26/01/2017 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

In tonight's headlines: so it's goodbye from me

A Conservative councillor and hunt master resigns after making

Pioneering treatment - a County Durham biker who's

paralysed from the waist down is learning to walk again.

I want to run again. I was very keen sportsman, extremely fit, I've done

the Great North Run so my ultimate goal is to do the Great North Run

again. Forget about dry January,

how about this dry bar? Opening tonight, it's

for people who want a night And child's play -

clown doctors celebrate their tenth birthday after last year's killer

clown craze put paid to their party. In football, Middlesbrough's head

coach stands by his criticism And one of Sunderland's injured

stars takes the first step North Yorkshire Police is

investigating after a confrontation First to the story of a man who's

making medical history. Andrew Bell was the first person

from the UK to undergo treatment that he hopes

will help him walk again. Andrew, who's from County Durham,

was left paralysed after a motorbike Doctors told him he

would never walk again. But, he's determined

to prove them wrong, and has just returned from a second

trip to Thailand where, doctors say, he's moving towards a point

where he will become the first patient with complete spinal

injury to be able to walk. Our health reporter Sharon Barbour

has this exclusive report. Standing is a remarkable

achievement for Andrew Bell. Indescribable to look at myself

in the mirror pretty The County Durham man

was paralysed from the waist down after a motorbike incident and told

he would never walk, But Andrew, a former fighter,

wasn't ever going to give up trying. He went out to Bangkok where doctors

injected millions of embryonic chord stem cells and an electrical

stimulator was fitted For the last three months he's

been back in Thailand And here he's been

learning to walk again. And for his mother, a birthday

message, delivered standing up. Hi mum, have a fantastic birthday,

sorry I can't be there but Having been told 18 months ago

that Andrew would never, he was paralysed, unable to stand

or walk again, and then to see on my birthday there is Andrew

in Thailand standing, Yes, I couldn't wish

for anything more. When we last filmed Andrew

he was starting to move his feet His progress, according

to a stem cell professor Phenomenal to say the least,

the fact he can stand for an hour with relatively little aid,

little support after such What we think is going

on is that the injected stem cells were capable of providing

what we call growth factors and other chemicals that induced

the stem cells which already exist in Andrew's body to

regenerate themselves. The doctors in Thailand believe

he may become the first patient with complete spinal chord injury

to be able to walk again. Andrew hopes for even

more than that. I want to run again,

I was a keen sportsman, extremely fit and I've done

the Great North Run so my ultimate goal is to do

the Great North Run again. And Andrew joins us live

here in the studio tonight. You were told you'd never walk again

- but you refused to accept that? Yet, I think I'm not that type of

person who was just going to lay down but as soon as I was told, my

initial reaction was to think, what can I do to prove to myself but

prove to anyone who will tell me I will never want for the rest of my

life, I am my own destiny and not somebody else telling me that. Do

you hope doing what you were doing will inspire others? Absolutely, I

know what my family and friends and is when I'm think mice can inspire

and give a bit of hope and let people know that our things

happening out there, you don't have to believe in what you are told. It

is a global world, you have been to Thailand twice now for treatment.

Where do you go from there? This time, now I have got back, I have a

good treatment programme I will do at home but ultimately I was like to

continue and do some rehab with the help of a physiotherapist either at

home but if not I may go out there for a longer period and do some

really intense rehab, but ideally if I could do would at home that would

be my number one priority. I guess money is a priority to fund this.

