Weather: Tidal Surge Clean Up Under Way

By Emma Birchley, East Of England Correspondent

The task of cleaning and repairing flood-damaged homes is under way after a tidal surge so powerful it swept some houses into the waves.

The swollen sea flooded 1,400 properties across the country overnight on Thursday in coastal communities stretching from North Wales to Essex.

It was the most serious tidal surge to hit Britain for more than 60 years, and the Environment Agency said high tides on Saturday could cause more flooding in areas already inundated with water.

But the number of flood warnings and alerts has been reduced with fewer than 50 now in place, and no severe flood warnings, which are issued when flooding poses a "significant threat to life".

Susan Telford and Paul Citrine are still struggling to get through to their insurers after their home in Rhyl, north Wales, was left coated in mud once the waters receded.

Ms Telford said: "It's just a waiting game now, I suppose, and a long clean up...but we're lucky. We've got our health and we've got each other and material things can be replaced."

Flooding in Rhyl, north Wales

At Hemsby in Norfolk some homes are gone for good. The sheer power of the sea swept three over the sandy cliff and others were left teetering precariously.

Pub landlord Jonathan Thompson rallied his regulars to help save one family's belongings after he saw the cliff beginning to give way.

"It's heartbreaking to watch someone's entire life being swept into the sea never to be seen again," he said.

The Environment Agency says 800,000 properties were protected thanks to both permanent and temporary flood defences.

They helped prevent a disaster on the scale seen in 1953, when hundreds were killed.

But some barriers were breached as the tidal surge combined with high tides and strong winds.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said two women, two young babies in pushchairs and a dog had been rescued after being hit by a large wave at Louisa Bay in Broadstairs, Kent.

Thousands of homes in coastal areas were evacuated after officials warned that lives could be at risk.

Hundreds of people were forced to spend the night camped out in emergency rest centres.

The North Sea surge followed an Atlantic storm which brought severe gales of up to 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England.

People watch rising waters in the River Stour in Sandwich, Kent

Some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire reported speeds of around 140mph.

One man died after he was struck by a falling tree in a park in Retford in Nottinghamshire, while a lorry driver was killed when his HGV toppled onto a number of cars in West Lothian.

The adverse weather also caused chaos on the transport network, with rail services for Scotland and parts of the North of England suspended and number of flights disrupted.

:: Watch the latest live coverage from around the country on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad.

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Nelson Mandela: South Africa Salutes Its Hero

Mandela Embraced Sport To Heal

Updated: 1:02am UK, Saturday 07 December 2013

By Paul Kelso, Sports Correspondent

Of the many remarkable images of Nelson Mandela's remarkable life, few speak as powerfully as the moment South Africa's new president handed the 1995 Rugby World Cup to Francois Pienaar in Johannesburg.

In front of an overwhelmingly white crowd at Ellis Park, the man once regarded as an enemy of the state emerged wearing a Springbok shirt bearing Pienaar's No 6 on the back.

Entirely won over, the crowd chanted his name, and two hours later watched as the two No 6s, one black, one white, but both South African, celebrated a moment of shared sporting triumph.

It was a moment of brilliant political judgement and deep symbolic power.

Mr Mandela had only been president for a year and extreme right-wing elements were attempting to destabilise his government.

At a stroke he had provided a rallying point for a fledgling nation.

"It is hard to put into words what it meant," said Pienaar.

"Everyone knows about our embarrassing past and he comes out and asks the rest of the country to support us.

"I never thought he would wear a Springbok jersey. That meant so much for the white South Africa. He comes out and carries the Springbok on his chest. I think it was a rallying call for the country, that this was a team that played for us all."

Sport is a persistent theme of South Africa's journey from apartheid to emancipation. First, as a lightning rod for the global anti-apartheid movement, and then at Mr Mandela's behest used as a means of healing the nation's deep divisions.

In the dark days of apartheid the old Imperial games of cricket and rugby were central to white South African identity.

Lucas Radebe, the former South African football captain, told Sky News the black majority played soccer in isolation, associating the other games with the regime.

"We looked at cricket as the sport of the minority, we didn't want to have anything to do with cricket or rugby. Everything was just apartheid," he said.

"Our parents still bear the scars, but it got better and there is a lot of history."

Whatever the game, black and white South Africans were barred from playing together. And when it came to sending national teams to play abroad, only whites were considered for selection.

The African National Congress, operating in exile, recognised the symbolic power of this and campaigned for a global boycott of teams selected on racist lines.

The sporting boycott was perhaps the most effective of all sanctions, hitting white identity hard and bringing the iniquities of the apartheid regime to the attention of a global audience.

Mr Mandela and Desmond Tutu both acknowledged the role played by sport in raising awareness, but winning the support of sport was not straightforward.

In Europe and within cricket and rugby there was resistance to a boycott, with many spouting the canard that sport and politics should not mix.

Exclusion from the Olympic Games was a powerful symbol of global revulsion, but it took concerted action from Asian and African countries to overcome European resistance within the International Olympic Committee.

British rugby was only jolted from its complacency by nationwide protests against South African tourists, and cricket finally joined the anti-apartheid consensus after one of the most controversial and divisive incidents in all sport, the Basil D'Oliveira affair.

D'Oliveira was, in the parlance of apartheid South Africa, a "Cape Coloured" who, denied a chance to play international cricket left South Africa and qualified to play for England.

In 1968 he appeared certain to be selected for the tour of South Africa, a decision that was likely to lead to the cancellation of England's visit by the South African government.

But following a secret lobbying campaign orchestrated from Pretoria, D'Oliveira was omitted from the MCC touring party for the winter tour of his homeland.

It prompted outrage and protests and, a month later, following an injury to a player selected ahead of him, he was added to the touring party.

The South African government responded with contempt, cancelling the tour and describing the MCC squad as "the team of the anti-apartheid movement".

The affair exposed the deep racism of South African society, and cast the sport into a wilderness in which it remained until Mr Mandela was released.

Attempts to break the boycott served to highlight the anti-apartheid cause, particularly rebel cricket tours culminating in a party led by former England captain Mike Gatting in 1989.

