this is bbc news. the headlines — a major incident is declared in nottinghamshire as the county is hit by flooding and rising river levels caused by storm henk. britain's prime minister says a general election is likely to take place in the second half of this year. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's paul scott. hyatt, samantha, good evening. we begin with tennis, where preparations for this month's australian open are well under way. britain's emma raducanu, who this week was awarded a place in the main draw despite a year of injuries, was in action earlier this morning. she won the first set against second—seed elina svitolina in auckland, but eventually ran out of steam and was beaten two sets to one. raducanu was playing only her second match since wrist and ankle surgeries. svitolina won the second set

after another tie break, and with raducanu tiring, took the third in just 31 minutes. next up for raducanu is the australian open, which begins a week on sunday. our tennis correspondent russell fuller says there are plenty of positives from raducanu's performance despite the defeat. she has every reason to be delighted with the way she played, and, yes, there'll be a bit of disappointment that the third set was so one—sided, with svitolina winning it 6—1, but there were two hours and 15 minutes on the clock when the third set began. and let's be realistic, if you've been out since april, three minor operations, then you are going to tire in the first set of a match of that quality and physicality. meanwhile, great britain has gained an extra player for australian open qualifying. oliver crawford, whose parents are from birmingham, has now switched his nationality from the united states to britain. the 24—year—old from south carolina,

with a world ranking of 215, becomes the british number nine. arsenal's iconic red shirt is being rested this weekend for their fa cup clash with liverpool. the gunners will be wearing all white as part of the club's no more red campaign, an initiative aimed at tackling knife crime in london. 18 teenagers died as a result of being stabbed last year. midfielder declan rice says it's an opportunity for the team to use their status for good. i'm obviously in a fortunate position where i've become a footballer, and, now, i was that young kid once that looked up to people like myself. and it's an honourfor me to be able to help young kids, to be able to talk and be able to use my voice to show that i was a youngster once and i've been in tough positions as well. for me, it's all about youngsters growing up, being happy, feeling comfortable in their environment

and living a good life. that's the main thing. you only get to live once, and if you get a big opportunities, take them with open hands cos so many doors can open up. kevin sinfield will leave the england rugby union coaching set—up later this year. he's been working alongside head coach steve borthwick as defence coach, but will be replaced by felixjones as part of a reshuffle of the backroom staff. jones has won two world cups with south africa. former all blacks coach andrew strawbridge is also joining the team. borthwick says sinfield has made the decision to go in a different direction, but will stay with them until after the summer tour ofjapan and new zealand. luke littler has been included in this year's premier league darts following his unlikely run to the world championship final. despite his defeat to luke humphries yesterday, the 16—year—old manchester united fan has gained many new fans. one of the big ones, david beckham said it well done. romeo, his son

who is of the darts, and rio ferdinand wants me on his podcast. jack wants me on his podcast. andrew wants to meet me and go on a podcast. it's alljust crazy, luke shaw and jesse lingard is well supported me, it's crazy. we all manchester _ supported me, it's crazy. we all manchester united _ supported me, it's crazy. we all manchester united when - supported me, it's crazy. we all manchester united when the . supported me, it's crazy. we all manchester united when the fm supported me, it's crazy. we all- manchester united when the fa cup, do you think? we manchester united when the fa cup, do you think?— do you think? we really should should we _ do you think? we really should should we not? _ that's all the sport for now. let's get more now on the flooding that is affecting large parts of the country. hundreds of flood alerts and warnings in place as more rain is expected. nottinghamshire county council has now declared a major incident for the county. it says this is due to rising river levels on the river trent caused by storm henk. the council says villages along the trent valley are most at risk and that water levels on the river could reach their highest levels since 2000. it's expected to peak this evening. elsewhere, a met office yellow warning for rain covering the south of england came into force at midday and will last until 3am gmt on friday.

the warning stretches from cornwall to east anglia and says there could be power cuts and travel disruption. as of 1pm this afternoon, there were 215 active flood warnings across england, two in scotland and one in wales. live now to our midlands correspondent navtej johal. what is a situation like they are then? , , ., ., ., then? this is one of the areas that's been — then? this is one of the areas that's been badly _ then? this is one of the areas that's been badly affected - then? this is one of the areas that's been badly affected by| then? this is one of the areas i that's been badly affected by the rising river levels of the river trent. if you can see behind me, it's quite a long way away, where i'm standing right now, we are probably at least 100 or 150 metres away from where the river trent would actually normally end. but from there to hear it's all water, and properties nearby here have flooded. we are actually a visit along from what we understand to be one of the worst affected places, and that his gun thorpe, but there is apparently no way to actually get there. the roads there seem to be

closed and that is a common picture across nottinghamshire. as you say, the county council this afternoon declared a major incident, which was not a great surprise to many people. 36 flood warnings are currently in place across the county, and this has been a picture which has been developing throughout the day. storm henk may have passed. there is no rain here at the moment. it has not rained all day. it has been cold, pleasant, dry all day, but the effect of the rising river levels are really being felt now. and this river is not expected to peak until later this evening. we were hearing from the council earlier that the peak record level of the river trent, which was in november 2000, of 5.49 trent, which was in november 2000, of 5.19 metres could be exceeded. they are expecting somewhere between 5.3-5.5 they are expecting somewhere between 5.3—5.5 metres at some point over the next 2a hours or so. so we could reach a record level of the river trent, which runs all the way across the midlands from staffordshire all

