A FORMER SAS instructor has defended UK Special Forces Selection following the deaths of two servicemen on a gruelling march on the hottest day of the year.

Senior military commanders, along with the police, are continuing to investigate the soldiers' deaths, while a third serviceman was yesterday in a serious condition in hospital.

The three were part of a group training in the Brecon Beacons, some of South Wales's most rugged terrain, on Saturday when temperatures hit 29.5C (85.1F). It is believed the men were recruits taking part in the selection process for 21 and 23 SAS (R) – the Territorial Army units of the crack force.

Keith Bushby – father of Hull explorer Karl, who is attempting to walk around the world – spent four years as a permanent staff instructor in 23 SAS (R), which tends to recruit from northern parts of the UK.

He said: "I can see how it happens. It does get very hot up there in the Beacons.

"You are working very hard and you are on your own for a lot of the time."

Selection, which is widely regarded as the world's toughest military course, runs each summer and winter.

Mr Bushby spent 11 years in the famous "Who Dares Wins" unit – seven of them in the regular unit 22 SAS – after passing summer Selection in 1976.

The essence of Selection, involving months of rigorous build-up training followed by "test week", in the Black Mountains of South Wales, has changed little over time.

It is designed to push SAS hopefuls to the limit, both physically and mentally, and all but a handful fail the course.

"It was one of the hottest summers when I did it," he said. "It was extremely hard.

But no one shouts at you, or punishes you, on Selection – there's no need.

"You are told you can stop at any time. You are taught to look after yourself."

Mr Bushby, who rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant when he left 23 SAS in 1987, said it is not the first time a recruit has died attempting Selection.

And he doubts they will be the last soldiers to be claimed by the mountains.

"A good number have died there," said Mr Bushby. "A lot have died in winter – it gets extremely cold up there, too.

"It's a big boys' game and everyone who attempts Selection knows that."

The Ministry of Defence does not discuss Special Forces missions or training and has refused to confirm the nature of Saturday's training exercise.

The latest deaths occurred near the Storey Arms activity centre – a location familiar to every soldier who has attempted Selection for the SAS or its Royal Navy sister unit, the Special Boat Service (SBS).

Earlier this year, an Army captain was found dead on a snow-covered Corn Du mountain, also in the Brecon Beacons.

It was thought Rob Carnegie had been taking part in a 17 to 40 mile march in freezing conditions when he collapsed.

THE summer sun is sending sales skyward for businesses across East Yorkshire.

From pubs and restaurants to leisure parks and caravan manufacturers, the summer sun is bringing a welcome boost to many traders' bottom lines.

Mr Moo's in Skipsea is enjoying booming demand as customers look for a tasty way to cool down in the rising temperatures.

Jenny Arnott, who works in Mr Moo's ice-cream parlour and coffee shop at Southfield House Farm, said: "The weather is definitely having a big impact. This last week in particular has been really busy, not just here but also in terms of extra deliveries along the coast."

Mr Moo's was founded in 2003 by Stephen and Judith Foreman who decided to diversify their dairy farm business and move into the production of high-quality dairy ice cream.

The company now produces more than 30 flavours of ice cream and sorbets, including salted caramel which was introduced in April.

Ms Deighton said: "This is one that is proving very popular, so much so we are struggling to keep up with demand."

Local McDonald's franchisee George Michniewicz said the hot weather had driven more people into his restaurants.

The businessman, who runs 15 outlets across East Yorkshire, said: "Last week saw sales increase by 13 per cent across all of my restaurants.

"We recently introduced new blended ice products to the menu – iced fruit smoothies and iced frappés – and these have proven to be a huge hit with customers in Hull, with the hot weather prompting even more customers to try them out."

Caravan sales have always been impacted by the weather and, earlier this year, the industry was hoping for blue skies after a wash-out 2012.

Peter Nevitt, managing director of Victory Leisure Homes in Gilberdyke, said: "Like any industry, the sun shining gives people the motivation and the confidence to spend.

"The shopkeeper seeing their sales increase then has more money to spend in other shops, so it filters through the whole economy.

"In our industry there is always a huge knock-on effect, because of the sun and we are certainly seeing interest increase."

Mr Nevitt said it was too early to say whether the sudden heatwave had driven more UK sales or whether the increased interest was down to annual seasonal demand.

