0:00:05 > 0:00:07Good evening and welcome to BBC Look North.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10The headlines from Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire this Wednesday night.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Struggling high streets in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
0:00:12 > 0:00:21will be dead within a decade, according to a top retail expert.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25The problem high streets, I don't think they'll be around in ten years
0:00:25 > 0:00:28and I don't think really they should be around in ten years.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30David Prescott, the son of Lord Prescott, is suspended
0:00:30 > 0:00:32from his job in the Labour Party.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34Patients say they're being repeatedly let down
0:00:34 > 0:00:41by a private ambulance service that has been given a big NHS contracts.
0:00:41 > 0:00:48I said here in trepidation, waiting to see if it turns
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Mulled wine and machine guns - armed police will patrol the huge
0:00:51 > 0:00:53crowds at Lincoln Christmas market.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56The local builders giving ex-soldiers a place to live -
0:00:56 > 0:00:59now appearing on national TV.
0:00:59 > 0:01:11We are here to turn empty houses into homes for veterans.More
0:01:11 > 0:01:17sunshine to come. Join me for the forecast.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19High streets in market towns across East Yorkshire
0:01:19 > 0:01:21and Lincolnshire will be dead within a decade.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24That's the claim of a retail expert, speaking as new BBC research
0:01:24 > 0:01:26suggests the UK high street is continuing to decline.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29In Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, which was given a special government
0:01:29 > 0:01:31grant to reverse its fortunes five years ago, vacancy rates
0:01:31 > 0:01:32have continued to rise.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Our Business Correspondent Katy Austin is there now.
0:01:34 > 0:01:44How big is the problem facing the town?
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Being a Portas pilot town gave Market Rasen a marketing boost.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Mary Portas has now gone, so has this veg shop
0:02:01 > 0:02:03and so has the hope the high street would be revitalised.
0:02:03 > 0:02:09What is the long-term effect of it? I don't think the long-term effect
0:02:09 > 0:02:17has been lasting.Have you seen any difference at all?Not really. We
0:02:17 > 0:02:22have lost shops.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24One way youlost shops.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26could measure success is the number of vacancies.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28In 2012, there were 71 shop units in Market Rasen.
0:02:28 > 0:02:2912 were empty.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Since then numbers have fluctuated, shops gage come and gone,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35but in 2017 there are fewer shops - 63, but 14 are vacant.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36two more than when the Portas pilot started.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41The mood among shop owners and shoppers varies.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44I think that the people here are rather negative and I think that if
0:02:44 > 0:02:49they actually walked up and down the high Street and saw how many
0:02:49 > 0:02:51independent businesses they have, there are towns in Britain who would
0:02:51 > 0:02:56love that many independent businesses.Do you think it has got
0:02:56 > 0:03:02better?No, it has gone downhill. What is year, it is too pricey for
0:03:02 > 0:03:07the people that live here.What we have got is lovely but we could do
0:03:07 > 0:03:14with more.Mary Portas admits the scheme she headed up hasn't revived
0:03:14 > 0:03:23high-street fortunes.It was very much a nice, shiny, possibly PR
0:03:23 > 0:03:26campaign that looked like, we are doing something and of course, we
0:03:26 > 0:03:29were doing something and I thought that was going to kick-start much
0:03:29 > 0:03:34more. But it didn't.There was an effect but for me, the problems
0:03:34 > 0:03:40their town centres is much greater than this. It is infrastructure,
0:03:40 > 0:03:45housing, numbers, etc, but only to come together to make a real
0:03:45 > 0:03:48contribution, a significant contribution.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Although many high streets continue to struggle,
0:03:50 > 0:03:56nearby Brigg is bucking the trend with only one empty shop.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00We are helped by two hours' free parking and all day on a Saturday,
0:04:00 > 0:04:07which is a huge help. That brings people into the town. And it keeps
0:04:07 > 0:04:08it so busy.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Traders are proud of the independent
0:04:10 > 0:04:13feel of their high street, but if you look at vacancy rates
0:04:13 > 0:04:21alone, the Portas pilot hasn't brought lasting success.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Harjeet Johal is a retail expert and commentator,
0:04:23 > 0:04:24who writes for The Independent.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26He's also the former managing director of a clothing chain.