Gatting, who will become MCC President in October, found himself at the centre of the final convulsion of apartheid, and saw his mercenary expedition cancelled as Mr Mandela was finally released.

Football attracted less attention but there were notable boycott breakers, including Bobby Moore, Geoff Hirst and Alan Ball of England's 1966 World Cup winning side, who all played in South Africa under apartheid.

Having been a tool in the struggle, sport became a symbol of change once Mr Mandela was released.

A South African team competed under the Olympic flag in Barcelona in 1992, and the cricket team played in the West Indies in 1992 with the protea, a flower, replacing the Springbok on their badge.

Mr Mandela astutely used the power of sport to try and heal his nation's deep divisions.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the most obvious example but there were others. The 1996 African Cup of Nations, won by the hosts with a team led by the great Lucas Radebe, lifted national esteem further.

Major sporting events were drawn to South African, including the 2003 World Cup and most recently, the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

That brought Mr Mandela's final public appearance as he was driven around Soccer City in a golf buggy, visibly frail but rapturously greeted by a global audience hungry for a piece of the modern-day saint.

Many things matter more than sport as South Africa comes to terms with life after Mr Mandela, but when black and white play together they can take comfort that the simple act is part of his legacy.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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Air Traffic Control Problem Delays UK Flights

Flights at several airports - including Heathrow and Gatwick - have been delayed by an air traffic control system problem.

Thousands of passengers have seen their flights delayed by a "technical problem" at southern England's main air traffic control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.

Gatwick Airport tweeted: "Due to air traffic control systems issues some flights may be delayed. Please check with your airline."

A Heathrow Airport spokeswoman said: "We are currently experiencing some delays."

Stansted also used Twitter to update travellers, saying: "A technical issue at Swanwick air traffic control at is currently causing delays to some flights at airports in southern England."

There are also reports of delays at Cardiff, Southampton, Luton, London City and flights to the south from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

NATS air traffic control said in a statement: "Due to a technical problem at Swanwick we are currently experiencing some difficulty switching from night time to daytime operation.

"This may result in some delays for which we apologise. Engineers are working to rectify the problem as soon as possible."

The issue has also affected flights from Ireland and there have been reports of delays at Malaga Airport.

Dublin Airport tweeted: "Technical issue with air traffic control in southern England is causing a delay to some flights to England & continental Europe this AM."

The arrivals board at Gatwick Airport, which has been affected

Passenger Daisy McAndrew said she had been caught in the "unholy mess" at Gatwick as she tried to fly to Barcelona for work.

"As ever, staff have been fantastic but they know nothing other than the fact it is going to be a very, very long delay - very frustrating," Mrs McAndrew told Sky News.

"And also, it's embarrassing, isn't it? When you look around a lot of people on my plane are not British, they are flying British Airways, they are probably trying to get back to Spain and they will inevitably be thinking this is something that could have possibly been prevented.

"It doesn't show our air traffic control system or our travel system in a good light.

"I have never heard of an example where every single plane is grounded - it's quite eerie when I look out of the window to see the tarmac in Gatwick, normally so busy, and also the sky above Gatwick which is normally busy - completely static, there's nothing moving."

Radar engineer Dan Holland told Sky News the problem may be caused by issues communicating flight data between air traffic control at individual airports and the regional hub at Swanwick.

Sky News reporter Clare Fallon said problems at Swanwick had caused a similar backlog last summer.

She said: "There were several airports, mostly in the south of England, including Heathrow, and it took several hours then for them to actually deal with that problem."

:: Are you stranded? Email us: news@sky.com.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602 and Freeview channel 82.

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Nelson Mandela: South Africa's Hero Dies

Life And Times Of Nelson Mandela

Updated: 3:36am UK, Friday 06 December 2013

July 18, 1918: Born Rolihlahla Mandela in a small village in the eastern Cape of South Africa.

1944: Joins the African National Congress (ANC).

1944:  Marries first wife Evelyn Mase.

1948:  South African government introduces the racial segregation policy of apartheid.

December 1952:  Sentenced to nine months hard labour, suspended for two years, for civil disobedience campaign. Opens first black law firm with Oliver Tambo.

1956:  Charged with high treason as part of a round-up of 156 activists.

1958:  Divorces Evelyn Mase and marries social worker Winnie Madikizela.

1959: New racial segregation laws create homelands for South Africa's blacks.

March 21, 1960: Sixty-nine black protesters killed during a demonstration at Sharpeville, in the Transvaal, provoking national uproar.

March 31, 1960: Government declares state of emergency.

April 8, 1960: Government bans the ANC.

March 29, 1961: Mr Mandela acquitted of treason at the culmination of four-year trial. He goes underground on the same day and is dubbed "The Black Pimpernel" by the media for his ability to evade the police.

April 1, 1961: Robben Island turns into a prison for political prisoners.

January 11, 1962: Using the name David Motsamayi, he leaves country and travels around Africa and to England to gain support for the "struggle".

July, 1962: Returns to South Africa.

August 5, 1962: He is arrested for leaving the country without a passport and inciting workers to strike.

November 7, 1962: Mr Mandela is convicted and jailed for five years.

July, 1963: Police raid ANC secret hideout in Rivonia.

October, 1963: Joins 10 other activists on trial for sabotage in what becomes known as the Rivonia Trial.

April 20, 1964: Gives his famous Speech From The Dock during which he declares he is prepared to die for equality.

June 11, 1964: He is convicted, jailed for life with seven others and sent to Robben Island.

1968: Mr Mandela's mother dies.

1969: His eldest son is killed in a car crash; he is not allowed to attend his funeral or that of his mother.

1969: Winnie Mandela is detained in solitary confinement at Pretoria Central Prison for 16 months under the Terrorism Act.

:: Watch Sky News HD for all the latest news and reaction to Nelson Mandela's death

June 16, 1976: Soweto uprising protests - as many as 20,000 students demonstrate against the introduction of Afrikaans in the schoolroom. Up to 700 people are said to have died.

September 12, 1977: Anti-apartheid campaigner Steve Biko dies naked in Pretoria Central Prison after being tortured in police custody.

1980: Oliver Tambo, the president of the ANC, launches international campaign to release Mr Mandela.

