27/04/2012 North West Tonight

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

Johnson. Our top story. An exceptional soldier, husband and

father - hundreds turn out in Lancashire to pay tribute to

Sergeant Nigel Coupe, killed in Afghanistan. We just hope we never

have to do it for our own children. God bless them. We'll hear from

some of the local people who felt they had to be there. Also tonight.

Saved by his mother checking on him in the middle of the night -

Louie's mum tells us what made her call an ambulance. How different is

this plant near Nelson? Material gains - how the Lancashire textile

industry is reviving after years of bad times. So, out of all three of

them, which one is going to stay up? I would say that... Blackburn,

Bolton or Wigan, who does Lawro pick for the Premier League drop?

And has he got the Voice to be your choice? The North West singer's

Also, Diane has the forecasts for some of you who will definitely out

doors on Sunday. I'm here in Longford Park - where thousands

will be starting and finishing the Greater Manchester Marathon on

Sunday. The weather's not looking too good for you runners, though -

and we'll have more on this later. First tonight's top story. A brave

and heroic soldier, the best husband and daddy ever - memories

of Sergeant Nigel Coupe, buried in Lancashire this afternoon. Hundreds

of people, lining the streets of St Anne's near Blackpool, broke out

into applause as his coffin passed by. Nigel Coupe was killed in

Afghanistan, one of six to die when an explosion hit their armoured

vehicle. Stuart Flinders reports. Two daughters, five and two years

old, waiting to lead their father's coffin into the church. In a

tribute read during the service, their mother described Nigel Coupe

as brave and heroic, simply the best. He was 33-years-old when he

died. Nigel Coupe was one of six soldiers killed when their armoured

vehicle was destroyed in a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. He was

fiercely proud of his regiment and his country. Long before the

funeral cortege appeared in St Annes this morning, small crowds

gathered on street corners. Amongst them a father who knows what it's

like to worry about a loved one in Afghanistan, and a son who know

what it's like to be there. I am here to pay my respects. My son

served in Afghanistan and my son to him because they went to school

together. I was at school with Nigel. Have not seen him for many

years, but to see the news on the TV, very sad, and I wanted come and

pay my respects. Amongst the tributes, words from Sergeant

Coupe's commanding officer. Nigel Coupe was an exceptional individual.

Not only was he ahighly professional soldier, he was a

diligent individual, exceptionally professional, experienced, and

knowledgeable about his job. But he was also a very loving family man.

Hundreds packed the church. Many others listened to a relay of the

service outside. We're at just locals and wanted to say a very

humble thankful for the ferry terrible walls of life, that we

thought we had seen the end off. To see him giving their young son for

us, something we cannot comprehend. How brave, we owe them a lot. We

don't show it enough. Suddenly, on the way to a private burial,

complete strangers summed up how they felt about Sergeant Nigel

Coupe, with a round of applause. The funeral of Sergeant Nigel Coupe,

which took place earlier today. When Julie Jenkins' baby boy was

taken ill one night, her motherly instinct told her something was

very wrong. She dialled 999 and he was rushed to hospital suffering

from meningitis. Sadly, Louie lost part of his legs and some fingers.

But doctors say he would have lost his life but for his mum's prompt

action in summoning help. Now she's urging other parents to be extra

vigilant. Meningitis causes the linings of

the brain to swell. The most common types of the disease are viral and

bacterial. The first is usually a relatively mild disease, which can

affect thousands of people each year. The second can be life-

threatening and needs urgent medical attention. And

meningococcal septicaemia is blood poisoning, and it's that what Louis

Jenkins contracted. Louis Jenkins plays happily with

his mum, Julie, at their home in Colne. Just a couple of months ago,

Julie feared they'd never be able to do this again. Louie became ill

one night and a mother's instincts kicked in. It progressed throughout

the night. He had been sick of a couple of times, had a couple of

dirty nappies and a temperature. At the point of him having a

temperature, I took all his close of 70 could cool down and I noticed

to pinprick spots on his chest. Louie had menningococcal

septiceamia. Sadly, he lost both legs below the knees and some of

his fingers. But he would have lost his life had his mum not dialled

999 promptly. Some of the consultant said to us that if I had

not seen them when he got those first two spot, if we were just as

the band did not see them, it would be in a case of if you woke up next

morning he would have already gone. What is your advice to other

parents? If any child has a temperature, automatically take the

close of doubt to underwear, because you can see any changes. It

is so important to see that first sign so they get treated as soon as

possible. Louie will be the star of a fund-raising event in Foulridge

which aims to raise money for medical research.

