03/04/2012 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Annabel Tiffin and

Roger Johnson. Our top story.... Fighting to clear his name. Actor

Ricky Tomlinson steps up his challenge to a conviction from 40

years ago. I am 73 in September. We have a young man there who is 78.

Some of the lads involved in the Shrewsbury campaign are dead. We

would just like our names cleared before we all die. Mr Tomlinson

served two years for conspiracy after a builders' strike in 1972.

Also tonight... Holiday horror. How a woman died after Pontins bosses

ignored warnings over legionnaire's disease.

We are by the seaside. After 126 years of proud heritage,

Blackpool's historic trams get a facelift for the future.

The longest long-johns. Underwear belonging to one of Britain's

tallest men goes on sale. There is no place for them. THere is nothing

you can do with a giant's undergarments these days, I'm

afraid. # True love at first sight.

# True love at first sight... #. And McCartney plays The Cavern. Son

follows his father's groove almost They claim they were dedicated

union activists who were wrongly demonised by a frightened

government. Now members of the so- called Shrewsbury 24 believe they

may be closer to clearing their names. The actor, Ricky Tomlinson,

was among the men jailed for intimidation during the building

workers strike of 1972. He and the others insist they did nothing

wrong and can now prove it. Our Chief Reporter, Dave Guest, has the

story. Today he has one of the most

familiar faces on British TV. But 40 years ago, Ricky Tomlinson was

famous for a very different reason. He was branded a union bully and

trouble maker during the country's first national building workers'

strike. He was one of a group jailed for intimidation, unlawful

assemby and affray on a picket line in Shrewsbury. They were only

arrested months after their alleged wrong doing and all insisted they

had done nothing wrong. They've spent years trying to clear their

names. A lot of people have fond memories

40 years is a long time, isn't it?. I will tell you why we're bringing

this case. I am 73 in September. We have a young man there who is 78.

Some of the lads involved in the Shrewsbury campaign are dead. We

would just like our names cleared before we all die. They say they've

now seen documents under the Freedom of Information Act which

support their claim that their convictions were politically

motivated. Today they're asking for the case to be referred to the

court of appeal So the group left Liverpool this morning to head for

the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Birmingham. Who made

the decision to proceed? It must have been in higher Government.

men headed for Birmingham and the Criminal Cases Review permission.

The prove they have enough -- they say they have enough evidence to

take their case to the Court of Appeal and to have their original

convictions quashed. They say they have waited decades to clear their

name and to write a monumental miscarriage of justice. They will

have to wait some time yet before seeing whether they have succeeded.

It was supposed to be a relaxing break. But Karen Taylor's trip to

Pontins in 2009 led to her death. Today, a court heard camp bosses

were told to improve water maintenance at the Lytham St Anne's

site seven months before Mrs Taylor caught legionnaire's disease there.

The original company went into administration two years ago and

was bought by a hotel chain, which now runs five camps under the

Pontins name, but with new management. Naomi Cornwell has been

at Preston Crown Court for us. A short time ago, I put it to her

that the image of Pontin's portrayed in court today wasn't the

same camp that people have happy memories of.

You think of Pontins and think of their success. The big holiday

camps after the war. There was a huge site near Blackpool, one of

their most popular, because at that location by the sea -- because of

the location by the sea and close to Blackpool. Families went because

of cheap holidays, but being affected by cheaper holidays abroad

later. Pontins was open until a few years ago, when Alan Taylor decided

to visit in July 2009. -- when Karen Taylor. She fell ill a few

days after returning. She died in hospital one month later from

legionnaire's disease. Three months earlier, another holiday mecca from

Chesterfield had stayed in exactly the same room. It we shall leave

229. She fell ill with legionnaire's disease, too, but she

survived. A consultant microbiologist told the court that

tests indicated both women had the same strain of the disease and

showed that the woman could have got it from showers or the tap. The

bacteria is spread by what of the bar. Pontins put holiday makers and

staff at risk by failing to properly maintain the water system.

