out of lockdown will take time, and will depend on the data. all the modelling suggests there is going to be a further surge, and will find the people who either have not been vaccinated or where the vaccine has not worked, and some of them will end up in hospital and, sadly, some of them will go on to die. "you'll be breaking the law" — the warning to sports coaches and faith leaders who have sexual relationships with 16 and i7—year—olds in their care. needing more research — the debilitating effects of long covid leaving patients suffering for months with no sign of a cure. i , the city, itjust hits you from nowhere, it is so unpredictable. such long—term disabilities, and the effect _ such long—term disabilities, and the effect of— such long—term disabilities, and the effect of that is awful, harrowing. after a journey through space of 4.6 billion years, the meteorite that fell to earth... ..in cheltenham. and coming up on bbc news, more than 100 coaches in gymnastics have been accused of physical or emotional abuse as part of an ongoing inquiry into the handling of allegations made within the sport. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. senior royals have been holding crisis talks after harry and meghan�*s bombshell television appearance. buckingham palace has yet to comment on the interview, which was broadcast last night on itv and watched by 11 million people. meghan said before their son archie was born, an unnamed member of the royal family voiced concerns about how dark his skin colour might be. the labour mp diane abbott said the alleged remarks were "stupid" and "racist" — and criticised the british media for systematically attacking harry and meghan. but the society of editors says it's not acceptable for the couple to claim sections of the british press are bigoted without providing any supporting evidence. and meghan�*s father has got involved, saying he doesn't believe the royal family are racist. daniella relph has this report. back to the everyday business of royalty. yesterday his son was telling the world of the rest in their relationship, today the prince of wales visited a pop—up vaccine centre in london and said nothing about the interview. reporter: can i ask, what did you think of the interview? that remains the official buckingham palace position, for now. more than 11 million people in the uk watch the interview last night. they heard meghan described feeling suicidal and allegations of racist remarks from within the royal family. in remarks from within the royal famil . .,, remarks from within the royal famil . ., , .,, family. in those months when i was reanant, family. in those months when i was pregnant. all— family. in those months when i was pregnant, all around _ family. in those months when i was pregnant, all around the _ family. in those months when i was pregnant, all around the same - family. in those months when i was| pregnant, all around the same time, so we had interns the conversation also," he will not be given security, he will not be given a title." and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born. what?! ~ ., ~ �*, , ., what?! meghan markle's estranged father this morning _ what?! meghan markle's estranged father this morning gave _ what?! meghan markle's estranged father this morning gave his - father this morning gave his perspective on the interview follows. i perspective on the interview follows. ., �* ~' �* , follows. i don't think the british ro al follows. i don't think the british royal family — follows. i don't think the british royal family are _ follows. i don't think the british royal family are racist. - follows. i don't think the british royal family are racist. the - follows. i don't think the british i royal family are racist. the thing about what colour will the abb, how dark will the baby p, i and guessing and hoping it isjust a term question from somebody —— what colour will be baby be, how dark will be baby be? i hope it isjust somebody asking a stupid question. in the united states, a wave of support for meghan and harry and some critical eyes have been cast over the workings of the royal family. over the workings of the royal famil . . . , ., family. the fact she did not get more suwort. _ family. the fact she did not get more support, the _ family. the fact she did not get more support, the reaction - family. the fact she did not get| more support, the reaction was, let's just paper it over and pretend it did not happen or it will go away, keep your head down, this young woman was not about to keep her head down. this is 2021. there has been no _ her head down. this is 2021. there has been no shortage _ her head down. this is 2021. there has been no shortage of— her head down. this is 2021. there has been no shortage of public- has been no shortage of public opinion and analysis of the interview. the headlines are harsh reading. the treatment of meghan by the royal household and the tabloid press have both come in for particularly sharp comments. the? particularly sharp comments. they criticised her _ particularly sharp comments. they criticised her for _ particularly sharp comments. tue: criticised her for having particularly sharp comments. ttef criticised her for having her hands in her pockets when there were photographs of the queen with her hands in her pockets and nothing was said. you have tojewel conclusions from the way meghan was systematically criticised and attacked for things which other white members of the royal family could get away with. but white members of the royal family could get away with.