News in Heswall

Well, apart from being able to visit if it comes to pass, it's another example, along with the One West Kirby project we reported on earlier this month, of trying to make things happen for the local community - as George Morgan reports.

The woman in charge of a major lido project wants a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool in New Brighton.

Wirral's COVID hospital numbers have halved in the space of a week, as the borough continues to get on top of the virus.

The very latest figure, which covers February 16, shows that 65 virus patients were in Wirral's hospitals.

Sue Porter, owner of Linghams on Telegraph Road, and her team are celebrating recognition given to them today by the British book industry.

Sue, who, before the pandemic struck, had turned Heswall's bookstore and cafe into one of the most important places to launch a book outside London, has battled through COVID restrictions and lockdowns by running a click and collect service for local book buyers, and going online to great effect to maintain the spirit of her popular literary events with authors.

Last night, a key Wirral Council meeting recommended that the Williamson Art Gallery remains open and many other controversial savings plans are scrapped.

Before Christmas, the authority put options including the complete closure of Europa Pools, the borough's four public golf courses and the Williamson out to consultation.

Feel free to tap or click your way through the gallery of 10 pictures above.

A crunch council meeting later today will have a huge role in the future of Europa Pools, the Williamson Art Gallery and other much-loved services.

Wirral Council's Policy and Resources (P&R) Committee is meeting at 6pm this evening to discuss the authority's perilous budget situation.

Merseyside schools lost more than £200,000 when a facilities lettings company collapsed last year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service can reveal.

Pensby High School on Irby Road was the worst hit of all of them.

Detectives from Merseyside Police have today renewed their appeal for the public's help following the sad discovery of the body of a baby boy on Brackenwood golf course, Bebington.

At around 4.25pm on Friday 29th January two dog walkers came across the body of the full-term baby in a wooded area at the side of a footpath close to the 16th green of the golf course.

The son of a hard-working and generous restaurateur who died of COVID-19 last Easter Sunday, said his father has inspired him to make a difference.

Shabil Syed, 40, from Prenton, told the LDRS that his dad Ansaf's death at the age of 66 was very difficult, but that he was "much-loved" in the community.

I was born and raised in Blackburn, a town famous for - among other things - being immortalised in song by The Beatles.

"I read the news today oh boy, four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire."