Written By Unknown on Selasa, 30 Desember 2014 | 20.14
How Will Britain Stop Ebola From Spreading?
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The Ebola case in Glasgow will create considerable concerns about its potential spread, but effective containment could make the health worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone an isolated case.
Sky's Health Correspondent, Thomas Moore, said close monitoring of anyone who came into contact with the patient after they became infected, as well as good practices during treatment, were key to preventing further cases.
"The key incubation period is considered to be 21 days and we have seen events in other countries where partners of people who have come down with Ebola are kept at home or monitored very closely to make sure they are not developing symptoms and there is no onward transmission," he said.
"The key point in an outbreak is to contain it, to prevent it spreading. The further it spreads the more difficult it is to trace people and bring the virus back under control."
Health officials have said the patient in Scotland only came into contact with one person since displaying symptoms.
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Gallery: Ebola Exercise Tests UK Readiness
A nationwide drill to test Britain's readiness for an ebola outbreak has left the Health Secretary "doubly reassured" the country would cope
The eight-hour simulation at hospitals across the country proves Britain has "robust plans" in place, says Jeremy Hunt. Continue for more images
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It has since been revealed that one other person from Scotland who returned from West Africa recently is undergoing precautionary testing for the disease - but they are not thought to be at high risk of having contracted it.
Passengers who flew with the infected person from Casablanca to Heathrow and then on to Glasgow on Sunday are being traced.
The Ebola virus is not spread through ordinary social contact such as shaking hands or travelling on public transport.
Only people who have come into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person are at risk.
Anyone who was on the flight - or has recently returned from the affected areas of West Africa - and is worried about symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or rash is advised to stay at home and call 111 or 999.
The unnamed patient is currently being treated at The Royal Free Hospital in London, one of five High Level Isolation units in Britain - the others are in Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Belfast.
The unit is run by a dedicated team of doctors and laboratory staff and access is restricted to specially trained medical staff.
An isolation tent is set up around the patient's bed so the infection can be contained while they are treated.
Video:Inside An Ebola Isolation Unit
Moore said staff at The Royal Free would follow strict protocols to prevent any further infection.
"We know for example, from Texas where they were treating a health worker and a member of the public who came back, there were lapses," he said.
"Every precaution will be taken. The Royal Free has an extremely good track record on this and will have been looking at what went wrong in Texas, and indeed in Spain, to ensure no one else infected when treating this health worker."
A Government COBRA meeting, chaired by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, was held to discuss the case.
Speaking before the case was identified, Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said "a handful of cases" were expected in the coming months.
She added that Britain was "very well prepared" for Ebola.
Public Health England has tested 113 people for Ebola up to 4 December, only one of which was found to have the disease. Wales has had no positive cases from its five tests, while Northern Irelands has also had no cases.
No details have been released for Scotland.
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How Will Britain Stop Ebola From Spreading?
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
The Ebola case in Glasgow will create considerable concerns about its potential spread, but effective containment could make the health worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone an isolated case.
Sky's Health Correspondent, Thomas Moore, said close monitoring of anyone who came into contact with the patient after they became infected, as well as good practices during treatment, were key to preventing further cases.
"The key incubation period is considered to be 21 days and we have seen events in other countries where partners of people who have come down with Ebola are kept at home or monitored very closely to make sure they are not developing symptoms and there is no onward transmission," he said.
"The key point in an outbreak is to contain it, to prevent it spreading. The further it spreads the more difficult it is to trace people and bring the virus back under control."
Health officials have said the patient in Scotland only came into contact with one person since displaying symptoms.
1/5
Gallery: Ebola Exercise Tests UK Readiness
A nationwide drill to test Britain's readiness for an ebola outbreak has left the Health Secretary "doubly reassured" the country would cope
The eight-hour simulation at hospitals across the country proves Britain has "robust plans" in place, says Jeremy Hunt. Continue for more images
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It has since been revealed that one other person from Scotland who returned from West Africa recently is undergoing precautionary testing for the disease - but they are not thought to be at high risk of having contracted it.
Passengers who flew with the infected person from Casablanca to Heathrow and then on to Glasgow on Sunday are being traced.
The Ebola virus is not spread through ordinary social contact such as shaking hands or travelling on public transport.
Only people who have come into contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person are at risk.
Anyone who was on the flight - or has recently returned from the affected areas of West Africa - and is worried about symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat or rash is advised to stay at home and call 111 or 999.
The unnamed patient is currently being treated at The Royal Free Hospital in London, one of five High Level Isolation units in Britain - the others are in Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Belfast.
The unit is run by a dedicated team of doctors and laboratory staff and access is restricted to specially trained medical staff.
An isolation tent is set up around the patient's bed so the infection can be contained while they are treated.
Video:Inside An Ebola Isolation Unit
Moore said staff at The Royal Free would follow strict protocols to prevent any further infection.
"We know for example, from Texas where they were treating a health worker and a member of the public who came back, there were lapses," he said.
"Every precaution will be taken. The Royal Free has an extremely good track record on this and will have been looking at what went wrong in Texas, and indeed in Spain, to ensure no one else infected when treating this health worker."
A Government COBRA meeting, chaired by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, was held to discuss the case.
Speaking before the case was identified, Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said "a handful of cases" were expected in the coming months.
She added that Britain was "very well prepared" for Ebola.
Public Health England has tested 113 people for Ebola up to 4 December, only one of which was found to have the disease. Wales has had no positive cases from its five tests, while Northern Irelands has also had no cases.
No details have been released for Scotland.
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Two men in their mid-20s have been arrested and questioned on suspicion of terrorism-related offences.
