Dorset and Hampshire Live: Friday 10 February

Thanks for joining us this week. Local Live will be back in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 08:00 on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

An arthritic penguin called Dippy has forged a bromance with his 57-year-old keeper. 

The Humboldt penguin moved to Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre a year ago when his long-term home at the Isle of Wight's Seaview Wildlife Encounter was forced to close. 

At 21 years old he is the senior bird in the flock, and most of his feathered friends have already paired up. But Dippy has grown particularly fond of aquarist Dave Warriner.

While Dippy seems happy when any of his human guardians enter his enclosure, it is only Dave who gets an enthusiastic braying call and then a swift waddle approach to receive a friendly tickle.

PACopyright: PA

Quote Message: I must confess I've developed a bit of a soft spot for him. It's the way he lifts his little wings so I can tickle him underneath." from Dave Warriner

I must confess I've developed a bit of a soft spot for him. It's the way he lifts his little wings so I can tickle him underneath."

There's a chance to welcome Vendée Globe runner up Alex Thomson back to Gosport tomorrow when he sails his racing yacht Higo Boss back to his home port.

A parade of sail and celebratory event will celebrate the solo skipper's podium finish in the prestigious non-stop, race around the world . 

The Parade of Sail will commence in the Solent close to Spitbank Fort at 10:15. He will then sail into Portsmouth Harbour before berthing HUGO BOSS at the Gosport Ferry terminal.

Thomson successfully claimed second place in the Vendée Globe completing the race after 74 days, 19 hours and 35 minutes at sea. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

Quote Message: We are incredibly proud of what Alex has achieved. A race like this is the culmination of four years of hard work, training and preparation from both Alex and the team behind the scenes. Alex’s 2nd place finish together with a number of new records is a superb achievement. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors, partners and supporters. We are looking forward to welcoming Hugo Boss and Alex back home this weekend.” from Stewart Hosford Alex Thomson Racing

We are incredibly proud of what Alex has achieved. A race like this is the culmination of four years of hard work, training and preparation from both Alex and the team behind the scenes. Alex’s 2nd place finish together with a number of new records is a superb achievement. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors, partners and supporters. We are looking forward to welcoming Hugo Boss and Alex back home this weekend.”

A motorist whose drug-driving killed his girlfriend has been jailed for six years.

Anderson Ward's car crashed on the M3 near Winchester in November 2014 and was then hit by two other vehicles in succession.

The 39-year-old, of Powys, Wales, was found guilty of causing death by careless driving, driving while disqualified and drugs possession following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The court heard his girlfriend of 14 years, Marie Hardes, 56, died in hospital after suffering multiple injuries.

Hampshire ConstabularyCopyright: Hampshire Constabulary

Two sections of the Isle of Wight coastal path have had to be closed, the council has said.

The sections affected are part of the beach access at Atherfield and it  is due to the loss of a set of steps and land slippage along part of Shepherds Chine.

Repair work is not likely to start until ground coditions improve, so the path could be closed for several months.

A community charity has taken over the running of Red Lodge Community Pool in Bassett. 

The swimming pool is one of eleven assets that are being transferred from Southampton City Council to local charities, faith, volunteer or community based organisations to run  

The pool provides a range of activities including swimming lessons for both children and adults, disability swimming sessions, fitness classes, parent and toddler groups and an Asian Women’s Group.  

Southampton City CouncilCopyright: Southampton City Council

Quote Message: Red Lodge is run by the community for the community. Our ambition is to continue to provide a valuable swimming facility for the benefit of the wider community and especially for the tuition of children and the needs of a range of people including people with disabilities from Denice Wray Red Lodge Community Pool Ltd

Red Lodge is run by the community for the community. Our ambition is to continue to provide a valuable swimming facility for the benefit of the wider community and especially for the tuition of children and the needs of a range of people including people with disabilities

Hampshire County Council has said it is giving £50,000 "emergency funding" to keep the Hythe Ferry service open to passengers. 

