Spaniards appear to have grown used to the idea of not having a government.

As they prepare to go to the polls on Sunday for the second time in six months, only 3% put the need for a new administration among the country's top-priority issues, according to public pollster CIS.
The four main parties failed to reach a deal after December's inconclusive vote and there is little sign that things will change.
For Spaniards, though, a 21% rate of unemployment unsurprisingly remains the main concern.
There are signs that economic confidence is recovering as Spain emerges from the 2008-2013 double-dip recession known here as "la crisis".
First-quarter figures for 2016 show GDP growth of 0.8%, the same as during the second half of last year, mainly thanks to a 0.9% rise in consumer spending.
Podemos's Ikea-style appeals to Spain's youth
King calls new vote amid deadlock
Spain's 'usual suspects' line up for fresh poll
Podemos bangs on doors of power
They may embrace this partial economic recovery but Spain's voters are not crediting the conservative Popular Party (PP), which claims to have brought it about.
The PP, now a caretaker government, saw its support plummet from 45% at the height of the 2011 election to 29% on 20 December 2015.
It was enough to finish first but not to secure majority support. In the subsequent four-month lifetime of modern Spain's shortest parliament, the second-placed Socialists (PSOE) ruled out a grand coalition with the PP while negotiating a deal with the fourth-largest party, Ciudadanos (Citizens).
But repeat elections were inevitable when third-placed anti-austerity party Podemos refused to approve the deal.
46m
Population
21% Unemployment
45% Youth unemployment
2.7% Growth in GDP predicted for 2016
Opinion polls suggests little is likely to change on 26 June, although Podemos is now eyeing second place ahead of the Socialists, largely because of a coalition deal with the United Left, an amalgam of communists and other leftists.
In Sunday's Metroscopia poll published by newspaper El Pais, the PP led on 29%, Unidos Podemos had 26%, PSOE 20.5% and Ciudadanos 14.5%.
Who would make deals with whom to form a majority was a big question for the only TV debate this month ahead of the vote.
But while all four leaders were adamant they understood that Spanish patience had worn thin, they gave little away.
So with only a month of negotiating time available before Spain's traditional summer shutdown period in August, the prospect of a lost year in politics looms ever larger.
Belgium's record of 541 days without a renewed government may still be a way off, but the brinkmanship of Spanish politicians could have disastrous consequences.
"It does look like no-one wants to make a deal with anyone," says Pablo Simon, a politics professor at Madrid's Carlos III University. "But I think this is basically down to electoral strategy because all the parties accept that there simply cannot be another election."
Mr Simon argues that decisions are needed to prevent a drop in public investment and to incorporate new spending cuts demanded by the European Commission into the 2016 budget, hurriedly passed by the PP in parliament last autumn.
According to the president of Seopan, which represents Spain's construction industry, the building sector is heading towards a ninth successive year in crisis on the evidence of the first quarter of the year without a government.
"Investment in construction and infrastructure will fall by between 15% and 18% in 2016," Julian Nunez told a conference in Santander last week.
Beyond the delicate economic circumstances, Mr Simon also warns of the dangerous potential for political disaffection if urgently needed reforms to boost employment, improve education and crack down on corruption are not forthcoming.
"If the current blockage continues and the economic situation and inequality worsen, we could reach a point where we find that Spain is not immune to the emergence of the far right," he says, noting that only Spain, Portugal and Ireland have so far been unaffected by the rise of extremist politics among European nations this century.
Popular Party Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said the party with the most seats in Congress should be allowed to govern. His PP will again propose a broad coalition with PSOE and Ciudadanos. But the Socialists are not interested and Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera says Mr Rajoy should step aside first because of the string of PP corruption scandals that emerged while he has been leader.
Socialists Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez risks a shocking reverse if his historical party of the left is surpassed by Podemos. Polls suggest that together, Unidos Podemos and PSOE may scrape a majority or come very close. But Mr Sanchez and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias have become bitter political enemies after the latter effectively dynamited any chance of an understanding earlier this year by insisting on an independence referendum in Catalonia, anathema to the Socialists. Mr Sanchez may have an unpalatable choice to make: be the junior partner in coalition with Unidos Podemos or allow the PP to stay in power.
Unidos Podemos The left-wing coalition wants an end to austerity politics and a massive investment in public services, as well as a minimum income guarantee for all households. This would be funded by significant tax rises for the rich and for companies. However, Mr Iglesias has hinted that a Catalonia referendum might not be a red line, a shift that would pile pressure on the Socialists to join a coalition.
Ciudadanos The anti-corruption centrist party has signed regional deals with both the PSOE and PP at a regional level, in return for a commitment to greater transparency. And leader Albert Rivera's February deal with Pedro Sanchez was a coup for Ciudadanos. But if the Socialists fade further in the polls, Mr Rivera may feel he is better served pushing for a deal with the PP, without Rajoy at its head.


Relying purely on breastfeeding for the first six months might not be best for babies, experts in the UK have warned.

In the British Medical Journal, the team said breastfed babies may benefit from being given solid food earlier.
Current advice suggests weaning should occur at six months, but the UCL team say it could happen as early as four.
They suggest later weaning may increase food allergies and iron deficiency levels, but other experts backed the existing guidance.
Ten years ago, the World Health Organization published global advice advocating babies be exclusively breastfed for six months.
The research team, led by Dr Mary Fewtrell a paediatrician from the University of London Institute of Child Health, said it supported the recommendation for developing countries, where access to clean water and safe weaning foods is limited, and there is a high risk of infant death and illness.
But they added: "Many western countries, including 65% of European member states and the US, elected not to follow this recommendation fully, if at all.
But in 2003, a health minister said the UK would comply.
The WHO recommendation "rested largely" on a review of 16 studies, including seven from developing countries.
It concluded that babies just given breast milk for six months had fewer infections and experienced no growth problems.
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But another review of 33 studies found "no compelling evidence" not to introduce solids at four to six months, the experts said.
Some research has also shown that six months of breastfeeding does not give babies all the nutrition they need.
A US 2007 study found there was an increased risk of anaemia compared with those introduced to solids at four to six months.
Swedish research also found that the incidence of early onset coeliac disease increased after a recommendation to delay introduction of gluten until age six months, but fell back after the recommendation reverted to four months.
Dr Alan Lucas, director of the Institute of Health, said: "The WHO recommendation is very sensible for developing countries.
"But in the UK, it's important we take a balanced look at the evidence."
Dr Fewtrell added: "When you look at the figures, there are a lot of babies being weaned before six months anyway - and that's probably the most important thing in terms of hard evidence."
But the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the National Childbirth Trust defended current advice.
And Janet Fyle, professional policy adviser at the Royal College of Midwives, said: "I really must challenge the suggestion that the UK should reconsider its current advice on exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
"I believe that this is a retrograde step and plays into the hands of the baby-food industry which has failed to support the six-month exclusive breastfeeding policy in the UK.
"There is evidence that some babies do die in developed countries from inappropriate young child feeding, such as the introduction of solid foods earlier before their swallowing mechanism is mature enough or they have fully developed the capability to cope with solid foods."
And a Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Breast milk provides all the nutrients a baby needs up to six months of age and we recommend exclusive breastfeeding for this time.
"Mothers who wish to introduce solids before six months should always talk to health professionals first."
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is to review infant feeding and is due to report later this year.
What should I do? I have an exclusively breastfed 21 week old baby who I want to do the best for. This is extremely stressful as the evidence is so polarised. I have even received mixed messages from healthcare professionals thus far! Joanne Leaver-Cole, London
When I had my daughter 10 years ago I followed the breastfeeding recommendations religiously. I breastfed exclusively for six months before introducing solids. My daughter is now extremely fussy with what she eats and suffers from food allergies some of which are really rare, for example she is allergic to baked beans. She is also very small for her age. I honestly believe that complying with these guidelines has had a detrimental affect on my daughters health. Karon Grace, Derbyshire
My baby is 10-months-old now, so it's too late to change my habits. I exclusively breastfed him for six months, so today's report is not exactly music to my ears. I would like to add that he seemed perfectly happy not to be weaned any earlier, and he gained weight appropriately. He was born weighing 10 lbs 7.5 oz and continued steadily at the 75th percentile during that time. Jane Haynes, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
I am so tired of hearing health professionals, midwives and health visitors pontificate as to what is best for babies. Every baby is different and every situation is different. I started weaning my two children as soon as they showed an interest in reaching out for solid food.  Both wanted solids at 4.5 months old and started on baby rice. Perhaps we should stop listening to blanket guidelines (which cannot possibly be completely correct since they are changed every five minutes) and listen to our babies instead! Joanna Scott, Basingstoke
I think breast feeding is best for the first six months but all babies differ and whilst I didn't give my son solids before six months I did with my daughter so it does depend on the babies individual needs. In all cases of weaning you should consult your doctor or health care worker. Jude,  Manchester


The ozone layer that shields the Earth from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is showing signs of thickening, after years of getting thinner.

