:00:00. > :00:00.September will settle down with Sony spells and it will get warmer -
:00:00. > :00:18.sunny spells. A story with a happy ending.
:00:19. > :00:21.Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and Annabel Thffin.
:00:22. > :00:24.Tributes to "a beautiful rax of light" ` the former Liverpool drama
:00:25. > :00:28.student killed after trying to rescue a dog from a level crossing.
:00:29. > :00:34.Pet is just such a short wh`t has happened. She had her whole life
:00:35. > :00:43.ahead of her. `` it is such a shock. Residents had expressed concerns
:00:44. > :00:46.about safety at the crossing. Blackpool Airport is up for sale,
:00:47. > :00:50.but what will it mean for jobs A large mountain rescue operation is
:00:51. > :01:01.launched after two men are stranded The Blackpool Illuminations will be
:01:02. > :01:14.turned on this evening. Join us later as we find out more.
:01:15. > :01:16.Friends and family have paid tribute to a 22`year`old woman killdd
:01:17. > :01:23.It's understood Yasmin Jones who studied at Liverpool John Moores
:01:24. > :01:27.University was trying to save a dog which was on the tracks.
:01:28. > :01:30.Local residents have raised concerns about the safety of the crossing.
:01:31. > :01:44.Described as a beautiful rax of light with a lust for life. Yasmin
:01:45. > :01:48.Jones was killed here at thd Fisherman 's path crossing hn
:01:49. > :01:54.Formby. The 22`year`old was trying to rescue a dog that was on the
:01:55. > :02:00.tracks when she was hit by ` train. If there is a wind taking the sound
:02:01. > :02:07.away from you, you will be slightly put off. This man believes the
:02:08. > :02:17.crossing was dangerous. Sevdral people have been killed over the
:02:18. > :02:21.four or five last years. To think of her friends going home without
:02:22. > :02:29.heart, it is something you cannot contemplate, it is very sad. I was a
:02:30. > :02:34.week or last met simply emp`thising with the parents. It is horrendous
:02:35. > :02:39.what has happened and such ` waste of life. She had whole life ahead of
:02:40. > :02:48.her. Yasmin Jones from Somerset had just achieved a 21 in drama from the
:02:49. > :02:51.John Moores University. Tod`y this pub closed as a mark of respect In
:02:52. > :03:07.a statement her family said... Her friends also paid tribute.
:03:08. > :03:12.Everyone is in bits. It has come as such a shock. To lose someone so
:03:13. > :03:18.close to our hearts, we do not have any words to describe the s`dness.
:03:19. > :03:23.There is also anger. This is a busy crossing and many fear it could
:03:24. > :03:28.happen again. You do not get much time to share the train, and because
:03:29. > :03:32.of the bend of the track, you may not see the train until 89 seconds
:03:33. > :03:38.before the train crosses thd crossing. Any statement, Network
:03:39. > :03:43.Rail said that this crossing has been identified for closure and it
:03:44. > :03:48.is working with local authorities to ensure that work is done to the
:03:49. > :03:51.footbridge. Residents say this must be fixed sooner rather than later to
:03:52. > :03:57.prevent another tragedy. The chief executive of Liverpool
:03:58. > :04:00.Council is to be questioned by the city's mayor about what he knew
:04:01. > :04:03.about sexual abuse in Rotherham Ged Fitzgerald was the senior
:04:04. > :04:05.official at Rotherham Counchl The Mayor, Joe Anderson,
:04:06. > :04:09.says while Mr Fitzgerald co`operated with the latest inquiry and isn t
:04:10. > :04:12.named in the report, he plans to 1,400 children were abused
:04:13. > :04:22.in Rotherham, according to Allegations of abuse had bedn made
:04:23. > :04:26.in a Home Office report as long ago as 2002, but sole senior
:04:27. > :04:29.figures at the council and South Yorkshire Police believed some facts
:04:30. > :04:33.were either exaggerated or lade up Now there are calls
:04:34. > :04:53.for the resignation of some of those One of those under scrutiny is a Ged
:04:54. > :04:59.Fitzgerald, the chief executive of Rotherham Council from 2001 to 003.
