To the bbc news at one. Nearly half of hospitals in england declared a major alert in the first week of this year. Nhs figures released this morning reveal that 66 of the 152 Hospital Trusts raised the alarm, as large numbers of patients experienced Trolley Waits and delays in a e. Eight of the trusts declaring a major alert reported the highest level of alarm, meaning Patient Safety was at risk. Our Health CorrespondentDominic Hughes reports. Another busy day for the Health Service, where the pressure of winter is unrelenting. Earlier this week, leicester Royal Infirmary was one of more than 60 hospitals in england to declare a major alert as the strain on services grew. The latest data from nhs england exposes how the Health Service is struggling to cope. One in five patients admitted as an emergency last week experienced a delay of at least four hours for a bed. Nearly one in four patients waited over four hours to be seen in a e. In some place its reached nearly half. More than a quarter of ambulance as riving at a e units waited longer than 30 minutes to hand over their patients, twice as long as they should. These latest figures are further evidence, if any more evidence was needed, of the immense strain the entire Nhs In England is facing this winter. Those strains are felt most acutely in accident emergency departments, which are the front doors to most hospitals. The pressure is being felt right throughout the Health Service. A e is the canary in the coal mine here for the Health Service. People arriving at a e because they cant see a gp. Theyre arriving at a e because theyre poorly, but could have been kept well if only they could have got access sooner. Well if only they could have got access sooner. Theyre stuck in the hospital because of problems in Community Services and in social care. They cant get them out quickly. Just as they have across the nhs, staff at Northwick Park hospital in North West London have been working flat out. There have been working flat out. There have been moments in the last two weeks, like the whole country, its been frightening for the members of staff, for the nurses, doctors, for the Ambulance Crews who are bringing patients in. There have been moments where its been very sticky. But we have managed as best we can. Everybodys worked incredibly hard. Its not just england. Everybodys worked incredibly hard. Its notjust england. The latest available figures from wales and Northern Ireland show A E Departments there are also struggling to treat patients within four hours in. Scotland the picture over christmas week was better. But every pa rt over christmas week was better. But every part of the nhs is finding this winter to be one of the toughest in recent memory. And we can speak to dominic now. As you say there at the end of your report, these official figures come at end of a difficult week for the nhs. Notjust a week, but several weeks. This is a situation that has been building really since the summer, when we been building really since the summer, when we were been building really since the summer, when we were warned that the pressures of winter hadnt really relented over the summer months and weve moved seamlessly into the winter months, where the pressures are continuing to build. What lies behind it . Well its a mixture of all sorts of factors, demographics, we have an older, sicker population with complex health needs who are arriving at A E Departments and they ta ke arriving at A E Departments and they take longer to see, to be seen because they are sicker and they have very many Different Things wrong with them. Theres been a slow burning yies is in prime crisis in primary care. Gps are saying theyre seeing more and more patients and are getting overwhelmed as well. All this is playing out against a crisis as well in social care. So hospitals are finding it extremely difficult to discharge patients back home or into the community when they re patients back home or into the community when theyre fit enough to leave hospital, but still need some care. Thats clogging up the entire system. All of this is playing out against the background of extremely tight budgets. We heard the Chief Executive of nhs england Simon Stevens this week tell mps that the nhs hadnt got the money that it had asked for from the government, flatly contradicting the line from ministers that the nhs had got everything it had asked for and plenty more. All this creates a perfect storm that is now swirling around the Nhs In England, making it around the Nhs In England, making it a very difficult winter for medics and for patients, but also increasing the pressure on the politicians. Dominic, many thanks. Dominic hughes. There severe Flood Warnings are in place on the eastern coast of england amid fears thousands of homes are at risk, as snow and strong winds hit much of the uk. The risk of high tides has led the Environment Agency to issue severe Flood Warnings meaning danger to life. This is the Environment Agency map, and as you can see, there are dozens of locations along the east coast at risk. Evacuations are under Way Injaywick in essex, and Great Yarmouth in norfolk. There are 11 severe Flood Warnings in place across england and wales. 