this is bbc news the former nurse lucy letby has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a baby in 2016, following a retrial. i following a retrial. hope today's verdict allows pa rents i hope today's verdict allows parents and their wider family to try to move forward from what is been a very difficult time. less than 48 hours before the general election — rishi sunak defends his campaign, insisting he hasn't given up and can still win. we are bringing you a round up some of the main claims in the political parties that we have scrutinised in this election campaign. hurricane beryl — strengthens to a category five storm, as it sweeps across the caribbean. and — frank cottrell—boyce is announced as the latest children's laureate. reading of the young age makes a

difference and helps to make people happy and i know any of the children's books to be put in a position to bring more children to that happiness is amazing. the former nurse and convicted serial killer, lucy letby, has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a premature baby girl, known as baby k. the jury in her retrial at manchester crown court unanimously agreed that in february 2016 letby had dislodged the baby's breathing tube — less than two hours after her birth — and was caught "virtually red—handed" when a doctor walked into the room. the 34—year—old is already serving 1a whole life terms for murdering seven babies, and attempting to murder six more.

the game was up for lucy letby, most prolific baby killer had been found out. injune 2015, shut down a murder spree at the countess of chester hospital, last year she was convicted of killing seven babies there and attempting to murder and other sex. there and attempting to murder and othersex. now there and attempting to murder and other sex. now she has been found guilty of trying to murder another child, a premature girl could only be referred to as baby k. this consultant virtually caught lucy letby red—handed and could see that the baby was in trouble and the nurse was standing by her doing nothing to help. this nurse was standing by her doing nothing to help.— nurse was standing by her doing nothing to help. this was the two that ass nothing to help. this was the two that pass through _ nothing to help. this was the two that pass through the _ nothing to help. this was the two that pass through the babies - nothing to help. this was the two l that pass through the babies throat and down into the whole. this that pass through the babies throat and down into the whole.— and down into the whole. this was shown to the _ and down into the whole. this was shown to the court _ and down into the whole. this was shown to the court to _ and down into the whole. this was shown to the court to show- and down into the whole. this was shown to the court to show how i shown to the court to show how babies are given breathing supported by ventilators. the babies are given breathing supported by ventilators-— by ventilators. the pressure warning- — by ventilators. the pressure warning. she _ by ventilators. the pressure warning. she had _ by ventilators. the pressure warning. she had dislodged| by ventilators. the pressure . warning. she had dislodged her by ventilators. the pressure - warning. she had dislodged her a tube and the _ warning. she had dislodged her a tube and the monitor— warning. she had dislodged her a tube and the monitor alarm - warning. she had dislodged her a tube and the monitor alarm was. tube and the monitor alarm was silenced, a technique that the

experts believe she used on further occasions too. i experts believe she used on further occasions toe-— experts believe she used on further occasions too-— occasions too. i reviewed a number of cases other _ occasions too. i reviewed a number of cases other than _ occasions too. i reviewed a number of cases other than the _ occasions too. i reviewed a number of cases other than the one - occasions too. i reviewed a number of cases other than the one in - occasions too. i reviewed a number of cases other than the one in this | of cases other than the one in this trial and _ of cases other than the one in this trial and found a number of cases where _ trial and found a number of cases where the — trial and found a number of cases where the tube, breathing tube been displaced _ where the tube, breathing tube been displaced going back at least a year prior to _ displaced going back at least a year prior to the — displaced going back at least a year prior to the first fatality. so, i think— prior to the first fatality. so, i think there was a pattern of breathing tubes being displaced when lucy letby was on call for about 12 months _ lucy letby was on call for about 12 months or— lucy letby was on call for about 12 months or possibly more before the first fatality-— first fatality. you think this is what she started _ first fatality. you think this is what she started doing - first fatality. you think this is what she started doing and i first fatality. you think this is | what she started doing and so first fatality. you think this is - what she started doing and so this is the easiest way of harming babies before moving on to other techniques? i before moving on to other techniques?— before moving on to other techniaues? ~ , _, �* before moving on to other techniaues? ~ , �* ., techniques? i think she could've all started off by _ techniques? i think she could've all started off by displacing _ techniques? i think she could've all started off by displacing breathing l started off by displacing breathing tubes _ started off by displacing breathing tubes i— started off by displacing breathing tubes. i think she then moved on to injecting _ tubes. i think she then moved on to injecting stomachs with lots of air.

