Eternal Flame dies after gas is cut off

The Eternal Flame has flickered and died - after a utilities company cut off the gas to the Second World War memorial in Bishkek.

Kyrgyzgas justified turning off the gas supply to the monument by claiming it was owed nearly £6,000 by the authorities, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan, one of the poorest of the former Soviet states in Central Asia.

Many cities across the former Soviet Union pay homage to their war dead by maintaining a gas-fired flame which is never extinguished.

Soldiers often guard the flame and it takes centre stage at the annual May 9 military parades.

Media quoted the authorities in Kyrgyzstan as saying they hoped to broker a deal to re-light the flame before this year's parade.