Weather: Bank Holiday 'Hotter Than Majorca'

The best weather so far this year has arrived in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, with temperatures expected to be higher than in Majorca and Cote D'Azur.

It will get gradually warmer throughout the weekend, climbing to 22C (72F) in south-east England on Sunday and Monday, according to Sky's forecast.

Meanwhile, the Spanish island of Majorca will only see temperatures of 16C (60.8F) and the Cote D'Azur in the south of France will reach 18C (64.4F), according to the Met Office website.

Although the weather will be mainly dry, northwest Britain will have some intermittent rain, said Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson.

The warm weather is expected to see a surge in demand for barbecues, with Asda reporting a sales increase of 142% - while Marks and Spencer report sales of its barbecue range 'The Grill' are expected to double compared to last year.

Temperatures will hover above 20C on Monday

Meanwhile Superdrug has reported an increased demand for beauty products such as false toe nails, wax strips and fake tan.

This year's expected sunny Bank Holiday will be a big improvement over last year, which saw rain and a temperature high of 16C (60.8F) at Exeter Airport.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "It will be a mainly dry day with sunny spells on Sunday, although it looks to turn cloudier from the west later. However temperatures could reach up to 22°C (72°F) in the south-east of England."

Monday looks to be a similar day, she added.

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April Jones: Frantic Mum 'Searched In Bins'

CCTV footage has been released showing Mark Bridger's car and what is thought to be April Jones inside the vehicle on the evening she vanished.

The Land Rover is seen in the top right hand corner of the video passing a garage in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, around 7.20pm on October 1 last year.

Bridger, 47, has denied abducting and murdering the five-year-old, who went missing from her estate in the town some time after 7pm, a court heard.

But he admits running her over and says he does not remember what he did with her body.

According to the prosecution, Bridger told police when he was arrested that he had parked on the estate at 7.10pm and shortly afterwards he ran over April, found her unconscious, put her into the car and then drove off.

April Jones in a leisure centre a couple of hours before she vanished

Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said: "The image released to the jury is about 10 minutes after that - so by Mark Bridger's own admission when that image was taken of his car driving out of Machynlleth, April was in his car.

"And according to what he told police, she was either dead by then or dying."

It comes as the jury in Bridger's murder trial heard of the frantic moments when April's parents learned their daughter was missing.

The police statements of Coral and Paul Jones were read to the court by prosecutor Elwen Evans QC, who outlined the family's day on October 1.

After April was collected from school, she was taken by her mother for a swimming lesson before they returned home for a tea of spaghetti on toast.

April watched a Disney film and then asked to go out and play on her bike with a friend, her mother said.

April, five, went missing on October 1 last year

Mrs Jones, 43, said: "Paul and I said no, she wanted to take her bike to her friend's next door. She kept on and on and had a little tantrum and I eventually gave in so she went next door to play.

"I told her I didn't want her out for long. I think it was about 7pm and that was the last time I saw her."

Twenty minutes later, Mrs Jones sent April's older brother out to collect his sister as "it was getting dark and a little colder".

"Within a very short time he came running home and he was in a hysterical state. When I calmed him down he said that April's friend had seen her getting into a car with a man and that she had gone.

"I immediately went over and asked April's friend what she had seen. I was told that April had got into a car with a man and he had driven off."

Mark Bridger denies abducting and murdering April Jones

Mrs Jones called the police straight away. She said: "I went out and searched around the estate, everywhere I could think of. I even looked in the bins."

In his statement, Mr Jones, 41, said: "We rang the police and Coral went out to search. I felt so helpless. I went to speak to April's friend who said something about a van.

"When she said that, I went around the corner to look. I then went back home and I just paced. I think that I just paced up and down, waiting for any news, for about 24 hours."

The jury was also shown other CCTV images of the five-year-old before she went missing.

And video said to show her alleged killer's movements in the hours before and after her disappearance was also played in court.

A CCTV camera picked up April, in a white top, and a friend, in a blue top, in the foyer of a leisure centre in Machynlleth, where the five-year-old had gone swimming.

Another sequence shows April and her sister leaving a cafe at the complex and then going towards the changing rooms. They are later seen leaving the changing rooms.

The two are then pictured departing the centre with April's mother Coral and the youngster's friend at 5:40pm, about a couple of hours before she vanished.

The jury was also shown a series of CCTV clips allegedly tracking Bridger's movements in his Land Rover on the day April went missing, and the following morning, walking from the Dyfi bridge direction to Machynlleth.

He is also apparently shown getting on to a bus, then walking his dog near his home around mid-morning.

The trial at Mold Crown Court in North Wales has been adjourned for the day and is due to resume next week.

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NHS 111: Patient Deaths Under Investigation

The deaths of three people are under investigation in connection with the NHS 111 non-emergency phone line, according to a report.

The general practitioners trade magazine Pulse reported that at least 22 possible "serious untoward incidents" (or SUIs) related to NHS 111 have been reported since the launch of the service.

