instead her body was still at the funeral directors�*, identified by a hospital tag. the mp diane abbott calls racist remarks allegedly made by a tory donor "frightening" after it's claimed he said she should be shot. the foreign secretary calls for answers from israel after a bbc report shows medical staff in gaza being beaten and humiliated. these are very disturbing pictures and reports that have come out from this hospital and we need to get the bottom of what exactly happened. are owners being charged far too much for their pets�* care? an investigation has been launched. and riding rare waves in the severn estuary today. and coming up on bbc news, a big night for arsenal in the champions league. can they beat porto to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in m years?

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. two people have been released on bail after police removed 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes from a funeral directors in hull. detectives say they're investigating a truly horrific incident and families are understandably distraught and heartbroken. they've had more than 1,000 phone calls from concerned members of the public. 0ur correspondent nick garnett has been speaking to one of the families affected. my mum was a beautiful, loving person. would give anybody anything she had. susan stone was 78 when she died. herfamily paid for her to be cremated, but now they've been told it never happened.

they cremated my mum the same day, or the next day, waiting for a slot. but obviously she didn't get cremated. heartbroken. anger. disgraceful. humberside police are still searching this building owned by legacy funeral directors and others the company owns. 120 officers are involved and police say they found 35 bodies and what they think are human ashes. this has been a truly horrific incident. this is an extremely complex and sensitive investigation with heartbroken families at the core of it. we are determined to ensure that we keep families at the centre of everything we do.

people are still arriving here searching for answers. devastated with what's happened because i've just lost my wife - on the 19th of december, we put her to rest. - but i don't know if she's at my home or if she's back in the mortuary. - and ijust want to i know quick answers. that was one on christmas day in hospital. martin says he was told his mother's ashes would be available shortly after the funeral. they said pop down after a week or two to collect her. so if i would have collected her, i'd have had somebody else�*s ashes, some ashes that wouldn't have been my mum. i'm just glad i've still got my mum. i'm going to get my mum back. now the family want another funeral service for susan. police say two people who were arrested over the weekend have been released on police bail

while the investigation continues. detectives say this is going to be a long and complicated investigation. this evening, as you can see behind me, police officers are still inside the building searching there. as well as the bodies of 35 people that have been taken away and are being identified, police say they have discovered human ashes, what they believe to be human ashes inside, and they are no closer to knowing the identities of those. studio: nick garnett, thank you. the mp diane abbott says she finds the remarks that were allegedly made about her by a prominent conservative donor "worrying" and "frightening".. the guardian newspaper claims that frank hester said ms abbott made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot". he's admitted he was rude about her in a private

meeting five years ago, but insisted his comments had nothing to do with her gender or skin colour. chris mason has the story. diane abbott is a political pioneer. first elected nearly a0 years ago, she was the first black woman mp. whatever else happens after this, i think nobody can take this moment away from the black community. what away from the black community. what did ha en away from the black community. what did happen after _ away from the black community. what did happen after that is she rose to bejeremy did happen after that is she rose to be jeremy corbyn�*s did happen after that is she rose to bejeremy corbyn�*s shadow home secretary after being subjected to year after year of abuse, which multiplied in the era of social media. now the guardian reports that frank hester, a multimillionaire donor to the conservative party, said this in 2019.

the bbc has not independently verified that frank hester, seen here on the right with david cameron in 2016, said this. but he is not denying it. frank hester... a statement claimed. rubbish, said cabinet minister kemi badenoch. the comments as reported were racist, she said, adding that there should be forgiveness where there is contrition. a cabinet colleague had a rather different take. the critical point _ a rather different take. the critical point here - a rather different take. the critical point here is - a rather different take. tue: critical point here is that a rather different take. tte: critical point here is that i don't think what he was saying was a gender—based or race based comment, but it was clearly inappropriate. he has apologised and i think we need to move on from that.— has apologised and i think we need to move on from that. diane abbott said the reported _ to move on from that. diane abbott said the reported remarks - to move on from that. diane abbott said the reported remarks from - to move on from that. diane abbott i said the reported remarks from frank hester were worrying, frightening, alarming. herfriend, lady chakrabati, agreed. t’m

