New routes to South America will be vital to the UK's economy after it leaves the European Union, it is claimed.

More than 101,000 travelled on new flights to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires from Gatwick in the last six months, contributing to a 2.3% uplift in passengers flying long haul.

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"As the UK enters an important new chapter on the global stage, new links created to key markets such as South America will play a crucial role in the country's economy and national identity," said chief executive Stewart Wingate.

However, reductions elsewhere meant that only 0.2% more passengers used Gatwick in the six months.

Compass Group shares have slipped after the catering firm warned that a decline in confidence in Europe has hit its business catering division.

The group posted higher underlying operating profits for the year, but the company said it is taking action to improve its cost base in Europe amid "deteriorating business and consumer confidence".

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Profits increased by 4.7% to £1.88 billion for the year to September 30 on the back of rising sales.

Just one in 20 so-called Black Friday "deals" are cheaper during the shopping bonanza than at other times of the year, an investigation from Which? has found.

Ahead of this year's Black Friday on November 29, the consumer group said it had found "few genuine discounts" after monitoring sales pricing around the event last year.

It tracked the prices of 83 products on sale on Black Friday last year - starting from six months before the day itself to six months afterwards.