Horse Abattoir: Film Reveals Welfare Breaches

By Jason Farrell, Sky Correspondent

Sky News has uncovered shocking animal welfare conditions at a UK horse abattoir.

They include animals being beaten, neglected and illegal procedures in the process of slaughtering British horses destined for European food markets.

It comes amid public anger that some of our biggest supermarkets have been selling beef burgers and other products that contained horse meat.

Sky News visited the Red Lion Abattoir near Nantwich in Cheshire after concerns were raised by Animal Welfare Group Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

Investigators at Hillside fitted secret cameras which filmed horses being beaten with an iron rod to encourage them into the pens. 

Some were then crammed into the slaughter pens in pairs and, on one occasion, a group of three, before being stunned together.

The video revealed horses hit with sticks to goad them into slaughter pens

In harrowing images the horses fall on top of each other. Under The Welfare of Animals Act 1995, horses should not be slaughtered in sight of one another because of the distress it causes.

Furthermore we found that sick or injured horses were left untended overnight, rather than put down immediately.

As a result of the investigation, two slaughter men have had their licences revoked. Craig Kirby, head of approvals and veterinary advice at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) told Sky News: "As soon as we got the footage and reviewed it we took immediate action to revoke the slaughter men's licences.

"That means they cannot work to slaughter animals again. We will also look to gather further evidence to see if we can prosecute."

Former Government Chief Veterinary Officer, Keith Meldrum who viewed the footage said he was shocked by what he described as "appalling" welfare breaches.

"We see three animals stunned at the same time and it is totally illegal and contrary to welfare slaughter regulations," he said.

"It's a significant welfare problem for a number of reasons. It's harder to render them unconscious in a group and they have a higher chance of regaining consciousness before you've completed the procedure".

Another incident filmed included a horse that appeared to come round from the stun while being hung upside down before being bled. Mr Meldrum described it as "totally and completely unacceptable."

FSA statistics released to Sky News show a dramatic increase in the number of UK horses slaughtered every year, from 3,859 in 2007 to 8,426 in 2012.

Some 8,426 horses were slaughtered in the UK in 2012

Depending on the size and breed they are bought for anything between 100 to 300 pounds and can fetch around 700 euros on the European meat markets.

The animals come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are former pets, others come from show jumping or the race track. A report last year from the British Horseracing Authority found,

"The number of thoroughbreds reported dead to the Horse Passport Issuing Authority rose by 580 - an increase of 29% - from 1994 to 2574 horses.

"Of these, 1127 horses either in training, breeding or out of training were reported as killed in abattoirs - and reported to the Government Meat Hygiene Service - from 499 horses in 2010, an increase of 126%."

However, in a statement to Sky News the BHA added, "This is a wider equine issue and not an issue for the British racing industry, which is one of the country's most highly regulated equine pursuits.

"However, if there are allegations that any horse, whether thoroughbred or not, is being inhumanely treated in an abattoir we would fully support any investigation and subsequent action, if appropriate."

During the investigation, Hillside Animal Sanctuary rescued one racehorse called Underwriter by bidding against the abattoir at auction. They discovered it had a distinguished career.

John Watson from Hillside said: "It's not just ill and old horses being killed. There are very many fit and healthy horses, horses with foals, pregnant mares, and thoroughbreds that are being treated badly.

"It blows away the myth of humane slaughter, and there is a misery in that place that is palpable."

Red Lion Abattoir said they had revoked the license of two slaughtermen

Hillside's lead investigator, who didn't want to be identified, added: "What we've found has shocked us deeply; animals left with horrendous injuries and horses shot on top of each other.

"In all the years I've been doing this work, without doubt it's the most harrowing experience I've come across. All the horses in there had their heads hung down."

The Red Lion Abattoir in Cheshire told us they view animal welfare and public health with paramount importance.

In a statement they said: "In attendance at the The Red Lion Abattoir are three full time Food Standards Officers comprising of an official veterinarian and full-time meat hygiene inspectors throughout production."

They said the incidents were "not the norm, but of an isolated nature" and they have taken disciplinary action against the individual featured.

The statement continued: "I agree horses should individually enter the stunning area and most certainly not three at a time.

"However, small horses and ponies having spent years together as companions are difficult to separate. Horse lovers would understand that.

"My opinion and that of other veterinarians is it is better to keep those types together to reduce the stress, providing swift dispatch is achieved."

The Red Lion Abattoir also insisted it meat was not part of the recent supermarket burger scandal.

Their horses are destined to be served in European food markets. The scandal this time is the way they are treated, in the last moments of their lives, in a licenced British Abattoir. 

Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare viewed the footage and said: "The breaches, from what we've seen, are throughout; from the care of the animals to the slaughter process.

