Fuel injector

A fuel injector for delivering fuel to a combustion space comprises a valve needle (14) which is movable within a bore (12) provided in a nozzle body (10) and which is engageable with a seating (18) to control the supply of fuel from the bore. The injector further comprises means (44, 42; 58, 64) for permitting fuel to escape from the bore (12) to a low pressure drain upon initial movement of the valve needle (14) away from its seating (18). The injector may include a cover member (40) which defines, together with the nozzle body (10), a part of a return passage (42) for fuel through which fuel flows, in use, to reduce the temperature of the nozzle body (10).