21/08/2012 Spotlight

Make or break. The tourist industry is pinning its hopes on the end of

the summer season. Good evening. We'll be live in Torquay to find

out what people there are doing to drum up business. Also on Spotlight

tonight, hoping they'll dock in Devonport. The battle begins to

base the next generation of warships in Plymouth. A suspected

security breach as the organisers of two pilot badger culls are named.

Why should farmers and their families be harassed and their

names and numbers exposed? And one jumper too many. The local

business suffering as tomb stoners Bosses in the south west's tourist

industry are trying to save the season by introducing special deals

to tempt back visitors after a dreadful start to the summer.

Tonight, we will be looking at the winners and losers in what has been

one of the toughest years for the holiday business.

In Torbay, 70% of visitors come for the day, so the weather is critical.

In the lead-up to August, some attractions have seen drops in

trade of between 10 and 15%. But as Emma Thomasson reports, other

businesses are fighting back and everyone is counting on a good bank

holiday. These are economic times when event

four-star luxury has to, the right price. The Grand Hotel in Torquay

has introduced deals such as free stays for children. It has also

invested heavily in marketing. The tactic is paying off. We will do

all that we can to accommodate people. If people are on a budget,

we will negotiate and Change Our rates have to bring people in.

Their accommodation sector has taken a hit. The English Riviera

tourism company say that bookings are back on track because of the

deals on offer. We had 25% off the price of the caravan park. We

thought that was a good deal and we are having a great time. We are

staying in a private house and it was a fantastic deal. Great value

for money. We are staying up in a caravan park in Paignton. We paid

the full price, not a good deal. One is sector which is still

suffering is the visitor attraction market. In Torbay, trade is down by

up to 15%, like here at Paignton Zoo. When at the recession started,

it was tough and we took a big hit. We controlled things about last

year, and then they had this extraordinary bad weather. That has

really thrown us. We have had to make some drastic decisions. I

think we will come out stronger. But this has been a very difficult

year. Businesses are now hoping that the weather will now deal them

a good hand. Joining us now is a spokesperson

from their English Riviera Tourist Company. The bank holiday weather

does not liberally it. And at the weather will be quite erratic for

the foreseeable future. How can that smaller businesses sustain the

reductions you were talking about? Yes, it has been a difficult season.

It started off as a good year, and then the rain started. It has hit

businesses. Smaller businesses have to adjust their marketing. We are

looking at discounting and last- minute bookings. People are coming

for shorter breaks now. Businesses have to look at that. The whole

country is sustained some pretty appalling weather, would you visit

Devon in the rain? What is your unique selling point? Their English

at Revie as a resort is one of the great British seaside holiday

destinations. We have so much to do, so many visitor attractions. We

have some fantastic events of this bank holiday weekend. Sailing

events, fireworks, the Red Arrows. Lots of indoor attractions, or

whether attractions. There is always something going on here,

just bring a variety of closer to wear. The battle has begun to

become the home port for the Royal Navy's next generation of frigates.

It's hoped 13 Type 26 global combat ships will be built, but the

decision over whether they will be based here or at Portsmouth will

not be taken before 2015. Spotlight's defence reporter Scott

Bingham has the story. The Ministry of Defence has just released these

pictures of how the new combat frigate will look. Production is

some time off. But that has not stop the wrangling between

Devonport and Portsmouth over where the new ships should be based.

best place for these Type 26 frigates is in Devonport, everybody

knows that. The people who run a naval base in the dockyard will it.

The government knows it. We are just waiting for them to tell us

that that will be the case. But it will not be that simple. Devonport

has just lost its submarine fleet to Scotland in 2016. Portsmouth

will be the base port for the new aircraft careers -- careers.

Portsmouth is better at lobbying because it is more integrated. That

counts for a lot with the Navy. BAE Systems are working with the

council and the Navy. And there is all the heritage of the year. That

is important. They are always carry and they are what is best for

Portsmouth. -- canny. The Ministry of Defence still has to decide how

many Type 26 vessels it can afford and low decision will be made

Elections for the powerful new leaders of the south west's police

forces could be a disaster and a fiasco according to an independent

report from a respected campaign group. The Electoral Reform Society

says public awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioners is so low

that turnout could be less than 20%. Our home affairs correspondent

Simon Hall has been gauging views on the new commissioners.

What is your view on the new police and Crown Commissioners? I do not

know. Who would you vote for as the new police and crime commissioner?

No idea. There has been a persistent crime in this area.

the police have absorbed a lot of the problems. What do you think of

the new police and Crown Commissioners? I do not know

anything about it. I just know... Not a lot to be honest.

Electoral Reform Society predicts that turnout could be under 20%.