The ozone layer is the part of the Earth's upper atmosphere where ozone, a form of oxygen gas, is found.
It absorbs UV radiation, preventing most of it from reaching us on the ground. This is important as UV radiation can lead to skin cancer.
The largest hole in the ozone layer appears over Antarctica.
But this hole has also stopped getting bigger, suggesting the ozone layer is beginning to recover.
But researchers says it will take around 10 years before the hole starts to shrink.
Scientists say it's getting better due to the efforts to stop man-made CFC gases destroying ozone.
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are gases that were used in aerosol cans and refrigerators during the 20th century.
But in the 1970s scientists found that CFCs were destroying ozone in the atmosphere, and they were banned in America, Canada and Scandinavian countries. In 1990 93 countries got together and agreed to ban the use of CFCs by the year 2000.
Dr Ken Jucks from the US space agency Nasa told the BBC that humans "have started to do the right thing in order to convert the atmosphere back towards what it was before the industrial revolution started".
Scientists cannot be absolutely certain yet that the hole will get smaller. Prof David Vaughan from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) said: "We have to be a bit cautious, but this does look on the face of it like some very good news."
"Our own data from the Antarctic will take a few weeks to process but we hope to confirm the findings," he added.
The findings have been published by researchers from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).


Flash floods have hit several homes and businesses in parts of Lancashire.

Torrential downpours affected properties in Blackpool, Lancaster and Carnforth on Wednesday night, leaving some homes swamped in up to six inches of water.
Firefighters attended nine properties to pump out water or isolate electrics. There were no reports of any injuries.
Among those affected were some businesses in Lancaster that were hit by Storm Desmond in 2015.
Susan Grimes, who runs a hair salon which only re-opened last October, said she was "lost for words".
"There's no point being angry. You just carry on, keep going."
The flooding led to some temporary road closures around the county, but traffic had returned to normal by Thursday morning.


Newport Gwent Dragons should become a development team in Welsh rugby, says former Wales captain Gwyn Jones.

Only Italian sides Treviso and Zebre lie below Dragons in the Pro12, with the Welsh team and Zebre having won four Pro12 games each this season.
Jones told Scrum V a gulf is opening between Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and Ospreys and the nation's strugglers.
"It wouldn't be a bad thing if they were to become more developmental in their philosophy," said Jones.
Another Scrum V pundit, former Wales dual-code star Jonathan Davies, recently said Treviso and Zebre should consider leaving the Pro12.
Jones added the fact Zebre and Dragons are level on wins underlines his view of Wales' eastern-most team.
The former Llanelli and Cardiff flanker said: "It's pretty stark reading, isn't it - 26 points behind the Blues who are one step ahead of them and there's a gulf developing.
"And people have been quite rightly, perhaps, questioning what the value of the Italian teams are in the Pro12.
"Well, the Dragons have won the same number of games as Zebre and not just this season, but over the last 11 seasons they've been the bottom Welsh region on nine occasions.
"And unless something substantial changes you feel they're in this cycle of existing hand to mouth and just reproducing the same cycle each year."
Jones believes Dragons should occupy the sort of role Irish team Connacht fulfilled until this season that has seen them become a top-four Pro12 team.
He said talented players from Wales Under-20 could develop at such a team rather than possibly finding themselves under-used by rival regions.
"Look at Connacht - they are the model. They're now doing well and are in the top four so it (changing philosophy) isn't consigning them there for history.
"And the other thing is, do they become perhaps more regional in their outlook - incorporate more of the (local) clubs?"
Dragons, beaten 34-20 by Scarlets on Saturday, parted company with director of rugby Lyn Jones in April.
Earlier the same month, they began a search for fresh investment and independence that would see governing body the Welsh Rugby Union relinquish their 50% stake in the region.
Jones contends Dragons "are not even spending their whole player budget" when "the other regions are doing it".
He added: "Why can you complain about the standard of your players if you don't fully spend your money on your budget?
"Of course we want four strong regions, but we haven't got four strong regions and we haven't had for some time.
"Let's be perfectly honest with you - there are some journeymen in that side who are not Welsh who are contributing very little to the future of Welsh rugby."
Dragons' season ends at bottom side Zebre on Saturday, but they cannot finish lower than 10th in the Pro12.
BBC Wales Sport has asked Dragons if they would like to comment.


Recorded sex offences in Wales have risen compared to last year and overall crime has increased slightly.

Sex crimes rose from 4,108 to 5,016 while violent crime went up from 40,771 to 49,046.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday show there were just over 185,000 recorded crimes in Wales in 2015, a rise of 2.5% compared to last year.
The total number of crimes went from 180,648 in 2014 to 185,075 in 2015.
Across Wales and England the number of sexual offences recorded by police rose to more than 100,000 for the first time ever.
The ONS said improvements in crime recording processes by the police were thought to be the main driver of the change.


A unique perspective on a landmark social event is to be unveiled as part of Nottingham's Caribbean Carnival.

SKN Heritage Museum is showing the type of belongings brought by African-Caribbean immigrants in the 1940s and 50s.
The Windrush generation responded to adverts to work in Britain but were only allowed to bring one suitcase.
Organisers said the display gives a unique insight into important part of Nottingham's history.
The Windrush was named after the first boat which brought people from the Caribbean to Britain in 1948.
The exhibition, called 'From Caribbean Isles to the British Isles -Home to Home', aims to give an insight into people who travelled across the Atlantic to seek a better life in what was still the Empire's "mother country".
Item include photographs, clothes, records and games - as well as beauty products designed for black skin and hair when none were commercially available.
Catherine Ross, the museum's founder, cameto Nottingham from St Kitts when she was just seven years old.
She said: "Our aim is to let everyone know about the contributions that Caribbeans have made to British society and Nottingham and commemorate these achievements.
"There'sno better place tostart than Nottingham Carnival, as it's such awell known and celebratory event in Nottingham's calendar."
The carnival is taking place for the first time take in two sites - the Forest Recreation Ground on Saturday and the Victoria Embankment on Sunday.


Kent have signed Welsh pace bowler James Harris on loan from Middlesex for the start of the new county season.

The 26-year-old took 69 Championship wickets in 2015, but only 16 in seven games last summer as Middlesex won the title for the first time since 1993.
"I am grateful to the two counties for making it happen," said Harris, who began his career with Glamorgan.
He has initially joined Kent for their first three Championship games, plus the start of the One-Day Cup.
There is, however, a recall clause in their agreement with Middlesex.
"James has been one of the leading seam bowlers in county cricket in recent years," Kent head coach Matt Walker told the club website.
"To have him on board with us for the start of the season is very exciting and he brings extra quality to our talented squad."
Kent are hoping to secure one of the two promotion spots in Division Two of the County Championship this summer, having finished as runners-up to Essex in 2016 when only one team went up.


Welfare standards are on average higher in laying hens kept in cages than in free range flocks, according to a leading veterinary expert.

Enriched cages, which have replaced battery cages, are not ideal but produce better conditions than some free-range farms, said Prof Christine Nicol of Bristol University.
Not all free-range farms meet standards consumers expect, she added.
Other research contradicts this, said Humane Society International.
About 50% of UK hens are now housed in enriched cages. The cages, which contain more space for birds, including a perch and nest area, typically contain around 90 hens and are stacked on top of each other in tiers.
Researchers at Bristol University compared the welfare of laying hens kept in different farming conditions, including battery cages (which have been phased out in the EU), enriched (or furnished) cages, barn systems and free-range.
Professor of animal welfare, Christine Nicol, said enriched cages performed better on animal welfare measures than some free-range farms.
"I'm not saying it's great, there's still a lot of room for improvement but the birds have space, they've got a little perch, they've got things they can scratch on," she said.
"And the welfare measures that we take show that these birds had fewer fractures, they had much lower mortality, they had lower stress levels, they did less damaging pecking to each other than the birds on the smaller free-range systems."
She said the battery cage was completely unacceptable and was right to be banned.
"The furnished cage that's replaced it at the moment gives the best welfare outcome but it is also limited, it is not the best system that there could be at all, and there's very little that you can do to improve the furnished cage further.
"And it would be nice to think that the free-range system currently gave birds the best welfare. The problem is that the management of free range systems in the UK at the moment is so variable, that although you get some brilliant farms, you also get some that are really really not good."
She said the challenge for the hen industry was realising the potential of the free-range system "so that they actually do what consumers think they do which is provide all hens with good welfare".
Prof Nicol said the study from 2010 had been supported by more recent research.
However, Chetana Mirle, director of farm animal welfare for Humane Society International, said other research had produced conflicting results.
She said proper management of hens was essential in any environment to stop troublesome behaviours such as hen pecking.
But she said there was not enough space in enriched cages to allow birds to perch adequately or run and jump.
"In a furnished cage system unlike a barn or a free-range system the animal doesn't have the ability to express their natural behaviour in the way they need to," she told BBC News.
"A number of behaviours that are natural to a hen are not possible in a furnished cage system - that's an important indicator to look at."
Robert Gooch of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association said the most important criterion in bird welfare was allowing birds to express their natural behaviour.
"There are many criteria of bird welfare," he said. "The leading one is that birds should be able to express their natural behaviour and hence why free range and organic systems have been developed so birds can do that."
He said birds in free-range environments were exposed to risks such as predation by foxes or could injure themselves flapping from perches, which could account for injuries found in research studies.


At first glance, the shed, in a back garden in Swansea, doesn't look remarkable.