May, 1980: British Lions tour to South Africa goes ahead despite British government opposition on grounds of apartheid.

March 14, 1982: Bomb explodes at ANC headquarters in London. Eight South African policemen admit the blast was in revenge for a 1981 attack on a Pretoria military base.

March, 31, 1982: Mr Mandela is transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.

10 February, 1985: Refuses President PW Botha's offer to release him if he renounces violence.

1985: Fellow Rivonia trialist Denis Goldberg is released from prison.

July 20, 1985: After protests against apartheid increase, President Botha declares a state of emergency in 36 districts.

October, 1985: British PM Margaret Thatcher agrees to impose limited Commonwealth trade sanctions on South Africa.

Nov 1985: Mr Mandela undergoes prostate surgery.

June 12, 1986: State of emergency is extended to the whole country.

November 1987: Fellow Rivonia trialist Govan Mbeki is released from prison.

August 12, 1988: Mr Mandela is treated for tuberculosis.

December 7, 1988: He is moved to a house at Victor Verster Prison, near Paarl.

September 20, 1989: FW de Klerk replaces Mr Botha as president and in his first speech vows to end racism in South Africa.

15 October, 1989: The remaining Rivonia trialists and Jeff Masemola, a Pan Africanist Congress prisoner, are released from prison.

December 13, 1989: Mr de Klerk meets Mr Mandela for the first time to discuss the future of South Africa.

February 2, 1990: Mr de Klerk lifts the ban on the ANC.

February 11, 1990: After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela walks free from Victor Verster Prison.

1991: Mr Mandela becomes president of the ANC.

December 10, 1993: He and Mr de Klerk win the Nobel Peace Prize.

April 27, 1994: Mr Mandela votes for the first time in his life in a free and democratic election.

May 10, 1994: Mr Mandela is sworn in as South Africa's first democratically elected president as the head of the Government of National Unity.

1996: Divorces Winnie Mandela.

1998:  Marries Graca Machel - former first lady of Mozambique.

June 1999:  Steps down as president and Thabo Mbeki takes over after ANC wins elections.

July, 2001: Mr Mandela is diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoes treatment.

June 1, 2004: Announces retirement from public life.

January 6, 2005: Mr Mandela announces death of his son Makgatho from Aids.

June 27, 2008: Hyde Park concert in honour of Mr Mandela's 90th birthday.

June 11, 2010: Great granddaughter Zenani is killed in a car crash.

January 26, 2011: Mr Mandela is admitted to hospital in Johannesburg where he is treated for a chest infection for two days.

June 21, 2011: Meets Michelle Obama at his home.

February 25, 2012: Is admitted to hospital for one night with abdominal pains.

December 8, 2012: Goes back to hospital - this time with a lung infection.

December 15, 2012: He has an operation to remove gallstones.

December 26, 2012: Mr Mandela is released from hospital but undergoes further treatment at home.

March 9, 2013: He is admitted for a scheduled overnight hospital check-up.

March 27, 2013: Returns to hospital with a recurrence of his lung infection. President Jacob Zuma asks the world to "pray".

April 6, 2013: Is discharged from hospital.

June 8, 2013: Is admitted to hospital.

December 5, 2013  Mandela dies at age 95. South African President Jacob Zuma makes the announcement at a news conference, saying "we've lost our greatest son."

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Teenager Electrocuted In Christmas Accident

A teenager has died in a freak electrocution accident while apparently searching for Christmas decorations in the loft of her house.

Georgia Marshall, 13, from Barry, South Wales, is thought to have been killed when a metal ladder inadvertently touched a live wire.

The schoolgirl was holding the step ladder while her father Richard, 54, searched for the decorations, according to local media.

The teenager, one of seven children, was from a family of animal lovers and grew up surrounded by horses, dogs and guinea pigs.

Her mother, Glenda Marshall, paid tribute to Georgia on Facebook.

"My beautiful light became a shining star today. Love u forever and will miss you till the day I die. My amazing Georgia. Words cannot say how I feel XXX," Mrs Marshall wrote.

Georgia's mother posted a Facebook photo of her daughter riding a horse

She has also posted a photograph of Georgia taken last Christmas, with the message: "My Angel, Christmas 2012."

The accident happened on Saturday and Mrs Marshall thanked friends of the family who have been using the site to express their sympathies.

"This is so hard for us. I just wanted to thank everyone for all the support and offers of help this last couple of days," she wrote.

"Thank you to all the people who have taken and are going to take my guineas for me. This will help me out more than I can say.

"I wont ever get over this, but all your thoughts and help are so much appreciated by all of us here. THANK YOU."

Police are not treating the death of the teenager as suspicious.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this tragic time for them."

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Weather: Thousands Evacuated Amid Tidal Surge

Thousands of homes are thought to have been flooded as Britain is hit by the most serious tidal surge for more than 60 years.

In some places along the east coast, sea levels have been higher than they were during the devastating floods of 1953.

It comes after a powerful Atlantic storm, packing winds of up to 140mph, claimed two lives and caused widespread disruption.

People fill sandbags as high tide approaches in Great Yarmouth

The Environment Agency has more than 129 flood warnings and alerts in place across England and Wales, including 23 severe flood warnings which are issued only when flooding poses a "significant threat to life".

 :: Watch Sky News HD for all the latest on the disruption

As the North Sea surge moves south, communities are braced for yet more flooding, as further high tides bring a renewed risk.

Water breaches the sea wall on Great Yarmouth's promenade

The tide is expected to peak in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex between 8am and midday, and in Kent between midday and 3pm.

Thousands of homes in coastal areas, including 9,000 in Norfolk alone, have been evacuated after officials warned that lives could be at risk.

Hundreds of people were forced to spend the night camped out in emergency rest centres.

The seafront in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is breached

Sky's Alex Rossi in Hemsby, Norfolk, said: "Lots of bungalows here were evacuated because emergency services were concerned the flood water would inundate the area.

"The area seems to have escaped quite lightly but not all properties have fared so well. One property has been washed away."

Sea defences built since the 1953 floods, which killed hundreds of people, appeared to have held back the tide in many areas.

