21/12/2016 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson -

A priest is robbed at gunpoint in St Helens.

The thieves stole Christmas cash collected for orphans.

It is a client of forgiveness that I am sorry, that you deserve it. It is

disgusting. The money was to help an orphanages of way.

As hundreds complain Christmas presents haven't arrived,

Rochdale firm Savvibuy says they will be sent out in time.

Fears for the future of Morecambe Football Club as one

And the youngsters - who gave their pennies

for the guy to a homeless man - jumping for joy after

Police have described three robbers who threatened a Merseyside priest

with a gun as "despicable" The masked men ordered a priest

in St Helens to hand over cash collected for a

The Catholic Church says it's an attack on the whole

Our Merseyside Reporter, Andy Gill, has the story.

Three masked men rang the doorbell of the St Vincent

in St Helens just before half past six last night.

They the ordered the priest Father Pete Hannah, to take

them round to the church and empty the safe.

They made off on foot with cash which parishioners had raised

Police don't know if the handgun was real or a replica.

One woman who lives next door to the church expressed

Police are checking cctv and carrying out house

The 3 men are described as white, aged 17 to 21

Christmas haven't arrived. Of the company says

delivered to us about this company? It is a web-based site offering a

range of political goods at what they say are competitive prices.

Some people say they have placed orders, paid cash and not received

their goods. Others are saying it is difficult get through to the company

by phone or e-mail. Some of their disgruntled customers have set up a

Facebook page. It's scrolling through there. I funded members on

that site complaining about the company. A woman from Liverpool is a

customer, she says she's been waiting for a PlayStation controller

she ordered in November. She was hoping to have it at her home by

Christmas. I feel absolutely disgusted. You go

onto the internet, you see the item, you pay your money, you expect to

receive the item. And they just haven't done that.

So what has the company had to say? Like the customers, we had

difficulty getting through. I went to their postal address, a street in

Rochdale. As when ten, there was a customer there are complaining good

arrived. The system gave him a reference number which he said would

guarantee the money would go it his account in the next few days.

They said some orders had not been delivered and apologised for the

problems and blamed their suppliers. But they did promise that all goods

would be delivered by this Friday, December 23 at the latest. This

statement goes on to have a go at that Facebook page and says that a

number of people on there have had refunds and cases settled. They said

some people on the page had been harassing staff unfairly, and that

they want to work with customers and shouldn't have to work with militias

groups which include and customers to have those matters resolved --

malicious groups. Police have named a man killed

on a pedestrian crossing when he was hit by a scrambler bike

He was Kevin McPadden The accident happened

yesterday afternoon. Two people arrested on suspicion

of causing death by dangerous driving have been released

while police continue A teenager who was the lookout

as his brother and friend beat a homeless man to death must

complete his minimum jail term, 54-year-old Kevin Bennett

was sleeping rough outside an Iceland supermarket in Walton

when he was attacked Brandon Doran will complete

a minimum of six years in jail. Police are searching for a man

caught "surfing" on top of a train He was seen climbing

on to the Merseyrail train between two carriages at Rock Ferry

station in Wirral on 11th December. The man concealed his face

and told staff he was called An ex-serviceman who admitted

attempting to burgle Wayne Rooney's mansion has been jailed for two

years eight months. Robert McNamara pleaded guilty

to attempting to trespass with the intent to steal

from the strikers home while the footballer played

in his club testimonial match. Councillors in Trafford are tonight

being urged to fight a proposal to build 750 new homes

on greenbelt land. Opponents say the plan to build

on a golf course in Flixton But supporters say it's part

of a huge long-term plan to ease Greater Manchester's housing crisis

and boost the local economy. Our Political Editor Nina Warhurst

is at Trafford Council This plan is really dividing

opinion, isn't it? That's right, Annabelle. Tonight's meeting is

essentially about the human cost of urban growth. And whether it is

worth using green belt land so that development can happen. The council

is to acknowledge that thousands of residents do not want the planned to

go ahead. As part of Greater Manchester spatial framework plan,

they predict the local economy could grow by ?5 billion over two decades

but for that to happen we need more than 200,000 new homes and for that

to happen, we need to read some of our green belt land. Not just here

in Trafford but across greater Manchester.

This is a farm near Bolton, Michael is feeding cows here as his father

did before him. Laura was hoping to continue this tradition but now the

land is honourable to development. It will be a complete change of

life. What will we do we go? I a clue to be honest. This is all you

know? All I've done since I was a child -- I have not got a clue.

