21/04/2017 North West Tonight

and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

Welcome to North West Tonight with Beccy Barr and Roger Johnson.

A witness to the killing of aid worker Khuram Shaikh in Sri Lanka,

We'll have the latest on the inquest into the doctor's killing.

Four weeks on from a huge gas blast in Wirral,

residents say they're still being affected

I am very traumatised inside, I am having emotional flashbacks.

A lucky bride who managed to salvage her dress

Lancashire's lost garden reveals the treasures hidden

A witness to the killing of a Rochdale man on holiday

in Sri Lanka six years ago has given evidence for the first time,

telling officials that the attackers had insulted and groped female

holidaymakers earlier in the evening.

Khuram Shaikh was at a party with his girlfriend

when he was attacked on Christmas Day in 2011.

Four men were convicted of his murder.

Stuart, this is new information on the killing, isn't it?

There are a number of key witnesses who did not give evidence at the

trial of the men responsible for Mr Shaikh sets death either because

they were not invited or did not want to. One was a Canadian

holiday-maker who saw quite a lot of what happened, his story has been

told for the first time in court. Khuram Shaikh was a worker for the

Red Cross on the Gaza Strip and he went to Sri Lanka with his Russian

girlfriend for a holiday at Christmas time. It was at a party in

2011 he intervened when he saw a member of the hotel staff being

beaten up by a group of local men. They turned on him, he was shot,

stabbed more than 40 times with broken bottles, and he died from his

injuries. His girlfriend was attacked, she was braked but she

survived. The evidence throws new light on what may have led up to the

incident. What did he tell the court? He

wasn't speaking from Canada via Skype and he revealed his wife and

other female members of his party had commented earlier in the evening

how this group of men including the four men convicted in 2014 of Mr

Shaikh's killing, how they had been very insulting to female

holiday-makers, groping the women. When Mr Shaikh was attacked and his

girlfriend, it was as if they were targeting him suggesting maybe he

had had words with these men earlier in the evening. Mr Tewkesbury when

he heard the gunshots were treated to his hotel room and broke down in

tears as he gave evidence about what he saw from the balcony, he saw the

girlfriend of Mr Shaikh being chased around the swimming pool, attacked

with broken glass. Regular viewers will remember this

case, it took a long time for Khuram Shaikh's family to get justice. When

this is there likely to be a verdict to this inquest?

It has been going on all day because of this evidence from Canada via

Skype, The Times of its means they have not been able to give evidence

and till late. There are never two more evidence -- Witnesses from

Canada giving evidence. The verdict is likely to be heard at seven

o'clock. Nearly four weeks on from a huge

gas blast in Wirral, residents say they're

still being affected Two people were hospitalised

and dozens of homes and businesses damaged by the explosion

in New Ferry. It's also emerged that

the incident might not qualify for regeneration funds

from central government. But the council and the local MP

say they'll lobby hard Nearly a month on, and the scale

of the devastation becomes Roof tiles scattered like a badly

shuffled deck of cards. And dozens of families

unable to return home. Christopher Lee Power

was on his sofa when the blast His house is uninhabitable

and all his furniture a write-off. Four weeks on, when I walk past

a shop or a building, I run. The reason for that, psychologically

I'm thinking that it is going to explode so I'm very traumatic

and having an emotional Sometimes when I am lying in bed,

we have a property at the moment, so I'm thinking at night

what if that Wirral Council says it's

helped 31 families to find But Amanda Knox and her 80-year-old

mother and three children The council says it's

spoken to her about five But Amanda, who wants something

she thinks is suitable for her family, says

that's "simply not true". I felt that there would be some help

available for people like us. I'm aware we are not

the only family displaced. I'm disappointed that people

have not been in touch, although I know they are saying

they have been but we have been An inquiry into the cause

of the explosion is continuing. Today, the Government said

the incident might not qualify Wirral Council and local MP

say while there's no it's important it puts forward

the most compelling case possible. There is nobody available to take

decisions whilst a general election is going on. But I will be making it

absolutely clear that regeneration must be a priority.

