30/04/2012 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Welcome to Monday's Look North. In tonight's headlines: Searching for

Ian. Rescue workers and the public are looking for an eight-year-old

boy who fell in the River Wear. Police are given more time to

question James Allen - suspected of two murders and a sexual assault.

500 workers across three counties fear for their jobs, as the future

of a major food company is thrown into doubt.

And, meet Matt. He's now half the man he was, after shedding 17

stones! In sport - no promotion for Middlesbrough next season, but

Carlisle are still in with a shout of making the play-offs. And we're

down Wembley Way looking ahead to a big day out for three of our local

A search and rescue team from Derbyshire, equipped with a special

underwater camera, has joined the hunt for eight year-old Ian Bell.

The youngster fell into the River Wear on Friday evening, after

playing with friends. More than 50 local people have been working with

the police in the search along the riverbanks, downstream from

Willington, near Crook. Adrian Day four of the hunt for Ian Bell

and reinforcements from Derbyshire arrived this morning to join the

search. They have an underwater camera on a pole that can be used

to check all the tree roots where a body might snag. The river is still

in spate after the heavy rain of recent days and visibility below

the surface is only possible in an area roughly a foot in diameter so

it's painstaking work checking out the riverbed, foot by foot. The

arrival of the search team has added a vital new tool in the

search for Ian Bell. Police have praised the community effort.

Nearly 100 volunteers every day have been a long the river banks

trying to help find the missing boy. We would like to thank everyone for

been involved and thank the community for taking part and

assisting where they can. We just hope we can find Ian for their

family. The feeling of being able to help in some way, there is

something there that each and every person feels when a tragedy like

this happens. I suppose everybody just wants to feel that they can

maybe help. The search for Ian has extended downriver to Durham City

and Chester-le-Street, 10 miles downstream from Willington. But the

initial visual inspection of the riverbanks has drawn a blank. Now

the underwater team will work their It's been one of the biggest

manhunts the region has seen in recent years, stretching from

Teesside in the North, across to Whitby and Scarborough on the coast,

then down to Leeds - drawing in police from three forces. Double

murder suspect James Allen, who was arrested yesterday in Leeds, is now

in police custody in Middlesbrough. Stephanie Lloyd joins us now from

Middlesbrough police headquarters Double murder suspect James Allen

is being questioned by police in Middlesbrough, after being moved

here from Yorkshire in the early hours. Detectives have been given

more time to question the 36-year- old in connection with two murders

and a sexual assault. It was a week ago today that the body of Colin

Dunford was found in his house in Middlesbrough. Two days later,

Julie Davison's body was found in Whitby. When police linked the

deaths, it sparked a huge police James Allen was arrested in Leeds

at around 7:30am on Sunday morning after an off-duty police officer

saw a man fitting his description. It brought to an end a major three-

day hunt involving hundreds of officers and several police forces.

Allen was moved from West Yorkshire to a police station in

Middlesbrough in the early hours of this morning for further

questioning in connection with the murders of 81-year-old Colin

Dunford in Middlesbrough and 50- year-old Julie Davison in Whitby.

