³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Can't see the film? Click here to watch.
Click here to add your comment.

In the final film in our Stress Week series, Michael Mosley caughtÌýup with Tony - possibly The One Show's most pessimistic viewer, to see if taking part in our 'happiness school' has helped change his outlook on life.

After talking to Dr Alex Linley, Tony has been identifying what he's good at and then attempting to change his behaviour. He's beenÌýnoting three good things that have happened to him every day for the past week in his diary.

Did it work? Is he less grumpy? Yes, says Tony - he's seen an improvement in himself.

The theory is that thinking positively changes the brain. Start thinking positively and brand new pathways are laid down in your brain which make it easier to think positively in the future.

If you haven't already, why not take our Stress Test?
See also: Read all our Stress Week blogs.
See also: Watch our exclusive Stress Week videos.

Would you follow Tony's example? What is your cure for grumpiness? Or are you happily unhappy as you are?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Watch it here.

Going to small claims court isn't the drama you might think.

Dom Littlewood met Judge Stephen Gold at Kingston County Court to find out more.

Every year over a million small claims are made and only around 50,000 of those will result in a hearing.

And even if it does get to a hearing, on average it only lasts for an hour and 20 minutes!

When all else has failed, it can be a very straightforward way to finally get your little piece of justice.

You can issue claims for a variety of reasons, including:
• someone owing you money;
• bad workmanship;
• damage to property;
• road traffic accidents;
• personal injury;
• goods not supplied; and
• faulty goods.

Both parties will be invited to sit and give their evidence. A decision will normally be given straight away.

And if you use the online small claims procedure at , forget about big scary courtrooms, you may not need to go any further than your living room.

online only applies to England and Wales.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own small claims procedures, with some different rules and lower limits.

See also: Ìý

See also:

But before you go to small claims court consider:

1. Does the person or company have the funds to pay up if you're successful? There isn't a central fund which pays out.

2. Can this dispute be resolved before getting as far as court?

The National Mediation Helpline on 0845 60 30 809 can help or visit the website: .

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click here to watch.

Four months ago we asked for the most pessimistic One Show viewers to contact us via our Get Involved pages, to take part in an experiment to see if we could make them happy.

We were inundated with people who didn't think we would pick them, but One Show viewer Tony seemed to be the most negative of the lot.

In today's Stress Week film The One Show's Michael Mosely met up with Tony to see if he could change his outlook by sending him to 'Happiness School'.

Dr Alex Linley gave Tony two simple things to do for just one week. The first is to list his personality strengths and use one of them in a new way each day. The second is to write down three good things that happen each day.

To find out what happened to Tony check back tomorrow.

If you haven't already, why not take our Stress Test?
See also: Read all our Stress Week blogs.
See also: Watch our exclusive Stress Week videos.

What is happiness to you? What makes you happy? Are we even meant to happy? Is happiness overated? Are you grumpy and proud?! Tell, us please.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Andrew Gosden update, December 3, 2008: Last week we asked you to look out for two missing people - and we
might just have some good news on one of them.Ìý Fifteen-year-old Andrew Gosden went missing 15 months ago from his home in South Yorkshire and had not been seen since.

However, police in the Midlands may be on to something. They're desperate to hear again from a man who saw Andrew's picture on The One Show and strongly believes he's seen him in Shrewsbury.

The man tried to leave details at Leominster police station - and we think the same man's now written to us.Ìý What he hasn't done is leave a name or contact details of his own.

So, if you are that man, please go into any police station in the country and tell them what you know. The Missing People number is 0500 700 700.

See below for more information on Andrew, and useful weblinks.

November 26, 2008: Tonight The One Show highlighted the 210,000 people who go missing in the UK every year, and the pain felt by the families that they leave behind.

The film focussed on two missing persons - Andrew Gosden, just 14 when he disappeared from his home in Doncaster last year. And Sean Durkin who went missing back in 1993 when he ran into serious financial struggles.

Andrew's parents shared their story and told us of the pain of "not knowing".

Glenis Durkin, Sean's wife, was left to pick up the pieces after he vanished from her life. Fifteen years on, she says she has never lost hope that Sean will one day come back into her life.

