30/03/2012 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm And I'm Rob Smith. Tonight's top

stories. How panic buying is actually costing our independent

fuel retailers dear - where closed forecourts means no sales. Tonight

we're live at one affected petrol station in East Sussex. Blueprint

Margate - how Mary Queen of Shops' plan to revitalise our high streets

is now backed by the government. Also in tonight's programme: As the

30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict approaches, a Kent soldier

who was blinded in the action remembers his fallen comrades.

Three of their guys that I trained with were or cold -- all killed.

Scientist's warning that the deadly Schmallenberg virus may be

spreading from animal to animal and not via midges. And life in the

fast lane; the ordinary Joe who got to take on Usain Bolt in his first

Good evening. The owners of a family-run petrol station in Sussex

say panic buying is costing them thousands of pounds. The service

station they run at Telscombe Cliffs near Brighton has had no

petrol or diesel since yesterday morning. They say they make very

little on fuel, relying on their shop sales to make any profit - but

with no fuel, there are no customers. Steve Gaisford is live

there now. How badly is this affecting them? I am wearing the

fluorescent jacket which means that a tanker has arrived in the

forecourt and there should be fuel running through these farms once

again soon. They have even taking the out of fuel tanks off the palms.

Within the next four to five minutes, I should get your from

this pump. But it has been a tough few days for this family business.

No fuel for two day Plummer. Archie watches his business passing him by.

There is nothing he can do after customers did panic buying of fuel.

The margins on fuel, although they are slim, and bring the trade and

the shop people in as well, so if we have no fuel sales, we have a

very few shops sales. Were there is fuel, there are queues. Larger fuel

stations are making this business but panic-buying continues. With

was the same story across much of Kent and Sussex - people rushing to

fill up their tax. We imagine that there is something to be anxious

about when we are told not to panic. When we believe that other people

are panicking, it makes perfect sense for us to act individualistic

Glee, ourselves. There is no reason for it at all except people

panicking and making life difficult for everybody else. That is causing

unnecessary problems for everyone, I suppose. There are 31 million

cars and the UK, consuming 123 million litres of fuel each day. If

everybody filled up today, it would take a fortnight before the fuel

ran out. But it is smaller, more independent businesses who are

paying the price. Empty forecourts mean less customers popping in to

buy daily essentials. Shops, laden with food, that is rapidly going

out of date. It is all date marked and we will move it on if we have

to pay to me that on but it will have to be written down and written

off as a loss. For this event station in Max Seifert, much-needed

supplies will not reach the forecourt until Sunday. That means

fewer customers spending time and money in the shock and another

independent business facing an uncertain future. -- in the shop.

The Unite union has said there would be no strike action before

Easter but they will continue talks, and there is no guarantee, and

there could be a strike action after Easter. She's the retail guru

brought in by the Government to help rescue Britain's ailing High

Streets. Today ministers announced they're accepting virtually all the

recommendations put forward by the "Queen of Shops", Mary Portas.

Councils have been asked to bid for money to pilot her ideas. Meanwhile,

as Sara Smith reports, four areas of Kent have been awarded �100,000

each to start work improving their high streets. I am Mary Portas, and

I want to find out whether the traditional high streets have

reached the end of the road. She made a name at some of the most

famous shops and the country. Now, she is helping to transform the

more humble part of British retailing. This was Mary Portas, in

market, having highlighted truck -- the trouble many high-streets were

in the Government asked her to carry out a review. It is the pits,

absolute pits, there is nothing worth coming into town for. There

are a lot of pound shops and not much for the family. There are very

few clothes shops. After 26 years on I stick, shop hours say that the

key issue is parking. The out-of- town shopping, the car-park is free,

and it cost a lot of money with in town centres, to park, but that is

the only way you will encourage people back into the high street.