investing _ injecting stomachs with lots of air. investing her entire time and further criminal charges could follow and why can this particular child happen now? at the end of the original trial, the jurors are undecided on charges of attempted murder relating to five children. the prosecution could decide to retry all of those charges but in the event, chose to have just one involving baby k before a newjury. why have a retrial? i involving baby k before a new “ury. why have a remanfi why have a retrial? i don't know what was going _ why have a retrial? i don't know what was going to _ why have a retrial? i don't know what was going to the _ why have a retrial? i don't know what was going to the minds - why have a retrial? i don't know what was going to the minds of| why have a retrial? i don't know. what was going to the minds of the prosecutors — what was going to the minds of the prosecutors in _ what was going to the minds of the prosecutors in this _ what was going to the minds of the prosecutors in this case _ what was going to the minds of the prosecutors in this case but - what was going to the minds of the prosecutors in this case but in - prosecutors in this case but in previous— prosecutors in this case but in previous cases. _ prosecutors in this case but in previous cases, where - prosecutors in this case but in . previous cases, where someone prosecutors in this case but in - previous cases, where someone has been _ previous cases, where someone has been convicted _ previous cases, where someone has been convicted of— previous cases, where someone has been convicted of a _ previous cases, where someone has been convicted of a homicide - previous cases, where someone has been convicted of a homicide and i been convicted of a homicide and been _ been convicted of a homicide and been given— been convicted of a homicide and been given significant _ been convicted of a homicide and been given significant sentence, i been convicted of a homicide and i been given significant sentence, it would _ been given significant sentence, it would take — been given significant sentence, it would take a — been given significant sentence, it would take a lot _ been given significant sentence, it would take a lot for _ been given significant sentence, it would take a lot for me _ been given significant sentence, it would take a lot for me to - been given significant sentence, it would take a lot for me to retry i been given significant sentence, itl would take a lot for me to retry the something — would take a lot for me to retry the something else _ would take a lot for me to retry the something else that would - something else that would necessarily— something else that would necessarily add _ something else that would necessarily add to - something else that would necessarily add to that - something else that would - necessarily add to that sentence. however. — necessarily add to that sentence. however, children _ necessarily add to that sentence. however, children being - necessarily add to that sentence. however, children being harmedl necessarily add to that sentence. - however, children being harmed and losing _ however, children being harmed and losing their _ however, children being harmed and losing their lives _ however, children being harmed and losing their lives in _ however, children being harmed and losing their lives in this _ however, children being harmed and losing their lives in this case, - however, children being harmed and losing their lives in this case, i- losing their lives in this case, i can understand _ losing their lives in this case, i can understand why— losing their lives in this case, i can understand why it - losing their lives in this case, i can understand why it was - can understand why it was significant _ can understand why it was significant enough - can understand why it was significant enough for- can understand why it was. significant enough for them can understand why it was - significant enough for them to say we will— significant enough for them to say we will pursue _ significant enough for them to say we will pursue this _ significant enough for them to say we will pursue this case. -

significant enough for them to say we will pursue this case. lucy - significant enough for them to say we will pursue this case. lucy letby is already serving _ we will pursue this case. lucy letby is already serving 14 _ we will pursue this case. lucy letby is already serving 14 whole - we will pursue this case. lucy letby is already serving 14 whole life - is already serving 14 whole life terms and this will not increase her actualjail time but at terms and this will not increase her actual jail time but at the last trial, she refused to appear for the sentencing and it is not known if she would do the same thing this time around too. earlier a senior police officer at cheshire constabulary gave her reaction to the verdict. this is been a difficult trialfor the family of baby k and everyone connected to the case and once again, in the face of profound adversity, baby k's parents have displayed enormous courage, dignity and sensitivity. this is in spite of the prosecution case and the team throughout the presentation in the preparation for this trial. 0ver throughout the presentation in the preparation for this trial. over the last three weeks, we have seen medics and nurses give their evidence in a professional and personal manner. without this, the