They say that there has been insufficient advertising, no

mailshots and public awareness is low. The mid-November date makes it

less likely that people will come out. An election in the winter is

the worst time because nobody feels like going out in the cold. We are

also worried because many older people are less likely to have

internet access so they will not have information about the

elections or about the candidates. We fear that all of this put

together is a recipe for disaster. We could see an abysmally low

turnout. On the Exeter waterfront, this is a popular pub, but it has

suffered from drug dealers being attracted to the area. The landlord

said that police had solved the problem and believes they are

working well with the community without any need for police and

Crown Commissioners. It is an American way. I do not think it is

needed. I really do not want it. The commissioners will have a

significant powers. In a statement, the Home Office said they do not

comment on speculation regarding There are calls this evening for a

full investigation into a possible security breach after the

organisers of two proposed badger culls in the south west were

published on an animal rights' website. The pilot culls, one of

which is in West Somerset, are part of the Government's campaign to

eradicate bovine TB. Simon Alexander reports.

There has been a great deal of secrecy behind the location of the

proposed cull sites. Not only to protect the integrity of the

project, but also to protect those taking part in the cult themselves.

The publishing of the names of those taking part has angered some

performers. This is totally wrong. Why should farmers be harassed and

threatened, as well as their families, and have their names and

business numbers exposed. The group behind at the publishing of the

details say they were not leaked, but discovered as part of research.

The National Farmers' Union has said they are disappointed and

would do everything to protect those individuals named. They will

be asking Defra and natural England to s -- to investigate. A legal

challenge was made to get the calls stopped. The police say they are

The BBC has learned that the chief executive of Shelterbox, Tom

Henderson, has been removed from his position. He founded the

Helston-based charity in 2000. Its board says the decision to remove

him from the role was unanimous, but as there's an ongoing appeals

process, it will not make any further comment. It's assuring

people its day-to-day operations are unaffected.

Coming up later. The row over Cornwall's place in the United

Kingdom. Should the county be more enthusiastic about the UK or push

harder to go it alone? And on the right track - how a

young coach from Devon is helping athletes from Ghana prepare for the

Paralympics. Many diabetic patients in the South

West could be at increased risk of foot amputations because their

local hospitals do not have specialist teams, according to

campaigners. The Royal Cornwall, Yeovil and Dorset County Hospitals

have been singled out because they do not have the diabetic footcare

teams recommended by health watchdogs. Our Health Correspondent

Sally Mountjoy has this report. This man has lived with Di bds for

over 50 years. -- diabetes. word amputation is a very

threatening one. It is to me as a diabetic. The fact that I am unable

to have care both from the hospital and my poor diet Trust has given me

confidence with my diabetes. the Royal Cornwall Hospital is one

of three in the region without a foot care specialist team. We know

that NICE says that multi- disciplinary foot teams are a great

way of reducing these problems. Unfortunately, these hospitals do

not seem to have these teams in place from the information they

have themselves given. A specialist at Royal Cornwall say

they are working with other agencies to provide a high-quality

food care service. The hospital is working towards setting up a multi-

disciplinary team. Recent figures show high rates of diabetic

habitation in Somerset. A spokesman say they are considering a

specialist team but that health professionals do already liaising

to manage the care. Dorset County Hospital say that problems are

treated quickly by a specialist team. This woman lost her leg as a

result of diabetes but is very happy with the care she received.

For some, amputation May be unavoidable. But campaigners say

that the right team player in hospital could prevent the pain and

suffering others have gone through. Should more be done to recognise

Cornwall's distinct identity? Two of the county's Tory MPs have

written a newspaper article describing the campaign for a

separate Cornish Assembly as failed and divisive and urging the Cornish

to drop it and project the county as an outward looking and

enthusiastic part of the UK. Sarah Newton is one of the authors and

joins us now from Truro. Why do think it is a failed and

divisive idea? We have had a change of government which is genuinely

committed to returning power from Westminster to communities all

around Cornwall. What we need is to look at the way for Cornwall

Council, and our parish and town councils work to make sure that

people are really involved in local decisions. You argue that Cornwall

should have a distinct and self- confident outward-looking attitude

to life, an enthusiastic part of the UK. The people who are in

support of a Cornish Assembly, like Mebyon Kernow, disagreed. I do not

think we need the cost of setting up an Assembly for Cornwall. Just

look at the Assembly in Wales. The latest estimate is �40 million a

year. In Wales, the money to run that comes out of the NHS budget. I

do not think people in Cornwall want that to happen. People in

Cornwall might say that they would rather have control over their own

destiny. Why not have an Assembly? We all want the same thing. We want

those powers return to people in Cornwall. Because of the localism

light and all the new measure is that there coalition has brought

them, Cornwall can do that without an Assembly. Why write this paper

now? In the next few months, we have really important elections

coming up in Cornwall. I want there to be alive lead to beat him

Cornwall to make sure that we have or history recognised. -- A one

there to beat our lively debate. Let us know what you think about

that. Businesses on Plymouth Hoe are calling for tougher measures to

be put into place to stop youngsters tomb stoning. During the

summer months, a dispersal order is in place to act as a deterrent, but

many say this is not doing enough to combat the increasing levels of

anti-social behaviour. Heidi Davey reports.

