Nine Hundred Pigs Killed In Dorset Farm Fire

Up to 900 pigs have died in a major fire which ripped through a piggery at a farm.

Firefighters fought a blaze for up to three hours after being called to Seaborough Manor, near Beaminster, Dorset.

A total of 50 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the fire which swept through the 330ft long piggery, destroying it.

An investigation into the cause is under way.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze in the roof of the piggery was reported at 6.30am on Friday.

She said: "There was an asbestos roof involved in the fire with no affect to any other properties.

"Crews were at work protecting adjacent piggeries and property."

She added: "There was 100% severe damage to the piggery and sadly approximately 900 pigs lost their lives in the fire."

The blaze is the second in less than a year to hit a Dorset farm piggery and kill large numbers of livestock.

A total of 180 piglets and 18 sows died at Corton Farm in Friar Waddon, Weymouth, when fire engulfed a farming unit in May last year.

The large farrowing unit suffered severe fire damage and none of the pigs survived.

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Lord Carey Attacks David Cameron On Religion

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister David Cameron.

In an article for the Daily Mail, Lord Carey says many Christians doubt the PM's "sincerity" when he pledges to protect their religious freedoms and accuses ministers of "aiding and abetting" discrimination against believers.

He points to Government plans to legalise gay marriage as evidence of an "aggressive secularist and relativist approach" and argues that Mr Cameron has fed Christian "anxieties" more than "any other recent political leader".

Lord Carey also says a new poll suggesting that more than two-thirds of Christians feel they are now part of a "persecuted minority" shows the Government must do more to demonstrate its commitment to stand up for faith.

The ComRes poll commissioned by the Coalition for Marriage also found more than half of Christians who backed the Conservatives in 2010 say they will "definitely not" vote for the party in 2015.

Lord Carey expresses alarm about Labour MP Chris Bryant's campaign to turn the 700-year-old Parliamentary chapel of St Mary Undercroft into a multi-faith prayer room so that gay couples can get married there.

Lord Carey slammed Chris Bryant's campaign for gay marriages in Parliament

But he also directly calls into question the Prime Minister's actions, saying: "I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully.

"But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders that they should 'stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation' when it seems that his Government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way.

"At his pre-Easter Downing Street reception for faith leaders, he said that he supported Christians' right to practise their faith. Yet many Christians doubt his sincerity.

"According to a new ComRes poll more than two thirds of Christians feel that they are part of a 'persecuted minority'. Their fears may be exaggerated because few in the UK are actually persecuted, but the Prime Minister has done more than any other recent political leader to feed these anxieties.

"He seems to have forgotten in spite of his oft-repeated support for the right of Christians to wear the cross, that lawyers acting for the coalition argued only months ago in the Strasbourg court that those sacked for wearing a cross against their employer's wishes should simply get another job."

The new poll suggests continuing resentment over legalising same-sex unions, even though there is special protection for the Church of England in the law, and Lord Carey's successor Justin Welby has softened the Church's stance on the issue.

Two thirds of those polled said they believed allowing same sex unions was an attempt to make the Conservative Party look trendy.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has vowed to protect religion

The poll comes after a series of controversial cases between Christians and employers over their rights to express their faith in the workplace.

Recent cases include Adrian Smith, a Trafford housing manager who says he was demoted and had his pay docked 40% after questioning the Government's plans for same sex marriage and Reverend Brian Ross who was sacked as the Chaplain of Strathclyde Police, apparently because his support for traditional marriage did not fit with the force's equality and diversity policies.

In another case, graphic designer Jamie Haxby is suing a hotel after claiming he was turned down for a job because he is a Christian.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles insists that unlike New Labour 'we do do God' and has agreed freedom of religion has been undermined.

He has vowed to change the law if necessary to stop people being taken to task for wearing a cross or a rosary, and says council should not try to ban prayers before meetings.

But the march of secularism means Britain will no longer be a Christian country within just 20 years, according to official research by the House of Commons library.

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NHS Drug Plea For Child With Blood Disorder

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Correspondent

The parents of a two-year-old girl with a rare blood disorder fear she faces a "lifetime of hospital visits and dialysis" unless the NHS funds an expensive new drug.

One day in every fortnight, Indie Smith is treated at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital for atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (aHUS), a condition shared by only 140 others in the UK.

It causes abnormalities in the immune system that can lead to the development of blood clots in the filters of the kidney. It is incurable and can lead to fatal kidney failure.

She is treated with a drug called eculizumab, which has been given the brand name Soliris by its developers, US based Alexion Pharmaceuticals, and this allows her to live a relatively normal life.

Indie currently has her treatment provided by Alexion as part of a trial that ends in October.

Her problem is that the NHS will not continue to fund her treatment, at a cost of £250,000 a year, despite a Government advisory body recommending the drug be commissioned nationally.

The study by the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS), took two years, and concluded that: "Eculizumab would help save lives and improve the quality of life for children and adults with aHUS."

But the Department of Health has now referred consideration of the use of eculizumab to the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Indie would need plasma therapy without the drug

Those with the condition, and their families, now fear another long wait for NICE to complete their research, with no guarantee that they will agree with AGNSS about the drugs benefits.

Without the drug, Indie, who has three older brothers, would need plasma therapy for four or five hours a day, five or six days a week.

"It's not right," said Indie's father Gavin. "It shouldn't be about the money. This Government can find money. It can't be about the money, you've got to give her a future."