Now, bacterial meningitis is still, thankfully, a relatively rare

disease. But it's helpful to know how to spot the signs. The pin

pricks Julie referred to on Louie's stomach were caused by bleeding

under his skin, which would have developed into a rash. That rash

won't disappear when pressed with a glass - though not everyone

develops a rash. A severe headache, aversion to bright light and

stiffness of the neck are all tell- tale signs. Babies with

meningococcal disease tend to be irritable when picked up and have a

high pitched cry, stiff body and jerking movements. They may refuse

food and be vomiting. Hopefully it's information you'll never need

- but if you do it could save a life.

A 12-year-old boy from Bolton has been found guilty of raping two

young girls. The schoolboy, who we cannot identify for legal reasons,

sexually assaulted his victims when they were aged just ten and seven

years old. He will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in June.

Nine teenagers have been arrested for public order offences, and one

for burglary, after a mob went on the rampage at a McDonald's

restaurant in Wigan. It happened two weeks ago on Standishgate, and

involved about 100 youths. Some verbally abused staff, while others

jumped over the counter and stole food. The police say five teenagers

have been given a warning, three are on bail and one has been given

a fixed penalty. The television presenter Jeremy

Clarkson has lost a dispute over public access to paths near his

Isle of Man holiday home. The Top Gear presenter claimed that having

a public path so close to his property was a breach of his human

rights. Ramblers complained when Mr Clarkson diverted a path on the

Langness peninsula, but a court judgement has ruled against him.

A hotel in Blackpool has been closed because of rowdy stag and

hen parties. The Malibu on Albert Road - which is expecting 100

guests this weekend - was closed down by Blackpool Magistrates today.

It's the first time such an anti- social behaviour order has been

used on a hotel. The candidates hoping to become the

first elected Mayor of Salford have been setting out their plans for

the city. The election will take place on May 3rd. We're hearing

from all of the candidates. Here are the latest three. 2011 was the

annus horribilis for Salford. I want to bring respectability back

to the city. I want to review our association within Greater

Manchester, I believe Salford should come first and any decision

should be for Salford people and Salford shops. Because of the inept

management of the city under Labour over many years, we need to move

forward. We need someone like myself who has the knowledge of the

City, has the policies to increase the strength of the city and to

move forward with regeneration and investments. That has to come

immediately. Education. There are things being taught in Our Schools

that are completely unacceptable to people that live here yet they

don't feel they can change it. Jobs, industry, education, those other

key elements to what we want to do in Salford. There's a full list of

candidates standing for the Mayor of Salford on our website -

www.bbc.co.uk/manchester. You might remember last year,

Greater Manchester Police were heavily criticised for their

handling of a case involving a woman murdered by her partner,

despite having made several complaints about him. The

Independent Police Complaints Commission found Clare Wood from

Salford, had been let down by "individual and systemic" failures.

In response, the force has today launched a new division,

specifically to investigate crimes against vulnerable people. And they

invited Clare's dad to come and see it. Ian Haslam reports.

Since his daughter's murder, Michael Brown has campaigned for

people to have greater rights to know about the violent past of

their partners. This has led to Clare's Law, which comes into force

this summer. But supporting this new initiative from Greater

Mancehster Police hasn't been easy. Three years ago I don't think I'd

have been able to be on camera, because the language I would have

used for Greater Manchester Police would have been awful. I feel that

they have let not only my daughter down but several other young ladies

- but if we can cut those figures down to a manageable amount I'd be

more than delighted" The inquest into Clare Wood's death heard she'd

made several complaints to police about her ex partner. Despite

George Appleton's history of violence against women, he was able

to get into her home and strangle her. The police say having a Public

Protection Division could have saved her life. She may well have

been - she'd certainly have been in a better position to make some

choices for herself. Our uniformed response officers have been through

training and we have dedicated specialist resources now to pick up

and do the risk assessment and threat assessment around the

information that they are given. Clare's story isn't uncommon.