"Horses are intelligent animals. When they see an animal stunned in front of them you can only imagine the distress that animal is going through. There are, without doubt, welfare issues here and it is plain illegal."

The RSPCA said "The footage is shocking and upsetting to watch."  They have requested a full copy of the film with a view to investigating.

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Travel Gridlock Amid Snow And Ice

Air passengers and drivers have faced hours of disruption and frustration as snow continues to blanket large parts of the country.

Hundreds of flights have been grounded at Heathrow airport in west London as heavy snow and poor visibility closed runways.

Some passengers on British Airways flights have told Sky News that they have spent up to seven hours on aircraft which have never left the tarmac.

A spokesman for BA said there are normally between 42 and 44 take-off or landing slots available per hour, but at one point yesterday that went down to just six.

Sky reporter Clare Fallon, at Heathrow, said: "It's a surreal sight, there are hundreds of people on the floor because they are essentially stranded there. Some have told me they have been here since 11am yesterday morning.

"People feel very frustrated and stressed, and they don't understand how a relatively small amount of snow has been able to cause so much chaos."

In a statement last night, the company said: "We are doing all we can to help our customers after freezing weather and snow caused significant disruption to our schedule today.

Planes grounded at Heathrow

"We are also offering customers who no longer wish to travel between Friday and Sunday the option to rebook their flight to a later date.

"There will be knock-on disruption to services on Saturday and we are advising all customers to check the very latest status of their flight via ba.com before leaving for the airport and if their flight has been cancelled not to leave home."

Flights in and out of Gatwick escaped major disruption yesterday, but the airport advised passengers flying out this weekend to contact their airlines to check flight status.

The Highways Agency said several motorway lanes and major A roads had closed due to the snow and ice, as well as several accidents.

Drivers have been warned to be extra careful as freezing temperatures would bring icy conditions overnight and into the morning.

The deepest snowfall has been measured at 26cm in Sennybridge, Wales, although snow has been thawing in other areas and some train services have been returning to normal.

Merthyr Tydfil has been among the worst hit areas and the A4232 leading into Cardiff was packed with commuters who left home despite the conditions. The closure of a section of the M4 at Bridgend caused headaches for many.

A stranded passenger at Terminal 5

There have also been severe hold-ups for rail passengers, with many companies cancelling services to help them cope with problems caused by the weather. Train firms are advising passengers to check with operators before travelling.

But while commuters have been facing misery, the winter wonderland scenes have brought joy to thousands of youngsters who got the day off yesterday.

Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire were particularly badly hit, with almost 700 schools deciding to close across the four counties by the early afternoon.

Few parts of the UK will escape the wintry weather as it continues into the weekend.

:: Send in your weather photos and videos

There is up to 10cm of snow likely in northern and eastern England as well as Ireland and southern and eastern Scotland on Saturday. Snow elsewhere will be lighter but it will be bitterly cold.

Sunday could also bring persistent but light snow to southeast England and some flurries for Scotland.

Darron Burness, from the AA, said commuting in the wintry conditions was "likely to test man and machine".

Those who decide to travel have been urged to travel prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm waterproof clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and drink, and have a torch, ice scraper, de-icer and a shovel.

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British Soldier Who Died From Wounds Named

A British soldier who died in hospital from wounds suffered in combat in Afghanistan has been named.

The Ministry of Defence said Kingsman David Robert Shaw, from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on January 16.

Kingsman Shaw sustained a gun shot wound when his checkpoint came under attack from insurgents in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province on January 14.

The 23-year-old was from Barrow-in-Furness and joined the Army in February, 2008.

Kingsman Shaw, a qualified sharpshooter and an assault pioneer, died on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

His family said: "David was a much-loved son and brother who was proud to have served his country in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

"He loved his family and friends and would always make time for a hug for everybody. He enjoyed playing football, running and was an Arsenal fan.

"He also followed his local team, Barrow AFC. He has touched many lives. He will be missed and never forgotten."

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Wood, commanding officer of the battalion, added: "The death of Kingsman David Shaw is a devastating tragedy. The loss of our fallen comrade, who has fought so bravely and fiercely for three months, is deeply felt by all..."

"David was a true Cumbrian and Kingsman - physically and mentally tough, a warrior through and through, utterly loyal to those he worked with and possessing a sense of humour that touched us all.

"Known throughout the Battalion as 'Doctor S' he was the most popular of individuals. His joking and light heartedness would lift the gloomiest of situations and have us all laughing."

Sapper Richard Walker was repatriated on January 17

Kingsman Matthew Bond, Foxhound operator of Corunna company said: "The whole time I knew David he was a bright, funny and a hardworking young man.

"He was well liked and respected by the whole company. David's death was heartbreaking to hear about and my thoughts are with his friends and family."

