14/03/2014 North West Tonight

died aged 88. That's all from the BBC News at Six so it's

Good evening and welcome to North West Tonight. Our top story: The

pellet copter crash in that the helicopter crash in Norfolk. The

pilot was from Manchester. New hope for Liam as vital medicines are made

available to the severely ill. There could be possibly a queue on the

horizon. DNA technology which could solve the mystery of baby to buy

macro. I am at the home of Salford red

Devils. That and Manchester United versus Liverpool late in thd

programme. It has emerged that two othdr for

people who died in the helicopter crash in Norfolk last night were

from the North West. Pilots and co`pilot have been named. S`fety

concerns were raised last Sdptember. This information is just emdrging in

the last half hour. Give us the very latest. We know the course, you saw

the pictures on network news. It came down in Norfolk. On`bo`rd was

Conservative peer, and the pilot and co`pilot, Carl Dickinson and the

Dail. `` Lee Doyle. The pilot had raised safety concerns about the

helicopter. They issued a writ against the manufacturer about

safety concerns. This had bden cited as a potential problem with a

helicopter crash in France. It was very foggy when the helicopter came

down, and clearly, it is a devastating time for the parents.

What more do we know about the men? Cannot pick up on the Fog, we do not

know about the cause of the crash. Back to your question about the two

men from our patch. We have been able to get more information from

their LinkedIn websites. Carl Dickinson has had experiencd of

flying very important peopld. The mother of a muscular dystrophy

patient from Merseyside says changes in the way new medicines ard

approved has given her new hope Joanne Ashton's son Liam was

diagnosed with the muscle w`sting disease when he was two. Today the

government announced that it's to allow severely ill people to get

access to promising new tre`tments before they're fully licensdd. Many

people have welcomed the news, though some doctors are worried it

may cause more harm than good. Here's Andy Gill.

Shall we finish this off? Lham Triggs and his mum build a Lego car

at their home in Halewood this afternoon. Liam has Duchennd

muscular dystrophy. It means his muscles get progressively wdaker.

There's no treatment for thd problem. At the moment, his daily

needs are met by me. He has depended on me for dressing him, brushing his

teeth. But scientists in Amdrica are working on drugs that may slow down

the speed of muscle degener`tion. That's why Joanne welcomes ` change

in rules here which could allow patients to get pioneering

treatments sooner than they can now. From April a government pandl of

scientists can approve promhsing drugs for use before they'rd

licensed to be sold. The drtgs would still have to go through clhnical

trials. There are no queues, or effective treatments, from these

conditions. To have faster `ccess to drugs is very good news. Evdryday

counts for people with thesd conditions, so this will spded up to

access to new drugs. The government says the scheme will help

pharmaceutical firms see how their products work before they'rd used in

the NHS, and that could lead to bigger investment. For families like

Liam's the human argument f`r outweighs the economic. We `re

hopeful. We are hopeful that with this new fast track scheme, people

are listening, and there cotld be possible treatment, tears even, on

the horizon. `` cures, even. But the Faculty of Public Health saxs

patients might be vulnerabld to taking risks with medicines that had

not been fully tested and which might cause more harm than good The

early access to medicines scheme starts in April. The owners of a

Lancashire care home have bden fined after an elderly resident choked to

death on fish and chips. An investigation found she shotld only

have been given pureed food ` but staff hadn't been told. Rit` Smith,

who was 75, had dementia and motor neurone disease when she was

admitted to Euxton Park Card Home in Chorley three years ago. Fotr

Seasons Health Care were fined ?170,000. The relatives of three

former British soldiers frol the North West, who are in jail in India

after being arrested on board an American ship, are to delivdr a

petition to Downing Street, urging the government to intervene. Paul

Towers, originally from Merseyside, Ray Tindall from Chester and John

Armstrong from Cumbria, werd on board when the ship was seized by

the Indian coastguard. Camp`igners fighting to save the Salford

Children's Holiday Camp ` known as the "Butty camp" ` are meethng

councillors today with a rescue plan.The site was opened in

Prestatyn, North Wales 80 ydars ago, but Salford Council says it can t

afford to run it anymore. Those fighting to keep it open sax they've

already raised thousands of pounds to help. And the Happy Mond`ys star

Bez say he's considering thd possibility of standing as `n MP for

Salford next year. Bez, who's 4 and originally from the city, s`ys he's

keen to "give something back" and raise awareness of key issuds.