To some it seems like harmless fun. But the consequences can be life-

changing. But that isn't enough to stop youngsters at tombstoning.

have seen an increase this year. We have seen up to 20 people, quite

young people. They gather in large numbers and cost a lot of problems

to our guests, abusive behaviour and looking untidy. It can be

frightening when guests are having lunch and they see them jumping

past the window. We have put up chains are to try to slow them down

and warning them that it is dangerous. People in the area are

in two minds about this extreme sport. They should put up railings.

You cannot outlaw it because they will still do it. The popularity of

tombstoning remains a real prostration to those who were

trying to warn about the risks. can just explain about the level of

risk and the lengths of we have to go to recover people who have been

injured. But tombstoning will continue to put lives at risk. A

keen golfer who almost died after a massive heart attack has made a

life-giving gift to fellow sportsmen and women. Paul Saville's

heart stopped for 17 seconds. He was saved by a portable

defibrillator which re-started his heart. Today he donated one to his

local bowls club to save lives there. Spotlight's Chris Lyddon has

the story. Many of the players here have

serious heart conditions that could kill them. When at the heart

defibrillator they had used to save two lives was stolen, they were

left without emergency cover. not know what happened to it. It

was a valuable piece of equipment which had been used. We used it

twice. Today, Paul Saville came forward to give them the gift of

life. A new are defibrillator identical to the one that saved his

life when he collapsed after a round of golf. I was collapsed on

the floor. That is as much as I can remember. The other golfers were

running around getting people to find the defibrillator. There were

two doctors there at the time which was lucky for me. Also at today's

ceremony, a hospital cardiologist who saved Paul Saville's life on

the operating table. Many heart deaths among sportspeople will of -

- will occur in public places. Having these defibrillators to hand

will definitely save lives. Training is being event so that

Cornwall's gold medal winning sailor Ben Ainslie says he is now

hoping to compete in the Rio Olympics. He became the most

successful Olympic sailor when we won his fourth gold in the Finn

class at London 2012. At the time, he said it would be his last

Olympic games. Now she only left university two

years ago, but Alexandra Main from Devon is about to lead a national

team to the Paralympic Games in London. The 25-year-old has been

coaching athletes from Ghana. After a year in Africa, she brought them

back to Exeter to complete their training as John Danks reports.

Good! Push! Push! Keep going. Pick up your speed. It has taken

Alexandra Main just over a year to help these athletes realise their

potential. They are among four from Ghana who have all qualified for

this summer's Paralympic Games in London. In Ghana, things are

difficult. We had to travel three hours to get to a track and the

track is not like what we have got here. One of the main reasons for

coming back here was to be able to use the facilities and the gym and

get them used to it, especially the English climate as well. Raphael is

a veteran of two Paralympic Games. But this is the first time he has

worked with a female coach. She is a strong lady. We are so proud of

her. We are so happy to have her on our side and making the proposal

for coming here. We are so grateful to her for making sure that we do

our best. The charity Right to Dream which has a youth academy in

Ghana is supporting their athletes. Light weight equipment enabling

them to smash personal bests. But beyond the allure of medals, there

is something else they hope to achieve. We've passed through

obstacles and made it. Through this we are changing our own perceptions

about persons with disabilities in Ghana. Ghana is yet to win a medal

at the Paralympic Games, but their coach remains optimistic. They

could do something amazing at the Paralympics. I am so proud to be

part of their journey. I do not know what will happen, but I have a

good feeling about it. Many of us hoping for some sunshine.

After a few heavy showers, we will see a few more tomorrow but also

some sunny spells. The showers will not be as fecund or as heavy as we

have seen today. -- frequent Corus That weather front have been pushed

away. Generally find overnight with high pressure to the south. There

will be lighter winds for thirsty. But that area of low pressure is

starting to move in. It looks like we will see some wet weather

throughout Friday. An unsettled term for the weather for the end of

the week. Those showers are starting to clear away and most

places it should have a fine end to the day. A scattering of showers of

a night, most likely to catch one towards the coast. But most places

will become dry with clear skies. A fairly light breeze initially and a

cooler feel than of recent nights. First thing tomorrow morning, we

will see some sunshine around initially. Once again, some patchy

cloud. A few showers in the afternoon, but not such heavy

downpours. Some breezy conditions for tomorrow, especially on the

coast. Temperatures of 21 or 20 Celsius. For the Isles of Scilly,

generally, a fine and dry. Or was it the chance of catching one of

Chopping surf. Mainly affair. Just a few showers around. Good

visibility. The wind coming in from the west or south-west. For the

rest of the week, sunshine tomorrow and sunshine to start on Thursday.

But on Friday, wet and windy conditions. At the moment, it does

look unsettled for the weekend. The top stories tonight. Latest figures

show Government borrowing was much higher than expected last month

with a deficit of �600 million. And tourism businesses are hoping for a