family and parents of baby k would not receive the justice that they received today. the bbc�*s phil mccann was in court for the verdict gave this analysis of the retrial and the work from police which led to a conviction. it is let them to interview a case of lots of hospital staff who had to think the unthinkable that one of their own could be involved in this. we also heard the statement from the family of baby k on the vertex or delivered in manchester crown court this afternoon to just three nadav hours of deliberations, we saw the father of baby k put his hands and we saw family members crying is lucy letby sat in the dock looking completely expressionless. in a statement on the court steps from baby k's and of dignity said losing her precarious newborn, nothing prepares you for that news. justice

has been served but it would not take away the extreme hurt, anger and distress and it does not provide explanation, an explanation for why it took place. as explanations and unanswered questions, they'll be attempts to answer some of them because after lucy letby was convicted last year there somebody million answer questions as to how she could've murdered so many babies and tried to murder somebody more before measures are put in place to take off the neonatal care unit and questions to the hospital, questions to the nhs and questions ultimately for the government and because of that, an independent inquiry was ordered in is the third inquiry that will begin its work in september. just two days before the general election, a second reform uk candidate has defected to the conservatives, saying the "vast majority" of party nominees are "racist, misogynistic and bigoted" — the prime minister gave his

reaction to that a little earlier these candidates know that if a vote for reform is just a vote to put keir starmer and number ten and if you want pension protected and boarded secure, the only way to deliver that is to vote for conservative candidates. quite a secific conservative candidates. quite a specific criticism _ conservative candidates. quite a specific criticism saying - conservative candidates. quite a specific criticism saying that - conservative candidates. quite a specific criticism saying that the | specific criticism saying that the reform candidates are racist and do you agree with that? irate reform candidates are racist and do you agree with that?— you agree with that? we have seen some appalling _ you agree with that? we have seen some appalling comments - you agree with that? we have seen some appalling comments that - you agree with that? we have seen. some appalling comments that have been made that ijust last week some appalling comments that have been made that i just last week what we have seen these candidates and campaigns openly espousing racist and misogynistic views seemingly without challenge and it tells you something about the culture within the reform party and questions to nigel farage and if you want your pension protected and borders secure a want to vote to prevent a super majority, the only way to do that is to vote conservative and that is very strong message that these

candidates have made very clear. concerns that people are not going to vote because the postal votes and i getting through in time and i worried are you about that which can be done to solve it? is worried are you about that which can be done to solve it?— be done to solve it? is said they will look at _ be done to solve it? is said they will look at any _ be done to solve it? is said they will look at any concerns - be done to solve it? is said they will look at any concerns they i be done to solve it? is said they. will look at any concerns they are raised and want to make sure that everyone can vote because it's an important election in spite of what people want to believe that it's all a foregone conclusion, every vote matters. a little earlier the labour leader sir keir starmer sat down with our political editor, chris mason. are you ready to be prime minister? we have worked for and a half years to change _ we have worked for and a half years to change the labour party to get us into a _ to change the labour party to get us into a position we can run a positive _ into a position we can run a positive campaign agreed to bring about— positive campaign agreed to bring about the — positive campaign agreed to bring about the change we need in this country— about the change we need in this country and so, we are fully prepared _ country and so, we are fully prepared we are fully ready and we are not— prepared we are fully ready and we are not complacent because we know that with _ are not complacent because we know that with every vote has to be earned — that with every vote has to be earned and there are plenty of constituencies and this would be one year per— constituencies and this would be one year per will go down to just a few hundred _ year per will go down to just a few hundred votes and will campaign at

ten o'clock— hundred votes and will campaign at ten o'clock on thursday making it clear— ten o'clock on thursday making it clear that — ten o'clock on thursday making it clear that if — ten o'clock on thursday making it clear that if you want change, you have _ clear that if you want change, you have to _ clear that if you want change, you have to vote for it but we have done the preparation to make sure that on day one. _ the preparation to make sure that on day one, re—of politics and on the first steps— day one, re—of politics and on the first steps of change, it will be change — first steps of change, it will be change well with having. some carefully worded _ change well with having. some carefully worded promises - change well with having. some carefully worded promises and | change well with having. some - carefully worded promises and yet, the tax burden is going to remain high whoever wins in his be straightforward about that since the blue we know there is increases in income tax and vat. but those are the same as far as income taxes concerns. the same as far as income taxes concerns-— the same as far as income taxes concerns. ., ., , concerns. other than the ones we have set out _ concerns. other than the ones we have set out but _ concerns. other than the ones we have set out but i'm _ concerns. other than the ones we have set out but i'm not - concerns. other than the ones we have set out but i'm not going - concerns. other than the ones we have set out but i'm not going to | have set out but i'm not going to pretend — have set out but i'm not going to pretend that we can make tax cuts unless _ pretend that we can make tax cuts unless they are funded sustainable and we _ unless they are funded sustainable and we have to repair the damage to

