31/01/2014 BBC Points West

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me, and on

Welcome to BBC Points West. Our main story: Shrien Dewani could face

extradition in a matter of weeks. High Court rules he could be sent to

South Africa to face allegations he masterminded the killing of his

bride. They were on his honeymoon when she was shot. Her family

welcomes the court's decision. It has been a long time. We have had to

fight so many different courts but we are happy with the British legal

system. We will be asking of the legal process in Britain is at an

end. `` if the legal process. Another weekend of heavy rain is in

prospect, sandbags are at the ready in Somerset as people on the Levels

wait to see what is in store. The lap dancers accused of kidnapping

their boss are cleared. How do you persuade a gaggle of

geese to fly on your land? We will be talking to one of the world's

great word trainers. Good evening. The Bristol

businessman accused of plotting to kill his wife on their honeymoon can

be extradited to South Africa, the High Court has ruled. The High Court

has ruled that Shrien Dewani can be sent to South Africa within three

weeks. He has always denied any involvement. His lawyers argued he's

not fit to stand trial. Shrien Dewani has lost his High

Court battle to block extradition. A High Court judge deciding that he

can be extradited so long as there are guarantees from the South

African government. Shrien Dewani is currently remanded to a mental

health hospital with drama and depression. The conditions are that

if he is found to be unfit to be tried he will be free to return to

the UK unless there is a be a list that prospect of the trial within a

year `` with trauma and depression. The family were at the High Court.

It is a step in the right direction. It is one step closer. It is

3`mac`3`mac years. We have had to fight in so many different courts

but we are so happy that the ruling has finally come forward. And

extradition of someone with what might be a permanent illness. This

has been aimed long`running extradition battle and it is not

over yet. Shrien Dewani is likely to bring the case to the Supreme

Court. I think they probably will entertain the appeal and they will

have to can that what extradition means `` to consider. Is its right

to extradite someone to a foreign country when they cannot engage with

lawyers. His lawyers have made no comment and said previously that he

is happy to face trial when he is fit to do so. He denies any

involvement with his wife's murder. The South African authorities say

they can provide written guarantees to the UK within a matter of weeks.

There are fears tonight that Somerset's rivers could burst their

banks after more heavy rain and a high tide on the way. Environment

Agency staff have been monitoring the River Parrett since first light

this morning. Our reporter is at Burrowbridge. How is it looking The

Environment Agency staff are still here this evening. They have been

looking to see how the level is rising. It has just started raining

again. We have seen local people coming out to check how it might

affect their properties. Giant sandbags lining the river. Will it

be enough to protect people? This swollen river is Somerset's

main route out to sea. The Parrett is almost overflowing. And so

sandbags are the first line of defence. On an industrial scale

stretching as far as the eye can see. There is a good chance it will

go back up especially if the banks breach. I have a feeling it will. By

6am this morning, hundreds of tonnes of sand were donated by an Essex

business owner. He saw the situation in Somerset on the news and decided

he had to help. We put a team of ten people together to put the sand in

place. We were ready to roll as soon as the Environment Agency gave us

the position to place the bags. Emergency vehicles and Government

staff are crisscrossing the Levels. Today the Environment Agency said

despite its biggest ever pumping operation, the water here will take

weeks to clear. Many people will tell you they are already fed up

with waiting. This is the problem. You get a couple of hours of rain

and because it is falling on field that are saturated with water,

instead of soaking in it runs straight off and into the lowest

point it can find. Sand, it seems, is the simplest solution. The best

barrier to keep back these bulging river banks The spring tides this

weekend will slow down the flow on these rivers. It is the conditions

for Castro there is weekend that have those living here worried. ``

forecast for this weekend. It will put more houses at the rate. It is

going to be a danger time for us. The rain may prove too much for this

soaked and sodden scenery to cope with.

The mood here has been a little bit different. Over the last few days

there has been a lot of anger and frustration, people filling the

central government, the local council, were not doing enough to

help people on the ground. Today people have been less concerned

about what has happened so far and looking ahead to the weekend and

hoping that if it is bad over the weekend the authorities and

everybody are better prepared. Other parts of the west are also

braced for flooding. There are three severe warnings in place across the

River Severn. This map gives you an idea of the scale of the problem.

