13/01/2017 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Tonight... and on BBC One we now join the BBC's

Storm surges hit communities along the North East coast,

and bring flooding to this tourist town in North Yorkshire.

I've lived here 40 years and I don't think I've seen

Placed on extended leave - the man who's been in charge

of Newcastle's hospitals for 40 years.

How a town came together to help a family whose home

And Jeremy Corbyn talks about the forthcoming Copeland

by-election and says a crisis in the Health Service

In sport - a football club saddled with debt,

but the Sunderland boss insists he does hope to hang

And gone but not forgotten - why Boro fans said it with flowers

following a striker's departure in the January sales.

It's been a waiting game for communities up and down

Forecasters had predicted storm surges overnight.

They didn't materialise - but disruption was again feared

at high tide this afternoon when 11 flood warnings were in

They ran from Seahouses in the North, down to Scarborough

As you can see, the wintry weather has produced some

spectacular scenes - and some flooding.

Adrian Pitches is live for us now at Roker in Sunderland.

Yes, there have been spectacular scenes here today as the storm surge

came down the North Sea. We had this spectacular high tide, a spring

tide, coupled with these very strong north-westerly winds producing

surging tides. People out in strength taking pictures marvelling

at this free natural spectacle, great entertainment on a Friday

afternoon. I talked to a number of people who were completely bowled

over by the spectacle and this is what they had to tell me.

Lived in Sunderland for a very long time, and fantastic

Have you been taking lots of pictures?

Unfortunately my iPhone has now gone flat.

I was born here, and I used to sit on those steps.

I won't today, but this is wonderful.

It beats California, beats everywhere.

I've lived here 40 years, and I don't think I've seen

the sea as big as this, and I'm down here twice today.

Overseeing the flood prevention operation has of course been the

Environment Agency. With me if John Shelby from the agency. How do you

feel it has gone today? I think it has gone very well today. We put out

the right number of double odds and warnings so people could be aware of

the risks and be prepared. Particularly down on the quayside in

Newcastle, we had predicted that the incoming tide might break out of the

quayside there. We had that temporary defences in place. They

were tested at high tide around 4pm, DC did break out of the lowest part

of the quayside round the Spring bread. That is where the defences

were and they worked and they held up the water. The flooding. Along

the coast what is the flood risk or the effect of this storm surge? We

do have the ability still in place of along the coast. The conditions

are still quite dangerous. There is an onshore wind. The tide is still

high and we would urge people to exercise extreme caution and resist

the temptation to go sightseeing and put themselves at any risk. Thank

you for that. As John says, happily there have been very few incidents

of danger to life or a limb but people do need to be careful. It is,

after all, Friday the 13th, be careful.

Meanwhile there's been flooding further down

These pictures were taken on Pier Road just before high tide.

Businesses and people living in the area and are being warned

to be vigilant, and to stay away from the waves.

Further inland - in the area around the station -

water came over the harbour wall, making New Quay Road

And it was a similar picture in Scarborough

Phil Bodmer was there for us and sent this

I think it is safe to saying now perhaps the worst of the storm surge

is over. I water was a couple of hours ago. Seas are still heavy and

they are overlapping and you can see the road there, what were still

coming up. The book pretty spectacular earlier on and because

of the waves that came up, knocked these heavy objects like bends over.

It looked more spectacular than it was a thinker. In a sense it hasn't

caused any damage to property. They have been protected by those steel

barriers and sandbagging which was carried out yesterday. At the spa

complex all over the side of the harbour here in Scarborough there

was some damage. That will be assessed when it is said to do so.

Other than that it seems that Scarborough this time as God of

micro-relatively lightly in comparison to the damage that was

done in 2013 when the estimated cost of repair is in Scarborough was

estimated over ?1 million. The foreshore road remained sealed off

tonight and the clear up is expected over the weekend.

A court's heard how a man - accused of strangling a grandmother

with an electrical cable - was prepared to do whatever it took

33-year-old Gareth Dack is accused of murdering 79-year-old Norma Bell

at her home in Hartlepool last April.

Stuart Whincup reports from Teesside Crown Court.

The prosecution claimed Gareth Dack was guilty of the brutal

murder of Norma Bell, and that he strangled her

with an electrical cable at her home in Hartlepool.

He then stole and sold the television and searched

the property for money or anything valuable which he could sell.

In the early hours of the morning, as his victim lay close by,

the court was told that Gareth Dack used Norma Bell's telephone

Now the prosecution say that when Dack decided to leave

Norma Bell's house one final time, he decided to cover his tracks

He turned the gas on at the hob, hoping the gas would ignite,

causing an explosion, destroying any scientific evidence

Dack's DNA was found on a number of items

He later told the police that was because

He also told officers he was not guilty of the murder

and that she was a friend of his mother's.

