20/02/2012 South Today

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's

programme: The river should run through it, and warnings of worse

to come if the rain doesn't fall. unless we see significantly above

average rainfall for the next few months, we will see more permits

him place in the early spring. in place. A police manhunt is

underway and the search for a weapon after a shooting in

Southampton. Turned away from two hospitals: The woman forced to give

birth at home on her sofa. Absolutely terrified. I was in

quite a lot of pain. And a hat trick of the wrong sort: Brighton's

It is official. The south-east of England is in a state of drought.

Two dry winters have left rivers and reservoirs well below normal

levels right across the region. The Department of Environment says

shortages in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Sussex, Surrey and Berkshire

in particular are serious enough for those counties to be as bad as

eastern England, which has been drought affected since last summer.

The average rainfall in the south- east is 776.8 millimetres, just

under 31 is to -- inches. Last year's rainfall is well below that

at just over 25 inches. The threat to the environment posed by their

short for is already clear. would be forgiven for thinking

these are some scorched pictures from summer. But this is the driver

of a bed -- the dry river bed in Surrey. There has been no

substantial rainfall in the winter months. It is not just a surface

problem. This issue goes deep. The idea we are facing a drought is no

news to this man, because from September he has had to delve

deeper and deeper to find water. It used to be metres deep, but now

there's just a trace. At the moment, it is 18 ft, and there is nothing.

Last weekend, we were promised quite a lot of rain. We had about

10 minutes of it and that was it. Ground water levels are at their

lowest since 1976. The dark that you were so severe that firemen

were unable to stop forest fires raging in the New Forest. In London,

the summit was held today to get to grips with this year's problem. The

Secretary of State for the Environment said we need to act now.

The important thing is, now is the time to do it. We often think of

water-saving minute -- measures in the summer, but we need to start

saving money now. Southern Water say ground water levels are just

below average, but restrictions may be on their way. It is our built

environment that is exacerbating the problem. We have one of the

lowest rainfall levels in the UK in the south, and one of the greatest

population growth issues in the UK. So, yes, we are managing that

balance every day. I would anticipate that we will seek in

Hampshire, river levels are quite low, in West Sussex and on the Isle

of Wight, so if we don't see above average rainfall in those areas, we

will seek drought permits in the spring. -- we will see. It is down

to households to conserve water this winter. Police investigating a

shooting in Southampton so they are still looking for the weapon used,

thought to be a heart -- a handgun. They are also looking for one other

person involved in the attack. A man arrested last night is being

held in suspicion of attempted murder. The shooting was said not

to be a random event. As more details emerged about the shooting

here and the Townhill Park area of Southampton, local people give

their reaction to last night's dramatic events. Considering we use

that shop, it is kind of scary. is terrible. Does it surprise you

that somebody has actually been shot here? Not really, to be honest.

There has been stabbings and stuff. Police and response teams were

immediately deployed after the emergency services were told about

the shooting at 7:15pm last night. The victim was shot them a leg. He

has undergone an operation in hospital to treat the wind. He has

been able to talk to detectives investigating what happened. It is

understood the attacker used a hand gun. The police are still should --

searching for the firearm, and they want to trace at least one other

person involved in shooting. Officers say initial investigations

so the victim and the man arrested last night unknown to each other --

say the victim. Tonight, police are appealing anyone who witnessed what

happened all who soon -- saw a car leaving the area immediately

afterwards to contact them as quickly as possible. A 25-year-old

Southampton man arrested last night is being questioned on suspicion of

attempted murder. A man has been arrested on

suspicion of attempted murder following a fire -- a fire at a

flat in Salisbury. The blaze broke out on Sunday in Middleton Road. A

number of residents were moved from their homes. If 43 Rodman has been

arrested and questioned by detectives. Witnesses but urged to

come forward. A woman has appeared in court in

form if the charged with grievous bodily harm and wounding with

intent. A police officer was stabbed in the leg in Dolphin

shopping centre. Danielle Preston was remanded in custody.