The Environment Agency is regularly giving updates on their online flood

map. Temporary flood barriers have also been put up in the Cumberland

basin in Bristol. There are concerns that the water could go over the

harbour walls. Bristol is on an amber warning, as some tidal

flooding is expected. Another wet weekend in store. Is

there any end in sight? Notch next week. Next week could be worse than

this week. Not least the combination of rain and strong winds. Where s

the chart for Monday. `` there is the chart. We have one for high wind

and snow. More later. Something to look forward to.

Three lap dancers and their agent have been cleared of kidnapping a

man in Cheltenham. The women, along with two brothers, were accused of

targeting a nightclub boss because he owed them more than ?40,000 in

wages. Curtis Woodman rented a nightclub in

Cheltenham for lap dancing during race week in March 2012. He employed

Charlotte Devaney as what's known as the house mum. She recruited 60

women for the club who would pay ?150 each night to work there and

share the tips. The club, though, was closed down after just two

nights for breaching its licence. Mr Woodman refused to pay the women

over ?42,000 they claimed they'd earned working for him. Charlotte

Devaney, along with three lap dancers, Mandy Cool, Stephanie Pye

and Rachel Goodchild, with brothers Robert and Alex Morris, came to

Gloucestershire to get the money. They tracked Curtis Woodman down at

his business where he claimed he was kidnapped. He got into their car for

a drive and in this lay`by told police he was forced to transfer

?4,800 into Charlotte Devaney's account. Robert Morris told the

court Mr Woodman had said, "Why are you defending them? They're

prostitutes". Robert admitted punching Curtis Woodman in a field

for "disrespecting his girlfriend", one of the defendants. After driving

to a house Mr Woodman was renovating, which he claimed he

would sell to pay them, he was eventually dropped off two miles

away. Curtis Woodman told the jury, "I was in fear of my life. I wasn't

thinking straight". But today the jury decided he'd made up the kidnap

plot. Charlotte Devaney is well known as a DJ, model and actress.

This is her latest single, recorded with Snoop Dogg. She was accused in

court of playing gangster for the day back in 2012 She said, "What,

playing gangster in a miniskirt and heels? No, I don't think so. He

invented all of this so he didn t have to pay us the money back". We

feel amazing. The right verdict has come across. We were never guilty.

It is horrible. I am fighting for my liberty and I should not be. They

had no case to prove. Alex Morris pleaded guilty to possessing a knife

and was found guilty of robbing Curtis Woodman of a Breitling watch

and ?60 in cash. He'll be sentenced next month. The ordeal for the women

in this case started at this nightclub, which is now in different

ownership. They still claim they're owed ?42,000 paid by one of the

customers, in a single night here back in 2012. They told me tonight

that they'll now pursue civil proceedings to get the money back.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service says it's planning to close five stations

as part of its biggest reorganisation since the 1970s.

Stations at Speedwell, Keynsham Brislington, Southmead and Patchway

will all close and others in the city will merge. The service says it

also plans to build three new stations, a new headquarters and

extend a fourth station. A 30`year`old mother has been spared

jail after traces of amphetamine were found in two of her children.

Gloucester Crown Court heard the woman, who can't be named so as to

protect the children, had a history of anxiety, and had left the drugs

in an open bag in her bedroom. She was given a 12`month jail sentence,

suspended for two years. Her children are now in foster care

Campaigners in Wiltshire are calling on the government to clamp down on

solar farm developments. Seven different schemes are planned for

500 acres of land around Seend. Opponents say it'll spoil the view.

But a debate in parliament has been told that there are enough

safeguards. Coming soon to a field near you

Solar power is booming as Britain shifts to cleaner energy. This solar

farm near Melksham is one of the first in Wiltshire. Close by another

is planned, 20 times larger. If it goes ahead it will be reconstructed

in these fields as one of Britain's biggest solar farms full is what has

riled so many locals is that so many are planned. That could be no less

than seven. In the village, they've mobilised. One already has planning.

