this is bbc news, with the latest headlines. pupils in england, wales and northern ireland get their gcse results this morning — the first to be based on exams since the pandemic — but it's predicted that grades will drop. i'm excited and happy for myself. feeling very humbled as well because didn't expect to get some of the grades that i received today. i am at denbigh _ grades that i received today. i am at denbigh high _ grades that i received today. i am at denbigh high school in luton, where we will be finding out how the pupils here have fared in their gcses and speaking to staff about what it has been like sitting exams for the first time since 2019. on results day, the 92—year—old man getting his maths result, proving you're never too old to learn. in my day, we had things called slide rules. i don't know if anybody remembers side rules.

and nowadays, you've got something called a calculator, and these are just marvellous things. anybody that gets one of these, it does all the work for you. in other news... the investigation into the murder of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel continues — police are questioning a former drug dealer, who was the intended target of the attack. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low—and—middle—income families has warned that "a catastrophe' is coming this winter", unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. search and rescue operations are under way in eastern ukraine, after russian missile strikes killed at least 20 people. and coming up this hour... we hear the remarkable story of the 66—year—old man running inside a nine—foot dragon costume in shropshire.

good morning from denbigh high school in luton. we are here all day finding out how pupils at the school have got on in their gcses. like many others across their gcses. like many others across the country, thousands of people anxiously waiting to find out whether they have got the qualifications they need to take them on to their next step. these are exams that have been set for the first time since 2019 because of the pandemic, of course, which meant everything was done by teacher assessment. pupils in scotland have already got their results so it is those in england, wales and northern ireland who are getting their results today. in a moment, we will teach —— we will talk to the head teacher and chief executive of the trustee to find out what the challenges have been like and how much more like normal it has been year. we are told the grade

boundaries will be a bit lower than normal, but not quite as lenient as they have been in the last couple of years. let's look at the background to all of this. the last few years have been tough and they've been rough. we've all had to adapt to a new way of learning, but we've all come out the other side. studying for exams is always hard, but for the students here at moorside high school in salford, the last few years have also been marked by lockdowns, social—distancing and the rise of online learning. today, they're hoping to celebrate all they have gone through. it was a bit more intense because you don't get that respite of making a rubbishjoke to your mate, or talking about the football. so it ended up being just a lot of, like, lessons would sometimes be a lot shorter, but a lot more packed in. so you sometimes have to look back afterwards and unpack what you've done. you can't not say that it's been difficult, but the members of staff have really helped with intervention sessions and really trying their best to make it work for us and taking time out of their lives and their spare time to help us to achieve our best and do the best that we can.

and for students that may be disappointed, help is on hand. everybody today has achieved something because they've come through some of the most challenging times across the country and across the world. but, yeah, going back to those results, we'll see what's in the envelopes and we'll make sure that all the students get the appropriate support to go on and achieve what they want to do. this year has been described as a transition year. as with last week's a—level results day, overall, grades are expected to drop — after two years of exceptionally high marks based on teacher assessments. but the pass rate should still be higher than 2019, the last year of formal exams. there are concerns that students from deprived areas have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and this could be reflected in today's grades. they've seen the most disruption. they have the worst access to devices and internet for home learning. and that's going to have a knock—on effect on their schooling.

we've had several leading indicators indicate that those attainment gaps between those from less well—off backgrounds and better off backgrounds are opening up. gcse, btec first, technical and tech award students will all receive their results. after a number of years filled with disruption, these students say they're looking forward to moving on to their next challenge. vanessa clarke, bbc news, salford. well, this hall and the corridors in denbigh high school in luton will be full of pupils very soon as they come in to collect their results. two have arrived early and we will speak to them in a minute. first, let's speak to the head teacher and the chief executive of the chilton learning trust. thank you both for inviting us to spend the day with you today when you are so busy. donna, how much more like normal has this year been? it donna, how much more like normal has this year been?— this year been? it has been a different year, _ this year been? it has been a different year, but _ this year been? it has been a different year, but it - this year been? it has been a different year, but it is - this year been? it has been a different year, but it is great | this year been? it has been a l different year, but it is great to see students back in the whole receiving the results for the such

hard work they have put in during a really challenging to put five years, but it is good to be back opening envelopes and seeing those results come through for fantastic students. �* ., ., , ., students. and how would you say the results have — students. and how would you say the results have gone _ students. and how would you say the results have gone for— students. and how would you say the results have gone for denbigh - students. and how would you say the results have gone for denbigh high . results have gone for denbigh high school this year?— school this year? absolutely fantastic. — school this year? absolutely fantastic, we _ school this year? absolutely fantastic, we are _ school this year? absolutely fantastic, we are over - school this year? absolutely fantastic, we are over the i school this year? absolutely . fantastic, we are over the moon school this year? absolutely - fantastic, we are over the moon and the ship was so special. having looked at some of the results for students, particularly those who have overcome so many barriers, we are so proud and it is such a great day today. we are so proud and it is such a great day today-— are so proud and it is such a great da toda . ~ ., ., , ., day today. we are delighted to share in that achievement. _ day today. we are delighted to share in that achievement. but _ day today. we are delighted to share in that achievement. but how - day today. we are delighted to share in that achievement. but how hard i in that achievement. but how hard have the staff here worked this year and in the previous two years, adrian, when there were no exams and everything had to be done by assessment?— everything had to be done by assessment? , , ., , assessment? yes, it is worth putting in context that _ assessment? yes, it is worth putting in context that the _ assessment? yes, it is worth putting in context that the children _ assessment? yes, it is worth putting in context that the children haven't l in context that the children haven't done _ in context that the children haven't done a _ in context that the children haven't done a full— in context that the children haven't done a full non—covid year since year— done a full non—covid year since year eight — done a full non—covid year since year eight and year" done a full non—covid year since year eight and year 11 and if you put it_ year eight and year 11 and if you put it in— year eight and year 11 and if you put it in that context, it shows the extreme _ put it in that context, it shows the extreme hard work of the staff and of course _ extreme hard work of the staff and of course students in year 11 that have _ of course students in year 11 that have made — of course students in year 11 that have made that progress. tell of course students in year 11 that have made that progress. tell us a little bit about — have made that progress. tell us a little bit about the _ have made that progress. tell us a little bit about the kind _ have made that progress. tell us a little bit about the kind of - little bit about the kind of community you are serving here. yes.