Indie's mother Clare said: "It's horrible. We shouldn't have to be doing this. We shouldn't be worrying that my daughter is going to be confined to a hospital bed because we can't afford to give her the drug that allows her to be a normal little girl.

"Without it, it'll mean a lifetime of hospital visits and dialysis."

The Department of Health told Sky News: "We understand this news will be disappointing for patients who suffer from atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome, but we need to make sure NHS resources are being used wisely.

"We have asked NICE to further explore eculizumab's suitability for national commissioning and provide guidance to the NHS."

The Smiths are already planning for the worst - and end of the trial treatment, with no NHS funding to continue it - by fundraising and campaigning.

They have a website and have already visited Downing Street to ask for the Prime Minister to intervene and overturn the Department of Health's decision.

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Leeds Hospital Halts Children's Heart Surgery

All children's congenital heart surgery has been suspended at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) with immediate effect.

The temporary suspension follows a number of claims, including some relating to the number of patient deaths, and concerns about surgery standards.

The decision was taken by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust after discussions with the NHS Commissioning Board and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

In light of the talks, Maggie Boyle, the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said it has agreed to carry out an internal review, independently validated and supported by external experts.

"This will look at all aspects of congenital cardiac surgery for children undertaken at the unit in Leeds.

"We have taken the decision to temporarily pause children's congenital cardiac surgery and associated interventions while this review is conducted, a process we would aim to complete in around three weeks."

Acute cardiac surgery will continue.

Sky News Correspondent Gerard Tubb described the suspension of congenital cardiac surgery (to correct heart defects from birth) as "a very serious turn of events".

"It will be enormously distressing news for families expecting to have surgery carried out there," he added.

Shortly after the announcement was made, one mother posted on Facebook: "My son is due for an operation on 18 April. I feel sick at the thought of it not happening."

Ms Boyle said: "We apologise to parents and families who will be affected during this time, and can assure them we always put the safety of our patients first.

"Families whose surgery may be affected during this time are being contacted directly by the trust."

NHS England said the suspension was for checks to be made to ensure the unit is operating safely.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will decide LGI's fate

Sir Bruce Keogh, the medical director of NHS England, said: "The trust has taken a highly responsible precautionary step.

"Some questions have been raised by the trust's own mortality data and by other information.

"It is important to understand that while this information raises questions, it does not give us answers.

"But it is absolutely right not to take any risks while these matters are being looked into. The priority must be the safety of children."

The CQC said it is "monitoring the situation extremely closely and will not hesitate to take regulatory action if we believe this is required".

The move came only a day after a High Court judge quashed a decision to stop children's heart surgery at the hospital on the ground the consultation process was unfair and legally flawed.

The unit was earmarked for closure as part of an NHS plan to re-organise services across England into fewer, more specialised centres.

Were it to be shut down children would have to be treated at hospitals in Liverpool and Newcastle instead. Its future now lies in the hands of the Health Secretary.

In the meantime, there have been a number of claims that surgeons at LGI have been avoiding referring children to the heart unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle - which would be spared if the original NHS re-organisation plan continues.

The allegations have been strenuously denied by the Leeds Trust.

Following the decision to suspend congenital heart surgery at LGI, Sharon Cheng, from Save Our Surgery - the group which is co-ordinating the fight to keep children's heart surgery in Leeds - said: "We're mystified. We don't know of anything that could justify this step."

The decision to sacrifice the unit in Leeds was taken in July by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) when it chose seven specialist centres for the future delivery of paediatric cardiac surgery in England.

These were at Great Ormond Street and the Evelina Children's Hospital in London, Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Alder Hey in Liverpool, the Royal Children's Hospital in Bristol and Southampton General.

The controversial decision, if it stands, will mean the closure of the children's heart units at LGI as well as Glenfield Hospital in Leicester and London's Royal Brompton.

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Two Dead In Car Crash After Police Pursuit

Two men have died in a car crash during a police pursuit in Haringey, London.

The men died early this morning after the Audi car they were in collided with a bridge on Seven Sisters Road near to the junction with St Ann's Road.

The 30-year-old driver of the Audi tried to make off from the scene on foot, police said.

But he was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.

He has been taken to hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be serious.

Police say that officers on routine patrol at around 2am became suspicious of a car that appeared to make off at speed when passed in the opposite direction.

After several minutes searching for the Audi, the officers sighted it several hundred metres away and they sought to catch up, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

"The Audi was driven through a red light and a short time later it clipped a white van and subsequently collided with a bridge," the spokesman said.

Two male passengers in the Audi, both believed to be aged in their late 20s or early 30s, were seriously injured.

Officers gave CPR prior to the arrival of ambulances, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Enquiries continue to establish the identity of the two men.

Traffic officers are investigating. Officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards have been informed.

Local road closures are in place

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Girl Found Abandoned In Pram In Carlisle

Police are appealing for help in tracing the parents of a young child who was found abandoned in a pram in Carlisle.

The little girl was discovered after police were called to a disturbance in Warwick Road at around 11pm on Thursday.

They were contacted by the inhabitants of a house who told them their doorbell had been rung repeatedly.

When officers arrived they found the pram with the girl, believed to around three years old, inside.

There was no trace of her parents, who are being urged to contact detectives immediately.

The child, who has been taken into temporary care, is said to be well.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101.

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Prince William In New RAF Rescue TV Series

A new TV series has been given rare access to Prince William in his day job as a search and rescue pilot.

Helicopter Rescue is the first programme to show Flight Lieutenant Wales's working life in the RAF.

