20/03/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, and welcome to Thursday's so it's goodbye from me

Hello, and welcome to Thursday's Look North. Tonight: Three former

soldiers are told they're to be released from an Indian jail.

Hitachi moves its global rahl HQ to Britain ` will it mean more jobs for

the North? A warning that foot and mouth

disease could return if restrictions on the movement of livestock are

relaxed. I fear foot and motth will come back. It's not if it comes

back, it's when. Think before you drink. New measures

to help student revellers stay safe when they're out on the town.

And we meet the super`slimmdrs who lost ten stones ` just in thme for

their 20th wedding annivers`ry. In sport, Alan Pardew warns his

players about the dangers of betting after Dan Gosling's ?30,000 fine.

And the County Durham boxer hoping to become the first member of the

travelling community to lift a world title.

Five months of heartache ` but today, a breakthrough, with the news

that three former soldiers from our region are to be released from a

jail in India. Along with three other men, Nick Dunn from Ashington,

John Armstrong from Wigton, and Nicholas Simpson from Catterick

were working as anti`piracy guards. They were arrested, accused of

entering Indian waters illegally, and put into a prison their

relatives say is "beyond sqtalid". Today, though, they were told they'd

be bailed. Our chief reportdr, Chris Stewart, was with Mr Dunn's sister

shortly after the news came through. Lisa Dunn ` doing something she d

forgotten she could do ` smhle. Five months since you've done that.

How does it feel? Amazing. @mazing. But we're not there yet. Thdre is

still a long way to go. But at least it's going in the right

direction. These pictures show the moment Nick Dunn and five others

were arrested. Their ship, the Seaman Guard Ohio, was impotnded `

and they were charged with hllegally entering Indian waters and hllegally

carrying firearms. Nick Dunn is a former para ` the others too all

former soldiers working for an American security company. The

announcement they'll be bailed came just two days after relativds of the

men descended on Downing Street with a petition calling on the Government

to do more to secure their release. It now looks more than likely that

within a week, the men will be out of a prison Lisa says is horrific.

Bail means at least he'll bd out of there, if still in India. Hd'll have

a little bit of freedom. He'll be able to sleep in a bed. He'll be

able to have a decent wash. It's so important that they get out of there

as soon as possible. But thdre've been setbacks before ` so the smile

isn't yet permanent. Is Japanese investment in otr region

going to be stronger than wd thought ` with the prospect of even more

jobs? Hitachi has revealed ht's moving the headquarters of hts

global rail business to Britain The firm's already building a plant at

Newton Aycliffe in County Dtrham. It won a multi`billion pound contract

last year to build new intercity trains there. Our political

correspondent, Mark Denten, joins us now from Newton Aycliffe. M`rk ` the

HQ will be in London. What light that mean for us here in thd North?

We are on a dead industrial state tonight, but this could be the site

of the industrial future, bdcause down there, the pictures of trains

will become a reality in a few years. They are building th`t ? 2

million training, and 700 jobs will be here in Newton Aycliffe `t the

end of that line. They will not answer to bosses in Tokyo, but

bosses in London, because the global HQ of Hitachi will be in thd UK

Last year's Hitachi announcdment was a massive vote of confidencd in the

region. Now, even before it's been built, that confidence has gone up a

notch. Trains already on thd order books will be made here to run on

the East Coast mainline. Th`t contract alone means the pl`nt will

employ 750 people. The local MP says today's news could ` should ` mean

even more to come. Now it's a global business based in Newton Aycliffe.

It's not just a UK company with European aspirations for selling

trains to Europe, but now a global operation. It gives the cap`city to

go out and look for those contracts. It means more jobs. To

government eyes, ministers see a second foreign train builder making

a commitment like this as evidence this is a credible place to invest

in a recovering economy. Lots of trains are required, and Brhtain is

a good base for manufacturing over the world. The lessons they've

learned from this then, who have done very well here, is that Britain

is a good place to be. Like Nissan, it isn't just about the finhshed

product. The supply chain whll make many more jobs, down to the nuts and

bolts. A local company has been given this steel contract, so the

company itself will be bought with steel. Hitachi is likely to be a

contender to make trains for the HS2 project, and being more British will

do it more `` no more harm. They will put more emphasis on this

particular planned, and the real importance of using this as a

manufacturing base for the whole of Europe. Building trains is ` slow

and expensive business, but it means investment has to be long`tdrm.

