Daily Post

Tunnels Face Threat of Five-Day April Strike ; Region Wakes Up to Transport Chaos

THE Mersey tunnels could be closed by strike action for five days next month, union officials said last night. The warning came as the region was today waking up to a Region wakes up to transport chaos transport nightmare, with thousands of commuters facing chaos as the two tunnels and the Mersey Ferry service were shut down.

Opinion Divided Over Rice City Visit

LIVERPOOL remains divided over whether the city should welcome US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. An on-line Daily Post poll saw 1,000 readers vote following controversy over the high-profile visit because of her role in the Iraq war.

Tycoon's Stolen Treasures Recovered

ANTIQUES believed stolen from reclusive property tycoon Harry Hyams' rural mansion have been found, police said yesterday. Thieves grabbed art and valuables valued at up to pounds 30m from Ramsbury Manor in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, in an overnight heist at the start of

In Brief: York Builds Answer to London Eye

WORK was under way yesterday on the North of England's answer to the London Eye. The wheel, which will be only 30ft smaller than York's world- famous Minster, will open to the public on April 7.

In Brief: Last-Minute Surge in Isas

In Brief: Hostile Emails

In Brief: Artist Dies

In Brief: Costly Repairs

Pounds 3.25m Home Win for Ex-Star ; Mcmanaman Sells Up - and Breaks Wirral House Price Record

HE IS a close friend and former teammate of Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler whose housing deals are reputed to have made him Britain's wealthiest soccer player. Now Steve McManaman has dipped into the property market himself to sell his own home, which is claimed to be one of the most prestigious addresses on Merseyside.

Sailor Rescue

AN ENGINEER was rushed for emergency medical treatment after being rescued yesterday. The Russian national in his 50s collapsed with severe stomach pain.

Rail Journey From Hell 'a Shambles'

AROUND 200 passengers on a Virgin Train service between Liverpool and London became caught up in a journey from hell yesterday when power lines went down. The worst affected service was the 3.15pm from London Euston due to arrive at Liverpool Lime Street at

In Brife: Empty Buses Ruse Pays Off in Ulster

In Brife: Butchers Chain Gets the Chop

DEWHURST, the chain of butchers, was placed in the hands of administrators yesterday who closed 60 of the retail outlets 95 stores. Accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward said it had to shut the unprofitable stores to enable the rest of the group to be sold, BBC Online reported.

In Brife: Theme Battle

In Brife: Final Leg

In Brife: Bums Girl Home

A TEENAGE girl who was set alight in a churchyard has been released from hospital. Detectives investigating the attack in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, are hunting three men, following the attack on Thursday.

Merseytravel Chief ; He Joins the Strike That Will Paralyse the Region. Deborah James and Larry Neild Report Industrial Action Merseytravel

MERSEYTRAVEL chief executive Neil Scales was lambasted by the region's business community last night for his decision to join today's public sector workers' all-out strike over pensions. Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, accused Mr Scales of turning his back on the region's economy in favour of fighting for his own pension.

Merseytravel Chief Comes Under Attack ; Industrial Action Merseytravel This Strike Is Only the Beginning of Operation Rolling Thunder, Warns Union Leader

UNISON general secretary David Prentice has already warned the one-day strike action was just the beginning of an action plan codenamed Rolling Thunder. Regional union leaders last night threatened Mersey tunnels could be included on the hit list of services to be targeted in a second round of selective strike, that could last five days early next month.

Children Forced to Stay at Home ; Industrial Action the Impact - Reporting Team Deborah James, Liam Murphy and Kate Manseylookat How and Where the Strike Will Hit

MORE than half of Merseyside's 578 schools will remain closed today as public services grind to a near halt amid all-out national strike action. In Liverpool more than 50,000 pupils will stay at home this morning, as two out of every three primary and secondary schools shut their doors.

Air Ambulance Moves Base to Concentrate On Accident Hot Spots ; Industrial Action the Impact

THE North West Air Ambulance will be moved from its Lancashire base to be closer to Merseyside emergency hot spots. The helicopter will be stationed in Cheshire, close to the Runcorn bridge.