‘Serial dad’ has 40 kids by 20 women

'Deadbeat dad' ... Mike Holpin, 56, has at least 40 children by 20 different women. Picture: Channel 15 Source: Supplied

RECOVERING alcoholic Mike Holpin has at least 40 children by 20 different women — but can't remember their names.

With 22 kids that carry his surname, 18 who don't and "probably a few more" out there, the 56-year-old keeps track of his offspring by tattooing their names across his back.

"I'm as fertile as sin," said the serial dad, whose kids are aged between three and 37. "I don't believe in contraception and I love sex."

Dubbed "Britain's most feckless father", Holpin insists he loves all his children even though some don't talk to him and most were removed by children's services.

"Due to my drinking and my womanising, most of my kids have gone through the care system," Holpin, who has been sober for five years, told Channel 5's 40 Kids by 20 Women.

"It makes me feel like s**t because they've suffered. They [social services] took them from me because I'm an alcoholic."

Family tree ... Mike Holpin keeps track of his kids by tattooing their names across his back. Picture: Channel 5 Source: Supplied

Holpin said losing his kids has been his biggest regret and he wants to reunite his huge brood.

"When they went into care, I made a promise that no matter how long it took, I will get my kids home," he said.

"I miss all the fun we used to have so I guess getting them back, my life will be set. My life will be perfect."

But that's not all — the baby-maker wants even more children with his fiancee Diane.

"I'm only 56. I'll never stop [having children]. Never stop. In the Bible, God says go forth and multiply. I'm doing what God wants," Holpin said.

Womaniser ... Mike Holpin says he's had only six serious relationships. Picture: Facebook/Mark Holpin Source: Supplied

Recovering alcoholic ... Mike Holpin says he's been sober for five years. Picture: Facebook/Mark Holpin Source: Supplied

Since his first sexual experience aged nine, Holpin has had a plethora girlfriends but only six serious relationships.

He said his first children were born in his late teens when he worked at a fairground.

"Boys working on rides like that, they're only there for one reason and that's to pull women. Good looking boys are better but funny boys are spectacular," he said.

"You have to do some manoeuvring but me, I thought, I just want sex. I'd pat them on the rump and if they say f**k off then they're not really up for it. If they say yes, then great."

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The bird stopping Australia’s biggest coal mine

This Finch, no larger than a cricket ball, could derail plans to build the biggest coal mine in Australia. Source: Supplied

A BIRD no larger than a cricket ball could derail plans to build the biggest coal mine in Australia.

A legal challenge to Indian giant Adani's plans for the $16.5 billion Carmichael mine by environment group Coast and Country began in the Land Court of Queensland on Tuesday.

If approved, the project would extract at least 50 million tonnes of coal a year from the Galilee Basin and export it through the Abbot Point coal terminal, north of Bowen.

"The environmental harm it will cause, or is at risk of causing, will be correspondingly great," lawyer Saul Holt QC, for Coast and Country, told the court.

The case will put the spotlight on environmental and economic concerns, including the plight of the endangered Black-Throated Finch.

The one species that could change the face of mining: A Black-throated Finch. Source: Supplied

Map showing the location of the proposed Carmichael mine near Bowen and Mackay in Queensland. Source: Adani Source: Supplied

"If this mine goes ahead ... there is a high likelihood of species-threatening harm to the world's most significant population of the endangered Black-Throated Finch," Mr Holt said.

"As an environmental issue and risk, it is of the first order and it will be treated as such."

The mine would also have an effect on the threatened Waxy Cabbage Palm and may dry up the nearby Doongmabulla Springs, opponents argue.

The Abbot Point coal terminal. Photographer: Liam Kidston Source: News Corp Australia

But lawyer Peter Ambrose, for Adani, defended the company's environmental modelling and previewed evidence by a range of experts in his opening address.

The company accepts there has been a serious decline in finch populations — which Mr Holt said was 80 per cent since the 1980s. But Adani pointed to offset and management plans that would "provide appropriate controls on the environmental impact".

In exchange for the 9789 hectares of habitat that would be affected by the mine, there was an offset area of 30,999ha, Mr Ambrose said.

"The applicant's evidence is they don't have to move too far, as the offset areas are right beside where they are known to breed."

Mr Ambrose cited estimates the mine could produce net economic benefits of between $18.6 billion and $22.8 billion.

There has been a serious decline in finch populations — which lawyer Saul Holt QC, for Coast and Country, said was 80 per cent since the 1980s. Source: Supplied

But Mr Holt said the project would also contribute to the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef through a contribution to climate change.

Adani's witnesses will argue that thermal coal use is generated by demand — not supply — and electricity generators would find alternative sources of coal if the mine does not go ahead.

Therefore, Adani argues, there will be no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

The project would also contribute to the degradation of the Great Barrier Reef through a contribution to climate change, lawyers argue. Picture: Sarah Lai Source: AFP

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Surf’s up on this NT river

Darwin Barra Crab fishing tours filmed this tidal bore hitting their boat on the Daly River in the Northern Territory. Courtesy: MultiRiver01

A FISHING charter group has caught on camera a rare event that sees a single wave push hundreds of kilometres up a river.

Carl Skyring of Darwin Barra and Crab was on the Daly River on March 24 when he caught the wave, known as a tidal bore, on camera.

A tidal bore is a phenomenon where the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave of water that travels up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the river or bay's current.

The Daly is believed to be one of just three locations where tidal bores regularly occur in Australia.

Mr Skyring said he has seen tidal bores several times before in the Daly, but this one was different.

"You don't normally see them this early in the year," he said.

"You usually see them about May when the water levels start to drop."

This one was filmed on March 24. On that day, a 1.7m low tide was recorded at 2.45pm, before a 7.1m high tide at 8.40pm.

Mr Skyring said when he had seen them in the past, they were just "swells that passed harmlessly under the boat".

"This was the first time I had seen one break," he said.

In China, locals and tourists gather along the banks of the Qiantang River every year to witness one of the most powerful bores in the world.

It often reaches more than 9m in height and speeds of more than 40km/h, and attracts many surfers who attempt to ride the waves up the river.

In 2014, many were injured as the bore was stronger than usual due to the effects of a supermoon.

Originally published as Surf's up on this NT river

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Militants take prosecutor hostage

Turkish special forces enter courthouse to evacuate the building where an Istanbul prosecutor is being held at gunpoint by a far-left Turkish group with demands -- authorities. Gavino Garay reports.

Hostage situation ... police and emergency services outside a courthouse where a prosecutor is being held at gunpoint in Istanbul. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

MEMBERS of a banned leftist group have taken a chief prosecutor hostage in his office inside a courthouse in Istanbul.

The state-run Anadolu Agency and state television, TRT, identified the prosecutor as Mehmet Selim Kiraz, who was investigating the death of a teenager who was hit by a police gas canister fired during nationwide anti-government protests in 2013.

A website close to the left-wing DHKP-C group said that militants from the banned organisation had taken the prosecutor hostage at midday on Tuesday (8pm AEDT) and had given authorities three hours to meet five demands, including forcing policemen held responsible for the teenager's killing to confess the death.

Shocking ... a militant holds a gun to the head of prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz. AFP Source: AFP

The group also demanded that the policemen be tried by "peoples' courts" and for court officials to drop prosecutions or investigations against people who took part in protests denouncing the boy's death.

The website showed a picture of someone holding a gun to Mr Kiraz's head with posters from the group in the background.

Police said negotiators were speaking to two militants in attempts to end the standoff.

Standoff ... Turkish special forces take position in front of the courthouse. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

"There is no problem concerning any of our colleagues. Our negotiators and Umit Kocasakal, the head of the Istanbul Bar Association, are talking to the militants," Istanbul Police Chief Selami Altunok said.

"We are trying to resolve the issue without anyone being hurt," he said.

The private Dogan news agency said some shots were fired inside earlier in the incident.

Politically motivated ... the prosecutor had been probing the politically sensitive death of an anti-government protester. AFP Source: AFP

Mr Dogan said police special forces had entered the building, which was evacuated. It was not clear how the assailants sneaked the arms in to the courthouse.

The DHKP-C, which seeks a socialist state, is considered as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the European Union.

The group has carried out sporadic attacks, including a suicide bombing on the US embassy in 2013 that killed a security guard. The group was more active in the 1970s.

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Can Samsung’s GS6 win back the fans?

Makeover ... Samsung unveils their best phone yet. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

THIS is not the story of a minor makeover.

Samsung is not just giving its flagship Galaxy smartphone a new hat, removing its spectacles, letting down its hair, and adding make-up.

The technology giant has thoroughly overhauled what was once the world's best-selling handset, swapping plastic for metal and glass, utility for sophistication, and upgrading some of its biggest features, including its camera, fingerprint sensor, screen, and power.

Samsung has evidently thrown everything at this phone in an attempt to keep users, win back Apple iPhone swappers, and convince others to upgrade.

The result is slick enough to work ... if you can just overlook some compromises made in the transition.

Below is an early review of the phones Samsung wants you to call upon when they launch in Australia on April 10.

NEW LOOK

There's no getting around it. Samsung's Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have had serious surgery.

Toughened glass replaces plastic on the front and back of the devices, framed by curved aluminium.

