15/03/2012 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Welcome to Thursday's Look North. The headlines. How do you want to

die? This document is a UK first and it is being pioneered here. It

should ensure your wishes are respected if you do not want to be

revived. It is such an undignified and unnecessary end to an old

gentleman's life. It was really sad. Also tonight - danger on the line.

A campaign to promote level crossing safety on the Metro.

Could we blame our genes - when our jeans - your trousers - are too

tight? The study that suggests our DNA determines our body weight.

Building on the success of its big weekend - Carlisle attracts one of

the country's biggest boy bands. In sport - ahead of their FA Cup

quarter-final, the Sunderland backroom boy who knows what it is

like to win at Everton. And will it be top marks for Katy

McLean's England in the Six Nations as she swaps the playground for the

rugby pitch? It is not something most of us want

to think about it - how and where we want to die. Even if you know

the answer, there is no guarantee your wishes will be respected. You

could leave "do not resuscitate" instructions but still be revived

by paramedics. Now the NHS in the north-east has launched a UK first.

It is a legally binding document that will ensure there is a

consistent approach in all the region's hospitals, hospices and

care homes. So where do most people die?

Majority of people say they would choose to die at home. But the

reality is that most of us do not. According to the latest figures

from the NHS in the north-east, 22 % of people died at home last year.

18% of people ended their lives in care homes. Figures for hospitals

are far higher - 56% of deaths in the north-east. And 4% of people

died in a hospice. The top doctor in the north-east

says this matters as much for those left behind, as for the person who

is dying. It is really important to get the care of people right at the

end of their lives. It is about their entire extended family. At

his clinic people tell me tragic stories about a member of their

family dying young and the fact that the care at the end of their

life was so badly handled. member of a family whose

experiences shaped this new "Deciding Right" policy was Irene

Young. Here is her account of how her father's death was handled.

dad was almost 90 years of age. He was mentally very alert and knew

what he wanted. He made a document saying that if his heart stopped,

he did not want it start -- restarted. Paramedics arrived and

started to resuscitate him despite having seen the letter from him on

headed paper from the care home organisation that he did not want

to be resuscitated. That was ignored. Even of thought I was

there. I was quite vocal in St do not take him. He was just taken

away into hospital. It was such an undignified and unnecessary end to

an old gentleman's life. It was really sad and that has tainted a

lot of the memories - what should have been happy memories. You can

share happy times at the end of someone's life. That will never

leave me. A very poignant story there. She was speaking to our

correspondent, who joins me now. How will it work? It is all about

consistency and, people, patients and families and carers will sit

around the table. They will agree on how they want to approach the

end of life. They will draw up documentation. I have a sample here

- this is I do not resuscitate form. Eileen's father had already drawn

up this form but it was not recognised by the paramedics so we

ended up dying in the ENE rather than at at the care home. The forms

will be applicable in every setting, so for the first time the decisions

will go with the patient rather than sticking with their

organisations. A you might remember last year that and 81-year-old

grandmother from Norfolk had do not resuscitate tattooed on her chest.

She had P t or tattooed on her back if she got turned over. There are

forms are recognised by health professionals right across the

region and hopefully these misunderstandings will not to be

happening in the future. This has started being rolled out in the

North East already. The keyword is deciding right. If you talk to your

health care professional they will know what you're talking about.

Thank you very much. Other news now - a campaign was launched today to

promote safety on level crossings on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Just take a look at these frightening pictures... These are

just some examples of near misses on level crossings around the

country. Nexus, the people who run the Metro, want to put the message

across that if you risk your safety at a level crossing, you could be

caught on camera and prosecuted. This report from Hannah Bayman.

Playing chicken to impress their mates. Frightening footage from

CCTV at a level crossing. It is not just kids who take unbelievable

risks. Here, drivers risking death for the sake of saving a few

moments of journey time. Soon the sort of reckless behaviour at level

crossings is more likely to be caught on camera, with new CCTV to

be installed at some stations on the Newcastle Metro, including here

at Kingston Park. We do occasionally have collisions,

usually vehicles colliding with the sight of trains. Having people are

being distracted and not paying attention to simple warnings.

would think it would be hard to miss an alarm like this, but train

operators say some people are now distracted by listening to their

iPods and mobile-phones while on the move. Youngsters now have

access to their own world of music and text on their iPods or

telephone, and I would ask people if they are approaching a level

crossing, p attention to the red lights and not texting because she

will walk out in front of a train. -- pay attention. Nexus hopes to

spread the message that serious misuse of level crossings could

mean either a prison sentence or a death sentence.

