05/12/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, welcome to Look North. In the programme tonight: More

customers, more jobs - the American billionaire behind Virgin's

takeover of Northern Rock reveals his plans for the bank. Second only

to terrorism - that's how seriously transport police are treating metal

theft in the region. Don't bank on it - how some of our businesses are

being frustrated by a lack of financial help while others are

thriving. And the big moment's nearly here. After the success of

the Turner Prize exhibition, the winner's about to be unveiled.

We're live from the Baltic. In sport Newcastle lost more than just

the game at the weekend. Could the Magpies' double injury blow derail

their season? And Santa was there, but there was no early Christmas

present for Sunderland's new It was Sir Richard Branson who

grabbed all the headlines with the planned takeover of Northern Rock

by Virgin Money. But the real dealmaker is this man - a 73-year-

old Wall Street billionaire who's pumping in more than five times the

amount of money that Sir Richard is. Wilbur Ross will end up co-owning

the currently nationalised Newcastle-based bank. He's stayed

in the background until now. Our Business Correspondent, Ian Reeve,

met him in London where Mr Ross revealed his plans. Wilbur Ross,

American investor in distressed companies and an expert in turning

them around. His is the big money behind the deal for Virgin to take

over Northern Rock. Some though call him a vulture investor, saying

he exploits the weak. People use these terms. If we had a bird

symbol, it wouldn't be the vulture, but it would be the Phoenix A

vulture picks dead meat off a carcass. We are more like the

Phoenix, we're trying to help a bird re-create itself out of its

own ashes. Mr Ross has big plans for the Rock. He wants to attract

750,000 of Virgin's 3 million internet customers and get 250,000

of the existing million Rock customers. And if that happens, the

new services are vo deuced will see jobs being -- introduced will see

jobs being created. Many of the ideas will involve adding staff.

will own about 44% of the merged Rock and Virgin money and this is

why. He has put �1 hundred million into Virgin Money itself. But now

he will pump in about �260 million. The Virgin Group puts in 50 million

and an Abu Dhabi investment puts in 50 million. But that leaves a short

fall. This is how it is thoughts it will be made up. Northern rock has

cashry serves which the bank holds. Wilbur Ross wants to free up �250

of that cash and give it to the Government. �150 million of similar

cash would also go to the Government. So in part Northern

Rock would be paying to buy itself. Mr Ross won't talk about the

details of the deal, other than to say he is not hit and return

investor. We have no immediate plans for exit. We have been in

some situations for many years and we have been in banks for quite a

while in the United States and even before that in Japan. The Financial

Services Authority has to say yes to all aspects of the deal. If it

does, the Rock takeover will go ahead in January. Well Ian is here

now. So, if Wilbur Ross is the real money man in the Rock deal, why

have most of us not heard of him, until now? If you look at the

statement put out by the Government by UKFI, the body set up to look

after the Government's hold ngs bank, the statement that Northern

Rock was to be taken over made no mention of Mr Ross. The Government

feel it it is more palatable to say that Richard Branson will take over,

rather than Virgin Money is being taken over and financed by a

billionaire investment banker from New York and there is a bit of

middle eastern finance. And of course the Virgin brand has an aura

of success, we know the planes and trains and is a lot of good will

associated with it. The Government helps that will rub off on the new

bank and make it a success. Thank you. British Transport Police is

making cable theft its second- highest priority after terrorism.

It costs the country �43 million pounds a year and the North East is

the worst hit area. Well tonight's Inside Out programme follows the

work of the police's dedicated cable team, Operation Leopard. And

it's heard first hand from one of the thieves. Chris Jackson has more.

British Transport Police patrolling a cable theft hotspot in bed

lington. This as a priority comes second only to terrorism. The

Operation Leopard team has made nearly 2 hundred arrests. People

like Joe Smithson from Teesside. took copper from the railways, from

Billingham. Me friends said, we will do this. I thought I will go

along and MEP them. I will give them a hand. It is a crime costs

�43 million a year. -- help them. The north-east is the worst region

in the country. There has been over three and a half million pounds

worth of business lost due the cable theft this year. On a hundred

occasions we have had delay to thousands of rail passengers.