Andrew Gosden

Andrew has been missing from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, since 14 September 2007. Although he was seen on CCTV footage at King's Cross Station in London later that morning, he has not been heard from since.
His family are extremely worried for Andrew's safety and they urge him to get in touch. He can call the Runaway Helpline on Freefone 0808 800 7070 where he can get confidential help and support from the Missing People charity.
Andrew, who has since turned 15, is 5ft 4in tall, of slim build with collar length, light brown hair and brown eyes. He wears strong prescription glasses and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, and carrying a black canvas satchel with patches of rock/metal bands on it.

Sean Durkin
Sean has been missing from his home in Bradstock, Dorset, since 9 May 1993. Despite enquiries he has not been heard from since and his current whereabouts remain a mystery. There is great concern for Sean's welfare as it has been so long since he was last seen. He is urged to get in touch with someone, even if it is just to say that he is OK. He can call the confidential service Message ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ on 0800 700 740 where he can get help and support from the Missing People charity. He can also leave a message for his loved ones that we can forward on his behalf. He does not have to say where he is if he does not wish to. Now 55, Sean is 6ft 1in tall and has blue eyes and brown hair.

Missing People is the charity featured in the film. It works with young runaways, missing and unidentified people. Missing People can be contacted on 0500 700 700. They also have a Runaway Helpline - Freefone 0808 800 70 70 & text service 80234. Their website is: .

Do you know the pain of being left behind by a missing person? How do families cope?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click here to watch.

Click here to add your comment.

All this week on The One Show Michael Mosley is looking at how stress can affect our daily lives.

See also: How stressed are you? Take our test.
See also: Read all our Stress Week blogs.
See also: Watch our exclusive Stress Week videos.

Ìý

Michael Mosley meets Jenny, a recently retired teacher currently struggling with the change in pace. She's found that having little to do and few people to talk to is making her anxious.

Retirement stress is quite common, says Michael. The people that struggle with it,Ìýoften mention dealing with boredom and the feeling that they have lost their role in society.

Michael convinces Jenny to join a local art group to socialise. Research shows that retired people with support networks report significantly lower levels of stress and a greater satisfaction with life. Not only that but studies have shown that people with a wide range of social contacts are better protected against colds and some diseases.

Ìý

Ways to cope with retirement stress

Think positive - A 2002 study at Yale University found that thinking positively helps you to live longer.

Create a structure for your new phase of life - Get yourself some interests, consider a part time job or even volunteering.

Get a hobby - If you're getting close to retirement and you don't have any hobbies already - find some! The state of being absorbed in a creative or fun activity is a great way of relieving stress.

Can retirement really be that stressful? What do you think? Have your say, below.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

I'm a home owner and wouldn't want to deny anyone the pleasure or the sense of security you get from owning your own home but I've been pondering that question after exploring the effects of the Right to Buy policy for the One Show.

The statistics are pretty stark. In the last eight years twice as many affordable homes have been sold off than have been built.Ìý

It is pretty clear what that means. The National Housing Federation, which represents not for profit housing associations, produced the figures and says they show the stock of affordable homes has fallen by 300,000.

And there is no shortage of demand for council or housing association homes.Ìý The number of families on waiting lists has grown by 61% - almost 600,000 people - over the same eight year period.

The credit crunch is predicted to lead to a wave of repossessions and rising unemployment which is only going to make the shortage worse, pushing up the numbers on waiting lists.

Yesterday the Government said it would bring forward millions of pounds of spending on social housing.Ìý The worry is that the credit crunch means housing associations won't be able to borrow the private funds they need to make new housing developments happen.

This leaves us with a growing problem - longer waiting lists but fewer homes.

So should Right to Buy die?ÌýOr can you think of a better solution?ÌýAdd your comment below.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click hereÌýto watch.

It's Stress Week on The One Show and Michael Mosley is examining the ways in which stress can affect our daily lives.

See also: How stressed are you? Take our test.
See also: Watch our Stress Week videos.

According to a recent survey of 3,000 working mums, 93% felt under stress trying to balance work with raising a family. In the second film in this series, Michael went to meet Jo Oxtoby in Maidstone. She's a working mum who juggles her partner, her kids, her work and household chores.

Jo is clearly suffering from psychological stress, says Michael.