Who has the court heard from today? Today, we have heard from an expert

in water systems. His company was contracted to advise Pontins on how

to avoid the spread of legionnaire's disease. He told the

court that the company inspected the water systems in December 2008

and find the water tanks supplying that particular location was in bad

condition and was not fully complied with the by-laws,

containing a sludge that encouraged the growth of bacteria, then the

company recommended the replacement of the tank and that the entire

disinfection of the whole water system within three months. But we

were shown photos from eight months later which showed the same tank

infested with pigeons and covered in pigeon excrement. We also heard

from environmental health officers who said that they had warned that

the water was not of high enough temperatures to kill bacteria.

Pontins went into administration after this case began. So they have

not had a defence team in court. The judge has requested that and

not guilty plea be entered on their behalf and the case continues

tomorrow. And other news from around the

region. New CCTV footage of a man stealing

a woman's handbag just moments after she was killed in Manchester

city centre has been released by the police. 62-year-old Sarwari

Ashraf was hit by a lorry on Upper Brook Street in Longsight last week.

A 40-year-old man has been bailed on suspicion of causing death by

careless driving Police have seized the Isle of

Man's largest ever haul of cannabis. Officers searched a car at Douglas

Seaport at the weekend. Drugs worth over �100,000 were discovered. A

51-year-old woman from Merseyside has been charged.

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp,

has opened his campaign declaring the city needs a new big idea. He

wants to make it the new European green capital, build a tram network

and ensure the voters have an input into the city's future. I want to

use the new powers that all councils have to make this a

partnership city. This is not a city that belongs to councillors or

politicians. It belongs to the 450,000 people that live here.

And to find out more from all the candidates bidding to become Mayor

of Liverpool, visit bbc.co.uk/liverpool.

Still to come on North West Tonight...

Saving lives for half a century. The mountain rescue service founded

in the wake of tragedy. And underwear under the hammer.

Long-johns belonging to one of Britain's tallest ever men goes up

It's cost �100 million and has been called one of the most important

developments in Blackpool's history. Today, the new look tramway which

runs between Blackpool and Fleetwood was officially launched.

The line will feature a fleet of new state-of-the-art trams. And

while they're faster and seen as more commuter friendly, it doesn't

mean the end of the road for the town's famous heritage trams.

For over 125 years, Blackpools trams and tramways have been every

bit as iconic as its famous tower and seafront. But one of the North

West's oldest institutions now has a new look. A tram like this will

cost �2.1 million. It's 32 metres long and capable of holding 225

passengers. Welcome to ultra-modern tram travel. In all, there are 16

new trams going into operation, based at a high tech depot. As well

as this, 11 kilometres of track have been replaced. You have to mix

old with new. The old trams are Blackpool, known for its old style

trams. But people get used to these, getting people places quicker and

will be more comfortable. better for the local economy. It

hoped the improved transport system will mean an increase in commuters

and tourists. We can generate more local trade from the North Down in

to Blackpool. If we can do that, we can take cars off the road. We have

more to this coming and, hopefully. We can include transport within

packages or people. And while there wasn't a heritage tram in sight

today, as their modern counterparts made their first passenger journey,

don't worry. They'll continue to be in service at weekends, bank

holidays and through the summer it is a good job they are keeping

their heritage trams. We are looking forward to riding in it for

the pastime. A new generation, or police moved running. Really

looking forward to going on it today. The trams are opening to the

public tomorrow. It is great to see something that

has a unanimous thumbs up. It is good we have kept the first once --

get the old ones. It was one of my first memories riding on one of the

trams. A new cancer research facility has

been launched in Liverpool. RedX Oncology has already had �5.9

million of backing from public money and will look into improving

the way cancer drugs work. And creating new jobs.

The new research labs will see 250 jobs created in the next five years.

It forms part of the �28 million pound bio campus to be built in

Liverpool and will see new cancer drugs available for patients in the

next two years. The key to defeating cancer involves so much

around developing new drugs. We can then target those parts of the

cancer that we know our driving it. The signs being carried out here

will help to make cancer drugs better or the patients, safer and

easier to use. Particularly within Oncology, we are creating novel

Oncology drugs to improve the patient experience. It will make

their be better, improve survival rates, which is critical where

style bible rates can still be improved considerably. -- where

survival rates. Liverpool has a long history of cancer research.

The work being done here at the new labs will help to build on this.

