Liverpool's Craig Phillips will be "Happy and sad to see the end of BB on C4 in 2010."

THE Liverpool Big Brother winner Craig Phillips told us that:- “I am happy and sad that C4 will not be renewing their contract with Endemol beyond 2010 for the rights to televise Big Brother. I think whilst the show and the format remains popular, whilst popularity of a reality show is driven by characters and the public engaging with the contestants , Big Brother is undoubtedly tired. The bottom line though is that Big Brother remains a highly profitable show for any broadcaster and so I can’t see any reason why another broadcaster wouldn’t want to pick up the UK rights for 2011 and beyond – people remain transfixed by reality television which Big Brother is originally responsible for. I think Channel 4’s director of television Kevin Lygo is right in that it would be so easy to renew contracts for financial reasons but the format perhaps needs some fresh creative input. I think the best thing for next years final C4 show would be for C4 to go out with a bang in style by making 2010 a best of the best show – with all the 10 winners, perhaps some surprise Celebrity BB housemates and notable BB housemates from the years entering the house – I think the public would be engaged with their favourite characters returning and it would be great to see how the winners bond or not bond as the case may be. This would be a great way to celebrate one of the most important shows in recent television history. I’ve met all the other winners and get on well with all I think it would be great to see how all the winners get on though in the house, we all would want to win for our chosen charity and am sure our experiences pre and post winning Big Brother would make for interesting viewing. Imagine how A Geordie stud, a Welsh actress and model, a Scottish fisherman turned broadcaster , a transgender, a tourettes sufferer, an Essex boy, an Irish gay gent, a top lady DJ , this years winner and myself a Liverpudlian builder would get on!. Although none of us have anything to prove (although we all might have something to prove as we are all competitive and would like to be the ultimate Big Brother winner) we would all be competing hard to win the publics votes and perhaps funds could go to appropriate cancer charities in memory of Jade Goody. I for one would certainly be happy to discuss something like this with Endemol and C4 and would be willing to help them to bring all the winners together and make this final year as exciting and entertaining as possible. I feel beyond 2010 if Endemol did work with another UK terrestrial or satellite broadcaster, producers should use the opportunity to take a step back and review how they can best revitalise and improve aspects of the format for the future.”

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES, ARMED ROBBERY, NATWEST CHILDWALL

MERSEYSIDE Police are now investigating an armed robbery that took place at 12.15 on Tuesday, 25 August 2009.

Officers were called to reports of a robbery taking place at the NatWest bank at Childwall Five Ways.

It is believed that three men entered the bank wearing balaclavas, threatened staff and demanded money.

The men then left the bank with an amount of money and made off from the scene in vehicles at high speed assisted by another man.

No-one was injured during the incident although staff were left shaken.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the immediate area at the time is asked to contact Merseyside Police:- 0151 777 5365 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

Last chance for 2010 Queen’s volunteer Award nominations from the North West

THE Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office has called for nominations from the North West for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups, ahead of this year’s 30 September 2009 deadline.

This UK National Honour was created by Her Majesty to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and recognises the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers. Among the 750 organisations who have already received this Award, are volunteers from young people’s groups, rural community organisations and groups working in Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

In June this year, eight outstanding groups in the North West received the 2009 Award from the 406 nominations made from across the UK after being nominated by friends, family, beneficiaries or members of the public.

Although nominations can be made at any time during the year by visiting queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk, for those wishing to be considered for the 2010 Award, forms must be received by 30 September 2009.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said:-“Volunteering groups make a huge contribution to people’s lives, often without praise for the incredible job they do. A prestigious National Honour such as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service can prove invaluable in so many ways to their ongoing success. The importance of volunteer groups is all the more apparent in the current climate, and I urge people across the North West to help recognise those doing outstanding work in their local communities. Whether you know a group or have benefitted personally from their activities, get a form and nominate!”

For details of all Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service winners or to download a nomination form in pdf or word format, visit:- queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk.

THE BUGWORLD EXPERIENCE BRINGS CRAWLING CRITTERS TO LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL

THE BugWorld Experience is hosting a special event at Liverpool Cathedral on Tuesday, 1 September 2009 to celebrate the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition Exhibition currently on show.

Visitors to the Cathedral will not only be able see the highly acclaimed photography exhibition, they will also be able to handle some of the most fascinating insects from the BugWorld Experience, including the Madagascan hissing cockroach, fruit beetle and stick insects.

People attending Liverpool Cathedral on 1 September 2009 will also be able to sample some insect food delicacies from around the world for free including leaf cutter ants and BBQ worms.

The BugWorld Experience general manager, Jenny Dobson, will be on hand to throughout the day to teach participants about each animal, why they are important to the environment and dispel any myths.

The BugWorld Experience handling and tasting sessions will be held at Liverpool Cathedral on St. James Mount at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and will last for approximately 45mins each.

For more information please click here.

To find out more also visit our video report about the BugWorld Experience by clicking on here.