A Sussex woman says she had her -- she has had to give birth on a sofa

after being turned away from two hospitals. Tracey Morris was told

the maternity unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath

was full. Mrs Morris then to cough of the Royal Sussex County Hospital

in Brighton, where they were told - - where they told her her baby was

not to react. This baby may be just eight days old, but he has already

had a lot of media attention. When his mum went into labour, the

hospital was full, so her and her husband was sent to the Royal

Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. But staff at them home again saying

the birth was not imminent. Within minutes of arriving home, Tracey

Morris went into labour and had to call 999. I was absolutely

terrified. I needed some pain relief, so as soon as I had some

paramedics coming through the door, it was a relief. Lisa, she asked me

if I needed some pain relief, which was good! The couple say they are

surprised that staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital did not spot

that the birth was so imminent, which made the whole process much

more stressful than in needed to be. A bit disappointed with the system,

but if there is a baby boom at the time that you're pregnant, these

things can obviously happen. We are just grateful that everything

turned out OK and we have the paramedics hit on time. They trust

responsible for for the hospital said that when Tracey arrived in

Brighton she was not in labour, which is why she was sent home.

When she started going to Labour two hours later, she was offered a

bed, but by then the couple had called for an ambulance.

The jury had retired to consider its verdict have an inquest into

the deaths of an RAF reservist and a teenage cadet in June 2009. 15-

year-old Nicholas Rice from Reading died alongside 62-year-old Flight

Lieutenant Mike Blee after the RAF training playing the way in

collided with a glider over Abingdon in Oxfordshire. A jury

heard that the two seated playing nosedived after the crash. --

aeroplane. A mother from West Sussex who

believes her children disability are led to an epileptic drug she

took whilst pregnant is campaigning for lifelong support for her

children and others. Janet Stockley-Pollard and other parents

have gained a National Lottery funding for the new charity called

the Fetal Anti-Convulsant Trust. The manufacture of the drug Janet

took denies any wrongdoing. Janet and Steve have spent years battling

for their four children, who were born with various physical,

emotional or behavioural bull problems, which Janet police

Arlington took Epilim, which she took from the age of 14. -- which

Janet believes are linked to Epilim. Janet has now set up a trust which

will campaign for long-term financial and practical support for

children such as her sons, who feel more help is needed for people with

their condition. I struggle with social life and Cameron doesn't

like talking much. What sort of support which you like? Can sling

and staff, help to manage to get ourselves a better social life.

They need to help with supporting education, social care, and it is

what is going to happen when we as parents were not there to look

after them any more. That is the biggest worry for us, that they are

not going to be around for ever. You want to know that they are

provided for. In a statement, Janet is backing the Downing Street

online petition calling for better warnings against potential side-

effects of epileptic -- epilepsy drugs. That people say that women

should not take -- stop taking these drugs without talking to

their doctors. The campaign to secure a medal for

veterans who braved the Arctic Convoys during World War Two was

raised in Parliament again today. Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage called

for a progress report on a new review into the Arctic Convoys,

which kept the Ross -- Russian supply route open. It's the only

major sea campaign of the war not to have been granted a specific

medal. Does the Minister agree with me that quickness is of the

absolute imperative that this time? Medals are not awarded by me. I can

assure her that I am told that this will be a swift review and will

take place shortly. The Chief Constable of Wiltshire

Police is to become the interim head of the new UK Border Force.

Brian Moore's appointment follows revelations that passport controls

were relaxed last summer without the authority of the Home Office.

Still to come in this evening's South Today: The weather forecast.

Will we get the much needed rain we need?

And a nightmare with three own goals for Brighton as they end

their FA Cup dream. The development company it is

taking Basingstoke and Deane council to the High Court over land

it sold to the council more than 15 years ago. The company claims that

land on the outskirts of the town has not been considered properly as

a potential site for future housing. The future of the land has split

political parties and the public in There is no escaping the demand for

more homes bad as the more pressure for basing taupe -- Basingstoke to

expand, many expect this to be the next building site. Now at the

crucial moment, local councillors are accused of turning in the.

it gets to the decision it disappears of the list but the east

of Basingstoke remains, the North remains that is where they are

dumping thousands of houses. It is not long ago that all of modern

Basingstoke, places like this, was just open fields. But developing

the site within the eyes of critics be the same as developing a new

town half as big again and plonking it down on Basingstoke's doorstep.