the midlands from staffordshire all the way through nottinghamshire and up the way through nottinghamshire and up towards yorkshire as well. so it goes through a large swathe of the country. the latest we understand is that around 50—60 properties are currently flooded in nottinghamshire, with more numbers coming in all the titles of the council says to us in terms where we are here in east bridge bird, one of these properties, we were stood here about 20 minutes ago and we saw a man coming out with his friend on his back who lives in that property. and i've got that friend with me here, that's susie. that was your propertyjust here, that's susie. that was your property just about 50 metres from where we are now that was flooded. tell me what happened.— where we are now that was flooded. tell me what happened. overnight we exect of tell me what happened. overnight we exoect of the — tell me what happened. overnight we expect of the river _ tell me what happened. overnight we expect of the river to _ tell me what happened. overnight we expect of the river to rise, _ tell me what happened. overnight we expect of the river to rise, so - tell me what happened. overnight we expect of the river to rise, so we - expect of the river to rise, so we were _ expect of the river to rise, so we were monitoring the levels overnight, set the alarms and check that it _ overnight, set the alarms and check that it was _ overnight, set the alarms and check that it was not going to be in the house _ that it was not going to be in the house it— that it was not going to be in the house. it started to come in the pmperty— house. it started to come in the property at 6am this morning. we then took— property at 6am this morning. we then took into effect trying to get then took into effect trying to get the water— then took into effect trying to get the water out and try to keep it

outside — the water out and try to keep it outside rather than inside. we managed _ outside rather than inside. we managed to do that for most of the day until— managed to do that for most of the day until early afternoon, where the river _ day until early afternoon, where the river trent — day until early afternoon, where the river trent obviously started to be us. river trent obviously started to be us and _ river trent obviously started to be us and so — river trent obviously started to be us. and so it's now that couple of inches_ us. and so it's now that couple of inches throughout the whole of the pronerty _ inches throughout the whole of the property because it started to come up property because it started to come up through— property because it started to come up through the floor and through the conservatory door and into the front main _ conservatory door and into the front main entrance. and around in the bathrooms, — main entrance. and around in the bathrooms, it's started coming out over the _ bathrooms, it's started coming out over the place. 335 bathrooms, it's started coming out over the place-— over the place. as you say, celica did our over the place. as you say, celica did your very _ over the place. as you say, celica did your very best _ over the place. as you say, celica did your very best he _ over the place. as you say, celica did your very best he did - over the place. as you say, celica l did your very best he did everything you are supposed to do but still could not prevent it from coming in. how are you feeling now? . could not prevent it from coming in. how are you feeling now?— how are you feeling now? , still feelin: how are you feeling now? , still feeling grateful _ how are you feeling now? , still feeling grateful because - how are you feeling now? , still feeling grateful because it - how are you feeling now? , still. feeling grateful because it could've been worse with some adam davis patmo— been worse with some adam davis palms this — been worse with some adam davis palms this morning which we pumped out as— palms this morning which we pumped out as quickly as we could get it in for most _ out as quickly as we could get it in for most of— out as quickly as we could get it in for most of the day and if it was never that— for most of the day and if it was never that it could have been considerably worse. so i'm pretty grateful— considerably worse. so i'm pretty grateful that it's only a couple of inches. — grateful that it's only a couple of inches, and i don't want to assess the damage in the morning and hope that it _ the damage in the morning and hope that it does _ the damage in the morning and hope that it does go down and does not stay uu _ that it does go down and does not stay uh i— that it does go down and does not sta u -. ., , that it does go down and does not sta u. .,, that it does go down and does not sta u. , ., stay up. i hope so but you are sa in: stay up. i hope so but you are saying to _ stay up. i hope so but you are saying to me _ stay up. i hope so but you are saying to me earlier - stay up. i hope so but you are saying to me earlier if - stay up. i hope so but you are| saying to me earlier if we were stay up. i hope so but you are - saying to me earlier if we were to walk to your property right now, how

much water will be get through? to the back of the property, we had to come _ the back of the property, we had to come out _ the back of the property, we had to come out the conservatory door because — come out the conservatory door because it — come out the conservatory door because it was shot over there. if you go— because it was shot over there. if you go further to the front of the house, _ you go further to the front of the house, the side of this got the river— house, the side of this got the river trent there then, this a lot deeper— river trent there then, this a lot deeper than that. the bit we came out of— deeper than that. the bit we came out of the — deeper than that. the bit we came out of the guard isjust deeper than that. the bit we came out of the guard is just above the knee _ out of the guard is just above the knee. do — out of the guard is “ust above the knee. , ., out of the guard is “ust above the knee. ,, ., out of the guard is “ust above the knee. i. ., ,., ., knee. do you have somewhere to stay toniuht knee. do you have somewhere to stay toni . ht so knee. do you have somewhere to stay tonight so hopefully _ knee. do you have somewhere to stay tonight so hopefully better— knee. do you have somewhere to stay tonight so hopefully better news - tonight so hopefully better news tomorrow morning? yes tonight so hopefully better news tomorrow morning? yes clement stay with my sister — tomorrow morning? yes clement stay with my sister and _ tomorrow morning? yes clement stay with my sister and hopefully - tomorrow morning? yes clement stay with my sister and hopefully we - tomorrow morning? yes clement stay with my sister and hopefully we will . with my sister and hopefully we will assess _ with my sister and hopefully we will assess everything in the morning it should _ assess everything in the morning it should he — assess everything in the morning it should be ok, i think. assess everything in the morning it should be ok, ithink.— should be ok, i think. thank you. the picture _ should be ok, i think. thank you. the picture here _ should be ok, i think. thank you. the picture here in _ should be ok, i think. thank you. the picture here in east— should be ok, i think. thank you. the picture here in east bradfordl the picture here in east bradford with a river level continued to rise will be effected to pete this evening and we will have more on the story throughout the next 2a hour. thank you. let's speak to councillor mike adams from nottinghamshire county council. his area, carlton east, borders the river trent. what is a situation where you are in over the wider region? yes.

