FREEDOM campaigners in Hull are mourning the death of Nelson Mandela.

The former South African President died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, aged 95, on Thursday evening, after battling a series of lung infections.

Tributes have poured out across the world. People in Hull have good reason to be proud of their association with the man who, eventually, saw the end of apartheid in his home country.

Mandela's achievements have parallels with those of Hull's most famous son, William Wilberforce, who led the movement to abolish the slave trade in 1807.

Dr Nick Evans a lecturer in South African history at the University of Hull, said: "Hull, because of the legacy of Wilberforce, champions itself as a fighter for human rights.

"Within living memory, most people will recall the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

"Hull supported the downfall of apartheid.

"Even when the UK Government was still trading with South Africa, this city strongly supported Mandela and his release."

Since Mandela's release from prison in 1990 and his subsequent election as South African President, his name has commonly been used for squares and municipal buildings across the world.

Hull was one of the first places to honour him in that way.

In 1983, a plaque was unveiled in his honour at the newly named Nelson Mandela Gardens, at the city's Wilberforce House Museum.

In 1987, three years before the African National Congress leader was released from his 27-year prison sentence, he was made an Honorary Freeman of Hull.

Dr Evans said: "The anti-apartheid case was across Britain but in Hull the support for Mandela became particularly vocal in the 1980s. It came from the population."

Some of the support was politically motivated.

Many of those protesting were as much against Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Government as they were pro-Mandela.

But the South African leader's legacy is now seen as more a moral one than a political one.

In 1993 he was given the Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr Evans said Mandela was an inspirational figure and one who had set an example that can help people deal with present and future conflicts. He said: "The one thing he will be remembered for will be his ability to forgive his persecutors.

"He was someone who was selfless in going to jail and forgiving those who caused it.

"That, for me, is Nelson Mandela's legacy."

Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council, echoed Dr Evans's comments, saying: "The world owes so much to icons such as Nelson Mandela and William Wilberforce who devoted their lives to the humanity of their fellow man.

"Hull has a very proud history of fighting oppression and promoting freedom linked to our most famous son, William Wilberforce, who fought for many years to end slavery.

"Hull became the first city in the western world to twin with a Third World city – Freetown in Sierra Leone, which was the world's first colony for free Africans.

"In 2007, when Hull was at the centre of the world's bicentennial celebrations to commemorate and celebrate the life of Wilberforce, we supported the first institute dedicated to researching the history of slavery, and modern human rights issues – Wise."

CHOIR members who have been nominated as official ambassadors for Hull are adding another prestigious venue to their diary.

The Maureen Hunter Singers are not only preparing for their Christmas performance in Hull, but are also gearing up to travel to Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

The group has already been invited to sing at some of the world's best-known venues, including the Vatican, St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Notre Dame in Paris, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and St Mark's Basilica in Venice.

Graham Hunter, who manages the choir, said: "We're coming up to our 30th anniversary in the spring, so next year will be an exciting time.

"We have some major events planned, but I think the highlight of the year will be the performance at Cologne Cathedral in May.

"I've never been myself, but people say it is a wonderful building and I've heard it is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe.

"It was hit by about 14 bombs in the war and still survived almost unscathed."

The choir, which rehearses at Bricknell Avenue Methodist Church in west Hull, has already started working on its repertoire.

Mr Hunter said: "We're doing Happy Wanderer partly in German, partly in English and also Lili Marlene, which is a very famous wartime song.

"It was famous on both sides, so we're doing that one partly in German, too."

The choir has already performed at several prestigious venues across Europe and has received great acclaim wherever its members have sung.

Mr Hunter said: "We're always looking for the next exciting challenge.

"We've sung in several major cathedrals and Cologne was one of the ones on the list, so we set it up."

The choir has been an official ambassador for Hull for some years and members are particularly pleased to be representing the area since it was named City of Culture for 2017.

Mr Hunter said: "We've been ambassadors for the city for a number of years.

"We were presented with a scroll that appoints us as official ambassadors, which was presented by the mayor.

"The civic authorities in Hull have always supported us very well.

"It is exciting that we're going to be showing why we are the City of Culture and taking that culture to the rest of the world."

But before Cologne, the choir will be performing its Christmas Voices And Brass concert next Saturday.

The choir will sing alongside the Superb Hammonds Saltaire Band at Hull City Hall from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost from £7.50 to £13.50 and are available from the box office by calling 01482 300300.

A LANDLORD claims he has been left with a fire damage bill of £10,000 because his property was used as a cannabis factory.