The council gearing up to undergo legal scrutiny of its actions says

a planning inspector told them more workers needed before the site

could be developed. The council has not got to a point where it has

undertaken all the work and looked at all the options. When it has

done that then there will be full public consultation before a

decision is taken. Beside's previous owners were not available

for comment but others on the list of development sites are making

their views plane. The this plot was bought with taxpayers' money

deliberately for the growth of Basingstoke. By excluding this

piece of land you put greater pressure on other green field sites

which are far less appropriate for development. Bedsides arguments

will be tested next month in the High Court.

New evidence that the missing aristocrat Lord Lucan was smuggled

out of the UK to a secret life abroad will be broadcast tonight on

inside doubt here in the south. An ex detective claims there was a

sighting over seats and a former employee at of Lucan's friend John

Aspinall says she arranged for the P's children to fly to Africa.

Another twist in an intriguing tale that so many of us follow.

Absolutely. 1974 - Lord Lucan disappears after the death of his

children's nanny. The theories ever since have been going into

overdrive since they found his car abandoned in East Sussex. Did he

kill himself? Was he murdered? Or did he feel overseas? What is new

tonight? We have spoken to a new witness he wanted to remain

anonymous but she claims that while working for John Aspinall she had

to book flights for Lucan's two children to Africa in order that he

could see them. At some point and I believe it was in Gabon, their

father would observe them and see them which is what he wanted to do

to see how they were growing up and look at them from a distance. It

was quite clear that he would not meet them or speak to them or make

himself known to them. Have we cracked the case? I am not sure but

it is another part of the puzzle. Why would she say that if there was

no reason to? You are talking about another story also? We have done

some filming in Thailand. We are following the work of a charity

which is sending drug addicts abroad for the world's toughest

detox and for the last eight months we have been following one woman

from Serie. As she comes to terms with her addiction. I went with her

to Thamkrabok Monastery where she found going very tough indeed.

would be out the door. That is the truth. I would go home and score

again but I know I cannot do that because I have to change my life.

It is a real eye opener and hopefully dispel a few stereotypes

some of us have about addicts and fuel the ongoing debate about how

to help them. Lord Lucan and the story about detox. You can see it

tonight at 7:30pm on BBC One. Can say is no longer automatically

be deadly killer it once was. The treatment for cancer can often be

unpleasant. The situation made worse if the treatment centre is

many miles away and that is the case for patients in North caption,

There and Trish are on a mission. When Trish was diagnosed with

breast cancer she received most of her treatment locally. But for one

vital part, radiotherapy, she had to endure a tiring journey. I had

to travel to Southampton and that involves daily journeys for six

weeks. It is about a 70 mile round trip from my home in Basingstoke

and when you are suffering with the effects of other treatments, that

is really the last thing that you want to be doing, a journey like

that on a daily basis. Now there is a plan to build a radiotherapy

centre in Basingstoke. But it will cost up to �16 million, a price

leak NHS cannot or will not pay. The NHS will find all of the

radiotherapy equipment. Some of the other treatments that we will be

offering, supportive care, complementary therapies and other

Erzsebet -- aspects of supported care will be funded through the

fund-raising campaign. A daunting task but one that all concerned is

achievable. Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow. It is an ambitious

target but I am up for a challenge and so are the members of my

committee. A end-use is wonderful for all those other poor patients

that have to go through that experience. Thankfully, Trish is

now well again and given the all- clear. She and the other

fundraisers are hoping the new centre will be open within the next

four years. Sport now. What happened to the sea

gulls? Brighton scored four. When you go for an FA Cup upset you need

to have a bit of luck and Brighton got no leg at Anfield. In the

modern way that we look at own- goals, quite harsh. Both our team's

loss this weekend. Crawley and Brighton were both in FA Cup fifth-

round action. Both lost. Martin Skyrtel put Liverpool in an early

lead but one of the goals of the game. Then the own goal problem

starts. This header comes often Bridcutt and goes into the net.