— could get away with. but a strong defence from _ could get away with. but a strong defence from the _ could get away with. but a strong defence from the newspaper - could get away with. but a strong - defence from the newspaper industry. it is not as though the royal family has been _ it is not as though the royal family has been given an easy ride. harry and meghan said they left britain in part because of racism, but the accusation_ part because of racism, but the accusation that this was caused by sections _ accusation that this was caused by sections of— accusation that this was caused by sections of the british media, which are racist, _ sections of the british media, which are racist, is— sections of the british media, which are racist, is not true and is not borne _ are racist, is not true and is not borne out — are racist, is not true and is not borne out by— are racist, is not true and is not borne out by evidence of the coverage. borne out by evidence of the coverage-— borne out by evidence of the coverage. borne out by evidence of the coveraue. . , . ~ ., ., coverage. harry and meghan was meant to be the fairy — coverage. harry and meghan was meant to be the fairy tale _ coverage. harry and meghan was meant to be the fairy tale to _ coverage. harry and meghan was meant to be the fairy tale to modernise - to be the fairy tale to modernise and diversify the royal family. today the same family is grappling with how to respond to a stream of criticism that has left it shaken to its core. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell is here. the silence in buckingham palace is getting deafening? yes. the silence in buckingham palace is getting deafening?— getting deafening? yes, and i susect getting deafening? yes, and i susnect the — getting deafening? yes, and i suspect the palace _ getting deafening? yes, and i suspect the palace will- getting deafening? yes, and i suspect the palace will have l getting deafening? yes, and i- suspect the palace will have wanted to sleep on things but i think the delay is also being called by the number of people being consulted —— also being called. i am speculating now that i would be very surprised if the palace did not know feels it needed to involve downing street, so the royal establishment, if you like, is in complete alliance with the political establishment. we know the political establishment. we know the prime minister watch the full interview last night. another reason that they would want to involve downing street is because of the cabinet secretary, before he was cabinet secretary, before he was cabinet secretary, before he was cabinet secretary he was private secretary to prince william and would have had a ringside seat to much of this, he was the person to zoom the complaint, denied, because, that meghan was a bully, was made. they will be wondering whether the statement should be sympathetic and conciliatory all—weather it should have a harder edge and attempt in some way to challenge the narrative that the sussexes are putting out, because there is frustration, hurt and anger within the palace, but i would imagine they would adopt for something conciliatory, but we will have to see. unlocking too quickly would lead to a substantial surge in infection — that's what england's chief medical officer has told mps. professor chris whitty said it would be dangerous as there are still a lot of vulnerable people who are not protected. our health correspondent jim reed reports. it is the most important, perhaps most difficult, question facing politicians and scientists. how to open up society without causing another major wave of the virus and more pressure on hospitals. speaking in front of mps, england's chief medical officer was cautious, saying even with a successful vaccine programme, another rise in infections is inevitable at some point. infections is inevitable at some oint. ~ :, infections is inevitable at some oint, . ., , infections is inevitable at some oint. . , , , point. what we can see is, as things are opening — point. what we can see is, as things are opening up. _ point. what we can see is, as things are opening up. all _ point. what we can see is, as things are opening up, all the _ point. what we can see is, as things are opening up, all the modelling i are opening up, all the modelling suggests that some point we will get a surge in the virus, and we hope it does not happen soon.— a surge in the virus, and we hope it does not happen soon. another key ruestion is does not happen soon. another key question is this, _ does not happen soon. another key question is this, if _ does not happen soon. another key question is this, if cases _ does not happen soon. another key question is this, if cases rise, - does not happen soon. another key question is this, if cases rise, can l question is this, if cases rise, can vaccines protect enough people from serious disease? early data shows currentjobs are performing better than expected after one dose but cannot offer 100% protection. professor whitty said lifting lockdown restrictions too quickly could still lead to more hospitalisations and deaths. tt could still lead to more hospitalisations and deaths. if you take thin . s hospitalisations and deaths. if you take things steadily _ hospitalisations and deaths. if you take things steadily and _ hospitalisations and deaths. if you take things steadily and start - hospitalisations and deaths. tt gm. take things steadily and start your proper opening up, the biggest race, opening up, when lots of people in the lower ages have been vaccinated, you are in a much better position —— the biggest risk, opening up. but if you push it forward, you will get you push it forward, you will get you high peaks. you push it forward, you will get you high peaks— you push it forward, you will get you high peaks. schools in england have restarted _ you high peaks. schools in england have restarted this _ you high peaks. schools in england have restarted this week _ you high peaks. schools in england have restarted this week and - you high peaks. schools in england have restarted this week and two l have restarted this week and two people are now allowed to meet outdoors. the next step comes at the end of the month, six people or two households will be allowed to meet outdoors and outdoor