16/04/2012 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson - and

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story - as the owners of one dead horse say

they won't be back, we ask what the future holds for the Grand National

at Aintree. Why are our horses injured in the Grand National and

can more be done to save them? I will be finding out. Can one of our

most historic sporting spectacles survive? Also in the programme, the

quest for a cure for Parkinson's, as four local hospitals take part

in ground breaking research. The half a million pound Olympic

artwork which should be lighting up Yes! The ecstasy and the agony as

Liverpool pip Everton to a place in the Cup final. Absolutely a but the

moon. I am gutted but we will take it on the gym. -- chin. And another

fine mess. The new film lifting the lid on the early years of one of

Good evening. The future of one of the region's big events is under

renewed scrutiny tonight, after two horses died at the Grand National.

One animal rights campaigner says the race should be banned. Major

changes were made to the course before this year's National to make

it safer. Now there's pressure to make yet more modifications to the

world's greatest race. Stuart Flinders is at a centre for the

treatment of former racehorses. This is the Thoroughbred

Rehabilitation Centre just outside Lancaster. In a moment I'll be

hearing whether more could be done to save horses injured in the big

race. But first, calls for the Grand National to be made safer or

There is life after racing. Here, thoroughbreads are patched up and

prepared for a new world of the showjumping arena and the riding

club. Injuries are one thing. But in front of millions of TV viewers

on Saturday, two horses, According to Pete and Synchronised, died in

the Grand National. The owners of According to Pete are clearly

deeply upset. We wish that we still had him. We do! We will be gutted.

There will never be another one like him. When you enter a horse

again into the Grand National? not think I would, Rivett. It is

too much. They were good horses. They had to be put down. Both

horses fell at Bechers Brook. The drop on the landing side was

reduced by four inches for this year's race, one of a number of

changes made to protect horses. we have reduced it. We will see how

the horses cope. It would appear they still have difficulty.

pressure for more changes is on. But only an end to the National

itself will satisfy one campaigner from Southport. The Grand National

can never be made safe. The course will either run faster and land

with more force or if you reduce the field, they will still charge

along as fast as they can. There is only one way to deal with it and

that is to ban it. Opinion in Liverpool today was mixed. It is

part of Liverpool. It provides a lot of revenue and a lot of people

look forward to it. We should look at the safety aspect. We have got

about 40 horses running and it is organised chaos. We have to think

about setting off on the race and I think it was a disgrace. In a

statement, Aintree regretted the deaths and promised to look at ways

This is a former racehorse and trainer. Why can they not be

treated? Sometimes the injuries are very challenging. A broken leg can

be like a threatening. They cannot be -- life threatening. They cannot

be treated like you and me. But it is not simply about money?

Absolutely not. A broken leg, the severity will be life ending.

fair to put them through the Grand National? Organisers say that we

will always have a brisk but is it worth the risk? It is a high risk

sport. The industry are trying to make it safer for horses. Any

amendment and any issues that they are dealing with with the Grand

National can only be a good thing. How do we make it safer? We have

heard a report saying that you cannot and it should be scrapped.

We have to look at the number of horses starting the race. We have

got about 40. We should perhaps reduce the number racing. Tell us a

bit about this horse. He came to us in January from a syndicate. He

raced 49 times. He won �59,000 worth of winning. And the future?

We are going to work with him and find him a home as a nice, retired

Thank you for your comments about this story. We hope to read some of

Next, Parkinson's disease affects almost 130,000 people across the

country. Symptoms including uncontrollable tremors, and

difficulty moving, can make life a struggle for its sufferers. Now,

four hospitals in the North West will play a major part in the

biggest ever study into the disease. By tracking thousands of patients,

experts hope to find better He has been living with Parkinson's

disease for three years and has accepted the tremors, mood-swings

and speech problems and at 26, he is understands what the future

holds. I understand it is progressive. But you keep battling

every day. Parkinson's UK is hoping to attract 3,000 sufferers and

analyse blood changes and symptoms in a period of three years. It is

understood that it is caused when nerve cells are killed off in the

brain, leading to nervous system problems. But what is not known his

wife. They are hoping to attract the system and identified markers,

tides of protein which can help them identify Parkinson's disease

earlier and give a better idea of how treatments are working.

think this study will enable us to generate treatments and improved

treatments for fighting disease in the next few years and ultimately

identify a way of curing the condition in future. In the North

West, specialist centres in these areas will collect vital

information. It would be a lot better if we could find a cure are

obviously and I could get back to work. I would like to be walking.

