LIVERPOOL LOOKS TOOK TO THEY SKY FOR FUN IN THE SUN, TO WARM AWAY WINTER CHILLS

LIVERPOOL Hampton by Hilton Hotels on 23 December 2009, prepared for suitcases packed with bikinis and beach balls rather than winter coats over Christmas, as over 50,000* passengers pass through John Lennon Airport to escape the winter chill for some relaxation in the sun.

On site airport hotels such as the convenient Hampton by Hilton have seen a steady flow of holiday traffic over the weeks leading up to the festive break. Louise Jones, Deputy Manager of the Hampton by Hilton Liverpool - John Lennon Airport has also noticed guests packing for warmer destinations. She said:- “With the cold weather and freezing nights, it is no surprise that this has spurred people to seek a warmer home over the festive season.”

Malaga had seen the biggest pull for sun seekers with 12,222* heading to the region from Liverpool airport for its famous Mediterranean climate. Other popular areas on Liverpool traveller’s wish list included Alicante, Majorca, The Canaries, Nice, Tenerife, Faro and Fuerteventura.

Liverpool’s Rachelle Perez was hoping for some winter sun aboard and said just before setting off:- “Nothing beats some time on the beach. We can’t wait to get out to soak up some rays and have some quality time in the sun. It’s going to be a shock in terms of the change in temperature - but I am sure we’ll cope.” We would love to know how she got on!

Did you know that The Hampton at John Lennon Airport is the second in the UK, with Hampton Hotels operating more than 1,700 hotels around the world. There were 150 additional hotels opened in 2009 and a further 100 in the pipeline.

* Statistics supplied thanks to Peel Airports.

Phil Thompson Charged With Murder of Terry Stenson

MERSEYSIDE Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Partington Avenue, Bootle, on Sunday, 3 January 2010.  Officers were called to Partington Avenue at 1.47pm following reports of a disturbance inside a house.  On arrival at the premises officers found a 19 year old man, Terry Stenson, from Bootle, with serious injuries and who later died at the property. A Home Office post mortem revealed he died as a result of multiple stab wounds.  Phil Thompson, a 29 year old also Bootle, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was later charged on Monday, 4 January 2010, with the murder of the 19 year old. He remanded in custody and then appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 5 January 2010. Detectives still believe this was an isolated incident but a high-visibility police presence will remain in the area to provide reassurance to the public.  Anyone who witnessed the incident, saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area or has any other information is asked to call Copy Lane CID on:- 0151 777 3165 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.   The photograph is of Terry Stenson.

Merseyside Fire Crews Announce Overtime Ban in Cuts Dispute

MERSEYSIDE fire crews start an overtime ban on 12 January 2010, in a dispute over cuts to frontline fire services. The cuts involve the loss of up to 104 frontline firefighter posts including 36 frontline posts being moved to non-operational work.

The Fire Brigades Union says the ban will expose the chronic shortage of firefighters in Merseyside. Pre-arranged overtime is completely voluntary in Merseyside fire service and cannot be used to cover firefighter shortages.

The fire authority has also extended the use of the controversial staffing system to Eccleston fire station which means longer response times, extended working hours and the loss of firefighter posts. The Fire Brigades Union says this breaks an agreement to seek the involvement of ACAS.

Les Skarratts, Merseyside FBU brigade secretary said:- "There have been relentless cuts to fire services in Merseyside and there is now a chronic shortage of crews at fire stations. These cuts have already had a real impact on the number of frontline firefighters to crew fire engines and attend 999 emergencies. This new set of planned cuts will mean even fewer firefighters spread more thinly taking longer to get to incidents. These are real cuts to the number of frontline firefighters in Merseyside which will impact on how we respond to 999 emergencies. Merseyside fire service appears to relish these cuts while promising more and more to come. An overtime ban will show how bad the chronic shortage of fire crews is and why more cuts will make that worse. We are taking the action needed to resolve the dispute in order to protect members delivering frontline fire services from this further round of cuts in Merseyside. The fire authority needs to think again about where years of cuts have brought us to and what will be left of our emergency responses if they continue."

Merseyside FBU members voted 3 to 1 in favour of action short of a strike in a ballot result announced on 22 December 2010.

WITNESS APPEAL - ASSAULT, WALTON

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information about the attempted robbery that occurred in Walton on Saturday, 19 December 2009.  At about 8pm a male gas contractor was repairing a suspected gas leak on Carnation Road when he was approached by four men.  The men made threats to the contractor and demanded his van keys. The victim refused and was then assaulted by the men. He then ran into a nearby property. The offenders ran off along Carnation Road empty handed. The victim sustained injuries to his head and torso and was taken to hospital for treatment. He was later discharged but has been left very shaken by the incident.  The offenders are described as being white, aged between 16 to 18 years, and average build. Two were approximately 6ft tall and two were 5ft 8ins tall. All four men wore dark hooded jackets. Detective Constable Andy Bason said:- "This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on a man who was carrying out an emergency repairs. We are making extensive enquiries to identify the offenders and will do all we can to catch these men and put them before the courts. Behaviour such as this is extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated. I would urge anyone who saw something or knows who is responsible for this assault to come forward." Anyone who may have seen the incident or who has information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 4808 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.