Fly-half Steven Shingler admits it was a "huge" decision to leave Scarlets for Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues.

The 25-year-old fly-half moved at the end of the 2015-16 season following Rhys Patchell's decision to switch to Parc y Scarlets from the Blues.
But uncapped Shingler, a lifelong Scarlets supporter, says he is getting used to being a Blue.
"It did feel strange putting the top on first of all four weeks ago but the move has sunk in," he said.
"I've got to know the players and the squad and feel a bit more of a Blues player now.
"It was huge, a huge decision and I gave it a lot of thought over a couple of months.
"I just thought that the way that the Blues were going was good, and who they were recruiting because I was lucky to see who was in front of me being recruited.
"I'd seen [Blues head coach] Danny Wilson was on a long-term contract so it was all positive really - the only negative was leaving my home region essentially where I'd been playing with a lot of life-long friends and my brother."
It was suggested that Patchell's decision to move to West Wales to pursue his ambition of playing regularly at fly-half was the trigger for Shingler's switch.
The player himself acknowledges taking notice of his rivals for selection, but suggests the decision was more complicated.
"For a player you always look who's in your position.
"Patchell was coming down (to Scarlets) Gareth Anscombe was in the Blues, Jarrod Evans in the Blues, Dan Jones and Aled Thomas were in the Scarlets.
"So it was very neutral, it came down to the club really. The travelling wasn't a factor so it was all about the club and which club I thought was heading in the right direction and the Blues just edged it for me."
Shingler is a former Wales Under-20 fly-half who was named in Scotland's senior squad for the 2012 Six Nations when he was playing for London Irish.
That led to a dispute between Scotland and Wales with the sport's governing body ruling that his age-group appearance for Wales meant he could not play for the Scots.
He has twice been named in senior Wales touring squads since, but has yet to play.
"I very rarely think about it. It's five or six years ago which I associate with London now, rather than Wales," said Shingler.
"I was in a different situation then, and I've been away to Japan and South Africa on tours which I enjoyed.
"I Just want to be the best player I can be and win lots of games.
"The accolades of playing well for your team comes with international honours potentially so the short term focus for me is playing well for the Blues and if anything happens off the back of that brilliant, but it's getting in that starting squad, then the starting XV and then go from there."
Friday, 26 October  is a red letter day in the Shingler household - when Blues play Scarlets at Cardiff Arms Park and Steven will play against older brother Aaron - a Scarlets flanker - for the second time in his career.
The first was a Wales Possibles v Probables trial match in 2014 when Steven admits he spent most of his time "chasing the ball and lining up for conversions".
"We've already had a bit of banter  - hopefully we can cross horns and I can get one over him," he added.
"I've already had a chat with my parents about who're they're supporting and they're with the Scarlets at the moment, so I'll have to try and convince them that I'm the favourite son."


A black rhino calf has died at Chester Zoo, keepers have announced.

It not yet known what caused the death of the baby rhino, who was born in January and named Fara.
She became ill on Tuesday morning and although keepers and vets stayed by her side, Fara died in the afternoon.
"It is too early for us to speculate to the cause of Fara's death but everything possible was done to help her," said Dr Nick Davies, assistant curator of mammals.
"It is a truly sad time for us all."
Officials have decided to close the rhino house today to give her mother "some quiet time".
Fara arrived on 31 January to mum Kitani, and her birth was caught on film.
The female calf landed safely in a "textbook" birth, said the zoo's curator of mammals Tim Rowlands at the time.
It was the first time Fara's father 15-year-old Sammy had sired a calf.
Eastern black rhino are a critically endangered species and the zoo says there are just 650 left in the wild.
"Fara was the fourth calf born here in the last three years and to date we have had a very successful breeding programme so Fara's death will be felt deeply by all those who cared for her every day," said Dr Davies.
The zoo says its breeding programme is using "ground-breaking science" to monitor the hormone levels of female rhinos, ensuring they are introduced to potential partners at the best time.
It also provides support to other organisations around the world who are involved in protecting the survival of the species.
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Scotland has produced some of the world's most successful snooker stars, with pubs and clubs around the country once full of people playing the game.

But, as the Scottish Open makes its return to Glasgow, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry told BBC Scotland the sport at amateur level is "dying a slow death" throughout the UK.
"There seemed to be snooker clubs round every corner, you'd be hard pressed to find one now so obviously finding places to play is increasingly difficult," said the 47-year-old.
"It is disappointing but sometimes these things go in cycles and there might be a time when these sort of players come back again.
"But at the moment it is hard to see where the next genius player from the UK is coming from."
A 1995 survey by Scottish Snooker - the body that looks after the amateur game - showed there were 192 clubs across the country. But their last count shows there are now only 60 or so remaining.
Alan McManus turned professional in 1990 - another product of a toy snooker table received one Christmas, which led to youth coaching and junior tournaments.
The Glaswegian believes the reason there are fewer like him in the game is simple - online distractions.
"That's what kids are into now unfortunately and the first thing they do in the morning and the last thing at night is look at their phone," he said. "And if you want to be a snooker play you should be binning your phone, getting yourself on the table and working hard.
"It's unfortunate and the boys who have been there for a while - Graeme [Dott], John [Higgins] and Stephen Maguire - are still holding their own and doing well.
"We'll keep trying but one thing I would like to see is a bit of funding. With the heritage and history we have with snooker it would be merited."
Hendry too believes there are so many more options compared to when he and McManus, 45, were growing up, and perhaps potting balls on a table does not have the same appeal.
"There are so many other activities and football dominates sport in in Scotland and the UK," he added. "Any kid growing up who is half-decent at sport will want to be a footballer because of the money.
"Snooker is unique and very difficult. Youngsters get into but find it so tough they lose interest quickly."
It is not all bad news though. Scottish Snooker believe the worst is over and they are making progress when it comes to ensuring a few of our own remain at the top, despite countries like China producing increasing numbers of talented players.
Secretary Anne Totten believes it is time to move past reminiscing and to take action.
"Kids aren't necessarily as eager to put in as much work as they can get results much more quickly from technology," she said.
"And parenting has changed slightly too - they don't want to their kids to go out to pubs and clubs, they maybe see it like the 80s where people were smoking, drinking and gambling. In fact, the smoking ban has had an impact on some of the pubs closing down too.
"But they are really safe environments.  My own son plays snooker and it's amazing for him to get used to all different generations, learn about respect, have a conversation and he's learned a lot about discipline and numeracy as well."
Scottish Snooker is working with the national sports body sportscotland with the aim of being formally recognised so they can apply for funding, which it believes will help make it more accessible.
"We're trying to make sure there's an academy in every geographical locations so there's no barriers - providing cues, coaches, venues etc," said Totten.
As an added bonus, snooker's governing body - the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Limited - has just announced six new youth coaching academies north of the border, which could mean a Scottish presence will continue to be felt at the top of the game for decades to come.


At least 16 people have died after a US military plane crashed in the southern state of Mississippi at around 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Monday.

The crash happened in LeFlore County, about 100 miles (160km) north of Jackson, the state capital.
All 16 victims were on the Marine Corps aircraft and there were no survivors, Leflore County emergency management director Fred Randle said.
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said the incident was a "tragedy".
"Our men and women in uniform risk themselves every day to secure our freedom," he said.
US President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning: "Marine Plane crash in Mississippi is heartbreaking. Melania and I send our deepest condolences to all!"
No official details were immediately available on the circumstances of the crash.
Mississippi outlet the Clarion-Ledger said the plane came down in a soybean field on the Sunflower-Leflore county line, and left a five-mile trail of debris. It said the FBI was assisting at the scene.
Local Fire Chief Marcus Banks told the Greenwood Commonwealth that firefighters were driven back by several "high-intensity explosions", possibly caused by jet fuel igniting. He said 4,000 gallons of foam were sprayed at the aircraft in a bid to subdue the fire.
Captain Sarah Burns, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps, said only that a US Marines KC-130 Hercules transport aircraft had "experienced a mishap".
"On behalf of the entire Marine Corps, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the aircraft mishap yesterday afternoon in Mississippi," said Marine Corp Commandant Gen Robert Neller.
"Our focus remains on notifying and supporting the families while we conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this tragedy."


Honolulu has become the first major US city to ban pedestrians from looking at mobile phones, texting or using digital devices while crossing the road.

The measure, which will take effect in Hawaii's largest city in October, is aimed at reducing injuries and deaths from "distracted walking".
First offenders caught gazing at devices, including laptops and digital cameras, face $15-$35 (Â£11-Â£26) fines.
Urgent calls to the emergency services are exempt from the ban.
The bill, also known as the Distracted Walking Law, was signed off by the mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, on Thursday after the city council approved the measure by a vote of 7-2.
The new legislation, which will come into effect on 25 October, states that "no pedestrian shall cross a street or highway while viewing a mobile electronic device".
Repeat offenders face fines of up to $99.
The new law has met opposition from some members of the public, who accuse the government of over-regulation.
"We hold the unfortunate distinction of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly our seniors, than almost any other city in the county," Mr Caldwell told Reuters news agency.
"Sometimes I wish there were laws we did not have to pass, that perhaps common sense would prevail, but sometimes we lack common sense," Mr Caldwell said.
Distracted walking incidents involving mobile phones accounted for more than 11,100 injuries in the US between 2000 and 2011, according to the US National Safety Council.
The figures for more recent years, which are not provided in the council's latest report, are likely to be higher.


The Isle of Man Cycling Association has submitted a bid to host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championships, it has confirmed.

