NewsLite

In the mid 1800s, vampire-fearing people traveling to Eastern Europe bought and carried with them, Vampire killing kits. Containing items such as a wooden stake, a crucifix, a bible, garlic, various potions and even pistols with lead bullets, they offered the best protection possible from the blood-sucking undead. Despite people nowadays being less likely to want to kill vampires - either thinking the don't exist, or (thanks to Twilight New Moon they) more likely to want to make them their soul-mate - demand has stayed high for the kits. Some, which can be over 200-years-old, have sold for sums up to £10,000. But now Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museums have announced that they have the world’s largest collection of authentic Vampire killing kits, with 30 in total. So, should the blood-sucking pale-faced ones start an uprising, you know where to find us. Click through to see some of the Vampire killing kits. - NewsLite

The average Brit will lose their temper after waiting for just eight minutes and 22 seconds, it has been claimed. A recent study looked at how long it took Brits to reach breaking point in a variety of situations, from waiting for an internet page to load, to being put on hold by a call centre. Unsurprisingly people were willing to wait longer for friends to show up than the kettle to boil - but the average time was eight minutes and 22 seconds. After that people admit they tend to 'lose it' with common responses being to shout at someone, cancel a service, walk out or even punch someone. If you would likes to find out more about the waiting study just hover your cursor HERE and wait for us to take you to the relevant page. - NewsLite

Ultra competitive parents are spending up to £150 to make sure their child is the star of the annual school nativity play, it has been claimed. Where once tattered tea towels and tinsel made a suitable costume, parents are now said to be employing personal shoppers to ensure their child is 'Manger Chic'. A high-street store says parents are buying new bridesmaid dresses for angels, fleeced duffle coats for donkeys and jewelled turbans for the wise men. They claim that opting for a 'designer' nativity costume can easily take the cost from a couple of quid, to £50. In some cases they have seen parents are shelling out up to £150. And the odd news continues with findings that kids with the most minor parts, such as a sheep, get the most expensive costume… fur throw anyone? - NewsLite

Another week, another bizarre Christmas inspired race. This time there were no pantomime horses and few Santas… but plenty of people carrying Christmas puddings. As part of the 29th annual Great Christmas Pudding Race, runners - each carrying a Christmas pudding on a tray - had to negotiate an obstacle course in London's Covent Garden. While they made their way around the inflatable course, the teams of six people were sprayed with foam by members of the crowd. If that wasn't odd enough the 'festive' fancy dress included Medieval knights, cowboys, assorted animals and even a team of Ozzy Osbornes. - NewsLite

A council has been branded 'patronising' after launching a scheme designed to tell the over-50s how to wear slippers safely. Warwickshire County Council also offered 'older people' the chance to upgrade their worn out slippers for a new subsidised £5 pair. The 'slipper service' told people to ensure their slippers were the right size and offered grip on the floor. They warned that ill fitting slippers could lead to falls and fractured bones which could cause disability and even death. Who knew something as mundane as a pair of slippers could be so dangerous - it looks like poor fitting slipper wearing could become a new extreme sport. - NewsLite

It is a disappearance almost worthy of Mulder and Scully. After almost 60 years investigating the UFO threat over Britain - the MoD 'X Files' bureau has been axed. Earlier this week the UK Ministry of Defence quietly cut their hotline for members of the public to report UFO sightings. And it wasn't because no-one was calling - the line has received more than 12,000 UFO and alien reports since it was launched in 1950, including 135 last year. The reports were all investigated and despite the MoD admitting that five percent could not be explained,  they say they do not think they are worth investigating any more. So what do you think, is this part of a cover-up, have they already made contact with aliens so no longer need the sighting reported… or have we been watching too many sci-fi movies? - NewsLite

Eight out of ten mums admit they have started rolling out the tried and tested adages their parents used to deal with them when they were kids.   Researchers found 'Because I said so' and 'Wait and see' are the most common retorts fired at the children along with 'If someone asked you to jump off a cliff, would you do it?' 'It'll end in tears' and 'who's she, the cat's mother?', also emerged as common answers to annoying questions - much like they did for previous generations. The study of 3,000 mums found more than half intentionally use some of their parent's best loved phrases because they think it worked to discipline them. But 40 per cent of mums admitted sometimes repeating things their parents said even though they didn't really know what it meant. - NewsLite