sports can start again. from mid april, nonessential retail and hairdressers can reopen, along without your hospitality and gyms. most social contacts will will be lifted outdoors from mid—may, six people or two households can meet indoors and indoor hospitality can be open. from june the 21st, all remaining restrictions should come to an end. it is important to do things both slowly enough and with enough time between steps to be able to measure. some conservative mps have called for ministers to move faster to relax restrictions. labour has said the mac should think more long—term. they should prepare themselves and the country for the next pandemic. —— labour has said the government should think more long—term. -- labour has said the government should think more long-term. never aaain should think more long-term. never again should — should think more long-term. never again should ministers _ should think more long-term. never again should ministers ignore - should think more long—term. ttee again should ministers ignore the signs and learn on the job. again should ministers ignore the signs and learn on thejob. tit signs and learn on the job. in wales, scotland and northern ireland, restrictions are being relaxed at a different pace but all parts of the uk will have to answer the same question, how to return to life as normal while keeping the pandemic under control? well, as we've heard, some easing on the restrictions in scotland could be announced later this afternoon. it's thought nicola sturgeon will announce that four people from two households will soon be allowed to meet up outdoors. the change was due to come into force next week, but it's been brought forward because of the progress in suppressing new cases. the head of nhs england, sir simon stevens, has spoken about the anger surrounding nurses�* pay — calling for "proper recognition" of their work in the pandemic. anna collinson is here. it's been a very heated row so far, what can we make of these latest comments? exactly. you may remember last week union is worth serious when the government announced a suggested pay rise of nhs workers of 1%. sir simon stevens this morning said they wanted and expected more, 2.1%. that figure was being discussed and put forward in 2019. ministers voted in favour but the department of health says it was never enshrined in law, so sir simon stevens has acknowledged things have changed since then, we have had a pandemic, but he told mps proper recognition for nhs staff is entirely right after everything they have been through. there is that staff, particularly nurses, may quit because they feel undervalued. one mp suggested introducing bonuses to boost morale, this will be discussed and with —— and reviewed by an independent panel which will report backin independent panel which will report back in the spring. gently rishi sunak defended the plan again, saying it will protect the most jobs, but labour said saying it will protect the most jobs, but laboursaid it saying it will protect the most jobs, but labour said it is proof that the government is cutting nurses�* pay —— chancellor rishi sunak defended the plan again. sports coaches and faith leaders who have sexual relationships with 16 and 17—year—olds in their care will be breaking the law — that�*s under government plans to close a legal loophole in england and wales. it�*s one of a number of new measures being introduced to parliament today, in an effort to overhaul the justice system. laura scott has reports. when 16 and 17—year—olds go to school, the doctor or are in the care of social workers, those in positions of influence cannot legally engage in sexual activity with them. the same has not been true of after—school sports clubs all faith groups. hannah was manipulated into engaging in a sexual relationship with her swimming coach when she turned 16 and says the lord did not protect her. :, :, ~ and says the lord did not protect her. ., :, 4' . ~' and says the lord did not protect her. . ,, :, ., , ., her. looking back on that time is a more mature _ her. looking back on that time is a more mature adult _ her. looking back on that time is a more mature adult now— her. looking back on that time is a more mature adult now and - her. looking back on that time is a j more mature adult now and seeing her. looking back on that time is a - more mature adult now and seeing how wrong the situation was and how he abused his position of trust as a sports coach and gain my trust and use that to his advantage to initiate a sexual relationship, which should not have been allowed to happen, and ifeel really passionately about protecting children in both environments going forward, which is why this change in the law is so important to me. the ministry of — the law is so important to me. the ministry ofjustice is due to expansion out abuse laws in england and wales, meaning sports coaches and wales, meaning sports coaches and faith leaders will be considered positions of trust.— positions of trust. having looked at the body of — positions of trust. having looked at the body of evidence, _ positions of trust. having looked at the body of evidence, really - positions of trust. having looked at the body of evidence, really worry l the body of evidence, really worry cases involving sports coaches and faith leaders, where you have a position of power and authority which can sometimes be abused, i thought the time for action was now. a freedom of information request by the bbc last year and i had been more than 160 reported cases of sports coaches engaging in sexual activity with a 16 or 17—year—old in their care in 2016. for some of those pushing for change, the government�*s plan is overdue but nonetheless welcome. t government's plan is overdue but nonetheless welcome.