8 January 2007: Tidiness is next to ....

National Insurance staff in Longbenton, North Tyneside, have been told to keep their computer keyboards straight, and clutter away from their workspace, in an ongoing efficiency drive. To help them do this, black tape has been put on their desks to show them where to put their pens.

It's all part of a £7-million project being undertaken by consultants, which has also resulted in public sector workers being told to clear their desks of all personal items.

The project has been described by one union as "madness".