A blaze broke out at the property in Ryde Street, off Beverley Road, on Tuesday morning.

A man was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary, suffering from smoke inhalation. It is believed cannabis was being grown in the property.

The fire prompted Humberside Fire and Rescue Service to issue a warning that those cultivating the plants are putting the lives of their neighbours at risk, as well as their own.

Now, the landlord, who does not wish to be named, says he is assessing the damage.

He said: "An initial estimate is that the damage amounts to about £10,000.

"That's quite a basic figure and it could be more once the builder assesses it properly.

"There is fire damage to the back bedroom and smoke damage throughout the rest of the flat.

"Fortunately, the tenant in the upstairs flat was bright enough to keep all the doors closed, so that has escaped any damage at all.

"But it will be quite some time before the flat is habitable again."

The landlord said he was not surprised by what happened.

He said: "There have always been issues with this.

"There are always those who are going to grow cannabis for themselves or on a larger scale to sell.

"From time to time, you get people who behave in this way.

"As a landlord, you can't police tenants all the time.

"You can't inspect a property on a weekly basis as that would be oppressive and an invasion of privacy.

"You just have to hope they will treat the property with some degree of care."

The landlord has backed the warning from the fire service.

He said: "I would reiterate what the fire service has said.

"They are definitely putting the lives of others at risk. The situation could have been much worse than it is.

"Luckily, the alarms were fitted throughout the flat, which did their job."

Firefighters were called to the Ryde Street property just after 8am on Tuesday.

Officers found the rear bedroom of the ground-floor flat was on fire.

The rear bedroom was badly damaged by smoke and there was also fire damage.

Investigators believe the fire was caused by an electrical fault, relating to the cultivation of cannabis.

Humberside Police confirmed a man was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and released on police bail.

HULL City defender Joe Dudgeon has set his sights on a return to full fitness in 2014 after being cleared to resume light training in the last week.

Dudgeon has endured a miserable spell since undergoing knee surgery in October 2012. Although a painstaking rehabilitation saw the left-back feature in the Hull City pre-season campaign and the opening two rounds of the Capital One Cup against Leyton Orient and Huddersfield, the road to recovery has been potholed by frustration over recent months.

Complications felt inside the right knee scuppered the prospect of moving to a Championship club on loan and even raised fears of further surgery.

That grim prospect has thankfully been averted following a six-week period of rest and Dudgeon is being tipped to do everything in his powers to bounce back in the New Year.

"He's been given the go-ahead to go back out on the grass so we're all hoping he can make a recovery," said manager Steve Bruce.

"It's been a horrible injury he's had but we hope now that, after a period of rest, his knee can stand up to the rigours of what's ahead of him.

"If anyone can do it, then Joe's got to be the man. If every footballer was like Joe Dudgeon, I wouldn't have a problem in the world.

"He's a terrific lad and very tough mentally. Since he first had the operation and into this season, it's never got him down.

"He comes in every morning and just sticks with it. I just hope he gets the break he needs now."

Dudgeon, who was signed from Manchester United in May 2011, is certainly due a turnaround in fortunes. After playing the first 11 league and cup games of Bruce's reign, he was told his season was over last October due to an osteochondral defect, a relatively rare injury twice suffered by former captain Ian Ashbee.

It was hoped surgery would bring a full recovery in time for the start of the 2013-14 campaign but discomfort has continued for Dudgeon following his return to action.

Last October's operation, which involved holes being drilled into the affected bone, can take up to two years to fully heal and further rehabilitation has been required before Dudgeon is allowed to resume full training.

A long-term question mark remains over the 23-year-old's fitness, but Bruce is optimistic.

"There's been a bit of a set-back in the last couple of months, but with all these things we just need to wait for nature and the healing process," he added.

"You have to take time and we hope he's had enough. All the doctors, physios and specialists are all trying to get him back as soon as we can but we know with Joe that we've got to give it time, as long as it needs, because it's such a serious one."

NEXT year's Freedom Festival will be a celebration of Nelson Mandela, his life and his achievements.

Graham Chesters, chairman of the festival's board, said the organisers will work throughout the year to put together a fitting tribute.

He said: "We have time to do something that will do justice to his stature."

It is a feeling shared by many in Hull.

The Lord Mayor, Nadine Fudge, said: "He was a great and inspirational leader whose dedication to his cause liberated and then healed a nation."

Hull has a long-time connection with Mr Mandela, something Stephen Brady, leader of the city council, wants to ensure is maintained.