11; 14 severe flood 14 severe Flood Warnings in place across england and wales there are also 91 warnings, where flooding is expected and immediate action is required, and 63 alerts where flooding is possible and individuals should be prepared for rising water levels. Our correspondent danny savage is in skegness. Rita, were part way through the 2a hour period of concern now. The good news is that the first high tides that have come down the east coast have not been as high as feared. But high tides come around every 12 hours. There are real concerns for the tides this evening, that they will be higher than anticipated. Hence those evacuations taking place in some communities in essex and norfolk at the moment. This ongoing situation is causing concern for communities right along the east coast of england. Along the east coast of england, the floodgates on sea defences have been slammed shut. The hours of darkness were used for preparation. Seaside Business Owners cleared out all they could, in anticipation of trouble. Full moon, high tides, strong winds, the wind in the right direction coming down the north sea, rather than blowing off the land or onto the land. So, there will be a significant rise in the water, but whether it will be enough to top the defences depends on mother nature, i suppose. Soldiers were drafted in to lincolnshire to help with the operation. About 100 of them were briefed at the local police station. They were then sent door to door, warning residents that a storm surge was possible. Sorry to disturb you. We are here to warn you about the storm and the flood. Is a reassuring or alarming to have the army knock on the door . Its reassuring that they are looking after us, but also a bit alarming, youre thinking, is the house going to be flooded or something . But i think we are fairly safe, anyway. High tide in lincolnshire was early this morning. It passed without event, despite concerns. But there are worries about other parts of the east coast later today. The issue with the storm surge is, it is about the high winds, coinciding with what would be high tides anyway. If you get that, you get really, really high levels. That can be changeable through the day. We are forecasting it as closely as we can. But its really important that people stay alert, because some of these high tides will happen very late through tonight. By lunchtime, east anglia was where the most severe warnings were in force. In Great Yarmouth, sandbags were being filled, ahead of tonights high tide. Further south in essex, a Reception Centre has been opened after a decision was made to evacuate people from their homes injaywick, mistley and west mersea. Have a look at individual situation, take some steps around planning and preparation. That could be bringing additional clothes, or looking at your medication. And really listen to what we are saying, which is try and use the facilities down here in the Education Centre injaywick, or make plans to stay with friends and relatives. People are being urged not to be complacent about the situation through tonight and into tomorrow. One noticeable thing over the last few hours is that the northerly winds have got a lot stronger. That is one of the factors involved here. Will that strong wind push the high tides over the Flood Defences . The high tide times vary depending on where you are on the east coast. Its these key times, where it could flood. Grimsby tonight, high tide 6. 5pm. Skegness, 6. Aspm. Atjaywick and clacton, about 12. 30am. People are encouraged to stay alert whats going on around them with floodwaters. Danny thank you. Snow, ice and high winds have battered much of the uk, Causing Travel Problems and School Closures in some areas. Our Correspondent Helena Lee reports. Heavy snow in some parts of the Scottish Borders meant driving conditions were difficult. Up to seven inches of snow fell in parts of scotland overnight. In newcastle, on the a19, traffic came to a standstill, with thick snow on the road. For others, it was even worse. Impossible conditions led to cars being abandoned. In the village of battle in east sussex, icy roads meant Emergency Services were dealing with cars which had come off the road. In canterbury, Icy Pavements Made The School Run this morning a challenge. Across parts of the country, dozens of schools were shut because of the bad weather. For those who didnt have to travel, the snow brought much excitement to younger people, and left many parts of the country enjoying some beautiful scenes. Helena lee, bbc news. Well, lets get more from some of the worst affected areas. In a moment, well speak to our correspondents in Great Yarmouth, in norfolk, and the lickey hills in worcestershire, but first to sophie long whos in clacton in essex. Sophie, how are things where are you . Well, the wind is blowing very strongly here at the moment. The snow and sleet has stopped. Theres also a bit of sunshine, which is helpful for those people evacuating their homes. Essex police triggered a full evacuation plan notjust here this morning, but for mistily and west mersea as well. Some are heeding those warnings. Weve watched people pack vans and drive away from their properties along the seafront here. Theres a Large Police