15/11/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka. That is all from the BBC News at

Welcome to Friday's Look North. Tonight: Could fracking be on its

way? The controversial method of extracting shale gas from rock could

soon be a reality in two parts of our region.

I understand why people are concerned about it. I believed

everything I read about it, I would be concerned as well. But it is a

well understood process. Also tonight: Masking the danger?

The World War II memorabilia it's claimed contain deadly asbestos,

particularly harmful to children. And it's Children in Need night!

We're live from the Media Museum for a fun`packed evening of fundraising

and entertainment. Yes, last year you managed to raise

an amazing ?1.5 Good evening and welcome to Look

North. BBC Look North can exclusively reveal that the

controversial process of fracking ` the extraction of shale gas from

rock ` could soon be a reality here in our region. An energy company is

planning on putting in two planning applications over the next 12

months, one in Bawtry and the other near York.

The industry says it could help slow down the rise in energy prices.

However, campaigners say it can contaminate ground water and even

cause small earthquakes. In a moment, we'll hear from an energy

expert but first our Business Correspondent Danni Hewson has been

to meet Dart Energy, the company behind the proposals.

Up until now, Dart Energy had a relatively low`profile in our

region. The main focus of its operations in the UK has been here

in the fields around Stirling. But plans have stalled while a public

inquiry takes place. So they have turned their attention to North

Yorkshire. Some of these areas are thought to be rich in shale gas and

Dart Energy has identified two possible sites for fracking to take

place. I understand people are concerned. I

believe the ripping out red about it, I would be concerned as well.

This is our business and we have to get it right.

Fracking involves drilling down into the ground to release `` and using

water to release shale gas. There is an issue about the local

environment impact. Surface water contamination and the amount of

transport and infrastructure required all of which lead up to a

massive impact for local residents. But Dart Energy says safety measures

will have to be met for the drilling to take place.

You could only drill a few were sustainable in the community and

part of the community. If we are allowed to do what we want to do

then I think people will see the local benefits.

It has the financial backing of the biggest energy company in the world.

Economically, they fracking site could generates tens of millions of

pounds as well as potentially bringing down energy bills. But

first they have to persuade individuals and councils and that is

unlikely to be easy. We can speak now to energy expert

Professor Richard Davies from the University of Durham. Are

campaigners like Friends of the Earth right to be worried about

possible water contamination near fracking sites?

The research we have done at Durham University shows that water

contamination due to fracking itself is incredibly unlikely. The other

processes that are required for fracking such as moving large

amounts of water around, dealing with waste water for example, and

not sealing Wells rectally can lead to Ken at `` contamination. Is there

enough shale gas to minimise the effect of our dwindling energy

resources? To get significant amounts of gas out of the ground,

you will need lots of Wells. You would need hundreds, possibly

thousands. For it to make a difference, there needs to be lots

of Wells. The UK doesn't have an abundance of

rigs and fracking equipment, so a rapid growth in shale gas production

is unlikely, isn't it? That's right. There isn't a supply

chain in place. If this does get pushed ahead by the UK Government,

it could be five or ten years before any significant activity takes

place. So it is important that we carry on doing research like we are

doing at Durham University, that is 100% independent.

If you own a World War II gasmask, you need to be aware it could be

dangerous, especially to children. Campaigners in Leeds got in touch

with Look North to warn that the masks contain deadly asbestos.

They're concerned that a growing interest in war memorabilia means

masks are being traded online and even worn by children who are at

greater risk from the cancer`causing fibres.

They've become something of an icon and highly collectable but World War

II gas masks, while originally made to protect, are now proving

extremely dangerous because they contain asbestos. This retired nurse

and World War II enthusiast is so concerned that he is campaigning for

the sale of vintage gas masks to be banned. They contain the worst kind

of asbestos. If a child of ten years old water

one masks and inhaled a small number of Vipers, he has five times the

risk of developing young cancer compared to an adult, so the risks

are quite high. It is what is known as a class one carcinogens.

These masks have been treated by experts to make them safe to handle.

But there are around 30,000 untreated masks in circulation which

could prove deadly. They have asbestos fibres which could leak

from this filter. It only takes one fibre to cause cancer.

Despite this, gas masks are widely available online with around 500

sold every month. They are also used in school history lessons and this

content concerns `` this concerns the teaching unions.

Tests as early as 2002 proved that the masks were dangerous but it took

six years for the Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland to

issue a warning. No warnings were issued to schools in England and

Wales. Further tests confirmed the dangerous but no warnings were

issued. The union wants the government to take action. The issue

is now due to under be raised `` be raised in the House of Commons on

Monday. The Department for Education has

been unable to supply us with a statement.

Later on Look North: The biggest night of his career ` Huddersfield

rugby league's Danny Brough braces himself to lead Scotland into battle

against world champions New Zealand. In other news now, and two men have

appeared before Sheffield Crown Court via video link charged with

the murder of pizza delivery driver Thavisha Peiris. Mr Peiris, who was

25, was found stabbed to death in his car on 27th October. 26`year`old

Shamraze Khan appeared from prison. The UK arm of Nestle, which is based

in York, says it's creating 1600 jobs for young people over the next

three years. The company has factories in York and Halifax, where

some of the new jobs will be created. There'll also be 300 paid

work experience placements. Nestle have factories in both York and

Halifax and their chief executive says they have to look to the

future. Young people today are in a bit of a

Catch`22. On one hand, they can't get a job because they don't have

work experience, on the other hand they cannot get work experience

because they don't have a job. I think it is our role to help young

people get out of that trap. Hundreds of former miners who lost

their jobs as a result of the restructuring of UK Coal are getting

their fuel allowance reinstated. Today's announcement by the

Government follows protests by ex`miners and widows who'd been

entitled to free coal as part of their wage and redundancy packages.