recent months it has spread to the metro system. But the question is

why is it happening more here? There is a high level of

unemployment and a lot of mining villages, towns, where we have

these mining villages there does seem to be a proportion of the

community do tend to be stealing cable. Much of the copper stolen

from rail ways ends up being shipped to China, where economic

development has led to high demand and petty criminals here are facing

tough sentences. Not because of the amount they steal, but the

disruption they cause. Joe has been warned he faces jail. I would

rather have me freedom than be in jail over a bit of copper. It is

not worth it all one. And you can see the full story on Inside Out -

tonight at 7.30, here on BBC1. A man's been arrested, after a

pedestrian was killed in a bus crash in Newcastle. The 68-year-old

woman died in hospital after the accident on Westgate Road yesterday

lunchtime. A 53-year-old man's been bailed on suspicion of causing

death by dangerous driving. The future of 117 jobs at Cumbrian

Seafoods in Whitehaven remains unclear after the business went

into administration today. It's been bought by Lion Capital, which

owns Young's Seafood. Cumbrian Seafoods was founded in 1997, but

moved its main production site to County Durham, ten years later. The

Government has said it's doing all it can to persuade banks to lend to

businesses. But one County Durham company says it can't get the help

it needs. Millennium Hardwoods is struggling to fund an expansion

which could create vital jobs at its Shildon factory. It's a

familiar problem for many firms, but some have found solutions. Our

Political Editor, Richard Moss, reports. When many businesses are

cutting back, here is one firm keen to expand. Millennium Hardwoods has

invested in new equipment and become the first in Britain to

produce this type of flooring. But the company needs more money to

ramp up production. But after talking to banks, the firm hasn't

been offered a single penny. All of the banks are keen to talk us to,

but common have said no, but none have said yes. So we're in between

a rock and a hard place. I have been in business 32 years and I'm

more concerned now than I have ever been. Because we cannot get the

finance that we require to do the work that we're trying to do.

is little growth on show here in the high street, South shields has

its share of closed shop. When this shop look ford help, they found out

they were on their own. If you read the papers, there is support. But

we have found out that there is little support, if not at all. We

found we can't get any more support from the bank we have been with for

five years. But some firms have got help. Jarrow brewery struggled to

get loans and had to limit production. But it has got a grant

from a regional growth fund and will move to a new premises and

create 22 jobs. We have been at full capacity and this grant will

fast track the brewery and allow us to push on with quadrupling the

size of our plant in a regeneration area. So causes for a celebratory

drink, but putting the fizz in the rest of the economy will be more of

a challenge. The Government says there is room for optimism, but for

many the glass looks at best half empty. Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson

has been at a school on Teesside helping to promote next year's 2012

London Olympic Games. The former paralympic athlete is one of a

number of sporting personalities and business leaders that are

travelling around the country this week giving inspirational talks to

pupils. Fantastic to be involved and I think one of the amazing

things about the education programme that has been run it

getting young people to think about Olympic and Paralympic values. It

is not necessary, it is not about elite sport, but getting people to

think about they can be involved with the games. It will be the

biggest thing, the biggest sporting vent that will happen in the UK in

our lifetime. Our region's would-be X-Factor stars have all made it

through to the final of the competition. In last night's semi-

final, both Amelia Lily, from Middlesbrough, and Little Mix -

with two of the group from South Shields - both picked up enough

public votes to see them through to next weekend's decider. Coming up

next in Look North, we're live from the Baltic for the latest on this

year's Turner prize. And goals and more in sport, including

Middlesbrough getting back into the winning habit. As we have sleet and

snow to watch out for tonight. Esherblly -- but especially icy

roads and pavements. All eyes in the arts world are focussed on

Tyneside this evening. The winner of the prestigious Turner Prize

will be announced in under two hours. The Baltic in Gateshead's

been hosting the Turner Exhibition for the last six weeks. It's only

the second time in the award's 27- year-history that it's been held

outside London. And our arts reporter, Sharuna Sagar, is there

for us now. Yes I am. This is the calm before the storm. In under two

hours one of the four short listed Turner Prize nominees will be named

the best contemporary artist in Britain. And their life will change.

Now, 100,000 people have been to the exhibition to see what they

think. And soon they will be finding out if they agree with the

Everyone has a favourite and everyone's favourite is different.

This year the Turner Prize at the Baltic has opened up the world of

contemporary art to people who may not normally have been interested

in it. I think it is great that it is here in the North East. I do not

know what the men who work here many years ago would think about

some of their exhibits. But I think it is very interesting and I am

glad we have been. It is good to move things away from London and

bring them up north, to the naughtiest here. I am no expert in

contemporary art but it really has captured my imagination. And have

been interested and pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed it more than I

thought, I know little about art. For many of us the Turner Prize is

synonymous with controversy but this year's short list is less

startling and more thoughtful. Take Martin Boyce - his atmospherics

sculptural installation for example and its subtle attention to detail.