Presence in the area at the moment. They are stopping the public from driving along this coast road. Some people, though, seem to be quite relaxed about the situation. Theres a number of people who are still in their homes, just metres from the sea wall. Theyre not showing any signs of going anywhere at the moment. I spoke to one man a moment ago who said, it wont come over the sea wall. Itjust wont. The Environment Agency has been clear, though it was good news this morning, the high tide here wasnt as high as it had been expected, they say tonights high tide, which is due herejust they say tonights high tide, which is due here just after midnight, could be much higher. The police here are urging people to comply with their instructions saying it is much safer to evacuate now during Daylight Hours than it will be tonight. Thank you. Now to Great Yarmouth. How are things looking there . It has been snowing here. Its now raining very hard. The main problem here is a very veer flood warning, thats a danger to life. Because of a combination of high spring tides and winds that are due to reach up to 50, 60mph the the high tide is expected here at 9. 15pm. The authorities have already started to evacuate 5,000 homes, each home which could be affected will be visited by the police or the military. Behind me, the council have set up a sandbagging area, where people can get free sand and bags for their homes. Many of those people have told me that they have moved carpets, furniture and pets u psta i rs moved carpets, furniture and pets upstairs ready for the water. An Evacuation Centre was set up about an hourago Evacuation Centre was set up about an hour ago for those people to go. To the hope to go to. The hope is those strong winds dont arrive. Debbie thank you. Phil mackie is in the lickey hills in worcestershire. A lot of snow earlier, but it looks like its disappearing . Yeah, if youre a snow fan you wont like the pictures. Its been rapidly melting in the last couple of hours. Earlier today this was covered in snow. There was a good covering. People we re there was a good covering. People were out on their sledges enjoying it, taking the dogs for a walk as well. Good views of worcestershire, the Black Country and birmingham as well, snow pretty much everywhere on the ground. Never enough to cause great disruption. In staffordshire, 100 schools were shut. Power lines we re 100 schools were shut. Power lines were down, partly because of the very strong winds. There is obviously a warning of ice to come tonight and tomorrow morning. But at the moment, certainly, things are not as bad as they might have appeared to have been earlier on. Its actually been quite a nice day, if youre a snow fan. Certainly this morning when the sun was out and the snow was covering the ground, it was very, very picturesque, picture pretty and the sledges were out in force. They will have been packed away as the snow has torted to started to melt. Phil, many thanks. You can keep up with the story throughout the afternoon on the bbc news channel, online and also with your bbc local Radio Station. The labour mp Tristram Hunt is resigning to become the director of the victoria and albert museum. Hes represented stoke on Trent Central since 2010. In a letter to local party members, the former education spokesman, who resigned from the Shadow Cabinet whenJeremy Corbyn was elected leader of the party, said serving in parliament had been both deeply rewarding and intensely frustrating. Lets speak our Political Correspondent carole walker. He was a big figure in the party, how significant is his departure . It isa it is a big loss to the labour party. Tristram hunt is somebody who was well known, engaging, charismatic. I think his departure isa charismatic. I think his departure is a further sign of the disillusioned there is amongst many labour mps who dont shareJeremy Corbyns views. And it poses a big challenge for the Labour Leader whos going to have to fight a difficult by election. Tristram hunt in that Resignation Letter says hes not trying to rock the boat, he stresses how the new role at the fee and a will enable him to combine his passions for education, Public Engagement and so on v a. He says he feels frustration that now labour is out of power, hes not able to do as much as he would like to tackle inequality and poverty. In past Tristram Hunt has been hugely critical ofJeremy Corbyn. Mr hunt was shadow education spokesman, he stood down whenJeremy Corbyn became the Labour Leader. He said, after the Labour Leader. He said, after the Eu Referendum in the summer, that he feltJeremy Corbyn had simply failed to inject Labour Values into the debate, and he said that frankly labour voters need a new Labour Leader. The challenge for Jeremy Corbyn will be to see whether he can hold onto this seat. It is an urban working class eat. Ukip edged into second place, they will fancy chances here. The question for Jeremy Corbyn is whether he can hold onto this traditional seat and restore his party s fortunes. Our top story this lunchtime. Nhs figures show nearly half the hospitals in england declared a major alert in the first week of this year. And still to come, how the evolution of Killer Whales may hold the