Liverpool Echo

Get Straight to the Point ; Advertising Feature

EXPERTS will be on hand at Morris' The Point development on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, as part of New Homes Week, a nationwide event which aims to promote the many benefits of buying a new home. An independent financial advisor will be available at The Point, off Deysbrook Lane in West Derby, between 10.30am and 5.30pm, to guide homebuyers through the process of buying a new home, offer advice on mortgages and advise on the best deals available.

News

.FIRST-time homebuyers should "get a move on" to avoid an extra tax bill when Stamp Duty and VAT both revert to former, higher levels on January 1. Abbey Mortgages claims that up to 35,000 buyers are in danger of missing the deadline, which could mean they pay nearly pounds 54 million more than if they complete purchases this year. Abbey is urging buyers to get mortgage applications in by September 30, on the assumption that a purchase can easily take 12 weeks to complete.

First Time Lucky ; How the Credit Crunch Is Helping New Buyers

DANIEL Blackall and Alison Whitehead have a new place to call home - thanks to the credit crunch. It seems that the economic downturn is making home ownership an affordable option for many first-time buyers who have been struggling to get on the property ladder. As the House Builders Federation (HBF) promotes New Homes Week (September 12-20), the couple are testament to the benefits of buying new, having already made savings on utility bills since moving into their three bedroom townhouse at ...

Make the Easy Move to a Stylish Home in Liverpool.

MOVING to a stylish new property in a bustling area of Liverpool can become a reality for first time buyers thanks to a scheme allowing them to own 100% of their new home but defer 25% of the cost. Lovell Partnerships is offering Fairshare its shared equity scheme on a number of properties at Kensington Square, which sits in the heart of rejuvenated Kensington, an area undergoing a major transformation.

Pick of the Day ; Sport

PICK OF THE DAY Live US Open Tennis (Sky Sports 2, 4.00pm) Coverage of day 10 at Flushing Meadows, featuring the quarterfinals matches in both the men's and women's singles competitions. Top seed Rafael Nadal progressed to the last four at this stage last year by coming back from a set down against Mardy Fish to comfortably win the next three. Meanwhile in the women's event, Russian Dinara Safina booked her place in the semifinals with an impressive 6-2, 6- 3 victory over Flavia Pennetta. CAT...

Film of the Day ; Movies

Humperdinck Returns to City

CROONER Engelbert Humperdinck made a welcome return to the Philharmonic Hall. The 73-year-old singer, real name Arnold Dorsey, known for hits including Release Me, Quando, Quando, Quando, The Last Waltz, Misty Blue and Spanish Eyes, played the venue last night as he nears the end of a European tour.

City Hotels Get Terror Training Liverpool Hoteliers

LIVERPOOL hoteliers are the first in the country to be given specialist training from MI5 experts about how to cope with terrorist attacks. Officials from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NACTSO) were recently in the city for the pioneering conference.

Cars Stuck On M56 Glue Spill ; Traffic Chaos for Commuters As Road Shut

MOTORISTS faced traffic chaos when 200 litres of a chemical spilled off the back of a lorry on the M56 closing it for seven hours. The accident happened yesterday at 1.30pm on the eastbound carriageway, at Junction 12 at Frodsham.

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Inside Today

Rapper Is Speechless!

RAPPER Speech DeBelle landed the Mercury Prize for her album Speech Therapy inspired by a spell of homelessness. She won the major prize ahead of 11 other shortlisted acts at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London and her victory saw her follow in the footsteps of acts such as Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys and last year's victors Elbow.

Raf Base On Bomb Alert

Mini Chief Con Takes Charge

A 15-YEAR-OLD Bootle schoolboy today becomes "mini-chief constable" of Merseyside Police. Josh Griffiths was heading up the Force just for today, 999 day.

Deaths

KENWORTHY -MARG, September 1, 2009. (Marg will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her. She w a s a w o n d e r f u l , courageous, special lady, whose smile would light up the room. Rest in Peace Marg.) -Carmel, Dave and loving grandchildren Paul and Joshua. KHALIL -MARGARET, September 2, 2009. (You fought so hard to stay with us, but it wasn't to be. We were always together and you will always be with us in our hearts.) -Your children Kevin and Karen xxx KHALIL -MARGARET, September 2, 2009...

Kenny's Career Far From Over - Warnock

CRYSTAL Palace manager Neil Warnock has described Paddy Kenny's drugs ban as "a tragedy" but insists the Sheffield United goalkeeper's career is far from over. Kenny, 31, has been banned for nine months by the Football Association and faces an uncertain future after traces of the banned substance ephedrine were found in urine samples taken in May.

Vulcan Fans Flight of Fancy

A GROUP enthuisiasts who spent pounds 8m restoring a Vulcan XH558 jet plane are hoping a benefactor will come forward to allow them to fly at the Southport Airshow. Barry Hunt from Vulcan to the Sky said: "It costs pounds 1.75m per annum to keep in the air and it will cost about pounds 15,000 to bring to Southport.

Training for Teens Praised

NORTH West minister Phil Woolas praised a Skelmersdale training centre as a template for other parts of the country. Visiting the BDS Training centre, which helps under-16s get vocational qualifications, he said: "The work that goes on here makes a real difference to young people's lives by helping them into jobs."

Torres Fan Turns 9 On 9/9/09

A WIRRAL schoolboy is celebrating a very special birthday today - turning nine on the ninth day of the ninth month, 2009. Football-mad Jamie Sheridan is even more excited that he gets to share his lucky number with his favourite football player Fernando Torres, who plays in Liverpool FC's number 9 shirt.

Abducted Man Was Murdered ; Britain Briefing