Hitachi has signalled they `re here for the long haul. Hitachi says we

should not expect to see lots of people shifting from downtown Tokyo

to Uptown Newton Aycliffe. Ht is not cleared the number of addithonal

workers who will come to thd north`east, but one important thing

tonight is Hitachi have said they want to have the heart of their

global rail business in the UK, and a key part of that will be the

products in the coming years from here. Sounds good.

Peter Lawrence, the father of missing York University chef Claudia

Lawrence, says it would havd been more helpful if dramatic, ndw

information revealed on the BBC Crimewatch programme last nhght had

been known five years ago ` when his daughter vanished. But he s`ys he

has fresh hope detectives whll find answers following this latest appeal

for help. John Cundy reports. This could be hugely signifhcant.

This is from a witness who said on the morning of Claudia's

disappearance at 6:45 in thd morning, he saw a male described as

55 to 65, with grey hair, knee`length, and was wearing a

three`quarter length sandy`coloured mac. It is important to trace the

man. The dramatic statement on BBC's Crimewatch programme by the man

leading investigations into missing Claudia Lawrence, and there are

appeals now to trace a man who was seen to have been let into her house

the morning before she vanished Information is also being sought

about two vehicles, one in particular. These vehicles were

picked up on CCTV on the ro`d where Claudia lives. It was at 5:42 in the

morning. She would have been walking to work. That vehicle is believed to

be a light hatchback, and it breaks unexpectedly, we think near to her

house. We want to know why that vehicle did brake, who was hn it,

and did it stop to give her a lift to work. Is it something

significant? Claudia's fathdr, Peter, watched last night's

revelations, and he has his criticisms. I hope it will jog

someone's memory, but it's ` pity we weren't seeing it five years ago. If

any of this results in someone coming forward with any tinx bit of

information, it must give us hope. I feel that they have been so thorough

that they are going to make progress, and that's what the family

need. It is critical to the family? It is. It is affecting the family.

Detectives have reported a good public response so far to their

appeals for help over the mxsterious case of Claudia Lawrence.

Two coach firm bosses have been jailed after importing ?3 mhllion

worth of heroin on a bus trhp from Europe. Brothers Glen and G`ry

Wheatley, who ran the G and G Travel firm in Hetton, near Sunderland hid

12 kilos of heroin in a chalber built into one of their coaches It

was found by customs when G`ry Wheatley was bringing a bus full of

passengers into Dover. He w`s jailed for six years by Newcastle Crown

Court. Glen Wheatley was jahled for 12.5 years.

It's "only a matter of time" before foot and mouth disease returns to

Britain. That's the view of one Cumbrian farmer, as the Govdrnment

announces it's to lift movelent restrictions brought in aftdr the

devastating outbreak of 2000. Although some farmers and

politicians say abolishing the so`called "six`day rule" is the

right thing to do, others aren't so sure ` especially in Cumbri`, the

county worst hit by the disdase Mark McAlindon reports.

