29/01/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, welcome to Look North. Coming up tonight: The hunt for Megan

Roberts. Police warn she probably went into the River Ouse while under

the influence of drink. More council savings. But is taking away

children's play equipment to save ?25,000 justified? He's promised us

a rose garden. Sir John Hall reveals the details of his living legacy,

the biggest of its kind in Europe. And no more heavy going. The plans

for all`weather tracks that could pit two of our race courses against

each other. In sport, we look back at last

night's football action, And why this incident at Carrow Road means

Newcastle will be without their top scorer for this weekend's Tyne`Wear

derby! Her family and friends are

desperately hoping the police are wrong. But the search for missing

student Megan Roberts is becoming more and more focussed on the River

Ouse in the centre of York. 20`year`old Megan has been missing

for six days now. Police divers continued their search of the

swollen River Ouse this morning. Megan, an art student who is 20 was

last seen in your on the last hours of Thursday morning. She was filmed

a CCTV cameras moments after leaving a city centre bar. The footage shows

her walking towards a river with friends and police say the footage

shows she appears to be drunk. Megan has not been seen since. That was

probable line of enquiry being pursued by the police is that Megan

affected by alcohol, has entered the river. We will not be any position

to confirm this until Megan is found.

In the press there was growing speculation over her recent activity

in social media sites. On Twitter, she had spoken of a creepy guy who

had been stocking them. Police said there was no evidence of criminal

activity and no connection to the disappearance five years ago of a

Yorkshire. Today her mother Joan said that she has written to

Megan's mother to offer support. All the emotions she is going through

our normal but as a mum who has been there, I thought I would try to get

in touch and I try to do this with other families in my situation. It

is amazing how many people get in touch with me. On your, volunteers

from a missing Persons Charity have been on the streets today. Searching

the river and the city will continue with increasing number of officers

involved in the investigation. Police investigating alleged sexual

abuse of teenage girls and young women on Tyneside have made a

further four arrests after raids in Newcastle and South Tyneside. It

takes the number of people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rape

to 25 ` that's 23 men and two women. A nursery worker has described her

horror at learning that a toddler she'd been looking after had been

strangled in an accident on a playground slide. Sophie Redhead

denies the manslaughter by gross negligence of three`year`old Lydia

Bishop at the York College nursery. John Cundy reports from Leeds Crown

Court. Lydia died tragically on her first full day at the nursery on

September 17 2012. She had been under the supervision of a part`time

assistant who was sitting on a bench in the playground after a lunch

break. The accused dad her eyes and cried when she recalled how she had

run to the slide and seen something quite there. It turned out to be her

trousers. The little girl had been strangled by rope adding from the

slide. She carried her into them nursery building. The court has

heard that the ropes were not always removed from the slide after playing

in the children should not have been allowed unsupervised. Sophie Redhead

said she had not seen Lydia what pastor that they. The jury were told

that York college nursery had enjoyed good inspection reports

centred was opened in 2007. As well as the charge of gross negligence,

Sophie Redhead denies the failure of taking reasonable care of Lydia.

It's claimed that more than 13,000 construction jobs could be created

in the North East over the next five years. The Construction Industry

Training Board's annual report says the jobs would be created if its

predictions of growth in private house building and other projects

are correct. New plans to revitalise the centre of Hartlepool and

surrounding areas have been presented to the town. It's hoped

the new vision, as it's being called, will create more jobs and

more leisure facilities. There are eight key areas that the council

want to encourage investment in ` including the Jackson Landings site

and the Marina. The leader of the council says he's confident the

plans will come to fruition. I would not put my heart and soul

into something if I did not believe it was achievable and the interest

that we will generate today will happen.

It doesn't sound like much of a saving. But Carlisle City Council is

removing slides and swings from some of its play parks because it says it

can't afford to maintain them. The Council will save ?25,000 by

removing the equipment from 21 play areas. But it's also investing cash

in 13 others. Alison Freeman reports.

Having fun close to home. These few items of play equipment in Belah are

a focal point for the community. But soon they're being removed. The

council says budget cuts mean it can't afford to bring the aging kit

up to standard. The first thing children should have

is a safe place to play. The government talk about levels of

obesity and crime in local areas but at the same time they want to save

peanuts. The National Health Service are spending millions on child

obesity. Carlisle City Council says it's not shutting the 21 playgrounds

across the city from which its equipment is being removed ` In fact

it says they're still very much open for 'imaginitive play'. The council

says every Carlisle child will still have a playpark within 500 metres of

home. I am not happy having to do this and I blame anybody I blame the

government. They are hammering local authorities by cutting funds. We

could spread the jam thinly but by doing so we would make the play

areas and safe. I do not believe that the priorities of Carlisle

should be this way. And ?60,000 is being spent on improving those that

remain. But these parents think a saving of ?25,000 is not enough to

justify losing their park. The North East has missed out on a

share of ?100 million in government funding. The money was on offer to

invest in roads and buildings in enterprise zones. Despite both

putting in bids, the North East's two local enterprise partnerships

were unsuccessful. Both say they're disappointed. Labour MPs in Wearside

and Teesside have also criticised the decision. But the government

says the North East has had other help in the past.

