25/12/2015 BBC News

Gales and torrential rain are spreading across northern

England and Wales, leaving hundreds of communities at risk of flooding.

The Army's helping shore up defences in Cumbria,

heavy rain's expected well into Boxing Day.

The Queen in her Christmas address, said the world confronted moments

of darkness this year, but she spoke of Christ's

Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short

life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence,

but simply that we should love one another.

# When you are weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes,

And a charity single by NHS staff, beats Justin Bieber to be

Torrential rain is sweeping across parts of northern England,

Wales and Scotland, with a storm surge expected overnight.

More than 100 flood alerts are in force, with many communities

Up to five inches of rain is forecast for parts of north-west

England well into Boxing Day, with some rivers in Cumbria

threatening to burst their banks for the fourth time this month.

The Government's emergency committee met today and the Army has been sent

in to help strengthen flood defences.

From the village of Braithwaite in Cumbria, Claire Fallon reports.

To take on the forces of nature they drafted in the Armed Forces.

100 soldiers and two miles of metal barriers sent to the areas most

With 80mph winds forecast and torrential downpours expected

in Cumbria, as well as Lancashire and Yorkshire, thousands of people

in communities across the North are bracing themselves

for the possibility of water forcing its way into their homes again.

This is important because this is people's lives.

This is their homes, this is where they have always lived

and therefore it is everything to them, and in order to get out

and do this it gives them that reassurance that we are here,

being proactive in order to help them.

which we've already had for two years.

When water poured into Joanna and Alice Bell's home three weeks

ago, it happened so quickly the only way out was through the windows.

It was maybe like a foot or something up here

when we got my mum to come over here for safety,

and then the next thing I heard somebody shout,

I can't bear the thought of getting flooded again tonight.

That is just an awful thought, like, thinking if anything

With the barriers up and the sandbags being put in place,

people here and in other flood-affected areas will be hoping

all of this does what it is meant to do because the rain we have had

today is nothing compared to what is expected overnight

Until then all people can do is watch and wait.

The Queen in her Christmas Day broadcast said the world had

confronted moments of darkness in the past year,

but that the Gospels provided a message of hope.

She spoke of the plight of those forced to flee their homes

as refugees and the Christian message that we should

Here's our Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell.

On a damp day the Queen departed promptly after the service,

leaving younger members of the family to spend a few moments

In her Christmas broadcast the Queen looked back at 2015.

There was much to be thankful for, she said, but though she did not

identify any particular incidents, there had also been tragedy.

It is true that the world has had to confront moments

But the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope often read

"The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has

70 years after the end of the Second World War,

she paid tribute to those who had served.

The strong Christian theme continued when she spoke about people

Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short

life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence,

but simply that we should love one another.

On a personal note there was a reference to the birth in May

of another great-grandchild, Princess Charlotte.

One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children,

then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren help decorate

the Christmas tree and this year my family has a new member

And she looked ahead to next year and a significant personal landmark.

I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have

Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.

That, of course, was a reference to the fact that in four

months' time the Queen will celebrate her 90th birthday.

Yet, despite the passing of the years, 2016 will,

Nicholas Witchell, BBC News, at Buckingham Palace.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has used his

Christmas Day sermon to warn that Islamic State extremists have

launched an "apocalypse" in the Middle East.

He said Christianity could face elimination in the region

In Rome, Pope Francis appealed for reconciliation after a year

Our Religious Affairs Correspondent, Caroline Wyatt reports.

Goodwill and a cheery greeting from the Archbishop

of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as he arrived at Canterbury

# Oh, come all ye faithful...# But as Christians gathered

to celebrate the birth of Christ at services

across the world, his message today was a sombre one.

The Archbishop focused on the devastation unleashed

by the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq,

saying it used force and indescribable cruelty.

He compared it to a modern-day Herod,

the biblical King who massacred babies while trying to kill Jesus.

They hate difference, whether it is Muslims who think

differently, Yazidis or Christians, and because

of them the Christians face elimination in the very region

That was a message echoed in Rome today.

Pope Francis was greeted with enthusiasm by pilgrims on Saint

He too called for peace in a world riven by conflict.

TRANSLATION: My thoughts also turn

to those affected by brutal acts of terrorism,

particularly the recent massacres which took place

The Pope asked for prayers and strength for all

Christians persecuted for their faith, calling them

Closer to home in North Yorkshire, the Archbishop of York,

John Sentamu, took a Christmas service to those who could not come

to his at Kirklevington Grange Prison.

There he offered words of hope for those who were in prison,

lonely, or feeling lost and abandoned, saying the message

of Christmas was one of hope and salvation.

The commander of one of Syria's most powerful rebel groups has been

Zahroun Alloush, the leader of the Jaysh al-Islam group,

was killed when Russian warplanes attacked his headquarters,

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has made a surprise

visit to Pakistan to meet the country's leader,

It's the first such visit for more than a decade,

raising hopes of better relations between the two countries.

And finally, a hospital choir from south London has reached

the top of the charts, taking the coveted Christmas number

The Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir fought off stiff competition

from the Canadian singer Justin Bieber.

I can officially announce that the UK's official Christmas

The moment the choir had been waiting for.

# When you are weary...# The single was released to raise money

and to pay tribute to the National Health Service.

That was what it was all about, it was for all of the other people

I am really hoping this gives them a lift.

I hoped, but I really didn't think it would happen.

I mean Justin Bieber is such a big superstar

Bieber, last week's number one, had asked his 17 million

plus Twitter followers to help the NHS choir to win

Christmas number ones are often for charity.

Perhaps an additional boost here, it's a celebration of the NHS's much

loved work across the entire country.

With the new number one being announced on Christmas Day

itself, it seems appropriate that this year in particular should

see people at all levels of music together with members of the public

using the chance to send their own seasonal message.

You can see more on all of today's stories on the BBC News Channel.

From me and the team, have a very goodnight.

Hello, it has been a wet rather than white Christmas across the UK and

that is