Step closer and you'll hear the whirring of a hard-working machine.
Open the door and, while I'd like to tell you it is Tardis-like inside, it isn't.
Every inch of space is rammed with equipment, and silver insulation lines the walls.
It's Mission HQ of an extraordinary duo who call themselves Team Unlimbited - and they are on a self-funded mission to provide free 3D prosthetic hands and arms for children who are born without.
The children get to design their own colours and patterns, and the team - Stephen Davies and Drew Murray - do the rest.
Demand is high, and the shed is full of photos of children from around the world wearing their distinctive design.
Thanks to a blueprint the pair have open-sourced - meaning that anyone with access to a 3D printer, some fishing line and a bit of Velcro, can make one.
Stephen Davies, the owner of the shed, is a CAD (computer-aided design) engineer and father of three. He was himself born without a hand.
It was his own search for a prosthetic that led him to Drew Murray, an IT consultant from Milton Keynes who is part of a volunteer network called e-Nable that makes free 3D prosthetics for children.
Mr Davies says the prosthetic he was offered by the NHS reduced him to tears - and if you look at the photo, you can see why.
In despair he went online, discovered e-Nable and asked Mr Murray, who was the only volunteer based in the UK, to make a hand for him.
It was the first adult hand he had ever created.
"I never thought I would have been able to afford something like that," Mr Davies said.
"I felt 10ft tall, walking down the road, wearing it. It gave me a huge boost in confidence.
"I was so blown away by that, I knew I had to get involved."
So the team paired up, and Mr Davies invested hundreds of pounds in two 3D printers and materials.
With the insight of his own experience, they soon created their own design, fixing a few flaws in the existing e-Nable model along the way.
Team Unlimbited was born.
"Everything we do is funded by myself and Stephen and generous donations," said Mr Murray.
"We are not a charity, we're just two men in a shed. It's rewarding to use our professional skills in a different way."
Stephen Davies' first recipient was Isabella, who is now nine.
Isabella is very capable with what she calls her own "little arm", but the prosthetic has made tasks such as learning to play the piano, walking the dog, playing ball with her brother William and turning pages in a book much easier.
Her father discovered Team Unlimbited on Facebook, and Isabella chose a pink and purple theme for her first arm.
"The confidence it gave her was amazing," said her mother, Sarah.
"It stopped her feeling self-conscious. Everyone is different in their own way, but for her this makes her difference a bit more special."
"It helps me a lot with things I can't normally do, and things I haven't tried yet," said Isabella.
A video of Isabella receiving her first hand has been viewed almost two million times on YouTube and was included by Google in an annual highlights video.
She also appeared in an advertising campaign for the 2016 Paralympics.
She has received three arms so far, and Stephen and Drew's current template is named after her.
Each hand costs about Â£30 in materials to make, and takes 12 hours - and the two admit they are swamped with requests.
"I work full time, I've got kids, I've got a 10-month-old baby; we spend all our evenings and weekends doing this," said Mr Davies.
"We do it all for free, we don't even charge postage."
The design has not been CE-marked, which means it cannot be sold.
Mr Murray says their focus has been on keeping the arm open-source and freely available.
While the device is not as robust as traditional prostheses, which can cost thousands of pounds, children grow quickly and regularly require new ones anyway so they do not necessarily need a long lifespan.
Glyn Heath, senior lecturer in prosthetics and orthotics at Salford University, said 3D printing would not work for all prosthetics, especially lower limbs.
"The materials you can use are limited and the properties of those materials are not necessarily appropriate for taking heavy weights," he told the BBC.
The cost of traditional prosthetics was high because of the long process of getting them to market, he added.
"It takes a long time to develop prosthetics - they have to be tested to specific medical standards," he said.
"Not a lot of people use upper limb prosthetics, so the costs of manufacturing are also high relative to the amount you are producing."


Sunderland completed a comprehensive 4-0 win against bottom-of-the-table Doncaster Rovers Belles in WSL 1.

The Belles, who have lost all five of their games this season, were up against it after captain Leandra Little was sent off for a professional foul.
She brought down Beth Mead on the edge of the area, who scored Sunderland's opening goal from close range.
Hayley Sharp and Mead put Sunderland 3-0 ahead by the break and Brooke Chaplen added the fourth in the second half.
Sunderland climb a place in the table up to seventh and above Reading, who earlier lost 2-0 at Liverpool.
Doncaster named new signing Christie Murray among their substitutes. The Scotland international midfielder joined the club on Friday.
Murray finished last season with Celtic but has previous WSL experience with Arsenal and Bristol.
Match ends, Sunderland Ladies 4, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0.
Second Half ends, Sunderland Ladies 4, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0.
Attempt missed. Madelaine Hill (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high.
Attempt saved. Abby Holmes (Sunderland Ladies) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Corner,  Sunderland Ladies. Conceded by Nicola Hobbs.
Corner,  Sunderland Ladies. Conceded by Rhiannon Roberts.
Corner,  Sunderland Ladies. Conceded by Rhiannon Roberts.
Attempt blocked. Brooke Chaplen (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
Substitution, Sunderland Ladies. Kelly McDougall replaces Stephanie Roche.
Attempt missed. Sue Smith (Doncaster Rovers Belles) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Goal!  Sunderland Ladies 4, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0. Brooke Chaplen (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Madelaine Hill.
Foul by Abby Holmes (Sunderland Ladies).
Jessica Sigsworth (Doncaster Rovers Belles) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt saved. Stephanie Roche (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Victoria Williams (Sunderland Ladies) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jessica Sigsworth (Doncaster Rovers Belles).
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers Belles. Sue Smith replaces Lauren Cresswell.
Substitution, Sunderland Ladies. Steph Bannon replaces Danielle Brown.
Attempt missed. Hayley Sharp (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Lucy Staniforth (Sunderland Ladies) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Emily Simpkins (Doncaster Rovers Belles).
Corner,  Sunderland Ladies. Conceded by Nicola Hobbs.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Sunderland Ladies. Abbey Joice replaces Beth Mead because of an injury.
Second Half begins Sunderland Ladies 3, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0.
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers Belles. Martha Bakowska-Mathews replaces Rachel Newborough.
First Half ends, Sunderland Ladies 3, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0.
Beth Mead (Sunderland Ladies) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Rhiannon Roberts (Doncaster Rovers Belles).
Foul by Abby Holmes (Sunderland Ladies).
Rachel Newborough (Doncaster Rovers Belles) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Goal!  Sunderland Ladies 3, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0. Beth Mead (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Victoria Williams.
Attempt saved. Hayley Sharp (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Brooke Chaplen (Sunderland Ladies) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Rhiannon Roberts (Doncaster Rovers Belles).
Corner,  Doncaster Rovers Belles. Conceded by Danielle Brown.
Goal!  Sunderland Ladies 2, Doncaster Rovers Belles 0. Hayley Sharp (Sunderland Ladies) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Stephanie Roche with a cross following a corner.
Corner,  Sunderland Ladies. Conceded by Mayumi Pacheco.
Attempt saved. Beth Mead (Sunderland Ladies) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers Belles. Kasia Lipka replaces Carla Humphrey.


Rock guitarist and anti-cull protester Brian May has threatened legal action if badger culls continue in Somerset and Gloucestershire or are rolled out to other areas.

Mr May said his Save Me Trust would challenge the lawfulness of the culls which are likely to re-start in autumn.
The call for a judicial review is based on the effectiveness of culling and whether it breaks legal guidelines.
The legal action is against Natural England, which declined to comment.
Natural England, which issues the cull licences, would not comment about the letter or the licensing process.
Last year 274 badgers were culled in Gloucestershire, below the minimum 615 target. The cull in 2013 in Gloucestershire also failed to reach the minimum level.
In Somerset, 341 badgers were culled against a minimum target of 316 in 2014.
Ministers and farmers insist culling is necessary to tackle the spread of bovine TB, which results in thousands of cattle being slaughtered every year.
A Save Me Trust spokesman said its lawyers had written to the chief executive and chief legal advisor of Natural England of its intentions.
"If any licences to cull badgers are either activated in Gloucestershire and Somerset or any new licences granted for this purpose anywhere, then the lawfulness of the decisions to do so will be challenged by a judicial review in the High Court," he said.
He added that the culling was unlawful as it "does not rationally serve the statutory purpose which permits the killing of badgers only to achieve the aim of preventing the spread of disease".
He added that there was a "fundamental failure" in the consultation process and a "flawed approach in calculating badger numbers".
In both of the pilot areas, a significant proportion were killed by the more expensive cage trapping and shooting method, rather than controlled shooting of free-running badgers.
The cull zone may be extended to Dorset this year but no confirmation has yet been made by Defra.


Carrick moved off the bottom of the Premiership with a 1-0 victory over the Swifts on Wednesday night at Seaview.

Media playback is not supported on this device
Kyle Cherry got the winner in the 66th minute, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Stuart Addis from an Aaron Harmon cross.
The result for Carrick ended a run of five league games without a victory as they moved ahead of Warrenpoint in the relegation battle.
Dungannon remain eighth, six points clear of the relegation zone.
The Swifts have not beaten Carrick since 2011 and manager Rodney McAree will be disappointed, as his side's four-game unbeaten run came to an end.
The visitors were the more threatening team in a quiet first half, as Cormac Burke and Andrew Mitchell both went close with shots from distance.
Rangers boss Gary Haveron had stated the importance of his side's home form in their battle to stay in the top flight and they secured an important victory.
Harmon showed skill to set up Cherry and the midfielder made no mistake with the finish.
Ben Roy and Harmon went close late on to doubling Carrick's advantage but Cherry's goal was enough to seal the three points.


A priest in Londonderry has said he would be prepared to go to jail rather than break the seal of confession.

