1.   Code language for a prominent leader bringing a business through a difficult period and offering a better long-term contract to employees.

2.   Last March, in common with many other small businesses, the Russells needed extra funds to tide them over a difficult period.

3.   The past several years have been a difficult period of trying to rebuild a broken life.

4.   But changing the corporate culture is a very long term solution and can be a very difficult period for all involved.

5.   Equally, the maintenance of that support through a difficult period will reflect back credit on banking as a whole.

6.   His wife Ann-Marie Turnpenny, of Sheerwater Avenue, Darlington, said their marriage had been going through a difficult period.

7.   This would mean considerable cost savings for the smaller teams and help them survive during a difficult economic period.

8.   The electorate is going through a very difficult period.

9.   COURTAULDS is coming through a difficult trading period in reasonable health.