The installation, currently housed at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing, layers 12 of its component clear plastic sheets to create a roughly one-foot deep display that plays a simple pre-drawn animation.

ENGADGET: Crayolascope hacks toys into foot-thick 3D display Alt

Mr Darling said it was right "to do everything you can to help people get through a difficult period" but refused to be drawn on the nature or scope of any fiscal measures ahead of the Pre-Budget Report on 24 November.

BBC: Darling defends summit progress

The English agencies' budgets, because they are drawn from existing expenditure by Whitehall departments, have also to be spent on priorities pre-determined in London.

ECONOMIST: Straddling the great divide | The