08/08/2013 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

North live from Chester-le-Street on the eve of an historic sporting

event. Yes, tomorrow thousands of cricket fans will be making their

way here as the Fourth Test in the Ashes series finally gets underway.

Tonight. The final countdown to one of the greatest fixtures in world

sport as the battle for cricket's most prestigious trophy comes to the

North. The Aussies arrive - ready to do

battle in a rivalry with England that dates back more than 130 years.

The interaction has been fantastic. They love us and we love them.

Also tonight. Cut down on your drinking. The advice to older people

from academics who say the over 65s are consuming too much alcohol.

25 years on. A controversial nuclear re-processing plant reaches an

important milestone. And one of the world's most advanced

aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, drops in on the North, and we're invited

Tonight, Look North comes to you live from what used to be called the

Riverside, but what is now, to give it its full name, the Emirates

Durham International Cricket Ground. And it's that "international" bit

we're excited about this evening, because one of the great fixtures in

world sport is coming to this ground tomorrow morning. England against

Australia, the fourth Test match in 2013 Ashes series. It's a rivalry

that stretches back for more than 130 years. And it's the first time

the battle for cricket's oldest, and most prestigious, trophy has come to

the North East. And with a history of great teams, and a passion for

sport unmatched just about anywhere in the country, this could be the

single most important sporting event the region has ever seen.

A few weeks ago, double Olympic champion Mo Farah thrilled the

crowds at Gateshead, at the European Athletics Team Championships. Last

year Brazil's football fans brought the samba beat to the streets of

Newcastle, as the Olympic Games paid a visit. Wind the clock back to

1966, and Sunderland's old Roker Park ground staged a World Cup

quarterfinal. All major sporting events, but can any of them top

this? England's cricketers against the old enemy, Going for the win

that would clinch the Ashes series. When you talk about sporting

rivalries, they don't come any bigger than this. I didn't think

we'd see Durham playing first-class cricket and I don't think we would

see them winning a county championship. To have an Ashes Test,

my spine tangles. What we shouldn't forget is just how far Durham have

come. -- tingles. From a minor county club - part-time players,

watched by a handful of spectators - to a successful, professional

outfit, running out onto one of the great sporting arenas. Back in 1990,

all this was a far-off dream. Durham is a first-class county in

every way except for one thing. In cricket and herons, they are a minor

county. The county club have plans to achieve first-class status and

those plans include the provision of a first-class ground and test match

facilities on this lovely spot here. It was a bold bid. No club had moved

up into top-flight cricket for 70 years, since Glamorgan in 1922.

Durham had �26,000 in the bank, and were told they needed a million.

Which they raised. Then they had to find a team. Which they did. But

they also had to find a ground. Then club chairman Don Robson took a call

from the deputy leader of Chester-le-Street council. He said,

you know down by the Riverside, they are giving it up because they cannot

make any money. I watched around and I said, this is everything. The

castle they are lens and order to the whole area. On this particular

site, definitely. You have not closed your mind to the

possibilities of test cricket. want to create a ground for the next

century with superb facilities and why should we not have a test match

here? Within five years, Don Robson was leading Her Majesty the Queen

down the pavilion steps to offically open the Riverside Ground. Soon to

become England's first new Test match arena since Sheffield's

Brammall Lane, more than a century before.

The most important thing is we got the first-class status. It was

fantastic, and this was beyond my dreams. You got the ground and you

got test match cricket. Hope Road will you be when England play

Australia? Coming here this weekend hoping they beat Australia but I do

feel the north-east should be proud. Joining us now is the chief

executive of Durham County Cricket ground. It has to be a nervous night

ahead? Don't suppose I will get too much sleep but we are very excited

and very proud. Everything is in place? Nothing to worry about.We

waited so long for an Ashes Test. Finances being what they are, will

they ever come back? We cannot answer that. We have to be

realistic. There are ten international parks and each and

every one of them would want to stage an Ashes Test so the

competition is tough but hopefully we will put on a good show.

