11/04/2012 North West Tonight

A call for action over dangerous dogs as the North West becomes the

worst place for attacks in the country. Two years after a fatal

attack an area of Liverpool is still plagued by dogs which are out

of control. Also tonight: The residents fighting to stay together

after being told their home is to be demolished. We will not be able

to communicate with one another, will we? It is so sad. A tale of

two captains - one who came to the Titanic's rescue and another who

And we're joined by a racing legend who beat cancer to go on to win the

Grand National. They gave me a 35% chance of recovery, and thankfully,

I recovered, and the rest is And Richard's at the DW stadium for

tonight's crucial Premier League match between Wigan and Manchester

United. Yes, Manchester United can take a huge step towards securing

the title tonight. Wigan Athletic will be desperate for a point that

we take them out of the bottom three. We will speak to some fans

confident they can do that and the Liverpool goalkeeper who will be

playing his part, unexpectedly, at Wembley on Saturday. It's nearly

two and a half years since John Paul Massey was killed by his

uncle's dog. Soon after, the government promised action on

dangerous breeds and irresponsible owners. Today, John Paul's mum and

dad went to Downing Street to say more needs to be done. They say

their neighbourhood in Liverpool still has serious problems with

dogs. And figures obtained by BBC Northwest Tonight show this region

has the highest number of dog attacks in the country. Our Chief

Reporter, Dave Guest, has more. This is John Paul Massey. He was

just four when he was mauled to death by his uncle's pitbull in

November 2009. The following summer that uncle, Christian Foulkes, was

jailed for breeding and keeping a dangerous dog. In court, he urged

others not to make the mistakes he made. A year after John Paul's

death, his mum received a letter from Downing Street, in which the

Prime Minister promised that the government was considering "many

and varied suggestions for change" to the dangerous dog legislation.

John Paul's parents are growing impatient for change. Things could

have or should have been changed by now, to stop this happening to

anybody else. And it is not just pit-bulls, it is lots of other dogs

and reeds. The most recent statistics from the health service

sure 5% rise in the number of dog related injuries treated by

hospitals. This region saw more than anywhere else with over 1,000

reported. And they happened most often in Liverpool. More than 140

last year - that compares to just over a dozen in Blackburn. Today

John Paul's parents went to Downing Street. They handed over a letter,

urging the Prime Minister to speed up reforms. It was co-signed by a

number of animal charities because, Some politicians agree changes are

overdue. There is nothing to prevent the Government taking

action. They have a 22 months to consider responses to the

consultation and we just want to see them take action. Ministers are

considering a number of measures including compulsory micro-chipping

of dogs. That's just become law in Northern Ireland. The Government

has promised to unveil its proposals within weeks rather than

months. They've lived alongside one another for years. They say they're

more like family than neighbours. Now elderly residents in Crewe say

they're distraught after being told their sheltered accommodation will

be knocked down. Wulvern housing, who run Linden Court, say the

building is out of date. It's promised to move people to better

accommodation and compensate them. But residents fear they'll be split

up and lose the community that's become the bedrock in their lives.

Kate Simms reports. Mary's lived at Linden Court for more than two

decades. Margaret moved in just two days ago. Both feel the same about

the place they call home. It is very nice, the people are lovely,

and the building, it is home. would hate to leave. I would like

to end my days here. But it seems Mary won't get her wish. Wulvern

housing who run this sheltered accommodation want to knock it down

and build new family homes. It's promising to find the current

residents new modern accomodation elsewhere. It says it'll compensate

them. People here say you can't put a price on the community they've

built. They dont want to go. like it, I want to be able to stay

here. We will not be able to commute. It is so sad. I have moved

here from Liverpool and I have no regrets. I don't want to move back

to Liverpool, or go anywhere else. But Wulvern insist the building is

no longer fit for purpose. These people will be treated with the

appropriate dignity and respect, but we're looking at the building

that is no longer sustainable, we have leaks, gap tiles coming off

the roof, I did not want my parents to live in this accommodation. If

some residents say that moving by Christmas will be too soon, and too

much. People at 92-95, they are in a hell of a state, they are crying.