While the island has produced the last two men's champions - Peter Kennaugh and Mark Cavendish - it has not hosted the event for more than 30 years.
It is not yet known who will rival the Isle of Man's bid, which has the full backing of the Manx government.
British Cycling said the winner will be announced on or before 20 March.
Isle of Man Cycling Association (IoMCA) chairman Richard Fletcher said its bid had been met with "huge enthusiasm".
He said: "A successful bid would enhance the island's reputation as a world-class cycling destination which is able to stage world- class sporting events."
The island has a rich cycling history, having staged Britain's biggest festival - International Cycle Week - for almost 70 years until 2003.
The Isle of Man has also recently held the Commonwealth Youth Games and annually hosts the TT motorcycle races which attract more than 40,000 fans.
This year eight Manx cyclists were selected for the Great Britain Olympic Development squad, including former winners Kennaugh and Cavendish.
Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly said: "It would be incredible to watch our British and Olympic champions race on home soil.
He added: "An annual cycling festival would be a lasting legacy of this event and would no doubt inspire future generations.
"It would also prove an economic engine for tourism."
According to Isle of Man Tourism, the event - which would incorporate the TT course and utilise the event's infrastructure - has the potential to attract more than 15,000 spectators.
The 2015 event will be held in Lincolnshire in June.


Sinn Féin has said it will not enter negotiations ahead of a new assembly election following the crisis over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal.

Party officials met Secretary of State James Brokenshire on Wednesday morning.
Martin McGuinness resigned as deputy first minister in protest against the botched handling of the scheme, which could cost taxpayers £490m.
Mr Brokenshire said it is "highly likely we are heading towards an election".
Sinn Féin is to hold the first of a number of election selection conventions on Sunday.
Prime Minister Theresa May said that the government is treating with the situation with the "utmost seriousness".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, she said the government was putting in "every effort" to ensure a solution is reached, adding that Northern Ireland's voice would continue to be heard in Brexit negotiations.
Mrs Foster set up the RHI scheme in 2012 when she was enterprise minister, in an attempt by the NI Executive to increase consumption of heat from renewable sources.
However, businesses received more in subsidies than they paid for fuel, and the scheme became heavily oversubscribed.
Mr Brokenshire is holding talks with the main parties and Justice Minister Claire Sugden within the next 24 hours.
Mrs May and Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny have also pledged to do what they can to resolve the crisis.
Under Stormont rules, Sinn Féin have until next Monday to nominate a new deputy first minister, or the secretary of state must call an election.
The election, which is widely predicted to take place in early March, could cost the taxpayer around £5m.
Electoral Commission sources have said the direct cost of last May's assembly election was approximately £3.1m, with a further £1.8m spent on candidate election literature.
Speaking after talks with Mr Brokenshire, Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill said the party was "not interested" in entering negotiations before the electorate had their say on the conduct of the DUP.
"We made it very clear to him that we need to move to an election, that Sinn Féin will not be re-nominating next Monday," she said.
"What we need is fundamental change. We believe the public need to have their say.
"There's been a disrespect to the public by the DUP over the last number of weeks and months in relation to this issue (the RHI crisis), a disrespect for the public in relation to listening to the views, the concerns out there."
Mrs O'Neill also said that Sinn Féin still wants to see an inquiry into the RHI crisis that is transparent and can compel witnesses to give evidence, so that it "commands public confidence".
Efforts to try to save the institutions at Stormont and avoid an election are set to intensify in the coming days.
However, with Sinn Féin insisting an election is inevitable there is little hope the crisis that has brought politics in Northern Ireland to standstill will be resolved anytime soon.
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said the party would not accept any inquiry set up by DUP, but whether they would accept an inquiry set up by the justice minister or the secretary of state remains to be seen.
James Brokenshire has an eye on the negotiations post-election.
A key demand from Sinn Féin was that Arlene Foster step aside while an investigation goes ahead and she is now out of office.
The secretary of state, therefore, may be working on a plan to instigate some kind of inquiry to run along side an election.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt said he believed Mr Brokenshire now "understands that an election is unavoidable".
He also said that direct rule from Westminster is a possibility should the two biggest parties returned in the election fail to reach agreement.
"The crisis is not at the making of the other parties. It is an illustration of the fact that the DUP and Sinn Féin, who've been at it for 10 years, have offered ultimate proof that they cannot work together."
Colum Eastwood, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said there could be no return to direct rule.
He said that joint authority between the Irish and UK governments was the only "acceptable position for the nationalist community" should the Stormont institutions fail to be re-established after the election.
Mr Brokenshire has refused to say whether joint authority would be a possibility or if Northern Ireland could see a return to direct rule.
On Tuesday night, Mrs May and Mr Kenny agreed the situation is very serious in a 15-minute telephone conversation.
They also asked Mr Brokenshire and Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan to work together with the parties to find a solution.
Former first minister Arlene Foster warned that if an election goes ahead, it will be "brutal".


The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world and residence of the spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

Its territory is surrounded by the Italian capital city Rome, and priests and nuns of many nationalities make up almost all of the population.
The Vatican City is a tiny fragment when compared with the extensive Papal States of central Italy, which were conquered by the forces of Italian unification in the mid-19th century. The popes then became "prisoners in the Vatican", unwilling to leave the confines of the Apostolic Palace until 1929, when Italy's Fascist government negotiated the Lateran Treaty that created the current mini-state.
The Vatican City itself packs many imposing buildings into its small area. These include St Peter's Basilica, a pilgrimage site. The Vatican Museums and Art Galleries house the priceless art collections of the popes.
On a more profane level, the Vatican has moved to meet international demands for more financial transparency following an investigation in 2010 into the Vatican Bank over violations of money-laundering rules.
Population about 800
Area 0.44 sq km (0.17 sq mile)
Major languages Latin (official), Italian
Major religion Christianity
Life expectancy 74 years (men), 81 years (women)
Currency  euro
Head of state: Pope Francis
Cardinals elected the first Latin American pope in March 2013, choosing Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, who had resigned over ill-health after a reign of eight years.
At 76 he was only two years younger than Benedict at the time of his election, confounding expectations that the cardinals would opt for a younger candidate to lead the Catholic Church through the many challenges it faces.
Moreover, he has only one lung, which raised doubts about his stamina in this demanding post.
He had broad appeal in the College of Cardinals, being conservative on homosexuality but liberal on such social issues as poverty and inequality.
Powerful transmitters beam Vatican Radio - "The Pope's Voice" - to a global audience.
But the station has faced allegations that its transmissions have been putting lives at risk in a Rome suburb by exceeding Italy's electromagnetic radiation standards - claims the Vatican denies.
The papacy maintains a Twitter account, @pontifex.


Union delegates have backed joint industrial action if "attacks" on jobs, pensions and public services go ahead.

The TUC's annual gathering backed a motion which included calls to build "a broad solidarity alliance of unions and communities under threat".
TUC chief Brendan Barber warned that big cuts would make Britain a "dark, brutish and more frightening place".
The PM's spokesman said they wanted "partnership" with the unions to tackle the deficit.
The opening of the TUC's 142nd congress - the first under a non-Labour government since 1996 - comes amid concern among unions about the speed and scope of the coalition's programme to reduce the £155bn deficit.
Union voices: How to tackle cuts'Responsible' cuts battle urgedLabour can't be meek - HarmanSend us your views
Most Whitehall departments have been ordered to plan for savings of between 25% and 40% ahead of the comprehensive spending review of 20 October.
Delegates debated a motion calling for the TUC's general council to "support and co-ordinate campaigning and joint union industrial action, nationally and locally, in opposition to attacks on jobs, pensions, pay or public services".
It could lead to different unions calling strikes on the same days if the cuts are not scaled back, although BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said trade union laws and union leaders' desire to build a wide coalition against the cuts made a "winter of discontent" unlikely.
The motion rejected the idea that cuts were necessary to pay for the deficit and said they were a "savage and opportunistic attack on public services" which "goes far further than even the dark days of Thatcher".
TUC general secretary Mr Barber told delegates: "These are not temporary cuts, but a permanent rollback of public services and the welfare state. Not so much an economic necessity as a political project driven by an ideological clamour for a minimal state.
"What they take apart now could take generations to rebuild. Decent public services are the glue that holds a civilised society together and we diminish them at our peril. Cut services, put jobs in peril and increase inequality, that's the way to make Britain a darker, brutish, more frightening place."
He said no-one took industrial action lightly, but added: "Where members, faced with attacks on jobs, pay or pensions take a democratic decision for industrial action, they will have the support of unions and the TUC stands ready to co-ordinate that."
BBC business reporter Simon Jack said no dates had been named for industrial action - but the motion meant unions were "standing ready" to do so if necessary, although there was no detail of what form it could take. He said the first co-ordinated action was not likely to take place until February or March 2011.
By Ben WrightPolitical correspondent, BBC News
Ministers have spent the summer softening the public up for cuts but, with big job losses looming, the unions haven't been persuaded.
Brendan Barber called the government's assertions "insulting claptrap".
Some trade union leaders, such as Bob Crow and Mark Serwotka, predict civil disobedience and coordinated strike action in response to cuts. But moderates like Mr Barber want to temper the tone and place the union movement at the centre of an alliance with the public, charities and community groups who oppose the cuts.
So talk of a new winter of discontent may be wide of the mark, not least because secondary picketing is now illegal. But also because union leaders like Barber will be very wary about embarking on strike action that hits the users of public services hard and risks turning their members into villains.
The government wants to sound moderate too, hence Francis Maude's insistence he wants to see engagement and "partnership" between the unions and ministers. But confrontation looks likely so long as there's a chasm between the Treasury and the unions on how to deal with the deficit.
What is the Trades Union Congress?
Only one delegate spoke against the motion, Jim McAuslan, general secretary of the airline pilots' union BALPA. He said it might be seen as an "open goal" for the government, and warned some union colleagues were "getting the tone wrong" in resisting every cut and they had to get the message out beyond unions to the wider community.
Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' (RMT) leader Bob Crow has called for a campaign of "civil disobedience" but Mr Barber told the BBC he thought that was "counter-productive".
Instead he said he favoured "a broad-based campaign... to look to harness public opinion behind the case for a different approach to managing our economy."
He spoke against a purely critical campaign, asking unions to promote an "alternative to austerity that encourages growth and jobs".
Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude told the BBC: "We will listen very carefully to what they [the unions] say and the arguments that they make, there's no question about that. We are not going back to the days where there's a complete stand-off between the trade unions and the government. Those days are gone."
But he said the coalition government had "inherited a terrible budget deficit" and was having to borrow £1 out of every £4 "just to keep the lights on".
He said it was "absolutely necessary" to eradicate the budget deficit - to stop interest rates going up and "choking off" the recovery.
He said the government wanted to protect front-line services and jobs and had spent months renegotiating with the government's suppliers to cut costs, to try to protect as many jobs as possible.
Downing Street also said the government wanted "a genuine partnership with the trade unions".
The PM's spokesman said. "We need to deal with the deficit, we want to work with everyone in tackling that."
For all the rhetoric of the union leaders, the BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson said it would be up to individual members whether to take strike action in ballots over the coming months.
But he said there were growing indications of disquiet among council workers and police officers.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison public services union, is calling for united action to defeat the government's "austerity agenda".
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Unite, the UK's biggest union, says it wants a "robust campaign" to protect public services, while the GMB argues that three-quarters of a million jobs could be at risk.
The RMT accuses ministers of launching "all-out class warfare".
The government is not sending a minister to address the congress but Business Secretary Vince Cable has said he will be willing to speak to representatives to discuss their concerns.
Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman addressed the TUC while the five candidates to become leader made their pitches to union delegates in the final hustings of the campaign.
Each stressed their solidarity with the trade unions in the face of the anticipated spending squeeze but David Miliband said critics of the cuts needed to win the political arguments while brother Ed Miliband called for a "responsible approach" to opposition.
The TUC congress is the curtain-raiser for the party conference season and will be followed over the next three weeks by events held by the Lib Dems, Labour and the Conservatives.