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond added: "My thoughts are with his family, loved ones and those he served alongside in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment."

Kingsman Shaw is the second British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan this year and his death takes to 440 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations began in October, 2001.

Sapper Richard Reginald Walker, 23, from 28 Engineer Regiment attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, was killed in a "green-on-blue" insider attack by a suspected member of the Afghan National Army in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province on January 7.

Sapper Walker's body was repatriated to the UK on Thursday.

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Snow: Rail And Road Disruption Expected

Road and rail users are being warned that heavy snow that is set to blanket Britain could chaos on transport networks in the coming hours.

Temperatures are expected to remain below zero in most parts, making it bitterly cold, while blizzards and strong winds are set to make conditions treacherous on the roads.

Rail operators South West Trains, Southern, Greater Anglia and Eurostar have already cancelled services or revised timetables to cope with any problems caused by the weather.

Passengers were advised to check with operators before travelling.

Airports and schools are likely to be closed as the snowfall sweeps into the country from the southwest through the day.

A rare "red warning" has been issued for parts of South Wales, meaning all non-essential journeys should be avoided. The Met Office said up to 30cm of snow could fall in the area with strong southeasterly winds causing blizzards.

Amber alerts were in place for parts of the Midlands, London and the South, the east of England, the North West and Northern Ireland.

London and East Anglia could see up to 10cm of snow.

Panic-buying was reported at supermarkets in Derbyshire and Wales

The Highways Agency has issued an amber alert and has placed a 500-strong fleet of salt-spreaders, ploughs and snow-blowers on stand-by.

Greg Carstensen, service director for Hounslow Highways, told Sky News they were well-prepared with roads in some areas already gritted the night before snow was expected.

However, he still urged motorists to "listen to the advice being given out on television and radio and make sensible decisions and only make necessary trips if the snow is really that bad".

The AA said the greatest risk of disruption would be in Wales, the West Midlands, southern England and Northern Ireland.

Darron Burness, the AA's head of special operations, said the morning commute was "likely to test man and machine with potentially challenging driving conditions across many areas".

"If the snow comes in quickly, it will cause problems, particularly drifting snow."

Those who decided to travel have been urged to travel prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm waterproof clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and drink, and have a torch, ice scraper, de-icer and a shovel.

There were also reports of panic-buying in Derbyshire and Wales.

At a supermarket in Ripley every loaf of bread and all the bananas had been bought up. One customer reportedly went home with 20 loaves of bread.

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Helicopter Crash: Pilot Worked On Major Films

The pilot of a helicopter which crashed in central London was one of the country's most experienced and had flown in films such as Die Another Day and Saving Private Ryan.

Pete Barnes was killed when the AgustaWestland 109 Power he was flying hit a crane on a high rise building in Vauxhall and plummeted to the ground.

Mr Barnes had amassed around 12,000 hours of flying time, including 3,500 hours in Agusta helicopters.

During his 18-year career as a pilot the 50-year-old had flown air ambulances and worked as a pilot on adverts and films such as James Bond's Die Another Day, Saving Private Ryan and Tomb Raider II.

Mr Barnes had a wife and two children

He had been working as a freelance pilot for Rotormotion, a company which counts among its clients the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister David Cameron, former PM Tony Blair and the Dalai Lama.

In a statement the firm, which describes itself as a "boutique helicopter charter business", paid tribute to Mr Barnes, referring to the crash as a "tragic accident".

"Captain Peter Barnes, aged 50 from the Reading area, has been flying with RotorMotion since it was established over 15 years ago," the company said.

"He was a very highly skilled pilot, one of the most experienced in the UK, with over 12,000 flying hours.

"We are devastated by the loss of a highly valued colleague and very dear friend. Our thoughts and condolences are with Peter's wife and children."

In 2004 Mr Barnes helped rescue a motorist from a flooded ford in County Durham while working for the Great North Air Ambulance.

The Agusta 109 which Mr Barnes was flying at the time of the crash

Jolyon Palmer, a racing car driver who competes in the Formula One feeder GP2 series, said the pilot saved his life in 2007.

He tweeted: "Helicopter pilot Pete Barnes helped save my life in 2007 after I had a serious quad bike accident. Extremely sad news today."

Mr Barnes also flew the Newcastle Traffic and Travel helicopter as the Voice of Metro FM and worked as a helicopter instructor.

Broadcaster Alan Robson of the Tyneside-based radio station said the pilot was a pioneer of "eye in the sky" traffic reports in this country.

Mr Robson, an award-winning radio host, also worked with Mr Barnes on TV shows, and said that while he would pull off daring manoeuvres, he was safety-conscious.