Parking charges are covered in the review and other towns are bidding

to become Palace to try at the recommendations. We need to make

sure that individual localities, the people, the shop keepers, the

councillors, are getting together and dreaming up a new vision for

the High Street. Midway along with swill, great charm and Tonbridge

are being given 100 doesn't pounds each from a high-street innovation

fund. It will take some innovation for is some like that to make much

difference here. -- a sum. How did they decide which towns would get

the cash? The council has did not bid for this money and only found

out they were getting it, and the last couple of days. Office blocks

as well as empty shops have been targeted. So Tonbridge and Morland

have got the cash, but Margate and Thanet, as a whole, known for

having some of the highest rates of empty shops in the country, they

have got nothing. Remembering the Oceana; the forgotten steamship

that sank off Beachy Head just a few weeks before the Titanic went

down. BBC South East has learned that the potentially deadly

Schmallenberg virus, which affects sheep and cattle, could be

spreading from animal to animal, rather than via midges as

originally thought. There have been more cases of the virus in Kent and

Sussex than anywhere else in the country, causing deformities and

death among lambs and calves. Our Environment Correspondent Yvette

Austin has this exclusive report. A healthy newborn lamb, but there are

many others in the region which have fallen victim to Schmallenberg

virus. Researchers at the Institute for Animal it are studying midges

and mosquitoes to learn more about how this virus spreads. It was

first identified in a small German town in November last year, and

light the blue tongue virus which it farmers a few years ago or, it

was spread by midges and possibly other insects from the Continent

after the South East. It is thought that native midges biting infected

animals spread the virus wider and now it seems the infective in sex

half survive the winter and are causing you out race. Scientists

are worried that the spread of the by this is different from Lipton,

which makes them think that it has spread from animal to animal. --

from blue tongue. Our images the only route of spread or has there

are also some spread by contact or aerosol, or the more fecal route,

there is some other group that is leading to this high-density spread.

Whilst lambs have recently been born dead and with terrible

deformities, the virus attack last autumn when sheep were becoming

pregnant. Scientists want more data to chart what might happen this

autumn, but there are concerns that many farmers with cases of

Schmallenberg virus are not reporting them. Some farmers have

had infected lands and have not reported it. Scientists think that

the virus will spread further and that there will be more new threats.

Global trade in lots of different victims is increasing so you are

transmitting viruses into new areas and midges and mosquitoes have been

found establishing themselves on the Continent which means that the

potential range of some very nasty viruses is increasing. For now,

farmers can only hope that Schmallenberg virus is dying out.

The former Head of Energy Procurement at Kent County Council

has been found guilty of a �2 million fraud. Ross Knowles forged

invoices and diverted money that should have been paid to local

authorities into his own bank account. A campaign against online

bullying run by a father from Brighton has received support from

celebrities including boxers Ricky Hatton and Sugar Ray Leonard. Scott

Freeman's daughter Poppy suffered so badly she considered suicide. Mr

Freeman and his Cybersmile Foundation have launched a website

today to help others who are suffering. The family of Kent

businessman Chris Tappin, who's been extradited to America have

welcomed a new report criticising the extradition deal between the UK

and the US. The Home Affairs Select Committee says high profile cases

like that of Christopher Tappin, who's currently in prison in New

Mexico awaiting trial, show the current arrangements are one-sided.

Our Political Editor Louise Stewart reports. The retired Kent

businessman Christopher Tappin is currently in prison in New Mexico

awaiting trial, having been extradited to the US, last month.

He is accused of selling batteries for Iranian the sales, charges he's

a nice. This case and the case of the computer hacker Gary making in,

have highlighted public concern at extradition arrangements between

Britain and the US, being one-sided. It is easier for a British citizen

to go to America than for an American citizen to be extradited

here. We want to see the possibility of cases being tried

here, but the evidence needs to be tested. MPs want the same test of

extradition to apply to both countries, for a judged to decide

that the person can be tried in the UK, and for a test for an initial

assessment of someone's guilt. is good news they have come to that

conclusion but we hope that the Home Office and the Government act

now, and we stopped the talking and we start to change this treaty.

everyone thinks the system needs to change. It is a country where you

receive a fair trial, so I don't see a fundamental problem with that.