However, he said the impact of the weather could be seen much more clearly on the company's European orders.

He said: "The European market had been very quiet. We usually see the French market picking up from May. I was over there in May and June and the weather was terrible. But now it is beautiful and we are seeing sales come to fruition as a result."

Glazzing firm EYG is also benefiting from the sizzling heat.

Managing director Nick Ward said: "We've had a lot of enquiries, particularly for our orangeries, conservatories and bi-fold doors.

"When it's nice weather, people start to think about making the most of their homes by improving their outdoor living spaces, and so we are seeing more people ringing up asking if they can have these in time to enjoy this summer."

AN ORGANISATION that helps disabled people in Bransholme says people are suffering because not enough potential employees are coming forward.

The Centre for Independent Living works with families and individuals who need support, such as disabled children and elderly residents, to help them live independent and fulfilling lives.

Part of that involves assisting people to find paid helpers to support them in their daily lives.

Each month the organisation has about 30 positions up for grabs, ranging from a few hours a week to part-time roles.

However, independent living worker Luke Cardwell says that, on average, only 16 people come forward, leaving about half of vacancies unfilled.

He said: "Some people just need an hour of help a night or a few hours a week, whereas some people have more in-depth needs.

"But the number of people applying doesn't meet demand, which means people can be waiting for a long time to get the support their need.

"Some disabled children, for example, can be waiting more than six months, which can be devastating."

In November, the Mail revealed how there were more than 2,000 unfilled vacancies at JobCentre Plus in Hull.

The news followed on from a number of high profile job losses which saw more than 1,000 jobs lost across the region in a matter of weeks.

At the same time, the city recorded record unemployment levels, prompting job seekers to be "less choosy".

Luke said he couldn't explain why so many posts he advertised were going unfilled, adding: "I read with interest the story about 2,000 jobs in the city and there being no takers.

"I'm not sure why people don't come forward for these particular roles.

"Maybe people aren't aware of the vacancies or maybe they don't want to take on something that is just an hour a day as they think it is not worth their while, or may affect their benefits."

Choices and Rights works with the people who need help, to assist them with posting vacancies.

These are then added to a database which people can register with to receive regular alerts via email.

The organisation also works with JobCentre Plus and Remploy, however Luke is keen to stress it does not work like a recruitment agency and does not choose or interview candidates.

"We will vet the applications but other than that it is up to our clients who are looking for help to choose themselves, or in the case of disabled children their parents or nominated carer."

Visit www.choicesandrights.org.uk for more information.

HULL City have launched a bid to sign Sunderland striker Danny Graham on a season-long loan.

The Tigers fly out to Portugal for a week of warm-weather training this morning without boosting their attacking ranks since promotion to the Premier League, but a breakthrough could be imminent with a move for Graham.

After seeing a move for Burnley's Charlie Austin collapse last week, City have turned their attentions to Graham in the last 48 hours.

It is understood Sunderland are willing to let Graham depart on loan just six months after arriving from Swansea for £5m and that City have entered advanced negotiations.

Bruce was coy when asked about his interest in the 28-year-old after watching City's 3-1 win over North Ferriby last night but would not rule out a move.

"There's lots and lots of players and it's always wrong for me to talk about them, but (Graham) is someone where there's been a bit of interest," said Bruce.

"He hasn't had the best of times in the north-east but he's a very, very good player. Whether it's possible, who knows? It's something that we're looking at but we haven't done anything just yet."

City are willing to make room on their budget by off-loading defender Jack Hobbs and a move to Nottingham Forest is close.

The centre-back was not expected to travel to Portugal with City in favour of pushing through a transfer to the City Ground.

Hobbs' exit underlines City's desire to work within a tight financial framework and that appears likely to rule out any move for Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

Bruce added: "I've had him twice before but he's on a lot of money at Arsenal.

"I can't see us being able to get anywhere near those types of levels that Nicklas is at. He's another one where we've looked so maybe."

City will include one new face in their travelling party to the Algarve after completing a one-year deal with former Newcastle United keeper Steve Harper.

The 38-year-old completed a medical last night and Bruce said: "Steve's experience will be a great help for us and I'm delighted to welcome him on board.

"He's had virtually 20 years in the Premier League so he's vastly experienced. I just think someone like Steve will come in and help the younger lads in the squad because he's a great pro and a good lad around the dressing room.

