The UK finally complied with the rest of Europe last weekend by switching to the metric system of weights and measures

Date: 05/10/1995

Most goods in UK shops will now have to be sold in metric quantities, although food sold loose will not have to comply with the new rules until the 21st century and beer will still be sold in pints. The British Weights and Measures Association has vowed to challenge the imposition of metrication in the European courts. Other consumer groups say the move should end the prolonged confusion for UK shoppers caused by successive governments' failure to introduce full metrication.