community you are serving here. yes, we are working _ community you are serving here. yes, we are working in _ community you are serving here. yes, we are working in luton _ community you are serving here. yes, we are working in luton and bedfordshire, we have eight secondary schools, we are in a luton school _ secondary schools, we are in a luton school todax — secondary schools, we are in a luton school today. five schools are in luton. _ school today. five schools are in luton. it— school today. five schools are in luton. it is— school today. five schools are in luton. it is a_ school today. five schools are in luton, it is a lovely area, very diverse — luton, it is a lovely area, very diverse. some areas of poverty, lots of different — diverse. some areas of poverty, lots of different catchment areas, but it -ets of different catchment areas, but it gets really— of different catchment areas, but it gets really bad press sometimes and the children do brilliantly out of denbigh— the children do brilliantly out of denbigh and we're so proud of that. donna, _ denbigh and we're so proud of that. donna, tell— denbigh and we're so proud of that. donna, tell us what they go on to do because you don't have a sixth form at the moment. we might press going adrian about that in a little while. so they leave at the age of 16. —— press gang. so they leave at the age of 16. -- press gang-— so they leave at the age of 16. -- press gang. so they leave at the age of 16. -- ress an. ~ , ., . press gang. where did they go to? we have lots of opportunities _ press gang. where did they go to? we have lots of opportunities post - press gang. where did they go to? we have lots of opportunities post 16 - have lots of opportunities post 16 in luton and the outskirts, we have local six form providers within schools and without schools. students are very as print, they are looking for the highest aspiration and the top so they are spreading their wings far as well. let’s and the top so they are spreading their wings far as well.— their wings far as well. let's find out what a _ their wings far as well. let's find out what a couple _ their wings far as well. let's find out what a couple of _ their wings far as well. let's find out what a couple of those - their wings far as well. let's find i out what a couple of those students are hoping to do in a minute. let's do a shuffle and invite the pupils

to come in. how many exams did you sit this year, can you remember? it must be been over 30. how many subjects _ must be been over 30. how many subjects did — must be been over 30. how many subjects did you _ must be been over 30. how many subjects did you do? _ must be been over 30. how many subjects did you do? ten - must be been over 30. how many subjects did you do?— must be been over 30. how many i subjects did you do?_ and subjects did you do? ten gcses. and what about you? _ subjects did you do? ten gcses. and what about you? i _ subjects did you do? ten gcses. and what about you? i think— subjects did you do? ten gcses. and what about you? i think i _ subjects did you do? ten gcses. and what about you? i think i set - subjects did you do? ten gcses. and what about you? i think i set about l what about you? i think i set about 25 exams — what about you? i think i set about 25 exams. �* , ,, , 25 exams. and there were nine gcses. that is a lot — 25 exams. and there were nine gcses. that is a lot of — 25 exams. and there were nine gcses. that is a lot of revision, _ 25 exams. and there were nine gcses. that is a lot of revision, isn't _ 25 exams. and there were nine gcses. that is a lot of revision, isn't it? i that is a lot of revision, isn't it? particularly when you have not been used to sitting exams particularly in the past. you have both got an envelope each and you are very bravely agreeing to open them now. go on, rip them open, tell us what you got. i am so anxious for you. i wouldn't have wanted to do this live on tv. put it on the floor, do what you need to do. tell on tv. put it on the floor, do what you need to do— you need to do. tell us what you not. you need to do. tell us what you got- from _ you need to do. tell us what you got- from top — you need to do. tell us what you got. from top to _ you need to do. tell us what you got. from top to bottom. - you need to do. tell us what you | got. from top to bottom. english language. — got. from top to bottom. english language. seven _ got. from top to bottom. english language, seven. mathematics, i got. from top to bottom. english- language, seven. mathematics, nine, biology. _ language, seven. mathematics, nine, biology. nine — language, seven. mathematics, nine, biology, nine. chemistry, _ language, seven. mathematics, nine, biology, nine. chemistry, nine. - physics, nine. business studies, nine _ physics, nine. business studies,

nine geography. _ physics, nine. business studies, nine. geography, nine. - physics, nine. business studies, i nine. geography, nine. psychology, six. nine. geography, nine. psychology, six~ religious— nine. geography, nine. psychology, six. religious education, _ nine. geography, nine. psychology, six. religious education, nine. i six. religious education, nine. spanish, — six. religious education, nine. spanish, seven _ six. religious education, nine. spanish, seven.— spanish, seven. btec sport, distinction. _ spanish, seven. btec sport, distinction. wow. _ spanish, seven. btec sport, distinction. wow. i- spanish, seven. btec sport, distinction. wow. ifeel- spanish, seven. btec sport, distinction. wow. i feel a i spanish, seven. btec sport, distinction. wow. i feel a bit distinction. wow. ifeel a bit tingly about that, i feel a bit tearful. how are they compared with what you are expecting?— what you are expecting? honestly, be ond. i what you are expecting? honestly, beyond. i would _ what you are expecting? honestly, beyond. i would like _ what you are expecting? honestly, beyond. i would like to _ what you are expecting? honestly, beyond. i would like to give - what you are expecting? honestly, beyond. i would like to give you i what you are expecting? honestly, beyond. i would like to give you al beyond. i would like to give you a hu~. how beyond. i would like to give you a hug- how have — beyond. i would like to give you a hug. how have you _ beyond. i would like to give you a hug. how have you done? - beyond. i would like to give you a hug. how have you done? i i beyond. i would like to give you a hug. how have you done? i will i beyond. i would like to give you a i hug. how have you done? i will stop -- to - hug. how have you done? i will stop -- to to hug. how have you done? i will stop -- top to bottom — hug. how have you done? i will stop -- top to bottom as _ hug. how have you done? i will stop -- top to bottom as well, _ hug. how have you done? i will stop -- top to bottom as well, english i —— top to bottom as well, english language. — —— top to bottom as well, english language, eight. english literature nine _ language, eight. english literature nine. mathematics, eight. combine science _ nine. mathematics, eight. combine science, nine and nine. business studies, — science, nine and nine. business studies, nine. geography, eight. rt, eight _ studies, nine. geography, eight. rt, ei.ht_ ,, , studies, nine. geography, eight. rt, eiiht_ ,, , ., studies, nine. geography, eight. rt, eiht. , ., ,., eight. spanish, eight. that is all. what were _ eight. spanish, eight. that is all. what were you — eight. spanish, eight. that is all. what were you hoping _ eight. spanish, eight. that is all. what were you hoping for? i i eight. spanish, eight. that is all. what were you hoping for? i was| what were you hoping for? i was predicting — what were you hoping for? i was predicting myself sevens, especially for maths, _ predicting myself sevens, especially for maths, i went from five in the last mock— for maths, i went from five in the last mock exams to eight. incredible, all through hard work and the teaching here. how well supported have you been at denbigh? it has been amazing, throughout the tricky— it has been amazing, throughout the tricky years — it has been amazing, throughout the tricky years of covid, they have always — tricky years of covid, they have always been there for me. they have set the _ always been there for me. they have set the work— always been there for me. they have

