11/04/2014 BBC Points West

murdering 29 people in the Omagh bombing. The Co-Op Bank has

Record cases of scarlet fevdr. Bristol has one of the highdst rates

of infection in the country. Parents are told to be aware of the

symptoms. For them to then say it was Scarlett

fever. It did surprise us a little bit. To be honest, I did not know

anything about it. We'll ask health officials what s

causing this latest outbreak. Our other headlines tonight: A

loving and joyous child. A family's tribute following the

killing of a pregnant teenager. Unfit for the road. The polhce

crackdown on dodgy vans. Two of the tires on the rear, they

are flat. One indicator is not working. A mirror is missing. Poor

show, really. And the families hoping to turn the

clock back to a time when it was safe to play on the streets.

Good evening: There's been `n alarming rise in the number of

children catching a rare infection. Scarlet fever used to be a killer,

and had almost died out in this country. But now, the highest number

of infections in 30 years h`s been recorded in the West Countrx.

Fortunately, these days, it's treatable with antibiotics, and most

cases are mild. But it is hhghly infectious, and parents are being

told to be aware of the signs. Here's our health correspondent

Matthew Hill. Phoenix Coles is now a bundle of

energy, three weeks after bding diagnosed with scarlet fever.

Antibiotics have cleared thd bacteria from her system. At first,

her parents thought her sord throat was tonsillitis.

It did surprise us a little bit To be honest, I did not know anything

about it. But then, after about ten days or so of medication, she

stopped. And then, literallx within 24 hours, she was poorly ag`in. So

we then had to put her on another ten days' worth of medication

because the infection, I am guessing, had not cleared up.

The introduction of antibiotics more than 60 years ago was a key tool in

fighting the disease which hs highly infectious. It can cause a rash

high temperature, sore thro`t, and a headache. Young children ard the

worst affected, although adtlts can also develop it. Most cases are

mild, but it can become mord serious if the infection gets into the blood

stream. But that's incredibly rare. Public Health England have recorded

181 cases in the west in thd first 13 weeks of this year. That's more

than double the 73 reported during the same period last year. The

Bristol area has one of the highest rates of infection in the country.

So why is this happening? Wdll, this disease does come in waves. There

are many factors. It could be the recent mild winter, or that immunity

to the disease is low, becatse there have not been many cases in the last

decade. Or a new strain of the bug. The advice is that children should

stay at home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. It's hoped

that, with the weather turnhng, this outbreak will soon come to `n end.

We're joined by a consultant in public health, Dr Bharat Pankhania.

We had a brief overview of the symptoms. How other people to know?

What should people look out for If you have a collection of signs

and symptoms, a sore throat, your nodes are hurting, muscle aches

fever, a brash. A combination of those signs and symptoms, please

consult your GP. In the UK, you are in good hands. We have readx access

to general practice services. I haven't heard about scarldt fever

four years. It has always bden around, it is caused by a b`cteria.

This infection has always bden around. What is unusual this year is

we are getting three times the number of cases of this infdction.

But, the good news is, it is a mild infection. It is not as sevdre as it

used to be 60 years ago when offered, as a result of scarlet

fever, you ended up with other problems with your heart, khdneys

and rheumatoid arthritis. Any idea why we have seen this spike in

cases? We do know that infections of this nature often have a cyclical

nature. About ten years we dxpect a rise. There is no reason whx, this

year, we have this increase, maybe it is just the cycle.

Thank goodness for antibiothcs. A ten day course of the penichllin

type antibiotics does the trick The family of a young girl, abused

by a paedophile, are trying to prevent Dorset Police giving him

back photos he took of his victim. The man was jailed last year and,

under current law, is allowdd to get his computer back when he's

released. Police say they c`n't delete the pictures because they're

not classed as indecent. The family of a Gloucestershire

teenager have spoken public`lly for the first time of their dev`station

at her death. 16`year`old K`yleigh Ann Palmer was five months pregnant

when she was killed. Her gr`ndmother has described her as a loving, happy

and joyous child, and says her death is impossible to comprehend. Lizzie

Way reports. It is the smile and the innocence of

that, that I really love. Memories are all they have left For

Kay's family, what has only ever been someone else's nightmare has

befallen them. When there wdre similar cases on TV or in the paper,

my words would always be, how on earth did those parents or

grandparents feel? It must be awful. And then of course when it happened

to us, I know now how they lust have felt, and how we felt. It w`s the

most agonising and painful experience I think of my life so

far. Last Wednesday at lunchtime, police

were called to Humber Road hn Cheltenham where she had bedn

attacked. Kay died in hospital three days later. Her family at hdr

bedside. I just said, good night and God

bless. Kay's boyfriend, 18`year`old Aston

Robinson, has been charged with attempted murder and is in custody.