Almost one million Strictly Come Dancing fans will injure themselves trying to replicate the moves they see on the hit BBC show, it has been revealed. Experts say that as many as 44 percent of the nine million fans will try their hand at ballroom dancing after watching the likes of Laila Rouass and Ricky Whittle. But 25 percent of the would-be dancers will end up injured trying to replicate lifts and spins - that's 990,000 people left Strictly Come Hobbling. Experts from MBT claim most of the injuries are caused by the poor fitness and physiques of the couch-potatoes turned dancers who regularly hurt their feet and ankles or backs. Others just find their partner watching Strictly Come Dancing every Saturday night a real pain in the neck. - NewsLite

Twenty percent of (scrooges) people are not looking forward to Christmas, it has been found. A survey quizzed 2,500 Brits about all aspects of Christmas, from how many present they were buying to which family members they were planning on seeing. And while most people said they were looking forward to the holiday, 23 percent said they weren't - but it was more likely to be men who were scrooges. Spending time with friends and family seemed to be the biggest attraction of Christmas, followed by parties and celebrations and then presents. And by looking at that last sentence you can see not too many children were asked can't you? - NewsLite

If you have an unwanted tattoo with an embarrassing back story, we want to see it and hear about it - and you could even the offending tattoo removed. Entries are currently open for "Tatts Off 2010" a competition the find the UKs worst and most unwanted tattoos. Judges will look at photos of the tats and then based on the story behind them and why they want to get rid of them, pick two winners to have them removed naturally, for free. Suggested reasons for getting rid of your tattoos are the break-up of a relationship, a new start in life or because you found out that doesn't really say "strong" in Chinese. So now could be the ideal time to come clean about why you had that tattoo of a dolphin jumping over a rainbow on your back … right Dave? - NewsLite

Scientists say they are baffled by the fact that Blue whales are beginning to sing in deeper voices. A recent study found that all around the world the world's largest mammals have changed their sounds. The lower voices were first noticed eight years ago in California, since then experts have been getting samples from some of the 10,000 Blue whales world-wide. All the samples showed lower voices than previously recorded, some by as much as 31 percent. It is not known why the change is happening though some experts suggest it could be because the seas are getting noisier… others think they have just been inspired by Barry White. - NewsLite

It's official, marriage is bad for your waistline. 1-in-5 new brides will put on a stone and a half in weight -- within the first 18 months of marriage. Researchers found that 22 per cent of newlyweds put on an average of 21lbs - almost a stone and a half - within 12 months of saying 'I do'.

 And while more than half say they no longer worried about their appearance and weight after their big day, one in five overindulged on their honeymoon.

 Another 42 per cent admitted they simply got too relaxed with their new husband, while 22 per cent even said they no longer felt they needed to impress their loved-one now the ring was on their finger.
 We wouldn't be surprised if some even tried claiming their wedding ring must just weigh a stone and a half. - NewsLite

The Iraqi man who threw a shoe at George Bush has seen what it's like when the shoe's on the other foot… well hurling at him to be more precise. TV journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi was giving a press conference in Paris about his own shoe throwing experience, when another shoe thrower decided to target him with a boot. Al-Zaidi,much like Bush in December 2008, was easily able to duck and dodge the shoe as his attacker was chased by security. While the identity of the new shoe-thrower is not known, or the exact reason for his hurl - he is thought to be Iraqi. Keeping his hero status among many people, Al-Zaidi quipped "He stole my technique" shortly after the shoe zipped past his head. - NewsLite

They wanted to compare how the views of men who regularly watched porn compared to those who had never seen it. But researchers from the University of Montréal hit a snag… they were unable to find a single man who had never watched porn. Prof Simon Louis Lajeunesse had recruited and interviewed 20 men about their use of pornography and wanted examine how this had impacted their sexuality. So he set off trying to find man who had never watched porn - but despite several searches was unable to find any. If anyone out there knows a man who might be suitable for the study and has never seen any porn we would ask you to contact the Professor… but the man is just lying to you. - NewsLite

A Facebook addict interrupted his own wedding to update his status on the social network from 'in a relationship' to 'married'. As the minister had pronounced Dana Hanna and bride Tracy Page husband and wife, Danna shocked friends and family by pausing to get out his mobile phone. The minister - who was in on the joke - then announced that the groom was updating his Facebook status. He was actually also updating his Twitter account. While the guests laughed he then proceeded to get out a second mobile which he passed to Tracy. Hopefully he didn't spend the rest of the evening tweeting every single detail of their first married night together. - NewsLite

