Up for the cup:

Shock news for football fans - not for the first time in its long history, the Axa-sponsored FA Cup has been stolen.

But at least this time it was given back by this reprobate bunch of lawyers from Bournemouth firm Lester Aldridge, who took the opportunity to whip it from the nearby Axa stall while exhibiting at the recent Building Societies Association annual conference.

Some of the lawyers could not resist kissing the great trophy, said less-than-impressed partner Rachel Lapworth (pictured left), although she refused to name the culprits.

It was the male lawyers who were most thrilled, especially Andrew Corke (right), to judge by the photo.

'But then he's easily excited,' Ms Lapworth confides.