at six... major disruption on britain's railways again, as tens of thousands of railworkers walk out — and there's another rail strike on saturday. only one in five trains has been running today. network rail says passenger numbers are down by around 70%. i'm going to find it very difficult to get home, actually. i live on the south coast and there are no trains running to the south coast. i support them. i think it's appalling, actually, what people are expected to live off. and there are more strikes to come. train drivers have just announced a new strike on august 13th. also on the programme... fears that gas prices in the uk could rise even higher, as russia switches off most of its gas supply to europe. the impact of inflation hits hamburgers — mcdonald's is among some of the world's biggest consumer brands putting up the prices

because of soaring costs. homes reduced to ashes. california's largest wildfire this year — the families who have lost everything. and after more than 9 million watched england thrash sweden in the euros, the team get ready for sunday's final at wembley. can they win their first major trophy? and coming up on the bbc news channel: dina asher—smith pulls out of the commonwealth games, after failing to fully recover from a hamstring strain suffered at the world athletics championships. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. there's been yet more disruption on britain's railways today, as tens of thousands of railworkers walked out on the first of two more days of strike action this week. signallers and ticket office staff have walked out today. on saturday, it'll be train drivers

at seven different companies who'll be going on strike. only around 20% of rail services have been running today — those highlighted in red — but services have been severely disrupted. the areas in grey have had no services at all. the unions say the disputes are over changes to workers�* terms and conditions and to pay. our transport correspondent, katy austin, joins us from blackpool. yes, and this afternoon, we heard another strike date being announced at this time by the train drivers union aslef affecting nine train operators on august the 13th, on top of the strike that is due to happen this saturday by train drivers on the seven train operators. the story today was that thousands of rail workers who are members of the rmt union walked out across the union, from guards to cleaners, from signalling workers to maintenance workers, for the fourth day in just over a month. what a difference a day makes. this was preston station

this morning, as much of the railway came to a halt. i normally get on the 8:23am train — i had no clue of the strikes here. i'm planning on getting the bus, possibly, but if that's not going to happen, i won't be going to work today. i've had to come to preston. i'm not from here, so i've had to travel to preston. what, because there's no trains where you are? yeah, yeah, there's no trains. from london euston to aberdeen, normally bustling major stations around britain were quiet today, as a fraction of normal services ran. where limited services are running, they started later than normal and nothing's running beyond about 6:30pm this evening. and in many places, including here in blackpool, there are no trains at all today. tourism is the backbone of this town's economy, and with school holidays in full swing, firms here say strikes are bad news.

we do get a lot of day—trippers, which rely on trains and transport to get in, which does affect the business. just lack of customers, lack of income. our illuminations are being extended to january the 3rd... a few streets away is b&b owner claire. she worries about the ripple effect of repeated rail disruption. people thinking, "oh, shall we go to blackpool? "oh, no, the trains might be off," so they don't come. so it's affecting the accommodation, it's affecting the day—trippers. you know, they can't come to blackpool, so it has a huge, huge detrimental impact on the industry. so why is this happening? the railway is under pressure to cut costs after the taxpayers propped up services during the pandemic, which changed travel patterns. bosses insist modernisations are needed to afford higher pay, but the rmt says jobs and conditions are under threat. network rail leaders say they were shocked the union set new strike dates after it made a new, improved offer earlier this month. i think we put a good deal on the table. if we put more money on the table, it's going to be the taxpayer and the farepayer who has to pay for that. i don't think taxpayers or passengers actually want us to do that.

the rmt said not enough progress had been made, with network rail or the train companies, towards a deal the union or its members could accept. well, we haven't got an offer from network rail or the train operating companies that suits the needs of the dispute. the train operating companies have made no offer on pay and they've given us no guarantee of no compulsory redundancies, so the gap between the two parties is too big. the rmt said it would continue to negotiate, but it has more strikes in the diary for the 18th and 20th of august. other transport unions are also planning action. without a significant breakthrough, a summer of rail misery looks set to continue. katy austin, bbc news, in blackpool. in a moment, we'll be tallking to our wales correspondent, tomos morgan. but first, to rachel bell, who's in aberdeen. and the impact there today? usually look like this. on a wednesday evening,

