FIRM FINED: Offshore engineering company Lamprell has been fined £2.4m for failing to inform investors about its financial position.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) said the firm was too slow to react to trading issues, when its shares dropped by 57 per cent in May 2012.

The FSA said the Lamprell, which makes drilling rigs and vessels used on wind farms, had not behaved recklessly, but said its systems were seriously deficient, meaning it could not update the market sufficiently on its financial standing.

Lamprell bosses say they have taken significant steps to remedy the situation.

SHOP EXPANSION: Retailer Martin McColl will create 150 new convenience stores in the next two years.

The move will mean the company, which has just completed a debt refinancing deal worth more than 100m, will have about 800 convenience stores.

It already has 1,260 stores and 500 newsagents, after buying rivals Forbuoys and Dillons in the late 1990s.

The company, which recorded sales of £845 million in 2012, has stores across the North-East, including outlets in Darlington, Stockton, Billingham and Hartlepool.

FLYING AGAIN: Aeroplane builder Boeing says its Dreamliner 787 planes will start on commercial flights again “within weeks.”

Earlier this year, all 50 of the company's operating Dreamliner fleet were grounded due to problems with their lithium-ion batteries.

However, Boeing said it has now fixed the problem and was carrying out tests to ensure planes could be used again.

The Dreamliner 787 is the world's first plane to use lithium-ion batteries, which hold more power and be recharged quicker.

FINE CUT: Fruit grower Del Monte has succeeded in winning an appeal to cut the fine it received for rigging banana prices, but rival Dole has been ordered to pay a £40m fine.

The European Union General Court ruled Del Monte must pay £7.5m, from an original £12.6m, due to its co-operation with regulators.

However, the court upheld the £40m fine on fruit and vegetable producer Dole Food.

The company denies it wrongdoing and says it will appeal the decision.

The companies were fined by the European Commission in 2008 for price collusion in eight countries, said to have happened between 2000 and 2002.