The cause? Stress expert Ann McCracken believes that Jo is putting herself under huge pressure by trying to do everything perfectly. The survey suggests that Jo is not alone. Many women cited feeling stressed about not having enough time to do everything they feel they need to do. They mentioned trying to live up to the role model of their own mothers or grandmothers, the generation who stayed at home and ran "dream homes".

Tips for working mums
1. Don't feel guilty!! Stress can be caused by exhaustion and guilt.
2. Talk to your employer. Surveys suggests that employers are being sympathetic to the needs of working mums.
3. Get support at home - prioritise and find time for yourself. The domestic workload can get out of hand. Ask for help, if it's all getting too much.

Why are mums feeling so stressed? Surely these days, dads do (or should do) as much work as their other halves? Or is it part of women's genetic make-up to feel the pressure of creating the perfect nest? Or maybe you believe that mums don't know the meaning of stress? Let us know your thoughts.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click here to watch it.

On the programme tonight I advised One Show viewers to recognise what a bloated consumer nightmare Christmas has become.Ìý

We all have to stop giving presents and start giving to charity instead, and here's why...

I've got a Christmas confession. My three daughters get so many presents at Christmas that, once the celebrations are over, my wife and I collect up the ones we don't like and give them to the local charity shop.

There you go, I've said it.Ìý We steal our own children's Christmas presents!

It sounds awful but I don't think it makes me Scrooge because - let's be honest here - most presents are rubbish.Ìý

My kids just get loads more "stuff" than they've already got each yearÌý - from bears and dolls to necklace kits and fancy clothes and more.

What's more we live in a small house and if we didn't chuck out some of their gifts we would be engulfed in a tsunami of tat.

Now if you're still not persuaded I'm doing the right thing then here's what I hope will be the clincher - the kids don't even notice.Ìý

That's right, they've got so much stuff already, they don't notice when we half inch their new toys.

So why this festive frankness, you are probably wondering?Ìý

Well, my argument is this: if my children don't notice when we nick their presents then the chances are that you can probably do without most of yours too.Ìý

A few decades ago you probably needed the socks that your mum gave you or the saucepan Auntie Alice popped under the tree.Ìý These days it is different.Ìý Consumer goods are so cheap and plentiful that all of us - children included - have tons of stuff.

So here's my Christmas message:Ìý just say no to this glut of giving.Ìý

I'm not saying no presents at all. If you want to mark the season why not make a donation to charity on behalf of your friends and loved ones instead?Ìý

Think about it.Ìý A good cause gets your cash AND both you and your loved ones get to feel good about it!Ìý It's the Christmas gift that just goes on giving.

You know it makes sense...don't you?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Michael Mosley begins stress week by looking at the various causes of stress in the workplace by following event organiser, Justin Clarke, through his busy week to note the effects on his body.

How stressed are you? Take our test.

Tips to combat stress:

Physical exercises can definitely help with 'in the moment' stress. For example: stretching, shoulder shrugging, controlled breathing.

Keeping fit helps with stress and is a good way of unwinding and clearing the mind. For example - going for a run, swimming, the gym. This can also help with long-term stress.

Green spaces - Studies have shown that being around green spaces can reduce blood pressure and stress levels, and possibly help people heal faster after surgery.

Juggling - In addition to the benefits achieved as a form of play, research published in the journal Nature has found that learning to juggle actually increases brain size. It has also been shown to reduce stress levels and improve mood and concentration.

Chanting - Experts have found that Gregorian chanting could promote a sense of well-being and help people to cope with pressure.

Turkey - Turkey isn't just for Christmas. Along with salmon it is great for a protein called tryptophan. Low levels of this (women seem to be especially prone) impede your brain's ability to make serotonin, a nerve transmitter that helps to lift your mood and reduce anxiety and panic attacks, as well as helping you to sleep.

No alcohol and caffeine - Though alcohol is a stimulant in low doses, it also depletes the brain's mood elevator, serotonin. Caffeine blocks the soothing effects of the brain's "feel-good" messenger called GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) that can calm mood.

How do you deal with stress? Do you have hints and tips you recommend?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click here to watch.

This is the start of the flu season when people start coming into my surgery with a 'touch of flu'. The trouble is there's no such thing.