:05:00. > :05:02.He does the same job at the Liverpool Council. The Mayor of
:05:03. > :05:07.Liverpool has said he will puestion Mr Fitzgerald about that earlier
:05:08. > :05:10.report and will seek clarifhcation from Rotherham about Mr
:05:11. > :05:15.Fitzgerald's role in these `buse cases.
:05:16. > :05:18.This was Ged Fitzgerald talking about bringing The Giants to
:05:19. > :05:21.After leaving Rotherham, he was senior officer at Sunderland
:05:22. > :05:22.before becoming Lancashire's chief executive.
:05:23. > :05:25.There, the leader of the cotncil was forced to defend his salary
:05:26. > :05:30.after it was revealed he earned more than ?200,000 pounds a year.
:05:31. > :05:34.Mr Fitzgerald's now on holiday and hasn't had his say.
:05:35. > :05:37.He wasn't singled out in thd latest report, but when he returns to
:05:38. > :05:46.the town hall, he faces questions about his time at Rotherham.
:05:47. > :05:55.The judge must argue the case and he has to do it publicly to set the
:05:56. > :06:00.record straight or to say, xes, I made a mistake and I have ldarned
:06:01. > :06:04.from a mistake and this will not happen again. That is what Lr
:06:05. > :06:07.Fitzgerald would have to sax. Tonight, the Mayor of Liverpool
:06:08. > :06:10.said child protection remains of Stuart Flinders,
:06:11. > :06:16.BBC North West Tonight, Merseyside. The ten councils of Greater
:06:17. > :06:19.Manchester have approved a joint It's thought to be the largdst
:06:20. > :06:23.project of its kind in the country. The problems caused
:06:24. > :06:24.by binge drinking in the area costs ?1.2 billhon
:06:25. > :06:27.a year according to a report. Plans include better enforcdment
:06:28. > :06:30.of licensing laws and help A biker has died today
:06:31. > :06:43.in the senior race of the 50`year`old Gary Firth crashed at
:06:44. > :06:48.the 11th milestone on the TT course. The Yorkshire man was
:06:49. > :06:50.a newcomer to the event. The race was immediately red
:06:51. > :06:52.flagged and will not be re`run. Three more people have been arrested
:06:53. > :06:55.on suspicion of the murder of Police say a 19`year`old man,
:06:56. > :06:58.a 24`year`old man, and a 17`year`old girl, all
:06:59. > :07:00.from the Preston area, were arrested 18`year`old Jonjo was fatally
:07:01. > :07:04.injured in an attack on Thieves have stolen laptops from a
:07:05. > :07:21.school. The future of Blackpool Airport is
:07:22. > :07:24.up in the air this evening `fter There's disappointment in the town,
:07:25. > :07:28.but also hope the sale will mean Passengers have been told
:07:29. > :07:31.it's "business as usual". But a letter to staff says ht's too
:07:32. > :07:34.early to say what Sunseekers flying off this `fternoon
:07:35. > :07:41.from one holiday resort to `nother. It's owner, Balfour Beatty,
:07:42. > :07:44.wants out The council wants
:07:45. > :07:51.the airport to stay. It is always important to h`ve an
:07:52. > :07:59.airport in your area that you can have that. It fits in with `ll our
:08:00. > :08:03.other car sport arrangements, we do the Blackpool transport, so we need
:08:04. > :08:15.to the airport, it is vital to the town. Blackpool's passengers numbers
:08:16. > :08:17.went up. Last year more than 21 millhon
:08:18. > :08:20.passengers used Manchester @irport. At Liverpool Airport
:08:21. > :08:22.the figure was 4.1 million. But Blackpool's strength
:08:23. > :08:33.seems to be convenience. Just get off the plane and ht is no
:08:34. > :08:40.hassle. It is on my doorstep, it is quick and easy. It is simpld to use.
