Freddie Flintoff Wins First Heavyweight Fight

Andrew Flintoff has won his first heavyweight boxing match against Richard Dawson at the Manchester Arena.

Flintoff beat Dawson on points by 39-38 at the end of four two-minute rounds in front of a roaring crowd in his native North West.

The former England and Lancashire cricket star was afforded a hero's welcome by the 5,000-strong crowd.

But after taking the first round he was sent tumbling to the canvas by a punch from his American opponent early in the second.

Flintoff - who lost 20kg while training with former world champion Barry McGuigan - came back into the match as the heavier Dawson showed signs of tiredness.

And the Ashes winner showed impressive composure to take a narrow points win according to referee Phil Edwards' scorecard.

Flintoff recovered after being knocked to the canvas in the second round

The win was the perfect response to critics including promoter Frank Maloney, who said the fight would "shame the fight game".

Flintoff was thrilled to have made a winning return to the limelight.

"You mention the Ashes at international level, but as a personal achievement I think this is the best," he told Box Nation.

"It's something that isn't natural to me. I've had to work hard."

The 34-year-old, who has been training for four and a half months with McGuigan and his son Shane, added: "The feeling of being back in front of a crowd and winning at the end - I can't describe it.

"I wanted to experience it. The people around Manchester, and the county, supported me so well playing cricket. It was a no brainer to have it up here.

"The crowd made a massive difference. It's been amazing - humbling, really."

Flintoff's progress was charted in a Sky television documentary, where his commitment and dedication to achieving prime physical condition were clearly evident.

But doubts were raised by seasoned observers about the former all-rounder's technical boxing skills.

More than three years on from his last outing as a professional sportsman - helping England regain the Ashes from Australia at The Oval in 2009 while battling a knee injury that would ultimately curtail his career - Flintoff entered the ring wearing his old Lancashire Lightning one-day top.

The crowd favourite had tipped the scales at a trim 15st 6oz - giving Dawson a near two-stone weight advantage.

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Snow Starts To Fall As Britain Shivers

A dusting of snow has fallen across parts of the UK, with more predicted over this weekend.

It is in contrast to the torrential rain and windy weather which played havoc in some parts of the Midlands and in North Wales at the start of the week.

Around 1cm of snow has settled in parts of northern England and Scotland, including Cumbria, Teesside and County Durham, while 2.5cm has covered the Pennines and the Southern Uplands.

In the midlands, southern England and Wales temperatures are below freezing, and as low as -5C in some areas.

The frosty weather is expected to last for the next few days, with more snow predicted in the north and Scotland tomorrow night.

The freezing temperatures have brought with them a risk of ice, following the recent heavy rainfall.

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The Met Office issued a low-level warning of severe weather, affecting much of the UK for the morning.

It said: "Due to the recent wet weather there is an increased risk of icy patches, even on roads that have been treated with salt, where water run off/seepage may wash off any earlier salt treatment.

"The public should be aware of the risk of ice on roads and pavements."

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "For much of the day, it will be sunny for most.

"Snow showers will continue to run into northern and eastern Scotland, and may occasionally run into North Sea coasts.

"Top temperatures will reach 5 or 6 Celsius. In western parts, cloud will increase and temperatures will rise as rain spreads off the Atlantic.

"Progress will be slow, however, and it will be Sunday before that rain makes much impact on mainland UK, by which time, there is the risk of seeing some snow on the leading edge.

"For the bulk of the country, there will be a fine end to the day followed by a cold and frosty night, and a bright start to Sunday morning."

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World Aids Day: Bid To Break Testing Record

Campaigners in London are marking World Aids Day with an attempt to break an HIV testing record.

It comes as new figures suggested a record number of people in the UK - nearly 100,000 - are living with HIV.

People are being invited to have a 60-second test at the G-A-Y bar in London's Soho between 12pm and 8pm.

Last December's event at the venue officially broke a Guinness World Record for the number of HIV tests conducted in an eight-hour period.

A total of 467 tests were done and around £13,000 was raised for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Staff from 56 Dean Street, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's HIV and sexual health centre in Soho, are repeating the challenge to promote HIV awareness and "make history" again.

Jake Jenkins of 56 Dean Street said: "Come along to G-A-Y on World Aids Day to get a free instant and confidential HIV test and support our attempts to promote HIV awareness, reduce stigma and make history.

"The testing will be provided by the friendly, expert team from 56 Dean Street using the world's fastest antibody test which provides a result in just 60 seconds. Testing early can add, on average, 16 years to someone's life."