Tributes have been paid to a senior member of staff at the Welsh Conservatives who died following an accident on his stag do.

Ben Davies, 32, died on Sunday, a week after falling into a coma while on the Greek island of Mykonos.
It is understood Mr Davies, from Cardiff, suffered a head injury following a fall.
The deputy chief of staff of the Tory group in the assembly was due to marry his fiancee Emily Russ in three weeks.
Vincent Bailey, a close friend and colleague of Mr Davies, said: "He was incredibly bright and such a big character.
"He will be impossible to forget or replace. He was a good friend and it's just terribly sad."
Mr Davies, an Oxford University graduate, had worked for the party for two years, after volunteering for the Conservatives in London.
Members of the Welsh Conservatives were sent an email confirming the news on Monday by the party's director Richard Minshull.


Bus company Arriva is to run part of Greater Manchester's ambulance service, it has been confirmed.

The bus and train operator will take patients to hospital after it won the patient transport service (PTS) contract put out to tender by the NHS.
It will take over from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) next year.
Campaigners against Arriva running the service had set up a petition on the Unison website, over fears of privatisation of the NHS.
The PTS provides non-urgent transport to and from hospital appointments for those who are too ill or vulnerable to use public transport.
The service currently employs 374 NHS staff and is for non-urgent medical appointments, rather than emergencies.
Arriva was named as the preferred bidder for the three-year contract 10 days ago, and has now been confirmed.
The unsuccessful bidders have until midnight on Monday to challenge the decision.
Allan Jude, Director of Ambulance Commissioning, NHS Blackpool, said: "'It is important to understand that this is not the emergency blue light service and the staff are not front line ambulance staff and never attend 999 calls.
"Ambulance staff on the Arriva contract will be fully trained in basic first aid, life support and resuscitation techniques including the administration of oxygen and lifting and handling and the service will offer patients the quality service they need."
Unison said the bus company won the contract as it was the lowest priced option, but that it scored lower on quality than NWAS.
Angela Rayner, of Unison North West region, said: "It is a disgrace that the winning bidder was not the provider with the highest standards, just the lowest cost.
"We know that privatisation is deeply unpopular with the public. Recent high profile privatisation failings have revealed just how badly things can go wrong - we don't want patients in Manchester to suffer as a result of this decision."
Among those objecting to Arriva running the contract is Cath Stone, of New Moston, Manchester, whose daughter Helena suffers from degenerative disease Costello's Syndrome.
She said: "It's a relief to know there are trained staff if anything happens to Helena in the ambulance.
"I fear they (Arriva) might not have as highly trained people.
"I want to feel confident that if they had a problem on the way they could save the life of the person there."
Contracts to run the passenger transport services in Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and Cumbria were all awarded to NWAS.


A campaign supported by the family of a man who died of a brain tumour that calls for more funding into research will now be considered for debate in the House of Commons.

Michael Smith, 27, of Burton-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire, died suddenly of brain cancer two months ago.
An e-petition calling for more research has reached the target of 100,000 signatures.
It said only 1.5% of cancer research funding was allocated to brain cancer.
The e-petition was started by Maria Lester with the support of Brain Tumour Research and was supported by the Leicester Tigers Rugby Club.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, according to figures from Brain Tumour Research.
Michael's mother, Eileen, said: "If there [had been] more research available for his condition... we might not be here today talking about Michael."
His father, Terry, said: "Michael would be so proud… that his story is being used in such a positive way - I think he would be absolutely thrilled."
The Department of Health said the government, charities and industry were working together to turn research into vital treatments for brain tumour patients.
It also said that brain tumour research "received... a greater proportion (of funding) than for 40 of the 49 site-specific categories".


A charity dinner attended by former US President Barack Obama raised £670,000 for causes in Scotland.

Mr Obama made his first trip to the country last month to speak in front of about 1,200 people, including Nicola Sturgeon, JK Rowling and Annie Lennox.
The event was organised by the Hunter Foundation, with all profits from the night going to charities taking part in the Kiltwalk campaign.
Philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter said he was delighted with the total raised.
The Hunter Foundation said £570,000 was raised on the night, with a further £100,000 to be allocated to charities chosen by comedian Kevin Bridges and singers Annie Lennox and Sharleen Spiteri in lieu of performance fees.
Those to benefit include Unicef, Maggie's Centres, the Beatson Clinic, Clic Sargent and Chas.
More than £1m has already been raised by Kiltwalks in Glasgow and Aberdeen, with two more planned in Edinburgh and Dundee.
Sir Tom Hunter said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for charities across Scotland to have a great day out at the Kiltwalk, raise much-needed funds and get at least a 40% boost to their fundraising.
"Personally, I'd like to thank everyone who helped raise these amazing funds by supporting the Obama dinner event - it clearly shows the spirit of Scotland; we care always for those most in need in our society and believe fundamentally in opportunity for all."
Despite the one-day visit, Mr Obama made the most of his time in Scotland by first going to the home of golf for a round at the Old Course in St Andrews.
The Democrat vowed to return to experience "real" Scottish weather after playing golf in 26C (78.8F) heat at the end of May.
He said: "I promise you I will be back because, unless it is raining and blustery, I will not feel I have got the full Scottish experience."
Mr Obama was presented with a kilt to mark his visit but seems unlikely to wear it in public.
He told the audience in Edinburgh he would prefer a pair of Sir Tom's tartan trousers.
Mr Obama said: "Unfortunately, I have concluded my legs are too thin to pull it off, but those (tartan) trousers I have seen you wear. I think they look pretty good. So I might try some."


Teaching staff have called on Aberystwyth University to give a clear commitment to Welsh-medium student accommodation.

It follows a recommendation to close the Pantycelyn hall of residence indefinitely to make it "fit for purpose" in the future.
Some 50 Welsh-speaking staff met to discuss the move.
The university has insisted it is "fully committed" to providing designated Welsh-medium accommodation.
But in a statement on Monday, the staff said the university was putting Welsh-medium teaching and administration jobs at risk,  and could damage the ethos of the college towards the Welsh language and culture.
They also raised concerns about the impact on student recruitment.
It called on the college to:
The move to close Pantycelyn was made by the college's finance committee in May after what officials described as "lengthy, rigorous" discussions.
The committee said the building would still be used for Welsh-language services.
It suggested alternative Welsh-medium accommodation could be made available on its Penglais campus from September.
In an online statement released following the committee meeting reiterated its stance on Welsh-medium student accommodation.
College officials said they appreciate "the need for a community where the Welsh language is spoken every day".
"Discussion have already taken place with representatives of the UMCA and Aberystwyth University Students Union on the provision of accommodation and communal spaces for the Welsh speaking community of students, should Pantycelyn not be available for the next academic year," they added.
Pantycelyn has been the designated Welsh-speaking hall of residence since 1974, and prior to that was home to Prince Charles for a term in 1969.
A decision on whether the hall will close will be considered by the university's council on 22 June.


In our series of letters from African journalists, the editor-in-chief of Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper, Mannir Dan Ali, writes that President Muhamadu Buhari has been accused of being as secretive about his health as his US counterpart Donald Trump has been about his tax returns.