turned down the chance for some one-day internationals. We took the

view that there is a real danger we are and we are competing with London

and other parts of the country and the concern is what it gets close to

each other at high prices may be too much. We had a conversation with the

International Cricket board. We will go forward from there. Well,

hundreds of Australian cricket fans have begun arriving in the North

ahead of the start of the fourth test. And if you're out and about,

they'll be easy to spot as they tend to go to games dressed in bright

yellow and call themselves The Fanatics. But before the serious

stuff starts tomorrow, they're playing a grudge match against a

group of England supporters this evening. Peter Harris joined them on

their journey to Chester-le-Street. To say they were in good voice, that

would be a lie, but then this final advance for load a heavy night on

the beer. It is the way it goes, you are on tour. I suppose we can take a

little bit back. The interaction with them has been fantastic. They

love us and we love them. We get it to them and they give it back.

are not here just to watch. Tonight was the latest any series of games

against England fans. It has not been going well for the Australian

team and it is not going much better for the Australian fans who are

losing their own Ashes series 2-0. Waiting for them was Englund's Army

Army. -- barmy army. And playing the best of Australian

music... Kylie and Jason's greatest hits. This is as good as it gets.

These Australians are here to enjoy themselves and party and make a few

friends along the way. Can't beat a bit of banter. Let

battle commence! Let's go back to the studio for more of today's news.

Too many older people are drinking too much here in the North according

to research published today. Newcastle and Sunderland

Universities have been investigating the alcohol consumption of those

aged 65 and over. And now academics are calling for changes to the

recommended safe levels of drinking for people in that age group. Here's

our Political Correspondent Mark Denten.

The North East has a problem with drinking, but while its normally

associated with these people, it's not normally with these. But a new

report from Newcastle and Sunderland Universities says people over 65 are

drinking too much alcohol. example was a lady who reported

drinking a bottle of wine each night every night of the week, so the main

finding was that people seems to be quite confused about what was a

sensible amount to drink. government says men should bring a

maximum of about a pint and a half a week, and for women it is two or

three units. Some say that you'd be hard for those over 65. While this

latest report doesn't specify limits for older people, these drinkers in

Newcastle say they don't need to cut down. I don't drink too much and I

don't blink too little. It depends what I am doing. When I was younger

I would drink until I was unconscious. Now I have two pints

and that is it. Drinking too much ruins you. We will drink more if you

get the around them. Today's report was from a sample of 53 older

people, 0.012% of the population of over 65s in the North East. But its

authors say it should add to the body of evidence and make older

people question their drinking habits.

The questioners have they got it right or are they wrong? How do you

feel about it? Four men have been arrested in

connection with the death of a man in his 30s late last night in

Scarborough. Police were called to an address in Eastborough district

shortly before midnight. Shortly after they arrived a man at the

scene died. Police arrested four local men and say anyone with any

information should contact them. 25 years ago today the storage

facility at the controversial THORP plant at Sellafield opened its

doors. THORP stores and re-processes spent fuel from around the world. At

the time, the �2.8 billion plant was the largest single project completed

in the UK. Although a major leak was discovered on part of the site eight

years ago, bosses say it's safe and secure. Critics though say THORP has

been an expensive failure.' Mark McAlindon reports.

Building THORP - the thermal oxide reprocessing plant - was a mammoth

task, completed in 1994. Today though the warehouse which receives

and stores spent fuel from British and foreign reactors was celebrating

its 25th anniversary. Some who've been here the entire time had some

tales to tell. One of these stories about this building is the flying

bedsteads, a piece of kit designed for if you drop something, and it

was originally built out of balsa wood. They took the world's supply

of balsa wood for two years. It is difficult to get an idea of just how

fast this operation is. This is a third of the mile long and employees

in excess of 1000 people. A leak in another part of the plant in 2005

however did cause controversy. But bosses say this is a safe facility.

