns because the message ordering them into action was not clear.
The US struck at the Syrian airfield from where the Americans say the recent chemical attack was launched with impunity. They did so to reinforce a red line - drawn by the previous Obama administration - but one never acted upon.
Of course the thing about red lines is that they need to be crystal clear. In the immediate aftermath of the strike this seemed to be the case. The message was: use nerve gas again and consequences will follow.
But on Monday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer muddied the waters.
Asked if air attacks with conventional weapons might also draw US punitive action, he said: "If you gas a baby, if you put a barrel bomb into innocent people, you will see a response from this president."
Barrel bombs, though, tend to be large canisters filled with explosives and shrapnel that are typically dropped by Syrian government forces from helicopters. In other words they are conventional rather than chemical munitions.
So was Mr Spicer broadening the red line? Belatedly the White House had to issue a clarification noting that what he really was saying was that barrel bombs containing chemical weapons would draw a US response.
This lack of clarity would not matter quite so much if it was not characteristic of the Trump administration's whole approach to foreign policy. And the stakes could not be higher.
One crisis in US-Russia relations is already upon us. Another involving the unpredictable North Korean regime is fast building. These are the Trump team's first big foreign policy tests and so far they are gaining a very mixed report card.
In the wake of the US strike on the Syrian air base, Trump administration officials - ranging from the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and US National Security Adviser General H R McMaster, to the White House spokesman Sean Spicer - have suggested a variety of US policy approaches that extend from the relative isolationism of "America First" to a more strident interventionism.
On key questions there seems to be little agreement.
Is the US eager to remove the Assad regime? Does its priority remain the fight against so-called Islamic State? How does the strike against Syria that has enraged not just Russia but also Iran square with US interests in Iraq, where, unlike in Syria, Washington and Tehran find themselves on the "same side" in that they are both giving military backing to the Iraqi Government?
The lack of clarity in the message is hampering America's allies as well.
The British Prime Minister Theresa May has spoken of a "window of opportunity" to separate Russia from Syria's President Assad. But Tuesday's G7 group of nations meeting has pointedly failed to agree on the need for additional economic sanctions against Russia.
Mr Tillerson is arriving in Moscow without the strong backing from America's key allies that he had hoped for. Yes, they all agree that Mr Assad cannot be part of the solution. They all agree Russia must exercise its responsibilities in Syria. But in terms of what to do, they are as much at sea as the Trump administration itself.
What is still needed is a broad statement of US policy goals and the instruments that will be used to achieve them. Without that the growing militarisation of US foreign policy - stepped up strikes in Yemen; more troops to Syria and Iraq; and the punitive cruise missile attack in Syria - may worry both friends and potential enemies alike.
There seems to be no central guiding brain behind the evolution of the Trump team's foreign policy. The US president himself has failed to articulate any clear approach.
With regard to Syria that may be unsettling. With regard to North Korea, it could be potentially catastrophic.


Vadaine Oliver's first-half double gave York a crucial 2-1 victory in a relegation battle with free-falling Solihull, who slumped to their sixth successive National League defeat.

City forwards Jon Parkin and Oliver both had chances inside the first 10 minutes, but it was the latter who broke the deadlock after quarter of an hour.
Amari Morgan-Smith was fouled 30 yards out and Parkin's low free-kick struck the frame of the goal only for Oliver to tap into an empty net at the opposite post.
Oliver made it seven goals in 10 games in the 31st minute when he played a one-two with Asa Hall and curled the ball inside Nathan Baxter's left-hand post, but Harry White gave the Moors hope with a great 25-yard free-kick deep into first-half stoppage time.
Solihull should have equalised two minutes into the second half when White burst clear, but City keeper Scott Loach pushed his shot against the post, while George Carline also spurned a great chance to level from close range.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Solihull Moors 1, York City 2.
Second Half ends, Solihull Moors 1, York City 2.
Simon Heslop (York City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Solihull Moors. Omari Sterling-James replaces Connor Franklin.
Substitution, Solihull Moors. Ashley Sammons replaces Hafeez Sanusi.
Substitution, Solihull Moors. Oladapo Afolayan replaces Nortei Nortey.
Kristian Green (Solihull Moors) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, York City. Shaun Rooney replaces Danny Holmes.
Shaun Rooney (York City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Second Half begins Solihull Moors 1, York City 2.
First Half ends, Solihull Moors 1, York City 2.
Goal!  Solihull Moors 1, York City 2. Harry White (Solihull Moors).
Connor Franklin (Solihull Moors) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Goal!  Solihull Moors 0, York City 2. Vadaine Oliver (York City).
Goal!  Solihull Moors 0, York City 1. Vadaine Oliver (York City).
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.


Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have taken on the Couch to 5k challenge, and are finding their running feet.

BBC Radio 5 live's Anna Foster is one of those people, but she's conscious that bad technique can lead to injuries. She emailed with this question:
"I think one of my biggest issues at the moment is technique which is far from perfect. I'm a bit of a slumper and have to try hard not to look at the floor. Could someone please give me some tips and tricks for good technique?"
We thought that if Anna was worried about technique, other people on the programme might be feeling the same way, so we asked BBC Make Your Move's fitness expert Martin Cullen to give us some advice.
Here are Martin's top five tips for people looking to get their run off to a flying start.
1. Posture is vital for good technique
One of the most common problems with people who are getting back into running - or even starting running for the first time - is having poor posture and being "slumpers".
A great way to improve this would be to work on the robot movement in the Tea Time Toning challenge, which helps to strengthen the postural muscles. It is this muscle group that is important to help keep your body upright and make running more efficient and comfortable, which will allow you to run further.
2. A strong core makes a strong runner
Having a strong core is important to reduce the risk of injury by helping to keep your pelvis in the correct position. It also improves your running performance by keeping your body more solid as your feet hit the ground, in turn helping you stay balanced while running.
A strong core will make your body more efficient, allowing you to run faster and helping to prevent slumping.
If this is an area that you think you need to strengthen, then try one of the Make Your Move balance challenges, as working on your balance also works the important muscles in your core and abdomen. A few planks will also get your core working!
3. Stretch out those hamstrings
By stretching your hamstrings, you will be able to take longer strides while running and improve your coordination and hopefully ward off lower back pain caused by the reduction of mobility of your pelvis while running.
A good way of testing how tight your hamstrings are is by trying to touch your toes. If you can comfortably do it the chances are your hamstrings are nice and flexible. If you struggle, the Touch Your Toes challenge would help you stretch them out and enable you to take those longer strides!
As an added bonus, flexible muscles also recover quicker, meaning that you reduce your chance of injury if you are looking to run regularly, as you would in the Couch to 5k.
4. Think big and run tall
This is simple but effective and is one of the best cues for runners looking to improve their form. It means that while you are running, you are keeping your body in a relaxed but balanced position.
This basic change will help to prevent slouching and improve your running technique as a result. The better your form, the less stress you will put on your body and thus you will reduce the chance of injury.
5. Long relaxed strides mean happier legs
Again, it sounds simple but if you stay relaxed while running it helps to prevent your muscles from tightening up and fatiguing. When muscles fatigue, it can cause slumping and all the problems that come with that.
Long comfortable strides will help to stop the muscles from becoming short and tight and will ultimately make your running action more efficient.
If you have a question about running, or getting active in general, contact makeyourmove@bbc.co.uk.


Jonathan Trott's century helped Warwickshire secure a spot in the One-Day Cup quarter-finals by beating Yorkshire, who also advanced to the last eight despite the result.

Trott hit 118 from 135 balls as the visitors made 283-6 from 50 overs.
A brief rain delay reduced the target to 282 from 49 overs, but Yorkshire never looked like reaching the total.
Ateeq Javid took 4-42 as the hosts were all out for 167, with Travis Head (53) the only batsman to make 50.
Trott's century, the former England batsman's second in four One-Day Cup innings this season, took him to 288 runs in the competition to add to his 826 runs in first-class cricket.
Laurie Evans made 48 from 30 deliveries, while Rikki Clarke plundered 18 off nine before being given out caught on the long-off boundary, while spinner Jeetan Patel claimed 3-34 as Warwickshire finished second in the North Group to earn a home quarter-final.
Yorkshire, leaders at the start of the day, dropped to third after losing their second One-Day Cup game in two days and face an away trip in the last eight.
Bears director of cricket Dougie Brown told BBC WM:
"In the last few weeks we have been criticised quite a lot, and rightly so, for not getting ourselves over the line in games.
"We have been putting in some big individual performances without the supporting efforts that you need to win games.
"But this was a really good, complete, all-round performance, an outstanding team effort.
"Trotty's innings was world-class and then we had late cameos from Laurie and Rikki that just supplied that late impetus that you need."


