12/03/2012 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Ranvir Singh and Roger

Johnson. Our top story. BAE workers celebrate losing a

day's pay every month, so colleagues can keep their jobs.

Why is everyone euphoric about the pay cut? We have just saved 150

jobs. A court hears a four-month-old twin

boy is murdered, but his mother and her boyfriend deny killing him.

Giving Elbow a hard time - our School Report youngsters grill the

Bury group about their Olympic theme song.

And Manchester's Michaelangelo going begging - an empty ceiling is

needed to save the mural based on the mastery of the Sistine Chapel.

Who'd have thought that a pay cut would ever be reason to celebrate?

But today, staff at BAE Systems in Lancashire voted overwhelmingly to

take a pay cut to save the jobs of colleagues. It was the boat that

was greeted with a round of applause. Here's our Economics

Correspondent, Jayne Barrett. They arrived at Blackpool's Winter

Gardens to make what you'd imagine would be a tough decision. Take a

pay cut, or face compulsory redundancies. In fact, not such a

tough decision at all. Out of 2,000 staff, only six voted against. A

sacrifice made by all for people like Alex Watson.

I was the first to get redundancy, it was hard times. It means an lot

to me. It was a sacrifice later celebrated

in Blackpool's pubs. Why is everyone euphoric about taking a

pay cut? Because we have just saved a minimum of 150 jobs.

This was a defining moment. The site of a Nimrod being broken up at

Woodford two years ago. Defence reviews in the UK and elsewhere hit

the company hard. Staff here have faced four rounds of redundancies

since 2009. The feeling was that all those happy to go voluntarily

had already gone. Today was about saving jobs. Saving jobs and skills.

Components for this, the joint strike fighter, are already being

built at Salmsbury. It's a 30 year programme that today, key

contractor Lockheed Martin said would be ramped up in the future.

BAE want to make sure they have the right people with the right skills

in the right place, to deliver that order when it arrives.

It is the sacrifice in the near term but it will stand us in good

stead for the future of. Other companies should take a lead from

BAe's systems and we could a Reddick -- eradicate redundancies

in other areas. Around 300 jobs in other areas at

BAE in Lancashire are still under threat. Other unions may well

decide to vote on a similar model to save those.

A doctor at a private clinic in Manchester has been told that she

must not carry out a portion work. It followed allegations in a Daily

Telegraph that she carried out illegal abortions based on the sex

of the unborn child. A government source has denied

press reports that the family of Oldham engineer, Chris McManus, had

paid towards a ransom to secure his release, before he was killed in

Nigeria. Mr McManus and an Italian hostage died during attempts to

free them. Baby Lucas Irvine was only four-

months-old when he died a violent death. A jury has been told he had

been shaken so hard that he suffered severe brain damage and a

spinal injury. Preston Crown Court was also told his mother and her

boyfriend were responsible. They both deny harming the infant.

Our Chief Reporter Dave Guest join us now from Preston. Tell us more

about the circumstances of Lucas's death.

While locals was one of twin boys born to current events in 20th July

10. She was just 17 at the time. Soon after she turned 18 Lookers

was dead at eight months. It is the case for the prosecution that she

and her boyfriend Christopher Roberts were responsible for his

death. Mr Roberts was not the natural father but the couple were

living together at the time in Lancaster. And it was to that home

that paramedics were called in 20th November 10. They found lookers

unconscious. He died four days later in hospital. A post mortem

revealed he have suffered brain damage consistent with having been

shaken. The couple both denied the charge of murder. You heard some of

the prosecution case today, what did they have to say? They say that

their inconsistencies in the accounts which the couple gave to

medical staff and to detectives. They say the couple were on their

own with the boys in the house at the time he died. They also say

there were previous records of injuries to Lucas. In 20th August

10 he had a shoulder injury. The following month he seemed to have a

graze on his head. That was explained by saying that he had

fallen from pull up pushchair. Who have the jury been hearing from

today? They heard from a neural pathologist who said that the

injuries which Lucas had suffered were consistent with him having

been shaken. He could not find an accidental explanation for the

injuries. But a woman who met Karen Irving said that she had appeared

to be a confident and a caring mother.