They a broken people. The residents now hope local MPs and councillors

can help Wulvern change its mind. It is a shame. It is that

familiarity as you get older, just being compatible with your

surroundings. -- comfortable. The police in Lancashire have launched

a campaign to tackle the grooming and sexual exploitation of children.

Adverts are being published to raise awareness of the crime and

encourage victims to come forward. It is paedophilia behaviour by the

perpetrator towards a vulnerable child, so it is an horrendous crime,

and once the victim becomes party to that, that will stay with them

for the rest of their lives. It is an horrendous crime. More

volunteers have joined the search for a Cheshire man who went missing

while running a marathon in Greece. John Lawton hasn't been seen since

the latter stages of the race on Sunday. His family appeared on

Greek television last night to appeal for more people to help in

the search for him. It's been revealed that one of the candidates

who wants to be Mayor of Salford is being investigated by police on

suspicion of money laundering. Paul Massey, who was jailed for 14 years

in 1999 for almost killing a man, was arrested in December and

remains on police bail. Our political editor Arif Ansari is

here. What are the police saying? They have confirmed that the police

investigation into him continues. It was a big shock when Paul Massey

came forward as a candidate for mayor of Salford. Nobody was

expecting it, certainly not the city council, because it is serious

criminal past. In 1999 he was imprisoned for 14 years for

stabbing and almost killing another man, and what will come as a big

surprise is that police inquiries continue into him, specifically

into allegations of money- laundering at the security firm

called 20 bursts injury security in Salford. Six people arrested,

including Paul Massey, all of whom remain on police bail. Any word

from Paul Massey to make? He has not spoken to us but has spoken to

the Manchester Evening News, in which he says, I am completely

innocent, I am accused of money- laundering but I am confident that

there will be no case to answer. He goes on, I will carry on with my

campaign and they want to concentrate on it, for the people

of Salford. The rules are that if somebody has been sentenced you

cannot stand for public office for five years. This happened well

before that. But there are people with concerns about him standing,

and clearly, with these allegations hanging over him, those concerns

will intensify. Fighting disease is a global problem. In the past

scientists and drug companies have stored vital research in their own

labs. Now it's all being brought together in the world's first

medical database at a cost of a �100 million. And it's right here

in Stockport, from where our Science Correspondent Sarah Cruddas

reports. New technology and state of the art robotics are used here

at the biobank - where ten million samples such as blood and saliva

are kept from the participants aged between 40 and 69. We have needed a

project like this to help us work out how somebody's genetic

inheritance interacts with environmental exposure that we

encounter are ready in a lifestyle, to make people develop some

illnesses. -- encounter every day. Paul Baker is one of the 500,000

people who took part in the study. I am an engineer, we have a lot of

scientists in the family and my ancestors were doctors. Anything

that helps sides go for what is good. Normally it is difficult for

scientists to get hold of such large sets of data and the idea is

it will make it easier to conduct research. It should generate

information and experimental data. This will be added in batches into

the total database, so all the time, the information on every individual

will be being enriched. It's hoped that within a year the first set of

results will be published helping to improve the way we understand

the development of ill health with age. Next Saturday is the 100th

anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. All this week I'm taking a