There are hundreds of viral infections which cause milder flu-like symptoms but if you want to know if you have real flu, ask yourself one question: Do I think I'm dying? If the answer is no - you don't have flu, you simply have a nasty cold.

The fact that so many people confuse the flu for a cold and vice versa, is important when it comes to the flu jab.

Lots of people who need the flu jab are wary about getting it. They tell me that in the past the flu jab has given them the flu - but actually that's impossible!

The flu jab is not a live vaccine so it couldn't infect you with the flu virus. Fact is, we give the flu vaccine every year at just the same time people are starting to come down with colds.

They have the flu jab, get nasty cold symptoms a couple of days later and blame it on the vaccine. But truth is the flu jab could actually save their lives.Ìý

For most of us, flu is thoroughly miserable but not life-threatening. Common symptoms include:

Fever
Chills
Shivering
Severe headache
Dry, harsh cough
Weakness and tiredness
Loss of appetite
Sore throat
Muscle aches and pain

If you're older or have other medical problems like heart disease, chest problems or diabetes, you're much more likely to suffer the complications of flu like pneumonia and it's these that will kill you.

If you think you might have a complication, say coughing up blood, pain in your chest when you breathe or you're short of breath, you do need to see your doctor. Otherwise a GP surgery is the last place you want to be. Why? You'll probably be waiting to be seen for hours, with the many others with similar symptoms.

And then when you do eventually see a doctor, we won't really be able to help and you'll have probably picked up another horrible set of germs from that person coughing on you, in the waiting room.

Thankfully, you'll probably get over it in a few days, that sadly doesn't apply to those with medical problems.

Without the flu jab they're taking a chance on their lives. It doesn't have to happen.

Find out the facts about here.

Ìý

Are you wary of getting a flu jab? Why's that, then?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't seeÌýDom's film? Click here to watch.
Click here to add your comment.

Warm Front is a government in England that gives poorer households up to £2,700 to make their homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.

As Dom Littlewood found out, Warm Front has left some people without a warm glow.

Dom spoke to Robert Flello, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South. Robert said to Dom that he has received many complaints about the Warm Front Scheme - constituents telling him about poor workmanship and excessive costs.

Warm Front is run by Eaga. Paul Varley, their Divisional Managing Director, told Dom:

"The contractors aren't charging too much for the work they are doing. It's important to compare what the Warm Front scheme offers versus the equivalent in the private sector. When the government's independent auditor undertook that analysis they concluded we were a third cheaper. We continually monitor our supply chain to ensure it delivers value for money.

"We don't always get it right, but where we don't get it right we put it right. In the last two years we've helped half a million people and across the scheme life we've helped close to two million people."

More information about energy saving grants. Click for:

Have you received a grant to make energy saving improvements to your home? Would you recommend applying for a grant? Tell us, please.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Charity credit cards mean you can donate whilst you spend. These are credit cards that automatically give to good causes when we use them. But as our own queen of shops Lucy Siegle has been finding out - there's a catch. Lucy has discovered that the usual donation is just 0.25% of what you spend. That means if you spend £100 they donate just 25p to charity. In fact to get £100 donated to charity you have to spend a staggering £40,000.

The rates do vary, the most generous rate Lucy found was for Aids in Africa where you'd only have to spend £10,000 to get a £100 donation.

There is a way your chosen charity could get a lot more. Instead of going for a charity credit card you could go for a cashback card which means you get a percentage of whatever you spend, but you must be prepared to pay it off in full at the end of every month, otherwise you might find that the interest outweighs the cashback. Most generous gives you £120 for the first year from the same £500, you could then donate that to charity. And don't forget Gift Aid, if you tick the right box on a donation form the charity can then collect anther 28% from the government.

Do you have a charity credit card? Will you continue to use it? Or do you prefer to give to charity in other ways?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click here to watch.

Every two minutes someone in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer. So the development of new cancer drugs is vital for the future health of the nation.

But it's often in the news that the licensing process is too slow or that there's a 'postcode lottery' when it comes to patient access to new cancer treatments. Justin Rowlatt visited one of the UK's 19 Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres, which were set up with money from Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health last year.
Their aim is to cut the time between a new treatment going from the lab to trial, by bringing together cancer scientists and doctors under one roof.
Justin met volunteers who are testing the cancer treatments of tomorrow for the benefit of themselves and medical science. But they're taking part in trials that have limited places - trials for people who are very ill and have exhausted their options. Since the ECMC network was launched in April 2007, only around 800 patients across the UK have taken part in these clinical trials. provide more information about cancer, cancer care and cancer trials, see: .