Scientists in Newcastle have found new evidence that obesity could be

linked to our genes. They have discovered genetic differences in

babies who go on to become grossly overweight. But as our health

reporter found out when she met Kevin, who has just lost 12 stones,

lifestyle choices can make all the difference.

Obesity - it is a major health problem for the north-east. There

are more obese adults and children here than anywhere else in the

country almost. What is it that makes some people become obese, is

it nature or nurture? Is the lifestyle or their genes?

Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered a lifestyle choices

of a pregnant mother can influence the genes of their unborn child.

suggests that a woman's behaviour during pregnancy can set her child

and genes up in such a way that it can predict or impact on how it

behaves in his later life. But the scientists also believe

that an unhealthy lifestyle causes a change in the way genes work -

then a healthy lifestyle should be able to reverse the changes. One

man who believes that can happen is Kevin. I have come to Sunderland to

meet Kevin who was this size are 24 weeks ago and... If you genes cause

you to be obese, if that is the case I was say you have to work

harder. It is a bit of an excuse. My family is fat. If you get out of

that mental attitudes, you do not have to be fat.

He should know, in six months he's lost nearly 13 stone. I was in a

vicious circle. Literally every day, I would get up and saying I would

do exercise but I would end up overheating and not exercising. I

would feel bad and start eating too much again. I thought I had to do

something about it. War research is needed but the work scientists are

doing may help against the war against obesity.

An 18 month old girl remains critically ill, more than three

weeks after she and her twin brother were hit by a motorbike and

Sunderland. They were in a pushchair with their

mum when the accident happened on City Way in Doxford Park. The boy

has now been discharged from hospital. Police are still

investigating. A post-mortem examination is due to

take place in a Darlington council worker found dead in a camping pod

in Cumbria. Chris Bainbridge and his wife Jane were staying at the

Quiet Estate in Watermillock near Ullswater at the weekend. The

couple, in their forties and from Darlington, were discovered on

Monday afternoon. There are indications suggest they had

suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. Mrs Bainbridge is in a serious

condition in hospital. The body of a man found at Naburn

Marina in York has been identified as the missing teenager Jordan

Sullivan. The nineteen-year-old was last seen a month ago running

towards the River Ouse. A major underwater search was launched at

the time but without success. An inquest will be opened next week.

And the company behind efforts to save Darlington Football Club has

warned that the whole process is on a knife-edge. The club has been in

administration since January, and a plan is in place to try to raise

�750,000. More than �300,000 has been collected, but today the main

players trying to save the club said more people have to become

involved to ensure it does not die. Our business correspondent is at

the Darlington Arena now. That sounds like a pretty grim warning?

There was a press conference here today in which one of the founder

members of the company which set up to try and save the club called it

a go in picture because they have 100,000 pound Hall in their

business plan. They had discovered the club has more creditors and

they're not helped by low attendances at matches. The amount

of money owed to creditors is higher than her worst-case estimate.

We have been getting press estimates from the administrator

since January and they have crept up as more creditors have emerged.

We're looking at a shortfall there. We are also concerned that the

number of people we expected and a last seven home games, which would

have brought in more money, the level of attendance in the last two

matches will not deliver the Revenue we expected to come in.

Despite the poor crowds, the fans have reached a huge amount of cash

but other people are now being targeted it? Fans have bought

shares shares more than 300,000 pound and businesses have now been

asked to put in more than �10,000 each. They want many more people to

get involved. People think the club may already have been saved.

have targeted the diehard fans and they have been tremendous. They

have stepped up and put their hard- earned cash into this club and it

is tremendous, they have received - - achieved a �300,000 in a few

weeks. We need to widen the net now and get the wider community in

Darlington to do something - that includes businesses. Is the club

any near to coming out of administration? The club has been

in administration since January but it is very much in the hands of the

company tried to rescue them. waiting for them to put the

business plan together. Once the plan is in place and I can lookout

it, I need to look at it and assess it and see if I can then respond

and say yes, this should be put to the creditors. Other initiatives

have been planned. 7th April gain has been called saved Darlington

game. The club has also been reducing prices for tickets.

will keep our fingers crossed. A year after the BBC brought its

star-studded big weekend music roadshow to Carlisle, it has been

announced that boy band JLS will play to 20,000 fans in the city's

bits park. The 2008 X-Factor runners up will perform over the

bank holiday weekend at the end of August.