It already has been successful and ?58 million, more than half of what

I'm talking about today and the rest of the country, has gone into the

north`east. It is an area we want to grow with huge potential and a

highly skilled and educated workforce and that is why we have

already invested that money. Still to come, we can reveal the

route of the Commonwealth Games baton when it comes to the region.

And the town that's stuck with its Christmas tree, because the council

didn't take it down quickly enough. And as winter showers become more

isolated, join me shortly for a full weather story.

It will, he says, be his lasting legacy, a gift to the people of the

North East. Sir John Hall, the man who built Gateshead's Metrocentre,

wants to create Europe's biggest rose garden, with over 10,000

flowers, a cafe and cookery school at Wynyard Hall Hotel. Building work

on the ?4 million project has just started and it's hoped the

attraction could be finished in 18 months. Stuart Whincup's been to

meet Sir John. I am 81 in a month's time and I am

coming to the end of my days. I would like to leave another legacy

and that will be the rose garden and the the people of the north`east,

here we are. The man who created the's Metrocentre wants to create

your's biggest rose garden. I have never really had time to do my

garden because I have been working on building the business. That left

little time for looking after the garden and no I have the opportunity

to do my own rose garden. There will be a catch and a marquee here and a

visitor centre and a cafe and a cooking school. This is the old

walled garden and this is the main part of the scheme, the rose garden.

The roses will be spread out. Everybody loves Gardens. It will be

something that people will come from far and wide to see. From minor's

son to millionaire property developer, Sir John's story has been

well rehearsed. He hopes the rose garden is a lasting legacy. When you

come from the working class you do not have many visions. Ambitions. It

is nice to enjoy this with other people and I have my burial plot

picked out outside so the family will not get rid of me in years to

come. I have been lucky but I have made it happen.

There was no racing at Newcastle today ` thanks to the miserable

weather. But that problem could soon be a thing of the past. The course

is due to submit plans to dig up some of the turf and replace it with

an all weather surface. Catterick in North Yorkshire has revealed similar

plans, meaning the two courses could be in direct competition. Peter

Harris reports. In the middle of winter it doesn't

feel like the sport of kings. Now, though, racing in the North is

braced for change. Out would go the traditional turf, in comes all

weather tracks, floodlights and big money.

Trainers in Scotland and the north`east and on the Yorkshire

would jump at this chance and it gives a great opportunity for prize

money. Hopefully Newcastle will have an all`weather track and we could

have that on Good Friday in 2015 2016.

Change that might not suit all ` although the historic Northumberland

Plate could still be run on the surviving turf. There is a catch,

for Newcastle, because neighbouring Catterick in North Yorkshire has a

similar all`weather plan for the flat. And while many in racing like

the idea they fear two courses in one region will be a problem. You

must question if it is viable but I think we definitely need one and we

probably need a track and have done for ten years. It would be great for

the sport and would help owners train and staff from being laid off

in winter. It is not difficult to see the certainties all`weather

racing would provide. In other words, are there enough races to go

round? The punters at least seem keen. I am absolutely certain that

in the north there is a need for an all`weather track and my preference

would be for Catterick. I think it is a good idea and we are lacking in

the North so the Nero that we have this, the better. It's possible that

Newcastle and Catterick could end up in cut`throat competition on

all`weather, and if they are, the going for both could still be tough.

How long is the transfer window, ? Newcastle United are finalising a

deal with Dutch striker Luuk de Jong, who's been at St James's to

complete an initial loan move from German club Borussia

Moenchengladbach. The Magpies are targeting midfielder Clement Grenier

as a replacement for Yohan Cabaye, unveiled in the last hour as a Paris

St Germain player. But transfers haven't been the only talking points

on Tyneside. Last night's goalless draw at

Norwich was a game Newcastle should have won even without the ?20

million man Cabaye. But what was more costly than two dropped points

was the red card for star striker Loic Remy ` sent off with Bradley

Johnson ` for some handbags. It means Remy will be wearing his glad

rags instead of leading the line in Saturday's Tyne`Wear derby. He

should be ashamed of his reaction because it did not get it and it was

unsightly and it upset at all `` assault. But there was no sign of a

bad reaction to Cabaye's departure as Pardew's players did everything

but score, especially in the first half. Loic Remy was the tormentor in

chief. And, if he wasn't rattling the woodwork, Hatem Ben Arfa, back

in the starting line`up was either being foiled by the Norwich keeper

or his own over`eagerness to score. The cross`bar count was one apiece

in the second half with Remy and Norwich's Gary Hooper both going

close. Afterwards Pardew told how he's said goodbye to Cabaye.

I had breakfast with him and wished all the best as our own ordered to

`` I were on our dead as well. I dream move for him.