Its finishes are flawless, with no sharp edge or gap.

To emphasise its new appearance, Samsung has added metallic colouring behind the glass that changes colour in the light.

Sleek ... Samsung has created a sexy new shape for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

The result is striking and far more sophisticated than past efforts. Put this handset beside a Galaxy S5 and at least five years appear to have passed between them.

The S6 and S6 Edge are clearly their own phones that stay true to Samsung styling despite the overhaul. The Edge offers a unique 5.1-inch screen that curves over both sides, and somehow makes the phone feel significantly thinner and lighter than the 6g weight difference.

Screens on both phones offer an unprecedented resolution of 577 pixels per inch that looks sharp even under the closest inspection.

Despite this, there's no mistaking the Apple influence in these phones. The bottom edge of both S6 models share more than a passing resemblance to the base of the iPhone 6. The curved metal border appears to have snuck out of the iPhone factory when heads were turned.

This will not disadvantage users, of course, but might add urgency to its purchase, lest lawsuits start flying.

SHARP SHOOTER

On paper, this phone's main camera isn't remarkably different.

It retains a 16-megapixel resolution, sits in the same location, and is accompanied by an LED flash.

Why, then, are its photos so much better?

First, its lens is new. The GS6 now has an f1.9 lens that lets more light on to its image sensor and delivers greater image depth.

Second, Samsung has added a new Quick Launch shortcut for the camera. Double-click the Home button and the camera starts in 0.7 seconds, stopping the swipe-up fumble from the previous model.

Third, it steals more features from dedicated cameras. Optical image stabilisation features in this phone camera, as does object tracking, live High Dynamic Range (HDR) previews, and more manual settings that let users choose a focal range, a white balance, an ISO rating, and more.

These three additions deliver significantly better photos, even when compared to the Galaxy Note 4 released just months ago.

Low-light photos in particular benefit from the new lens, but even photos taken in bright light appear crisper, and corporate users will appreciate that its double-tap shortcut can be used even from a locked screen.

This camera also captures 4K video which, while it might seem like overkill now, helps future-proof the device.

The camera lens does protrude from the rear of the phone's body, and it doesn't quite match the megapixel count of its HTC One M9 rival, but this phone camera is more reliable and quicker on the draw.

Crisp ... The phone offers superior quality photographs thanks to a new lens and features that resemble an actual camera. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

HIDDEN UPGRADES

If you can look past the shiny exterior and improved camera, the S6 phones offer less obvious hardware upgrades and additions that may prove just as significant.

The fingerprint scanner that asked users to drag a fingertip over the home button — often repeatedly — is suddenly smarter. Now it requires just a touch to unlock the phone. It's a pleasant change that could save frustration (and stop Facebook jacking).

Wireless charging also debuts as a feature in this phone without the addition of a separate case. Users will need to buy an accessory to use it, unfortunately, but that could take the form of an Ikea table in future.

And, of course, there's the speed of this phone. Samsung has added its own octa-core chip to the S6 and S6 Edge, plus 3GB RAM. They combine to deliver record-setting benchmark results and, in the hand, responsive actions.

In our tests, the phones only slowed when processing 4K videos, as a laptop might do.

MORE AND LESS SOFTWARE

As Samsung often does, it's added handy shortcuts to Google Android Lollipop.

You can mute a phone call by covering its screen, or call the subject of a text message you're reading by raising the phone to your ear.

The Galaxy S6 Edge can also glow one of five different colours to indicate which of your five favourite contacts are calling.

Themes have also been added to this phone for the first time that change everything from the phone's background to the appearance of its icons. It's an idea ripped from Sony's playbook but one that can give your phone a quick, basic makeover (even though more options are needed).

A cheeky but useful Smart Switch app will also let iPhone users transfer iCloud data to their new Samsung phone.

But perhaps the best software change of all is the removal of some of its famous bloatware.

Many of Samsung's homemade apps are not automatically loaded to the device but are available for users to make their own choice.

The persistent icons in the dock can also be swapped as you wish, and you no longer have to press Edit every time you redesign your homescreen.

These may sound like small improvements, but lifting the iron fist of TouchWiz will ease frustration.

Verdict ... Samsung's overhauled handset is unlikely to disappoint. It's revolutionary. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

CONTROVERSIAL COMPROMISES

You can forget about that memory card. Samsung's new phones will no longer accept them.

In changing its materials and creating a slender 6.8mm or 7mm profile, Samsung has omitted space for additional memory.

It's a contentious decision that could prove a sticking point for some potential buyers, and it will force buyers into a $300 decision upfront.

The batteries in these phones are also locked in place — something Samsung once decried in its rivals.

These phones' flashy new bodies also fail to resist water like their predecessor, and the glass front and back, while sturdy and highly scratch-resistant, are fingerprint magnets that require regular wipe-downs.

Despite inarguable appeal, the curved borders of the S6 Edge are also under-utilised and deserve a greater showcase.

GALAXY S6 VERDICT

Samsung needed to produce something special in 2015, and something genuinely different.

With a full metal and glass jacket, enviable camera, wireless charging, speed boost, and less software bloating, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge fulfil both briefs.

Improvements to fingerprint sensors, simplified icons, transfer tools, and bigger batteries also prove the company is paying attention to its users.

Both phones have shortcomings, of course. They lack the water-resistant bodies, memory card slots, and removable batteries appreciated in past models.

Priced between $999 and $1449, Samsung's top model phones are also far from cheap, albeit not a dollar more than Apple's current iPhones.

If you can see past the storage swap, and afford the premium that goes with a premium phone, Samsung's overhauled handset is unlikely to disappoint. It's more revolutionary than evolutionary, and it deserves and audience.

Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge

5 / 5 stars

$999 — $1449

samsung.com/au

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Who is replacing Jon Stewart?

Funnyman ... Trevor Noah (pictured) will replace Jon Stewart as host of the Daily Show. Source: Supplied

SOUTH African comedian Trevor Noah has been named the new host of The Daily Show.

Noah, 31, will take over when current host Jon Stewart steps down after 12 years at the helm of the US satirical news program, the New York Times reports.

"You don't believe it for the first few hours," Noah told the newspaper from Dubai, describing receiving the news.

South African comedian Trevor Noah who is visiting for Just For Laughs Source: Supplied

"You need a stiff drink, and then unfortunately you're in a place where you can't really get alcohol."

Noah is a relative newcomer on the show, having appeared in only three segments since joining in December 2014. He beat out a list of possible replacements rumoured to have included Jason Jones, Samantha Bee, Tina Fey and Jessica Williams, according to various reports.

End of an era ... Jon Stewart is leaving the show after 12 years in the chair. Source: Supplied

"I'm thrilled for the show and for Trevor," Stewart said in a statement to the Times. "He's a tremendous comic and talent that we've loved working with."

He added that he "may rejoin as a correspondent just to be a part of it!!!"

Stewart, who announced his retirement in February, will leave The Daily Show sometime between July and the end of the year, Variety reports.

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Killer pilot suicidal, received psychotherapy

Andreas Lubitz, the young German co-pilot who authorities say locked himself in the cockpit of a Germanwings flight and flew it into the French Alps, trained in Arizona local media. Gavino Garay reports.

Andreas Lubitz takes part in the Airport Hamburg 10-mile run on September 13, 2009 in Hamburg, northern Germany. Source: AFP

GERMAN prosecutors say the co-pilot of the Germanwings passenger plane that crashed in the French Alps had received therapy for suicidal tendencies.

Dusseldorf prosecutors say that Andreas Lubitz received psychotherapy "with a note about suicidal tendencies" for several years before becoming a pilot.

"He was being treated by a psychotherapist for what is documented as being suicidal tendencies at that time," German state prosecutor Christoph Kumpa said.

He said there had also been several visits to doctors right up until the time of the crash but these did not involve suicidal tendencies.

No suicide note "or anything like that" was found in searches of Lubitz's German residences, Kumpa said.

"There was also nothing in his personal, family or professional background to provide any hints "about his motivation".

He also said that Lubitz had not been suffering from any "medical illness".

Prosecutors' spokesman Ralf Herrenbrueck said Monday that investigators have found no indication of a motive so far as to why Lubitz crashed the plane, nor any sign of a physical illness.

"We found no indications of co-pilot's motive for crashing Germanwings plane."

All 150 people on board died in the crash.

RELATED: AUSTRALIAN PILOTS UNHAPPY ABOUT 'RULE OF TWO'

RELATED: THE VICTIMS OF GERMANWINGS AIR DISASTER

RELATED: CO-PILOT 'WANTED TO DESTROY PLANE'

A general view of the University hospital were Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings co-pilot who flew his Airbus into a French mountainside, was treated. Picture: Patrik Stollarz Source: AFP

Lubitz taking part in the Airport Hamburg 10-mile run on September 13, 2009 in Hamburg, northern Germany. Source: AFP

Co-pilot of Germanwings flight 4U9525 Andreas Lubitz participates in the Frankfurt City Half-Marathon on March 14, 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany. Source: Getty Images

Details are emerging about Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz who 'intentionally' crashed the plane.

European investigators have been focusing on the psychological state of the 27-year-old German co-pilot who prosecutors say deliberately flew Germanwings Flight 9525 into a mountain, a French police official said.

