On the 5 January 1993 the Liberian registered oil tanker Braer hit rocks off the Shetland Islands.

She was carrying almost 90,000 tons of crude oil and the resultant disaster caused huge amounts of damage to the local environment.

Today in 1952 saw the death of Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India from 1936-43, the longest period that one man held the post. He is credited with furthering the cause of Indian independence through the adoption of a federal form of government. Linlithgow was responsible for suppressing opposition to Britain during WWII, and for organising India's opposition to Japan.

Today's recipe: never again will you find the middle is undercooked! The perfect baked potato.