it would be busy with commuters and travellers hopping on and off trains heading to the likes of glasgow, edinburgh, london and the highlands. but as you can see, i am on an empty platform. it's eerily quiet. that's because there have been no services running here in the north east today whatsoever. none. in fact, across scotland, there have only been five routes in operation — around glasgow and edinburgh. and from half past six tonight, nothing will be running. scotrail, the operator here, isn't actually involved in today's dispute. it all centres around the network rail signallers. without them, trains like these simply can't operate. this isn't the first time we've seen disruption on the train network this summer. a dispute with scotrail and its train drivers led to weeks of disruption and cancellations, with services only returning to normal last week. so it has been a particularly tricky time for passengers, for people trying to get to work, trying to get home and to keep appointments. and

with future strikes planned, the chamber of commerce here says it is bad news for business. well, as rush hour draws to an end, cardiff central looks just as empty now as it has been for most of the day. cafes closed, platforms empty. and by half six the last train will have left the station. just 12% of services have been running — just 12% of services have been running across wales today. there has been — running across wales today. there has been around one an hour across wales_ has been around one an hour across wales from — has been around one an hour across wales from cardiff to london, one an hour across _ wales from cardiff to london, one an hour across some of the valley lines and there _ hour across some of the valley lines and there has been nothing further west therr— and there has been nothing further west than cardiff on the mainline. and there — west than cardiff on the mainline. and there has been nothing in north wales, _ and there has been nothing in north wales, nothing in fact further north than merthyr tydfil. the football has been — than merthyr tydfil. the football has been down, just 10% during rush hour on— has been down, just 10% during rush hour oh what— has been down, just 10% during rush hour on what they normally see in cardiff _ hour on what they normally see in cardiff central. transport for wales who have _ cardiff central. transport for wales who have not been striking today have _ who have not been striking today have said — who have not been striking today have said there will be potentially a knock—on effect leading to tomorrow due to those strike and possibly—

tomorrow due to those strike and possibly overnight, that will have a knock-oh _ possibly overnight, that will have a knock—on effect on services in the morning — knock—on effect on services in the morning. and as one strike comes to an end _ morning. and as one strike comes to an end today, — morning. and as one strike comes to an end today, there is more industrial— an end today, there is more industrial action as we have heard coming _ industrial action as we have heard coming on — industrial action as we have heard coming on the weekend, which has led to one _ coming on the weekend, which has led to one operator saying that the routes — to one operator saying that the routes between south wales and england — routes between south wales and england will almost entirely grind to a halt — england will almost entirely grind to a halt on saturday.— england will almost entirely grind to a halt on saturday. tomos morgan in cardiff and — to a halt on saturday. tomos morgan in cardiff and rachel— to a halt on saturday. tomos morgan in cardiff and rachel bell— to a halt on saturday. tomos morgan in cardiff and rachel bell in - in cardiff and rachel bell in aberdeen, thank you both. labour mp sam terry has been sacked as shadow transport minister after appearing at a picket line this morning. the labour leader keir starmer had previously asked front bench labour mps not to attend picket lines. home energy bills in the uk could rise even further this winter, after russia further squeezed europe's gas supplies today. the warning from energy analysts came as wholesale gas prices soared to near record highs as supplies on

the nord stream 2 pipeline were cut to germany and other services. so this is president putin switching off most of the gas supply. timer;r this is president putin switching off most of the gas supply. they are callin: this off most of the gas supply. they are calling this the _ off most of the gas supply. they are calling this the first _ off most of the gas supply. they are calling this the first truly _ off most of the gas supply. they are calling this the first truly global - calling this the first truly global energy crisis resulting from russia weapon icing that energy supply and europe is at the epicentre because traditionally, it has 50% of its gas from russia and as she was saying, the load through that pipeline has slowed to a trickle. what we have seen today as wholesale prices spiking, 4a8% higher than they were a year ago. and concerns are being raised about what that means four supplies around the globe, could they be really tight? prices rising already, analysts warning the price cap for residential customers here could average over 300 —— £3200 in the autumn and now they say it could go the autumn and now they say it could 9° up the autumn and now they say it could go up higher. £3850, almost double what we are currently looking at right now. and any new prime minister will really struggle to take the whole of that sting out of the tail, it could be a testing time