the economy and emphasis on growth and wealth— the economy and emphasis on growth and wealth creation and make sure that people feel material better off under _ that people feel material better off under the labour government. and get more people — under the labour government. and get more people will— under the labour government. and get more people will be _ under the labour government. and get more people will be directed _ under the labour government. and get more people will be directed to a - more people will be directed to a higher tax brackets in the economy might grow but people can find themselves paying more to ask? but will grow the economy and people will grow the economy and people will feel— will grow the economy and people will feel their living standards are rising _ will feel their living standards are rising and — will feel their living standards are rising and better off in the broadest sense of the word, we are attempting — broadest sense of the word, we are attempting to get the nhs back on its feet— attempting to get the nhs back on its feet but fit for the future and make _ its feet but fit for the future and make sure — its feet but fit for the future and make sure the public services and people _ make sure the public services and people inspecting but they're entitled to and so, people will feel better— entitled to and so, people will feel better off— entitled to and so, people will feel better off and i think that is been the missing ingredients for the past 14 years _ the missing ingredients for the past 14 years at — the missing ingredients for the past 14 ears at. ., , ., . 14 years at. some of the instance ou 14 years at. some of the instance you would _ 14 years at. some of the instance you would give — 14 years at. some of the instance you would give for— 14 years at. some of the instance you would give for what - 14 years at. some of the instance you would give for what you - 14 years at. some of the instance. you would give for what you would have to undertake if you are to win in a couple of days' time, would you let prisoners out early because the jails are full? this let prisoners out early because the jails are full?— jails are full? this is going to be something _ jails are full? this is going to be something we —

jails are full? this is going to be something we would _ jails are full? this is going to be something we would inherit - jails are full? this is going to be| something we would inherit ever jails are full? this is going to be i something we would inherit ever to come _ something we would inherit ever to come to— something we would inherit ever to come to serve and i'm not going to pretend _ come to serve and i'm not going to pretend to — come to serve and i'm not going to pretend to you that i can build a prison— pretend to you that i can build a prison on— pretend to you that i can build a prison on the first in the labour government and there's been an absolute — government and there's been an absolute failure in the prison and have _ absolute failure in the prison and have the — absolute failure in the prison and have the money allocated has not been _ have the money allocated has not been spent and we don't have enough. so that— been spent and we don't have enough. so that means letting people out early. so that means letting people out earl . ~ ., ., ., early. we would have to continue with that because _ early. we would have to continue with that because it _ early. we would have to continue with that because it wouldn't - early. we would have to continue with that because it wouldn't be . with that because it wouldn't be realistic— with that because it wouldn't be realistic for me in the prisons are overcrowded on thursday at ten o'clock — overcrowded on thursday at ten o'clock and somehow, i have another prison— o'clock and somehow, i have another prison on— o'clock and somehow, i have another prison on friday morning that's gonna — prison on friday morning that's gonna happen. and to inherit a problem — gonna happen. and to inherit a problem like that but our criminal justice _ problem like that but our criminal justice system has gotten to a point where _ justice system has gotten to a point where we _ justice system has gotten to a point where we are releasing people early and, where we are releasing people early and. given— where we are releasing people early and, given instructions not to arrest — and, given instructions not to arrest and _ and, given instructions not to arrest and that is broken the system is at to— arrest and that is broken the system is at to pick— arrest and that is broken the system is at to pick that up and start a fix, is at to pick that up and start a fix. not — is at to pick that up and start a fix. notjust— is at to pick that up and start a fix, notjust a is at to pick that up and start a fix, not just a fix but to is at to pick that up and start a fix, notjust a fix but to bring it forward — during this election campaign, our colleagues at bbc verify have been examining various claims made by the political parties, some of which have been potentially misleading.