what is a situation where you are in over the wider region?— over the wider region? yes, we have the continual— over the wider region? yes, we have the continual rainfall _ over the wider region? yes, we have the continual rainfall which - over the wider region? yes, we have the continual rainfall which brought i the continual rainfall which brought the continual rainfall which brought the streams— the continual rainfall which brought the streams up— the continual rainfall which brought the streams up and _ the continual rainfall which brought the streams up and which - the continual rainfall which brought the streams up and which cost - the continual rainfall which brought. the streams up and which cost some sort of— the streams up and which cost some sort of levels — the streams up and which cost some sort of levels of _ the streams up and which cost some sort of levels of flooding, _ the streams up and which cost some sort of levels of flooding, if- the streams up and which cost some sort of levels of flooding, if you - sort of levels of flooding, if you like _ sort of levels of flooding, if you like this — sort of levels of flooding, if you like. this side _ sort of levels of flooding, if you like. this side of— sort of levels of flooding, if you like. this side of the _ sort of levels of flooding, if you like. this side of the stream, . sort of levels of flooding, if you | like. this side of the stream, an awful— like. this side of the stream, an awful thing _ like. this side of the stream, an awful thing for— like. this side of the stream, an awful thing for people _ like. this side of the stream, an awful thing for people to - like. this side of the stream, an awful thing for people to go - awful thing for people to go through _ awful thing for people to go through. heart— awful thing for people to go through. heart goes- awful thing for people to go through. heart goes out. awful thing for people to go through. heart goes out toi awful thing for people to go - through. heart goes out to them. awful thing for people to go _ through. heart goes out to them. and we are _ through. heart goes out to them. and we are getting — through. heart goes out to them. and we are getting supported _ through. heart goes out to them. and we are getting supported them - through. heart goes out to them. and we are getting supported them and i we are getting supported them and continue _ we are getting supported them and continue to— we are getting supported them and continue to get _ we are getting supported them and continue to get support _ we are getting supported them and continue to get support to - we are getting supported them and continue to get support to them. . continue to get support to them. within— continue to get support to them. within obviously— continue to get support to them. within obviously as _ continue to get support to them. within obviously as well - continue to get support to them. within obviously as well now- continue to get support to them. | within obviously as well now with the trent — within obviously as well now with the trent racing, _ within obviously as well now with the trent racing, though - within obviously as well now with the trent racing, though streams| within obviously as well now with - the trent racing, though streams are all filtering _ the trent racing, though streams are all filtering into— the trent racing, though streams are all filtering into the _ the trent racing, though streams are all filtering into the river. _ the trent racing, though streams are all filtering into the river. and, - all filtering into the river. and, yeah. — all filtering into the river. and, yeah, absolutely— all filtering into the river. and, yeah, absolutely we've - all filtering into the river. and, yeah, absolutely we've got - all filtering into the river. and, yeah, absolutely we've got anl all filtering into the river. and, - yeah, absolutely we've got an area 'ust yeah, absolutely we've got an area just down— yeah, absolutely we've got an area just down at— yeah, absolutely we've got an area just down at my _ yeah, absolutely we've got an area just down at my area _ yeah, absolutely we've got an area just down at my area which - yeah, absolutely we've got an area just down at my area which is - just down at my area which is currently— just down at my area which is currently some _ just down at my area which is currently some of— just down at my area which is currently some of those - currently some of those residents are completely _ currently some of those residents are completely cut _ currently some of those residents are completely cut off _ currently some of those residents are completely cut off from - are completely cut off from vehicuiar— are completely cut off from vehicular access. _ are completely cut off from vehicular access. at - are completely cut off from vehicular access. at the - are completely cut off from | vehicular access. at the end are completely cut off from i vehicular access. at the end of are completely cut off from - vehicular access. at the end of the draught _ vehicular access. at the end of the draught for— vehicular access. at the end of the draught for the _ vehicular access. at the end of the draught for the autumn _ vehicular access. at the end of the draught for the autumn of- vehicular access. at the end of the draught for the autumn of people i draught for the autumn of people that built — draught for the autumn of people that built those _ draught for the autumn of people that built those properties - draught for the autumn of people that built those properties built l that built those properties built them _ that built those properties built them with— that built those properties built them with very _ that built those properties built them with very proud _ that built those properties built them with very proud from - that built those properties built them with very proud from the i that built those properties built - them with very proud from the road if you _ them with very proud from the road if you like _ them with very proud from the road if you like and — them with very proud from the road if you like and know _ them with very proud from the road if you like and know when _ them with very proud from the road if you like and know when the - them with very proud from the road if you like and know when the riverl if you like and know when the river is there. _ if you like and know when the river is there. so— if you like and know when the river is there. so we— if you like and know when the river is there, so we are _ if you like and know when the river is there, so we are hoping - if you like and know when the river is there, so we are hoping that - if you like and know when the river is there, so we are hoping that is. is there, so we are hoping that is not going — is there, so we are hoping that is not going to _ is there, so we are hoping that is not going to grow— is there, so we are hoping that is not going to grow and they - is there, so we are hoping that is not going to grow and they can . not going to grow and they can actually— not going to grow and they can actually get _ not going to grow and they can actually get in _ not going to grow and they can actually get in their— not going to grow and they can| actually get in their properties. but we — actually get in their properties. but we have _ actually get in their properties. but we have had _ actually get in their properties. but we have had very - actually get in their properties. but we have had very sadly- but we have had very sadly some internal— but we have had very sadly some internal flooding _ but we have had very sadly some internal flooding throughout - but we have had very sadly some internal flooding throughout ourl internal flooding throughout our village, — internal flooding throughout our village, and _ internal flooding throughout our village, and we _ internal flooding throughout our village, and we have _ internal flooding throughout our village, and we have also - internal flooding throughout our village, and we have also got i village, and we have also got another—