Those incidents included three where a patient died, the magazine has claimed.

Two of the deaths occurred in the East Midlands, and one in the West Midlands.

The deaths reportedly include the case of a 47-year-old who died from a suspected overdose.

That death occurred after relatives contacted NHS 111 requesting mental health assistance, Pulse reported. 

A further 19 possible SUIs have been recorded by providers or commissioners, the magazine added.

Rolled out across most of the country last month, the NHS 111 service is for people urgently seeking medical help or advice but who are not in a life-threatening situation.

The service was introduced to replace NHS Direct in England and is meant to ease pressure on emergency 999 call centres.

NHS England said it could not verify the data reported in Pulse, however it issued a statement in response to the magazine's report.

"The safety of patients must be our paramount concern and NHS England will keep a careful eye on the situation to ensure NHS 111 provides not only a good service to the public, but one which is also safe," the statement read.

Earlier this week, NHS England announced a review of the 111 service.

A spokesman said: "The performance standards which have been introduced for NHS 111 represent a gold standard which the majority of NHS 111 services in England are now meeting, though in some areas performance is still unacceptable, especially at weekends.

"Some local providers of NHS 111 have not provided the prompt, reliable service the public need and want.

"NHS England's board is determined to ensure that the public have access to a gold standard NHS 111 service wherever they live in England."

But Clare Gerada, chairwoman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, raised concerns about the free-to-call advice line.

"It is extremely worrying that there is still so much uncertainty around the delivery and reliability of the advice provided by NHS 111 in some areas.

"We are also concerned that patients are losing confidence in the new service before it is even fully up and running.

"We call on NHS England to provide more reassurance about its effectiveness and ability to deliver the necessary standards of care for all patients using the service, right across England."

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Philip Hammond Unsure About F-35 Order

By David Bowden, Defence Correspondent

British operational military pilots have begun flying what is being touted as the world's most advanced stealth fighter jet, the F-35.

But even as they take to the skies, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has given the clearest indication yet that the UK may not now buy all the jets it had planned. 

Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Mr Hammond pledged that the first 48 aircraft on order at a cost of around £100m each would be bought to service the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers from 2020.

But he would not commit to a further 90 planes, which had originally been proposed.

He said: "It's dependent on politics, money and the state of the world, but it's also dependent on what is not yet clearly known, what the mix between manned fighter jets and unmanned aircraft is going to be."

Mr Hammond said there were two trains of thought, one suggesting an 80/20 split of manned to unmanned aircraft in future, the other suggesting the exact opposite.

He said the final decision would determine how many manned F-35s the UK could buy.

The Defence Secretary interrupted a visit to Washington to meet his recently-appointed US counterpart Chuck Hagel and fly to the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in Maryland where the F-35, or the Lightning II as it will be known in Britain, is being tested.

Philip Hammond inspected the F-35 after meeting US counterpart Chuck Hagel

Mr Hammond looked on as former Harrier pilot Pete "Wizzer" Wilson, who now works for defence contractor BAE Systems, which is part of the project team for the F-35, demonstrated the 'B' variant of the aircraft, which is capable of a short take-off and vertical landing.

In Florida, at Eglin Air Force Base in the northwest of the state, the first UK military operational pilots began flying the F-35B just six weeks ago.

There are only two of them - Lt Commander Ian "Tidders" Tidball from the Royal Navy and Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler from the RAF.

Both have vast experience on other types of fast jets - Lt Cdr Tidball on Sea Harriers and F-18s, Sqn Ldr Bulcher on the Jaguar and latterly Typhoon aircraft.

After frustrating delays due to problems with the test aircraft and then the weather, both British pilots are now qualified to fly the F-35.

Lt Cdr Tidball told me after his qualifying flight: "Having come back from the Harrier and F-18, the aircraft handles absolutely exceptionally, very responsive even in these bumpy conditions."

Sqn Ldr Buchler is also a fan of the new jet, parts of which are still classified and Sky News was not allowed to film.

He said: "It's awesome, a boyhood dream. I've always wanted to fly the best fast jets in the world and here we are with a fantastic platform and I'm lucky enough to be one of the first guys from the UK flying it.

The F-35B after its first landing on an Atlantic Ocean aircraft carrier

"It's better than working for a living."

The British pilots fly two of the three UK jets so far delivered. But it will be another five years before the first squadron, based at RAF Marham, is set up on UK soil.

In the meantime, 17 Squadron will be the first UK unit to fly the F-35B out of Edwards Air Force base in California from next year.

The F-35 programme comprises three variants in all.

The A model is the "base" model and will be flown predominantly by the US Air Force, the B variant, which the UK is buying, will also be flown by the US Marine Corps, while the C or carrier variant, is adapted with "cat and trap" equipment to fly on and off American aircraft carriers.

The bulk of the projected orders will come from the US - close to 2,500 planes - with the UK originally due to buy 138 in total and the other "partner" nations, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, Denmark and Norway, due to buy about 500 between them.

