Women firefighters could be forced to leave their jobs because proposed changes to shift patterns would interfere with their childcare arrangements, according to research. The Fire Brigades Union says that senior managers are attempting to alter shift systems under the “cloak” of being family-friendly and are placing the blame for the changes on women. There are 690 full-time women firefighters.

Race cars seized

Two estate agents competing in the Cannonball Run from London to Rimini were given suspended sentences and had their sports cars confiscated for speeding in France. Marc Sharifi, 37, from Ongar, Essex, was doing 159mph in his Ferrari 360. Gerald Harrison, 25, from Glasgow, was doing 155mph in his Porsche 911.

Hit-and-run driver

A seven-year-old boy has been knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run driver while playing with friends. The boy was with friends on Saturday afternoon when he was struck by the dark saloon car which failed to stop at the scene in Forest Gate, East London. The boy was rushed to hospital but he died shortly after.

Mines discovered

Twenty mines designed to blow up in the event of a German invasion have been found at HMS Daedalus, Lee-on-the-Solent, after its sale to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and South East England Development Agency. Residents will be evacuated as explosives experts remove the devices.

Polished response

Emergency services received a call from a woman in Hindhead, Surrey, saying her grandmother in Poland was suffering head pains but had been put on hold by Polish emergency services. The 999 service contacted the Polish Embassy, which contacted a hospital, and a doctor went to help Genowefa Owczarek, 71.

Dementia gene is identified

A gene that may underlie the second most common form of dementia has been identified, offering new insights into the origins and treatment of the brain condition.

Two groups of scientists have found a link between a mutation in a gene called granulin and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the most frequently diagnosed form of the neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings, which are published in the online version of the journal Nature, will open a new approach to researching FTD, as no one had previously imagined that the granulin gene might be involved.

• Scientists in the United States have made cancer stem cells by genetically modifying the blood-producing stem cells of mice, in an experiment that could illuminate the causes of leukaemia.

  Five questioned

  Five men were questioned by police after firefighters tackling a brush fire at Thursley Common, Surrey, were threatened by travellers who broke through a cordon during a horse and trap race. A man, 52, arrested on suspicion of starting the blaze was released on bail. Ten families were moved to safety.

  Pilot dies in crash

  A pilot died after his light aircraft crashed into a field in Hoxne, near Eye, Suffolk. No one else was believed to have been on board the plane. The crash scene has been cordoned off and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch will carry out an investigation.

  
  Couple found dead
  
  A missing British couple have been found dead on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. Brian Johnson, 59, and his wife Tina, 57, who were originally from Swansea, vanished last Tuesday when they went to collect rent from a tenant. The couple moved to the island nine years ago. Police are investigating.
  
  Noisy neighbours
  
  Campaigners are advising people what to do about noisy neighbours and making the culprits aware of the suffering caused. Alan Woods, of the charity Encams, said: “Living with noisy neighbours is a nightmare.” People can test, at NoiseConcern.org, whether they are noisy neighbours.
  
  Rant emergency
  
  A deputy mayor dialled 999 when a member of the public would not stop talking during a town council meeting. Bonnie Grills, from Camelford, Cornwall, called the police during a rant by Mel Baber, 31, chairman of the residents’ association. Barry Jordan, the clerk, said: “The deputy mayor felt verbally threatened.”

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