Five homes in Reading were evacuated when a fire threatened to

affect neighbouring properties. It started in the bedroom and then

spread through the loft. Campaigners against the cult of

committed piece in winded we're saving would pay for a new study

into how to control the number of the keys without killing them. The

protest was held at the weekend. �30 million of savings for the

Mersey crossing scheme are to be discussed by councillors in Halton

tonight. The cross-river link, which already has planning

permission, would connect Runcorn with Widnes and provide an

alternative to the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge. The scheme was

initially expected to cost �600 million. The culture secretary

ahead revealed that new legislation will go before parliament to

secured television licences for a number of regional broadcasters in

the area. There's no doubt about the demand on the part of consumers.

But what we have not been able to do previously is to get the cost

low enough to make local television viable. We had a huge response from

the industry. It shows that they feel it can work this time for a

stock next the mother of a teenager wrongly accused of rape after a

delay blood test criticised the police investigation was dropped

charges against Michelle Scott's son Adam were dropped after it was

revealed that in -- there had been a mistake in a Laboratory.

The 19 year-old was never at the scene and is now taking legal

action. A number of cases are all - - also being reviewed. Michelle

Scott is glad that the truth is out but angry that her son Adam has had

the stigma of a rape charge for months. The 19 year-old was

arrested and spent eight weeks in custody after a woman was raped

last October. His DNA was introduced by mistake into the

victim's sample in a Laboratory. She says that other evidence was

overlooked. They did not check telephone records. There's no way

to prove that Adam was there but there was no way for Adam to prove

that he was not there. The police could have done a lot more to help

Adam. Although Britain's biggest friend six signs provider has since

taken steps to avoid a similar mistake, there are calls for an

inquiry. DNA is compelling evidence. It persuades juries. And it is

reasonable to assume that at a trial he could have been convicted

on it ever since. A forensics investigator from the Home Office

is working with Greater Manchester police but until the review is

completed a force cannot be certain that other cases have not also been

affected. One former detective superintendent admits that there

are pressures on police forces. of the problems with own inquiry is

that if you have DNA evidence, that powerful scientific evidence, you

can turn your back on other evidence. The company once

described DNA profiling as well as but this case shows it is certainly

not infallible. Still to come on North West Tonight.

Manchester City have a wobble at the top. Tony is here with the pull

bound up shortly. And the girl with the golden touch. Fran Halsall

feeling on top of the world. Bury Grammar School is one of over

1000 schools reporting the news as part of this year's BBC News School

Report. The students create reports. Elbow have been chosen to record

the official soundtrack for the official Olympic coverage for the

BBC. Here is the report from Bury Grammar School.

A research began with the bands, Elbow. They have recorded the

official song for the BBC coverage of the Olympics.

The music we have made over the years has always lend itself to a

sound track. The songs grow and evolved and develop. That is

perhaps one of the reasons why we were considered for the Olympics.

It was an honour and a Challenge. Do you feel you're giving a voice

to what many critics have claimed is predominantly a sudden event?

People can make up their own minds once they have heard it. We stuck

to the brief and to what we know as musicians. And how we craft are

songs. We tried to make its as Olympic as possible. Everyone is

excited about it. In particular in the north, we're proud to be

representing the North of England. I think the whole country is

buzzing about it. We're just pleased to be in full. The Olympics

will be an important cultural legacy. It is encouraging writers

and musicians. The benefits are To see more of the students' work,

log onto bbc.co.uk/schoolreport. Sport now. Tony, is the Premier

League title slipping away from Manchester City now that United

have taken over top spot? At one stage, City were seven points clear,

but yesterday United went back to the top for the first time since

October after beating West Brom two-nil. Wayne Rooney scored both

the goals. First he sprinted into the path of a shot from Javier

Hernandez and volleyed it home from close range. And when Ashley Young

was pushed over in the area, Rooney put the penalty right in the corner.