The projections from Lockheed Martin, the lead contractor, suggest that including sales to other "coalition" countries there will be 3,922 F-35s sold during its planned 30-year production run.

That's good news for the UK economy too, because 15% by value of each sale comes to these shores, largely through the contribution of BAE Systems in Lancashire, where much of the tail of every F-35 is manufactured.

The biggest danger to the programme at the moment is the immense cost, estimated at £2.5bn so far, given that defence budgets across the world - particularly in the West - are being slashed.

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Prison Van Escape: £10k Reward Offered

By Nick Martin, North Of England Correspondent

Police are offering a £10,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of two fugitives who escaped from an ambushed prison van.

Ryan McDonald, 20, and Stevie McMullen, 31, have been on the run since Tuesday when the vehicle in which they being taken to court in Manchester was intercepted.

Three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas stopped the GEOAmey prison van in Salford just after 9am.

Police said a dark-green Saab car was driven in front of the van and the men got out all brandishing weapons, including an axe, a sawn-off shotgun and a handgun.

The side windows of the van were smashed and the driver was forced out of the vehicle.

He was then ordered to open the back of the white van and two of the cell compartments, which contained McMullen and McDonald.

All five are then thought to have fled in the Saab car which did a u-turn and was driven about half a mile to a motorway intersection approach road and abandoned.

The men are then believed to have run into a nearby estate before at least one of them leapt on to a motorbike that was later found abandoned.

McDonald had been on his way to court where he was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

McMullen was on trial having been charged with conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to commit arson and other serious offences.

Police warned the public that the men were dangerous and not to approach either of them.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The investigation to recapture these fugitives is progressing well and we have been following up a number of leads.

"This work will continue until the moment all those involved are returned to their prison cells.

"However, we are now offering a large sum of money to anyone with information that leads to their arrests.

"I need to once again reiterate the potential danger posed by all these men - the public should not approach either man and if anyone knows where they are or saw these men escaping I would urge them to contact police immediately."

The van was attacked on Regent Road, Salford near to its junction with Gloucester Street. The Saab had pulled out of Gloucester Street when it stopped the van.

When the gang fled in the Saab, registration C19 JCA, it went along Regent Road to a point near to the M602 roundabout, where it was abandoned.

The five men ran south towards Phoebe Street and into the Ordsall estate, Salford.

Moments later the motorbike was seen at high speed near to West Crown Avenue, Ordsall, with the driver dressed all in black, with a white helmet and the pillion passenger described as a white man, wearing a red top and no helmet.

Shortly after 10am, a black Yamaha 1000cc motorbike, registration R1 GNE, was found abandoned on Thurlow Street, between the M602 and Salford Quays.

The prison van was travelling from HMP Altcourse, near Liverpool, to Manchester Crown Square.

A 28-year-old woman and 24-year-old man have been detained at a house on the Ordsall estate in connection with the incident on suspicion of being involved in assisting an offender.

They have been released on bail pending further inquiries until June 26, 2013.

They remain in police custody for questioning.

Police also appealed for anyone who had seen any of the vehicles, particularly the Saab, before, during or after the attack, to get in touch.

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April Jones: Jury Sees Last CCTV Video

The jury in the trial of the man accused of murdering April Jones has been shown the last CCTV images of the five-year-old before she went missing.

Video said to show her alleged killer Mark Bridger's movements in the hours before and after her disappearance on October 1 last year was also played in court.

A CCTV camera picked up April, in a white top, and a friend, in a blue top, in the foyer of a leisure centre in Machynlleth, mid-Wales. April had gone there for a swim.

Another sequence shows April and her sister leaving a cafe at the complex and then going towards the changing rooms.

April and her sister are later seen leaving the changing rooms.

They are then pictured departing the centre with April's mother and the youngster's friend at 5.40pm, a few hours before she vanished.

Mark Bridger denies abducting and murdering April Jones

Other CCTV footage apparently showed Bridger's vehicle moving through Machynlleth at 7.20pm, minutes before April disappeared from a nearby estate.

Footage allegedly also showed Bridger the morning after April went missing, walking from the Dyfi bridge direction to Machynlleth.

He is apparently shown getting on to bus, then walking his dog near his home around mid-morning.

CCTV was also said to show Bridger buying alcohol in a supermarket the night before she went missing.

He was then allegedly viewed on CCTV the following morning on October 1, arriving in his Land Rover at the council offices in Machynlleth and then going into the building.

More cameras then allegedly show Bridger's vehicle travelling through Machynlleth.

Bridger, 47, denies abducting and murdering April. The trial at Mold Crown Court in North Wales continues.

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Derby: Man Found Dead In Chimney Named

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

Police have identified the body of a man found earlier this week inside the chimney of a law firm in Derby.

Kevin Gough, of no fixed abode, was found at Moody & Woolley Solicitors in St Mary's Gate around noon on May 1 after staff were alerted by the smell.