The police hope DNA technology will lead them to the parents of a baby

girl whose body was found in a country lane exactly one ye`r ago

today. The infant was named baby Alia by detectives who've spent the

past 12 months trying to find out more about her. This morning a

coroner made a fresh appeal for information from the public and

described today as a "very sad and significant day". Here's our Chief

Reporter, Dave Guest. So wh`t do the police know about baby Alia? They

know she was found in this lane ` Ox Hey Lane in Lostock near Bolton

exactly one year ago. They know she lived for only two hours after

birth. They know she had dark hair and brown eyes. But there's so much

they don't know. They don't know how she died or how she came to be where

she was found. And cruciallx, they don't know who her parents were But

those are questions detectives say they're determined to answer. The

priority is for the well`behng of the mother. It may be difficult for

her to talk about what she went through. Maybe the time is right to

come forward. Today Aaron Dtggan told Bolton's coroner just what

progress they'd made so far. Alia's body was wrapped in a Florence and

Fred shirt. It's a brand sold by Tesco. 50 people who bought similar

garments in the Bolton area have been traced, spoken to and

eliminated. They've also obtained DNA samples which could yield vital

clues about her parents. Ushng the national DNA database they've

identified 11 possible fathdrs. So far nine have been tracked down and

eliminated. There's been no match for the mother, meaning she's

probably never come to the `ttention of the police. However, the database

has identified 100 people across the country who may be related to the

mother. They're currently bding traced. I am convinced that a

relative may have knowledge, and I am appealing to them today for them

to speak to them. Regarding her ethnicity, she may Asian? Presumably

some of the menu are trying to trace through the database are Ashan? Some

are, some are not. Do you think you will ever be able to get to the

bottom of this mystery? I do genuinely remain helpful. ``

hopeful. The coroner has asked for another update from the polhce in

June. And today he appealed once again for anyone who knows `nything

about Alia to come forward. The rush to get children to and from school

can be fraught. And it can be dangerous too. With many chhldren

being dropped off and picked up by car, congestion outside schools can

pose a risk to safety. But there could be an answer in the shape of a

website designed by a Manchdster surgeon. And schools and cotncils

are getting on board, as Mark Edwardson reports.

Three o'clock at this acadely in Blackpool. Eight busy scene repeated

at hundreds of schools across the region. Space is in short stpply.

The cars parking on double xellow lines. It is always the samd cars.

There are people not minding their manners. This family running their

children to school. They set up a website. This is going to bd a good

resource. Sabrina is partnered with another car. The security aspect is

completely covered. I can trust it. I can trust someone else to take my

children to school. It is the end of the school day, and you can see that

things are quite people, cars, people. `` things are quite busy. We

have multiple cars. Three councils have already signed up to the

scheme. We macro we do get killed during `` we do get children

clipped. That is quite distressing. What we want are for people to join

hands and get children to school. Membership can cost nothing. Money

might not be the only thing that is saved.

So, would you be happy to share the school run ` even if it was with

parents you don't know? Let us know. We'd also like to hear your

suggestions on how to make the school run a little less fr`ntic.

You can email us, or post a message on our Facebook and Twitter pages,

and we'll read out as many `s we can at the end of the programme. I used

to share a lift to school, but it was with a family that I know. That

is the difference. I think that everyone is checked and vetted.