village, and we have also got another issue _ village, and we have also got another issue on— village, and we have also got another issue on another- village, and we have also goti another issue on another area village, and we have also got - another issue on another area which again— another issue on another area which again we _ another issue on another area which again we have — another issue on another area which again we have got _ another issue on another area which again we have got that _ another issue on another area which again we have got that water- another issue on another area whichl again we have got that water backing up again we have got that water backing up from _ again we have got that water backing up from the — again we have got that water backing up from the trent _ again we have got that water backing up from the trent now. _ again we have got that water backing up from the trent now. some - again we have got that water backing up from the trent now. some of- again we have got that water backing. up from the trent now. some of those dreams— up from the trent now. some of those dreams that _ up from the trent now. some of those dreams that were _ up from the trent now. some of those dreams that were filtering _ up from the trent now. some of those dreams that were filtering straight i dreams that were filtering straight in and _ dreams that were filtering straight in and now— dreams that were filtering straight in and now cannot _ dreams that were filtering straight in and now cannot go _ dreams that were filtering straight in and now cannot go anywhere i in and now cannot go anywhere because — in and now cannot go anywhere because the _ in and now cannot go anywhere because the river— in and now cannot go anywhere because the river is _ in and now cannot go anywhere because the river is full, - in and now cannot go anywhere because the river is full, and i in and now cannot go anywhere | because the river is full, and so that's— because the river is full, and so that's now— because the river is full, and so that's now backing _ because the river is full, and so that's now backing up _ because the river is full, and so that's now backing up into- because the river is full, and so that's now backing up into the i that's now backing up into the system — that's now backing up into the system so— that's now backing up into the system. so incredibly- that's now backing up into the system. so incredibly difficult| system. so incredibly difficult situation _ system. so incredibly difficult situation for _ system. so incredibly difficult situation for many _ system. so incredibly difficult situation for many people, i system. so incredibly difficultl situation for many people, and system. so incredibly difficult i situation for many people, and a very sad — situation for many people, and a very sad state _ situation for many people, and a very sad state of— situation for many people, and a very sad state of affairs. - situation for many people, and a very sad state of affairs. just i very sad state of affairs. just briefly tell — very sad state of affairs. just briefly tell me _ very sad state of affairs. just briefly tell me what - very sad state of affairs. briefly tell me what help very sad state of affairs.- briefly tell me what help there very sad state of affairs- briefly tell me what help there is people who have been impacted at the council is offering? 50 people who have been impacted at the council is offering?— council is offering? so obviously if ou aet council is offering? so obviously if ou net to council is offering? so obviously if you get to a _ council is offering? so obviously if you get to a point _ council is offering? so obviously if you get to a point where - council is offering? so obviously if you get to a point where you're i you get to a point where you're fearing — you get to a point where you're fearing for— you get to a point where you're fearing for your— you get to a point where you're fearing for your life _ you get to a point where you're fearing for your life or- you get to a point where you're fearing for your life or your- fearing for your life or your safety, _ fearing for your life or your safety, of _ fearing for your life or your safety, of course _ fearing for your life or your safety, of course the i fearing for your life or your safety, of course the first i fearing for your life or your. safety, of course the first port fearing for your life or your- safety, of course the first port of call is _ safety, of course the first port of call is to — safety, of course the first port of call is to call— safety, of course the first port of call is to call 999. _ safety, of course the first port of call is to call 999. we _ safety, of course the first port of call is to call 999. we are - call is to call 999. we are offering and currently _ call is to call 999. we are offering and currently working _ call is to call 999. we are offering and currently working and - call is to call 999. we are offering and currently working and we i call is to call 999. we are offering | and currently working and we have call is to call 999. we are offering . and currently working and we have a plan in _ and currently working and we have a plan in place — and currently working and we have a plan in place that— and currently working and we have a plan in place that we _ and currently working and we have a plan in place that we use _ and currently working and we have a plan in place that we use when i and currently working and we have a | plan in place that we use when these events— plan in place that we use when these events occur~ — plan in place that we use when these events occur~ it — plan in place that we use when these events occur. it so _ plan in place that we use when these events occur. it so we _ plan in place that we use when these events occur. it so we are _ plan in place that we use when these events occur. it so we are setting i events occur. it so we are setting things — events occur. it so we are setting things like _ events occur. it so we are setting things like dressing _ events occur. it so we are setting things like dressing or— events occur. it so we are setting things like dressing or something like that— things like dressing or something like that if— things like dressing or something like that if they _ things like dressing or something like that if they are _ things like dressing or something like that if they are so _ things like dressing or something like that if they are so needed inl like that if they are so needed in case _ like that if they are so needed in case we — like that if they are so needed in case we do — like that if they are so needed in case we do need _ like that if they are so needed in case we do need to— like that if they are so needed in case we do need to evacuate i like that if they are so needed in- case we do need to evacuate people. but obviously — case we do need to evacuate people. but obviously the _ case we do need to evacuate people. but obviously the local— case we do need to evacuate people. but obviously the local district - but obviously the local district council — but obviously the local district council as— but obviously the local district council as well, _ but obviously the local district council as well, which - but obviously the local district council as well, which is - but obviously the local district i council as well, which is getting water— council as well, which is getting water here, _ council as well, which is getting water here, and _ council as well, which is getting water here, and they— council as well, which is getting water here, and they are - council as well, which is getting i water here, and they are providing sandbags — water here, and they are providing sandbags to— water here, and they are providing sandbags to people _ water here, and they are providing sandbags to people and _ water here, and they are providing