The area was cordoned off while the 42-year-old's body was removed.

Julie Marson, senior partner at Moody & Woolley, told Sky News: "About a week ago there was a smell, but on Monday flies started to appear and we had the chimney investigated."

Staff at the solicitors reported a bad smell before the body was found

Ms Marson said staff at the firm, which employs around 30 people, were shocked by the discovery and believed it was possible Mr Gough had been inside the chimney for several weeks.

She added: "We know that someone had made a concerted effort to get into the building, partially dismantling the chimney to use the brickwork to try to force through the roof.

"Actually our builder went up and saw there was a big gaping hole. He tried to make an entry into the loft and the smell hit him.

"We all thought there was probably a dead cat or a pigeon or something in there, but unfortunately it wasn't.

"Most of us are mothers here, we understand somebody is going to have some dreadful news and we all feel it is just such a tragedy because there is nothing in the building worth stealing."

She explained that all the fireplaces in the building have been filled in.

Police are treating the death as unexplained and are preparing a file for the coroner.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Police said: "We're leaving it to the coroner to decide what he was doing in the chimney."

An inquest will open at Derby Coroner's Court later on Friday.

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Gatwick Cocaine: Men Aged 82 And 62 Charged

Two men aged 62 and 82 have been charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK via Gatwick Airport.

British nationals Calvin Campbell, 62, of Gloucester Road in Tottenham, and Donald Garwood, 82, of Circular Road in Tottenham, were arrested by Border Force officers at the airport's south terminal at around 10.30am on Thursday.

They had arrived on a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and between them are suspected of trying to smuggle an estimated 2kg of cocaine, with a potential street value of around £200,000.

The pair, who remain in Border Force custody, were charged with attempting to import a class A drug and are expected to appear before Uxbridge Magistrates.

"Border Force officers at Gatwick are on constant alert to prevent illegal drugs and other contraband reaching the UK," said Border Force South Region deputy director David Holt.

"Drug trafficking is a serious offence and those convicted face long prison sentences."

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Interest-Only Borrowers Face 'Wake-Up Call'

Homeowners with interest-only mortgages due to be paid before 2020 need to "act now" to ensure they have enough money to pay their loans back, a report says.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) fears that consumers are under-estimating the scale of the problem, with around 260,000 people thought to have no strategy in place for repaying their loan.

Consumer campaigners also raised concerns that a "significant" number of people claimed to be unaware how their loan was meant to be paid back when they took the product out and called for further work to make sure some borrowers were not mis-sold deals.

13% of borrowers were unaware they needed an interest-only repayment plan

Mortgage lenders have agreed to alert their most at-risk customers to help them avoid "payment shocks". Some of them could end up having to sell their home to pay the loan back if they do not take stronger control of their repayment planning.

Around 2.6 million interest-only mortgages are due for repayment over the next 30 years but research has revealed that one in 10 people on such a deal have no plan for paying the money back.

The report said it was not clear how well some borrowers understood the discussions about how the mortgage was meant to be repaid when they took the deal out.

Some 13% of interest-only borrowers said they were not aware when they took out the deal that they needed a plan in place to repay the whole amount borrowed, not just the interest - and a further 6% were unsure.

However, those who said they were unaware of the need for a repayment strategy were more likely to have taken out the deal longer ago and just one in 40 people (2.5%) who said they were unaware still has no repayment plan in place.

Richard Lloyd, executive director of consumer group Which?, said: "We're worried that a significant proportion of consumers say they did not know they needed a separate repayment plan on their interest-only mortgage."

The FCA said that the regulator is concentrating its efforts on making sure that the people whose interest-only mortgages are maturing will have a way of paying their loan back.

Mortgage lenders will contact homeowners considered most at risk

It is thought that despite the report's findings, there are no particular jumps in mortgage complaints figures to suggest that the way that interest-only mortgages were sold was a widespread problem.

A Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) spokeswoman said that the body's focus will be on helping those who still have no strategy in place for repaying their mortgage.

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British Poker Player Jailed For Wife's Murder

A British professional poker player has been jailed for 20 years for killing his wife in America in the "heat of passion".

Marcus Bebb-Jones had denied killing his wife Sabrina in 1997, but pleaded guilty earlier this year under an agreement that meant he avoided a trial on a first-degree murder charge.

The couple were running the Melrose Hotel in Grand Junction, Colorado, when Mrs Bebb-Jones disappeared in September 1997.

Her skull was found in 2004 in a national park near Douglas Pass in north-west Colorado.

Bebb-Jones was arrested at his home in Kidderminster in Worcestershire in 2009 amid accusations he went on to spend thousands of dollars on her credit cards before botching a suicide bid.

The 49-year-old lost his appeal against extradition to the US in 2011 and was due to stand trial.

He pleaded guilty at a hearing in the 9th Judicial District Court in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in February.