Michael's farm is currently part of Greater Manchester's protected green

belt land, making up 47% of its land mass. And new developments, these

areas of Orange will be freed up to be built on. And if it happens,

Greater Manchester's green belt will drop to 43%. This golf courses on

the other side of Manchester in Trafford and, like Michael's farm,

it's earmarked for development under the plan. The plan says over the

next two decades, Greater Manchester's development will go up

by almost 300000 and we need to be ready. But to do that, something has

to give. In all, 5000 hectares could be lost but council leaders say that

by taking control, the remaining green space will be better

protected. The consequences of not having a plan is that we will

develop in an unconstrained way and I think it is important that we are

able to say that we know where development will be, we plan for it

so that we can control it. New homes mean new pressures on existing

communities. And more than one dozen MPs have got together to say that

they are worried that already stretched public services could

buckle. If there will be substantial building of new houses, we need

infrastructure to improve as well and better roads, provision for

schools and hospitals, and doctors. All of it needs to be taken into

account. Michael says that he fully understands that the world keeps

moving, and he has to move with it all be left behind. But he does hope

that his family does not have to give up their way of life. Andrew

Weston joins me now, the leader of the Labour group here at Trafford

Council who called the meeting tonight. What do you hope to achieve

by the meeting tonight? We are looking to secure a cross-party

acknowledgement and an acceptance that given that feeling and nature

and make-up of the site, that the council should never put this

forward for consideration in the framework in the first place. Beyond

that, if we can secure agreement, we would be hoping all councillors

cross-party will be sending in their objections, citing problems with the

Flixton proposal to make clear that those who are pulling together the

final documents that Brixton is not an appropriate site. People will be

thinking at home, we desperately need new houses, it's a classic case

of, not in my backyard? -- Flixton. I am very supportive of the

principle of this spatial framework and larger sites across Trafford,

they are going to be developed on green belt land. I feel that we have

two security homes that we need for the future -- had to secure. I think

that anyone should take a look at this site in Flixton, it has been a

cherished local facility. Every place that is built on will be

cherished by someone? There's a big difference between surety deeply

important sites like proposed in Carrington and a small location in a

village were with -- that would mean real upheaval for the community.

We will see at the meeting tonight whether any pressure is put on the

council and if they amend plans. You saw David Nuttall talking about

his frustration about the fact that this is pressing ahead from Greater

Manchester's combined authorities. Do not forget we are five months

away from having two elected mayors in the region and we will see more

in powers devolved away from Whitehall.

STUDIO: It will be very interesting. Thank you.

An appeal is being made tonight - for more people to give

consent to donate parts of their eyes for transplant.

The campaign's being backed by a visually-impaired

swimmer from Preston - who this year won Gold

Stephanie Slater - who suffers from a degenerative eye condition -

has had her sight saved by a cornea transplant.

Today she was reunited with the surgeon who carried out

Stephanie Slater is used to overcoming adversity -

But while preparing for this summer's Paralympic Games

she was told she needed a sight saving cornea transplant.

I cannot thank my donor enough. I am very lucky that there is a shortage

of corneas and I am very lucky that I was able to get one when I did.

The cornea is a clear, dome shaped window at the front of the eye,

It protects the eyes from germs and some of the suns UV Rays.

When damaged it can become distorted, causing loss of vision.

A lot of people I have spoken to do not realise that you can donate your

corneas. People thought it was artificial. And I was like no, it

comes from a real donor. But while corneal transplantation

is more successful than any other form of organ donation - getting

donors, is proving difficult. Consultant Surgeon Mark Batterbury

carried out Stephanie's transplant. We hit crisis every now and again,

and we cannot transplant as many as we require. Most of them are

psychological and cultural issues, donors for example thinking that

their whole I may go into a recipient and the recipient is

thinking that they might resemble the donor as well. This is not the

case at all. At the University of Liverpool, a team of 40 work to

tackle vision loss and it is one of the biggest centres of its kind in

Britain. Here, that cannot be used for

transplant will be used for research with the consent of donor. We are

developing new therapies for treating eye diseases used here in

the north-west or can be used globally to vision loss. -- treat

vision loss. Three months on from her transplant,

Stephanie's already preparing It will help me in the pool, help me

be able to finish my turns, getting vision back into my eyes will be

amazing. Her next big aim is to compete

in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Ian Haslam, BBC North

West Tonight, Liverpool Still to come... In its time, this

Loch Nay Runcorn has seen boats of all shapes and sizes but more

recently, its depths have been explored by divers. Find out why...