The pair were detained early on Monday after officers from the east counter terrorism investigation unit carried out raids at two properties in Bedford.
Police said the men were interviewed at the town's Greyfriars police station.
Unspecified items of property were seized during the raids.
The force said the men were later released on police bail pending further inquiries.
A patient is being assessed for possible symptoms of Ebola at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
The person is being kept in isolation and the result will be known in around 24 hours.
The patient had recently been in a high-risk Ebola area, although the exact location has not been revealed.
The tests are thought to be precautionary - more than 100 patients have tested negative in similar circumstances over the last few months.
Symptoms of Ebola are very similar to other tropical diseases, such as malaria.
Video:How UK Medics Will Treat Patients
It comes as the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the UK - a Scottish nurse - arrives in London for specialist medical care.
In a joint statement, the hospital and Public Health England said: "A patient has been admitted to Royal Cornwall Hospital and is currently undergoing a series of tests - one of which is for Ebola.
"We do not expect the results to be known for at least 24 hours and in the meantime the patient is being looked after in isolation, following nationally agreed guidelines and protocols to protect the health of our staff and other patients.
"Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has been following national guidance around Ebola and made plans in line with advice from Public Health England and NHS England."
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Video:Rail Boss On Christmas Rail Chaos
Network Rail's Mark Carne has told Sky News he will forego his bonus after passengers endured "totally unacceptable" travel chaos.
The chief executive was criticised after travellers were left stranded when engineering works over-ran.
London King's Cross had to shut and all trains to and from the station were cancelled.
Travellers then complained of "being locked" in by overcrowding when diverted to Finsbury Park station.
Paddington station also closed for several hours on Saturday.
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Gallery: Passengers Endure London Travel Chaos Over Christmas
Travellers were told to head to Finsbury Park station, resulting in overcrowding
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Another picture from Finsbury Park
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Passengers complained of being "locked in" at the station due to overcrowding. Pic: Fiona Kerr
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The large influx of people forced the closure of the station
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Mr Carne said: "I'm accountable for the performance of the railway. In my view, the performance over the Christmas and New Year period was not acceptable."
"And I've decided I should not take the bonus for this year."
He insisted he had been dealing with the situation, despite being on holiday in Cornwall at the time.
Mr Carne could have received up to 20% in a performance-related bonus on top of his £675,000 annual salary.
The rail boss had previously refused to say whether he would take the payout.
Mr Carne told Sky there was "never a good time" to do the engineering work and that the £1bn improvement plan was vital to "keep the railway safe and improve its reliability".
Rail watchdog the Office of Rail Regulation is launching an investigation into the chaos.
The Department of Transport has also said it is "extremely disappointed" and has demanded an explanation.
TSSA rail union leader Manuel Cortes said more executives should also forego their right to a bonus.
"We welcome this decision by Mark Carne but, like many of his trains, it is running late - 72 hours late in this case.
"We hope that his fellow executives will now follow suit and announce they will also be giving up their large bonuses as well."
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Network Rail Boss Mark Carne To Turn Down Bonus
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Rail Boss On Christmas Rail Chaos
Network Rail's Mark Carne has told Sky News he will forego his bonus after passengers endured "totally unacceptable" travel chaos.
The chief executive was criticised after travellers were left stranded when engineering works over-ran.
London King's Cross had to shut and all trains to and from the station were cancelled.
Travellers then complained of "being locked" in by overcrowding when diverted to Finsbury Park station.
Paddington station also closed for several hours on Saturday.
1/13
Gallery: Passengers Endure London Travel Chaos Over Christmas
Travellers were told to head to Finsbury Park station, resulting in overcrowding
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Another picture from Finsbury Park
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Passengers complained of being "locked in" at the station due to overcrowding. Pic: Fiona Kerr
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The large influx of people forced the closure of the station
]]>
Mr Carne said: "I'm accountable for the performance of the railway. In my view, the performance over the Christmas and New Year period was not acceptable."
"And I've decided I should not take the bonus for this year."
He insisted he had been dealing with the situation, despite being on holiday in Cornwall at the time.
Mr Carne could have received up to 20% in a performance-related bonus on top of his £675,000 annual salary.
The rail boss had previously refused to say whether he would take the payout.
Mr Carne told Sky there was "never a good time" to do the engineering work and that the £1bn improvement plan was vital to "keep the railway safe and improve its reliability".
Rail watchdog the Office of Rail Regulation is launching an investigation into the chaos.
The Department of Transport has also said it is "extremely disappointed" and has demanded an explanation.
TSSA rail union leader Manuel Cortes said more executives should also forego their right to a bonus.
"We welcome this decision by Mark Carne but, like many of his trains, it is running late - 72 hours late in this case.
"We hope that his fellow executives will now follow suit and announce they will also be giving up their large bonuses as well."
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Nurse Pauline Cafferkey who fell ill after returning from Sierra Leone is being treated for Ebola at a specialist infectious diseases unit in London.
Ms Cafferkey, a Scot, was initially treated at a Glasgow hospital. She is the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the UK and is receiving specialist medical care at the Royal Free Hospital.
The nurse returned to Scotland after a spell working in Sierra Leone and arrived at Glasgow Airport on a British Airways flight at around 11.30pm on Sunday. She was showing no symptoms at the time.
Dr Martin Deahl, who travelled back to the UK with Ms Cafferkey, was critical of Public Health England for allowing the returning health workers to travel home by public transport and giving conflicting advice.
Nurse Pauline Cafferkey is confirmed as having Ebola
He told Sky News: "The thing that surprised most of us is that Public Health England suggested that we could go home from the airport by any way we wanted on public transport, so the underground, or in Pauline's case, the flight to Glasgow.
