18/07/2011 Look East - East

In Look East tonight, saved from closure after months of campaigning.

The government finally decides that tornado jets will stay at RAF

Marham. Also tonight, an impassioned appeal,

find the man that murdered my brother and his family. I want to

ask him, how could you... Stab a knife... In two and innocent girls

heart? Destination is Southend as a new

station and control tower owl opened.

-- opened. First tonight: Success for the

campaign to save RAF Marham in Norfolk. RAF Marham is home to the

Tornado. It puts more than �130 million to the local economy. More

than 3,500 people work there, both military and civilian. And they

have more than 5,000 dependants. But the base has been under threat

as part of the government defence cuts. There was a huge local

campaign to save it. And today, those campaigners heard the news

they've been waiting for. RAF Marham will remain as a base

for the tornado. We have sought to strengthen the strong and natural

link between local communities and the armed forces. I do not

underestimate these tyres in underpinning the military

government -- covenant. Let's go live to RAF Marham.

The County Council leader said that it may be a village but if you

think of it in terms of its wider population and its economic input

into the region, it is effectively the second biggest city in Norfolk

after King's Lynn. That is how important it is. We have heard --

we have had a game of musical chairs. RAF Leuchars in Scotland

could become an army base. Its Typhoons will move to Lossiemouth's.

In turn, its four squadrons of Tornadoes will head to Marham.

RAF Marham and its tornadoes have been fighting on three fronts. In

Afghanistan, over Libya and on the home front, fighting to stay open,

to stay flying. For businesses, huge relief. It is embedded in the

community. The business as we do with them, temples at -- 10% of it

is from RAF Marham. We do deliver personal flowers and things, so it

is good news to hear. There are people that move on from Marham,

and the new blood coming in, young guys on their own, sometimes two or

three of them together, vital for the rental perspective. More than

5,000 jobs depend on the base, twice as many as its main rival. At

7.4%, unemployment locally is almost twice as high as in Moray,

and all the major tornadoes servicing is done at Marham. The

local papers spearheaded a huge campaign to keep the station open,

culminating in the delivery of a petition to Downing Street. When we

launched the campaign, we put a petition form in front of them, the

first time we have done that in the newspaper's history. We got 37,000

signatures in just a week. With the squadron back en route to

Afghanistan, RAF Marham's case for survival is strong. Crucial was

BA's servicing base here. The tornado itself is an ageing plane,

nearing the age of its life, so RAF Marham's long-term future it isn't

secure. The base will carry on for another five years, but we are

really keen that we get another aircraft when the tornado departs.

This is the beginning of the campaign, not the end.

If you were to turn this into an army base, it would sit -- generate

�75 million a year for the local economy, half of what it generates

as an RAF station. This is the region's only fast jet base, and

campaigners want it to stay that way.

Elizabeth Truss is the MP for South West Norfolk. She is an Westminster.

This is a short-term victory in a long-term battle, isn't it?

Tornado will be in service until 2020, so it is an important

economic gain an the medium term. We do want to maintain the long-

term as well. The minister said the decision on where the joint striker

will be based, subsequent to the Tornado, that is wide open, and the

case for RAF Marham is to be made. So, you have closed one campaign,

another one starts today? already started that campaign in

concurrence with the Tornado campaign, but we need to understand

when the decision is going to be made. What is so important is that

North of's voice is being heard, people are prepared to sign the

petition, we have had huge support from the press, the local media,

from the radio, and it has brought a huge amount of people in, and we

need to use that strength. Very disappointed the Typhoon has a new

home, and probably will not be coming here? I think that a

separate -- particular type of jet, and what I want to see is the

expertise of the Tornado focused in Marham, and the joint striker.

you frustrated this has taken so long for them to make this decision,

when, really, they could have take -- told people months ago prisoner

there have been rumours circulating for some time, and they understand

the Ministry of Defence wanted to see where the army was going to go.