Britain does not have the right, for only us to try a British person

accused of crimes. The son of Christopher Tappin wants the

Government to halt all expeditions until and how urgent review has

been carried out. -- extraditions. Does this mean that there are

likely to be reforms any time soon? There has been a lot of pressure

and David Cameron to raise this issue in Washington. And they did

agree to take a look at the treaty and review it, but campaigners say

that it is unjust because the 2003 at made it easier for the US to ask

for someone to be extradited from the UK because they did not have to

provide evidence in a British court. MPs seem to have agreed with that

in the report today and have called for an hour urgent review. But any

reforms would not be able to help Christopher Tappin, who is

currently in prison in the United States. Our top story tonight:

Owners of independent petrol stations say the panic buying of

fuel is actually costing them thousands. One family run business

at Telscombe Cliffs near Brighton has told us they make very little

on fuel, relying on shop sales to make a profit - but since running

out of fuel yesterday, they've had virtually no customers. Also in

tonight's programme: Could you beat Bolt? How one ordinary Joe got a

starring role taking on the Olympic gold medallist. And find out

whether the weekend weather will be brollies or ice lollies. Monday

marks the 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War,

bringing back traumatic memories for a former soldier who almost

died in the conflict. Steve Tuffen was shot in the head during the

battle of Goose Green in 1982. He was just 18, and was not expected

to survive. But he did - and is now a married father-of-two, living and

working in Herne Bay. Ian Palmer's been to meet him for tonight's

Special Report. The faults of friends lost in the South Atlantic

hang heavy for Steve. Three of the guys that I trained with in three

para were all killed on London. Two of them were 17. And one of them

was 18, killed on his 18th birthday. He should not be alive. As a member

of the second Parachute Regiment we shorten ahead in the attack on to

screen. Healy injured for four hours before receiving help. I took

my helmet off and my brains fell down the back of my neck, so I am

lucky. You have to just adjust to these things after was. Several

operations followed, his sight returned, and he got married. But

today is registered blind. With the help of a charity called blind

veterans UK, the father of two can do most things. I am able to be

independent. I can choose what to do, I can choose to work, I am

fortunate enough to be able to drive, when I am wearing spectacles,

but Steve cannot do that, so our business is trying to find out what

we can do to help him managers like better. In an ideal world I but

like, my thoughts, on the stir to anniversary... The flow of battle-

scarred from men coming almost non- stop, with wars in Afghanistan and

Iraq, but, with some determination to help them, there is hope. Steve

The Titanic may have dominated the headlines 100 years ago, but a few

weeks before she went down, a smaller steamship built by the same

company sank off the East Sussex coast, killing nine people. The

Oceana sank in 1912 after a collision off Beachy Head. Today

members of a local diving club have been putting the finishing touches

to an exhibition at Newhaven Fort, looking at that wreck, and others

in the Channel. Bryony MacKenzie reports. She was on a journey east

on a clear march day in calm seas. But the fate of the Oceana would

mirror that of the Titanic and be overshadowed by it. What ships were

made at the same Belfast shipyard, Holland and role for and bought lie

on the seabed today. Slowly, a history behind her is coming to the

surface. She is quite bat are now because she has been down there for

100 years. -- battered. Here we have some items for the general

public to look at, cups and saucers. Oceana is not the only ship out in

the Channel. There is the SS Seaford And a hundred other ships

that were carrying every the victims. But the team discovered

items linked to other ships that had sunk in the Channel. Showing a

glimpse of everyday life on board. The Duchess is another Rec on the

Sussex seabed, one that holds particular significance for one man,

who lost his great uncle, when his transport ship was blown up by

charges and sunk. I know that the photograph of the captain, through

the work these divers are doing, is creating wider awareness of the

RECs at the bottom of the Channel. Nine were lost on Oceana, over 1500

on the Titanic, and that is a concise and poignant reminder of

those fateful months of 1912. Onto football, and Brighton take on one

of their promotion rivals Middlesbrough at the Amex tomorrow.

The Albion are hoping to extend an impressive run of form that's seen

them lose just once in the league in 2012. Charlton will be keen to

end their recent slump, after picking up just four points from

their last five games. The Addicks are still six points clear at the

top of League One though, as they take on Leyton Orient at the Valley.