The PM wants more people to be educated about HIV and Aids

The international annual campaign, symbolised with a red ribbon, is about increasing awareness of Aids, celebrating breakthroughs in treatment and remembering those who have died.

The Prime Minister has said too many people are not educated about HIV and Aids, and almost 25,000 people who have the human immunodeficiency virus are not aware they have been infected.

He said such people were not benefiting from treatment and were increasing the risk of passing on the virus.

He added: "This means up to 600 people a year could be dying from a preventable, treatable condition.

"People need to know that, diagnosed early, the outlook for most people with HIV in the UK today is a good one, thanks to the availability of effective treatment and the excellent care provided by the NHS.

"Above all, people need to know that it's never been quicker or simpler to get tested."

There were 6,280 people diagnosed with the virus last year, according to the Health Protection Agency.

Mr Cameron said World Aids Day should be used to "spread the message" about education, testing and early diagnosis.

HIV attacks the immune system and weakens the ability to fight infections and disease.

Aids is the final stage of HIV infection, when the body can no longer fight life-threatening infections.

HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person, and about 95% of people are infected through sexual contact.

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Joyce Moulson Plagued By Yobs Before Death

The family of a pensioner who died after stones were hurled at her house have said she was plagued by anti-social behaviour by youths.

Joyce Moulson's family said she was having dinner with one of her grandchildren when a pane of glass was broken in her front door.

While the shattered glass was being cleared, the 84-year-old collapsed on the kitchen floor.

She was pronounced dead soon after she arrived at hospital. A post-mortem established the cause of death as heart-related illness.

A family spokesman said Mrs Moulson led an independent life but was blighted by anti-social behaviour.

"Mum and her neighbours in Fair Road, North Road and Upper George Street have seen intrusions into gardens and broken windows in greenhouses," the family said.

"The many high garden walls in the area appear to be an attraction for youths attempting to participate in free running."

But the family insisted she was not terrorised and was supported by her relatives.

They said: "Mum never lived in fear of anything and her door was always open.

"She saw uninvited youths as an inconvenience and was certainly not terrorised by them. Wibsey is a good area of Bradford, only spoilt by the antics of a few."

Paying tribute to Mrs Moulson, her family added: "Mum, her three children John, Julie and Jason and five grandchildren all live in the area and visited her regularly. She was a much-loved mother and was adored by those who knew her, both family and friends.

"She was perhaps best known locally for her glamorous blonde hair and dress style. She would always dress smartly, even if only going across the road to the Co-op for a pint of milk."

Two boys aged 12 and two aged 13 have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. One of the 13-year-olds has been released without charge.

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Supermarkets Back New Price Promotion Rules

What The Supermarkets Say

Updated: 3:19am UK, Friday 30 November 2012

Eight major supermarkets have signed up to a new code on special offers and price promotions, while Asda is considering whether to take part. Here is what some of the retailers had to say...

Lidl: "At Lidl, we consider customer satisfaction and transparency to be at the forefront of our business, and the OFT's set of principles for fair pricing practices is fully in line with our own pricing policies we have set ourselves.

"For example we do not inflate prices of products before a promotion to artificially imply a saving to the customer.

"For this reason the pricing of products in Lidl stores will not be affected as we will continue to apply these principles to our prices in stores."

Tesco: "We work hard to ensure we offer competitive prices and fair, meaningful promotions to our customers.

"We always try to use simple and clear information, so we welcome the OFT's clarity on good practices and support their wish to see a consistent approach to promotions across the sector."

Waitrose: "Waitrose already has clear principles in place to ensure that our pricing is clear and transparent for our customers - so we are supportive of the OFT's code announced today."

Morrisons: "We are happy to sign up to the Office of Fair Trading's principles because they reflect good promotional practice and we are working towards convergence."

Sainsbury's: "These principles are in line with what we already do at Sainsbury's as we have always been committed to fair and transparent pricing. We will continue to ensure that our pricing and promotions are as clear as possible for our customers."

Co-Operative: "We understand how important it is for shoppers to be able to easily understand what the promotional offer is, so they can spot the best deal, and we are committed to providing clear and accurate labelling for our customers so they can make informed purchasing decisions.

"We have been working closely with the Office of Fair Trading, and are fully supportive of the principles set."

Asda: "We're not sure (the OFT's draft code) best helps customers in these challenging times, so we are taking the time to consider its proposals in detail."

