The Daily: 9 July

We scour the news so you don't have to.

Pinching his face as he fought back the tears, the nation's new hero Andy Murray struggled to address his fifteen thousand strong audience on Centre Court and the twenty million viewers watching at home, following his defeat yesterday. 'I'm getting closer', he managed to gasp before the emotion overwhelmed him.

Though beaten by Roger Federer in four sets, 25-year-old Murray did end the seventy-four year wait for a British male finalist at Wimbledon

Jonny Marray and Frederik Nielsen, a wildcard pair, produced a slight consolation for our nation's pride as they stormed to victory in the Wimbedon Gentlemen's Doubles. A combination of British heat and Danish passion brought home at least one trophy over the weekend.

Hedgehogs heading for extinction

Prickly, nocturnal and elusive, hedgehogs are causing concern for former MP Anne Widdecombe who fears for the decreasing population of the species. Wildlife Aid Foundation's 'Save Harry' campaign aims to protect and save these spiky guests who have been found in British gardens for centuries. At the helm of the project, Widdecombe plans to propose new laws deeming the deliberate killing of these creatures as illegal and the creation of more wildlife-friendly gardens. In the 1950s, 36 million hedgehogs inhabited the UK but today that figure is nearer one million.

Beatrix Potter's Five Little Pigs to be auctioned off

The original watercolour paintings of Beatrix Potter's 'Five Little Pigs' are expected to be sold for £70,000 by Sotheby's. Potter's story is a variation of the original folk tale, which is used to entertain children by counting down on one's toes before tickling their feet. The rhyme, published in Cecil Parsley's Nursery Rhymes in 1922, commences 'This pig went to market, This pig staid (sic) at home', with matching illustrations reflecting the words. The second painting has the inscription 'This pig had a bit of meat, This pig had none' and the third portrays a fifth and tearful creature with the description 'This little pig cried 'Wee! Wee! Wee! I can't find my way home!' Tomorrow's auction specialises in antique literature and also includes papers by Jonathan Swift, a ring of Jane Austen and copies of Shakespeare's fourth Folio from 1685.

Ernest Borgnine dies aged 95

Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine passed away yesterday, aged 95, with his wife and children at his side. The screen star, who starred in many 1950s films as a villain, died of renal failure. Most famously he played a lonely Bronx Butcher in the 1955 film Marty, for which he won an academy award. Other classic films included The Wild Bunch and The Dirty Dozen. Close friends described him as 'hard working' 'dedicated' and 'approachable', adding that he will be deeply missed.

Rare original 'Golden Ticket' used in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory set to fetch £20k

The gold foil ticket, which still bears the inscription 'In your wildest dreams you could not imagine the marvellous surprises that await you' is set to be sold at an auction in California.

The ticket is expected to sell for up to £20,000 when it goes under the hammer.

In the 1971 film, the five children who found the five golden tickets received an exclusive tour of Wonka's Chocolate Factory. The hugely popular film was based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and starred Gene Wilder. The ticket will be sold at the Profiles in History auction, which features props and costumes from films and plays. Christopher Reeve's famous Superman leotard, also being auctioned, is expected to reach £50,000.