"It's vitally important to have that and we've now got three goalkeepers that are all ours."

• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Residents in Withernsea and near the crash site have spoken of their shock after the accident and sent their best wishes to the girl.

Diane Stothard, who runs jewellery and bag shop Shehrazade in Withernsea, said she was told of the crash after her brother drove past the junction on Sunday.

She said: "It's devastating to hear it involved a mother and young toddler, who is in a very bad way.

"It's very sad news for Withernsea and I had heard about the crash as my brother Graham was leaving a christening in Burton Pidsea.

"He said the road was shut off and it looked very serious. I just hope the little girl pulls through.

"There have been a few car crashes and my friend was involved in one a couple of days ago.

"She hit a grass verge and was told if there had been a passenger in the car, they could have been killed."

The two-year-old was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary, before being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where doctors are working around the clock to save her.

Residents said there have been previous accidents at the junction, and there is a 30mph speed limit heading into Neat Marsh Road.

Marian Rose, landlady at the Nags Head in nearby Sproatley Road, said a lot of traffic passes through and it can be "frightening" if they are speeding past.

She said: "We don't know what has happened in this case but there have been other accidents.

"It's terrible that a child has been involved in this crash and I'd heard from people that she was unconscious when the police came.

"Customers came in the pub and said it happened at the crossroads and we hope she gets better soon."

East Riding councillor Ann Suggit said it was "terrible news" for the daughter's family.

She also has concerns about the area near Sproatley Road and said she will be looking into the issue after previous accidents.

Councillor Suggit said: "It's dreadful for the child and her family and those involved in the crash.

"It's a bit of a bad area and it doesn't surprise me that it has happened on that junction.

"My thoughts go out to the mother and her family."

Anyone who saw either car immediately before the collision or who saw the crash itself is asked to contact Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101, referring to log 316 of July 14.

• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

DANIEL Holdsworth looks set to return to action when Hull FC head to Bradford Bulls on Friday after shaking off his recent calf injury.

The Aussie stand-off has been missing since picking up the problem in the Black and Whites' recent home loss to Wakefield.

Hull had initially hoped he would make his return in Saturday's 24-13 Challenge Cup quarter-final victory at Catalan, but he was not risked with coach Peter Gentle again pairing Aaron Heremaia in the halves with Jacob Miller.

However, with an extra week's rest, the 29-year-old will provide Gentle with a timely boost, as Hull now look to get their Super League top-six bid back on track.

Although Hull were successful with Heremaia again slotting into the halves against Catalan, Holdsworth is likely to go straight back into the starting line-up to face a Bradford side battling to keep their own hopes of making the play-offs alive.

Gentle will be keen to switch Heremaia back to his role off the bench, as this allows him to spell hooker Danny Houghton, who has played lots of minutes in recent weeks.

With games being played in soaring temperatures, and Houghton maintaining his high work rate and tackle count, Hull do not want him burning out as they head into the business end of the season.

FC will be determined to build on Saturday's result, a victory which ended a four-match losing run in the league, and ensure momentum is maintained ahead of their cup semi-final clash with Warrington at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium on Sunday, July 28.

It is thought that game now marks a more likely comeback for experienced half-back Richard Horne, who has missed the last six games since picking up a foot injury in the Magic Weekend in May.

• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

AS far as tests go, the Tigers' trip to Winterton was not exactly up there with the toughest. At 6-0 it was a stroll.

But manager Steve Bruce will have been pleased to see Matty Fryatt get back on the goal trail with a hat-trick in an easy victory.

However, it is the returns of fit-again Sone Aluko and Joe Dudgeon which will have offered him most cheer as both came through over 70 minutes in their first run-outs after Achilles injuries.

Whilst Aluko may not have got on the scoresheet, he did impress as he had a hand in some of City's best first-half attacking play.

From the start, it was obvious there was only going to be one winner as the Tigers stamped their authority on the part-time non-leaguers.

David Meyler's goal inside the first five minutes, a low left-footed drive from 15 yards out, set the tone.

A minute later Fryatt doubled the lead, with a right-footed drive to leave Winterton keeper Craig Turner with no chance.