The campus creates an opportunity to bring the industry sector, the

university and all of its academics and the hospital, where we have all

the young patients. The benefits of this will mean you have hospitals

working with pharmaceutical companies and patients. It is all

to improve the way we treat and Onto sport and football now. Porto

have been fined �16,000 after their fans racially abused Manchester

City striker Mario Balotelli. City complained to UEFA after monkey

taunts were heard during the Europa League game in February.

Manchester United are five points clear of City at the top of the

Premier League after a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers last night. Both

goals came in the last ten minutes. Antonia Valencia broke the deadlock

with a spectacular strike. Then Ashley Young shot past Paul

Robinson. Rovers have dropped back into the relegation zone.

We go from soaring temperatures to forecasts of snow. It must mean the

cricket season is just around the corner! County Champions Lancashire

start the defence of their title next week in Liverpool. But as Andy

Johnson discovered, they could be playing in a renamed ground when

test match cricket returns to Manchester next year.

Say cheese and freeze. As always happens when our summer sport is

about to start, the weather is more suitable for football in February.

Forecasts of snow weren't going to take the shine off Lancashire's

first pre-season photo call as county champions since 1934.

key is not to be complacent. Very exciting at the start of something.

We work hard in the winter of them tried to defend our title.

Trafford is midway through development that will see the

ground stage test cricket again with the Ashes series next summer.

But by that time, puritans will probably have to get used to a new

name for the hallowed ground. The naming rights are currently under

negotiation. We do want to find meaning rights. It has to be done

properly, not to the past one making an offer. Many more old

Trafford is important, so that has to be there somewhere. -- They Mean

Old Trafford. In the meantime, the county champions will play half of

their four day games at Liverpool starting with the curtain raiser

against Sussex next week. You can tell it is cricket weather

when the photocall is done indoors. Onto Super League and St Helens

have appointed Nathan Brown as their new head coach from the start

of next season. Brown, who is currently the coach of league

leaders Huddersfield Giants, has agreed a three-year deal at

Langtree Park. Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham will remain in charge at

Saints for the rest of this season. The wife of a football coach who

suffered a stroke and can only communicate by moving his eyes is

hoping to have her husband home permanently soon. Gary Parkinson,

who scored the winner for Burnley in the 1994 play-off final at

Wembley, was Blackpool youth coach when he had the stroke. He now

suffers from locked-in syndrome. A fundraising evening to raise money

for Gary is being held at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on April 21st.

aim as Gary's wife is to get Gary home to be with the family. So this

is a massive fundraiser to raise the funds. That will adapt the home

so Gary can make that journey home and stay with us.

Good luck to them. A mountain rescue team, set up

after two young boys died on the Preston Fells, has just reached its

50th anniversary. William and Melvyn Smith died of hypothermia in

the Trough of Bowland after the weather suddenly turned. A huge

outcry followed and the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team was

established. It is still going strong.

One of the many training sessions scouring the bells over Preston.

These can suddenly become very treacherous. This dog is an expert

at finding those untroubled. I can tell by her body language changing

and she has bounced somebody. She comes to me, then takes me to the

injured person. The relief from that person seeing the Doctor with

the jacket, even before Agate there, is a huge sense of comfort. It was

half-a-century at war on like to beat back that tragedy happened.

Two did not come home. The weather turned nasty and William and Melvyn

Smith lost their lives, sparking the creation of the mountain rescue

team. It was a knock or accident that could have been so easily in

been positively. -- it was a terrible accident. The team have

carried out thousands of mountain rescues he has since those boys

died. There is now better technology and a bigger team. The

message remains the same, do not risk this area without being

prepared. They are doing fantastic work. This

gentleman is Fred Kempster. Auction houses are no stranger to selling

off the curious or intriguing. But when a pair of huge long-johns

measuring five feet in length was sent over for valuers to look at,

they were astounded. The underwear, found in Clitheroe, belonged to

Fred Kempster. He was known as the Blackburn Giant. As Abbie Jones

reports, they might help Fred secure a place in the history books.

