28/03/2012 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and

Ranvir Singh. Our top story: The petrol panic begins. But

motorists are urged to stay calm - supplies are still getting through.

Only two pumps left here. Other stations are completely dry, but

deliveries are getting through soap should motorists worry? More later.

Also on tonight's programme: Killed by an Afghan he thought was an ally.

Tributes to a soldier who died protecting his colleagues.

The return of measles - a record number of cases recorded on

Merseyside, some of them serious. And flying into the 21st century -

a new air traffic control system comes online at the region's

Tony is here tonight with details of a Merseyside derby.

If you want a bus ticket for a poor 14th, I suggest you get in the

queue now. That Saturday, thousands of fans will be able to get into

the national for the big game. More information on the sports desk

The advice from the government to stock up led to motorists queueing

at the pumps. Jayne Barrett is outside one filling station in

Manchester. Tell us the story. They have been waiting for a fresh

delivery all afternoon because as you can see behind me, almost all

of these pumps have run dry. People have been saying, you might be

trying to blame the media for stoking a panic, but the government

has been blamed today for doing that. Ministers have been

encouraging people to stock up in jerry cans. People have been doing

that today. Some people are apparent -- panicking in some areas.

But should we? Some people say absolutely not.

Drivers arrived and then drove off when they realised only the premium

pumps were still in action. For some, like taxi drivers, that was

not an option. I have to fill up and run my car to earn my living.

It is getting too much. Have you had problems finding petrol today?

Yes. There is only diesel available. In East and Wirral, this petrol

station ran at a fuel this morning. There'll be no new deliveries until

tomorrow. Ironically it is only six miles away from an oil refinery.

One mile away, this garage also ran out this morning, but a fresh

delivery arrived at lunchtime. They have been queues outside ever since.

It is absolutely ridiculous. People are panicking and they are not even

on strike. The queue at the supermarket was back to the A41. I

only get my petrol from here and there must get some today because

we have hospital appointments to keep. The first indication is that

we are seeing stations with no fuel written outside. Maybe a bit in the

garage as well in a jerry can. advice from he and the Fire Brigade

Union, please do not do that, do not panic.

As you can imagine, people are stocking up here, but there is a

lot of frustration at their that they feel that they have to do this.

A lot of feedback coming to on social media. Michael is saying, no

diesel in Liverpool. Jane is saying, queues 100 metres long. Matthew in

Stockport, his station is at. Looks and sounds like panic, it is a

panic! The official association is calling for cool heads because if

there is going to be a strike, it is still some time away so keep

your com. Thank you very much, Jane.

He was due to come home next week to see his wife and three young

children. But tomorrow, the body of 25-year-old Lance Corporal Michael

Foley from Colne in Lancashire will be flown home from Afghanistan for

his funeral. Michael was one of two British servicemen shot dead by an

Lance Corporal Michael Foley grew up wanting to serve his country.

Colleagues described him as the heart and soul of his detachment.

But on Monday, he was shot dead by a Roque Afghan soldier, another

victim of so-called Green on blue, Afghan on NATO attacks. He had been

guarding the gates of the British headquarters at Lashkar Gah. His

former headmistress said it was in his character to look out for

others. He was quick to lookout for other people if people -- if they

were being treated unfairly. I remember his riding his bicycle

across at school and looking at me to say, I have got away with it.

is that he teenager that neighbours will mess. Very helpful in his

little way. Can I carry a bag for you? He was a very helpful person.

He would talk to anyone, and he was a joyful person. An army

representative said that Michael epitomised selfless service and

dedication. They described his enthusiasm as infectious and his

energy as limitless. They said they will -- there will be a massive

hole left by his cheeky wit and constant smiles through adversity.

Michael's relatives say he was proud to be serving his country and

will be sorely missed by friends, family and those who served with

him. He leaves behind a wife and three young children. His body is

expected to be returned home tomorrow.

Other news now, and families of Other news now, and families of

workers who died of an asbestos- related cancer have won a

compensation fight at the Supreme Court today. Judges ruled that the

liability of insurance companies started the moment employees were

exposed to asbestos dust rather than on diagnosis. This could pave

the way for thousands of claims, including many from the north west.