The benefit was scrapped when the company went into administration in

summer. I wanted to help a very specific

group of people who had lost out through no fault of their own,

ex`miners who lost their allowance. We have been able to help these

people because we are fixing the economy and the public finances.

More than 250 firms in Sheffield are being asked to vote on a new flood

defence scheme in the Lower Don Valley. Hundreds of properties in

the area suffered severe flooding in 2007, leading to the closure of some

businesses. If they support the plans, defences

will be built along an 8km stretch of the River Don, from the city

centre right up to the M1 motorway past Meadowhall but they'll also

have to pay some of the costs. Shamir Masri reports.

The floods of 2007 left many homes with Flood damage. Rivers breached

across the city and one of the worst affected areas was the lower Don

Valley. Areas next to the city centre right up to Meadowhall were

severely flooded. The industrial heart of the city was quickly under

water. Even RAF search and rescue teams were called in to rescue

people. Six years on, local businesses have their chance to vote

on a scheme which will see flood defences are old and 40 locations

along and eight kilometre stretch of the River Don.

You need to keep the river clear. It rose above the expected level

because there was lots of debris which got caught in the bridges and

had a disproportionate effect on the rise of the river.

We had about ?14 million worth of damage to machines. It was touch and

go whether the company could survive. This scheme is vitally

important. The risk of this ever happening again is not only a

concern to us but to any future investors in the city.

As nurses have one month to decide how they will vote. If majority vote

for it, work will begin next year. `` businesses have one month.

In rugby league, the World Cup quarter finals get underway in just

over an hour at Headingley tonight when Scotland take on reigning

champions New Zealand. Another big crowd is expected for the last match

that Yorkshire will host in this year's competition. But if you

thought that our interest in the game is limited to the venue, think

again. He is captain of the Huddersfield

Giants and is Super League man of steel but he is the pride of

Scotland. With Danny Brough as their leader, Scotland have surpassed all

expectations. I have been with the team as they have been preparing for

their quarterfinal. He qualifies for the team due to his grandfather.

The coaches have their opinions and you've got to respect that. I does

want to get on with playing. I'm doing it for my Nanna. I will

try and do my bit on Friday. Yorkshire `flavoured Scotland are a

tight bunch. They don't tend to lie down for world champions New

Zealand. We know we are not near them in the pecking order but we

will try although nobody expects us to win. In Scotland wins, it will be

banks in a large part to the White Rose of Yorkshire.

Now, we know you lot out there are heroes. You must be. Last year you

raised a staggering ?1.5 million for Children in Need.

And it's time to do it all again. We've got our very own all`singing,

all`dancing Children in Need event at the Media Museum in Bradford

tonight. Ian and Keeley are there. Yes, welcome to Bradford. It's all

happening here. We've got local band Born Thief playing for us right now

on our busking stage. And we'll have Bollywood dancers, a brass band,

choirs and of course you, our wonderful fundraisers.

We have donated all our children's meals today for a donation. That's

great. Well done.

The band behind us are donating older proceeds of their new single

to children in need. what on earth are you doing?

We are doing a 24`hour live modelling in the window.

Last year, this firm raised ?24,000. They hope to beat that this year.

This is North Yorkshire Police's big red key which smashes down doors.

They are offering the public a goal for a donation.

This is Heather, she works at a tropical butterfly house but she is

terrified of spiders, as am I. But the tarantula is about to be taken

out of his cage. Get it off me! I will donate ?10 if you do it. Well

done! Lots of schools are having

non`uniform days. They have gone the whole hog at this school, warts and

all. This year i'ts all about raising

funds by busking for the bear so we thought we'd issue a challenge to

BBC Radio Leeds presenter Georgie Spanswick to see if she could knock

out a tune. Let's take a look at how she did.

How did you get roped into this? They said the challenge for me on

the Breakfast show. I said I would sing if he sang but he never

signed. That's not fair. I thought I would do it for the beer. `` do it

for the bear. Are you going to take up his singing

career now? You answer that question.

I don't think so. Maybe not. But at the end of the day it's all

about raising money for our Children in Need.

The money helps her communication and her balance. Her general

well`being. We know that things are really tough. What message do you

have for people? Please keep giving. It really helps. You love it, don't

you? Tell us why you like riding horses.

We did a sponsored silence. You kept quiet for how long? Brilliant. I

don't think we could manage that. If you want to donate, call this

number. I said I would and ?810 if I could

get him in a onesie. He got it monogrammed.

I could have worn mine as well! As we head to this evening, it will

stay dry over the next couple of days. It will be mostly cloudy and

it could be a little bit of drizzle. Unlike yesterday, there wasn't much

of a breeze today. As we head through into this evening, it will

stay dry. We will have thicker cloud. Temperatures will drop down

to around six or seven degrees. There could be a little bit of a

frost tomorrow morning. The sun will rise at 7:34am. There could be some

patchy fog tomorrow in the morning. It will brighten up particularly in

the East. But then cloud continues to some 11 from the north`west. ``

continues to And what better cause than a scheme which lets

it will turn very cold on Monday and there will be the risk of wintry

showers. You did very well doing the weather

with us staring at you like that. We will hand you back to Bradford

now. From us, good night.