here's ben chu. the past six weeks of seeing a lot of claims from political parties we have been experimenting most of them and letting you know whether you can trust the figures cited in the context you need to really make sense of them as income to the end of this campaign, let us recap the most prominent and potentially misleading claims and first of all, perhaps most heavily that the future will put up taxes by £294 in reference to bed with keir starmer, rishi sunak claimed ten times white mist misleading people, several reasons but let's highlight two. it is based on some questionable assumptions from conservative political advisers about how much labour policies would cost and second, because it's a figure based on four years of supposedly tax increases, not one, that is really

not all figure should be presented. labour also use a rather dubious numbers of it's on about the impact of the conservatives plants and rachel reeves and others have been cleaning the conservatives plans will push a peoples mortgages by £4800 and what does this one risk misleading people, again for various reasons but for one, and assumes that conservatives would make none of the proposed £12 million per year savings from the welfare bill would have to borrow that sum which seems unrealistic. second, they're playing a similar accounting gimmicks the tories adding up five years of suppose that higher annual mortgage bills for housing resulting in higher interest rates and the liberal democrats, they have wrists misleading people in a different way in this campaign and this is from the campaign literature in one constituency that shows the lib dems vote in labour share and 2017 so, to cherry pick two years over something

missing and no bar representing the conservatives you've actually held the seat since it was created in 2010. the office and statistics regulations say that performing at elections should visualise in ways that should not mislead the average reader of the support of different parties and campaign literature like this as well as leaflets produced by some other parties and part of the country do not pass that test. but it's also look at a primary claim from the scottish national party that the labour party would shut down the north sea oil and gas industry which would risk 100,000 jobs in this was made by stephen flynn, that is roughly the number of jobs that scotland's oil and gas industry supports and the wider uk economy and it's pretty misleading to suggest the labour�*s plans alone but these at risk. they would not issue new oil and gas licenses but issue new oil and gas licenses but is also a pledge not to overturn

existing licenses and there's been a lot of other claims such as reform uk on the international law around small boats in the green party on the implications of the tax plans and plaid cmyru on what wales is owed from hs two funding and you can find further details on the bbc news website. let's speak to our political correspondent, jess parker, on the labour campaign trail what is the mood among the labour party as we had very close to the general election? i party as we had very close to the general election?— general election? i would say the mood is pretty — general election? i would say the mood is pretty good. _ general election? i would say the mood is pretty good. they - general election? i would say the mood is pretty good. they are i general election? i would say the i mood is pretty good. they are very keenin mood is pretty good. they are very keen in public to project a cautious message saying i have attended three speeches today by us or keir starmer and they're beginning to feel a little bit rehearsed as you hear the same sorts of things again and again

and one of those things the lights change a little bit, well those things is if you want change coming up things is if you want change coming up to vote for it and the evolution to change the slogans as they are trying to respond to these tory attack lines and sing do not hand labour a single majority and everyone with her eye on the polls and that significant lead but keir starmer st predict the future and they're going to fight for every vote but when you talk to people behind the scenes, there is definitely a sense of optimism and that lead to significant polling throughout the six weeks of the campaign and not necessarily something it would do when they were chatting six weeks ago and i think a little bit of the clue as to how secure he might be feeling but does not want to give the game boy too much because he doesn't want to appearas much because he doesn't want to appear as though he is taking anything for granted and at the last

speech she was just at, let's get this over the line and i think that's an indication that he feels power could be within his grasp but he only needs to look at the seats that they have been visiting. the inventory held areas with huge majorities to overturn but they are playing and attacking game on this but i think the mood is optimistic but i think the mood is optimistic but of course, there is always a nervousness among political parties that take industry to save labour as well as the approach polling day with a majority people cast their votes. at least 116 people have been killed in a crush at a religious gathering in northern india, according to local officials. many of the victims are women and children. a large number of people are being treated in hospital. there are fears casualties could rise. authorities in the state of uttar pradesh say thousands had gathered in the city of hathras

for a prayer meeting led by a hindu preacher. what triggered the crush isn't clear, but reports from the area suggest the hot and humid conditions inside a tent set up for the meeting may have been a factor. here's are two witnesses explaining what they saw. people started falling one upon another and those who are crushed died and there are others report them out. died and there are others who pulled them out. india's prime minister narendra modi has also commented on the tragedy. ijust received the sad news that we are having _ ijust received the sad news that we are having reports in many deaths in the stampede. i express my condolences to the families of those who lost _ condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident — emergency teams on the greek island of kos are battling wildfires that forced locals and tourists to seek shelter overnight.