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Three Babies Die In Whooping Cough Outbreak

Three babies died of whooping cough in October amid the biggest outbreak in 20 years, health officials have said.

The total number of babies under the age of three months who have died as a result of the infectious disease this year now stands at 13, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

The number of confirmed cases in England and Wales this year is now 7,728.

The HPA said 1,614 cases of whooping cough were reported in England and Wales in October. In 2011, the total number of cases was 819.

In a move to combat the outbreak, health officials recently announced that all pregnant women are to be vaccinated against the infection.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Government's principal medical adviser, said mothers-to-be will be offered the vaccination to protect their newborn babies.

Health officials say all pregnant women should be vaccinated

Youngsters cannot receive the jab until they are two months old. Vaccinating their mothers before they are born will boost their immunity until they reach the age when they can have the injection themselves, she said.

Women across the UK who are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant are being offered the vaccination.

Increases in whooping cough are usually seen every three to four years. The last rise in the number of confirmed cases was recorded in 2008.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the HPA, said: "We strongly recommend all pregnant women take up the offer of vaccination."

In the very young, whooping cough can be a serious illness and can lead to death in some cases.

Babies and children can often make a distressing "whoop" sound while gasping for air after a coughing fit.

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, said: "Whooping cough is highly contagious and infants are particularly vulnerable."

He said there had been nearly 400 cases of the disease in children under three months old this year.

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Pensioner Dies After Stones Thrown At House

Four boys have been arrested by detectives investigating the death of a pensioner after youths hurled stones at her house.

Joyce Moulson, 84, collapsed around 10 minutes after her terraced home in Bradford was attacked on Tuesday night.

She was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary but was pronounced dead soon after she arrived.

Four boys - two aged 12 and two aged 13 - have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and are being held in custody.

Local residents described Mrs Moulson as "a lovely old lady who always had time for you".

A friend and close neighbour said: "She was helpful, chatty and always had time for you and a tale to tell."

The woman, who asked not to be named, added: "She was just a lovely old lady. I heard the kids outside last night and basically ignored it because I'm so used to it now."

Nicola Taylor, 29, who lives on the other side of the road, said: "It's devastating. She must've been really, really scared.

"There's always a lot of kids hanging round on the corner. It's quite scary. We were really worried when we heard what had happened."

Another neighbour, Laura Schofield, 26, said: "I heard sirens last night but that's just a normal thing here."

Julie Taylor, who owns a shop near Mrs Moulson's house in Fair Road, said: "Youths are always jumping on the wall outside her house and in the garden. Some of them have no respect.

"I didn't know her personally but used to see her coming and going from her house. I'm shocked."

Police are patrolling the Wibsey area of Bradford following the incident, which happened at around 6pm.

Officers are also studying CCTV footage, a police spokesman said.

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Alarm As HIV Cases In UK Soar To Record High

By Gamal Fahnbulleh, Sky News Reporter

A record number of people in the UK are living with HIV, with almost a quarter of those with the virus not aware they are infected.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says there are about 96,000 people who have the HIV - an all-time high.

Nearly half of all infections in 2011 were through heterosexual sex. Of these, more than half were probably acquired in the UK, compared to only 27% in 2002, according to a HPA report.

The arrival of HIV and Aids in the early 1980s led to predictions of deaths on a massive scale but with advances in science and awareness campaigns most developed countries avoided such a fate.

Thirty years later experts and campaigners fear public understanding of HIV has dropped to a worrying level.

Gary Brough was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and despite seeing advances in treatment says he is worried the public does not know enough about the virus.

He said: "In the last 10 to 15 years I think the knowledge about HIV has gone down and I think people don't pay enough attention to the messages and there's not the level of education in schools that you need.

"When I was growing up it was when HIV and Aids were first out there and it was big news. Since medication came in and since the change in it becoming a manageable condition that whole intensity of fear around the infection has diminished."

New diagnoses among gay men reached an all time high in 2011, with 3,010 men discovering they were infected.

The HPA said that one in 20 men who have sex with men in the UK now have HIV. The figure soars to nearly one in 12 in London.

Black African people are also at higher risk, the HPA said, with 37 per 1,000 living with the infection. Overall HIV prevalence in the UK was 1.5 per 1,000 people.

Dr Valerie Delpech, HPA head of HIV surveillance, said: "These figures are a reminder of how vital safe sex programmes remain.

"Promoting HIV testing and condom use is crucial to tackling the high rates of transmission, late diagnosis and undiagnosed HIV still seen in the UK.