We are fully surrounded. They're putting pressure on Wiltshire

Council, which is deciding whether to grant planning permission. We are

very raw renewables `` or renewables but we are concerned our area is

going to be blighted by overwhelming numbers of solar panels. The firm

behind the biggest scheme have some local backing. It'll go on low grade

agricultural land. The community will receive ?40,000 a year. It s

claimed fears have been exaggerated. Within five miles of the particular

point it is over 500 acres within 50,000, roughly 1%. Within that

context, those sites are being designed under scrutiny. The

ultimate visual impact is very minimal. In parliament, one

Wiltshire MP stressed the need to use brownfield sites. There was

reassurance from a government minister that enough is being done

to protect prime countryside. That is the reason why we have issued

further planning practice guide the `` guidance on renewable and low

carbon energy. So the energy revolution goes on. Soon solar farms

may be as much a fixture of the countryside as, well, pylons.

Rugby's Six Nations is back this weekend, starting with the game they

call "Le Crunch", England against France. Our reporter has been joined

by former Bath and England player David Flatman. Any local players we

should be keeping an eye on? A couple of Gloucester players week

should. England in Paris against France It

does not get much tougher. It is going to be a massive game. All of

us rugby types think we nor our stuff but we have no idea what is

going to happen. We have no idea how the French are going to perform

Gloucester's Jonny May will make his Six Nations debut for England. The

23`year`old wing will be hoping to take his explosive Premiership form

onto the international stage. Proud, excited, happy, it is a nice

moment for me, I got onto my dad straightaway and he was over the

moon. It is as much of an award for him as it is for me. My family have

been there for me since I was five so is. Supporting the emotionally as

well. At just 23 he could be a big part of England's future. He is one

of a number of younger players being given a chance to shine before next

year's World Cup. He has been to South Africa with us and Argentina

and he has played well for Gloucester. At some point you have

to give them opportunity. It is his speed that has caught the eye. He

has worked with a former Olympic 200 metre runner. It has improved me

speed wise as an athlete. Techniques, training habits, things

to work on, I am in a good place at the moment. Tomorrow that pace will

be unleashed on the French in the Six Nations. It is probably the

biggest thing apart from the World Cup in terms of the rivalry between

the home nations and the way that the nation gets behind each of their

teams. France are such a passionate nation. It is such an amazing

stadium as well. From what I have heard as is going to be an amazing

atmosphere. TUC ham being a star of the tournament? He has the

potential. I would not want to put pressure on him. He is one of those

guys who can turn a sticky situation round very quickly. Dave Atwood of

Bath is on the bench. George Watson travel but is not involved. A

surprise, a mistake? I think it is a surprise. You look at Jonny May and

Anthony Wilson, two young, very exciting wingers. He is the sort of

guy you could put in and do a job. I am surprised that George Ford is not

involved. I thought he would be I think there will be opportunities

for him in the next few weeks. That gives you an idea of his talent In

terms of the tournament as a whole, our wheels the team to beat?

Probably. If everyone performs to their potential, France are the team

to beat. We never know. They were not so great last year and they had

a similar team. Wales have potentially the most dangerous

player in the whole tournament. You have a personal challenge coming up,

the half marathon. Do not look so surprised. I signed up a week ago.

It was a challenge over lunchtime with somebody mocking my portions.

People have been generous enough to have the needed money already. As

you can see, the training is going well. I am pretty much there. In

marathon shape. I will get round. I am doing it for the Down's syndrome

Association. My little brother has Downs syndrome. They have been

helping my brother for a while. I'm happy to be able to give them a good

amount of money at the end hopefully. If anyone feels they

would like to donate however little, I would be very grateful.