And the youngsters who gave their pennies

for the guy to a homeless man - jumping for joy after

I have never won anything before, it is brilliant. I'm happy for him, you

can stay warm and go to sleep instead of being cold all night.

Concern is growing for the future of Morecambe Football Club

after the resignation of one of its directors.

There's also increasing financial uncertainty after the club

was taken over by a Brazilian businessman in September.

Diego Lemos has so far been unavailable for comment.

Richard Askam is outside The Globe Arena this evening.

It is slightly concerning to say the least for fans but how serious this

this situation for the club? Very serious, you get different senses of

how serious it might be depending on who you speak to. I spoke to a

member of staff who said that he expected ways and staff to be paid

on time, and another said that he did not believe Diego Lemos has the

cash to fund the club. Morecambe fans have however been

left in the dark. The sun was out in Morecambe today but the club's

future is beginning to look increasingly gloomy. The brand-new

era predicted under the new owner has not materialised.

Resignations and financial uncertainty have left supporters

feeling lost. At the moment, it is frustration more than anything. We

do not know what is happening. Not had any indication from the club.

Every club has ups and downs but we need to be kept in the know. We

could rally together if we were kept in the know. Brazilian businessman

Diego Lemos took over in September. This is me speaking to him weeks

ago. But players have been sold rather

than bought and in October they were paid almost two weeks late.

Nigel Adams, one of the directors, today said this as he resigned...

The Morecambe supporters trust would like answers from the club's owner.

We are very worried that he's not been seen for 45 weeks at the club.

People have not been paid. There are rumours that there is financial

unrest. And Nigel going makes matters worse. They don't pay higher

wages but with a monthly bill estimated at ?150,000, and losses

understood to be ?10,000 per week, the club needs significant cash to

take over. Are you starting to wonder whether he has the money to

fund the club? Yes. Definitely. We are three months into his brain, we

have had to sell some of our best to pay wages. And nobody knows what is

happening -- reign. The manager says that this is the most important

period in club history and at this stage, there is little evidence to

suggest that he is wrong. I've had a quick chat today with the former

majority shareholder and current chairman still Peter McGuigan, he

didn't want to say much but he said he was concerned about the current

situation and has tried to contact Diego Lemos. So far, he's been

unsuccessful. I understand he's been based in Qatar for several years but

supporters here would like to know whether he is the man to take the

club forward or not. STUDIO: Richard, thank you. We will continue

to watch the developments. A giant lock on the River Weaver

in Cheshire has been drained for the first time in half a century

- as part of repair work costing Now it's quite a big job -

because whereas most locks can fit one narrowboat at a time -

this one can take ships. This from our Cheshire

Reporter Mark Edwardson. In it's 111 year history

countless salt barges and ships have passed

through Marsh Lock on the Weaver This is Marsh Lock, let me show you

what we are doing. It looks like a huge drop? Yes, we will be here for

three months doing this work. A fair amount of time...

It's a crucial connection between the River Weaver

54 Steel planks succeed where King Canute couldn't -

holding them back while work continues...

The planks were installed before the lock was drained -

by divers in its deep and murky waters.

This half million pound scheme is designed to repair more

Five metres below the water, no light, ever ending dark. --

never-ending dark. We had to carry on underwater. And

it was a tremendous job. And doing everything by touch? Yes. That is

what the guys I used to doing. Rather than Ben Mee! To give you an

idea of how big the lock is, it's about 25 foot deep. -- rather them.

This can take 35 narrow boat simultaneously.

This half million pound scheme is designed to repair more

than a century of wear and the ravages of time.

Because the gate is not working properly, we are carrying out this

investment. We are hoping that it typically takes a few hours to use a

lock but that time will be reduced and be used for years to come.

It can me a dirty job - and someone's got to do it.

It is messy but it is brilliant. It is every boy's dream. Taking it

apart and putting a back together, what more would you want?

Marsh Lock is die to reopen by the end of next month...giving

boats large and small access to some of the country's most most

Mark Edwardson, BBC North West Tonight, Runcorn.