Salford Red Devils have lost some of their identity after their move to the AJ Bell Stadium, says former head coach Iestyn Harris.

The Super League side moved from their Willows home in 2012 after 110 years at their former ground.
Former dual-code Wales international Harris, 39, had a 17-month stint as head coach at Salford.
"Growing up and playing against Salford for many years, they were always a passionate club," he said.
Harris told Rugby League Extra: "I think what's been a big struggle for them is the move to a new stadium.
"Part of what was symbolic with Salford whenever I went there was the stadium - although it was creaking, it still had that home feel about it and you're in Salford.
"I'm not sure the new stadium has got that and I'm not sure that Salford, as a club, have quite got the identity which they probably had 10 years ago.
"It's whether they can recapture that identity of what Salford was, because the fans are fantastic.
"If they can capture that identity again, I think that's how they can improve."


A man with schizophrenia who beheaded a fellow bus passenger in Canada in 2008 has been granted freedom.

Will Baker, formerly known as Vince Weiguang Li, killed 22-year-old Tim McLean after hearing what he thought was "the voice of God".
He was deemed not criminally responsible and received mental health treatment.
A review board in Manitoba ordered his discharge - without monitoring - saying he did not pose a significant threat.
Mr McLean's mother, who had opposed granting Mr Baker freedom, said she had "no words" following the decision on Friday.
"I have no comment today," Carol de Delley wrote on Facebook.
The attack took place in front of horrified passengers as the inter-city Greyhound bus travelled past Portage la Prairie, about 70km (40 miles) west of Winnipeg.
Mr Baker, a former church custodian and computer programmer who emigrated from China to Canada in 2001, repeatedly stabbed Mr McLean, who was sitting next to him, before cutting off his head and removing internal organs.
The attack began without warning. Alerted by screams from the victim, the driver stopped the bus and fled with the passengers as Mr Baker continued his attack.
In 2009, Mr Baker was found not criminally responsible for the killing. He then spent seven years in treatment in a secure wing of a psychiatric hospital.
In an interview with a schizophrenia society in 2012, he said he heard what he believed was "the voice of God".
"The voice told me that I was the third story of the Bible, that I was like the second coming of Jesus [and that] I was to save people from a space alien attack."
He also said he was "really sorry" for what he had done.
Mr Baker was allowed last year to live on his own apartment in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but was still subject to monitoring to ensure he took his medication.
But his doctors told Manitoba's Criminal Code Review Board that he understood that he needed to take the medication and that he would continue with his treatment if released.
"The review board is of the opinion that the weight of evidence does not substantiate that Mr Baker poses a significant threat to the safety of the public," the review board said in a written decision.


Sixty-eight "pioneer schools" have been chosen to lead a shake-up of lessons in Wales.

Education minister Huw Lewis said the schools would lead the way in developing a new curriculum, to be taught from 2021.
He said pioneer schools would have a "crucial role" in ensuring an "exciting future for education" is realised.
Plans include fewer tests, ending the "key stages" system and more focus on computing and information technology.
Mr Lewis said the chosen schools, which were spread across Wales,  would work with those already selected to improve digital skills.
He also announced the names of 60 schools to lead the way on a "new deal for the education workforce", to ensure teachers get enough support as the new curriculum is rolled out.
"I know it is an issue that is concerning many professionals, and I will be looking for our pioneers to develop innovative ideas that will reduce workload and avoid red tape for the profession as we move towards implementation of our new curriculum," he said.
Conservative Shadow Education Minister Angela Burns welcomed the announcements, but warned "Labour's flawed teacher training system must be urgently improved and ministers must ensure schools have enough financial resources in place".


Aldershot Town have signed midfielder Liam Bellamy from fellow National League side Dover Athletic.

