03/12/2013 East Midlands Today

BBC weather website. That is it all from the BBC's News at

Here in the East Midlands: Tonight, the unused fire control centre

that's costing taxpayers a fortune. This building has been closed since

2007 and cost the taxpayers ?8 million in rent alone.

I was drinking six litres a day. For a stand`up comedian, I couldn't

stand up any more. Searching the stolen metal, police carry out spot

checks on scrap dealers in Leicestershire.

And, a song for Rose, written by children for a friend who died from

cancer. We sat around a piano and put some

stuff together and had an amazing song which expressed our feelings

about Rose. Good evening, welcome to the

programme. First tonight, it's emerged that an

empty fire control centre is costing taxpayers in the East Midlands

?5,000 a day. It's been dubbed a costly white elephant by one local

MP. The building was one of nine around the country designed to

replace smaller control rooms, but was scrapped 0

replace smaller control rooms, but was scrapped three years ago. Now,

it could be used as a regional office for police forces from across

the East Midlands. Our reporter Simon Hare is at the building for us

now. Good evening. We are just be a 50 at

Castle Donington, on a busy industrial estate. A hive of

activity everywhere except here. The building is empty. Despite that, it

costs the taxpayer ?5,000 a day which adds up to ?1.8 million a

year, ?1.3 million of that is rent alone. The government is signed up

to continue paying that until 2032. As white elephants go, they don't

come much bigger than this. It was supposed to be a fire control centre

for the whole of the East Midlands. It was part of a project to replace

46 smaller control rooms across the country, with nine regional control

centres. It 0 country, with nine regional control

centres. It began in 2004 under the Labour government. It was hoped it

would provide a better coordinated response to emergencies. The

building in Castle Donington was completed in 2007. But there were

major problems and, with costs spiralling, the nationwide project

was scrapped in 2010, having wasted ?469 million. It is an outrage that

taxpayers have to work that hard to pay their tax for politicians to

waste that money. Someone should be held accountable, there should be an

investigation into why we have got to this. 0

investigation into why we have got to this. Now, there are reports it

could be used by police. But it is thought that would bring

in a fraction of what it cost the government to lease it. And at a

time when the fire fighters union is campaigning against cuts to the

service and their terms and conditions.

For what it would settle our pensions dispute, one of these would

pay for it straightaway. It is galling. A sentiment shared by all

taxpayers who have helped to pay for this building.

To cut the ongoing Bill, could this building now be used by the police

in the 0 building now be used by the police

in the East 0 0 building now be used by the police

in the East Midlands? We have seen collaboration between the different

forces in the region. They are also under increasing financial pressure.

Could they cut costs by sharing more backroom functions and basing them

here for the whole of the East Midlands? That idea is being

considered although it is said to be at a very early stage.

A former Miss Nottingham finalist has been cleared of selling gun

components illegally. Rebecca Draper sold 0 0

components illegally. Rebecca Draper sold firing pins for lethal weapons,

from her airgun shop in Radford. But, today, a judge said the law was

"very uncertain", and the firearms charges were dropped. Our social

affairs correspondent Jeremy Ball reports.

Rebecca Draper arrived at Nottingham Crown Court today expecting to go on

trial and facing the prospect of a five year prison sentence. Miss

Jaeger was accused 0 five year prison sentence. Miss

Jaeger was accused of 0 five year prison sentence. Miss

Jaeger was accused of committing for firearm offences at her family's

business. She was charged with selling components for this handgun

and three police issue pistols without authority. They included

fire pins. Rebecca Draper denied she had broken the law and when the

prosecution's expert witness pulled out, the charges were dropped. It

has been an emotional time for the family.

The possibility of a five`year sentence, at the age of 27, it has

been daunting for me. I wouldn't know how to face it. It was the

arrest of one of her customers which sparked the investigation. A former

clay pigeon shooting champion who is now facing prison. This pistol was

found hidden in a tub of chocolate in his home. Police discovered more

than 100 live bullets. They suspected they were being supplied

to local 0 suspected they were being supplied

to local criminals. This was expected to be a test case for

traders selling gun components. The George said the law was very

uncertain, and that she needed to tread carefully `` the judge said.

Finally, relief that those charges have been listed. `` lifted.

Still to come: If you're fed up with this December gloom, there's

brighter news 0 this December gloom, there's

brighter news on the way, from Kaye. About time too, there has been a lot

of this around, but we will be emerging from the gloom tomorrow

with lots of blue sky on the way. Join me for more details later in

the programme. Around 80% of people in Nottingham

want the sale of super`strength beers and ciders to be banned,

according to the first public attitude survey in the city. Some of

those backing the findings include heavy drinkers. The report, by the

campaign group Nottingham Citizens, revealed a similar number of people

believe street drinking is also a problem. Quentin Rayner reports.