Returning from a meeting with his counterparts in Germany, judicial police investigator Jean-Pierre Michel told The Associated Press that authorities want to find out "what could have destabilised Andreas Lubitz or driven him to such an act".

Flight 9525 last week crashed into a French Alps mountain near Le Vernet en route from Barcelona, Spain, to Dusseldorf, Germany.

"To have carried out such an act, it's clearly psychological," Michel said.

A general view of the University hospital were Andreas Lubitz had been treated. Picture: Patrik Stollarz Source: AFP

Lubitz participates in the Airport Hamburg 10-mile race on September 13, 2009 in Hamburg, Germany. Source: Getty Images

A general view of the house where in one of the flats lived Andreas Lubitz. Picture: Patrik Stollarz Source: AFP

Authorities are trying to understand what made Lubitz lock his captain out of the cockpit and ignore his pleas to open the door before manually ordering the plane to descend on what should have been a routine flight. To that end, they are speaking with people who knew and worked with Lubitz — such as co-workers, his employer, his doctors.

At the remote mountain crash site itself, French authorities were building a road to facilitate access to the site.

In the south-eastern city of Marseille, Germanwings chief operating officer Oliver Wagner was meeting with victims' relatives. A total of 325 family members have come to France, he told reporters.

Rescue workers and gendarmerie continue their search operation near the site of the Germanwings plane crash on March 29, 2015 in Seyne les Alpes, France. Picture: Thomas Lohnes Source: Getty Images

Recovery teams in the French Alps have reportedly found the DNA of plane crash co-pilot Andreas Lubitz.

Screen grab of Andreas Lubitz in 2007 training to be a pilot Source: No Source

French officials have refused to comment on a report in Germany's Bild am Sontag on an alleged transcript of the cockpit voice recorder that had the captain shouting: "For God's sake, open the door!"

Brice Robin, a state prosecutor in the south-eastern French city of Marseille, has said none of the bodies recovered so far have been identified, denying German media reports that Lubitz's body had been found.

Tests on the body of the co-pilot may provide clues about any medical treatment he was receiving. German prosecutors said Friday that Lubitz was hiding an illness and sick notes from a doctor for the day of the crash from his employer.

Wagner recalled a meeting in Haltern, Germany, last week with the parents of 16 high school students who had died in the crash, saying it was "certainly the saddest day of my life."

"They asked 'Why our children?"' he said. "We don't understand what has happened and why it has happened."

An Investigator carries a box out of a residential house Dusseldorf, western Germany, on March 26, where co-pilot Andreas Lubitz lived. Picture: Federico Gambarini Source: AFP

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. There is also an anonymous online chat service available between 8pm and 4am AEST at Lifeline.org.au, or visit Beyond Blue's website.

For crisis assistance, call 000.

Keaten reported from Paris. Adam Pemble contributed from Le Vernet, France.

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‘Up to two dead in NSA shooting’

'Shots fired' ... Maryland State Police block a highway entrance that accesses the National Security Agency. Picture: AP Source: AP

A SHOOTING erupted when a vehicle tried to ram an entrance gate to the US National Security Agency outside Washington, media reports say.

There were conflicting reports of up to two casualties.

Video imagery showed a crash-damaged police vehicle and a civilian vehicle outside a main gate of the super-secure headquarters of the NSA, the US intelligence agency that conducts electronic surveillance worldwide.

CNN reported that police in Anne Arundel, Maryland said one person was killed and another injured in the incident, but provided no other information.

Other reports said two people were injured in the incident.

There was no immediate comment from the NSA or the Pentagon.

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Heartless selfies at NY blast site

Shameless ... Amid the backdrop of fire, seven smiling women used a selfie stick to snap a cheery photo of themselves. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

At least two people were missing Friday after an explosion Thursday afternoon destroyed three buildings in New York City's East Village. WSJ's Jennifer Weiss reports. Photo: Nancy Borowick/Press Pool

SELF-ABSORBED sightseers are treating the New York's East Village gas-explosion site like a tourist attraction, shooting grinning selfies of themselves even as rescuers search for life in the ruins where two bodies might still be buried.

Amid the backdrop of the devastation wrought by the explosion, fire and collapse of three buildings that injured 25 people, seven smiling women used a selfie stick late on Friday to snap a cheery photo of themselves, reported the The New York Post.

"Disgusting beyond words," wrote a commenter on the local-news blog EV Grieve, which reposted the snap.

A pile of debris ... all that remains at the site of a building explosion in the East Village neighbourhood of New York. The powerful blast and fire sent flames soaring and debris flying around the city. Picture: AP Photo/The New York Times, Nancy Borowick Source: AP

"Take a look at these people. Remember their faces," wrote Diane DiDonato, of Brooklyn, on Facebook. "They don't deserve those smiles. People are dying behind them."

Others called it "disaster porn."

"It's heartless," said Maurice Herz, 83, of the East Village.

"THIS IS A TRAGEDY NOT A TOURIST ATTRACTION," one frustrated neighbour wrote in a sign taped to a front door on nearby 7th Street. "SHOW SOME RESPECT," the sign demanded.

Other selfie-snappers included Christina Freundlich, whose LinkedIn profile lists her as a communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party. She posted a grinning photo of herself at the scene giving the peace sign.

The image has since been deleted from her Instagram account.

Regretful post ... Chrstina Freundlich posted an Instagram near the security perimeter with the peace sign and caption "Scene of the Accident". Picture: Instagram Source: Supplied

"Too soon," one follower chided.

Ms Freundlich couldn't be reached for comment Saturday.

East Villager Pablo Fernandez wore a green "Elf" shirt and red and white leggings as he posed for photos near a barricade before his bachelor party.

"I'm totally ridiculous, but I'm not normally like this," Mr Fernandez said.

His pals shot a video of him dancing near the site.

"This is so we could send the pictures to our friends in Spain and say, 'Look what we did,' " said a friend who declined to give his name.

Jeanie Slade's disaster-site selfie showed her and a pal flashing open-mouthed grins and the hashtags "#beingtourists and "#weresocreepy."

Asked about the selfie by The Post, Ms Slade called it "satire."

"My heart goes out to the people of New York, and this satire post was in poor taste," she insisted. "My intention was to point out how many people post selfies in inappropriate times and it backfired."

Meanwhile, the grim work continued at the site Saturday, as 60 firefighters extinguished the remaining flames amid the search for survivors.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio visited an East Village firehouse to thank firefighters. He met with hero firefighter Michael Shepherd, who was off-duty but joined the search for people trapped.

"Your dad is a real hero," the mayor said to his son, Michael Patrick, 10.

"He's my hero," Mr Shepherd told the mayor of his son.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio meets firefighters at the site of a building explosion. Picture: AP Photo/The New York Times, Nancy Borowick Source: AP

The FDNY said it would take a week to go through the ruins, with first responders working around-the-clock while dogs sniff the debris.

"It's going to be slow and arduous to dig out, search through the rubble," FDNY Commissioner Dan Nigro said.

Two people — Nicholas Figueroa, 23, of Harlem, and Moises Locon, 27, of Elmhurst, Queens — were still missing Saturday. Mr Figueroa had been on a date with Theresa Galarza, 22, at the ground floor Sushi Park restaurant and was last seen going to get the check. The blast sent her flying across the street. Mr Locon had worked as a busboy at Sushi Park.

Missing ... Nicholas Figueroa is still missing. He was on the ground floor in a restaurant at the time of the explosion. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Red Cross workers comforted his distraught brother, Zacharias, at the scene on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Con Ed said that on August 6, a meter reader discovered that the gas line in the Sushi restaurant at 121 Second Ave. — that seven months later erupted in a fireball — had been improperly tampered with.

Spokesman Allan Drury said the resulting leaks caused the utility to determine the situation was "hazardous'' — so it cut off all gas to the building for some 10 days.

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Thirsty Warnie’s hall of shame

Shane Warne doing what he does best. Source: Splash News Australia

IF ANYONE knows a thing or two about a post-win skol, it's our Warnie.

While the former World Cup champion might have given up the baggy greens, he's still stirring the pot (or was that brew?) on the field after his latest interrogation of the Australian cricket team, where no less than three times did Warnie bring up the topic of a night on the booze after the team's glorious World Cup win.

"Are you feeling thirsty?," he asked wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Then he moved to batsman Steve Smith.

"Are you going to have a bit of a drink tonight too Smitty? Are you going to get thirsty as well? The boys are thirsty they seem."

And just when you thought it was over ...

"So what's the plan — besides lots of drink and that," he asked Shane Watson and Josh Hazlewood.

"How long is that going to last. Just one night, two nights? We saw (coach) Darren Lehmann say it might last a week. Do you reckon it will go a bit longer than that?"

And while the real reaction came from Twitter, we're here to heed a warning, boys, it's all fun and games — until the camera comes out.

Take note, fellas.

