27/01/2012 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight. Our top story: Shut this

factory down. An MP's demand for action after yet another fire at

the Sonae plant in Merseyside. fed up spam fed up of this. It is

about time this factory closed. There have been more than 20

serious incidents at the plant over the last 10 years.

Also tonight: Yes to an elected mayor for Salford - but only 18% of

people turn out to vote. Proud of a city tradition. The

history behind Preston Guild. Rival reds on racism. Cole and

Barnes talk to us about the Suarez affair.

And who's the woman in the window? The mystery behind the demolition

of this Cumbrian house. And we will be alive to tell you more about the

plans are for Preston Guild 2012. What I year Preston has planned.

Join me later to it you all about the history and exactly what the

year has in store -- join me later to hear about.

A Merseyside MP has renewed his call for a controversial factory to

be shut down after another fire there. More than 20 firefighters

tackled a blaze at the Sonae chip board factory in Kirkby last night.

No-one was hurt in this latest fire. There have been more 20 serious

incidents of fire or industrial accidents at the plant over the

past decade. Three people have died, and Sonae have ben taken to court

on four occasions. It says staff safety is paramount.

The fire brigade were called to Sonae after reports of explosions

in a sawdust silo. Sonae say the blasts were part of its safety

system releasing pressure. It took firefighters five hours to get the

fire under control. The local MP says the council should take away

the factory's licence and close it down. They councillors here are as

fed up as the neighbours and resident. I am fed up of it. It is

about time we said this was the end. Brenda and John Hulme live opposite

Sonae. They also think it's time it shut. There are all kinds of

chemicals coming out of it. It has been built so close to houses. This

has been banned in other countries. It should never have been built

here. It's the latest in a series of incidents here. In 2000, two

employees were injured. In 2002, one worker was hurt in an explosion

and another was hit by a fork lift truck. In December 2010, two men

working as sub-contractors died when they were dragged into

machinery. A huge fire last June burnt for days. Then in August a

contractor helping with demolition after that fire was killed on site.

The Health and Safety Executive says they will investigate the

latest incident. But a spokesman could not say when they were due to

publish the report into the fire last summer here or into the three

deaths. As for the overall picture, the Health and Safety Executive

says the investigate incident and not companies. In a statement,

Knowsley Council said it is reviewing Sonae's environmental

permit and looking at all options available. Tonight, the fire

service said its up to to Sonae to manage what are risky operations.

The processes that operate here, there is an inherent risk of these

sort of incident. Clearly this is a matter for the company to manage

themselves. In a statement, Sonae said the safety of its staff

remains paramount to its operation. It's now trying to find out why the

fire broke out. Salford has become the first city

in the North West to vote to have an elected mayor. The election will

take place in May for a more powerful leader of the council

directly selected by voters. A referendum was held in Salford

yesterday and there was a clear win for the yes campaign. But fewer

than one in five people bothered to vote. Our Political Editor was at

the count. If the battle was to interest

voters, it was lost among empty polling stations. Turnout was just

18%. The number of votes cast in favour of yes was 17,000. That was

56% of the vote. Victory for an alliance of English Democrats and

community activists. We have the yes vote. Now we want to get people

more engaged and directly elect a mayor who can push Salford forward

for the better. So now voters will select an individual who they want

to be mayor. The existing system of council leader will soon end.

have to accept that is the result. I think people will feel that they

want to have more of a say in who is leading the council and that is

fine. What I would be concerned about is if they were voting on the

basis of a rather false perspective of having the council tax. You are

backtracking. This has stirred up passion on the council but what

about on the streets? It was very confusing, but it has happened so

we will have to see what we get. voted yes because we need someone

on our side. I am not bothered. Even so, things have changed here

and in May voters will elect the very first Mayor of Salford.

Opponents will point out this was a very low turnout. What are the

wider implications of this results? Those critics have a point because

if you boil the figures down, only 10% of what voters in Salford last

to switch to a mayor. The other 90% Eva said no or did not halt. But

when it is a win. There was a clear win for the yes campaign and

everyone has to move on from there. We're in a position where Liverpool

and Manchester are also heading in the direction of a mayor. In

Liverpool, the city council is saying they no longer believe there

needs to be a referendum. They think they can have a vote within

the council. I suspect the leader there might be able to point to

this referendum and say when people are given a choice they're not

interested so it is fine for us to make that decision. In Manchester,

they are against having one, but I wonder if the pressure of Liverpool

and Salford might make them think again for.