It was very unfortunate but it has been properly investigated and

repairs put in place. The workers in this plan now they are the first

person in front of any contamination event. Quite simply, we do not have

them. We designed the plan around it and a lot of safety contingencies.

THORP will close in 2018 when reprocessing contracts end.

Anti-nuclear critics say that while spillages have been tackled, the

plant itself has proved a costly mistake, only reaching its targets

years later than first promised. British Airways' brand new 787

Boeing Dreamliner touched down at Newcastle airport for the first time

today. The aircraft was in the North as part of its preparations for

flying long haul journeys. Heather Clancy reports.

British Airways ultra light and ultra green 787 Dreamliner, touches

down in Newcastle. At a cost of �250 million, it doesn't look any

different from a regular plane but what sets it apart is the material

its made from - carbon fibre, which is used to make Formula one cars.

Boeing says this lighter material makes it 20% more fuel efficient

than other planes. Inside, everything is designed to minimise

jet lag. The cabin has a lower pressure than other aircraft meaning

you won't feel as tired. There's also mood lighting designed to

reflect the time of day and the windows are the biggest in any

plane, meaning everyone gets a good view. But the best sights can be

seen in the cockpit. This is a tremendous aeroplane and is a joy to

fly because of all the technology, and that is in the cabin as well

where there's a more relaxing experience for our customers.

not been a smooth ride for all these planes though. In January,

Dreamliners around the world were grounded because of faults with the

batteries. Boeing fixed the problem and they took to the skies again in

April. Designed for long haul flights, this Dreamliner won't be

based here but passengers connecting to Toronto or Newark from Newcastle

could get the chance to fly on the plane.

She is enjoying that too much! That's it from me. A full weather

forecast of course coming up later in the programme from Hannah Bayman.

Now it's back to Chester-le-Street for more from Carol and Jeff.

Thanks, Colin. Yes, welcome back to Chester-le-Street where we're

counting down the hours to the start of the fourth test here tomorrow.

There's quite a buzz the grounds today and lots of work to make sure

everything is just right. And of course the age-old rivalry between

England and the Aussies has thrown up some of the most talked about

moments in world cricket, or are we just a little biased? Probably! But

after a long period of Australian domination, the pendulum finally

swung back eight years ago. An Ashes series win saw national celebration

in Trafalgar Square and some of the most famous hangovers in English

sporting history. And our region has more than played its part in

England's revival. Our Ashes reporter Katie Gornall explains.

In the summer of 2005, the country was gripped by Ashes fever with

England winning the series for the first time in nearly 20 years and

the men from the north-east were at the heart of the celebrations. He

was at the peak of his career and took 17 wickets in the series.

was fantastic. 2009, I knew my career was over. Playing against

Australia was a great thing. I feel humbled and honoured to have played

against the best side of all time. Many spend their entire careers

trying to achieve their place in Ashes Test the day, but that

happened in a split second. It will be talked about for years to come.

