Liverpool Echo

Paramedics Praised ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

WITH regards to BBC1 (Northwest Tonight) and ITV1 (Granada Reports) about the condition of ambulances in Merseyside, I would just like to say anytime I or my family have required an ambulance it has been the best it can be, given the resources. The paramedics do a fantastic job every day of the year saving lives. I would say put more ambulances on our roads and have a quicker cleaning system. Take on more staff as the ambulances have to be steam-cleaned. The situation is being reviewed again ...

Your Pic

Scouse Power ; Your Poem

Why It's Time to Ban Politicians From Watching Tv

GORDON Brown, he is the first to admit, has "a good face for radio". The PM can - trust me - appear warm and friendly in the flesh rather than his grumpy screen image.

Mp's 'Poor Record' ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

I AM writing to you following the E. Makin piece in Friday's ECHO. I am amazed that a longstanding citizen of this city should sing the plaudits of one particular MP. As a resident in the Fairfield area of the city I must take exception to his comments.

Cobbles Complaint ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

THANK you and your reporter Marc Waddington for carrying the story about our streets being plundered on August 18. Maybe someone in council will sit up and do something about the unofficial removal of our streets' heritage, not least because it is costing the council taxpayer a small fortune to replace. One incident witnessed by all the residents of Edinburgh Road between Leopold Road and Adelaide Road was the removal and disposal of 1,550 cobble sets by Morgan Est on behalf of United Utiliti...

Bring Back Speakers ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

I WAS thinking about some of the things that went on in Liverpool many years ago which today have sadly disappeared from our streets. As a child I remember crowds of children who would joyfully look at the Punch and Judy show held in Lime Street. I also miss the talks and discussions at the Pier Head given by speakers on such subjects as politics or religion. I am certain if we still had the opportunity of these public discussions on these subjects of politics or religion, they would be welco...

Updates Are Needed ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

I WATCHED the much publicised Benefit Busters on TV. Adviser Hayley Taylor is not the stern faced lady in black as suggested by the TV company's press photo. She came across as a mixture of hard nosed benefit enforcer and sentimentality.

Radical Solution ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

THERE'S only one way to rid society of the smoking habit that is killing so many of us. Brainwash all new entrants to society from the age of one year. Kids must be saturated with anti-smoking propaganda as soon as they graduate from "mama" and "dada" to meaningful sentences. We must encourage new nursery rhymes and playground chants ridiculing the habit. It may seem drastic, butwhat ismore drastic than years of bad health and financial burden, followed by premature death and the grief of lov...

Valuable Lessons ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

I AM writing in response to your recent article 'Council lessons to catch a bus'. The Travel Trainer scheme is delivered through the Merseyside Transport Partnership, which consists of Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral Councils and Merseytravel.

Proud of Youngsters ; You Say Email:Letters@Liverpoolecho.Co.Uk

I AM a relative of Liam Gill, the young lad killed tragically on August 9 this year. I feel I have to put in writing how very proud and amazed I am at his young friends on the day of the funeral. With all the bad press that young people receive in today"s society we as a family were astonished at the dignity and respect they showed throughout the days before the funeral and at the funeral itself.

Pick of the Day ; Sport

Live Football League (Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm) Newcastle United v Leicester City (Kick-off 7.45pm). The Championship double bill concludes at St James" Park, as the recently relegated Magpies face the newly promoted Foxes. The last meeting between the sides was a Premier League fixture here in February 2004, when Shola Ameobi was among the scorers for the hosts in a 3-1 win. Ameobi already has four league goals to him name this term, helping the Magpies to three wins and a draw from their openin...

Film of the Day ; Movies

Your Stars

It is only by closing your ears off to the rumours, that you will get to take part in the happy times waiting for you. You are being played, and someone is laughing behind your back. Call me right now for answers to both your present, and your future. I find it hard to believe you stuck to any sort of resolution. The reason for my doubt is that you made so many. Take life one day at a time and success will be yours. Call now for insight into this very special week you face.

Dame Vera Is Top of the Charts

FORCES sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn became the oldest living artist to make it into the top 20 of the UK albums chart. Dame Vera, who kept up the spirits of millions with her songs and personality during the darkest days of World War II, entered the album chart at number 20, at the age of 92.

Vandals Try to Wreck Charity Fundraiser Bid

MINDLESS yobs tried to wreck a charity world record attempt to make the world's biggest bird feeder. But defiant fundraisers refused to let thugs destroy their efforts and raced against time to repair the damage before today's event.

Street Style

Girl Killed by Suicide Stepdad

A LORRY driver strangled his nine-year-old stepdaughter, leaving her body in the back of his cab, before hanging himself. The girl's body was discovered on Saturday afternoon in the lorry, which was parked at a Little Chef on the A605 near Warmington, Northamptonshire.

Contraband Cigarette Charges

A MERSEYSIDE man has been charged in connection with a major investigation into the importation of contraband cigarettes. Darren Marcel Alcock, of Livingston Drive, Aigburth, became the seventh person to be jointly charged with the conspiracy as part of an exercised codenamed Operation Bittern.

Coin Thrower Is to Escape Justice ; Probe Fails to Find Thug Who Injured Steward

THE person who hit an Everton steward with a coin during last season's Merseyside FA Cup derby replay has escaped justice. During the Goodison Park clash in February, numerous items were thrown on to the pitch from the Bullens Road Stand, which housed the visiting Liverpool fans.