28/07/2011 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight. Our top story: The final chapter for

Bolton's libraries. Protests as the council says a third of them have

to close. We will be looking at whether the

same thing is happening across the region. Also tonight: A detective

is suspended after a memory stick containing private police details

is stolen. All aboard - after almost 80 years,

could trams be returning to Preston's streets?

They have nailed it - why cuts have helped one Lancashire business grow

strong. Some people don't like feet.

Everyone's feet are different. Bolton is to lose a third of its

libraries. Council bosses have voted to shut down five of the 15

in the borough. They say they need to save �60 million over the next

two years. The public can now appeal against that decision and

protesters have been making themselves heard outside the town

hall today. Arif Ansari is in Bolton now.

That decision taken at lunch time in the building behind me, five

libraries to close. Let's take a If you look at the North West as a

whole, there are more libraries being reviewed in Cumbria than

anywhere else. I have been taking a look there at the kind of reforms

they are considering. In parts of Cumbria, it's already

self-service. Broughton in Furness used to have a mobile library, now

there is a permanent supply of books. This is how a library link

works. You select your book, you come over to this computer. The

first thing to do is show it your library card. It then wants to scan

the book itself. Then you are ready to read about the birds and the

bees. You can pop in any time, get yourself a book and help yourself,

sign it out and away you go. It is trickier to convince people if they

have not got a library building. is only going to work if the people

in that community are prepared to join with us and make it work.

are not so keen at Askam library, one of 18 under review. Even

Cumbria County Council have been surprised at the level that people

feel passionate about this library. Two years ago the library had 276

borrowers. Last year it was 259. The number of books borrowed

reduced from 7,000 to 6,800. The annual cost is �11,000.

librarian, there's people here that have got bad sight and she gives

them the talking books and there is the internet service we have got

here. There is nothing else in the village and you wouldn't have that

in the virtual libraries. Elsewhere in the North West, Warrington has

closed two libraries and one mobile library. In Wigan, there is a

consultation with speculation that six out of 18 could close. There

are no closures in Cheshire. In Blackpool, Labour's reversed

Conservative plans to close two libraries. Liverpool's building a

new �40 million Central Library. You are meant to be quiet in a

library, there is no doubt they stir up plenty of passions. I'm

joined by the leader of the council. Did you make the decision to close

the libraries because you wanted to or you needed to? We made the

decision because we had to make savings. Attend of the day, we will

have to balance our books. It is not a decision everybody wants to

do or wanted to do. The thing we have done, we have looked at

whether we will still have a comprehensive library provision and

libraries are not just about buildings, libraries are about

other things. We have looked at the whole. We are talking about

expanding some of it and we are having... Sorry to interrupt. If

you have made that decision because you had to do it, because there was

no other choice, what is the point of the second public consultation?

We are going back to people. We had three options and we listened to

them. You have made up your mind? Well, there's other things we can

do, if they can come along and re- do some of the things we have said,

we will consider it. We are having points where we are having access

points where books will be placed. That's got to be built up and we

have to look at it in the five areas where their buildings will be

going - well, it is four areas. We will be looking at how we can do

different things in different areas and have some points where they can

pick up books, use the IT and connect into the main library.

Thank you very much indeed for your time. Plenty of these reviews going

across many councils in the North West.

Thank you very much. An interesting topic. I am sure you will have

plenty to say about it. We want to know whether you think libraries

have had their day. You can contact An update on the investigation into

the deliberate contamination of saline at Stepping Hill Hospital in

Stockport. The police say they are no longer investigating the death

of George Keep as part of their inquiries. Dave Guest has the

latest. George Keep was 84 when he died at

Stepping Hill on July 14th. He had been admitted with a broken hip.

His death and that of four other patients then became the focus of

attention for detectives investigating the contamination of

saline drips at the hospital. This afternoon, however, Greater

Manchester Police said his death had now been eliminated from their

inquiries. Mr Keep's family declined to comment this afternoon.