0:04:26 > 0:04:32I asked him if we are too nostalgic about our high streets.
0:04:32 > 0:04:33Absolutely.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35I think we are crippled by our nostalgia and it
0:04:35 > 0:04:36is going to harm us.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39It is going to mean that vital resources are sent away
0:04:39 > 0:04:45from vital projects.
0:04:45 > 0:04:52You will have said that there won't be a high street in ten years' time.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53There are different types of high streets, however.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55There are the Oxford streets and then there
0:04:55 > 0:04:57are the problem high streets, which are in the majority
0:04:57 > 0:04:58of the smaller high streets.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02I don't think they'll be around in ten years and I don't think
0:05:02 > 0:05:08really they should be around in ten years.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11The customer has decided they'd prefer to shop in larger high
0:05:11 > 0:05:13streets or out of time and most crucially online and
0:05:13 > 0:05:14on their telephone.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18So you are saying that the customer calls the shots and we can't change
0:05:18 > 0:05:21human behaviour and they want to go to big places and the high
0:05:21 > 0:05:22street just dies?
0:05:22 > 0:05:23Absolutely.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24The customer is always right.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27The customer has told us with their feet that they don't want
0:05:27 > 0:05:28to go to the smaller high streets.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30So we must respond.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32If the rates and business rates and parking was different in terms
0:05:32 > 0:05:36of cost by our councils then more people would open jobs and more
0:05:36 > 0:05:40people would go to the high Street.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41No, not really.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44We are talking about smaller high streets here and the smaller
0:05:44 > 0:05:47high-street only have small shops and the customer is telling us that
0:05:47 > 0:05:50if they are shopping on the high Street, they want the larger shops
0:05:50 > 0:05:52and a smaller high-street just can't have those size units.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55People want small individual shops and you're not going to get those
0:05:55 > 0:06:02small individual shops in massive shopping complexes.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I don't think they want small individual shops.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07They can buy boutique things online and they are buying them online.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10It's not that I'm anti-shock, is just that I'm a realist and I'm
0:06:10 > 0:06:11excited about the future of retail.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14The retail scene in the UK is growing year-on-year but just
0:06:14 > 0:06:15not on the high street.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17It was 14% up last year online.
0:06:17 > 0:06:27And those kind of are to be celebrated.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33And those kind of figures are to be celebrated.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35So in a word, Mary Portas' idea was doomed to fail.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Absolutely.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I think it shows that you shouldn't turn a TV show into policy.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Very good to talk to you tonight.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42Thank you very much indeed.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Thank you.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47We'd like to hear your thoughts on this one.
0:06:48 > 0:06:58Here's how to get in touch...
0:07:18 > 0:07:20The son of former Deputy Prime Minister and Hull MP,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Lord Prescott, has been suspended from his job in the Labour Party.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25David Prescott is a key advisor to Jeremy Corbyn
0:07:25 > 0:07:27and a former BBC employee, who in recent years has
0:07:27 > 0:07:30attempted to become an MP in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Our reporter Kate Sweeting has been following the story.
0:07:32 > 0:07:41What else do we know about the suspension?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45A senior Labour source has told the BBC that David Prescott has been
0:07:45 > 0:07:47suspended from his post in the Labour Leader's office
0:07:47 > 0:07:48following allegations received.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50He has not been suspended from the party.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52We understand the suspension happened a few days ago
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and that he is being investigated by the Labour leader's office.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59It comes amid widespread allegations of misconduct at Westminster.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02No formal complaint has been made to the Labour Party,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05which declined to give details on the reason for the suspension ,
0:08:05 > 0:08:10saying "We do not comment on staffing matters."
0:08:10 > 0:08:17And why is his suspension significant?