The BBC Wales production was given exclusive access to crews at RAF Valley on Anglesey where the prince is based and RMB Chivenor in Devon.

In one of the rescues in the programme, the 30-year-old is the Sea King's captain as the crew is called to an old slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

William and Kate's baby is due in July

A local boy had fallen dangerously off an old railway bridge onto rocks.

William describes his role once the call comes in: "As captain you're trying to play out the entire rescue, the transit to the rescue and back again in your mind, and pick up any circumstances or problems you can foresee, and try and fix them on the ground before you get airborne."

Last year, the two RAF search and rescue bases covering Wales were scrambled 566 times, making them the busiest in Britain, with more than 470 people being rescued.

Reflecting on the pressures of the Search and Rescue Force's work, Flt Lt Wales admits that their role is also a source of immense pride: "There's no greater feeling than when you've actually done some good and saved someone's life.

"I don't think there's any greater calling in life ... to be able to see a son or daughter's face when you bring their mother or father back from the edge of death - it's quite powerful."

The royal's future at RAF Valley is unclear after confirmation this week that the service is being privatised. His current tour of duty is due to end this September.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child is due in July.

The programme will be aired on April 8.

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Snow: Fed Up Brits Head For Sunnier Climes

Some 1.7 million British holidaymakers are expected to head overseas for the Easter weekend, with Spain, Egypt and Tunisia the most popular destinations.

As the UK suffers one of the coldest Easters on record, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) says there have been substantial year-on-year increases in last minute bookings to warm destinations.

Meanwhile, as many in the UK are looking to escape the snow, skiers are delighting in one of the best European snowfalls in years.

Many ski resorts have extended their seasons and tens of thousands are expected to head for the slopes, with resorts in France and Austria the top choices.

Foreign city breaks are also traditionally popular at Easter with Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, Rome and New York the top five choices. 

Some 600,000 passengers are expected to fly out of Heathrow this Easter

Bookings for UK breaks are reportedly healthy as many customers booked months in advance and city breaks are not so dependent on the weather.

But last-minute bookings for camping holidays will have been adversely affected by the snow.

Neil Evans, who runs a kiosk in Weston-super-Mare, said: "Unfortunately, without the sun we would expect our sales to be right down on last year when it was that much hotter.

Regional airports and ferry terminals are expected to be busier than usual

"It's the start of our season so this is the time when we really need it, basically. This is when we get our surge and need to bring our stocks in - and without the customers down here unfortunately that's going to be delayed a little bit longer."

Airports are expecting significant passenger numbers with 600,000 anticipated to leave from Heathrow, 214,000 from Gatwick, 110,000 from Stansted and 55,000 from Luton.

Other regional airports, ferry terminals and the channel tunnel will also be extremely busy over the weekend. Eurostar expects tens of thousands of travellers to leave the UK on its trains.

Heavy snow in parts of the UK has encouraged many to book holidays abroad

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "After two wet summers and no end in sight to the winter many Brits are desperate for some sunshine.

"We've seen a surge in last-minute bookings to warm destinations and ski lovers are also in for a treat with some of the best snow conditions seen for years.

"Bookings for city breaks have been strong for domestic holidaymakers. We expect it to be a particularly busy Easter for travel and advice travellers to allow plenty of time for their journeys."

The freezing weather in the UK is expected to last until after the Easter weekend.

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House Explodes Leaving Two In Hospital

Two pensioners have been taken to hospital after a gas blast flattened their home and prompted the evacuation of neighbouring homes.

Police said the home had been "totally demolished" by the blast and a 74-year-old woman and 77-year-old man had been taken to hospital.

Nine houses around the scene of the explosion in Murdiston Avenue, Callander, in central Scotland, had to be evacuated and the council has set up a rest centre in the town for those who have been asked to leave their homes.

Chief Inspector Russell Penman, of Central Scotland Police, said: "The house has been totally demolished as a result of the explosion.

"We are treating this as a suspected gas leak and inquiries are at a very early stage to establish the cause. Scotland Gas Networks are in attendance and working with us."

Emergency services were called at around 6am.

The couple were taken to Forth Valley Royal Infirmary. Their conditions are not known.

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Dog Attack: Tributes To Jade Lomas-Anderson

Tributes have been paid to a 14-year-old girl who is thought to have been killed by a pack of "aggressive and out-of-control" dogs.

Jade Lomas-Anderson's body was discovered with wounds consistent with a dog attack at a house shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, following reports she was unconscious.

It is thought the teenager was visiting the property in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, near Wigan, and was alone with the four dogs - two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers.

Jade was described as "shy" by friends (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

The animals were later shot by police marksmen and a fifth was contained.

A post-mortem examination was due to take place on Tuesday night. The dogs' remains will also be examined as part of the investigation, police said.

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said: "Officers attended and found the body of a 14-year-old girl.

Two of the dogs were Staffordshire bull terriers similar to this one

"They were confronted by a number of dogs that were aggressive and out-of-control."

Superintendent Mark Kenny said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life. Specialist officers are offering them every support.

"While our inquiries to find out what happened are ongoing, this girl's injuries are consistent with her having been attacked by dogs.

"I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned, including the community, and we will work hard to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy."

Friends paid tribute to the "quiet" and "timid" teenager, who is thought to have returned to the property from the shops with a meat pie when she was attacked.

A policeman stands guard outside the house in Atherton, near Wigan

Flowers were laid at the backyard where Jade was attacked. A sign on the gate read: "Beware of the Dog."