Billed as one of the biggest boy bands of the generation, GLS shot

to stardom after their X-factor Appearance, and have consistently

topped charts since. -- JLS. Their lively stage performances have

guaranteed them a huge fan base, and the Carlisle gig is likely to

be the city's most high-profile this year. We have a music event in

June and we have a host of concerts right across the city. This is

another success for the city. It will be a fantastic concert and day

out. It enhance his Carlisle as a city which can put on fantastic

events. Most people agree. Have it is great, I cannot wait to see them.

It will put Carlisle on the bat -- on the map. It might bring people

to Carlisle. The spark is used to accommodating large crowds, the

annual firework show is held here every autumn. Large concerts have

taken place here, all West life played here in front of thousands.

Coming just air after Radio One's big weekend, Carlisle is firmly on

the circuit for some of the country's biggest bans. -- bans.

Still to come in tonight's Look North. The rugby player about to

lead England's women out in the final six nations match. Plus we

have sent two teenagers to London's Olympic Park for a BBC's school

report day, to see what the Games will mean for the North.

I will have all the weather details short life.

He has terrible tusks and terrible claws and terrible teeth in his

terrible jaws. He is the Gruffalo, of course, which he will know if

you had anything to do a small children over the past few years.

His creator, the Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson, has been

in the region today ahead of the opening of an exhibition based on

her work. It includes a Gruffalo 7 ft tall, and opens the Saturday at

seven stories in Newcastle. Our story is by Julie Smyth.

The warts on the end of his nose. Julia Donaldson's rhythm and rhyme

on show here in Newcastle. I have always set great store by rhythm

and rhyme, probably because a was a song writer before I wrote stories.

There is a beautiful theatre here and a lot of costumes so children

can dress up as their favourite characters from the books and act

out the stories. It is all wonderful. VIP Charlie Cooke is

here to meet his namesake. I have enjoyed myself. I have got away

from the school day which is quite fun. The original artwork from many

stories is here. It is very exciting for me to see the pictures

and frames because it looks so different. The exhibition will run

for a year. Two teenagers from Ingleby Barwick near Stockton and

the on the pupils and the whole the north-east and Cumbria to take part

in a special visit to the Olympic Park in London today.

Tabitha and Lauren, who are both 13, and from All Saints School, also

had the chance to ask Lord Coe what the Olympics will mean for the

North. They had been filming their experiences for the BBC's school

report day. Hello, I am 13 years old. I'm really excited. We're so

lucky to have a chance like this. We're going to the Olympic village

and we will get to meet Lord Cork who is an inspiration to so many

people. My name is happened that and I am 13 years old. I like

gymnastics and I compete in competitions. I could not believe

it, we're not even near London, it is a big shock and I was really

excited. Join us in London were we will visit the Olympic Park.

And here we are - 300 miles from home, but finally we get to see the

Olympic Park for ourselves - before anyone else. It is huge and can

hold 80,000 people. The idea is that after the Olympic Games in

this area will become a green space for people to enjoy. Can a welcome

you all to the handball arena. really excited. My question is -

and the Olympics is very London based, what legacy will that leave

for the people in the North East? That is a very good question. The

further from London, the greater the creativity. We have to except

that a lot of people distant from London may not get to the Games so

they have to do things and er creatively doing things in their

local communities which make the games live. Some of the things

which are happening in schools, understanding the values of the

Olympics, some of the projects and sports participation programmes, it

is all happening in a dramatic way. He I was really nervous before work.

Once asked my question and he answered, I felt a lot more

comfortable because he was really down to earth. He gave me a really

good answer. Being in London is really important. Being in the

Olympic village has made me realise how much effort has been put into

it and how successful it will be. We are reporting from the Olympic

village in London. Sport now and it is less than 48 hours until

Sunderland take on Everton for a place in the FA Cup semi-final - on

a ground where history is very much against them. It certainly is! The

Black Cats have won just once at Goodison Park in the past 30 years.