A man who collected information on how to make bombs and lethal

poisons has been sent to prison for breaking an anti-terrorism law. The

documents were stored on a computer memory stick which was handed to

the police by mistake after a burglary in Bolton. Manchester

Crown Court heard there was no evidence that Asim Kausar had

promoted or been involved in violence. But the judge told him

the material was no less dangerous. Also found that a home was a letter

stating that he wanted it to fight to jihad for Allah. The trouble

started when there was a break-in at the family home. The police were

given a memory stick in the belief that it contained CCTV images

regarding who was responsible. But it included information on how to

create an improvised explosive device. The police heard that he

stalked the device out of curiosity. It was claimed that there was no

link to terrorists or attempts to pass on the information. However,

he was sentenced to two years in prison. My client wanted to ask if

someone who was not a Muslim would get such a lengthy statement.

was just a normal lad. He used to play cricket for. He was a decent

young man. I have known him since he moved here 14 years ago.

Relatives declined to speak after the case.

Police in Kendal have launched a murder inquiry after a woman -

badly burned in a fire last night - died in hospital. Stacey Mackie,

who was 35, lived in a flat at Crag View. The building is a home for

vulnerable adults. A man is being questioned.

A man has been stabbed to death in the street in Wirral. Police were

called to Teehey Lane in Higher Bebington shortly after 3pm this

afternoon. There are reports that the incident happened after a road

accident but this hasn't been confirmed. A 42 year old man has

been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Workers at BAE Systems in Lancashire could go on strike -

over plans to cut jobs. More than 3,000 members of the staff at

Warton and Samlesbury, near Preston, have voted for a ballot for strike

action. The company is currently looking at making compulsory

redundancies after 1,300 job losses were announced last year.

Now we have the sport. There is a big game tomorrow. Manchester

United and Liverpool. Were hoping that there is no obvious and

everyone behaves themselves. This is one of those games where

there is as much attention on the pitch as of the pitch. It is the

first time they are playing each other after the Lewis worriers

affair. Merseyside Police are expecting to have extra officers

and have warned they will not tolerate unacceptable words or

behaviour. Both managers have appealed for

calm from fans keen that Sir Alex Ferguson has written to the 5,000

fans for a going and has been speaking to players.

He has demanded from all of them The fans, both sets of fans have to

make sure that we are talking about the game, and nothing else. Well,

the Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish hasn't spoken to the

cameras but he has issued a statement saying everybody has a

responsibility to hold up the name of their respective clubs. Whatever

the grievances keep it to yourself, and let's get on with the game.

Well, there has been speculation in the run up to the match that Wayne

Rooney could miss out through injury. But we have had a hint from

a man who should know that Rooney's name is likely to be on that team

sheet. Former United goal machine Ashley Cole has been chatting to

Richard, along with former Liverpool great John Barnes. And

Richard started by asking John about the tension in the build up

to the game. I expect the fans and demand fans behave themselves.

Clubs don't have much control over them, but I expect the most

important thing from a footballing perspective, nod not media, not fan,

from the club's perspective is for both to concentrate on trying to

win the match. Has it affected the relationship between the club?

Previous years we have talked about what a great game it will be. Now

we are talking about other elements of football, which is disappointing.

We know that Evra is going to get booed. People don't gettagery and

surprised, I know they are booing Evra, as long as it is not racist.

Will he be nervous. I think he will be going into the game. It is

another big game. I think he will puff his che out more. How much of

a boost do you think Liverpool will have got from getting to the League

Cup Final? I hope for the fact they are now in the final. They beat

Manchester City, for them not dip and say we have the consolation of

being in the final, but it brings pressure in itself playing against

Manchester United. I know how much the manager looks forward. He loves

playing at Anfield and he loves it more when he gets a positive result.

Did you enjoy playing there. loved playing at Anfield. I had a

good goalscoring record there. did you get out of the intensity of

the Manchester United-Liverpool match, some people have suggested

that they are poisonous, did you foal that. I, because of my

character bg, I played no more importance to the game than any

other. I wanted it to be a good game. I never really liked the big

derby matches. Rooney might be missing, Nani will be missing, how

much of a weakness will there be in terms of the attacking threat of

yulted? Wayne, he could be a bit of speculation he might not be fit. I

think you speak to Wayne, he loves going. You are giving the team

away! I am not. Unless you seen the team sheet and he is not on, we are

overdue a good result. When he you talk about a good result. 1-0 away

is not difficult. I think that would be a good result for

Manchester United. 1-0 to Liverpool. Liverpool's other rivals eEverton

are an hour away from tonight's FA Cup tie against fullham ham. The

club has been protests demanding that the chairman find a new owner.