Greater Manchester Police said they were continuing to work with the

team of experts examining individual medical records to look

at the treatment people had received in hospital, whether they

had come into contact with contaminated products and whether

those products had contributed towards their deaths. They said it

is a complex and difficult process which can't be rushed. They also

said it is impossible at this stage to say just how many deaths will

eventually form part of their investigation. An investigation

which they say is still very much in its infancy. Rebecca Leighton, a

27-year-old nurse at Stepping Hill, has been charged with three counts

of criminal damage with intent to endanger life and a further three

of criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was being

endangered. She will appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

A Greater Manchester Police officer has been suspended after a memory

stick containing confidential information was stolen from his

home. The stick which wasn't encrypted or password-protected was

taken by a thief who walked through the officer's back door. Gill

Dunnigan has been following the story. Potentially quite

embarrassing for Greater Manchester Police. What happened - an officer

downloaded what's being called sensitive information to a USB

stick. For those of you who don't know what that is. This is a USB

memory stick. It can hold a lot of information. That officer then

suffered an opportunist burglary at their house 11 days ago in which

their car keys and a wallet containing that USB stick was taken.

It wasn't password-protected - it should have been. That means

anybody could access that information. Assistant Chief

Constable Garry Shewan told me earlier today they are taking this

extremely seriously. We take it very seriously that this

information was copied on to a disc. An officer is suspended. We have

re-issued advice to all of our staff. We shouldn't be storing

police information on memory sticks unless they are encrypted.

We are working with the Independent Police Complaints Commission and

also the Information Commissioners who are aware of everything that we

are doing in relation to recovering this disc. That memory stick held

details of an informant in drugs casesis, what have the police said

about that? I put that to the police today. They told me that was

inaccurate. It did contain information on one person but they

were only involved with the police in a minor capacity. They take

people's privacy very seriously. They are saying what happened

shouldn't put anybody off coming forward if they have any

information on a criminal. We want to reassure them they can

continue to give information to the police and we will ensure that we

keep that secure. This information is about police operations. It's -

we take it very seriously. We are clearly working incredibly hard to

recover that disc. It isn't about compromising the information given

to us. One of the region's biggest

hospitals is closed to visitors following an outbreak of norovirus.

Managers at the Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral say the ban will

stay in place until Monday at the earliest. The neighbouring Wirral

Women's and Children's Hospital hasn't been affected.

The body of a Senior Aircraftman from Cheshire has been brought home.

22-year-old James Smart from the No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron was

killed in a road accident in Southern Italy on Sunday. He was

leading an RAF convoy taking supplies to UK forces involved in

military action in Libya. They disappeared from Preston's

streets in the 1930s, but now - after almost 80 years - trams may

be about to make a comeback to the city. The �30 million scheme would

bring thousands of jobs to Lancashire but Government funding

is needed to get investors on board. Abbie Jones has been finding out

whether the plans are on track. For almost 30 years, trams were

Preston's most popular public transport. Now, they are on track

for a revival. It will be brilliant. Five routes are in the pipeline.

Some hope to use existing rail track, others would start from

scratch. They would feed into the city's train station. It will be a

major catalyst for redevelopment. The city at the moment is a market

town, pretending to be a city. We hope that it will become a city

with the trams. The project needs to win �9 million of Government

money. That decision could be made next month. It is hoped some trams

will be running for next year's Guild celebrations. Some businesses

say it can't be too soon. I have seen an example of this system

before in Nottingham. We really experienced on increase in footfall

in the retail areas. Lots of new businesses moved in. Are locals on

board? It will enhance the economy. I don't know if it will come about.

I think it will be the cost that puts them off. Trams weren't just a

familiar sight on Preston's streets, they were built here. They would be

again under the new scheme with a new factory opening up. So after a

break of 80 years, Preston might be welcoming back a new version of an

old friend. Those old pictures are brilliant.

Still to come: We check out the local company making cuts, big

business and filing a healthy return!

Punks past pops up in Liverpool. Eric's prepares to open its doors

once more. First, Arthur Hart was 18 when he

was asked to take part in nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s. Today,

he and other ex-servicemen who claimed it made them ill have been

granted the right to appeal for compensation. Mr Hart from

Warrington is one of a number of test cases which were put before

the Supreme Court. He joins us now. Arthur, this of course doesn't mean

you will get compensation yet, but it does mean you can take another

step in that direction. What is your reaction to this ruling?

delighted. A lot of people have suffered quite badly and without

any doubt. The best test cases have passed away, we are still here. I

think that we are seeking justice and we hope justice will be done.