A high level meeting of Vauxhall Opel Directors and union

representatives is taking place in Germany today, but a definitive

decision on the future of the Ellesmere Port car plant won't be

made. The 2,100 car workers there hope it will shed more light on the

future of the company, and the scale of cuts as a result of losses

of almost half a billion pounds last year.

The medical director of the Morecambe Bay trust has stepped

down. His resignation is one of many in the recent weeks. One-third

of the board is left. "Their conduct let themselves,

their colleagues and the rest of the force down." The words of a

senior police officer following the publication of a photograph which

shows GMP firearms officers clowning around with their guns.

But it was a prank which backfired: the trio have been removed from the

elite squad. And it's embarrassing for a force currently facing

prosecution over the death of a firearms officer during a badly

organised training exercise. Our Chief Reporter, Dave Guest, is here

in the studio with more. They look to be having fun, don't

they? The problem is these are supposedly highly trained officers

on a serious exercise. And that's a real gun. The picture was

apparently taken by their trainer. When senior officers found out last

June, all three were drummed out of the firearms unit. Then the picture

found its way to the Manchester Evening News much to the

embarrassment of GMP. After all, this man, Ian Terry was a GMP

firearms officer who died during a poorly organised training exercise.

That was in June 2008. At an inquest almost two years later, the

jury concluded he'd been unlawfully killed. They also described the

culture and practice of the firearms training unit as

inappropriate. As that verdict came in, GMPs Chief Constable had this

to say. As a result of this verdict, we

will consider all that has happened during the inquest and see whether

there are any more lessons we need to learn.

Despite those words, some members of the firearms unit still

considered this sort of thing to be acceptable, and that's outraged the

Terry family. Their solicitor spoke on their behalf today.

It seems to imply a casual disregard for safety and

precautions. And this happened almost three years exactly after

the death of Ian Terry? Which does beg the question of precautions

about a put in place during these exercises. What have they learned?

And, of course, earlier this month GMP was told it faced a Health and

Safety prosecution over Ian Terry's death. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief

Constable Ian Hopkins said today the behaviour of those involved in

the controversial photo "falls well short" of what's expected of GMP

officers. The matter was "dealt with quickly". But the officers had

"let down" their colleagues and the force in general.

Public heath officials say a measles outbreak on Merseyside is

now the biggest in the North West since the MMR vaccine was

introduced 24 years ago. Many of the new cases are teenagers or

young adults who have not had the MMR jab.

Doctors say measles is a very serious illness. And it's not too

late to have the vaccine if you missed out in childhood. Here's our

Merseyside Reporter Andy Gill. Staff at the Liverpool offices of

the Health Protection Agency take calls about the measles outbreak

this morning. Last year there was only one case here. This year,

there are well over 100, and the figure's still rising. 30 % of the

cases we have seen it have required hospital admission, even if it was

only for a couple of days. We have had a handful of patients who have

required intensive care. The So far there have been 118

confirmed cases of measles on Merseyside. Of those 116 are were

unvaccinated. There are another 51 probable cases. Doctors say it's

striking how many young unvaccinated people are getting ill.

29 teenagers and young adults. 27 among children too young to have

had the jab. It's impossible to say why individuals didn't have it.

Those between 15 and their early 20s fall into the group who would

have been called for MMR at a time in the nineties when there were

unfounded concerns about side effects. Dr Andrew Wakefield

suggested a link between MMR and autism. He was later struck off for

misconduct over the way he carried out his research. Now doctors say

it's important that people who missed out when younger do get

vaccinated. It is not too late to vaccinate if you are in that age

group. If you are in your late teens or early twenties, you should

still get vaccinated. A Measles is highly infectious.

It's spread by coughs and sneezes. Doctors say you should call your GP

for advice before taking anyone who may have it to a public place like

In the latest in our series on Crewe tracking the economy through

the eyes of people who live and work there, tonight we meet the

Williams family who are struggling to make ends meet on one wage.

They're trying to manage rising prices and debt while the dream of

buying their own home is a long way Wayne, Bejana and Toby are finding

things hard. Not enough money coming in. Too much going out.

tough. We are a family with just myself working. Fuel prices, food

prices, everything has gone up. After taking time out to have Toby.