Nigerians are increasingly worried about Mr Buhari's health, hoping that he does not die in office like President Umaru Yar'Adua did in 2010, after a lengthy illness which saw him fly to Germany and Saudi Arabia for treatment.
The latest concerns have been fuelled by the fact that Mr Buhari, 74, missed the last two cabinet meetings and failed to attend Friday's Muslim prayers, even though the mosque is about a minute's walk from his office and residence.
The government has shared little information about his health, and a journalist with a leading newspaper was thrown out of State House by the president's chief security officer after he reported on the latest concerns.
Mr Buhari's media aides distanced themselves from the officer's actions, and got a more senior security officer to overturn the ban on the reporter attending State House press conferences and other events.
"The president has cut down on his official engagements and no longer ventures out of State House"
The incident showed that the president's aides are finding it difficult to deal with questions about the health of the former military ruler. Unfortunately for them, the issue is not about to go away.
After returning from a seven-week medical trip to the UK in early March, Mr Buhari said he had never been "so sick" in his life and hinted, without giving details, that he had had a blood transfusion.
Since then, there have been credible reports that his UK doctors have been to Nigeria to treat him, although these have not been confirmed.
The president has also cut down on his official engagements and no longer ventures out of State House.
19 January: Leaves for UK on "medical vacation"
5 February: Asks parliament to extend medical leave
10 March: Returns home but does not resume work immediately
26 April: Misses cabinet meeting and is "working from home"
28 April: Misses Friday prayers
He used to chair the weekly cabinet meetings and attend Friday prayers - an opportunity for his close allies to shake hands with him.
But after failing to attend Wednesday's cabinet meeting, Information minister Lai Mohammed told reporters that on the advice of his doctors, Mr Buhari would spend the day working from home and asked for all files requiring his attention to be sent to his official residence.
While many Nigerians are heeding the minister's appeal to pray for the president's speedy recovery, some, like Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka,  are asking the president to give more details about his health.
"Guarding your state of health like Donald Trump is guarding his tax returns is not what we expect from a Nigerian president," he said in a statement.
It is unclear whether Mr Buhari will be more transparent about his health, but people are hoping that the president, who is halfway into his term, gets better soon so that he can devote himself to tackling the tough challenges facing Nigeria, including the biggest economic downturn since the end of military rule in 1999.
More from Mannir Dan Ali:


Britain's Jessica Ennis-Hill will begin the defence of her Olympic heptathlon title on Friday as the athletics events get under way on day seven of Rio 2016.

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Ennis-Hill, 30, goes in the final heat of the women's 100m hurdles at 13:59 BST, after compatriot Katarina Johnson-Thompson in heat three at 13:51.
Fellow Briton Jo Pavey, 42, will run in the 10,000m final at 15:10 in her fifth Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, day eight could see a repeat of 'Super Saturday' from London 2012.
On the evening of Saturday, 4 August 2012, Team GB's Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford and Ennis-Hill all won gold in a defining hour of Olympic success for the host nation.
And once again their respective finals all happen within a two-hour period in Rio, in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time.
If he qualifies, Rutherford will be in the long jump final which starts at 00:50 BST, while Farah follows in the 10,000m at 01:25, with the 800m finale in the heptathlon at 02:53.
Day eight will also be Usain Bolt's first appearance of the Games, with the heats of the men's 100m starting at 20:00 BST. The final will be held on day nine at 02:25 BST on Monday.
The Jamaican 29-year-old is hoping to secure the "treble treble" with victory in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.
Find out about how to get into running with our special guide.
However, Bolt's compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could beat him to three straight Olympic 100m titles.
A champion in Beijing and London, Fraser-Pryce is expected to be in the women's final on day eight at 02:37, but she faces some stiff competition from Dutch World Championship silver medallist Dafne Schippers, and Americans Tori Bowie and English Gardner.


Great Britain's women maintained their unbeaten hockey record in Rio with a 2-0 victory over Japan.

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Miyuki Nakagawa volleyed Lily Owsley's cross into her own net to put the Britons ahead by half-time.
Helen Richardson-Walsh swept in a second but it was disallowed after the ball hit a player in the circle.
However a superb finish from Nicola White in the fourth quarter to knock home a rebounded penalty ensured the quarter-finalists ended on a high.
A late block from goalkeeper Maddie Hinch denied Japan a late consolation strike.
GB, who have already qualified for the last eight, will play the United States, who are also unbeaten in the tournament, in a pool match on Friday.
Great Britain coach Danny Kerry said: "I don't think anyone will be happy with the team performance. However, we've kept a clean sheet, won the game and not played that well.
"Looking at the big picture, we've won four group games and we're definitely in the top two so if you'd offered us that we'd have taken it every day."
Emily Smith scored the only goal as Australia beat Argentina 1-0 in Pool B, while Kathleen Bam's double ensured a 3-0 victory for the United States over India.
Spain registered their first win of the tournament as they beat Germany 2-1 in Pool A.
Belgium beat Spain 3-1 to go three points clear at the top of Pool A and push Great Britain down to fifth place.
Shane O'Donoghue scored twice in Ireland's 4-2 victory over Canada in Pool B, while a last minute goal from Mathias Muller earned Germany a 4-4 draw with Argentina.
Pool leaders the Netherlands extended their advantage over Germany with a 2-1 win over India.


A minister has dismissed calls for a government investigation into whether Justice Secretary Michael Gove was the source of the Sun's story claiming the Queen wants the UK to leave the EU.

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson called for a probe and for Mr Gove to "confirm or deny" having been the source.
Commons Leader Chris Grayling said the press watchdog was investigating and no further action was needed.
Mr Gove has said he does not know "how the Sun got all its information".
The Sun says it is standing by its front page from last week, which was headlined "Queen backs Brexit".
It referred to an exchange between the monarch and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, in 2011, which it called a "bust-up" and said left no doubt about the Queen's "passionate feelings over Europe".
Buckingham Palace has complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation about the report, insisting the Queen is "politically neutral".
Asking an urgent question in the Commons on Monday, Mr Watson said ministers who met the Queen as members of the Privy Council swore an oath not to reveal what was said at their meetings.
All you need to know about the EU referendum
UK and the EU - better off out or in?
Any member of the Privy Council who turned out to have been the source of the story "should be removed from office if he won't honourably resign himself", he said.
Mr Watson said the three other ministers at the meeting where the exchange was said to have taken place had denied being the source, adding that Mr Gove's response had been "hardly categoric".
On Saturday, Mr Gove told reporters: "I don't know how the Sun got all its information and I don't think it's really worth my adding anything to what's already been said."
A source close to him later told the BBC: "Michael did not brief this story."
Before Mr Watson asked his urgent question in the Commons, Speaker John Bercow reminded MPs they were not able to discuss the Queen's views.
Mr Grayling, who like Mr Gove wants to quit the EU, is also Privy Council lord president.
Responding to Mr Watson, he said there was no need for further action as the press watchdog was already investigating and the story had been denied by Mr Clegg, Mr Grayling's predecessor as Privy Council lord president.
Mr Clegg has said he could not remember any such incident and called the story "nonsense".
"You can't be found guilty of an offence when an offence has not taken place," Mr Grayling said.
He also answered "yes" when asked whether Mr Gove was supported by the prime minister and cabinet.


Millions of Indians regularly visit temples and religious sites to pray and seek divine help in fulfilling their wishes.

Most pray for a child or well being of their loved ones, but in recent years, some unusual temples have come up, including a few that offer divine help in procuring a visa.


Campaign group Action on Sugar has welcomed Tesco's commitment to reduce added sugars by 5% per year in all their own-label soft drinks.

This means that after four years, about two teaspoons of sugar will have been removed from a can of fizzy drink.
A gradual reduction in calories and sweetness in drinks is the best way to cut sugar intake in the UK population, the group says.
Public Health England said other drinks brands should now follow Tesco's lead.
But the British Soft Drinks Association maintains that a number of companies have been reducing calories in their soft drinks for some time.
Recent figures show that over the last three years, calories in soft drinks are down by 7.3% and sugar is down by 8.3%.
Yet some sugary drinks still contain as much as 11 teaspoons of sugar in one 330ml can.
In a can of Tesco's classic cola there are nine teaspoons of sugar and in Tesco's fiery ginger beer there are 11 teaspoons of sugar.
Pepsi and Coca-Cola cans also contain nine teaspoons of sugar.
Old Jamaica Ginger Beer - 50.2g or 13 teaspoons
Fentimans Traditional Rose Lemonade  - 38.6g or 10 teaspoons
7Up - 36.3g or 9 teaspoons
Tesco classic cola - 36g or 9 teaspoons
Coca-Cola - 35g or 9 teaspoons
Pepsi - 35g or 9 teaspoons
Barr's Irn Bru - 34g or 8 teaspoons
Tesco original cola - 32g or 8 teaspoons
Fanta Orange - 22.8g or 6 teaspoons
Source: Action on Sugar
With a 5% reduction every year over four years, Tesco's actions could result in 21kcal being removed from the average daily diet - or 477 billion calories from the total UK diet.
At present, the target for the maximum recommended daily amount of sugar is 25g for women (five to six teaspoons) and 35g (seven to eight teaspoons) for men, based on the average diet.
Prof Graham MacGregor, chairman of Action on Sugar, and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University London, says the supermarket chain's decision to commit to an incremental reduction in added sugars is really important.
"Merely having the option of diet or no-sugar products does not work, particularly for the most socially deprived.
"This is the way to do it. Now the pressure will be on other supermarkets and other brands to follow suit," he said.
He said gradually reducing calories in all sweetened drinks would help to reduce levels of type 2 diabetes and cut obesity in the UK population.
A similar strategy for the incremental reduction of salt content in food led to a 15% fall in salt intakes in the UK and fewer deaths from strokes and heart attacks, Prof MacGregor added.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said "reformulation" of food and drink products is a highly effective way of helping people to reduce sugar in their diet.
"We urge other drinks brands and supermarkets to follow in Tesco's footsteps.
"As a nation we are eating too much sugar which leads to weight gain and obesity, increasing our risk of life-threatening illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease."
PHE said the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) was currently finalising its recommendations on sugar and would publish them later in the year.
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, says diet drinks now make up 60% of the soft drinks market.
He added that other supermarkets had also been getting in on the act of reducing sugar content.
Sainsbury's has reduced the sugar content of its own-brand high juice squashes by between 4% and 10%, the Co-Operative Group has removed 1.5 billion calories from its range of own-branded squashes and ASDA is set to reduce added sugar by 22% across a range of its own-brand soft drinks.