The properties which took the brunt of the blast are so badly damaged

they might well have to be demolished completely.

-- Some of the homes which are less badly damaged

Andy Gill, BBC North West Tonight, New Ferry.

Police are appealing for help to trace a man

after a couple were kidnapped at gun point in Wigan.

Andrew Evans from Golborne is wanted for robbery and kidnap.

It follows an incident last month in which a man armed with a gun

and a knife forced his way into the home of a couple

in their late 70s and demanded they drive to a cash machine

An investigation's underway into the cause of a huge fire

15 crews were sent to Tan House Lane yesterday

evening and fire fighters were there throughout the night.

The building contained plastic and cardboard

causing a large plume of black smoke which could be seen for miles.

People living nearby were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

A convoy of vintage steam engines has been taking

They're touring the island as part of the Festival Of Steam.

The engines made an 1800-foot hill climb to travel over

the mountain section of the TT race circuit.

The Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has launched his party's

general election campain in Manchester today claiming both

the Conservatives and Labour should be worried in this region.

The Cumbrian MP says they're intent on winning back the four seats

To say the Lib Dems are excited about this election would be

Almost wiped out two years ago after going into coalition

with the Conservatives and breaking their manifesto

promise on tuition fees, the leader is talking up the chances

The Lib Dems are the only clear opposition giving a clear

alternative to the British people in greater Manchester, and the country.

It is an opportunity to change our future.

And at number 60 on their list, Manchester, Withington,

where John Leech lost out after ten years as MP.

People wanted to give the Lib Dems a kicking, to punish us for having

been in coalition with the Conservatives. But now people want

to hear what the Lib Dems have got to say, people are receptive to our

messages. Theresa May once a big majority to

carry on with bigger cuts to the NHS and schools. Only labour can stop

this. We are facing a ?300 million a year

cut in our budget. a comeback is on the cards but do

the voters agree? They could be. I have always voted

Lib Dem. They could get back in. I do not

think there was much chance to be honest.