The bad news for City is that Rooney is really hitting form. He

now has 15 goals in his last 14 games. It is a great win for us

today and especially city dropping points. We need to make sure that

we stay focus. So City are a point behind United

now? That's right, and have a look what happened when Swansea scored

the goal that beat City one-nil yesterday. A terrible error by

Stefan Savic just seven minutes from the end led to Luke Moore

heading Swansea's winner. It was all too much for this City fan.

Well, City's manager Roberto Mancini now says the title will be

decided when City play United at the Etihad stadium on the 30th of

April. That could now be the derby match to end all derby matches!

While United have taken over at the top, Bolton and Blackburn have

moved away from the bottom. Wanderers climbed out of the

relegation zone with an extremely controversial victory over QPR.

Rovers escaped the drop zone with an easy win at Wolves. But Wigan

are still propping up the table after their draw at Norwich. Peter

Marshall reports. All hail Junior Hoilett, for giving

the Rovers faithful reasons to be cheerful. The 21-year-old Canadian

put his team ahead just before half time. His second was the best of

the brace. Left foot, thunderbolt, three points.

I am delighted for the travelling fans. We had a great display from

our side. At Ewood today, a slight spring in

the step of supporters. Are they going to survive? Just about.

It was over the line by a country mile. But officials decided it

wasn't a goal for QPR - and Bolton made the most of being let off the

hook, Darren Pratley giving them the lead eight minutes before the

break. And Ivan Klasnic coming off the bench to net the winner in the

86th. 10 games to go and we feel we have

our destiny in our own hands. A fighting draw for Wigan against

Norwich at Carrow Road, secured by Victor Moses with a well-taken

equaliser. So Blackburn climb to 16th, with Bolton just below them

in 17th and Wigan propping the rest of the Premier League up.

Meanwhile Everton got a timely boost before tomorrow's Merseyside

derby with a one-nil victory over Spurs, Jelavic with the game's only

goal. Liverpool's defeat at Sunderland

mean the Reds have lost their last three league games. Kenny Dalglish

has called on the team to end the slump against Everton tomorrow.

Well, that was Liverpool's third defeat in a row, and there could be

more bad news for Liverpool if reports from France about Luis

Suarez are true. The Uruguyuan striker is reported to have told a

French TV station that he would love to play with his international

team-mate, Diego Lugano, at Paris St Germain. But better news with

regard to Steven Gerrard. He's recovered from a hamstring injury

and is expected to start in tomorrow's Merseyside derby.

Superleague, and the Widnes coach Denis Betts has been praising his

players after their dramatic and unexpected win over Wigan. Bottom-

club Vikings won 37 points to 36, thanks to Lloyd White's calmly-

taken drop goal ten minutes from time. Former Wigan player Shaun

Briscoe scored two tries against his old club. Warriors rested four

key players, including Sam Tomkins, and threw away a 12-nil lead.

Warrington also slipped up at Leeds, St Helens lost to Hull, and Salford

were beaten at Catalan Dragons. And you can see all the action from

those matches in the Super League Show on BBC One at 11:35 tonight.

Now with just a matter of months to go it's crunch time for the

region's Olympians. This weekend was a big one in a number of sports

as the race to reach London gathers pace. Stuart Pollitt rounds up the

action starting with swimming success.

She looks happy and no wonder. Fran Halsall's reaction to qualifying

for a third Olympic event. The Southport swimmer set the fastest

time in the world this year to win the 50 metres freestyle. It has

just proved I am swimming fast and I am in good shape.

Liverpool's Michael Rock also qualified joining the likes of

James Goddard, Keri Anne Payne and Dan Sliwinski.