Norman Bradbury, an local councillor told Sky News the whole community was in shock.

"We need to establish what occurred with this horrible incident and how it an be avoided in future but we have to wait for the police to investigate what happened, how Jade died and the circumstances."

Locals said Jade was visiting the property to see a friend, Kimberley Concannon, 16, who lives there with her twin Catrina and mother Beverley Concannon.

It is believed Jade was attacked by four dogs (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

Youngsters who knew Jade said they had spoken to Kimberley's twin sister, Catrina, who was not at the property when the dog attack happened.

One 15-year-old said of Jade: "She goes to my school in the year below.

"She's shy, quite timid, if you didn't know her you wouldn't recognise her around and about. It's horrible what's happened.

"She picks her little sister up Sienna from school, every day and walks past my house.

"She had a pie in her hand and has gone to bite it, she moved the pie and the dog's gone for her throat and then they have all gone for her."

Another friend said the dogs at the house were large and aggressive animals.

Jade had reportedly gone to visit a friend (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

"Every time you walk past the house they would be barking and barking and going mad," she said. "You would jump out of your skin."

Jade was a pupil at Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, which closed for the Easter break last Friday.

A message on the school's Twitter feed said: "This afternoon we sadly lost one of our students, Jade Anderson. Our thoughts are with her parents and family."

More than 4,500 people joined a Facebook group created to pay tribute to Jade, including the aunt of a four-year-old boy who was killed by a banned breed of dog.

John-Paul Massey died at his grandmother's house in Liverpool after suffering "massive injuries" inflicted by a pitbull.

Tricia Massey wrote on Jade's page: "Such a tragic thing to happen. I know what your poor family must be going through and how they are feeling, I lost my four-year-old nephew three years ago.

"He was killed by a dangerous dog in Liverpool. Something needs to be done about these aggressive animals.

"Sleep tight Jade, I'm sure my John-Paul will look after you."

Natasha Hunt posted: "RIP my beautiful baby girl! Don't know what I'm going do without you!

"Love you loads, you will never be forgotten, you will always be in my heart."

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Energy Bill Rises 'Cut By Efficiency Schemes'

A new report claims government policies that promote home insulation and the installation of more efficient boilers are reducing increases in gas and electricity bills.

Savings generated from energy efficiency policies are already having an impact and will increase over the next decade, the report from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has said.

Household dual fuel bills are estimated to be on average 5%, or £64, lower now than they would be without these policies, it adds.

By 2020, average household energy bills will have risen by 6% in real terms but will be 11% or £166 lower than without the policies.

Nearly half of the average household dual fuel energy bill, £598, is made up of fossil fuel prices, with the second largest cost attributed to networks costs or transport or distribution of energy.

The report showed 85% of the rise in household bills between 2010 and 2012 was from wholesale energy costs and network costs.

Household energy consumption has been on a downward trend since 2005 partly because of the energy efficiency measures.

The freezing weather has raised concerns about gas supplies

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: "Global gas price hikes are squeezing households. They are beyond any Government's control and, by all serious predictions, are likely to continue rising.

"We are doing all we can to offset these global energy price rises, and while we have more to do, this new study shows our policies are putting a cushion between global prices and the bills we all pay."

Steve Radley, policy director at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, said: "This is a  wake-up call. Policies are already adding 30% to business electricity prices, and this will rise to 50% by 2020 and 70% by 2030.

"Measures to shield the most energy-intensive industries from a portion of the costs will make a difference but, unless we get a grip on spiralling policy costs, steeply rising electricity prices for the rest of the sector risk making the UK an increasingly unattractive location for industrial investment and undermining efforts to rebalance the economy."

Caroline Flint, shadow energy and climate change secretary, said: "The Government's underhand attempt to mask the real impact of its policies on families' energy bills is shameful. At a time when hard-pressed families and pensioners are seeing their incomes squeezed, only this out-of-touch Government could expect people to fork out thousands of pounds on new TVs, fridge freezers and washing machines.

"Instead of cooking the books to trick people into thinking their energy bills will be lower, ministers should get behind Labour's plans to overhaul the energy market and deliver fair prices for the public."

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Summer Warning: UK Beach Water Quality Worse

Britons have been warned that when warm weather finally arrives, fewer beaches will have a clean bill of health than in 2012.

Last year's washout summer has hit bathing spots around the UK, with a rise in the number of beaches failing to meet even minimum standards for water quality.

There has also been a huge fall in the number of beaches recommended for bathing in the latest Good Beach Guide, thanks to heavy rain and flood waters washing pollution from towns, farms and sewers down to the sea.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which publishes the guide, warned swimmers could become ill if they bath in polluted water.

A total of 42 beaches failed to meet the minimum EU levels expected for bathing water in testing last year, a rise of 17 on 2011's figures, according to the guide.

Sandy Porthminster beach in St Ives, Cornwall is recommended by the MCS

Only 403 of the 754 UK beaches assessed were awarded the top "recommended" award for their water quality in 2012, 113 fewer than in the previous year.

The MCS says the fall in water quality was down to one of the wettest summers on record last year.

The rain and flooding led to an increase in bacteria and viruses in bathing water, coming from a variety of sources including agricultural and urban run-off, storm waters, plumbing mis-connections and dog waste.

The pollution can give bathers ear, nose and throat infections and even gastroenteritis, the MCS warned.

The organisation said there was an urgent need for improved monitoring of overflow pipes which can discharge raw sewage into rivers and the sea when heavy rain overloads the system with water from street drains.

