Ashton, who was coach of St Helens from 1974-80, is a member of the Super League club's four-strong board but said the decision was made without his knowledge.

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Demolition of an open air swimming pool in Weston-super-Mare has been further stalled by three weeks while the decision is reviewed.

BBC: The derelict Tropicana site

For the Democrats, Obama has emerged as the front-runner following a split decision with Clinton in the Super Tuesday contests two weeks ago.

CNN: Clinton looks to Texas, Ohio to stop surging Obama

Like the more conventional super PACs, the lesser-known ones ballooned after the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case, which allowed companies and labor unions to use their own funds to pay for campaign commercials.

WSJ: Here a PAC, There a PAC��Except Some Are Not So Super

The 30-year-old has held the WBO super-middleweight belt since October 1997 when he beat Chris Eubank with an emphatic points decision.

BBC: SPORT | Boxing | Calzaghe may step up in weight

Despite being on the fringes of the squad, the 22-year-old fly-half was not selected for the 2007 World Cup in France, and his decision to join the new Melbourne Rebels Super 15 franchise on a two-year deal has all but ended his chances of playing at the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

BBC: Danny Cipriani could play against England for Baa-Baas

Still, Mr DeLay's decision to resign comes only a week after Jack Abramoff, a super-lobbyist, was sentenced to almost six years in prison, having pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire-fraud charges, and only a few days after his former deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, pleaded guilty to corruption and bribery charges in connection with the Abramoff probe.

ECONOMIST: Republican woes

Tunnicliffe was appointed deputy chief-executive in 1997 and two months later found himself promoted following Lindsay's decision to join Super League Europe.

BBC: Tunnicliffe quits league post