08/03/2012 East Midlands Today

And again this is East Midlands Today.

We are alive at De Montford University, the first stop-off on

today's historic tour of Leicester by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh

and the Duchess a Cambridge for the Diamond Jubilee. Hundreds greeted

the royal party, the first time the Queen has been there. Some of these

people have been waiting for six hours, but the party did not

disappoint. In other news, hundreds of hospital operations are

cancelled. A shortage of beds leaves patients suffering pain and

frustration. It grinds you down. It is bone on bone, it is really

painful. Give us a signer. Why some drivers are running on empty on the

new A46. Good evening. A day that the city

of Leicester will not forget a day reflecting Leicester's

multicultural environment. It was a day a complete joy.

It was all summed up a song. -- summed up in a song. A day our

faith, fashion and fondness. Every journey begins with a single step,

and her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee began as she stepped out of

Leicester railway station. By her side was the Duchess of Cambridge,

on her first official engagement on a rain of the Queen. -- on how our

own with the Queen. They moved onto magazine Square. -- Magazine Square.

They were greeted by a crowd of 3,000 people. It was really

exciting to see. It was brilliant. You are waiting for Kate?

definitely. We saw a blaze of pink. I was so glad I waited. It was

wonderful to see just a tiny glimpse. It is my first year here.

Wonderful to have the Queen come and visit. It is great for

Leicester. When you have one of the world's top style icons, it is time

to put on a show. Page revealed which one of the designs she wanted

to wear. It was a 19th century number. It is incredible. I am

shocked. I was really surprised. Then a site are not seen before,

the Queen at Leicester Cathedral, the first visit in 60 years. The

special service was a part to a multicultural ceremony. -- part of

a multicultural ceremony. Everybody believes in the law should not harm

his neighbour. Our new neighbours are totally British, and have

enriched and enhance our communities. -- enhance to our

communities. To build peace we need understanding. To build

understanding we need friends. this big day, two small hands of

friendship. Flowers given to a delighted Duchess and they humbled

Queen. It was absolutely lovely, it was super. You might have seen a

lady who is he would be now, you may this year. -- you made it this

issue. We did it with Our technician, we brought them in

today. The Duchess cavemen, and we were told who won. It is beatable.

Where did you get the inspiration. It comes from her engagement ring.

Of course. I love that nineteenth- century shoes, I thought there are

quite elegant. The issue might even hit the high street? May be.

not bad for your first commission. I wanted to come I their hair, and

meet a gentleman who had a very important role today. You accompany

the Duchess? I did. Probably about three hours. A wonderful privilege.

What was she like? Very friendly. I was struck by a the aura that she

had, the way that she engaged with the crowds. A very popular figure.

She was so easy to work with, to speak with, and all in all a

fantastic day. Any insights that you can share? She mentioned the

sikh drummers. Sh she said she would give the -- she said she

would love to do that ago. She said she loved Africa, and would like to

visit India. She is incredibly slim! She is a really good asset to

the Royal Family. The lunch was very good? It certainly was. I had

the vegetarian option, it was very nice. We were very well looked

after. Thank you very much were sharing that with us. You are

coming back a -- coming back a bit later on.

Thank you Anne, for the moment. Managers at one of our biggest

hospital trusts have apologised after having to cancel hundreds of

operations this year. The NHS in Nottingham says one of the reasons

is an unforseen increase in frail elderly people needing emergency

surgery. But, as Our Health Correspondent Rob Sissons reports,

its not the only place under pressure.

And Maj-Gen get yourself ready for operation, only to be told it is

put off. At Nottingham's NHS hospitals, 300 top operations were

cancelled this year. In Leicester, it was 257. In Derby, their only

cancelled six procedures, they say that is down to planning. Behind

the figures are the real lives. One lady Mel asked to describe how she

has been left to waiting in pain. For Hillary, climbing the front

steps to her front door in Nottingham is very painful. She is

facing an uphill struggle to get the care she needs. It was bows to

be done last year, but was postponed. It was due to be carried

out on Wednesday this week, but she got a phone call saying it was not

happening. She relies on morphine as she is waiting for the date.

They grinds you down. It is bone on bone, it is really painful. She is

not alone, Nottingham's two or hospitals have cancelled over 300

operations this year. They simply haven't been enough beds. We have

had to prioritise the use of our beds. We are at capacity.

