22/03/2012 Spotlight

A big rise in deaths from liver disease, much of it is alcohol-

related. Good evening. In parts of the region, deaths have risen by

more than 50% in a decade. Also tonight, making a splash - the

multi-million pound Life Centre described as one of the best

facilities of its kind. It was amazing. I just thought, wow, this

is going to be brilliant. And residents patrolling their own

streets, is it policing on the cheap or a good way to tackle anti-

social behaviour? There's been a big increase in the

number of people dying from liver disease in the South West. Although

fewer people here die than most other parts of the country, new

research has found there's been a rapid rise over the last decade.

The increase in many parts of the South West is well above the

average for England. In Plymouth there's been an increase of nearly

53%, in Dorset 51, Somerset 45 and in Cornwall just over 31%. There

were also increases in Devon and Torbay but these were lower at

19.5% and 8%. Alcohol plays a part in around 45% of all deaths from

liver disease in the South West compared to the national average of

37%. The figures come in the first ever national report of its kind

published today. In a moment we'll hear from one of its lead authors,

but first Jane Chandler reports. Lesley Harris' husband David was

just 62 when he died of liver disease last year. They'd been

together for 40 years. The lived at St Agnes in Cornwall. She's says

alcohol played a big part in his life after he retired. I think he

lost his identity. He certainly lost confident and went from that

he quite enjoyed a drink and then it got to "I need a drink to be

happy and have a laugh" and then it was "I have to have a drink" and

then it made him drink more because he was feeling guilty and depressed,

he knew what he was doing was not right.

Understanding what's happening with alcohol-related liver deaths like

David's is complex. The South West still has the lowest amount of

people per head of population dying from liver disease. But there's

been a huge rise in the last decade. The Harbour Centre is a charity

that works with people to overcome addiction. It takes referrals from

across the Plymouth area. We have seen many referrals a year on year

we see an increase in referrals. Lot of young people coming in and

week no a client who died in their mid-twenties due to alcohol Concern

Sion. Harbour says they aren't shocked by

the figures for alcohol-related liver disease in the South West

because of what they've seen. It is a sad reflection on a number

of units of alcohol drunk nationally. People drink more at

home now, it is cheaper in supermarkets are people can afford

to drink at home. And problems can begin there. Lesley hopes that by

sharing her story today, she may help others avoid heartache in the

future. He was a lovely man. 200 people came to his funeral. It is

horrendous and I can't begin to tell you how awful it is.

The report's authors say efforts must now focus on tackling the

causes of liver disease, sooner rather than later.

Earlier I spoke to Dr Julia Verne, one of the lead authors of the

report and asked her if there was any explanation as to why there had

been such a rapid rise in liver disease here. Window that over a

third of the cases are alcohol- related -- we know that over. Also

obesity and risk-taking with respect to drug taking over the

past few decades. You have mentioned alcohol really plays a

part in liver disease but it is not the only reason, is it? No, not at

all and one of the concerns recently is the effect of obesity

on the liver. It causes fatty liver disease and terminal liver illness.

Not all types of liver disease are lifestyle-induced and there are

some people who have auto-immune liver diseases and some of the

problems are that liver disease and death from them is very

stigmatising. That is one of the things we would like to overcome.

So we have got the facts and figures from this report, what

would you like to see happen as a result of your findings? We are

hoping that this report will raise the profile of the disease and in

particular deaths from it among the general population and particularly

among half professionals, GPs and hospital specialists. What we are

hoping it is that end of life care for patients dying of liver disease

will be improved and to do this, we will need to understand the very

special needs that liver patients have in relation to the

stigmatisation that is associated with endstage liver disease, the

fact that many come from deprived backgrounds, from marginalised

groups. Perhaps because of their lifestyles. But the important thing

is that everybody has a right to a normal death and we must improve

end of life care for the disease patients.

A charity and campaign group for pensioners has reacted angrily to

the news that tax-free allowances for older people are being frozen.

The news was announced in the Budget yesterday. In a moment we'll

hear from our political editor Martyn Oates, but first our

correspondent Simon Hall has been getting reaction in East Devon.

Dart's Farm shop is popular amongst older people who are a little

better off, exactly those who will be affected by the freezing of the

tax allowance. Angela Lock retires this week after 36 years with the

fire service. She fears losing money for her retirement under the

change. It is hard for people who have worked all their lives and

some people are in more watch and positions, lots of people will

suffer and go without. I think it is totally unfair. It does come as

a bombshell. One bit of the Budget that was not leaked beforehand and

I think there will be millions of pensioners out there who are just

shocked that the Chancellor can take money off them while listening

the tax burden for the richest in our society. I think it's appalling.