I am pleased it has been delivered before 19th July, one day before,

and we do have a result now. say they have been rumours, so were

you given a nod and a wink? No, but the MoD had various views, which

changed over time, but we could never be certain, and that is why

we now know where their families are going to be based, local

businesses can make plans about investing. This is great news for

young people that want to do apprenticeships, and the local

engineering firms. But it is very positive news.

Relatives of the Ding family, who were murdered in their home in

Northampton, have appealed for help in catching the killer. The

relatives, one from America and another from China, have come to

this country to help the police. This report from Mike Cartwright.

Stabbed to death and their homes. Jifeng Ding, his wife, Helen, their

daughter, Xing, and Alice. I want to ask him, how could you stab a

knife into an innocent girl's heart? Not once, but twice?! How

could you do that? An innocent girl might. I also want to know what

he's feeling is, whether he has been the feeling. When he saw the

girls expressions. The brother, his anger, anguish, and astonishment

directed towards this man, Anxiang Du, prime suspect in the murder

investigation. This is Helen putts sister in law.

She is too afraid to show her face. Her was a translator. The way he

did it, the brutality, it has shocked the world. He has shocked

the family, and he has broken the peace and tranquillity for the rest

of our family. The killings took place 10 weeks ago. The trail to

Anxiang Du increasingly cold. have no confirmed sightings of the

man. We are working through the intelligence and all the

information available to try to flush him out. A remembrance

service was held for the family last week. The family now having to

live with how they died. Brittle. Absolutely brittle. It is beyond my

imagination. It is beyond the imagination of any human being.

Jixiang Ding ending that report by Mike Cartwright. And anyone with

information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Five Lithuanian men who died in an explosion at an industrial unit in

Lincolnshire last week were all from the Peterborough area. Police

today confirmed that the unit was being used to produce illegal

alcohol. Five days on and the forensic work

is still going on at this small industrial unit. This is going to

be a slow and meticulous investigation, taking some time for

our inquiries to be finished. Police have extended their cordon

and widened their investigation 30 miles or so south to Peterborough.

The Lithuanian embassy helped confirmed the identities of the

dead men and inform their next of kin. They are Vaidas Krupenkinas,

Ovidijus Majeris, Laimutis Simkus, Ricardas Gecas and Erlandas

Duzinskas, who was just 18. A sixth man suffering from severe burn

remains unnamed. In Peterborough today, most Lithuanians had little

to say. Community workers tell me that the Lithuanian group is

notoriously hard to reach. They represent a tiny proportion of the

population but are responsible for a disproportionate amount of

trouble, most of it related to alcohol. Among those more willing

to co-operate, there was little surprise about the revelations.

Back in with the winger, yes. -- back in Lithuania. But this is the

first time I have heard of it here. It is not good publicity for us.

Most of us are just trying to create Ibberton life for us. -- a

better life. The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been revealed,

but Lincolnshire Police today confirmed that the unit housed a

filtration plant that was being used for the production of illicit

alcohol being distributed and sold as vodka.

There's plenty still to come on tonight's Look East, including

music and mud at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk.

Hi, I'm Ed Sheeran. Find out about A Government Minister visited

Southend Airport today. Bob Neill said the airport's plans for more

flights and more passengers were a welcome boost for the region's

economy. But opponents of the expansion believe the benefits are

exaggerated. The airport's new control tower,

officially open this morning. To mark a new -- to mark the big day,

a government minister unveiling the plaque. Despite widespread economic

gloom, Southend Airport is getting bigger. Much be good. This is going

to generate considerable new business in the area, opening up in

this part of Essex, to Europe. You get an idea of how much work is

going on at the airport. The grey building down there, that is the

new terminal. Next to it, they are building enough stands for 10

aircraft. Watching this of the last two-and-half years expand from

nothing into something has been amazing. EasyJet is already

announcing it will be flying to three European destinations from

next year and several more will be announced next week. The airport is

aiming for 2 million passengers by 2020. Who would use -- what would

she say to somebody living near here? We operate within the

guidelines. We are clearly sensitive to local communities...

But a protest group stopped -- believe that fewer jobs will be

created than trumpeted by the airport, although managers believe

that many people support the airport. Many people will remember

that in the 60s it was a very busy airport. We need to expand it.