ahead. , . , ., ,, i. mcdonald's, coca—cola and unilever are among some of the biggest brands putting up prices because of soaring inflation. with inflation at a ao—year high — mcdonald's have raised the price of their cheeseburgers for the first time in ia years, as companies grapple with the impact of higher costs. here's our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith. big names are putting prices up. over recent weeks, we have heard from huge household brands saying they are charging us more. today, it was the turn of mcdonald's. can they are charging us more. today, it was the turn of mcdonald's. cami was the turn of mcdonald's. can i 'ust aet a was the turn of mcdonald's. can i just get a cheeseburger, - was the turn of mcdonald's. can i just get a cheeseburger, please? they— just get a cheeseburger, please? they have — just get a cheeseburger, please? they have added between 10p and ten they have added between iop and ten —— 20p to lots of items on the menu. take care. my cheeseburger has gone up take care. my cheeseburger has gone up from 99p to £119. mcdonald's say they are facing increased costs for things like fuel, wages and ingredients. when the likes of mcdonald's under other big brands start increasing the price on key products that

everybody knows the price for, that is when as customers, we really start to feel the difference and it shows that what is happening behind—the—scenes is even the world's biggest companies cannot absorb the amount of price increases they are facing at the moment, so they are facing at the moment, so they are facing at the moment, so they are passing it straight on to us. but with prices rising so quickly on bills and households basics, it is those with the least struggling the most. hi, how are you? with four children, jodine is dependent on her universal credit payments. that is all i can do, that is all anyone can do, try their hardest, but it is like our hardest is not enough. she their hardest, but it is like our hardest is not enough.- their hardest, but it is like our hardest is not enough. she is not the only one. _ hardest is not enough. she is not the only one, more _ hardest is not enough. she is not the only one, more than - hardest is not enough. she is not the only one, more than 2 - hardest is not enough. she is not| the only one, more than 2 million people have money deducted from their universal credit each month to repay debt, overpayments or advances. repay debt, overpayments or advances— advances. they did it in the pandemic. _ advances. they did it in the pandemic, i think - advances. they did it in the pandemic, i think there is l advances. they did it in the - pandemic, i think there is a very, very strong — pandemic, i think there is a very, very strong case which i hope the government will accept, to do it now as well _ government will accept, to do it now as well we — government will accept, to do it now as well. we are a cross—party

committee with a conservative majority, _ committee with a conservative majority, this is a consensus view of our— majority, this is a consensus view of our committee and i hope the government will take forward what we are proposing. the government will take forward what we are promising-— are proposing. the government say the have are proposing. the government say they have already _ are proposing. the government say they have already reduced - are proposing. the government say they have already reduced the - are proposing. the government say i they have already reduced the amount that can be deducted each month, but those looking at the impact on those most in need don't think that is enough. most in need don't think that is enou:h. . ., , ., , enough. the deductions we are seeing have a huge — enough. the deductions we are seeing have a huge impact — enough. the deductions we are seeing have a huge impact on _ enough. the deductions we are seeing have a huge impact on people's - have a huge impact on people's ability— have a huge impact on people's ability to— have a huge impact on people's ability to make _ have a huge impact on people's ability to make ends _ have a huge impact on people's ability to make ends meet. - have a huge impact on people's - ability to make ends meet. already after ten _ ability to make ends meet. already after ten years _ ability to make ends meet. already after ten years of— ability to make ends meet. already after ten years of cuts _ ability to make ends meet. already after ten years of cuts and - ability to make ends meet. already after ten years of cuts and freezes i after ten years of cuts and freezes to our _ after ten years of cuts and freezes to our social — after ten years of cuts and freezes to our social security _ after ten years of cuts and freezes to our social security system, - after ten years of cuts and freezes to our social security system, thei to our social security system, the basic— to our social security system, the basic rate — to our social security system, the basic rate benefits _ to our social security system, the basic rate benefits in _ to our social security system, the basic rate benefits in our- to our social security system, the basic rate benefits in our countryl basic rate benefits in our country is at _ basic rate benefits in our country is at a _ basic rate benefits in our country is at a 40 — basic rate benefits in our country is at a 40 year— basic rate benefits in our country is at a 40 year low. _ basic rate benefits in our country is at a 40 year low.— basic rate benefits in our country is at a 40 year low. jodine thinks scra -|n~ is at a 40 year low. jodine thinks scrapping those _ is at a 40 year low. jodine thinks scrapping those deductions - is at a 40 year low. jodine thinks | scrapping those deductions would help her. it scrapping those deductions would hel her. ., ., ., , help her. it would at least give me a standin: help her. it would at least give me a standing point _ help her. it would at least give me a standing point to _ help her. it would at least give me a standing point to kind _ help her. it would at least give me a standing point to kind of - help her. it would at least give me a standing point to kind of put - a standing point to kind of put myself back on an even keel. ilrrui’itli myself back on an even keel. with rices for myself back on an even keel. with prices for food, _ myself back on an even keel. with prices for food, groceries and energy bills set to rise much higher in the months ahead, jodine and millions like her are hoping for help, but bracing themselves for the worst.

