Britain hopes for North progress over next week

Britain last night said it hoped to see progress over the next week towards resolving the Northern peace process deadlock.

Mr Ahern and Mr Blair

It followed two hours of talks at Downing Street between British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Mr Ahern.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "It was a useful meeting. Discussions with all the parties are continuing. We hope to make progress before the Taoiseach leaves for Japan next week."

During their talks, the two also discussed the foot and mouth crisis following the disclosure that a suspected case of the disease had been discovered in south Armagh.

PA