Women get to park their other halves in a safe place while they shop
Marks & Spencer has launched a Christmas crèche for reluctant male shoppers at six of its stores. The shops, at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff, Meadowhall in Sheffield and Marble Arch in London, have all been kitted out with sofas and TVs to watch shows such as Blackadder and Monty Python. Men will also be able to read books or play with toys, such as Starsky & Hutch Scalextric. Drinks and snacks will also be provided.

Marble Arch store manager Sacha Berenjhi said: 'Most men don't enjoy shopping as much as women, or at least for the same length of time, which is why we came up with the idea of offering them somewhere to relax while they wait for their partners.'