31/08/2011 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

Good evening. Welcome to BBC Look North.

The owner of a right that failed injuring seven people in Skegness

says it was his worst nightmare. I am live in Skegness, where

investigators try to find out what happened.

Shopkeepers warn the billion pound trade in illegal cigarettes is

putting a huge strain on business. It is a lot cheaper. It is �11 in

the shop, and you can get it on the street for �7.

The little girl with a royal meeting after being named the

bravest in Britain. Her face just lit up.

Good evening. The owner of a fairground ride in Skegness that

broke down in mid-air trapping more than 20 people has described the

accident as the blackest day in the fair's history. Seven people were

left needing hospital treatment after the Surf stopped working at

Pleasure Island. Today, health and safety inspectors have visited the

site. Siobhan, what have the inspectors been doing today?

looks like a fairly normal day except for one thing. The rides are

not moving. That is because the park's owner has close the park so

that inspections can continue. Officers have been here throughout

today try to find out what caused the accident. They have said that

the right needs to be completely removed. This is holiday season, so

any closures mean a lot of money. The summer season is in full swing,

but today these gates are locked. It is after investigations begin

into yesterday's accident. It has led to tourists shaken. It will put

people off coming. What is safe and what is not? How often are these

things being checked. You hope they are being looked after and

maintained. We will definitely not go on it now. It is probably a

freak accident. The seven people were taken to

hospital after this ride broke yesterday. It is still not clear

what happened, but this former employee insists safety is up to

scratch. Every single morning, I have done quite if you write, and I

used to carried -- test them every morning. There are safety people

around who check everything. He it is the second time in a week

the rights have been scrutinised. A women is still in hospital after

her and her granddaughter were injured in Bridlington. There are

worries that these events will put people off. You need to remember

that this is very rare, it is bad timing. We hope that the people are

OK, it is incredibly sad that these things have happened. Albright's

like this across the country can still be used safely. The raid --

the right has now been made safe. The owners wants to reopen tomorrow,

hoping their worst nightmare does not leave a lasting impression.

Siobhan, you mentioned the owners, what has been their reaction?

owner has been too emotional to speak today, but he has issued a

statement. He says he is devastated by what has happened. There is no

doubt that he and many others are hoping to put what he described as

the blackest day in the side's history behind them. Thank you.

In the last five years, 48 people have been injured it on fairground

rides in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Keith Carroll is an expert on the

right safety and represents fair grounds. I asked him what has gone

wrong. I think there has been a mechanical failure. Both the other

one, I do not think there has been anything mechanical, it has --

something has gone wrong which we do not have the full information.

Not a great couple of days. No, not at all. The when would the right

had last been checked? It has to have an independent test annually,

so it could have been a week before or some time in the last 12 months.

It will have also been checked by the operator of the right Daley

before operation. If it was checked daily, it looks like something

might have been missed. There may have been a mechanical failure that

we cannot see, so I can't comment on that. Just today people said

they would not go on these right any more. How do you restore

people's confidence falls? Many years ago there was a survey which

said it was more likely to have an accident on your way to a

fairground, be it an amusement park or a travelling fair, and you are

on a fairground. It was something like 14 million to one. But when

these are back in action, people will not be rushing back on them,

or will they? I do not know. We have had rights where there have

been accidents before and people just seem to come back on. I would

imagine the public may feel that if the right has had an incident, it

will have had a proper checks. They may feel it is quite safe.

damaging Willett be -- how damaging will it be? It is difficult for all

of the industry. None of the industry wants to see accidents,

that is why they tried to be vigilant with their testing and

their inspections. It is difficult. Very good to talk to you.

A story that we will continue to follow.

Or people living in part of an East Yorkshire town wants to split and

go-it-alone. It is an illegal trade that costs

the government billions of pounds, money it claims could be used to

help the economy. Today, a survey of shopkeepers has revealed that a

black market in smuggled and counterfeit tobacco is thriving in

East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. More than half had admitted that

they know about cheek -- cheap imports or fake cigarette being

sold. For some, the practice could see then pushed out of business

altogether. It is a market costing businesses

millions of pounds every year, the sale of illegal cigarettes.

Thousands of packets have been seized across the past few weeks,

all in an attempt to tackle the problem. Have you ever bought

cigarettes on the street? demand is fuelling their sale. I

found plenty of people willing to buy them. If you can get it on the

black market, everybody is human. I'd buy as many as I can get. They

are cheaper. How much cheaper? Three or �4 a packet. There are a

couple of girls who are openly sell them out of a rucksack. More than

half of the shop owners are aware of the problem, which is costing

them hundreds of pounds a week in lost revenue. We pay the taxes, and

the people on the streets selling the three pound cigarette, they do

not pay any money on it. This is why they are so expensive. A

typical packet of cigarettes cost �7. The but �4.24 of that price is

excise duty, and �1.16 is VAT. 78% of the price goes to the government.

Sometimes that can be up to 90% on cheaper brands.