However, a Defra spokesman said some defences had been breached by the combination of high tides, strong winds and a large tidal surge.

Sky's Gerard Tubb in Boston, Lincolnshire, said residents had described water "cascading" down the street as sea defences gave way.

"People here are worried there could be more problems to come," he added.

Lifeboats rescue people in Rhyl, north Wales

One local resident told Sky News said: "It's never been this bad in my lifetime. We had plenty of warning ... but you never think it's going to happen to you."

In Rhyl, north Wales, firefighters spent the night going from street to street, trying to pump water out of people's homes.

Sky's Becky Johnson, at the scene, said: "Many residents thought their homes were protected by the sea defences and simply weren't expecting to be flooded.

"Lots of elderly people had to be rescued by lifeboats and they were really quite distressed by what was happening."

The tidal surge followed an Atlantic storm which brought severe gales of up to 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England.

Some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire reported speeds of around 140mph.

One man died after he was struck by a falling tree in a park in Retford in Nottinghamshire, while a lorry driver was killed when his HGV toppled onto a number of cars in West Lothian.

The adverse weather also caused chaos on the transport network, with rail services for Scotland and parts of the North of England suspended and number of flights disrupted.

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Racism Claims Over Cricket Australia Tweet

Cricket Australia's official Twitter account has been accused of sending a racist tweet after posting a picture of four Sikh men dressed as Teletubbies with the message: "Will the real Monty Panesar please stand up?!"

The image was deleted shortly afterwards with the message: "We apologise for any offence caused by our earlier tweet. That was certainly not the intention. It has been removed." 

However, it drew criticism and calls for disciplinary action from users of the social media site.

Piers Morgan tweeted: "Will someone please get fired for this?"

He later added: "I see @cricketaus has now deleted that @MontyPanesar tweet. Very wise. Casual racism is not 'banter'."

Yorkshire cricketer Jack Brooks wrote: "Who's the gimp from @CricketAus tweeting terrible gags? Fetch your P45 youth. #SackedInTheMorning"

Mohammedk87 wrote: "That tweet about Monty Panesar is blatant racism no matter how it gets disguised, it's obvious his Sikh faith is being mocked...."

However other Twitter users denied the post was offensive.

"My goodness seriously can someone tell me what was offensive about that picture?" wrote @pattonmeister.

@jdh089 wrote: "can someone please explain how this is racist & offensive please? 4 Stuart broad lookalikes dressed as teletubbies offend any1?"

This latest controversy comes just a week after public announcer David Nixon was stood down at a warm-up game in Alice Springs after announcing Panesar's name in an exaggerated Indian accent.

"Cricket Australia deemed the conduct of the PA announcer inappropriate and as such he will not take any further part in the match," a spokesman said of the incident.

Spinner Panesar was recalled to the England side for the second Ashes test in Adelaide.

England are currently 1-0 down in the series after losing the first test in Brisbane by 381 runs.

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Weather: 100mph Winds As Homes Lose Power

Gusts of more than 100mph are battering parts of the UK, with trains cancelled across Scotland and 20,000 homes without power.

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Autumn Statement: Longer Wait For Pensions

By Sophy Ridge, Political Correspondent

People will have to work until they are 68 years old before receiving a state pension from the mid 2030s, in a move that will raise around £400bn for the Treasury.

Chancellor George Osborne will also announce the age will rise to 69 in the 2040s in his Autumn Statement.

The changes will affect people currently aged 49 or younger.

A Government source said: "This is part of the Government's long-term plan to secure a responsible recovery.

"It is a difficult decision to make sure there is a fair deal across future generations and that the country can live within its means.

"It will help make sure the country can offer people decent pensions in their old age in a way that with increasing life expectancy the country can also afford."

Currently the state pension age is due to rise to 68 from 2046 and to 69 in the late 2040s.

The news - released by the Treasury ahead of the Autumn Statement - is intended to show the Government is determined to keep making tough decisions to drive down the deficit despite improving economic figures.

Most government departments also face a 1% cut in their budgets for the next three years, which will save £1bn a year.

Health, schools, international aid, local government, HMRC and the security services will be exempt because their budgets are protected.

In an interview with Sky News, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The truth is you're not really delivering a higher level of standards and actions on the cost of living unless you secure a long-term growth and success of the British economy.

"From that everything else will follow.

"But should we at the same time try to help families with their budgets? Yes of course we should."

The Autumn Statement's good news is likely to be focused around the cost of living, to counter Ed Miliband's pledge to freeze energy bills for 20 months.

Labour argues most people are not benefiting from the improving economy because of rising prices and stagnating wages.

The Chancellor will also announce a £50 cut in the average energy bill and free school meals for every child under seven years old.

Firms will see a business rates capped at 2%, while the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has confirmed £375bn of planned public and private investment in infrastructure.

For the first time since becoming Chancellor, Mr Osborne is expected to announce more positive economic figures to show growth is returning.

:: Watch live coverage of the Autumn Statement throughout Thursday on Sky News on Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 82, Skynews.com and Sky News for iPad.

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash Victim 'Best Dad Ever'

By Becky Johnson, Sky News Correspondent

The 15-year-old son of one of the victims of the helicopter crash in a Glasgow has described his father as "the best dad you could ever ask for".

Mark O'Prey, 44, was among nine people who died when a police helicopter crashed through the roof of the Clutha Vaults pub on Friday night. His family have been told he died instantly.

Surrounded by close family, his teenage son, Liam, paid tribute to his father, telling Sky News: "He was more of my best friend than my dad and he just showed me the right path ... I'm going to miss him terribly.

"I always loved him. I didn't tell him that enough."

It is not known why the helicopter crashed into the pub's roof

The family had an agonising three-day wait before Mr O'Prey could be formally identified. The bodies of all nine victims have now been released to their families who now have to plan their funerals.

Liam spoke movingly of the moment he was told by police that his father was among the victims. "I went to see him ... I was sitting in the room with him and it was just like he was sleeping and I just wanted to wake him up but he was cold. I just wanted him to wake up."

Mr O'Prey never married, but his family say he had hundreds of friends.