Then another one and that may sit for half an one after Liverpool

have extended their lead. What is Lewis Dunk doing here? Andy Carroll

set up Luis Suarez to make it 6-1. Stich beat Crawley by two goals to

Now the lead and Portsmouth's administrators describe wages of

more than �30,000 a week paid to Tal Ben Haim as crazy. The player

was signed when Portsmouth were in the Premier League. Trevor Birch is

now running affairs at the club which went into administration on

Friday. He hopes to find a buyer to avoid further points penalties.

Pompey went into the bottom three on Saturday with a defeat at

Barnsley. That leaves Portsmouth in the division's bottom three as

Nottingham Forest managed by former boss Steve Cotterell climbed out of

the relegation zone with a win. Guess who Pompey play it on the

last day of the season? Nottingham Forest. Reading's win over

Birmingham watched by potential owner and Tom in Dalavich. -- Anton

Zingaravitch. Southampton's a pass Derby and scored at least three

goals in the game for the 10th time The third encapsulated all that has

been good about Southampton's football. From right-to-left,

across the field, culminating in He has conducted himself so well.

Hard-working, respectful, he settled in so well. He is really

trying hard. Bournemouth's defender Steven purchase faces months on the

sidelines after suffering a double leg break in Saturday's defeat sh

at Rochdale. The Terry's day got no better when the home side converted

a late penalty to claim all three points. Aldershot's Arran Morris

struck the winner at Macclesfield. Stephen purchase has been tweeting

for the last couple of days since that injury and he said he is out

for between six and nine months. Lots more on late kick-off tonight

at 11:05pm. A successful weekend for British cycling. Dani King

received a late call-up for the women's pursuit team and set a new

world record. She had been baffling a virus but was called in to

replace Wendy Houvenagahl and we will be catching up with her

tomorrow. London Irish saw a half- time the this let. Salosi

Guildford Flames drew with Manchester Phoenix. Yesterday they

thrashed the Swindon Wildcats 9-1. Well them to everyone who did the

Well done to you also. Salosi Tangithakibou - good to have him

back. Talking of weather, this drought, I had no idea we had so

little rain fall. There has not been enough rain but some lovely

pictures today. Sandy Burnfield sent us this from Stockbridge. Anni

Stevens took this photo on the beach on East Preston. A beautiful

view at Corfe Castle sent in by Dennis Whitfield. A mild day and a

hint of what is to follow. It will be mild for the rest of the week.

be mild for the rest of the week. Today it stays mild. We hang onto

the cloud as well as the breeze. The cloud is thickening from the

north and west and will push into the evening. That south-westerly

breeze freshening up. With that cloud cover up we of the of spot of

drizzle. But generallyhis will stay dry. Down to six Celsius in

Southampton. A grey, cloudy beginning but then we should see

sunny spells the best in the east. There will be that breezy south-

westerly wind, perhaps more so along the exposed coastal stretch.

Highs of ten Celsius. Into the evening, cloud thickens up. Another

warm front heading in. Temperatures around seven or eight Celsius in

the daytime. On Wednesday, to the West we will see that rain and

edging in. Hampshire, parts of Sussex staying dry for much of the

daytime. Come Thursday, all eyes on this. You can see the isobars, the

gap increasing so it will be less breezy but exceptionally mild,

Thursday. We should be around eight Celsius for the time of year but

look at the temperature one suggesting we may be touching 17

Celsius in the south-east on Thursday. Very likely to see that

in our region. Along the coast may be on Thursday, a touch cooler but

the breeze will be like. Mild and tomorrow, mild and Vendee on

Wednesday with some rain. There's day it will be very mild and Friday