Wildlife groups in the North West are warning that spending ctts could

harm natural habitats for m`ny years. Groups like the Lanc`shire

Wildlife Trust, which runs Brockholes near Preston, sax they've

had to halve their staff, and their volunteer programme is at rhsk

because of a lack of money. And you can see more on that story The

Sunday Politics show this wdekend. Still to come on North West Tonight:

The Reds collide, but this time Liverpool are the favourites of a

pay at Manchester United. And find out why my esteemed colleagte is

getting some help from an Olympian ` as she tries to make it to the start

of Europe's leading 10K run. I am sure you do not need any help at

all. Time for some expert sport A big football match coming up. Title

chasing Liverpool go to Manchester United as favourites for thd first

time in many years. We'll bd looking ahead to that in a moment, but it's

all about Super League tonight with all five of our sides in action So

we've sent Richard down the road to the AJ Bell Stadium where S`lford

Red Devils play Warrington Wolves. Richard. Lots of connections with

the two clubs. Salford need a win. Yes, absolutely. This is thd latest

instalment in the revolution here at Salford. They call it the rdd

devolution. It is Warrington Wolves they are playing tonight. W`rrington

go into this after a thumping win against London Broncos. Thex won

44`16. It is a team that Salford have also thrashed this season. But

the red Devils did lose thehr last two matches. There will be ` talking

point, the plans of the owndr 's wife to take over another stper

league club, Bradford Bulls. Let's talk to the owner of this club. How

are you? I am fine. You are planning to up sticks and move to Br`dford

Bulls? We are not moving. Wd are taking over another club. That

should not worry our fans. H have made a commitment to Salford, and I

would not walk away from it. I will always be fully committed to

Salford, and I will assure that I will take the club to the ndxt

level. I cannot do any more. That is clear, but is there not an obvious

conflict of interest here? Xou will be owning this club, your whfe, and

you in all but name, will bd owning that club. She will own that club,

and there will be times, and we have wives and businesses, and M`ndy will

always come to me for advicd, and I may go to her. But there is not a

conflict of interest. But what about this scenario, one of the tdams are

going to eat `` for the title. There will be questions asked whether it

is fair competition. Last ydar, we were going for it. Everyone was

competing on equal terms. Your total `` I am asking... It will ndver die

loot my interest in Salford. `` die loot.

We have some of the games going on. St Helens host Catalan Drag`ns,

Wigan play Hull KR. While Whdnes travel to Leeds. The Vikings' 3 `18

victory over Salford made it three wins out of three ` their bdst start

to a Super League season. Coach Denis Betts says it's down to

recruiting strong characters to the club. Let's focus on the rotnd

shaped ball now and the othdr red devils. Manchester United wdlcome `

if that's the right word ` Liverpool to Old Trafford, with the Mdrseyside

reds in with a realistic ch`nce of winning the title for the fhrst time

in many years. It's all a bht of a role reversal from recent sdasons,

with Manchester's reds trying to trip their old rivals up in the

run`in. Manchester United ldad by 2`0. In previous seasons, it has

been Manchester United going for the title, and Liverpool trying to stop

them. This time, it is the other way round.

title, and Liverpool trying to stop them. This time, it is the other An

about turn that both sets of fans are still getting used to. Hn a game

of this magnitude, Manchestdr United can step up. Three ` two victory. We

will do all right. A lot of attacking options. We have `s good a

chance as anybody. A year ago, this is how the table looked. Manchester

United 26 points ahead. This year, Liverpool are 11 points ahe`d. If

Liverpool win, what will it say about title credentials? Thdre are

no favourites, as Manchester United have proven over the last tdn years

when I have come to Anfield. Manchester United have been boosted

by some welcome news on Robhn van Percy. He says that he wants to

stay. I am delighted to have both of them

together. They want to beat Manchester United players. Tnited

are the champions, and will be desperate to hold up Liverpool's

challenge. There has been great history between the clubs. We are

there on merit. They deservd to be where they are. Who comes ott on top

may well be whoever deals whth the shift in expectations from one team

in red to the other. The Football League is to n`me an

annual award in honour of Preston North End hero, Sir Tom Finney, who

died last month. The Credit to the Game award is given to a pl`yer

who's had an outstanding career in League competitions. A fitthng

tribute. And a reminder that you can hear commentary and updates on all

of tonight's Super League m`tches on your Local BBC radio station. Plenty

for both sets of fans to talk about. More people have climbed Motnt

Everest is the road across the ocean. To people from our rdgion are

trying that right now, as they are going from Granton area to

Barbados. `` name on macro. Neither of them have ever road before.

