It was about the idea of craftsmanship, with its patience and time. It took Lee three months to do those maps."This directional modernity that balanced Sage's love of the antique was evident in his clash of textures and use of materials. The formality of damask contrasted sharply with dove-grey chunky knit that created dresses and jumpers with huge roll necks, with a fluffy Mongolian lamb skirt and a hooded winter coat, and the sheered mink "life-saver" collar that finished a green cashmere jumper.Sage's play with tactile fabrics and textures was evident in a large glass collar set with an eight-carat diamond, in the flat pointy lace-up shoes whose black veneer had been scraped away to reveal white underneath, and the Swarvoski crystals that glittered from a cape and skirt of black organza.The collection, called "All Change Please", saw Sage not only change direction but a catwalk strewn with loose change, pound coins and 50p pieces. The designer said: "It's kind of difficult to create something new every season but the sponsorships have made it work. Britannic Money, who have sponsored me for the past seasons, have been a bit of a godsend; I wouldn't exist without them ... It's been a struggle, but they have stood by me."And that's what London Fashion Week is all about: the struggle and the stress that somehow makes for talent and creativity.. The cost of a first-class stamp may rise to 40p and a second- class stamp to 30p if plans to increase competition in postal services are pushed through, Consignia warned yesterday.

Consignia believes the increases are necessary if the company is to be able to meet its obligation to provide a universal delivery service to every household in Britain on each day of the working week. Last month Postcomm announced plans to allow competition by 1 April in the bulk mail market, which makes up nearly half of Britain's post.The 40p and 30p estimates are based on the effects of postal competition in Sweden. A spokeswoman for Consignia said it would reluctantly hike the prices as a necessary consequence of losing business mail, the most profitable part of the service.She said: "We are not saying we are about to put the prices up immediately. It is more a suggestion based on what we think would be required to cope with the pace of the proposed changes to deregulation and maintain a universal service."Postcomm said Consignia could improve its profitability through increased efficiency and the regulator said it was prepared to use its power of veto to block any increases. Consignia could partly cover its costs with the £1.2bn savings it announced recently, Postcomm said.

The regulator said the Swedish comparison was misleading because the watchdog there was powerless to act on prices. Consignia will formally respond to Postcomm's proposals next month and the regulator is due to publish a decision document in April.Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Trade, has said the Government would not interfere with Postcomm's plans. Tourism and conservation specialists are to discuss whether visitor numbers to the nation's cathedrals and great churches should be restricted to stop wear and tear. "There are cathedrals and great churches that are being eroded, if not being destroyed, by too much visiting by non-congregational people.". Three Irishmen who have been detained for six months by the authorities in Colombia on suspicion of training left-wing rebels are being denied a fair trial, their supporters claimed last night.