Her family have little left to do but grieve, not just for her, but

her unborn child, for what could have been.

She gave so much love herself. She really did. She was just incredibly

sweet. All her friends adordd her. A desperately loved young lhfe,

forever just 16. Swindon's Mayor has been told to

make a full public apology, after comments he made about people with

disabilities. An independent panel has found Nick Martin guiltx of

breaching the Members' Code of Conduct. He's told the BBC he

accepts his words were wrong, and has said he has already apologised

as part of the inquiry. A former Mayor of Cheltenhal has

apologised for comments she made about rape, as part of a debate

about plans for new housing. There have been calls for Conserv`tive

councillor Barbara Driver to resign, after her comments during a meeting

on Wednesday. She's written a letter of apology, but Councillor Driver

says she won't be resigning. A very warm welcome to BBC Points

West on this Friday evening. We ve still got plenty still to come. And

Ian is up on the roof, enjoxing the sunshine.

Balloons over Bristol. A settled weekend lies ahead. All the details

that later in the programme. A quarter of van drivers pulled over

by police in a roadside operation have been told their vehiclds are

not roadworthy. Avon and Solerset Police have been targeting drivers

in a week`long operation. Along the offences, they've found drivers with

no tax, carrying illegal waste, and using red diesel. Scott Ellhs

reports. The police pulling over vans and

small trucks in Bristol earlier this week. They know from previots

roadside checks just how much crime they'll uncover.

We've found drugs, we've sehzed vehicles because they have had no

insurance, or they're dangerous We've had several prisoners, we ve

had people wanted on warrants, we've had people...abscondees frol jail.

One of 68 vans getting a close inspection. In all, 15 were found to

have faults. And drivers told they need immediate repairs. What was

wrong with your van? It was flat on the inside. A flat tyre. Thdre are a

number of vehicles out therd that are not safe on the road. If you've

got somebody with bald tyres, especially when it is wet lhke this,

it is very easy for them to skid and cause accidents.

Another check was for licences to carry waste. This driver didn't have

one. So where do you think this might have gone?

A back lane. Anywhere. Not where it should go. But, with the help of all

this, it is cracking down a lot more on it.

Fuel was also siphoned out of every tank and checked for traces of

diesel that's dyed red, meant mostly for tractors.

In this case, they found red diesel in this van. It's not reallx

intended to be used for road vehicles, but it's bought bdcause

it's cheap. It's about 90p per litre, compared to about ?1.40 a

litre that you pay at a gar`ge. Drivers using red diesel illegally

are fined. A third offence, and the van is sold, and the money given to

the Treasury. In all, three vehicles had traces of red diesel. 17 drivers

are being investigated over tax And ?1,700 worth of fines were handed

out. So, does White Van Man mind all these roadside checks?

If it clears the roads of rogue vehicles, shall we say, then I'm

more than happy to sit here for ten minutes.

It is a good thing, but we need to get to work and earn money.

The police also checked vans in Shepton Mallet, and said th`t in

general drivers welcome checks, especially if it catches waste

carriers working without a licence. That operation was all part of Rogue

Trader Week, which has also seen the police giving elderly peopld advice

about their personal safety and teaching them to be assertive.

Today, tai chi lessons were on offer at the Watershed in Bristol, as part

of the project. There were `lso tutorials in how to stand up to con

men who knock at the front door If somebody comes to the doorstep, I

open the door, and they takd a step forward, instead of going b`ck, I go

forward towards them and thdn they go back.

Fill the doorway when you open the door. That maybe puts peopld off.

And we have a dog. Sometimes, if I am out near a shop,

I will look at a shop window, but I am looking at the reflection of what

is around me. Parents in Gloucestershire, who want

their children to be able to play outside safely this summer, are

asking to have their roads temporarily closed off. It's an idea

that's already been tried ott in Bristol. Now, people in Dursley and

Cheltenham are hoping to persuade their local councils to let them do

the same. Our Gloucestershire reporter, Steve Knibbs, is `t one of

the roads they'd like to close. This is one of the streets that

could close, in Cheltenham. Kids cycling along the pavement. In a

moment, they are stuck on the payment, but it could be very

different, a bit like the old days. Life, it seems, was much more

straightforward 50 years ago when playing in the street was the norm.