set the work that needed to be set, they have _ set the work that needed to be set, they have always contacted me throughout. my whole denbighjourney to see _ throughout. my whole denbighjourney to see what i need to do. yes, throughout. my whole denbigh “ourney to see what i need to doi to see what i need to do. yes, the su ort to see what i need to do. yes, the support has _ to see what i need to do. yes, the support has been _ to see what i need to do. yes, the support has been incredible. i to see what i need to do. yes, the i support has been incredible. welcome it has paid off. they don't give these exams away, these results away, you must remember you have put the work in. what comes next for you, then? the work in. what comes next for you. then?— the work in. what comes next for ou, then? �* ., ., ., , you, then? another tough two years at six form. — you, then? another tough two years at six form. t— you, then? another tough two years at six form, i guess. _ you, then? another tough two years at six form, i guess. probably i you, then? another tough two years at six form, i guess. probably even l at six form, i guess. probably even tou i her, at six form, i guess. probably even tougher. do — at six form, i guess. probably even tougher. do you — at six form, i guess. probably even tougher, do you know— at six form, i guess. probably even tougher, do you know where i at six form, i guess. probably even tougher, do you know where you i at six form, i guess. probably even l tougher, do you know where you are going? i tougher, do you know where you are ioiin ? . tougher, do you know where you are oiiin ? ., ., tougher, do you know where you are ioiin ? ., ., ., tougher, do you know where you are ioiin ? . ., ., ., tougher, do you know where you are ioiin? ., ., ., ., ., , going? i am going to do maths, chemistry _ going? i am going to do maths, chemistry and _ going? i am going to do maths, chemistry and biology _ going? i am going to do maths, chemistry and biology and i i going? i am going to do maths, l chemistry and biology and i hope going? i am going to do maths, i chemistry and biology and i hope to id chemistry and biology and i hope to go into— chemistry and biology and i hope to go into dentistry— chemistry and biology and i hope to go into dentistry or— chemistry and biology and i hope to go into dentistry or something i chemistry and biology and i hope toi go into dentistry or something along those _ go into dentistry or something along those fields — go into dentistry or something along those fields. with— go into dentistry or something along those fields-— those fields. with those results, ou are those fields. with those results, you are on _ those fields. with those results, you are on your— those fields. with those results, you are on your way. _ those fields. with those results, you are on your way. what i those fields. with those results, you are on your way. what are i those fields. with those results, l you are on your way. what are you ho-iin to you are on your way. what are you hoping to do? — you are on your way. what are you hoping to do? economics, - you are on your way. what are you hoping to do? economics, maths l you are on your way. what are you i hoping to do? economics, maths and psychology — hoping to do? economics, maths and psychology. hopefully, to do accountancy in the future. go to university. _ accountancy in the future. go to university, perhaps?— accountancy in the future. go to university, perhaps? yes, ithink so. you university, perhaps? yes, ithink so- you can't— university, perhaps? yes, ithink so. you can't see _ university, perhaps? yes, ithink so. you can't see them, - university, perhaps? yes, ithink so. you can't see them, we i university, perhaps? yes, ithink so. you can't see them, we havei university, perhaps? yes, i think. so. you can't see them, we have a great big group of people, are these your parents? ida. great big group of people, are these your parents?— your parents? no, i couldn't bring them along _ your parents? no, i couldn't bring them along today. _ your parents? no, i couldn't bring them along today. i _ your parents? no, i couldn't bring them along today. i didn't - your parents? no, i couldn't bring them along today. i didn't want i your parents? no, i couldn't bring | them along today. i didn't want to. them along today. ididn't want to. your— them along today. i didn't want to. your mum — them along today. i didn't want to. your mum and _ them along today. ididn't want to. your mum and sister— them along today. i didn't want to. your mum and sister are _ them along today. i didn't want to. your mum and sister are here. i them along today. i didn't want to. i your mum and sister are here. while. maybe we will check to you in a

minute. i hope you are very proud of her. congratulations, what an amazing set of results. and all that hard work has paid off, thank you very much and the best of luck with what comes next in september. applause i wouldn't have dared do that when i was 16 and my results were all right, i wouldn't want to do it. throughout the day, we will be hearing more about where pupils go on to next, what the last couple of years have been like for those studying their gcses under really quite difficult circumstances because they have not known what normal school life is since they were in year eight, which is three years ago. so it sounds like that's quite a lot to celebrate here at denbigh and i look forward to you joining us a little later and throughout the day. applause for the pupils and martin, thank you so much. —— martine. and we move onto news

now. a gunman who shot dead a nine—year—old girl in her own home in liverpool is still being hunted by police this morning. 0livia pratt—korbel was killed on monday night, when a convicted drug dealer barged into her house while trying to escape a gunman, who continued firing into the property. his original target is now under arrest in hospital, but the killer is yet to be caught, as tomos morgan reports. three days on, and the search for answers as to how and why nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel died by the hands of a masked gunman who was chasing another man continues. new cctv footage has emerged now recording the moment four shots were fired in 0livia's house, one fatally hitting 0livia, and one injuring her mother. the gunman then fired two more times. 35—year—old joseph nee, the intended target of the killer, was hit and taken to hospital. he has since been arrested. merseyside police said they would be recalling nee to prison

for allegedly breaching the terms of his licence condition, and they would be continuing to question him in connection to the death of nine—year—old 0livia. although those living here in dovecot are seeing the progress being made in the investigation, there are still concerns and some anger. he should have been arrested for the crime, notjust on the thing of breaking his licence. do you feel safe? no. no—one feels safe. because, you know, you should be safe in your own home. that poor girl was in her own home. she opened the door, like most of us would have done when we heard a noise outside to see what's going on, and someone barged in. authorities have again repeated their message that this is not a time to stay silent when it comes to catching the killer of a nine—year—old girl. 0rdinary people, their ordinary lives have been changed, haven't they, forever?

and they'll never forget this period. but what we need to do is to rebuild, and we will do. and i spoke to the home secretary last night about how we do that and she has promised us all the support that she can muster and we will be holding the government to that. we want to see the perpetrators being brought to book as quickly as possible. for families to feel safe at home on these streets once again, justice by the police is needed, and it cannot come quick enough for a community that's been torn apart. bring us up—to—date with what you know about the investigation and the mood of people you have been speaking to. mood of people you have been speaking to-— mood of people you have been s-eiakin to. , ., , , ., speaking to. yes, the latest is that we have been _ speaking to. yes, the latest is that we have been told _ speaking to. yes, the latest is that we have been told by _ speaking to. yes, the latest is that we have been told by merseyside | we have been told by merseyside police that they have been given the same name by two different sources in relation to the gunman so they will be following up those

investigations, i am sure. they will be continuing to questionjoseph nee as well, the one man that has been arrested who was the intended target on monday night, who was shot and remains in hospital in a stable condition. we have also got more information aboutjoseph nee's information about joseph nee's background. information aboutjoseph nee's background. he has a background in drugs, he has been in prison for drugs, he has been in prison for drugs offences, for burglary, several driving offences as well. so we will be waiting to hear more when we will be waiting to hear more when we do about that as well. police have also stressed that neither of these two men were known to 0livia's family, there is no relationship there so they will continue to questionjoseph nee to find more information on why and how the gunman was chasing him. you may remember, actually, this happened on monday night. and on monday night, there was also another death in the city and another on sunday involving guns and knives as well. monday was also the 15th anniversary of the death of 11—year—old rhys also the 15th anniversary of the death of 11—year—old rhstones around two miles away from where we

are here in dovecot in liverpool, and some of the locals i spoke to, they are thinking back to 15 years ago, some of the people have lived in this area for quite some time and the police also in their appeal to the police also in their appeal to the community urging people to come forward. i think people wantjustice as swiftly as possible and they think it will come from people coming forward. be that members of the community who may know something or maybe people involved in criminal activity in this city who may have some sort of affiliation or some knowledge of the process of events that happened here on monday. but truly, the police do feel the information and the key to solving this case will come from someone coming forward with information. tomos morgan in liverpool, thank you so much. joining us now, former commander of greater manchester police sir peter fahy. thank you so much forjoining us. what are the major difficulties you see facing investigators? in what are the major difficulties you see facing investigators?— see facing investigators? in the sort of crimes, _