RELATED: FULL COVERAGE OF AUSTRALIA'S WORLD CUP WIN

RELATED: BRAD HADDIN SMASHED FOR EXUBERANT SEND OFF

Full ... Warnie swigs champagne from a bottle on the Old Trafford balcony during a celebration of Australia's win over England in the July 1997 Ashes series. Source: News Corp Australia

Beer in the ear: Warnie celebrates by sticking a beer bottle in his ear after Australia retained the Ashes. Source: News Limited

Warnie and Allan Border are sprayed with beer after winning against the West Indies in Melbourne on December 30, 1992. Picture: Peter Barnes Source: News Corp Australia

He's certainly ... ahem ... changed his look over the years. Source: News Limited

The Simone days: Warnie with now-ex-wife Simone at release of his wine collection in 2002. Source: News Limited

For a hard earned thirst, you need a big cold beer. Right, Warnie? Source: News Limited

He'll drink anything: Warne poses with a glass of wine during a break in the first test of the Pakistan v Australia series in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2002. Picture: Phil Hillyard. Source: News Corp Australia

1996: Australian players give David Boon a 'beer shower' for the last time after a third test victory against Sri Lanka. Source: News Corp Australia

New wine, new look. Source: News Corp Australia

The 'metrosexual' transformation began in 2002. Source: News Limited

There's something very disturbing about this. Source: News Limited

Originally published as Thirsty Warnie's hall of shame

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Frantic captain heard on black box

The Germanwings co-pilot who 'deliberately' crashed the plane sought psychiatric help for depression in 2009

Investigation continues ... the personal life of Andreas Lubitz is being carefully looked at. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

• Black box reveals pilot shouting, passengers screaming
• Co-pilot 'feared vision problems would ground him'
• DNA found from 78 victims
• Girlfriend of crash co-pilot reportedly pregnant

THE captain of the passenger jet that is believed to have been deliberately crashed into the French Alps reportedly shouted at the co-pilot to 'open the damn door' as he desperately tried to get into the locked cockpit.

French officials say the plane's black box voice recorder indicates that Andreas Lubitz locked the captain out of the cockpit of the Germanwings jet and steered the flight into a mountainside, killing all 150 people on board.

They believe that the captain, Patrick Sondheimer, tried desperately to reopen the door during the Barcelona to Dusseldorf flight's eight-minute descent after he left to use the toilet.

Forensic work ... Most body parts were being winched up to helicopters before being transported to a lab in the nearby town of Seynes. Picture: AFP/Anne-Christine Poujoulat Source: AFP

The German mass-circulation Bild's Sunday edition reported that data from the cockpit recorder showed the captain shouted "For God's sake, open the door", as passengers' screams could be heard in the background.

It said "loud metallic blows" against the cockpit door could then be heard, before another warning alarm went off and then the pilot is heard to scream to a silent Lubitz in the cockpit "open the damn door".

Bild said that, earlier in Tuesday's flight, the captain was heard explaining to his colleague that he had not had time to go to the toilet before takeoff.

Prayers ... a priest prepares a ceremony for victims of the crash, at Notre-Dame-du-bourg Cathedral. Picture: AFP/Jeff Pachoud Source: AFP

Lubitz 'hid illness from employers'

As investigators seek to build up a picture of Lubitz and any possible motives, media reports have emerged that he suffered from eye problems, adding to earlier reports he was severely depressed.

German prosecutors believe Lubitz hid an illness from his airline but have not specified the ailment, and said he had apparently been written off sick on the day the Airbus crashed.

Bild and the New York Times, citing two officials with knowledge of the investigation, said Lubitz had sought treatment for problems with his sight.

The 27-year-old had been hospitalised as late as a fortnight ago with authorities not ruling out his eyes issue were psychosomatic.

Troubled man ... Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of the doomed Germanwings airliner. Picture: Wolfgang Nass/BILD Source: Supplied

Revelations by his ex-lover, a flight attendant identified under the assumed name Maria W, that he was a tormented man and increasingly becoming erratic was prompted by his fear his mental and eye health for which he was receiving psychiatric and neurological treatment may deem him unfit to fly.

The problem is thought to be a retinal detachment, Bild said.

Authorities have found several torn up sick notes in his Dusseldorf apartment that excused him from work but apparently were never given to his bosses.

Girlfriend rumoured to be pregnant

Bild also reported that Lubitz's girlfriend, with whom he lived in the western city of Dusseldorf, was believed to be pregnant.

It gave no sources but said the teacher, who taught maths and English, had told pupils a few weeks ago she was expecting a baby.

It came as new claims suggest Andreas Lubitz was obsessed with the Alps and specifically the southern region which he would later crash his Germanwings flight into, having flown gliders over the area years earlier.

Distraught ... Lubitz's father is a "broken man", say mayor Bernard Bartolini, who governs the town next to the crash site. Mr Bartolini spoke to the copilot's father at a memorial for relatives on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Bad eyesight ... Andreas Lubitz was reportedly suffering from deteriorating eyesight. Picture: AFP Photo, Team Mueller Source: AFP

Another woman, Maria W, dated Lubitz for five months last year but broke it off because she felt he was not right, was volatile and had a temper. He had been in a previous long-term relationship of several years with a woman he met at Burger King where they both worked in 2008 in Montabaur in Germany and since Maria had been dating another flight attendant.

Remote terrain ... Chasseurs Alpins rescuers, the elite mountain infantry of the French Army, working at the crash site. Picture: AFP/Francis Pellier Source: AFP

Unprecedented difficulty ... some of the recovery work has to be performed by abseiling. Picture: AFP/Francis Pellier Source: AFP

'During conversations he'd suddenly throw a tantrum and scream at me," Maria said. "I was afraid. He even once locked me in the bathroom for a long time."

She said after she had heard about the crash she recalled a conversation Lubitz had with her.

"When I heard about the crash, there was just a tape playing in my head of what he said: 'One day I will do something that will change the system and everyone will then know my name and remember me'," she recalled

"I did not know what he meant by that at the time, but now it's clear."

"The torn up sick notes make sense now to me and were a clear sign that he did not want to admit that his big dream of flying as a captain was over," Maria said.

Evidence found ... sick notes saying Lubitz was unfit to fly were found in his home. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

DNA found from 78 crash victims

Investigators have faced a huge task in trying to recover bodies and search for a second 'black box' at the site, which is extremely hard to access and has required specialist mountain police to accompany search teams.

"We haven't found a single body intact," said Patrick Touron, deputy director of the police's criminal research institute.

He said the difficulty of the recovery mission was "unprecedented".

"We have slopes of 40 to 60 degrees, falling rocks, and ground that tends to crumble," said Touron.

"Some things have to be done by abseiling."

Helicopters have been going back and forth to the nearby town of Seynes - around 60 trips a day.

"Since safety is key, the recovery process is a bit slow, which is a great regret," Touron said.

Most body parts were being winched up to helicopters before being transported to a lab in the nearby town of Seynes where a 50-strong team of forensic doctors and dentists and police identification specialists is working.

Between 400 and 600 body parts were currently being examined, Touron said.

Reflection ... relatives and members of emergency services at a makeshift monument to honour the victims of Germanwings flight 4U9525, near the crash site. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Hundreds show solidarity at service

At the Notre-Dame-du-Bourg Cathedral, 40km from the crash site, several hundred parishioners from the district as well as members of the French and Spanish branches of the Red Cross - dispatched to assist those distressed by the incident - prayed for the victims and their families.

150 candles were lit and prayers offered for each of the passengers and crew, including Lubitz.

The Digne archbishop spoke to people's feelings of grief and confusion about the tragedy.

"We are in deep distress, plunged into sadness, unable to understand, and have strong feelings of unfairness," archbishop Jean-Philippe Nault, told some 500 faithful.

He said they had come "to express their friendship" for the families and friends of those killed on board the Airbus A320 travelling from Barcelona to Dusseldorf when it went down.

Elements of the service were given by priests from Spain and Germany in their native tongue.

One parishioner Franciscan Convent nun Sister Rosilda said it was important to attend and show solidarity.

'Plunged into sadness' ... the Digne archbishop spoke to people's feelings of grief and confusion about the tragedy. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: News Corp Australia

"We cannot understand this pilot and why he did this," she said. "But we pray for the families, the victims and the pilot as well."

A father's pain

The father of one of the victims who visited a memorial near the crash site in the village of Le Vernet said airlines to take greater care over pilots' welfare.

Philip Bramley's 28-year-old son Paul died in the crash.

"I believe the airlines should be more transparent and our finest pilots looked after properly," Mr Bramley, from Hull in northern England said yesterday. "We put our lives and our children's lives in their hands. "What is relevant, is that it should never happen again; my son and everyone on that plane should not be forgotten, ever."

Lubitz had frequented a gliding club near the crash site as a child with his parents.

Challenging ... a 50-strong team of forensic doctors and dentists and police identification specialists is working on victim identification. Picture: AFP/Gendarmerie Nationale Source: AFP

According to Francis Kefer, a member of the club in the town of Sisteron about 50km from the crash site, Lubitz and other members of his German glider club visited the region regularly between 1996 and 2003.

When Lubitz crashed he would have flown over the peaks and major turning points for gliders that he would have done years earlier in his glider.