Mr Barnes had also worked on air ambulances

"He was a stylish, lovely guy. He could have auditioned for James Bond," Mr Robson recalled.

"He was handsome, the girls melted. He walked it and he talked it.

"He was a genuinely lovely guy. I am absolutely gutted."

Mr Barnes originally worked as a ski instructor and guide in Europe after completing a business studies degree, before going into advertising.

But he later moved to the US to train as a helicopter pilot, earning a US Commercial and Instructors Licence flying helicopters around Florida and the East Coast before moving back to the UK.

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Helicopter Crash In Vauxhall: Fatalities Named

The second person killed when a helicopter crashed in London has been named as Matthew Wood.

The 39-year-old from Sutton and helicopter pilot Peter Barnes died after the aircraft hit a crane on St George Wharf Tower, in Vauxhall, amid heavy fog.

It cartwheeled out of the sky, smashed into two cars as it hit the ground and exploded into flames.

Mr Barnes, aged 50, was the only person aboard the helicopter, while Mr Wood is understood to have been on the ground.

The pilot from the Reading area had worked for the RotorMotion helicopter charter business for 15 years and had flown aircraft during the production of films such as Die Another Day and Saving Private Ryan.

Matthew Wood, 39, was killed in the crash. Pic: Sutton Christian Centre

"He was a very highly skilled pilot, one of the most experienced in the UK, with over 12,000 flying hours," the company said in a statement.

It added it was "devastated by the loss of a highly valued colleague and very dear friend".

The helicopter was on a long lease to RotorMotion from Castle Air Charters, whose managing director Ross Bunyard said: "We are not in a position to make any further comment, beyond expressing our sympathies and condolences to all those affected by the accident."

A number of celebrities had flown with Pete Barnes

Twelve people were injured. Five are in hospital, including one with a broken leg, and seven were treated at the scene.

One man was rescued from a burning car.

Burning wreckage and aviation fuel covered the road, as cars caught fire and people screamed and ran seeking shelter from the flying debris, witnesses have said.

Two office buildings, five cars and two motorbikes were damaged.

Pete Barnes has been described as an experienced pilot

Flames raged and a huge column of black smoke billowed from the crash site just off Wandsworth Road, near South Lambeth Road.

Firefighters said the crane was in a "precarious" position but ruled out any "imminent risk" of a collapse.

They urged people to stay away from the area while specialists assess the damage sustained by the crane.

Rescue crews searched the River Thames following reports that somebody had been seen in the water after the crash.

Emergency services say the Agusta 109 helicopter was on a scheduled commercial flight from Surrey to Elstree, but was diverted to Battersea due to bad weather.

The Agusta 109 helicopter that crashed in central London

Flights in and out of London City Airport, in Docklands, had been delayed earlier in the day due to poor visibility.

Shortly after the crash at around 8am, firefighters, police and ambulances rushed to the scene.

Michael Krumstets, who lives in the area, said he had seen the helicopter hit the crane and the aircraft fall "directly towards us".

"We ran from the side of the road and it hit the road just besides us … and then it exploded," he said.

Sarah-Beth Casey lives in an apartment near the scene.

She told Sky News: "You're always worried about things like 9/11 and things like that.

"When I heard the explosion, it was like a little earthquake. It was like a gas explosion. I looked up to see debris falling off the tower."

The tower is a 185-metre (200-yard) high cylindrical block overlooking the Thames and the Houses of Parliament.

Bruce Grain, a station manager for London Fire Brigade and among the first to arrive at the scene, said the driver of one of the cars that had been hit managed to get out, while the driver of the other vehicle could not be immediately located.

Some cars caught fire and one man was rescued from a burning vehicle

"Large parts of the helicopter are in the road," Mr Grain told Sky News.

"There is debris over surrounding buildings … three buildings."

He said firefighters had extinguished the fire.

David Cameron said rules for helicopter flights over central London would need to be carefully looked at following the accident.

The Prime Minister was "very saddened to learn of the fatalities and injuries" in the crash, his spokesman said.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said the lighting of cranes and tall buildings would be reviewed, but that it would be "premature" to second guess the investigation into the collision.

St George Wharf Tower this morning

Aviation expert Chris Yates told Sky News that any tall structure must have a warning light on top to alert pilots.

The question is, he said, whether there was a warning light on the crane and whether the pilot would have been able to see it in the foggy conditions.

RotorMotion says on its website that its helicopters "are fully instrument qualified to fly in poor weather conditions".

The company, whose website features pictures of famous passengers including the Dalai Lama, offered its "full support and assistance" to authorities investigating the crash.

The crash, which happened close to a railway line during rush hour, disrupted transport across central London.

Roads were cordoned off and train services were briefly suspended but are now running in and out of Waterloo station, while Vauxhall tube station was closed but has now reopened.