According to Home Office statistics, nearly one million women suffer

domestic abuse each year - and two women are killed by their current

or former partner each week in England and Wales. In Greater

Manchester, we had 13,000 victims of demestic abuse referred to

victim support last year so it's a huge problem - its unfortunately

inevitable that this will happen but when we have an incident like

this we learn from the domestic homocide reviews, we learn from the

serious case reviews. It was in a house in this street that Clare

Wood was found dead in February 2009. With the launch of its new

division, Greater Manchester Police is confident that the mistakes it

made in handling Clare's case won't be repeated. It can't change what

happened to Clare, but her dad is pleased to see some changes. If we

can cut those figures to a manageable amount, I'd be more than

delighted. A century ago, textiles were big business here in the North

West - before increasing competition from cheap foreign

imports caused a steep decline. Now, though, there are signs of a

revival with the companies that remain, finding ways to diversify

and adapt. Laura Yates reports. Outwardly just an ordinary spinning

mill, but how different is this plant? 100 years ago, this was an

industry at its peak. Factories were full - hundreds of thousands

of people employed. Textiles were thriving. But then came a long and

slow decline. 50 years later, the industry was on its knees,

overwhelmed by cheap foreign exports from countries like Japan

and China. Today, though, the firms that remain are flourishing once

more. Survivors who have learnt to evolve, with more than 100

traditional textile companies in Lancashire. The manufacturers here

are surviving by innovative products, new machinery, new skills,

new ideas and new markets. This is S Dawes Weaving in Nelson. Marks

and Spencers and Laura Ashley are among their big British clients.

But they've also spotted gaps in the market. We used to work on

commission basis where you would order thousands of metres. These

days, people are looking for a more niche product, more speical with

more luxury fabrics, which is where we come in. Not content with just

making fabric, another Lancashire company run by the same family for

generations is now a brand with its own shop in London. We are a

manufacturer and making fabrics is what we do but we're also a

retailer and that allows us to control our buiness. But what we're

producing is of a higher quality. The days when Britain ruled the

textile industry are long gone but the companies which survive are

learning how to cut their cloth to fit a new global marketplace.

Tony looking dapper in his suit. I know we are looking up their

relegation battle in a minute but at the moment it seemed like Monday

night is the axis on which the whole of football is balanced.

was not looking forward to it? I'll be there live on Monday night for

this programme. I was supposed be having a meeting with the boss but

he called it off! Yes, Monday night at the Etihad Stadium will go a

long way towards deciding whether it's Manchester City or United who

go on to win the Premier League. The Premier League say it is

available to 650 million homes around the world. The Reds are just

three points ahead as it stands with just three games left, and one

man who's seen it all and won it all has been speaking about that

crucial match today. Peter Schmeichel, famous for his heroics

in goal for the Reds, who also played for the Blues. It is not

easy to be eight points behind it to find the motivation, but they

have done that. They are in a position now, mostly due to some

unexpected results from Manchester United, Wigan and Everton, where

with a win it will put them in the driving seat. And you can see more

of that interview on Football Focus tomorrow at 11.45 on BBC One. So,

with the top AND bottom of the Premier League making it a nervy

time for no less than five North West sides, what is going to happen

in the run-in? Today I sat down with Match Of The Day's Mark

Lawrenson, who told me who he thinks will be top and for the drop.

I think Manchester City have missed their chance, generally. It is only

Blakeley that they have looked like a team that can win the

championship. I think with Manchester United and Ferguson, it

is a game they do not lose, and if they do not Mesic, Manchester

United win the league. It is equally exciting at the bottom of

the table with Blackburn, Wigan and Bolton all in trouble. I think

Spurs will have a good run now and it is a tough game for Blackburn.

They have to find a way from home of getting the ball to you coup.

Bolton go to Sunderland. You might argue Sunderland have nothing to

play for, I don't think Martin O'Neill's teams ever have nothing

to play for. Bolton might pinch a point. We can is the intriguing one

because they have had a fantastic run and then felt short had fallen

last weekend. I don't think we can well get beaten. I honestly think

it is going to the last game of the season. There is its each game,

Blackburn against Wigan. That might save one of the teams. Out of all

three of them, which ones are going to stay up? Well fourth are already

gone. I think Wigan will go, because they are relying on winning

the last game of the season like last year. I have to say that they

think maybe Bolton would go, which would not be a good end to the

season. Finally Macclesfield, right at the foot of League Two could go

this week. There are at home to Burton. Would you make of that

situation? The Burton game is winnable. Then they go to Southend,

and last game of the season, which is tough. But what Macclesfield

beat at the moment is Brian Horton the players, not just the manager.