The 24-year-old, who made 25 league appearances as the Whites reached the play-offs, had been offered a new contract by the Kent club.
"Gary Waddock is a manager that I have always wanted to work with," the former Ebbsfleet United player said.
"I really believe in his philosophy and with the team that he is building here I think we can have a good season."
Aldershot have not disclosed the length of Bellamy's deal at the EBB Stadium.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


The house used as Harry Potter's home in the hit film adaptations of JK Rowling's books has been put up for sale.

The three-bedroom suburban cul-de-sac house featured as 4 Privet Drive, Surrey, home of the boy wizard's dreadful aunt and uncle, the Dursleys.
But it is, in fact, 12 Picket Post Close in Bracknell, Berkshire.
Its current owners have put the house on sale for Â£475,000 - it was bought for Â£290,000 in 2010.
Showbiz semis - The asking price of a slice of screen history
The original owners were first approached by Warner Brothers in 2000 to use the building in their movie.
Filming took place at the location over two weeks as the property was transformed into the home of the Dursley family.
A cupboard under the stairs, similar to the one where Harry is famously forced to live by his relatives, also features in the house.
Estate agent Paul Bosanko, said the property had already received global interest and had set new records in the number of "clicks" received on its website.
"When we first launched the property four days ago, we did not mention the Harry Potter connection, but this morning it's been pretty evident that the world is interested in this property and there is an awful lot of hype", he added.


Southport have parted company with player-manager Andy Bishop after only one win in their first eight National League matches.

The 33-year-old, who has played three times this season, was appointed in April after a spell as interim boss.
His departure means the club, who say they are "actively seeking applications for the post", will look to appoint their ninth manager since April 2013.
The announcement was made shortly after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Dover.


Singer Emeli Sande has capped a stellar rise over the past 12 months with four nominations for the 2013 Brit Awards.

The star, who had the best-selling album in the UK last year, is up for best female, best album and has two tracks in the best single category.
There were three nominations each for Mumford and Sons and Mercury Prize winners Alt-J.
Amy Winehouse has received a nomination for best British female after an album of material was released posthumously.
Singer Rita Ora also has three nominations, including two in the best single list, while Muse, Paloma Faith, Plan B and Olly Murs are up for two prizes each.
By Mark SavageBBC News entertainment reporter
The Brits always struggle to strike a balance between perky pop show and chin-stroking critical borefest, but this year's list just about gets it right.
Where else (except, perhaps, a Now That's What I Call Music album) would the nocturnal minimalism of The xx rub shoulders with the relentlessly upbeat pop jester Olly Murs?
There's room in the nominations both for boyband behemoth One Direction and wrinkly old granddads The Rolling Stones. Pop producer Calvin Harris is rewarded for packing out nightclubs, while Emeli Sande is acknowledged for her accessible brand of songwriter soul.
Meanwhile, the award for "global success" - recognising exceptional international sales in 2012 - has presumably been introduced to give Adele the opportunity to finish last year's truncated acceptance speech.
All that's really missing from this year's line-up is a sense of danger. In 1992, The KLF drove up to a Brits after-party and dumped a dead sheep in the lobby. The closest we'll get in 2013 is if Mumford and Sons arrive herding a few.
Jessie Ware, Ben Howard, Rihanna and Coldplay also have double nominations.
If Rihanna picks up the best international female prize at the ceremony on 20 February, it will be her third consecutive win.
Adele, who swept the board at last year's Brits, is in the running for best single for her James Bond theme Skyfall - meaning she has received Oscar and Brit nominations on the same day.
Sande's appearance on the shortlist comes 12 months after she was tipped as a rising star with the Brit Awards' Critics' Choice prize.
Her debut album, Our Version of Events, went on to sell 1.4 million copies in the UK last year and she performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"It's a really good feeling," she said of the Brits nominations. "It feels great, a bit scary, because you never know, you might not win anything.
Sande's two hits in the running for best single are Next To Me, which reached number two last February, and Beneath Your Beautiful, her chart-topping collaboration with producer-turned-frontman Labrinth.
She will compete for the best album award - billed as the most prestigious - with Plan B, Alt-J, Paloma Faith and Mumford And Sons.
Alt-J and Mumford And Sons are also up for best British group, a shortlist that also takes in stadium rock with Muse, teen pop with One Direction and atmospheric indie with The xx.
Calvin Harris, Richard Hawley, Ben Howard, Olly Murs will compete with Plan B for the best British male title.
And in the best British female category, Winehouse and Sande are listed alongside Paloma Faith, Bat For Lashes and Jessie Ware.
Winehouse was eligible as a result of the album Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which compiled rare material, unreleased tracks and alternative recordings after her death in 2011.
The award for best live act has been reintroduced this year, and sees The Rolling Stones gain a nomination, 35 years after they were shortlisted for the first ever Brit Awards.
"It shows the broad spread of British pop music," said Alt-J's Gus Unger-Hamilton of the diverse shortlist. "That's what's great about the Brits."
The nominations were revealed by BBC Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Nick Grimshaw, who also had praise for the eclectic selection.
"It was really good to see Cat Power and Bat For Lashes but also have proper pop stars like One Direction and Rita Ora. And Calvin Harris, as well. I think he's made the best pop songs this year, so it's nice to see him."
At the launch, in London's Savoy Hotel on Thursday, Sande handed over this year's Critics' Choice prize to Sussex-born pianist and songwriter Tom Odell.
She told him to "enjoy it", saying the award was "a platform to let people know about his wonderful music".
Artist Damien Hirst has designed this year's statuette, adorning it with his trademark spot design. The awards will be handed out at London's O2 arena on 20 February.
The ceremony will be hosted by actor James Corden and will feature performances from Muse, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sande, Mumford and Sons, Ben Howard and One Direction.