Boyhood dream to fly ... The LSC Westerwald aviation club where Lubitz was a member. Picture: AFP/Roberto Pfeil Source: AFP

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Nothing about this should inspire a selfie

Shameless ... Amid the backdrop of fire, seven smiling women used a selfie stick to snap a cheery photo of themselves. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

At least two people were missing Friday after an explosion Thursday afternoon destroyed three buildings in New York City's East Village. WSJ's Jennifer Weiss reports. Photo: Nancy Borowick/Press Pool

SELF-ABSORBED sightseers are treating the New York's East Village gas-explosion site like a tourist attraction, shooting grinning selfies of themselves even as rescuers search for life in the ruins where two bodies might still be buried.

Amid the backdrop of the devastation wrought by the explosion, fire and collapse of three buildings that injured 25 people, seven smiling women used a selfie stick late on Friday to snap a cheery photo of themselves, reported the The New York Post.

"Disgusting beyond words," wrote a commenter on the local-news blog EV Grieve, which reposted the snap.

A pile of debris ... all that remains at the site of a building explosion in the East Village neighbourhood of New York. The powerful blast and fire sent flames soaring and debris flying around the city. Picture: AP Photo/The New York Times, Nancy Borowick Source: AP

"Take a look at these people. Remember their faces," wrote Diane DiDonato, of Brooklyn, on Facebook. "They don't deserve those smiles. People are dying behind them."

Others called it "disaster porn."

"It's heartless," said Maurice Herz, 83, of the East Village.

"THIS IS A TRAGEDY NOT A TOURIST ATTRACTION," one frustrated neighbour wrote in a sign taped to a front door on nearby 7th Street. "SHOW SOME RESPECT," the sign demanded.

Other selfie-snappers included Christina Freundlich, whose LinkedIn profile lists her as a communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party. She posted a grinning photo of herself at the scene giving the peace sign.

The image has since been deleted from her Instagram account.

Regretful post ... Chrstina Freundlich posted an Instagram near the security perimeter with the peace sign and caption "Scene of the Accident". Picture: Instagram Source: Supplied

"Too soon," one follower chided.

Ms Freundlich couldn't be reached for comment Saturday.

East Villager Pablo Fernandez wore a green "Elf" shirt and red and white leggings as he posed for photos near a barricade before his bachelor party.

"I'm totally ridiculous, but I'm not normally like this," Mr Fernandez said.

His pals shot a video of him dancing near the site.

"This is so we could send the pictures to our friends in Spain and say, 'Look what we did,' " said a friend who declined to give his name.

Jeanie Slade's disaster-site selfie showed her and a pal flashing open-mouthed grins and the hashtags "#beingtourists and "#weresocreepy."

Asked about the selfie by The Post, Ms Slade called it "satire."

"My heart goes out to the people of New York, and this satire post was in poor taste," she insisted. "My intention was to point out how many people post selfies in inappropriate times and it backfired."

Meanwhile, the grim work continued at the site Saturday, as 60 firefighters extinguished the remaining flames amid the search for survivors.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio visited an East Village firehouse to thank firefighters. He met with hero firefighter Michael Shepherd, who was off-duty but joined the search for people trapped.

"Your dad is a real hero," the mayor said to his son, Michael Patrick, 10.

"He's my hero," Mr Shepherd told the mayor of his son.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio meets firefighters at the site of a building explosion. Picture: AP Photo/The New York Times, Nancy Borowick Source: AP

The FDNY said it would take a week to go through the ruins, with first responders working around-the-clock while dogs sniff the debris.

"It's going to be slow and arduous to dig out, search through the rubble," FDNY Commissioner Dan Nigro said.

Two people — Nicholas Figueroa, 23, of Harlem, and Moises Locon, 27, of Elmhurst, Queens — were still missing Saturday. Mr Figueroa had been on a date with Theresa Galarza, 22, at the ground floor Sushi Park restaurant and was last seen going to get the check. The blast sent her flying across the street. Mr Locon had worked as a busboy at Sushi Park.

Missing ... Nicholas Figueroa is still missing. He was on the ground floor in a restaurant at the time of the explosion. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Red Cross workers comforted his distraught brother, Zacharias, at the scene on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Con Ed said that on August 6, a meter reader discovered that the gas line in the Sushi restaurant at 121 Second Ave. — that seven months later erupted in a fireball — had been improperly tampered with.

Spokesman Allan Drury said the resulting leaks caused the utility to determine the situation was "hazardous'' — so it cut off all gas to the building for some 10 days.

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‘It gets in the way every single day’

Before and after ... Brian Flemming is barely recognisable after losing nearly 180kgs. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

AN ALCOHOLIC who tipped the scales at 283kgs has incredibly shed more than half his weight — but now needs help with the final stage of his journey.

Two years ago, Brian Flemming ate up to 5000 calories a day, suffered from depression and could barely walk up a flight of stairs.

But after a chance meeting with a British woman, the 32-year-old turned his life around.

The Michigan resident has lost a staggering 166kgs, but is desperate to shed about 13kgs in excess skin.

Mr Flemming has turned to crowdsourcing website GoFundMe, seeking $22,000 ($28,000) in donations to pay for his surgery.

"It's a constant reminder of my past and it gets in my way every single day," Mr Flemming told Mail Online.

Brian Flemming needs help to lose the weight. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Brian Flemming wants to shed the excess skin. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Mr Flemming's incredible transformation began in 2012, according to his GoFundMe profile.

Depressed and lonely, the then 30-year-old ate was eating double cheeseburger meals with nuggets, washed down with a litre of vodka and soft drink every night.

He also spent most of his time playing video games and watching TV.

But in August of that year, the uni dropout began playing an online game called Draw Something where he met Jackie Eastham, from London.

The two became good friends and Ms Eastham, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, pushed Mr Flemming to change his life.

"Jackie and I had grown to be very good friends. I was expecting sympathy from her, but what I got surprised me. She was angry with me," Mr Flemming said, according to GoFundMe.

"She told me that I was wasting my life and that I should be ashamed that I was throwing it away when there are so many people out there who are fighting to stay alive.

"Jackie has myotonic muscular dystrophy and has to stay very healthy in order to keep her symptoms in check. She seemed to be losing patience with me and I was afraid I was going to lose her. Soon after that, I decided to quit drinking. I quit cold-turkey."

Brian Flemming getting in shape. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Brian Flemming before. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Unhealthy ... Brian Flemming tipped the scales at 283kg. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

After getting sober, Mr Flemming began exercising.

He went from walking on the spot in his own home to hitting the pavement outside.

In July 2013, Mr Flemming walked his first half-marathon.

"I was in a good deal of pain, but it didn't matter to me. It was a milestone, and I was determined to hit it," he said.

Not long after that, he dusted off his dad's old mountain bike and used it to travel to work.

When he got down to 136kgs, he started running.

Brian Flemming jogs regularly. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Cycling is part of Brian Flemming's exercise routine. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Today, Mr Flemming is down to 117kg, his depression has "subsided" and he wants to become a therapist specialising in weight loss and anxiety.

"This has been the best year of my life. For once, things are looking up. I used to tell Jackie about how all of this feels like a dream and that it never actually happened. She just says that this is me living my life now and that I need to get used to it," he said.

"I sometimes look in the mirror and don't recognise the guy I see. It has all been a bit overwhelming, in a good way.

"Life is good, and I look forward to living it for much longer now."

New love ... Brian Flemming with his friend, Jackie Eastham. Picture: Gofundme.com/brianflemming Source: Supplied

Read more about Brian Flemming's journey at GoFundMe.

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Coalition returned to power

Mike Baird delivered his victory speech to chants of 'four more years' after being returned as NSW Premier despite an overall swing of about nine percent.

Voting is underway across NSW with the latest poll showing Premier Mike Baird is set for a convincing win.

Premier Mike Baird goes head to head with Labor challenger Luke Foley today. Source: News Corp Australia

NSW has handed a decisive victory to Mike Baird who will be returned to power with a healthy majority.

Here are the latest live updates.

12:28am — What happened in the key seats?

Celebrations are happening across NSW for those backed in by their constituents. As counting continues, a number of key seats have been settled.

Auburn was retained by Opposition Leader Luke Foley who earlier said he would stay on as leader and contest the next election.

Ballina turned Green when Tamara Smith wrestled control from Nationals MP Don Page.

The most marginal seat in NSW, East Hills, is likely to go to the Liberals despite a fight from Labor candidate Cameron Murphy.

Balmain Greens MP Jamie Parker appears to have done enough to hold off former Labor MP Verity Firth in a tight race.

The Blue Mountains seat went to Labor's Trish Doyle, Lismore went to the Greens and Lakemba was retained by Labor.

10:00pm — Julie Bishop crashes Baird victory party, thrills fans

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has received a rock star welcome at Mike Baird's victory party at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney.

With Prime Minister Tony Abbott absent from the party (like he was for much of the campaign), Ms Bishop has been soaking up the good vibes from the Liberal Party faithful.

Mr Baird acknowledged both Ms Bishop and Mr Abbott in his victory speech and the crowd broke into cheers of "Tony! Tony!"

Ms Bishop told Sky News that the people of NSW "will have an outstanding premier for the next four years.

"He's authentic, he's real. People trust him, they like him," she said.

"People are ready for reform, as long as it's explained to them. He's shown great leadership."

9:57pm — Coalition projected to win 53 seats

These are the ABC's latest predictions of how the NSW lower house will look.