In 2001, foot and mouth was discovered on Les Armstrong's farm

in Cumbria's Eden Valley. Lhke thousands of others, he watched and

wept as his herd ` his life's work ` was destroyed. We should never

forget what happened, and wd should always be in a position to know

exactly what to do in futurd if it were to come back again, but no we

don't think about it now. Wd've moved on. But 13 years on, he says

it's time the six`day rule ` which means no animal can be taken off the

farm in that time once new ones have arrived ` was lifted. It was brought

in on the back of foot and louth because they had to be more

disciplined. That's why it was brought in. The arguments are

different now. Now it's mord important to know where cattle have

been rather than how long they've been on the farm. But not mtch more

than 20 miles away, across country where pyres once burned and farms

diagnosed with the disease fell like dominoes, there are others who

aren't convinced. Mother hasn't got enough milk at the moment. Susan

Aglionby lost her animals too in the dark days of 2001. I walked across

the fields here and I saw btrning all around. I woke up one morning,

knew we got the disease, and it s a day I will never ever forget in my

life. For Susan, even now, vigilance is all. I fear foot and mouth will

come back. It's not a matter of if, it's when it comes back. Thdre will

be other diseases out there as well, and anything we can do in a very

basic way to control infecthon is very, very important. This hs an

argument not about ends but about means. For some, the memorids of

2001 are still raw and painful. But others clearly believe some

restrictions can be safely removed because farming is very different

now, 13 years on from the devastating outbreak. Others say in

their view, sensible precautions must remain.

Mark is here now. So, Mark, is there a real prospect

of foot and mouth returning to Cumbrian farms? I think everyone

agrees there is always the possibility. You can't be too

careful. The DCs has not bedn eradicated. `` the disease. Liz says

getting rid of the six`day rule won't lead to the return of foot and

mouth disease. He says the key now is knowing where animals have been

all stop we have electronic data to track movement. The real concern in

the farming community is new diseases. Susan also said continued

reassurance to keep farms f`rming is the key. TEASE Still to comd ` Dawn

Thewlis joins me for Thursd`y's sports news.

Plus a real slimline tonic ` the couple who shed ten stones `nd won a

national award for their efforts. It is almost the weekend. I will be

here with a full forecast. Just how CAN York and its rhvers be

made safer? That's the question an urgent summit meeting of police

councillors and student leaders will be trying to answer next wedk. It

follows the recent disappearance of Ben Clarkson, and the death of

student Megan Roberts ` whose body was found in the River Ouse. It s

hoped new measures will redtce casualties and help those who've had

too much to drink. Phil Connell spent last night with young

revellers on the streets of York, and has compiled tonight's Look

North report. It's a Wednesday night in York, and

the city's students are out in force. In certain venues, it is an

official student night, meaning drink prices are cheaper, and many

students are willing to takd advantage. It's really easy. You can

come out with a lot, really solid. What does that mean? Get drtnk. In

recent weeks, the disappear`nces of Ben Clarkson and the death of

student Megan Roberts has r`ised concerns about safety. Megan's body

was recovered from the River Ouse. On the night she disappeared, it was

believed she had been drinkhng heavily. But York say in an A

department, those coming in with drink`related problems were aged

between 15 and 81. For thosd treated, 16% had been affected by

alcohol. And during freshers week, 40% of those were students. Tonight,

it is quiet, although staff are well aware of the problems alcohol can

bring. I've had a set of shoes weed on by one individual who was too

drunk to know what he was doing As an A consultant, what would you

like to see happen? Maybe in the areas where it is more common for

people to come acropper, thdre may be something needed to reduce the

likelihood someone will fall in So what can be done to make York and

its rivers safer? Next week, an urgent meeting is being held with

police, the council and student leaders. The scheme that is being

pioneered in Newcastle is one idea that could soon be implemented here.

The scheme, operated by Northumbria Police, aims at prevention, with

doormen being trained to spot and help vulnerable young peopld. It is

a scheme which North Yorkshhre's commissioner thinks will also work

in York. It's not just lookhng at what's going on in York at the

moment, but also looking wider and saying, "What can we learn from

elsewhere to bring in new things that might try to prevent some of

these problems from happening in the first instance?" In America, the

problem is being tackled by so`called "drunk tanks", a place to

house people until they sobdr up. In the next few weeks, York will have

its own version of the drunk tank. Officials prefer to call it "the

community medical unit" ` a place that will offer free help and

support for people who have been injured or have one too manx drinks.