Britain's Non Stanford has become the ITU World Triathlon champion after overcoming a 15-second penalty to win the Grand Final in London.

Media playback is not supported on this device
The Welshwoman, third in the standings ahead of the race, was penalised for not placing her wetsuit in the box.
But the 24-year-old then ran superbly, finishing in 2:01.33 to end the series on 4220 points.
Fellow Briton Jodie Stimpson was second in the overall standings after finishing fourth in Hyde Park.
• Seven races, from April to August, plus September's Grand Final
• Triathletes are awarded points on basis of finishing position in each race
• Winner of a World Series race gets 800, second place 740, third 685, fourth 633, fifth 586
• Bigger points on offer in Grand Final - 1,200 for first, 1,110 second, 1,027 third
• Triathlete's final total is best four World Series finishes plus Grand Final
• World champion decided by the totals after Grand Final
Germany's Anne Haug, who was also in contention for the title before the race, had to settle for bronze in the series standings while the favourite, American Gwen Jorgensen, crashed on her bike.
"I'm speechless," said Swansea-born Stanford, who is the first woman to win the under-23 and senior world titles in successive seasons.
"I haven't slept for three weeks. Everyone was talking about it. I just wanted to put on a good show, and all my friends and family are here so I'm delighted I could do it for them.
"I went off really hard in the run, trying to make up that gap straight away and on the sidelines I was hearing '25 seconds' so I thought 'I've got to take it now'."
Stanford emulates compatriots Helen Jenkins and Leanda Cave, who won the title in 2011 and 2002 respectively, and her victory on the London 2012 course concludes a remarkable year.
She has enjoyed podium finishes on five occasions in 2013, recovering from a broken arm - sustained during a heavy fall in Hamburg in July - to finish second in Stockholm five weeks later.
Stanford also had to overcome difficulties in London when she had trouble putting on her helmet during the transition between swim and cycle and failed to place her wetsuit in the box in her haste to get away.
But she built a commanding lead during the 10km run and was able to emerge ahead of the chasing pack after taking her penalty early on the final lap.
Ireland's Aileen Reid outsprinted Australia's Emma Moffatt to cross the line in second place.


Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a regional "co-ordinating structure" against jihadist militant group Islamic State (IS).