Or Hilary Lloyd's portrayal of the urban environment using sound and

the moving image to examine the every day.

Then there is the more accessible paintings of George Shaw - he uses

Humbrol enamel paint from his childhood and depicts scenes of a

post-war housing estate also from his childhood.

And in complete contrast Karla Black's innovative sculpture

featuring paper, paint and polythene. All very different - how

do you pick a winner? An impossible task I think. An incredible short

list. It is down to the brain storming of four members of a

distinguished jury. How they make a distinction between painting,

sculpture and film, art installation, who knows? It is not

an enviable task but exciting nonetheless. Hideous thing will win.

I like it to be Martin Boyce. who do you think will win. George

Shaw his most accessible to most people so I think he would be

favourite. I think the lady that made the pile of paper, she will

probably when. It will not be long before the winner is announced. The

other winner is the Baltic, and with me is the director, what has

at the like hosting this event? has been fantastic. This is what

the Baltic has been billed for, a world-class exhibition right here

in Gateshead and the response from our visitors has been tremendous,

they have really embraced it. the effects been long lasting?

sure it will. We already enjoy have a million visitors each year but we

have seen lots of new visitors coming through the doors. We feel

they had a really good time and they will be back to see more

contemporary art here. You were one of the judges, how difficult was

it? It is really tricky, the artists are all fabulous. It is a

very difficult thing to call. you obviously have made the

decision and you know the winner. The decision has been made and it

will be announced in the next couple of hours. Give us a clue?

cannot let but if you watch later and you will see. In my envelope

here, I can exclusively reveal... I am joking, I will have to wait with

the rest of you. Time now for a team talk. It has

been a weekend of if only his, which meant almost a complete

whitewash for our football teams. I say almost, because we did have one

winner. So let us kick-off with Middlesbrough.

Why not - we can save the misery until later. Beaten by West Ham in

midweek - bounced back a great win at Bristol City and a great goal as

well. We had to wait until the 90th minute, but it was worth the wait,

when Marvin Emnes was brought down in the final minute of normal time

substitute Malaury Martin won the argument over who would take a

free-kick - just absolutely flew into the top corner beyond David

James - nothing he could do about it. Brilliant!

Of August 1st goal he scored for Boro was another rocket - agreed

weapon to having your armoury. Borough had been lucky, they could

easily have given away a penalty but the referee mustn't have seen a

Julio Arca handball and Jason Steele was called into action

couple of times that managed to survive some late skiers. That

result took them up to third in the championship before they slipped

back to force after Cardiff's win. So that is our one winner out of

the way. Four defeats coming up - starting with Eric Black's

Sunderland - the first and last time you will hear that phrase.

And the first of our "if onlys" - Martin O'Neill, confirmed as the

Black Cats manager at lunchtime on Saturday. Let us hope he's not

thinking if only I had not signed that contract. He will be

officially unveiled tomorrow afternoon - and watch from the

stands at Molineux as Sunderland took the lead managed to lose, for

the second week running - the third time in a row they've done that

away at Wolves! Born-again Christian. He would not have done

something like this. Superb at dive! He won the penalty in in his

debt. Fletcher got one there and got 110 minutes from time. Mick

McCarthy enjoyed it. What next for Sunderland and Eric Black? I would

just have to see what happens, I leave the club on Tuesday and we

will go from there. Martin O'Neill is then on Monday with the good

players to build on. There is a really strong squad there. They are

a good bunch of lads and desperate to do well and I hope Martin will

get confidence back into them. He will galvanise them and get them

going. And this is what Martin O'Neill is taking on - Sunderland

now just one place above the relegation zone, only two points

off the bottom of the league. Good luck, Martin!

Newcastle slipping as well - down to 6th, and they will be 7th if

Liverpool win at Fulham tonight. The Magpies beaten 3-0 by Chelsea

on Saturday, losing for only the second time in the Premier League

this season - their first home defeat since March but, once again,

it was a case of if only - this time, if only referee Mike Dean had

been playing by the same rules as the rest of us! That has to be an

male don red card. Absolutely. He thought so. It would have changed

the whole complexion of the game. What again it was, a great penalty

save. The goalkeeper was in superb form. You have to hope they hang on

to him in January. Apparently it is bad luck to change the name of your

house, and it could be bad luck to change the name of your stadium

because nothing seemed to go right for it Newcastle, in terms of

action and injuries. They hit the bar and post and had significant

injuries. The Elysee one point from these is pre-Games and everyone was

hoping for when, it is going to be tough now. Just one of those days.

