Daily Post

Peace Demonstrators in City Rally to Demand End to Gaza Airstrikes

Children's Hospice Faces Cuts in Cash Squeeze ; Exclusive Claire House Donations Down by 20%

A MERSEYSIDE children's hospice may be forced to axe nursing posts and take in fewer seriously ill children as the credit crunch squeezes its funds. Claire House, in Bebington, Wirral, which this year celebrates its 10th birthday, has seen a 20% drop in donations over the past six months, and needs to cut five staff to meet the shortfall. Chief executive Karen Wright said they might also have to consider taking in fewer of the most seriously ill children.

Tributes Paid As Children's Art Legend Hart Dies, 83

TRIBUTES have been paid to the children's TV presenter, Tony Hart, who died yesterday at the age of 83. He appeared on art programmes for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2001 due to ill health.

Child Sex Offences Close to 900 Mark

NEARLY 900 sexual offences against children were recorded by Merseyside and Cheshire police forces last year. The NSPCC made freedom of information requests to all 43 of the police forces in England and Wales, asking how many under-18s were victims of sex offences, and requested a gender and precise age breakdown.

In Brief: Sir Howard Newby: Correction

In Brief: Crime Rising in Recession

In Brief: Looking Up

Experimental Chef Toasts Michelin Star Success ; Coveted Award Puts the Region On Culinary Map

AFTER many long years of waiting Merseyside has finally been put on the international culinary map with the region's first Michelin Star. An intimate, sophisticated restaurant in Oxton, Wirral, has been given the coveted award after it was hotly tipped to gain the star two years ago.

Unions Meet Pm Over Car Industry

UNION chiefs are meeting with the Prime Minister today to discuss saving the British car industry. Tony Woodley, joint head of Unite, who was once hailed "The Saviour of Halewood" said he still believed the Government would help car workers.

Plans to Widen M62 May Be Dropped

TRANSPORT Secretary Geoff Hoon has suggested plans to widen the M62 and the M6 may be dropped. Mr Hoon defended plans to relieve motorway congestion by allowing vehicles on to the hard shoulder.

In Brief: Show Reviews Liverpool's Culture Year

In Brief: Hospital Hosts Stem Cell Trials

In Brief: Harder Times

In Brief: Kent Safari

In Brief: Poet Stamps

Hospital 'Sorry' for Dead Baby Mistakes ; Mother's Shock Over 'Errors'

WARRINGTON Hospital blamed an "administrative error" after it was revealed a miscarried baby's body was stored in its mortuary for almost two years without the mother's permission. It came to light when Leanne McCabe, of Runcorn, Cheshire, contacted the hospital to arrange a funeral for the son she had miscarried.

3,000 Gather for Peace Demonstration

ORGANISERS say around 3,000 peace demonstrators took part in a march and rally through Liverpool on Saturday. They held a vigil in Berry Street's bombed-out church before marching to St John's Gardens, behind St George's Hall.

Widow, 81, Dies After Crash

AN 81-YEAR-OLD woman has died after she collided with a car in Wirral. Helen Tristrain was knocked down by a black BMW 320 at the junction of Wallasey Village and Sandy Lane, in Wallasey, on Wednesday evening.

Pair Pulled From Cars

A MAN and a woman had to be rescued from their cars by fire crews after an accident in Netherton. Firefighters rescued a woman with whiplash and a broken femur from her car after an accident in Bridle Road at 6.30pm on Saturday.

Missing Man Appeal

POLICE are increasingly concerned for a man who has been missing from care in Southport since January 9. When last seen on Albert Road, Southport, Jonathon Greenberg, described as 6ft tall and of heavy build, was wearing a blue fleece, jeans and a blue T-shirt.