NEXT TOP MODELS INVITED TO BE PART OF LIVERPOOL DESIGNER’S CHARITY FASHION SHOW

LOCAL fashion designer and dress maker Francesca Kearns is looking for female models to take part in her début catwalk show, which will take place this autumn in aid of local charity The lily Centre.

So, if you have ever dreamt of becoming the next Kate Moss, or strutting your stuff down catwalks across the continent, and think you’ve got what it takes to be a top model then why not head down to the casting? - This may be the start of your career as a model!

The model casting will take place at CIRCO, at Liverpool’s Albert Dock – one of Liverpool’s most popular venues and also the venue for the final fashion show – on Thursday, 3 September (2009), commencing at 6.30pm.

Francesca said:- “I am so excited to meet the models that attend on Thursday. You only have to walk through Liverpool city centre to see how many fantastic looking ladies there are, I’m confident that we’ll find some amazing undiscovered talent for the show. Tickets for the fashion show – which takes place on Thursday, 22 October 2009 – are already in high demand and together with the support from the event sponsors, such as Jane Fullerton Hair Salon, we can promise a real event to remember, and most importantly raise plenty of much deserved cash for The Lily Centre.”

The charity fashion show - to raise funds for ‘The Lily Centre Breast Cancer Support Group’ – is a great opportunity for undiscovered models to showcase their talent and build their CV of modelling work.

Statements regarding the West Coast high speed rail link

ANTHONY Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, in responds to Network Rail new lines study issued on 26 August 2009, said that:- “Predictions are that services from London to the Midlands, the North West and up to Scotland are going to become more crowded in the next 10 years, so getting started on a new line is important. Passengers will therefore want the industry and government to progress these plans now. Passengers will welcome this study as a further step on the long march to actually getting this new line built. Promises of quicker journeys between Great Britain's city centres will hopefully attract new passengers. This may also free up other lines allowing for additional services. It is crucial that new funding for the high speed line is found. Passengers won’t want to see money taken from other areas of the railway to pay for this ambitious development. In the short and medium term overcrowding continues to be a problem for many passengers squeezed into peak hour services and we urge the industry and government to deliver promised new trains as soon as possible.”

The Northwest Regional Development Agency's Chief Executive, Steven Broomhead, said:- “The growth of the Northwest economy relies on fast and reliable connections to London and other UK cities, so this report is a major step forward in realising this aim. It’s clear that without major investment, the outlook is for growing congestion on our rail network. We particularly welcome Network Rail’s prioritisation of a high speed link to the Northwest, which would cut journey times to and from the capital to their shortest ever. The challenge now will be to build a strong case for Government investment to ensure this project happens.”

£3m Repairs for Chester’s A55

IF you travel from Liverpool into Chester, take note! A £3m Highways Agency scheme to resurface parts of the A55 near Chester will get underway next month.

The carriageway in both directions along the A55 between its junction with the A51 at Vicars Cross and where it crosses the River Dee, will be totally resurfaced in a 13-week scheme which will also include improvements to safety barriers in the area.

The work, which affects a three-mile section of the route, will begin on Monday, 7 September 2009 and is due to be completed before 14 December 2009.

Around 31,000 drivers use the route in each direction every day.

Some of the work will need full closures of the carriageway in one direction but diversions for these will be fully-signed. To minimise inconvenience to A55 users and the impact of diverted traffic on local roads, the work is only being carried out overnight - between 10pm and 5am each weekday night and 10pm up to 7am at weekends if required.

The Highways Agency will consider single lane rather than full carriageway closures if possible when repairing the barriers.

The work has also been planned to ensure lane closures do not clash with traffic management arrangements further north along the M53 where a £7.5m Highways Agency maintenance and improvement project near Ellesmere Port is taking place.

Highways Agency Project Manager Phil Hardy-Bishop said:- "This part of the A55 forms the important southern section of Chester’s ring road. By replacing the ageing surface in this area we will improve the reliability of the road and we will also be taking the opportunity to modify sections of the safety barrier."

Helpline remains open for GCSE exams results

STUDENTS receiving their GCSE results this week can call the Exams Results Helpline for free, independent and on the spot careers advice.

Professional advisors are on hand to deal with questions about young peoples’ futures and can provide confidential help on the range of options available from further education to getting a job.

They are also very knowledgeable about the new Diploma qualification.

Whether it is specific questions about grades and courses or more general advice about sixth form, college or employment, there are trained experts who can give practical, straightforward advice.

Nick Hynes has been working on the Exams Results Helpline for many years and says:- "Your GCSE results are out on Thursday. With the choice of new qualifications like the Diploma as well as A levels and Apprenticeships it is more important than ever to get good advice before deciding what to do next."

The Exams Results helpline number is 0808 100 8000 and calls are free from a landline - the service gives independent, impartial and friendly guidance. Lines are open from 9am until 7.30pm on Thursday, and remain open on Friday 28 August 2009 and Saturday 29 August 2009.

The service is hosted by UCAS, on behalf of the Department for Children Schools and Families. It is based at Rosehill in Cheltenham and open for GCSE results until Saturday, 29 August 2009.