Mr Putin reiterated his support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Western countries and the Syrian opposition have said must go.
The crisis is expected to be high on the agenda at the UN in New York.
Mr Putin will hold rare talks with US President Barack Obama to discuss the issue later on Monday.
Relations between Russia and the West have been strained over Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula last year and support for separatist rebels.
A famous Russian expression talks about "killing two hares with one shot". But Vladimir Putin doesn't do things by halves: he'll be trying to slay a whole multitude of political and economic hares with one trip to New York.
His UN speech and meeting with President Obama will put President Putin centre stage: a return to the international limelight for a leader shunned by the West over the conflict in Ukraine.
And if he convinces President Obama to put aside their differences and join together in the fight against Islamic State, Russia stands to gain on many levels: by retaining a degree of influence in Syria; by boosting Russian national security (Moscow acknowledges that IS constitutes a threat to Russia); and, crucially, by improving Russia's international image - rebranding her from pariah to partner and refocusing attention from the conflict in Ukraine.
If Vladimir Putin achieves that, it could be the first step towards easing Western sanctions.
First, though, he will need to convince the US to trust him. It may be a hard sell.
In a separate development, UK Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to soften his stance against Mr Assad in a speech this week.
He is due to tell leaders at a summit in New York that Mr Assad could remain temporarily in power at the head of a transitional government.
Mr Cameron - along with Mr Obama and French President Francois Hollande - has previously demanded that Mr Assad be removed from power as a condition of any peace deal, a position consistently rejected by Mr Putin.
Speaking as he arrived in New York on Sunday, Mr Cameron said: "[Bashar al-] Assad can't be part of Syria's future. He has butchered his own people. He has helped create this conflict and this migration crisis. He is one of the great recruiting sergeants for Isil [IS]."
Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani - a key regional ally of President Assad - said the government in Damascus "can't be weakened" if IS militants are to be defeated.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
European leaders are intensifying calls for a diplomatic push in Syria in the wake of a massive influx of refugees heading for Europe.
The urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict has also been reinforced by a Russian military build-up in Syria in support of Mr Assad's government.
Iraq on Sunday announced that it had signed an agreement on security and intelligence co-operation with Russia, Iran and Syria to help combat IS.
In an interview with CBS television, Mr Putin said the Syrian president's troops were "the only legitimate conventional army there".
He said the troops were fighting terrorist organisations, and Russia "would be pleased to find common ground for joint action against the terrorists".
Mr Putin added Russia would not participate in any troop operations in Syria.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, however, said the efforts were "not yet co-ordinated" and the US had "concerns about how we are going to go forward".
More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and one million injured in four and a half years of armed conflict, which began with anti-government protests before escalating into a full-scale civil war.
More than 11 million others have been forced from their homes, four million of them abroad, as forces loyal to President Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from IS. Growing numbers of refugees are going to Europe.
Regional and world powers have also been drawn into the conflict. Iran and Russia, along with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, are propping up the Alawite-led government. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are backing the Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France.
Syria's civil war explained
Diplomatic goals behind Putin's Syria build-up
Migrant crisis: Fleeing life under Islamic State in Syria
The battle for Syria and Iraq in maps
On Sunday, France said it had carried out its first air strikes against IS in Syria, destroying a training camp.
A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year. France, like the UK, has previously confined its air strikes against the Islamic State group to Iraqi airspace.
The UK announced earlier this month it had carried out a drone strike against two British citizens in Syria but has yet to fly manned operations in Syrian airspace.
More than 200,000 Syrians have been killed since the country erupted into civil war in 2011, and Islamic State took control of swathes of the country in 2014. Mr Assad has been accused of killing tens of thousands of his own citizens with indiscriminate bombing in rebel-held areas.
Approximately four million Syrians have fled abroad so far - the vast majority are in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan - and more are on the move.


Germany's top administrative court has ruled that a student does not have an automatic right to pray at school.

The case was brought by an 18-year-old Muslim pupil at a Berlin school after he was told by his head teacher that prayer was not allowed on the school grounds.
The teenager and several other pupils kneeled in a hallway during a break to pray.
The court found that the school could ban prayer if the act caused conflict.
The decision brings to an end a four-year legal battle by the pupil, Yunus Mitschele.
He is a student at a grammar school in the mixed area of Wedding, which had experienced clashes between groups of Muslim students over prayer rituals.
The court found that the conflict that might be expected at the school if religious acts were allowed would be beyond the level that school staff could deal with. Setting aside a room specifically for prayer would be beyond the organisational capacity of the school, it said.
The judges at the Federal Administrative Court, in Leipzig, stressed that the ruling did not mean that no student could pray at school. The decision should be made on a case by case basis.
The German constitution guarantees freedom of religion and so a school pupil would generally be entitled to pray when at school, outside of lesson times.
Judge Werner Neumann said that a school must decide if it is really necessary "to restrict religious freedom in order to keep the peace at the school".