Trains stopped at the new railway station for the first time today

and a minister's last official duty was to pretend to catch one.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the deaths of two men

in a slurry tank on a farm in South Essex. They were trapped in the

tank at Stapleford Tawney near Ongar on Friday evening. One of the

men came from Norfolk. The other was local to the area.

A 24-year-old man from Ipswich has been released on police bail

following an allegation of rape at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk.

The incident is said to have happened yesterday inside a tent on

the staff campsite. We'll have more on the festival later in the

programme. An exclusion zone has now been

lifted after a chemical spill in Haverhill in Suffolk. It happened

at the International Fragrances and Flavours factory. It's thought a

tonne of light powder reacted with the rain to produce toxic fumes.

The clearing up operation will continue this evening.

Lotus Cars has told the Business Secretary Vince Cable it wants to

create up to 1,200 new jobs in Norfolk over the next five years.

Lotus is bidding for a grant from the Government as part of its plans

to expand. We are very proud of what we do...

They say if you've got it, you should flaunt it and that's what

Lotus were up to with Vince Cable. The Norfolk car maker's failed in a

bid to get �27 million of Government money and have now re-

applied for �10 million. It is a competitive process. The bids are

independently assessed. But they have clearly got a good operation

here. Mr Cable was shown the new range of Lotus cars. He had ride in

a black cab. It's electric and has some clever Lotus engineering. The

company were keen to point the Business Secretary's visit had

nothing to do with Government grants but were keen for the visit

to be success. I believe it was time that he visits us. He has seen

our ambitious plans. He has been made aware. It is very good that we

see a representative of the government to come and see first

hand. And just in case you thought it was all business for the

Business Secretary, he had a spin in an Evora. Origin of this? I have

got a very good driver, so no reason why I should be Nova's. --

nervous. Lotus say they want to create up to 1,200 jobs at its

Hethel factory. That may or may not depend on Government help. But

Vince Cable was clearly impressed by Lotus and their cars.

The Wisbech bypass on the A47 is closed in both directions after a

head on crash involving two cars. The air ambulance was called after

reports that a man was trapped. It happened between the Elm Hall and

Lynn roundabouts. The road is expected to be closed for some time.

A mine from the Second World War, discovered on the sea bed off the

coast of Essex, still hasn't been blown up. Navy divers were planning

a controlled explosion today but it's been delayed because of the

bad weather. Now, your 100th birthday is when

many people are slowing down and taking it easy. But not Roger

Washbourn from Norwich. He could be one of the oldest silver surfers in

the country and is learning to use the internet to stay in touch with

He may have had his 100th birthday greetings from the Queen 3 months

ago, but Roger Washbourn is embracing the future with weekly

lessons in the IT suite at Norwich City Football Club. It gives me

something to think about. Sometimes, it doesn't work, but it is awfully

good, because I can solve the problem, and I fear will good. -- I

feel good. Keeping in touch by email with his ever growing family

around the world is one of Roger's main motivations. He's one of the

oldest people in the country to participate in the BBC's First

Click campaign. To many, he's an inspiration. Roger it is very

special because he is 100 years old. Because he embraces the computer.

He uses it. He is enthusiastic about it, and he is a perfect role

model. As well as emails, Roger does all his banking online as well

as some of his shopping. And his advice to those who may be scared

of new technology. Give it go. Did you manage to stay dry and

warm? Despite the worst weather in the

history of the Latitude Festival, more than 100,000 people turned out

for a long weekend of music, poetry, and dance. And there was everything

from pop singer Paloma Faith... To comedy from Never Mind The

Buzzcocks. Tractors and trucks were brought in to help people who got

With the changeable weather, you just did not know what to wear. But

thousands of fans braved the elements to see Ed Sheeran. My name

is ate. -- my name is Ed Sheeran. I was brought up and Framlingham.

It is wonderful to see how many people turned up with their

umbrellas. Last year, that was great. I've never had that much fun.