Young adults who are fit and healthy have a higher IQ and are more likely to go on to university, it has been revealed. Researchers from the Sahlgrenska Academy looked at the results of both physical and IQ tests taken by 1.2 million youngsters doing military service in Sweden. They found a clear link between good physical fitness and better results for the IQ test. Also those who were fit at 18 were more likely to go into higher education, and many secured more qualified jobs. "Being fit means that you also have good heart and lung capacity and that your brain gets plenty of oxygen," said Michael Nilsson, professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy - NewsLite

An unknown filmmaker from Uruguay has been given $30m by Hollywood studio bosses - to turn his $500 YouTube video of a giant robot invasion into a movie Would-be director Federico Alvarez, who runs a post-production visual effects house in Uruguay, filmed 'Panic Attack' with a budget of just $500 in his free time. The five minute clip - which he then uploaded to YouTube - shows an invasion of Montevideo by giant robots and had special effects which could rival many big budget movies. Once online it got the attention of thousands of movie fans… and (not surprisingly) studio bosses who wanted to meet with Alvarez to talk about his movie. - NewsLite

The average family will have their first argument at 9.58am on Christmas Day, research has found.   After getting up early to see what Santa has brought them, tired, excited children and stressed out parents will fall out just before 10am.   Parents trying to tidy the house sees most rows erupt, along with high stress levels and arguments over what to watch on TV.   The study of 4,100 people found the average parent then ends up telling off their children for the first time by 11.07am. Other average timings are, getting out of bed just before 8am, ready to open presents by 8.19am, eating chocolate at 8.39am followed by breakfast at 9am and 11.49am for the first alcoholic drink … with that morning you deserve it. - NewsLite

Formula One legend Murray Walker was in pole position today, after being voted the greatest sports commentator of all time. 

Walker, who has been broadcasting since 1948 and spent much of his career at the BBC, took the chequered flag with ease in a survey of 8,879 people.

 He beat BBC Sports' voice of football John Motson into second place with world tennis ace John McEnroe coming in third. 

Famous for his boyish enthusiasm and authoritative voice, Walker began his Formula 1 commentating in the 1970's and continued until his retirement in 2001.
 To be honest he is probably better know for his gaffes and Murrayisms like, 'With half the race gone, there's half the race still to go' and 'here comes Damon Hill in the Williams. This car is absolutely unique - except for the one following it, which is identical'. - NewsLite

People normally use toothpicks to make small models or larger items, but not Terry Woodling, he made a full size stage coach. Also known as "Mr Toothpick" Terry, from Indiana, has spent 15 years carefully crafting the exact replica of a Concord Coach stagecoach - using 1.5 milliion of the wooden sticks. In those countless hours he used nothing but toothpicks and glue to create the model, which was then painted. Terry says the stagecoach is the sort used by Wells Fargo to transport people and mail around the Us during the 1800s - though his toothpick version might not be up to the job. - NewsLite

The town of Darlington has appointed a "tweeter in residence" to tell people what is happening in the area. Mike McTimoney - a social media fan and IT teacher at the town's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College - will now get paid - though only £140 per year - for his tweets. A spokesperson for the Darlington Partnership, which is behind the job, said that while many towns and cities have artists and writers in residence - they were the first to have a Twitterer. Using the name @TheDarloBard Mike will now tweet about anything and everything going on in the town, sharing local news, insights and observations. So lots of tweets about how much it is raining in Darlington then. - NewsLite

Forgetful travellers accidentally leave a massive 10,000 mobile phones in London black cabs each month, it has been revealed. And in December - as more people go Christmas shopping and out on Xmas parties - taxis divers say there will be even more left behind. The taxi survey - which was carried out amongst licensed taxi drivers in London - also found an average of 1,000 iPods and laptops were also left on taxi seats. A spokesperson for Credant Technologies, who carried out the research, said: "It's clear that none of us are infallible, especially at this busy time of year, when it's all too easy to forget things when you're travelling." But all is not lost, 80 percent of cabbies say they have reunited a lost mobile with a memory-challenged owner - just not if it was a particularly nice handset. - NewsLite

