16/03/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

There's more throughout the evening on the

Good evening. Durham Police say they've not given up hope that

missing deputy head teacher Mark Bushnell will be found alivd. But a

week on from his disappearance they admit they are no further forward in

their search. Andrew Hartlex reports.

Police, coastguard and mountain rescue ` today continuing the hunt

for Mark Bushnell. The deputy head at Durham School was last sden when

he left his home in Durham City a week ago. His grey Citroen was found

here ` the car park at Blackhall Rocks near Peterlee. It is ` week

since Mark went missing. We are hopeful people in the area who have

not come forward as yet may have vital information. Today, wd have

been out with British Transport Police and colleagues and police

community support officers `nd speaking to people in the area who

may have information. Is it fair to say the longer it goes on, the less

hopeful you become? The longer this continues, the more difficult it is

in terms of a positive outcome. But the search continues ` so f`r in

vain. In the last few days, the hunt has been conducted over land and sea

and by air ` still nothing that points to Mr Bushnell's whereabouts.

And his family are said to be facing up to the chance he may not be

found. Farmers are warning sheep rtstling

is becoming a serious probldm. Seemingly organised and with

hundreds of animals disappe`ring, it's threatening livelihoods.

Landowners are now asking for the public's help. Cathy Killick sent

this report from North Yorkshire. Take a drive through the relote

parts of the Dales and this is a common sight. Sheep grazing on open

land. This method of grazing provides a livelihood for f`rmers

like Jack who has about 450 sheep or he did before more than 100 were

stolen. We thought they werd rounded up through the night becausd we saw

nothing suspicious in the d`y. We have not seen any carcasses

slaughtered like some places. The question is where are they going?

While some may end up on other farms for breeding, it is thought most end

up sold cheaply to restaurants or individuals in an illegal mdat

trade. For all I know, thesd sheep could have been dipped drenched for

fluke, worms or parasite or be on antibiotics. During that tile, the

meat is unsafe for eating. The thieves will not know that `nd they

don't care anyway. If they `re offered cheap meat or anythhng or

know if a restaurant is buyhng cheap meat, report it to the police. Sheep

sold through the proper channels are traceable and safe for slaughtering.

So many are going missing that it is now threatening entire farms. If the

animals keep disappearing, the open grazing begins to become usdless to

the farmer concerned and th`t makes it extremely difficult to rtn a farm

on a viable basis. The sheep are specially bred and raised to survive

on the moor. When they're stolen it is not easy to replace them. The

cost to the farmer is far greater than the price of a few roasts.

Parents of children with autism say they're delighted a West Culbrian

cinema has been putting on special showings. The Plaza in Workhngton

responded to a request from a local support group for screenings on

Sunday mornings. Mark McAlindon reports.

Cinemagoers would normally sit through trailers before the main

film. Here it is different, designed for people with autism. The local

autism support group for those affected by autism and their

families. It is more of a rdlaxed atmosphere, we have the sound turned

down a bit, people can talk freely and the lights are on and if people

feel the need to move about they can. Parents and grandparents say

it's been a great innovation. It is because they enjoy it. They like the

big screen and they seem more settled watching a film on the big

screen. Ask them. It is the favourite thing we do. He c`n act up

like that whereas this he c`n do what he wants and he doesn't bother

anybody. It is normal to brhng your child to the pictures. You can't

always do that with an autistic child. They will run the shows every

three weeks. Let's get the weather for the week ahead now, herd's

Jennifer Bartram. Hello, it has been a blustery day

for many of us across the North East and Cumbria. We hang on to the

strong breeze through tonight. A fair amount of cloud from the west.

There will be spots of rain or drizzle across the files for most of

us it will be a dry but clotdy night. Temperatures falling back to

around seven or eight. night. Temperatures falling back to

A mild start on Monday, lots of cloud initially, some spots of

drizzle, we keep a strong breeze. Gusty at times, mostly cloudy but

some bright spots across thd north`east. Temperatures up to ten

or 11. Through the next couple of days, Tuesday looks dry macro except

across Cumbria where they'll be light rain.

And that's it for now. I'll be back with the late news at 20 past ten.

Have a good evening. Good evening. Apologies for sounding

Southeast centric, but it is difficult when London had a high of