I think they may care but would also have a bet that he will bring

them back, given the funding. The Sale Sharks owner, Brian

Kennedy, has joined forces with a group of wealthy businessmen called

the Blue Knights to try and buy Rangers Football club. Kennedy says

his aim is to try and save the famous Glasgow club, which is

currently in administration. Sale says if the bid is successful it

won't change his involvement with the Sharks.

Wigan Warriors go into their Challenge Cup tie against

Featherstone tonight without former Man-of-Steel Pat Richards. Richards,

who scored a hat trick of tries last time out against Hull FC, has

a knee injury. The Yorkshire side have only ever beaten Wigan once in

six previous meetings in the competition. And you can hear full

commentary on Featherstone versus Wigan on BBC Radio Manchester, and

full coverage of Oldham versus St Helens on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Well done to Morecambe, who have won the prestigious best football

Pie Award! Steak and ale. On the basis of that I pitied him to win

2-0 at the weekend. They normally give it to some

quirky pie. Let us go back to the predictions. What is his hit rate?

Not good! What I would say, in fairness to Mark Lawrenson, is that

I think after this weekend he would make different predictions because

the bottom is so Topsy Turvey. I think the best thing he said today

is that it is going to go down to the last game.

Nobody seems to think that Blackburn are on the way down.

They have got some good players, some very good players mixed in

that squad. The one thing we know from other

games we have seen in recent times is that you cannot predict what is

going to happen. The so what a waste of time that

interview was! I want to talk about the 10 of Mark

Lawrenson as well. He was under a lamp for 10 minutes

before the interview! Sorry, we're very mean to him

today! David Julien is the local star of

The Voice who quit his job stacking shelves for the chance to appear on

the television show. The 23-year- old from Leigh won a place on Danny

O'Donohues team in the live shows which begin this weekend. BBC North

West Tonight has been given an exclusive backstage pass to catch

up with David ahead of his biggest live show yet. Peter Coulter has

been to meet him. When David Julien per firmed on The

Voice, performing Man That Can't Be Moved, he was amazed when two

judges wanted him on their team. Haven't given up my job and risking

everything, my first experience was that it had to be the best it could

be. For them to turn around and say what they said was unbelievable.

David went through to the battle round, taking on established singer

and Newman. He nailed it and got a place in the next round. Even

though it is hard work, it is my career, does what I want to do, so

it is all within reach. The reason why I went for David is that I here

magic quality that, even as good as he was there, I still there is at

least another 20% I can get out of him, and that is frightening, if he

is back good now, imagine how good he will be in a few weeks. Here is

a sneak peek of what he will be singing. Not giving the rest away!

He will be performing with team at Danny this weekend.

Best of luck to him. A look at the weather. She has not

got a brolly with the right now put the dead think that is an

indication. It is a good job but runners are a

hardy breed because this Sunday, at Longford Park here in Stretford,

the first Greater Manchester Marathon for 10 years starts and

finishes. If you are running at, at 26.24 miles, you are going to be

running all over Greater Manchester. Heading out through sale,

Altrincham, on to the beautiful and Massey and all the way back, so

you'll see a huge amount of the city. Steve Coogan is running a

with his brother hoping to raise money for community project. The

weather for some Dave looks Would good in Cheshire has broken

its own record for rainfall in the month. For Sunday, the Met Office

have issued an or yellow alert that the rain will be quite heavy. This

evening and overnight, a little bit of drizzle in the more southern

parts of our region. Fairly clear him one up to spot. But for most of

us there's an awful lot of cloud cover, which holds the temperatures

up pretty well. In any prolonged breaks they could be a one or two

and a touch of frost on the grass. On Saturday, the better day of the

weekend. They will still be a lot of cloud but it will thin and break

from time to time. The Isle of Man saw a good deal of sunshine today.

For most of us, the weather will be much better than today. The cloud

breaking from time to time. But the downside is a broad easterly wind.

On the chart for Sunday there is nothing could. Mid-to-late morning

the rain arrives, bringing strong winds and low temperatures. The

rain will be with us virtually all If you have been trying to dodge

the rain, spare a thought for this little fellow. A red squirrel

trying to stay out of the showers at the National Trust offices in

Grasmere. He was doing really well, having a good feed, and told...

Where has he gone? He fell out. I saw red squirrel were not up there