— government's plan is overdue but nonetheless welcome. i think we all would have — nonetheless welcome. i think we all would have liked _ nonetheless welcome. i think we all would have liked it _ nonetheless welcome. i think we all would have liked it sooner - nonetheless welcome. i think we all would have liked it sooner but - nonetheless welcome. i think we all would have liked it sooner but i - would have liked it sooner but i think we are relieved it will be put forward now, because the danger was always that it could be kicked into the long grass, so those people who say it is not needed, it is to fundamentally misunderstand the relationship a coach has with ni fleet. they spend a huge amount of time together, the spending on the coach that sported the only —— depending on the sport, the coach is the only way through to get you elite level. grooming can start to young age. elite level. grooming can start to young age-— young age. the bill will need to ass young age. the bill will need to pass through — young age. the bill will need to pass through parliament - young age. the bill will need to pass through parliament but. pass through parliament but campaigners hope that by closing what has been described as a gaping legal loophole, sports will be a positive experience for all young people. the american woman accused over the death of harry dunn would be willing to do community service and make a contribution in his memory, according to her lawyer. the 19—year—old died when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a car near an raf base in northamptonshire. dominic casciani reports. an avoidable death. the memorialfor harry dunn on the spot where he was fatally injured. 18 months on, his family still demanding answers from the american woman who was driving on the wrong side of the road when she collided with his motorbike. anne sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity from prosecution and left the country. she was able to rely on that legal immunity because her husband was a member of staff at this secret us communications base, less than a minute from the crash site. now, today, her us lawyer has spoken for the first time. she says her client doesn�*t deny causing the collision but insists she shouldn�*t face a criminal court in the uk. this kind of an accident, had it occurred in the united states, would not be prosecuted criminally. we have actually been making efforts to resolve this case short of her return. we understand that community service is a typical sentence for offences like this, and we have offered, ever since over a year ago now, that she would be willing to serve that kind of a sentence and to try and bring some peace to the family. prosecutors want anne sacoolas extradited back to the uk for causing death by dangerous driving. harry�*s grieving family and their adviser, radd seiger, say they won�*t enter a public negotiation. i made a promise to harry the night he died thatjustice would be done. there are no circumstances at all — that are going to make me break that promise. she needs to come back. if she wants to resolve this, like she says she does, then it is easy — face the ukjustice system. harry�*s family lobbied president trump to waive anne sacoolas�*s immunity. the plea fell on deaf ears. but they�*re also suing her for damages in a us federal court. that case has been given the go—ahead. one way or another, in our courts or theirs, anne sacoolas will have to account for harry dunn�*s death. dominic casciani, bbc news. our top story this lunchtime: crisis meetings involving senior royals have taken place after harry and meghan�*s tv interview but no statement from the palace yet. and coming up, we hearfrom the daughter of former scotland and manchester united defender gordon mcqueen about her father�*s dementia. coming up on bbc news, germany�*s world cup winning coach joachim low will step down from his role after the european championships this summer. he had agreed to lead the team to the world cup next year. ten months ago, jake vujovic almost died from coronavirus and was in hospital for more than 100 days. he�*s now recovering but suffers from debilitating fatigue and breathlessness. jake is one of a growing number of people with long covid, struggling to shake off symptoms weeks and months after contracting the virus. fergus walsh reports. my chances to survive covid were very, very low. i�*m much, much stronger now. jake vujovic feels he�*s been given a second chance at life. he almost died last year, spending three weeks on a ventilator. covid ravaged his body, damaging his lungs and his limbs. ten months on, the 56—year—old has only partially recovered. my feet are still paralysed, and basically i can�*t go anywhere without crutches. it�*s quite risky. the other thing which still remains is a fatigue. it�*s something that... itjust hits you from nowhere. it�*s all so unpredictable. jake spent 107 days in five different hospitals before being discharged. you were saying that you're returning to work. how has that been for you this week? he�*s still under the care of the rehab team at london�*s university college hospital, which has a growing list of long covid patients. patients with covid are suffering with extreme and really debilitating levels of fatigue, breathlessness and cognitive issues. actually seeing them with such long—term disabilities, an effect of that is... yeah, it's awful. it's harrowing. knowing how close they were to losing him, jake�*s family simply appreciate having him home. just the fact that he�*s next to me, that you are sitting next together and talking, and emily has a father, and that we are family again, i think that�*s the best of everything. i think as a family we have - actually grown closer due to this. in a way, i'm grateful, because, you know, _ we are more close than before. it could be 18 months before jake knows if he�*ll walk again without crutches. he remains resilient and optimistic. i do believe that one day i will be back completely, 100%. my leg will recover, my feet will recover, my breathing will recover. and i will be old