District Attorney Sherry Caloia said he made a plea bargain, admitting murder in the second degree, in exchange for a sentence of no more than 20 years.

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Stuart Hall Admits Sex Assaults On Children

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls as young as nine years old.

The Crown Prosecution Service said he was an "opportunistic predator" and almost all the victims provided "strikingly similar accounts".

The CPS also said the victims, among them a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old, did not know each other and Hall's pattern of behaviour was "unlawful".

Hall, 83, admitted 14 charges of indecent assault and the offences took place between 1967 and 1985.

The former It's A Knockout presenter, who was also a regular football match summariser on Radio 5 Live, had previously denied any wrongdoing, telling reporters the claims were "pernicious, callous, cruel and above all spurious".

He said he had endured "a living nightmare" and but for his "very loving family" may have considered taking his own life.

He entered the guilty pleas last month at Preston Crown Court. However, they can only be revealed now after reporting restrictions were lifted.

Hall was surrounded by a media scrum outside court

In court, Hall calmly and repeatedly answered "guilty" when the charges were put to him at the hearing on April 16.

He admitted touching and kissing 13 young victims over nearly two decades, many were daughters of friends.

The Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, told him he would be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register.

Hall was granted bail until his sentencing date on June 17 and the judge told him all sentencing options remain open including immediate custody.

Hall told reporters he had a "terrible cold"

Hall's barrister, Crispin Aylett QC, said: "The defendant is, of course, sorry for what he has done. Through me he wishes to apologise to his victims.

"He is not a man easily moved to self pity but he is only too aware his disgrace is complete."

Hall was told he must live and sleep at his Wilmslow home in Cheshire and have no unsupervised contact with girls under 18.

Hall did not comment on the case as he left court accompanied by his legal team, saying only to waiting reporters that he had a "terrible cold".

He was surrounded by a media scrum as he was led into a waiting car.

Outside court, Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for the North West, said: "We prosecuted Stuart Hall because the evidence of the victims clearly established a pattern of behaviour that was unlawful and for which no innocent explanation could be offered.

Sentencing is due to take place on April 16

"His victims did not know each other and almost two decades separated the first and last assaults but almost all of the victims, including one who was only nine at the time of the assault, provided strikingly similar accounts.

"Whether in public or private, Hall would first approach under friendly pretences and then bide his time until the victim was isolated. He can only be described as an opportunistic predator."

Hall was facing 18 charges. A court order was lifted so that the pleas could be reported.

It was to avoid prejudicing a possible future trial on a count of rape and three separate counts of indecent assault which Hall had denied last month.

Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, said the Crown was satisfied the rape count could lie on file after it was given consideration at "the most senior level" of the CPS. The three other counts were merged with a charge Hall had admitted.

The BBC said it would not be featuring Hall again in its programmes. In a statement, the corporation said: "In light of today's events, Stuart Hall will no longer be contracted by the BBC."

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Bill Roache: Actor To Respond To Rape Charges

Coronation street star Bill Roache is expected to give a statement later after being accused of raping a teenager in 1967.

The 81-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since its launch in 1960, was arrested at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on Wednesday.

Some 12 hours later, he was charged with two counts of rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Lancashire Police said it followed a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "We have carefully considered all the evidence gathered by Lancashire Police in relation to William Roache following allegations of rape.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Roache to be charged with two offences of rape relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1967."

Police officers stand guard outside Roache's secluded Cheshire home

ITV said in a statement that Roache - the world's longest-serving soap actor - will not be appearing in Coronation Street until legal proceedings have finished.

After his Coronation Street co-star Michael Le Vell was charged with 19 child sex offences, Roache called for anonymity for those accused of such crimes because of the stigma they face even if innocent.

Speaking to Sky News in March, he said: "If there is to be anonymity for the accusers at this stage, then there should most certainly be anonymity for those accused, until such time as there is strong evidence to show that there was some truth to the allegations at least."

Le Vell, who will not appear as mechanic Kevin Webster while he awaits his trial, has stated publicly that he is innocent and will fight the allegations.

Roache will appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on May 14.

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Charity: 'Scammers Have Never Had It So Good'

Con artists in the UK are thriving during the recession by coming up with new ways to profit from the financial misery of others, Citizens Advice has warned.

The charity said 22,000 scams were reported to it in England and Wales in the last 12 months.

Financial desperation is making people more vulnerable to scams that offer loans or employment opportunities, it added.

"Opportunistic con artists are targeting people who have fallen on hard times with offers of phoney jobs, training and debt scams," Citizens Advice said in a statement.

Typical scams include persuading victims to pay upfront fees to qualify for non-existent loans or to reserve places on fictitious professional training courses, the charity said.

Citizens Advice CEO Gillian Guy said: "Scammers have never had it so good.

"For most people the recession has been really tough but it's a different story for rogues and tricksters as they've cashed-in on other people's misfortune.

"We're seeing people who have been dealt a double-blow by losing their job and then losing money while trying to find a new one."