Andy Caddy has been a heavy drinker for 20 years. A former stand`up

comic, it was no joke. I was drinking 0

comic, it was no joke. I was drinking six litres of cider a day.

For a stand`up comedian, I knew I couldn't stand up any more. Beers

and cider is of more than 5.6% are classified as super`strength and are

often cheaper. 0 classified as super`strength and are

often cheaper. A single count may contain more alcohol than the daily

safe limit for a man. Nottingham Citizens sake 76% of those surveyed

want all shops to stop selling it. The people have spoken, retailers

should hear what the people are saying. This is not an acceptable

practice. It is targeting the most vulnerable. A hardened drinker like

myself, it's not a problem, you will always find money. It is the young I

am worried for. The council says 80% of city centre off licences have

pledged not to sell this type of alcohol. But people have mixed views

of a ban. There are too many young ones

being, spending money on it, getting drunk, acting ridiculously. I don't

agree. I don't think it is for the retailers to make that decision.

I think somebody else has two really push the point.

I don't think they should stop selling it. If they did, a lot of

the people would turn to crime, because, when you have been a

drinker for so long, or an addict, crime is the only thing you know. It

is estimated the health care and policing associated with alcohol

misuse costs each taxpayer ?170 a year.

Buildings in part of Nottingham were evacuated today, after a fire at a

factory. Emergency crews were called to Midland Shelving on Coventry Road

in Bulwell at around 11.30am this morning. The road was sealed off,

and part of the tram network was disrupted. Properties nearby were

evacuated because of concerns that cylinders could explode. Fire

officers are expected to be there for a number of hours tonight.

At this stage of the incident, the predominant risk is from those

cylinders. We have established effective cordon is in liaison with

the police. We are happy public safety is not compromised, but as a

precaution, we have asked the public to stay indoors.

The body of a man has been found at a house in Leicester. Police were

first called to Aylestone Lane in the city yesterday. The home has

also been damaged by a fire, which was out when the officers arrived.

Leicestershire Police, the Fire Service and a pathologist are trying

to find out what caused the fire and the man's death. The area is

cordoned off while investigations continue.

A man from Leicestershire is to stand trial for the attempted murder

of a Sikh religious leader. It's alleged that Sri Satguru Uday Sing

Ji was attacked at a temple in Linden Street in Leicester in

August. He was treated in hospital for head injuries. Today,

27`year`old Harjit Singh Toor, from Oadby, pleaded not guilty to the

charge. The trial is expected in February.

Three houses had to be evacuated, after it emerged that work by

builders had left them at risk of collapsing. Tonnes of soil had been

removed from beneath the foundations of one of the terraced properties on

Violet Street in the Normanton area of Derby. The two neighbouring

houses were also declared unsafe. The hole is now being filled with

concrete. Officials say householders or landlords should seek advice when

carrying out similar work. Before you start your grand design,

come and talk to the local authority, come and get some advice

about whether or not you're building requires building regulation

approval. And get the advice as to whether what you are planning to do

is going to be safe. Police in Leicestershire are warning

scrap metal dealers they could face thousands of pounds in fines if

they're caught trading illegally. Under new laws, scrap metal can't be

bought with cash, and dealers must have a licence. Our reporter Eleanor

Garnier has been out with the police, as they conducted spot

checks. A surprise visit by Leicestershire

Police, on the hunt for stolen metal, and signs of illegal dealing.

Just check there is a record of the metal coming in, and a record of it

going out. So it can be traced. Copper piping and car wheels, even

kitchen sinks, it is all big business for scrap metal merchants,

but it is costing the rest of us. The government says metal theft

costs the UK economy ?220 million a year. Through disrupted train

services, desecrated war memorials, damaged church roofs. Now, a new law

has been brought in to help police cut down on the crime. It has helped

the police dramatically, most dealers are complying with

legislation. Photographic ID is required. And tracing where the

money has come from and going to. It has eradicated a good percentage of

the theft we were having. The theft of metal is slowing business up. We

don't get so many people in because if they don't have ID we have to

turn them away. Police officers claim domestic metal theft is down

80% in Hinckley since the new law came in.

A charity which supports air ambulance services in the East

Midlands has issued a warning about fraudsters. Hoax leaflets like this

one are being sent out, asking for donations of clothing. But they

don't include a registered charity number or proper contact details.

The company originally responsible for the bogus leaflets was shut down

and prosecuted more than two years ago.

Fire fighters had to use breathing apparatus to tackle a fire in

Leicester this afternoon. The Fire Service were called to a shop on

Abbey Park Road. There were no injuries, but the gas and

electricity supplies were disconnected as a precaution. The

roads in the area are now back open this evening.