There is the awkward middle ground, as we call it, where people are too

drunk to get a taxi because the driver won't take them, but not bad

enough to merit an ambulancd, because those services are stretched

as it is. The real proof of action is going to be when things `re set

up. I hope the media will still do interviews come September and

October to see if people have been true to their word. With two people

drowning in York's rivers e`ch year, it is still seen as a relathvely

safe city. It's hoped over the coming weeks, new ideas and

investment can make it even safer. Now, they're a super slimming couple

from Sunderland ` and they've lost more than ten stones between them to

lift a national slimming title just in time for their 20th weddhng

anniversary. This is Graeme and Lisa Wharton on their wedding dax. And

this is them today. Fantasthc. Lisa's dropped from 15 stonds and

6.5 pounds to ten stones and 8. pounds, making her four stones and

12 pounds lighter. And she's gone from dress size 18`20 to 12.

Graeme's dropped from 19 stones and ten pounds to 14 stones and four

pounds. So he's lost five stones and six pounds, and his waist h`s

slimmed from 48 inches to 34. That's a combined weight loss of tdn stones

and four pounds ` and they've been crowned Slimming World's Cotple of

the Year. Our reporter Stephanie Cleasby's with them now.

Yes, Graham and Lisa are both as light as they have ever been,

because they've swapped a dhet of chocolate and crisps for

alternatives and exercise. Let's find out what they are cookhng in

the kitchen. Something hope `` healthy, I hope. Big bowls of

tomato, mushroom and pasta sauce. How does this compare to wh`t you

would eat a year or two ago? We would normally get something out of

the freezer, put it in the microwave. So you are healthy and

now? You have lost over ten strains between you. What is the secret to

your success? It is joining together. I'm a taxi driver, and the

fast food around the taxi r`nks was a problem. We do it together. If I'm

in from work first, I will cook tea. If it's the other way around, we

will do the opposite. Do yot feel better? Totally different. We are

doing the ten kilometres, the Great North Road. Exercise is a bhg thing.

I do boot camps. I really enjoy it. Doing the weight`loss classds as a

couple, does that mean you've had a lot of support from each other, or

is their competition? A bit of both. But the group are supportivd. Wendy

is a fantastic consultant. Ht makes a big difference. As a blokd, it is

intimidating walking through the door. As well as being couple of the

year, you were celebrating 20 years together. A long time. A very long

time. Training for the great North run, so you are now focused on

staying healthy? Absolutely. We are committed now. A fit future?

Exactly. Thank you for talkhng to us. They are focused on leading a

happy and healthy life, and beating you in the great North run. I'm sure

they will. Thank you very much.

Forty pupils from Teesside High School set themselves the t`rget of

swimming the length of the Dnglish Channel today. Former British Record

Holder ` Daniel Johnson ` w`s there to give them support. They lanaged

to do so many lengths, they covered the distance to France and back

again! They swam up and down the pool almost 3000 times ` all in aid

of BBC Sport Relief. If kids can get in, it's a great

sport to be in. How many laps have you swum? 96. Tired? Yeah. How did

you feel when you finished? Quite proud of myself. 56 lengths? Yes.

Feel tired? No. Why not? I've been swimming since I was four. Well the

big Sport Relief day is tomorrow, and a whole range of stunts and

events are planned across the North. One of the more unusual ways of

raising money involves the BBC Tees Breakfast Show presenter, formerly

known as Alistair Brownlee. The station's Middlesbrough Football

Club commentator has offici`lly changed his name to "Up the Boro"

Brownlee by deed`poll. The name`change was given the official

seal of approval by Middlesbrough Head Coach Aitor Karanka, who was on

hand to witness the signing of the documents. I wonder if he knows what

that is about. What else is in sport?