"National HIV Testing Week is a great opportunity to encourage people to get tested. We also encourage clinicians to take every opportunity to offer the test those in higher risk groups and, in high prevalence areas, to all general medical admission and new GP registrants."

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Rape Of 11-Year-Old Girl: Man Charged

An 18-year-old is to appear in court charged with the rape of an 11-year-old girl.

The girl was attacked on Friday, November 23 at around 4.30pm in Enfield, north London, as she walked home from school.

She was dragged into nearby Jubilee Park and raped in an ordeal that police said could have lasted as long as three hours.

The girl, who was wearing her school uniform returned home at around 8pm and was taken to hospital. She had to undergo surgery for injuries sustained in the attack.

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw said it was "a horrific and unusual attack of a defenceless schoolgirl".

She had been making her way home along her usual route, one of Enfield's busiest shortcuts, at the beginning of the Friday afternoon rush hour when she was grabbed.

Police have appealed for witnesses and Det Insp Ellershaw said: "Given the significant and unaccounted for amount of time between the incident and the victim's arrival home, we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen her possibly appearing confused or dishevelled following her ordeal. All calls will be treated in the utmost confidence."

Opemipo Jaji, 18, has been charged with rape and attempted rape and will appear at Enfield Magistrates' Court later.

Witnesses or anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the incident room on 0208 345 4326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Cheap Booze: Ministers To Reveal Curb Plans

By Thomas Moore, Health Correspondent

Cut-price alcohol deals could be banned as the Government prepares to outline proposals to curb binge drinking.

An end to bulk-buy discounts could also be on the cards as the Home Office launches a public consultation on the minimum price, thought to range from 40p to 50p per unit of alcohol.

At a unit price of 50p, the cheapest bottle of wine would rise in cost from around £3 to just under £5.

But Emily Robinson, of Alcohol Concern, said the "pocket-money prices" charged for booze have a long-term cost for the nation's health.

"Young people say it is cheaper to get drunk than go to the cinema," she said.

"So this is a measure that will target that group of people. It won't affect moderate drinkers much at all.

"And this is already costing us money. As taxpayers we are paying for the high costs in terms of policing, admissions to A&E and councils that have to clear up the mess."

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have studied the effect of setting a minimum price.

Charging at least 50p a unit would reduce the number of crimes by 42,500 in the first year.

David Cameron is thought to support a minimum price policy of 40p a unit

After 10 years the policy would have prevented 15,000 deaths and 481,000 hospital admissions.

And it would save £9.7bn in its first decade, the research shows.

But the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said there was no "real world" evidence that minimum pricing would work.

Spokesman Miles Beale said the measure was unfair.

"Minimum pricing is not targeted at all," he said. "The vast majority of us are responsible drinkers but it will apply to us nonetheless.

"If a minimum price of 50p was introduced then 74% of products on supermarket shelves would go up in price."

However, one of the 'big four' supermarkets has come out in support of minimum pricing.

Morrisons finance director Richard Pennycook told Sky's Jeff Randall Live: "The Government is doing something that everybody who sells alcohol has to comply with.

"That means we're all in the same boat and if they've taken the view that this is an important fiscal measure, one which is related to consumer health, then we are very supportive of it."

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'Fears For 5,000 Comet Jobs Before Christmas'

Comet's staff have been informed they could be made redundant before Christmas amid plans to close stores by December 18, according to reports.

If a buyer is not found for the embattled retailer - which called in the administrators earlier this month - some 5,000 jobs could go, The Sun said.

The paper also reported that a memo reveals Comet's distribution centre in Harlow, Essex, will close at the end of the week.

It comes as entrepreneur Clive Coombes prepares for talks with the administrator about buying 180 of Comet's stores, The Sun said.

But Deloitte said the "chances of an acceptable offer" from the business-turnaround specialist are slim, The Sun added.

The administrator told the newspaper it has to "begin taking the necessary steps to best realise the remaining stock and exit from all the remaining stores".

Deloitte told Sky News it would release an update on Comet this morning.

Since it was appointed to work for the electricals chain, some 1,500 jobs have already been axed.

It is continuing to search for a buyer for the business, but has so far failed to clinch a rescue deal.

Last week, the entrepreneur behind Appliances Online confirmed he had tabled a bid for Comet's web-based operations.

John Roberts said he had put in a "seven-figure offer" for Comet's website - although if accepted, the deal would see the business disappear from the UK's high streets.

Deloitte was not available for comment.