alarming. her friend, lady chakrabati, agreed. alarming. her friend, lady chakrabati,aureed. �* ., ., chakrabati, agreed. i'm anxious and u set on chakrabati, agreed. i'm anxious and upset on her— chakrabati, agreed. i'm anxious and upset on her behalf. _ chakrabati, agreed. i'm anxious and upset on her behalf. i _ chakrabati, agreed. i'm anxious and upset on her behalf. i think - chakrabati, agreed. i'm anxious and upset on her behalf. i think she's i upset on her behalf. i think she's incredibly brave, she is braver than i am, and she is one of the bravest people i know. but i think we also reflect on where our politics is, nearly a quarter of the way into the 21st—century, this is not where i thought we would be. i think we have taken a step backwards. this thought we would be. i think we have taken a step backwards.— taken a step backwards. this is frank hester. _ taken a step backwards. this is frank hester. he _ taken a step backwards. this is frank hester. he built - taken a step backwards. this is frank hester. he built up - taken a step backwards. this is frank hester. he built up a - taken a step backwards. this is - frank hester. he built up a computer company from scratch in leeds, designing software for the health service will stop you once trained to be a priest and has an obe for services to the nhs. he donated £10 million to the conservatives last year but tonight is at the centre of a growing storm of anger and condemnation.— a growing storm of anger and condemnation. they are clearly racist and _ condemnation. they are clearly racist and clearly _ condemnation. they are clearly racist and clearly sexist - condemnation. they are clearly racist and clearly sexist and - condemnation. they are clearly racist and clearly sexist and i l racist and clearly sexist and i think diane abbott was right to point out the call to violence even in a flippant way is really an appropriate. they were really stupid remarks. i don't know that they were said because i haven't heard

independent corroboration. diane abbott has now— independent corroboration. diane abbott has now reported - independent corroboration. diane abbott has now reported frank hester�*s alleged comments to the police. what we are seeing here is a case study in how individuals and institutions in private and in public, with all their quirks and flaws, wrestle with language and labels. and the consequences of that, the pain, the hurt, the anguish. so we have a party donor accused of racism and sexism and glorifying violence. and we have an mp, herself suspended from the parliamentary labour party over allegations of anti—semitism, for which she has apologised. tonight frank hester says he bores racism. downing street says the alleged remarks are unacceptable but are not calling them racist. opposition parties say those donations should be handed back. that is not something the conservatives are currently promising to do. —— tonight frank hester says he abhors

racism. studio: chris mason, thank you. the foreign secretary, lord cameron, has called for answers from the israelis, after a bbc report showed palestinian medical staff in gaza being detained, beaten and prevented from carrying out vital medical duties when israeli forces overran a hospital in soutern gaza last month. the bbc has seen evidence that some detainees were stripped and kept in stress positions for several hours. israel said it occupied nasser hospital in khan younis believing it was being used by hamas. several israeli hostages, who've been released, have said they were held there. lord cameron called the reports "very disturbing". these are very disturbing pictures and reports that have come out from this hospital and we need to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and we need answers from the israelis about that. and when we have those, then it'll be easier to comment. david cameron speaking today. wyre davis has been looking at the evidence from nasser hospital. not for the first time in this war, israeli soldiers have been filmed standing over stripped and kneeling detainees in gaza.

