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As a former chief executive of the supermarket chain Morrisons, Mr Philips knows only too well the pressure M&S bosses are under.

Author Philip Pullman has revealed details of the sixth and final book in his series about Lyra Silvertongue, the character at the heart of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust trilogies.

But for Father Philip, the local priest, the greatest threat to his congregation, many of whom are the war displaced, comes from above, not below.

"My client and very dear friend, Philip Lowrie, the beloved actor renowned for his role as Dennis Tanner on Coronation Street, passed away yesterday," he said.

The weather historian, Philip Eden, has claimed there is a link but most experts are far more cautious.