The Coalition is predicted to win 53 seats, Labor will hold at least 32, The Greens are on track to win four and there will be two independents. That leaves three seats in doubt.

9:55pm — Crowd chants "four more years" as Baird arrives

"I love this state". Those are the first words Mike Baird uttered to supporters after being reinstated for four more years as the premier of NSW.

"I love this state because of its people and tonight they have chopsen hope over fear. We sought a mandate to make NSW great and tonight the people of NSW have given us that mandate and to them we say thank you."

He thanked Labor leader Luke Foley but said he had "lost some good people" as a result of "the biggest scare campaign in state history", referring to Labor's opposition to plans to lease the state's electricity assets.

Mr Baird appeared on stage to chants of "four more years". He congratulated new members of parliament across the chamber and ended by thanking his family.

"This journey is a family one," he said. "I want to thank my kids Laura, Kate and Luke and my beautiful wife. Everyone knows I am punching above my weight."

9:40pm — What does victory taste like? A brie and tomato tart

Nothing says victory like baked goods. Mike Baird's supporters, waiting patiently for the premier to appear for his victory speech, are tucking into tomato and brie tarts.

News.com.au reporter Charis Chang is on the scene and can reveal they are delicious.

9:25pm — Labor concedes defeat but not all bad news

Luke Foley with wife Edel on stage after giving an concession speech. Picture Craig Greenhill Source: News Corp Australia

Labor leader Luke Foley has conceded defeat. He phoned Mike Baird at 9pm to offer his congratulations before addressing his supporters at Lidcombe. He began by praising his opponent as "formidable" and "honourable".

"A little while ago I rang Mike Baird and congratulated him," Mr Foley said.

"Mike Baird took over the leadership when his government had entered very stormy waters and he steered the ship to safety. He is a formidable opponent, at the peak of his popularity. He's also an honourable opponent."

He said it was "never personal" politics. He also thanked former premier Barry O'Farrell and said the next election "is now winnable for Labor".

"We have received a half a million votes more today than we did at the last election. At the last election we won 20 seats and this election we'll finish with a number of seats in the mid-30s and a majority of Labor's lower house seats will now be held by new members. I am delighted that we will have nine or 10 new women in the lower house. Today the heartland has returned."

The ALP is set to win back about 10 seats it lost in 2011 and the ABC predicts it will hold a total of 31 when counting concludes.

He said he intends to remain Labor leader and contest the next election.

8:45pm — Early wins for the Greens

The Greens have delivered a strong performance and could win as many as four seats in the lower house. Jenny Leong has secured the trendy inner west seat of Newtown with an 8.8 per cent swing against Labor's Penny Sharpe. Labor conceded a short time ago. Leong said she would campaign hard against the government's WestConnex project.

Nearby in Balmain, Greens candidate Jamie Parker is ahead of former Labor MP Verity Firth with more than 25 per cent of the vote counted.

Sky News is reporting the Greens could win in Ballina, a seat previously held by the Nationals.

The Greens are also ahead in Lismore, with a 6.6 per cent swing towards the environmental party.

8:25pm — Luke Foley still optimistic

There is an optimistic mood in the Labor camp at Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club where Opposition Leader Luke Foley is hosting his election after party.

Labor upper house candidate Kun Huang told news.com.au "the early figures look OK".

"We're obviously picking up some seats from the Newcastle and western Sydney area like Granville," Huang said. "But it's early to tell."

However, one of the volunteers was a bit more pragmatic saying he thought the Liberal party would win but Labor would improve its position ahead of the next election.

"Next time it should be Luke's time."

8:20pm — Coalition "definitely back"

ABC election analyst Antony Green says that "It looks like the Coalition has been returned".

With 20 per cent of votes counted, the Coalition's primary vote is at 46 per cent.

"The government's definitely back," Mr Green said.

The ALP is set to win back about 11 seats is lost in 2011.

Channel 7 and Channel 9 panels have both declared Mike Baird will be returned as premier.

8:10pm — Baird on his way to election party

Incumbent premier Mike Baird is on his way to what looks like an election victory party at the Sofitel Hotel in Sydney.

It comes as Sky News declared "Mike Baird has won the election". Almost two hours into the counting of votes, the ABC is calling 35 seats for the Liberals and 16 seats for the Nationals. With 47 seats needed to form government, this puts the Coalition in a winning position with 51 seats.

The ABC has Labor ahead in 30 seats and The Greens ahead in two. A Nine News journalist asked Mike Baird whether he was ready to declare victory, but he said it was still too early.

7:45pm — 'We voted for the person who slagged the other person off the least'

News.com.au headed to the most marginal seat in NSW this afternoon, East Hills, to take the temperature of voters.

Most locals we spoke to seemed fed up with the intense competition between the two leading candidates, Liberal incumbent Glenn Brookes and Labor's Cameron Murphy.

"It's been a bit intense, people ringing you up and forever shoving things in your letterbox," Doug told us.

He said his vote was decided by the fact his wife didn't like the Liberal candidate: "If she doesn't like him, I don't like him."

Cameron Murphy. Source: News Corp Australia

Glenn Brookes. Source: News Corp Australia

Couple Michelle and Luke were also sick of the argy bargy, saying they gave their vote to the person who "slagged the other person off the least".

But there were also two voters who said they were Liberal voters and would still be voting Liberal.

"Labor was just so bad over the years; I think everyone is still a bit annoyed by that," Chris Bowman said.

But Darren, who described himself as a swinging voter, said he would be voting for Labor because of concerns around the partial privatisation of the state's electricity assets. While he has decided to support the Opposition, he said he was disappointed Labor had not spoken more about its own objectives and plans for the future.

"It's just been a massive slag fest," he said.

6:50pm — Mike Baird just gets it

Mike Baird is a man of the people. Never was that clearer than when he tucked into a snag sandwich at Curl Curl today.

"Election day is a good day. But it's also day for the mighty sausage," he said.

Sausages played a big part on election day across the state and a website was even set up — democracysausage.org — to let voters know the polling places that did and did not serve up snags.

He gets it. Source: Supplied

Tucking in. Source: NewsComAu

6.20pm — Controversy at polling booths

It was a big day on the hustings, one not without controversy.

A poster of Labor candidate for East Hills Cameron Murphy, running in the most marginal seat in the state, was plastered with stickers reading "pedophile lover", among other things.

Other candidates had to deal with vandalism too, including Liberal candidate for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet. Only his daughter was the one drawing all over his face.

A man wearing a Liberal party shirt was also seen walking away from a booth carrying a poster of Labor candidate O'Bray Smith.

6:00pm — Polls have now closed

Counting is underway. We'll have results here as they come in.

5.45pm — Exit polls show Baird on track for victory

Exit polls show that Premier Mike Baird and the Coalition are on track to reclaim NSW decisively, The Daily Telegraph reports.

A Seven News-ReachTEL poll put the Coalition ahead of Labor 54-46, while Nine's exit polls show the government is ahead 55-46.

Here's the full story.

5.35pm — Election craziness sets in

It looks like election night craziness has started to set in. Labor MP Anthony Albanese shared this pic via Instagram of Today show host Karl Stefanovic with the caption: "That @karlstefanovic is a friendly dude :) #nswvotes."

Albo is part of Channel Nine's election night coverage, hosted by Stefanovic.

TV networks have gathered a host of different commentators. Albo is joined on the Channel Nine panel by Arthur Sinodinos, Laurie Oakes and "The Boot", which will kick candidates out after they lose their seats.

The ABC is playing it straight with election night expert Antony Green, Labor MP Carmel Tebbutt and Chris Uhlmann. Safe to say that lineup is not everybody's cup of tea.

5.30pm — Gotta love an Aussie election

Surfer Steve Rose votes at Bondi Bathers Surf Life Saving Club. Source: News Corp Australia

Here's democracy in action in Bondi, with Steve Rose snapped casting his ballot with his surf board under his arm. There are only 30 minutes left until polls close.

5.10pm — "I think it's going to be very close": The battle for a new seat

One of the more interesting races in the election is for the newly created seat of Newtown.

Situated in the heart of Sydney's trendy inner west, Newtown is not a battle between Liberal or Labor, but a fight between Labor and Greens.

The seat, which was created due to the growing inner-city population, is notionally Green, but the high-profile Labor candidate, MLC Penny Sharpe, is expected to perform strongly.

News.com.au reporter Charis Chang caught up with Greens candidate Jenny Leong at the polling place at Newtown Public School and she said "I think it's going to be very close".

"I do know we've inspired people ... and that feels good," she said.

4.55pm — Have The Greens managed to squeeze electoral advertising into cake stall?

Paddington is seeing green. Source: NewsComAu

Call us crazy, but have The Greens managed to squeeze some electoral advertising into a cake stall?

News.com.au's entertainment editor-at-large Melissa Hoyer snapped this pic at her polling place in Paddington, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, this afternoon.

4.45pm — Seats to watch

Although the Coalition is tipped to retain government when the votes are counted, Labor is expected to claw back some of the seats it lost when it was roundly kicked out of office in 2011.

