Flood Victims Rescued As More Rain Forecast

Flood victims are facing a festive washout with many being forced out of their homes - and forecasters are predicting more rain is on the way.

Large parts of the UK were lashed with high winds and rain over the weekend, causing widespread flooding.

Southwest England, Wales and northeast Scotland were worst affected, although the Midlands is also on high alert as flooding threatens to ruin Christmas for many.

Christmas preparations have been put on hold as people survey the damage to their homes, while businesses and communities across the country are put on alert with hundreds of flood warnings remaining in place.

Emergency services helped several people who had been swept away in their cars and attended landslides brought down by the torrential rain.

A woman is rescued from flood water in Devon (pic: Devon & Cornwall Police)

In Umberleigh, near Barnstaple in Devon, a woman was rescued in an "heroic" effort by a lifeboat team after she clung on to the branches of a tree for 50 minutes.

She was spotted by a police helicopter using thermal imaging equipment after she was swept away from her car.

Another woman also had a lucky escape after being swept away in her car in Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan. She was saved from the vehicle just moments before her car was washed under the bridge and filled with water.

Homes in the northeast of Scotland were also evacuated after being hit by significant flooding as heavy rain across the country resulted in road closures in Aberdeenshire and Tayside.

Dozens of people were evacuated from up to 100 properties in Stonehaven, and Grampian Police said some were expected to be out of their homes for up to 24 hours.

Torrential rain brought down tonnes of mud and rock into the village of Ystalyfera, near Swansea, overnight. Terraced houses were also evacuated in Pontypridd when a 20ft wall collapsed.

RNLI flood rescue teams across Devon and Cornwall have been helping people and animals to safety using in-shore lifeboats while fire crews use high volume pumps to clear water away from properties.

Flooding in Stonehaven. Aberdeenshire, (Pic: COLINTHIRD1969)

Families in Braunton, North Devon, who were effectively cut off after the River Caen twice burst its banks, had to place sandbags outside their homes and businesses as they prepared for more rain.

The flooding overwhelmed a new £1.2m flood defence scheme, wiping out Christmas plans for many of the residents.

Diane Cohen, 63, runs the flood hit Mariners Arms pub on South Street with her husband.

She said: "If you go into the middle of the village all you can see is people with their belongings out on the pavements, mopping up and cleaning up behind them. It's like a disaster zone."

And flooding problems in Devon spread across the county to the village of Stoke Canon, near Exeter, after the River Exe also burst its banks.

The Environment Agency said 20 properties have been flooded and people from 25 homes were being moved to safety by emergency services.

There was also widespread travel disruption as water engulfed train lines near Exeter, and dozens of minor roads flooded as swathes of countryside remain under water.

Engineers work on the flooded railway line in Exeter (pic: Mike Yearworth)

Flooding minister Richard Benyon said: "It's terrible to have your home or business flooded at any time of year, but for the families affected it's especially distressing for it to happen during the Christmas season."

Despite a brief respite in the torrential downpours on Sunday, more rain fell overnight.

Residents unable to return to their homes face spending the festive period in temporary accommodation or with relatives.

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Queen To Hail Olympics In 3D Xmas Message

Monarch's Message: From Radio To 3D

Updated: 4:41am UK, Monday 24 December 2012

The Queen's grandfather, King George V, delivered the first royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham more than 75 years ago.

He had reigned since 1910, but it was not until 1932 that he gave his first festive speech.

He was unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed and read a message composed by author Rudyard Kipling.

The original idea was suggested by Sir John Reith, the founding father of the BBC, to inaugurate the Empire Service, now the BBC World Service.

The fixed time of 3pm each year was chosen in 1932 because it was considered the best for reaching most of the countries in the British Empire by short wave.

The General Post Office was used to reach Australia, Canada, India, Kenya and South Africa.

George V's eldest son, who became King Edward VIII, never delivered a Christmas speech as his reign lasted less than a year, ending in abdication.

There was no broadcast in 1936 or 1938.

King George VI, Edward's younger brother, made his first broadcast in December 1937 in which he thanked the nation and Empire for their support during the first year of his reign.

It was the outbreak of war in 1939 which firmly established the tradition, when George VI sought to reassure people and boost morale.

Following her father's death, the Queen made her first Christmas broadcast in 1952 and her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957, live from Sandringham.

She has delivered one every year except for 1969, when she decided the royals had been on TV enough that year following an unprecedented documentary the family made about their life.

Today the speech is available on the television, radio, the Royal Channel on the YouTube website, and in HD.

This year for the first time the national address will also be broadcast in 3D.

The Queen usually does her speech in one take, recording it a couple of weeks before December 25. Accompanying TV footage is gathered throughout the year.

