Daily Post

Bomb in Sefton Park Lake

AN UNEXPLODED WWII bomb forced police to cordon off Sefton Park last night after it had lain hidden underwater for nearly 70 years. Drainage work at the park had revealed the silt of the lake bed and it was there that a couple out walking in the park spotted the bomb just before 6pm on Sunday.

Planning Bids Cut As Crunch Bites ; Exclusive Sign of Hard Times As City Applications Fall by a Half

THE number of major planning applications in Liverpool has fallen by more than half, in the latest indication of the impact of the credit crunch on the city. Between April and December, 2008, the city council only received 95 applications for large schemes - around 53% less than the 200 the council had been expecting, based on a five-year average.

Minister: I Won't Meddle

THE Government has said it will not intervene in the closure of libraries across Wirral. The decision by culture secretary Andy Burnham has come as Wirral Council is due to meet tonight to approve its budget - including provisions for the controversial Strategic Asset Review (SAR).

In Brief: Thousands of Job Hunters Besiege Zoo

A ZOO recruitment day for seasonal staff brought a surge of more than 3,000 hopeful job-hunters. Twycross Zoo, based in Atherstone, Warwickshire, held its annual four-hour recruitment open day to find seasonal employees on Saturday.

In Brief: Battle Over Tyre Dump

In Brief: Goody Surgery

Agents Are Licensed to Sell Off Bond's Cheshire Home ; 007's Former House Goes On the Market for Pounds 1m

ESTATE agents have been "licensed to sell" the former Cheshire country pile of 007 actor Roger Moore. The 17th-century Broxton Hall manor house, near Chester, has gone on the market for a cool pounds 1m.

Gilfoyle Family Vow to Fight On

THE family of Eddie Gilfoyle have vowed to fight on to clear his name. It follows a review of his conviction by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which found "new evidence" unearthed by a national newspaper had already been considered at appeal.

Fugitive Gerrard 'Fixer' Captured

A MOB fixer, who once helped Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, is behind bars after almost a year on the run. John Kinsella, of Mile End, Everton, stopped a Merseyside gangster known as The Psycho from terrorising the England midfielder when he was coming up through the Anfield ranks.

Eco-Festival Introduces Visitors to Wetland Wonders

FAMILIES enjoyed an Eco-festival at Martin Mere Wetland Centre over the weekend. The wildlife reserve, near Burscough, West Lancashire, hosts rare and endangered birds in an unspoilt habitat.

In Brief: Government Clampdown On Circuses

THE Government department responsible for animal welfare is looking at the possibility of regulating the use of wild animals in circuses, it said yesterday. The announcement follows the controversial introduction of three elephants into shows by the Great British Circus.

In Brief: No Preparation for Snow

In Brief: 'Army' Schools

In Brief: Alps Deaths

TRIBUTES were paid last night to two British tourists who fell to their deaths in the French Alps. Richard Ryan, 27, of York, and Christopher Lockwood, 28, of Leeds, died in the resort of Les Deux Alpes.

In Brief: Eu Talks

Delight As Girls' School Wins Prestige Academy Status ; Bid to Attract Pupils From Deprived Areas

WIRRAL'S last independent allgirls school has been given the goahead to become one of the Government's flagship academies. The move has been welcomed by Wirral Council's cabinet member for education, Phil Davies, who said he looked forward to Birkenhead High School attracting children from deprived areas of the borough.

Soulful Stone Packs Out Intimate Picket Gig

SOUL superstar Joss Stone and her 11-piece band packed out the Picket on Saturday night. Stone, who has sold millions of albums across the globe, easily filled the 300-capacity Jordan Street venue.

Concern for Missing Woman

POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a Merseyside woman. Christine Armstrong, 43, was last seen at her Hampton Road home, in Southport, on Wednesday, February, 25, at 7.30am. She is described as white, 5ft 4in tall and of slim build, with shoulderlength mousy hair.

Action On Knives Led to Four Arrests

A BLITZ on knife crime led police to arrest four people for carrying weapons on Friday. Merseyside Police held a region-wide Knife Crime Day of Action.

Parry's Departure Will Be No Easy Fix ; Rick Parry's Departure Will Only Increase Uncertainty at Liverpool Fc, Argues Chief Football Correspondent Ian Doyle Parry Departure Anfield Uncertainty

WHILE Liverpool were preparing for their Champions League match at Real Madrid last week, speculation swept Merseyside that Rafael Benitez was poised to resign as the club's manager. The rumour-mongers had, of course, picked the wrong man to make a high-profile exit from Anfield.