jake, working full time, enjoying life, going out and not be limited by anything. jake vujovic speaking to fergus walsh. one of the world�*s largest producers of beauty products, unilever, has promised to stop digitally altering a person�*s body shape or skin colour in its advertising. the british company, which owns brands such as dove and lynx, said it would also eliminate the word "normal" from packaging and adverts for all its beauty and personal—care brands. it follows a backlash for some of its advertising campaigns. local councils know what�*s best for local areas — that�*s the message from a cross—party group of mps and lords. they say the pandemic has demonstrated the importance of local knowledge and leadership. our political correspondent alex forsyth has been to lincolnshire to talk to people ahead of the local elections in may. it�*s wonderful to help these people in these times. the volunteers of branston village have been on the front line of this pandemic. there you are, there�*s your food parcel. thank you very much indeed. when families started to struggle, they stepped up, delivering food and general support, all led by andy. i was absolutely astounded with the actual response from the community itself. and it�*s notjust the uptake, up to 100 volunteers that i had within a couple of weeks, but it was also with all the surrounding organisations, all the big food chains. they say they were well placed to meet local need quickly, in contrast to larger schemes, which can take time. to me, it's speed. it's a lack of red tape. i think that's what is the superb thing about the local community, meeting the local need. one of the things people say when i deliver a food parcel, "we only asked last night, you�*re here, it�*s nine o�*clock in the morning." that�*ll be fantastic, that�*ll do lovely, thank you. it�*s notjust volunteers like these. a report out today says, across england, councils have played a crucial part in helping communities during the pandemic, knowing what�*s needed on the ground and proving they should have more powers in future. in rural places like lincolnshire, local businessman dave thinks councils do have a key role. he�*s a consultant, the owner of the shooting club, getting some practice in, is a client. dave didn�*t qualify for the government support on offer, but he�*s hoping for a grant from the county council. he says they�*re right to play a part in backing local businesses and promoting the region, too. there�*s ten or 20 rural counties. we need to level up the playing fields. now, boris said that he�*s going to level up the north. what about levelling up the rural counties as well, mate? covid has changed the landscape. the government�*s put significant central support in place for businesses and families and says it�*s handing down resources and control away from westminster to all parts of the country, with billions set aside to regenerate communities, including rural areas. in some places, councils are looking at a shake—up too. across england, local government is complicated — different depending where you live. for many, betterfunding is key, giving councils more spending power. some structures might change, too. lincolnshire isjust one place looking at whether fewer councils doing more would save money and improve efficiency. there are lots of questions about what works best. in a town on the edge of lincolnshire, mums danielle and victoria say having people who really understand local areas in charge of services and budgets is what matters to them. i think the local areas, if they have more control over their funds, they�*re going to be able to meet those needs better. my worry with giving the powers to a bigger council area would be that they would still be as remote. i mean, they might as well be in westminster as far as we're concerned. for some, this pandemic shown the power of local leadership. for others, it�*s shown the benefits of big picture, central control. either way, it�*s posed key questions about who knows what�*s best for communities, which will be crucial as the country recovers. alex forsyth, bbc news, lincolnshire. the daughter of former scotland, manchester united and leeds defender gordon mcqueen has called for changes in the law on players heading the ball, after her father developed dementia. hayley mcqueen says she wants better protection for footballers now that the risks are more widely known. sally nugent reports. during his playing career, gordon mcqueen was known for his towering presence. for scotland, manchester united and leeds, he put his body on the line. many years later, his family fear he is paying the heaviest price.— family fear he is paying the heaviest rice. ., :, , heaviest price. there are moments where i heaviest price. there are moments where i am — heaviest price. there are moments where i am like, _ heaviest price. there are moments where i am like, god, _ heaviest price. there are moments where i am like, god, i— heaviest price. there are moments where i am like, god, i can't- where i am like, god, i can�*t believe the thing he loved has taken so much of him away from us. polite hayley, you only recently made the statement about your hayley, you only recently made the statement about you— hayley, you only recently made the statement about your dad's diagnosis of vascular dementia. _ statement about your dad's diagnosis of vascular dementia. he _ statement about your dad's diagnosis of vascular dementia. he knows - statement about your dad's diagnosis | of vascular dementia. he knows there is something — of vascular dementia. he knows there is something different _ of vascular dementia. he knows there is something different about - of vascular dementia. he knows there is something different about him, - of vascular dementia. he knows there is something different about him, he| is something different about him, he can�*t think straight sometimes. but he actually did want to know