But one of the backroom staff at the Stadium of Light can tell the

current crop of players just what it feels like. He scored the opener

in a 3-1 victory over the blues in November 1996. He did - and he has

got shirt to prove it. I went along to meet him at the club's training

ground. Craig Russell played more than 100 games for the team, no

wonder he treasures the shirt he wore. He top-scored in the first

Premier League season, including this one. I remember the goalkeeper

and someone just ran down the right hand side and cross it in. I just

managed to get my head to it and it went in the box, a fantastic

feeling. Michael Bridges scored the other goal which gave them their

only victory at the ground since 1982. Craig it thinks Martin

O'Neill's side have a decent chance. It will be tough. The kids -- the

lads did fantastically well last weekend. We're very confident.

Anything can happen on the day but we have a fantastic following,

nearly 6,000 fans and it will feel more like a home game. Craig knows

what it is like to stand on the terraces. He arrived back at the

club via Newcastle Falcons. I have experienced all kinds of emotions,

from being a fan to being a player and now to be on the staff, you

still feel the France side of it but you have to be professional

about things. -- fan at side of it. You can get quite excited when

things are going on. It is really tough but it is fantastic. Could

you say to Nicklas Bendtner, I did we you do? Some other no but we try

to educate them. We have put my picture up. This was a real place

where real things happened, so hopefully the recognise some of

those old times. In rugby union this weekend, South

Shields Katy McLean will lead England's women out in the final

six nations match of the series. The fly half, who plays for

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, has to finish her school work first

however, but knows that if they beat Ireland on Saturday her team

will have set a remarkable record. Just two days before the big game

and Katie is still harder work teaching reception children at

Bexhill primary-school in Sunderland. England's men have been

training all week, but for the women whose game is not

professional, it is a constant juggling act, but Katie wouldn't

have it any other way. The school had been amazing. I am so lucky.

There is only so much time you can ask for off. I travelled down

tomorrow to meet the squad and a lot of the girls are at work, it is

nothing new for us. It is brilliant. She will go from Miss McLean school

teacher to Katy McLean England captain on Saturday. England have

had only six points scored against them in the series so far and, if

as expected, they beat Ireland on Saturday, it will be a phenomenal

record. If we beat them, we win the Six Nations and the Grand Slam.

That will be the 7th here consecutive Grand Slam winners.

Anything can happen in a tournament. The Irish will want to get that Cup.

The women's game has seen a huge progression in the past five years

and for England it is almost it was a World Cup in France in 2014.

her ultimate aim is to win a World Cup with England and lift that

trophy. If Katy lifts the Six Nations Trophy this weekend, she

hopes to bring it back to school for a show and tell the children

will never forget. Good luck to her and all the girls this weekend.

Time for the weather now. The rain cloud around meant the in

The rain cloud around meant the in fortunes today and it is a similar

story for the weekend. Fairly cloudy skies which will gradually

brighten up. There was a definite East West split to the weather

today. A bit of sunshine in Sunderland. It was a lot more

acceptable. That split continues this evening and overnight. If you

walk to spot the Northern Lights, then it your best chance is in the

east. There will be some cloud but it will be Fenn and broken. Western

regions always cloudier and rain will arrive eventually. Whether

clack -- whether Sky's stake clearer, temperatures will drop to

four or five Celsius. Perhaps a touch of ground frost in some

sports. The cloud and rain spreads from the West through tomorrow.

Eastern regions should see some bright spells in the morning. Some

regions might hang on to the sunshine through the afternoon. The

cloud it gradually spreads the rainy eastwards. Temperatures

milder than today. That southerly winds will be quite brisk and it

will feel chilly under the found it -- under the cloud. Into the

weekend - here is the weather front which is bringing the rain. It

tries to clear southwards as we head into Saturday. Saturday will

start off cloudy with rain but that will clear away. Some flakes of

snow over the hills but brighter weather on Sunday. Most places will

get some sunshine developing on Saturday. By Sunday, essentially

dry and bright weather for most of us. Temperatures will struggle to