Citizens Advice will run a campaign throughout May to raise awareness of potential scams.

Leon Livermore, from the Trading Standards Institute, said: "Trading standards officers see first hand the impact these unscrupulous fraudsters are having on often the most vulnerable in our communities. We are working hard with other authorities to stop them."

Citizens Advice said it was worried con artists were already dreaming up new schemes to profit from proposed benefit changes, specifically the so-called Bedroom Tax and the localising of council tax support.

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British Explorer Dies In Trek Across Arctic

A British adventurer has died during an attempt to cross part of the Greenland ice sheet with two colleagues.

Philip Goodeve-Docker, 37, described as a "rookie to the Arctic", was taking part in the unsupported 400-mile trek with friends Andy Norman, 33, and expedition leader Roan Hackney.

Despite being new to the Arctic he had been 'training furiously'

The men had planned to negotiate part of the ice cap from east to west in 30 days, pulling heavy sleds known as 'pulks' containing their food, equipment and supplies.

But they got into difficulties two days and 120 miles into the trip after they were engulfed by a severe snowstorm known as a 'Piteraq' which blew away their tent.

The men radioed for help but a helicopter was unable to reach their position until the next morning. By the time it arrived, Mr Goodeve-Docker was already dead and his colleagues were suffering from frost-bite and shock.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said: "We are aware that three British nationals were in difficulty during an expedition in Greenland, and have been rescued by the authorities. 

"Sadly one of the team, Philip Goodeve-Docker, died. The other two British nationals are in hospital. We are providing consular assistance to their families at this difficult time."

An expedition website that had been set-up by the men states Mr Goodeve-Docker was "completely new" to the Arctic, but that he had been "training furiously" for the trip.

Mr Goodeve-Docker with team members Roan Hackney and Andy Norman

Expedition leader Roan Hackney is described as an experienced adventurer, having completed several Arctic expeditions, including being part of a team that attempted the same trip two years ago.

On the JustGiving page before he left for Greenland, Mr Goodeve-Docker wrote of the dangers he would face travelling across one of the most "deadly landscapes in the world".

"Part of my reasons for this frankly nutty adventure is my Grandfather, Patrick Pirie-Gordon, who passed away two years ago.

"Amongst his achievements were his key roles as Treasurer and Honorary Vice-President for the Royal Geographical Society, helping fund polar exploration, and Treasurer for the QNI. He was intensely passionate about both these institutions.

Greenland presents one of the most challenging terrains on earth

"It gave me added incentive to say yes to the expedition and, because of their fantastic work in nursing & helping those in need at home, to do my part for QNI. They really do fantastic work.

"So please dig deep and donate now. All the support will be great incentive to come back in one piece! :) I'm going back outside to stumble around with tyres again..wish me luck!"

A statement issued by Mr Goodeve-Docker's family, said: "To our son, brother and friend, we are so glad that you were on your adventure and expedition that you had wanted to do for so long. You will be unbelievably missed and your memory cherished. Xx"

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Three British Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan

Three British soldiers have been killed in a roadside bomb attack in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

The soldiers from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst on a routine patrol, the Ministry of Defence said.

The attack took place on Tuesday in the Nahr-e Saraj district. The three were evacuated by air to the military hospital at Camp Bastion but could not be saved, the MoD said.

Their families have been informed.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall says another six have been injured.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the country has paid a "very high price" for the work it is doing in Afghanistan.

The soldiers were aboard a heavily-armoured Mastiff vehicle

"It is important work because it's vital that country doesn't again become a haven for terrorists - terrorists that can threaten us here in the UK," Mr Cameron added.

"But today our thoughts should be with the families and friends of those that have suffered."

Labour leader Ed Miliband called the deaths "tragic news".

The deaths bring to 401 the overall number of British troops killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 years, with total losses at 444.

Six have now died in 2013.

A ministry spokesman said the attack "underlines the threats faced by our personnel as they continue to hand over security operations to their Afghan counterparts ahead of UK combat operations concluding by the end of next year".

"Security in Helmand, where most UK forces are based, is steadily improving with Afghan forces already responsible for the bulk of the province - but the environment in which our troops operate remains risky and dangerous, including the threat of improvised explosive devices and insurgent attack.

"We will continue to do all we can to minimise these risks but they can never be removed entirely."

The attack came on the third day of what the Taliban has called its spring offensive. In past years, spring has marked a significant upsurge in fighting between the Taliban and Nato forces with their local allies.

This fighting season is a key test, as the international coalition is scheduled to hand over security responsibilities to Afghan forces next year.

Sky News' Foreign Affairs Editor Tim Marshall said: "The Taliban have announced their annual spring offensive in a brutal manner.

"By carrying out this attack they are not only saying that spring has come, they are also underlining that even though everyone knows the British are leaving, they will still be coming after them all the way to the end."

The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion.

They deployed to Afghanistan in March from their base in Penicuik, Midlothian, near Edinburgh.