There were jumpers for goalposts, and no worries about taking a dive

on the cobbles. In some are`s, roads were regularly closed off to allow

it to happen. These days, it's not so easy. Streets are more pdrilous,

and playtime sticks firmly to the pavement.

We would have people marshalling the entrances to the street.

Which is why here, in Dursldy, Matt wants to liberate the street from

the shackles of traffic, get children out playing, and bring his

community closer together. They get exercise, to socialise with

other children their own agd and other ages. It also gives p`rents

the chance to maybe speak to their neighbours as well. Even in a small

street like this, neighbours do not talk to each other that much.

It's not such a new idea in Bristol, where almost 50 streets are now

being closed off for childrdn to play out. Neighbours steward the

closures, allowing the youngsters to do what they do best, safelx. It's

been pioneered by the campahgn Playing Out who, over the l`st four

years, have seen the real dhfference it makes.

I think what it shows is th`t there is this real urge to try to make our

residential streets different places. Places which people can

enjoy living in, can enjoy the neighbourly interaction. And places

where children can be safer, and have a greater sense of connection.

I think that so many people think those things are important to work

towards. The residents have been tryhng since

last year to sort this plan out You'd think it would be rel`tively

straightforward to close thd road off for a day, and allow chhldren to

run about. And that there would be support. And there is. The problem

is, in Gloucestershire, the local council who have to give permission,

don't have a policy for it, yet It does accord with our health and

well`being policy, getting xoung children out to play in the streets,

outdoor activity. So we are going to look at it.

It is, in essence a simple hdea Cutting through the red tapd,

perhaps a bit more complex. But rewarding for those who say it has

brought their community much closer together as a result.

There is a lot of activity going on at the moment, a lot of

encouragement to get childrdn out onto the streets. There is ` part

ten yards away, why close the road? So people can play on their

doorstep, next to their house, get to know their community.

Enriched in the community experience and getting people to talk.

Not just children, but even those who don't have children.

There are a lot of cars to love The cars will stay, I'm afraid, there

was nowhere to move them to. How soon could it happen? We ard looking

at the beginning of June, there is a notice for road closure. Is there a

broad support? The people I have spoken to are enthusiastic `bout the

idea. When it does happen, we will be

back. It is successful in Bristol, they have hit their 50th scheme We

will see who emerges from bdhind the doors.

It's the fixture they dream of winning, but dare not lose.

Gloucester against Bath. Tolorrow afternoon, the two sides medt at

Kingsholm. Alistair Durden hs here with tonight's sport. So, what's at

stake? There are four games left to go

Bath still have their eyes on the title. They need to finish hn the

top four to make the playoffs. Gloucester are trying to salvage a

disappointing season, but could still finish high enough to make

next season's new European Rugby Cup. And, most importantly of all,

local pride. For supporters and the players, winning is everythhng.

It is one of the oldest derbies in the competition. It will be a fierce

and ferocious game. Everyone is up for it that luch

more. Kingsholm literally jtst comes alive.

That is what Gloucester needed! Look at Donald go, a fifth try.

Henry Trinder. To start with bragging rights for

the rest of the year, that leans everything.

Everyone has felt proud of their team. We'll meet those guys on the

field and see who comes out on top. The passion of the supporters, it is

unrivalled anywhere. We havd to make sure that works in our favotr,

certainly on Saturday. It's going to be a special game this Saturday I

don't think there's anywherd quite like it.

I've had Bath fans coming up to me and say they pray at night before

every Gloucester fixture th`t we beat them this year. And, if we

don't, it ruins their whole year. If we can make a few fans happx this

weekend, it will be extra special. You've got two big packs gohng hell

for leather at each other, `t the weekend. It's whoever comes out

fighting the hardest will come out on top. We are doing well.

Gloucester have had iffy form. This will be one game they will want to

hang their hat on, come the end of the year.

Top four is not there for us. But top seven, possibly top six, if we

get the rub of the green. Wd still have stuff to play for.

Unfortunately, getting knocked out of the Amlin, that was the only

silverware we could get. But we are going into this game all guns

blowing. We have done well this year. We have

not secured the top four yet, nor have Leicester by the way. There's a

few clubs in the same posithon as us. We are pleased where we are

fighting at this stage of the season. But, like I said a few weeks

ago, we will feel like we don't make the top four, it will be a failure.

If that's whet your appetitd, there's commentary tomorrow.

Depending on which side you follow, BBC Gloucestershire and BBC Radio

Bristol will take you through every high and low. And then, tomorrow

evening, it's Bristol against Moseley in the Championship.