The prosecution say Gareth Dack's motivation was financial.

He needed cash and was going to do whatever it took to get

33-year-old Gareth Dack from Hartlepool denies murder and arson.

Sir Leonard Fenwick - the country's longest-serving

NHS chief executive - has been placed on "extended leave."

He's been in charge of Newcastle Hospitals since 1977,

and helped put them on the world map with its transplant,

But Look North's learned he's now being held to account

by his board "on behalf of patients and taxpayers."

Our Health Reporter Sharon Barbour joins me now.

Sharon, firstly - Sir Len a huge name in the NHS.

For 40 years has managed Newcastle Hospitals.

In the early days Newcastle General and the Freeman. He has seen a huge

number of challenges and changes in the health service and he has put

Newcastle on the map. He created the great North Children's Hospital and

brought in robotic surgery, major trauma unit saw the Bobby Robson

Cancer centre developed. But perhaps most notably his work around

transplant in the building of the Institute of transplantation.

Newcastle perform the first single and transplant in Europe. The

world's breasts of baby had transplant, Kaylee Davidson who is

30 this year and cheap pays tribute to his work. I would say thank you

for his vision to become reality coming you have saved not only my

life but other transplants from around the region and we will be

forever grateful. During the National review he fought for

Newcastle to carry on with tiled heart transplants before the

decision was overturned. He was always in a bottle of some kind.

That one meant a lot to him -- battle. Initially Newcastle was

given the right to carry on the transplant.

Big thank you to everyone in the north-east, but also

from throughout the country and abroad who have

supported Newcastle upon Tyne in all that we do.