The substitute fielder became an unlikely hero when he ran out Ricky

Ponting at Trent Bridge but his time at the top was short lived when he

was released a year later by Durham. To get released at around 23 years

old was a disappointment. That probably did not help me but there

was a lot of tension and it helped my career. The victory was the

springboard for this all-rounder, lifting the Ashes three times. He

knows just what it means to have the Ashes on the doorstep. Ashes cricket

is so intense and you know what it means for everyone and for the

country so for Durham to host a match like this and have the world

media are looking on, we can be very proud of it. No one can be more

proud than Graham onions. A winner in 2009, he has been recalled for

this fourth test. If they want someone who can take wickets, they

need look no further. It would be terrific to see Graham

Onions in the team tomorrow. England put him forward for the press

conference yesterday - maybe we're reading too much into that. He's

been such a consistent bowler all his career, and it's mainly through

injury that he's won only nine England caps. Maybe captain Alastair

Cook will think Onions can give them a bit of home advantage, but the

Aussie skipper, Michael Clarke, also has a bit of help, from former

Durham batsman Michael Di Venuto. think Durham is a wonderful place to

come and play cricket. We have Di Venuto as a batting coach and the

boys have had a good time so far. It was a warm day yesterday and I am

looking forward to this. The ground looks fantastic. I think it will be

a great atmosphere and we have had some good success when we have

played well as a team. The lads are really looking forward to it and I

think it is great. Different grounds can get the opportunity to host an

Ashes test match. Hopefully, we will make yesterday. A big occasion for

us but just another day in the late for this man. You have been all over

the world watching cricket, how does this compare? It is beautiful, the

only ground with an adjoining Kassel. 2003 was the first test

match here. -- castle. This is a huge event for everybody here.

many changes going on in cricket, we have a technical question. I have

been hearing about things like hot spots and so on... There has been

crazy talk. We thought leaving Manchester it would be quiet for a

couple of days. There is a lot of focus on the review system with

Monty Palace are going off the rails and Sussex. -- Monty Panesar.

Australia need to show the performance in Manchester was not

just a flash in the pan. Come back soon!

We will carry on with the rest of the sport with football first. In

the draw for the second round of the Capital One Cup, Newcastle are at

Morecambe, Sunderland entertain MK Dons and Carlisle are at home to

Leicester. That's their reward for beating Blackburn on penalties last

night after an exciting three-all draw.

After watching their side lose the opening league game 5-1, the

Carlisle management team were encouraged to see new signing and

Saturday's scorer David Amoo give the League One side an early lead.

Championship club Blackburn turned the game round early in the second

half. Tom Cairney equalised with the help of a wicked deflection before

Chris Taylor put the visitors in front. But Carlisle's young side

were in a battling frame of mind - Lewis Guy taking the game to

extra-time. Alan Judge put Rovers back in front. But, after Cairney

was sent off, David Amoo made it 3-3. Time for an early season

penalty shoot out. It started badly for the Cumbrians but when Rovers

missed two in a row, the scene was set for David Symington to send the

4,000 home fans into raptures. In transfer news, Sunderland winger

James McClean's completed his move to Wigan. And to And Middlesbrough

have completed the signing of Ghananian international winger

Albert Adomah from Bristol City on a three-year deal.

That the football but it is cricket we are concentrating on and off

course the all-important weather. We out and nearly all of them open air,

so what the fans and players will be asking is what will the weather be

like? Sunshine and showers, but probably more sunshine and showers.

Through this evening, a view showers at first and then in the early

hours, more general rainfall widespread by the early hours of the

morning. 14 Celsius overnight for many places and a wet and gloomy

start to Friday, very unpromising for the cricket at first, but things

swiftly improve what sunshine breaking out across the north-east

and Cumbria and into the afternoon as the cricket gets going, things

will be looking good with top temperatures of 21 Celsius. Light to

moderate winds from the north and north-west. Over the next few days,

we can see the outlook for Cumbria are what sunshine and showers for

Saturday through to Monday. Very similar in the north-east, dry on

Saturday and Monday but show Eddie possibly through the day on Sunday.

-- showery. All eyes on the cricket through the weekend. Let's look in

detail at the fourth test forecast. By 11 o'clock in the morning, by the

time the executors take to the pitch, we are expecting it to be

fine and dry. A little bit of cloud cover for the batsmen could help

them slightly through the afternoon with temperatures rising to around

20 Celsius. Things look pretty good year for the first day but of course

this test could go on for five days. Let's look a little further forward.

Friday, showed early at first but it brightens and Saturday and Monday

looked pretty good. Sunday is the focus for a little bit of show only

weather. Sunday could be wet first thing. -- showery. The rain moving

an overnight on Saturday last thing through Sunday morning and perhaps

not clearing and time for a school day's play. We will be updating you

on the forecast every night this week. At the moment, Sunday is

looking potentially the most problematic day weather-wise.

Monday, the sky is bright and again with the outside chance of some

showers. The weather looking pretty good here and across the north-east

and Cumbria. There's the forecast, is sold out and the last two days