more than 100 firefighters are still tackling the blaze, which officials say is now being brought under control. jessica lane has the latest. more than 100 firefighters spent the night battling these fires on the island of kos, trying to make sure they won't flare up again. this is one of greece's most popular and busiest tourist spots. the scenes last night at the hotel were quite alarming. the smoke was quite clearly billowing over the hill just across from us. the winds had changed and it was coming towards us, and i felt in that instant, immediately, slight panic and very challenged. you know, just felt i needed to get to the room, get the passports, grab our stuff and get out of the hotel. hundreds of people took refuge in this sports stadium last night after being evacuated.

this morning many returned to their hotels and homes as it's hoped the worst of the fires have been put out for now. dozens of fires broke out across the country over the weekend and people planning holidays to greece are warned there could be more to come over the summer as the country has had its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record already this year. jessica lane, bbc news. several caribbean nations are trying to reach the worst affected areas after hurricane beryl made landfall over their territories. at least one person has died in st vincent and the grenadines and two died in grenada, although the authorities have said those numbers may rise. meanwhile, the hurricane has strengthened to a category five storm as it continues its path across the region, as 0ur central america and caribbean correspondent, will grant, reports the caribbean is on high alert in the devastating impact of the earliest category five storm in history. across the caribbean, homes

are no match for the destructive power. and then union island in grenadines, roofs ripped off, power lines brought down an entire communities cut off in minutes. infrastructure on the island was precarious before it hit an outcome in the aftermath, it has been left in the aftermath, it has been left in ruins. , . , ., ., in the aftermath, it has been left in ruins. , ., . ., , in ruins. devastated and the reports i have received _ in ruins. devastated and the reports i have received indicate _ in ruins. devastated and the reports i have received indicate that - in ruins. devastated and the reports i have received indicate that 9096 i in ruins. devastated and the reports i have received indicate that 9096 ofi i have received indicate that 90% of the houses have been severely damaged and destroyed. other parts ofthe damaged and destroyed. other parts of the caribbean _ damaged and destroyed. other parts of the caribbean were _ damaged and destroyed. other parts of the caribbean were much - damaged and destroyed. other parts of the caribbean were much luckier. | of the caribbean were much luckier. residents took the flooded streets to assess the damage and salvage their possessions. in to assess the damage and salvage their possessions.— their possessions. in the end, it washed everything _ their possessions. in the end, it washed everything away - their possessions. in the end, it washed everything away and - their possessions. in the end, it washed everything away and it | their possessions. in the end, it - washed everything away and it would take several days to get everything

back in _ take several days to get everything back in order, especially at the start— back in order, especially at the start of— back in order, especially at the start of the summer holidays. satellite — start of the summer holidays. satellite images show the devastating size and destruction through the caribbean. and as it moves through committee continues to grow in strength and with unprecedented speed to a category four event is now considered a fearsome category five is moves towards jamaica. despite efforts across the region to board up poems and evacuate low—lying areas, many people can only hunker down and try to write out the strongest storm ever recorded in earlyjuly. the new children's laureate has been revealed — as the award—winning author and screenwriter frank cottrell boyce. he wrote his first children's novel, millions, 20 years ago, and says he wants to use his two—year tenure to fight inequality through reading. jayne mccubbin has been to meet him. can you introduce yourself with your new title? i am frank cottrell—boyce, the 13th

waterstones children's laureate. how does that feel? it feels amazing. yeah, amazing. it's an amazing lineage to step into. frank is a multi—award winning authorfrom liverpool. but if you don't have children to read to... ..well, this may be the cottrell—boyce work you're most familiar with. good evening, mr bond. good evening, your majesty. the queen acted twice in her life. twice. and both times i was in the writing team. how the hell did that happen? that's so weird. how did it happen?! so weird. i always keep one for emergencies. so do i. and as joyful as that is... i keep mine in here. ..it�*s being with kids that is your number one? 100%, 100%. scripting a moment for the world's most famous monarch to seemingly skydive into the 2012 olympics with 007 is obviously pretty special, but frank says it's nowhere