They'd both suffered serious head injuries. Flowers continued to be

left near the home of Colin Dunford. The family of Mrs Davison released

a statement, saying Julie was one of the kindest people you could

ever wish to know and went out of her way to help others. She did not

deserve to die in such terrible circumstances. We are so very sad

that her hopes of building a new life in her home town of Whitby

ended so tragically. The first appeal for James Allen was made on

Thursday. Then the hunt moved to Scarborough where it emerged he'd

had spent the night in a guesthouse. If he was very pleasant. An

intelligent bloke. He made a lot of conversation. Just like an ordinary

holiday maker. He said he was doing business on the seafront and

planning some amusement arcades. You had no idea the police were

seeking him in connection with the murders of two people? Not an

inkling. Then CCTV images showed he'd moved on to Leeds, where he

was finally arrested. The police said there was no evidence of

further victims but appealed for people to check on vulnerable

friends, relatives and neighbours. We are investigating two deaths,

and without a doubt this is a dangerous man. I think it is

prudent to ensure that everyone is safe and well. Now detectives are

trying to piece together the double murder suspect's movements while he

was on the run and find out whether anyone's been helping him. As the

double murder investigation continues, detectives are asking

people to check gardens and outbuildings for signs of anyone

living rough, and to get in touch if they find any discarded clothing

or footwear in the Whitby and Scarborough areas as they continue

to try to piece together James Allen's movements over the past

A mother and son, found shot dead in a car at a golf club in County

Durham, have been named by police. The bodies of Ian Blakey, who was

34, and a woman believed to be his mother, Jean Blakey, who was 55,

were discovered at Crook Golf Club on Saturday morning. It's thought

she was suffering from multiple sclerosis. Police aren't looking

for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

An 18-year old has become the second woman in a week to be

sentenced for falsely claiming she'd been raped in Carlisle. The

city's magistrates heard how Takara Harding told police she'd been

attacked on West Walls last October during a spate of alleged sex

attacks. She was given a four-month suspended sentence. Last week 20-

year-old Chloe Fox also admitted lying about being raped in an alley

near Warwick Road. The journalism student also received a four-month

suspended term. Might detectives were actually

taken off other cases and could not investigate other cases like

burglaries and thefts and all the resources were actually put into

addressing this investigation. That is the biggest headache, more than

anything else. Also on top of that is the public perception and fear.

That was a headache and we had to put out a lot of messages to

reassure the public. More importantly, we had to tell people

that they had to try and be safe. Hundreds of workers, at three

separate seafood factories in our region, are tonight anxiously

awaiting news of their fate. Young's Seafoods said in January

that more than 500 jobs were at risk at sites in Seaham, in County

Durham, Amble in Northumberland and Whitehaven in Cumbria. A

consultation period was due to finish by now. But, as Peter Harris

Its future in doubt for months, this factory has been a major

employer. Few expect good news. years ago, the company was booming.

They were supporting local sport, they had done everything. They have

come in and joined in the community and unfortunately we are losing a

good company, but sadly we are losing a lot of jobs. There are a

lot of young people in their who have taken mortgages out for their

new houses and I fear for them. Cumbrian Seafoods went into

administration in December and its contracts taken over by its rival

Young's. A review started, with the company warning 550 jobs were at

risk. Still there is no word at the end of a 90-day consultation period.

The company says all options are in play but it leaves more than 360

jobs at risk here, and more than 100 at Whitehaven in Cumbria and

another 80 in Northumberland. With the uncertainty continuing, Look

North has been told some workers have already gone. We have been

haemorrhaging private sector jobs throughout Easter and actually

since before Christmas. It is really concerning for the people

affected and for the economy of the north-east and East Durham. Young's

says it can't say when any announcement on the future might

come. For the workers, the wait It was a photograph on Facebook

that changed his life. Matt Briggs from York weighed 31 stones putting

his life in danger. He started to put weight on following the death

of his mother, when he was 15. But he was so shocked by a photograph

of himself, he vowed to take drastic action. Now Matt's been

named Slimming World's Greatest Loser 2012 after shedding a

staggering 17 and half stones. It was this unflattering picture

that made Matt change his life. I knew I wasn't happy. I was getting

up, going to work, going to sleep and just getting into a cycle. You

have in your head what sort of size you think you are, and I had

deluded myself, thinking I was about seven or eight stone smaller

than I was. The Facebook photograph shocked him and inspired by his

mother in law he joined a slimming class. But it was a challenge set

by his father that provided the encouragement he needed. My dad

gave me a bet saying that he would pay for my first 12 weeks and if I

didn't lose two stone, I would have to give him the money back. Being a

Yorkshireman, getting money out of him is always amazing any way and

to get money without having to pay him back is even better. So the

first week I went to Slimming World, and after that first week, I knew

he would not see the money again. After two years of healthy food and

regular exercise Matt lost a staggering 17 stone and has now

being crowned Slimming World's Greatest Loser. It is the whole

thing. By will be turning 30 years old and a week, and thankfully not

30 stone. It is a complete 180 degree turn from where I was two

years ago. A lot of my friends are dreading turning 30, but I just

want to bring it on. It is a brand new start for me. For all the

success and celebrations Matt has been left with one big problem.

What does he do now with all his A fantastic effort. Plenty more to

come in tonight's Look North: Coming up next: Celebrating Boro's

spiritual home. And later, the fishnets that are bringing big

money into Whitby. Weather wise we got off relatively lightly today,

but joined later to find out what is in store for the next few days.