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Mr Prescott has become quite a significant
0:08:19 > 0:08:21figure behind the scenes in the Labour leader's office.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23He's a former BBC producer who joined Jeremy Corbyn's
0:08:23 > 0:08:25office over a year ago, initially as a speechwriter before
0:08:25 > 0:08:27becoming a communications manager to the shadow cabinet.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30He has tried to get into front line politics.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31He stood as Labour's candidate in Gainsborough
0:08:31 > 0:08:33in the 2015 election, but lost to Conservative's
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Sir Edward Leigh.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Earlier this year, he failed to become an MP for Hull West
0:08:39 > 0:08:40and Hessle after former home secretary Alan Johnson
0:08:40 > 0:08:42announced he was standing down in June's election.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Mr Prescott has been approached by the BBC for a comment
0:08:45 > 0:08:55but hasn't responded.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12An 86-year-old man has died, after being hit
0:09:12 > 0:09:13by a van in East Yorkshire.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16It happened just after 11 this morning on The Balk at Pocklington.
0:09:16 > 0:09:22Police say the pedestrian died at the scene.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24The A15 north of Lincoln was closed for hours this
0:09:24 > 0:09:25morning after a crash.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27One person was seriously injured in the incident,
0:09:27 > 0:09:33just north of RAF Scampton.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35A Hull charity says it's been inundated with donations,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37after a suspected arson attack destroyed its main base.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Men In Sheds, which uses woodwork to bring lonely people together,
0:09:40 > 0:09:50lost its tools and equipment in a fire yesterday.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Patients relying on transport to and from hospital say they've
0:09:53 > 0:09:55been repeatedly "let down" by the private company
0:09:55 > 0:09:56paid to provide it.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Thames Ambulance Service, which is employed by clinical
0:09:58 > 0:10:00commissioning groups across Hull and Lincolnshire, has already come
0:10:00 > 0:10:03under fire from volunteer drivers for the way it pays expenses.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Now patients and former office staff are adding to that criticism.
0:10:06 > 0:10:15Our Health Correspondent Vicky Johnson has more.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Sheena lives just north of Lincoln - but has to go to Castle Hill
0:10:24 > 0:10:27hospital in East Yorkshire twice a week to have her leg seen to.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30She relies on Thames for patient transport, but has been left
0:10:30 > 0:10:37stranded several times.
0:10:37 > 0:10:44Every time I know I've got transport, I sit here in
0:10:44 > 0:10:49trepidation, waiting to see if it turns
0:10:49 > 0:10:58are delaying her recovery clip Sheena's experience is not unusual -
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Sheena's experience is not unusual -
0:11:00 > 0:11:02judging by the number of disgruntled patients who get in
0:11:02 > 0:11:06touch with Look North.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07A spokesman for Thames has offered their apologies
0:11:07 > 0:11:10in a statement, saying "TASL delivers a reliable quality service
0:11:10 > 0:11:12to the huge majority of our patients across Greater
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Lincolnshire and Hull.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Regretfully there are occasional disruptions to our service
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and patients may be inconvenienced.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Former Thames staff say their working life became
0:11:22 > 0:11:24increasingly stressful, especially after many
0:11:24 > 0:11:33volunteer drivers walked out in a row over expenses.
0:11:33 > 0:11:41Once they've gone, we just haven't got the resources to do it. We
0:11:41 > 0:11:45feel... We are ultimately deciding who is making the appointment and
0:11:45 > 0:11:50who isn't, which is an awful thing to do. It had a massive detrimental
0:11:50 > 0:11:52effect on the staff in the office.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54The military breaks people to build them up but Thames
0:11:54 > 0:11:55are just breaking people.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58This woman served in the armed forces, but says that was nothing
0:11:58 > 0:12:00compared to working as a manager with Thames.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04We've changed her voice to protect her identity.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09They were crying in cupboards or just generally wanting to walk out
0:12:09 > 0:12:13on a scale that I've seen over the past few weeks.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Thames insist they do have enough people and vehicles
0:12:15 > 0:12:18to run the service, and Sheena is full of praise
0:12:18 > 0:12:19for the drivers, when they turn up.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23They are amazing because they have to put up with everybody having a
0:12:23 > 0:12:26good moan at them and they can only do the job they are doing.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29All the different health groups with a stake in patient transport
0:12:29 > 0:12:32are now urging people like sheena to get in touch with them
0:12:32 > 0:12:34so they can get a more complete picture of how
0:12:34 > 0:12:44the service is running.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45What have the clinical commissioning groups,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47the ones who actually employ Thames Ambulance Service,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50had to say about this?