It felt like such a good homecoming. I have always wanted to come to

Latitude Festival. From a really young age, it was always about

trying to get on the bill to go to the festival, and I still feel like

that. I feel like, yes, I'm going to Latitude. Sadler's Wells were

back with a selection of stunning performances. A preview of

ZooNation's of Some Like it Hip Hop. And a snapshot of a story of Fela

Kuti. It was great. Surrounded by the

water. The audience behind it. That was unique. The winner of the

second Latitude Contemporary Art Award was Andy Harper for his

three-dimensional art work. So, what were the first to four

highlight? KT Tunstall. How's the weather dampened your spirits was

made no. Not at all. We love it. haven't let it dampen our spirits.

Ed Sheeran was the highlight. Everyone I've spoken to has really

enjoyed the dance, poetry and music. We will take home the weather, the

sunshine and the show was, that just wouldn't go. That will not

stop thousands more from heading It all adds to the atmosphere.

We like that, will you marry me, poster. Always remember to get in

Let's go back to our top story tonight and the news that RAF

Marham in Norfolk is to remain open. The Defence Secretary Liam Fox made

the announcement today in a statement about defence spending.

It follows a long campaign to save the Home of the Tornado. Our

Political Correspondent Andrew Sinclair is at Westminster now.

Andrew, how serious was the risk to Marham?

On paper, it made sense to keep it open. Both economically and

strategically. The trust look at what they are doing in Libya. This

review was always going to be a very political decision. You cannot

overestimate the sensitivity down here about fanning the flames of

Scottish nationalism before the election and particularly after the

election with a Scottish Government, talking about holding a referendum

of taking us out of the Union. Ministers will have been very

sensitive about upsetting the Scots. It would have cost about �60

million to move, but that is very small change and they could have

done that. The fear of Norfolk's councillors is that if there hadn't

been a camping, the government could have said, let us close RAF

Marham because nobody cares about Elizabeth Truss was born at about

the future, but what was your feeling about it?

She was right. We are likely to have the Tornado for about 10 years,

but we will have to revisit RAF Marham, and there is hope that the

new replacement for the Tornado might come to RAF Marham. There is

talk about developing the engineering facilities there. Now

the Tornado is going to be serviced at Marham exclusively, it is being

talked about as a centre of excellence. People hope that Marham

will be essential to the RAF in 10 years to month.

The big national story down here is about the decision to focus less on

full-time soldiers and more on reservists, which will have an

impact on the region. Some things I have gleaned is that the Waterbeach

Barracks will close. They will be redeveloped for housing. We also

hear that at Cottesmore, on the outskirts of the region, that RAF

base is going to receive the army I know we complained about not

having enough rain, but now we have had enough.

Yes, we have had a lot of rain fall. That is because of the low pressure

close by. It is just off the East coast of Scotland, and until it

pulls away, we will be wrapped in court and showery conditions. Look

at the rainfall totals over the weekend. They are pretty high. Many

other locations, 20-30 mm. If we look at the rain for today,

this is the radar chart showing the rain, we did have some heavy

showers. There are still a few around now. They are attending to

become a few more isolated. So, overnight, most of us will be dry.

We will see some clear spells developing. A good covering of

cloud, meaning temperatures will not fall lower than about 12. The

winds have eased off already, and they will be a light south-westerly

direction. Tomorrow, a similar sort of day, with a few changes. Heavy

showers with some sunny intervals, and they may warm things up a bit

for tomorrow. The winds may be lighter. A dry start, but then

showers scattered across the region, with one or two quite heavy.

Highest tomorrow of 19. The winds will be mostly light, mostly coming

from a westerly direction, picking up through the afternoon. Through

the afternoon, we have got a further risk of some showers, but

they tend to become more isolated by the time we get to evening with

some places getting some sunshine. The next five days, an uncertain

picture. We might get heavy showers tomorrow. Wednesday and Thursday,

still some heavy showers expected. Thursday looks like the cloudy day.

Friday is mainly dry, with sunny intervals with a chance of a light

shower. The high pressure dominating the scene by the weekend,