At least 42 people died when a bus plunged into a ravine in southern Morocco, officials say.

More than 20 others are reported to have been injured, some seriously.
The bus, travelling between the cities of Marrakesh and Zagora, left the road near the town of Zerkten in Haouz province and fell 150m (490ft), local officials said.
Most of the passengers are believed to be Moroccan. It is not clear if any foreigners are among the casualties.
"We are still in the process of identifying the bodies, as well as the injured," a local official told AFP news agency.
The accident happened in a mountainous area in the early hours of Tuesday, the official news agency Map reported. The cause is not yet known but an official in Haouz said an inquiry had been launched.
At least 24 people were said to be injured, 21 of whom were taken to a hospital in Marrakesh and the rest to a hospital in nearby Ouarzazate.
In a palace statement, King Mohammed VI offered his condolences to families of the victims and said he would pay for their transport, funeral and burial costs.
In July, two separate bus crashes in Morocco killed 26 people.
More than 4,000 people died in road accidents in Morocco last year, according to the transport ministry - an increase of 11.6% on the previous year.


Restrictions on poultry and captive birds in Wales to limit the spread of avian flu are to be lifted on Monday.

Orders to keep them indoors were given in December following outbreaks across Europe, with cases then arising in Carmarthenshire and Conwy.
Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths said as the risk had fallen, the prevention zone expiring on 30 April would not be renewed.
Chief vet Christianne Glossop urged all keepers of birds to remain alert.
Cases had been found in domestic birds in Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, and wild birds in Llanelli and Conwy.
The restrictions had prompted worries from NFU Cymru that they would damage the free-range egg and meat status of poultry flocks.
The rules were eased at the end of February to allow poultry to be kept outdoors.
Announcing the end of the prevention measures on Wednesday, Ms Griffiths said the most recent assessments found a low-to-medium risk of wild waterfowl being infected, and low but heightened for poultry farms, depending on the biosecurity measures in place at each farm.
"This level is consistent with November 2016, when disease was present across Europe in sporadic outbreaks and occasional wild bird findings were being reported," she said.
"Therefore, I am pleased to announce, following the expiry of the current Avian Influenza Prevention Zone on 30 April, this will not be replaced.
"Whilst I am sure this is welcome news it is important to remember avian influenza remains a constant and real threat to our poultry and other captive birds."
Ms Glossop added: "I would like to stress the need for all keepers of poultry and other domestic captive birds to remain alert for signs of the disease and to contact their private veterinarians if they have any concerns.
"If anyone suspects disease they should contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately."
A helpline for people to report findings of dead wild birds remained open on 03459 335577.


American football player Colin Kaepernick says he has received death threats over his refusal to stand for the national anthem, in protest against the plight of black people in the US.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has silently boycotted The Star-Spangled Banner in games, sitting or kneeling.
The threats came from different avenues, he added.
He said the killing of Terence Crutcher by police in Tulsa was a "perfect example of what this is about".
Video showed the 40-year-old had his hands in the air when he was shot next to his car during a police operation on Friday.
"It will be very telling about what happens to the officer that killed him. They shot and killed a man and walked around like it wasn't a human being," the player told journalists.
When asked about the possibility of the threats being acted upon, he said: "If something like that were to happen, you've proved my point.
"It'll be loud and clear why it happened."
Kaepernick's protest has stemmed from the racial tensions that increased across the nation this year amid a string of police killings and subsequent revenge attacks.
It has drawn strong reactions both in opposition and support.
"I knew there were other things that came along with this when I first stood up and spoke about it. It's not something I haven't thought about," he said.
Meanwhile, he said he would donate $1m (Â£770,000) to local communities over the next 10 months.


Ella Eyre and Laura Mvula are among celebrities to go BearFaced for this year's BBC Children in Need campaign.

For the third year running, the charity is asking women to raise money by swapping their make-up for a paw print.
Renowned photographer Rankin has taken photos of eight celebrities, who also include singer and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
She said: "I'm delighted to be joining the campaign alongside so many phenomenal women."
Beauty vlogger Tanya Burr, Bafta-winning actress Olivia Colman, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, Rochelle Hume from The Saturdays and actress Michelle Keegan complete this year's famous line-up.
But for the first time since the campaign began, the stars are also joined by women who work alongside BBC Children in Need - which helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
The charity is asking for women to post their own photos on the Children in Need website and be a part of the Big BearFaced Selfie.
Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter and Radio1Newsbeat on YouTube


A Labour MP has apologised for suggesting the post of fisheries minister was not a "job for a woman".

Aberdeen North MP Frank Doran said the remark, made in a Commons debate, was "an error of judgement".
But Education Secretary Nicky Morgan - who is also the women's and equalities minister - said his comments were "outrageous and deeply offensive".
UKIP leader Nigel Farage tweeted: "Just imagine for a split second how the media would react if I said this."
During a Commons debate on fisheries, Mr Doran said he could not remember if there had ever been a female fisheries minister.
Sheryll Murray, the Conservative MP for South East Cornwall - whose husband was killed in a fishing accident in 2011 - intervened to say there had not "but we have had former female secretaries of state".
Mr Doran acknowledged she was right, but said there was "no dedicated fisheries minister".
To audible gasps, he added: "I'm not sure it is a job for a woman, although the honourable lady might reach that."
Hearing the reaction around the chamber, Mr Doran added: "That was not a sexist remark. I know the fishing industry very well."
But several hours after the exchange, Mr Doran - who was a lawyer before entering Parliament - apologised. "It was an error of judgement which does not represent my view or the Labour Party's" he said.
Mrs Murray's fisherman husband was killed when his clothes became caught in a netting winch on his boat.
Ms Morgan said Mr Doran's comments "seriously undermine our work to raise aspiration among young women and girls".
She added: "He should apologise immediately. Labour are very good at throwing stones but they are too quick to ignore blatant sexism within their own ranks - Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman cannot ignore this."
Mr Farage said Mr Doran, who is stepping down at May's election, had been given "an easy ride".


A man has died from his injuries after he was dragged underneath a car in a hit-and-run crash in Kent.

The pedestrian, aged in his 40s, was fatally injured in the incident in Swanley on Saturday afternoon.
An eyewitness told the BBC he was struck in Hart Dyke Road and then trapped under the car for about 100m as it was driven up Lynden Way.
Residents gave first aid to the man before he was taken to Darent Valley Hospital, where he later died.
Tributes and flowers have been left at the scene of the crash.
Kent Police said it was investigating a suspicious incident where a man "appears to have been dragged under a car".
The force has appealed for anyone with information to contact officers.


A US congressman has apologised for causing "unintended pain" after he made and voiced a video inside a gas chamber at Auschwitz.

Republican Clay Higgins said in the video that the horrors of the WW2 death camps were the reason why the US military should be "invincible".
At one point, he went inside a gas chamber and explained how the victims were killed.
Apologising, the Louisiana congressman said he had not intended to cause pain.
He said in a statement: "My intent was to offer a reverent homage to those who were murdered in Auschwitz and to remind the world that evil exists, that free nations must remember, and stand strong.
"However, my message has caused pain to some whom I love and respect. For that, my own heart feels sorrow. Out of respect to any who may feel that my video posting was wrong or caused pain, I have retracted my video."
The five-minute video had shown Mr Higgins in different parts of the museum, talking about the atrocities in the death camp.
Responding to it, the Auschwitz memorial and museum tweeted that the gas chamber was "not a stage" but a place for mournful silence.
Later it posted a picture of the entrance to the building showing a plaque asking for silence.
Some 1.1 million people, mainly Jews, died at the camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.
The Anti-Defamation League, an American-Jewish anti-discrimination organisation, said the video was "incredibly disrespectful to the hallowed ground" of the memorial and museum.


Silvio Berlusconi's lawyers were known to be braced for defeat in the closing stages of the scandalous "Ruby" sex trial, and they needed to be.