David Moyes says better performance on the pitch should ease the fans'

frustration. We have not played well enough, so, it is nothing to

do with the board of director, it is not do with the chairman, it is

do with me and the team. We have to play better on the pitch. The team

plays better, it lifts all the mood. And we need to perform better of.

We need to win more often. If we do, that changes everything. Well, you

can hear full commentary on that tie on BBC Radio Merseyside. Kick

off 8.00. Radio Merseyside and BBC Manchester will have full

commentary on the match tomorrow. And the FA Cup action continues at

three when radio Manchester have commentary on Usain Bolt versus

Swansea. We must say congratulations to Liam Broady from

Spock port -- Stockport. He and his doubled partner Joshua Ward-Hibbert

have won the boys doubled final beating their opponents, 4-3, 6-2.

Last year Liam reached the boys final at Wimbledon. Congratulations

are in order for Amir Khan, he is getting engaged on Sunday. So we

wish him and his fiancee well. I bet Andy Murray is jealous. Time to

turn our thoughts to the year the proud city of Preston is planning.

Once every 20 years, the famous Preston Guild takes place. The

Guild 2012 looks set to be a cracker. It culminates in a city

festival in the first week of September, but before that there

will be loads of events happening in the run. Pete ever is in the

city now at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery. There is quite a bit

of history involved. It can trace its history back to 11 79 when the

King Henry II allowed the good folk of Preston to create a Guild

mershand. It meant they could control and promote all the trades

in Preston. And let the place grow and grow. By 1542 it was being held

every 20 years so new generations of tradesmen could brought into the

Guild. Now it's a celebration of the people, and it gives all those

that take part memorys that can last a lifetime. 600 --,000 school-

children come to celebrate Preston Guild. It's a Guild that keeps

going and going. This the celebration in 1952. The last war

brought a halt to the celebrations but this year they are making up

for lost time. In the modern era is it is very much a people's Guild.

But when it began, and the first Guild merchant was created it

wasn't about the masses, more about trading monopoly. They from ones

that are able to trade in Preston and benefit. No-one else, no

competition, just those men on the Guild roll. This is the earliest

survivoring Guild roll. Drawn up in 1397. 366 names, traders who helped

Preston grow and prosper. We have 26 of these Guild rolls going right

back in to the 1300s, so a real fascinating snapshot of everything

that is going on in Preston at each of the points in time. As time

progressed it became less about trading monopoly, more about civic

pride. Staged every 20 years. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery is

full of items relating to the historic Guild. There is some very

quirky objects, I like. One of the things I love which is going into

our new gallery is this Money Box from 1902. It is wonderful because

it is in the form of a safe and it tells you Preston Guild, September

1902 and it is encouraging people to save, their pennies so they can

enjoy the entertainments. There is the first printed account of a

Guild celebration from 1762. An illustration of the Guild trades

possession from 1842. The Guild now is a popular event which embraces

all people in Preston. Originally it was about the elite of Preston,

you know, about their special events but it became in the 19th

century, an event for everyone. country's other Guilds were

established back in 1835. But Preston loved and continued the

tradition. It is now very much a pageant for the people. At this

cafe on an estate Guild celebrations are a talking point..

They have sweets and balloons with the company logo. We go to the

front trying to collect as much sweets, memorabilia as we could.

is family days, it is just brilliant. I can remember my dad

going down the river on a raft, he was an ambulance driver. There they

are, they are doing the Hawaii 50 bit down the river. This year, the

many Guild events will culminate in a city festival from August 31st to

September 9th. When proud Preston will celebrate its past, present

and future. Let us talk to the Guild festival director sell la

Hall. Can you sum up your excitement? It has already started.

The year has begun. It is Chinese New Year today but we are rolling

towards Guild week with events every day and week and month of the

year. Give us a flavour of the events we can expect? I am going to

San/March 8th look out. There will be special special in the skies.

Easter is a special time, we have our traditional egg rolls but we

are making a new version of the passion, the Preston passion.