Raw sewage overflows can affect both rivers and coastal beaches

Action was also needed to reduce pollution from farms and urban areas, ahead of tougher EU rules on water quality coming in from 2015.

MCS coastal pollution officer Rachel Wyatt said: "We have recommended fewer beaches in every English region and in Wales and Scotland.

"In England, the North West and South West were particularly badly hit with the fewest number of recommended beaches for at least a decade.

"Action must be taken now. With stricter bathing water standards from 2015 and summers that appear to be getting wetter, the iconic image of people bathing off golden beaches could be at serious risk.

"There is no simple solution to sewage and animal waste reaching our seas. However, if the water industry, communities and local authorities recognise that there is a problem and begin to work together to find answers that would be a significant start."

The guide says Blackpool has poor water quality

The situation is a turnaround from the previous grading, when a record number of beaches were given the top "recommended" award for their water quality.

The South West saw a number of its previously recommended beaches fail last year, including Plymouth Hoe East and West, Shaldon and Exmouth in Devon, East Looe and Bude Summerleaze in Cornwall and Charmouth West in Dorset.

In the North West, just three beaches are recommended for excellent water quality in the new guide, with popular beaches at Blackpool North and South failing to meet even the basic mandatory standards.

But Blackpool central and nearby St Anne's and St Anne's North beaches improved their water quality to reach the mandatory standard last year.

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Snow: Fifth Day Without Power For Thousands

Costs Rise As Lambs Brought Indoors

Updated: 11:46pm UK, Monday 25 March 2013

By Frazer Maude, North of England Correspondent

The Dean family have been farming in the Yorkshire Dales village of Threshfield since 1236.

Toft House Farm will have seen some harsh winters through the centuries, but weather like this in late March won't have happened too often.

Angus Dean runs the farm with his brother, and during lambing season his day starts at around 5.30am. It doesn't end until past midnight.

With almost 1,000 sheep to care for, this is one of the toughest, but most rewarding, times of year.

The rewards are plain to see. He's gentle with his animals, and still can't hide the smile on his face as he delivers triplets to one sheep in its straw lined barn.

Ordinarily though, these lambs would enter the world in a field, not a barn. Their mother would be eating fresh grass, not expensive feed (called cake).

Drifting snow, biting winds, and sub-zero temperatures, mean the three new arrivals would struggle to last even a few hours outside.

"Even in the fields which aren't totally covered in snow aren't usable at the moment," explains Mr Dean.

"Because the sheep need the shelter provided by the dry stone walls. Only there isn't any shelter, because the walls are where the drifts have collected."

That means all but 70 of the flock have been brought indoors to lamb. Those that are still outside are ewes that are only going to have a single lamb, and so won't be giving birth for another couple of weeks.

If the weather doesn't break before then, they'll be brought inside too.

"Having the sheep inside might seem easier," said Mr Dean.

"But it can lead to confusion between the sheep over whose lambs are whose. So we have to move them around into different pens to keep them separated. And of course the feed costs are massively increased."

But even though his sheep are costing much more to feed than if they were eating grass (the cake costs around £250 per tonne), at least Toft House Farm is accessible at the moment to have the feed brought in.

Others aren't so lucky. Rachael Gillbanks from the NFU says: "I've spoken to some farmers in the Dales who are worried that their feed stocks are running dangerously low, and they can't get any more delivered because the farm roads aren't accessible for the delivery trucks. Several are almost running out of cake and hay."

The good news for Angus is that this has been a good year for the lambs. The quantity and quality of the offspring from his mixed flock of Texels, Mules, Swaledales and Leicester Blues has been high, and prices at the moment are reasonably good.

But with hundreds of sheep yet to give birth, and with space in the sheep sheds at a premium, for Angus, and his neighbours, the thaw can't come soon enough.

But like all Dalesfolk, Mr Dean and his brother are nothing if not resilient. And tough though it is at the moment, a farm that could bounce back after losing the entire flock to the devastation of foot and mouth, will surely survive this

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Mobile Phone 'Steaming' Thieves Are Jailed

A gang of youths who stole mobile phones and tablets worth £150,000 by "steaming" high street stores in broad daylight have been jailed.

The group of males, aged 15 to 22-years-old, raided 42 Carphone Warehouse stores in London and surrounding areas over a six-month period.

Jahreau Shepherd, Perry Hedges (top) and Emmanuel Kakala and Ugo Wilson

CCTV footage showed shoppers and members of staff being caught in the violence as gang members wrenched stock from display stands.

In one clip a frightened mother is shown rushing to pick up her son before he is caught up in the gang's dash for the exit.

The youths caused over £50,000 worth of damage between July and December last year.

They typically operated in a large group, travelling together to the shop they planned to steal from.

They were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit burglary.

Detective Inspector Mark Loving, from the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU), said: "This case should act as a warning to anyone involved in this type of activity that the Met and NMPCU will robustly and swiftly deal with those who use intimidation to fulfil their greed."

The gang smashing up one shop

Jahreau Shepherd, 22, of Orsett Street, Lambeth and 21-year-old Ugo Wilson, of Aviation Drive, Barnet, were jailed for four years and 27 months respectively.

Perry Hedges, 18, of Howard Road, Kingston, was sentenced to 26 months' detention in a young offenders' institution.

Emmanuel Kakala, 18, of Cargreen Road, Croydon was given a suspended 18-month prison sentence and ordered to do 80 hours of community service, while 20-year-old Samuel Warnes, of Egleston Road, Merton, received a suspended 12-month prison sentence and one year's supervision.