near as special as writing for and reading to children. reading at a young age makes a real difference, helps to make you happy. and i know what i owe to children's books. so being put in a position to bring more children to that happiness is an amazing, amazing feeling. this is my dad. wasn't he handsome? this is my mum. that's their wedding photo. 0bviously that's their wedding, they didn't dress like that all the time. who read to you, frank? well, my mum, my dad, me and my brother lived in one room and my gran lived in the other. so my mum used to take me to the library a lot, i now realise to just get some space. and then the other people who read to me were bernard cribbins and kenneth williams and john grant onjackanory. "is there nothing we can do? " asked the ladybird, appealing to james. . "surely you can think

of a way out of this? " why do you suppose his hands are all covered - with spaghetti in cheese sauce? well, perhaps he's a burn case. an emergency. amazing. you know, the power of your voice. reading to people is huge. read to your children. do it. despite the cold of the ice age and the frequent lack of food and the danger from wild animals, the neanderthal folk are quite a merry lot. you can see a moment sometimes when you're reading to kids, that something clicks and that the whole world becomes different for them, you know, and that you have to imagine things before you do them. you know, we had to dream of going to the moon before we went to the moon. clinging high to the branches... for 25 years, the children's laureate has promoted the importance of children's literature. but the latest author to hold the title fears underprivileged children are left out. today he's calling for a national provision to guarantee every child has access to books. after 20 years of writing for children and visiting schools, how do you feel about what you see?

um, first of all, it's always a joy, absolutejoy, everywhere you go, which is a wonderful thing, but also incredible inequality. um, first of all, it's always a joy, absolutejoy, everywhere you go, which is a wonderful thing, but also incredible inequality. you know, you go from one school to another and there's just no level playing field at all. some kids are really struggling in terms of the buildings, in terms of the neighbourhoods. we know that if you are used to books and if you're read to at a young age that bestows, like, an enormous invisible privilege on you. so if i can help those kids who are missing out on that enormous invisible privilege to access that, i mean, what a thing to spend a couple of years doing. that's your mission? that's my mission. mission not impossible. then a broad grin broke out on his face. tomorrow i'll tell you what they saw, and you will be, _ as they, were amazed. because you believe in happy endings? i believe in happy endings.

yes, absolutely. goodbye. sportsday coming up in a couple of minutes, but first — for a look at the weather here is darren bett. hello there. these were not the sort of skies you'd expect to see at this time of the year, and the weather pattern isn't changing much through the rest of the week. the westerly wind could strengthen, it will bring in some further rain at times and keep it cool for this time of the year. now, what's changed from a couple of weeks ago when we had temperatures of 30 degrees, while the position of the jet stream back then the jet was to the north of the uk. we sucked in all that heat and humidity, but what's happening now and through the rest of the week is the jet stream is further south. we're on the colder side of the jet, and those temperatures are going to be a lot lower, and the jet is going to steer in more cloud from the atlantic. this is where our weather is coming from. already had some heavier rain

in western scotland, and that thickening cloud will bring more rain into scotland, into northern ireland, and that rain will gradually push its way southwards and eastwards into most of england and wales, and with a lot of cloud around overnight, it's going to keep the temperatures generally ten or 11 degrees. it may briefly get a little cooler in eastern parts of scotland, but that rain from overnight will soon clear away early tomorrow morning, leaving a lot of cloud, some pockets of light rain or drizzle, and then we'll get some sunshine after the rain in northern ireland and in scotland in the afternoon with some showers, some late sunshine for wales and western england as the rain clears later. but for much of the day wales and the south west could be rather dull and misty, and the afternoon temperatures on wednesday very similar to what we had today. now the weather fronts should be moving away fairly quickly, taking most of the rain away, but with low pressure to the north. we're going to have some stronger

winds on thursday, and those winds will be strongest across the northern half of the uk, where we'll see some showers, frequent showers, heavy showers in scotland with some thunder generally as you head further south a better chance of staying dry, maybe some welcome sunshine around as well, just giving the temperatures a boost by a degree or two, but still cool for this time of the year. and as we move into friday, we could see another set of weather fronts, an area of low pressure coming in to bring some rain into england and wales this time, that then moves away. but this cool and unsettled theme continues notjust through the rest of this week, but into the weekend as well, where we'll see some sunshine at times. but there'll also be some showers as well. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm chetan pathak, live from wimbledon. coming up on the program.

a day of drama