Turner fared better with a smart save around the post after a neat one-two from Aluko and Fryatt saw the Nigerian have his first real chance. Left-back Bradley Hewitt felled Cameron Stewart to concede a penalty in the 16th minute, but Turner denied Fryatt with a full length dive to his bottom right.

With the hosts clearly struggling to get into the game, and Corry Evans making the Tigers tick from midfield, half chances came and went with regularity as Aluko dragged wide and Evans saw a 20-yard drive saved.

Winterton's only real foray did not come until the 38th minute, but Daniel Hagan's weak shot was never going to trouble Eldin Jakupovic in the City goal as it was dragged well wide.

Fryatt added to his tally with five minutes of the half remaining when blasting into the roof of the net from close range at the back post after Winterton failed to properly clear James Chester's header from a corner.

Impressive Evans, who thrived on the acres of space, ensured the result was never in doubt before half-time, rolling in when put clean through by a neat Fryatt chip over the top.

It was a similar story in the second half as City dominated the exchanges and added a quick-fire goal from a player named by the club as James Armstrong a minute after the restart after a great Meyler throughball caught the defence flat.

Fryatt's hat-trick goal came a couple of minutes later, with great composure allowing him to round Turner and slot home.

Winterton did fare a bit better as the game wore on, but only had a 20-yard drive from Nathan Watson to show for their improved efforts.

Stewart, Meyler and Fryatt all tested the Winterton defence after the break, but were denied by keeper Paddy Shaw.

Hull City: Eldin Jakupovic, Cameron Stewart, Joe Dudgeon, Connor Townsend, James Chester, Abdoulaye Faye, David Meyler, Corry Evans, Matty Fryatt, Sone Aluko, James Armstrong. Subs: Joe Cracknell, Jack Barlow, Paul McElroy, Ben Clappison, Danny Chambers.

Winterton: Craig Turner, James Watson, Robbie Spence, Tom Cocoran, Bradley Hewitt, Robbie Start, Kieren McCaffery, Aaron Raymond, Josh Nodder, Tom Finnigan, Daniel Hagan, Nathan Watson, Paddy Shaw, Daniel Ellerby, Phil Doyle, Jack FInnis, James Coulbeck, Dan Hubbard, Jack Ollsson, Mark McDonagh, Kirk Shrimpton, Grant Percival.

• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

A CONVENIENCE store has been stripped of its alcohol licence after officials found a stash of illegal cigarettes and fake vodka hidden behind a secret door.

Fifteen-thousand smuggled cigarettes and a bag stuffed with £2,700 in cash were concealed under a specially installed trap door at the Wisla store in Beverley Road, Hull.

Customs and Trading Standards officers only discovered the switch-operated trap door by chance during an inspection of the shop in January.

Senior Trading Standards officer John Sandford said: "It was a bit like James Bond. It was quite sophisticated as the hydraulics were linked to a wall switch that operated the door."

At the time of the visit, the trap door had been partially propped open by a sports bag lying on the floor of the shop's store room.

Mr Sandford said: "If the bag hadn't been on the floor, we might never have found what we did. Fortunately, we noticed the bag appeared to be holding up the corner of a floor tile.

"When we looked closer, it became clear it wasn't a loose tile at all but a trap door that had been deliberately fitted to create a concealment space."

The haul of smuggled foreign cigarettes equated to £3,250 of excise duty evasion.

Mr Sandford said a search of the shop also uncovered 43 bottles of fake vodka.

Although they were labelled as Smirnoff vodka, the drinks were subsequently found to be counterfeits.

"Tests carried out by the public analyst confirmed the vodka was unfit and unsafe," he said. "It contained chemicals not normally found in alcohol that would be consumed from an off-licence.

"It was the opinion of the public analyst that the presence of these chemicals made these drinks unsafe."

Shop owner and licence holder Balend Ahmad Khader denied all knowledge of the secret stash hidden under the store room floor at a city council licensing sub-committee hearing.

Instead, he blamed his predecessor, who was in charge when the shop's licence was last revoked in 2011 for similar breaches.

He also insisted the vodka had been bought from a reputable cash-and-carry outlet in Doncaster.

"What happened at the shop had nothing to do with me," he said.

However, the three-man sub-committee voted unanimously to revoke the store's licence to sell alcohol.