In this case that laid bare the former prime minister's so called "bunga-bunga" party lifestyle, the judges delivered a crushing verdict.
Mr Berlusconi was convicted on both the charges he faced, sentenced to seven years in jail and banned from holding public office ever again.
The judges decided that he did indeed pay for sex with underage prostitute Karima El Mahroug, better known by her nightclub dancer stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer".
The court had heard that he slept with her on 13 occasions at a time when he was still Italy's prime minister.
Ms El Mahroug, however, says she has never been a prostitute. And both she and Mr Berlusconi denied they had ever had sex.
The judges also decided that the former prime minister had abused the powers of his office; that he pressured the police into freeing Ms El Mahroug when she was in custody.
The court had heard that Mr Berlusconi had met the dancer when she attended one of his party nights.
These were occasions when aspiring showgirls and models would mix with him and his influential entourage.
Prosecution witnesses talked of raunchy, sexually-charged cavorting.
There were accounts of women dressed as nuns stripping to their underwear for the entertainment of the then prime minister.
Mr Berlusconi has always denied that anything sleazy ever went on at what he has called his "elegant" dinner parties.
And he was furious at the judgement.
"It is not only bad justice, it is an offence to all Italians who have believed in me and trusted in my commitment to the country," he wrote in a statement.
He has always argued that he is being hounded by politically motivated left-wing prosecutors in Milan.
And he said this verdict had been an effort to eliminate him from political life.
Many of the millions of Italians who vote for Mr Berlusconi will agree.
Among them is a friend of the former prime minister, Diego Volpe Pasini, who used to go to the "bunga-bunga" parties.
"The Ruby case is extraordinary," he said, in the days before the verdict.
"It's a nonsense. How can you be convicted if you can't see a victim? Ruby's not a victim," he said, referring to Ms El Mahroug's denials that she ever had sex with Mr Berlusconi.
Mr Volpe Pasini said that at his parties Mr Berlusconi would sing and tell jokes.
He added that - although showgirls might have tried to impress the media magnate prime minister with dance routines - nothing morally questionable happened.
But many of those Italians who loathe Mr Berlusconi and everything he stands for will believe he is guilty as charged.
And this very high-profile case has probably damaged Mr Berlusconi more than most of his many courtroom dramas.
"Some of the information that's been emerging has been a bit excessive from the point of view of moral behaviour and private behaviour," Professor Franco Pavoncello of John Cabot University in Rome.
"I think that people are a bit disturbed by the kind of images that started to appear from those evenings in Mr Berlusconi's villa."
But Mr Berlusconi has ridden out countless scandals and legal storms that would have sunk almost any other political career, and he will certainly survive "the Ruby case".
This judgement will have no immediate, practical impact. It was only the verdict of a lower court. Appeals against it could go on for years.
Even if the sentence was eventually confirmed, a man of Mr Berlusconi's age would be extremely unlikely to go to prison for crimes like these in Italy.
Much more serious for the former PM is another case that is fast reaching a conclusion.
This is an affair in which Mr Berlusconi has been convicted of tax evasion.
And if he cannot get the sentence overturned at a final appeal hearing he will be barred from holding any public office as soon as this autumn.
He would see this as intolerable victory for those left-wing prosecutors who, he says, have schemed against him.
And there is intense speculation as to how Mr Berlusconi will manoeuvre to counter the looming threat.
The tensions surrounding this legal battle are already feeding into the political arena.
The veteran Berlusconi-watcher, Professor James Walston, of the American University of Rome wrote in his blog: "If they uphold his conviction... with its bar on his holding public office, then we will see Silvio Berlusconi slip from the statesman role to the rabble-rousing populist with uncertain and dangerous possibilities."
It is even possible to envisage a scenario in which the ructions might eventually bring down Italy's coalition government, of which the former prime minister's faction is a major part.


The police watchdog is investigating claims a newly-elected crime commissioner improperly declared election expenses.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will review allegations Alison Hernandez failed to declare expenses as election agent in Torbay in the 2015 General Election.
It comes on the first day of office for Ms Hernandez as Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall.
She has denied any wrongdoing.
Read more on this story as it develops throughout the day on our Local Live pages.
The referral to the IPCC was made by the chief executive of the office of the police and crime commissioner, Andrew White.
The watchdog will decide whether to investigate, or refer the matter to another police force.
Ms Hernandez faced criticism for taking the oath on Tuesday and failing to stand aside amid a wider probe into Conservative MPs expense.
On Thursday she said she wanted to get on with her job "without distraction".
"Today I take up that post determined to serve every single person that lives in this police area and determined that the priorities I want to implement in the next four years are heard."
A spokesman for the IPPC said: "An assessment is under way to determine the appropriate level of IPCC involvement, if any."


The European Central Bank (ECB) has cut its inflation and growth forecasts for 2015 and the next two years.

It expects inflation in the eurozone to remain "very low" for some years as threats to economic growth increase.
ECB president Mario Draghi said Europe's economic recovery would continue, "albeit at a somewhat weaker pace than expected".
The euro fell sharply as Mr Draghi also hinted that the bank could expand its stimulus programme if necessary.
He was speaking after the ECB kept its main interest rate on hold at 0.05%.
The ECB is now forecasting economic growth in the eurozone of 1.4% in 2015, down from 1.5%, and 1.7% in 2016, compared with its previous projection of 1.9%.
However, Mr Draghi said that risks to the outlook for economic growth and inflation had worsened since mid-August, when the latest projections were calculated.
"Lower commodity prices, a stronger euro, somewhat lower growth, have increased the risk to a sustainable path of inflation towards 2%," he told a news conference in Frankfurt.
The euro fell sharply following Mr Draghi's comments, dropping a cent against the dollar to $1.1127.
He also admitted that inflation could turn negative in the coming months.
The bank expected inflation to be 0.1% for 2015, rising to 1.5% in 2016 and 1.7% in 2017, dampened by lower energy prices.
The ECB made no change to its bond-buying programme, but Mr Draghi said it could be extended beyond its planned conclusion in September 2016 if necessary.
What was the (not very) coded message in Mario Draghi's remarks? That the ECB's Governing Council is very uneasy that inflation remains too low and is not responding as quickly as hoped to the quantitative easing programme launched earlier this year.
It was also clear that the ECB was ready to strengthen the programme by running it for longer - it is planned to run until September next year - spending more each month on it, or by buying a wider range of assets.
It all depends on the economic data - essentially whether it looks like inflation is going to get back to the target of below or close to 2%. It remains way below that figure and is not getting closer, so more eurozone QE looks like a strong possibility.
Fears of negative inflation - also known as deflation - prompted the bank to start its quantitative easing programme in March.
The ECB has been buying â‚¬60bn of government bonds a month in a bid to increase inflation in key economies such as France and Germany.
However, eurozone inflation stood at just 0.2% in August - far below the 2% target.
Howard Archer, of IHS Global Insight, said: "The door is now clearly wide open to the ECB stepping up its near-term pace of quantitative easing and/or increasing its overall size and duration. Whether the ECB steps through that door will clearly depend on whether eurozone growth continues to struggle and inflation prospects deteriorate further."
The central bank also kept the rate for bank overnight deposits on hold at minus 0.2%, which means banks must pay to hold funds at the central bank.
Earlier on Thursday, a survey indicated that activity among eurozone businesses rose at the fastest pace for more than four years in August.
The composite purchasing managers' index (PMI) compiled by Markit rose to 54.3 last month, up from July's figure of 53.9. A figure above 50 indicates expansion.
Markit chief economist Chris Williamson said the PMI figures suggested that the eurozone's economy would grow by 0.4% in the third quarter of the year, which he called "a solid - albeit unspectacular - rate of expansion".
Eurostat said on Thursday that eurozone retail sales rose by 0.4% in July compared with June, roughly in line with expectations and considerably better than the 0.2% decline in June.
Consumer confidence appeared to be particularly strong in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, where retail sales jumped by 1.4% last month.


The US has confirmed that an American official will leave its embassy in Delhi at India's request, amid a diplomatic row.

The US state department said it deeply regretted the move and hoped that it would bring closure to the case.
The row erupted after Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was arrested in New York on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper.
She was asked to leave and arrived back in Delhi on Friday evening.
The state department said it now hoped India would return to constructive ties with the US.
By Jonathan MarcusBBC diplomatic correspondent
In requiring the US to remove one of its diplomats from Delhi the Indian government is effectively treating the departure of its own diplomat from the US as an expulsion.
The question now is whether this draws a line under the messy diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Of greater importance is the longer-term impact this may have on bilateral ties. India, a democracy and rising power in Asia, is seen in many quarters in Washington as a natural fit to become a special partner of the United States. The US has sought a closer strategic and military partnership with Delhi but to a large extent has been rebuffed.
India is cautious about advancing ties too quickly. It doesn't want to antagonise Beijing and many Indians still see the US as having been far too close to Pakistan.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We deeply regret that the Indian government felt it was necessary to expel one of our diplomatic personnel.
"This has clearly been a challenging time in the US-India relationship. We expect and hope that this will now come to closure and the Indians will take significant steps with us to improve our relationship and return it to a more constructive place," she said.
The expelled diplomat has not been named.
Sources told Agence France-Presse that the individual was of similar rank and had been involved in the Khobragade case.
India had demanded an apology after Ms Khobragade, 39, was handcuffed and strip-searched following her arrest last month. It refused to waive her immunity.
Ms Khobragade has always denied any wrongdoing.
On Thursday she was indicted by a US federal grand jury in Manhattan, but was also granted immunity by US officials, paving the way for her to return to India.
She arrived back in the Indian capital at about 22:30 (17:00 GMT) on Friday.
Her father, Uttam Khobragade, said: "We are very relaxed and happy that she is back home. We are filled with joy."
He added: "We are overwhelmed by the country's support."
Ms Khobragade was arrested after a complaint from her maid, Sangeeta Richard.
She in turn accused Ms Richard of theft and attempted blackmail.
Delhi said it was "shocked and appalled" at the manner of her arrest, and ordered a series of diplomatic reprisals against the US.
Security barricades around the US embassy in the capital were removed and a visiting US delegation was snubbed by senior Indian politicians and officials.
On Wednesday, the embassy was ordered to stop "commercial activities on its premises". India also said that embassy cars could be penalised for traffic offences.
The embassy has been told to shut down a club within its premises which includes a pool, restaurant and tennis court, NDTV news channel said.