sandbags to people and also i water here, and they are providing i sandbags to people and also sandbags out as— sandbags to people and also sandbags out as well— sandbags to people and also sandbags out as well to — sandbags to people and also sandbags out as well to ourselves. _ sandbags to people and also sandbags out as well to ourselves. a _ out as well to ourselves. a fantastic— out as well to ourselves. a fantastic flood _ out as well to ourselves. a fantastic flood volunteer . out as well to ourselves. a i fantastic flood volunteer out out as well to ourselves. a - fantastic flood volunteer out share insuring _ fantastic flood volunteer out share insuring the — fantastic flood volunteer out share insuring the roads _ fantastic flood volunteer out share insuring the roads are _ fantastic flood volunteer out share insuring the roads are close - fantastic flood volunteer out share insuring the roads are close to i fantastic flood volunteer out share i insuring the roads are close to safe and we _ insuring the roads are close to safe and we just— insuring the roads are close to safe and we just want _ insuring the roads are close to safe and we just want to _ insuring the roads are close to safe and we just want to make - insuring the roads are close to safe and we just want to make it - insuring the roads are close to safe and we just want to make it really. and we just want to make it really clear— and we just want to make it really clear that — and we just want to make it really clear that if — and we just want to make it really clear that if you _ and we just want to make it really clear that if you will avoid - clear that if you will avoid travelling, _ clear that if you will avoid travelling, please - clear that if you will avoid travelling, please do- clear that if you will avoid travelling, please do andl clear that if you will avoid - travelling, please do and please do not access — travelling, please do and please do not access floodwater. _ travelling, please do and please do not access floodwater. mike - travelling, please do and please do not access floodwater. mike adams, thank ou not access floodwater. mike adams, thank you very _ not access floodwater. mike adams, thank you very much _ not access floodwater. mike adams, thank you very much for _ not access floodwater. mike adams, thank you very much forjoining i not access floodwater. mike adams, thank you very much forjoining us. | live now to bbc weather�*s ben rich. good to see you. where is the worst of the rain falling right now than? samantha, this radar picture tells the story. the worst of the rain right now is in the south of the uk, the south of england. this is where it's been raining over the last few hours in this wet weather pushing its way northwards into the southern counties and have to say the rain it really has been coming down hard and fast. in the bournemouth area, we have seen ten mm of rain falling in the space ofjust an hour and that is a lot of rain to having such a small, short space of time. so no doubt there will be some travel problems out there. this rain falling on saturated ground, so the

ongoing risk of flooding so this is where we have a yellow warning from the met office covering those seven counties of england. up to a0 mm of rain possible in places that are already saturated so there could be more flooding and noticed that warning extends up into east anglia and does french into parts of the easement list because as we head into the evening this is where the rain is coming next. the worst of the wet weather will be pivoting its way eastwards is a summary will get into the east midlands, parts of like a ship, east anglia and the southeast corner and the southern flank, another dose of pretty strong winds as well. shunt; flank, another dose of pretty strong winds as well.— winds as well. any hope of dry weather in _ winds as well. any hope of dry weather in the _ winds as well. any hope of dry weather in the coming - winds as well. any hope of dry weather in the coming hours? | winds as well. any hope of dry l weather in the coming hours? in winds as well. any hope of dry i weather in the coming hours? in the cominu weather in the coming hours? in the coming hours. _ weather in the coming hours? in the coming hours, not _ weather in the coming hours? in the coming hours, not so _ weather in the coming hours? in the coming hours, not so much - weather in the coming hours? in the coming hours, not so much was i weather in the coming hours? in the coming hours, not so much was up i coming hours, not so much was up at some of the places for the north and west that have been so badly flooded, they are not really going to be affected by this particular weather system but if you are looking for something more meaningfully dropped, something properly dry, that is heading our way. and i will show you why. this is how january has shaped up so far over the last few days, a strong and powerfuljet over the last few days, a strong and powerful jet stream over the last few days, a strong and powerfuljet stream bringing various systems our way. of course we had

storm henk in this critical out as a system bringing rain in the south right now but watch the jet stream to the next few days. the pattern, the shape of that jet stream to the next few days. the pattern, the shape of thatjet stream will change and it goes a long way north of our shores we develop what we call eight blocks weather pattern. what does that mean? it means i pressure will build across the uk and will keep all the systems at bay and will keep all the systems at bay and there is something much drier on its weight, but with that something much colder as we head to the weekend and into the start of next week. but i suspect for those places so badly if that by flooding, a little bit of cold weather is a small price to pay for something much, much drier. {lilia small price to pay for something much, much drier.— small price to pay for something much, much drier. ok, ben, thank ou. more now on the situation in the uk, where prime minister rishi sunak has said his working assumption is that a general election will be held in the second half of this year. his comment follows speculation that he may be preparing to call an early vote in the coming months. i'm joined now by david linden, who is an mp for the scottish national party. welcome to you. good to see you. we've also heard from the labour party today with sir keir starmer