A Budget seminar this morning heard the tax change will affect tens of

thousands of retired people in the south west, and cost the region's

economy millions. Currently, older people can have an income of

�10,500 per year before paying tax. That will no longer increase in

line with inflation. The Government estimate more than 4 million people

will be affected each losing an average of over �80 pounds next

year. The pensioners will not be able to spend that money in the

economy and that will have a knock- on effect in the businesses in the

South West. The businesses themselves are feeling the pinch

through increased fuel prices and the Chancellor said he would not

change the fuel price in October of 3p. The freeze in the tax-free

allowance for retired people comes into effect next April.

The Chancellor described this change as a simplification of the

tax system. He said nobody would receive less cash than they do at

the moment and that older people would benefit to significant

I'm joined now by our political editor Martyn Oates. How are the

Government parties reacting to all this criticism? As Simon said

yesterday, he described the Chancellor describing it as a

simplification which said he was almost doing the pension as a

favour. He also said that nobody will lose in cash terms.

Technically true but they will lose out in real terms in the long term.

Conservative MP Ben two painted a more general picture that George

Osborne was painting. We are about to have the largest operating in

the basic level of pension. We have preserved many of the things that

Labour attacked as being under threat such as the winter fuel

allowance, the free prescriptions and bus passes, the free TV

licences for the pensioners and so on. Labour say that we have a

budget now where one headline, tax for very richest, is cut over the

50 p top rate. At the same time we see a merger like this which

affects people on much more limited means. -- a measure which means.

Pensioners at the bottom end of the earnings scale will be hit by this

tax. It is not fair in the same way that other taxes and removal of tax

credits is not there and on top of that you have got all sorts of

other hits for the West Country. Other MPs are keen to point out

that lots of pensioners are not affected?

That is correct, 50% of all pensioners will not be affected and

even the richest 10% and that leaves the 40% in the middle. All

the main parties tend to say they have got a great deal of time for

people in that middle section and they tend to tiptoe around them.

Not least, perhaps, because they can play a critical role in

determining which of those parties get to govern the country from

Westminster. A thank you. The BBC has learned that Condor

Ferries - which recently pulled out of Weymouth when the port became

unsafe - hasn't had a written contract with the council for 20

years. Condor has moved all its services to Poole until at least

November because of the problems with the harbour wall. Weymouth and

Portland Council says a contract with the ferry firm was put on hold

when redevelopment plans stalled. The lack of a contract means no

compensation is payable, and also means Condor has no legal

obligation to return if the port is rebuilt.

A �46.5 million sports centre has been officially opened in Plymouth.

There's an Olympic-sized pool, aerial assault course and a

competition-standard climbing wall. Olympic hopefuls Tom Daley and

Tonia Couch will train there and several Olympic teams will use it

as their training camp. John Henderson was there for the opening

ceremony. Dizzying heights for a dazzling display. Plymouth's Life

Centre opened with a bang. Everyone got stuck in. And Plymouth's club

divers showed off their talents at their new home. Brother and sister

Evie and Oscar are six and five and not scared of top board. All ten

metres of it. The city's most famous diver wasn't around. But

this purpose-built pool should ensure even more Tom Daley's.

think it is the best dining facility in the country. It will be

great for the Games but in terms of the facility and feel-good factor,

this place has it all. Those lucky enough to get in first loved it.

is amazing, I just thought, wow, this would be brilliant. Research

found more than half of Plymouth's population don't do any exercise.

No excuses anymore - you can do just about anything at the Life

Centre. The climbing wall is 15 metres high. In the basement

there's an eight lane bowling centre. The stats are impressive -

but at �46.5 million is it worth it? Probably the best public

leisure centre in the country at the moment. If that this will not

inspire people to come in and get more active, -- if it does, then it

is money well spent. Arguably such a major investment is about

attracting more people into Plymouth. It's off to a good start

- the Canadian diving team and the Lithuanian swimming team are here

ahead of the Olympics. But these sharks in the 50 metre pool are

from Wembury Primary School. What do you think of it? Brilliance

great. I think the swimming pool is his great. The children could not

wait to get in and they could not contain their excitement. They are

having so much fun. The Life Centre is the biggest investment in

leisure facilities in the region, and after a flying start.

People power in Falmouth coming up in a moment as volunteers take to

the streets to help keep the peace, also still to come - the

painstaking restoration of an 18th century home. The work to bring

Sherborne House back to life. And a fascinating insight into the

history of daffodils as Cotehele celebrates a golden treasure.