There is still a long way to go. The original judge actually judged

in favour of the veterans. The MoD appealed it and the appeal judges

took it the other way and now it would appear that the original

judge had said it may be sensible for the MoD to go to some sort of

negotiation. You can move it forward now. Going back to 1956 and

those tests, describe what it was like when that bomb went off? How

did it feel? Did the ground move? Well, I was at sea. I was in the

Royal Navy. We were actually off the north-west coast of Australia.

Mozaic1 and 2 were where the tests were detonated. I didn't see the

bomb or the flash, but the whole heaven shook. The purpose of the

ship was, the captain was to steer the ship to guide the ship through

the prevailing fall-out, the nuclear fall-out as it moved on the

wind. It was the reaction to see how servicemen would react in a

nuclear war. It was assumed in the '50s that there would be a war

between what was the Warsaw Pact and the NATO nations. That would be

a nuclear war. It was the powers- that-be that wanted to see how the

men would react. Explain to us now what you believe the effects were

on your health and those of your colleagues as well who went through

that nuclear cloud? Most of them have had diseases of the skin, a

lot have had leukaemia and cancer- related problems. I developed in

1962 100 benign tumours all over my body. Unsightly things, that is why

I wear a long-sleeved shirt. As far as I am concerned, it is physical.

It was also a mental stress because obviously we all have feelings, I

don't want people looking at my lumpy body. From 62, I have lived

with this and that was the advice of the medical people I got in 1962.

OK. You now take it a step further in court and no doubt we will

report on the outcome of that. Thank you for joining us. I know

you are on holiday in Northern Ireland. Thank you. Thank you.

Two companies must pay more than �200,000 including legal costs for

causing a chemical explosion that destroyed a recycling plant in

Crewe. A judge at Chester Crown Court said it was a matter of

chance that nobody was killed in the explosion at the Gateway

Industrial Estate. This is the damage left behind

after an explosion inside one machine recycling aerosol cans. The

company admitted in court it was badly designed and couldn't cope

with the vapours released by the cans. The company operating the

plant admitted it had failed to take the risk seriously. The judge

said it was a matter of chance that nobody was killed or injured. The

explosion was caused when a spark, perhaps from a piece of shredded

metal ignited the vapour inside the machine. The machine's operator had

been called away from the area moments earlier. The explosion sent

flames shooting into the sky. Further explosions after

firefighters had arrived knocked one of them off his feet. Because

of the contents of the yard were aerosol cans, they were exploding

and being launched into the surrounding roads. Damage from the

explosion itself cost Greenway�1.9 million. Companies that are

manufacturing machines, they need to take note of what the process is,

what the substances are and what the risks are associated to that.

They need to do a risk assessment. The two firms must pay �224,000

including costs. Councils are often accused of

letting the grass grow under their feet. That is something Burnley is

quite proud of. They are leaving some parks and verges to grow wild.

It is not just about wildlife, it is of course also about saving

money. Critics say it's one cut too far.

Queens Park in Burnley, while much of the grass remained perfectly

manicured, other areas have been left to grow wild. The idea is to

let animals roam around freely in this part of the park and to let -

it is for kids and adults too to come and admire the different type

of flowers and things what can be grown here. It is saving �70,000 a

year. But at what cost to the town's appearance? This verge had

been mown just before our arrival. It looked like a jungle. It was up

to over knee-high length and as you can see, you couldn't see some of

the roots. People who are living on both side of the roads, it was an

eyesore. As part of the plan, wild flowers have been planted in some

areas which have been grassed over bringing a burst of summer colour.

This area of the park would have been moan on a regular basis. There

is no doubt -- mown on a regular basis. There is no doubt it has

taken some of the playing away from the rest of the park. The park is

for people and not wildlife. It is pretty good this area. Wildlife,

that is a good idea. It creates a bit of park life area to keep the

children safe. The council is sticking to the plan. It says it

will reconsider where there are strong objections.

Sport, Manchester City have confirmed that Sergio Aguero's club

record move from Atletico Madrid has taken place. It's taken all day

to complete the deal thought to be worth �38 million. The 23-year-old

has signed a five-year contract. Lancashire's cricketers have lost

their vital County Championship match against Nottinghamshire. They

needed 258 which would have taken them to the top of the table, but

sadly they collapsed from 37-0 to 128 all out.