Regrettably, we have had to cancel several operations. In many ways,

this situation is baffling. Last winter there was a huge number of

swine flu cases, the weather was terrible. This winter has been

relatively mild. The management of the hospitals is very complex, they

say it is not about money, the Department of Health has said they

want to get patients who are ready home quicker. They are making sure

that they are doing their rounds early, trying to make more

efficient decisions. I want to see them improving their management, so

that they can get their medicine and go home and not have to hang

around. That is inefficient management. With the first signs of

spring, they hope the pressure will now he's. -- will now he's on the

system. Members of a teaching union have

voted to take strike action over plans to introduce a five term year

in Nottingham. The City Council wants to move from the traditional

three terms in September. It says it'll improve pupils' education.

The majority of members of the National Union of teachers in

Nottingham, who took part in the ballot, voted in favour of striking.

A company which brought seven hundred jobs to Derby four months

ago says it now wants to double its workforce. The Hero TSC call centre

moved into the former Egg building on Pride Park at the end of last

year. The company's confirmed that it has had interest from firms in

China and the US, and is now looking to increase the workforce

to 1,500. Police in Nottingham are using

smart water to tackle crime in metal theft hotspots. Officers are

spraying the water on lead flashing and copper pipes at homes in areas

like Bestwood park and Top Valley. The liquid can only be detected

under ultraviolet light and includes a unique code that links

the stolen metal back to the homeowner. There are particular

areas of Nottingham that have received a lot of metal theft. We

are targeting those areas, because the thieves are also targeting them.

We are making it less attractive to steal a product that is forensic

remarked. -- frenziedly marked A petrol station owner says the new

A46 in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire is causing problems

for him - and for drivers. Tarlochan Pabla says takings at his

fuel station on the old A46 have dropped drastically. And since

there are no service areas - or even fuel signs - on the new dual

carriageway, some motorists have been running out of fuel. James

Roberson reports. This road used to have about 27,000

vehicles passing down it. Now look at it. With the opening of the new

A46, it is not good for business is here. This man says the new road

has made it business drop. We were getting quite busy, but there is

nothing happening at all now. Locals say there is away 30 miles

stretch with no direct access to feel. The A46 goes around the town,

and that the new road begins, as you progress southwards, there is

no sign of a filling station. Finally after around the 27 miles

you reach a petrol station. Drivers have been running out of fuel on

the A46, and walking to service stations. You have to come off to

find or petrol. A doesn't help. I would like to get caught on there.

The Highways Agency told us there is no proposal for a service area

on the new stretch of road. Safety of road users is our top priority.

We have provided for signs. We may be entitled to a sign, at a cost of

around 45,000 to �85,000. This news section should bring the car's back,

Scientists in the East Midlands have made a major breakthrough in

the way kidneys are transplanted. A patient from Grantham is one of the

first in the world to undergo a new procedure. It means recipients

should get healthier organs, as Nigel Parker from cramp them had

his first kidney transplant in 1982. Now he has had another using a new

technique which involves using oxygenated blood. He is now feeling

full of life again. You are just normal, what an everyday person

takes for granted. A fantastic opportunity and I am lucky I have

been given two opportunities. Kidney Feydeau can happen at any

time to anybody of any age. human trials have been funded by

Kidney Research UK and carried out at Leicester General Hospital. This

pig's kidney demonstrates the process of repairing the organ.

we reintroduce oxygen, the metabolism starts again and it can

replenish its stores, so when it is transplanted, it can get going

immediately. It is hoped Nigel will be the first of many who will

benefit from longer-lasting and healthier kidneys.

The it's not just the Queen's Diamond Jubilee making this such a

big year for Britain. There's the small matter of the Olympics as

well. And many of the vital qualifying events are now well

underway. With news on that, and the rest of the sport, here's Colin

Hazelden. The star tonight at the British

swimming Jan bishops could be young Molly Renshaw. The 15-year-old from

Ripley won her heat in Star yesterday. Top two in today's final

will make her baby in the Olympic team.

The stunning and the home team Giants, the last coming right on

the hooter. The home were is this Tuesday.

In rugby, there will be no Toby Flood in tomorrow's semi-final with

Bath. He was released by England this week. It is a gamble, you

don't send your strongest side down to Bath at the weekend. But you

take the risk on have read your guys fresh for the Premiership.

Back to the Olympics, badminton space between Chris Adcock and

Nathan Robertson is heating up. They both won their first round

games. With a shock for the world champions.

He Colin Hazelden reporting. That's about it from those of us in the

studio. It's time to return to Leicester, a city that today kicked

off the Queen's Jubilee Tour with huge style and enthusiasm. Anne's

there for us now. Enthusiasm was off the scale. One

thing I am sad I missed was the fashion show. You worried graduate

from the University. In fashion design. Their big day for you?