Mr O'Prey was confirmed dead on Monday

His sister, Barbara Todd, told Sky News: "He loved his music, he loved his friends, he loved his boy. There are just so many people out there who I know loved my brother. He's just a darling.

"I'm just so privileged to have been his sister and I've just got so many memories. I'm going to miss him so much."

Mr O'Prey's father, Ian O'Prey, choked back tears as he spoke of the plans the family are now making for the funeral, saying: "He was a one-off son, he'll never be replaced. For this to happen to him, no parent expects this at all.

"Don't make too many plans in this life, love the people you've got, because you don't have them for long."

The wreckage of the helicopter has now been brought to an accident investigation base in Farnborough for examination.

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Eurostar: Government's 40% Stake Up For Sale

The Government is to sell its 40% stake in Eurostar as part of a plan to privatise £20bn of financial and corporate assets by 2020.

The announcement is contained in the new national infrastructure plan (NIP) which sets out over £375bn of planned public and private investments to 2030 and beyond.

The plans include a new target for selling off financial assets, doubling the amount from £10bn to £20bn including shareholding in the cross-channel train operator.

It comes just weeks after ministers were criticised for undervaluing the Royal Mail before its flotation.

Ministers have been given a boost by major insurers, who have announced plans to invest £25bn in UK infrastructure projects over the next five years.

Danny Alexander will announce the plans

Last month Eurostar revealed it had seen an increase in revenues and passenger numbers compared with last summer.

Sales revenue for the period July-September 2013 reached £207m - a 10% increase on the same period last year - and passenger numbers in summer 2013 rose 5% to 2.7 million.

The planned infrastructure investment has increased from £309bn last year to more than £375bn, with 291 of the 646 projects and programmes already under construction.

The decision by insurers Legal and General, Prudential, Aviva, Standard Life, Friends Life and Scottish Widows to invest in infrastructure follows changes in European rules pushed for by the UK which incentivise investment in a wider range of assets.

Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander will unveil the NIP alongside Commercial Secretary and former London Olympics chief Lord Deighton.

Mr Alexander will say the announcement is a "massive vote of confidence in the UK economy".

"It supports the wider £100bn public investment to rebuild Britain over the next seven years that I announced at the Spending Round 2013," he will say.

"Underground, overground, onshore, offshore, wired or wireless, Tarmac or train track. You name it, we're building it right now.

"This is great news for the people of the UK because after years of neglect, the UK's energy, road, rail, flood defence, communications and water infrastructure needs renewal."

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Chris Leslie said: "Scheme after scheme has been announced to great fanfare, but then little actually delivered.

"Yet another announcement from ministers about possible future investment will do little to reassure business that warm words will finally translate into diggers in the ground."

Other measures being announced include:

:: The scrapping of plans to create the UK's first toll road for a decade. Motorists will not be charged to use the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon once the improvement scheme, due to start in 2016, is completed.

:: A further £50m will be allocated to redevelop the railway station at Gatwick Airport.

:: A Government guarantee could support finance for the development of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey.

:: The £1bn Northern Line extension to Battersea in southwest London will also be guaranteed by the Government.

:: Watch live coverage of the Autumn Statement throughout Thursday on Sky News HD

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Manhunt After Police Officer Shot In Leeds

Police are hunting a 37-year-old man after a woman police officer was shot and injured in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police have appealed to the public to help them trace James Leslie in connection with the shooting which took place shortly after 4am in Cardigan Road in the city's Hyde Park district.

The force said two uniformed officers attended a "routine call" to a disturbance and were confronted by a man at the address who fired at them.

A police spokesman said: "One female officer received serious but non life threatening injuries.

"A male officer was uninjured. The female officer is currently undergoing treatment in hospital."

The force issued a photograph of Leslie, who lives in Cardigan Road, and warned the public not to approach him.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Dodd said: "West Yorkshire Police are appealing to Mr Leslie to hand himself in as soon as possible.

"The police are actively seeking Mr Leslie and the public should be reassured that every effort is being made to safely locate him. Additional patrols will be seen in the area.

"The public should not approach Mr Leslie but ring 999, if they see him or know where he may be."

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Nine Victims Named

Police have named the remaining four victims of the Glasgow helicopter crash after the recovery operation ended last night.

Robert Jenkins, 61, Mark O'Prey, 44, Colin Gibson, 33, and John McGarrigle, 57, were among the nine people killed when the police aircraft crashed into the Clutha pub on Friday.

The relatives of both Mr O'Prey and Mr McGarrigle told Sky News of their frustration at the delay in finding out news about the men.

Three people were killed in the helicopter - pilot David Traill, 51, and police officers Kirsty Nelis, 36, and Tony Collins, 43.

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, and Samuel McGhee, 56, from Glasgow, were the other two people who were killed in the pub.

The helicopter was raised from the building on Monday

Confirmation of the names of all those who died came after officials revealed the search and recovery operation at the crash site had concluded.

The site is subject to an ongoing police investigation, but management of the incident scene has been handed over to the city council.

Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: "All nine names of those who died in the tragic incident last Friday in Glasgow have now been confirmed.

"Our thoughts first and foremost are with the families and friends of all those who have died. As our investigation continues we will of course go on providing support to the families involved."

Cl'wise from top L: PCs Collins and Nelis, Mr McGhee, Mr Arthur, Mr Traill

On Monday it emerged Mr Traill made no mayday call before the crash.

Dave Miller, deputy chief inspector of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), told reporters there was no explosion and no fire before the helicopter fell onto the roof of the building, causing debris to land on customers below.

He said there was no "black box" flight recorder, although the aircraft did have a "significant number of modern electronic systems on board and it may be possible to recover details from those systems".

Nothing fell from the aircraft before the accident and the helicopter rotors were intact at the moment of impact.

The "extensively damaged" Eurocopter was lifted out by crane and taken by lorry to the AAIB base in Farnborough, Hampshire.

Emergency service workers formed a guard of honour to pay their respects to victims as the last four bodies were driven away in private ambulances.

Eleven people remain in hospitals across the city.

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Acid Attack On Ballet Boss: Dancer Convicted

A dancer and two co-defendants have been convicted by a Russian court over an acid attack on the Bolshoi Theatre's ballet chief.