Bejana's now been trying to find a job for two years. It is pretty

hard. I had been sending my CV wherever I can. I am not as

flexible as I used to be after having had a child. And without a

wage coming in, she struggles to do the things she'd like with her son.

I cannot even take Toby where I want to come I cannot have a proper

day out with him. We and -- we try and make whatever savings we can.

We take advantage of supermarket offers. So the family must juggle

their money and save here, there and everywhere they can. We try and

find items that have been marked down at the end of the day, like

these sausages. They are about a quarter of the prize. And your

freezer is full of bread, isn't it? Absolutely. We buy as much as we

can. We have got loaves of bread there that again, they were fresh

and we got some discounts of there as well. The What the Williams want

is to buy their own house. Get married too. But saving for either

is impossible, and there are still debts to pay off.

Are you thinking about every penny spent? Yes, we are. It is just

strange. We used to take everything for granted before. Betjana get a

job? Can the family start to save? Or will things get tougher before

they get better? Follow us follow them for the rest of the year.

It difficult time for them. A lot of people with -- will

identify with that family. Good We have been promoting a musical

called Songs from Hattersley. It is a bit different, not what we would

normally do, and it has prompted a response from you.

Many of you may have been confused, but have been very pleased to see

it. Last night's item had a lady sending a message saying that her

and her husband were moved to tears. Steve said, thank you for showing

this work. The richness of working life is rarely portrayed in the

media. First, more from a Lashkar Gah and

the story of Charles Burns. -- I first started taking photos when

I was 13. I have lived in Hattersley all my life and it has

become a very important part of my photography. The endless concrete

buildings and a five-minute walk and you are in the countryside and

it is just fields for miles and miles. They used to the 6th tower-

blocks. We went to the hills to watch them get demolished one by

one and we all cheered when they It has been an unlucky estate. The

Moors murders, they were twisted people. It wasn't Hattersley's

fault but they did what they did. It was the same as Harold Shipman.

Some people can get really funny when and tell them I am from

Hattersley. I was at a house party and talking to one goal and when I

told her I was from Hattersley, she moved straight onto the next guy.

As we grow older, we will be constant and true, just like the

Ivy, we will cling to you. Altogether now! Just like the Ivy,

we will cling to meet you. We used to go up on the hills around

Hattersley when we were children and look down and try and spot our

houses, but it was almost impossible. Visually, Hattersley is

very dull and repetitive, but the people from the estate are

completely the opposite. Just like the idea, we cling to you. Since

this picture was taken, this man has had his tattoos removed from

his face. He did not want his grandchild to know him and grow up

with his tattoos. This is my friend Hannah before school. I went to see

how one day and she was sat there smoking in her pyjamas. This is my

favourite picture. It is just a light bulb in a tree that I found

in one of the valleys in the Hattersley. Children go there on

Friday nights to drink cider. Hattersley through the eyes of a

photographer Charlie burns. Tony is now he with the sport. With

Merseyside gearing up for a sporting weekend to remember.

Yes, April 14th was always going to be a big day in Liverpool with the

Grand National taking place at Aintree, but there's also the small

matter of an all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final taking place at Wembley

now after Everton beat Sunderland last night. So with thousands of

football fans heading down to London and the usual crowds coming

into the city for the National, it's going to be a good day to be

in public transport. Switching the game to the Sunday isn't an option

though is it. No, April 15th of course marks the 23rd anniversary

of the Hillsborough disaster so playing on that day was never an

option for Liverpool football club. 17 years since their last major

trophy. It is great to get to the semi-finals, a great performance by

the players tonight, they played really well. Everybody wanted to

get there. We are pleased to get that opportunity to play in the

semi-final. Evident fans work up to the sort of headlines that they

were hoping for this morning. In this city, back an early me one

thing: The banter between the blues and reds is in full flow. Bring It

On! Or would it be like if Liverpool win? It would be

unbearable. This time, Everton will win. We have a good history, we

have reason to be happy. You are getting serious. 5-0 for Everton.

Just five? Only five. One of the most anticipated Merseyside derby

in years. It was set up by this win at Sunderland thanks to these goals.