the broadcaster nicky campbell has revealed for the first time that he was abused at a private boys' school in edinburgh in the 19705. speaking on his bbc radio 5live show, the 61—year—old said he was "badly beaten up" by a teacher and witnessed serious sexual assault of another boy at edinburgh academy. the school has apologised to anyone who was abused there. our scotland correspondent, alexandra mackenzie, has this report. nicky campbell has been a radio and tv presenter since the 1980s, often discussing sensitive issues experienced by others. now, nicky tells his own story. i know i'm amongst friends, i may have a wobble, but... for the first time, he's publicly said he was a victim of abuse at a private school in edinburgh in the 19705. at school, i was very horribly, badly beaten up by a teacher who is a leading light in the scripture union. at the age of ten, nicky said he witnessed his friend being abused by a teacher in a changing room.

he was known to us as a predator and a sadist, but we never told anyone, and my school friends... excuse me, i'll be all right... ..my school friends and i talk about it now to each other, about him with contempt and disbelief and incomprehension, that that sort of thing happened in plain sight and nothing was done. so why didn't we, as little boys, tell anyone in power what was happening? i don't know. in a statement, edinburgh academy said... "it deeply regrets what has happened in the past and apologises wholeheartedly to those concerned. we have worked closely with the relevant authorities, including police scotland with their inquiries and would like to provide reassurance that things have dramatically changed since the 1970s." many were inspired to call into nicky campbell's radio show this morning with their own personal experience of abuse. he now wants to see one former teacher who lives in south africa

extradited to the uk. there are a huge number of people who never speak out. we know that because we are getting first disclosures from people really quite grown—up. and as nicky mentioned on his show this morning, it's, you know, there are many people growing up in local authority care or other forms of residential care where there is still danger going on. nicky campbell's testimony echoes that of fellow pupils who have given evidence to the scottish child abuse inquiry. this was set up in 2015 to investigate the abuse of children in care in scotland. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. if you've been affected by this, details of organisations which offer information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline — or you can phone for free on 0800 077 077. the time is 6:15. our top story this evening:

major disruption on britain's railways again, as tens of thousands of railworkers walk out — and there's another rail strike on saturday. i'm at victoria square in the heart of birmingham, where the final preparations are being made for the start of the commonwealth games 2022. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel: we hear from three—time commonwealth gold medallist adam peaty on his return from injury and what he hopes to achieve in the pool at the games. more than nine million people watched england make it through to the euros final last night, after thrashing sweden 4—0. tonight, the lionesses will find out who they'll face at wembley on sunday as france take on germany. it's the first major final for the england women since 2009. here's our sports news correspondent, laura scott. back to base and back to business

for the lionesses after a triumphant night in sheffield... all the way across... ..where stunning saves and spectacular goals sent england's women through to their first major final in 13 years. that was the euros in 2009, where england were captained by faye white — shown here in the mask. she hailed the progress she's seen in women's football. it feels all those years, during my career and my former team—mates as well, championing the game and trying to break down barriers, it was hard, but it was definitely worth it after what we've witnessed. from trafalgar square to screens around the country, millions roared england on as they swept sweden aside. but it was the unbridled joy of one eight—year—old in the stands that really captured the nation's mood. i love how they don'tjust take it all for themselves, they pass all the time, they have a good mindset and they think about

what they're going to do next. they don'tjust take the ball and kick it somewhere. the football association is confident it will capitalise on the swell of support but acknowledges the pathways from the grassroots to the elite level need to be clearer and the talent pool more diverse. with only 63% of schools currently offering girls�* football in pe lessons, a former england legend gave an impassioned plea that this tournament can be a catalyst for change. we need to make sure something happens off of the back of these girls and what they're doing, because it's notjust legacy. it's actually making something happen off of the back of this. moments of magic on the pitch mean the stars in the squad are quickly becoming household names, but the woman in charge, sarina wiegman, has earned high praise from the woman in charge of the game for the belief she's instilled in the group that they can go all the way. could you put into words what it