Father Paddy O'Kane was responding to the Irish justice minister, Alan Shatter, who said that forthcoming child protection measures, will "apply regardless of any internal rules of any religious grouping".
A priest could be convicted of a criminal offence if they were told of a sexual abuse case and failed to report it to the civil authorities, under the new legislation.
Mr Shatter said past failures in the Catholic Church had led paedophiles to believe they could act with "impunity".
Father O'Kane, from Holy Family Church in Ballymagroarty, said he will not accept the rules.
He said he did not think the law will go through.
"If it does priests will be prepared to go to jail rather than break the seal," he said.
"It's at the very core of what a priest is. If a priest were to break the seal he will be automatically excommunicated.
"Priests cannot function if they're not allowed to keep the seal of confession."
A number of child protection measures were announced following the Cloyne report which was published last month. It found the diocese failed to report all complaints of abuse to police.
The inquiry into the Cloyne Diocese was set up by the Irish government in January 2009 following a report published the previous month.
It was conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) - a body set up by the Catholic Church to oversee child protection policies.
It found child protection practices in the diocese were "inadequate and in some respects dangerous".


Each day we feature a photograph sent in from across England.

Find out how you can join in and submit your images and videos below.
At points throughout the year we may introduce a theme for the gallery - next week's theme is "Bank Holiday memories."
If you are looking for inspiration, view some top tips from three of England's Big Picture photographers.
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A court in Egypt has ordered the release of the two sons of ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.

The Cairo Criminal Court found the time Alaa and Gamal Mubarak had spent in temporary detention exceeded the legal limit, state-owned Nile News TV said.
The two men, who were arrested after the 2011 uprising, were sentenced alongside their father to three years in prison in May for embezzlement.
They are appealing, but also face trial on the charge of insider trading.
Some of the anger that led to Hosni Mubarak's overthrow was fuelled by the widespread belief that he and his sons had illegally amassed vast amounts of wealth.
Gamal, 51, was a leading member of the former ruling National Democratic Party and was widely seen as his father's heir apparent. Alaa, 54, was a leader among the business elite.
The brothers were acquitted of the corruption charge, but last year they were sentenced to four years in prison -  and their father to three years - after being found guilty of embezzling millions of dollars of state funds.
Prosecutors accused them of using money meant to pay for renovating and maintaining presidential palaces to upgrade their private residences.
But the convictions were overturned in January by the Court of Cassation, which found that legal procedures had not been followed properly and ordered a retrial.
In May, the three men were convicted at retrial and each sentenced to three years. They were also ordered to pay a fine of 125m Egyptian pounds ($15.9m; Â£10.4m) and repay the 21m Egyptian pounds ($2.7m; Â£1.7m) they allegedly embezzled.
Hosni Mubarak is currently residing at a military hospital in the southern Cairo suburb of Maadi. It is not clear when the ailing 87 year old will be released.
Charges of conspiring in the killing of hundreds of protesters during the uprising that ended his rule in 2011 were dropped in November 2014.


Wales and England are through to the knockout stages of Euro 2016 after the final round of games in Group B.

The Welsh beat Russia 3-0 to top the table at their first European Championship, with England finishing second after a 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
On Tuesday, Northern Ireland will also look to reach the last 16 when they face Germany in Paris (17:00 BST).
The top two teams in each of the six groups qualify automatically, plus the best four third-placed sides.
Chris Coleman's side - led by the tournament's top scorer Gareth Bale - destroyed Russia to leapfrog England and reach the knockout stage of a major finals for only the second time in their history.
England were frustrated by a resolute Slovakian defence but manager Roy Hodgson also came in for criticism after making six changes, which included the decision to rest captain Wayne Rooney.
Bale, scored his side's third goal against Russia and also netted in the 2-1 win over Slovakia and 2-1 defeat to England.
"We said we didn't want to make the numbers up," said the Real Madrid star.
"Well, we can't do any more than win the group. We look forward to seeing who we play next."
Hodgson admitted finishing as runners-up in the group was a "disappointment" but added: "We're not doomed yet.
"Who is to say the team we will play will be that much stronger? The way we are playing, I am not frightened of anybody."
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Wales will play a third-place team from either Group A (Albania), Group D (Czech Republic, Croatia or Turkey) or Group C (Germany, Poland or Northern Ireland).
Whoever they face, Wales will play at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Saturday at 17:00 BST.
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Finishing as Group B runners-up, England will face the second-placed team in Group F in Nice on Monday (20:00 BST).
That could well be Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, who knocked England out of Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
But it might be Austria, Hungary or Iceland, who can all still finish second.
Group F's final matches are played on Wednesday.
It is the fourth time England have reached the knockout stages of a European Championship after achieving the feat in 1996, 2004 and 2012.
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Wales boss Chris Coleman: "Even after this tournament is over, this group are on the way to something else. I'm just glad me and the staff are here with them. We have no fear. And after playing like that, why should we?"
Match of the Day presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted: "Total domination from England without one lucky break. Saving it for the knockout stage, hopefully. Sometimes it's easier against sides who have a go."
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Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage told BBC Radio 5 live: "On the evidence of tonight, we won't fear anyone with Gareth Bale in the team and topping the group."
England goalkeeper Joe Hart: "We have dominated every corner of the pitch and every Slovakian player will be proud of that result. We are into the next round and nobody will want to play us. I haven't had anything to do in the whole tournament, to be honest. We have been playing very well as a team."
England defender Gary Cahill: "We had the ball constantly. We just didn't quite have that cutting edge to open them up.It wasn't to be. But we should have won the game."
A draw against world champions Germany would secure Northern Ireland a place in the last 16.
That result might leave them third, but they would advance by virtue of having a point more than Albania and a better goal difference than Slovakia.
Michael O'Neill's side would top the group if they beat the Germans and Poland fail to beat Ukraine in Group C's other match.
Even defeat may see Northern Ireland advance as one of the best third-place sides, depending on what happens in other groups.
France, Wales and Italy have confirmed their places in the last 16 as group winners.
Spain are also certain to qualify from Group D.
Only Group A and Group B have completed all their matches so far.
Switzerland's draw with France secured their runners-up spot in Group A, while England have ensured progress with second spot in Group B.
The four third-placed teams to go through will be settled for certain once the final group matches are played on Wednesday.


A driver "blinded" by the sun drove through a red light at a pedestrian crossing and knocked down a lollipop lady, a jury has heard.

Sylvia Blackburn, 72, suffered serious head injuries outside Bedford Road Lower School, Kempston, on 19 December 2014.
Luton Crown Court heard Brian Wright, 55, of Kempston, said he was unable to see at the point of impact.
He denies causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Prosecutor Sally Mealing-McLeod said Mrs Blackburn, a lollipop lady for 20 years, had been on duty in Bedford Road as pupils were leaving school on the last day of term.
She was wearing a long-sleeved high-visibility orange and yellow coat which had reflective strips and "school crossing patrol" written on the back.
When the traffic lights turned red, she stepped out to escort a woman and her six-year-old daughter across the road.
Traffic travelling in the opposite direction stopped, but Mr Wright's VW Golf failed to stop and hit her at 14mph, the jury heard.
Witnesses described Mrs Blackburn's head hitting the screen pillar of the windscreen before she struck the wing mirror and then the road.
The married mother of three was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
She was later transferred to Bedford Hospital and is now at a residential care home for people with an acquired brain injury.
Mr Wright, of The Dell, declined to comment in police interview but in a statement said he was blinded by the setting sun and lowered his visor but was unable to see when the collision happened.
The court heard the sun was 10 minutes from setting and could have been shining into Mr Wright's eyes.
Ms Mealing-McLeod told the jury that if his vision had been affected he should have stopped.
The trial continues.


Rory Burns' first Championship ton of the summer put Surrey in command on day one of their game against Hampshire.

Burns and Dominic Sibley put on 208 for the first wicket before the former was caught at first slip off home leg-spinner Mason Crane just before tea.
Zafar Ansari then went for five before Sibley fell just one run short of his second-ever first-class ton.
Aaron Finch (56 not out) and Steven Davies (21 not out) closed out the day as Surrey look in charge on 332-4.
That is despite England one-day opener Jason Roy being out leg before for a duck to Gareth Berg as the Hampshire seamer took his second victim of the day, following the dismissal of Sibley.
Burns' century was not only a personal landmark, but one for his county, as his century was the 2,000th by a Surrey player in first-class cricket.
Hampshire bowler Gareth Berg told BBC Radio Solent:
"The weather played a massive part. It was muggy, sweaty and took a lot out of us as a bowling unit.
"We thought we were in with a chance of taking some early wickets but to be fair they batted very well. We didn't hit our straps early so we gave them the momentum.
"We tried our best but when you're chasing the eight-ball after a few overs when they've set themselves some runs, it's difficult to come back from that. We brought it back toward the end with the new ball, taking a couple of wickets."
Surrey batsman Rory Burns told BBC Radio London:
"I am delighted to be able to contribute for the first time this year really. We have spoken about starting matches well, so being 332-4 is where we want to be,
"If I was asking for a ball to get to a hundred it was the one I got, so I was pretty happy.
"I was pretty disappointed to get out when I did, I felt as though I may have left a few runs out there.
"The ball swung most of the day and the pitch looks dry so there may be a little bit there for the spinners as the match goes on."


England's preparations for the European Women's Championship continued with an impressive 4-0 win in Switzerland.