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Ireland: Horsemeat Found In Beef Burgers

Horse DNA has been found in some supermarket beef burger products made in Ireland and the UK, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

It follows a study examining the authenticity of a number of beef burger, beef meal and salami products available from retail outlets in Ireland.

The study, which tested for the presence of horse and pig DNA, revealed the presence of horse DNA in some beef burger products.

The FSAI said although there was no risk to public health, it raised concerns about the traceability of meat ingredients and products entering the food chain.

A total of 27 beef burger products were analysed, with 10 (37%) testing positive for horse DNA and 23 (85%) testing positive for pig DNA.

Some 31 beef meal products including cottage pie, beef curry pie and lasagne were also analysed. Twenty-one were found to have pig DNA while all were negative for horse DNA.

All 19 salami products analysed tested negative for horse DNA, but traces were detected in batches of raw ingredients including some imported from The Netherlands and Spain.

The beef burger products which tested positive for horse DNA were produced by two processing plants in Ireland, Liffey Meats and Silvercrest Foods, and one in the UK, Dalepak Hambleton.

They were on sale in Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and Iceland. In nine of the 10 beef burger samples from these retailers, horse DNA was found at very low levels.

Tesco was among the supermarkets found to have sold the affected burgers

However, in one sample from Tesco the level indicated that horsemeat accounted for approximately 29% of the content.

The FSAI says it is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the processing plants and retailers involved.

It said the retailers had pledged to remove all implicated batches from their shelves immediately. In addition, Silvercrest Foods was withdrawing all products from sale and replacing them with new ones.

In a statement, Tesco said the products found to have horse DNA included two types of frozen beef burgers sold by the chain in the UK as well as Ireland.

It said it "immediately withdrew from sale all products from the supplier in question".

It was working with the authorities in Ireland and the UK and the supplier to "urgently understand how this has happened and how to ensure it does not happen again."

It added: "The safety and quality of our food is of the highest importance to Tesco. We will not tolerate any compromise in the quality of the food we sell."

Professor Alan Reilly, chief executive of the FSAI, said although consumers need not worry, the findings did raise a number of concerns.

He said: "The products we have identified as containing horse DNA and/or pig DNA do not pose any food safety risk and consumers should not be worried. Consumers who have purchased any of the implicated products can return them to their retailer.

"Whilst, there is a plausible explanation for the presence of pig DNA in these products due to the fact that meat from different animals is processed in the same meat plants, there is no clear explanation at this time for the presence of horse DNA in products emanating from meat plants that do not use horse meat in their production process.

"In Ireland, it is not in our culture to eat horse meat and therefore, we do not expect to find it in a burger. Likewise, for some religious groups or people who abstain from eating pig meat, the presence of traces of pig DNA is unacceptable."

:: The FSAI operates an advice line on 1890 33 66 77 from 9.00am-5.00pm.

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Car Insurance Premiums Soar For Young Women

Car insurance prices for young women in the UK rose by an average 16.4% in the final quarter of 2012 after EU rules banned setting prices based on gender.

On average, women aged between 17 and 20 who insured themselves as the only driver paid £2,081 for their premiums.

But married females of the same age only saw a quarterly rise of 4.8%, with an average premium of £2,089 for two insured drivers on a car.

At the same time, quoted prices for men aged between 17 and 20 saw an average fall of 10.7% over the same period.

Gareth Kloet, head of car insurance at Confused.com, said: "With the EU gender directive taking effect from December 21, 2012, it's clear to see that the insurance industry has both reacted and prepared for the well documented and anticipated change in legislation during the last quarter.

"As expected, our index shows that women have seen the greatest changes in their insurance premium as insurers prepared for the change in legislation with what is effectively a gender tax on their car insurance premiums.

"We encourage everyone to shop around in order to get the best deals and if you are married, consider car sharing with your partner to benefit from cheaper car insurance premiums."

The figures, from the latest Confused.com/Towers Watson Car Insurance Price Index, also found the average comprehensive car insurance price now stands at £737 - down from £844 in the same quarter in 2011.

The EU Gender Directive came into force on December 21 last year, banning companies from setting prices according to gender.

The ruling, by the European Court of Justice, followed a 10-year legal battle against the proposals by insurers.

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Weather Warning: The Worst Is Yet To Come

Large swathes of the UK have been hit by heavy snowfall causing travel problems for motorists and rail users.

Weather forecasters say the worst is yet to come with up to 10cm (4in) of snow expected to fall on high ground.

The snow and ice led to more than 20 motorists being rescued by the AA after their cars got stuck, while one rail operator has introduced speed restrictions.

Sleet and snow fell in many parts of England on Monday morning and a second, heavier band is moving south and east.

