Thumb ups, thumbs down

Thumbs up: Cheaper box setsLast week we compared the price of the DVD box set of the fifth series of 24. The lowest price we found it selling for was 39.99. A reader got in touch to say that the website www.play.com is selling it for just 26.99 including delivery to Ireland. That's more than 50 less than the dearest outlet we listed.

Thumbs down: Crash test dummiesThe US magazine Consumer Reports got itself into a spot of bother last week following the publication of an extensive report on infant car seats. The magazine, which has a readership of over six million and has been in business for more than 70 years, published a report this month which suggested only two of 12 car seats it tested were worth buying. It was forced to retract the report when it turned out side-impact crashes in tests of car seats were carried out at speeds near 70 mph, not the 38 mph it had claimed. "As an organisation whose only mission is to serve consumers' interests, we test over 3,100 products a year with our teams of reporters, scientists, engineers and even mystery shoppers who apply the most rigorous standards," a spokesman said.

Thumbs up: Feel-good fuellingWhile the petrol-free car may still be a long way off, environmentalists and cost-conscious consumers can take heart from the news that Ford is to deliver a demonstration fleet of 20 ethanol-fuelled hybrid vehicles to six US states this spring. The Ford Escape Hybrid can operate on fuel containing as much as 85 per cent ethanol, the company claims. Ethanol is distilled from corn or other plant material and blended with petrol.

Thumbs up: Free fruit from EUThe EU plans to provide schools, hospitals, nursing homes and charitable organisations with free fruit and vegetables over the next six years at a cost of around 50million. "Fruit and vegetables have a crucial role in improving people's diets. That is why I want to encourage consumption," said Marianne Fischer Boel, the EU Farm Commissioner.