It means that a replacement ferry can be chartered while the main ferry undergoes a refit for the service which runs from Hythe, across Southampton Water, to the city's Town Quay

A campaign was recently launched to save the ferry service and its pier and won support from TV historian Dan Snow.

AlamyCopyright: Alamy

As we reported earlier, HMS Mersey has returned to Portsmouth today.

Here's a little something from our Instagram account:

A cyclist involved in a collision in the New Forest two months ago has died in hospital.

Kieran Dix, 36, from Eastleigh, was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Zafira at the Ipley crossroads, on on December 2.

He died of his injuries at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital on February 7.

A keen cyclist, Mr Dix had independently ridden some of the mountainous stages of the Tour de France, according to a tribute released by his family.

A 22-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident remains on bail until 1 March.

Family handoutCopyright: Family handout

Quote Message: Kieran was an intelligent and well-loved man who was a respected design engineer, a talented sailor, a powerful but crafty badminton player and a serious cyclist, having independently ridden some of the mountainous stages of the Tour de France. He had reached that stage in life when everything had come together in work, sport and relationships. Our treasured son and brother, forever in our hearts.” from Family tribute

Kieran was an intelligent and well-loved man who was a respected design engineer, a talented sailor, a powerful but crafty badminton player and a serious cyclist, having independently ridden some of the mountainous stages of the Tour de France. He had reached that stage in life when everything had come together in work, sport and relationships. Our treasured son and brother, forever in our hearts.”

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Last week's extraordinary and hugely unexpected 4-0 victory away to Crystal Palace breathed much-needed life into Sunderland's survival battle.

Now David Moyes' side could be catching Southampton at just the right time to inject further momentum.

Saints have lost six of their last seven Premier League games and it appears their focus is on picking up silverware in a fortnight at Wembley rather than picking up points.

Now enduring their fifth successive relegation scrap, Sunderland supporters recognise a golden opportunity when they see it.

They're also well accustomed to seeing their stars in stripes fluff their lines, so know better than to expect a comfortable afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

A country lane near Horndean has been blocked by a mound of tyres.

East Hampshire District Council has made an appeal to find out where they came from.

Two people whose dinghy capsized in the Solent have been rescued by a passing Wightlink ferry.

Coastguards said they received a mayday call at about 13:30 GMT, reporting the sinking vessel north of Yarmouth.

Oast House ArchiveCopyright: Oast House Archive

Wightlink said a man and woman were picked up from the water by the Wight Sky’s rescue boat and taken ashore to Yarmouth.

The submerged dinghy was collected by the Yarmouth lifeboat.

Bournemouth reserve goalkeeper Adam Federici has been ruled out of the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in training.

Meanwhile defensive trio Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith are all injury doubts ahead of Monday night’s Premier League game against Manchester City at Vitality Stadium.

Three clutches of squid eggs have been found washed up on a beach at Kimmeridge.

The Dorset Wildlife Trust said the dinner-plate-sized bunches had been placed in an aquarium at its marine centre to hatch.

The babies will be released into the sea after they hatch in about a month's time.

Dorset Wildlife TrustCopyright: Dorset Wildlife Trust

Quote Message: Squid come close to the shore to breed between December and May and we often find eggs in the early part of the year. from Anna Rance Marine conservation officer, Dorset Wildlife Trust

Squid come close to the shore to breed between December and May and we often find eggs in the early part of the year.

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Mersey has returned to Portsmouth after 13 months away.

Friends and relatives of the 52 personnel on board lined the jetty at the naval base this morning.

Royal NavyCopyright: Royal Navy

Royal NavyCopyright: Royal Navy

The Royal Navy said the "huge deployment" involved tackling people trafficking and drug smuggling in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas.  

During that time the ship sailed 38,000 miles, the equivalent of travelling more than one-and-a-half times around the world.

Royal NavyCopyright: Royal Navy