A civilian patrol made up of volunteers will be taking to the

streets of Falmouth in Cornwall, to help the police in their battle

with anti-social behaviour. The Street Watch scheme is the first of

its kind in the South West but is already up and running in big

cities such as Manchester. Meet the Street Watch volunteers. These

residents of Falmouth and Devon & Cornwall Police force's latest

weapon against anti-social behaviour and low-level crime. This

area close to the beach gets very busy in the summer. Local residents

say with that comes a rising anti- social behaviour such as drinking,

the to-ing and dog fouling. But now they have their own civilian

patrols. Rebecca is a shop assistant and Diana is a town

council. -- town councillor. they have been given special insurance

and high-visibility jackets and training. They can hand out advice

and patrol the streets. I think it is a good scheme getting the

community involved and you can speak to people when you are

walking around. People know you are there. If they need help, they will

come to you anyway so you can help them with what are the problems

they have. If you came across a problem, perhaps a dispute, have

you had training for that was back yes, they have taught us but if it

is something that is really hostile, to walk away and get the police to

deal with it but if you feel you can communicate with them, if they

are young, maybe get them to listen. Some people might say that this is

just bobby on the beat on the cheap. Of course, we are facing cuts and

we will have fewer police officers and we have to prioritise where we

put those officers. But this is part of a bigger picture, part of

the "big society", growing recognition of the importance of

the voluntary sector and of skimming it is taking charge of the

areas they are living. Street Watch has already been trialled in

Hampshire and Manchester. And is expected in other towns around the

South West who may have their own All this week we've been meeting

some of the lucky people in the South West who've been chosen to be

Olympic torchbearers for London 2012. Tonight it's one of our very

own camera operators, Alec Collyer - one of two members of the entire

BBC staff - to carry the Olympic Hello, I am Alec Collyer and I I am

a editor here in Plymouth, I am really excited to run with the

Olympic torch on behalf of the BBC It was last August at the

Corporation launched its search to find two members of staff who could

make a real difference in their committed -- who had made a real

difference. He is a founder member of the Dartmoor search and rescue

team. We are out training every Wednesday and we respond 24/7, 365.

We have had call-outs on Christmas Day. It was this huge commitment

that was recognised by his employer. The work he does for the rescue

group is so important for this part of the world and I know that he can

be liable to be called out at any time of day and night. He gives up

so much of his time. It takes hours of training but I know that his

passion is ordinary people, tourists, people who live here and

so they can get out on to that wonderful environment and enjoy it

safely. Alec's getting ready to run part of the torch relay on the 27

per of May and it is fair to say he is looking forward to it. How many

times have the Olympics come to Britain? How many chances do we get

to run with the taut? Fabulous. -- with the torch.

The Devon modern pentathlete Heather Fell has been modelling

Team GB's 2012 competition kit. The launch at the Tower of London today

showcased the new kit which has been designed by Stella McCartney.

Heather's still unsure whether she's made the Olympic squad.

might be why I am not as excited to put it on, I do not want to allow

myself, we do not know if we are all there. That is what I am

working towards. It is completely a six way race still.

BBC South West has unveiled its coverage for the Olympics this

summer. Highlights of our coverage will include a special extra half-

hour programme from Weymouth on 12th July when the Olympic torch

relay arrives in the town, as well as coverage on Spotlight and BBC

local radio of the torch as it travels through the South West

after its arrival in Cornwall on 19th May. During the Olympics

itself we will bring you special programmes from Weymouth, where the

sailing events take place. In football, it's transfer deadline

day for loan signings and Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle have

bolstered their attacking options as they bid to avoid relegation.

Paul Tisdale has signed Alan Gow who's a former Plymouth striker.

He's recently been released by Notts County. City have also

brought in Shamrock Rovers midfielder Rohan Ricketts. Argyle

have swooped for Bournemouth veteran Steve Fletcher, who's spent

17 years there. The 39-year-old joins the Pilgrims on loan until

the end of the season. Exeter Chiefs have announced that

top point-scorer Ignacio Mieres has signed a new contract at Sandy Park.

The 24-year-old Argentinean international, who's scored 240

points this season, has agreed to stay with the Chiefs until the

summer of 2014. I think the club has big projects for the future. I

think we can be a lot better than what we are doing today. We are

doing OK right now but we can be a lot better still. I think we should

be pushing towards that. Work has started to restore a once-

magnificent stately home in Dorset. Part of Sherborne House dates back

to Tudor times, but for the last 10 years the people of Sherborne

haven't been able to see the Grade 1-listed building. Spotlight's

Sherborne House in Dorset, as it has not been seen for years. It has

been shrouded in scaffolding and plastic while its fate was decided.