The worst affected areas are expected to be East Midlands, eastern England, the North East and Yorkshire, for which the Met Office has issued amber warnings.

There are also eight yellow warnings covering parts of England and Scotland, to make people aware of possible disruption.

Amber and yellow warnings have been issued in the UK

The second highest ice and snow alert - level three - is in force for the whole of England - with a 90% chance of severe cold conditions between now and Friday and temperatures falling to below zero overnight.

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Eastern Britain will have further sleet or snow overnight but it will turn increasingly showery form the north.

"Five to 10cm (2 to 4in) of snow is expected across parts of Lincolnshire and East Anglia. About half that amount is possible across the far south-east of England later.

"Further west, evening showers will tend to die away to leave most places dry. There'll be a widespread frost, giving icy stretches."

Eastergate, West Sussex, by Sky News viewer Grannygill

The AA said it had attended around 9,000 breakdowns including 23 cars stuck in snow - mainly in the Grampians in Scotland, Oxfordshire and the East Midlands.

A spokesman said breakdowns were coming in at more than 1,100 every hour, having peaked at around 1,750. It expected to attend more than 16,000 for the day, compared to around 10,500 on an average Monday.

Rail operator Greater Anglia warned of disruptions to services after placing speed restrictions on some lines because of snow.

It said trains between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich may be delayed by up to 30 minutes, while some early evening services faced cancellation.

View from plane approaching London's Heathrow Airport

Leeds Bradford Airport said severe weather had disrupted its flight schedule for a while but services were now back to normal.

The Highways Agency has warned motorists to take extra care overnight and into the early hours on roads made slippery by frozen snow and sleet.

With temperature set to drop to minus 8C (17.6F) on Wednesday night, the agency said it was "well prepared" for any adverse winter conditions to come.

A spokeswoman said: "We have a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art winter vehicles on standby, supported by tried-and-tested winter resilience plans.

Children play on their sledge in Bingham, Nottinghamshire

"We have reviewed salt stock levels and taken action where needed to enhance our resilience and we have again established a reserve salt stock to help ensure that there is enough salt to deal with severe winter.

"Our roads will be treated whenever there is a risk of ice or snow. However, even when roads have been treated, drivers should still take care, especially on stretches where the local road layout or landscape means there could be a greater risk of ice forming."

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Robinson said: "Eastern coastal counties of Britain will see showers moving southwards, allowing northern parts to have a drier and brighter afternoon.

"Eastern Britain will see an additional 2 to 3cm (1in) in a few places.

A man pushes a bicycle through the snow in Cambridge

"Elsewhere, it'll be mainly dry with good spells of sunshine, but north-west Scotland and west Wales will see the odd wintry shower. It'll remain very cold just about everywhere."

Robsinson added: "Wednesday and Thursday will be a cold and bright for many places, but Ireland will be cloudier and wetter.

"By Friday, south-west Britain could have some snow although at this stage there's a great deal of uncertainty."

:: Send us your photos or videos of the snow where you are.

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Breast Cancer: NHS Drugs For Women At Risk

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Women with a high risk of breast cancer could be prescribed drugs to prevent the disease.

New guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) recommend that post-menopausal women with a strong family history of breast cancer are given the option of taking medication to reduce their risk.

The move was hailed as "historic" by a leading breast cancer charity.

Between 3% and 5% of the 48,000 breast cancers each year are caused by genes that are passed down families. They raise the risk of the disease to around 80% - compared to 12% for the average woman.

Sharon Osbourne chose to have her breasts removed as a precaution

Currently women with one of the genes have regular mammograms to spot tumours early.

Some, including Sharon Osbourne, choose to have their breasts removed even though they are perfectly healthy, to reduce their risk to low levels.

But recent studies have shown that taking the drugs tamoxifen or raloxifene for five years can halve the risk of cancer. Nice says the evidence is strong enough to recommend so-called "chemoprevention".

The US Food and Drug Administration has already approved the drugs for preventing cancer.

Chris Askew, chief executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "This draft guideline represents a historic step for the prevention of breast cancer.

"It is the first time drugs have ever been recommended for reducing breast cancer risk in the UK.

"This is exciting as, even though most women do not have a significant family history of the disease, it's crucial that those who do have an array of options to help them control their risk."

Neither of the drugs is currently licensed for preventing cancer and Nice warns that any doctor prescribing them would have to take "full responsibility for the decision".

The recommendation is part of new draft guidelines on familial breast cancer.

They also extend genetic testing to more women with relatives affected by the disease, as well as recommend regular MRI scans for younger women who carry high risk genes.

Professor Mark Baker, director of the Centre for Clinical Practice at Nice, said: "It's wise for any person with a family history of cancer to receive appropriate investigations and screening that would otherwise be unnecessary if a family history did not exist."