:08:41. > :08:41.Waiting only 30 seconds whereas Manchester or Liverpool takds 2
:08:42. > :08:44.minutes. Parking is also easy. Balfour Beatty bought
:08:45. > :08:46.Blackpool Airport six years ago But it's making a loss `
:08:47. > :08:49.currently ?1.5 million a ye`r. The firm is only selling Bl`ckpool
:08:50. > :08:52.Airport Limited ` not the l`nd. The 100 staff have been givdn no
:08:53. > :08:55.guarantees about jobs It's hoped
:08:56. > :09:09.a new owner will expand services. I believe it gives us the
:09:10. > :09:14.opportunity to move forward and if we get the right buyer to increase
:09:15. > :09:15.trade. We could encourage holiday`makers from Europe to come
:09:16. > :09:19.to Blackpool as well. Prospective buyers have unthl
:09:20. > :09:22.the 10th of next month to express Mark Edwardson,
:09:23. > :09:25.BBC North West Tonight, Blackpool. How attractive is Blackpool Airport
:09:26. > :09:27.to potential buyers? That's a question I put earlier to
:09:28. > :09:39.the travel editor of The Independent Look, I have watched the fortunes of
:09:40. > :09:44.Blackpool Airport for a long time and I do not think that this
:09:45. > :09:48.development will do that anx more cause for optimism. Simply look at
:09:49. > :09:53.the geography of the area. Hf you are starting your journey from
:09:54. > :09:59.anywhere east or south of Preston, well, it makes more sense to go to
:10:00. > :10:03.Manchester airport which, of course, has far more flights than Blackpool.
:10:04. > :10:10.Unfortunately, even for people living in the capital leaks, yes,
:10:11. > :10:14.Blackpool is neither but Manchester is only slightly further and you
:10:15. > :10:21.have a far wider choice of flights. It is worrying, does it havd a
:10:22. > :10:24.commercially viable future? People like smaller airports like
:10:25. > :10:32.Blackpool. It is lovely and friendly, it wins awards and as a
:10:33. > :10:38.passenger Albert Driver go to an airport which has a couple of
:10:39. > :10:42.hundred people as opposed to for example 20,000 people. Some people
:10:43. > :10:45.will pay a premium for that. But most airports are both steel with
:10:46. > :10:47.high fixed costs. Whether or not you have one flight and were gohng to
:10:48. > :10:52.vote, which Blackpool will struggle to do even on a good today, or
:10:53. > :10:57.whether you have 20 or 40 flights and Howard as Manchester is able to
:10:58. > :11:06.do. There have been suggesthons that the airport could grow in shze, but
:11:07. > :11:12.while the demand meets that potential growth? That is a good
:11:13. > :11:16.question. If I lived in Fledtwood or Blackpool, I would think it was
:11:17. > :11:21.fantastic and let us keep this going for as long as possible. I could be
:11:22. > :11:26.in Spain from my front door in under three hours, terrific! But
:11:27. > :11:30.unfortunately, the bigger and stronger that Manchester gets, the
:11:31. > :11:35.more its gravity increases `nd the more it will draw people aw`y.
:11:36. > :11:40.Blackpool has had a slight resurgence recently. But thd mast ``
:11:41. > :11:45.the vast majority of flights are done by Jet2. And if they thought
:11:46. > :11:48.they would get a better deal elsewhere, I think they would
:11:49. > :11:54.abandon Blackpool as has happened in the past. Should people at the
:11:55. > :11:59.Blackpool Airport be concerned about their jobs? I think that is always a
:12:00. > :12:02.concern but as long as it continues it will be a great place to work and
:12:03. > :12:08.I hope that continues for some time. There's been a major search
:12:09. > :12:11.and rescue operation in the Lake District after two men got
:12:12. > :12:14.lost while out walking last night. Dozens of volunteers
:12:15. > :12:15.from mountain rescue teams covered a huge area between Great L`ngdale
:12:16. > :12:18.and Scafell in appalling we`ther conditions after the men di`lled 999
:12:19. > :12:31.saying they were stranded. Back at base, 16 hours after the
:12:32. > :12:36.search began. Around 60 Mountain rescue volunteers were involved
:12:37. > :12:43.many a lot all night. Searching a vast area for two men ill`epuipped
:12:44. > :12:49.and lost. The search only ended when the men somehow found their way back
:12:50. > :12:53.to civilisation. They were cold and wet. Their equipment was not the
:12:54. > :12:57.best. One of them did not h`ve any waterproof trousers. They wdre
:12:58. > :13:04.moving in the dark, difficult conditions. They managed to set it
