Liverpool Echo

Can You Give Freddie a Home? ; Statue Too Large for City Theatre

FREDDIE Mercury is on the lookout for a home in Liverpool. The giant, 680kg stone statue of Queen's late flamboyant frontman has become a London theatreland landmark after standing outside the capital's Dominion Theatre for nearly a decade.

Crash Outside Mersey School

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a crash outside a Merseyside school. The Nissan Micra and Vauxhall Vivaro van collided outside Thingwall primary, in Pensby Road, Thingwall, at 1.50pm on Friday June 25.

'He Was Hitting Him and Kicking Him On the Floor' ; Woman Tells Court of Horror Attack On Night Out

A TEENAGE girl told how a man was "hit and kicked" as he lay on the floor after coming to her aid following a confrontation. Anthony Johnson, 47, was out with friends in Southport when he was attacked and left for dead on the pavement.

Milestone in Building of New Mersey Academy

THE final piece of steel was added to the frame of a new academy due to replace two Merseyside schools. Hope Academy, in Newton-le-Willows, will replace Newton community high school and St Aelred's Catholic college when it opens next year.

Jewels of Nw Food

WHAT"S your favourite foodie haven on Merseyside? BBC Radio 4's Food And Farming Awards are looking for nominations. Now in its 11th year, the awards return to celebrate the best of British food, and, for the first time, British drinks producers have their own dedicated category.

Fish Dish That Is a Perfect Marriage of Fab Flavours ; Chef 'S Special Dishes of the Day From Andy Scott of Blakes, Hard Days Night Hotel

THERE'S something fishy going on at Blakes restaurant this week. Executive chef Andy Scott here brings us a seabass recipe with a twist.

71 Lots Offered at Event

SUTTON Kersh will offer 71 lots at its next Liverpool property auction on July 15 at the Marriott Hotel in Liverpool city centre. Sutton Kersh had feared investor activity would be affected by the emergency Budget but after the announcement of a smaller rise in capital gains tax and the delayed rise in VAT, it has reported "business as usual".

New Commercial Fund

Innovative Deals Boost the Market

LIVERPOOL law firm Mace & Jones claims land acquisitions in the North West are on the increase and that land owners and vendors are using more imaginative deal structures. Francesco La Rocca, associate solicitor in the real estate department at the firm, said: "People are coming back to the market and it is getting a bit more active.

Pupils Put Speed Demons On the Spot! ; Drivers Are Quizzed by Kids Over Speed Instead of a Fine

SPEEDING drivers outside a Merseyside school were put before a different type of judge and jury. Those breaking the limit outside St Andrew The Apostle primary school in Halewood yesterday were given a choice - accept the points and the fine or go and face the young pupils for a grilling.

Lined Up Like Naughty Children

THEY sat lined up on the wooden benches in the assembly hall with the look on their faces that said they knew they had done wrong. And then, as they were called forward one-by-one, the drivers caught speeding outside St Andrew The Apostle primary school had to face a panel of pupils.

Report Highlights Care Worry

A REPORT into how Merseyside hospitals look after people with learning difficulties said staff ignore the advice of families, treat patients inconsiderately and even get their medication wrong. Make It Better, a report written on behalf of Mencap Liverpool, was presented at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, at a meeting a including staff from six Merseyside hospitals.

Public Invite for Law Vote

Antique Guns Quiz for City Auction Boss ; Up to 10 Weapons Seized by Cops

ANTIQUE guns were seized from a respected Liverpool auctioneer by police. Acting on "intelligence", Matrix officers contacted John Crane, of city auction house Cato Crane, and arranged to visit his offices, in Stanhope Street, opposite the Liverpool Yacht Marina, and his Wirral home.

Church Bag Thief Gets 10 Months

A THIEF who snatched a handbag from a elderly woman in church was sentenced to 10 months in prison. Lee Anthony Koumis, 36, of Lowood Grove, Birkenhead, also stole a charity collection box containing pounds 25 of donations from MacDonald"s on Liscard Way, Wallasey, on March 21.

School Trip Bus Horror ; Pupils Have Narrow Escape After Bus Roof Is Ripped Off

A PARTY of Merseyside schoolchildren had a narrow escape when their bus smashed into a railway bridge. The collision sheared a section of the double-decker's roof off causing debris to fall down on to the passenger seats on the top deck.

On Right Road to Safety

Murder Rap Man Was 'Sane'

A MERSEYSIDE man charged with the murder of his girlfriend in a Costa Blanca apartment was "sane" at the time of the incident. A psychiatrist ruled Alan Daulby, 24, formerly of Blundellsands, was not mentally impaired and was conscious of his actions when he allegedly stabbed 20-year-old Avril Flanagan at his parents' apartment on May 29 last year.

Man Jailed for Fake Id Document

A PAKISTANI national who was caught trying to leave John Lennon airport with a forged Slovakian identity card was jailed for a year. Liverpool crown court heard Imran Shabir, 22, had come to the UK legitimately with a passport and visa on February 7. But on April 27, he was stopped at customs trying to fly to Spain with the fake documentation.

City Park Ready for Iggle & Co ; in the Night Garden Gets Live Debut

A CITY park is being transformed into a magical wonderland this summer as a massively popular children's TV show comes to town. Two huge inflatable domes have been set up in Sefton Park to host the world premiere of In The Night Garden Live, based on the award- winning BBC show.