saying in his speech for the year that the energy and the country that creates divisive politics and he says he can see that with the snp so what do you make of that?— what do you make of that? people who mana . ed to what do you make of that? people who managed to stay _ what do you make of that? people who managed to stay awake _ what do you make of that? people who managed to stay awake for— what do you make of that? people who managed to stay awake for his - what do you make of that? people who managed to stay awake for his speech | managed to stay awake for his speech will be surprised to know that the man who supported the vote to remain in the european union has now asked join the conservative party and supported directive. the reality is the conservative party have not won an election here in scotland since 1955 and if the case of when they will get their pasting north of the border rather than if. but i think there are some massive questions or sir keir starmer in his pro brexit labour party to answer enforceable i think most can understand that sir keir starmer says he is not the conservative party but what does he actually stand for with my and in this cost—of—living crisis, both labour party the conservatives have

not handled the biggest news that household finances. people on tuesday would've seen a huge number of direct debits come out of their bank account and many people looking at the mckee account and wondering how on earth they are going to survive the month of january. that's why the snp was up to the introduction of mortgage interest tax and want to see the reintroduction of the £a00 energy bill guarantee scheme and we want to see action to tackle food prices similar to what is being seen in france. although whether it was the prime minister or sir keir starmer today, we did not get answers to the cost—of—living crisis which is the single biggest issue the faces wiped constituents and those right across these islands. constituents and those right across these islands-— constituents and those right across these islands. having a challenge do ou think these islands. having a challenge do you think the — these islands. having a challenge do you think the next _ these islands. having a challenge do you think the next election - these islands. having a challenge do you think the next election is - you think the next election is going to be for your party? three days ago, nicola sturgeon's for much of the steps as the snp faces its biggest challenge in three years and have to get its act together. do you agree with those comments on the party filing a general election in 12 months? this party filing a general election in 12 months?— party filing a general election in 12 months? �* , , ., ., 12 months? as i 'ust outlined him of the snp

12 months? as i 'ust outlined him of the sup has — 12 months? as i 'ust outlined him of the sup has a — 12 months? as ijust outlined him of the snp has a laser-like _ 12 months? as ijust outlined him of the snp has a laser-like focus i 12 months? as ijust outlined him of the snp has a laser-like focus on i the snp has a laser—like focus on tackling the cost—of—living crisis is aborted or public services but there is no doubt that 2023 was a challenging year for the scottish national party. i think that was the point that list recognised by the snp and so let's not forget that on the biggest issue of the day, that being the cost—of—living crisis, the snp has acted within the confines of devolved settlements that's why for example the first minister tripled the fuel insecurity fun to try and support households at this difficult time. you mentioned the last 20 years for the snp and let's not forget the snp has one just about every election in the last 16 years and the reason people continue to put their trust in the scottish national party is because we stand for scotland and we stand for scotland's values. [30 for scotland and we stand for scotland's values.— for scotland and we stand for scotland's values. do you still stand for independence? i scotland's values. do you stillj stand for independence? yes, scotland's values. do you still. stand for independence? yes, i scotland's values. do you still i stand for independence? yes, i can eseciall stand for independence? yes, i can especially reveal— stand for independence? yes, i can especially reveal to _ stand for independence? yes, i can especially reveal to the _ stand for independence? yes, i can especially reveal to the bbc - stand for independence? yes, i can especially reveal to the bbc that i especially reveal to the bbc that the policy we have had since nothing party for the scotland remains, canon must be a independent nation. will that be a focus for un the

selection because that was nicola sturgeon, very much of all the lessons she fought with met it at the focus for the party still? i the focus for the party still? i think that is why page one the focus for the party still? j think that is why page one of the manifesto will talk about the need of the importance for independence for scotland. notjust to remove the tories from power for one election but to remove them from power. go back to that central fundamental point, the conservative party have not won an election here since 1955. the best way of a shaman ever again get a conservative government we did not vote for it to take the full powers of independence in the bar on hands and ensure the people who live and work here make decisions about here and with our values.— here and with our values. thank you for coming — here and with our values. thank you for coming on _ here and with our values. thank you for coming on the _ here and with our values. thank you for coming on the programme, i here and with our values. thank you | for coming on the programme, good here and with our values. thank you i for coming on the programme, good to see you. for coming on the programme, good to see ou. . ~' for coming on the programme, good to see ou. ., ~ i. joining me now is carla denyer, the co leader of the green party. this for being with us. we have one member in westminster and she is standing deaf and you will focus on contesting for seats across the

country. how prepared are you for a general election in which we now think is going to be in the latter half of this year? we think is going to be in the latter half of this year?— half of this year? we have been caettin half of this year? we have been getting ready — half of this year? we have been getting ready for _ half of this year? we have been getting ready for a _ half of this year? we have been getting ready for a general i half of this year? we have been i getting ready for a general election for a long _ getting ready for a general election for a long time and in fact this afternoon _ for a long time and in fact this afternoon before joining you, i was reviewing — afternoon before joining you, i was reviewing a — afternoon before joining you, i was reviewing a draught of our manifesto and we _ reviewing a draught of our manifesto and we have been out knocking on doors _ and we have been out knocking on doors all _ and we have been out knocking on doors all over the country for some time _ doors all over the country for some time now— doors all over the country for some time now also in those conversations with voters. — time now also in those conversations with voters, we are hearing really the same — with voters, we are hearing really the same message over and over again that they— the same message over and over again that they are _ the same message over and over again that they are completely fed up with the conservative government and they don't think— the conservative government and they don't think the conservatives should -et don't think the conservatives should get one _ don't think the conservatives should get one day more to scrub the country — get one day more to scrub the country. they want a general election— country. they want a general election but they are not really feeling — election but they are not really feeling inspired by the labour party either~ _ feeling inspired by the labour party either. and some in constituencies like mine, — either. and some in constituencies like mine, i'm standing in one of the new— like mine, i'm standing in one of the new constituencies, bristol central. — the new constituencies, bristol central. if— the new constituencies, bristol central, if the kind of place where the conservatives never have any chance _ the conservatives never have any chance of— the conservatives never have any chance of getting in so voters can choose _ chance of getting in so voters can choose between a labour party mp who of course _ choose between a labour party mp who of course is _ choose between a labour party mp who of course is whipped and so have to agree _ of course is whipped and so have to agree with — of course is whipped and so have to agree with everything sir keir starmer— agree with everything sir keir starmer says or a green party mp who can truly— starmer says or a green party mp who