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Imani Green: British Schoolgirl, 8, Shot Dead

A woman has told of the moment her young sister was gunned down and killed in a cafe in Jamaica.

Imani Green, eight, was visiting relatives on the island with her mother when she was shot in the northwestern village of Duncans, in Trelawny.

The youngster, from Balham, south London, is reported to have been shot twice, first in the head and then the shoulder. She was taken to hospital but later died. Three others were injured in the shooting.

The girl's sister, Janella Parmer, said: "We heard gunshots. We ran outside and shouted 'Imani, Imani, Imani'.

The shooting happened in Duncans in Trelawny

"I picked her up off the ground and realised she was still breathing. I flagged down a car and they drove us to hospital. The rest is history."

Imani's brother Dean Palmer, who is in his 20s, told Sky News he was completely devastated by the death of his sister, who he described as "an extremely brave girl".

Speaking before he left the UK for Jamaica, he said Imani suffered from sickle-cell anaemia and visits relatives there twice a year to get away from cold weather that worsens her condition.

He said the family had been in two minds about whether to take her this time but the trip went ahead.

Pinky's Bar in Duncans, where eight-year-old Imani Green was shot dead

Imani's cousin, Marco Dane, 17, who also lives in London, told Sky News: "She was a sweet, innocent girl. She always had a smile on her face."

Neighbours have described their sorrow following the girl's death.

One friend of the family, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a close-knit community, so this is going to hurt us."

Another added: "Nobody wants to speak, she was just a little girl. This is all so sad. We're distraught."

"We do not know the motive. What we can confirm is that Imani was not the target of this shooting," he said.

Imani's head teacher at Fircroft Primary School, in Tooting, said: "Imani was a happy, playful child who was popular with staff and pupils alike.

"She dealt with her illness very bravely and coped well with the special arrangements we had to have in place to support her.

"We are now in the process of contacting all the families of children in the same year group to break this terrible news to them and we will be taking steps to offer support and counselling."

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting, said: "(I am) devastated to hear the news of eight-year-old schoolgirl Imani Green, a pupil at a Tooting primary school. This is terrible news."

Imani's killer is understood to have entered the premises - owned by a family member - on Friday evening and argued with another man shortly before the shooting.

Jamaica's security minister, Peter Bunting, condemned the killing.

He told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper: "The senseless killing of a young, innocent child must outrage all well-thinking  Jamaicans, and cause us to join our security forces in an intensified effort to rid our communities of criminals."

Mr Bunting said he thought the little girl might have been caught up in a lottery scam reprisal attack.

He told Channel 4 News: "The initial report that I received from the police seems to suggest that this was a reprisal attack for a shooting late last year that was related to a lottery scam."

The minister said more than 500 murders over the past five years were connected to lottery scams.

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Weather Warning: 'Severe' Ice And Snow Ahead

Forecasters have issued a new severe weather warning, with a high chance of disruptive ice and snow in England for much of next week.

The Met Office has raised its alert level to three - one step below a national emergency - and said icy conditions could last until Friday morning. 

Snow is expected in the North and East of the country, where downpours will build up on the ground as temperatures remain below zero.

Some snow is also expected in the South East and South West, along with central areas.

The alert warns of severe weather until Friday

All of Britain is already feeling the effects of winter as temperatures continue to linger at zero or just above.

Commuters have been warned to expect difficult journeys on Monday, when several centimetres of snow is expected across large swathes of the UK.

Snow has already begun to fall in Scotland and will slowly spread south today and overnight delivering a light dusting, but a heavier dump is expected to land over north Wales, central England and northern England tomorrow.

On Saturday, temperatures in some areas were between 2C and 5C (36F-41F), but in Inverness and Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands they never got above -1C (28F).

Temperatures were low across the UK overnight into Sunday, with the lowest reading -6C (21.2F) at Shap in Cumbria at 3am.

Road conditions could play havoc

The AA has warned that 75% of drivers are not prepared for conditions on the roads, and urged drivers to carry an essential winter kit and check their cars before getting behind the wheel.

The RAC is expecting up to 56,000 breakdowns and widespread disruption.

It has placed extra patrols on stand-by to help stranded motorists and said call-outs are expected to rise by 20% or more.

The Highways Agency said it is "well prepared" for winter conditions, adding that a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art winter vehicles were on standby.

A spokeswoman said: "Our roads will be treated whenever there is a risk of ice or snow. However, even when roads have been treated, drivers should still take care, especially on stretches where the local road layout or landscape means there could be a greater risk of ice forming."

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Belfast Protests: 29 Police Officers Injured

Twenty-nine police officers have been injured during disorder in east Belfast.