what was wrong with him, because he wanted to try and understand. and maybe trying to work with others to make sure that the next generation of footballers are not in this situation, that families aren�*t going through this. sport and football, you enter into it thinking it�*s going to physically and mentally better me. it�*s going to prolong my life. you don�*t think at 60 odd years old, you�*re going to have brain damage from something that you love. looking back now at your dad�*s career and the time he played, all those headers, when you first suspected there was something wrong, did you immediately think, "it�*s connected to football"? no, no. i don�*t think i realised how much my dad used his head. i didn�*t realise that it was over and over and over, every day in training for years and years. he said he wouldn�*t take back any of his goals or any of the headers that he remembered so fondly, but he said maybe he would have done things differently in training had they have been warned. i think there needs to be changes in the law within football governing bodies as to how much a player heads the ball, and notjust at under 11 level. it needs to be right through the professional game. there are lots of footballers out there right now probably thinking, is it me next? is it going to be me? polite today, a dcms committee started to ask the difficult questions that many sports are facing. collides this neuropathologist said football hasn�*t got it right yet. tt is neuropathologist said football hasn't got it right yet.- hasn't got it right yet. it is a shambles — hasn't got it right yet. it is a shambles in _ hasn't got it right yet. it is a shambles in 2021. _ hasn't got it right yet. it is a shambles in 2021. i- hasn't got it right yet. it is a shambles in 2021. i think i hasn't got it right yet. it is a i shambles in 2021. i think what hasn't got it right yet. it is a - shambles in 2021. i think what lets them _ shambles in 2021. i think what lets them down — shambles in 2021. i think what lets them down is the way the game is managed — them down is the way the game is managed and the way they are allowed to interact _ managed and the way they are allowed to interact with players. i don't .et to interact with players. i don't get the — to interact with players. i don't get the sense that the team doctors and medics and physios are conflicted in their duty of care to players. — conflicted in their duty of care to players. i— conflicted in their duty of care to players, i don't get that at all. in rugby. _ players, idon't get that at all. in rugby. if— players, i don't get that at all. in rugby. if a — players, i don't get that at all. in rugby, if a player is injured, the medics — rugby, if a player is injured, the medics come on the park while the game _ medics come on the park while the game is _ medics come on the park while the game is in — medics come on the park while the game is in full to care for that player — game is in full to care for that player if— game is in full to care for that player. if it is a head injury question. _ player. if it is a head injury question, they can take them off and look question, they can take them off and took at _ question, they can take them off and look at them in detail down the tunnet — look at them in detail down the tunnel. :, :, look at them in detail down the tunnel. ~ ., :, ., tunnel. the football association and the -la ers tunnel. the football association and the players union — tunnel. the football association and the players union say _ tunnel. the football association and the players union say they _ tunnel. the football association and the players union say they are - the players union say they are working together on independent research into the link between head injury and brain disease in later life. sally nugent, bbc news. this was the remarkable view that many people saw in the skies over southern england last week. a fireball meteor hurtling through the night sky. it came down, eventually, near cheltenham. and scientists were amazed by what they found — carbonaceous chondrite, a stony material that hasn�*t changed since the formation of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago. victoria gill reports. from nuneaton, to sowerby bridge, to somerset, the night sky was set alight by a fireball that streaked across the darkness just over a week ago. and while that light show was accidentally captured on security footage, an array of special cameras from the uk fireball alliance managed to pinpoint exactly where in the country the debris was likely to have landed. this charred patch of tarmac on a gloucestershire driveway was the final clue, and the winchcombe meteorite has now been found. nothing like this rock has ever been found in the uk before. after travelling for millions of years through space, it is now in the expert care of the natural history museum in london. why is this space rock in particular so special? so, this is 4.6 billion years old, it is older than any rock we have on the earth, so it is like a time capsule, it takes us all the way back to the birth of our solar system. this is a carbonaceous chondrite type meteorite, so it contains all the building blocks for our solar system. so potentially this meteorite contains things like simple organics and amino acids that could tell us about how life got started on our earth. it also probably contains water bearing minerals, so we could learn about why we have the oceans on the earth and why we may have had oceans on other planets in our solar system. while this discovery weighs in at almost probes to half a kilo, nasa and the japanese space agency both previously sent probes to asteroids, at huge cost, to return just a few grams of pristine space rock. some 65,000 meteorites have fallen to earth and been collected the world, but only 1200 had eyewitnesses to their fall. and, of these, only 51 are rare carbonaceous chondrites like this one.