Barfly: George Osborne's chance to splash out on office

Bad news about the banks has been relentless these past two years, so it makes sense to try to lighten it up every now and then. But the fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous should be closely monitored.

Last week Lloyds Banking Group was clearly trying a new tack with a new PR firm, Band & Brown. It sent out a press release with the astounding revelation of a Lloyds' survey that showed people feel happier when it is sunny and grumpier when it isn't. It even had a helpful table indicating how various weather and other conditions placed on a "mood" scale. Sleet, apparently, makes us very, very grumpy.

It is hardly what one expects from a beleaguered bank, even if it has reduced the taxpayers' multi-billion pound bailout stake to a mere 40 per cent. There is, however, method in its seasonal affective disorder. Its insurance brand is now sponsor of Channel 4 weather and a Lloyds TSB Insurance Weather Photographer of the Year Competition. Shine on.

Sporty night for the girls