"Once we got home, we were not to use public transport or go to crowded places."
Video:Ebola Patient Arrives In London
He added: "If there had been alternative arrangements for Pauline a lot of the people on that flight to Glasgow would not be going through the anxiety and stress that they are at the moment."
Dr Deahl said staff at Heathrow seemed "inadequately prepared" to carry out the "so-called health check" the group needed.
"We were queueing for over an hour in very close proximity in this small space so in that sense, everybody came close to Pauline."
He said there was no reason why Ms Cafferkey should not recover, adding: "I feel so sad and sorry for her she will have a miserable couple of weeks in the isolation facility".
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 26 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Boxing Day Bargain Hunters Hit High Street
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Video:Boxing Day Sales Get Underway
Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.
Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.
Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online.
Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.
Lining up outside Harrods department store in London
An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.
Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.
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Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation
Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain
Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges
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At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees
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When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside
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Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images
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"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."
Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.
"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.
"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."
But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.
The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.
He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.
"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."
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Boxing Day Bargain Hunters Hit High Street
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Boxing Day Sales Get Underway
Thousands of people have braved the cold to hit the high street early as stores kick off their Boxing Day sales.
Retailers say big discounts are available - even as a record eight million people shopped online on Christmas Day as some shops started their sales on the internet a day early.
Sky News' Katie Spencer at Selfridges in London said it was "incredibly busy" but noted that a lot of the shopping would likely be done online.
Shoppers searching for discounts online are expected to spend £748m today, or £519,000 every minute, according to data firm Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG.
Lining up outside Harrods department store in London
An estimated 142 million visits were made to retail websites on Christmas Day and an online survey found that more than a third of Britons buy Christmas presents in the post-Christmas sales.
Experian's Giles Longhurst, said: "This year has seen record breaking online shopping rates, particularly on Black Friday, which saw an astronomical £810m in estimated spend due to the massive resources put behind promotions by a wide range of retailers.
1/10
Gallery: Boxing Day Sales Across Nation
Shoppers are out in force as they hunt for a Boxing Day bargain
Crowds flocked to big department stores in London, such as Selfridges
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At Harrods people in the queue were treated to hot coffees
]]>
When the doors opened shoppers who had lined up rushed inside
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Boxing Day is expected to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Continue through for more images
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"Traditionally, the Boxing Day sales have been the busiest day for retailers in the UK, but this year we expect them to come second to Black Friday."
Myf Ryan, director of the Westfield shopping centres, said Boxing Day remained a "huge attraction" for shoppers.
"Last year we had queues out of the door on Boxing Day by 5am," he said.
"This year we expect an exceptionally busy day yet again, fuelled by excellent retail offers and special deals with over 50% off by many of our 600 retailers."
But retail staff will also spend much of their time sorting out disputes with consumers returning Christmas presents.
The new retail ombudsman, Dean Dunham, who takes up his new role on 2 January, said he expected thousands of complaints from shoppers who have been refused refunds.
He said: "If the goods are not faulty, the law places no obligations on the retailer so you have to examine their terms and conditions.
"If their terms say the retailer will not accept returns where packaging is damaged or missing, and most terms do, the retailer will be perfectly within their rights to enforce this."
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Forecasters have raised the cold weather alert for large swathes of Britain - warning of ice, plumetting temperatures and up to 10cm of snow.
The Met Office has increased its alert level from yellow to amber - the second highest warning - for the the Midlands and the North of England.
An amber alert means "there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow".
The South, Northern Ireland, Wales, East Anglia, London and Kent are on yellow alert, meaning there is a 70 to 80% chance of freezing conditions.
Areas most likely to be affected by snow
In some central and northern parts, up to 10cm of snow could fall later today.
Meanwhile, temperatures could dip below freezing across much of Britain next week - falling to -15C in some parts.
Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "After this evening's low pressure system spirals into the near continent, the remnants of any snow should clear and it will turn icy.
"Scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow are likely to affect many areas during Saturday, but it will turn drier and clearer as high pressure moves in through Sunday and the run up to New Year.
"That period is likely to be the coldest of 2014 with some very low temperatures forecast. Minima of minus 10 to minus 15C are possible with daytime highs barely reaching zero or 1C in central areas."
The Met Office cold weather alert warns conditions could "increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services".
Met Office meteorologist Krista Mitchell said: "This year as a whole has been very mild, so this could be the coldest spell that we've had.
"As we go towards Monday and Tuesday, we will see overnight temperatures really drop, with widespread frost and most places dropping below freezing."
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said it was monitoring the conditions.
"As ever, the public have a vital role to play in terms of helping to minimise disruption," he said.
"We would advise people to prepare for some travel disruption as bridges could be affected by high winds and driving conditions could be challenging in some areas, so please allow extra time for your journeys.
"They should also check the relevant websites, such as Traffic Scotland, for up-to-date travel information before they set off."
With obesity on the rise in the UK, health authorities are rolling out a new programme aimed at getting the nation back in shape through a better diet and more exercise.
Under the scheme, GPs in England will be asked to monitor patients who are putting on weight and offer them help to stop them becoming obese.
Obesity is estimated to cost Britain almost £47bn every year - more than war and terrorism.
A report from the European Commission shows that the obesity rate in the UK has increased over the past decade, making it the second highest in the EU after Hungary.
As part of the programme, thousands of people at risk of diabetes will be offered support to improve their health.
More than three million people in the UK have diabetes.
The programme aims to get people on a healthier diet
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: "The ghost of Christmases past reminds us that 20 years ago we didn't have these problems as a nation.
