LIVERPOOL GIRL HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR MISS UNIVERSE GB 2010 FINAL

A young woman from Liverpool has been selected to take part in the Miss Universe GB 2010 competition in May.

Debbie O’Toole, 24, a professional model and experienced beauty pageant titleholder, has fought off tough competition from 500 other hopefuls from around Great Britain to be named as one of the 50 finalists to take to the stage at the Miss Universe GB final.

The final will be taking place at The International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Sunday, 2 May 2010, in aid of the Joshua Foundation, children’s cancer charity. With the winner of the title going on to the Miss Universe final this summer, which is owned and run by American tycoon, Donald Trump.

The stunning 50 finalists, including Nicola, now have just three months to prepare for the glittering final, secure sponsorship and raise money for charity at the same time. Last year the Miss Universe GB finalist raised £32k for The Joshua Foundation, a charity which helps terminally ill children have life experiences, day trips, holidays, gifts and memories. The amount raised was enough to take 25 families to Lapland for the day.

Director of Vibe Models, which organises the event, Paula Abbandonato says:- “The Miss Universe GB competition, provides 50 gorgeous girls with a fantastic opportunity to strut their stuff during a glittering catwalk show, have fun and raise money for an extremely good cause. The girls involved in the competition will help to make a difference to the lives of children who have cancer by enabling them to have a break from their treatment to enjoy living and this year we hope to raise at least £50k for The Joshua Foundation.”

This year’s current winner is Clair Cooper from London, who has been enjoying a whirlwind year as Miss Universe Great Britain. The winner of Miss Universe GB in 2008 winner was Lisa Lazarus from Llanelli in South Wales, who has recently had a starring role in hit Bollywood movie, Veer.

The winner of Miss Universe Great Britain will receive an incredible prize package including an all expenses paid three-week visit to Miss Universe 2010.

MORE THAN 170 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN BURGLARY OPERATION

A total of 174 arrests have been made as a result of an operation to tackle burglary on Merseyside. The operation, which ran from Monday 18, January to Monday, 1 February 2010, saw a number of police initiatives in place across the Force.  The fortnight of activity resulted in 174 people arrested for burglary and burglary related offences. Officers from across Merseyside worked together to target priority offenders who are known to carry out burglaries in the area. Most were visited at their home addresses and were warned about the consequences of committing burglaries. Over 50,000 houses and over 7,200 vehicles checked as part of Operation Handle. This operation involves officers walking down streets in hotspot burglary areas trying the handles of doors in the late evenings and through in to the night to ensure they are locked. Of the 50,924 houses checked 2867 were found to be insecure and of the 7295 vehicles checked 448 were found to be insecure. When a home is found insecure the officers alert the residents to highlight the vulnerability of their premises and advise them of the security measures they can put on place to ensure they don't become victims of burglaries. A targeted ANPR operation was also in place.  Pawn brokers and cab offices were visited by police and spoken to about their services possibly being used to aid burglaries and the passing on of stolen goods. They were asked to report any information or anything suspicious to police and will continue to be visited on an on-going basis by the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams.  On Thursday, 29 January 2010, nine people were arrested as part of a high-profile joint operation between Cheshire Police and Merseyside Police. More than 200 officers were involved in the operation that saw 25 warrants being executed in Merseyside and Cheshire resulting in nine people, eight men and one woman, suspected of being involved in burglary arrested. The people arrested are suspected of committing more than 70 burglaries in Widnes, Runcorn and Warrington from September 2009 to date.  Supt Rob Carden, who led the operation said:- "This operation is a fine example of officers throughout Merseyside working together to tackle burglary and the results from the two weeks of targeted activity speak for themselves. They send out a strong message to burglars that this crime will not be tolerated. The communities affected can be reassured that the focus on reducing burglary will not stop following the operation and that it will continue to be a priority. I am pleased with the results of this operation, but we will not be complacent. We will be continuing to drive home the message that we take burglary very seriously and we are determined to do all we can to prevent burglaries in our area and catch those responsible. These results are down to a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the operation. We have a very dedicated and motivated team who work very closely with our neighbouring forces and our partners in the community like Neighbourhood Watch and local authorities.”  Anyone with any information, or who witnessed anything suspicious, is asked to call Merseyside Police on:- 0151 709 6010 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

City signs up to fair play football charter

LIVERPOOL has made a major European signing, by committing to a football charter designed to promote fair play in cities staging International matches.