Another achievement for Sir Len was the CQC rating the trust as

outstanding. A long list of achievements but what has happened

today? We don't know exactly. In a statement Newcastle hospitals

confirmed that... NHS Improvement is currently headed

by Jim Mackey from the nearby Northumbria trust. He is heading up

the National institution but he has toured as he removed himself from

any involvement in these affairs. We haven't been able to contact Sir Len

for comment. I have spoken to a number of staff and they all said

they can't comment. One described the situation as locked down but

they are very shocked. Interesting. More to come on that for sure. Thank

you. A 15-year-old girl -

accused of murdering a seven-year-old girl in York -

has appeared before a judge Katie Rough was found

with severe injuries on Monday The 15-year-old girl, who can't be

identified for legal reasons, is also accused of the possession

of a knife as an offensive weapon. She was remanded into youth

detention accommodation. Police are appealing for information

after a family home in County Durham was badly vandalised

while the occupants were out. It happened in Petterson Dale

in Coxhoe on Tuesday. Those responsible had

thrown paint around, poured cleaning products over walls

and furniture, ransacked cupboards and drawers and poured

bleach into the kettle. Now, we all know how people

in the region pull together And this next story proves

that community spirit Just before Christmas,

Steph Lang's house in Hartlepool But, as Phil Connell reports,

a campaign on social media has seen I think it could be

clothes or bedwear. It's a side of Hartlepool that

doesn't always make headlines. A kind and generous side that makes

this community strong. Just before Christmas,

this house in the town Steph Lang who lived

here with her two children had no Everything was just

black from smoke. They had no clothes apart

from what they were stood in. On hearing of the family's

plight, Tony and Leslie They launched a social

media campaign asking And the response from Hartlepool

has been overwhelming. Chips are down,

everybody pulls together. So, what is it about

Hartlepool people you think? Today more clothes and furniture

were being delivered. Acts of kindness for

which the family says Yeah, it is overwhelming,

to be honest, because there are that many bad stories about people

that they have done brilliant. I feel sorry for the

family, I really do, Chips are down, we pull together

no matter what it is. The town's support has got this

family now back on its feet. A story to make people

here proud of where they live. The Labour leader has said a crisis

in the region's health service will be a key issue in the upcoming

Copeland by-election. Jeremy Corbyn has also denied

claims his previous opposition to nuclear power will lose votes

for his party in the The contest has been

triggered by the resignation of the sitting Labour MP,

Jamie Reed. Our Political Correspondent Luke

Walton asked Mr Corbyn if his criticism of the nuclear

industry was Labour's Achilles heel. And it would be very helpful

if they treated their pensioners properly and treated the pension

fund properly as well. And those workers in Sellafield

deserve a fair deal just like everybody else and we will be

working with them on that. But you are actually on Conservative

leaflets and your comments about decommissioning by power

stations is already making hay It is very odd that that

Conservative leaflet, so well funded, so beautifully

produced and so expensive, didn't find even that amount

of space to say something about the National Health Service,

about the crisis in the NHS in the region, so I suggest

to Conservatives, they are in government,

the NHS is their responsibility, So, as Prime Minister,

would you approve a plan for a new nuclear power station next

to Sellafield which Well, we are not sure

when that is going to come up. That may well have happened before

a General Election takes place. I want to see an energy

mix in Britain. I want to see a wider

needs of renewable... I don't know what the circumstances

will be at that time. You are against nuclear

power, aren't you? I have obviously been very concerned

about nuclear safety, as indeed has everybody else

for a very long time. I also want to see a strong energy

mix in Britain, which other So you don't rule out approving

a new nuclear power station? Let's look at the issue

when it comes up. Would you be going to Sellafield

during the campaign I will be all over Cumbria

in the election campaign. There's more from Jeremy Corbyn

on Sunday Politics. That's this Sunday morning

at 11am, here on BBC One. Now, as you can imagine,

water companies like to keep But now Northumbrian Water has

agreed to lower levels at its Kielder reservoir at certain

times of the year. It's hoped it could play a part

in preventing a repeat of the horrendous flooding

many of our communities have faced. Our Political Editor Richard Moss

reports on how it'll work. Kielder - the main source of water

for much of our region. But also now playing a part

in preventing floods. This is a controlled release

of water from the reservoir - something that has been happening

at Kielder for a few months now. It means at key times

of the year Kielder can be kept below full capacity,

allowing it to retain floodwater rather than see it flow over the top

of the dam and into rivers Because of the sheer size

of Kielder, we have done the modelling and we can afford

to keep it at a lower And this lower level gives us some

capacity to absorb more of the water And that stops it going

into the Tyne and maybe causing The decision to lower levels

here is part of an agreement But is this really a substitute

for spending money There is no question

we need to do that. But the single biggest thing to stop

flooding is to retain the water before it gets down to the villages

and towns below. Behind me you've got

the best thing to do that. And relatively speaking this

doesn't cost any money. This is a deal which will be

watched closely elsewhere. Locals living near Thirlmere

in Cumbria have been pressing their local water company -

United Utilties - I would urge other organisations

like United Utilities and others to come to the table and do

a similar thing. I think Northumbria Water

deserve great credit, It's not rocket science,

but it does require some effort. And other organisations should

take their part as well This is no panacea -

the authorities say if something like 2015's Storm Desmond hit again,

it wouldn't prevent Time for sport. A celebrity

supporter... Yes. It's a case of fantasy

football for Middlesbrough The popular TV and stage actor has

been back in the region to promote a newly-adapted play in which he'll

star as the manager of a fictitious A busy schedule won't stop him

keeping a watchful eye, though, on his beloved Boro's latest attempt

to move away from One of Boro's most famous fans

is starring in a dressing room drama called the Red Lion in April -

part of the Spring Season Played a football manager before?

Never. I was a player once in the manageress for people who can

remember that far back, a Channel 4 drama series where we auditioned for

the football before the acting. And there was plenty

of badge-kissing in the stands for Stockton-born Stephen

and a packed Riverside last May when the Teessiders

ended their 7-year exile Absolutely delighted. Especially for

Steve Gibson. The fact that Jack Charlton was there at the end and

had a little tear in his eye. It was lovely. It is great for the area. We

have been in the wilderness for too long and I think they have won a lot

of fans this year with the way they have been playing and hopefully

we'll be there for many more seasons to come.

Middlesbrough fans won't be seeing much of David Nugent

for a while after he signed for Steve McClaren's Derby County.

Greeting the Boro promotion hero on his arrival,

a bouquet of flowers from fans on Teesside.

Thank you very much. A good connection. I always sign autographs

after the game. I always got on with them. Always there to talk to them

and they are the ones who pay your wages. It is important to give

something back. But as Boro prepare for the away day

at Watford, will the likes of winger Stewart Downing be following Nugent

out of the Riverside this month? He is an important player for this

team and this group. If Stewart wants to leave, everybody is happy,

of course. Now, if Sunderland fans were in any

doubt about the state of the club's finances halfway through the January

transfer window, have a look at these figures showing the European

clubs with the biggest debts. Some of the figures are more

than a year old, and 11th placed Sunderland are reported to have

reduced their net debt from ?180 million to around ?140 million,

but money's still too David Moyes has had at least one arm

tied behind his back of all sorts of reasons all season. He admits the

Uefa of the table makes sobering reading. It is different view on

Manchester United with their turnover. I don't think it is a good

in position to be in Sunderland and I think that is what the Chief

Executive alluded to do when he told everyone about the financial

situation. I think it's just tells everybody how many years Sunderland

have had a lot of money spent in the past. It is probably not going to be

that so much in the future. While playing down the prospect of many if

any January signings, David Moyes is bullish about the players attracting

interest such month. Confirming that Crystal Palace have been rebuffed in

the attempts to sign Patrick Van Anhalt. We have had quite a few bits

because we have some good players here. A beef people think we will be

easy pickings but I want to keep my good players and I want us to build

and add to our group rather than lose players. But Sunderland and

Stoke have had their defence struggled this season so perhaps a

goalless draw is the least likely prediction.