but these are medical staff, detained after the israeli army overran the nasser hospital in khan younis. most of them are still held captive. for weeks, the medics had witnessed israel's military advance closing in around their hospital. the fighting in khan younis was fierce. thousands of people who'd sought refuge in the grounds fled under gunfire. what should have been a place of safety was completely the opposite. one nurse was shot inside a hospital operating theatre through a window. another person shot at the main entrance. the hospital was under siege. on february the 15th, after giving warnings, israeli tanks overran the hospital. there were chaotic scenes

as troops took control. patients who'd been unable to evacuate were moved by medics from collapsing wards. israel says it found hamas weapons, also medication, which they say supports accounts from israeli hostages that they were held there. in the idf�*s own footage, you can see that hospital patients had their hands zip—tied, detained outside in their beds and wheelchairs. this was when troops also detained the medical personnel, at least a9 of them, forced to leave their posts and remove their surgical clothing. israel says it did so in case there were concealed weapons, and that among the 200 arrested at nasser were terrorists posing as medics. dr amira assouli had remained at nasser throughout the siege, before the israeli incursion, risking her own neck to save lives, as people were shot inside the grounds. she later witnessed what happened

to her fellow doctors. translation: it was tough for us to see how the doctors, _ who had bravely stayed at the hospital despite the dangers, were stripped and beaten. their hands were tied behind them and they were left in the sun for hours. his hand broken in captivity, dr ahmed sabha is one of the very few medics to have since been released. he shows the positions they were forced to adopt for hours, and says they were also tortured. translation: they forced us to kneel down with our eyes blindfolded. - there was a pit in the ground, and we thought they would execute us and bury us there. we said our prayers, but they were just intimidating us. israel says any abuse of detainees is against idf orders and is strictly prohibited.

but crucially, according to the hospital manager who dealt with the israelis during the raid, the detention of so many of his staff left his hospital woefully short of doctors. translation: eight doctors and 15 nurses were left - treating 250 patients. you can imagine the level of care we could give with no water or electricity in the hospital at that point. during this time, 13 patients and injured people died. the israeli army says it operated within nasser in a precise and focused manner, and says it provided equipment enabling it to function and treat patients. but with the war continuing, and with more than a0 medics still detained or missing, the hospital has been closed for weeks. wyre davies, bbc news.

and tonight a spokesperson at the us state department has said they have seen the report and expect it will be raised with the israeli government. the controversial social media influencer andrew tate and his brother tristan are one step closer to being extradited back to the uk after a romanian court today approved the move. the brothers are facing several allegations, including rape and human trafficking, spanning several years. allegations the tate brothers "categorically reject" according to their representative. lucy williamson reports. they have been here so many times to battle romania'sjudicial they have been here so many times to battle romania's judicial system. today there we had to fight the uk's chest and in his trademark coat, and ruin the jacket emblazoned with his nickname, top g. after a night in custody, little swagger for the cameras. the ruling came quickly —

extradition granted to face questions of a rape and human trafficking in the uk. but not until after romania has itself tried them on similar, unrelated charges. and if found guilty, after any prison sentence has been served. both men have denied all the charges against them. released from police custody today but still under a travel ban, andrew tate gave his response. we are andrew tate gave his response. - are innocent men. we are very innocent man and in time, everybody is going to see that and we are excited to finish this judicial process and clear our names. excited to finish thisjudicial process and clear our names. andrew tate, process and clear our names. andrew tate. once — process and clear our names. andrew tate. once one _ process and clear our names. andrew tate. once one of— process and clear our names. andrew tate, once one of the _ process and clear our names. andrew tate, once one of the world's - process and clear our names. andrew tate, once one of the world's most i tate, once one of the world's most googled man, is adored by fans as a successful model of masculinity. seen by others as a dangerous influence. seen by others as a dangerous influence-_ influence. females are barely sentient- _