This year's Download music event has been named the country's Best Major

Festival. The three`day event at Castle Donington beat off

competition from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, at the UK

Festival Awards. Iron Maiden was one of the headline acts this year. The

veteran band were back in the East Midlands 25 years after their last

appearance at Donington. More men and women die from it than

any 0 More men and women die from it than

any other cancer. 0 More men and women die from it than

any other cancer. And yet, with early diagnosis and treatment, more

people would survive. One expert in Nottingham is convinced there's now

a need to bring in a national screening programme for lung cancer.

Dr David Baldwin, a lung cancer specialist, is campaigning for

targeted screening of those most at risk, typically in their sixties and

seventies. He pulled together fresh evidence to present to the decision

makers in the new year. Our health correspondent Rob Sissons reports.

A lung cancer tumour, sadly detected too late. That is often the problem.

Could one solution be targeted mass screening? This expert argues, yes,

in the Lancet. Three quarters of our people who come to our clinics have

cancer which is unfortunately incurable. If you catch it early,

you can take it up with surgery and people can be cured. Lung cancer is

on the increase with 3000 new cases across the region every year. With

2400 deaths annually, it is the biggest cancer killer.

We think that CT scans are the way forward for people with high risk.

CT scans are not cheap. Then there is the criticism smokers have

brought it on themselves. But Doctor Baldwin has sympathy. People get

addicted to smoking at an early stage.

The vast majority of people intent `` in our clinics are former

smokers. Surely's lung cancer was discovered when she was being

investigated for a stomach complaint.

If I hadn't had to go to the hospital for this other complaint,

it would never have been spotted. I never felt ill with my chest. If it

is voluntary screening, you don't have to go. Like many of her

generation, she had smoked 50 years, so `` 50 years.

This is a giant pair of inflatable lungs, the latest trick at the

Kingsmill hospital to raise awareness of lung cancer. One of the

biggest health challenges of our age.

There are screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancer.

Will lung cancer be added to the list?

The short answer is, one day, maybe. The committee that evaluates

all the evidence looks at the evidence and is led by that. It is

waiting for the results of a pilot study in Liverpool 0

waiting for the results of a pilot study in Liverpool which is already

doing CT scans and looking as it whether it improves long`term

survival. The results are not until 2015.

What are the symptoms the NHS urges people to look out for?

The main symptom they always go on about is a persistent cough. If you

have had a cough which has lasted more than three weeks, the advice is

to get it checked out. Who knows, it could be something more sinister

than a virus or common cold. The other thing to say is, a lot of

other symptoms, things like breathlessness, unexpected weight

loss. In the early stages, there can be no symptoms and no pain.

It's something many of us don't like to think about, what happens to us

when we die? As thousands of us are choosing to be buried, across the

region there's only so much space left in our graveyards. In

Leicester, the city council has launched a consultation so, in the

long term, they can meet the demand for burial space. Helen Astle

reports. Already, the final resting place for

thousands of people, with new graves being dug every day. This is the new

extension which is likely to be filled within the next 25 years.

Then what? How long do people want the exclusive use of a grave for? At

the moment it is 99 years and there is a cost. We want to give more

affordable options for burial which could involve a shorter period. One

proposal in Leicester is people have a 30 year lease on a burial starts

`` site. This means the plot could then be reused. It is wrong, it

should be how it is now. I know families who have used the same

place. I don't think it is a good idea. You pay for a plot to put your

own family there, then for somebody else to go, it is wrong.

It is wrong, that is why my Gran is at a natural burial ground. Almost

half of cemeteries could run out of space in 20 years. In Nottingham, it

is estimated there could be 70 years of space. 0

is estimated there could be 70 years of space. As our city graveyards

full up, what is the alternative? Here, there is a natural burial

site. No headstones, plenty of room to expand, and increasingly popular.

We only did 25 in the first year. Now it is 150. It has increased year

on year. Leicester City Council's

consultation finishes in the New Year. It says we may not like

talking about burials but with a growing population we need to, so

ultimately we can all be at peace. Time now for the sport.

Leicester City look to extend their lead at the top of the Championship

table tonight, as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday. The Foxes are

three points clear, and the team were in great spirits as they left

the King Power Stadium for Yorkshire earlier today. Natalie Jackson

reports. Ahead of this Sheffield Wednesday

game, this team of brimming with confidence. Why not? They have won

six out of seven, 12 of their first 17 games. The rest of the

Championship is looking up at them at the top of the table. Wednesday

are second bottom, without a permanent manager after David James

was relieved of duties this week. Six Football League badgers have

been sacked in nine days. Only in the summer, Nigel Pearson faced

speculation about his own job. Just in the summer? I thought it was all

the way through the season. It is something you become accustomed to.