A charity whose office was destroyed when a bus ploughed into it has a new home after a fortnight of staff working on laptops and mobile devices.

Thirteen people were hurt when the single-decker hit the building used by Guide Dogs UK in the centre of Peterborough on Christmas Eve.
The charity has moved into an office in the Orton Southgate area of the city.
Helen Sismore, community engagement manager, said: "We should be back in our repaired office by April."
The bus went through the bay windows on the front of the charity's regional office on Broadway.
Passengers had a variety of minor injuries but no-one was injured in the office where three people were in back rooms.
Ms Sismore said: "We heard and felt the crash and it was horrific and the timing on Christmas Eve didn't help.
"We've been working using laptops wherever we can find wi-fi, such as our homes, cafes and libraries.
"No clients have suffered because we've been in telephone contact using our mobiles and we've had a lot of support from our volunteers and the local community."
She said the repair of the rented Broadway offices was being covered by the landlord's insurance and they were renting the temporary office on Cully Court at the market rate.


An academic who advised Scottish ministers to set up Gaelic development body Bord na Gaidhlig has said a review of its work was "long overdue".

Prof Donald Meek said the 12-year-old Inverness-based organisation needed to "look seriously" at its purpose.
Last month, its chief executive Iain Campbell quit after three months in the job.
The board said it was unable to directly to the remarks, but said work had started towards an evaluation.
Joe Moore, who does not speak Gaelic, has been appointed interim chief executive following Mr Campbell's resignation.
Prof Meek said: "When a chairman departs after three months that is bad news.
"It is bad news for the Gaels but it is also giving a bad impression of the Gaels to the rest of Scotland.
"The board has got to look seriously at its own purpose. There needs to be a thorough review and audit of whether it is really doing what it ought to have been doing."
He said the board had "lost its way", adding: "A review of what the board is doing is long overdue."
Bord na Gaidhlig works to promote Gaelic in partnership with the Scottish government and other Gaelic organisations.


A flyball trainer who competed internationally has been banned from keeping dogs for life after 40 animals were found at her home in "horrific" conditions.

The RSPCA visited Margaret Greaves's house after concerns were raised about the welfare of dogs at the property.
Inspectors found 30 dogs living in "their own little prison cells" with no food or water.
Six puppies, two cats and two parrots were also found.
The dogs were found in squalid conditions all over the house, as well as seven living in a van.
RSPCA inspector Laura Kirkham said: "They were living in their own little prison cells - it was absolutely horrific.
"There were faeces and urine in the crates and, in some, there were two dogs in each.
"The smell was disgusting, it was so overpowering that it was burning my throat."
Five of the dogs were put to sleep on veterinary advice and a puppy removed from the property died from natural causes.
The remaining animals are in RSPCA care or have been re-homed.
Greaves, of Rookery Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
She was also banned from keeping any animal for three years.
The RSPCA said Greaves ran a Nottinghamshire-based dog flyball team and has previously competed in national and international competitions.
Flyball sees two teams of four dogs each racing side-by-side over a 51ft (15.6m) course, releasing and catching a ball.


Oscar-winning writer and actor Colin Welland has died aged 81 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years, his family has announced.

Welland won an Oscar for best original screenplay for Chariots of Fire in 1982.
He famously used his acceptance speech to announce: "The British are coming!"
As an actor, he won a Bafta for playing the sympathetic English teacher Mr Farthing in Ken Loach's Kes in 1969.


Tessa Ross has unexpectedly stepped down as chief executive of the National Theatre, just six months into the job.

Ross, a former head of Film 4, joined the theatre alongside its new artistic director Rufus Norris last year.
Announcing her resignation, she said only one person should be in charge.
"It has become clear to me that the new leadership structure, with a separate role of chief executive, is not right for the NT at this time," she said.
Ross started her career as a literary agent before moving into television, becoming head of Drama at Channel 4 in 2000.
There, she commissioned shows including Shameless, White Teeth, Teachers and Sex Traffic; and, after moving to the film unit, oversaw an annual budget of Â£10m.
Among the British films she developed were Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave, Shame and Four Lions.
She received a CBE in 2010 for her services to broadcasting and won a Bafta for outstanding contribution in 2013.
After being appointed to the board of the National Theatre in 2011, Ross officially started her new role last November, eight months after her nomination was announced.
Ross and Norris were seen as a "dream team", taking over from Nicholas Hytner and his executive director Nick Starr- the duo behind hits such as The History Boys, One Man, Two Guv'nors and War Horse.
But there appears to be no bad blood over her departure.
A spokesperson for the National Theatre said: "There is no difference of opinion, it is purely down to structure. The relationship is very strong."
Ross added: "I will, with great pleasure, continue to work with Rufus and Lisa [Burger, executive director] as a consultant, ensuring the smooth delivery of their first season and planning for the next one.
"It is an institution that I love and for which it has been a great privilege to work."
Norris said: "Tessa's role in the planning of my first year and beyond at the NT has been invaluable and immense.
"I'm sad that our partnership is ending prematurely but am grateful for everything she has done here, and happy that we'll work together on a consultancy basis.
John Makinson, chairman of the National, said it was with "great regret that we are saying goodbye to Tessa in this role", adding: "We recognise and salute the integrity of her decision."
When the National Theatre announced last year that it had hired Tessa Ross as its new chief executive, it was considered by many to be quite a coup.
The National billed her as one part of its new dream executive team, along with the recently appointed artistic director Rufus Norris. They were taking over the theatre from the extremely successful Two Nicks - Hytner and Starr - whose partnership was different: Hytner was the boss.
That worked. Two creative producers sharing centre stage has not. The National will revert to the old system, and Rufus Norris will be the sole person in charge.


The headquarters of Wales' biggest newspaper company have been sold.

Trinity Mirror, which publishes the Western Mail and South Wales Echo, received £7.8m for the building on Park Street in central Cardiff.
Its Welsh arm, Media Wales, moved to the six storey purpose-built office block in 2008 but following cuts, it will retain one floor as a tenant.
Accountancy firm Deloitte has taken some of the vacant space but it is not known who has bought the site.


One of the biggest names in savoury pastries, Pork Farms Group, will be allowed to take over the pastries business of Kerry Foods.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the new combination would not affect prices or quality of "hot pies, cold pies, sausage rolls, pasties and slices" in the Â£1bn sized market.
The two own brands such as Pork Farms, Millers, Walls and Bowyers.
As well as branded goods, they supply own label products to supermarkets.
Pork Farms already makes Kerry's Walls and Millers brands under licence.
The deal was first proposed in August last year.
Chris Peters, group managing director at Pork Farms Group, said: "The CMA's decision marks the start of an incredibly exciting new time for our business and our employees."
He said the deal would allow it to expand the product range.
He also said it would mean changes to the way it operated: "Our priority is to move ahead to integrate the Spalding and Poole businesses into the Pork Farms Group.
"We will now take stock of our entire business, taking into account our employees', customers', owners' and suppliers' needs... in what is an exciting and pivotal time in the UK chilled food market."


Nearly 5,000 calls about organised dog fighting in England and Wales have been made to the RSPCA since 2006, according to figures released to the BBC.

The charity said there had been a total of 137 convictions in the same period.
The maximum sentence for offenders is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine, but campaigners want it to be raised to up to three years.
Brian Wheelhouse, who runs a dog rescue centre, said offenders only cared about financial gain and not about the dog.
Eduardo Goncalves, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "Evidence from the UK and abroad points to the activity being a 'gateway' crime to serious and organised offences, such as drug and gun crime.
"In the United States dog fighting is recognised as a Grade A felony by the FBI."
France applies a sentence of up to two years, and Germany and the Czech Republic apply a sentence of up to three years.
The RSPCA said the highest number of calls it had received had been in Greater London (924), followed by the West Midlands (469), West Yorkshire (305) and Greater Manchester (238).
Rural counties are also affected, including the areas of Kent, Essex and Lancashire.
Get the data for your area here
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said there were "strict laws in place" to deal with people who were not properly looking after animals.
A spokesman said: "Anyone who is cruel to an animal or does not provide for its welfare needs may be banned from owning animals, given an unlimited fine or sent to prison."
Campaigners including the League Against Cruel Sports, the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust, along with the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) have all called for tougher sentencing as a deterrent.
Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard, the NPCC's lead for dangerous dogs, said "this kind of animal abuse" caused "untold distress and harm to the animals involved".
We had a call from the dog compound. There was concern because this dog had obviously been used for dog fighting, or as dog bait, with the injuries it had sustained.
A dog that attacks another dog will go for the jugular vein - for the neck - so Benji has got injuries all around his neck, [and] around his face.
Dog fighting is done by individuals that are fighting them for financial gain.
They're not bothered what happens to the dog at the end of the day as long as it wins.
They're not bothered about the injuries because they're not going to be taking it to the vets and having it treated.
They'll leave it to heal up by itself. If the dog dies then so be it.
To inflict injuries and do horrible things on these poor creatures just beggar's belief.
Last year, two kittens were found in Bradford with their fur coloured using marker pens.
It is thought they were to have been used as bait in a dog fight, where people would have bet on which one would have died first.
They came in through a police officer who'd been to a property and seized them.
We'd never seen anything quite like it before - one was coloured blue with a marker pen, and one was green.
Thankfully nothing terrible had happened before they came to us.
We believe that they may have been coloured in to be used for dog fighting.
It was horrendous and we were thinking those cats were probably minutes away from being ripped to shreds by dogs, and they were tiny.
We're aware of other incidents where cats have been used as bait for dog fighting.


Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says he is eager to help his side regain their form after recovering from his long-standing illness.

The 29-year-old struggled for three years with a chronic bowel problem and returned after nearly 12 months out in Sunday's 3-0 win at Aston Villa.
"I want to help us win to bring back the success we are used to," he said.
"At least if they are winning you enjoy the moments. It is a lot more difficult when we are not."
United have endured a tough start to the Premier League season under new manager David Moyes, but the win over Villa has moved them up to eighth and 10 points off leaders Arsenal.
"We need to go on a winning run and put ourselves in a position where people are saying we are still there," added Fletcher, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford.
Fletcher was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in December 2011 but made 13 appearances for club and country in 2012-13, the last as an 89th-minute substitute in the 4-3 victory over Newcastle on 26 December, before the problem flared up again.
The Scotland international revealed his struggle with an illness that required three operations and almost ended his career.
"I couldn't leave the house," he said.
"Simple stuff, like taking my kids to the park, going for a meal with my wife.
"The nature of the illness meant I just couldn't do it.
"There was a day in May when we said 'this is it'. Once I came out of that operation I would know whether it had worked or not.
"There were no guarantees. If the operation was not a success there was no way I would be able to play football and my everyday life would have been very difficult.
"It was very emotional. There was a lot of fear and anxiety."
Now back in the action, Fletcher is hoping to feature again in Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final with Stoke.
"I don't want to take it easy. I've done enough of that," he added.


About 10,000 people are expected at a celebration concert in Preston to mark the anniversary of the first Mormon missionaries to arrive in the UK.

The missionaries sailed from America to Liverpool before settling by the River Ribble in Preston in 1837.
They claimed to have brought the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and began holding baptisms in the river.
The concert - in July at Avenham Park - will mark the 175th anniversary of the baptisms which drew huge crowds.
Dr James Holt, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), said: "There were 8,000 onlookers that day; we hope to exceed that number in July."
The church has had a varied history in Lancashire.
Many do not see them as true Christians claiming their beliefs are too at odds with "mainstream" Christianity.
There have been allegations of them being too secretive and cultish.
There were protests from local faith groups when the Preston Temple of the Church, the largest of its kind in Europe, was opened in Chorley in 1998.
Dr Holt said he believes the church has allayed those worries.
"I think things have settled down a lot now that people see members of the church and have got to know them," he said.
"They realise that we follow a saviour, but also that a lot of the values we have are shared with them.
"Any stories they may have heard from other people dissipate once they get to know people from the church."
The church said the concert in Avenham Park is their contribution to the Preston Guild 2012 celebrations.
"We see this as an integral part of what's going on in Guild Year," Dr Holt said.
"Because Preston is so synonymous with the church in the UK we just want to be involved as much as we can."
The concert will be addressed by LDS church leaders and will also feature a choir of church members from around the North West who will be singing well known Christian hymns.
Dr Holt said: "This will be a wonderful opportunity for the Mormons in Britain to remember their heritage and celebrate the history of the church on these islands.
"It will be a time to look back, a time to rejoice together as hymns are sung by the congregation and a large LDS choir.
"We shall also have the opportunity to enjoy the words of past and present church leaders.
"We want people from all over Lancashire to bring their blankets, bring their picnic baskets and join us in the park."
Joe Wilson presents the faith programme on BBC Radio Lancashire from 06:00 each Sunday.


A Chicago panel has released a cache of evidence relating to 101 cases of shootings involving officers and alleged police misconduct.

The files included video and audio recordings as well as police reports on pending investigations.
The trove of records had previously not been made available to the public.
The disclosure comes six months after public backlash over video footage of a black teenager who died after being shot 16 times by a white officer.
The Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA), which investigates alleged police misconduct, released the files dating back five years.
Chicago police dogged by racism
Police face federal investigation
Police chief fired over teenager's death
Protesters called on Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other officials to step down in November after police dashcam footage showed Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times in 2014. Mr Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder.
Chicago officials withheld the footage of Mr McDonald's death for a year before a judge ordered its release.
Public outcry prompted the US Justice Department to launch an investigation into the Chicago Police Department's use of force and accountability procedures.
The city posted the files online as part of a new policy to release videos of shootings at the hands of police within 60 days of most incidents.
Chicago is struggling to restore public trust in law enforcement amid the fallout over the handling of Mr McDonald's death.
A task force appointed by the mayor issued a scathing report in April that found the police department to be plagued by racism.


MPs no longer have to wear ties in the House of Commons - does this finally spell the end for an item of men's clothing that was once de rigeur in Western Europe?

It just seems wrong somehow - MPs getting up to speak in the Commons in open-necked shirts.
This is an institution in which people still refer to each as "right honourable gentleman" and are offered a toot of powdered tobacco from a silver snuff box on their way into work (although few now indulge). They are attended to by men in tights and garters.
And yet now - thanks to a ruling by Speaker John Bercow (a man who takes part in a ceremonial parade every working day, in a black silk robe with gold trimming and a train) - they can loll about on the green benches as if they were at a family barbecue.
Mr Bercow's ruling may offend traditionalists - and many MPs will no doubt continue to cling to the comfort of their tie - but it is in keeping with the long, slow decline of this particular item of men's clothing in the West.
Bercow: MPs don't need to wear ties
What not to wear in Parliament
Wearing a tie to work used to be a sign that you had reached a certain station in life. Now, for many British men, turning up for work in a tie will prompt some wag to ask if you have a job interview or a court appearance.
Only about a third of British office staff regularly wear a tie to work, according to some surveys. Dress-down Friday has become dress-down every day in many workplaces, although people who deal with the public are usually still expected to don a tie every morning.
The tie used to be a powerful signifier of social status - the regimental tie, the club tie and, above all, the old school tie were all used as symbols of authority and belonging, and as a subtle way of excluding those who did not belong.
It is a tradition that stretches back to Roman times, when soldiers would wear different coloured neckwear to donate membership of different groups.
In today's workplace power games, however, the man at the top is very often the one without a tie. The Silicon Valley chief executive look - chinos and casual shirt, no tie - is a way of letting your underlings know that you are a true meritocrat, and not hidebound by stuffy rules.
World leaders at the G8 in Northern Ireland in 2013 were told to wear "smart casual" attire, although they still wore suits.
The tieless trend has even spread to the Royal Family. When Prince Harry met 91-year-old Ivor Anderson at a military event last year, the D-Day veteran cheekily asked him: "Where's your bloody tie?"
There are, of course, many traditional institutions in Britain, such as the gentleman's clubs of Mayfair, where you will still not get through the door without a tie.
But these places tend to take their cues from the top. Parliament's official rule book Erskine May says military insignia or uniforms should not be worn in the Commons and that the custom is "for gentlemen members to wear jackets and ties". Well, not any more.
Croatia claims to be the birthplace of the modern neck tie or cravat. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "Croat" and "cravat" were originally variations on the same word.
It arrived in Western Europe in the 17th Century as a piece of military clothing designed to protect soldiers' shirts and buttons but gradually caught on as a fashion item, with elaborate dandyish flourishes and frilly collars.
It would take several centuries for the tie to slim down to the narrow piece of patterned cloth we are familiar with today, and it did not become de rigeur among middle-class "white collar" workers until the industrial revolution, when it was deemed more practical and comfortable than the fancier alternatives.
The tie has proved remarkably adaptable as a piece of clothing, expanding in width and acquiring elaborate paisley patterns during the "flower power" era of the 1960s and 70s and then shrinking back down for the "skinny tie" punk and new wave look.
Yet now, like spats or the top hat, its time may finally be running out.
Then again, they said that about beards.


Two Somerset colleges have merged after one of them received an inadequate Ofsted rating.

The merger, between the City of Bath College and Norton Radstock College, will bring together more than 3,000 full time and 1,000 part time students.
Norton Radstock College was given the poor rating after Ofsted said leaders had not carried out suggested improvements "with sufficient urgency".
Bath College will run from the Avon Street and Somer Valley campuses.
Principal Matt Atkinson said the merger would allow it to offer a wider range of vocational and academic courses.
The Ofsted report followed an inspection at Norton Radstock College in May 2014.
It said the leadership team had "not acted with sufficient determination to ensure that targets, actions and sharing of best practice have secured consistent improvement across the college".
It added since its last full inspection in March 2010 the college had "not improved significantly" and that the principal, senior leaders and managers have "been too slow to ensure planned improvements have enough impact".
Then the education watchdog described Norton Radstock College as a "satisfactory college with a good capacity to improve".


The Queen has dismissed a petition from a group of Crown Dependency residents asking for a vote in the UK referendum on EU membership.

The Order approved at the Privy Council said the Committee of Council for the Affairs of Jersey and Guernsey had considered the petition, but that they advised the Queen to dismiss it.
Campaigners say the Crown Dependencies should get a vote in the EU referendum.
However, it is not constitutionally possible.
The Crown Dependencies' link to the European Union is set out in Protocol 3 of the UK's Treaty of Accession.
The Order said: "Her Majesty, having taken the Report into consideration, was pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to dismiss the Petition."
The petitioners - Eddie Power from the Isle of Man, Christina Morgan from Jersey and former States of Guernsey member Anthony Webber - believe the islands could be affected by the results of the UK EU referendum.
Mr Webber said: "Obviously we were very disappointed. We are being denied a chance to vote on our future.
"This is a great mistake by the UK government... we are now looking at the legal options."
Lord of the Rings actor and Isle of Man resident John Rhys-Davies, launched an online petition demanding the right to vote in the European Union referendum for those living in British Crown Dependencies.
The petition requires 10,000 signatures for the government to respond to it.