Also, for more info about clinical trials from the NHS Choices website.

After nearly losing his life to myeloid leukaemia, former England footballer is attempting to raise £20 million to fund more blood cancer blood trials

Geoff said to Justin: "The frustrating thing is, after speaking to scientists, there are numerous drugs that are ready to go and it's just pure funding that is stopping clinical trials for these products."

Has your life been changed by cancer? Have you been caught in the 'postcode lottery'? Do we need, as a nation, to change our approach to funding treatments for the disease?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Lucy Siegle went to Worcestershire to meet One Show viewer Helen Garnett. Helen drives a lot of miles and was spending £320 a month on petrol for her 4x4. So she's had herÌývehicle converted to run on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and saved approximately £140 on fuel costs in a month.

Ìý LPG is also known as propane. It's a by-product of the extraction of natural gas and refining crude oil. Although LPG is a fossil fuel it generates 20% less CO2 than ordinary petrol, so it's also greener.

According to the UKLPG you can save up to 40% on your fuel costs if you switch from petrol to LPG because the tax on it is lower. It costs around £1600 and takes three to four days to convert the average car to LPG. Converting a vehicle does have its risks, so it's important that you use an .

Around 150,000 vehicles currently run on LPG in Britain but that figure is on the rise. 12,000 people convert to every year. This year that figure is set to double.

Have you converted your petrol vehicle to run on LPG? Did you make savings? What's your experience?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the exclusive web-only film? Click here to watch.

Vacuum cleaner phobia? Watch the the exclusive One Show website video:ÌýFliss Hall (12)Ìý from Ashby St. Mary, Norwich, wrote in to tell us thatÌý "I have a phobia of vacuum cleaners. I go to boarding school and we have to do duties to help keep the house clean. I always end up having to pay my mates to do the hoovering for me. My mum shuts me in the garden when she has to hoover at home!!!"

Dental phobia? Tonight's show featured One Show viewer Mike Hughes. He wrote to us in April to tell us that when he was a small boy, he had the traumatic experience of having several teeth removed without anaesthetic. Mike has had a severe phobia of dentists ever since. Even walking past a dental surgery provoked Mike into a panic attack. He hasn't been to the dentist for 27 years.

The One Show introduced Mike to Dr Tim Newton, an expert in dental psychology. Tim helped Mike to 'rewire his brain' using a process called . Tim gradually exposed Mike to dental treatment rooms and procedures using a video technique and getting him to listen to the sound of a drill. This progressed to doing it in real life and gradually built up until Mike was able to walk into a surgery and sit in a dental chair.

Recently Mike received his first filling - he's on his way to overcoming his phobia.

What's your phobia? Do you have any tips about overcoming your fears?

• Bookmark with:
• del.icio.us |
• Digg |
• Newsvine |
• |
• Reddit
• - What's this?

The One Show has been given exclusive access to the findings of a report by the charity . It show how parents are suffering abuse at the hands of their own children.

Of the calls they get relating to child behaviour, 90% are from adults being bullied - or worse - by their children.

The aggression takes place mainly behind closed doors at home, some parents are at their wits end and if the behaviour continues, unchecked, things can spiral out of control.

For The One Show, Anita Rani met some bullied parents, and Maureen Pearson from Parentline Plus. Maureen said that much like people wouldn't speak of domestic violence in the past, people, especially mums are often too embarrassed to talk of abuse they face at the hands of their children.

If you would like to speak to someone about any issues relating to this subject please call the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Action Line: 08000 560 190

Has there been bullying in your family? How have you overcome such a difficult situation? Or are you perhaps too embarrassed to seek help?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

This week it's been reported that the police will reopen unsolved murder enquiries using the latest DNA technology.

Currently, it's estimated that the UK's contains around five million samples - making it the biggest DNA database in the world. The law in England and Wales was changed in 2001 to allow police to keep all DNA samples they take, even if the suspect is later cleared of all charges. In Scotland it's only the guilty whose samples are kept.