It would improve their lifestyle and make it a lot better. Anybody

that has developed symptoms in the next -- in the past few years are

urged to come forward to take part in the study and make an enormous

Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba has been discharged from

hospital - less than a month after he suffered a cardiac arrest. The

midfielder, who collapsed during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in

March, left The London Chest Hospital today. He will now be

treated at a hospital in the north west. A man from Manchester accused

of conspiring to murder soul singer Joss Stone will undergo mental

health tests to see if he is fit to stand trial. 31 year-old Junior

Bradshaw has been moved to a psychiatric unit in the north west.

He is charged with conspiracy to murder, Rob and commit GBH. It is

that time again. Campaigning has started for the local elections

next fortnight. They have been taking place across much of the

region and hundreds of councils have been contested. We have got an

overdue. Councils are responsible for local services, road Services,

bin collecting and social services. 26 out of 37 councils are holding

elections. Labour controls the most at 16. The Tories, two Andy Liberal

Democrats, just one. Seven are under no overall control. These are

the important ones, no overall control. These Labour Party in

particular thinks they can take some of them. Places like Burnley,

surely, Pendle and Rossendale. These places might be very

important by Mayfair. Last year, Labour victory nine councils and be

able to focus on four targets, Pendle, Burnley, Chorley and

Rossendale. The Conservatives lost four last year and this time they

will be defending West Lancashire and Trafford. Labour control more

than half the councils being contested. If they do equally well

this year, they could get up to two-thirds. That is the extent of

their dominance in the North West. For the Conservatives it is about

to fence, hanging on to West Lancashire and Trafford. -- defence.

What about the Liberal Democrats? 8 lost one-third of their seats after

a disastrous performance. They have just one council, South Lakes. But

they are strong in Burnley and Stockport. Armageddon for them at

the last local elections and this is damage limitation. They lost 100

councils in the North West and they are hoping to cut these losses.

They might recapture Stockport but is unlikely. The North West forget

their first elected city Mayor in Liverpool and Salford and

Manchester hold a referendum to decide if they want one as well.

The deadline is when state. We have a guide available online. -- the

Debt Line ease when state. Registering is the only way to

avoid disappointment. -- the Debt Line is on Wednesday. -- the limit

is on Wednesday it. Coming up, spotting the big time will stop the

local child --. The local child had legend. It was found to be very

interesting with lots of colourful I absolutely love Stan Laurel! It's

costing half a million pounds of public money and was supposed to be

Birkenhead's landmark art commission to celebrate the

Olympics, but more than four months after it should have been

flickering in the sky, it's still not there. From December, a

spinning column of cloud should have been seen over the Wirral

waterfront as part of the Cultural Olympiad. But as Ian Haslam now

reports, it might not even be installed in time for the Olympic

Torch relay next month. A spectacular art installation

projecting a spiral of steam into the sky that can be seen from 60

miles away. At least, that is the idea. The reality is different.

