Daily Post

Economic Crisis Bites Workforce ; Biggest Jobseeker Surge in 18 Years Hits Region

THE stark impact of the world economic crisis on families in the Liverpool city region was exposed with the release of the latest unemployment statistics yesterday. The figures showed the largest monthly increase in jobseekers for 18 years, sending the number of claimants above the 50,000 mark.

Gas Leak Empties Homes

A GAS leak in Southport led to the evacuation of up to 100 people from their homes last night. The leak from a pipe on Town Lane saw the road closed at around 7.30pm last night.

Ski Accident Actress Richardson Dies, Aged 45

ACTRESS Natasha Richardson has died, her husband Liam Neeson's publicist said last night. The 45-year-old star died at a hospital in New York after suffering a serious head injury in a fall at a Canadian ski resort.

Immigrants to Pay for Self-Help ; Region Boosts Services for Migrants

MERSEYSIDE immigrants will have to pay for extra services designed to help them fit into the local community. Non-EU immigrants will also face higher charges for their visa allowing them to work or learn locally.

In Brief: Man Cleared of Murder After 27 Years

SEAN HODGSON enjoyed his first taste of freedom in 27 years yesterday after a murder conviction was declared "unsafe" by the Court of Appeal in London. Mr Hodgson, now 57, was freed by three judges who ruled fresh DNA evidence had "demolished" the case against him over the 1979 killing of young gas board clerk and parttime barmaid Teresa De Simone.

In Brief: Judges Move

In Brief: Flippant Ad

In Brief: Bus Horror

Dream Starts to Take Shape ; First Section of Colliery Tribute Sculpture Put in Place As Pounds 1.9m Vision Becomes Reality

THE first pieces of a 20mtall sculpture that will dramatically transform the Merseyside landscape were craned into place yesterday. For the next two months, commuters on the M62 will be able to witness the pounds 1.9m art work gradually taking shape from 90 panels of precast concrete.

Site Chosen From 1,400 Applications

THE former Sutton Manor Colliery is one of seven UK sites chosen for Channel 4's Big Art Project, which aims to create unique and inspiring works of public art. The broadcaster requested submissions for potential locations in October, 2005, receiving suggestions from around 1,400 members of the public. The chosen seven were announced in spring, 2006, and have since been working closely with their allocated curators and artists to plan the art works.

Guilty Fritzl Faces Life Sentence

INCEST monster Josef Fritzl faces a life sentence after he changed his plea to guilty on all charges apparently when confronted in court by the daughter he subjected to 24 years of horror. Fritzl's confession surprised his own lawyer, who said: "It must really have shaken him up."

In Brief: Port Rates Plan Defeated in the Lords

In Brief: Stamps Mark Mini's 50th

In Brief: Bbc Attacked

In Brief: Mayor Bid

In Brief: Booker Hope

Baby Girl Attacked by Hotel Manager

A HOTEL manager has been found guilty of assaulting a six- monthold baby he was minding. Jurors convicted Darren Lyle of causing bruises to the baby girl's face while he was alone caring for her.

Livingstone Escapes Fine

A TRAIN company has defended its decision not to impose a penalty fare on former London Mayor Ken Livingstone after he travelled without a ticket. Mr Livingstone could have faced a pounds 20 fine for not buying a ticket for his journey from London's Paddington station to Slough, in Berkshire.

University Department Closures 'Not a Done Deal' ; Leading Tory Intervenes in Courses Row

A GLIMMER of hope that four University of Liverpool departments could be saved emerged last night after its Vice Chancellor told the shadow Home Secretary closure was not certain. Professor Sir Howard Newby met with Chris Grayling MP yesterday to discuss the proposed closure of the politics, communications, philosophy and statistics courses.

City Education Chiefs On Pounds 750k

THE four heads of Liverpool's major universities and colleges earn more than pounds 750,000 between them, new figures reveal. They show that in 2007/08, vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool Professor Drummond Bone earned up to pounds 285,000 and received an 18.2% pay rise between 2006 and last year.