Mark Sampson's side are ranked third in Europe and showed why with a comprehensive victory in Biel.
Arsenal winger Jordan Nobbs opened the scoring with a 20-yard curler before Chelsea forward Fran Kirby went round goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann to score.
Gunners striker Jodie Taylor scored twice after the break from the edge of the area to wrap up victory.
Kirby and Toni Duggan also shot against the woodwork in a dominant Lionesses showing.
After losing to both France and Germany in the SheBelieves Cup earlier this season, Sampson's side are unbeaten in their last three games.
England - who open their Euro 2017 campaign against Scotland on 19 July - are next in action against Denmark in Copenhagen on 1 July.
Match ends, Switzerland Women 0, England 4.
Second Half ends, Switzerland Women 0, England 4.
Corner,  England. Conceded by Vanessa Bürki.
Fara Williams (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Vanessa Bernauer (Switzerland Women).
Attempt saved. Fabienne Humm (Switzerland Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Martina Moser.
Attempt missed. Vanessa Bürki (Switzerland Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Martina Moser with a cross following a set piece situation.
Lucy Bronze (England) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Lucy Bronze (England).
Vanessa Bürki (Switzerland Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jill Scott (England).
Noelle Maritz (Switzerland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Rahel Kiwic (Switzerland Women) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Martina Moser following a set piece situation.
Foul by Laura Bassett (England).
Lia Wälti (Switzerland Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Lucy Bronze (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Vanessa Bürki (Switzerland Women).
Corner,  Switzerland Women. Conceded by Jill Scott.
Hand ball by Toni Duggan (England).
Toni Duggan (England) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box. Assisted by Jordan Nobbs with a cross following a corner.
Corner,  England. Conceded by Vanessa Bürki.
Attempt blocked. Karen Carney (England) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Demi Stokes.
Substitution, England. Mary Earps replaces Karen Bardsley.
Attempt missed. Nikita Parris (England) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Karen Carney.
Nikita Parris (England) is shown the yellow card.
Nikita Parris (England) has gone down, but that's a dive.
Offside, Switzerland Women. Fabienne Humm tries a through ball, but Vanessa Bürki is caught offside.
Fabienne Humm (Switzerland Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Laura Bassett (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Fabienne Humm (Switzerland Women).
Nikita Parris (England) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Vanessa Bürki (Switzerland Women).
Substitution, England. Nikita Parris replaces Jodie Taylor.
Substitution, England. Fara Williams replaces Jade Moore.
Substitution, England. Karen Carney replaces Francesca Kirby.
Substitution, England. Laura Bassett replaces Stephanie Houghton.
Substitution, England. Jo Potter replaces Millie Bright.
Goal!  Switzerland Women 0, England 4. Jodie Taylor (England) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Nobbs.
Foul by Jade Moore (England).
Martina Moser (Switzerland Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.


Thieves have stolen a crocheted Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus from a festive "yarn bomb" scene in Essex.

The figures were part of a display on top of a post box in Rayleigh High Street, installed by members of Craft Club on 17 December.
Member Helen Thomas said whoever removed the two figures had unpicked them "very carefully".
The 20cm (8in) high Mary took "more than a week to make" and her theft has left her creator "very upset".
"Perhaps somebody saw them and thought they'd make nice toys," Mrs Thomas said of the characters, who were first noticed missing on 19 December.
Follow updates on the latest Essex news
This year, Craft Club placed four Christmas-themed yarn bombs on post boxes around south Essex, including in Leigh-on-Sea and Chalkwell.
The club also made a 4.5m (15ft) high Christmas tree made from squares donated from around the world.
The yarn bombs are raising money for the Castle Point Association for Voluntary Services.


A major study into the potential of fracking to contaminate drinking water with methane has been published.

The British Geological Survey and the Environment Agency have mapped where key aquifers in England and Wales coincide with locations of shale.
The research reveals this occurs under nearly half of the area containing the principal natural stores of water.
The risk of methane being released into drinking water has long been one of the most sensitive questions over fracking.
The study highlights where the rock layers may be too close to the aquifers for fracking to go ahead.
It finds that the Bowland Shale in northern England - the first to be investigated for shale gas potential - runs below no fewer than six major aquifers.
However, the study also says that almost all of this geological formation - 92% of it - is at least 800m below the water-bearing rocks.
Industry officials have always argued that a separation of that size between a shale layer and an aquifer should make any contamination virtually impossible.
They say that wells are sealed with steel and concrete as they pass through water-bearing rocks and that any fissures created by fracking far below would be highly unlikely to spread through hundreds of metres of rock.
Environmentalists say that the processes of drilling and of fracturing rock inherently carry the risk of polluting a vital resource.
Analysis of the Weald Basin in southern England shows that the uppermost layer of oil-bearing shale is at least 650m below a major aquifer.
Dr John Bloomfield, of the British Geological Survey, said the maps could serve as a guide for regulators and planners.
"We've identified areas where aquifers are in relatively close proximity to shale units and any developments would have to be looked at particularly carefully," he said.
"It's no surprise that the same system of sedimentation that produces shale also produces limestone which is excellent for storing water."
Aquifers such as the Oolite, which runs from Yorkshire through the East Midlands to the south coast of England, are often in direct contact with a shale layer.
Interactive maps showing the relative proximity of shale layers and aquifers are available on the British Geological Survey website.
So far, no definitive distance for separation between shale and aquifers has been set but a limit of 400m has been suggested because water from below that depth is rarely considered drinkable.
In some areas, shale layers rise closer to the surface - and the assumption is that these would be ruled off-limits.
The Environment Agency says it will not allow developments to go ahead if they are too close to supplies of drinking water.
Meanwhile, the BGS has carried out a survey of methane in drinking water in all areas of the country where fracking may happen.
Low levels of the gas occur either naturally - from bacterial activity - or from manmade sources such as landfill sites.
Dr Rob Ward, director of groundwater science at the BGS, said the aim was to provide a baseline understanding before any fracking starts.
"In the United States, they didn't carry out a baseline survey before the industry took place and that has resulted in controversy and uncertainty about the source of methane in drinking water," he said.
"We now have a window of opportunity to collect data on methane before any industry goes ahead. If we see increases in methane in groundwater which may be attributed to shale gas, we'll be able to spot those."


The polling company ICM breached the Market Research Society's (MRS) code of conduct in a health poll it conducted for BBC Wales, the MRS has confirmed.

The MRS said the wording of a question about cancer drugs funding led participants to a particular viewpoint.
Responding, ICM said the question was "entirely defensible and structured in exactly the same way as questions used by all polling companies all the time".
The complaint to the MRS was made by the Welsh government.
The MRS also determined that the procedure for agreeing questions was insufficient on this occasion.
The question used in the poll was: "In England, NHS money is ring-fenced for the Cancer Drugs Fund. In Wales, funding for cancer drugs is treated in the same way as funding drugs for all other illnesses. Do you believe money for cancer should be protected?"
ICM director Martin Boon said the outcome of the  investigation "raises questions as to the fitness and purpose of the MRS code of conduct in the context of public and political opinion polling, as the code makes no distinction between genuine concerns about question wording versus those driven by political motivation".
A Welsh government spokesman said: "We are pleased that this complaint has been upheld by the MRS.
"It is disappointing that ICM and BBC Wales dealt with a public policy issue of such sensitivity in the way this investigation finding has revealed."
A BBC Wales spokeswoman said: "We note the findings of the MRS relating to one question in a wider poll conducted by ICM on our behalf."


West Ham will monitor Andy Carroll, who is nursing a minor groin problem, while Sam Byram and Havard Nordtveit are back in contention after injuries.

The Hammers will assess Aaron Cresswell's tight hamstring and Cheikhou Kouyate's dead leg, but Diafra Sakho  and Angelo Ogbonna remain out.
West Brom defender Jonny Evans returns after missing five games with a calf injury.
Midfielder Claudio Yacob is also fit after recovering from stomach cramps.
Simon Brotherton: "This is a match between two sides who are going well in the Premier League - but who may find it hard to improve much on their current positions.
"West Ham have won six of the last nine league matches but they were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City in their last home game, while West Brom were stung by the same scoreline at Tottenham last month on their most recent visit to London.
"Albion have generally been solid though and have only lost once to a team currently outside the top seven all season, in September's 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth.
"West Ham were in the midst of their early-season struggles when they lost heavily at The Hawthorns in the reverse fixture. This game should be much tighter."
Twitter: @SimonBrotherton
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on striker Andy Carroll: "He brings you everything, everything that you could ask from a centre-forward.
"He is great in the air, he is very physical, has a great touch and a great sense to combine with other players by playing the ball off.
"I don't know if [England boss] Gareth Southgate is a big fan, but when Andy is playing like that every manager would like to have him in his team or squad.
"Andy would help any team. Andy would help the German team, Andy would help the Croatian team, the Spanish team, because he is a top player."
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis: "They [West Ham] are a good team, they've got some good players.
"They've had a season of being very, very good and pretty bad at times and we just go there and hope we can compete.
"We'll have to - with [Andy] Carroll back now, they look a handful."
Both teams are ticking along nicely in the top half, and West Ham are showing what a good team they are now the Dimitri Payet saga is over.
The Baggies have got some talented players too but, away from home, their approach is to try to shut up shop.
Prediction: 1-1
Lawro's full predictions v hip-hop star Loyle Carner
Head-to-head
West Ham United
West Bromwich Albion
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.


Cars and mopeds are expected to be lifted from the River Avon in Bath during the first dredging operation for 20 years.

The work will help reduce flooding risk to 238 properties in the city centre caused by such abandoned objects, the Environment Agency said.
It coincides with the Destructor Bridge on the river being removed as part of a new development.
On Monday, shopping trolleys were pulled out of the river by the agency.
Matthew Symonds from the trust said: "Navigation can be tricky along the River Avon and no wonder given the amount of stuff that's down there."
The stretch between Windsor and Victoria bridges is being focused on after the agency carried out a survey of flood defences.
An agency spokesman said: "Large objects such as cars and shopping trolleys can cause serious problems when abandoned in a river.
"They can increase flood risk by disrupting flows and cause a hazard to navigation."
The same contractor that is removing the Destructor Bridge will carry out the Â£20,000 river clean up, which is being paid for by the agency.
The Canal and River Trust has appealed for people to stop dumping objects into the river due to the navigational hazards and the impact on wildlife.
Work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.