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Rail Fares To Rise Above Inflation Again

New Season Rail Ticket Prices

Updated: 1:08am UK, Wednesday 28 November 2012

According to Passenger Focus, these are examples of the new season ticket prices and fare percentage increases on 2012 that will take effect from January 2013:

:: Gillingham to London, £3,672 (4.2%)

:: Canterbury to London, £4,860 (5.9%)

:: Tonbridge to London, £3,796 (5.2%)

:: Guildford to London, £3,224 (4.3%)

:: Portsmouth to London, £4,668 (4.2%)

:: Bournemouth to London, £5,988 (4.2%)

:: Reading to London, £3,960 (4.2%)

:: Oxford to London, £4,532 (4.2%)

:: Hove to London (Victoria), £3,860 (4.1%)

:: Eastbourne to London (Victoria), £4,228 (4.1%)

:: Aylesbury to London, £3,632 (3.2%)

:: Colchester to London, £4,556 (4.1%)

:: Shenfield to London, £2,704 (-0.6%)

:: Huntingdon to London, £4,700 (4.2%)

:: Cambridge to London, £4,400 (3.8%)

:: Morpeth to Newcastle, £1,008 (5.0%)

:: Peterborough to London, £6,888 (4.2%)

:: North Berwick to Edinburgh, £1,604 (3.9%)

:: Ellesmere Port to Chester, £720 (2.3%)

:: Tain to Inverness, £1,204 (3.8%)

:: Stirling to Glasgow, £1,916 (3.9%)

:: Llanelli to Swansea, £624 (5.4%)

:: Bangor to Llandudno, £1,140 (5.2%)

:: Ludlow to Hereford, £1,992 (5.3%)

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Second Man Held After Girl, 11, Raped In Park

Detectives have arrested a second man on suspicion of raping an 11-year-old girl in a north London park.

The man, aged 18, was arrested in Edmonton and remains in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 26-year-old who was arrested earlier on Monday has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in late December.

The youngster is being treated in hospital after she was grabbed by a man on her way home from school on Friday afternoon.

She was dragged into Jubilee Park, in Enfield, before being raped near a pitch and putt course.

The girl, who had caught a bus from Enfield town to Bury Street, was snatched as she was walking along Galliards Road at around 4.15pm.

She eventually returned home after the attack at 7.45pm.

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a horrific and unusual attack of a defenceless schoolgirl making her way home via her usual route, along one of Enfield's busiest shortcuts, at the beginning of Friday afternoon rush hour.

"She says the attack happened for some considerable time - possibly in the region of two to three hours.

"At present an extensive search of the park is underway and local officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries, and we have already been receiving helpful information from members of the public.

"Given the significant and unaccounted amount of time between the incident and the victim's arrival home, we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen her possibly appearing confused or dishevelled following her ordeal. All calls will be treated in the utmost confidence."

Chief Inspector Taylor Wilson said: "Over the course of the weekend police have been working using every resource available to support the victim, identify the suspect and provide a police response to increase confidence and provide reassurance to residents.

"Although this is an isolated and extremely rare incident, we are treating this with the utmost seriousness."

Witnesses or anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the incident room on 0208 345 4326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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UKIP Member Says Gay Adoption Is 'Child Abuse'

A leading member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has called for a ban on gay people adopting.

Winston McKenzie, the culture spokesman for UKIP, said placing children with gay or lesbian couples was "child abuse".

The former boxer, who is standing in the Croydon North by-election on Thursday, told the Metro newspaper: "To say to a child, 'I am having you adopted by two men who kiss regularly but don't worry about it' - that is abuse.

"It is a violation of a child's human rights because that child has no opportunity to grow up under normal circumstances."

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights charity Stonewall, replied: "These 19th Century views are not acceptable in the 21st Century."

Mr McKenzie's comments come days after Rotherham Council removed three children from a South Yorkshire couple because of their membership of UKIP.

Social workers said they were concerned about the children's "cultural and ethnic needs".

The Labour-controlled local authority has launched an investigation into the move following criticism from across the political spectrum.

Council leader Roger Stone has offered no apology to the couple

UKIP leader Nigel Farage condemned it as "outrageous", while Education Secretary Michael Gove said the decision was "indefensible".

The unnamed husband and wife have said council leaders should consider resigning after they failed to apologise for their actions.

They told the Daily Telegraph they felt "slandered and besmirched" after social workers took the ethnic minority children away.

"They should be considering their position," the husband said.

"These are people on incredible salaries who are paid to make responsible decisions but they can't do it.