Officers of the UK Border Agency are constantly patrolling the

boards here in Hull. They found 1.5 million cigarettes stored inside

concrete blocks. But this is not just a financial issue, it is a

healthy one. People are looking for a cheaper deal, and this is not

necessarily the bargain you expect. There are content -- problems with

the content of the tobacco. Sawdust has been found in them. Mohammed

says if the price of duty is not reduced soon, the smugglers will

put him out of business. Chris Ogden is from the Tobacco

Manufacturers' Association, he told me earlier why he believes the UK

is so bad for smuggled and counter pit tobacco and cigarette. There is

a simple answer, tax. The UK is one of the highest tax regimes in the

world, and it is a charter for the smugglers to come in. As a result,

over 20% of cigarettes and 60% of hand-rolling tobacco is avoiding

duty in one way or another. But the companies you represent make huge

amounts of money. Should you try and do more to stop it? We are

doing all we can. If we can call it a fault, it lies with government

and tax policy. In the last Budget, the price of cigarettes went up by

more than 50p a pack, and hand- rolling tobacco by more than 60p.

The but smoking is the largest cause -- cause of much illness.

government is right, isn't it, to make it more expensive to stop

people smoking? If the government wants to use tax to further its

health policy, that is laudable. But it does not work, because it

encourages the black market. They also brought down the smoking

numbers as well. Smoking numbers have been in decline for many years,

but it is levelling off because of the ready supply of counterfeit and

smuggled tobacco products available. On an average packet of cigarettes,

I gather the retailers and manufacturers make one pound 55.

Reduce that big profits, and there will be less counterfeit cigarette.

I am not sure way you have that figure from. Well over 80% of the

price of a packet of cigarettes is tax, and that goes to the Treasury.

If it is a huge market, the tobacco market in the UK is worth �14

billion a year, of which the government takes �11 billion in tax.

What do you want the government to do? We want the government to take

a long, hard look at their tax policy, ideally freeze tax, but we

are with them in supporting Revenue and Customs and the border Agency

in intercepting smuggled loads, and do all we can to share intelligence

and fight this crime. We will throw this one open. How

bad is the black market in illegal cigarettes way you are? Do you

agree that high taxes are making the problem worse? What can be done

to tackle it? Is the tax level too high? How do we get rid of the

An announcement on cuts to RAF and Army personnel is expected to be

made tomorrow. It has thoroughly been confirmed that 175 student

pilots will be let go from the RAF's flight training programme,

affecting trainees and instructors at Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

Firefighters say this of action of cruise help save the lives of a man

and woman engulf. They were rescued from a fire at his house this

morning which had no smoke alarm. Both were treated for smoke

inhalation. Smith and Nephew, one of Hull's

biggest employers has refused to comment on rumours of a takeover

bid today. US company Biomet is thought to be planning to buy the

firm for �8 billion. The company employs around 700 people in the

city. Still ahead tonight: 60 years on -

the couple brought together by a bicycle made for two. Why there is

a Royal meeting for this little girl named the bravest in Britain.

A fantastic story. This photograph is of Gould docks

and it was taken by Peter Jones. -- Goole docks.

Good evening. I recorded last night's programme to refresh my

memory of what Paul Hudson look like. I have seen you're comment.

Do you want me to wear a blonde wig?

The headline for the next 24 hours is a cloudy one. It looks as if it

will be generally dry. Although there will be quite a lot of cloud

tomorrow, Friday looks brighter and warmer. The weekend, a good deal of

uncertainty. Saturday could turn out to be warm before rain tries to

come in from the West. All the cloud on the satellite picture, it

has not been thick enough to produce any showers. It has been

quite grey for a good part of our region. We keep a lot of cloud for

this evening and overnight. Most part should be dry and we will see

temperatures down to nine Celsius. The sun will rise in the morning at

just after 6 o'clock. I think a predominantly dry picture. A

variable amount of cloud. Just like today, there is every chance we

will see a few glimmers of sunshine. But a lot of cloud around. The

breeze will be a light one from the South East. We will see top

temperatures around 16 or 17 Celsius around the cost. Possibly

and 19 Celsius if we get some decent rates. Friday looks a nice

day, warmer and brighter. All parts should be dry with sunny spells.

Saturday looks warm and 22 Celsius are 23 Celsius. Sunday looks

unsettled. We will keep you updated with that tomorrow.

My local charity shop is selling Paul's last book for �2.99. You

will be robbed I would say! My next book is also available.

Residents in a part of Goole in East Yorkshire are attempting to

split the town in two. Hundreds have signed a petition calling for

the area known as Old Goole to be given village status. Sarah Burton

has been to the town to find out more.

It has been a time for more than a century, steeped in history. But

some people living in the all-time have decided they want to go it

alone. We seem to be left out. If we had our own community, it would

be up to us what we did an hour -- in Old Goole. A lot of old school

has not been recognised at all. Residents in Old Goole won their

independence back and have handed in a petition calling for the

council to make them a village. school has always been here. -- old

Goole. We have been here for a lot longer than 2:20am. If all Goole

does become a village, the boundary will start here on the Dutch river.