Plans to cut down on the "annoying" cookie banners that web users face have been released by the European Union.

Instead of giving consent to cookies on every website they visit, users would be able to set general preferences.
The European Commission said the plans, which would also remove banners for non-intrusive cookies, would help to tackle an "overload" of such requests.
But experts warned the plans could harm advert-funded media, as well as platforms such as Facebook and Google.
Cookies are small files that download on to a user's device and enable tracking, sometimes to power advertising.
Since 2012, EU rules have required websites to tell users what cookies are being placed on their machine.
Typically, this meant a pop-up window seeking consent.
European Commission vice-president, Andrus Ansip, said it was now proposing simpler rules, "so that internet users do not have to click on a banner every time they visit a website".
"This way, people will be more in control of their settings," he said.
Under the plans, websites could read the cookie preferences set in users' browsers.
Also, banners would be scrapped for cookies that do not invade users' privacy, such as those remembering shopping cart history or counting website hits.
Last year, many internet companies called for the EU to scrap the so-called "cookie law", introduced in 2012.
However, the latest proposals could end up damaging online services and frustrate web users, according to a senior executive at a trade body that represents many of the world's biggest internet firms.
"The banners are certainly annoying. The question is whether they come up with something that's better or worse," said James Waterworth, vice-president of the Computer and Communications Industry Association.
He warned the proposals could harm a range of companies, from Facebook through to newspapers, if many users opted against allowing all but the least intrusive cookies.
"If this is done wrong and it's much harder to obtain permission, then it could have a serious impact on ad-funded services," he told the BBC.
Under the proposals, users could set a preference in their browser for the level of cookies to which they consent.
But they might also need to do this in every app and on every device they log in to, advertising companies have warned.
"People who thought cookie banners were annoying, will be disappointed to hear that things won't get better," said Townsend Feehan, chief executive of Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe.
The commission's proposals on privacy rules for electronic communications cover a range of areas, including:
The European Commission hopes to introduce the changes by May 2018, although experts warned that would be a tight timeline.
It comes less than a year after the EU introduced the Privacy Shield, which also set rules for tech companies on data protection and privacy.


Compensation paid out by Police Scotland has hit record levels, according to new figures.

In 2015-16 the force paid out £1.27m in damages as a result of 516 claims, up from almost £1.17m the previous year and just under £1m in 2013/14.
The figures were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives under freedom of information legislation.
Police Scotland said the compensation payments were a "tiny percentage" of their £1.1bn annual budget.
A spokesman for the force said payments had been planned and budgeted for, and the number of claims, per claimant was "very low indeed".
The figures show around £459,000 was paid as a result of employment liability claims, £351,000 in public liability claims and £461,000 in motor liability payments.
The Scottish Conservatives raised concerns about the amounts involved at a time when Police Scotland faces significant budget pressures.
In October the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) said the force was forecast to overspend its budget for the current financial year by £17.5m.
Tory chief whip John Lamont MSP said: "In an organisation the size of Police Scotland, there will always be compensation payouts of various types.
"But it's very worrying to see these payments increase at a time when the single force can least afford it.
"People will be alarmed that police are involved in incidents which prompt compensation payments on hundreds of occasions each year.
"It means every day there is at least one incident which results in taxpayers' money being used to compensate for an error or incident.
"That's far too high, and progress needs to be made on getting these numbers down."
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police Scotland is a large organisation with around 23,000 personnel, many of whom work in very challenging and dangerous situations and who risk their lives every day in order to protect the people of Scotland.
"The number of claims, per claimant, is very low indeed.
"With an annual budget of £1.1bn, the amount which we have paid out in compensation is a tiny percentage of that, and it has been both planned and budgeted for.
"Solicitors acting for Police Scotland ensure that a reserve is fixed in relation to each claim intimated against the chief constable.
"The reserve represents an estimate of the total costs that could potentially be expended in relation to the claim, including the sum that could eventually be paid to the claimant in damages if they were to succeed with their claim and the possible legal expenses involved.
"Proper budgetary provision is made for circumstances where damages or expenses may require to be paid in respect of such claims.
"Police Scotland seeks to recover costs from third parties involved in motor liability payments, and in 2015-16 recovered more than £76,000 from insurance companies representing motorists who caused damage to our vehicles."


A 21-year-old custody officer is in a critical condition after an assault by five boys at a youth offender unit.

The secure custody officer was attacked at Oakhill Secure Training Centre in Milton Keynes on Wednesday night.
Two boys aged 16, one aged 15 and two aged 14, have been arrested on suspicion of assault, and are in custody, say Thames Valley Police.
The victim is in a critical but stable condition in hospital, and the centre says they are supporting his family.
Sue Tydeman, director for Oakhill, said colleagues had gone to the secure custody officer's "immediate aid".
She said: "Our team show tremendous courage and bravery while doing a difficult job in challenging circumstances.
"They should expect to be able to return home safely at the end of their shift and we will always work with police to push for the strongest possible sanctions in court for people who undermine the safety of our centre."
Oakhill is operated by security firm G4S and opened in August 2004. It was designed to accommodate a total of 80 young people, both boys and girls.


The mother of 20-year-old Gabriella Engels, the South African model who has accused Grace Mugabe of assaulting her, says she is disappointed and angry with President Jacob Zuma's government for giving the Zimbabwean first lady diplomatic immunity.

In a BBC interview, Debbie Engels said the government chose "its allies over protecting its own citizen" by refusing to prosecute Mrs Mugabe, 52, on assault charges.
The Department of International Relations granted Mrs Mugabe diplomatic immunity on 19 August, which meant she could travel back home with her husband, President Robert Mugabe, who was in South Africa for a summit of regional leaders.
"I half-expected it but when you hear the news it still comes as a shock," Ms Engels said.
Mrs Mugabe made headlines after the model laid a complaint with police, accusing the first lady of hitting her with an electrical extension cord on 13 August, almost a week before the first lady was granted immunity.
The alleged assault took place after Mrs Mugabe found the model and some of her friends in a plush hotel room where the first lady's two sons - Robert Mugabe Jr, 23, and Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe, 20 - live in Johannesburg's affluent Sandton suburb.
According to the young woman, they were guests of the sons, whom they had met the previous day, and they were having drinks when Mrs Mugabe stormed in.
"She hit us with so much hate. Like, I don't understand why she attacked us like that. Until this day my friends and I don't understand why this woman attacked us the way she did for no reason at all," she told me.
This is not the first time that the Mugabe family's behaviour in South Africa has made headlines - in July, the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reported that the pair had been evicted from a luxury apartment block in the same area after a brawl with some of their guests.
Zimbabwean newspapers reported that their first lady had to make an "emergency" trip to South Africa to find "secure accommodation" for their two sons.
Mr and Mrs Mugabe's sons, who apparently have a taste for the finer things in life in the form of champagne and designer clothes, have a reputation for partying hard.
They are studying in Johannesburg and, according to local papers, the two have not been doing well in their studies, unlike their father, who boasts several university degrees.
Partying is not a crime - though it could incur the wrath of parents, especially if it is overdone.  But beating up someone certainly is, and Ms Engels's lawyers laid a complaint of "assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm" against Mrs Mugabe.
Although the case failed to get to court, Ms Engels' lawyers say the fight is not over.
The rise of Grace Mugabe
The Engels family has an ally in former state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who secured a murder conviction against disgraced Olympic star Oscar Pistorius after he shot dead his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day 2013.
Now working for the mainly Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum, Mr Nel says he has taken up Ms Engels' case for free and is planning to challenge the government's decision to give Mrs Mugabe diplomatic immunity in court.
"If the review application is successful (and there are very good grounds to believe that such an application will indeed be successful) the doors will be open for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prosecute Mrs Mugabe," AfriForum said in a statement.
"If the NPA refuses to prosecute, AfriForum's private prosecuting unit, under the leadership of Adv Nel, is ready to go ahead with private prosecution on behalf of Miss Engels," it added.
The South African government's decision has a precedent.
China gave Mrs Mugabe diplomatic immunity in 2009 for allegedly assaulting British photographer Richard Jones.
He said he had suffered cuts and bruises after she punched him while wearing a diamond-studded ring near a luxury hotel in Hong Kong.
Explaining the latest decision, South Africa's International Relations Minister Maite-Nkoana Mashabane said in a statement that she had "agonised" about granting Mrs Mugabe immunity and eventually concluded that it was "warranted".
The minister said she had considered a number of factors.
"These included the imperative to maintain good inter-governmental relations within the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region, and in particular, between South Africa and Zimbabwe," she said.
"This also has to do with the incident coinciding with South Africa's hosting of the 37th Sadc Summit of Heads of State and Government and legal considerations," the minister added.
But the government's decision can be challenged in court, as was the case with Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir in 2015.
With the backing of the African Union (AU), South Africa refused to execute an arrest warrant for him to stand trial at the International Criminal Court on war crimes, saying he enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
South Africa's judges criticised the decision, saying the government had undermined international law to maintain good relations with the AU.
Still, the criticism has been unrelenting and AfriForum believes it has a strong case because the alleged assault took place while Mrs Mugabe was on a private visit to South Africa.
Diplomatic immunity is covered by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which came into force in 1961.
Its main purpose is to facilitate talks between feuding parties, with the aim of ensuring peace and corporation between governments, without their officials being harassed or arrested, even in times of conflict.
Zimbabwean officials argued that hauling their first lady before a court would lead to tensions in the region, where Mr Mugabe, 93, still commands a great deal of respect.
As they are neighbours, the South African and Zimbabwean governments have close relations over issues like trade and immigration - not to mention the fact that they were "soldiers in arms" during the campaign against white minority rule in the region.
Since the presidency of Nelson Mandela, South Africa has always been of the view that regional peace can only be maintained if Zimbabwe is invited to the dinner table rather than being shunned - an approach that Western nations have preferred because of President Mugabe's human rights record and controversial land reform programme.
Some will argue Ms Engels was a necessary sacrifice to keep calm in the region, a place where it doesn't take much to spark xenophobic tensions.
But the Engels family say they have been denied justice.