"It's completely baffling that they just can't put their hands up. They say this is a complex case but we don't agree. It's very simple."

In his statement on Monday, council leader Roger Stone said he had received an initial report from his officials on what he described as a "very complex case".

He said: "The Secretary of State for Education has asked for an inquiry relating to this case over the weekend. The council welcomes this. We will work very closely with and give full co-operation to the department."

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Weather: Britain Braced For More Flood Chaos

Rain-battered Britain is bracing itself for further flood chaos as the heavy rain that has brought misery to thousands of residents and motorists continues to fall across the UK.

The Environment Agency has 208 flood warnings and 277 flood alerts in place across England, Wales and Scotland.

Persistent rain hit water-logged communities through the night, increasing the risk of rivers flooding in some areas.

The torrential downpours spread from the South West to north Wales and northern England.

Denbigshire Council in north Wales has said that residents of 500 properties in the area have been asked to leave their homes.

At a housing estate in St Asaph, north Wales, 40 houses were flooded after the River Elwy burst its banks overnight.

According to the police the river has overflowed south of the town on to fields and evacuation of residents is still underway.

A flooded house, close to the River Trent in Willington, central England

Local residents have said they don't remember the area flooding since the 60s. Some were using a canoe to get possessions out of their home.

Vincent Jones was asked by rescue services to evacuate his home in the early hours of the morning.

"I had a knock at 12.30am to say there was an imminent flood, and then at 4.30 we were told to leave. When I left, within an hour the water had engulfed us.

"I put some personal possessions upstairs and made sure we took the children to safety. My sister in law on the other side of St Asaphhas taken the kids in.

"I'm absolutely devastated. I don't have insurance. It doesn't bear thinking about at the minute. My kids are safe, we'll just have to plod on and sort it out one way or another".

The Environment Agency say around 100 people could be affected in the town although some flood defences installed in the area, designed to cope with up to 4m of water, appear to be holding.

A man is driven in a digger to salvage a car in Hathern, Leicestershire

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson expressed sympathy with the residents in St Asaph residents but said most of the flood defences in the UK had held up well.

"We offer our sympathy's to all those affected. I did see that our flood schemes in the south west are protecting properties. 6,000 key properties were protected in Exeter despite a torrent of water. 15,000 properties in the country are being protected.

"We're spending £2.17bn on flood defences over this spending round. We've opened up new arrangement partnerships with local councils and these flood schemes provide real benefits.

"It's bitterly disappointing and awful for residences who feel safe behind defences which then fail. I can't comment on what's happened in St Asaph because I need to get the details of what's happened there.

"The vast majority of the schemes we've built are designed to withstand floods except under extraordinary circumstances".

But Mr Paterson added that the current system for insuring people against floods is flawed, after claims that hundreds of thousands of homes could be left without flood cover due to a row between ministers and the insurance industry over how future flooding bills would be covered.

A flooded playing field in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

He also criticised the way insurance companies have raised the issue.

"We're trying to come up with an improved system that gives affordable and universal insurance which isn't a huge burden on the tax payer.

"We've been involved in detailed negotiations with the Association of British Insurers, but it was unhelpful of them to throw this into the mix yesterday when people were still struggling to recover from the flooding".

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) had claimed that talks about a "safety net" deal to ensure those in flood-risk areas can continue to afford their policies were at "crisis point".

Graeme Trudgill from the British Insurers Brokers Association said the solution could lie in insurers themselves being insured.

"The insurance brokers we represent want to find a solution. It's a question of getting government and insurers to find the right balance.

"Flood mapping technology is so advanced now we can tell which properties are at risk of flooding and we can insure 98% of the properties in the UK. It's the top 200,000 properties that are very high risk.

"Specialist brokers can insure most of them but it's a case of those properties working with their broker and agreeing to things like air-brick covers on their properties so they're prepared if the worst happens.

"We're looking at a re-insurance solution to provide insurance for the insurance companies. We're confident that next year there will be some broker solutions in place.

Flood levels are continuing to rise in the worst hit areas across the UK despite the forecast of drier spells.

Sky's weather presenter Isobel Lang, said: "Drier weather is on the way. That is definitely welcome news after the exceptional rain of the last few days. However the flood risk will not go away.

"Some slow responding rivers such as the Severn, Trent and Thames will continue to rise over the next day or two leading to local flooding problems.

"Areas with high ground water could still experience flooding, and Dorset is a county at risk.  There is still a risk of river or surface water flooding across northeast England, north Wales and Northamptonshire, too".