see facing investigators? in the sort of crimes, you _ see facing investigators? in the sort of crimes, you are - see facing investigators? in the sort of crimes, you are talking l sort of crimes, you are talking about organised crime groups, they are quite sophisticated in some ways, but they are also very ready to use huge amounts of violence and firearms in a completely reckless way, as we have seen in this case. they tend to be quite surveillance conscious. they know police methods, they have been arrested many times. and they are also sadly very good at your spreading fear not only amongst the local community, but also amongst their own members and ensnaring foot soldiers to do their dirty work, who again live through a sort of regime of fear. so this is sadly come long—term activity. the police may get some information and lucky breaks, they will do a huge amount of forensic works and a huge amount of forensic works and a huge amount of forensic works and a huge amount of workaround data analysis and mobile phone analysis. and the chief constable serena kennedy has made it clear she does not want the gunman arrested and convicted, she wants people who have paid for this

crime and provided the transport, who provided the gun and the wider criminal network. and i think that will be the concern of the public living in those areas as well. not this particular crime, —— they will want this particular crime clear and at the same time, this constant background of organised crime, of drug dealing, of a league money lending, all these things are groups are involved in, they want that tackled at the same time. haifa are involved in, they want that tackled at the same time. how can that be tackled, _ tackled at the same time. how can that be tackled, given _ tackled at the same time. how can that be tackled, given the - tackled at the same time. how can that be tackled, given the fact i tackled at the same time. how can that be tackled, given the fact this | that be tackled, given the fact this is not new, it has been embedded for years? is not new, it has been embedded for ears? ., ., ., ., ., , years? you have to have really good loni-term years? you have to have really good long-term work— years? you have to have really good long-term work by _ years? you have to have really good long-term work by the _ years? you have to have really good long-term work by the police. i years? you have to have really good | long-term work by the police. things long—term work by the police. things have improved, there is very good cooperation with the national crime agency, other police forces, the regional organised crime units. and thatis regional organised crime units. and that is very important. these are long—term operations to dismantle these groups, which often take many months and sometimes years. at the same time, you need lots of other agencies working with you because other agencies,

agencies working with you because otheragencies, government agencies working with you because other agencies, government bodies, sometimes companies, have sources, information, enforcement powers, which can also be used to dismantle these operations. we need to recognise that these groups are a real threat to the legitimate economy, they are a threat to our criminaljustice economy, they are a threat to our criminal justice system, economy, they are a threat to our criminaljustice system, even a threat to our democracy. indeed, in the late 1990s, there was even some discussion about whether m15 should be brought into this fight because there was a recognition about the threat that these groups face. and so you would —— you do need the whole community working behind that and agenciesjoined up at whole community working behind that and agencies joined up at both the city and the national level. and at the same time, you need to deal with the same time, you need to deal with the feeling in these sorts of areas. some of the areas where organised crime prospers are areas that feel neglected, they feel abandoned, perhaps traditional industries have moved out. and nothing has really replace that. and in those circumstances, it is easier for the crime groups to get involved in drug

dealing, illegal money laundering and illegal money lending. and also, to ensnare young people, to get them to ensnare young people, to get them to think of this is the way to success and reputation, rather than staying on at school and studying. so it has to be a long—term joined up so it has to be a long—term joined up separation. wider society and government agencies need to recognise the degree of this threat and it does affect every one of us, it is notjust affecting those communities. if we get our car stolen, if we are concerned about the level of drug use in our area, we have seen street sleepers, overcome illegal drugs that has been fuelled by these groups so it is destabilising all different aspects of our wee —— of our way of life. briefly, how might the police persuade ordinary people to give information when those people might feel really, really scared about speaking? brute feel really, really scared about s-eiakin ? ~ feel really, really scared about speaking?— feel really, really scared about s-eiakin? ~ ., ., , ., speaking? we need to not be naive about this- —

speaking? we need to not be naive about this. in _ speaking? we need to not be naive about this. in my _ speaking? we need to not be naive about this. in my experience, i speaking? we need to not be naive about this. in my experience, in i speaking? we need to not be naive about this. in my experience, in ani about this. in my experience, in an inquiry like this, the police will be getting lots of different names, very well meaning people saying, i heard this rumour and this name. that is very important to the police in building up a picture, but really, what they need particularly as people that have seen the events leading up to this crime, who have got see cctv evidence and have seen perhaps vehicles being used and switch to another. and they do need people within the criminal network who have got that sort of evidence because this is notjust about information, it is about how you turn this into evidence which will succeed in a criminal trial, criminal outfit will be trying to disrupt that process. so sometimes, you do need people to come into witness protection programmes and sometimes, be willing change their identity to secure these sorts of convictions. it is the sort of thing that has worked in the past. but really, for local people, they are not stupid. they want to have

long—term reassurance that things are going to change. and that a burst of activity which may happen and a burst of media interest around and a burst of media interest around a particular horrendous crime is going to continue into the future and that their lives are going to change into the future and that the criminal networks and their intimidation is going to be overcome. 0therwise, intimidation is going to be overcome. otherwise, they recognise that, 0k, there may be a sort of outburst of interest but, over time, these criminal gangs will come back in and reassert their control. that is why it needs to be a long—term operation and both locally and nationally, we need to recognise the size of the challenge that we face. sir peter fahy, thank you so much forjoining us. british gas is to donate 10% of its profits to help customers cope with soaring bills "for the duration of the energy crisis".

its owner, centrica, says £12 million will go into an existing support fund, trebling help available this winter for the poorest customers. the firm, which has seen huge profits this year, said thousands of households would get grants of between £250 and £750. this is a fraction of the support needed to tackle the crisis nationally. earlier this week, one energy company boss put that closer to £100 billion. i'm joined now by the energy consumer analyst gemma godfrey. thanks so much forjoining us, £12 million, where do you see that? it is welcome support, but british gas's plans for short for three reasons. first, they are sharing the profits they are making from customers, they are not sharing the profits they make from drilling oil and gas, which is the majority of their profits. the second reason, it is set to benefit less than 1% of their customers so it is only for those who spend 10% or more on their energy bill and have less than £1,000 in savings, but it ignores millions of working families who will really struggle because energy bills are set to rise to an average