can truly represent the people that live in— can truly represent the people that live in that — can truly represent the people that live in that constituency and be a bold voice — live in that constituency and be a bold voice in westminster. that's why we _ bold voice in westminster. that's why we are — bold voice in westminster. that's why we are making sure that we will be standing candidates in every constituency across the country so everyone — constituency across the country so everyone has the ability to vote and there are a — everyone has the ability to vote and there are a handful of constituencies - there are a handful of constituencies all- there are a handful of| constituencies all over there are a handful of- constituencies all over the there are a handful of— constituencies all over the country including — constituencies all over the country including mine _ constituencies all over the country including mine in— constituencies all over the country including mine in bristol— constituencies all over the country including mine in bristol but i constituencies all over the country including mine in bristol but also. including mine in bristol but also microliter— including mine in bristol but also microliter adrian _ including mine in bristol but also microliter adrian in _ including mine in bristol but also microliter adrian in suffix - including mine in bristol but also microliter adrian in suffix and i including mine in bristol but also microliter adrian in suffix and it. microliter adrian in suffix and it shone _ microliter adrian in suffix and it shone in — microliter adrian in suffix and it shone in brighton and addie and north— shone in brighton and addie and north herefordshire where we have -ot north herefordshire where we have got a _ north herefordshire where we have got a really good chance of getting elected _ got a really good chance of getting elected. and were voters locally know _ elected. and were voters locally know that — elected. and were voters locally know that and are coming to us in substantial — know that and are coming to us in substantial numbers. the know that and are coming to us in substantial numbers.— substantial numbers. the green issues, climate _ substantial numbers. the green issues, climate change, - substantial numbers. the green issues, climate change, has i substantial numbers. the green i issues, climate change, has been predominantly an issue for quite a few years now. would you say that the focus on that has increased in the focus on that has increased in the last few years since the last general election and possibly increase your chances because many people not be surprised that you've only managed to achieve one mp in all the years that you've been a party? all the years that you've been a .a 2 . all the years that you've been a .a ? . . ., , ~' party? well, i certainly think the increasinu party? well, i certainly think the increasing evidence _ party? well, i certainly think the increasing evidence of _ party? well, i certainly think the increasing evidence of climate i increasing evidence of climate change — increasing evidence of climate change reaching our shores right

here _ change reaching our shores right here and — change reaching our shores right here and now with that previous piece _ here and now with that previous piece you — here and now with that previous piece you had about flooding in extreme — piece you had about flooding in extreme weather is certainly helping to turn— extreme weather is certainly helping to turn people's mines to the immediacy of climate change, there is no longer— immediacy of climate change, there is no longer a problem for the future — is no longer a problem for the future but _ is no longer a problem for the future but it's a problem for now. and in— future but it's a problem for now. and in fact — future but it's a problem for now. and in fact earlier today i was speaking _ and in fact earlier today i was speaking about the need for government to provide a climate adaptation fund communities because while of— adaptation fund communities because while of course the best and most effective — while of course the best and most effective costs solution is to try to prevent climate change is much as possible. _ to prevent climate change is much as possible, there is a certain amount of it this _ possible, there is a certain amount of it this coming of the track is so we need — of it this coming of the track is so we need to— of it this coming of the track is so we need to help local communities adapt _ we need to help local communities adapt to— we need to help local communities adapt to increased risk of flooding and heat — adapt to increased risk of flooding and heat waves. however, climate is far from _ and heat waves. however, climate is far from the — and heat waves. however, climate is far from the only reason why people vote for— far from the only reason why people vote for the — far from the only reason why people vote for the green party. the of people — vote for the green party. the of people bring up with me when they speak— people bring up with me when they speak to _ people bring up with me when they speak to me on the doorstep or even when _ speak to me on the doorstep or even when they— speak to me on the doorstep or even when theyjoin the party are, yes, sometimes — when theyjoin the party are, yes, sometimes around the environment but sometimes _ sometimes around the environment but sometimes they are around investment in public— sometimes they are around investment in public services. we are a party that has—