Exactly 17 years ago, Middlesbrough Football Club played their final

game at best some Park. To mark the occasion they have had a ceremony

at the last remaining piece of the old stadium, the wall that stood at

the back of the home fans' favourite terrace and was restored

last year with money from The Holgate End where the most

passionate of human emotions flowed, where people fell head over heels

in love. The wall behind the terrace is the only bricks and

mortar as left, and although the paintwork has faded, the memories

never did. I only ever stood in one place, the Holgate End, so that is

a nice memory. I think it is very important for the people of

Middlesbrough. The older generation in particular. I could think of

going there, buying a Bovril at the stand, climbing the steps and I can

think of the first sights and sounds as I went over the top into

the terrace. Those are the sort of memories that come surging through

as I walk past the wall. commemorate the 17th anniversary of

the last match here, today there was a prayer from a local priest.

May the Lord bless all the gatherers here and made this remain

in the hearts of so many people forever. Together with the slightly

more orthodox football tradition. Anyone for Bovril? The wall was

raised in the 1966 World Cup to stop local kids getting in for free.

But one fact you won't read about is that part of the wall formed the

back of the open-air gents urinal. It was a different era, and match

days were such a different Some great memories.

When you think of Whitby, and you probably thinks his side, fishing

ships and maybe the TV show Heartbeat, but twice every year

strange things are afoot, enough to drain the colour from your face.

Bram Stoker was inspired to write Dracula when he came to Whitby in

1890. His influence has turned it into a modern day Mecca for Goths.

17 years ago, just 200 people came for the first ever Goth Weekend in

the town. Today there are thousands. It started off as a very small

event in a local pub. It has just exploded. It is very diverse. If

you get under-18s with their mums and dads, you get what we call Goth

spotters, you village couple coming to spot up -- soak up the

atmosphere, we get a lot of costume dressers now and they can spend

�1,000 on an active. For them it is all about promenading. Fishing used

to be the major industry for Whitby but now they say the fishnet

stockings worn by the Goths brings a far more -- brings in far more

cash than the fishing net themselves. Whitby is based on

tourism now. 25 % of the people work in tourism and therefore shops,

cafes, restaurants are all busy and grit. It is fantastic. And with two

Goth Weekends taking place here annually, that means more than �1

million are injected into Whitby's economy each year, so if you missed

this one it is -- there is a second chance to get Gothic at the next

event, over Halloween. Nothing quite so frightening now,

unless you're a Newcastle United fan, because it is time for

Teamtalk. Lots to get through tonight. Not

least the shocking end to the Magpies' six-match winning streak

at Wigan. Wigan had meat and Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester

United in recent weeks so they were always going to be tricky. But no

one bought it would be 4-0. An astonishing result when you think

again hacked scored just 15 goals in front of their home fans this

season. But they have played some good football this season. Roberto

Di Matteo has done a good job. When you are fighting for your Premier

League lives it is difficult for Newcastle to match Basil de passion.

There certainly did turn on some fantastic stuff in the half --

first half, Wigan. When you get a goal like that your heart must sink

but Newcastle, to be fair to them... Look at the fans at half-time. This

young lad is obvious is saying, Dad, can it get any worse in the second

half? They did get better in the second half. CSA on another day

would have put some of those in. -- cypresses say. The strange thing is,

it is not the first time they had been thumped the season. They have

not lost too many. They still write up there, there, which may be says

something for the character of the team. But that will be tested to

the fore at Chelsea on Wednesday night. Away from the Premier League,

Middlesbrough did not making to the Championship play-offs but there

was still has plenty to celebrate last night at end-of-season awards.

Goalkeeper Jason Steele won the Young Player award and Rhys

Williams picked up the trophy for the players' player. Barry Robson,

now off to join Vancouver Whitecaps in character, was Player of the

Year. There was also an emotional speech by manager Tony Mowbray. He

was so disappointed they did not make it. There were a few Seabridge

euros needed at Watford. Sadly, Scott Loach was a super hero. Boro

had to win and Cardiff had to lose at Crystal Palace for the

Teessiders to finish in the top six but Oddie came from behind to pick

up the points that meant that whatever Boro did they could not

catch up. Barry Robson said in this one up for Martin Emnes. But what

that pitched been Burnett later on. Not Brayshaw what Stephen Moffit is

going to do with a panda in pink pyjamas but there you go. The boss

was magnanimous in defeat. thought we played well enough to

get a result. The bigger picture, we have to congratulate Cardiff. I

got the job done. That is what they needed to done today. We have to

brush ourselves down and get ready to go again next season.