He said: "Nelson Mandela will be remembered as one of the truly great statesmen of the 20th century. His legacy is clear around the world and – reflecting the foresight of the city in honouring him in life – we now honour him in death."

Mr Mandela touched the lives of many people, including one engineer from Beverley, who met him South Africa 20 years ago, months before the anti-apartheid revolutionary became the nation's first black president.

Rob McAdam, 68, had been working on a charity water project in South Africa when Mr Mandela visited the area.

He said: "People were ecstatic to see him. It was a bit like seeing people around a famous pop star or footballer.

"They looked to him as their saviour. They had gone through an horrendous time."

The retired engineer said Mr Mandela shook everyone's hand.

"He was very much among the people, he walked among us," he said.

The victim, 20, was walking along Mill Street between 3am and 4am on Sunday, October 27, when he was assaulted by an unknown man.

It is believed the offender was wearing dark clothing and a top with a motif across the front. The attacker may have been picked up in a black Corsa following the assault.

Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting crime reference CS/2005937/2013.

ASK Hull FC coach Lee Radford why his side's dual registration partnership with Doncaster will be a success and the answer is simple.

Because of the "trust" which exists between himself and Paul Cooke, his close friend and counterpart at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Although the Black and Whites saw a similar link-up with York come to an end in acrimonious circumstances last season, the club have been quick to forge links with Donny for the 2014 campaign.

As well as allowing players to turn out in the Championship, Hull will also be on hand to offer support with off-field administration when required.

And Radford believes his friendship with Cooke, formed during their coaching tenure at East Hull, can make it work well for all parties involved.

"Paul is obviously a good friend of mine and we go back a long way," he told the Mail. "We played together at Hull and we were a good coaching team in our time at East Hull.

"The benefit of that is there's a level of trust already established. We don't need to work on that.

"The York deal did not work because both parties failed to establish a level of trust. Unlike with that situation, we already have that in place at the very top."

Although Radford views the arrangement as a "win-win" situation for everybody involved, he knows it will still take a lot of hard work to make it a fruitful partnership.

The development of Hull prop Chris Green, who learnt his trade in a loan spell with the Dons in 2011, is the blueprint for others to follow.

This year, players like Dean Hadley, Josh Bowden, Liam Kent and James Cunningham will be taken under Cooke's wing as they bid to prove they can be the next generation to come through at the Black and Whites.

One of the main things Radford wants to ensure is that an "us and them" mentality does not creep into the partnership. But he is confident his close relationship with Cooke can prevent that being the case.

He explained: "Even if I do make players available, Paul is his own man and will only use them if he thinks it will benefit their development and his team.

"Just because we send players there, it does not mean they have a right to think they will start.

"If anyone does do that, the message will get relayed back to myself very quickly and we will act on it.

"The idea of the link-up is to give our young lads the chance to see where they are in their development and challenge them to raise their game.

"If we set the bar high, it means they need to raise their game. Playing against men who are fully developed in their bodies, will let them get to grips with the rigours they'll face at Super League level.

"It's a win-win situation for us."

Cooke is equally positive about the partnership, insisting Hull's players are getting a golden opportunity to show they are ready to feature at the top level.

"I've already been over to Hull and met most of the players, they understand how the partnership will work and understand what we and the Hull FC coaching staff expect from them," he said.

"There will be no attitude problems, and anyone who does have an attitude problem will be immediately sent back, but this is the last thing the staff here and from Hull want.

"We want players to come to us and play good rugby with the right attitude, and if they do that it can give them the opportunity to impress and hopefully go on to break into Super League."

Whilst the proposed benefits are clear to see, the practicalities of the arrangement are something which will evolve as the campaign goes on.

One of York's biggest complaints last season was that they were only informed who would be available at the last minute, meaning they had very little time to plan for their presence. This eventually led to some Hull players being made available, only to be left kicking their heels on the sidelines.

This year, Radford is hoping the proximity of the two clubs and coaches can eradicate that issue.

"What happened with York was very frustrating to say the least," added the 34-year-old.

"To see some of our players go without a game for seven or eight weeks was not beneficial to anyone.

"The earlier I can let Paul know who could be available for him, the better it will be for everyone concerned.

"The fact Doncaster is so close will also let our players train with us every day of the week. Then, if someone is going to play for them, they can go across there to train on a Tuesday or Thursday night.

"They are the closest Championship club to ourselves and that means we can keep a close eye on who we send there.

"Paul lives in Hull and can give me videos of their displays for me and my staff to watch on a Monday.