would mean for women's football in this country if the lionesses were to win on sunday? i think it would be a landmark moment, as far as i'm concerned, for women's sport, for women's football, but probably most importantly for the players. i mean, sarina has done an outstanding job as head coach. she is remarkable. she's a one—off. she's very special. i enjoyed it... ten years to the days since london 2012 began, there is a real determination to harness the legacy of this home euros, acknowledging that youngsters inspired by alessia russo's moments of genius or mary earps's gravity—defying deflections need to be able to play the game they've fallen in love with. the second semifinal is coming up later, that is between france and germany and the lioness will be watching at their hotel behind me to find out who they will be playing on sunday in a final that is set to

break records. a sell—out crowd at wembley will be the biggest attendance any euros final as england's women try and do something they have never done before. laura, thank you. and you can see who england will face in the final by watching tonight's other semi—final between germany and france. kick off is at 8 tonight, live coverage starts on bbc one and iplayer at 7.30. now a look at some other stories making the news today. a father and son from cardiff have died, and three more of the family are in intensive care in bangladesh, after a suspected poisoning. the incident is being investigated by police. rafiqul islam, who was 51, and his 16—year—old son mahiqul, died on their way to hospital while his wife and two other children are being treated. for the first time, tv cameras are to be allowed to film in some criminal courts in england and wales. the major change in the law allows broadcasters to ask to film judges sentencing serious criminals. it's expected the first broadcast will be from the old bailey tomorrow, and concerns a man

who killed his own grandfather. us presidentjoe biden has tested negative for coronavirus after contracting the virus last week. the 79—year old said his symptoms had been mild, and recovery was quick. but he urged americans to consider wearing facemasks indoors again to protect themselves. this is california's largest wildfire this year — firefighters are still battling to get the flames under control near yosemite national park. thousands of people were forced to leave their homes when these fires took hold. so far, only a quarter of the fire is under control. oak fire — the state's largest — started on friday and has burned through almost 20,000 acres of land. our correspondent james clayton was with one family who went back to see what was left of their home. this was the martinez family's favourite place in the world. they called it shangri—la. their home has now been obliterated.

aaron has returned to assess the damage. this was my house... this is where i felt the safest. this is where my office was, my television, my computer, books, and binders. there's just nothing... it's a picture frame, it was a glass frame. i had family pictures in it. it's all the stuff that can't be replaced that hurts. grandmother's writing, pictures... oh, god. even old answering machines that we saved that we stopped using just so that we could hear grandparents�* voices. it�*s all gone.

meow, meow, meow! aaron�*s wife, heather, is trying to look for the family cats. i don�*t see anything. yeah, i'm trying to hear more than see. they had 15 of them, but none of them respond to the calls. it looked like it was one of the teenage ones, i or like teenage to adult. poor thing. her son austin finds one of the kittens. it didn�*t make it. i�*ve never experienced anything like this, ever in my life, never. the grief is overwhelming for aaron. but the family knew living here was becoming increasingly risky. the climate here, you�*ve lived here all your life. have you noticed it change? it has gotten a lot hotter. a lot hotter and a lot drier. a lot of people we talk to we're like, "should we try "and rebuild, shall we stay?" and they say, "we're selling,

we're getting out of here." the martinez family didn�*t have insurance. they didn�*tjust lose memories — they lost everything. we�*re going to rebuild and we�*ll be stronger and smarter. but this loss hurts. it hurts a lot. what happened to the martinez family is a danger more and more californians are facing, as it gets drier and drier. james clayton, bbc news, mariposa county, california. the terrible aftermath of those wildfires in california. the queen�*s baton has arrived in birmingham ahead of tomorrow�*s opening ceremony for the commonwealth games. more than 5,000 athletes representing 72 nations and territories are competing in this year�*s games. reeta is in victoria square in birmingham for us. sophie, hello. as you can probably hear, the pre—celebrations are in full flow here in the centre of birmingham. the organisers and the region want to emphasise the city�*s