look at the North West's links with the doomed ship. Yesterday we were

in Liverpool, birthplace of the Titanic. Today our trail takes us

to Bolton for the tale of two captains and what they did in the

vital hours after the ship started to sink. Here we are in Boughton,

far from the sea, but it is home to two of the central characters and

the Titanic drama. Like in any good story, there has to be a villain

and the hero, and this town provides them well. But, how fair

is this historic assessment? After Rostron and Stalin Lord, both boys

from Bolton, entranced by the sea, both rose quickly through the ranks

and by 1912, Rostron was captain of the SS car Pavia. Lowered in

control of the cargo ship, SS Californian. The Capri deal was 50

miles to the south east of the Titanic. Captain Lotte's vessel,

the Californian, was 20 miles north, but it was the Carpathians, that

came to the rescue. Captain Rostron pushed the ship to the limit and

they eventually managed to save more than 700 lives. Captain Lord

did not respond to any of the distress calls coals up his

wireless office was shut down and he could not get any messages. His

vessel did not move. Rostrum was an old boy of Bolton School, and you,

the most will honour his heroism. One former pupil has campaigned for

a permanent memorial to a man who was celebrated worldwide. He was

knighted in 1926 by George that if, and he remained a very modest

gentleman. -- by King George the 5th. When he was asked by a

reporter to comment on the rescue, his answer was, that a hand other -

- other than mine was on the wheel that night. He went on to become

the commodore of the White Star Line. But, did his fellow Bolton

man, Stanley Lord, deserve the blame? One historian thinks not.

The Board of Trade were efficient, in the sense that they did not

stipulate the correct number of light pours for new vessels. There

was no 24 hour ice patrol, and certainly no 24 or wireless, on-

board vessels, so it was convenient to hang Stanley lowered out to dry.

-- Stanley Lord. In the 1958 film, Unite to remember, Stanley Lord,

was once again portrayed as the villain of the peace. He petitioned

unsuccessfully to clear his name. After his death, the cause was

taken up by the then Bolton East MP, Bob Howarth. Knowing the perils

that exist on the auction in those areas, at that time, it is

inconceivable that he would just take some information from one of

his crew and then just go back to bed. It is not likely at all.

not think he was completely blameless but circumstances

conspired against him. They did not accept that the flares they saw

with distress flares, but thought they were communication flares,

between liners. There was no way that they could have responded to

the cause. Tomorrow night we're in Lancashire, finding out about the

Titanic controversy that has blown up over Wallace Hartley, the band

leader who played on, as the ship sank. It is a growing series. I

find it fascinating. We have had e- mails after yesterday saying that

they could not believe we had not mentioned Wallace Hartley. You have

got family connections? Yes, some of the family met at the funeral of

Wallace Hartley. It is fascinating. There you go. Now sport and it's

another big night in the Premier League. Not least at the DW Stadium

where relegation-threatened Wigan are taking on title favourites

Manchester United. Richard is there for us. And United can almost

clinch it tonight, can't they, Richard? Yes, of Manchester United

win at Manchester City fail to do so against West Bromwich Albion,

there will be quite a few bookmakers paying out on a 20th

title for United. But Wigan Athletic have been in good form and

were very unlucky against Chelsea and can jump out of the bottom

three tonight. Chatting to their fans, there is quiet confidence

that they might get something although history is much against

them, having not taken a single point from Manchester United. We

can talk to some Wigan fans now have. I am feeling positive. I am

going to go 42-One, to Wigan. nervous but I think we can do it.

We will have a go. They could take their foot off the gas, and I think

that the draw could be possible. would like to win, but it is

Manchester United we are talking about. Keep thinking positive.

Another of our other sides trying to avoid the drop, Blackburn Rovers

were involved in a real nail-biter last night at Ewood Park. Liverpool

might have won the match 3-2 in dramatic fashion, but already

without suspended first choice keeper Pepe Reina, the reds had

stand-in Alex Doni dismissed and a third keeper, Brad Jones, tread a

very fine line as well. The Australian is now set to play at

Wembley in Saturday's big FA Cup semi-final against Everton, a

moment few fans would begrudge him. Brad's six year-old son passed away

with leukaemia in November, and last week he became a father again.

