Plan B Forum

A council worker could face the sack after he lowered the town hall flag in memory of six British soldiers who died in Afghanistan - despite it proudly flying a rainbow banner in support of gay rights just weeks before.

Having seen Bassetlaw District Council in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, show its support for good causes and agreeing to fly the symbolic rainbow flag last month, the unnamed worker lowered the council's own flag to half mast as a gesture to the soldiers.

But the employee, an ex-serviceman himself, was served with disciplinary papers alleging 'gross misconduct'.

It is thought he is also being quizzed for failing to carry out a 'thorough health and safety assessment' before lowering the flag on Tuesday, the day in which the bodies of the six soldiers killed in a car bomb were flown home.

Those close to the employee, who is said to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder following his own deployment, are now concerned about the impact of his reprimand.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1q4Z5U8BH

A British puppy has been hailed a hero after summoning help for a drowning man.

Wilson spotted the swimmer in difficulty near Mumbles Lighthouse in Swansea and his barking attracted the attention of his owner lifeboat volunteer Richard Absalom who immediately jumped into action.

Mr. Absalom said: "Wilson does not like water, but he ran to the edge of the water and started barking. He was focused on a guy drifting between the two islands. It was after high tide and he was being dragged through. It's perhaps one of the worst places to swim - there is a funnelling effect."

"At first we could not see the guy. We were worried he had gone under, but he had made his way onto the rocks.

"He was exhausted, and was very grateful. He kept apologising. We reassured him, and asked him if needed medical attention."

Mumbles lifeboat operations manager Tim Conway said: "It's not every day we act on information from a pet but we're looking forward to welcoming Wilson to the Mumbles lifeboat family as he is showing plenty of potential!"