It is great to see Jamie enjoying himself! He is a man who loves his

job! You may remember a story

we did a few weeks ago - about six children who gave away

all the money they'd collected from Penny for the Guy

to a homeless man in Liverpool. They became famous when a photo

of their generosity went viral - and the man they helped

was given a home. He wanted to thank the children -

but didn't want to go on TV himself - so we sent Katie Walderman along

to surprise them. It all started as an act

of kindness that went viral.. When these Liverpool youngsters gave

away the money they'd collected from Penny for a Guy,

to homeless man - they had no idea it would be captured by a stranger

and seen by hundreds Little did the children know that

because of this, the man that they helped has a home of his own. An

example to us all really. This group of young people have seen

someone in real need, this act of kindness. It has allowed the

individual to get the necessary support he requires for his life.

Well today - all the children that were there that day in October -

giving Damien and others the money they'd collected are coming

here to meet those responsible for finding him his very own place.

And there's a very special surprise waiting for them...

You thought that I was coming here to say thank you for your kind act

but I am also saying on behalf of BBC North West tonight that each one

of you is a Christmas Star, well done! It's fantastic. Amazing! I am

jumping around! And I won a star! I have never won anything before, it

is brilliant! Now he can keep warm. I feel happy because we've done this

kind act for the homeless man. So he can get a house and live his life.

Stay warm and go to sleep instead of being cold all night. I think I've

done something good. I was telling people that it made me well up

inside because of what they had done. He was so happy when he heard

he had a house. He was saying mum, he can put a Christmas tree up and

can sleep in his bed! He was made up. An act of kindness by a group of

young people will make a life changing difference for this

individual. It is fabulous. Katie Walderman, BBC

North West Tonight, I just think that is fantastic. That

picture has changed that man's life. A very special Christmas for him.

And your heart goes out to anyone who will find themselves without a

home on Christmas Day. It is not going to be good weather this week.

Not that cold. But it will be really poor

conditions. Good evening. We've been talking about difficult conditions

in the run-up to Christmas and that is still our story for the next 24

hours, we are looking at storm Barbara coming towards us. Very

windy weather, storm Barbara is not the only difficult conditions that

we have. On Christmas Day, it will still be

tricky. Wet first thing this morning, the sun came out this

afternoon. A couple of showers here and there. This evening, this is the

latest picture, a fume or moving across north-west England over the

next hour. -- a few more. Look at this clear

weather. More clear skies than recently. Blue on the map,

particularly over high-level routes. Temperatures generally 3-5 in most

towns and cities but where you have long clear spells towards the early

hour of the morning, 0- -1, even minus two degrees.

That's the exception rather than the rule but it could be possible in

places. Some showers in the north of the region, in parts of Cumbria,

Isle of Man, and in Lancashire first thing tomorrow morning. That's the

pattern tomorrow. Anne -- and unsettled picture. Not many

showers, evenly spaced across the region. They will be heavy and

lively but they are moving through quickly. Look at this, some spells

of sunshine. Temperatures drop considerably but in many places,

temperatures of seven or 8 degrees in the sunshine. This breeze from

the west of the south-west and it does not feel too cold or too raw.

Afterwards, conditions begin to get difficult. This yellow warning is

for storm Barbara, and on Friday, this warning is in place for

anywhere to the north of the Wirral. Places like Cheshire, greater

Manchester, not really under it. But it is too close to call. Winds

of 50-70 mph in gusts. It comes in from the Irish Sea, and the north of

us could be badly affected. Christmas Day is looking like it

will be difficult as well. Thank you.. As you walk back, it's a

momentous walk tonight... For the final time...

The man behind that camera, he has been there for decades... He is

retiring this Christmas! Kenward. There he is. And not just behind the

camera, he's been on the road for years -- Ken Ward. He's been with us

for 46 years. What can we say about Ken? He has worked here and is the

most charming and lovely. Old school in the best possible way. A

gentleman with old school values. We can never meet anyone better.

Anyone who has ever visited knows that he has time for anyone.

Ken, North West tonight will not be the same.

Ken, we will really miss you! It's time for the big move, take it away,

Ken! CLAPPING

The roads we walk have demons beneath them...

..and yours have been waiting for a very long time.

What is this? We can't do this. Is this supposed to be a game?

I thought this was some kind of... What? ..trick.

Of course it's not a trick. It's a plan.

What's the very worst thing you can do...