"The ghost of Christmases future tells us that if we get our act together - as the NHS, as parents, as schools, the food industry - we can get back in shape."
The European Court of Justice recently ruled that people who are obese could also be considered disabled.
But Mr Stevens called that ruling "daft" and said obesity is not "inevitable".
The NHS England leader said those at risk of diabetes can cut their chances of getting the disease by 60% if they lose between five and 7% of their body weight.
Simon Stevens, head of NHS England
The new programme "will offer tens of thousands of people at risk of diabetes proper support to get healthier, eat better and exercise more", Mr Stevens said.
Almost two-thirds of adults in the country are either overweight or obese.
Obesity is calculated through the body mass index, which is determined looking at the weight and height of the person. A BMI of between 25 and 30 means a person is overweight, a BMI of 30 or over means a person is obese.
A union has hit out at the timing of an announcement that more than 2,700 workers are facing redundancies after parcel delivery group City Link went into administration.
The RMT union has demanded "urgent talks" with Business Secretary Vince Cable after it was revealed on Christmas Day that the company had called in administrators.
The administrators - EY - were called in after years of "substantial losses".
City Link, which employs 2,727 people and is understood to count John Lewis among its largest clients, expects there to be a number of redundancies after no buyer could be found.
As well as the talks with Mr Cable, the union has demanded an investigation into the release of the news, saying it believed there could have been "more cynical motives" behind the decision to "delay" the announcement.
The RMT said it had been told the Coventry-based firm was in administration on Christmas Eve, something which neither the company nor the administrators were prepared to publicly confirm until the next day.
The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "The delayed timing of the announcement that City Link was in administration to tea time on Christmas Day stinks to high heaven.
"Not only was it the most brutal and callous way to treat nearly 3,000 staff but RMT believes there may have been more cynical motives behind it which we want the Government to investigate.
"The disgraceful timing of the City Link announcement at the start of the festive season must not be allowed to delay and hamper efforts to rescue the jobs."
Employee Mark Critchley told Sky News that staff were angry with City Link's managers, who he called "cowardly and underhanded".
"We'd like them to come down here and tell us what's going on and why they've done it," he said.
In an internal email from the company's chief executive Dave Smith, seen by Sky News, Mr Smith apologises to staff for the timing of the announcement.
"I am sorry to break this news to you, particularly at this time of year."
The company's operations at all of its depots have been suspended until Monday.
Customers and those expecting deliveries will then be able to collect their parcels.
Hunter Kelly, joint administrator to City Link, said the strain of the firm's losses "became too great".
"Despite the best efforts to save City Link Limited, including marketing the company for sale, it could not continue to operate as a going concern and administrators were appointed."
Administrators EY said some employees will be kept on to help return parcels to customers and help with the winding down of the company.
Customers who had placed parcels with the company on Christmas Eve and recipients who have been told of a failed or pending delivery have been urged to pick up their parcels as soon as possible on or after December 29.
The company's 53 depots will remain open for a short period of time so people can collect their parcels.
Christmas Day online shoppers are predicted to set a new spending record splashing out an estimated £636m today.
Shoppers are expected to make 142 million visits to retail sites today - a 25% increase on last year.
Research by Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG found Britons will spend around £441,000 a minute.
"The ease of shopping online via connected devices raises the prospect of a very large amount of shopping activity on Christmas Day itself," said Experian general manager of consumer insight Giles Longhurst.
Dominic Trigg, managing director for Europe of digital advertising technology company Rocket Fuel, said: "Shopping online on Christmas Day is now a normal part of UK consumers' holiday experiences every year.
Video:The Year In Retail
"It is clear that UK consumers now see shopping from the comfort of their own home, following Christmas Day dinner, as much of a tradition as a turkey and ham dinner."
Shoppers have already been enjoying heavy discounting as some stores began their traditional Boxing Day sales up to two days early.
Britain's retail sector has already been celebrating a record-breaking year as official figures are projecting an all-time high for sales in 2014.
Video:Annual Retail Sales To Reach £342bn
The forecast from the Office of National Statistics shows that sales for the year are expected to reach £342bn - a £48bn increase since 2010.
Pre-Christmas sales are up by 5.2% compared with last year.
More needs to be done to highlight the dangers of loom bands after a number of children got the popular children's accessory lodged in their noses.
Four children were treated at a Scottish hospital in just one week after the rubber bands became stuck, according to an article in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology.
But in a paper entitled Loom bands and young children - a tragedy waiting to happen? staff from the ENT Department at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, said there had been a surge in the popularity of the bands recently, and urged people to be aware of the potential risks.
The report's authors said: "Although the four cases presented were resolved without the need for general anaesthetic, the ever-soaring prevalence and popularity of loom bands necessitates a degree of caution and vigilance from parents, retailers and manufacturers alike.
"We believe there is an urgent need for greater public awareness of their potential hazards."
There is a risk of inhalation when objects become stuck in nasal passages, obstructing the airway, they added.
Loom bands are small loops of elastic in different colours that can be linked together to create jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.
The Duchess of Cambridge and pop star Harry Styles have been seen wearing them - leading to an increase in popularity.
Earlier this year The Entertainer removed loom band charms from its shelves after they were found to contain the chemical phthalates, which can disrupt hormones in children.
The chemicals, which are used to soften plastics, have been banned in toys on sale in the European Union for several years.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to cancel his annual Christmas Day sermon after coming down with a heavy cold.
Lambeth Palace said the Most Rev Justin Welby has been suffering from a "severe cold" for several days and decided this morning that he was too unwell to speak at the annual Canterbury Cathedral service.
A Lambeth Palace spokesman said the Archbishop "is suffering from a severe cold and will, with great regret, no longer be preaching the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral this morning.