Another exciting and dramatic season of county cricket comes to an end on Friday, with the last five months of domestic action being kind to some and disappointing for others.

Durham won the County Championship, while Northants lifted the FLt20 and Nottinghamshire the YB40.
It's time for me to round off the county season by handing out some awards to the teams and individuals who have impressed me this season.
It has to be Durham. It might be an obvious choice because they won the County Championship, but I have been very impressed with the manner with which they won the title.
They have had it tough, starting the season with a points deduction after they breached the salary cap last season, before their head coach Geoff Cook suffered a serious, near fatal, heart attack in June.
Durham's 10 wins is a joint-record for the number of County Championship victories since the two-division split of 2000.
However, Paul Collingwood's men still managed to come out on top for the third time in six years and the players dedicated their title win to Cook, who is now back at work.
I'm pleased for Collingwood, who is Durham through and through, and his record as captain is quite outstanding. They also reached the quarter-finals of the FLt20 which proved they are competitive in the shorter forms of the game too.
I also want to give an honourable mention to Northants, who smashed up my side Surrey in the final of the T20 and have sealed promotion to Division One.
Head coach David Ripley has done an excellent job since taking over the reins from David Capel and has a created an environment that has worked well. They are a not a team full of superstars but everyone knows their individual roles and they deliver when it matters.
This is another award heading to the north east, this time for Graham Onions.
I've based this selection purely on performances in the County Championship, where pace bowler Onions has taken almost 70 wickets at an average of under 18.
He has been the stand-out bowler for Durham, getting good support from Chris Rushworth who has taken more than 50 wickets this season himself.
Sussex's Steve Magoffin and Middlesex's Tim Murtagh have also taken a decent haul of wickets but Onions has done it in a winning team - generally making early inroads in to the opposition's batting order and helping his side get into a position to boss matches.
He can count himself unlucky not to be in the England squad for this winter's Ashes and he is one player in the county set-up that most other teams like to have in their side.
I'm going for Gary Ballance here. The Yorkshire batsman has scored four hundreds and six fifties this season, including 148 against Surrey in the last round of matches.
What I like about him is that he scores big hundreds and influences matches. I'd heard a lot about him and his potential and it's great news for Yorkshire that he will only get better, along with England who have just selected him in their Ashes squad for the winter.
Another young player to impress me this season is Middlesex batsman Sam Robson and he is is very much on the radar of the England selectors.
There's plenty of talent coming through the ranks at counties up and down the country at the moment, with Yorkshire opener Alex Lees, Warwickshire's batsman Laurie Evans and Scott Borthwick all having promising seasons.
Durham's Borthwick has reinvented himself as a number three this season and should be proud of his efforts in scoring more than 1,000 runs while playing half his games on some bowler-friendly surfaces up in the north east.
I've been impressed with Wayne Madsen's captaincy and batting at Derbyshire this season, in what has been a difficult season for the club. His side might end up being relegated but Madsen has led from the front and impressed many observers.
From a personal perspective, Surrey have won this tag. We did reach the final of the FLt20 but we have also suffered relegation to Division Two.
League tables don't lie and over the course of the season the team's performances have not been good enough.
The club announced some big signings for the summer and, though it was unfortunate that Graeme Smith had to go home after three matches because of injury, the Brown Caps should not have resulted in relegation. Both Ricky Ponting and Hashim Amla added a lot both on and off the field but the overall performance of the team over the summer was well short of expectations.
There were no real surprises in England's Ashes squad for the winter, with 15 of the players I selected in this column last week all making the plane.
The only exceptions were Tim Bresnan, who is injured, and Nick Compton, with Gary Ballance and Michael Carberry in the actual squad instead.
I'm confident that it's a strong England squad and I fully expect Alastair Cook to return home from the winter tour still in possession of the urn.
They just need to make sure they get off to a good start in the first Test at Brisbane. If they don't, then it might be a closer series than what we witnessed this summer.
Alec Stewart was talking to BBC Sport's Marc Higginson


Sweden is the best place in the world to be old and Afghanistan the worst, according to a UN-backed global study.

The Global AgeWatch Index examined the quality of life of the elderly in 91 nations. Norway and Germany made up the top spots, with the UK in 13th place.
The index warns that many countries do not have adequate support in place for their ageing populations.
By 2050, older people will outnumber under-15s for the first time, with most of the elderly in developing countries.
Source: Global AgeWatch Index
The Global AgeWatch Index was compiled by the UN Population Fund and advocacy group HelpAge International, and released to mark the UN's Day of Older Persons.
Researchers used 13 different indicators - including income and employment, health provision, education, and environment - in what they said was the first study of kind to be conducted on a global scale.
The study's authors say countries across the world face an ongoing challenge from the rapidly ageing global population.
"The continual exclusion of ageing from national and global agendas is one of the biggest obstacles to meeting the needs of the world's ageing population," says Silvia Stefanoni, the interim chief executive of HelpAge International.
"By giving us a better understanding of the quality of life of women and men as they age, this new index can help us focus our attention on where things are going well and where we have to make improvements."
While Sweden came top, and Afghanistan was placed last, the top 20 was dominated by countries from Western Europe and North America, along with Japan, Australia and Chile.
Wealth was not the only factor considered, and countries such as Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Mauritius were ranked above several richer nations.
Some large fast-developing countries fared worse than others, with Russia (78), India (73) and Turkey (70) receiving a low rank, while Brazil (31) and China (35) were regarded more favourably by the researchers.


A 19-year-old man has died after falling ill at an event marking the last Cream club night at the Liverpool venue where it first started.

Merseyside Police said another man, 41, is also critically ill after the Cream Grand Finale at Nation in Wolstenholme Square on Saturday.
The first man was taken ill at about 03:30 GMT and died in hospital a short time after admission.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place, police said.
The circumstances surrounding what happened to both men are being investigated by officers.
Det Ch Inspector Andy Ephgrave said: "At this stage of the investigation, we are exploring a number of lines of inquiry and it is unclear if both men took illegal substances. The men were not in a group together."
He added: "We would like to take this opportunity to remind people of the dangers of taking illegal drugs."
The so-called "super club" first opened its doors at Nation in 1992 and went on to become an international brand branching out into Cream Ibiza and the Creamfields festival.
Nation is closing to be replaced by a new music venue.


It was the world's first passenger-carrying narrow gauge railway, provided the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine and, this weekend, the Talyllyn Railway celebrates its 150th birthday.

Built to serve the slate quarry of Bryn Eglwys, near Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd, in 1950 it seemed doomed when owner Henry Haydn Jones died and the quarry closed.
But a group of West Midlands tourists vowed to safeguard it.
And so, Talyllyn became the UK's first preservation railway.
More than 60 years on, it continues to hold a place in Midlanders' hearts, including its current general manager, proud Brummie, Chris Price.
"In 1950, nothing like this had ever been done," he said.
"The railways had just been nationalised - although Talyllyn was left out - and the world was all about moving on and modernising after the war.
"People thought they were crackers, wanting to save this dilapidated old railway, but Talyllyn held so many special memories and had achieved so many railway firsts that they were determined they were going to make it work.
"Today we have 350 dedicated volunteers, and we're running the original 1860s engines on 7m (12km) of track, with some absolutely fantastic new stations and, of course, the narrow gauge museum."
The Talyllyn Railway has always done things the hard way.
After construction had already begun on its bridges, a Board of Trade inspector spotted they were too narrow for the 2ft 3in (0.68m) gauge.
This meant the carriages would not have the required clearance on either side.
To alleviate this problem, the doors on one side of each carriage were permanently barred and the track slewed off-centre beneath the bridges to allow passengers enough room to get out if the train stopped underneath.
While the alterations were taking place the inspector withheld a safety certificate, meaning the first passengers were warned they were travelling at their own risk.
Nevertheless, tourists flocked to the Talyllyn Railway in such numbers that, in order to keep up with demand, slate wagons had to be fitted with planks as seats.
But the boom failed to last and by 1947 services ran on only two days a week, with stations and rolling stock alike in a state of gradual decay.
Tom Rolt, founding chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, once said the herculean task of breathing new life into the line had required "a boy's own comic spirit of adventure, enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility".
Mr Price believes most - but not all - of these qualities can still be found in abundance in today's group of volunteers.
"Today the railway is run incredibly professionally, without the daredevil risks, but that same enthusiasm is still everywhere you look," he said.
"People only have to come here once and they're bitten. And not just people who can remember the age of steam, we also have a flourishing young members' group."
"The smells, the sounds, the beautiful scenery, you never get tired of it.  I can confidently say the Talyllyn Railway will be here in another 150 years' time."
One of those who was similarly inspired by the railway was the Reverend W Awdry.
It was after a visit to Talyllyn in the early days of preservation that he was moved to write his Railway Series of Thomas the Tank Engine stories.
He based his Skarloey Railway on Talyllyn and drew on many real-life experiences of the preservations for his tales.
Today, the Talyllyn Railway carries around 100,000 passengers a year, and its success has spawned hundreds of preservation railways throughout the UK.