Borussia Dortmund missed the chance to put pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich as they were twice pegged back in a draw at Schalke.

Dortmund warmed up for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool by taking the lead through Shinji Kagawa on 49 minutes and Mattias Ginter on 56.
Leroy Sane and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar levelled on 51 and 66, respectively.
Dortmund trail Bayern by seven points with five games left.
They head for Anfield next week level with Liverpool, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Match ends, FC Schalke 04 2, Borussia Dortmund 2.
Second Half ends, FC Schalke 04 2, Borussia Dortmund 2.
Foul by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04).
Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Max Meyer (FC Schalke 04) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Johannes Geis (FC Schalke 04) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund).
Attempt blocked. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Roman Neustädter (FC Schalke 04) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Roman Neustädter (FC Schalke 04).
Ilkay Gündogan (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner,  Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Attempt blocked. Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Corner,  Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Joel Matip.
Attempt blocked. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sokratis.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, FC Schalke 04. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting replaces Younes Belhanda.
Delay in match Matthias Ginter (Borussia Dortmund) because of an injury.
Younes Belhanda (FC Schalke 04) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Younes Belhanda (FC Schalke 04).
Matthias Ginter (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan.
Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (FC Schalke 04).
Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, FC Schalke 04. Dennis Aogo replaces Sead Kolasinac.
Foul by Johannes Geis (FC Schalke 04).
Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Johannes Geis (FC Schalke 04) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is blocked.
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Ilkay Gündogan replaces Christian Pulisic.
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replaces Moritz Leitner.
Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund).
Corner,  Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Joel Matip.
Attempt blocked. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Adrián Ramos.
Attempt saved. Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Christian Pulisic.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (FC Schalke 04) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (FC Schalke 04).
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04).


Helmut Kohl earned his place in history by securing the successful reunification of Germany after the collapse of communism.

