21/07/2011 South Today

Welcome to South Today. Tonight - their hidden virus. Why hepatitis C

has gone underground and the new clinic that hopes to change that.

Most people who have hepatitis C are not aware they have it. Despite

the protests, funding is axed for nine of Dorset's libraries. It is a

sad day for the library service. Forensics go digital. Result at the

touch of a button as fingerprinting goes on the move. And hoping to be

a professional - Europe's top amateurs up to scratch.

It's a virus that can kill and go undetected for years. Many people

find it hard to talk about. Tonight, BBC South reports on a condition

that affects 2,000 people in the Portsmouth area alone. Most will

have no idea they have got it. It's called Hepatitis C. Across

Hampshire, experts believe more than 2,800 people are living with

Hep C. The vast majority of those, more than 2,100, are from

Portsmouth and surrounding areas such as Gosport and Fareham and up

to 70 new cases a year are being diagnosed in the City of Portsmouth.

However, many more cases go undetected. As our Health

Correspondent David Fenton reports, the opening of a new clinic hopes

to change that. This is James. For 20 years he had

hepatitis C and did not know it. It was finally discovered too late and

he died from liver complications. His widow has now written a book

about his battle with the illness. He ended up being a patient on the

liver transplant list. Very sadly, he did not make it. Unfortunately,

it is still the case today that many people are dying world wide --

worldwide because of a lack of information and support. It is

important that people know about their illness and how common it is.

Hepatitis C is a virus and it is passed from person to person in the

blood. It can be caught some unclean to two needles or blood

transfusions before they were screened in 1991. But also from

needles shared by injecting drug users. One reason perhaps of the

stigma attached to the disease. Elliott has had a hepatitis C since

he was 15 years old. He has experienced fear and

misunderstanding when he talks about it. When you say you have it,

people draw their own conclusions which are not normally true. It is

hard. The air are many patients like Eliot in Portsmouth, but after

living with hepatitis C for 26 years he is starting treatment at a

new clinic at the Queen Alexandra Hospital. This is a curable illness.

We can avoid long-term problems. It is some -- it is important we

identify and treat people who have this condition. The hepatitis C

clinic opens next month, but it can only hope those who know they have

it. David is with me now. There are over 2,000 people in Portsmouth

that know they have the condition. Will the clinic make a difference?

It will help people with Hep C in the area. But many people do not

know they have the virus, and many people may think or suspect their

habit are not likely to go to the clinic. There are a variety of

reasons for that, but there is a treatment available for them, a

course of injections that they can get. Why were they not what the

treatment? They is a lot of misinformation within parts of the

community about what this treatment involves. I think many are scared.

They are more scared of the treatment than living with the

condition. I spoke to one man who had just finished a course of

treatment and this is what he had to say. I feel a lot better. I am

starting to really pick up. I have nothing but gratitude for the

doctors and nurses that have helped me to clear this think. The advice

to anyone who has hepatitis C or may even suspect they have it, is

go to your GP and get tested. A former Berkshire sub-post master,

who was a guest at the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton,

has been given an eight month suspended prison sentence for fraud.

Hasmukh Shingadia pleaded guilty to using money from the Post Office

inside his shop at Upper Bucklebury to offset losses from the rest of

the business. The village shop they run is at the

heart of Upper Bucklebury. This couple were among a handful of

couples who received an invitation to Westminster Abbey to celebrate

the marriage Of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Oxford Crown

Court heard that Mr Sheen Guardia took from Peter to pay Paul. He

borrowed money from the Post Office to cover costs in the rest of his

business. The amount outstanding stood at �16,000 when it was

uncovered. The events date back to previous years. False accounting

was admitted, but his actions led to a closure of the Post Office

branch. All the misappropriated money has been repaid, thanks to

financial assistance from Mr Shingadia's brother. The judge said

he had never received so many trivets before to the character of

a defendant. He did not say whether one of those came from the Duke and

Duchess of Cambridge. Mr Shingadia will serve 200 hours community

service and repay court costs. It was a decision made by the

narrowest of margins - just one vote sealed the fate of nine of

Dorset's libraries. Funding will be withdrawn in the hope of saving

tens of thousands of pounds. Our reporter is in Dorchester.

All of our councils are under pressure. It is no different here.

Dorset knees to save �55 million over three years. -- Dorset needs.

For decades the public library has been logged by the community, but

times have changed and today only 25 % of Dorset residents step

inside. But those who do value them are determined to make their voices

heard. In Dorchester feelings ran high as the debate got under way.