Sub-committee chairman Councillor Sean Chaytor said: "In the view of the fact that, by his own admission, he had been in the shop every day for the previous three and a half months up to and including the day of this visit, we find his explanation to be totally unbelievable.

"The safety of the public was paramount to the review and the licensing authority will do all it can to protect them in the future."

The licence review was launched after Khader was prosecuted at Hull Magistrates' Court in May. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with costs of £1,200 for two offences under the Trade Marks Act and the Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations.

The prosecution followed the seizure of 10,000 cigarettes from the premises last summer.

Khader has 28 days to appeal for the decision to be overturned, after which alcohol sales will no longer be permitted at the premises.

Gary Parker, a licensing officer at Humberside Police, said: "This type of crime undermines legitimate operators and Humberside Police will work with their partners to detect and prosecute those who are involved in the importation and sale of non duty paid goods."

A PRISONER who escaped and was caught in a city chip shop has gone on the run again less than a year later.

Mark Donnison, 43, was given an indeterminate sentence in 2007 for a robbery in Hull.

He escaped from an open prison last year and returned to the city, before being caught in a chip shop in east Hull three weeks later.

Police believe he may now be heading back to the area.

Donnison was warned he was unlikely to face another early release after he admitted to the escape.

He was sent back to a secure jail but, in May, was transferred to another open prison, Hollesley Bay, in Suffolk.

Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove said the case adds to his concerns about the checks prisoners undergo before they are released.

Mr Grove last week met with the family of murdered Hull pensioner Jim Maloney, after his killer, Christopher Roche, attacked another elderly man a year after being released from his life sentence.

He is planning to write to Justice Secretary Chris Grayling about both cases.

Mr Grove said: "I am concerned that a man who is serving a life sentence for robbery and who escaped from an open prison in August last year has been put back in another prison from which he has been able to escape again.

"This news will rightly raise questions in the minds of residents in Hull and Suffolk as to what processes are followed by the prison service to ensure the risk of prisoners escaping is mitigated. I am sure residents will also be asking themselves why local police resources will once again be spent on recapturing someone who chooses to put two fingers up at the justice system.

"These are questions I will be raising on their behalf with the Justice Secretary, whom I intend to write to concerning this case."

Police said Donnison went missing overnight between Sunday and Monday.

His disappearance went unnoticed until just before 8am yesterday.

Donnison was told he may never be released from prison when he was sentenced for a robbery and causing actual bodily harm in 2007.

The judge ruled he had to spend a minimum of three and a half years behind bars before he could apply for parole.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: "Police are asking anyone who may have seen him or anyone with information about where he is now to contact officers.

"You should not approach him or take any further action.

"He has connections to the Bridlington and Hull areas."

Donnison went on the run from North Sea Camp prison, in Lincolnshire, with convicted murderer Gary Lawson on August 10 last year.

Both men headed to Bransholme before Lawson returned to his family home in Grimsby to hide out.

Donnison was arrested on September 7 at a chip shop in Holderness Road after police officers recognised him as someone wanted on prison recall.

Lawson, 30, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Grimsby pensioner Alfred Wilkins, whose home he set fire to in 2001.

Lawson was arrested at his family home.

Both were sentenced to four months concurrent to their life sentences.

Judge Mark Bury told them: "You could have received a much longer sentence but the reality is, here is a serving prisoner serving a life sentence and the real punishment will come because you will not be able to secure any form of early release in the immediate future."

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "The number of absconds from open prisons in 2011-12 was the lowest level since central records began, and only those risk assessed as suitable for open conditions are placed in open prisons.

"Those who do abscond will be returned to a more secure prison and may face further charges."

Anyone who sees Donnison should call police on 101.

• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

HER eyes welled up with tears as she hugged her former teachers and took a tour around her old stomping ground.

Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten visited pupils at Malet Lambert School in east Hull where she studied as a teenager before going into acting.

Hull born and bred, she has played Rachel Breckle in the ITV soap for the past two years, and has become an "honorary Dingle" in the programme in recent months after a string of big storylines with the famous Dingle family.

"I loved drama at school and got an A* in the subject in my GCSEs, as well as English language and literature," said Gemma, 29.

"Malet Lambert has changed so much since I was a pupil but it's still very beautiful.

"I used to lie on the grass outside the building in the summer and can remember going to the shops near East Park for bon-bon sweets and we'd get fish and chips some lunchtimes.

