Meridian Gosport

The Gosport half marathon is now underway. Heavy rain forced runners to seek shelter beforehand, but fortunately the rain is forecast to die down for the rest of morning, with a chance of some showers.

More than 2,000 people will be competing today in the gruelling Gosport Half Marathon race in Hampshire.

The Mayor will start the annual road race at 10am in Browndown Road, Alverstoke, which will see runners complete two laps, incorporating the recently widened footpath along the Lee-on-the-Solent seafront.

At 10.20am the 1.2km Children's race will start and see 250 youngsters take part.

Elite runners and beginners from around the local area will be running in the 29th year of this annual event.

Ian Jennings, 47, from Gale Moor Avenue, Gosport, Hampshire, was arrested at Norwich Airport yesterday afternoon after landing a private plane.

He has been charged with performing an aviation function when the alcohol in his breath was over the prescribed limited, Norfolk Police said. Jennings was released on bail to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on November 13 where he will face the allegation under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

The charge comes after a Flybe pilot was released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Tuesday.

The 48-year-old pilot had been due to fly from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to London Gatwick when he was held. The flight was cancelled and passengers faced delays, with some missing connections.

A spokesman said: "Flybe can confirm that one of its pilots volunteered to help the police with their inquiries at Newquay Airport yesterday.

"The airline is not able to comment further while the police investigation is taking place."

For pilots, air crew and air traffic controllers the alcohol limit is 20mg per 100ml of blood. The drink-drive limit for motorists is 80mg.

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has today welcomed a Hillsborough-style inquiry into deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

Speaking after the announcement, Caroline said: “For the families involved, this has been a long and hard journey.

"I am pleased that the Government has expressed its commitment to addressing their ongoing concerns and finding out what really happened at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

"I have always called for openness and transparency – the families deserve nothing less.

The inquiry, selected by the families as their preferred course of action, is an important first step in finally bringing closure to this difficult case.”

The family of a victim who died at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital has welcomed the announcement that there will be an inquiry into their deaths.

Gillian Mackenzie whose mother died at the Gosport hospital describes it as the culmination of sixteen years hard work and campaigning.

She has met with Norman Lamb on numerous occasions in pursuit of her campaign for justice.

She has also been to see the Rt Rev James Jones who will chair the inquiry.

Ms Mackenzie told ITV News Meridian that she wants the inquiry to be "full uncompromising and exhaustive" and wants to see criminal prosecutions follow.

"I have waited sixteen years for this" she says "and I have not got another sixteen yearsleft"

The family of a victim who died at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital has welcomed the announcement that there will be an inquiry into their deaths.

Gillian Mackenzie whose mother died at the Gosport hospital describes it as the culmination of sixteen years hard work and campaigning.

She has also paid tribute to Stephen Lloyd MP who has lobbied on her behalf. Gladys Richards died on August 21 1998. She was 91.

Subsequently Gillian Mackenzie became the first concerned relative to contact the police after the death of a patient at the GWMH.

The Department of Health has responded to the publication of death rates at Gosport War Memorial Hospital by setting up a panel.

Norman Lamb has released a statement in reaction to the Baker Report released in August 2013 into the expected death rates of elderly patients at a Gosport hospital.

The deaths happened between 1988 and 2000 and families have continued to raise concerns about the initial care of their relatives.

The statement says:

"In order to try and address their concerns, and having given consideration to a number of alternative options, I am setting up an independent panel to review the documentary evidence held across a range of organisations.