diversity and to make these games the most inclusive that they have ever been. there are for the first time more medals for women than for men and para— events are all part of the main games. here is our sports editor, dan rowan. as you can hear, the pre—celebrations are in full flow here in the centre of birmingham. final rehearsals ahead of the opening ceremony of the most expensive multisports event britain�*s hosted since london 2012. birmingham is ready to welcome more than a million visitors for the commonwealth games. and here at the revamped alexander stadium of the centrepiece of the event, the man in charge told me it would leave the city a lasting legacy. there�*s still some people in birmingham that are very modest about what the city�*s got to offer but also perhaps some people around the country and the world who have still got some old perceptions about what the city looks and feels like. and if they come here or they watch the games on television, all those perceptions will be broken. this is an incredible, modern, regenerated, world—class city that�*s ready to put itself on that stage. £780 million has been spent on infrastructure and

venues across the west midlands. glasgow was the last british city to host the games, and eight years on, birmingham welcomes 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories, in an event it�*s hoped will strengthen ties and boost trade. born in moscow, delicious orie moved to wolverhampton when a child. the team england boxer told me how much it meant to be competing in his home region. so much pride and happiness. i remember first hearing that birmingham was going to host the commonwealth games a few years ago and i had that back of my mind, you know, like, "this is my calling. i�*m going to get that gold medal." archive: the empire - games opens with pomp, ceremony, colour and cheering... the 1934 empire games, before the event�*s name was changed. the link to colonialism has meant a challenging history for what some see as an outdated legacy of empire. 84 years on, england�*s netballers winning gold at the last games. england have done it! birmingham—born captain ama agbeze is now part of the organising committee

and told me the event can still be a unifying force in a city known for its diversity. well, there definitely is at the moment lots of discussions about britain and how diverse and multicultural it is, and the commonwealth did come about in a destructive, devastating manner, and you can�*t shy away from that. it�*s what it is. and i think the games is a celebration of the fact that we�*ve been brought together. in an increasingly crowded sporting calendar, this event, which gets under way here with the opening ceremony, has always had to justify its existence. but with more focus than ever on the relevance of the commonwealth and the challenge of finding new host cities, organisers will be all too aware of the importance of what happens here over the coming days. and some here suggest organisers could have engaged more with the city�*s ethnic minority communities. very excited that the games are here, but in terms of diversity, they haven�*t really delved into the community and really, really embraced the grassroots communities around here.

organisers insist they�*re committed to the event reflecting the region. the first to award more medals to women than men, the games will feature its biggest ever para sport programme, and with an estimated global audience of more than a billion people for the opening ceremony, birmingham is about to take centre stage. dan roan, bbc news. there�*s a great sense of excitement and anticipation here, and also a hope that these games will provide a much—needed uplift after the challenges of covid. but as you heard, there are politics here too, about the commonwealth�*s roots — and also about its present day values. over half the countries represented here have laws against homosexuality — and in order to state where these games stand — athletes will be allowed to wave the rainbow flag from the podium, something we haven�*t seen before. thank you. england has had its driestjuly since 1911 according to figures from the met office. the

latest data showed they had only been 15.8 millimetres of rain averaged across england so far this month, just 24% of the amount that would be expected in an average july. there has also been less than average rainfall across scotland, wales and northern ireland. time for a look at the weather. here�*s stav da naos. thank you and good evening. very dry this last month and very little rain but some of the northern and western areas. what we are actually seeing as temperatures on the rise as high pressure begins to push towards the east of the country, drawing up the warm air from the east of the country, drawing up the warm airfrom the near east of the country, drawing up the warm air from the near continent where it is very hot still and also very dry. a little bit of rain in the forecast as we move through this evening and overnight through wales, the midlands and pushing northwards into northern england, northern ireland and southern scotland by the end of tonight. a milder night for england and wales in the mid teens

but one or two spots under clear skies in scotland and northern ireland. an area of rain in northern england, northern ireland, southern scotland, pushing northwards. a cloudy day again for thursday. but any sunshine will be limited to the far south—east, any sunshine will be limited to the farsouth—east, perhaps any sunshine will be limited to the far south—east, perhaps north west scotland as well. temperatures up a little, 23 in the south, a little warmer through scotland as well. it looks like the showers will clear the midlands, so by the evening it looks like it will be fine and dry and quite mild for the opening ceremony in birmingham. as we head into friday, looks like we will see this area of low pressure start to move into the north and west. this is a feature that will bring some fairly substantial range of the north—west, very little getting into the south—east. i think friday looks a brighter day, less cloud around generally. we should see more sunshine that into the afternoon, the temperatures rise and set off a few scattered showers fostered it will be a warmer day, 27 or 28 in the south—east, 21 for the central belt of scotland and also 21 in

belfast. it stays warm for all areas