money could be going towards something that we need. Other

things in the region need the money. This was supposed to be a compiling

location, but the Civil Aviation Authority needs to test whether the

installation would be a danger to planes. It is really exciting and

will push forward our economic development. This delay is damaging

to that. The Olympics has been a success in terms of delivering on

time, but not this part farce on the Wirral. We tried to get answers

from representatives on those behind the project. We were simply

Local campaigners say this is not good enough. It is going ahead when

there are cuts across the board. Obviously the tax payer and needs

to see some return in a meaningful way for whatever investment is

taken forward. If it does happen, then I am sure it will be very

successful. The argument then would be perhaps that it ought to be not

just a temporary installation but something that his continued for a

more meaningful period of time. Which has happened with another

waterside artwork on Merseyside, Antony Gormley's Another Place. It

is not unusual for artistic projects of this scale to take time

to develop, but the council so they are confident that the final stages

of planning permission will be complete in the next couple of

weeks. Watch this space! Tony is here with

the sport, and there is lots to get through. Sir Alex Ferguson now

admits Ashley Young was looking for a penalty when he took a theatrical

fall during yesterday's 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

Yes, that's right. Sir Alex was Sir Alex was adamant that it was a

penalty, but he did say that Young "overdid it" when United were

awarded that controversial penalty at Old Trafford yesterday. Last

week Young was accused of diving to win a penalty during United's

victory at QPR. Now look what happened just seven minutes into

yesterday's game. Young makes contact with the left foot of Villa

defender Ciaran Clarke and appears to throw himself to the ground.

Rooney tucked away the penalty, but many people have accused Young of

diving. Let's hear the reaction of Sir Alex. He actually went down

quite easily, but defenders pay the price, and it was a penalty.

Despite all that, United are again five points clear of Manchester

City. And you could be forgiven for thinking the title race is over.

Well, City manager Roberto Mancini says it is. But Carlos Tevez

disagrees. Disagreeing with his manager again! He says of course

City can win the title if they put pressure on United. Tevez scored a

brilliant hat-trick in the 6-1 win at Norwich on Saturday. This was

the best of the three, an unstoppable shot with an incredible

swerve. As he completed his hat- trick, Tevez celebrated with a

cheeky reference to the months he spent playing golf in Argentinia

while refusing to play for City. After the game he gave a TV

interview for the first time since his return. For the people, for the

club, for the fans, for my colleagues, for Roberto, for me, we

all went through some difficult times, but it is very important,

that is where celebrated the where did, because I have my feet on the

floor. After edging city neighbours

Everton in their big FA Cup semifinal, Liverpool captain Steven

Gerrard says his team now need to go on and win the competition.

Kenny Dalglish's side of course already have the Carling Cup in the

Anfield trophy cabinet. The Reds beat the Blues 2-1 on Saturday to

set up a final against Chelsea next month. Richard Askam was at Wembley

to see the highs and lows of an emotional afternoon.

This was one Wembley triumph where there was no silverware to show off,

but for many rains, it felt even better. I thought we would get beat

today. Getting there! Before the match, the feeling was largely

good-humoured, although with bragging rights at stake, both sets

of fans had everything crossed that it would be their day. Scary.

are a red and a blow, and you are married. What will it be like

today? We might not be speaking. But for the Blues, defeat was

particularly hard to take. I am gutted, but you just take it on the

chin. Liverpool's equaliser came from mistake from a normally

reliable team. The much-criticised Andy Carroll got the crucial goal.

He missed a golden chance earlier on, that got this reaction. But he

nodded in the winner, his 8th of the season. After one of the most

anticipated Merseyside derbies in years, Everton are still waiting

for that first trophy, but these Liverpool supporters will be back

showing that once again, when it comes to the cup competitions, they

have the winning knack. That gentleman might have to set

off a bit early for the final! There will be a reduced train

service from Virgin trains on the line Street to Euston services for

the final. Three trains will leave before eight in the morning, and

other trains will leave from Crewe, Chester and Manchester. So make

sure you sort out your travel plans. Now, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez

says his side can beat Arsenal at the Emirates tonight to move

further away from the relegation zone. He says his team been lifted

by recent wins against Manchester United and Liverpool. Regular

updates on BBC Radio Manchester. Now to the country's newest

football league club. Fleetwood have finally made it over the

finishing line after nearest rivals Wrexham could only draw on Saturday.

The promotion to League Two marks the latest step in a meteoric rise

through the football pyramid. Stuart Pollitt reports.

Today it's every inch the modern stadium, fit for the football

league. But 15 years ago Fleetwood's ground, like the club

itself, was on its knees - vandalised, with knee-high grass.

In 2003 wealthy businessman Andy Pilley stepped in and spent big.