earner�*s two months of their salary by next year. thirdly, the amount. people might receive even less than they are from the government so the government support is £400 in october and the support might range from £250 up to £750. but october and the support might range from £250 up to £750.— from £250 up to £750. but this is voluntary. _ from £250 up to £750. but this is voluntary. they — from £250 up to £750. but this is voluntary, they didn't _ from £250 up to £750. but this is voluntary, they didn't have i from £250 up to £750. but this is voluntary, they didn't have to - from £250 up to £750. but this is voluntary, they didn't have to do| voluntary, they didn't have to do this. , �* . , , this. they didn't and this is definitely _ this. they didn't and this is definitely welcome - this. they didn't and this is definitely welcome support this. they didn't and this is - definitely welcome support and moving in the right direction, but the reason it is facing criticism is this is such a massive issue and they are making massive profits that they are making massive profits that they are making massive profits that they are not sharing. haw they are making massive profits that they are not sharing.— they are not sharing. how much rofit are they are not sharing. how much profit are they _ they are not sharing. how much profit are they making? - they are not sharing. how much profit are they making? well, . they are not sharing. how much i profit are they making? well, the difficul is profit are they making? well, the difficulty is they _ profit are they making? well, the difficulty is they are _ profit are they making? well, the difficulty is they are sharing - profit are they making? well, the difficulty is they are sharing just l difficulty is they are sharing just the minority, which is from the retail sales. if you look at the figures, we are talking about tenfold they are making on the other side of it in terms of drilling for oil and gas, so to share that will go much further because the support package that is needed is in the billions, not the millions. whereas this is set to _ billions, not the millions. whereas this is set to fall— billions, not the millions. whereas this is set to fall at _ billions, not the millions. whereas this is set to fall at the _ billions, not the millions. whereas this is set to fall at the lower - this is set to fall at the lower end. and we are in a transition to a new prime minister at the moment, but in the next few weeks, do you see political pressure growing on a

number of companies to do a bit more? this isn'tjust about bills, this is about a country getting through the winter. this this is about a country getting through the winter.— this is about a country getting through the winter. this is, it is a humanitarian _ through the winter. this is, it is a humanitarian crisis _ through the winter. this is, it is a humanitarian crisis because - through the winter. this is, it is a l humanitarian crisis because people are going to die, trying to figure out whether they can feed themselves because food prices are also going up because food prices are also going up or keep themselves warm. the government pressure and energy bosses, the government has got stick or a carrot and the stick they are using is to threaten higher windfall taxes or the character they are offering is potentially getting together a fund to try and help companies freeze the energy price cap for consumers. but either way, something has to be done and there needs to be decisive action to be able to help people survive through this winter. ., ~ , able to help people survive through this winter. . ~ , ., ., this winter. take us through how windfall tax _ this winter. take us through how windfall tax might _ this winter. take us through how windfall tax might work - this winter. take us through how windfall tax might work if - this winter. take us through how windfall tax might work if that i this winter. take us through how windfall tax might work if that is| windfall tax might work if that is what the new government might decide. fist what the new government might decide. �* ., decide. at the moment, the government _ decide. at the moment, the government already - decide. at the moment, the government already came i decide. at the moment, the i government already came out decide. at the moment, the - government already came out and decide. at the moment, the _ government already came out and said there would be a tax on the extra profits they were making because of the extra high energy crisis. but there have been calls to backdate this. so to there have been calls to backdate this. soto have this start earlier and carry on for longer as well. so it means that the energy companies

can't profitjust it means that the energy companies can't profit just from it means that the energy companies can't profitjust from energy prices going up, but feed that back. in terms of taxes, the government will pass that on in terms of support and benefits. but that is not necessarily the best mechanism so there is pressure for energy companies to do what they can to make things a lot quicker to directly support their own customers.— directly support their own customers. , ., , ., customers. gemma godfrey, thanks so much forjoining _ customers. gemma godfrey, thanks so much forjoining us. _ more ideas are being put forward to help protect homes and businesses from soaring energy bills. the british chambers of commerce is calling for covid—style emergency grants to "protect livelihoods". separately, a think—tank focused on low—and—middle—income earners has outlined a plan to cut bills by almost a third. senior ministers have already held talks about a £100 billion proposal to freeze prices for two years. a new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales will be announced tomorrow. i'm joined now by the owner of the west street laundry in east grinstead, val burrows, whose business is heavily dependent on energy.

ican imagine i can imagine the amount of energy you must spend every day with those machines running. how are costs for you? it machines running. how are costs for ou? , ., ., ., machines running. how are costs for ou? , ., �* you? it is not good. between the gas and the electric, _ you? it is not good. between the gas and the electric, the _ you? it is not good. between the gas and the electric, the average - you? it is not good. between the gas and the electric, the average has - and the electric, the average has gone up 173% between the two of them. we are reliant on both of those and water to supply the service to the community. you know those website _ service to the community. you know those website you _ service to the community. you know those website you read _ service to the community. you know those website you read at _ service to the community. you know those website you read at the - service to the community. you know. those website you read at the moment and they are saying, here is how we can all cut down, fewer showers and so on? there is not much you can do to cut down in a laundry, is there? no. there is a demand. the shop i have owned for ten years has been there for a0 years. so clearly, there for a0 years. so clearly, there is a demand in east grinstead for the launderette. but it has to be affordable. we are an essential community service and i can't pass

those price increases on to my customers, just ridiculous. customers, 'ust ridiculous. have you raised your — customers, just ridiculous. have you raised your own _ customers, just ridiculous. have you raised your own prices? _ customers, just ridiculous. have you raised your own prices? yes. - customers, just ridiculous. have you raised your own prices? yes. our- raised your own prices? yes. our fixed-rate _ raised your own prices? yes. our fixed-rate energy _ raised your own prices? yes. our fixed-rate energy contract - raised your own prices? yes. ouri fixed-rate energy contract finished fixed—rate energy contract finished in july. and fixed—rate energy contract finished injuly. and i put the prices up just before about 30%. thinking that it would be sufficient, probably not sufficient, but near enough to help me get through. when the new rates came in at such a ridiculous high percentage increases, ijust thought, well, ijust don't know what to do, ijust don't know what to do. unless we get some financial help directly to launderette specifically, because of our need for these utility, facilities and utilities, sorry, i can't see that we won't be able to survive. and i have got a year to go on my lease

and i might have to consider, consider closing. i don't know what i am going to do. find consider closing. i don't know what i am going to do— consider closing. i don't know what i am going to do. and when you tell that to your— i am going to do. and when you tell that to your customers, _ i am going to do. and when you tell that to your customers, who - i am going to do. and when you tell that to your customers, who must l i am going to do. and when you tell. that to your customers, who must be real —— really loyal customers real — — really loyal customers coming real —— really loyal customers coming to four years, what kind of conversations do you have with each other? , ., ., ., other? they have found out the launderette _ other? they have found out the launderette was _ other? they have found out the launderette was there - other? they have found out the launderette was there for - other? they have found out the launderette was there for 40 i other? they have found out the i launderette was there for 40 years launderette was there for a0 years because some of the customers are still using it and they are coming in and saying, you can't close, i haven't got a washing machine or a garden where i can try anything. professional people come in who don't have time to do their own laundry and we provide a service wash for them. they are all saying, what is going to happen? and empty shop on the high street. axial shop on the high street. val burrows. — shop on the high street. val burrows, thank— shop on the high street. val burrows, thank you so much, we really do appreciate it. i got drenched on the way to work this morning, sol i got drenched on the way to work this morning, so i know how rain the heavy —— heavy rain has been in the south east, let's look at the weather.