"I've kept in touch with quite a few of the teachers and they were fantastic."

Walking through the door of the new development, situated behind the grand school building, it only took a matter of minutes before was Gemma spotted by her former English teacher.

"I'm getting a bit emotional", she admitted, before heading to meet some of the students.

"I can only remember having detention once at school.

"The girls would walk really slowly to lessons. I was one minute late and my friend and I were put in detention. We were mortified."

But Gemma says she was a good pupil at school and, along with three A*s, she achieved two As, three Bs and two C grades her exams.

"Science baffled me but I really liked PE and won every race in the Year 7 sports day, although a few people weren't very happy with that," she said.

Pupils and teachers were star-struck to see Gemma strolling around the school grounds in James Reckitt Avenue, including headteacher Jane Disbrey, who is a fan of the show.

"I watch Emmerdale and have seen Gemma in it a lot," said Jane. "She's had some meaty storylines since she started.

"It's wonderful to have her back at the school and she contacted us wanting to come in and meet everyone.

"We are very proud of what she has achieved and we have many students who are into drama and some going on to London schools."

Gemma told pupils she had worked at McDonald's, flipping burgers, before she secured success in acting and had sent out hundreds of letters for acting placements.

Her character has gradually become more of a fixture in Emmerdale, even landing a job cleaning at Home Farm and The Woolpack.

Her contract has been extended for another year and she has months of hard work coming up, with a big storyline.

Malet Lambert head girl Jess Hopkin, 15, said Gemma is a role model for pupils.

She said: "It's good to see someone who studied at our school has gone on to acting on a national level.

"It shows that, when you try hard, you can be whatever you want to be."

Student Callum Rushworth, 15, said Hull doesn't get enough positive publicity nationally and Gemma is helping to put it right.

He said: "Being in a big show like Emmerdale is a real inspiration for schoolchildren."

IT WAS the book that slated Hull as the crappest of crap towns, the worst place to live in the UK and a festering dump floundering in social problems and economic decay.

And now, ten years on, the team behind Crap Towns is returning to dish out some more unsought opinions on the city's shortcomings.

Crap Towns Returns is due to be published in October but, this time, editor Sam Jordison says it may not be all bad news for Hull.

Sam, who visited Hull in 2003 to take part in a debate defending the book, said some anecdotal submissions to his website hinted that Hull has show signs of improvement in the past decade.

He said: "I think I can pretty safely say that Hull will not be top of the Crap Towns list this time.

"I can't tell where it will be but I think that title has been safely handed over.

"Last time we did the book there was a lot of things happening in Hull that really hurt its cause. It was doing really badly in lots of unwanted league tables for education and unemployment, things like that.

"To be fair, the reaction we got from the people of Hull was pretty good, considering some of the things we were saying about it weren't very nice.

"Everybody had a sense of humour about the book, which shows one of Hull's strengths is to be able to laugh at itself."

For the revamped 2013 edition, Sam added that recent announcements had helped mould a more positive image for the city.

"Definitely," he says. "We've been hearings some pretty positive things about Hull recently. Impressions of the city seem to be more upbeat than they were before.

"Don't get me wrong, though, it's got its fair share of negatives, too, which we won't be ignoring.

"A lot of our information comes from people who actually live in the city, we just compile it and pick out the funniest stories, so we don't have anything against Hull.

"I actually quite like the place."

The original Crap Towns book caused outrage when it was released in October 2003, placing Hull at the top of the league of country's worst places, beating Cumbernauld, Morecambe and Hythe, in Kent, to the top of the league of shame.

At the time, city leaders leapt to Hull's defence, arguing that, although the city had its problems the same as anywhere, it did have many positive qualities such as friendliness, affordable housing and a self-deprecating sense of humour.

Today Councillor Steven Bayes, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for visitor destination and cultural strategy, said he would be taking the book's release with "a pinch of salt".

"I think the people who live here will know that Hull isn't a crap town. The judges who put us into the last four of the City Of Culture competition certainly don't think we're a crap town.

"You've got to be a bit careful with these things that you don't give them any more credence than they deserve.

"Never mind crap towns, if there was a list of the 50 Crap Books, this would probably be in it."

• Have you seen our new homepage? Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.

• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

A PUPPY has been stolen after his owner popped into a pub to go to the toilet.