Three boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, were all sentenced to detention and training for 10, 18 and 12 months respectively.

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Nurses To Spend A Year Learning Hands-On Care

Student nurses will have to give "hands-on" patient care as healthcare assistants for up to a year before they can become a nurse, the Health Secretary will announce today.

It is hoped the move will "give the public confidence" that people in the profession can be compassionate.

Jeremy Hunt will publish the Government's response to the Francis report into serious failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which highlighted "appalling and unnecessary suffering of hundreds of people" at Stafford Hospital between 2005 and 2009.

As many as 1,200 patients may have died needlessly after they were "routinely neglected" at the hospital.

Many were left lying in their own urine and excrement for days, forced to drink water from vases or given the wrong medication.

Robert Francis QC, chairman of the public inquiry into the "disaster" at the hospital, made 290 sweeping recommendations for healthcare regulators, providers and the Government.

Mr Francis concluded there was a "completely inadequate standard of nursing" offered on some wards at Stafford Hospital.

Hundreds of people may have died needlessly at Stafford Hospital

His report says: "The complaints heard at both the first inquiry and this one testified not only to inadequate staffing levels, but poor leadership, recruitment and training.

"This led in turn to a declining professionalism and a tolerance of poor standards."

Mr Francis called for an increased culture of compassion and caring in the nursing profession.

Mr Hunt hopes to change the culture by transforming the way nurses are recruited.

Subject to pilot schemes, students seeking NHS funding for nursing degrees will become healthcare assistants or support workers either as part of their degree or as a prerequisite for receiving funding for their degree.

The move will see aspiring nurses giving "hands-on" patient care, Mr Hunt will say.

If it is successful, ministers will see whether the measure should be "extended beyond nursing".

Another aspect of the Government response will see the introduction of minimum training standards and a code of conduct for health and care support workers.

"Frontline, hands-on caring experience and values need to be equal with academic training," Mr Hunt will say.

"These measures are about recruiting all staff with the right values and giving them the training they need to do their job properly, so that patients are treated with compassion."

Labour has urged the Government to take on all 290 of the recommendations made by Mr Francis.

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Immigration: Cameron Says No Job, No Benefits

Tough new measures to curb immigrants' access to housing and benefits will be unveiled later by David Cameron.

The Prime Minister will use a keynote speech to warn those coming to Britain that it will no longer be a "soft touch".

Mr Cameron is the latest party leader after Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg to address immigration, which is a top concern for voters.

In moves to tackle the "something-for-nothing" welfare culture, arrivals from the European Union face being stripped of jobseekers' benefits.

They will lose the allowance after six months unless they can prove they have been actively looking for a job and stand a "genuine chance" of finding one.

Immigrant families will also be kept off council house waiting lists for up to five years.

Immigrants will be kept off council housing waiting lists for five years

Local authorities will have to introduce minimum residency times of between two and five years for joining waiting lists - or justify why they are not.

The speech comes as the UK Border Agency faced renewed criticism for its failure to tackle the backlog of asylum cases.

MPs on the Home Affairs select committee condemned the lack of progress as it warned the backlog would take 24 years to clear.

Mr Cameron is likely to cite figures showing that nearly one in 10 new social lettings go to foreign nationals. The proportion has risen from 6.5% in 2007-08 to 9% in 2011-12.

The Government is also pledging to beef up the "range and depth" of questions in the habitual residence test, which checks that people meet residence requirements for housing and income-related benefits.

Immigrants must prove they have a 'genuine chance' of getting a job

Mr Cameron will also target illegal immigration - doubling the maximum fine for companies that employ illegal workers to £20,000.

And he will signal action against so-called "health tourism" that could mean non-EU nationals have to prove they hold insurance before getting care.

"While I have always believed in the benefits of immigration, I have also always believed that immigration has to be properly controlled," the Prime Minister will say.

"As I have long argued, under the last government this simply wasn't the case. Immigration was far too high and badly out of control. Net migration needs to come down radically from hundreds of thousands a year to just tens of thousands.

"And as we bring net migration down so we must also make sure that Britain continues to benefit from it.

Immigrants to the UK take part in a Citizenship Ceremony

"That means ensuring that those who do come here are the brightest and the best the people we really need with the skills and entrepreneurial talent to create the British jobs and growth that will help us to win in the global race."

In his spring conference address over the weekend, UKIP leader Nigel Farage claimed his willingness to talk about immigration was one of the main reasons for the party's surge in popularity.

Concerns have also been rising over an influx from Bulgaria and Romania when movement restrictions are loosened at the end of this year.

The increasing political focus on the issue was emphasised last week when Mr Clegg ditched the Lib Dem policy of offering an amnesty to illegal immigrants who have been in the country for more than 10 years.

He admitted the move would risk "undermining public confidence".

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White Easter Looms As Cold Snap Continues

Thousands of homes are still without power and many roads still impassable as the freezing cold weather and snow continues to cause disruption.

The severe weather and bitterly cold temperatures are set to continue across most parts of the country right up until the weekend, forecasters have said.

This could mean the first white Easter in five years, as the nation enters British summertime.

The Met Office has said there is a 90% chance the unseasonal cold snap will continue to keep large parts of Britain frozen for the rest of the week.

An amber weather alert - which means severe weather is on its way - has been issued for the North of England, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and the East of England.

A yellow warning - meaning be prepared for bad weather - is in place for London and the Southwest.