The treatment I have done out there has come out quite a cost but it's a

drop in the ocean considering I was told I would never wriggle a token

to be able to stand for an hour now, so absolutely. You have an amazing

outlook. I look forward to seeing you in the Great North Run. That is

my goal. Best of luck. A court's heard claims that a man

would rather be convicted of a horrendous murder

than reveal details Gareth Dack, who's 33,

is accused of strangling 79-year-old Norma Bell before setting fire

to her house in Dack denies murdering the pensioner

and today he told the court he couldn't be convicted

of something he didn't do. Gareth Dack described Norma Bell

as a wonderful woman who he knew well but at a cross-examination

by the prosecution he was today accused of trying to hoodwink

the court, telling lies and bending the truth as he tried to account

for his movements before her death. The night before Norma Bell's body

was discovered at her home in Hartlepool, Gareth Dack said

he had been selling drugs In the witness box the prosecution

said it was crucial to Gareth Dack's credibility that he said

who he sold cocaine to. He replied he could not give those

names because some of the people he sold drugs to were solicitors

and police community The prosecution said those people

could provide him with an alibi and he would rather be convicted

of this horrendous murder To that he replied he

could not be convicted Gareth Dack said he visited

Norma Bell to fix her gate the night before her body was discovered

and he said she was He said his DNA was found

in the pensioner's house North Yorkshire Police is

investigating after a confrontation between a huntsman and a protestor

at the Middleton Hunt Charles Carter, from Birdsall

near York, was caught on camera making sexual comments

to Linda Hoggard, when she He has now resigned his position

as a Conservative district councillor in Norfolk

where he previously lived. Excuse me, did you know hunting was

banned? The moment when Linda Hoggard approached Charles Carter to

tell him fox hunting was illegal. The protester challenges him and he

starts filming her. I would quite like to... I will tell my husband

that, shall I? Charles Carter has been a district councillor in

Norfolk but he resigned after the revelations of his conduct. His

council leader said he was appalled. In 2015 Charles Carter was

interviewed about the ban on fox hunting. Having to look over one's

shoulder all the time in fear of breaching bad law is not what the

country should be about. Charles Carter has now moved to itself and

the Middleton Hunt is now described as one of the most historic in north

Yorkshire. Now Charles Carter's comments have bought controversy to

the hunt. I don't know if it has been blown out of proportion, he has

definitely stepped over the line. He has made sexual comments to her.

That's not relevant to the situation, sad but there we are. It

is now understood that Mr Carter has found Linda Hoggard to apologise for

his behaviour. We hear of people who are abused and intimidated, this

problem is getting out of control, one of the problems is that the hunt

lobby association has refused to apologise for these incidents and

they are getting worse. You are pretty. Yet, whatever. So are foxes.

