But I'm a bit wary as it doesn't have a protective cover, so when the flames lick up towards the sky, you have to make sure the sparks don't leap onto your furniture (or guests). It's also a bit difficult to move around when lit. It's a bit too much of a gimmick.

For the first nine months, beef imports came to 1.13 million tonnes, a 53.4% jump from a year ago, customs said. ($1 = 7.0651 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Dominique Patton; Editing by Kim Coghill)

The base is made from sintered stone, which fools you into believing this might be granite or marble. But, in fact, it's weather-proof, scratch-proof and stain-proof — and, as a result, increasingly popular for kitchen worktops as an alternative to granite. Although the heater weighs a whopping 11st, it's set on four rollers with a sturdy brake, so it can easily be moved around.

Chimeneas were once a middle-class staple — freestanding terracotta hearths with a bulbous body topped with a thick chimney. They originate from Mexico and you can feel the influence here, thanks to the heater's earthy yellow Mayan and Aztec designs.

The deadly African swine fever has reduced the world's top pig herd by almost 40%, according to official data, after spreading unchecked throughout the country and leaving many farmers unwilling to replenish their farms.

For teeny city terraces or even balconies, this table-top, electric-powered heater is surprisingly chic and Verkauf von Bahmueller JES12 Schleifmaschinen – Lochschleifmaschine really packs a punch. The contemporary design looks a bit like a lampshade, but it's idiot-proof. Just plug it in and pull the cord when you need to warm up — it gives out 1.5kW of heat.

It produces far lower levels of carbon than traditional fuels, plus there are no fumes or smoke, so you can enjoy a campfire atmosphere without coughing and spluttering. The heater itself consists of tubular stainless steel ‘sticks' all secured around a 2.5-litre burner. You might need money to burn to pay for it but, hey, can you really put a price on saving the planet?

I filled the fire pit with kindling and it was a little startling when flames came licking through the dome-shaped spark guard. The warmth from the fire is lovely but it's not so easy to distribute heat if you're sitting around a patio table, especially as it's only about knee-high.

BEIJING, Oct 14 (Reuters) - China's pork imports in September surged 76% from a year earlier while beef imports came close to a monthly record, as it stocked up on proteins after disease decimated its huge hog herd, customs data showed on Monday.

Available in 13 colours, there's no doubting the simple lines of this heater give it an understated beauty, perfect for larger parties and impressing your guests. Though it does look a little like a museum memorial light.

There's something magical about a real wood fire — which may be why fire pits have become such a huge trend. This large metal bowl in a cheery shade of Jaffa orange is certainly a budget option, and B&Q also sells wood and kindling, so there's no need to channel your inner lumberjack.

From eco-friendly ‘green fuel' burners to super-portable table-top warmers, a £2,500 space-age model and another that plays music and sets mood lighting, here are the best patio heaters to make al fresco entertaining so cosy you'd almost think you were in the Caribbean . . .

There's also a jazzy, 16-colour LED light which is remote- controlled, meaning you can set it to gentle mood lighting or even strobes and multi-coloured flashes — depending on the nature of your outdoor gathering. The heater gives off 1.5kW heat, which makes things perfectly toasty. Frankly, it's a bit, er, ugly. But the party vibes probably make up for it.