Inside, many people got to their feet to make speeches in favour of

keeping open all of Dorset's 34 libraries. The council was split

down the middle and in the end it came down to one vote. The result

is that nine mainly walled libraries will close. -- mainly

rural. There are people who cannot make it to the library. We had

people in wheelchairs, up on mobility scooters, who cannot use

mobile libraries. A food you think what lose out? All of our work

community. From children who are able to go there on their own and

to pensioners. Volunteers are hoping they will be able to man the

libraries. Only for libraries are able to open with volunteers. --

four light breeze. We are finding it difficult to find enough

volunteers. -- four volunteers. have greater faith in our community.

If the library service is needed in a community then there Wilby people

who will step up to that challenge. What is the state of play for the

rest of the libraries in our region?

Well, three other councils are targeting Library is to make

savings. In Surrey, 11 libraries will become community partnerships.

The key thing to remember is all of this could be overturned in the

courts. Campaigners came out of here today and got on the phone to

lawyers. They are confident they can out a judicial review, said

this story looks set to run. Thank you.

Hampshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating

the death of a contract worker at the Fawley oil refinery near

Southampton. Emergency services were called to the site after the

man became trapped under pipes. Non-essential work in the area

where the accident happened has been suspended until further notice.

Exxon has launched its own internal investigation.

A man from Bournemouth has appeared in court charged with the murder of

a New Zealand teenager. The body of 17-year-old Emily Longley from

Auckland was found at a bungalow in Queenswood Avenue in Bournemouth in

May. 20-year-old Elliott Turner of Queenswood Avenue was remanded in

custody. He was also charged with intent to pervert the course of

justice, along with his parents Leigh and Anita Turner of the same

address. Still to come: is there an end to our work some of showers?

As the weekend approaches, will it be sandals of Wellington boots that

you need? More later. -- or Wellington boots.

Developers have been ordered to repair and clean up one of Brighton

and Hove's landmarks. The former Royal Alexandra Childrens' Hospital

served the community for more than a century, but it's in a poor shape

as it waits to be converted. The developers of the site say they are

keen to start work as soon as possible. A place that cared for so

many for so long is now sick and tired. And since it has been

waiting for redevelopment, the former Royal Alexandra Childrens'

Hospital has fallen into disrepair. Brighton and Hove City Council has

ordered be owners to carry out repair work to this much loved

landmark. We are fond of this building. It is an asset to our

work built environment. There has been disrepair on the site and we

needed to bring it to the attention of the developers. In February, the

developers got planning permission to convert the main building into

flats and build more houses. only way to secure the site is to

make sure the building is in a state so it can be redeveloped and

construction work really needs to start as soon as possible.

council says there have been delays on both sides. The developers

The developers and the City Council are due to discuss the hospital on

Sunday. It's the oldest and still most

commonly used forensic method in the world. Police have been taking

fingerprints for more than a century, but officers in Hampshire

are for the first time now able to check someone's prints on the move

outside the police station. Until now you would have to go to a

police station to have their fingerprints taken, but now it can

be done anywhere using this device. It can be checked on the national

database within a minute. Hampshire Constabulary have several of these,

which cost �2,000 each. By making mobile technology work for us, we

will release more time by making our officers more available and

visible. We can draw that balance against potential -- against

potential losses. We need to take your fingerprints quickly.

device saves time and money, but police can only use them if they

suspect an offence has or is about to happen and they cannot confirm

someone's details. I am all for it. A last three years, three officers

were sacked and 22 disciplined for preaching the Data Protection Act.

If the device is easy to use, does it make it easier to abuse?

data is not stored. Once the transaction has been completed, it

is deleted. More than 170 officers are trained to use the device. Over

the next few weeks there will be -- Bay will be issued to other

constabularies in our region. -- they will.

A new �50 million private hospital for Reading is taking shape on the

outskirts of the town. Today, the topping out ceremony was held at

the site near the Madejski Stadium. The 48 bed unit will be run by

private healthcare firm Circle, taking NHS and private patients. So

what impact will it have on the town's Royal Berkshire Hospital?

Could this turned the screw on the NHS? This hospital will be a

landmark for this area. It will be the first hospital in the region

that will be owned and run by everyone who works there.

structure of the Spanish hospital is up, but will it be a good

neighbour? We look at the people who will be working in this

hospital. We want to co-operate with the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

We will be competing in terms of private patients. A hospital will

treat both private and NHS patients, as long as someone pays. It will be

owned by the people who work here. There will be a theatre and in-

patient and day patient winds. -- wards. These hospitals do pick up

NHS funded patients. They will leave quite a big hole in seven

budget. This hospital has already cost �50 million and the first

patient will be treated here next autumn.