Ìý

But should the whole population and every UK visitor be added to a compulsory national DNA database, as a ?

For The One Show, Anita Rani (pictured, right, during filming at the in London) has been investigating the arguments for and against a .

Anita spoke to a cold case forensic scientist for whom DNA evidence has proved vital in the past and the father of murdered teenager Sally Anne Bowman, whose killer was found using DNA evidence.

Providing an opposing voice was Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights organisation . She has said that a DNA database for every man, woman and child in the country was "a chilling proposal, ripe for indignity, error and abuse".

Ìý

Should we all be on a DNA database? Have your say in the comment box, below.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Can't see the film? Click here to watch.

Click here to add your comment.

Ìý

Dog attacks are on the rise. Hospitals say they've seen a significant increase in the number of attacks and the Metropolitan Police report they are called out to deal with dangerous dogs more often. So what can be done to deal with the danger?Ìý

A few weeks ago Claire Lambert's two year old son Maurice was attacked by a pit-bull in a London Park. Here she describes what happened and how she believes our streets and parks might be made safe.

Claire Lambert:

Ìý

On the afternoon of Saturday 4th October 2008, I watched my children play as I sat on a bench soaking up the autumn sun.Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Suddenly a large pit-bull ran in to the playground and straight over to my children.Ìý My oldest son saw the dog and ran away, but Maurice, who is two and a half, didn't. The dog grabbed him by the leg and shook him like he was a rag doll.ÌýThe world seemed to go into slow motion. Everyone was screaming but I could make out Maurice's high pitched wail.ÌýAlthough I was only a few metres away it seemed to take an eternity to reach him. I knew the dog might turn on me but I grabbed it by the collar and managed to wrestle it away from my son. As I held him in my arms I felt something warm and wet on my leg. I remember hoping that he'd wet himself, but when I looked down I could see blood seeping through his jeans.

Ìý

Ìý

I pulled up his trousers to see that his leg had been ripped apart.

Ìý

Ìý

He had two long wide gashes that had flesh hanging out of them. I started screaming for someone to call an Ambulance, and as I sat on the bench waiting for it to arrive I could see my eldest son crying and asking if his brother was going to die. Maurice was in the hospital for five days.Ìý The dog had ripped through his tendons. He needed to have two operations, 40 stitches and he still has his leg in plaster.ÌýHe will be scarred for life physically, and probably emotionally.ÌýAnd even taking all this in to consideration, medical staff told us how lucky Maurice was not to have been bitten on his face, hands or throat.

Ìý

Perhaps the next time a pit-bull bites a child. They won't be as lucky. So now I am left wondering how we make sure this never happens again?Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

I am a dog lover. My family kept dogs all the time I was growing up. In an ideal world all dog owners would be responsible, as my family were.ÌýBut forget it, they're not. The owner of the dog whichÌýattacked Maurice, is still convinced it isn't dangerous. It is clear the current law doesn't work.ÌýThe problem is, if you have a set of rules which only apply to certain breeds, then they are very difficult to police.Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

So here's what I propose. It seems to me the only solution is to have all dogs on leads unless in designated dog exercise areas.ÌýThis is the system they have in the US and Scandinavia.Ìý It is easy to police and will be effective in making our parks and pavements safe. I know that many dog owners will be reading this now and shaking their heads in disgust at my suggestion.ÌýBut please, tell me, what other realistic solution is there?Ìý

Ìý

Should all dogsÌýbe on leads, as Claire suggests? Should we banÌýcertain breeds of dog? Or make a dog ownership test compulsory? How do we stop dog attacks?

Ìý

Have your say in the comment box, below. The best commentsÌýmay be mentioned on The One Show, so please add your first name and location to your comment if you'd like to be mentioned on the programme.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

The One Show's Rav Wilding has been reporting on the of foreign lorry drivers on Britain's motorways.

Foreign lorries are not subject to the same rules as UK lorries and they are statistically more prone to being overloaded, dangerous and driven by tired or inexperienced drivers - according to figures.

These figures are backed by many British lorry drivers - many of whom do not believe that they are operating on a 'level playing field' with foreign drivers.