influence. females are barely sentient. tate _ influence. females are barely sentient. tate himself - influence. females are barely sentient. tate himself says i influence. females are barely| sentient. tate himself says he influence. females are barely i sentient. tate himself says he is absolutely _ sentient. tate himself says he is absolutely a _ sentient. tate himself says he is absolutely a misogynist. - sentient. tate himself says he is absolutely a misogynist. it - sentient. tate himself says he is l absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't matter whether _ absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't matter whether a _ absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't matter whether a woman - absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't matter whether a woman wants i absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't matter whether a woman wants to | absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't i matter whether a woman wants to be absolutely a misogynist. it doesn't - matter whether a woman wants to be a lawyer or a house maker or a webcam girl. unless she has a man directing her, she bleep. they arejust not built to be completely independent creatures. ., built to be completely independent creatures. . , , , creatures. tate says his comments are often misinterpreted, - creatures. tate says his comments are often misinterpreted, but - are often misinterpreted, but police, teachers and women's rights groups say his influence is toxic. in the uk, some women have spoken publicly about their experience of meeting him, like evie, not her real name, who spoke to the bbc and is being voiced by an actress.- name, who spoke to the bbc and is being voiced by an actress. there is enou:h being voiced by an actress. there is enough evidence _ being voiced by an actress. there is enough evidence out _ being voiced by an actress. there is enough evidence out there - being voiced by an actress. there is enough evidence out there to - being voiced by an actress. there is enough evidence out there to show| enough evidence out there to show that, _ enough evidence out there to show that, you _ enough evidence out there to show that, you know, these women he has harmed _ that, you know, these women he has harmed do— that, you know, these women he has harmed do exist. sol that, you know, these women he has harmed do exist. so i think he needs to harmed do exist. so i think he needs taiust _ harmed do exist. so i think he needs taiust get _ harmed do exist. so i think he needs taiust get a — harmed do exist. so i think he needs tojust get a bit of harmed do exist. so i think he needs to just get a bit of a reality check and admit — to just get a bit of a reality check and admit to what he has done. the tates' and admit to what he has done. tates' lawyers and admit to what he has done. tte: tates' lawyers said today and admit to what he has done. tt2 tates' lawyers said today both his clients were fully committed to the legal process of andrew tate, who once praised what he described as romania's more lenient approach to sexual assault claims, is now battling those claims in both

romania and the uk. lucy williamson, bbc news. let's get more now with nick beake, who's there in romania. i understand you have spoken to andrew tate, what did he say? yes. andrew tate, what did he say? yes, in the last few _ andrew tate, what did he say? yes, in the last few minutes, _ andrew tate, what did he say? t2: in the last few minutes, the tate brothers arrive back at their house here, praising the decision of the romanian court today to allow them to come back. i asked andrew tate if he had faith in the british legal system. he was praising the remaining system today. that was not a question he answered directly. i also asked whether the nature of the allegations that bedfordshire police say they are looking into, whether they are significant and whether he is concerned about that. and in the course of our exchange, he was really talking more about the allegations against him being likened to speeding offences, very minor offences. as part of the agreement here, the brothers must not leave romania. they don't know when the date will be for the

allegations they face here, but as we have been hearing today, sophie, after those processes are over, then there is the prospect of the brothers being extradited back to the uk. . ~ brothers being extradited back to the uk. x' �* ., ~ brothers being extradited back to the uk. w �* . ,, ., ~ brothers being extradited back to the uk. w �* ., ,, ., ,, i. the uk. nick beake, thank you. there will be more — the uk. nick beake, thank you. there will be more from _ the uk. nick beake, thank you. there will be more from nick _ the uk. nick beake, thank you. there will be more from nick on _ the uk. nick beake, thank you. there will be more from nick on the - the uk. nick beake, thank you. there will be more from nick on the bbc - will be more from nick on the bbc news at ten. our top story this evening. police say they've now removed 35 bodies from a funeral home in hull as investigations continue. and later, stepping back in showtime. we visit the brand new museum that relives the glory days of blackpool. and coming up in sport on bbc news, a1 years old and back in the scotland squad. hearts goalkeeper craig gordon is recalled for this month's friendlies against the netherlands and northern ireland. millions of us own a pet. some are insured, some are not. and if you suddenly need medical care for your four—legged friend, are you being charged a fair rate