:13:05. > :13:10.out last night and started loving this morning at first light. The
:13:11. > :13:12.conditions here are not too bad that the moment, certainly nothing
:13:13. > :13:17.compared to what the rescue teams were faced with last night. There
:13:18. > :13:24.was torrential rain and winds so strong some of the rescuers were
:13:25. > :13:28.blown from their feet. Also out in this Weatherup was crisp jacks. He
:13:29. > :13:35.went prepared but has kept barely protected him. I have never had such
:13:36. > :13:41.a horrible experience in my life. The wind was 60 or 70 mph,
:13:42. > :13:46.everything got ripped out of the ground, my tent, my equipment and
:13:47. > :13:49.clothing was soaked through, a really bad tonight. After a search
:13:50. > :13:57.operation involving five different teams, helicopter, specialist dogs,
:13:58. > :14:02.ID afternoon it was a job done, and told next time, anyway. Thex hope
:14:03. > :14:09.this will serve as a lesson to others and to not underestilate the
:14:10. > :14:13.fortunes of nature. Good, happy ending. Yes, th`t makes
:14:14. > :14:18.a change. Wigan and Widnes go head`to`head
:14:19. > :14:21.in Super League: We hear from Andy Gregory `
:14:22. > :14:24.a legend with both clubs. And getting ready to sparkld
:14:25. > :14:26.on the prom. Blackpool prepares for the big
:14:27. > :14:40.illuminations switch`on tonhght We also hope to speak to June and J
:14:41. > :14:56.later as well. `` Union J. Sport now and in football, the
:14:57. > :14:59.Europa League draw was made today. Everton have been drawn in Group H
:15:00. > :15:01.with Germany's Wolfsburg, French team Lille
:15:02. > :15:03.and Russian side FC Krasnod`r. The first match will be plaxed
:15:04. > :15:11.on September 18th. Everton play Chelsea tomorrow
:15:12. > :15:13.in the Premier League. Strikers Romelu Lukaku and
:15:14. > :15:19.Samuel Eto'o could both facd their former team for the first thme
:15:20. > :15:22.since joining up at Goodison Park. But it's the form of Steven Naismith
:15:23. > :15:24.who's grabbing all the headlines with two goals in
:15:25. > :15:31.the first two games of the season. The Scottish international says
:15:32. > :15:33.the change of manager from David Moyes to Roberto Marthnez has
:15:34. > :15:37.given him a new lease of life. At the start it was a lot to take
:15:38. > :15:40.in for the players, more so the ones who had been under David
:15:41. > :15:44.Moyes for a longer period of time. To go from one extreme in tdrms
:15:45. > :15:47.of learning about how to defend and play, to becoming more dxpansive
:15:48. > :15:50.and a possession type of te`m. For me,
:15:51. > :15:53.I have found it more enjoyable. You are given more freedom than
:15:54. > :15:56.under the previous manager and it has given me more confidence
:15:57. > :16:01.and I have flourished under that. And you can see more
:16:02. > :16:04.of that exclusive interview with Steven Naismith on Football Focus
:16:05. > :16:08.on BBC One, tomorrow at 12:00pm Mario Balotelli could make
:16:09. > :16:11.his debut for Liverpool awax to The Italian international,
:16:12. > :16:14.who scored against England in the World Cup, has returned to
:16:15. > :16:17.the North West just 19 months He cost ?16 million pounds from
:16:18. > :16:23.AC Milan and is famous for laking But Manager Brendan Rodgers says
:16:24. > :16:37.the player is now focusing He has settled in really well this
:16:38. > :16:46.week. General committee is to Merseyside. He has immersed himself
:16:47. > :16:53.into the club. He has been doing great and that is what we w`nt to
:16:54. > :17:01.see. Apologies for that noise, you could not hear Brendan propdrly
:17:02. > :17:03.Burnley manager Sean Dyche says Turf Moor must become
:17:04. > :17:06.a fortress against the best teams in the Premier League if thd club
:17:07. > :17:10.The Clarets lost their first home match of the season
:17:11. > :17:12.to Chelsea despite taking the lead with a spirited performance.
:17:13. > :17:15.Tomorrow they face Manchestdr United and Dyche says they will do
:17:16. > :17:18.Anyone who wears our shirt will give everythhng,
:17:19. > :17:22.The crowd know that and I think they appreciate that.
:17:23. > :17:24.They want us to win and we want to win.
:17:25. > :17:27.We know the challenge is a real high`level challenge this sdason.
:17:28. > :17:30.No more so than Manchester Tnited coming to us at Turf Moor.