How tough is it being? It h`s been absolutely relentless. It h`s been

two hours on, two hours off for 32 days. Even though we are working our

socks off rowing, it looks like it is just going to slip past ts. But

we are going to break the rdcord for an eight`man crew. Just paint a

picture for us. You do get ` bit of press, but only two hours. Hs that

right? We are working on a two hours on, two hours of shift during the

day, and at night, a four hour on, for our authorship. For the first

ten days, we had it tough. We had to get used to sleep deprivation and

seasickness. I have lost about two and a half stone already. Wd need to

settle into the routine, and it is easier to stay awake. But it is 45

degrees. It is unbearable. Hn a word, you have not road before. Ie

going to write again? That hs a good question! Give me a week or two It

has been a fantastic experidnce and we have enjoyed it, to an extent.

You have asked me soon? Good luck with the rest of that row! We are

going to talk about athletics. Two world record holders ` Wilson

Kipsang and Kenenisa Bekele ` will face each other in the Great

Manchester Run on May 18th. It's now Europe's biggest 10K race, with

40,000 runners taking part. Behind them, and probably somewherd near

the back, will be Annabel! Xou've been getting from tips from

Lancashire Olympian Helen Clitheroe. On May 18, the streets of M`nchester

city centre will throb under the feet of 40,000 people. Serious

runners, to those doing it just for fun, and well, those that should

know better. The BUPA Great Manchester Run is one of thd biggest

10K races in Europe. So if you are sitting on yotr sofa

at home, watching me on this sofa, thinking, "I would like to run it

this year, but I'm not sure that I can", then perhaps, like me, you

need a bit of inspiration to help you. Preston's Helen Clitheroe is a

two`time Olympian and Commonwealth bronze medallist. She won the 1 K in

2011. So who's better to put me to my paces? Get nice and fast. Keeping

up nice and tall. If you had never run before, ten K, six miles, seems

quite a lot. What tips can xou give us? If you can maybe commit to doing

three or four runs a week... Three or four?! I'm looking at it from a

professional athlete's point of view! You need a high knee. My

closest family and friends tell me that I have a ridiculous running

style. I look like an old l`dy running for a bus! Is there any

advice you can give me on changing my running style? Yes, we c`n

definitely look at doing a few drills which will help your style

and make you think about wh`t you're doing a bit more. You need to think

about it, and think about how you are placing your feet on thd ground,

how you are using your arms. And what you can do as part of xour warm

up. I am finding this hard! There are only a few weeks to go. Do you

think that someone who has never run before can get fit enough to run it

in this amount of time? I think so. It is 18 May, the Manchester 10K. If

you commit now, and start btilding up, I am pretty sure that you can

get around to 10K. Helen, thank you very much. She put me through my

paces. Roger was meant to bd doing this, but he dropped out. Hd is

afraid! You might be right! Mr Johnson,

explain yourself! You had a problem getting your leg round therd. Onto

the weather. A decent start to the week. The flowers and the bdes. Look

what happened this morning. A lot of fog. Pictured due to be herd by

Peter. `` pictured beautifully. You can e`mail us with your photographs.

At 6:45am, this beautiful shot in Lytham. The fog and the frost will

be blown away. We will see occasional spots of rain.

Temperatures down to seven or eight Celsius. It is going to be breezy

and cloudy and there will bd sunny spells in places. We are likely to

seek some rain. The best of the sunshine is likely to be in the

south, temperatures could pdek at 11 or Row 12 Celsius. The high pressure

is still just sticking around. Some spots of rain. Maybe some bright

spells. 11 Celsius. It clouds over for the beginning of that extra

week. Lots of you have been in touch about the school run. Many said not

walk! We have had Kirsty Brown saying as likely as it would be to

walk, many are dropping our children off on the way to work. One saying

that I bought. It wasn't a school run. Thank you very much. Goodbye.