0:12:50 > 0:12:57Thames ambulance runs patient services right across our area and
0:12:57 > 0:13:04the responses we have reserved today is received today indicate they are
0:13:04 > 0:13:14far from happy. Their neighbours in North East Lincolnshire Ramdin
0:13:14 > 0:13:17ligature say they are working closely with Thames and the local
0:13:17 > 0:13:31hospital trust to see what is and isn't working. The advice is if you
0:13:31 > 0:13:36have got any comment or criticism
0:13:36 > 0:13:37make about Thames then inform Thames but also inform your local CCG
0:13:37 > 0:13:45because if they don't know about it, they can't act on it.This story, we
0:13:45 > 0:13:50have followed right from the start and we will continue to do so. If
0:13:50 > 0:13:54you have an experience or maybe you worked or work for them and you want
0:13:54 > 0:14:00to get in touch then drop us an e-mail and give us the details.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Still ahead tonight:
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Lincoln Christmas market, which attracts hundreds
0:14:03 > 0:14:05of thousands of people, will have armed police on patrol.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08The local builders giving ex-soldiers a place to live -
0:14:08 > 0:14:18now appearing on national TV.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Keep the photos and pictures coming in. We are halfway through the
0:14:28 > 0:14:38programme. We like that one.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41in. We are halfway through the programme. We like that one. Is it
0:14:41 > 0:14:51true that he checks on the cows before giving his accurate forecast?
0:14:51 > 0:15:04We have got a satellite. Would you like to just do the
0:15:04 > 0:15:09forecast, please? Let's have a look at the next 24
0:15:09 > 0:15:14hours. It is not looking too bad. Increasing amounts of sunshine
0:15:14 > 0:15:22tomorrow. A few spots of rain at first. A heads up for the weekend,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27lots of sunshine but it could well be a few showers across the coast on
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Sunday. What a beautiful day it has been.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36The cloud is beginning to increase from the West. Already we have had a
0:15:36 > 0:15:43touch of frost. I think basically speaking what will
0:15:43 > 0:15:46happen is the cloud will come across and the breeze will pick up and the
0:15:46 > 0:15:52temperatures were level of. The cloud may well produce one or two
0:15:52 > 0:15:59spots of rain. Temperatures two or three degrees across Lincolnshire.
0:15:59 > 0:16:10Rising across those valleys. The sun rises at a roundabout seven.
0:16:10 > 0:16:16A bit of cloud from the overnight period. This cloud breaking up from
0:16:16 > 0:16:22the North through the course of the morning. It is going to feel a bit
0:16:22 > 0:16:29milder. The breeze a moderate west to south-westerly. Temperatures have
0:16:29 > 0:16:34struggled into double figures. Tomorrow, 12 and 13. Should feel a
0:16:34 > 0:16:40little bit better. Tomorrow night, patchy rain
0:16:40 > 0:16:44spreading from the Northwest again. Friday looks fine, increasingly
0:16:44 > 0:16:49sunny. Saturday and Sunday, the whole weekend looks cold, sunny and
0:16:49 > 0:16:57windy. That's the forecast.
0:16:57 > 0:17:06I wish to discuss the up myself... I don't know how you get away with it.
0:17:06 > 0:17:17Don't say any more. Sciver tomorrow.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19A greater visible number of armed police officers will patrol
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Lincoln's Christmas Market this year, with extra road
0:17:21 > 0:17:23blocks in place to ensure the safety of visitors.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25The market, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people
0:17:25 > 0:17:28to the city every year, starts in a month's time.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Victoria Holland is in Lincoln now.
0:17:31 > 0:17:41Is the extra security in response to a particular threat?
