At their fastest rate for nearly 20 years, with steaming Services Accounting for more than half of consumption. Its 5 oclock, good afternoon, our top story is that the Health Secretaryjeremy hunt has apologised to patients, after the postponement of tens of thousands of operations in england, until next month. Theresa may acknowledged the move is frustrating, but said the nhs is better prepared this winter,than in previous yea rs. However senior doctors say seasonal pressures have escalated rapidly over the festive period. Our Health Correspondent Catherine Burns has more. Anna is waiting for an operation thats going to change her life. Her facial nerve was removed when she had cancer seven years ago. Shes due to have an appointment to plan facial reconstruction surgery next week, but is expecting it to be cancelled. I was hoping that i would have the surgery maybe at the end of january, beginning of february, but i have a feeling it will be knocked back to april or may. Shes due to ha
Recording that she never did that at all. That full exclusive story in around half an hour. And major disruption is expected in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, as storm ophelia arrives from the atlantic bringing Hurricane Force winds of up to 80 miles an hour. Well keep you right across developments. Hello, welcome to the programme, were live until 11. Throughout the morning the latest breaking news and developing stories and, as always, really keen to hear from you. Do get in touch on all the stories were talking about this morning use the hashtag victoria live and if you text, you will be charged at the Standard Network rate. Our top story today britain and ireland are bracing themselves for the arrival of storm ophelia. Its the most powerful storm ever to have formed so far east in the atlantic. It has already hit the south west coast of ireland this morning and will make its way across the country, reaching Northern Ireland by 3pm this afternoon. The Irish Government has d
How his cricketing fathers suicide has affected his game. Good morning. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. The met office has warned of potential danger to life as the remnants of hurricane ophelia hit the Irish Republic and head towards Northern Ireland. Troops have been deployed in coastal areas in the republic, in whats expected to be the most severe storm to hit ireland in half a century. Already more than 3,000 people are without power in cork and kerry this morning and many planes, trains and buses have been cancelled. Storm 0phelia hit the south west coast of ireland a short time ago with gusts of 92mph. It moves on to Northern Ireland and parts of west wales this lunchtime with wind speeds expected of up to 80mph. The storm is then forecast to head north to central and southern scotland tomorrow, sparing eastern parts of the uk. Well, schools north and south of the irish border have been closed for the day. Sarah corker looks at the preparations for the arrival of storm 0phelia. Wit
Northern ireland could have a very tough play off draw tomorrow. And all eyes are on todays weather. Ican hear and all eyes are on todays weather. I can hear in kent. This area was devastated during the storm is 30 yea rs devastated during the storm is 30 years ago. I will be talking about the weather today and also looking back at what happened 30 years ago. More details throughout the afternoon. More details throughout the afternoon. Thanks. Coming up on afternoon live we stay with that theme. If youre being affected by 0phelia, then tweet us your stories and pictures. And lets also have your memories of the great storm 30 years ago. Hello, everyone, this is afternoon live. Ireland has been battered by storm 0phelia. One woman has died, thousands of people are without power, and hundreds of schools have been forced to close. Whats described as a violent and destructive storm with winds of 100 miles an hour is now heading for Northern Ireland, parts of scotland, and west wales. In the