Across the bridge will be what will remain of the town. By being made a

parish, residents say they will get more investment to return all Goole

to its former glory. But some people in the area are not sure the

idea has been properly thought through. I have not see any

costings for this. We do not know if it is going to cost the

community more money, whether the council tax is going to go up. We

need to have a better understanding of exactly what the whole process

entails. There is also people fighting for a Bill to become a

city who are not happy. It came as quite a shock. It was a surprise.

The harmony we have got for the city has been fantastic. East

Riding council is now deciding whether Old Goole will become a

village and create new history for this old port town.

Thank you for your response after our story last night on how cancer

patients would now be able to park for free and some hospitals in

northern Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Those who have to attend

appointments for more than eight times a month at hospitals in

Grimm's May, Scunthorpe and Goole will be able to park without charge.

The changes will see the charges call up for most people. That was

the story. Thank you for all the e- mails and texts. Here are some on

the programme. Les, he says, parking for anybody who has to go

to hospital for treatment should be free. John in Lincoln says, people

should be thankful that their relatives are only in hospital for

a short time and should not begrudge those less fortunate

visiting patients with longer term illnesses. John Gregory end the

area says, I am happy to pay more for parking if it means someone

dying from cancer can park for free. Scunthorpe United have a new face

in the form of French player Damien Mozika. The 24-year-old signs a day

after the I and secured their place in the second round of the

Johnstone Paints Trophy. United also resisted the

opportunity to rest his first team, despite playing into extra time

with Newcastle next Thursday and then being been involved in our

trying game on Saturday. Garry Thompson almost scored his

first goal since a long-term injury. The Bard denying him. In the second

half, the Iron put all that pressure to good use as Bobby Grant

got an opening to score. But he could hardly believe they get their

came his way seven minutes later. They settled the tie. They only

have little chance came after the Iron fell to deal with a late

corner. Today Allendale has gone to bury to sign Damien Mozika on a two

year deal. They have signed Shane Duffy for a month.

This is a very moving story. Tonight is a special night for one

five-year-old girl from Lincolnshire. Sophie Cooper is

being given an award for her bravery by Prince Harry. Sophie

suffers from cerebral palsy. Simon Spark went to meet her and her

family before they left for the capital.

Sophie has cerebral palsy level five which is the most severe level.

She had epilepsy, and seizures. She has chronic lung disease which can

lead to her being oxygen dependence. She has a curvature of the spine

and she has problems with her Hibs. So is the premature birth of their

first twin children, the Cooper family have had to deal with 24-

hour care. As significantly to the brain was the start of Sophie's

cerebral palsy. Her twin sister is also mildly affected. It is not

something you have learned to cope with, it is something you have to.

It is something that happens. Are you Locking yet? Managing comes

with strict routine an organisation, whole cupboards are dedicated to

supplies and medication. But it has all become part of family life.

girls love each other unconditionally. They are very in

June and we like what -- we know what she likes. But it is how

Sophie has managed with all the care she needs that prompted them

to enter her for an award to recognise her bravery. It is just

insurmountable the amount of thing she has had to go through. The

least she could get was an award to say, Sophie we are proud of you.

And the fact that she is more -- smiling as well. The judges

unanimously agreed, Sophie has won the Bravest Child Award. She will

receive it at a ceremony in London this evening where she will get to

meet Prince Harry. I did mention to it to her. We're going to see

Prince Harry, how lucky are you? As soon as I said that, her face lit

up. She knows who Prince Harry us. She will have a private meeting

with the Prince before collecting her award.

Sophie meeting Prince Harry tonight. A couple from Hull has been

celebrating the 60th anniversary after being brought together by a

bicycle. When Biomet met Mike -- when juggler met Mike for the first

time, he turned up with a tandem!. The back brake used to be there.

For 60 years they have done everything in tandem - marriage,

kids and now retirement, all because of a bike Mike turned upon

on their first date in Hull all those years ago. I lived on the

other side of Hull. He said I will pick you up. There is the Tandem!

Cheers. Nowadays 80 sealed like and 80-year-old Vera stick to tea for

two. When I rolled up and I saw her in the stress, I thought fancy

putting that lot on to ride at random on. You managed it all right.

We have been married 60 years. in the 1950s, bicycles were a far

more common means of transport. But turning up with a tandem would

still have been seen at a little out of the ordinary. But at least

that Lady template for future family life. The story about Mum

and Dad meeting is quite a story. We think it is a lovely story. As

we were kids, we always cycled everywhere. 60 years on and the

celebrations have meant royal recognition and a party with a

surprise tandem in tow. So this was 19 great-grandchildren, because of

a bicycle made for two. -- so there is all because.

Time is the end of the programme: Here are the headlines: Hopes for

justice far the family of Yvonne Fletcher say one of the men wanted

for her killing may still be in Libya. And the Skegness ride which

injured seven people will be removed as the owner of the

pleasure Beach says the accident was his worst nightmare.

It will be dry with some sunny intervals tomorrow. Top

temperatures better at around 18 Celsius.

A response coming in on cigarettes. Smoking has been going on for years.

Black-market cigarettes are the only way.

Smokers cost the NHS �1.7 billion. Smokers and produce �7 billion in

revenue. If all the smokers stop smoking, all the non-smokers would