Earlier this year the government allocated VOSA £24 million in funding. They're using it to recruit and train around 130 new staff dedicated to around-the-clock roadside checks. They are hoping to increase the number of checks carried out by around 50% and to double the number of prohibitions, where a vehicle or driver is prevented from continuing their journey until the fault has been rectified.

Yet we rely on the goods delivered by foreign lorries, and as Rav heard from a foreign driver: "Everywhere in the world there are bad and good drivers".

How safe are foreign lorry drivers? What are your experiences? Are the foreign drivers being treated unfairly? Or should more be done to 'level the playing field'?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

The One Show's Lucy Siegle has been exploring the issues surrounding modern day , such as the poppy, and the controversy that can lie behind them.

In the build up to Remembrance day (), the poppy is a prevalent symbol. Worn by many, lain as wreaths by plaques and memorials, its associations are well known.

But what does the poppy mean to you?

For many the poppy signifies commemoration and remembrance for those lost in World War One. It was immortalised in John Mcrae's words:
"In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses - row on row".

But for some the red poppy symbol holds negative connotations - of support for the act of war, that they would rather not be associated with. Some pacifists have adopted the white poppy which honours the fallen soldiers without, in their view, condoning war.

The Royal British Legion told us: "You can wear a white poppy or a purple one or even a black one. A red poppy is not about glorifying war, it's simply a recognition of human sacrifice... The Royal British Legion and Poppy Appeal is totally neutral on war and
totally pro the armed forces community".

The One Show wants to know why you do, or do not, wear a poppy.

What do you feel when you pin a poppy to your chest? Is it something we should all wear? Is it a outdated symbol? Does it represent a pro-war stance? What does the poppy mean to you?

The best comments may be mentioned on The One Show, so please add your first name and location to your comment if you'd like to be mentioned on the programme.

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

Your identity is a valuable commodity - you need it to function in everyday life. You need evidence of who you are to open bank accounts, obtain credit cards, finance, loans and mortgages, to obtain goods or services, or to claim benefits.

Identity pretend to be you, steal your personal details and use them to buy goods and services in your name. Last year there were 65,000 cases of identity fraud. It costs the economy £1.2 billion per year.

In his One Show film on the subject, Dom Littlewood advises us to to be extra careful with our personal info. He said to:

Shred sensitive documents.
Check bank statements for any discrepancies.
Check credit reports once a year.

Identity fraud insurance - is it worth it?

Many banks and credit cards sell some kind of identity fraud insurance. It can cost up to £80 a year. Is it worth it?

Cathy Neal from Which? told Dom that most banks sign up to . Under this code of conduct, they have to refund customers' money if it is taken fraudulently - so people have already got insurance, even though they may not realise it.

She added that a feature of many identity fraud insurances is that they enable a customer to view their credit report, which will reveal whether a criminal has made applications for bank accounts, credit cards or loans in their name. Cathy pointed out that customers can access their credit reports themselves, for a small fee, from each of the .

She concluded that identity fraud insurance is not really worth the high cost, even for the peace of mind.

The agree that customers are covered by the Banking Code, but add: "Identity protection policies may offer additional protection" "but people should read the conditions carefully to see if it is the right product for them."

for the government's identity theft advice website.

What are your experiences of identity theft? Do you have fraud prevention hints and tips that you'd like to share?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?

As beautiful and breathtaking as they are, fireworks in the hands of a child are potential deadly weapons.

Despite the messages, adverts and government campaigns more than a thousand people are maimed each year by fireworks and most of them are children.

You'll see in the video how Rav Wilding met a young victim whose life drastically changed because of playing with fireworks.

Jake had dreams of studying art before he was maimed at the age of 15. He found a firework on the floor, lit it and bang.

The firework immediately went off and the left hand that Jake used to draw with, was damaged beyond full repair - to this day Jake doesn't have full usage of his hand.

The law states that it's a criminal offence to sell fireworks to under 18s but sadly some retailers are still breaking the law.

The One Show went undercover to find out how easy it would be for a teenager to get hold of some fireworks.

It's heartening that eight out of ten shops didn't sell any fireworks to 15-year-old Sarah but that still means two retailers did.

Why isn't the threat of a £5,000 for each sale or a prison sentence of up to six months enough to put some of these retailers off?

And if Jake went and showed other children his injuries would that make them realise the potential danger of fireworks?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?