North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they are

investigating Monday's incident. The Conservatives have

revealed their candidate Last week Labour named Gillian

Troughton and Ukip named Fiona Mills Rebecca Hanson is contesting

the seat for the Liberal Democrats. The by-election, caused

by the resignation of Labour's Jamie Reed,

will take place on February 23rd. You can see a full list of

candidates on the BBC News website. Two men have been charged

with aggravated burglary following an incident

in County Durham when a pensioner's life savings were stolen

in a raid on his home. It is alleged the 77-year-old

from Coronation near Bishop Auckland was attacked with a coal shovel

and robbed on Saturday. He was taken to Darlington Memorial

Hospital where he was treated Cumbria police has been told

by a Government watchdog it must improve the way the force deals

with children at risk of abuse. A report by Her Majesty's

Inspectorate of Constabulary found there was insufficient understanding

of sexual exploitation and inconsistent protection for

children who regularly go missing. Keeping children safe puts huge

pressures on the police. Getting it wrong can have

tragic consequences. This latest assessment of Cumbria's

performance has found much the force does well,

but areas where it must improve. This isn't a grade inspection

so there were no ratings of good, There were some instances

they highlighted where we could and should have done better

and we are putting a comprehensive action plan in place to make sure

in similar cases in the future we react quicker or better

or have a better response. This inspection comes in the wake

of the case of Poppi Worthington, a Cumbrian toddler who died

after she may have been Evidence was lost in that case

and no-one has been prosecuted. The Poppi Worthington case

was extremely tragic but the justified criticism

of the constabulary in that case was about the response

to the investigation This is about our ability to protect

children and prevent Few areas of crime reflect the way

police work has changed more Police officers must now show that

not only can they investigate a crime but they can also prevent

children from sliding into danger. That is why every officer must now

be able to spot the signs If I could wave a magic wand

and double the number of officers things would improve but that is not

reality, we have to work with what we have, and we will be

looking at this over the next few weeks to see if we need

to prioritise it even more. The force insists it is making

the changes required, The only bar in Teesside

which caters for people who don't The owners claim it will offer

a night out with a difference, serving food and soft drinks,

whilst supporting people Phil Chapman joins us live

from Middlesbrough. It looks busy. It is very busy in

here. Dried January, for most of us it is about detoxing after the

festive season but Bar Zero is party here to help those with more serious

alcohol problems. Not everybody in here, I don't want to describe

everyone like that but Jonathan joins me from public health and

well-being. You look a bit like Del boy there. Quite a dry bar for

Teesside? It is another exciting venue for the town and another

high-quality venue for Middlesbrough but the unique selling point is the

fact we don't sell alcohol, coffee shops are popular in Middlesbrough

but they tend to shut when the shops do so this is no alternative for

anybody who doesn't want to drink, wants to watch the football and have

nice food, please come to Bar Zero. What sparked the idea? Has Teesside

got a problem? Teesside has high levels of alcohol abuse and there

are one in five adults in the country know who choose not to drink

alcohol, so it caters for a broad range of people. There are health

benefits we want to tap into but hopefully it will appeal to a

cross-section of the town. They hear, you could well become a

regular here. Just fill us in on your background. You had a struggle

with drink and drugs. I was addicted to drugs for 20 years, I lost my

leg, burnt my hands but I'd turned everything around. 15 years drugs

free, I have my own production company and I have come to Bar Zero,

so it's fantastic for people to come together. Bar Zero is launching

tonight but it will be open every Friday and Saturday evening from

tomorrow. That looks very smart, Phil. Thank you.

They say laughter is the best medicine -

and for the last ten years a group of clowns who dress up as doctors

has been entertaining seriously ill children at Newcastle's hospitals.

The Clown Doctors, who are all performers,

were due to mark their birthday in October but had to postpone

the event after the co-called killer clown craze.

Well, today they had the last laugh, with a special celebration

at the Great North Children's Hospital.

Celebrating ten years of raising a smile during

One-year-old Ross recently had a bone marrow transplant.

He sees different people, but he doesn't have normal

interactions that he would at 18 months if he was going to nursery.

So the Clown Doctors coming in and just giving him a better

one-to-one entertainment when he really enjoys

seeing a different face, and it is really nice just

to give him something different rather than looking

The Clown Doctors dress up and, well, clown around to help

make hospital less scary for the children.

Being hospitalised can be a traumatic and frightening

experience for children and for their families,

so we are here to work using play, very child learnt,

so we are here to work using play, very child led,

Celebrations to mark their anniversary had

to be postponed last year because of the so-called

We were gutted, absolutely frustrated, that the children

knew we were coming, they were expecting us that day,

So today is a really special day for us to come

back and go, actually, we are, if you like,

The work they do with the youngsters here is part of the therapeutic

And over 10 years they have worked with more than 30,000 children.

There are claims tonight that Northumberland Council has cut down

a tree at its Morpeth headquarters planted by the Queen

Conservative councillors say the tree has been removed

as the council prepares to move its base to Ashington.

But the council says it's not sure it ever had a royal

Our news correspondent Mark Denten takes up the story.

April 9th 1979, the late Queen Mother on a visit

to Northumberland, Corbridge just one of the stops on a busy schedule.

And on that April day the Queen Mother also came

here to Morpeth at the very beginning of work on the

She also had an avenue named after her here.

Things have changed in 38 years and more recently,

just look at this, County Hall 18 months ago and today.

The council says they have been cut down because they were overgrown

and blocking daylight but this opposition councillor says a tree

planted here giving that royal visit in 1979 has been given the chop too.

The Queen Mother was invited to Northumberland to dedicate this

site in 1979 and she planted a tree in honour not just of this

new building but in honour of the people of Northumberland

and angry, councillors are angry, the people of Morpeth are angry

and residents across the county should be angry that part

This comes in the middle of a row over the council's plans to sell

this land for 200 homes, a retail park and their school moved

Opponents say it will actually cost more.

And the royal tree - the council says although there

is a foundation stone dedicated by the Queen Mother,

Either way a row over local government has taken

Have to get Special Branch in. Now, sport... Some lively debate.

But no jokes like that, fortunately. The Middlesbrough head coach

Aitor Karanka remains unrepentant over his post-match comments

following last weekend's He'd described the atmosphere

at the Riverside Stadium as "awful" with some fans late

on urging his team to "attack, attack, attack"