It'll be the first time two boxers from the North East have fotght each

other for an officially recognised world title. Reigning champhon,

Darlington's Stuie Hall, will make his first defence of the IBF

Bantamweight belt he won just before Christmas against another County

Durham fighter hoping to wrhte his own name into boxing folklore. Mark

Tulip's been to meet him. Just turned 26, Martin Ward, who

lives near Durham, says he's in the prime of his life. He's also bidding

to become the first member of the travelling community to lift a world

boxing title, which he says he would parade at the Appleby Horse Fair

this summer. To be a world champion is massive, but it will be ` big

buzz for me and the family, because it means a lot. Most travellers do

have a goal, and I have a shot at the boxing, so there is big

interest. I think there will be plenty of interest there. Lhke the

champion Stuie Hall, whom hd used to spar with, Martin has found himself

at the front of the long qudue to get his big chance much quicker than

expected. I've been lucky to jump the queue and get a shot. Stewie was

lucky to get in and take thd shot, so now it is my turn. I havd the

chance, so hopefully I can step in and take it. Experienced Hartlepool

trainer Neil Fannan has brotght in a world`class sparring partner. South

African Tshifhiwa Munyai, or Mr T, has beaten Lee Haskins ` thd former

Commonwealth champion who inflicted rare defeats on both Martin and

Stuie Hall. But ahead of thd big fight at the Newcastle Aren` a week

on Saturday, what do the falily think? It's nonstop boxing hn my

family. It's all we talk about. From the mini `` moment we get up in the

morning, it is about who was fighting on the weekend, so it is

nonstop talk about boxing. Sometimes it gets a bit much. We love boxing.

I've been boxing since I was 11 years old. It is a big part of the

family and for all of us. You wait so many years through new boxing

champion and to come along `t once. It will be a host Eric fight. `` a

historic fight. Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher

will miss Saturday's relegation six`pointer at Norwich. Fletcher

twisted his ankle in last wdek's goalless draw with Crystal Palace,

and the severity of the injtry won't be known until a scan next week

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has revealed that thd club

will be taking no further action against midfielder Dan Goslhng, who

was fined ?30,000 yesterday by the Football Association for brdaching

betting rules. Gosling had `dmitted a misconduct charge after bdtting on

the outcome of matches ` although they didn't include games involving

Newcastle or Blackpool, where he was on loan earlier in the season.

No, I think he's got his punishment, and I think it hurt. It's something

I had to remind the squad about because it's important that we don't

bet on Champion League games in any shape or form, whether it's an

accumulated bet or whatever. It s irrelevant, and I made that clear to

the squad, and it needed to happen. Time for the weather. It is turning

a bit chilly. The spring equinox today ovdr the

next few days. The days will become longer than the night. It whll be

chillier tomorrow with showdrs and breeze. It is the wind that makes it

feel cold. Overnight, showers are wintry over the tops of the North

Pennines. The snow line tonhght around 400 metres, well over 10 0

feet. No lying snow in towns, cities or villages. Overnight tonight,

possibly a touch of frost. Temperatures falling to just a

couple of degrees above fredzing. Through the morning, bright and

breezy for most parts, and travellers from overnight h`ve

cleared away. Three lunchtile and the afternoon, shall start to spread

into the West, increasingly splashing their way from Culbria

across North Yorkshire and the East. Let's take it to. The top

temperature around nine Celsius Feeling colder because of that

strong south`westerly wind. Up over 20 or 25 mph in the north`e`st and

in Cumbria as well with gusts lasting a few seconds, posshbly

stronger than this. Just seven Celsius on the Cumbrian coast.

Feeling colder because of that strong wind chill. Let's take a look

at the precious sequence. The big picture. Low pressure domin`ting the

forecast, and another weathdr systems snaking across the TK

through Saturday. It could bring more showers for Cumbria and cloud

in the East. Then a ridge of high pressure will start to settle

whether through Sunday, and into Monday. It will not last, though.

Another pressure system will cross us on Tuesday and Wednesday, but

beautifully sunny through Monday. The UK`based in golden sunshine It

will feel springlike. Let's take a look at the detail over the

weekend. In Cumbria, we are expecting heavy showers on Saturday.

Some bright spells in betwedn the showers. Without breeze, fedling

cold, and those showers oncd again over the tops will be wintrx. Sunday

a brighter day. Bright spells and fewer showers where they do fall.

They will be lighter as well. Cloudy on Saturday. Sunday probablx the

best day of the two over thd weekend, and then Monday looks

glorious. Long spells of spring sunshine.

That's not too bad. I was worried there for a moment. I should have

pruned my roses. That's the gardening over. See you tomorrow.

Goodbye.