There are far too many occasions managers lose their jobs when maybe

it is the first wobble. When you are involved in management, it can be

quite a lonely job from time to time. You have to get on with it.

But he is still smiling and still looking for that extra edge to keep

his team in top spot. We are trying to find ways of improving. And, I

think, when you start patting yourself on the back, you are in

trouble. No one here is getting carried away because, last January,

they were in the top two before they slipped down the division into the

play`off places. This time around, it feels different, Leicester City

are eight points better off than they were exactly this time last

season. Nottingham Forest can go back into

the 0 Nottingham Forest can go back into

the play`off positions if they win at Millwall tonight. Millwall are

unbeaten in their last five home games.

Commentary tonight on BBC Radio Nottingham. Their sports special

starts just after 7pm. And, as ever, exclusive commentary

too on Leicester City, from BBC Radio Leicester 104.9 FM.

As for Derby County, they don't play till tomorrow night, at home to

Middlesbrough. And something else for the club to look forward to.

Pride Park's hosting international football again. The England

under`21s will play Wales there in March, in a European Championship

qualifier. Manager Steve McClaren says it's the perfect venue.

A magnificent stadium. I was there with Jim Smith when it was built and

opened. It was very modern then. The stadium is still as pristine as the

first day when it opened. That is credit to the football club who have

kept it going, and to the public. This is a great venue for football,

a great venue for the under 21 is as well, it is great news.

Leicester Tigers expect to have lock Ed Slater and winger Vereniki Goneva

back, to bolster the squad, before the crucial Heineken Cup game with

Montpellier at the weekend. Tigers have been badly hit by injuries this

season, and have back to back games with the French side coming up.

We have if few missing still. But we will crack on and give it our best.

We will see if the crowd can drag us through.

Snooker. Leicester's Mark Selby is defending his UK Championships title

at the Barbican in London. His third round match was his most

straightforward yet of this year's tournament, Selby through to the

last 16, with a 6`0 win over Stuart Carrington.

In ice hockey, the Nottingham Panthers play tonight. The injury

and suspension`hit squad face a tough game at the National Ice

Centre, against league leaders Belfast Giants.

Now, the young classmates releasing a song for their friend who died of

cancer. It's called Always In Our Hearts, A Song For Rose. Rose

Whittle was ten, and a pupil at Nottingham Girls High School. She

died in March this year. Today, her friends and family told Jo Healey

all about their song. You told me to live, you told me to

love. Rose was diagnosed with a rare children's cancer when she was

eight. Obviously we were devastated, we had

a daughter who was always happy, bright with a zest for life.

She was very jolly all the time when I visited her in hospital. We wrote

a song about her because she was always really musical. She liked the

guitar and ukelele. The day after she died, we got a book and rewrote

different poems to remember her. And then 0

different poems to remember her. And then we wrote words down on a piece

of paper from the poems that really inspired us of what she was. She did

music. We split up into groups, violins,

clarinets, flutes. In the end we formed it together and maybe music

for the song. We sat around a piano and put stuff

together. By the end of the day we had an amazing song to express our

feelings about Rose. The song is a fantastic celebration

of her life, a tribute to Rose, and raising awareness for children's

cancer, and raising money for the cancer ward at Queens 0

cancer, and raising money for the cancer ward at Queens medical

Centre, Nottingham, to make it a home from home for families living

with cancer. Everyone loved rose from their

hearts, from being her friend. A beautiful song, what a lovely

tribute. Fantastic effort. You can download it from Thursday. I think

it should be a Christmas number one. Time now for the weather.

We have some lovely sunshine on the way, but it is a weather picture

first. This is a picture of the starlings in Stoney Middleton, on

Sunday. Keep them coming in. Thereafter changes on the way for

the next few days. Fairly quiet recently. A weather front moving

south tonight. Bringing some rain tonight. The main thing is it will

clear that cloud. We are emerging from the gloom. Rain will clear

away, the 0 from the gloom. Rain will clear

away, the cloud will break, lots of lovely sunshine. Some breaks in the

cloud this evening. The cloud will thicken again. This weather front

will bring some rain in the early hours. The 0

will bring some rain in the early hours. The cloud will hold the

temperatures up, down to four degrees. Cloudy and damp to start.

That rain will clear away swiftly. Taking the cloud with it quickly. By

the 0 Taking the cloud with it quickly. By

the middle of the day tomorrow, we will be basking in sunshine. Breezy

tomorrow. Feeling fairly call, highs of seven Celsius. Things are getting

livelier as we go into Thursday. A deepening area of low pressure

swinging to the North. You can see the squeeze in the isobars meaning a

windy day on Thursday. We have a weather warning in force.

That's all for now. You can join us during the ten o'clock