"The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, will deliver a homily."
The Archbishop had been due to talk about how the true spirit of Christmas cannot be captured in fairytale endings, using the example of the First World War Christmas truce in 1914.
The Archbishop had been due to say: "The truce illustrates something of the heart of Christmas, whereby God sends his Son, that vulnerable sign of peace, to a weary war-torn world.
"The problem is that the way it is told now it seems to end with a 'happy ever after'.
"Of course we like Christmas stories with happy endings: singing carols, swapping photos, shaking hands, sharing chocolate, but the following day the war continued with the same severity.
"Nothing had changed; it was a one-day wonder.
"That is not the world in which we live, truces are rare."
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 24 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Northern Ireland's political parties have reached agreement on a range of issues that had threatened the devolved government's future.
The "Stormont House Agreement", which has been forged after weeks of talks, has resolved wrangles over the budget and welfare reforms and established new structures to deal with the legacy of unsolved killings during the Troubles.
An Independent Commission on Information Retrieval will help the bereaved and injured obtain information about events during the conflict.
The First and Deputy First Ministers will also bring forward proposals to deal with parades after the General Election, while a commission will be set up to address the issue of flags.
The agreement paves the way for corporation tax powers to be devolved to Belfast as well, after Chancellor George Osborne said he would do so, provided there was progress at the talks.
Prime Minister David Cameron has also agreed to lend the devolved government £2bn to address a shortfall, after Stormont agreed to cushion welfare reform from its own budget.
Mr Cameron said: "I am delighted that a workable agreement has been reached that can allow Northern Ireland to enjoy a brighter, more prosperous future, while at the same time finally being able to deal with its past.
"This historic agreement has been long in the making and I would also like to pay tribute to all those involved - the Northern Ireland parties, the UK and Irish governments and Senator Hart - for getting us to this position.
"We will now all work collaboratively to see this through. The people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing less."
First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson said the deal acknowledged that further work was needed.
"Of course every one of us would have liked to have had a more comprehensive and complete agreement but this is as much and more than we have ever been able to do on these issues in the past," he said.
"So it is a very significant agreement."
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the "remarkable agreement" had the potential to give the Executive a "fresh start".
"And it is a fresh start we need to seize with both hands," he said, flanked by party leader Gerry Adams.
Irish foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan, who was involved in negotiations, said: "Today we are building on the hard-won peace on this island with a new agreement which aims to further reconciliation and foster economic growth."
A bankrupt property tycoon whose body was found impaled on railings did not die in suspicious circumstances, a coroner has said.
Scot Young was discovered in what was described as a "grisly" and "brutal" scene following his death in Marylebone, central London, on December 8.
The 52-year-old had been jailed during a public divorce row over a multimillion-pound settlement because he would not reveal financial records.
After his fatal fall, friends of Mr Young came forward with concerns about a potential "ring of death" in his inner circle - saying four of his reported close friends had died in a similar way.
They pointed out Johnny Elichaoff, Boris Berezovsky, Robert Curtis and Paul Castle all appear to have killed themselves after suffering financial setbacks over the past four years.
But opening the inquest into Mr Young's death, Westminster assistant coroner Angela Hodes said there were no suspicious circumstances.
She said his body was identified by brother-in-law Guy van Ristell, with details supplied to the police by his daughter Sasha.
No members of Mr Young's family or friends were present at the hearing, which was adjourned until January 12.
Speaking after his death, his 30-year-old American model girlfriend, Noelle Reno one of the stars of the Ladies Of London reality TV show, said she was "distraught by the sudden loss of my best friend" and wanted to "grieve in peace".
Mr Young had been locked in a long-running legal battle with his ex-wife Michelle, 50, with whom he had two daughters.
Comedy writer Jeremy Lloyd, who created sitcoms including Are You Being Served? and 'Allo 'Allo!, has died aged 84.
His agent said he died in a London hospital on Monday evening from pneumonia.
Alexandra Cann said: "Jeremy was a great wit and always a mass of original ideas. He had a wonderfully original mind and will be greatly missed."
Lloyd, who was married three times including to Joanna Lumley, created a string of hit shows with his writing partner David Croft.
He was given an OBE for services to comedy in 2012.
Lloyd enjoyed a screen career of his own before devoting himself to providing the funny lines for others.
He made his film debut in School For Scoundrels and had minor roles in the Beatles films Help! and A Hard Day's Night, as well as classics such as Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
Lloyd and Croft had worked together on the Billy Cotton Band Show, contributing sketches, and were brought together again for a short-lived sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes Darling, which starred Lumley.
'Allo 'Allo stars Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle (L-R)
The two writers went on to work up an idea based on Lloyd's past experiences working at Simpsons of Piccadilly, which became Are You Being Served?, set in the fictional Grace Brothers store. Its run spanned 13 years.
'Allo 'Allo!, which starred Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle, ran for over a decade from 1982.
It was set in a small cafe in Nazi-occupied France during World War Two.
Lloyd and Lumley were married for less than a year. Writing about the marriage, the actress said: "He was witty, tall and charming - we should have just had a raging affair."
His third marriage, to interior designer Lizzy Moberly, took place in central London this June.
He said his third bride, who was 49 when they tied the knot, was "beautiful, clever and sent from heaven on mission impossible".
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Video:2014: A Year In Video
The past 12 months have seen some major news events. Sky News looks back at some of the stories that have been most popular with our digital audience over the period.
JANUARY
:: Weather
As January began, the subject on the minds of the vast majority of the UK was the weather, as heavy rain that had begun at the start of winter caused flooding in several parts of the country.