in public services. we are a party that has always been consistently against _ that has always been consistently against the conservatives austerity agenda _ against the conservatives austerity agenda and challenging that really broke _ agenda and challenging that really broke economic theory that has ended up broke economic theory that has ended up with— broke economic theory that has ended up with the _ broke economic theory that has ended up with the economy where it is today — up with the economy where it is today our— up with the economy where it is today. our policies on workers' rights, — today. our policies on workers' rights, our— today. our policies on workers' rights, our support of striking workers — rights, our support of striking workers recently, our support of a proportional voting system, yeah, there's— proportional voting system, yeah, there's a — proportional voting system, yeah, there's a wide range of policies people — there's a wide range of policies people come to us from and really across— people come to us from and really across applicable spectrum as well, which _ across applicable spectrum as well, which is _ across applicable spectrum as well, which is why i think we are picking up which is why i think we are picking up votes _ which is why i think we are picking up votes in — which is why i think we are picking up votes in quite a variety of different— up votes in quite a variety of different places in the uk, rural and urban— different places in the uk, rural and urban alike.— different places in the uk, rural and urban alike. good to see you thanks for— and urban alike. good to see you thanks for much _ and urban alike. good to see you thanks for much of— and urban alike. good to see you thanks for much of being - and urban alike. good to see you thanks for much of being with i and urban alike. good to see you| thanks for much of being with us, carla. you'd probably recognise your pet dog or cat from their face alone, but what about a bird? well, each bewick�*s swan has a unique face which enables researchers to count them and track their family histories, and that's exactly what's been happening at the slimbridge wetland centre in gloucestershire, as our environment correspondent jonah fisher reports. he whistles.

breakfast time at slimbridge. and somewhere amongst the squabbling geese an increasingly rare type of swan. the bewick�*s swans are really unique because they're literally recognisable by their faces, a bit like us. smaller than mute swans, the yellow and black beak pattern of each bewick�*s is distinct, enabling researchers to recognise them year after year. george ii. the swans arrive from the russian arctic each autumn and are counted every day. names are given to individuals. they definitely have distinct personalities. and there are swan family dynasties. the most famous is the gambling dynasty. we've also had the tea party as well, teapot and teabag. the cheese dynasty was quite a big one. roquefort, cheddar and stilton. probably best to think of them as mafias rather than families. this year, 91 bewick�*s swans have been seen at slimbridge.

in the 1970s, there was sometimes more than 600. its numbers are plummeting very, very quickly and have been for quite some time. so just to give you an idea, in the mid—1990s, we were looking at around 29,000 birds in the population in europe. and now we think that's fewer than, there is fewer than 18,000. so welcome to the scott house museum. this is where the bill pattern study first started in 1963. this winter is the 60th anniversary of the bewick�*s swan survey. it was started by conservationist sir peter scott, who sat at this window meticulously painting the beaks of every swan. you can see here these beautiful drawings that he did of each individual bill pattern, and you can see that there are three perspectives that he painted for each swan. this is one of the world's longest

running animal research projects. and the advantage of having so much data year after year is the information it provides notjust about how they live and how they migrate, but how this beautiful swans are adapting to our warming, changing climate. the decline of the bewick�*s is being blamed in part on their wetland habitat being destroyed. climate change is also altering their migration routes. longer summers in the russian arctic and warmer european autumns mean the swans don't have to come as far as slimbridge to find winter feeding grounds. it's just one lake and a single species, but chronicled over 60 years, the bewick�*s fate is a telling snapshot of our rapidly changing planet. jonah fisher, bbc news, at slimbridge.

that's it for meat for the moment. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. as we head towards our first full weekend of january, the weather story is on the change. somewhat drier conditions are expected by the weekend, but before that, we've got this area of cloud that's bringing some persistent rain across channel—facing coasts. so it arrived in the south—west, some of it quite heavy at times, accompanied by gale—force gusts of winds on exposed coasts in the channel. and that is going to continue to drift its way steadily eastwards. it means that there will be some difficult driving conditions if you're out and about on the roads over the next few hours. this was the isle of wightjust before darkness arrived, and you can see there are certainly some localised flooding in the area. now that rain will continue to drift its way south and east. it may lingerfor a time across the east midlands, lincolnshire, east anglia as well. a few scattered showers and stronger winds across eastern scotland and some coastal showers out to the west, but sandwiched in between the two, some clearer

skies and we could have some patchy mist and fog forming by morning. now the low pressure still sitting up into the far north will give stiff winds and showers to the northern isles and eastern scotland, but a ridge of high pressure is slowly building in. so there will be some showers out to the east, a legacy of cloud east of the pennines across england. further west, some brighter, sunnier spells with a few scattered showers driven in by that north—westerly wind. temperatures are likely to peak into single figures for many into the afternoon, so we're looking at around a—9 degrees, pretty much where they should be for this time of year. but as we move out of friday into the start of the weekend, that high pressure's continuing to build in. the isobars open up, the winds falling light. again some patchy fog could be an issue first thing on saturday morning. we still keep a risk some showers and introduce some strong wind across the northern isles, but it's going to be a chilly start to saturday. low single figures in towns and city centres. just below, a touch of frost likely,

away from the breeze. now high pressure is set to establish itself for the start of the weekend, and as the wind direction swings in a clockwise direction around that high, we're either going to have an easterly or a north—easterly, which at times will drag in quite a lot of cloud off the north sea. so, yes, we're going to be chasing cloud amounts around, but look at this. it's going to be dry, settled with some sunshine at times, but we'll need to look out for overnight frost and fog.

today at six — more heavy rain hits the uk, leading to hundreds of flood alerts. nottinghamshire is worst hit, as downpours fall on ground already saturated. top the county council here in nottinghamshire have declared a major incident outside the river trent could reach its highest ever level. rishi sunak signals a general election in the second half of this year. sir keir starmer says he's just squatting in number ten. next warns that consumers could face delays to supplies of its clothing and other products because of attacks on shipping in the red sea. and an entirely new class of antibiotic is discovered which could treat lethal infections. and coming up on bbc news — we hearfrom declan rice on arsenal's campaign to stop knife crime in london, ahead of their fa cup's third round tie against liverpool this weekend.