Victim Sergei Filin suffered severe burns to his eyes and face when a man threw sulphuric acid in his face as he returned home late at night.

The Bolshoi's artistic director was nearly blinded in the assault in Moscow last January.

After a month-long trial, the judge said dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko, 29, and two others had intentionally caused grievous bodily harm to Mr Filin.

The attack revealed bitter rivalries behind the scenes of the Bolshoi Theatre.

Dmitrichenko admitted he wanted Mr Filin roughed up and had given co-defendant Yuri Zarutsky the go-ahead to hit him.

Mr Filin after leaving hospital, right, and before the acid attack

But Dmitrichenko said he had not wanted acid to be used, and pleaded not guilty.

Zarutsky, who had admitted guilt, said throwing acid in Filin's face was his own idea and he had not told Dmitrichenko of his plan.

A third defendant, Andrei Lipatov, was accused of driving Zarutsky to and from the scene of the crime.

State prosecutors have asked for a nine-year prison sentence for Dmitrichenko, 10 for Zarutsky and six for Lipatov.

The dancer is expected to be sentenced by Judge Yelena Maximova later in the day.

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RBS And NatWest Cyber Monday Meltdown 'Over'

RBS and NatWest have promised further investment in their technical systems after the latest glitch which left customers unable to access their cash across the UK.

Thousands of people vented their anger on Twitter after all the high street banks' systems went down on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Cyber Monday, for three hours from 6.30pm.

As well as bank cards, there were problems with RBS and NatWest's websites and smartphone apps.

RBS - which owns NatWest - issued a statement on Tuesday morning via the social network saying: "The systems issues that affected our customers last night have now been resolved and all of our services are now back working normally."

The banking group did not believe the IT problems were related to high transaction volumes on Cyber Monday but was unable to give an explanation for the failure in its computer systems following a number of high profile outages in recent years.

It had earlier said on Monday night: "We are very sorry for the system issues that affected our customers this evening. Our customers are reporting that services are coming back on line.

Complaints piled up on Twitter as customers could not access cash

"If customers have been left out of pocket as a result of these system problems, we will put this right.

"If any customer is unable to resolve an issue caused by the disruption, they should get in touch with our call centres or come into a branch in the morning where our staff will be ready to help."

The group said Ulster Bank, which is also owned by RBS, was "partly affected" while several customers in Ireland reported problems.

Reports started to emerge of bank cards being refused at around 6.30pm on Monday.

RBS' apology, along with an earlier tweet about mobile banking problems

One customer from Canterbury, Kent, tweeted: "Natwest down again. Looked like a melt in Londis when my card got declined for milk and tuna."

Josh Barlow, a Sheffield Hallam journalism student, wrote: "This is happening every month if not more and it's getting ridiculous."

RBS and NatWest came under fire in March after a "hardware fault" meant customers were unable to use their online accounts or withdraw cash for several hours.

A major computer issue in June last year saw payments go awry, wages appear to go missing and home purchases and holidays interrupted for several weeks, costing the group £175m in compensation.

The latest meltdown will heap more embarrassment on the banks because it came on so-called Cyber Monday, when retailers are hoping for their busiest day of the year as pre-Christmas shoppers search the internet for bargains.

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Helicopter Crash: Fears For 'Gentle Giant'

The family of a man who has not been seen since a police helicopter crashed into a pub in Glasgow have said they are fearing the worst.

Mark O'Prey was last seen in the Clutha bar by a friend who went outside for a cigarette moments before the tragedy.

His father Ian told Sky News how he dropped the phone when his daughter Louise told him the news that Mark had been inside the bar.

"I could not believe it because I'd been watching it all night on television from when it happened," he said.

"Here we are two days later and he's still inside.

Mark's sister Louise and his father Ian

"Mark was 44, a big powerful lad, 6ft 3in and loved by everyone.

"I would hope he would do the same for me if I was lying in that pub. I'd like some answers, not (to be) fobbed off."

Mark's sister Louise said her brother's phone still rings when they call it.

"We've tried desperately for two days now," she said. "His phone is still ringing. His phone is ringing in that bar.

"We know he was definitely in the bar with a guy who asked him to hold his drink while he went out for a cigarette. When he looked up he saw the helicopter had crashed into the building.

The wreckage of the helicopter

"We had some absolutely fabulous times together. We just can't believe he could be in that situation in that pub.

"He lived for his music. He was a big gentle giant who would have done anything for anyone.

"We just can't bear to think we're going to have to put him to rest at the age of 44. It's so tragic."

Police Scotland said family liaison officers, who are highly specialised and trained, have been working with the O'Prey family since Saturday.

Victims PC Collins, PC Nelis, Samuel McGhee (top) David Traill, Gary Arthur

In a statement, the force said: "Mark O'Prey has been reported to Police Scotland as missing and was last known to be in the pub where the helicopter came down.

"Police Scotland appreciates concerns and frustrations from relatives awaiting news. We have stated publicly the priority is to remove those who were in the pub at the time of the crash and to do that safely and as quickly as we possibly can."

The mangled wreckage of the aircraft remains embedded in the middle of the Clutha as police and firefighters continue to comb through the wreckage of the building, in what has been described by police as a"complex" and "very dangerous" operation.

Officers have so far named five of the nine people who died during the tragedy.

PC Kirsty Nelis, 36, PC Tony Collins, 43, and civilian pilot David Traill, 51, were inside the aircraft when it smashed through the roof of the pub on Friday night.

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, and Samuel McGhee, 56, from Glasgow, were also killed inside the premises after the roof collapsed, filling the venue with choking dust.

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Amazon's Hopes For Drone Deliveries

Online retailer Amazon hopes to have mini drones delivering packages to customers in just 30 minutes, its chief executive has claimed.

During a TV appearance in the United States, Jeff Bezos played a video showing the tiny robotic devices, known as octocopters, which pick up items in small yellow buckets and whiz them through the air.

"I know this looks like science fiction. It's not," Mr Bezos told CBS television's 60 Minutes show.

"We can do half-hour delivery ... and we can carry objects, we think, up to five pounds (2.3kg), which covers 86% of the items that we deliver."

