'Ponking' ban considered after Iggle injury

Residents who elect to ride the Pinky-Ponk around the night garden may soon have a smoother ride as the night garden council considers a proposal to ban 'Ponking'. The move comes after ubiquitous garden visitor Iggle Piggle reportedly suffered an injury from falling over during a large Ponk. Piggle, who was unable to discuss his injury because of an impending lawsuit, was travelling in the company of Upsy Daisy and the Tombliboos when the Pinky-Ponk hit a tree.

'Ponk alarm adequate'
Upsy Daisy, a long-term friend of Iggle Piggle, is spearheading the anti-Ponk campaign in the night garden. 'We need to put an end to Ponking. It looks like fun, but it is potentially hazardous, as Iggle's injuries confirm', she stated.

Representatives of Pinky-Ponk Inc have responded to claims that their transport is dangerous by pointing out that a proximity alarm is triggered in order to warn travellers that a Ponk is imminent, allowing them time to prepare. 'The Ponk alarm gives adequate warning for customers', said one. 'There is a light and sound component so that even hearing impaired customers are warned. We really don't see how we could make the Pinky-Ponk any safer'.

Upsy Daisy and others in the anti-Ponk camp are not convinced. 'What is the point of the warning if there are no seatbelts and nothing to hold on to?' questioned Upsy.

Ponking 'just good fun'
Ponk enthusiasts are outraged by the proposal to ban their favourite sport, which is unique to the night garden. One enthusiastic Ponker argued, 'Ponking makes otherwise boring journey on the Pinky-Ponk fun! What else are we supposed to do, wave at one another?' Another Ponker, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested that Iggle Piggle may have been injured because of an inherent problem with balance, and not because of the Ponk. 'Iggle Piggle falls over at the drop of a hat, not just in the Pinky Ponk', our informant stated.

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Excitement builds over 'Night Garden's Got Talent'

News that auditions will begin soon for The Night Garden's Got Talent has gardenites in a frenzy of excitement. The Gazebo has been confirmed as the judge, and the Disembodied Voice, known to residents as 'Barry', will be the host.

'It's the perfect role for me', said Barry, 'I'm totally comfortable saying things like 'what will you be doing today, Makka Pakka?' or 'The Tombliboos are playing Tombliboo music!'' I think my ability to explain what is going on to an audience will be invaluable to viewers of Got Talent'.

The audition process will kick off on Wednesday, and The Daily is able to bring readers this list of confirmed auditionees:
* Upsy Daisy (song and dance routine)
* Makka Pakka (stone stacking)
* Tombliboo Oo and Ee (piano and drum musical duet)
* Tombliboo Un (trouser twirling)
* The HaaHoos (synchronised swaying)

A garden insider reports that Iggle Piggle is also considering auditioning and has been seen practicing a daring bull fighting number using his red blanket. The Pontipine family have expressed disappointment that their proposed chimney jumping act was turned down by producers as 'too dangerous'. 'My children do it all the time, it's traditional in our culture', explained Mr Pontipine. The family are considering auditioning for Got Talent with a folk dancing act instead.

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Iggle Piggle confirms identity

In an exclusive interview with The Daily, Iggle Piggle, sometime visitor to the night garden, has confirmed his identity. 'Yes, my name is Iggle Piggle,' he stated.

Mr Piggle's full name is Iggle Piggle Niggle Wiggle Diggle. He explained that Piggle is his mother's maiden name, which he uses in preference to his real surname, Diggle. 'Iggle Diggle just sounds silly. I can't believe my parents named me that. I prefer to go with Piggle'. Confusingly, Piggle's family also occassionally use yet another surname, Woo. But, says Iggle, 'we are not related to Hong-Kong based film director John Woo'.

Piggle states that he does not respond to any diminutive form of his name. 'No, I don't like being called Ig, Iggy, or anything like that. My friends call me Iggle Piggle or 'The Big P'', he stated.

Piggle hopes that making this public statement about his name will reduce the need for him to keep introducing himself to everyone.

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Carried Away: Pontipine bed joy ride terror

An innocent game of hide and seek turned to terror for eight Pontipine children in the night garden today. The children told The Daily exclusively that they were hiding in Upsy Daisy's bed when the bed began moving autonomously. The bed, a second generation Slumbertron 2000, was purchased by Upsy Daisy several years ago, and only responds to her commands. When invaded by the Pontipine children, explains Upsy Daisy, the bed just took off. 'Only I am allowed in my bed', she said. 'Mwah!' she added.

"Scared": Pontipine parents
'We were scared' says Mrs Pontipine, nervously stroking the binoculars around her neck. 'When the bed took off like that, we didn't know if we would see our children again'. Mr Pontipine believes the children could have been killed. 'That bed is completely out of control. Anything could have happened', he said.

The Pontipine children managed to jump from the bed and into the safety of the Pontipine family chimney. All say that they will think twice before playing hide and seek in the night garden again. The Pontipine family are seeking legal advice regarding the situation, and are considering suing Upsy Daisy for the 'pain and suffering' caused by the bed's reckless behaviour. 'Upsy Daisy needs to take responsibility for her bed's actions. She can't just kiss this away', said Mr Pontipine.

Upsy not to blame
Iggle Piggle, a frequent visitor to the night garden and well known associate of Upsy Daisy, claimed in an interview this evening that Ms Daisy was not to blame for her bed's behaviour. 'The bed has malfunctioned since Upsy purchased it. She has followed the manufacturer's instructions to the letter, but it keeps running away. Frankly, if the Pontipine children get in Upsy Daisy's bed, they do so at their own risk'.

Wottingers: No comment
The Wottingers, who instigated the hide and seek game with the Pontipines, had no comment to make about the Pontipine children's misadventure. They did, however, point out that the rules of hide and seek usually preclude the hiders from moving location while the seekers are looking. 'If they hadn't moved from the flower pot to the bed, maybe this wouldn't have happened', said one Wottinger. The failed game has not harmed relations between the Wottingers and their Pontipine neighbours, however. 'We're still on waving terms', said Mrs Wottinger.

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