NORTH WEST SENIORS ON ROAD TO SHOWBIZ STARDOM

IT'S time for a host of talented pensioners to rock around the grandfather clock and shake, rattle n'roll their way to fame in a bid to become the region's top Silver Star.

The North West Final of YOURS Silver Stars - Britain's biggest amateur talent contest for the 60-somethings - will take place at the Floral Hall, Southport at 2:00pm on 2 June (Wednesday). It is sponsored by YOURS magazine - the voice of the over 50's.

Glamorous grannies and gifted Grandad's will be amongst those strutting their stuff to prove age is no barrier when it comes to doing it their way.

The senior singers, dancers and comedians stepping on-stage have already fought off stiff competition during hundreds of Local Heats. 

Each finalist is hoping to hit the big time, a chance to perform in front of 2,000 people at the Grand Final at Southport Theatre on 28 July. 

Tickets cost £3.50 each. To purchase a ticket contact Floral Hall Box Office on 01704 500036.

CUSTOMS MINISTER LAUNCHES LORRY ROAD USER CHARGE PROCUREMENT PROCESS

JOHN HEALEY, Customs Minister and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, today formally announced the public launch of the procurement process for the Lorry Road User Charge.

Speaking to companies and potential suppliers at the open day, which provided information about the procurement process to interested businesses, Mr Healey said:- "The Government wants to make sure that all hauliers using our roads, including foreign firms, to pay their fair share of the costs they impose. The launch today of the charge is supported by the haulage industry."

Members of the Road Haulage Forum, officials from Customs & Excise and the Department for Transport, joined over 200 representatives from various companies at the open day held in the Mermaid Conference Centre, London.

EMAIL US ALL YOUR VIEWS AND NEWS TODAY

Children's Ward Receives New Equipment

THE Manchester-based Children's Hospitals Appeal Trust recently presented various pieces of vital medical equipment to the staff and patients at the Paediatric and Neo Natal Wards at Ormskirk. 
The equipment donated by the charity, which exists to improve healthcare for children and babies throughout the North West, includes five Syringe Pumps and five Oxygen Saturation Monitors.

The Syringe Pumps will be used to administer fluids to seriously ill and premature babies on the Neo Natal Unit. The Oxygen Saturation Monitors are to be used by the Paediatric Ward on children and babies from birth to age 16, helping patients with conditions such as Asthma and respiratory infection. 

Shirley Coward at Ormskirk & District General Hospital said:- "We are absolutely delighted to receive this equipment from the Appeals Trust, which will transfer with us when we move to the new purpose built women and children's unit that opens in October this year. We are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to the Appeal Trust for their support."

The charity has spent £13,870.00 on equipment for children and babies in Ormskirk this year alone.

Kids net tennis action

THOUSANDS of schoolchildren from across Merseyside are being given the chance to see top tennis stars in action in Liverpool.

Six thousand tickets are available from sponsors Northern Vision Ltd for youngsters to watch the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park in June.

So far, more than 50 schools have signed up to see action served up by top names Richard Krajicek, Vince Spadea, Irakli Labadze and Robert Kendrick, as well as legends such as Ilie Nastase, Guillermo Vilas and Mansour Bahrami.

The Liverpool International Tennis Tournament - the only event outside of Wimbledon to showcase ATP players and legends in the same week - takes place on 9 June to 13 June 2004.

Liverpool City Council's Sports Development Manager, Richard Johnson, said:- "This is a great opportunity for our youngsters to see some of the biggest names in the sport.

It is important to engage as many people as possible in such a high profile event and this will really help us to promote tennis with the next generation of fans."