Hundreds of flood warnings were put in place as the ground surrounding rivers and low-lying areas became submerged and coastal regions were threatened by tidal surges caused by storms sweeping over Britain.
1/30
Gallery: How Well Have You Been Following The News In 2014?
Q1: The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 was released in September 2014. What was the unexpected 'glitch' found on the model?
A: The phone bent when worn in tight trousers
]]>
Q2: What did the Hong Kong protests held by pro-democracy activists also become known as?
]]>
]]>
Q3: Where did Benedict Cumberbatch announce his forthcoming marriage to Sophie Hunter?
]]>
:: Michael Schumacher
One of the most popular stories of early January was the condition of Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who was left in a coma after hitting a rock while skiing in Meribel.
The former driver was critical for some time, but gradually made progress and later in the year was able to leave hospital and go home.
:: Mikaeel Kular
A huge search in Edinburgh for missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular turned into a police investigation when his body was found. His mother was later charged with and then convicted of his killing.
FEBRUARY
:: Floods
In February, the weather continued to dominate the headlines as climate change was blamed for what was becoming one of the wettest winters on record.
Hundreds of homes went underwater around the Thames as the river burst its banks and the Environment Agency and the government blamed each other for a lack of flood protection.
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hollywood was shocked by the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead at the age of 46 in his Manhattan apartment from a heroin overdose.
:: Neknomination
People in Britain and Ireland were warned about the dangers of a new online drinking game called Neknomination after a number of deaths.
MARCH
:: MH370
March saw the start of a very bad period for Malaysia Airlines when one of its planes, flight MH370, disappeared from radar screens and was thought to have come down in the Indian Ocean.
Furious relatives hit out as an international effort combed the seas for clues about where the jet could have gone, but its eventual resting place remains a mystery and the world is still wondering how a jet with 239 passengers on board could have vanished.
:: Ukraine
Another of the biggest stories of the year stepped up a gear when Russia sent troops into Crimea, leading the way to the peninsula's annexation after a controversial referendum.
The events caused a diplomatic stand-off that led to claims that Russia was ready to invade Ukraine when it pushed troops up to the country's eastern border where fighting later broke out between soldiers and pro-Russian separatists.
:: Pistorius trial
The trial of the century got under way in Pretoria, South Africa, when Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius was tried for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he had shot dead the year before.
APRIL
:: Russian jets
As tensions in Ukraine increased, the RAF was forced to chase away a pair of Russian jets which were spotted off the coast of Scotland.
:: Peaches Geldof
The shock death of Peaches Geldof left her family and friends devastated but also confused as it was initially unexplained. It was only later revealed that heroin was likely to have contributed to her death.
:: Ann Maguire
Much-loved teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in the classroom while giving a lesson at a school in Leeds. One of her pupils, Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time, was later convicted of her murder and jailed for life.
MAY
:: Cat saves boy
Another of the most-viewed videos of the year was the hero cat which ploughed into a vicious dog that was attacking a four-year-old boy outside his home, saving the youngster from serious injury.
:: Beyonce's sister
CCTV footage emerged that appeared to show Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange physically attacking Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in a lift. All three later released a statement saying they had "moved forward" and that the pair had apologised to each other.
:: UKIP election result
UKIP's rise was underlined when Nigel Farage told the main three parties he would "see them in Westminster" following a surge in the party's support that resulted in it making significant gains in local elections.
JUNE
:: Rik Mayall
The entertainment world paid tribute to comic "genius" Rick Mayall, one of the founders of the alternative comedy movement, after he died at his home aged 56.
JULY
:: MH17
Despite claims it was not active in the conflict engulfing eastern Ukraine, Russia had questions to answer when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot out of the sky above the war torn region, killing 298 people.
As evidence mounted that Russia was transferring troops and equipment across the border into the areas around Luhansk and Donetsk, calls mounted for tougher sanctions to be levied on the Moscow regime of President Vladimir Putin.
:: Rolf Harris jailed
A two month trial came to an end when entertainer and TV personality Rolf Harris, 84, was jailed for five years, nine months, for sexually abusing four girls and young women.
:: World Cup
The most awaited sports event of the calendar may have started with riots and endured a biting controversy in the middle, but it ended with a party that only a Brazilian World Cup could have hosted after Germany beat Argentina in the final.
AUGUST
:: Robin Williams
President Barack Obama led the tributes for comedian and film star Robin Williams, who committed suicide at his home in California.
:: Cliff Richard
Live TV coverage of a police raid on the empty home of pop star Sir Cliff Richard - who was in Portugal at the time - sparked controversy, forcing a later apology from the South Yorkshire force as others leapt to his defence.
:: James Foley
The civil war in Syria, which had been ongoing for more than three years, regained its place at the head of the news bulletins when Islamic State militants beheaded the first of five Western hostages it had been holding captive.
US journalist James Foley was murdered by a militant who became known as Jihadi John because of his apparent English accent. The murders of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines came in the months following.
SEPTEMBER
:: Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius was released on bail after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, prompting her parents to say that the verdict was "not justice" for their daughter. The athlete was later jailed for five years at the end of the seven month trial.
:: Joan Rivers
One of the American comedy circuit's most outrageous yet successful performers died a week after undergoing a medical procedure aged 81.
:: Scottish Referendum
The future of Great Britain looked as if it was on a knife edge as Scotland went to the polls to decide whether it should stay part of the UK or go independent. In the end, by some margin, it voted to stay.
OCTOBER
:: Ebola
Another story that had been getting a lot of coverage for many months, the massive outbreak of Ebola became the heightened focus of attention as the US discovered its first case and the United Nations said it was at risk of being overwhelmed.
