THE things people say...the UK tax authorities have released some of the excuses put forward by people for railing to submit their returns.

The Daily Express reports that top of the list was 'the dog ate it' as well as late payment reasons blamed on escaped parrots; being up a mountain in Wales and Barack Obama being in charge of one late-payer's finances.

IT is estimated that around 175,000 people attended this year's Glastonbury music festival in Somerset and the Daily Star reveals that a litter picking crew of 800 are to spend up to six weeks clearing the 1,200 acre site.

The task involves removing more than 1,650 tonnes of waste. Organisers reckon that 11 tonnes of clothes and camping gear has been abandoned – including 6,500 sleeping bags, 5,500 tents, 3,500 airbeds, 2,200 chairs, 950 rolled mats and 400 gazebos.