It was one of those days for as. From the 4th minute, nothing looked

right. I Louise -- I lost both said to have sways -- which was a hell

of up law. He Chelsea celebration was galling. The manager was being

dignified and fair play to hand, some of his other staff need to

look at themselves. -- fair play to him.

It was of course FA Cup weekend as well - two of our teams hoping to

make it into the third-round draw of - the chance to be paired with

one of the big boys and that brings us to our third if only - if only

Gateshead had beaten Tamworth, they would have been looking at a trip

to Goodison Park because an away tie at Everton is what Tamworth

landed in yesterday's draw! Going behind and having Chris

Carruthers sent off hardly helped the home side's cause but keeper

Jak Alnwick atoned for his earlier mistake. When Nathan Fisher

equalised on the hour it looked as though Gateshead would be in the

hat for the third round. But Alnwick's day was about to end on a

low note as his fumble allowed Tamworth to scramble the ball home

leaving Gateshead to concentrate on their promotion campaign. Really

and fought it was really unfortunate.

Meanwhile Carlisle didn't fare any better at League One leaders

Charlton. Having lost 4-0 in the league, the Cumbrians fell behind

to defender Michael Morrison's goal and, righted the death, the home

side secured their safe passage with the second from Jason Euell.

Just the big three left in the competition now - Newcastle a home

to Blackburn, who knocked them out of the Carling Cup last month.

will fancy that one, though, as will Middlesbrough, at home to

Shrewsbury, and Sunderland face a trip to Peterborough.

So, in football, we mostly talk to their losers, but we had a couple

of great winners elsewhere, Dawn? We certainly did. In basketball,

Newcastle Eagles are through to the final of the BBL Cup after beating

Leicester Riders 71-63 in the semis. And there was a narrow but a vital

win for the Falcons in rugby union's Premiership. Bottom-of-the-

table Newcastle came from behind to beat Gloucester by a single point.

Their first try came from Gloucester Old Boy Jordi Pasqualin,

out to prove a point against his old side. And big ex-Blaydon centre

James Fitzpatrick scored his second try in two games charging through

the gap - no stopping him! And there were 16 points from the boot

of fly half Jimmy Gopperth, who has scored 100 so far this season. It

is just their second league win. Finally, the special tributes to

Gary Speed may have been postponed until the Swansea game on 17th

December so his widow Louise can be there but anyone who was at

Saturday's game against Chelsea cannot fail to have been moved by

the emotional scenes before kick- off as Gary Speed was remembered by

friends, players, coaches and fans alike. The former Newcastle

midfielder who played at St James's Park for six years died just over a

week ago at the age of 42. Those special tributes will now take

place on 17th December. Thank you very much. Just ahead of the

weather, many of us have had the first taste of winter. Cumbria has

borne the brunt of it, the police report a number of incidents. Some

heavy snow and sleet showers over the weekend. One wintry conditions

in Penrith, with sleet showers leaving a slushy covering on roads

and pavements. Great - it is back! Most of us to read it but not all

of us, the skiers had been itching for this to happen. Thank you for

this great shots. Making the most of the wintry conditions. More

sleet and snow showers overnight. Some widespread icy stretches to

Some widespread icy stretches to watch out for as well. A rash of

sleet and snow showers sedate, the West got the brunt of it, across

Cumbria and on the Pennines. In between those shower clouds will

see the ice forming. Roads and pavements that had been treated

might well have the sort washed away with the shares. Shares become

less widespread as we head through the night -- showers. It is cold

enough anywhere for a touch of frost, so everywhere could see ice

forming through the course of the night and into tomorrow morning.

The cold start tomorrow, the frost will lift slowly. Best of the week

winter sunshine end the east. The showers will be few and far between

in the West. The cloud will thicken up again, bringing in sleet. Even

with sunshine, the temperatures will struggle. Westerly winds are

lighter than they have been and temperatures will be around four.

Tomorrow night - this weather system comes in from the West.

Sleet and hail and snow amongst it. Blustery winter showers on

Wednesday, then it becomes wet and windy from the West on Thursday.

Tomorrow will see many places dry and bright but cold. A wet night on

Wednesday. First Steele looks wet and windy as well, cold again by

Friday. -- thursday looks wet and Friday. -- thursday looks wet and

windy. A last look at the headlines. France and Germany want a new

treaty to tackle their eurozone crisis with are without Britain.

Wilbur Ross the billionaire behind the takeover of Northern Rock says

he hopes to attract new customers and create jobs. Tomorrow - we have

the first of two special reports into the future of the Territorial

Army. Our reporter travels to Cyprus but the Fusiliers for their