0:17:44 > 0:17:47No, organisers met with counterterrorism officers today and
0:17:47 > 0:17:51they say they received no particular intelligence about Lincoln but
0:17:51 > 0:17:52they say they received no particular intelligence about Lincoln but these
0:17:52 > 0:17:56extra measures are being put in place at big events across the
0:17:56 > 0:18:00country. The UK threat level remains at severe. I spoke to organisers
0:18:00 > 0:18:04today to see what sort of measures they are putting in place this
0:18:04 > 0:18:05Christmas.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Lincoln's Christmas market is one of the biggest in the country-
0:18:07 > 0:18:09last year it attracted 260,000 visitors.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11But for organisers, the challenge is to keep those visitors safe.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14This year, extra armed police officers and road barriers
0:18:14 > 0:18:20are being brought in.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24This will be the first time they will be regularly deployed across
0:18:24 > 0:18:28the whole market for the whole weekend and they will be visible. We
0:18:28 > 0:18:34hope people feel reassured that we are taking extra measures to keep
0:18:34 > 0:18:39everything safe and sound for the visitors and everyone attending.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It follows terror attacks like the one on the Berlin
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Christmas market last year, where a lorry was driven
0:18:44 > 0:18:47at a crowd of shoppers, killing 12 and injuring 56 others.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Since then, armed police have become a more common site at big events.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52And across cities concrete barriers have been put in,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55like these ones in Hull, to make it impossible for cars
0:18:55 > 0:18:58to drive across pedestrian areas.
0:18:58 > 0:19:05There will be barriers surrounding the site this year. There will be a
0:19:05 > 0:19:09mixture of concrete blocks and police vans. Organisers mean it
0:19:09 > 0:19:15would stop a hostile vehicle driving into the crowd.There is so much bad
0:19:15 > 0:19:19stuff happening when there are big events, it is necessary. If it means
0:19:19 > 0:19:24we have to go overboard then we have to look. Safety comes first.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Personally I am not very comfortable with armed police. It is only too
0:19:28 > 0:19:34easy for them to attack themselves and somebody else then getting hold
0:19:34 > 0:19:40of it done.It is a good idea to have extra security. It makes
0:19:40 > 0:19:46everyone feel more comfortable.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Lincolnshire police say that many Christmas markets
0:19:47 > 0:19:50across the country are taking similar precautions, and people
0:19:50 > 0:19:52should speak to armed officers if they see anything suspicious.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55They hope the extra security means people can enjoy Christmas cheer,
0:19:55 > 0:19:56confident that they're safe.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59As well as Lincoln Christmas market, which begins on the 7th December,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01there'll also be extra security at Lincoln's Christmas light switch
0:20:01 > 0:20:02on, which is next Friday.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Once again they'll be using those blockades around the area to keep
0:20:06 > 0:20:18Organisers insist they don't want to alarm anyone,
0:20:18 > 0:20:28but they also need to make sure visitors are safe.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Lots of you got in touch after last night's story,
0:20:38 > 0:20:39about cyclists riding on pavements.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41There have been complaints about the number of cyclists
0:20:41 > 0:20:44using pavements in Lincoln, with calls to fine anyone
0:20:44 > 0:20:45riding irresponsibly.
0:20:45 > 0:20:55Police say fines are not the answer.
0:20:55 > 0:21:02Thanks for all the messages on this.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Chris in Lincoln says:
0:21:11 > 0:21:18Elsbe in Lincoln says:
0:21:28 > 0:21:35And this from Steve in North Hykeham:
0:21:49 > 0:21:52A charity which renovates homes for military veterans in Hull says
0:21:52 > 0:21:54it's helped dozens of former soldiers since it was
0:21:54 > 0:21:55set up two years ago.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Tonight the work of Hull 4 Heroes will be featured
0:21:57 > 0:21:59on the DIY SOS programme.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01The charity was started by local tradesman Paul Matson,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04who got the idea after volunteering on the BBC show, on a special street
0:22:04 > 0:22:05for veterans in Manchester.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08It's hoped that soon similar communities could exist in our area.