Across the UK, three people have died in the flooding and around 900 homes have been evacuated following a weekend of almost non-stop rain.

There is still a risk of flooding, as the heavy rain in northern England and Wales moves southwards. But the wind and rain are expected to ease over the next few days which are expected to be drier, with freezing temperatures taking hold of the UK instead.

The EA remains particularly concerned about the River Thames, Trent and the Severn, as well as the Northamptonshire area.

The A417 at Maisemore has already flooded and is closed, while the River Severn at Tewkesbury is expected to peak at 4.8m - a metre less than its peak in 2007.

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Police Appeal After Girl, 11, Raped In Park

Detectives have made a fresh appeal for witnesses after a "brutal" sex attack on an 11-year-old girl.

The youngster is being treated in hospital after being grabbed by a man on her way home from school on Friday afternoon.

She was dragged in to Jubilee Park, in Enfield, north London, before being raped near a pitch and putt course.

The girl, who had caught a bus from Enfield town to Bury Street, was snatched as she was walking along Galliards Road at around 4.15pm.

She eventually returned home after the attack at 7.45pm.

The suspect is described as a black male with afro hair. He was wearing a dark grey top and black baggy jeans.

Detective Inspector Simon Ellershaw, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a brutal attack on an 11-year-old girl on her way home from school.

"I am appealing for the public's help in catching the person responsible.

"We are interested in speaking to anyone who was in the Jubilee Park area between 4.15pm and 7.45pm on Friday evening, and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously or anyone following a girl in school uniform."

Witnesses or anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the incident room on 0208 345 4326 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Brit Killed In South Africa Farm Robbery

A British man who went to South Africa to run a nature reserve has been killed in a robbery at his farm, police say.

More follows...

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NI Police Murder: Search Widens To Cumbria

Detectives investigating the dissident republican murder of policeman Ronan Kerr are carrying out searches in Northern Ireland and north west England.

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and officers in Cumbria Constabulary and the north west counter terrorism unit are conducting the operation, a PSNI spokeswoman said.

Catholic new recruit Constable Kerr, 25, was killed in an under-car bomb attack by dissident republicans at his home in Omagh, Co Tyrone, in April last year.

The Northern Ireland searches are in the Omagh area, and those in England are in Cumbria.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "The search activity is in connection with the wider investigation into the murder of PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr in April 2011 and linked incidents."

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Butlins Balcony Plunge Kills Man

A 23-year-old man has died after falling from a hotel balcony at the Butlins holiday resort in Bognor Regis.

Police and ambulance crews arrived at the West Sussex complex in the early hours of Saturday morning after receiving reports of the fall.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene.

The man has been identified as Timothy Wall, of St Leonards, Dorset.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The death is being treated as unexplained but it is not being considered as suspicious."

A post-mortem will now take place.

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New Law To Tackle Stalkers Comes Into Effect

By Jane Chilton, Scotland Correspondent

Campaigners are celebrating today after new anti-stalking legislation finally becomes law in England and Wales.

It is already illegal to stalk a person in Scotland, with the Scottish legal system changing in 2010, but it has taken until now for the laws to be introduced in England and Wales.

Campaigners claim the laws are now "harmonious" throughout the UK.

In England and Wales, it is estimated that 120,000 victims, mostly women, are stalked each year but only 53,000 are recorded as crimes by police and only one in 50 of those actually lead to an offender being jailed.

As there have been no anti-stalking laws in England and Wales until today, abusers were often charged with the less serious offence of harassment. This resulted in more lenient sentences of 12 months or less in prison, and many being granted community orders.

Since the law changed in Scotland the effect of tougher anti-stalking legislation is clear. Before the changes only 70 offenders were prosecuted over 10 years, but since 2010 the figure has soared to 443.

Ann Moulds, from Ayr, was stalked for almost three years by a man she thought was her friend.

When he heard about her stalker, he even offered her support and even offered to stay in her home to help protect her and make her feel safe in her home. All the time he was her stalker, bombarding her with sexually explicit texts, messages and phone calls.

Ann told Sky News: "I ended up where my home became a prison. I was terrified to go out, I kept the curtains closed, I even stopped putting on the television or playing music so I could listen if there were any sounds outside.

In Scotland, 443 stalkers have been successfully prosecuted since 2010

"I just couldn't see a future, I couldn't see an end to it all. I lost my friends, I lost lots of weight and I lost my hair."