The last time so many UK soldiers were killed in one attack was in March 2012, when six died as their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a massive improvised explosive device near the town of Lashkar Gah.

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Coronation Street's Bill Roache Arrested

Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been arrested over an historical allegation of a sexual assault.

The actor, who has played Ken Barlow in the TV soap for decades, was held at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, this morning.

Mr Roache, 81, faces an allegation of raping an under-age girl in Haslingden, Lancashire, between April and July 1967.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "An 81-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday, May 1, 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape.

"The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.

"We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."

An officer walks down the driveway of Mr Roache's home following his arrest

An ITV spokeswoman said the broadcaster was not in a position to comment, but it is understood Mr Roache will not appear in the long-running soap while investigations continue.

Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said: "According to neighbours, plain clothes police arrived at his home in Wilmslow at around 8am. His home is being searched and police are questioning him about historical allegations."

In March the actor issued an apology after he appeared to suggest sex abuse victims were being punished for past sins.

He was interviewed for a New Zealand news programme and said the public should not be judgmental but be "totally forgiving" of people who had committed child sex crimes.

Bill Roache, with Anne Reid, who played his first wife in the TV soap

He told the programme: "If you accept that you are pure love, and if you know that you are pure love and therefore live that pure love, these things won't happen to you."

Asked to clarify whether that meant victims brought the abuse on themselves, he said: "No, not quite, but and yet I am, because everything that happens to us has been a result of what we have been in previous lives or whatever."

Mr Roache also called for anonymity for those accused of child sex offences because of the stigma they faced even if innocent.

He later issued a statement saying he was "sorry for any offence that has been caused as a result of my comments".

His comments were condemned by abuse charities.

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Tardis Boxes For Police 'Could Cut Costs'

Police forces could save money by opening modern versions of the Tardis police box made famous by Doctor Who, according to a report by a think tank.

The centre-right Policy Exchange believes the public could be better served if officers left police stations and moved into shopping centres and post offices.

It claims the move would make it easier for the public to report crimes such as anti-social behaviour, only a third of which are actually reported to the police.

Doctor Who actor Peter Davison poses in the Tardis in 1981

The boxes could also be used to take witness statements and for the public to discuss concerns and access information, the report said.

In London the number of people reporting crimes at police station front counters has fallen by more than 100,000 - almost half - since 2006, as people chose to report crime over the phone and online.

Faced with budget cuts of 20%, forces need to manage the police estate in a "smarter fashion" and become "more imaginative" with how they interact with the public, according to the report.

The report author, Professor Martin Innes, said: "The truth is that most crime is reported by phone, many stations are getting old and increasingly expensive to maintain and are often located in the wrong places, away from key population centres.

"Rather than just thinking about closing police stations, it might be more productive to engage local people in conversations about replacing outdated police stations with more local police offices."

Steve White, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: "This is something which has been happening around the country for many years.

"We support any initiative which directs funding to operational policing, however police stations are accessible to the public, all day and night, something which is not provided by local shops and businesses, therefore we hope this would be taken into account."

A modern version of the police box in Baltimore, USA (pic: Sturmovik)

A Home Office spokesman said: "Decisions about the most effective use of resources, including the number, location and operating hours of police stations are a matter for chief constables and police and crime commissioners.

"We encourage forces to look at new and innovative ways of providing face to face contact with the communities they serve.

"Police reform is working and crime is falling. What matters is not overall funding or numbers but how effective the police are at fighting crime."

The original Tardis (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) was a futuristic police box used by Doctor Who in the popular television series to travel anywhere and to any time in the universe.

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Hotel Swimming Pool Deaths: Tests On Bodies

Post-mortem examinations are taking place into the deaths of a man and woman found in a swimming pool at a country mansion.

They come as it was revealed that a murder mystery game was due to start at the hotel the following night, but was cancelled.

The bodies of a man in his early 30s and a woman in her early 20s, both from the London area, were discovered in the water at Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hatfield Heath, Essex, on Saturday evening.

Staff dived in to try to save them, but their efforts were in vain.

Donna Nash, 37, from Colchester in Essex, who has been to the hotel before, told Sky News: "I've been there three times now and I use the pool every time.

"The pool is quite deep but it's only small - it's a different shape underwater to normal ones. It's awful news."

Essex Police are treating their deaths as unexplained and are focusing on the relationship between the victims as part of their investigation.

The hotel is said to be used by a number of celebrities

Chief Inspector Nick Lee said the police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

He said: "Despite valiant attempts from the hotel staff and from the ambulance service, unfortunately it wasn't possible to revive those individuals and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Next of kin have been informed about this tragic incident and I can tell you at the moment Essex Police are not looking for any other people in connection with this investigation."

Some newspapers have reported that one of the theories being investigated is that the pair were poisoned, but this has not been confirmed by police.

Asked if the people had been going to any of the functions taking place at the hotel, Mr Lee said: "It's a very busy hotel, there were a number of functions going on."