Usually I would do Labour, this year I am not sure because of Jeremy

Corbyn so I'm thinking Lib Dem. After doing so badly last time,

the Lib dems are convinced Kevin Fitzpatrick, BBC

North West Tonight, Manchester. More on the first few days

of campaigning on this week's Sunday Politics, at the later

than usual time of 3.15. Another Lib Dem, John Pugh,

will be explaining why he's standing down after 16 years

as MP for Southport. The Women's Equality Party candidate

hoping to be elected Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region

says her main priority is to improve Tabitha Morton, speaking

as she launched her campaign, said she wanted Merseyside to become

the country's first area to offer affordable care for all children -

from the end of parental leave at nine months until

they start school. There is this constant

struggle between building And I don't think the two

things are separate, The way we do that is make sure

women have the opportunities to get into employment and the way we have

to do that is to make sure there And you can find a full

list of those standing Plenty of politics around at the

moment. We have heard from or the metro mayor candidates as they have

launched their manifestos. Hundreds of couples are worried

their wedding days may be ruined after one of Lancashire's

longest-established bridal firms has Dan Kerr Brides has shut

both its stores saying it can no longer compete against the internet

and bridal warehouses. It's every bride-to-be's

worst nightmare. Finding out the shop you've

ordered your wedding dress I felt sick, nerves,

that horrible feeling you get. We went down to the shop,

there was a load of people outside, The shop was empty and the stuff had

been liquidated and taken away. A lot of people crying

outside the shop. After over 100 years of trading,

Dan Kerr has shut up shop Their affairs are now being handled

by an insolvency firm in Manchester. Gemma's eight months pregnant

and getting married in July. I believe this is the first time

you have seen your dress. The first time I have

seen my dress, yes. Her dress was completed before

Dan Kerr went bust and she was able to pick it up from Robson Kay's

warehouse in Manchester I am very excited, looking

forward to trying it on, finding a veil and tiara

and accessories to match the dress, an experience I won't be getting now

from the bridal shop. But not so straightforward

for Stephen and his fiancee. She saw her dream

dress, tried it on. And we've no idea to be

honest what is going on. The dress doesn't exist,

it's not been ordered and we've no And she's no idea if she's

going to have to pick I've come down today with my mum

to pick up some bridesmaids dresses. They should have been three

but there are only two. And here at that firm,

workers are going through racks and racks of wedding dresses

to unite them with their owners. Most people understand

it is not our fault and not People are stressed and if everyone

thinks that their dress Everything that is at the shops

we can deal with very well given just a few more days to get

through the sheer numbers. What we can't deal with is

the people who have paid deposits, ordered the dresses

and the dresses haven't arrived. So, while some are looking

forward to their big days, Shabnam Younus-Jewell,

BBC North West Tonight, Manchester. Richard's here now

with tongiht's sport. And before we look at some

Football League ups and downs, it's been that kind of 24 hours

for Manchester United United will face the Spanish side

Celta Vigo in the semi-finals A team that

blows hot and cold. Mid-table in La Liga but they have

beaten both Real Madrid As you can see, the Reds

will meet either Ajax or Lyon United beat Anderlecht, a fume nervy

moments. United took an early lead

through Henrikh Mkhitaryan before So the game went

into extra time, tied The young striker turned

and finished superbly And despite the odd

scare United hung on. Zlatan landed awkwardly

at the end of normal time. There's been no update from the club

today but Jose Mourinho said his initial impression was it

could be serious. The striker would

certainly be a big miss. He's scored 28 goals

so far this season. Let us hope it is not as bad as it

looks. And it's definitely a big one

for Manchester City on two fronts. While the men take on Arsenal

in the FA Cup semifinal on Sunday, tomorrow, City Women host Lyon

in the first leg of their Champions Could this be the weekend when both

of Manchester City's sides The FA Cup is Pep's last chance

of a trophy in his first visit He says his players need the belief

that comes with silverware. I say so many times

to thtem and they don't It is a lot of strees,

a lot of pressure. When you handle that, and you can

win, the next time it is easy. Pep is still looking for his first

trophy but if City fans want trophies they need to look not

at their men's team, they should be They're on the hunt for five

trophies in nine months. The biggest of all is

the Champions League where Lyon We are highly motivated for the game

to get to the final but well aware Because Lyon are leaders

of the group and everyone perceives It is a great opportunity

for the club and for us as players. We want to compete against

the best and get as much I think they will both get

one, and the ladies. The women's team I think are doing

absolutely wonderful. Last week, the women

made it to Wembley Now it's up to the men

to match that achievement. Stuart Pollitt, BBC

North West Tonight, Manchester. It's crunch-time for a number

of our EFL sides this weekend with Championship survival

on the minds of both Latics' interim boss Graham Barrow

says his side need to win all three of their remaining fixtures to stay

up and a look at Second-bottom Wigan

are five points from safety Rovers travel to Wolves one place

and four points better off Wigan have certainly had

more than their fair These were the scenes