Doni sent off for bringing down Hoilett. It was part of an

emotional few days for the Australian. My girlfriend gave

birth and the last couple of days. At the last couple of days have

been hectic, the boy has been brilliant. I am going to now

prepare for the game. It did not all go to plan, but with Liverpool

down to 10 men, Blackburn Rovers pressed, with yet to be nodding

them back into contention, before a moment that Brad Jones will want to

forget, having given away a penalty and receiving a yellow card, from

which you could do short Blackburn Rovers level. But it was Amman with

a point to prove to snatch the points for Kenny Dalglish and his

men, with Andy Carroll, powering in the winning header. It was an

excellent game, the players should get the credit they deserved. Over

the past few weeks it has not all been good news. A big opportunity

missed, because one point would have taken us up, two places, but

one minute you're playing against 10 men, and we did have enough

chances. Liverpool will approach the FA Cup semi-final against

Everton after a morale-boosting victory and relieved that at least

one of their front line keepers will be available. Fleetwood Town

can't uncork the champagne just yet after narrowly failing to clinch

promotion to the Football League in front of five thousand fans at

Highbury last night. They needed a win to become Blue Square Premier

Champions, but could only manage a draw. Wrexham spoiled the party by

taking the lead in the 53rd minute. Gareth Seddon equalised with a

header six minutes later. Town now need to beat Lincoln on Friday

night, and their excited fans are sure they'll do it. Slightly

disappointed, but we have got Bridie, again, to win the league. -

- we have got Friday. We will get it. Cricket news, then gradually

choose to Glen Chapple, named Lancashire skipper ahead of the

defence of their title tomorrow, as one of five Wisden Cricketers of

the year. There will be Updates on these matches on BBC Radio

Manchester and full commentary on Manchester City against West Brom.

History is against Wigan. They have lost 23 goals in this picture

recently. But, you never know. Now staying with sport and tomorrow

sees the opening day of the John Smith's Grand National meeting at

Aintree. With record crowds last year and record prize money this

year, organisers are expecting another bumper festival of racing.

The big race has legendary status, not least because of this moment.

Aldaniti from Spartan Missile. Jockey Bob Champion was diagnosed

with cancer and given just 8 months to live. He beat the illness though

and 18 months later in 1981 he rode Aldaniti to a historic victory. Bob

paid us a visit with the famous trophy earlier and I asked him if

the race still had the same magic. Of course it does. The Grand

National was always something that I wanted to ride in, from the age

of eight years old, and I was fortunate enough to ride in 10 of

them in the end and they got round five times and managed to win one.

And it was so dramatic, it was made into a movie, you had been

diagnosed with cancer 18 months before. Yes, I was, and thankfully,

there was a new treatment allowed and they get me a 35% chance of

recovery, and thankfully, I recovered. And the rest is history!

How do you look back on that time now? Looking back on the time in

hospital was not very pleasant, it was horrendous, but when I got back

riding, there was also pressure on me because I was in the media, six

weeks before the National, and Tyne Poly, week teamed up on a nice,

sunny day. -- thankfully. Red Rum saved the Grand National, and

Ginger McCain, and now it has gone so far forward, with the

sponsorship of John Smith, it is three days great racing. I think

that the winner this year will be Ballybriggs. He has gone up in the

handicap but everything else around him has gone up. It is the Ginger

McCain magic. I have always felt that horses have got to come to

Liverpool, fresh. He ran a good race at Kelso. He got a little bit

tired. He is bound to have improved from that race. You said a moment

ago how much you enjoyed Ladies' Day. I think every man in this

country enjoys ladies the! -- Ladies' Day. Give the ladies credit,

they go there to enjoy themselves, and they plan it and have a great

day out. What about safety concerns, after a two course has died last

year? Do you share the concerns of people watching the say that it

could be cruel? I do not think it is cruel, because you look at

horses that fall in the National, they carry on and jump fences

without jockeys on their back. They of jumping. Unfortunately sometimes

horses do have mishaps, and nobody likes to say that in racing, but

they have been bred to be race horses, people forget that. They

live in five-star luxury, have a great life, and the horses actually

love it, I promise you. Enjoy yourself, and I shall take you a

tip! We're going for Ladies' Day, myself and Diane. One of was will

What a wild day we had the day. That cloud, that can go operative

the 1,000 deed, and built down those hailstones. Over the next

couple of days, and tomorrow, we have maritime air, coming from the

Arctic, it is cold, rather unstable, creating showers. Your garden might

have been full of golf ball-sized hills those, you might have seen

some good spells of sunshine, but we have had rumbles of thunder. I

cannot see the weather being very different tomorrow. This is the

radar picture of the state of play right now. As we head towards the

early hours, we could have a touch of frost were many, but tomorrow,

very similar to today. Showers starting to move in, the difference

being that the winds are exceptionally light. From time to

time, those showers will be torrential. A top senator, ten