Just weeks after the city was chosen as a host city for England’s World Cup 2018 bid, Council Leader Warren Bradley is in Barcelona with UEFA president Michel Platini to sign a ‘Declaration of Goodwill’ which has been jointly proposed by the games governing body and the Spanish city.

Councillor Bradley said:- “I am delighted that Liverpool has been able to sign up to this charter. We are the most successful footballing city in the country with two major Premiership clubs, and have a proud tradition stretching back decades of staging top international games. We have an excellent track record of working with our partners such as the clubs and police to make sure that fans have an enjoyable but safe time while they are in the city, and we have a lot of good practice which we can share. One of the key reasons we were successful in becoming a Host City for England’s 2018 World Cup bid was because the FA were impressed with our plans to create Fan Fest sites and make sure that supporters have a great time while in Liverpool.”

Also at the event in Barcelona are officials from other European cities and representatives from clubs belonging to the European Club Association (ECA) - the body that represents 144 clubs from all 53 UEFA member associations.

On Tuesday 2 February 2010, Councillor Bradley spoke at a Fan Hosting Seminar aimed at sharing experiences of staging international football matches. The event was held under the theme Football, Host Cities and RESPECT, brings together a variety of football stakeholders in the Catalan football stronghold.

"The UEFA club competitions are major sports and media events in Europe. Thanks to its popularity, European football not only attracts supporters to stadiums, but also offers media exposure to host cities as prized tourist destinations. However, European cities which host international matches sometimes face public order problems before and after a match. We are all aware of the importance of solving such problems and promoting hospitality, respect for fair play, fairness and sportsmanship not only inside stadiums, but also in the host city streets. UEFA and the city of Barcelona have therefore taken the joint decision to propose that European cities and football clubs sign a declaration of goodwill to promote fair play within cities hosting international football matches." said Mr Platini and the Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu.

For more information about the Declaration of Goodwill click here.

Hunt is on to find Formby's Worst Forces Snorer

THE family and friends of the noisiest snorers stationed at RAF Woodvale are being asked to nominate their groaning comrades to represent the unit in a bid to find the British Forces’ worst culprit and raise cash for Help for Heroes and The Big Salute.

Helps Stop Snoring, makers of the UK’s first natural snoring remedy, is hoping that Formby's riled regiments of spouses, siblings, offspring and, in extreme cases, neighbours, will lead the charge, and has pledged to donate £1 to charity for each nomination received.

The idea came about after the company received a letter from a soldier desperate for a cure after waking up in his barracks each morning surrounded by boots and other items that had been thrown during the night by comrades desperate for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Graham Carr-Smith, of Helps Stop Snoring, said:- “Our armed forces are on the frontline when it comes to representing the UK at home and abroad – it’s vital they get a good night’s sleep. With 15 million of the UK population believed to be snorers, I’m sure that quarters on land and sea are awash with night-time nuisances who are keeping their comrades awake, and it would be great to have RAF Woodvale represented in the search for the worst forces snorer and help raise much needed funds for Help for Heroes and The Big Salute. I’m extremely pleased to take this opportunity to support such worthwhile causes as Help for Heroes and The Big Salute, who help the brave individuals who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts. A winner will be selected from RAF Woodvale who will receive a complimentary pack of anti snoring product to help them and their fellow servicemen and women enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. This person will be put through to the national final and could be crowned with the unenviable title of ‘British Forces’ Worst Snorer’, and invited to present the cheque to Help for Heroes and The Big Salute on behalf of Helps Stop Snoring."

Snorers from RAF Woodvale can either put themselves forward for the appeal, or be nominated by family or fellow servicemen and women, by email or going online to find out more.