Bunhill: Marks & Spencer teased all week

MARKS & SPENCER has been teased all week for giving special treatment to Virginia Bottomley, the Health Secretary.

It opened its Marble Arch store in London an hour early exclusively for her so she could do her shopping in peace.

Calls to a few M&S stores around the country suggest this is not normal practice.

Would they do the same for an ordinary punter?

No, came the unsurprising answer.

Except from the Newcastle upon Tyne store. Yes, insists the gallant assistant manager, Nigel Hardy. 'If any customer wishes to phone us up and arrange a day and a time in advance, that's fine.'

Over to you, Newcastle . . .