Newcastle play Brentford in the Championship tomorrow

after the match was rescheduled because of the Magpies FA Cup

And United need to regain some form after falling back

After being beaten 3-1 by Newcastle at St James' Park,

Brentford were looking forward to getting a bit of revenge

in front of the cameras at Griffin Park on Monday night.

The rescheduling of the game means Brentford lose out

on ?100,000 of TV money, and Rafa Benitez has some sympathy

for the travelling Magpies fans who've had to change their plans.

I feel sorry for the fans sometimes, because it is not easy if you have a

job and then you have to ask for a day off on Monday because you want

to go to the game and then you don't have the game, so what happens?

Captain Jamaal Lascelles makes his 50th appearance tomorrow

and isn't unduly worried about their dip in

There is nothing to panic about. Halfway through the season, we are

still playing good football. It is not like we are getting battered and

teams are making us look silly. Against Blackburn the game was so

one way and it was unfortunate to lose, but it is not the end of the

world. The injury to striker

Aleksander Mitrovic isn t as bad as first thought,

and he should be fit again in three weeks,

but it looks like Chieck Tiote may Elsewhere, Carlisle have signed

ex-Hartlepool midfielder BBC Radio Cumbria will have

commentary of the Blues' BBC Tees DAB will have the whole

of Pools at Crawley. And Berwick Rangers

are at second-placed Arbroath - The pitch covers come off

at 9am tomorrow morning. Gateshead's FA Trophy tie

against Lincoln is subject to a pitch inspection at around

the same time. Newcastle Eagles will lift

their third consecutive BBL Cup this weekend if they beat Glasgow Rocks

in Sunday's final in Birmingham. The game is a repeat

of the 2015 showpiece when the Eagles beat the Rocks,

and player-coach Fab Flournoy says the fear of failing is a major

motivation for the country's most You know, there is no guarantee

you're going to win anything and that is the beauty of it. That is

the fear being unsuccessful, the fear of being disappointed. The fear

of the bottom line is that any time we don't win something, it is

always, oh, what went wrong and it is doom and gloom. The Eagles are

what they were before. When we turn up on Sunday there is no guarantee

we are going to win, absolutely. That is the difference for us.

Finally, good luck to tournament favourite Glen Durrant

from Middlesbrough this evening in the quarter-finals

of the BDO World Darts Championship at Frimley Green.

I know you are a big darts fan. Time for the weather. The most important

part of the programme! It is a really busy day. Snow this morning

and this afternoon. All above the storm surge. You have been sending

in your pictures. This from Whitley Bay is showing the waves lapping up

against the sea wall. The next one from Whitby. This looks like snow

but it is actually the sea foam that was whipped up by the winds. Finally

this picture, it looks really beautiful but the waves are really

powerful. For the weekend, things are set to change. It is going to

stay bitterly cold. We gradually lose the winds through the weekend.

Some sunshine tomorrow but by the time we get to Sunday things are

turning milder but they will be wet once again. The first thing to note

through the night tonight is a Met Office Yellow warning for ice. Where

we have had showers today and the temperatures fall tonight that could

be a problem tomorrow morning. Generally a dry night. As you

showers in parts of Cumbria and later there might be a few along the

north-east coast. In general dry but very cold. Temperatures in around

minus one four minus two. Rural spots could be minus four or minus

five Celsius. Bitterly cold start to Saturday morning. Watch out for the

highest first thing but plenty of crisp winter sunshine through the

morning. Still a nagging north-westerly breeze so it will

accentuate that cold feel. My three o'clock in the afternoon the

temperatures across Cumbria are just starting to creep up and that is a

sign of things to come for the weekend. Here through the afternoon

temperatures will reach around six Celsius. Through the north-east into

North Yorkshire highs only two or three Celsius. Adding the strength

of the wind it will feel very cold. This is the pressure Chart through

Saturday night into Sunday. They were the front moving in and that

will bring some outbreaks of rain. On the leading edge it good for must

know for a time. This is how Saturday night books. Starting

bright but it won't last long. The weather front bringing some rain. A

lot of hill fog as well. Some low cloud. Temperatures dropping to

around two Celsius. We stay above freezing for Sunday morning but a

bit of a murky start. Very great, outbreaks of rain. On and off by the

afternoon so not completely wet but it will feel dull and overcast. Much

milder. Tamara's temperatures around six, Sunday looking at around 10

Celsius. It will feel significantly milder. Through Monday it is another

fairly grey day. Lots of low cloud. We keep that through next week.

Thank you, I was going to go for a walk at the weekend but it sounds

like I should sit in front of the fire. Whatever you are doing have

great weekend.