we had torrential downpours, some places had an excess of 60 millimetres of rain injust places had an excess of 60 millimetres of rain in just three hours. between midnight and 8am in the same areas, we had approximately 5,000 lightning strikes. most of the lightning has moved into the north sea, but we still have heavy downpours in the south east before that moves away. but a lot of dry weather, a lot of sunshine for the rest of the uk. in the afternoon, a weather front arrives introducing thicker cloud and showery outbreaks of rain. after a thicker cloud and showery outbreaks of rain. aftera humid thicker cloud and showery outbreaks of rain. after a humid start in southern areas, it is going to turn fresher here through the day. tonight, clearskies fresher here through the day. tonight, clear skies for many with patchy mist and fog. a weather front advances through scotland, northern ireland, getting into western fringes of england and wales. with it, showers and a fresher night, especially so across england and wales where it has been so humid of late. tomorrow, a weatherfront still very much with us producing the cloud and the show in parts of the cloud and the show in parts of the north and west. some of those could be heavy across southern

scotland and also northern england. —— the showers. 0n either side, the sunshine breaks with sunshine coming through and the temperature range, 15 to 25. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... pupils in england, wales and northern ireland get their gcse results this morning — the first to be based on exams since the pandemic — and it's predicted that grades will drop. i'm excited and happy for myself. feeling very humbled as well because didn't expect to get some of the grades that i received today. in other news, the investigation into the murder of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel continues. police are questioning a former drug dealer who was the intended target of the attack. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that "a catastrophe" is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs.

search and rescue operations are underway in eastern ukraine after russian missile strikes killed at least 20 people. sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. here's chetan. good morning. rangers are eagerly awaiting this afternoon's champions league draw after sealing their return to the big time last night with a i—0 win in the second leg of their qualifier at psv eindhoven. antonio colak scored the only goal of the game as it finished 3—2 on aggregate. rangers back in the champions league for the first time in 12 years. ten years ago we were, you know, at the lowest point we have in history. and, you know, it took us really hard work — everyone involved, from building the club back again to the level we achieved now. so it's... it's a proud moment for me to also, you know, thank all the people who gave, you know, so much energy and time to build this club back again.

what a turnaround for rangers. a decade ago they were playing in the third tier when scotland and had face liquidation. the draw for the tournament will be made this evening. there will be live text commentary on the bbc sport website from 5pm. rangers as we've mentioned will be there along with scottish champions celtic. english sides manchester city, liverpool, chelsea and tottenham also among those to look out for. england's jill scott says she'd eventually like to take up a coaching role in the national set—up, after announcing her retirement from football at the age of 35. reflecting on her career and her euros win last month, she told bbc breakfast that the game is unrecognisable now from when she made her england debut in 2006. she is also backing the team to handle the pressure that comes with being european champions. even players being full time now with their club, that's something we were always pushing for. people were still working full—time, having to train two nights a week, doing their own training. so yeah, it's amazing to see

where it is now and i can retire knowing hopefully i've contributed a little bit to the game being in a better place and there's going to be be so many more opportunities now for young girls at school. they're probably not going to have as many battles, and hopefully if they say girls can't play football, then they're going to look back on our euros success. england captain ben stokes is calling on england to improve their batting and says he'll be as aggressive as ever when they begin the second test against south africa this morning. england have to win at old trafford — having been hammered in the first test by an innings. it's a best of three series. pace bowler ollie robinson is back in the side — chosen to exploit the greater amount of bounce expected from the pitch in manchester. play getting under way from 11 o'clock this morning. tom pidcock is british cycling's newest superstar. he's won olympic gold in mountain biking, followed that up with the cyclocross world championship. and on the road, he won the famous alpe d'huez stage in his first tour de france. matt warwick has been to france

to meet him as he prepares to add the mountain bike world championship to his collection this weekend: cycling's biggest race, the tour de france, returned to its dramatic best this year — thanks in part to the arrival of a british superstar. pidcock�*s win on the famously twisty tarmac of alpe d'huez was historic, descending as he did at 105 kilometres an hour. he joins the greats of the sport now, including geraint thomas, and five—time winner bernard hinault. i remember more the crowds than the win itself because it was just unbelievable. i mean, my ears were properly ringing that night — fighting to win a stage at the tour de france, and my brother's there, screaming at the top of his voice, cheering me on. it's... yeah, ijust filled up with emotion. pidcock is in les gets for the mountain bike world championships — a discipline he says could require more skill than the road. judging by the sheer drops on this course, he could well be right.

road cycling has the highest physical level. cyclo—cross and mountain bike don't have as high a physical level, but you're more of a rounded athlete. skill and balance and general athleticism. i am a daredevil, but i'm not stupid. i know... i know my limits, i know my capabilities, and i ride, drive — whatever — within them. pidcock has proven himself on a mountain bike before, of course — having won olympic gold last year — but this represents something unique. he's already won the cyclo—cross world title injanuary, so victory here and a win in september's road world championships in australia, and he will be the first male rider to win three of cycling's world titles in a single season. if he does it, he will make history. and with history comes legacy — if not for a while. if someone asks you the best cyclists in the world, i want to say my name, you know? and it doesn't mean that i need to win five tour

de frances, you know? if i win one, i'll be happy. maybe i want to go and try and win again, you know? but if i win a tour, olympic mountain bike gold, world champs in three disciplines, classics — no—one else has ever done that. it's a pride a whole country will feel if pidcock continues to enthral on anything with two wheels. matt warwick, bbc news, les gets. and the us open tennis, the draw is later today as well and you can follow it on the bbc sport website. the grand slam, the final of the year, gets under way with emma raducanu defending her title, getting under way on monday. that's all the sport for now. let's go back to our top story today, and thousand of teenagers in england, wales and northern ireland are getting their gcse results today — the first year group to have sat gcse exams since 2019, after two years of cancellations

because of the pandemic. we now have the national picture for this year's grades and pass rate. let's get the latest from our education correspondent sean dilley. i remember opening the envelope when i remember opening the envelope when i was a teenager. it's a really tough, nerve—racking day, i'm sure it was for you. take us through the top grades, down a bit from the last two years but up from 2019? that was exected. two years but up from 2019? that was exoeeted- it's — two years but up from 2019? that was expected. it's like _ two years but up from 2019? that was expected. it's like the _ two years but up from 2019? that was expected. it's like the oscars - two years but up from 2019? that was expected. it's like the oscars day i expected. it's like the oscars day for everybody, their gcses, isn't it? this percentage, 73.2% of gcses marked from four, c and above. in england the figure is changed to be numbers in 2018 when the curricula change. in wales and northern ireland you still get grades. they are not totally equivalent but basically the bottom of four is the bottom of c if that makes sense. that's down from 77.1% last year. in 2019 it was just over 63%. the

reason that is significant, the government and indeed the exams watchdog for england, who also have similar plans in wales and northern ireland, said they were aiming for a midpoint between 2019, the last year exams were sacked, and now. i imagine there are a lot of people who sat exams this year rather enviously thinking, crikey, you didn't have to do that the last couple of years, but help has been available and there has been more generous grading than in 2019 and there has also been advance information and formula sheets. there are pros and cons. this cohort of teenagers, they have done their exams and got their results. as they move to looking at higher education, where does it set them among the years they might have to fight with? initially it will be further education but you are right, some might have their eyes on higher education, maybe if you go for a science degree. but certainly for sixth forms and colleges. i wouldn't