It might not be the most pleasant of tasks, but it is a necessary one.

We are talking about cutting your toenails. Yes, generally speaking,

in some areas NHS cuts have meant they no longer provide that service.

Four years ago a Lancashire business spotted an opportunity.

Some people don't like feet. Everyone's feet are different.

There is no two feet the same. aged 82, it's been a few years

since Freda and Bernard could cut their own toenails which is where

Una comes in. If I get down to cut my toenails, I can't get up again!

When I have had difficulty in the past, Freda said come here.

must enjoy seeing her as well? She always has something

interesting to tell us. Everything is fine with your feet. When the

NHS stopped providing this service in 2007, a local businessman

spotted an opportunity to set up a not-for-profit company, offering a

�10 a time toenail service. Now there are ten NHS-trained staff

looking after hundreds of clients. I do enjoy my work. It is very

rewarding. Of course, you come out to people and you are making them

feel better. As I said to Bernard, you will be able to go dancing

tonight! The founder of the company says it's become about much more

than the nail cutting service. are seeing people that are isolated,

out in the sticks, and they don't see anybody from week-to-week and

we are becoming part of the family now. Brian's enterprise is set to

grow. He predicts that soon the NHS will cut out low level foot care

completely. They seemed to be enjoying that. It

is quite nice having your feet done. Is it? I will take your word for

it! Time to take the weather. it! Time to take the weather.

you, Gordon. Good evening. It's been a fairly cloudy day through

this afternoon. We have had some sunshine in between and the cloud

cover has been because of this frontal system, which has

disappeared - we have had a frontal system dropping south from the

north bringing with it lots of clouds through today and tomorrow

as well. We could see spots of rain for tomorrow. For the weekend, we

keep the high pressure going. So Saturday should be dry and bright,

but turning a bit cloudier by Sunday. This evening, bright in

some places and with that front sinking south, it will continue to

drag clouds from the north. We may see some spots of rain in the

overnight period and very light winds around. So temperatures are

not looking too bad. So tomorrow, yes, you are in for another warm

day, which will be bright in the afternoon, but it starts off on a

rather cloudy note with some spots of rain through the morning. As we

head into the afternoon, the clouds should fade away leaving some

bright spells at times. Yet again, very, very light winds tomorrow so

you are in for a pleasant day with temperatures maybe peaking as high

as 22 Celsius, 19 in other places. For your weekend, I think we do

keep the temperatures over 20 Celsius. Saturday will be the best

Celsius. Saturday will be the best day of the weekend.

Now one of Liverpool's best-loved theatres has re-opened after a �1

million face-lift. The Neptune Theatre has been renamed the

Epstein Theatre. Across town, work is under way on another famous

night spot, Eric's. It was the launch pad for the careers of Echo

and the Bunnymen and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Andy Gill looks back

at its colourful past and ahead to its future.

Dirty, dark and dead excited - between 1976 and 1980, Eric's was

the place in Liverpool for new music. Among those who played here

were the bunny men, The Clash and Elvis Costello. Here is Eric's as

it looks now, transforming from 30 years as a beer cellar back to a

live music venue. John Lynch is the new owner. From '76 to '80, it was

iconic. Basically, four years, it had the reputation that was

fabulous. Eric's was so popular there was a protest march when it

closed after a police raid. Some people are not happy. They say you

can call a club Eric's and put nit the original building, but you

can't re-create the spirit or the feeling of what Eric's was. Norman

Killon was the DJ back in t' 80s. - back in the '80s. People will

start thinking of Eric's as a new club and forget about the original

club. But the new owners say the industry's changed. Ethan Allen is

the musical director. If we change the name, it will be business

suicide. At the end of the day, it is the music business. The sheer

fact that we have called it the same name that this venue has been

known as means we are talking to you right now. Wirral's OMD will

perform at the re-opening in September. It will have high-

definition cameras for live online gigs. The new bosses say big names

are coming back. We've been getting plenty of

reaction about the Bolton libraries story. We asked should libraries be

a thing of the past? Alison Williamson on Facebook thinks,

"Libraries are a lifeline for some and not everyone's able to afford

to go out a buy a book - so they should stay." Geoffrey Dixon says,

"If it's a choice between the Police, NHS or Fire Service and

books, books should go." Lesley Cox says she loves a trip to the