His 16 years in office made him the longest-serving German chancellor since Bismarck and he was once described as the greatest European leader in the second half of the 20th Century.
He was a passionate supporter of greater European integration and was one of the main architects of the Maastricht Treaty.
Yet the end of his career was marred by economic problems in the old East Germany and a financial scandal within his own CDU party.
Helmut Josef Michael Kohl was born on 3 April 1930 into a conservative, Catholic family,
His political outlook was shaped by his experiences in his hometown of Ludwigshafen in the Rhineland during World War Two.
Because of its huge chemical works, the town was heavily bombed and, at the age of 12, the young Helmut found himself helping to recover the charred bodies of his neighbours from the rubble. What he once described as "the blessing of a late birth" freed him from any taints of Nazism.
After studying politics and law at Heidelberg University, Kohl entered politics in the German federal system where, in the Rhineland Palatinate, he rose to become the youngest Land [federal state] minister-president at the age of 39.
He built up a large network of political allies and forced through important changes, among them the law that outlawed denominational schools unless 80% of the parents approved.
Three years later, Kohl became national chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the dominant post-war West German political party.
He was the CDU's candidate for chancellor in the 1976 election, but was defeated by the Social Democrat/Free Democrat coalition of Helmut Schmidt.
Four years later, Kohl looked on as another CDU candidate, and great rival, the Bavarian Prime Minister Franz Josef Strauss, also went down to defeat by Schmidt.
A bear of a man, Kohl was often ridiculed for his love of food - one nickname being "Birne" or pear - and for his often clumsy provincial manner. Beyond this, Kohl's critics relentlessly mocked him for what they said was his lacklustre oratory and apparent lack of vision.
But many underestimated his ability to wield power, which he managed through a complex, but highly effective, network of patronage and political cronies.
In 1982, after the Free Democrats had left the ruling coalition, he took over as chancellor from Helmut Schmidt, and would go on to win the next four general elections, staying in power for 16 years.
The 1980s witnessed a golden age of German economic and political power. Together with his closest ally, France's President Mitterrand, Kohl shaped the federal ideal of the European Union and laid the groundwork for the creation of the single currency.
In 1987 there was a groundbreaking visit to West Germany by the East German leader, Erich Honecker. It was part of Kohl's policy of detente with the East, something his party had firmly rejected just 20 years before.
Two years later, the Berlin Wall came down and Kohl began the negotiations that would lead to reunification.
Having realised that Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's attempts to reform communism would fail, Kohl persuaded him to withdraw from East Germany, while allowing a reunited Germany to remain a member of Nato.
The 350,000 Soviet troops based in the East were sent home, the costs borne by the West German government. On 3 October 1990, East Germany ceased to exist with its five historical states becoming part of the new federal republic.
Kohl's drive for reunification was not welcomed by everyone, with  Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir publicly opposing it.  While broadly welcomed by the West, there were concerns, notably in Britain and Poland, that a strong unified Germany would come to dominate the continent.
But Kohl was able to convince Gorbachev and US President George HW Bush that a united Germany would not destabilise or threaten Europe in the way Hitler's Germany had done.
"George Bush was for me the most important ally on the road to German unity," he said.
Kohl also made the political decision to grant East Germans immediate economic parity, even though his central bankers told him of the massive economic dislocation this would incur. They predicted correctly that Germany's economy would be badly affected for a decade.
Even so, Helmut Kohl had pulled off a remarkable political coup that might not have occurred had he dithered. But the huge economic repercussions of reunification robbed him of some of the popularity he might have expected, particularly in the former East where, during one visit, he was pelted with eggs.
Under his rule, the East suffered an economic collapse, with high rates of poverty and unemployment the norm. And the costs of reunification led to an economic downturn throughout Germany.
He was slow to respond when neo-Nazis burned down the homes of immigrant Turkish families and hostels for refugees from Africa. He sometimes pushed aside the concerns of smaller nations to the east, like the Czechs and the Poles.
And he had a strained relationship with the UK and other countries that did not share his vision of a federal Europe.
Chief among Kohl's perceived antagonists was Margaret Thatcher. In a revealing volume of autobiography, published in 2005, he alleged that her anger boiled over in December 1989 after she was obliged to sign a communique supporting German reunification.
"I will never forget Margaret Thatcher's angry observation: 'We have beaten the Germans twice. Now they're back.'"
After he lost power in elections in 1998, it was revealed that Kohl had accepted, for his party, millions of dollars of secret political donations.
Despite refusing to name the donors, and despite his destroying much potentially incriminating evidence before he left the chancellery, he was spared possible corruption charges out of respect for his years of leadership.
But his reputation was badly damaged. To his opponents, Helmut Kohl could be insensitive and a bully. The suicide of his wife, Hannelore, in July 2001, seemed to exemplify his political and personal eclipse.
In 2010, an ailing Helmut Kohl joined Chancellor Angela Merkel in celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of German reunification, something that will be seen as his greatest achievement.
"I have been underestimated for decades," he once said. "I have done very well that way."


A number of petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown at police during trouble in Londonderry on Monday night.

Police received a number of reports of young people setting pallets and rubbish on fire at the Leckey Road and Westland Street.
Petrol bombs and missiles were also thrown in the Bishop Street and Magazine Street direction.
There are no reports of any injuries or any serious damage caused.
A pizza delivery van was also hijacked in the Iona Court area by two masked men and set on fire a short time later at Fahan Street.
PSNI chief inspector Andy Lemon said: "The local residents in this area have suffered once again due to the reckless actions of these youths, some as young as 10.
"I want to reiterate our message to youths involved in this kind of activity that you run the very real risk of being arrested and getting a criminal record which could affect your life for a very long time.
"Parents need to know where their children are, who they are with and what they are doing.
"Police will continue to work closely with community representatives, local elected representatives and other statutory bodies to address these issues in the area.
"I appeal to anyone with any information about those involved in the disorder last night to contact police at Strand Road."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted on Monday night that he "unreservedly condemned" those responsible for the attacks.


Scotland won bronze after coming from behind to beat China at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in South Korea.

The Scottish team of Aileen Neilson, Rob McPherson, Gregor Ewan and Hugh Nibloe trailed 5-4 going into the last two ends before scoring three and two to claim a 9-5 victory.
Norway took gold with an 8-3 victory over Russia in the final.
The eventual champions beat Scotland 7-3 in Saturday's earlier semi-final.