stress too much if i were you, if for example you got a b where as a counterpart last year might have got as. counterpart last year might have got a* or a*, because that's what was planned. colleges and education institutions are expecting it. ahead of the exams, various unions were saying they would anticipate most people would get the further education opportunities they would want anyway. it’s education opportunities they would want anyway-— want anyway. it's early days with the figures _ want anyway. it's early days with the figures and _ want anyway. it's early days with the figures and you _ want anyway. it's early days with the figures and you need - want anyway. it's early days with the figures and you need time i want anyway. it's early days with the figures and you need time to study them, but has there been a regional attainment gap as far as you can tell?— regional attainment gap as far as you can tell? vastly. we will look at england _ you can tell? vastly. we will look at england for— you can tell? vastly. we will look at england for this _ you can tell? vastly. we will look at england for this example. i you can tell? vastly. we will look. at england for this example. there are significant differences in the top grades across the country. in london, 32.6% were marked at grade seven, equivalent to a and above in old money, compared to 22.a% in the north—east, yorkshire and the humber. to note the percentage gap point between the regions with the highest and lowest proportions of

top grades, it's roughly the same as it was in 2021 but wider than it was in 2020 and 19.— in 2020 and 19. sean dilley, education — in 2020 and 19. sean dilley, education correspondent, i in 2020 and 19. sean dilley, i education correspondent, thank in 2020 and 19. sean dilley, - education correspondent, thank you forjoining us. 25 people including two children are now known to have died in a russian airstrike in eastern ukraine — according to authorities in kyiv. the ukrainian president volodmyr zelensky said that a railway station was hit and several houses and cars were destroyed in a series of attacks in the dnipro—petrovsk region. 31 people were wounded. the strikes came exactly six months after moscow's invasion began. our correspondent hugo bachega has this update from kyiv. search and rescue operations are now overin search and rescue operations are now over in a town in the east of the country following those russian attacks. a train station was hit and pictures from the scene showed destroyed passenger trains, cars and several houses were also hit. this attack happened yesterday as ukraine

marked independence day. the country was on high alert because of fears russia could use the occasion to launch attacks across the country. we also had reports of shelling in the city of kharkiv in the east and also the towns of mykolaiv in the south of the country because of these towns have been under constant russian attack in recent weeks. here in kyiv, celebrations yesterday were cancelled and there is a ban on public events as a security measure. yesterday was the day that marked half a year since the start of this russian invasion. the conflict seems to be at a deadlock and there is no prospect of peace talks starting anytime soon. prospect of peace talks starting anytime soon-— the uk's former ambassador to myanmar, vicky bowman, has been arrested in the main city, yangon. sources told the bbc ms bowman — who served as ambassador from 2002 to 2006 — was arrested along with her husband at their home yesterday

and are being held on immigration charges. the way google calculates the climate impact of your flights has changed. yourflights now appear to have much less impact on the environment than they did before. that's because the world's biggest search engine has taken a key driver of global warming out of its online carbon flight calculator. i'm joined now by professor david lee from manchester metropolitan university. he specialises in the impact of aviation on climate. what do you make of the recalculation of the figures? it’s recalculation of the figures? it's an recalculation of the figures? ut�*s an interesting development. i'm not sure why they have done this. it seems a retrograde step because we do know that there are other impacts of aviation on climate other than c02 of aviation on climate other than co2 emissions. they are far more uncertain, that is absolutely true, but to take them out seems a little bit strange to me. do but to take them out seems a little bit strange to me.— bit strange to me. do people make decisions on _ bit strange to me. do people make decisions on flights _ bit strange to me. do people make decisions on flights based - bit strange to me. do people make decisions on flights based on i bit strange to me. do people make decisions on flights based on doing these calculations? how useful are

theyin these calculations? how useful are they in practical terms for people booking? i they in practical terms for people bookina ? ~ , ., they in practical terms for people bookina ? ~' , ., , . booking? i think they are useful. we have to have — booking? i think they are useful. we have to have a _ booking? i think they are useful. we have to have a cognizance _ booking? i think they are useful. we have to have a cognizance about i booking? i think they are useful. we l have to have a cognizance about what our own environmental impact of any particular activity is and i think a flight emission calculator is a good way of doing that. it's a major emission for any individual because, say for example you flew to new york from heathrow, for an average person in the uk, that one return flight will be 10% of their co2 emissions annually so it is quite significant. so taking information in a way that might enhance your picture of that doesn't seem to be a good thing in my view. doesn't seem to be a good thing in m view. �* . , my view. are there any decarbonisation - my view. are there any| decarbonisation options my view. are there any i decarbonisation options for my view. are there any _ decarbonisation options for aviation and what is decarbonisation? decarbonisation is to remove the reliance on a particular activity on fuel that emits co2. aviation uses a

liquid fuel largely called kerosene. it is a fossil fuel, it emits co2. if we can move to some other kind of similar liquid fuel based, either biofuels or synthetically based fuels we can reproduce in a renewable way, that would demand an awful lot of renewable electricity, for example, then we would remove the c02 for example, then we would remove the co2 fraction. there are options available. we are also talking about hydrogen powered aviation, but they have different climate issues. but there are ways forward. professor, i'm sure you _ there are ways forward. professor, i'm sure you will— there are ways forward. professor, i'm sure you will have _ there are ways forward. professor, i'm sure you will have to _ there are ways forward. professor, i'm sure you will have to travel- there are ways forward. professor, i'm sure you will have to travel for| i'm sure you will have to travel for work, conferences and so on. do you make calculation yourself before flying and sometimes do you think you better do it on zoom instead russian yellow absolutely. and especially since lockdown i think the ., ., , especially since lockdown i think the ., ., ., ., , the world has learned to do things differently and _

the world has learned to do things differently and that's _ the world has learned to do things differently and that's a _ the world has learned to do things differently and that's a great i differently and that's a great thing. —— zoom instead? absolutely. i am taking farfewer thing. —— zoom instead? absolutely. i am taking far fewer flights, thing. —— zoom instead? absolutely. i am taking farfewerflights, and refusing to go places and insist i do things over zoom or similar means were possible. do things over zoom or similar means were possible-— were possible. professor, thank you for 'oinin: were possible. professor, thank you forjoining us- _ the headlines on bbc news... pupils in england, wales and northern ireland are gettting their gcse results this morning — the pass rate has fallen since 2021, but remains higher than 2019. in other news — the investigation into the murder of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel continues — police are questioning a former drug dealer who was the intended target of the attack. a think—thank campaigning on behalf of low and middle income families has warned that "a catastrophe" is coming this winter unless the government steps in to help with energy costs. back now to today's gcse results, and it's notjust teenagers