It's getting a bit too closd for comfort for new Bristol Rovdrs

manager Darrell Clarke at the bottom of League Two. Today, the club were

holding the draw for next ydar's shirt sponsorship. The local company

who won will certainly be hoping they stay up. And Rovers ard just

four points above the drop zone and tomorrow they face Torquay, the side

who are bottom of the table. It is big, but so is another ten

teams in League Two playing in a similar situation. It is important

we go about it as a game, and not the occasion. One or two tiles this

season, we have played the occasion rather than the game. We nedd to

focus on winning a football match. Nothing else matters.

And Late Kick Off will be at the Memorial Stadium. More on that on

Monday. Commentary on all of these matches on BBC local radio.

Clifton ladies hockey club have an exciting weekend ahead. Aftdr

finishing fourth in the Prelier League, the top level in thhs

country, they're competing for a place in the European Club

Championships. Tomorrow, thdy have a playoff semifinal against Ldague

champions Canterbury. And, hf that goes well, they'll play in the final

on Sunday. We tend to go unnoticed, we are the

underdogs. We've had a fant`stic season, the whole club, before

Christmas, all teams were unbeaten. That is really down to the fact the

only club, we don't just pl`y as one first`team, we develop juniors all

the way up to the top flight of hockey.

Almost three months after ghving birth to her daughter,

Gloucestershire's Zara Phillips is preparing to return to compdtitive

riding next week. Zara won Olympic silver at London 2012, as p`rt of

the Great Britain eventing team and hopes to go one better at Rho in

2016. When all of us came to London, we

were like, yes, let's go ag`in! Unfortunately it's every fotr years.

So you either try and stay `t the top level for the next four years,

have good results, it would be fantastic to go to another Olympics.

Good luck to all the runners taking part in the London marathon.

Have you ever been tempted? To watch it?

Yes. Very Best of luck, I al full of admiration.

Well, it has been a lovely sunny day today, fingers crossed it'll stay

that way for the rest of thd Easter Holidays. After a pretty rotten

winter, with weeks of rain `nd floods, the sunshine is a vdry

welcome sight. Ian will be here in a moment with your forecast. But

first, Imogen Sellers has bden out finding out how you're enjoxing your

Easter break so far. # Birds flying high, you know how I

feel. # Sun in the sky, you know how I

feel. # Breeze drifting on by, yot know

how I feel. # It's a new dawn, it's a ndw day.

# It's a new life for me. And I m feeling good.

# Fish in the sea. You know how I feel.

# River running free, you know how I feel.

# Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel.

# It's a new dawn, it's a ndw day. It's a new life for me.

# And I'm feeling good. # Dragonfly out in the sun, you know

what I mean, don't you know? # Butterflies all having fun, you

know what I mean. # Sleep in peace when the d`y is

done, that's what I mean. # And this old world is a ndw

world, and a bold world for me. I am glad it has coincided with the

holidays. Time now for the weather.

A very pleasant afternoon as those pictures attest, temperaturds up to

16 Celsius. The certification tests continued for these aircraft, thank

you for this photo. We will continue with settled conditions, a largely

dry picture, the section is later on Saturday.

`` the exception. Saturday hs cloudier. Sunday by contrast will be

brighter and warmer. This is how things look. High`pressure

dominates. A weak cold front comes in from the north west on S`turday

inched juicing cloud and light rain. `` introducing cloud. A day

which will be blessed by better spells of sunshine. Not dissimilar

to today. We start things off tomorrow morning, temperatures will

have dropped under clear skhes to about three Celsius, a rathdr chilly

start for Saturday. That is when we squeeze in the best of the sunshine.

Cloud increasing from the north west. It will be a cloudy d`y

generally. The winds will bd brisk, you will notice some light rain in

late afternoon. Elsewhere, effectively dry. Temperaturds

tomorrow down on today, abott 1 Celsius. Sunday, however, wd will

see more sunshine, particul`rly in the morning. As we get into daytime,

there will be more cloud. Btt still a pretty bright afternoon, very

pleasant, temperatures that bit higher, probably 15 Celsius across

the board. We continue with a settled story for Easter wedk.

I will have to do the gardening But you might want to stay in on Sunday

to watch Sunday politics. That's all from us.

Join us again at 10.25pm. Goodbye. Will you feel nervous

when this is unveiled? In 2013, the public voted for

a portrait of At times he's interesting,

at times he's very funny, My life is a very happy life

and I'm a very happy person. Will you feel nervous

when this is unveiled? I suppose being the centre

of attention but for ever. 'But mostly,

you've got to be In It To Win It.' The new series of the

National Lottery: In It To Win It,