Five promotions in seven years has followed. It is an unbelievable

feeling. There is not many people in life whose big dream came true,

and it has always been my big dream that I could eventually get them to

the League. I know you don't like putting a figure on it, but his �10

million miles away? Probably not miles away, no. It has been an

expensive hobby. The years, this was the main reason for visitors to

come to Fleetwood. But they are hoping now that the increased

profile of the town's football team will attract even more visitors to

the seaside town. There are plenty of spin-offs in all sorts of

directions, employment and so on, and it is good for the town. He it

is the biggest thing that has happened for a long time in

Fleetwood. Brilliant for the town. It just seems to be really good at

the moment. It the message from those in charge at Fleetwood is

that they want to march a further still up the football ladder.

Talking of the coast, Blackpool's Keith Southern and the former Bury,

Burnley and Blackpool boss Stan Ternent are the studio guests

tonight as Late Kick Off returns to BBC One at five past eleven. We've

got reports from Rochdale and Preston as our guest reporter Andy

Ritchie went along to Deepdale to take at look at how the Graham

Westley era there is developing. We have tried to deal with the

issues and get ourselves together, and you can see where we are at. We

have put in a solid display against a side. We are progressing, we are

not at the level where want to be at, but it is coming.

Rugby League, and the draw for the fifth round of the Challenge Cup

has thrown up some crackers. Warrington Wolves host Bradford.

Salford also have an all-Super- League tie against Leeds. The

holders Wigan travel to Featherstone, St Helens to Oldham.

Swinton are drawn at Super League leaders Huddersfield and Leigh take

on Halifax. Finally, congratulations to the

four North West players nominated for the PFA's player of the year

award. Three of them are from Manchester City - Sergio Aguerro,

Joe Hart and David Silva. Wayne Rooney will be fighting United's

corner. We shall see! Thank you, Tony. I bet you are a Laurel and

Hardy fan. I love them. There have been many documentaries

and books about the life of Stan Laurel, half of one of the biggest

screen double acts alongside Oliver Hardy. But few if any have focussed

upon Laurel's life growing up in the Cumbrian town of Ulverston. The

producers of Stan's Childhood say that's a fine mess. And they want

to put it right, as Mark Edwardson Laurel and Hardy never failed to

bring the house down. Stan's Childhood looks at a lesser-known

part of Laurel's life. He was quite a sickly child, and that is why his

grandparents brought him up, because he was born in their house,

and a lot of people thought he had been bought up in Bishop Auckland,

but he hadn't, because he couldn't travel. Largely shot in and around

Ulverston, scenes recreate a town familiar to the young Stan Laurel.

The producers say it's a faithful portrayal - a playful young Stan

with a skill for slapstick with many of the mannerisms that made

him a Hollywood star. One of the scenes when he is with grande

marque, he is pulling faces in the window and doing the iconic things

with his hair, just little things like that but you can see. Here is

another nice mess you've gotten me into! A lot of research went into

it. It was found to be very interesting, and turned up a lot of

colourful characters, as is shown in the film. The producers and most

of the cast are from Wigan, and over the next few weeks its

premiere will be held there. Another nice mess you have gotten

me into! Mark Edwardson, BBC North West

Tonight. A lot of people may disagree, but I

think it's a boy thing. OK, to the Good evening. It has been fairly

sunny through this morning and into this evening, but it is all about

change. This week will be unsettled with a lot of rain. That is all

courtesy of this area of low pressure dancing around above my

head. It is going to bring that heavy rain tonight into tomorrow.

It sticks with us for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Look at how

the temperatures don't respond! 11 or 12 Celsius if we are lucky

through the week, but I think most temperatures will stay in single

figures. The cloud is already building. It is heavy and

persistent overnight, bring very strong wind. The temperatures

underneath the rain will stay well above freezing. That is good for

our plants. Tomorrow, plenty of this. He will be needing cure our

umbrellas. The breeze will continue to drive in showers. Lots of cloud

around. You can see the strong wind driving the showers through, the

April showers. In between, you will see some sunshine. Disappointing

temperatures, eight or nine for most of the region. Then look at

Wednesday. You can see it is not particularly warm, more showers.

Thursday and Friday, a bit of a washout. Sunshine and showers for

most of this week, so I hope you Thanks for all your comments on

whether the Grand National should be banned, and opinions really are

divided. Sandra Fisher e-mailed in Donal and Eileen Morrissey from

On Facebook, Marcus Kingsley-Scott Also on Facebook, Nigel Greensitt