Here are six of the key seats to watch, according to AAP:

● EAST HILLS, 0.2 per cent margin (Lib): Traditionally held by Labor and could easily be lost by the Liberals. The ALP's candidate is Cameron Murphy, former president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and son of former federal Labor attorney-general and High Court judge Lionel Murphy.

● SWANSEA, 0.3 per cent (Lib): Highly likely to fall to Labor. Sitting member Garry Edwards is suspended from the Liberal Party amid allegations heard before Independent Commission against Corruption he received banned property donations in the lead-up to 2011 election. He is standing as an independent.

● PROSPECT, 1.1 per cent (Lib): The renamed seat of Smithfield, held for 17 years by prominent former Labor MP Carl Scully, is now in Liberal hands. But with a margin of just 1.1 per cent, sitting MP Andrew Rohan will have to fight to retain this outer western Sydney electorate.

● MACQUARIE FIELDS, 1.8 per cent (Lib): Despite it being held by Labor's Andrew MacDonald, a recent redistribution actually has made it a notionally Liberal seat. But an expected swing against the Baird government could mean this seat stays in Labor hands.

● MONARO, 2.0 per cent (Nat): Former Labor minister Steve Whan is aiming to win his old seat back from The Nationals. He had earlier put his hand up to lead the Labor Party after the resignation of John Robertson.

● NEWTOWN, 4.4 per cent (GRN): A newly created seat after the 2013 redistribution. It is a notionally Green seat but will be tightly contested by Labor upper house MP Penny Sharpe.

Read the full list of seats to watch here.

4pm — Castle star's message to major parties: "Tell 'em they're dreamin'"

A little something to think about for Saturday.Authorised by Michael Caton. Spoken by Michael Caton. Performed by Michael Caton....... in a last ditch attempt to keep the bastards honest. #nswvotes

Posted by Michael Caton on Tuesday, 24 March 2015

The man who played Darryl Kerrigan in the Aussie classic The Castle has weighed into the NSW election. What's his message for the major parties? "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."

The Aussie actor has posted a video onto his Facebook page where he endorses candidates who have the most environmentally responsible policies in "a last-ditch attempt to keep the bastards honest".

He urges voters to dump the incumbent Nationals member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, because he endorses a plan to mine for coal seam gas in the Pilliga State Forest, which Caton calls "an important recharge area for the Artesian Basin".

"He's the Minister for Water? Given me a break," Caton says.

The actor suggests voters instead put their support behind independent candidate Rohan Boehm.

"I give him my vote, just to shove it up the two major parties," Caton says.

He also endorses the Greens candidate for Upper Hunter, John Kaye, due to his opposition to further open-cut coalmining in the region.

"Now if you've driven through the place recently, it looks like something from the dark side of the moon, huge coalmines ripping through this once pristine valley. I mean famous vineyards covered in coal dust, to say nothing of kids lungs," Caton says.

3pm — Snag yourself a sausage sanger

It's still all about the sausage sizzles.

2.30pm — Baird makes last-ditch play for marginal seat

NSW Premier Mike Baird paid a last minute visit to the most marginal seat in the state as thousands attended polling booths to cast their vote in today's state election.

Mr Baird joined sitting East Hills Liberal MP Glenn Brookes, who holds the seat by 0.2 per cent or 107 votes, at Padstow Park Public School this afternoon, mingling with residents and even spinning the school's chocolate wheel.

2pm — Leaders cast their votes

An anxious time for the leaders now they have cast their votes.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Oppn Leader Luke Foley have restated their policies before casting their votes.

1.30pm — Aussie-as on election day

A very Aussie polling booth.

12.25pm — Turnbull fronts up for Liberal colleagues … but where's Abbott?

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been tweeting pics of himself out supporting Liberal candidates in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The vote today will not be a reflection on the federal government or Tony Abbott, he says.

No sign yet, though, of the Prime Minister.

11.50am — Leaders final pitch for votes

The leaders have voted and are naturally both talking up their chances.

Premier Mike Baird voted with his wife at Manly this morning and joked it was at least "two votes", while Labor leader Luke Foley cast his vote in western Sydney and promised there'd be no negativity today.

"Mike's a good bloke," he told Network Seven with a laugh. "He's my second choice for premier today."

11.30am — LOLs at the polls

Who said elections were boring? There's loads of comedy at the polling booths today. Which made up for the lack of sausages at some locations.

But alas, some people had to go without sausages.

11am — What voters really care about at the ballot box: Sausage sizzles and cake stalls

Find out where to get the best snags on election day. Source: News Corp Australia

Sure, the policies are important, but there's one thing that voters really care about when they head to the polls today.

And that's where to find the best sausage sizzles and cake stalls! Check out these awesome websites — Election Sausage Sizzle and Democracy Sausage — for your nearest snag sanger and lamington.

Here are some other important details:

● Polling places close at 6pm

● Voting is compulsory. You may be fined $55 if you fail to vote.

● Check whether your enrolment is up to date, which electorate you're in and where to vote by clicking here. Or phone 1300 135 736.

● If you know which electorate you're in, enter it below to see which candidates are running.

● Prepare to be handed a tablecloth. The upper house ballot paper has more candidates than ever: 394. For the Legislative Council (known as the Senate in Canberra), you can place a "1" above the line for the party of your choice. If you want to, you can then mark your subsequent preferences from "2" and so on. Or, you can vote for your preferences below the line by placing at least 1-15. If you're really keen, you can rank all 394 candidates.

● The smaller ballot paper is for the lower house, the Legislative Assembly. There you can simply mark "1" for your preferred candidate, or fill out the rest, starting with "2" if you wish.

MORE: What the candidates are saying, and what they really mean

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Moore: Why Elba shouldn’t be Bond

Lost in translation ... Roger Moore claims that he was misquoted saying Idris Elba could not play 007 because isn't "English-English". Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia

SIR Roger Moore, who played 007 in seven films, has blamed a French Magazine for twisting his words and putting him in a racism row.

The veteran actor was asked by an interviewer about the idea of black actor Idris Elba being cast as 007. The 87 year-old- reportedly made comment that Elba is not "English-English' enough.

"'Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be "English-English," he added.

A Scot ... Sean Connery in 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. Source: News Corp Australia

An Irishman ... Pierce Brosnan played Bond and backed Idris Elba to play the next 007. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia

A Welshman ... Timothy Dalton played James Bond during the 1980s. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

An Englishman ... Idris Elba was born and raised in Britain. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez Source: Getty Images

"Nevertheless, it's an interesting idea, but unrealistic."

While Sir Roger, who left Britain in 1978 to live in Switzerland and Monaco, doesn't define what he means by "English-English", but he firmly denies making any racist comments and said his words had been "lost in translation".

For the record, Elba was born, raised and schooled in England.

In last year's Sony fiasco, leaked emails showed executive Amy Pascal wrote "Idris should be the new Bond."

In repose to the speculation after the leaked emails, Elba took to Twitter to set the record straight, sort of.

"Isn't 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New year people", he wrote alongside an image of the star pulling a face for a selfie.

The black actor has frequently been tipped as the next James Bond, including by former 007 Pierce Brosnan.

Elba has previously said he would like to play Bond when Daniel Craig departs from the role.

Check out the new James Bond movie Spectre.

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‘Everyone will know my name’

The Germanwings co-pilot who 'deliberately' crashed the plane sought psychiatric help for depression in 2009

Investigation continues ... the personal life of Andreas Lubitz is being carefully looked at. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

GERMANWINGS co-pilot Andreas Lubitz last year told his girlfriend he was planning an act so heinous the world would remember his name before he this week intentionally crashed Flight 9525 into the Alps, killing all 150 aboard.

In a stunning revelation in German media, Lubitz allegedly told his 26-year-old flight attendant girlfriend known as Maria W that he was worried his psychological issues would affect his dream of becoming a captain and flying long-haul flights.

The woman had been with him for a number of years but broke up recently.

Lubitz, it was revealed, had wanted to win her back and bought two Audis, one for him, the other for her, but then had just his delivered.

Troubled man ... Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of the doomed Germanwings airliner. Picture: Wolfgang Nass/BILD Source: Supplied

Andreas Lubitz's chilling prophecy

Maria W told Bild newspaper when she heard about the crash she recalled one of their last conversations.

"When I heard about the crash, there was just a tape playing in my head of what he said, 'One day I will do something that will change the system and everyone will then know my name and remember me'," she claimed he had told her.

"I did not know what he meant by that at the time, but now it's clear."

The black box voice recorder indicates that the Lubitz locked his captain out of the cockpit on Tuesday and flew the Germanwings aircraft into a mountain in a remote corner of the Alps killing 149 crew and passengers including two Australians.

According to Bild, the young woman, who was "very shocked", flew with Lubitz on European flights for five months last year, but separated because she said it was increasingly clear "he had a problem".

She said if he did intentionally crash the plane as claimed, "it is because he understood that because of his health problems, his big dream of a job at Lufthansa, as captain and as a long-haul pilot was practically impossible".

She also said Lubitz would wake up from nightmares screaming, "We're going down".

Evidence found ... sick notes saying Lubitz was unfit to fly were found in his home. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Sick notes, medicine for depression found at Lubitz's home

The claims come amid revelations from authorities the co-pilot had been in Dusseldorf University Hospital on March 10 and even had a sick note excusing him from work on the day he is suspected of having intentionally crashed the aircraft.