Students from Newport on the Isle of Wight have worked with a local

artist to design a new sculpture unveiled today. The model made of

recycled material can be seen at Coppins Bridge roundabout and has

been designed to mirror how a plant changes with the seasons. It will

be there for 12 months. This summer, BBC Radio Solent is

celebrating the wonder of water across the South. From the busy

Solent to the quiet lake, you will be hearing from people who live,

work and relax on the water as part of the station's Summer Splash. One

such person is Garry Fisher. He is in charge of Southampton

University's oceanographic boat - the RV Callista. My name is Gary

Fisher. I am the project manager for all the oceanographic work we

do at the University. Today we have a group of school children a board.

The vessel's main role is as a teaching vessel for undergraduate

students. We do pretty much everything here. We have just

deployed a tall, but we have not caught anything apart from seaweed.

We quite like to catch a few fish and some crap. But we can store

demonstrate there is a lot of biodiversity. What I like about my

job is the variety of things we get to do. Once we are out here, we are

aware from the hassles of daily life. You can discover more stories

of life on the water by tuning in to put breakfast show on BBC Radio

Solent. Now the sport. You are going to be doing something you

love in a minute. Yes, close enough. I love a bit of

golf. It was raining when we went yesterday. Let talk about this

transfer saga. Do you think Chamberlain will go? I

think he will. Nevertheless, the BBC's been told

Southampton are still to receive a formal bid for the player this

summer. Chamberlain's expressed his desire to be a Premier League

footballer in two tabloid interviews this week, seemingly

upping the pressure on Southampton to do a deal. Arsenal are still his

most likely suitors. A spokesman for Saints was unable to confirm

reports that Chamberlain has been fined for speaking to the Daily

Mirror and the Sun. Classic cars met classic yachts

today on the Isle of Wight. 60 models from yester-year are taking

part in a classic rally which started today in Cowes. Meanwhile

the event's launch also saw the owners of the famous Gypsy Moth IV,

which Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the globe, reveal plans to

hand her to charity to ensure she remains a focal point of maritime

history. In cricket, rain has effective action and all of Our --

Europe has increasingly been in the ascendancy as a golfing force in

recent years and some of the stars of tomorrow are in the South this

week competing in one of the biggest boys tournaments in the

amateur game. I have been to Broadstone Golf club to see for

myself the talent that's hoping to emulate the likes of Rory McIlroy

in the years to come. They are on the tee, aiming for a

career and monks the professionals. The competitors here are the best

of their age group. These are top golfers. To get into this event you

have to have a handicap of zero. So they are all in their own right

very good golfers. 132 players are here, including more than 40 from

mainland Europe. This event is a good guide as to who could achieve

success in the future. Previous winners include Jason Rose's and

Tom Lewis. -- Jason Rose's. I did have a psychologist. I have a

personal trainer and a golf coach. Broxtowe is in the top 100, but is

again available to the masses? -- Broadstone Golf Club. Anyone that

wants to play golf today, or whether they are from the inner

city, rural areas, anywhere in this country, will have the opportunity

to get into this game. With success comes sacrifice, even at breakfast

time. What was the nutritionist telling you to eat? You cannot eat

sausages or anything fried. That's probably why I never made it as a

golfer! Why do they have to give it up? I have no idea. I know fried

food is bad for you, but the odd sausage? There is nothing wrong

with a sausage sandwich or a bacon butty before the round. I wonder if

they will do a drug test for sausage eating? Will the weather

improved? Well, it's difficult to say. First

of all, let us have a look at your A deceptive start for us. We now

have a yellow warning from the Met Office. It is to make you aware

that both showers will be heavy and slow moving. The cloud also an

issue today. The showers will eventually fade away. Temperatures

at dawn tomorrow around 13 Celsius. Sunshine in the morning and

hopefully drive. -- hopefully dry. Temperatures not bad with northerly

winds. Tomorrow evening, more showers, but a level of risk of

thunder. Temperatures will be a touch of fresh air tomorrow night.

Saturday, a largely drive day with the odd shower. There is some high

pressure building up from the West. Sunday, the best of the brightness

and sunshine will be the further west. -- a further west. Monday, it

should be settled. Now only a few days ago we heard

about the couple from Ayrshire who won the Euromillions. Well, it's

not quite 161 million, but Steven Clements, a plasterer from

Winchester, has scooped a cool million after buying a �5 scratch