Cutting through snow at Saddleworth Moor (Pic: Oldham Mountain Rescue Team)

But it is the ice that is causing the biggest concern, with large parts of the country being warned about the danger of black ice as commuters wrestle with journeys on foot, by car or public transport to work and back.

"Lying snow in many areas will melt on roads and pavements by day, refreezing by night to give icy patches," a Met Office spokesman said.

"Snow blowing off fields in strong to gale force winds will also affect some roads, especially over high ground."

The Department for Transport has warned motorists to take precautions and only set off from home if they have checked the latest travel conditions.

A spokesman said: "The unseasonal weather is affecting transport networks. Our staff and other transport operators are working tirelessly around the clock to keep roads open, and keep other services running."

The scene in Largs, Ayrshire (Pic: Neil Fraser)

Nearly 20,000 homes across the UK are still without power since Friday and numerous roads remain closed because of snow.

Engineers are working to restore supplies to around 7,000 homes in Northern Ireland and 10,000 in Scotland, as well as 500 properties on the Isle of Man.

Emergency oxygen supplies had to be airlifted to an elderly man trapped by heavy snow in Northern Ireland.

Those living in remote areas there have been warned it could be days before they have electricity again, but water supply has now been restored to most of the 1,000 homes affected.

A man found dead in deep snow after he started walking home in severe weather has been named by police.

The body of Gary Windle, 25, was found by a farmer in Brierfield, near Burnley, in Lancashire, at around 1.30pm on Saturday.

Gary Windle (left) was found dead in deep snow near Burnley

Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious and there were indications it was a "very tragic incident" after he started walking home from a night out with friends.

On Friday, a woman, named locally as Susan Norman, died when her house in Looe, Cornwall, collapsed during a landslip following torrential rain.

A 57-year-old hill walker, named by police as James Jack, died in the Scottish Highlands, although police said it was not clear whether his death was linked to the poor weather.

Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said the heavy snow had subsided but added: "The risk of more unsettled conditions with rain and further snow increases towards the Easter weekend."

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut the odds of snow at Easter to 4/5 after taking a flurry of bets in the past 48 hours.

Forecasters have predicted it could be the coldest March in 50 years. In 1962, average temperatures for the month were 2.8C (37F).

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Airfares: Heavier Passengers 'Should Pay More'

Airlines should make heavier passengers pay more for their plane tickets and lighter ones less, it has been suggested.

The controversial pay-as-you-weigh pricing scheme has been mooted by a Norwegian professor who argues that weight and space should be taken into account by airlines pricing their tickets.

Writing in this month's Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, Dr Bharat P Bhatta has put forward three proposals.

The first would see fares directly linked to the weight of a person and their belongings, with a fixed rate for kilograms per passenger.

Under this method, a person weighing 60kg (132lb or 9st 6lb) would pay half the airfare of a 120kg (264lb or 18st 12lb) person.

Dr Bhatta's second proposal involves charging a fixed base rate, with an additional charge for heavier passengers to cover the extra costs.

Every passenger could have a different fare according to this option.

The professor's final suggestion is for passengers to have the same fare if they have an average weight, but this could be discounted for weights below a certain limit or added to for excess weight above it.

This option would result in three types of fares: high, average and low.

Dr Bhatta, of the Sogn og Fjordane University College in Norway, thinks the third option is most suitable for implementation.

"Charging according to weight and space is a universally accepted principle, not only in transportation, but also in other services," he said.

"As weight and space are far more important in aviation than other modes of transport, airlines should take this into account when pricing their tickets."

Dr Ian Yeoman, editor of the Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, threw his weight behind the suggestion.

"For airlines, every extra kilogram means more expensive jet fuel must be burned, which leads to CO2 emissions and financial cost," he said.

"As the airline industry is fraught with financial difficulties, marginally profitable and has seen exponential growth in the last decade, maybe they should be looking to introduce scales at the check-in."

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Kit Kat Bars Recalled After Plastic Found

Nestle has recalled four varieties of Kit Kat Chunky bars after pieces of plastic were found by seven people.

The company said the 48g peanut butter, hazelnut, choc fudge and caramel flavour chocolate bars were being recalled "to avoid any risk whatsoever to our consumers".

Kit Kat Chunky Collection Giant Eggs were also being called back.

Nestle advised consumers not to eat the products and return them unopened for a full refund.

A spokesman said: "The safety and quality of our products are non-negotiable priorities for the company. We sincerely apologise to our consumers for any inconvenience caused by this voluntary recall."

The affected chocolate treats are:

:: Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter (48g) with a best before date range of September 2013 to February 2014.

:: Kit Kat Chunky Hazelnut (48g) with a best before date range of September to October 2013.

:: Kit Kat Chunky Choc Fudge (48g) with a best before date range of September to October 2013.

:: Kit Kat Chunky Caramel (48g) with a best before date range of June to July 2013.

:: Kit Kat Chunky Hazelnut Multipack with a best before date range September to December 2013.

:: Kit Kat Chunky Collection Giant Egg with a best before date of July 2013.

Any consumers who have purchased the products have been asked to return them to Kit Kat Chunky Recall, PO Box 205, Freepost 1374, York, YO91 1XB.

Consumers wanting more information can telephone Freephone (land line only) 0800 604604 (from UK) or 00800 6378 5385 (from Republic of Ireland) from 8am to 8pm from Saturday, March 23.