:17:31. > :17:33.But it is there, it is a great occasion
:17:34. > :17:40.Super League now, and Widnes are enforcing stricter alcohol controls
:17:41. > :17:44.It follows crowd violence during the Challenge Cup selifinal
:17:45. > :17:46.Police intervened after the final whistle
:17:47. > :17:49.as some Widnes supporters invaded the pitch in front of rival fans.
:17:50. > :17:51.The club says although the investigation is ongoing,
:17:52. > :17:57.The Vikings, who are currently in 8th pl`ce, need
:17:58. > :18:00.to beat their old rivals tonight to edge closer to a play`off spot.
:18:01. > :18:02.Champions Wigan, who trail St Helens at the top of
:18:03. > :18:05.the table, will have their sights set on retaining their titld.
:18:06. > :18:07.Now I've been looking ahead to the match with Andy Gregory,
:18:08. > :18:10.one of the legends of the sport who played for both clubs.
:18:11. > :18:13.He went on to win five Challenge Cups with his hometown club Wigan.
:18:14. > :18:16.But it all started with his first final in 1981
:18:17. > :18:29.Woking out at Wembley, Widndss in black and white, Hull Kingston
:18:30. > :18:33.98,000 people, I was thinking, Oh, my God, where am I?"
:18:34. > :18:36.After the game when I got interviewed I spoke to
:18:37. > :18:40.Eddie Hearn about the try and I went past someone
:18:41. > :18:46.Three of the players I menthoned in the interview were not even playing!
:18:47. > :18:49.You achieved so much during your time at Wigan,
:18:50. > :18:56.but when you look back on your time, is there a moment that you would say
:18:57. > :18:59.is your greatest success on your greatest moment in a Wigan shirt?
:19:00. > :19:02.To walk out at Wembley playhng in the red and white with 56,00
:19:03. > :19:13.All of my family and friends, hardly ever missed a game.
:19:14. > :19:17.To hear your name with a minute to go.
:19:18. > :19:20.And you have won the game against Halifax, and number seven, @ndy
:19:21. > :19:23.Gregory's name comes out, as man of the match in the Wembley final,
:19:24. > :19:27.What do you make of the current teams?
:19:28. > :19:35.Widnes are trying to sneak hnto the play`offs, Wigan are the ch`mpions
:19:36. > :19:40.They have a faint chance of making the play`offs.
:19:41. > :19:43.But Wigan, they will be disappointed if they do
:19:44. > :19:48.The Wigan fans and public, that is the ultimate, they lust get
:19:49. > :19:57.I would've loved witness to get into the play`offs and for Wigan to get
:19:58. > :20:05.to the final. Meanwhile, table leaders St Helens
:20:06. > :20:08.travel to Challenge Cup`winners Leeds Rhinos knowing another four
:20:09. > :20:10.points from their final thrde games Saints go into the game on the back
:20:11. > :20:15.of a 40`16 thrashing of Wakdfield. Gary Wheeler is absent with a groin
:20:16. > :20:18.injury while fellow half back Lance In last night's match, Warrhngton
:20:19. > :20:23.almost pulled off a sensational They fought back from 23`6
:20:24. > :20:26.down just after half`time to lead 24`23, but were denied the victory
:20:27. > :20:45.when the visitors landed a drop goal Live commentary and coveragd can be
:20:46. > :20:54.heard on local radio stations or online.
:20:55. > :20:57.Sorry, Roger, I should also mention that Andy Gregory is in his
:20:58. > :21:13.testimonial year and people should look out for that.
:21:14. > :21:21.The line six miles of Blackpool Promenade Abel Shine until November,
:21:22. > :21:26.guess, we are talking about the Blackpool Eliminations. Thotsands
:21:27. > :21:30.are expected to see Peter K`y, the Bolton comedian, perform thd
:21:31. > :21:39.official switch on. Ian is there for us know. We are very excited to see
:21:40. > :21:46.Peter Kay. But Matt Cardinal will also be present, I understand. Yes,
:21:47. > :21:53.I am afraid that Matt Cardinal has gone. Thankfully the music has died
:21:54. > :21:59.down and I can hear you better know. There are thousands here, there you
:22:00. > :22:04.go, few will enthusiasm. We have been here since four o'clock this
:22:05. > :22:07.afternoon. The crowds have grown. Lots of local acts this aftdrnoon
:22:08. > :22:15.but some big`name stars will appear later tonight. Who are you looking
:22:16. > :22:28.forward to seeing today? People from the X Factor, mainly. I am looking
:22:29. > :22:36.forward to seeing Union J. There are too many to mention. What about
:22:37. > :22:51.yourself? Yes, I want to sed all of them! We are hoping to speak to
:22:52. > :22:59.Pixie Lott. Yes, that is right. Yes, I think I did this a few ye`rs ago.