"Doncaster will also use our calls and plays, so it should be a seamless transition into their side for anyone we send over.

"Paul and I share a very similar philosophy when it comes to how we like to play our rugby.

"Because we will play in a very similar style, it will help Doncaster get the most out of the arrangement and our players as well."

The assault happened on Saturday, November 30, at 10.30pm when a family were driving along Spring Bank West in the direction of Chanterlands Avenue.

Close to the junction with Hymers Avenue, two men and a woman caused the vehicle to stop. One of the men then assaulted the driver, causing a serious eye injury.

The offender was a white man, 5ft 6in, well-built and aged between 25 and 30.

Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101.

.

I'M guessing Steve Bruce's message to his Hull City players on Monday night will be to stay patient.

You have to be against a side like Swansea, who love to keep the ball from their opponents.

Everyone knows that and that's a credit to the club who demand their players and managers play the right way.

They love to pass the ball and frustrate the hell out of their opponents.

When you play against that, you have to keep your shape and remain disciplined for the full game. If you don't, then Swansea will pick you off.

There will be long periods on Monday when City will be without the ball.

It's horrible because you are chasing ghosts, but City can't go away from the game plan Bruce will have worked on for most of the week.

Swansea won't. Michael Laudrup's side will play the same way, whether they are winning 2-0 or losing 2-0.

Swansea seemed to have gone through a bit of a bad patch but a 3-0 win at home to Newcastle on Wednesday suggests they are over that blip. They will be full of confidence now against a Tigers side that lost at the Emirates.

The worst thing City can do is to chase the game because that will be playing into Swansea's hands.

The Swans like to play from the back and bring the midfield into play before opening up the opposition's defence for the strikers.

Wednesday's win over Newcastle showed Swansea aren't missing their main man Michu too much.

Swansea has changed a lot since I first played against them at their old Vetch Field ground. I remember scoring there and I also scored more recently to make it 1-0 in a League Cup game. Phil Brown took me off after about an hour in readiness for the next game on the Saturday and we ended up losing 2-1.

While Swansea aren't as big a name as Arsenal or Manchester United, it's similar to playing those big clubs at their ground.

Over 80 per cent of possession will be against you but the players have to be professional and be mentally strong. Some games are like that.

If I was Bruce, I'd match up with Swansea whatever way they play. Play like-for-like and be patient.

It will be very tough, especially in front of the Sky cameras as they will want to show everyone how much pride they take in playing the way they do.

The Welsh love their sport. You only have to look at the way they support their rugby to see that.

They have two football teams in the Premier League and they intend to make the most of their opportunity.

I can see Swansea staying in the top flight for many years to come.

They should be the blueprint for teams in the lower divisions if they want to make it to the top flight.

On paper, Swansea have the better individual players compared to the Tigers, but if City can remain disciplined and take any chance that comes their way, then they might just come away with a second win in eight days against two very good teams.

CRIMINALS are being sent Christmas cards by police warning them not to be a "pudding".

Hundreds of cards are being hand-delivered to the most prolific offenders in Hull and the East Riding.

On the front of the card it says: "You don't want to spend Christmas with us".

Inside, it reads: "Thinking of you during the festive season. Don't be a pudding this Christmas! Police will be working as usual over the festive period. If you are caught committing crime we will arrest you – be warned."

The cards are being delivered this week to 500 criminals in East Yorkshire.

Superintendent Darren Downs, who heads operations in the East Riding, said: "To do our bit in keeping you and your family as safe as possible, Operation Yuletide is being launched, which will involve raising the profile of all the main problems the police generally deal with as a result of St Nicholas coming to town.

"Specially worded Christmas cards are being hand-delivered to our most well-known residents.

"It is hoped this gentle reminder at a time of Christmas goodwill will prick their consciences and deter them from ruining someone else's Christmas by their thievery."

Police have previously sent similar cards to criminals in Hull.

It has been considered such a success that it is now being rolled out across the rest of the Humberside Police area.

Officers say the cards will be sent to the small number of criminals who commit most of the crimes.

Detective Superintendent Scott Young, who oversees crime in Hull, said: "Just one of the tactics that we have successfully used in previous years is Christmas cards delivered to our most prolific offenders.

"It is hoped this gentle reminder will make them think twice before ruining someone else's Christmas."

The initiative is part of Operation Yuletide, a month-long campaign to cut crimes that may rise over the festive period.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "With specific crimes seeing an increase, special focus will be given to drink-driving, shop theft, handling stolen goods, burglary and drunk and disorderly offences.