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'Huge Problem' Of Male Suicide Rate In UK

Nelson Fell Through The Cracks

Updated: 4:19am UK, Sunday 24 March 2013

To the outside world Nelson had the world at this feet. A professional snowboarder, on the cover of magazines, coach to the British Olympic snowboard team, as physically fit as it was possible to be, universally loved by everyone that knew him and from a loving family.

Nelson was a truly aspirational human being and a role model to many. How could someone like Nelson take his own life? He had so much to live for.

His death in the summer of 2012 sent shockwaves through the UK snowboarding community and with everyone that knew him. His family and friends were left distraught as there had been no glaring warning signs. I had seen Nelson only days before and even though I felt I knew him better than anyone, even in my darkest fears I had no idea what was coming.

Nelson did suffer from anxieties and at periods of his life had been touched by bouts of depression. Like so many men, Nelson found it very hard to openly talk about these powerful inner thoughts. He had great friends and a loving family but found it very hard to be truly honest - especially in perhaps such an image conscious sport as snowboarding?

Men as a rule are supposed to battle on through strife and illness. For a man to show weakness and say they're feeling down is frowned upon and the stigma attached to depression and other mental illnesses is huge. Nelson felt this, and often telling your close friends and family you feel depressed has its own pressures attached - I'm sure Nelson felt the worry of not letting loved ones down. It is obvious now Nelson had incredibly powerful emotions locked deep inside him that ultimately took control of him towards the end.

One of Nelson's last acts was to take himself to his local GP the day before he took his life, obviously seeking help and support. I know how much courage this must have taken for Nelson. Nelson was asked to fill in various questionnaires to assess his mood, he scored very highly for anxiety and was classed as moderately depressed. Unfortunately all the GP could do for him at the time was to tell him to return in two weeks if he still felt bad, and was given the web address of an online cognitive programme.

Like many, Nelson fell through the cracks. He died the next day. I understand how much pressure GPs are under, but also feel frustrated that he could have been given more options - a few telephone numbers maybe, a help line, a link to CALM's website or even a call to his family to say he may be at risk. This may have helped him feel he wasn't struggling alone, that there was help out there, that other guys were struggling with exactly what he was feeling. Why, for instance, is it so hard to get a referral to see a psychiatrist, my local GP told me he doesn't even know the name of his and even if he did it would take weeks for an appointment. Things have to change.

Only after this tragic event do the shattering statistics hit home. Suicide in young men is the biggest single killer in the UK right now, on average three a day and more deaths in 2011 than traffic accidents, HIV and murder alone. BUT only 1 in 10 people have any idea of these brutal stats. Awareness has to be top priority, there must be a focused strategy to suicide in the UK. The minister of care and support Norman Lamb stated that the government has a "complete responsibility to reduce men taking their own lives." Now's the time for action - not words.

By tapping into organisations such as CALM, the government can educate themselves and potentially hit the key demographic and most at risk. CALM are using people, brands, musicians, artists etc that young men can associate with, a voice they respect, raising awareness. A strong communications strategy is clearly needed for the government. 

Obviously this is huge problem and not easily tackled. It will take time. Stigma amongst men, families and society in general is a huge hurdle but we have to start somewhere. It's clear from Nelson's story that there isn't a set stereotype for someone who ends their own life.  He appeared to have everything. If there is any positive to come out of his death, it's that suicide and depression can hit anyone and there is no shame in admitting you need help. Help is out there, you don't have to suffer alone, there is always hope. Ride on Nelly.

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Snow And Ice: Man Dies Trying To Get Home

The freezing weather is thought to have led to the death of a 27-year-old man who was trying to get home after a night out with friends.

The man's body was discovered in deep snow by a farmer yesterday afternoon, but the emergency services struggled to get to the area because of the poor weather conditions.

Lancashire Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Chief Inspector Derry Crorken said: "Early indications suggest that it appears to be a very tragic incident where a young man has been out with friends and has become caught up in the weather last night on his journey home.

"The snow and ice has been severe in the area with many roads not passable. I would urge people to take precautions and only go out if it is necessary.

"If you do go out, then make sure friends and family know where you are and that you have suitable clothing on and your phone with you."

The man's death comes as police said the body of a hill walker had been found in the Scottish Highlands following a mountain rescue search.

The 57-year-old man was found yesterday in the Streap area, near Fort William, in the West Highlands, which is still under heavy wintry conditions.

Police said it was not yet possible to say whether the walker's death was related to the poor weather.

Snow and ice are causing treacherous driving conditions in many places

On Friday, police in Looe, Cornwall, found a body in a block of flats that had been flattened by a landslide thought to have been triggered by torrential rain.

Northern Ireland Electricity said 29,000 homes were still waiting to be reconnected - and it could be days before they all have power. About 1,000 homes in Northern Ireland were also without water last night.

In Scotland, about 5,000 homes in Kintyre are without power, with a further 1,500 homes in the north and west of Arran also without supply.

Meanwhile, the Met Office warned of a risk of ice, despite lifting its yellow "be aware" weather alert.

"Lying snow in many areas will melt on roads and pavements by day, refreezing by night to give icy patches," it said.

"Also, snow blowing off fields in strong to gale force winds will affect some roads, especially over high ground."

Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said the snow would become "less of a concern after today" but added: "The risk of more unsettled conditions with rain and further snow increases towards the Easter weekend."

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut the odds of snow at Easter to 4/5 after taking a flurry of bets in the past 48 hours. If it does snow, it would be the first white Easter in five years.

Forecasters have predicted it could be the coldest March in 50 years. In 1962, average temperatures for the month were 2.8C (37F).

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