:: Alan Henning
Taxi driver turned aid worker Alan Henning became the fourth hostage to die at the hands of IS militants, prompting a wave of outrage. Later the extremist group murdered US aid worker Peter Kassig.
NOVEMBER
:: Rosetta probe
A spacecraft launched in 2004 caught up with a comet travelling at more than 34,000mph after travelling more than four billion miles. It then successfully sent down another craft to land on the surface of the celestial body and sent back data about what it found.
:: Phil Hughes
Australia's cricket captain was left in tears after the death of his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.
DECEMBER
:: Sydney siege
Seventeen people were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney by an armed man who ordered an Islamic flag to be displayed at the window. The gunman Man Haron Monis was later killed along with two hostages as police went in to carry out a rescue after shooting was heard.
:: Pakistan school attack
Militants killed 141 people, including at least 132 children, in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
:: Gorge deaths
A police hunt for a mother who went missing from a hospital with her newborn baby ended in tragedy when the woman and her four-day-old were found in the Avon Gorge, below Clifton, Bristol.
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Top Stories
Breaking News: Clashes As Black Teen Shot Dead By Police
Breaking News: Coalition Pilot Shot Down And Captured By IS
Glasgow: Woman Saw Daughter And Parents Killed
High Street Sales To Reach £342bn In 2014
Bryan Ferry's Son Hurt In Serious Car Crash
The Headlines In 2014: Review Of The Year
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:2014: A Year In Video
The past 12 months have seen some major news events. Sky News looks back at some of the stories that have been most popular with our digital audience over the period.
JANUARY
:: Weather
As January began, the subject on the minds of the vast majority of the UK was the weather, as heavy rain that had begun at the start of winter caused flooding in several parts of the country.
Hundreds of flood warnings were put in place as the ground surrounding rivers and low-lying areas became submerged and coastal regions were threatened by tidal surges caused by storms sweeping over Britain.
1/30
Gallery: How Well Have You Been Following The News In 2014?
Q1: The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 was released in September 2014. What was the unexpected 'glitch' found on the model?
A: The phone bent when worn in tight trousers
]]>
Q2: What did the Hong Kong protests held by pro-democracy activists also become known as?
]]>
]]>
Q3: Where did Benedict Cumberbatch announce his forthcoming marriage to Sophie Hunter?
]]>
:: Michael Schumacher
One of the most popular stories of early January was the condition of Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who was left in a coma after hitting a rock while skiing in Meribel.
The former driver was critical for some time, but gradually made progress and later in the year was able to leave hospital and go home.
:: Mikaeel Kular
A huge search in Edinburgh for missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular turned into a police investigation when his body was found. His mother was later charged with and then convicted of his killing.
FEBRUARY
:: Floods
In February, the weather continued to dominate the headlines as climate change was blamed for what was becoming one of the wettest winters on record.
Hundreds of homes went underwater around the Thames as the river burst its banks and the Environment Agency and the government blamed each other for a lack of flood protection.
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hollywood was shocked by the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead at the age of 46 in his Manhattan apartment from a heroin overdose.
:: Neknomination
People in Britain and Ireland were warned about the dangers of a new online drinking game called Neknomination after a number of deaths.
MARCH
:: MH370
March saw the start of a very bad period for Malaysia Airlines when one of its planes, flight MH370, disappeared from radar screens and was thought to have come down in the Indian Ocean.
Furious relatives hit out as an international effort combed the seas for clues about where the jet could have gone, but its eventual resting place remains a mystery and the world is still wondering how a jet with 239 passengers on board could have vanished.
:: Ukraine
Another of the biggest stories of the year stepped up a gear when Russia sent troops into Crimea, leading the way to the peninsula's annexation after a controversial referendum.
The events caused a diplomatic stand-off that led to claims that Russia was ready to invade Ukraine when it pushed troops up to the country's eastern border where fighting later broke out between soldiers and pro-Russian separatists.
:: Pistorius trial
The trial of the century got under way in Pretoria, South Africa, when Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius was tried for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he had shot dead the year before.
APRIL
:: Russian jets
As tensions in Ukraine increased, the RAF was forced to chase away a pair of Russian jets which were spotted off the coast of Scotland.
:: Peaches Geldof
The shock death of Peaches Geldof left her family and friends devastated but also confused as it was initially unexplained. It was only later revealed that heroin was likely to have contributed to her death.
:: Ann Maguire
Much-loved teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in the classroom while giving a lesson at a school in Leeds. One of her pupils, Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time, was later convicted of her murder and jailed for life.
MAY
:: Cat saves boy
Another of the most-viewed videos of the year was the hero cat which ploughed into a vicious dog that was attacking a four-year-old boy outside his home, saving the youngster from serious injury.
:: Beyonce's sister
CCTV footage emerged that appeared to show Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange physically attacking Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in a lift. All three later released a statement saying they had "moved forward" and that the pair had apologised to each other.
:: UKIP election result
UKIP's rise was underlined when Nigel Farage told the main three parties he would "see them in Westminster" following a surge in the party's support that resulted in it making significant gains in local elections.
JUNE
:: Rik Mayall
The entertainment world paid tribute to comic "genius" Rick Mayall, one of the founders of the alternative comedy movement, after he died at his home aged 56.
JULY
:: MH17
Despite claims it was not active in the conflict engulfing eastern Ukraine, Russia had questions to answer when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot out of the sky above the war torn region, killing 298 people.
As evidence mounted that Russia was transferring troops and equipment across the border into the areas around Luhansk and Donetsk, calls mounted for tougher sanctions to be levied on the Moscow regime of President Vladimir Putin.