"Behind the Christmas theme, Humberside Police aim to inform and educate all of our residents of the dangers of getting too drunk this Christmas and ending up in a brawl, the risk of online fraud and possibly letting their guard down when it comes to home security and leaving Christmas presents under the tree for burglars to pinch."

SANTA is usually accompanied by a team of nine reindeer.

But yesterday, four-legged friends of a different kind were helping him out on the Humber Bridge.

About 50 dogs and their owners and puppy parents from Canine Partners made a colourful red and white spectacle for the charity's first ever Santa Fun Run.

Dogs with collars covered in tinsel and wearing little reindeer antlers walked, jogged and ran alongside supporters of the charity wearing Santa outfits.

"I'm so pleased with the turn-out, veryone looked so festive," said event organiser and charity volunteer Fred Blackbourne.

"We could have been unlucky, especially with the events of Thursday night but it turned out really well.

"We had the idea of doing the event last year but it was a little too late to get it organised.

"We were thinking, 'where can we do it?' and the Humber Bridge was an obvious choice.

"It was a great day and hopefully made a lot of money for Canine Partners, which is a charity I'm very passionate about."

Fred hopes the event has raised at least £1,000, but although registration fees were collected on the day, sponsorship money will take a while to come in so it is difficult to give a final total.

All the money will be going to the national charity, which trains assistance dogs for disabled people.

Dogs can be trained for specific tasks, depending on a person's needs, but most can fetch mail from the door, load and unload a washing machine, pick up things which are dropped and act as a loyal companion and friend.

Two people who have benefited from the partnership dog scheme are Wendy Robson and Pam Quick.

Wendy, 53, from the Kingswood estate, took part in the charity event with her dog Connor.

"The charity is very close to my heart, what they do is just amazing," she said.

"I would be lost without Connor – he has done so much for me I wanted to give something back."

Connor helps Wendy in her role as a social worker. She got him in January to help her at work and home, as she suffers from muscular dystrophy.

"Connor has given me so much independence," she said.

"He has his own file that he carries paperwork around in at work.

"When I go in the office everyone loves seeing his big black head poking round the door.

"And his wages are cheap too – dog biscuits."

Pam Quick, 58, has been a wheelchair user since breaking bones in her back in 2000. She also has anti-phospholipid or "sticky blood" syndrome, which can result in pulmonary embolisms.

Arthritis in her hands also means items such as mobile phones, coins and keys often slip from her hands.

Pam, who took part with her dog partner Alucia, said: "I'd been looking forward to taking part in this for ages – it was the first thing that came up that was a real event where I could do something.

"Alucia and I have been spokespeople for the charity and we do demonstrations to show what the dogs can do, but this was something where I could ask people for sponsorship and tell them it would help others like me."

Anyone wishing to support the charity, visit caninepartners.org.uk

HIGHER than expected death rates have been highlighted at two of the region's hospital trusts. Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, had a higher than expected mortality rate in patients with complex illnesses following surgical problems.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which runs three sites including Goole and District Hospital, was one of 13 trusts that had a high mortality rate in at least two of the four measures used. The problems were highlighted in the latest Dr Foster annual hospital guide.

The guide, from the health statistics firm, showed 16 hospital trusts had higher than expected death rates among patients in hospital, down from 20 the previous year.

Dr Ian Philp, Hull and East Yorkshire's chief medical officer, said health professionals were working to understand the data behind the trust's score in relation to deaths after an operation.

He said: "Initial investigations suggest at least half of the deaths occurred in patients who were undergoing medical procedures rather than actual surgery under anaesthetic and many of these patients were already critically ill.

"We see it as our duty to give the best possible care to our patients, so we will intervene and carry out procedures on patients to give them the best possible chance of survival, even if they are really poorly and their outlook is not overly positive.

"I think this is something that most people would want us to do if it were their relatives or loved one, but this approach clearly does not reflect well when it comes to scoring systems such as these.

"Being rated 'higher than expected' in this area does not mean patients should be worried."

Dr Philp was keen to point out that overall mortality rates continue to fall at the trust and those relating to general surgery are also lower than would be expected.

The trust's ratio score now stands at 92.42, down from 104.34 in 2011-12 and 118.45 in 2010-11 in the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR).

The report uses four indictors including a standard measure of in-hospital deaths, deaths within 30 days of the patient leaving hospital, deaths after surgery and deaths among people with low-risk conditions who would normally survive.

However, several health bosses have criticised the methods used for the report, including North Lincolnshire and Goole's chief executive Karen Jackson.