getting their results today. 92—year—old derek skipper from hertfordshire decided he's like to take a gcse maths exam — more than seven decades after he got his first set of qualifications. he's the oldest person ever to sit the test, and earlier he told my colleagues on bbc breakfast charlie stayt and naga munchetty how he'd got on. well, i opened up this morning to find that i had got a five, which is as high as i could get on the very basic maths gcse course that i took. so i'm delighted to have got it. i was a little bit worried last night, because knowing i was coming on camera, i thought, boy oh boy, it would be a very short interview if i failed! but that hasn't happened! so can we be the first to say congratulations? thank you! you said that you got the highest grade you could within the classification in the test you took? yes, i could either get a four or five and i got

a five so i am very pleased. why did you decide to do it? i think the answer is, why not? there was an offer by the local authority to have a free course on some maths. and i took it in 19a6. it seems to me that when i took it, i just went through the motions, as all schoolchildren had to do, and i didn't really understand much about it. most people say, "i'm hopeless at maths, never understood it at school" and this is an opportunity that came through the door to do a zoom meeting doing the exam again, doing the test, and it seemed to me an ideal opportunity. i have got a few questions. it's a great shame more people

don't get involved in it. i think maths is a wonderful thing and it is very easy to say you are no good at it, any opportunity to learn and embrace it, great. did you say 19a6? straight after the war. what did you get then? i don't know, but it must have been a very basic pass, i think. i don't think it was very startling. this time around, what was the most stark difference for you in terms of the exam and what you had to do? i think one of the things was in my day, we had things called slide rules, i don't know if anybody remembers slide rules. and nowadays you have got something called a calculator. and these are just marvellous things. anybody that gets one of these, it does all of the work for you! that has its... can you show us the slide rule again? charlie was nodding. i never actually used a slide rule. i do remember using a slide rule at school. if i'm honest, i never really understood the slide rule. but i remember using them, or pretending to. i think you are not the only person

who didn't understand it. you could do things, you can do things and slide them along and you can multiply six by three and get an answer. approximately 18! it is always approximate. didn't you also have to take in a magnifying glass? yes, yes, my eyesight is not very good so i took along a magnifying glass and it was a great help. because numbers like six and eight get a bit mixed up. and you find that the addition sign and the dividing sign, they get a bit mixed up as well. so i wouldn't have been surprised if i failed because i could not see it very well. but with a magnifying glass it worked out well. people get quite stressed about exams, derek, and given what you were talking about, the magnifying glass and being able to cope with some of the very practical things, how were you in the exam itself? how did it go, how did it feel? it felt fine.

there was no pressure on me because nojob depended upon it, it didn't matter two hoots whether i passed orfailed, i was doing it for a bit of fun for myself. but i will say that when i was there for an hour and a half on each exam, there were three exams, the time just flew past. i have never known time go so quickly. they said, it's time to start, and then a few seconds later, they said, finish! and i hadn't finished! i was too slow. but i obviously got enough done. obviously what you did do was excellent because you got the highest mark you could get for that paper so congratulations again. i had lots of help from the comberton village college, the instructor was very good. so everybody was very supportive. all i can say is, if anybody has got kids taking gcses in the next year or two, why don't they take this exam which is done on zoom in your home, and they can help their children? what a benefit it would be, if parents did take this exam. yeah, wise words. at least they will have the experience.

what do your children and grandchildren make of it all? they think it is quite amusing! they think, poor old fella, give him something to do! derek, is this the end of your renewed enthusiasm for exams or are you going to go on to do more, do you think? no, i think that is probably my lot, i think i shall go out on a high. a—levels are next, surely. if you happen to be in shropshire today and see a nine—foot dragon running around — don't worry. it's just dayna power training for his next marathon. he's been donning the costume for years after a tragedy in his home town inspired him to try to do something positive. joanne writtle went to meet him. puff the running dragon is a popular site in bridgnorth. what many of his fans don't know

if the remarkable story of the 66—year—old man inside the 15 kilo costume. i started when i was 55 years old, i was watching the great north run on the tv, and the atmosphere looked incredible. ijust thought, i wouldn't mind giving that a go. sent off the application form, two months later, it came back, you are in. i thought, oh my goodness me. after that, there was no stopping him. he has run 15 full and 50 health marathons as far half marathons as far afield as philadelphia. the first full marathon was something i will never, everforget. it was new york marathon 2010, what an experience that was. no going back now. he was inspired to run for asthma + lung uk following the heartbreaking death of a two—year—old boy. i think the fact that he heard about a little boy that had died in his home town, had died of an asthma attack, and because he himself had asthma, i think that's just great, to get up and do something that you feel makes a difference. he hasn't always been puff.

asthma uk put an appeal out on their social media for somebody to run as their dragon, so, yes, they sent it me and i started training round bridgnorth in this dragon costume. never been seen in bridgnorth before. social media was going mad. this summer, he was a queen's baton bearer in the run—up to the commonwealth games. but in the first lockdown in 2020, dayna became ill. suffered a heart attack. first thing the ambulance people said when they came in, "oh, it's puff, puff doesn't get injured! puff doesn't get ill." and they said, well, puff, you have got to come to hospital with us now. and you're not running, you're coming in the ambulance. it was heartbreaking. i was really frightened and scared. on st george's day a year later, he began training again. he's currently waiting for a thyroid operation but aims to run the london marathon as puff again next year.

i'm driven byjust smiles on people's faces and the difference i can make. although i don't think it is a lot, people keep telling me, you are making a difference, ijust love it. joanne writtle, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol hello again. some of us have started the day with some sunshine whilst others have had some heavy, thundery downpours, especially across parts of south—east england and east anglia, courtesy of this weather front which is working its way north and east woods. high pressure following on behind and later under the weather front coming from the west will introduce thicker cloud and some showery rain. we still have the heavy downpours to clear away from east anglia. they will do that through the course of the afternoon. residual cloud behind breaking up and for most sunny spells but the thick cloud arriving in the north—west with showery rain by the end of the afternoon. after a humid

start today in southern areas it will turn fresher as we go through the day. through this evening and overnight, a lot of clear sky, some mist and fog patches forming and a weather front continues to come in from the west and it will continue to push slowly southwards and eastwards with its cloud and also spots of rain. a fresher night across england and wales than last night. much more comfortable for sleeping in with overnight lows generally between 10—13. tomorrow, here is the weather front, a fairly weak affair. as it pushes slowly south and east it will continue to have cloud in it and also some splashes of showery outbreaks of rain. some of that could be heavy at times across southern scotland and northern england. although we start off on a fairly cloudy note we will see that cloud break and sunny spells develop especially in the early evening. temperatures 15 in the north, to 2a in the south. moving on into saturday, still a lot of fine and dry weather. high

pressure is firmly in charge. we will at times see a bit more cloud coming in across eastern areas and you can see a weather front and too far away from northern ireland could well take a swipe and introduce thicker cloud and rain. temperatures 1a up to about 2a degrees, the highest temperatures heading over to the south—west. here is that weather front, pushing north. high pressure establishes itself across the uk so things remain settled on sunday. if you have bank holiday monday off, and of course it is not a bank holiday for us all, it is looking fine and settled. that weekend continues with variable amounts of crowd, especially so in some eastern areas but lots of dry weather around and just one or two showers.