Today though, the sound of work. are hoping to get rid of the

scaffolding before the end of this year of. It will be ready for

occupation in the summer or autumn of 2014. We are here on the roof of

Sherborne House and you can see the chimney stacks are in quite a poor

state of repair, they will need to be rebuilt entirely. With the

slight now off, it is the first time these roof timbers have seen

daylight since 1720. Inside, painstaking restoration work as

well. On the beautiful murals. the moment what we are trying to do

is carry out the surface cleaning. There have been a lot of overpaids

and restorations on the painting -- over-painting and restorations.

mural is nearly 300 years old and is the work of Sir James Thornhill,

a Dorset man and an eminent artists who also painted son Paul's

Cathedral. -- St Paul's Cathedral. It is a great piece of work for

Sherborne House. They hadn't seen the Caledonian Hall so they wanted

to win Diana's favour so it circulates around that mythological

story. The project should be That is a major decorating job,

isn't it? The Tamar Valley's historic

daffodil-growing industry is being celebrated this weekend at Cotehele

house in Cornwall. More than 200 varieties of the spring bulb are

now in flower, many are over 100 years old and give a fascinating

insight into what used to be a thriving industry. Spotlight's Ali

Chitty has been to Cornwall for a Until the Second World War, the 10

a valley in Cornwall competed with the west of the county and the

Scilly Isles as a metaphor for our growing. Flowers filled the fields

and whole families were involved with picking them for their journey

down river and trains to London. They were sold in full bloom and

centrally heated houses meant that flowers were sold in but a lot

earlier. These plants are here as part of

the war effort. In some field, they were ploughed up and turned over to

vegetable growing but the farmers, thinking they would want to save

some of the more valuable bulbs, planted them in the hedgerows so

they could repeat the field once the war was over. Sadly the growing

industry never returned but the daffodils do every spring to

remember this part of Cornish For the past 10 years, Cotehele in

Cornwall has been building a collection of the flowers that used

to be such a vital part of the local economy. They know of 200

varieties, all of which used to be locally grown and many have been

sourced by the local community. lot of the research has come from

people living locally. The daffodils have been named,

positively identified and you have got a bit of a story with those

which brings it to life and back home to what has changed over the

past couple of hundred years. Preparations are now under way for

a weekend of daffodil celebrating or you could just wander lonely as

a cloud, or with your family, and Beautiful rays of sunshine, but

they? Lovely to see at this time of Some fairly low temperatures along

the south coast with a stiff breeze coming off a relatively low C and

the patchy rain has made it feel Mr decidedly miserable. In Somerset,

as temperatures of around 17 degrees. Into the weekend becomes

dry, bright and warm. With high pressure sticking with us. I will

show you where the cloud has been today, little circulation of the

cloud here and that is the area of low pressure moving away from us

overnight and that takes the rain and cloud with it and by the time

we get to tomorrow morning, apart from a bit of patchy mist and Lo

cloud, we are looking forward to a fine and dry day. Into the weekend,

the high pressure comes back. It will be with us on Sunday as well

with east or south-east winds. There's the picture in somewhat

more detail, you can see where we have had the line of rain. It has

hardly moved at all cost part of the East Cornwall and West Devon.

It is moving slowly tonight but across the north and east of Devon,

we will see some sunshine. This was Budleigh Salterton from earlier

today where there was a very keen south-west breeze churning up the

sea and it has been bracing on the coast, just 11 or 12 degrees with

hazy sunshine as well as the rest of Central and North Devon who

fared quite well with the sunshine. The breeze has held the

temperatures down here in North Devon with light winds we have seen

some of the best temperatures. The warmest day of the year so far as

well. More that hazy sunshine tomorrow but still that breeze

along the south coasts of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall which will make

it feel a bit chilly here put away from the curse, we should see a

great deal of fine weather. -- from the coasts. So Mr Al fog patches

should form by the morning so quite a -- some mist and fog patches

should fall. Tomorrow, we have got the mistiness briefly in the

morning and then it goes away and sunshine comes and almost unbroken

sunshine for some of us through tomorrow with perhaps some patchy

low cloud floating around in took Torbay and Lyme Bay. Temperatures

of around 15 or 16 Celsius in some places and with the breeze from the

South East, and in the sunshine we can enjoy some splendid spring

weather. For the Isles of Scilly, some mistiness Elena's in the day

and and Brighton dry with the breeze quite fresh here -- bright

If you're heading for the beach, the conditions on the north coast

will be good for our surfers, around three feet but choppy on the

south coast with the breeze. Quite a thick haze in the air,

inland as well as by the coast. Moderate visibility because of that.

Here's the outlook, fine, dry, and we will see lots of sunshine

through the weekend and to start next week. Easterly winds in charge