If you ask a woman what she is thinking about, the chances are it will be shopping, a study has revealed. The average woman is said to think about shopping 210 times per week, with the average thought lasting around two minutes. That's 7 hours of every week spent thinking about their next dress or new pair of shoes. And while men are said to think about sex every few seconds, it was only found to cross women's minds 70 times per week (the sort of number a man can notch up in an afternoon.) A poll of over 1,000 women also found over half of the respondents said that they would also rather buy clothes than have a night between the bed clothes. Even more depressing for men 20 percent of women said they had thought about shopping during a moment of passion… so her cries of "yes, yes YES" could just be her approving the new range in Marks and Spencer. - NewsLite

The giant Christmas tree in Copenhagen City Hall Square is a mass of hundreds of lights… but only while people are pedalling. That's because in a bid to be environmentally friendly, the lights are connected to a selection of exercise bikes which generate power as they are pedalled. As peoples legs spin they light up the tree - and burn a few calories while they're at it. It is predicted the alternative way of lighting up the Christmas tree will save the environment a total of nine tonnes of CO2 compared to the traditional way of powering the lights. But isn't it hard to be full of Christmas sprit if you are panting for breath? - NewsLite

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan is hoping to knock art critics for six after switching the crease for the canvas. The 35-year-old batsman has currently got an exhibition of his abstract works on show at a Cardiff art gallery. Vaughan creates the Jackson Pollock-esque images with a technique he dubbed "artballing" - where he paints cricket balls with a symbolic colour and then bats it against a blank canvas. He says he has been pleased with the results from his 100mph creative process in a Yorkshire warehouse… dnd who is going to argue with a artist waving a cricket bat. - NewsLite

A video of a wrecking ball crashing into and flipping over a car in New York has become a hit online... despite being fake. The clip uploaded to YouTube with the title "OMG! Car Hit and Flipped By Wrecking-Ball in NYC!" is shot on a camera phone and shows a wayward wrecking ball smashing into a car. The car is knocked from the Manhattan road and flips through the air before crashing back down. But eagle-eyed YouTubers have noted that the car movement looks like a stunt on a TV show or movie with others adding that it has been illegal to use wrecking balls in New York for a number of years. For us the giveaway to the fakeness of the clip is a director can clearly be heard shouting "Cut." - NewsLite

Twitter has been named as the most popular word of the year - meaning it was discussed more than any other topic in the last 12 months. The social networking site beat off competition from Obama, H1N1, Vamires and Stimulus, which made up the top 5 words of the year. Texas-based Global Language Monitor looked at how many times different subjects had been discussed online and in the media with the 140 character site coming top. Other popular words in 2009 included: 2.0, Deficit, Hadron, Healthcare and Transparency. To be honest, looking at the top 10 words of the year we can't help but hope that 2010 is a bit more interesting. - NewsLite

They are mostly used on toast, jacket potatoes or with a full English breakfast, but a pair of chefs have come up with a host of new ways to eat humble baked beans. Adam Wilcock and Steve Scuffell produced the 57 recipes using baked beans - including a fondue, a soufflé and even a bean smoothie. They started experimenting cooking with the traditional snack after research found more people were eating them in unusual ways. Their bizarre concoctions - which also include Heinz Sushi with Wasabi mayonnaise - have now 'bean' made available online but will next year also feature in a recipe book. - NewsLite

Four in 10 kids would rather receive expensive Christmas presents than spend time with Mum and Dad, it has been revealed.

 A study has revealed that 13 million British children would prefer to receive a new games console, puppy or bike than undivided attention from their parents. 

More than half of those polled said the very best thing about Christmas is seeing what presents are under the tree when they wake up.
 However, 45 percent of kids admitted that having both mum and dad with them all day also makes Christmas special. The most popular toys rivalling mum and dad's attention include computer games and mp3 players - which makes sense when you think about it, how could parents compete with a Nintendo Wii? - NewsLite

A competition had been launched to find London's first official tartan - despite not being in Scotland. The contest will see would-be designers creating a tartan pattern which they think reflects the    character of the English capital. The design will then be registered with the Tartan Register in Edinburgh a national repository of tartan designs which is used by designers to weavers and kilt makers. Suggestions to entrants include that it could feature the red of London buses, the green of Hyde park, the black of the traditional taxis and the blue of the Thames. Seriously, the 'blue' of the Thames? When was the last time these people went to London. - NewsLite