The mini drones are powered by electric motors and it is hoped they could cover areas within a 10-mile radius of distribution centres, allowing Amazon to cover a significant portion of the population in urban areas in the US.

The concept requires additional safety testing and federal approval but Mr Bezos estimated that Prime Air, as the service would be called, could be up and running within five years.

Mr Bezos wants Amazon to be at the cutting edge of the retail industry

The mini drones operate autonomously and drop items at target locations thanks to GPS coordinates transmitted to them.

Amazon said the octocopters would be "ready to enter commercial operations as soon as the necessary regulations are in place", noting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was actively working on rules for unmanned aerial vehicles.

But the ambitious project may never get off the ground.

Strict air regulations mean drones can currently only be operated by line-of-sight control, defeating the remote delivery concept.

The FAA's NextGen air traffic system for planes has also been delayed due to complex technical problems.

Amazon's promotional video shows a package being picked up at a warehouse, travelling across an open field and landing in a customer's rear garden.

However, blustery weather, power lines and trees could all hamper deliveries.

In high-density cities such as New York, where many people live in high-rise apartments, tall buildings provide physical barriers that cannot be overcome.

The US military-operated GPS location system also has in-built inaccuracies for civilian use, increasing the risk of delivery problems.

Mr Bezos hinted that part of the motivation behind the mini drones was to make sure Amazon remains on the cutting edge of the retail industry.

"Companies have short life spans ... and Amazon will be disrupted one day," he said. "I would love for it to be after I'm dead."

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Ninth Body Found

Police say another body has been found inside the Clutha pub in Glasgow where a police helicopter crashed, bringing the total number of victims to nine.

They have also identified a fifth person who died as Samuel   McGhee, 56, from Glasgow.

Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: "We can now confirm that Samuel McGhee died during the incident on Friday. Our thoughts are with his family and friends tonight as they are with all those affected by this tragedy.

"Sadly I can also confirm the discovery of a further body within the site. This takes to nine the total number of people who died on Friday night.

Rescue workers are preparing to remove the wreckage of the aircraft

"Our absolute priority has been to locate the bodies of people who were within the pub at the time of the incident and recover them safely. This process takes time, as formal identification procedures have to take place before we can notify relatives and publicly confirm identities.

"We are doing all we can to support the families of those who have lost loved ones. It is essential that we maintain sensitivity and dignity for the families of the deceased."

She added: "This remains an ongoing investigation and search focused on the Clutha Vaults pub. The site is extremely challenging and the efforts of colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and investigators have been painstaking."

The other named victims include PC Kirsty Nelis, 36, PC Tony Collins, 43, and civilian pilot David Traill, 51, who were killed when their aircraft smashed through the roof of the pub in Stockwell Street.

Emergency services at the scene

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, was among the six people who died inside the pub when the ceiling caved in.

The four other victims have not yet been identified. Police have warned that more bodies could be recovered from the wreckage.

Mr Arthur's daughter, Celtic and Scottish women's footballer Chloe Arthur, 18, paid tribute to him on Twitter, writing: "You'll always mean the world to me. I promise to do you proud. I love you with all my heart."

Many of PC Nelis' friends have changed their Facebook profile pictures to a black square cut across by a thin blue line in her memory.

Friends have paid tribute to PC Kirsty Nelis

Andrina Romano said: "For my beautiful friend Kirsty and all others involved. You will never be forgotten and I will miss you every day. Rip."

Today, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael will visit the city to meet emergency service personnel before signing the book of condolence at Glasgow City Chambers.

On Sunday, a service for the victims was held at Glasgow Cathedral, with Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon among those attending.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have sent their "most heartfelt thoughts and sympathy to the families of those who were lost or injured in Friday's truly shocking helicopter accident in Glasgow".

A special service was held at Glasgow Cathedral

The Clutha had been packed with more than 100 people watching a ska band when the crash happened at 10.25pm on Friday.

Twelve people remain seriously injured in three Glasgow hospitals.

A total of 32 were admitted and 20 of them have been discharged. The wounded suffered mostly chest, spinal and head injuries as well as fractures and lacerations.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Until the helicopter is completely removed from the scene and the right people are in the premises and are able to look through the rubble completely and start to clear it, we cannot say about exact numbers.

The mangled wreckage of the helicopter remains embedded in the building

"No one will be putting pressure on them in terms of time but things are proceeding, we are making progress and I know that people want to be reassured of that.

"It may appear that it's not going as fast as people want. The answer is it's painstaking and it's important that everything there is treated with the courtesy and respect it deserves."

The Eurocopter EC135 Type 2 helicopter involved in the crash was one of many that underwent safety checks as a precaution last year, it has emerged.

Police said the aircraft was tested on the advice of its operator Bond Air Services last May after reports of cracks on the machines.

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Thai PM Flees Building During Violent Protests

Thailand's Prime Minister has been moved to a secret location after protesters forced their way into a police sports club in Bangkok where she was staying.

The anti-government mob broke into the building where Yingluck Shinawatra had been during the morning, but she was able to leave the premises and go to an undisclosed location, an aide said.

In another area of the city, police have fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters near Government House, where Ms Yingluck's office is located.

It is the first time police have used force against protesters who have occupied government offices for the past week in an attempt to topple the PM.

The violence flared near Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium which was hosting a rally by thousands of Red Shirts, who support the embattled premier.

A Red Shirt is attacked by anti-government protesters

The Red Shirts - who also back Ms Yingluck's brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - had gathered en masse to ward off any coup attempt against the government.

Police said a 21-year-old had been shot dead. At least five other people were also wounded by gunshots and five more were injured by knives or rocks, officials at the nearby Dr Panya General Hospital said.

It was not immediately known who fired the shots or whether the victims were supporters or opponents of the government.

Those seeking to topple the government also attacked several people they believed were going to the rally.

Yingluck Shinawatra is accused of being a puppet for her brother

Two people were badly beaten and two buses attacked, their windows smashed.

One protester used an iron rod with a Thai flag wrapped around it to smash the driver's side window of one bus.

The buses and one taxi appeared to have been targeted because they carried people wearing red shirts.

