Daily Post

Meningitis Kills Boy 2 ; Distraught Dad Tells of 'Bolt From the Blue

A DISTRAUGHT dad last night told how his bubbly two-year-old son was struck down by meningitis Alex Harrop fell ill during a shop trip with his mum. His father Alastair said: "It was like a bolt from the blue. We're going through hell at the moment. "It has devastated the whole family.

Farmers Warn of New Fuel Protests

FURIOUS farmers leaders last night warned soaring fuel prices could spark fresh protests at oil refineries. Haulage companies and farmers in North Wales said rising petrol and diesel prices, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, were causing severe hardship

Stun Gun for Every Officer On Beat ; Chief Constable Wants Tasers Made Available Across Force

CHIEF Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe last night revealed how he wants every patrolling officer on Merseyside to carry an electric stun gun. The 50,000-volt Tasers have been operational on Merseyside for six months but only through traditional armed response units, who comprise just a small section of the force.

Latest Welsh-Language School Enjoys Growing Success

YOUNGSTERS were yesterday settling down at the region's latest Welsh-language school. Ysgol y Gwernant in Llangollen grew out of a small unit in Ysgol Bryn Collen.

We'll Slash 3,000 Spare Places at Primary Schools ; Council to Consider Mergers in Shake-Up

MORE than 3,000 spare places at North Wales schools will be slashed in the coming decade, councillors decided yesterday. Schools could be merged in Wrexham, which is the second worst borough in Wales for empty desks.

Asylum Seekers' Wives Launch Fight

A MERSEYSIDE woman last night launched a national campaign to recognise the rights of the British wives of asylum seekers whose families are torn apart by deportation. Senior occupational therapist Heather Bullen, 32, from south Liverpool, whose husband is to be deported to Afghanistan, says she has met women around the country who are having to choose between international danger zones.

Man Who Tried to Kill Mother-of-Two in Court

A MAN charged with trying to kill a mother-of-two has appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for the first time. Michael Roughley, 38, of Southbank Road, Southport, is accused of the attempted murder of 31-year-old Sandra Holmes.

Warning of Protests Over Fuel Prices

PROTESTERS yesterday said they would return to the refineries if the Government does not bring down tax on fuel. Farmer and haulier Andrew Spence, a spokesman for the Fuel Lobby, said refineries will be blockaded from 6am on Wednesday, September 14, if cuts are not seen.

Car-Cloning On the Increase

Match Ban

Price Hike

Cut Fuel Prices or Get More of This ; Angry Welsh Farmers Issue Stark Warning As Cost of Diesel Soars to More Than Pounds 1-a-Litre

FURIOUS farmers' leaders last night warned high fuel prices could spark a second wave of refinery protests. Haulage companies and farmers in North Wales said soaring petrol and diesel prices were causing severe hardship to their industries.

Bid to Find Owner of $300,000

DETECTIVES may fly to Latvia in a bid to discover who owns $300,000 seized from a man as he left a North Wales bank. North Wales Police took the cash from Eugene Kogan, who claimed he was striking an African diamond deal.

Young Rescue Heroines Honoured by a Hero

WHEN schoolgirl Hannah Shakespeare tried to impress friends by rollerblading over a dried-up pond, little did she realise the stunt could have cost her life. The 10-year-old plunged into thick mud and within seconds sank up to her chest, unable to struggle free as she sank further into the mire.

Wedding Day Visit to Wards

BRIDE Michelle Keane was determined to have everyone she wanted at her wedding. The Alder Hey nurse wanted all the children she looked after to share her happiness.

Waste Tip Councillor 'Gagged

A COUNCILLOR last night claimed he was being "gagged" from fighting plans for a tip. Flintshire County Council's planning committee today debates Castle Cement's application to dump kilnwaste in the grounds of its Padeswood factory.

Told He'd Never Walk Again, Steve's Sailing Atlantic

A YACHTSMAN badly injured in a road crash 10 years ago hopes to win a trans-Atlantic sailing challenge. Steve Simpson, 50, from Llangollen, is heading for the start line of the 2005 Mini Transat race to do battle with 72 other yachts in the 4,300 mile single handed race from France to Brazil.

Asda Store Bid has Only One Objector: Tesco ; Rival Says Shoppers Will Be Lured From City Centre

TESCO is opposing plans for a new Asda store in Bangor - claiming it would lure business from the city centre. Supermarket giant Tesco, with a string of edge-of-town stores in North Wales, wants councillors to throw out the plans tonight.

Police Find Girl's Body in Thames

POLICE searching for a missing teenage girl in the River Thames last night recovered a body matching her description. Sirena Grant, 14, from Bromley, south-east London, is believed to have fallen into the river from the Albert Embankment in London, halfway between Lambeth Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Woman Leaves Pounds 2.4m to Zoo