:: Rolf Harris jailed
A two month trial came to an end when entertainer and TV personality Rolf Harris, 84, was jailed for five years, nine months, for sexually abusing four girls and young women.
:: World Cup
The most awaited sports event of the calendar may have started with riots and endured a biting controversy in the middle, but it ended with a party that only a Brazilian World Cup could have hosted after Germany beat Argentina in the final.
AUGUST
:: Robin Williams
President Barack Obama led the tributes for comedian and film star Robin Williams, who committed suicide at his home in California.
:: Cliff Richard
Live TV coverage of a police raid on the empty home of pop star Sir Cliff Richard - who was in Portugal at the time - sparked controversy, forcing a later apology from the South Yorkshire force as others leapt to his defence.
:: James Foley
The civil war in Syria, which had been ongoing for more than three years, regained its place at the head of the news bulletins when Islamic State militants beheaded the first of five Western hostages it had been holding captive.
US journalist James Foley was murdered by a militant who became known as Jihadi John because of his apparent English accent. The murders of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines came in the months following.
SEPTEMBER
:: Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius was released on bail after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, prompting her parents to say that the verdict was "not justice" for their daughter. The athlete was later jailed for five years at the end of the seven month trial.
:: Joan Rivers
One of the American comedy circuit's most outrageous yet successful performers died a week after undergoing a medical procedure aged 81.
:: Scottish Referendum
The future of Great Britain looked as if it was on a knife edge as Scotland went to the polls to decide whether it should stay part of the UK or go independent. In the end, by some margin, it voted to stay.
OCTOBER
:: Ebola
Another story that had been getting a lot of coverage for many months, the massive outbreak of Ebola became the heightened focus of attention as the US discovered its first case and the United Nations said it was at risk of being overwhelmed.
:: Alan Henning
Taxi driver turned aid worker Alan Henning became the fourth hostage to die at the hands of IS militants, prompting a wave of outrage. Later the extremist group murdered US aid worker Peter Kassig.
NOVEMBER
:: Rosetta probe
A spacecraft launched in 2004 caught up with a comet travelling at more than 34,000mph after travelling more than four billion miles. It then successfully sent down another craft to land on the surface of the celestial body and sent back data about what it found.
:: Phil Hughes
Australia's cricket captain was left in tears after the death of his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.
DECEMBER
:: Sydney siege
Seventeen people were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney by an armed man who ordered an Islamic flag to be displayed at the window. The gunman Man Haron Monis was later killed along with two hostages as police went in to carry out a rescue after shooting was heard.
:: Pakistan school attack
Militants killed 141 people, including at least 132 children, in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
:: Gorge deaths
A police hunt for a mother who went missing from a hospital with her newborn baby ended in tragedy when the woman and her four-day-old were found in the Avon Gorge, below Clifton, Bristol.
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Top Stories
Breaking News: Clashes As Black Teen Shot Dead By Police
Breaking News: Coalition Pilot Shot Down And Captured By IS
A son of singer Bryan Ferry is thought to be in hospital after being trapped in a car for almost an hour after a crash.
Merlin Ferry had to be freed from the vehicle after the collision in Shropshire on Monday.
Another of Bryan Ferry's sons, Otis, thanked firefighters from Wellington Fire Station, who tweeted a picture of the wreckage on the A458, for their efforts.
He wrote on Twitter: "thank you for extracting my Brother alive from what looks like a mangled box of tin. We are all continuing to pray."
Merlin Ferry (1st left) when father Bryan collected his CBE
Wellington Fire Service said the operation to free the man had been "a difficult extraction due to the impact involved".
A West Midlands Ambulance service spokesman said the trapped man "had suffered multiple fractures to his legs, pelvis, left arm and had a head injury".
"Working with firefighters, ambulance staff very carefully freed him,"
"He was assessed at the scene and had splints put in place along with advanced pain relief before being taken on blue lights to the Major Trauma Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
"The trauma doctor travelled with the patient."
He added that there had been a small fire in a second car, but that the driver was able to get out of the vehicle, suffering minor injuries.
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 23 Desember 2014 | 20.14
Three of the six victims killed when a bin lorry careered out of control through Glasgow were an elderly couple and their granddaughter.
Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine, and Erin McQuade, understood to be in her teens, died on Monday after the council vehicle drove through a street full of Christmas shoppers.
Mr Sweeney, from Dumbarton, was a former president of Bramalea Celtic supporters club in Canada.
A statement posted on the Bramalea CeItic supporters club Facebook page said: "It is with great shock and sadness we share with you our friend and past president Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and granddaughter Erin were victims of today's tragedy in Glasgow.
"Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of the Sweeney family."
Video:City's Year Book-Ended By Tragedy
Relative John Sweeney described himself as "feeling heartbroken" on Facebook.
He wrote: "No words can describe the pain. R.I.P. Jack, Lorraine and Erin. Thoughts and prayers go out to the other families that lost loved ones as well."
Three other females were also killed and 10 people were injured, six of whom remain in hospitals around the city.
Video:Police Thank Glasgow For Support
A special prayer service has been held for the victims at the St George's Tron Parish Church which is near the scene of the crash on George Square.
Reverend Alastair Duncan, minister of St George's Tron Church of Scotland, led prayers for the victims and all those affected.
He said Glasgow had been left "in sorrow and shock" and "in a place of brokenness and grief" as a result of the "pain and devastation that has come to families in this city".
1/13
Gallery: Tributes For Lorry Crash Victims
Flowers have been left near the scene of a bin lorry crash in Glasgow which killed six people and left 10 more injured
There were five female and one male fatality. The driver is among the injured