It's not every day you exhibit your designs before the Royal Family.

Four you were chosen to put your collections on the cat walk. Where

were you? We were backstage, prepping our models. Did the Queen

enjoy it? We kept getting tweets saying she looked like she was

enjoying it. Let us look at your outfit. What are you up to? You

designed a jacket and skirt. After graduation, I was selected to show

in London Fashion Week. After that, I had a keen interest in my

collection so I am hoping to open my own business. Thank you, good

luck. One of the places the Queen went to was the clock tower.

They crowd started arriving early, some people arriving at 6am.

have been here since 9:30am. excited are you? Very excited.

brought my daughter to the Goulding wedding when she was six. Now she

is 16. She is bringing flowers again to give to Kate and to the

Queen. I can't wait to see what she is wearing. I'm so glad she came to

Leicester. As time ticked by, excitement mounted. I can't wait.

Very excited. You have come prepared. Food, hot drinks, we're

here for the day. In some places, crowds were a dozen deep. People

were waiting at windows, anything to get a glimpse of the royal party.

For some it has been a long time since they saw the Queen. 1952, in

Kenya. The last time? Yes. When she became Queen. In 1952 in Kenya, I

was 10 years old. I am a proud here, being British. But for others, it

was their first time seeing Her Majesty. For Henry, he may not

remember it. It is a piece of history, it has been years since

she has been here. I don't know how old Henry will be next time she

comes. Then, the royal party, the crowds cheered, flags were waved,

photographers from around the world clicked away, smiles all round as

the Queen, Prince Philip and the Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the

clock tower. They were met by the Mayor of Leicester, and a troupe of

Some of these people have been here for six hours, but the royal party

were worth the wait. You gave Kate your tulips. What did she say?

she loved to lips. We went over to the cathedral and waited there and

saw them going in. But never thought that they would actually

stopped just here. It has been absolutely amazing. I think we have

all lived this dream, to see Kate and the Queen, this will go down in

the history of Coventry. So, an epic day for the city, as the Queen

started her Jubilee Tour of the country, a day many here simply

will not forget. No one is going to forget. The Vice

Chancellor of De Montfort University, what a day. We served

2000 free breakfasts before the afternoon came. Her Majesty loved

the show. You could see the way Her Majesty and Kate were talking to

each other, they were relaxed in each other's company. That came

over, their friendliness. One of the items, Her Majesty said, am not

sure I could wear that. Kate said she could. The highlight?

Majesty looking at the show. There are a couple of other people over

here. Chelsea who presented her painting to the Queen. The Queen's

Dock. It took me one-hour to draw it. -- dog. The Queen said it was

very good. Can we actually see it, can you hold it up. It is beautiful.

Do you think you will be an artist? The first commission, to the Queen,

not bad. For over here. Professor Martin

Richardson. That was presented to the Duke of Edinburgh, a hologram.

It is a lenticular. Quite different to a hologram. We specialise in

both. This particular image is of the Duke, 15 years ago. He still

looks fantastic. This is what you are working on? We are leading the

way in three-dimensional research for television and film. I think I

might be out of a job! We can sort something out for you! It has been

a tremendous day. A huge day for Leicester and I am very proud to be

Now it's time for the weather. Her Majesty should be very happy

with me for making sure her beautiful hat did not get wet today.

This evening, staying dry, but cloudy and mild. This was the

sunset this evening. Thank you for the photo.

You have probably heard there is a chance of seeing the Northern

Lights tonight, due to this Serna stomp around the Earth at the

moment. Unfortunately it looks like there will be a fair amount of

cloud over the UK. The most prone to spot for seeing the northern

light will be in the north of the UK. They may be some breaks in the

cloud for us. You may be lucky. Take a photo it if you possibly can.

The cloud will build in tomorrow morning. Temperatures on the lower

side. Friday, a pretty cloudy day over all. If you were sunny spells

compared to today. Mainly dry. A week weather front will bring some

drizzly outbreaks. At times, feeling wet. 12 Celsius. This is

the theme over the coming days as high pressure builds in over the UK.

Saturday it is looking like another dry day. Fairly cloudy, brighter

spells. The best of the sunshine will be on Sunday. High-pressure

taking a hold over the UK. A decent amount of sunshine, temperatures up

The weather shone on Leicester today in every sense. If you could

have bottled the atmosphere in the city, it would have sold right

round the world. It was a day no- one there will ever forget. From