She says the report's Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indictor (SHMI) uses a different interpretation compared to official government figures published by the NHS Information Centre.

This resulted in the same score for the year to March 2013 yet places the trust in a different banding. In the most recent official government SHMI, which was published in October and covers the same period, the trust is in the "as expected" band with a score of 111.

However, in Dr Foster's version of the SHMI for the same period of time, the trust's same score of 111 places it in the "higher than expected" band.

Mrs Jackson said: "The trust's Dr Foster scores have improved considerably compared with last year's guide.

"However, I am concerned at Dr Foster's decision to use a different interpretation of the SHMI that is at odds with the official nationally published figures.

"This is very confusing for NHS staff and the public."

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FLOOD defences along East Yorkshire's coast have been damaged by the worst tidal surge in 60 years. Environment Agency staff are working to repair the damage at Hessle, Paull and Skeffling in Holderness after Thursday's surge.

Around 200 homes and businesses were flooding when the Humber burst its banks, flooding as far inland as Hull city centre.

Innes Thomson, the Environment Agency's flood and coastal risk manager for Yorkshire, said: "There has been some localised damage to some of the defences.

"There has been some further down the coast beyond Sunk Island, a little bit at Hessle, where a small amount of embankment was washed away and damage around Paull.

"We are now looking at all our flood defences, which have been challenged by this high tide, to assess the condition of them to make sure they would be ready to do the job again."

Hessle Foreshore and the village of Paull were among the worst-affected areas.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson visited Hull on Saturday to view the city's tidal barrier, which protected 19,000 homes from a 5.8m wall of water.

He said the barrier undoubtedly saved thousands more.

"For those that have been affected, it is shocking and terrible," he said.

"I am desperately sorry for those people in that dreadful situation

"However, thousands of properties have not flooded, which shows the value of flood defences.

"The tidal barrier has saved a dramatic number of properties from flooding in the centre of Hull. It would have been absolutely devastating if we didn't have it. I would also like to thank and congratulate the Environment Agency and other public services, who reacted very quickly in these exceptional circumstances."

Mr Thomson said Environment Agency staff were shocked by how far the water travelled into Hull and the East Riding.

"We didn't expect it to come into Hull at all," he said.

"It was a very apprehensive time. We were worried what the consequences might be, given the severity of what was happening.

"The land is flat as a pancake and, if the water wasn't stopped, it could go all the way to Beverley. That is the challenge we have in this area and why we have to stop it at the tidal barrier.

"We were very disciplined though and did everything we could to warn people that there was something quite big happening here."

Mr Paterson said the Government's pledge last year to invest £2.3bn into flood defences could help East Yorkshire.

"There is more money for defences," he said.

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HULL: The jury in the trial of three people accused of being involved in a major heroin dealing conspiracy is expected to retire to consider its verdict today. Edward Badago, 35, and Jolene Thompson-Carney, 31, deny conspiring to supply thousands of pounds of heroin to the streets of Hull.

Mr Badago's wife, Lisa, also denies two charges of money laundering offences, totalling £26,000.

Another of the defendants, Adrian "Ado" Owen, 32, was also on trial but admitted conspiring to supply the class A drug on the ninth-day of the two-week trial.

Closing speeches from the prosecuting and defence barristers were taking place at Hull Crown Court on Friday,

Judge Kate Buckingham is expected to sum up the case today, before sending the jury out to consider its verdict.

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A review is being carried out into the growing trend of pop-up bars appearing at major events in Hull city centre. It follows concerns over their impact on business at established pubs and bars during festivals.

A report due to be discussed by councillors this week says this year's Freedom Festival attracted a high number of temporary event notices granted to premises that do not normally operate as licensed premises.

The report adds: "These extra temporary event notices doubled the amount of licensed premises on the Marina area and had a detrimental impact on the traders who operate throughout the year."

An informal events safety advisory group made up of representatives from the city council and the emergency services is now examining the issue of pop-up bars appearing at events across the city centre.

The report says the group is also reviewing the annual Yum food festival after this year's event included a large temporary bar.

Feedback from partners suggested the event "featured too much alcohol-related activity".

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WEST HULL: A burglar stole a timing system for pigeons and a frozen joint of meat after breaking into a shed. A bicycle was also taken from the shed, which was in the back garden of a property in Hessle Road.

Police said the bike was a Sakura electric bicycle with a basket on the front and top box on the rear. The timing system was a Unikon ETS used for pigeons.

The break-in happened between 9pm on Thursday and 7am on Friday.

Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting the reference number 2013307.

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