Police claimed soon afterwards they had the situation under control, but attacks continued overnight on individual Red Shirts, and the crowds on both sides grew.

Police called for military backup to protect parliament and Ms Yingluck's office.

Protesters tear down barricades outside Government House

Protesters there tore down stone and razor-wire barriers ahead of a planned move to occupy it.

Demonstrators briefly occupied the headquarters of the army on Friday, urging it to join them in a complex power struggle centred on the enduring political influence of Ms Yingluck's billionaire brother.

The tension heightens a nearly decade-long conflict that broadly pits Thailand's traditional establishment of top generals, royalists and the urban middle class against the mostly rural, northern supporters of Mr Thaksin.

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Helicopter Crash: Relatives Face Anxious Wait

Families and friends are waiting to hear news about loved ones after the helicopter crash in Glasgow where eight people died.

A "very sensitive and complex" police rescue operation to find potential survivors is taking place at the Clutha pub - where the aircraft came through the roof.

Officers have described it as a "complicated and dangerous" environment.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the helicopter hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, 38, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed, but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

John McGarrigle says he is sure his father has been killed in the crash

Three crew members - two police officers and a civilian pilot - died in the aircraft and five other people lost their lives inside the pub.

Flags across Scotland are flying at half-mast following the tragedy as the Queen says her "thought and prayers" are with those affected.

First Minister Alex Salmond - who called the crash a "black day for Glasgow and for Scotland" - ordered Scottish saltire and lion rampant flags outside Scottish Government and historic buildings to fly at half-mast.

St Andrew's Day events in the city were also scrapped and a minute's silence has been held at many football grounds.

The helicopter brought down the roof of the pub

With 14 people still seriously injured in hospital, players and fans at Scottish Cup fourth-round matches showed their solidarity and fell silent before kick-off.

Glasgow Rangers and Falkirk players wore black armbands during their game.

A statement from Rangers said: "Everyone at Rangers Football Club is shocked and saddened by the tragic helicopter crash at the city's Clutha Vaults bar on Friday night.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by this dreadful incident."

The city's other famous football club, Celtic, also tweeted that their "thoughts & prayers (are) with those affected by this terrible accident".

Flowers are being left at the scene of the crash in central Glasgow

A special service was held at St Andrew's Cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

"We pray for our city of Glasgow," said Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who led prayers for victims and rescuers.

Special prayers will also be said and candles lit for the victims at a service at 11am at Glasgow Cathedral today.

St Andrew's Day celebrations, due to be held in George Square, were cancelled following the tragedy, while the Scottish Trades Union Congress called off its anti-racism march in the city.

An emotional Gordon Matheson, the leader of the city council, told a press conference: "This is heartbreaking news from the very centre of Glasgow.

Rangers and Falkirk were two of the teams to remember the victims

"The people of Glasgow are praying for and doing everything they can to support the families and those most directly affected by this tragedy."

Political leaders have also expressed their solidarity with those involved.

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want to pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help."

The Archbishop of Glasgow held a special service at St Andrew's Cathedral

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute to local people.

Mr Salmond said: "All of us have seen over the last few hours, the speed and effectiveness of the mobilisation of the emergency services in dealing with this tragedy.

"We've also heard of the instinctive courage of ordinary Glaswegians going to assist their fellow citizens in extremity.

"This is a black day for Glasgow and for Scotland. Our condolences go to those who will be bereaved, our solidarity with those who have been injured."

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Two Victims Named

Two of the eight victims who were killed in the police helicopter crash in central Glasgow have been named.

Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, was drinking in The Clutha pub in Stockwell Street at the time of the accident.

David Traill, thought to be in his fifties, is understood to have been the civilian pilot at the controls of the police helicopter, which also had two officers on board.

David Traill is believed to have been the civilian police helicopter pilot

Steve Lloyd, the manager of the Police Roll of Honour Trust, which remembers officers who lose their lives in the line of duty, said: "The impact of this accident will be felt by all the extended police family and will yet again prove the dangers faced by the police in the service of our community."

The Clutha had been packed with more than 100 people watching a ska band when the accident happened at 10.25pm on Friday.

Mr Arthur's 18-year-old daughter, Chloe, who plays forward for Celtic women's first-team and is on the Scottish team, tweeted her thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and pledged that she would make her much-loved father proud.

"RIP dad. you'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart," she wrote.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash

"Thanks to everyone who has tweeted me, text me etc, means so much, I have the most amazing friends ever."

Mr Arthur was a regular on the sidelines watching his daughter play at matches, according to Celtic women's manager David Haley.

"This is devastating for Chloe and her family," he said.

"It is a tragedy that Chloe's father was one of eight innocent victims in this terrible accident - he was regularly seen at Celtic matches, watching his daughter."

Fourteen people remain seriously injured in three Glasgow hospitals.

A nine-piece local ska band were on stage when the aircraft hit the roof

A total of 32 were admitted and 18 of them have been discharged. The wounded suffered mostly chest, spinal and head injuries as well as fractures and lacerations.

Police said: "Extensive efforts continue to recover the remaining bodies from the scene, but due to ongoing safety constraints this is likely to take some time."

Emergency services including police officers, firefighters and search and rescue teams with dogs remain at the site on the banks of the River Clyde.

They are thought to have been working through the night to recover the remaining bodies from the scene and stabilise the building, which has been deemed unsafe following the crash.

An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed

The mangled wreckage of the aircraft remains embedded in the middle of the pub.

It is not known how many people are still inside the building.

Sir Stephen House, the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, said rescuers were working in a "complicated and dangerous" environment and the rescue operation would go on for many days yet.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Witnesses said the helicopter came down "like a stone" from the sky at "a great speed", while some suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

A police officer lays flowers at the crash scene

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub at the time, told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band. And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down."

John McGarrigle, 38, said he had been told by someone inside the pub that his 59-year-old father, also called John, had been sitting at precisely the spot the aircraft had come down and that he had been killed but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

As families anxiously wait to hear news about their loved ones, special prayers will be said and candles lit for the victims at a service at Glasgow Cathedral.

Relatives console each other at the site

A minute's silence will also be held before Celtic's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Senior public figures including the Queen, Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond have expressed their condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

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