orfar too much? an investigation has been launched into the prices we pay by the competition and markets authority, who think some pet owners may well be paying over the odds. the watchdog says there has been a dramatic change in who owns the 5,000 vet practices across the uk. 1,500 of them have been bought byjust six big corporate companies in the last decade. since 2013, the number owned by big corporates has risen dramatically from 10% to 60%. here's jim connolly. he is my child. he is my main family member~ _ he is my child. he is my main family member. , . ., ., j, member. dax is the centre of holly's world and that _ member. dax is the centre of holly's world and that meant _ member. dax is the centre of holly's world and that meant some - member. dax is the centre of holly's i world and that meant some expensive vet bills, including one for emergency care when he ate something in the park and became very poorly. it was late on a sunday night and they were — it was late on a sunday night and they were my only option, so you 'ust they were my only option, so you just have — they were my only option, so you just have to— they were my only option, so you just have to sort of say, yes, save him _ just have to sort of say, yes, save him over— just have to sort of say, yes, save him. overthe just have to sort of say, yes, save him. over the last year, i just have to sort of say, yes, save him. overthe last year, i have probably— him. overthe last year, i have probably spent £3500 on vet bills for him _ probably spent £3500 on vet bills for him. they know they can charge

what _ for him. they know they can charge what they— for him. they know they can charge what they want because they have you over a _ what they want because they have you over a barrel— what they want because they have you over a barrel because you know that if they— over a barrel because you know that if they don't — over a barrel because you know that if they don't treat your dog there and then, — if they don't treat your dog there and then, your dog could die. and holl is and then, your dog could die. and holly is not _ and then, your dog could die. fich holly is not alone. and then, your dog could die. and holly is not alone. extortionate i holly is not alone. extortionate exoensive. _ holly is not alone. extortionate expensive, for _ holly is not alone. extortionate expensive, for anything. - holly is not alone. extortionate expensive, for anything. this i holly is not alone. extortionatej expensive, for anything. this is zi t , expensive, for anything. this is tht , he expensive, for anything. this is ziggy. he is _ expensive, for anything. this is ziggy. he is a — expensive, for anything. this is ziggy, he is a rescue _ expensive, for anything. this is ziggy, he is a rescue dog - expensive, for anything. this is ziggy, he is a rescue dog and l expensive, for anything. this is| ziggy, he is a rescue dog and he expensive, for anything. this is i ziggy, he is a rescue dog and he is very vocal. ziggy, he is a rescue dog and he is very vocal-— ziggy, he is a rescue dog and he is ve vocal. , , , , very vocal. huge expense. it depends which vets you _ very vocal. huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. _ very vocal. huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. you _ very vocal. huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. you have - very vocal. huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. you have to i which vets you choose. you have to shop _ which vets you choose. you have to shop around — which vets you choose. you have to shop around-— shop around. they are outrageous. but the shop around. they are outrageous. tout the vets _ shop around. they are outrageous. but the vets are _ shop around. they are outrageous. but the vets are not _ shop around. they are outrageous. but the vets are not getting - shop around. they are outrageous. but the vets are not getting rich, i but the vets are not getting rich, it's the _ but the vets are not getting rich, it's the multinational— but the vets are not getting rich, it's the multinational hedge - but the vets are not getting rich, i it's the multinational hedge funds that are _ it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting _ it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting rich. _ it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting rich. that- it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting rich.— that are getting rich. that is one ofthe that are getting rich. that is one of the issues _ that are getting rich. that is one of the issues which _ that are getting rich. that is one of the issues which prompted i that are getting rich. that is one | of the issues which prompted this review from the competition and markets authority, questioning how the industry operates. tt’s the industry operates. it's difficult for _ the industry operates. it's difficult for pet _ the industry operates. tt�*s difficult for pet owners to get clear upfront information about the price of different treatment options, about the cost of prescriptions. many people may be overpaying for the medicines they buy from their vets. secondly, we are worried about how competition is working in this market. thea;r are worried about how competition is working in this market.— working in this market. they also flan red working in this market. they also flagged the _ working in this market. they also flagged the lack _ working in this market. they also flagged the lack of _ working in this market. they also flagged the lack of transparency. working in this market. they also i flagged the lack of transparency and fears from pet insurers that customers are sometimes geared