The German prosecutor's office said his medical records seized showed he had an existing unnamed illness, reportedly stress and severe depression, and was being treated by doctors. They found torn up sick notes at his apartment in Dusseldorf.

"The fact there are sick notes saying he was unable to work, among other things, that were found torn up, which were recent and even from the day of the crime, support the assumption based on the preliminary examination that the deceased hid his illness from his employer and his professional colleagues," a spokesman for the prosecutors office said.

They have confirmed also his flying file at the Federal Aviation Office had a note which said he required "specific regular medical examination."

No suicide note was found or anything that hinted what he was about to do or political or religious agenda.

A German newspaper reported investigators also found medicines for psychological illness at his Dusseldorf home.

"The 27-year-old has been treated by several neurologists and psychiatrists," Welt am Sonntag weekly quoted an unidentified high-ranking investigator as saying.

It said no evidence that Lubitz had a drugs or alcohol dependency problem had been found.

History of depression ... the apartment building where Lubitz lived. Picture: AFP/PATRIK STOLLARZ Source: AFP

Some of his friends have said he had suffered depression and had been in treatment with psychologists since 2009 for at least 18 months and was becoming increasingly withdrawn.

France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls called on Lufthansa to provide all information they had on him.

German press has stated Lufthansa would have been well aware of Lubitz condition, his personnel file stating he suffered from "serious depressive episode" yet faced questions as to why they allowed him to continue flying.

Police chief Jean-Pierre Michel, one of the lead investigators, said Lubitz's personality was a "serious lead" in the inquiry but not the only one.

"We have a certain number of elements which allow us to make progress on this lead, which is a serious lead but which can't be the only one," he said, adding the investigation so far has not turned up a "particular element" in Lubitz's life which could explain the crash.

Knew him well ... Dieter Wagner, honorary member of the LSC Westerwald airfield, where Lubitz first learned to fly. Picture: Hannelore Foerster/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

People who knew Lubitz said he was "obsessed" by the Alps and knew the area of the crash well.

He was a gliding enthusiast and took part in at least one class organised by his local flying club in the French Alps' province where he brought down the flight reported the International Business Times according to an article published in the Le Parisien newspaper.

A club member told the newspaper that during the class the 28-year-old flew over the mountains he later chose to die on.

Boyhood dream to fly ... The LSC Westerwald aviation club where Lubitz was a member. Picture: AFP/ROBERTO PFEIL Source: AFP

Germanwings pulls 'adventure' ads

Germanwings has pulled advertisements with the slogan "Get ready to be surprised" from London's underground station after Tuesday's deadly crash.

The posters featured a sultry-looking flight attendant with slogans like, "Enjoy the variety of Germany and fly to e.g. Berlin or Hamburg."

A Transport for London spokesperson told Metro.co.uk the posters and digital ads were being removed.

"Our advertising department was contacted by the company and asked to remove the adverts on Tuesday," the spokesperson said.

A Germanwings spokesperson said: "Germanwings has stopped any marketing activities in the UK until further notice and has removed posters and online campaigns. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends of the victims."

Bad timing ... Germanwings has pulled its poorly timed 'adventure ads'. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Germany to hold memorial ceremony

Meanwhile, Germany will hold a national memorial ceremony and service for victims on April 17, regional authorities say.

The ceremony will be held at Cologne Cathedral in western Germany, a region from where many of the victims originated, and is due to be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, a spokeswoman for the regional North Rhine-Westphalia government said.

Families and friends of the victims, as well as representatives from other countries affected by Tuesday's air disaster are invited, she said, adding they also wanted to enable anyone wishing to express their condolences to take part.

Gauck attended a memorial service Friday for 16 pupils and two teachers from a school in the western town of Haltern, who had been flying back from an exchange trip in Spain.

Half of the 150 people on the ill-fated flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf were German, with Spain accounting for at least 50 and the remainder composed of more than a dozen other nationalities.

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Kids hurt as roof ripped from bus

Ripped off roof ... the bus was thought to be more than 30cm too high to pass under the bridge. Picture: Twitter/David Marsh Source: Supplied

ELEVEN children were injured when the roof of the double decker bus they were travelling in was ripped off after crashing into a bridge in England.

The bus was carrying 69 children on a school trip, according to the Mirror. One passenger was taken to hospital with a back injury and 10 children sustained cuts and bruises requiring medical attention, London 24 reports.

The children were about three kilometres from their destination, the Thorpe Park theme park.

George Yerosimou, head teacher of St John's School in Epping, Essex, where the children travelled from, wrote on the school's website: "I have just been informed that the double decker coach transporting our students on the Gold Trip to Thorpe Park has been involved in an accident.

"We have spoken to a number of staff and we are able to confirm that there are no serious injuries although some students may have suffered some cuts and bruises."

It is thought the bus was about 32cm too tall to go under the bridge.

An eyewitness told the Mirror: "How nobody has been killed is unbelievable. I didn't hear it because I had earphones in but I saw all the cars started turning around and thought something is going on."

A construction worker, Stephen Bird, told Get Surrey he heard a lot of screaming and went to investigate. "I saw the roof ripped off and lying under the bridge and then the bus up the road. Lots of children were gathered on the pavement.

"It must have been absolutely horrible for them. Thank goodness no one was hurt. It could have been a lot, lot worse."

Val Mitchell, a local medical receptionist, said: "The doctors have been out to help. There have been no major injuries but a couple of the youngsters suffered minor injuries ... They are of secondary school age, around mid teens, roughly 14 or 15.

"They obviously managed to duck at the right time. It is quite a miracle that they did not suffer any major head injuries."

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Tassie town a hot spot for Japanese anime fans

Cosplayer Kiki (Yawei Nadia Sun) channels one of her favourite anime characters at The Ross Village Bakery. Picture: Tessa Beattie and Caitlin Evans Source: Supplied

EVERY year thousands of Japanese tourist make the pilgrimage to an obscure bakery in a small rural town in the middle of Tasmania, captivated by its likeness to the setting of one of Japan's most popular anime movies.

Anime movie Kiki's Delivery Service is a Japanese classic. Source: News Limited

Fans are spellbound by the uncanny resemblance of The Ross Village Bakery to locations in the 1989 movie Kiki's Delivery Service, a production of the premier Japanese anime creator Studio Ghibli and its founder Hayao Miyazaki — known as the western versions of Disney and Walt Disney.

"It's like discovering Hobart is the setting for Snow White or Cinderella," said University of Tasmania lecturer Dr Craig Norris, who has done a thesis paper on the phenomenon.

Dr Norris said is was fascinating because the story had been going for about 15 years.

"The startling thing is how its so persistent, so immersive and so successful."

Ross bakery co-owner Carl Crosby said he welcomed at least 50 Japanese tourists every day, usually more and often by the busload.

Some — known as cosplayers — even wear costumes to emulate their anime idols.

"Seeing the looks of joy on their faces when they walk in, some squeal and jump up and down," Mr Crosby said.

"Some of them will come in their little costumes, with their bow in their hair and their little red shoes, and they want to stand in front of the oven and take a multitude of pictures.

"They usually have something to eat and a coffee, usually a vanilla slice or a scallop pie."

Ross bakery owner Carl Crosby says he welcomes about 50 Japanese tourists every day. Source: News Limited

No one is sure where the folklore started but it has endured and is gaining momentum.

On a Studio Ghibli blog post, one of the animaters talks about receiving daily emails from fans about the Ross bakery. But none of the animaters have ever been to Tasmania.

"There are stories of tourists who fly in to Launceston or Hobart and then get a taxi to Ross not having any idea how far out of the way it is."

Visitors to Ross bakery are overwhelmingly young woman who identify with Kiki and her story of a witch travelling from an urban space to a small community to come of age.

"You read in the guest log stories like a Japanese girl who has come to Australia, she just broke up with her boyfriend, her job hasn't worked out but then she's in the bakery and it all kind of makes sense now. She's found a sanctuary and relief, much like the story of Kiki herself, overcoming challenges and adversity," Dr Norris said.

"I think the atmosphere of Ross resonates really strongly with the atmosphere of the movie this idea that it's a nice regional country space, with coffee and treats and you feel welcomed."

Cosplayer Kiki (Yawei Nadia Sun) in the bakery's attic. Picture: Tessa Beattie and Caitlin Evans Source: Supplied

An upstairs loft area in the bakery has been decorated to look like Kiki's room from the movie after constant requests from tourists.

Dr Norris said the connection was not one created or enforced by the bakery owners, rather "it's a grassroots, bottom-up phenomena developed by the fans".

The cartoon Kiki in her bakery. Source: News Limited

He said as well as travelling half way across the world, fans went to extraordinary measures to visit.

"There are stories of tourists who fly in to Launceston or Hobart and then get a taxi to Ross not having any idea how far out of the way it is."

Dr Norris said since writing his research paper on Ross Bakery and Kiki's Delivery Service he had been inundated with interest.

"Since writing that article I've been invited to Japan to present on it," he said.

"There's a lot interest in this real oddity of having a cherished Japanese movie with a connection to Tasmania, an unlikely location."

Originally published as Tassie town a hot spot for Japanese anime fans

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