Middlesbrough could only manage a point in a goalless draw with Wigan

last night. Curtis Main had Boro's best chance, but somehow lifted his

shot over the bar, before an outstanding save from on`loan keeper

Shay Given stopped Wigan claiming all three points. A bad night for

defender Rhys Williams who could be ruled out of a second successive

World Cup after an Achilles injury. Better news for Carlisle United in

League One whose 3`0 win over MK Dons moved them four points above

the relegation zone. Goals from Lee Miller and Brad Potts gave the Blues

a two`goal lead at half`time and David Amoo rounded off a much needed

victory at Brunton Park. Luke James put Hartlepool ahead at Kingsmeadow

but they saw their lead evaporate as AFC Wimbledon came back to win 2`1.

Defeat too for York City who went down 2`0 to League Two leaders

Chesterfield. I always say the first 20 games to

go and know there are 22 games to go. Now we start to win the game and

I want to make sure that we do it from the first minutes and we do not

give anything away and we play at the level we have been playing these

difficult games in the last few weeks. After their cup heroics

Sunderland must focus on trying to stay in the Premier League. Boss Gus

Poyet says rumours in a Stoke newspaper linking Lee Cattermole and

Stephen Fletcher with a move to Mark Hughes side is an attempt to

unsettle his players ahead of tonight's clash with Stoke. He says

it's time for the talking to stop and the performing to take over.

Sunderland's Fifth Round FA Cup tie with Southampton, meanwhile, will

take place on Saturday 15th February, with a 12.45pm kick`off

time. And England's women retained the Ashes with victory in the first

T20 match in Hobart. Yorkshire spinner Danni Hazell from

Durham claimed the wicket of Elyse Villani as they went on to win by

nine wickets. The Olympic Torch Relay was a huge

success travelling the length and breadth of the land ahead of the

London Games including a number of stops in our region. Today the route

of the Queens Baton relay in England was announced ahead of this summer's

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The baton will come to Newcastle and

Gateshead on July 13th visiting the Angel of the North and the Quayside

before travelling to Alnwick for an overnight stay at the Castle on its

way to Scotland. A few minutes ago I spoke to Olympic and Commonwealth

gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and asked her if it could replicate the

experience of 2012. I do think that by the time it comes

to Newcastle, everybody will have that message and support Team

England and we are very proud of this and when we break down into

these nations in the Commonwealth games we want people to realise that

England are a force to be reckoned with. This is not really where it is

handed to different people on a route, it is an event that will

bring people together to celebrate sport at its best. Do you think that

because we're so close to Glasgow, though might be a knock`on effect

this region? Yes, I think so. Everyone will have those memories of

what it was like around the time of the Games. The Commonwealth games is

the only other multisport event. As England, one of the largest nations,

we will have a fantastic team to represent England in Glasgow and we

want everyone to support them and I think Newcastle will do this.

Christmas is a fading memory for most of us. Long after December's

festivities finished, residents in Cramlington are still stuck with the

council's Christmas tree. And it looks like it won't be going away

for a while yet, after an unexpected visitor set up home there.

Most people take them down by the 6th of January but Cramlington Town

Council is stuck with this after one of these moved on. It is a blackbird

and it has laid its eggs earlier. We checked what the procedure would be

and we need to leave the tree narrow so she can hatch eggs. The blackbird

seem to have gone to ground but why are such a common bird protected?

All birds are protected when they are nesting. We must protect them.

The unexpected visitor has delighted locals. Fear enough. I was wondering

why it was still up. I would not say it is bad luck. If it has eggs and

those eggs will hatch, leave them there until they do hatch. And to

all the checks have flown the nest, people can be reminded that

Christmas is coming, in 11 months's time.

It was a cold day today. Here are some shivers down your spine. Some

grey skies today and not everybody seemed to be that bothered by the

weather. There were some hardy fishermen braving the elements

there. There were some showers around earlier but have become much

more isolated as we saw earlier. There is ice forming on the roads

and pavements following the recent showers of the last few days. There

will be on to showers around in and eastern areas tonight but many

places will have some dry weather with clear spells, especially west

of the Pennines. Temperatures could easily go down to minus one or even

`2 minus three Celsius. The main risk to watch out for tonight our

icy stretches on roads and pavements. Tomorrow morning it will

be a dry start in the East with one or two showers East of the Pennines

which will become more widespread later in the day. Western areas will

get the driest weather the model but it will never be worn with an

easterly or so beastly wend. Temperatures will be four degrees

are five Celsius. As we head to the end of the week, we have another Met

office warning for snow on Friday. As this weather front tries to work

its way end on Friday, it could produce snow, especially on higher

ground. By the weekend, we are getting into a windy spell. Some

heavy rain on Friday and at the weekend with some heavy snow from

the west and then showers with Dusty when is's. Showers less widespread

through shattered the `` Saturday. Temperatures in single figures.

And now a last look at tonight's headlines. The Governor of the Bank

of England meets Scotland's First Minister to discuss weather an

independent Scotland can keep the pound. Here, police in York say the

most likely explanation for the disappearance of student Megan

Roberts is that she entered the River Ouse "while affected by

alcohol." Goodbye.