A mite Boro Carlisle could still make the play-offs in League 1 but

they will have to win at Oldham next week. And Hague Stevenage and

Notts County slip up. These are actually Exeter fans before the

game at Brunton Park. Carlisle hacked to win this one to keep in

the play-off chase. Francois Zoko put them ahead. What about this

very fabulous finish from Jordan Cook on loan from Sunderland? This

sort of game, poll, that might make Martin O'Neill take notice. Liam

Noble, a former Sunderland midfielder, had his Twitter account

closed by the club last week after four-letter comments about Black

Cats and their fans. The FA are investigating. If Francois Zoko's

agent has a video of his best gulls on YouTube. I do not think he will

have this one on quite yet. On to the teams with only a final

place to play for. Sunderland, 77 hours without -- seven hours of

football without a goal. A very nice second goal as well, by James

McClean. A while since we have seen this. Maerdy -- Martin O'Neill

budget the end. No one spotted Hartlepool's Evan Horwood out on

the brink or on his own. Pass to me! But he still got the ball,

across from Ryan Noble on loan from Sunderland, the to head his home.

He has been practising that in the garden with his dad!

Two champions at the weekend, a Sunderland won the Women's Premier

League and Hetton Lyons from County Durham won the FA Sunday Cup. Three

teams from our region are heading for Wembley.

A case of the big time. Suddenly players from West Auckland Town in

Dunston UTS are being treated like stars. And I desire not to take in.

So many different games people have sat here. It is very overwhelming.

It is awesome. What dreams are made of. I am gobsmacked. West Auckland

captain Matty Moffatt is finding life tough being out of work but

he's back to graze possibly the greatest stage in world football.

You dream of it, growing up as a kid. To be part of it, or words

cannot describe. Some professional footballers do not make Ghiggia.

York City, meanwhile, are more used to the surroundings but they have

lost their last two finals at Wembley. One play-off and the last

in the FA Trophy. I would like to think we can put it right this time.

We have a chance to get to the play-off finals as well so it would

be a great achievement. Just being here once is already enough for

Dunston and West Boldon. When you're used to playing in front of

150 people, suddenly being in a stadium which seeds 90,000 is a big

deal. But there is a question about where they ate the events will be

held here in the future, and it is because of this. Then deceits.

9,000 people saw Whitley Bay a win the bars last year. It is the the

attendance will be lower this yet for at all North East final. So

fans are being urged to make the trip down. It is important to come

back in numbers to support the occasion. Their team might get the

chance next year or the year after. What is more certain for the bras

in the immediate future is going back to the North East. -- Pool B

FA Vase. A special feature on that aren't

Late Kick Off at 11:05pm tonight on BBC One.

The organisers of the 21st Pirelli International Rally rally which

began in Carlisle on Friday reckon it will have contributed more than

�1 million to the local economy. More than 100 drivers took on trial

stages in Kielder Forest at the weekend, with the best won by Keith

Cronin along with co-driver Marshall Cole. -- Marshall Clarke.

It is the wettest drought I have We have got off fairly lightly --

lightly today. The Met Office to have meant for 2012 as the wettest

on record. No shortage of April showers. An East-West kit -- split

today. P quite grey further east. Thank you for that photograph.

These should see more brightness tomorrow and then some rain

spreading up from the south later in the day. As we headed to the

evening and overnight tonight a couple of flood warnings in force

for parts of North Yorkshire. You can get the latest information on

this bloodline or the Environment Agency website. A lot of cloud this

evening. Most places will stay dry but rarely flouted through the

night. A bit more in the way up brightness tomorrow than many

places saw today. The cloud Figgins up again from the South later. At

the cloud brings some rain. By teatime many places will have seen

showery rain. The north-easterly wind again quite as the times

tomorrow. Most eastern areas should make it into double figures, which

they did not to today. As we head through the next few days, a fairly

messy pressure chart. Later in the week the cold front comes down from

the North, introducing cold air as well. If you are out and about on

Wednesday, or western areas are more likely to see showery rain.

Mostly dry but turning colder by The headlines: The wettest April on

record, with floods across the West Country.

A notice drowns in his car in Hampshire.

In County Durham search-and-rescue teams have been combing the banks