:23:00. > :23:05.I am really looking forward to it. There could be up to 20,000 people
:23:06. > :23:10.here tonight, an exciting prospect. , the better! I am very exchted I
:23:11. > :23:21.am going to be singing some new songs. I am `` I am excited to be
:23:22. > :23:24.performing in front of all of them. There are some dancers currdntly
:23:25. > :23:31.going through their mouths `t the moment. This is the buzz th`t Peter
:23:32. > :23:42.K will be using. Let us go backstage, you have seen my pass,
:23:43. > :23:50.have you not, my friend? `` bus And here we go, I have managed to find
:23:51. > :23:56.Union J. How are you doing, boys? Really good, thanks. I really
:23:57. > :24:00.looking forward to performing tonight? Yes, absolutely. The sun
:24:01. > :24:09.has come out as well, it will be brilliant. It is the loudness of the
:24:10. > :24:18.crowd. They went absolutely crazy when the names of the acts were read
:24:19. > :24:28.out. It is going to be awesome. What are you expecting tonight, LL will
:24:29. > :24:32.be special for you? `` will it be? Yes, hopefully everyone will sing
:24:33. > :24:39.along with others. And you got to appear on North West Tonight.
:24:40. > :24:43.Absolutely fantastic. We can get you a sneak preview on this pagd. They
:24:44. > :24:54.are just setting up the instruments. 20,000 fans. That reception is all
:24:55. > :25:01.for me. `` on this stage. I did not think I would be on the stage ahead
:25:02. > :25:19.of the Blackpool Illuminations! They do not need anyone else know. Who
:25:20. > :25:23.needs union `` Union J? ! Hd was like a magnet to the crowd! He will
:25:24. > :25:42.never live that down! This is our latest picture. Over the
:25:43. > :25:49.next few hours it should st`y fairly dry.
:25:50. > :25:54.As the night continues so whll the showers but it will be a mixed bag.
:25:55. > :26:00.The breeze is very strong. Xou will notice that through the night.
:26:01. > :26:05.Temperatures are very good, 12, 13 or 14 degrees, it is relatively mild
:26:06. > :26:11.but you will not know it from the amount of anoraks that we s`w there
:26:12. > :26:17.in Blackpool! It will be drx and warm for the weekend and as we begin
:26:18. > :26:21.the start of next week. 20 of cloud cover and the showers will continue
:26:22. > :26:25.during the morning. The bredze will remain gusty. When she get past
:26:26. > :26:30.lunch time, the picture will improve. The showers get killed off.
:26:31. > :26:35.That ridge of high pressure is building and it will squeezd out
:26:36. > :26:40.those showers. Look at this little line of showers. That will love
:26:41. > :26:44.through parts of Cheshire and the world and even into Greater
:26:45. > :26:48.Manchester for a short whild. It definitely looks better.
:26:49. > :26:56.Temperatures around 17 or 18 degrees. A few more showers through
:26:57. > :27:01.Saturday night into Sunday. Sunday is a day of two halves. It will be
:27:02. > :27:06.dry and fine until the tail end of the day. That's when the moves
:27:07. > :27:10.across. But at the beginning of next week this area of high pressure
:27:11. > :27:16.moves towards us and that whll make a big difference. Sunday morning to
:27:17. > :27:20.tell the afternoon will be dry. Wetter in the evening. Next week it
:27:21. > :27:30.will get warmer and brighter and it looks like it could be largdly dry.
:27:31. > :27:38.Excellent news, a bit of sulmer What do you think of our colleague
:27:39. > :27:44.at the eliminations? He is becoming a bit of A* with the locals We will
:27:45. > :27:47.never see him again, I hope the estate is safely! `` gets ott
:27:48. > :27:51.safely!