towards more expensive treatments. but at this independent practice, they are very aware of the price of state—of—the—art treatment. you state-of-the-art treatment. you can't have _ state-of-the-art treatment. you can't have all— state-of-the-art treatment. you can't have all of— state-of-the-art treatment. you can't have all of the _ state—of—the—art treatment. tm, can't have all of the equipment, all the diagnostic and surgical equipment and the skills to use that. all of that comes at a big cost. and of course, that has to be passed on to the owner because where else can it come from? it's not going to vets' back pockets. this ractice going to vets' back pockets. this practice is _ going to vets' back pockets. this practice is an — going to vets' back pockets. this practice is an independent, but the majority in the uk are now owned by one of six corporate chains. some with multi—million pound turnover is. many of the vets i have spoken to said they saw prices increase after a corporate takeover. one said they feared their industry was imploding, and another that the industry was being taken over by a monopoly. consumer groups say they want their cmo to step up to stop millions of pet owners around the country being ripped off. for the industry, the next step is a deeper investigation. jim connolly, bbc

news. nhs england says children will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at gender identity clinics. the drugs, which pause the physical changes of puberty such as breast development or facial hair, will now only be available to children as part of clinical research trials. our health editor, hugh pym, is here. how did this come about, hugh? nhs england say tonight that this has been a polarised debate and responses to its consultation have reflected that. the consultation was set up last year after nhs england then said it wanted to go ahead with this policy of stopping routine prescription of puberty blockers to children, and it would only be used as part of clinical research. of course, puberty blockers suppress hormone release. as a result of this consultation, they say that as of today, these drugs will no longer be routinely prescribed, including two children coming forward from now. but a small number will continue to

have a course of treatment which is already being set up. all this at a time of an independent review, due to report soon but which has already said that services offered by the tavistock and portman trust are unsustainable and will be replaced by new clinics in london and liverpool. by new clinics in london and liverpool-— by new clinics in london and liverool. , . ~' , ., the families of people who've died while in the care of a mental health trust in norfolk and suffolk are pushing for a criminal investigation after they sent new evidence to the police. a report last year found that almost 8,500 patients had died unexpectedly at the trust. the norfolk and suffolk nhs foundation trust has offered its sincere condolences to families and said its working hard to improve services. our health correspondent sophie hutchinson reports. so if you'd like to come into the kitchen... it's seven years since i first met pippa, a year after her son henry died. 21—year—old henry was a photographic student. in 2016, he was admitted to hospital with suicidal thoughts. he was discharged the following day and less than a week later, he killed himself. it really was a catalogue of one

failure after another. and ifeel on a daily basis, and particularly when i speak about it, nothing other than anger and bitter resentment towards the trust. the coroner at henry's inquest warned of poor record—keeping and communication and unsafe discharge. the norfolk and suffolk trust said it was making improvements. but according to new evidence from campaigners seen exclusively by the bbc, after henry's death, another nine patients died, with coroners raising some of the same safety concerns. and this is the evidence. each yellow block represents a safety concern highlighted by coroners and repeated again and again. bereaved families and patients brought their evidence to westminster today to show mps and the ministerfor mental health, maria caulfield.

natalie mclellan's daughter died in november. rebecca had bipolar and her mum says she begged for help from the trust, but was turned away. i want things to change. i want nobody else to go through what rebecca went through, because she suffered. we keep hearing about this journey that they're on and these journeys of improvement and how sorry they are and about how we're learning from each incident. they're not incidents. they're our loved ones. they're destroying families. they're taking lives. what i want is change. the families also want police to launch a criminal investigation. the norfolk and suffolk nhs foundation trust said it would continue to ensure local communities have safer, kinder and better mental health services. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. for the first time in years, the six foot tidal wave has raced up the severn estuary. it's called the