Events believed to have been going on include weddings, birthday parties and christenings.

Lucy Sparks, 21, from Cheshunt, was reportedly at a wedding reception when the police arrived.

"We saw two police officers rush through reception with a member of staff. There were about five or six police cars outside and we saw the air ambulance land," she told the Daily Mail.

Police arrive to investigate the deaths of the hotel guests

"The hotel just pulled a curtain to separate us and the party still went on as normal."

Hotel manager Chris Falcus said staff at Down Hall were "devastated" by what had happened, adding: "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those concerned.

"As soon as the alarm was raised, two of our team dived into the pool and did everything they could to try to save them.

"We are co-operating fully with the police investigation."

The hotel describes itself as one of England's most established country house hotels.

Located near Bishop's Stortford on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, it is 45 minutes from central London and also convenient for Stansted Airport.

Dating back to 1322, the Italianate mansion offers a historic setting, with luxury interiors and ornate ceilings.

There are 110 acres of surrounding woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens.

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April Jones Murder Trial: Bridger In Court

The trial of the former lifeguard accused of murdering schoolgirl April Jones is due to get under way.

Mark Bridger, 47, was arrested the day after five-year-old April vanished while playing on her bike near her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, last October.

Wearing a short-sleeved pale blue shirt, a blue striped tie and grey trousers, he appeared in the dock at Mold Crown Court flanked by two prison officers.

Trial judge Mr Justice Griffith Williams told 50 potential jurors: "I don't know whether you have been reading the papers or listening to the news but if you have, you have probably worked out by now that I am about to start the trial which arises out of the alleged murder of April Jones in Machynlleth last October.

April Jones' family arrive at Mold Crown Court

"The defendant's name is Mark Bridger, he is obviously sitting in the dock. It may be as well that you have a look at him just to make sure he is not somebody who you know or who you think you know."

Hundreds joined the search for April, who suffered from cerebral palsy, following her disappearance.

Her body has never been found despite a major operation led by Dyfed Powys Police.

Bridger, of Ceinws, is charged with abducting and murdering April, and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

He has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Jury selection has been taking place, with the first day expected to be occupied with legal matters and the trial expected to open later this week.

There will be nearly 60 witnesses called throughout the trial, which is expected to last until the middle of June.

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North Wales Child Abuse: 76 Fresh Allegations

By Tom Parmenter, Sky News Correpondent

Detectives have confirmed they are investigating 76 new cases of suspected historical abuse at children's care homes in north Wales.

Police officers leading Operation Pallial say the allegations centre on 18 different care homes between 1963 and 1992.

A total of 84 individuals have been named as abusers by complainants and 16 of those have been named by more than one victim. One arrest has so far been made, in Ipswich in Suffolk.

The total number of allegations recorded since new concerns were first aired in November has now risen to 140.

Detective Superintendent Ian Mulcahey said: "Almost everyone that Operation Pallial is aware of has now been video interviewed by specially trained officers. 

"Many have provided graphic accounts of abuse, in some cases of very serious criminality."

Offences range from verbal and physical assaults and abuse through to indecent assaults, rape and buggery.

One of the victims who has taken new allegations to the police has previously told Sky News how he was abused in various North Wales care homes.

Former Bryn Estyn boys home in Wrexham is at the centre of the inquiry

"Michael" also revealed how as a 12 year old he was repeatedly put on a mini-bus with other children, driven down to London and forced to take part in lurid sex parties.

Last November he told Sky News how the men who abused him were all "posh people" who plied the boys were drink and drugs before abusing them.

He said: "It was how compliant you were, how nice you were towards them and looking back it was all about what they could get away with."

The Waterhouse Inquiry in 2000 found evidence of widespread sexual abuse and various care home staff members were convicted for various offences.

Compensation was then paid to 140 victims but there have long held suspicions that the true extent of abuse in the homes in north Wales has never truly been uncovered.

Operation Pallial was set up to ensure allegations were indeed properly investigated.

Phase One of the work "has resulted in the collection of significant evidence of systemic and serious sexual and physical abuse of children whilst in care".

Operation Pallial has also shown "no evidence of systemic of institutional misconduct by North Wales Police officers or staff".

Last week detectives made their first arrest as part of the investigation into historical allegations of abuse.

A man was arrested in Ipswich, Suffolk and questioned on suspicion of a number of serious sexual offences before being bailed to until the end of July.

Officers expect phase two of the operation to involve further arrests.

The NSPCC said the investigation was "a major step forward into probing claims of widespread child abuse".

The charity's director Peter Watt added: "Many who have been waiting decades for justice and for their voices to be heard have now finally found the courage to come forward and we mustn't fail them this time."

The NSPCC urged anyone who has any information about abuse to contact either their round-the-clock helpline on 0800 389 6176, or the police immediately.

The full police report into phase one of the inquiry has been published on the North Wales Police and Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) websites.

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