Gillingham need to beat Macclesfield tomorrow in League Two

- and win most of their remaining games - to keep their promotion

hopes alive. The Gills have managed just one victory in their last five

games and are seven points off the play-off places. And Crawley Town

will have to put Tuesday night's dramatic finish at Bradford behind

them as they travel to Burton Albion. The Reds will be missing

Pablo Mills and Claude Davis, who both received red cards after the

game ended in a mass brawl, but will still be confident of

clinching their fifth successive league win. Finally good luck to

Herne Bay, who are just one match from a Wembley final. They travel

to the North East to take on West Auckland tomorrow for the second

leg of their FA Vase semi-final, after a 2-2 draw at home. Now how's

this for an actor's first appearance on the silver screen?

Starring in a race against the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt.

Maidstone student-turned-actor Anthony Glennon stars as the

everyman racing the champion, in a new advert on our TV and cinema

screens. But as Lynda Hardy reports - he had to keep reshooting scenes,

as the Olympic gold medallist kept catching him up. He was the only

man judged to be suitable to take on the fastest man in the planet.

This shot were scary, I had to throw all this luggage in the way

of the fastest man in the world, and I was concerned that I would

break is tow, or something. former Maidstone student always

dreamed of being an actor and this is by far his highest-profile and

most energetic job. That is on location in Trafalgar Square.

Trying to dodge the tourists. Coming out of the airport and

waiting for the taxi, I have to get their first and that is only 10

metres, and he can cover that in one second and I cannot, so we had

to keep judging it's just right to give me enough of a head start to

get there. It is not until you one next to him that you realise just

how fast the is. I am very proud. It is my claim to fame. I shall

tell everybody that my son can on afternoons -- run faster than Usain

Bolt! It is a little bit so real, it is insane! -- surreal. Time now

Of one of the Sun that we have had, the end had to come. Have you heard

about what is just over yonder? This is what is coming along for

Tuesday - which no further north of the UK. We will get that cold front

and it is going to bring about some colder temperatures and much-needed

rain. Huge change by next week and before that they just have the

cloud coming down tonight. Before that we have a beautiful evening.

Sunset at 7:30pm. Not as cold as it has been over the previous night's.

I think we lost the -- they tossed re, down to six Celsius, -- we wil

stay frost free. And forget those 22 Celsius temperatures - it will

be down to around 11 or 12 that the best. There could be some bright

the spoken true, but generally it is going to be cooler and more

cloudy for Saturday -- broken through. The cloud will clear,

leaving us with chilly Ayr, but at least getting the sunshine back

again, so brighter and more sunny on Sunday but cool, again,

temperatures average for the time of year. If you want to get up to

some fun on Sunday is the Hastings Beatle day. All raising money for

charity. More changes to come next week. Raining on Tuesday, and

temperatures by Wednesday might not be much higher than eight services.

It is my last day today and back foot to everyone at home for been

wonderful and making it all so much fun. -- for being a wonderful. Come

and sit down. Come and join us. We're gutted that you are leading,

but we wanted to put a smile on everyone's trees. We have trawled

through the archives for some special moments and some very

Now the weather, starring Kaddy. The rest of all you want to know

was whether it is going to last for I am delivering sunshine, that

there's all right, but of course, we do still need some rain. You are

joking! The most terrifying thing I Everyone has put on their T-shirt,

and it is amazing. What you go Milder air, coming in from the

South West but with the rest of the family, cloud, rain and wind. With

this Baltic battering we have been getting, temperatures have had

something of a karate chop. Looks like the Atlantic has been back on

baked beans, too. Some of us will be seeing at dusting rather than a

dumping of snow. We will have an Icesave Labour that we will be

introduced to, in the next 24 hours. Those were our highways, what were

your highlights? Every day has been different, and it has been great,

going out and about. You are not going to make me cry! I will read

out some comments from the viewers. Tony Travers says he is sure that

you will move on to bigger and better things. Carl Christiansen

says that it might as well rain until September. And Anthony

Sanderson says No. Another pure has said that you make the weather fun

and interesting and when you tell us about it, you can actually

understand it. -- another viewer. I remember on radio broadcasting, on

Radio Kent, Hugh Major dead you many moons ago. April 2001. It has