Daily Post

Trial Begins of Sex-Charge Tennis Coach

Neptune Theatre Future Hangs in Balance ; Exclusive Rent Charge Rowcould See City's Cultural Gem Turned Into a Bar

THE future of one of Liverpool's cultural gems was last night hanging in the balance because of a major funding row. The historic Neptune theatre shut down in 2005, and now looks certain to be closed during next year's Capital of Culture celebrations, when it was supposed to play a "central role" in the programme.

Top Independent Girls' School to Become an Academy ; Exclusive

WIRRAL'S last independent all-girls school has said it plans to abandon fee-paying and academic selection to become an academy. The move means girls from Wirral, regardless of ability, will be able to apply for a place at the prestigious Birkenhead High School for Girls.

Spice Girls Sell Out in 38 Seconds

THE Spice Girls' London comeback concert has sold out in just 38 seconds, the show's promoters said yesterday. More than one million people in the UK registered for the December 15 show.

In Brief: Father and Son Football Fans to Face Court

TWO football fans appeared in court today charged with racially aggravated conduct at a match. The father and son, from Walsall, West Midlands, are accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at an Aston Villa versus Chelsea football match at Villa Park in Birmingham on September 2.

In Brief: Forces Charity Is Launched

In Brief: Tv Warnings

Lost Soul's Music to the Ears of City Theatre Goers ; Writer's Second Hit Play Breaks Box Office Record

LIVERPOOL'S Royal Court theatre has another grass roots record breaker on its hands. The comedy, Lost Soul, has proved an even bigger hit for writer Dave Kirby than his first stage outing, Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, which he co-created with Nicky Allt. The latest show, directed by Sylvie Gatrill, frequently received "souled out" notices throughout its September run, and overall saw 20,000 tickets pass through the Royal Court's box office - outstripping sales for the first run of Brick Up by...

Surgery Saves Hero

ANAVY mechanic stabbed three times as he tried to stop a girl being attacked is recovering in hospital. Thomas Dowell, 23, from Crosby had surgery after being set upon while on a night out over the weekend.

Woman Flees Fire

AWOMAN injured her leg after jumping to safety from a bedroom window when fire broke out at a house in Bootle last night . Afour-year-old boy was also taken to hospital as a precaution following the fire, which broke out shortly before 10pm.

Gerrard Distressed After Boy Injured in Collision ; Victim's Leg Broken in Two Places

LIVERPOOL FC captain Steven Gerrard was last night said to be "very upset", after he was involved in a traffic collision which left a 10-year-old boy in hospital with a broken leg. The schoolboy, Jamie Hellawell, was knocked to the ground after running out into the road and hitting the side of the star's Bentley car in Grantham Road, Birkdale.

In Brief: Pop Star Loses' Her Children

A JUDGE yesterday ordered Britney Spears to hand over her children to her ex-husband . At a hearing behind closed doors in Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Scott Gordon ordered the pop star to turn over custody of her two young sons to Kevin Federline.

In Brief: Man Held Over Road Death

In Brief: Fight for Life

In Brief: Head Cases

In Brief: Tour Row

Coach Denies Lesbian Affair with Teenage Tennis Pupil ; Mother Found Us in Bed Together, Says Girl

A TOP female tennis coach began a lesbian relationship with a 13- year-old pupil who was being trained at a special academy, a court heard yesterday. The teenage girl sobbed as she told police she started having a sexual relationship with the coach who was a former Wimbledon competitor.

Just a Few Weeks Old, but Tiny Tejas Offers Glimmer of Hope for His Species

BOTTLE-FED rare lion cub Tejas already has his future mapped out. Just 350 Asiatic lions remain in their homeland of western India and it is hoped Tejas' birth at Chester Zoo will help the species claw back from the brink of extinction.

Sherrin Dies From Cancer

THE broadcaster, writer and director Ned Sherrin, who was famous for presenting the Radio 4 show Loose Ends, has died, his personal manager said last night. Sherrin, 76, died of cancer at his home in Chelsea, south west London, surrounded by friends and with his doctor at his bedside, Deke Arlon said.

Hold-Up at Knife Point

POLICE are hunting a knife attacker who held up a petrol station attendant and stole a quantity of money from a till. The male worker was left so traumatised by the incident at 8.15pm on Saturday at the petrol station in Ditton Road, Widnes, that he has given up his job.