Police used water cannon during sectarian clashes overnight between loyalists and republicans in the Castlereagh Street area.

Trouble flared after a city centre demonstration against the council's decision to limit the number of days the Union flag is flown from City Hall.

Four of the 29 injured officers were taken to hospital and two remain in treatment.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Matt Baggott said: "This was a difficult operation dealing with a large number of people determined to cause disorder and violence. My colleagues brought the situation under control with exceptional courage and professionalism.

"I know the vast majority of people will be grateful for their efforts. Police will continue to engage with all those committed to finding a solution to these issues."

Police officers helped an injured colleague during the protest

Water cannon were deployed and a non-lethal baton round fired by riot police as they separated opposing factions.

A hail of bricks and fireworks rained down at the Albertbridge Road near the nationalist Short Strand.

Earlier on Saturday, nearly 1,000 people gathered at City Hall to protest.

Senior politicians from Belfast, Dublin and London are to meet next week to discuss the protests after more than 40 days of road blocks and sporadic violence by loyalists have failed to produce a solution.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness will join Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Ireland's Tanaiste (deputy leader) Eamonn Gilmore.

Mr Gilmore said: "This violence is being orchestrated and those behind it are known criminals, intent on creating chaos.

"This has nothing to do with real issues around flags and identity in a shared society, which are the subject of intensive political discussions at present."

Cars were set alight during the rioting

The demonstrations against Belfast City Council's decision to hoist the Union Flag from the City Hall only on designated days like royal birthdays have brought many parts of Northern Ireland to a standstill.

More than 70 officers have been injured and over 100 arrests made during weeks of sporadic trouble, the PSNI said.

Businesses in Belfast's city centre have struggled to cope, with many reporting lost trade, and the Confederation of British Industry warned some investors may think again.

A doctor was prevented from attending a terminally ill cancer patient because of loyalist road blocks in south Belfast, it was revealed.

A loyalist protester throws a wooden post at police

The GP was travelling to a home call with the sick man when he was stopped twice by crowds of demonstrators who blocked the road.

Police asked them to move but they refused, nationalist SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt said.

He said: "These are depraved acts which immediately dismiss any claim on a protest being peaceful."

The doctor had to wait until the blockade was lifted.

A unionist forum chaired by DUP leader Mr Robinson and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt met last week to discuss ways of empowering loyalist working class communities.

A second peace rally is to be held outside City Hall later today.

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Insurers To Claw Back Cost Of UK Floods

By Isabel Webster, West Of England Correspondent

The clean-up from the 2012 floods is expected to cost insurers over £1bn and push premiums up for a fourth consecutive year.

Eight thousand properties were flooded last year, according to the Environment Agency, as flooding remains Britain's greatest risk.

Residents and business owners in the town of Braunton in Devon experienced flash floods in the days before Christmas.

Pub landlord Mark Ridge, from the London Inn, is expecting to claim in excess of £160,000.

He had initially thought the damage could be repaired in a fortnight but has now been told he will have to close until Easter.

"It soon became apparent that it was a rip-out job, strip the whole pub, and get the insurances involved," said Mr Ridge.

The flood-damaged London Inn in Braunton

"That's everything from the buildings, to contents, stock, loss of earnings, staff wages have to be claimed for as well. All of which we have to pay for first and then claim back - so it's not an easy task."

Four of the top five wettest years on record have been since the year 2,000 which is putting pressure on the Government and insurers to renew their 10-year deal to provide universal cover for all homes, including those in flood prone areas.

Mohammad Khan, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said: "The weather events of 2012 have dented insurers' profits and will probably lead to renewal premiums rising by up to 5% for those unaffected by the floods and by up to 50% for those flooded.

"The UK floods therefore, have also brought into sharp focus the current standoff between the insurance industry and the Government on the renewal of the Flood Principles - agreement needs to be reached in 2013."

The negotiations over continued cover from insurers, in return from assurances from the Government including the managing of flood risks and robust planning controls, will continue until June.

Last year's flooding is expected to push up insurance premiums

Matt Cullen, from the Association of British Insurers, warned: "We've calculated following some extensive research that if we don't reach agreement with the Government over what replaces the Statement of Principles then around 200,000 homes in flood-proned areas could struggle to access cover."

But the Government has played down the likelihood of such a situation.

A Defra spokesperson said: "We want to find a lasting solution that secures the affordability and availability of flood insurance for the first time, without placing unsustainable costs on wider policyholders or taxpayers.

"Our primary role is to prevent flooding in the first place. We are on course to spend £2.3bn on preventing flooding and coastal erosion over this four-year period."

PwC said it estimates the cost of the floods to the insurance industry in 2012 to now add up to around £1bn.

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