"So when I discovered that my supportive friend was this crazy man who was stalking me it was total shock, disbelief, absolute betrayal and it took me a long, long time to understand how that kind of mind can work."

Ann's stalker was eventually prosecuted and Ann decided to campaign for a change in the law in Scotland. She founded Action Scotland Against Stalking and was instrumental in bringing in the anti-stalking legislation.

Now she is extending her campaign to the European Parliament, which is now looking at making anti-stalking laws compulsory throughout all European states.

While praising the changes coming in today in England and Wales, Ann said: " It's about harmonising stalking laws so abusers can't commit offences in one country then hide behind a lack of legislation in other countries.

"The campaign has lifted the lid off stalking and that helps the police, judges and the courts in dealing with abusers seriously. One in five men and women will become a victim of stalking in some form or another. We are not looking at a small problem."

Stalking is a growing problem, especially through social networking sites. Cyber stalkers falsely believe they have greater anonymity - but protection rights are tightening up.

Digital stalking expert Jennifer Perry told Sky News: "The more prosecutions we hand out, the more people that are harassing individuals will hopefully think twice about it."

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Wild Weather: Falling Tree Kills Woman

A woman has been killed by a falling tree in Exeter, Devon, after authorities warned of "serious threats to life and property" from flooding in the South West.

The 21-year-old woman was trapped by the fallen tree about 11:50pm on Saturday night near the junction of Western Way and Barnfield Road in Exeter.

Police said the tree fell across a wall and on to the roadway, injuring the woman and two men.

The men were treated at the scene, while the woman was taken to hospital, where she later died.

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the deceased woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down," he said.

The site of a fallen tree in Exeter, where a 21-year-old woman died

"It's taken a wall with it when it came down, and then on top of that the tent was underneath and the tree has fallen on to the tent.

"There are two males involved with minor injuries and obviously a poor lady of 21 who received fatal injuries at the time."

The Environment Agency has issued two severe flood warnings, which means serious threats to life and property, in the South West.

There are 220 flood warnings in place across the country, mainly in the South West and the Midlands, and 251 less serious flood alerts.

Roads have been closed across the region because of flooding and debris, the M5 was shut between junction 25 and 26.

Rising floodwaters in Millbrook, Cornwall (Pic: Matt Skinner)

In Devon 60 people were evacuated from 12 locations because of safety concerns, while in Cornwall 80 properties had been hit by flooding.

Emergency teams have been working to shore up defences, deploy temporary barriers, monitor river levels, clear blockages from watercourses and pump-out flood water from towns.

Richard Benyon, the Environment Minister, said: "We recognise that while somewhere over 400 homes have been flooded, we have actually managed to protect over 24,000 homes by recently constructed flood defences, and so that is, if you like, the silver lining to this cloud."

Sky News' David Crabtree said the worst of the rain in the South West had passed and that there would be 12 hours respite for residents there. However, he added, the bad weather would return.

But Devon and Cornwall Police have warned people not to go to flood affected areas. Sergeant Gary Watts tweeted: "Severe means risk to life. Please pay heed!"

"Flash flooding can take you by surprise and kill. If you have to be out don't take risks."

Network Rail said trains were likely to be suspended between Exeter and Bristol until Monday. Landslips at Honiton and Dawlish have led to the cancellation of a number of train services.

Floodwaters surge through Penzance, Cornwall

The rest of Britain is also bracing itself for more flooding and travel disruption, with forecasters predicting further heavy downpours.

Jo Wheeler, Sky News Weather Presenter, said: "The low pressure system that brought flooding rain across the country last night, will slowly clear north-eastwards through the day. 

"The heaviest hit areas of Devon and Cornwall received over two inches of rain in some places.  But the heaviest rain has now moved north, and there'll be a period of some hours before further wet weather is likely.

"Meanwhile, the storm system has taken the wettest weather into central , eastern and northern parts of England. 

"And the strongest winds are to the south and east of the system, with gale force gusts for eastern England, East Anglia and the south-east.  These blustery conditions will also abate as the low pressure system clears away into the North Sea."

Flooding in Newlyn, Cornwall (Pic: Adam Gibbard)

In Warwickshire, police reported that three people who had decided to go off road driving in the bad weather had become stranded and were stuck of the roof of their vehicle shouting abuse at rescue teams.

In North Yorkshire flooding has caused the closure of major roads including the A66, between the A1 and A67.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted: "Please take care when travelling in North Yorkshire. There is lots of standing water on many roads. Reduce your speed."

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