Millwall won the opening FA Cup first-round tie of the season as Mahlon Romeo's late strike saw off League One rivals Southend at the Den.

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After an even first half, Southend almost scored with the first shot on target when Anthony Wordsworth's effort was cleared off the line.
The game looked to be heading towards a replay before Lions defender Romeo stabbed in the dramatic winner.
Southend nearly equalised but Marc-Antoine Fortune's shot was saved.
Millwall, mid-table in League One, go into Monday's second-round draw and will be hoping for a good cup run.
They reached the final of the competition 12 years ago, when they were beaten by Manchester United.
Millwall manager Neil Harris:
"I said to the boys at half-time there would be one moment of quality in the game and when it comes to make sure whoever it was grasped it. That's cup football. Mahlon certainly did that."
Southend boss Phil Brown:
"There was a division apart between the teams. We were the best side on the park and should be walking away in the draw."
Match ends, Millwall 1, Southend United 0.
Second Half ends, Millwall 1, Southend United 0.
Ryan Leonard (Southend United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lee Gregory (Millwall) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Ryan Leonard (Southend United).
Attempt saved. Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Southend United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Shaun Williams (Millwall) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Attempt missed. Fred Onyedinma (Millwall) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Fred Onyedinma (Millwall) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Simon Cox (Southend United).
Goal!  Millwall 1, Southend United 0. Mahlon Romeo (Millwall) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Worrall.
Attempt saved. Ryan Leonard (Southend United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Hand ball by Lee Gregory (Millwall).
Simon Cox (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Byron Webster (Millwall) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Simon Cox (Southend United).
Attempt missed. Shaun Hutchinson (Millwall) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Corner,  Millwall. Conceded by Ryan Leonard.
Substitution, Southend United. Jakub Sokolik replaces Ryan Inniss because of an injury.
Corner,  Millwall. Conceded by Ben Coker.
Attempt saved. David Worrall (Millwall) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, Millwall. David Worrall replaces Shane Ferguson.
Substitution, Southend United. Jermaine McGlashan replaces Stephen McLaughlin.
Foul by Fred Onyedinma (Millwall).
Ben Coker (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner,  Southend United. Conceded by Shaun Hutchinson.
Attempt missed. Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Southend United) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Anthony Wordsworth (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Lee Gregory (Millwall).
Jason Demetriou (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Ryan Leonard (Southend United) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right.
Attempt missed. Lee Gregory (Millwall) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Corner,  Millwall. Conceded by Jason Demetriou.
Corner,  Southend United. Conceded by Shaun Hutchinson.
Foul by Byron Webster (Millwall).
Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Ryan Leonard (Southend United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high.
Foul by Byron Webster (Millwall).
Marc-Antoine Fortuné (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.


A memorial is being dedicated to the hundreds of soldiers from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who died in one of World War One's bloodiest  battles.

The 1st Battalion was annihilated in 20 ferocious days of fighting in October 1914 after an attack turned to defence against German shelling.
More than 1,100 men were killed in the countryside around Ypres and families are in Belgium to mark the centenary.
A memorial will be unveiled near the village of Zandvoorde on Sunday.
There will also be ceremonies at Gheluvelt to mark the losses by the South Wales Borderers and the Household Cavalry.
The 1,100 men of the 1st Battalion had marched 120 miles to Ypres to join the effort to push the Germans out of Belgium.
But they were surprised by the strength of the enemy, swelled by volunteers, and  after two days of bombardment were reduced to only 200.
The First Battle of Ypres marked a transition from fighting on the move to what would become trench warfare.
After reinforcements, a 400-strong battalion over the next two weeks faced heavy German artillery, attacks and incoming shrapnel into the trenches near Zandvoorde.
More than 275 were killed and 50 wounded taken prisoner on 30 October 1914.
The next morning, only 86 men were left standing. The battle continued for a few more weeks, while the 1st battalion was reformed.
One of those remembered is Lt Col Henry "Hal" Osbert Samuel Cadogan, who commanded the 1st Battalion. He was a career officer with service in India and China and was drafted in from peacetime Malta when war was declared.
His grandson retired Colonel Henry Cadogan, from Wrexham, himself a veteran of the regiment, wrote a book about his life.
"More shells were fired in those weeks than in the whole of the Boer War," he said.
"They would never have seen anything like it. But it was important because they stopped the Germans by the skin of their teeth getting through to the coast - it would have been the end of the war."
"These were the last of the Old Contemptibles - the regular Army that was available [a nickname from the Kaiser's supposed comment about Britain's "contemptible little army"]
"Afterwards, they relied on recruitment back home."
Message to Eve Cadogan from the brigadier, shortly before her husband was killed.
"I can't tell you how terribly sorry I am to say that the Welsh Fusiliers have practically disappeared. I expect you know how enormous these losses were lately both on officers and men - up to yesterday morning there were five officers, 450 others. Your husband, [Claud] Dooner, Poole and two boys were all [that was] left of the officers.
Lt Col Cadogan was shot dead on 30 October as he tried to reach a younger officer, Claud Doomer, with the battalion surrounded at Zandvoorde.
"There are no letters from the front to my grandmother but she received a message in pencil from the brigadier," said Col Cadogan.
"He wrote that the Royal Welsh Fusiliers had 'practically disappeared.' It's frightful. That's why it's very important we remember."


A zoo in Cumbria, north-west England, could close after the owner was refused permission to keep it running.

It comes after nearly 500 animals at South Lakes Safari Zoo died over four years.
Local officials have said they don't think the zoo's conservation plans are good enough.
The zoo's owner has 28 days to appeal against the decision. If there's no appeal, then it's expected that the zoo will shut down.
Inspectors found the animals weren't being looked after properly, and there were problems with housing and overcrowding.
A keeper also died at the zoo in 2013.
South Lakes Safari Zoo opened in 1994 and has more than 1,500 animals, including giraffes and rare birds.


National League leaders Lincoln could be without left-back Sam Habergham (dead leg) for their FA Cup tie.

Right-back Sean Long may fill in, while on-loan Brighton winger Joe Ward is not eligible to face his parent club.
Brighton striker Glenn Murray is available to return after suspension, while full-back Liam Rosenior could feature after a long-term ankle injury.
Left-back Gaetan Bong (knee) is out, but captain Bruno (groin) and striker Sam Baldock (calf) will not be risked.
England Under-20 defender Fikayo Tomori could make his debut for the Championship table-toppers, after joining on loan from Chelsea.
Lincoln manager Danny Cowley told BBC Lincolnshire:
"They are top of the Championship and we said going into the Ipswich game we would need to climb a mountain to overcome that challenge and this is probably like getting to the moon. It will be a tough ask.
"It is a massive day for our players. For most of them this will be the biggest game of their lives, and the biggest examination of their football careers.
"Brighton have an unbelievable squad, with incredible depth, and have two teams that could compete successfully at Championship level. That is probably the reason why they are having such a successful season."
Brighton boss Chris Hughton told BBC Sussex:
"It is a big game and probably become an even bigger one because of Lincoln's exploits in the last round.
"We have to prepare exactly the same as if it is a Championship game. We didn't do so well in our last away game [losing 2-0 at Preston] so we know what can happen.
"If we needed an example of how good Lincoln can be, most of our focus has been on that Ipswich game. In both the games against them, Lincoln were very good.
"We know how tough it can be so we need to make sure we do the best we can."


Divorcees are more likely to have a heart attack than their peers who stay married, US research suggests.

An analysis of 15,827 people showed women were worst affected, and barely reduced the risk if they remarried.
The study, published in the journal Circulation, argued that chronic stress, linked to divorce, had a long-term impact on the body.
The British Heart Foundation called for more research before divorce is classed as a major heart risk.
We already know that the death of a close loved one can greatly increase the risk of a heart attack.
Now a team at Duke University has shown a similar effect after divorce.
During the course of the study, between 1992 and 2010, roughly one in three people divorced at least once.
Women who divorced once were 24% more likely to have had a heart attack in the study than women who were continuously married.  The figure was 77% for those having multiple divorces.
In men, there was a modest 10% extra risk for one divorce and 30% increase after multiple divorces.
One of the researchers Prof Linda George said: "This risk is comparable to that of high blood pressure or if you have diabetes, so it's right up there, it is pretty big."
When it came to remarriage, the risk was only marginally reduced for women while men bounced back.
"I think this is the most interesting bit in the paper," Prof George added.
She told the BBC News website: "We joke around here and call it the 'any-women-will-do orientation' for men.
"They're more comfortable being married than not married and cope with different women being their spouses.
"First marriages are protective for women and it's a little dicey after that."
The researchers found that changes in lifestyle, such as loss of income, could not explain the heightened risk.
Prof George told the BBC News website: "My educated speculation is that we know that psychological distress is a constant stress on the immune system, higher levels of inflammation and stress hormones increase.
"Immune function is altered for the worse and if that continues for many years it does take a physiological toll."
She argues the sex-difference is also found in depression and that divorce is a greater "psychological burden" for women although "we don't know exactly what's going on".
While tablets can reduce the risks caused by high blood pressure, there is no easy solution for the pain of divorce.
The researchers recommend close, supportive friends.
Prof Jeremy Pearson, from the British Heart Foundation, commented: "We have known for some time that our mental health can affect our heart health.
"This study suggests that divorce might increase a person's risk of a heart attack.
"But the results are not definitive so further evidence would be needed before divorce could be considered a significant risk factor for causing a heart attack."