She writes her own message and each one has a religious framework and reflects current issues.

The speech is one of the rare occasions when the Queen does not turn to the Government for advice and is able to voice her own views.

While the Royal Family gathers together round the TV to watch the broadcast on Christmas Day, the Queen sometimes watches it alone, heading off to another room to scrutinise her message in private.

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Flood Victims Rescued As More Rain Forecast

Flood victims are facing a festive washout with many being forced out of their homes - and forecasters are predicting more rain is on the way.

Large parts of the UK were lashed with high winds and rain over the weekend, causing widespread flooding.

Southwest England, Wales and northeast Scotland were worst affected, although the Midlands is also on high alert as flooding threatens to ruin Christmas for many.

Christmas preparations have been put on hold as people survey the damage to their homes, while businesses and communities across the country are put on alert with hundreds of flood warnings remaining in place.

Emergency services helped several people who had been swept away in their cars and attended landslides brought down by the torrential rain.

A woman is rescued from flood water in Devon (pic: Devon & Cornwall Police)

In Umberleigh, near Barnstaple in Devon, a woman was rescued in an "heroic" effort by a lifeboat team after she clung on to the branches of a tree for 50 minutes.

She was spotted by a police helicopter using thermal imaging equipment after she was swept away from her car.

Another woman also had a lucky escape after being swept away in her car in Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan. She was saved from the vehicle just moments before her car was washed under the bridge and filled with water.

Homes in the northeast of Scotland were also evacuated after being hit by significant flooding as heavy rain across the country resulted in road closures in Aberdeenshire and Tayside.

Dozens of people were evacuated from up to 100 properties in Stonehaven, and Grampian Police said some were expected to be out of their homes for up to 24 hours.

Torrential rain brought down tonnes of mud and rock into the village of Ystalyfera, near Swansea, overnight. Terraced houses were also evacuated in Pontypridd when a 20ft wall collapsed.

RNLI flood rescue teams across Devon and Cornwall have been helping people and animals to safety using in-shore lifeboats while fire crews use high volume pumps to clear water away from properties.

Flooding in Stonehaven. Aberdeenshire, (Pic: COLINTHIRD1969)

Families in Braunton, North Devon, who were effectively cut off after the River Caen twice burst its banks, had to place sandbags outside their homes and businesses as they prepared for more rain.

The flooding overwhelmed a new £1.2m flood defence scheme, wiping out Christmas plans for many of the residents.

Diane Cohen, 63, runs the flood hit Mariners Arms pub on South Street with her husband.

She said: "If you go into the middle of the village all you can see is people with their belongings out on the pavements, mopping up and cleaning up behind them. It's like a disaster zone."

And flooding problems in Devon spread across the county to the village of Stoke Canon, near Exeter, after the River Exe also burst its banks.

The Environment Agency said 20 properties have been flooded and people from 25 homes were being moved to safety by emergency services.

There was also widespread travel disruption as water engulfed train lines near Exeter, and dozens of minor roads flooded as swathes of countryside remain under water.

Engineers work on the flooded railway line in Exeter (pic: Mike Yearworth)

Flooding minister Richard Benyon said: "It's terrible to have your home or business flooded at any time of year, but for the families affected it's especially distressing for it to happen during the Christmas season."

Despite a brief respite in the torrential downpours on Sunday, more rain fell overnight.

Residents unable to return to their homes face spending the festive period in temporary accommodation or with relatives.

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Queen To Hail Olympics In 3D Xmas Message

Monarch's Message: From Radio To 3D

Updated: 4:41am UK, Monday 24 December 2012

The Queen's grandfather, King George V, delivered the first royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham more than 75 years ago.

He had reigned since 1910, but it was not until 1932 that he gave his first festive speech.

He was unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed and read a message composed by author Rudyard Kipling.

The original idea was suggested by Sir John Reith, the founding father of the BBC, to inaugurate the Empire Service, now the BBC World Service.

The fixed time of 3pm each year was chosen in 1932 because it was considered the best for reaching most of the countries in the British Empire by short wave.

The General Post Office was used to reach Australia, Canada, India, Kenya and South Africa.

George V's eldest son, who became King Edward VIII, never delivered a Christmas speech as his reign lasted less than a year, ending in abdication.

There was no broadcast in 1936 or 1938.

King George VI, Edward's younger brother, made his first broadcast in December 1937 in which he thanked the nation and Empire for their support during the first year of his reign.

It was the outbreak of war in 1939 which firmly established the tradition, when George VI sought to reassure people and boost morale.

Following her father's death, the Queen made her first Christmas broadcast in 1952 and her first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957, live from Sandringham.

She has delivered one every year except for 1969, when she decided the royals had been on TV enough that year following an unprecedented documentary the family made about their life.