They certainly put the long in long-johns. 5 foot from waist to

leg. And then there's the huge nightshirt. The man who wore them

was even taller. Fred Kempster was born in 1889. By the age of 19, he

was already 7 foot 11. So tall he could shake hands with someone in

an upstairs window. And light his cigarettes from gas lamps. One I

opened up the back that had them, I could not believe the size. He was

said to be over 8 foot. The area just phenomenal. -- they are.

feeling shared by John Jardine from Hurst Green. His great uncle was

Fred's drinking buddy and given the long-johns when he died. There is

no place for them. There is nothing you can do with a giant's

undergarments these days, I'm afraid. We cannot do anything with

them, we hope someone comes and displays them. Fred's life was as

incredible as his height. He toured Europe with circus troupes in

Germany under the name Teddy Bobs. He was taken prisoner there for two

years in 1914. The Germans struggled to feed him and his

health suffered. He died at the age of 29 from pneumonia. He is buried

in and nine feet coffin here. His gravestone is inscribed, the

British giant. But Fred's huge height wasn't accepted by everyone.

Something his underwear may now change. I contacted the Guinness

Book of Records to see that surely these prove he was the height

stated to be. They are interested in the story, so we will see that

he is reinstated. Whatever his height, Fred has enthralled

generations. And now his long-johns have seen that interest grow.

Maybe you could borrow them if rumours of the snow is anything.

Now since we ran this story at lunchtime today, Stuart Tyrer has

emailed us to tell us about an even taller man than Fred Kempster.

Apparently John Middleton, whose body is buried in the village of

Hale near Liverpool, was nine feet three inches tall when he died in

1623. Is that true? We do not know. Surely the North West's tallest man

ever. Let us know if you know anyone taller.

History will be made tonight when a famous musical name returns to an

iconic live music venue. Liverpool's Cavern Club might have

moved since The Beatles made it world famous. But a McCartney will

be back on stage there almost half a century on. James McCartney, the

son of Sir Paul, is playing The Cavern as part of a major

international tour. And a little earlier this afternoon, he popped

into the studio. We asked him how it feels to be following in his

father's footsteps. It is great. It is really exciting.

Looking at all of the history and memories. What other stories?

cannot really remember. I think the sets were quite short. That is one

story. How long is your set? Quite short, about 45 minutes. It is

going to be quite an exciting thing for people of Liverpool, because

they are going to love coming to see you as an individual, but court

-- but because it is an day back. My promoters organised it. -- but

because it fits amok at me back in How would you describe your music?

It is various genres. And your father co-produced your album? What

was it like working together? Really good fun. No conflicts. It

can be difficult, but ultimately, we have a great relationship, which

is getting better and better. People have looked to see whether

The Beatles would reform, which cannot happen now, but can you see

a situation where you and some of the other children get together?

do not know. I guess that is not something I can really talk about.

You have stayed out of the limelight until recently. Was that

important to do things on your own? The yes, it was on a while. When my

mother died, it was a difficult time. I kind of dropped out on a

bet. And important is it that your music is commercially successful?

It does matter. I used to be against all of that. But now, I

think it is cool to be commercial. Just as long as you are keeping

your credibility and it is about the music. Clearly, you are

commercial. The event is sold out tonight. All the best, we will

listen to you plea in a minute. We will hear him in just the second,

There is a little bit up everything. Low pressure, really cold air. But

Met Office is warning of snow through the night. Today, it did

not really happened, which first thing, but as the day went on and

the cold air became established, temperatures went down. This rain

at the moment seems to be mainly over parts of Cumbria and the other

side of the Pennines. A huge gap has developed, meaning a pleasant

afternoon. But it spreads over night. There could be some

centimetres of snow within the for gas. Elsewhere, rain coming and

growing throughout the night. -- within the forecast. If you get

breaks in the cloud weary you are, temperatures well all week,

particularly in rural areas. Ice could be a problem. This is like an

November forecasts. Tomorrow, there is a North-South divide. Quite a

bit of rain on the site, milling wheat only slowly. -- on the South.

Billing we only slowly. Good deal of sunshine. It is November.

That looks horrible. It is astonishing how the weather has

changed. I have been doing this a long time, you had better believe

it. One person I spoke to spoke about how her mother was in good

weather last week, then blows its bills stop We'll leave you tonight

with, as promised, a song from James McCartney that he performed

here in the studio a short time ago. # Maybe I'm an angel.

# A manifestation of them all. # Maybe I'm an angel.

# A manifestation of them all. # I have felt some hard times.

# In my life. # But I don't want to feel it any

more. # I don't know what you're thinking