when the Latics famously stayed This time, despite two wins

in their last three matches, But do the fans believe they could

upset the odds once again? I don't think they are going

to make it, to be honest. An angel might be looking

after them, who knows? Five points from safety,

the Latics have three tough games against Cardiff,

Reading and Leeds. Miracles of this nature just don't

happen, just don't happen. I wish they would

stay up, obviously. We've signed too many players,

23 players this season. Blackburn Rovers' mission to stay up

is by no means as difficult. Win on Saturday and they could jump

out of the bottom three. Having said that, with only three

games to go, they know they simply When you look in the players' eyes,

Tony, you what it takes I think collectively

as a group I see it, desire, resilience of the group,

you have to continue that to stay Rovers are a point from safety

and have winnable looking matches against Wolves,

Aston Villa and Brentford. With the fixtures you have,

the three games, Tony, do you believe you will be

a Championship club next season? I genuinely believe we can go

into each of these three games After a draw and a victory

in their last two matches, Rovers will hope a timely second

wind will be enough to keep them up. Former BMX and track world champion

Shanaze Reade has retired The 28-year-old from Crewe won

back-to-back team sprint titles with Victoria Pendleton in 2007

and 2008, also claiming elite BMX gold in both those years,

before adding a third BMX She'll now take up an ambassadorial

role at British Cycling. BBC Radio Merseyside

is your destination for Super League action tonight with all the best

coverage from Widnes Vikings' attempts to record a first home win

of the season at the expense It's also a big weekend

of Challenge Cup action with some intriguing fifth-round ties starting

with Leigh-Hull KR tomorrow. Sunday sees a fascinating match

between Salford and the sport's new boys and points-scoring machine

Toronto, while Swinton visit Oldham and Barrow are also hoping

to make it into Tuesday's sixth round draw alongside

the Super League big boys. Cricket, the wickets have tumbled on

the first day of the season at Emirates Old Trafford, unfortunately

Lancashire were bowled out for just 109 against Somerset.

The graphics were a bit out of date but we got the numbers from you.

Finally from me, keep your eye on what could be a quite amazing

Kirkby Lonsdale have already wrapped up their League title weeks ago

but if they beat Blackburn tomorrow, it will be 25 games played, 25 wins.

However, with 24 bonus points also in the bag,

they could end up just one point shy of the absolute maximum giving

them the best record in the whole of the UK.

They're considered one the country's most important lost gardens.

Constructed at the start of the last century,

the terraced gardens at Rivington were a glory of the Edwardian area.

Time took its toll and the gardens fell into disrepair.

Volunteers are carrying out a multi-million-pound restoration

which could see some of the magic of yesteryear return.

Dave Guest has been to see how they're getting on.

Pass beneath this rather quirky bridge and you enter into what has

become known as one of Britain's top ten lost gardens.

Of course, the existence of the Rivington Terraced Gardens

is no secret but these 42 acres have fallen into disrepair

Now, a multi-million-pound project is underway to restore the gardens.

Our priorities at the moment are to improve the access

because when we start the contract works we've got to get vehicles in.

We have got to do that in terms of tree works before

The gardens were originally laid out by the soap tycoon Lord Leverhulme.

They became known locally as the Chinese gardens.

When you finish this won't be a carbon copy of what Lord

He was a multi-millionaire with 136 gardeners working full-time.

This is about stopping further deterioration and preserving

The crowning glory of the gardens was the bungalow.

We are standing in the ballroom of the bungalow.

Obviously you are never going to rebuild the bungalow.

What do you hope will come from this project?

With respect to the bungalow, being able to see the footprint

of what it looked like and get an impression of the

?3.4 million of Heritage Lottery money and other grants are being

Every month we have teams of volunteers coming up.

Recently more than 250 volunteers coming in to work on these gardens.

With ?4 million in the bank to fund this project,

As part of the funding agreement we have with

the Heritage Lottery Fund, we will seek to engage as many

Six months into the project, they have already achieved a lot.

But there is still an awful lot to do and another two-and-a-half

David Guest, BBC North West Tonight, Rivington.

Fantastic. If you can out there today. Speaking of clouds.

Those three words you have been longing to hear, fine and dry this

weekend. Looking pretty good. A word of warning, next week, temperatures

will be significantly lower and in some places some snow showers.

Everyone is casting, it is April, it happens quite regularly!

This picture is beautiful, lots of cloud cover around, breaking now and

then. Tonight, Cloud will build. Some drizzly rain, a week by the

front. As it clears through, things will get cooler. The numbers on the

chart of the 3am but after that temperatures will fall a little. You

might get to Celsius with a touch of frost. Saturday is a great start,

spells of sunshine. Not blue sky is all the way but a lot of sunshine on

offer. Some thin cloud from the Irish Sea. The breeze up to 20 miles

an hour. Inland, looking very pretty, temperatures, up to 14 in

the sunshine. Saturday night, a chilly one, down to one Celsius with

a Frost. Sunday, if you are heading for the London Marathon, it could be

15, up to 17. For us, 13 or 14 again.

That is called! I will have to take a coat.

You need to put some Have a lovely weekend, thank you for

watching. Goodbye.