After they almost grabbed a second, we saw this, the Sunderland

defending. The travelling supporters went wild and revived

memories of previous encounters at Wembley. Hoping for an Everton win.

Liverpool. They will win it easy. We you two be friends afterwards?

Of course we will. You have to think about that! It is her, not me.

Sadly Bolton fans won't be following Merseyside down to

Wembley. Wanderers lost their re- arranged fixture with Tottenham 3-1

last night. Kevin Davies put Bolton within one goal of the lead late on,

but former Everton front man Louis Saha settled things deep into

injury time for the home side with Preston North End manager Graham

Westley says he's embarrassed by his side's defeat last night. PNE

lost 3-1 at home to Brentford keeping them firmly in the bottom

half of League One alongside Oldham who also lost at home last night

against Leyton Orient. Lancashire are playing in Abu Dhabi

Mario Balotelli has been at it again. Expect the unexpected with

him as a new manager has been announced. Balotelli gatecrashed,

shook hands with everyone at the top table and then drove off in his

Ferrari. He should have had one of those electronic buzzers in his

hand, that was the only thing missing.

Thank you very much. Air Traffic Controllers have

started using a new system of directing planes in and out of

Manchester. After 50 years, they've stopped using strips of paper to

track the movement of aircraft and gone hi-tech. As our Transport

Correspondent Colin Sykes reports, there's a good reason for waiting

so long to embrace the computer age. In the States, they call it pushing

tin. Here's it's been more like pen pushing in the strict sense of the

word. Not any more. It worked incredibly well and serve does it

well for 50 years. Like all things, there are more efficient and modern

ways of doing things so we have transferred to an electronic way of

doing things. At the touch of a computer screen controllers will

have more detail than ever at their fingertips. Computer software needs

to be ultra-reliable in this industry - controllers manage 500

movements of aircraft a day at Manchester. The new systems passes

more information to the pilot electronically, giving controllers

more time to think. We used to look at the clock, made a mental note of

the time, have recalled the time on the script and then write it on.

That takes a few seconds. With electronics grits, that is done

with one touch of the airstrip and the time is recorded.

This is one of a number of changes to the way the planes moved in and

out of Manchester. The next is a brand-new controlled power. It is

due to open next year. The 200-foot tower has been built in just nine

days. When it's finished it'll have a golf ball-like control room on

the top, making it a new local landmark for miles around. On the

other side of the runway it's not just the controllers who are

watching. I had been coming here for over 50

years. We don't come very often, but it is nice on a day like today.

We have been following the versions of it through the years. It is just

like trains for trainspotters, it is hard to explain. It is a damn as

way of travelling. He wonder where the planes are going.

Technology comes and goes but a love of planes is a lifelong thing.

I love watching them take-off. Lovely day for it as well, like it

was everywhere. We could learn a lesson or two from

It has been another lovely day. The good news is that we will squeeze

another nice one, a really nice one in tomorrow. Tomorrow continues

with warm temperatures are. In between now and then, another

player night in store. Clear virtually every work for another

portion of the night. Temperatures will fall away so rural areas will

see mist forming in the morning. 0 here and there, maybe minus

temperatures, so frost in low-lying areas, but in towns and cities,

four or five degrees. Tomorrow, there will not be too many changes,

but one or two subtle ones. The first one is the change in wind

direction. Along the coast, it will feel cooler. But look at the

sunshine from the word go. Chilly start with temperatures down to

zero. A touch of mist for a couple of hours, but that will go quickly.

You cannot see that many differences. With the north-

westerly, we will see some cloud, and it may well go hazy rather than

sunny, but that is a nice day. Try to make the most of it. With the

wind coming off the sea, temperatures potentially 11 along

the coast. In line will see 16 or 17. But it will change eventually.

If you are looking for rain, maybe by a Sunday we will have a drop or

two. We are not looking for rain!

should be! Base a behind every good programme is an excellent producer.

The woman in charge of us tonight and two has been in charge of us

for many years, unfortunately this is her last show. She is shouting,

shut up! You cannot do that now. Let's take a look at when she was a

reporter. You may remember her. Bottles bearing a regional labels

are filled with a crude home-brew. The effect is a watery colour. As

well as a disgusting smell. She is so it disdain for. Here is