BBC is involved in that Very much. It is looking for people to take

part. It will be a big event. need 1500 people to join in the

Preston passion. We need hundreds more to join in the four huge

processions, if you want to sing, if you want to dance be part of the

big dance. We are looking for all people not just to view but to do

things as part of the Preston Guild. What ant the economic situation?

Money is very tight, has it made life difficult or should you have

hold on we will wait for another 20 years and hold it then? We have

been careful. Saving towards the Guild. We have to have this party.

We have been doing it since 11 906789 we know how to make a little

go a long way. What was wha does it bring or give to the town, briefly?

The city sorry. It is the city of Preston. A huge sense of plied in

what we have. A unique heritage. It is a heritage we are building on.

We are rooking forward to the future and welcoming everyone in to

sair that with us. Thank you. We will talk to you later on. Every

day of this year, BBC Radio Lancashire is talking to proud

press tonians about what the Guild and what Preston means to them.

Have a look at this. The Guild I remember best is the 1952 Guild. I

remember thinking, that 20 years from now I will be 306789 probably

be married. Probably have children. And it was a mind-boggling

experience that, and I still get goosebumps when I think about it.

am very proud of Preston. You should never be embarrassed about

the place where you are born. I try and pension Preston every single

opportunity I can on the telly, the radio, where ever it is, in all

sorts of articles. I think people know I am a Preston North End fan.

We moved to Preston in 1992. Our children were young and they talk

part in all sorts of things. It was a great introduction to Preston.

This will be my dad's third Guild. He is adamant it is a special

occasion. He wants me to get involved. I think I might. Might

just do that. The proud press tonians feature going out every day

on Radio Lancashire at 7.59am, 11.50am and 5.50pm. For all the

information you would ever need about Preston Guild, you can check

out the website. From here, it is back to studio. Quickly before the

weather we are off to the Lake District for a spooky tale. You

wouldn't think a team of demolition workers were the type to believe in

ghost but a group of workers in Cumbria were are not so sure. When

they knocking down a boarding house when they noticed something strange

in a win doe. Was it a trick of the light or something more sinister?

As a rule demolition workers aren't noted for by nervy or easily scared.

But the discovery a team made on this site left them feeling spooked.

The first thing is it makes the hairs stand up on your neck. Robert

took this photograph just before the team flattened this former

boarding house. I take photographs of buildings before we demolish

them. Just a routine picture. did you realise it wasn't just

routine? When I got home and I was showing my wife and she says, I can

see something there, you know. is it a ghostly figure, or a trick

of the light? One man who lived here when it was a boarding house

believes it could be the image of his late mother. The proverbial

hairs on the back of my neck came up. When I looked at it, I could

see there was a figure but what made it larger, I could see the

necklace and the earrings of which I still have, which were my

mother's, and that person or apparition is wearing those.

can judge for yourself on that one. It is possible it is one of your

workmen still in the building. Nobody was inside that building.

you believe in ghosts? I do now. I might not have done before but I do

now. So spooky apparition or a smudge on a piece of glass.

Whatever the case, the fact is this window frame is now all that is

left of the original building. Sadly it will go the way of the

rest of the building. So the mystery of the face in the window

is one that may never be entirely solved. Don't have nightmare, will

you. The weather is enough of a nightmare. I got hailed on today.

Many people did. There has been snow in the forecast. The showers

have been piling in as we went through the day. We have a warning

of ice through the night tonight. That is because the ground is so

saturated, and your temperatures, well you are in for a shock, ice

well you are in for a shock, ice will be a problem just about

anywhere. Clear skies ABC l luetly everywhere. We are talking about

minus two minus three and maybe minus four in rural area, add to

that, some freezing fog and mist tomorrow. And this is very much a

wintry start to the day. Away from the freezing fog what you will find

is there will be a lot of wirpbtd sunshine. It is winter sunshine. It

is fairly weak stuff but looks like it will be available for all of us,

that is a pretty looking winter's day. If you hang on to the mist and

fog where you are, your temperatures will be hampered, zero

to plus 2 but if you get the sunshine, they are not that much

better. Four and five degrees ch, but it is worth having four and

five. For Saturday night it is another very cold one. All over

again. Similar story. You will be looking at temperatures easily

minus one to 3-3 over again. For Sunday there is some debate about

Sunday. You can see we have this cold air coming towards us, we have

this Lynn of rain trying to get towards us from the Irish Sea. This

is a recipe for snow Pauling -- falling in part. It looks like it

may stay away for much of Sunday. We will have more details for you