severn estuary. it's called the severn bore and phil mackie was watching. this is a bucket list experience if you're a hardcore surfer. dodging each other and avoiding a mouthful of muddy water is a small price to pay for the experience of a lifetime — even if you do get wiped out. the severn bore happens when there's a high spring tide and the wave it creates funnels upriver. i'm 67 injune, i reckon i'm the oldest boy in it. it's so rare, even the oldest hands are drawn back. it's because you're surfing the wrong wave up a river inland, isn't it? and this is the one to do. it's great. i must go, because i'm going to miss that one. richard was on a body board, some were in kayaks... laughter. ..some on surfboards. others had brought their paddle boards. it's the experience, it's the anticipation, it's, i don't know, waking up at the crack of dawn. it's like a stupid adventure and quite surreal as well. here we are first thing in the morning, waiting for some

wave to appear out of nowhere. there's nothing else like it. well, not everyone has been able to catch the waves that they wanted to, but this is one of the great sights that you can see in this country and the first daytime five—star bore on the severn for a long time. thousands lined every available viewing point, including lots of first—timers. i really like when the surfers go on it and it carries them down the river. one day, will that be you? no! laughter. there's even time to ride the bore more than once. the river is windy but the road is straight, so you can drive a few miles up river, get back out of the car and back into the water. there were hazards aplenty. giles, who is on the blue board, had come all the way from canada. it's just one of those natural phenomenons. it's kind of like last shot in the game, too — you get one chance at it and then that's it. and howard and nick's second ride was a success.

it got up really quite steep and i thought, "this is going to be great," and then itjust picked up high and threw me straight off. it's the biggest i've seen it. five star, then? i'd say so, yeah. now, it's going to be board back on the roof and back in the car. and off they went for a third time. phil mackie, bbc news, gloucestershire. blackpool�*s glittering history as a city of entertainment is being celebrated with a new multi—million pound attraction. the museum, called show town, will open to the public on friday and our arts correspondent david sillito has been for sneak preview. # every year when i summer comes round. hello and welcome to blackpool. showtown, a celebration of blackpool culture and a tour with a blackpool connoisseur... go on, do a bit of the buddy holly! i love him doing this. go on, do buddy holly! ..syd little of little and large, who were, in the '70s and '80s, top of the bill. 1979. wow. your heyday. two shows a day — look at that — 6:10 and 8:50. ali bongo, norman wisdom! frank carson — look at that.

and it would be fair to say he was loving these memories of the hundreds of performers he had worked with over the years. keith harris and orville. he hated... he hated that green duck. it's amazing, you know? he hated the duck? he didn't like the duck. no, no _ however, blackpool these days isn't quite what it was. it is a familiar story in seaside towns of britain, but this is a chance to remember what made this place great when it really was, for millions, the home of entertainment. look — stan laurel�*s hat. orville and his silver disc. and, of course, strictly! so how many shows are we talking about in the '60s, '70s? oh, you had 25 shows... so 25 venues? venues. more than the west end in london. oh, bigger than the west end? yeah, yeah. so you could have more bums on seats in blackpool per day than you could at the west end in london.

# oh, i do like to be beside the seaside! and syd... you're enjoying this, aren't you? i blinkin' am! it's miles better than i thought it would be. ..he didn't want to leave. david sillito, bbc news, blackpool. time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. it has been soggy for a lot of people. it has been soggy for a lot of --eole.�* , , ., it has been soggy for a lot of --eole. �* , , ., ., ., it has been soggy for a lot of --eole. �* , ., ., ., ., ,, people. anybody going for a walk toda , people. anybody going for a walk today. wellies — people. anybody going for a walk today, wellies would _ people. anybody going for a walk today, wellies would have i people. anybody going for a walk today, wellies would have been i today, wellies would have been advisable. wet dog perhaps optional, but we have seen more rain today and following on from the wet february, it is south—eastern parts of england that have seen already and we are only on the 12th of march, over a month's worth of rain. in the south—east, it may be drier in the next few days, but there will be rain elsewhere. but it is going to be milder stop we are picking up a south—westerly breeze. on the radar picture, that was the rain we had earlier. that has moved away with a

bit of rain and drizzle following over western