Club rugby sees Bath take on Leicester tonight in the Anglo`Welsh

Cup. They're already through to the semi`finals but are looking to

secure a home tie. Gloucester play host to Wasps tomorrow. They can't

progress any further. On Sunday Bristol are at home to Jersey with

Scotland international Ross Rennie making his debut. In football,

Yeovil take on Nottingham Forest on the same day with all our other

teams in action tomorrow. The Wiltshire snooker player Stephen

Lee has had his appeal against his 12`year ban from snooker adjourned.

The 39`year`old from Trowbridge was given the suspension last September

after being found guilty of seven charges of match`fixing dating back

to 2008 and 2009. Lee continues to maintain his innocence.

Team Bath begin the defence of their netball Superleague title tonight at

home to Team Northumbria. The league has only been going eight years and

Team Bath have already won it five times. They've added to their

coaching set`up with former England international Olivia Murphy arriving

from rivals Loughborough Lightning She'll assist Jess Thirlby.

Well done on your marathon attempt. Half marathon. I think you should do

the marathon ! Training animals can be tricky, so

imagine what life is like training birds to fly in formation for

films. That talent are being highlighted at the festival of birds

in Slimbridge this weekend. These guys are the stars of this

show, geese. They have names and their own personalities. They have a

lifelong friend and mentor in this woman. I slept with them after they

hatched for six weeks. I was with them 24 hours a day. That was my

sole job, inside my sleeping bag. Everywhere I went, they went. We

formed such a close bond. Now they are grown up I think they have gone

off to find a mate. When she says jump, the geese fly. It is something

you never get tired of. We have been doing it for years and it is still

exciting. Really excited every single time. It is more exciting up

close as she calls to the geese and they seem to follow her every

instruction. This is work that needs dedication from her and her husband.

It is our life. It is the lifestyle. It is what we do, seven days a week.

It is our whole life. Christmas Day is about the only day we do not fly

the birds. We have been fortunate enough to work on so many different

ground`breaking sequences. I never dreamt I would end up doing this as

a job. It is a job that they all seemed to enjoy. He is with us. It

is not just geese you train. Who is this? Are wrong. `` Arnold. He is

very cheeky. We can see some shots of him in action. What is he up to?

He is showing how good his eyesight is. Birds are particularly good at

judging objects coming up to them. It is distracting when he is flying

round the studio. He seems very well controlled. He is happy to come to

us. We have had him since he was five days old. We have all different

characters. He is cheeky and friendly. He likes people. How did

you get him to this stage? That is my wife. She puts in the time with

all the geese and waterfowl and she raised the starlings. Since there

were five days old. That's my they were five days old. Who wants these

trained birds? We do a lot of documentary work on them. Trying to

get close to a bird to from natural behaviour would be almost

impossible. You have given up so much of your life, clearly you are

passionate, what have you given up? 25 years. It is a long time, it is a

life. Are they like your children? They are like an extended family. He

is trying to shore as something He is going to say hello to everyone.

Most birds would never know how to get the lid off that port, but

starlings are intelligent `` that pot. Thank you. We offer everything.

I was waiting for an accident on your suit. It is a weekend that will

be played with various warnings some of those from the Met Office,

many more from the Environment Agency. Saturday is going to have

heavy showers, some wintry. It will be a mostly windy day. We have the

warning out for that. Sunday will be the better of the two days. Mandy

looks troublesome `` Monday. The amber warning will expire at the

clock as well the yellow warning elsewhere. That is replaced for a

warning `` with a warning for ice. Some of that will be as snow. For

Saturday, we go on to a wind warning and that will be catering for the

potential of winds touching 50` 0 mph. The reason for that is this

area of low pressure rotating with the early rain clearing away

towards. Towards the end of Saturday there's no real change to that. If

anything the winds will have got stronger. There is the threat of

high tides. The early rain clearing away towards the east, still a bit

of showery rain about but a window of drier weather until the early

hours. Then we have the potential for snow and hail. That good ice up

into tomorrow morning. Tomorrow becoming windy. There will be dry

and sunny spells but the threat of further showers. The threat of

wintry showers diminishes as the day goes on, but still reading in some

districts. The heads up is Monday, Wednesday looks even worse.

I hope we get through this weekend. Goodbye.