Today the speech is available on the television, radio, the Royal Channel on the YouTube website, and in HD.

This year for the first time the national address will also be broadcast in 3D.

The Queen usually does her speech in one take, recording it a couple of weeks before December 25. Accompanying TV footage is gathered throughout the year.

She writes her own message and each one has a religious framework and reflects current issues.

The speech is one of the rare occasions when the Queen does not turn to the Government for advice and is able to voice her own views.

While the Royal Family gathers together round the TV to watch the broadcast on Christmas Day, the Queen sometimes watches it alone, heading off to another room to scrutinise her message in private.

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Andrew Mitchell: Police 'Tried To Destroy Me'

Mitchell: Plebgate In His Own Words

Updated: 7:41am UK, Sunday 23 December 2012

In a 5,000 word article written for the Sunday Times, Andrew Mitchell talks about the "plebgate" scandal and the effect on him and his family. Here are some extracts.

On the moment he became aware of the story:

"... a senior Downing Street official telephoned at about 2pm. "Houston, we have a problem" was his succinct analysis.

"With hindsight I now displayed stunning naivety. 'Is it a big story?' I asked."

On the public's reaction to the plebgate row:

"The hideous caricature of me that emerged at the hands of the press prompted almost 1,000 hostile emails over the first weekend alone."

On the effect on his health:

"By day four, I could not sleep. I also stopped eating. Weight dropped off me. I lost more than a stone in the first three weeks. (My wife) lost almost as much.

"Day after day the press assault continued. On several days I simply could not get out of bed. I would sit for hours with my BlackBerry in one hand and my ancient mobile in the other."

On a previous altercation with Downing Street police:

"Two-and-a-half years ago, arriving from the Department for International Development on my bicycle at the rear entrance to Downing Street, I was refused entry altogether.

"When I pleaded that I had a meeting with the prime minister starting in three minutes, it cut no ice whatsoever and I was forced to rush around to the front, arriving late in the Cabinet Room."

On his hopes for the future:

"I hope that the 30-strong taskforce working under an impressive senior officer will pursue the truth without fear or favour."

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Flood Warnings In Place As More Rain Forecast

Scores of flood warnings are in place across the country after days of heavy rainfall - and more is on the way.

The Environment Agency has issued around 200 warnings, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

One severe flood warning remains active at Helston in Cornwall - meaning the flooding is causing a danger to life.

Cornwall has been particularly badly hit.

The streets of Lostwithiel are under water and residents are bracing themselves for further flooding.

A woman is rescued from flood water in Umberleigh, Cornwall

They looked on helplessly overnight as flood water lapped at the sandbags protecting their homes.

In Looe, heavy rain caused two landslides which cut off the nearby the village of Hannafore.

In Umberleigh, a police helicopter helped in the search and rescue of a woman who had been swept away from her vehicle during flooding in the area.

Rail company First Great Western has advised customers with non-essential journeys in the South West not to attempt to travel on trains or replacement buses, due to flooding and poor road conditions.

There is a heightened flood risk across Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West and East Sussex, south Wales, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and North Yorkshire.

Heavy rain and strong winds will continue in Scotland on Sunday, while England, Wales and Ireland will be mainly dry during the day.

The evening will turn wet, though, with more showers on Christmas Day.

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Baroness Thatcher In Hospital After Surgery

Baroness Thatcher is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery to remove a growth on her bladder.

The former Prime Minister is "absolutely fine" after the minor operation, a spokeswoman said.

The 87-year-old was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after complaining of pains. She is expected to remain there while she recovers.

Former Thatcher adviser Lord Bell said: "Following an examination in hospital on Wednesday Mrs Thatcher had a minimal invasive operation to remove a growth in her bladder.

"The operation was completely satisfactory.

"She will stay in hospital to recuperate for a few days and then she will return home. Her daughter Carol was with her in hospital.

"We will make no further comment."

Baroness Thatcher has suffered a number of health scares in recent years, including a series of minor strokes.

She was not well enough to join the Queen for a lunch with former and serving prime ministers as part of the Diamond Jubilee this summer.

And two years ago she missed an 85th birthday party thrown for her by David Cameron at 10 Downing Street.

In October she was sufficiently well, however, to mark her 87th birthday with lunch at a restaurant in London's exclusive St James's district with her son Mark and his wife.

Her health was thrust into the global spotlight this year when Meryl Streep starred in a controversial Hollywood film about her.

The Iron Lady drew criticism from Mr Cameron and others for concentrating on the dementia she has suffered after a series of small strokes. Streep won an Oscar for the role.

Baroness Thatcher was the first female prime minister - between 1979 and 1990 - and first female leader of the Conservative Party.

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