0:22:08 > 0:22:18Jo Makel reports.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25We're here to turn empty houses into for veterans.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The Veterans Street in Manchester was the biggest project DIY SOS
0:22:28 > 0:22:30had ever undertaken, even involving Princes
0:22:30 > 0:22:36William and Harry.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37We've got the same name.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38Tell them what our name is.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40The Prince of Darkness.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Paul Matson volunteered on that first round of building work.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44It inspired him to start the Hull4Heroes charity.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47And on tonight's programme we see him back on the street,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50but this time with a gang of volunteers from East Yorkshire.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52You decided to try and make a difference where you live.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58Tell us about that.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I really didn't think that lots of veterans were in need.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03I felt down when I left the Army and then came here,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06seeing what we were doing here and went back to Hull,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10seen some derelict houses and thought, why not?
0:23:10 > 0:23:12House renovations have been a large part Hull4heroes' work.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16This house in Beverley was adapted for Dan Allinson, a veteran who has
0:23:16 > 0:23:17motor neurone disease.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20He's now become part of the team and is spearheading the charity's
0:23:20 > 0:23:22latest shoebox campaign to send gifts to soldiers in Afghanistan.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26The aim of it is really just to let the lads in theatre know
0:23:26 > 0:23:28that we are thinking about them.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31When I was in Afghanistan, I received a shoe box and it made
0:23:31 > 0:23:37just such a difference.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Chris Ashton, who was badly injured by a grenade launcher in Iraq,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43has become patron of the charity and says the emotional support it
0:23:43 > 0:23:45offers is also important.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49They are like my family.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54I get along with really well.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58And there's a lot of respect there.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01And since meeting them, DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles has
0:24:01 > 0:24:03offered his support.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07At various stages I've tried to stay in contact to give them some advice
0:24:07 > 0:24:09along the way that they need very little advice from me.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11We've come up with some new ideas.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13It's going to expand and get bigger and bigger.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15And they are kind of an unstoppable force.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17They should be very much appreciated from the city
0:24:17 > 0:24:19of Hull because they are doing extraordinary things.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22While renovations remain its focus for now, the charity has always
0:24:22 > 0:24:23had a long term aim.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Eventually it wants to build streets of new homes for veterans in Hull,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28creating something similar to Manchester, a special
0:24:28 > 0:24:37community for the future.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40And you can see that special episode of DIY SOS, Veteran Street,
0:24:40 > 0:24:50on BBC One tonight at 8 o'clock.
0:25:04 > 0:25:14Let's get a recap of the national and regional headlines.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Priti Patel was ordered to fly back to London in the middle of an
0:25:22 > 0:25:25official trip.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Struggling high streets in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
0:25:27 > 0:25:33will be dead within a decade - according to a top retail expert.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Tomorrow's weather, a cloudy start but turning brighter. Top
0:25:37 > 0:25:47temperatures getting up 13 Celsius. Now, we were talking about the high
0:25:47 > 0:25:52streets and our guests saying the high street would be dead within ten
0:25:52 > 0:25:55years, certainly prompted a big response.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01Empty shops are also a problem in cities. You only have to walk
0:26:01 > 0:26:05through Hull, there are 20 empty premises and that does not include
0:26:05 > 0:26:11vacant office accommodation. The main problem is the introduction
0:26:11 > 0:26:16of parking charges by the council. Several people saying the same with
0:26:16 > 0:26:22the parking charges. The pilot was a failure and a waste
0:26:22 > 0:26:26of taxpayers money right across the country. The only thing it promoted
0:26:26 > 0:26:35was Mary Portas. Hoover some unknown reason is still being described as a
0:26:35 > 0:26:40retail guru. Not a fan of my reporters, I don't think. -- Mary
0:26:40 > 0:26:45Portas. We don't need any fancy strategies
0:26:45 > 0:26:54and plans. And this one from John, Jeff Somers who we saw in the film,
0:26:54 > 0:26:59to care about the future of market raisin, it might have been useful to
0:26:59 > 0:27:04ask him why his own council decided recently to start charging for the
0:27:04 > 0:27:08previously free car parks that were there.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11The kiss of death for market raisin. Thank you for those you for
0:27:11 > 0:27:15watching.