A leap of 4 metres 70 earned Holly Bleasdale a bronze at the World

Indoor Championships in Istanbul. Further proof that the Lancashire

pole vaulter is a genuine medal prospect come August.

Meanwhile the medal hopes for Cheshire rowers Ric Egington, Matt

Langridge and Tom James are in the balance. The trio are World

Champions in the men's four, rowing's premier event. But at

least two of them could lose their spots when coach Jurgen Grobler

decides the squads next month. It is difficult, he has a wealth of

talent to marshal in those three boats. We have the strongest rowing

team in the world and that has been proved.

It's still touch and go for Bolton's badminton ace Jenny

Wallwork and her on- and off-court partner, Nathan Robertson. They're

competing with another British pair for just one mixed doubles spot.

It's honours even after both made the quarter finals of the All

England Championships. It is a tense environment as everyone is

competing against each other. If we're not competing in London we

will probably be in the Caribbean some work!

Like many others, they'll know within a few months whether they'll

be spending the summer here or not. Don't forget to join me tonight for

late kick off. If the square root of nine is three

and an octagonal object has eight sides, what is seven times six?

There are still working on that now!

That is advised past 11 on BBC One. Just going back to that Man City

fan seen crying after Swansea scored, the stick he's been getting

on Twitter today is incredible! you help find a new home for the

famous ceiling painting from the Sistine Chapel? Not the original

work by Michaelangelo, but the next best thing - a copy at an Italian

restaurant in Manchester. When it was painted in 1994, it

caused an international sensation. Now the restaurant's closed and the

artwork may be lost forever. Stuart Flinders reports.

God and man. The mystery of creation.

Images that have inspired cardinals choosing a new pope and diners

choosing a pizza. Michael Brown painted this copy of

Michaelangelo's work on the ceiling of an Italian restaurant in

Whitworth Street nearly 20 years ago. What do you remember about

painting it? Being stood on the scaffolding for 10 hours a day!

took longer than used bought? took me two years. You do not often

see a copy done in oil paintings anywhere. I am proud of it. Good

paintings remain good paintings over to time.

Michael's work was an international sensation. American tourists come

especially to see it. Paverotti called in and gave it his blessing.

The restaurant's owner was blessed. Michael took a photograph of me and

I felt very proud. Now the restaurant has closed and the

painting, on panels, will be taken down and stored in boxes. Unless a

new home can be found. What would be suitable as a venue

for their is? I would love to see it in a public place, perhaps a

shopping-centre or even perhaps the church. It is quite sad to have a

Manchester feature, which it was, just to be forgotten about. While

we were filming, a passing art student spotted the ceiling for the

first time. She says it's a masterpiece in its own right. If

things don't work out, that could turn out to be the Last Judgement.

It is stunning, I have seen it in real-life. Let's take a look at the

real-life. Let's take a look at the weather.

Good evening. This is the only a sparkling think you'll see for a

while - a view from our studios here at media city. We're still

under the influence of this high- pressure sell everything continues

to be quiet until the Tain -- the tail end of Thursday. The price to

pay for that is a huge amount of cloud cover. This has made

temperatures struggle. On the other side of the Pennines where the

sunshine was out, it was an entirely different story. Through a

busy evening and tonight we hang around to that cloud cover once

again. The wind is light, they could be a little bit of mist

towards the very early hours of the morning. Temperatures not much

different in the overnight period. For many places, as seven or eight

degrees. Tomorrow morning it is the same picture all over again.

Against that wind is very light. Close to the Pennines is where the

best of the sunshine will be tomorrow. At this time of year that

temperatures will really respond if the sun does come out. So it is hit

and miss, there will be the odd break every now and again. And

those temperatures come up we go for a high of 12 degrees but if the

sunshine comes out things will feel better than that. We hang on to the

cloud tomorrow night and eventually it starts to move away in the next

it starts to move away in the next few days.

I think the answer is 42! Do not spoil it, you will have to watch