and others leaving early. The Boro boss also had plenty to say

about possible incomings and outgoings before Tuesday's

transfer deadline. Aitor Karanka was annoyed some

sections of the home crowd felt the team ought to play long balls

in the closing stages of last Saturday's game

to try and salvage a draw. He insists that his comments

were intended not to offend supporters but to protect his squad

who deserved respect for mostly trying to play the style of football

the Spaniard feels has served The last ten minutes was them best

example, so we concede a goal, we didn't create one chance, last

season we scored I don't know how many goals in the last minute

because we played in the same style and that style has been successful

for us. Boro are hoping to convince

Paris St Germain's ex Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez,

who Karanka knows from his time Karanka confirmed that Boro have had

a bid for Hull's Robert Snodgrass rejected with Burnley and West Ham

also interested in the So could being a relegation rival

put a block on any deal? You do need to go to university to

know that, so I think it is obvious that it is a player who we like and

who we are trying to bring here and we will have four or five days to

see what is happening. Meanwhile the Spaniard

was critical of Gaston Ramirez after he submitted a transfer

request with Champions Leicester City having an offer reported to be

around ?12 million rejected. What is more important than anybody

in this team, so at the end if the right offer doesn't arrive, he would

be an important player in this group because everybody knows his

importance. Sunderland manager David Moyes

is still hoping to move players in and out of the Stadium of Light,

in a bid to shake up his squad. And one of the many Black Cats

currently on the sidelines left the treatment room last night,

to make a special presentation. Six weeks after suffering

a serious knee injury, Duncan Watmore was back

in the club's colours. Or, rather, the colours

of the club's charity arm, It's a long way back

for the speedy winger, who's set his sights on a return

to full-time training It's frustrating but I think it's

important with the rehab process to keep a positive mindset. It's a long

injury and there is no point being done about it because you will not

do the rehab well. We try to keep morale up and that is what I can do,

then that is what I will do. The hope is, by the time

he is back on the pitch, the Black Cats will still be

in the Premier League. We have been in this position but we

have also got out of that, so we have to make sure we put that into

the games and plan on the table. This week the England under-21

was at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland, helping

the Foundation mark ten years of the Premier

League's Kicks programme. With football as a starting point,

the project introduces youngsters to sport and works with various

bodies such as the police, The elder of the Premier League is

massive, young people associate themselves with a football club so

having that that's behind us and having the Premier League was back

by King is massive. It's brilliant watching them reaching their goals

and put warming well, it getting them off the streets, reducing

anti-social behaviour and getting into unemployment. -- getting them

into employment. Cricket finally, and Durham have

signed a second overseas player. New Zealand Test batsman

Tom Latham will cover for South African Steve Cook,

who'll only be available for Latham, who's a 24-year-old

left-hander, has had spells in the North East

with Gateshead Fell, South Shields But some are still seems a long way

off. And no need to tell me it would be

cold because my border has stopped working. Bitterly cold today. There

was some variation in cloud cover, eastern areas hanging onto cloud

cover, it was not warm anywhere. Where the sun came out we saw the

heady heights of four Celsius but many places under the cloud in the

East stuck at freezing and the cold weather will stay with us in the

short term, so a bitterly cold night tonight, blue haze and widespread

frost as temperatures drop sub zero everywhere, even with cloud cover

you will see numbers down two minus three. Some people have asked why

there is no frost, it is because the air from the continent is so bright

that there is not enough moisture to form frost but a bitterly cold start

tomorrow and it will stay cold to the day. There will be some

brightness around in the morning, the cloud will tend to fill in

through the afternoon, a dull second half to the day, most places stayed

dry, just the odd wintry flurry and everywhere should pass freezing

point tomorrow, highs of four or five Celsius. Southerly winds, maybe

not as brisk as today, so that is the picture tomorrow, these weather

fronts come in from the West in the next few days and that will change

the change in wind direction to a milder form, so tomorrow mostly dry

but cold again with a bit of brightness you might see

temperatures a couple of degrees up on today and then at the weekend

things turn milder, more unsettled, maybe one or two showers in the west

on Saturday but that south-west westerly wind starts to pick the

temperatures up. On Sunday most places start the day dry and bright,

we need to keep an eye on that frontal system in the South which

may bring some thicker cloud and patchy rain but temperatures through

the weekend recovering to eight Celsius at best and we will keep you

up to date on the forecast on your local BBC Radio station and the BBC

weather app, and remember to keep your weather pictures coming, you

can e-mail them to us. Thank you, Paul. I am so happy to see that

frost. We have burnt a forest already trying to keep warm. That

Einstein replaced Newton's theory of universal gravitation

with a more accurate theory - general relativity.

So, why's my apple falling? Well, it's not.

It is the ground that accelerates up to meet the apple.

So that's why the chair that I'm sitting on now

that actually feels as if it's accelerating up

It's really changed my relationship with this chair. Mm-hm.