The Nifty 250: News of the day in so many words

A 76-YEAR-OLD WOMAN has died after the car she was driving collided with another in Walton yesterday. The victim suffered serious head injuries following the crash on Rice Lane. Police say she was taken to Fazackerley Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and death by careless driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

PEOPLE OF LIVERPOOL will be asked for their opinion concerning plans to give films that feature smoking an automatic 18 certificate. The city council has put the idea out to public consultation after receiving an application from the local primary care trust in June. The PCT claim films influence half of the 5,300 under-18-year-old smokers in Liverpool. Under the Licensing Act 2003 local councils have statutory powers to classify or re-classify films to be shown in their areas.

LIVERPOOL HOLIDAYMAKERS face serious disruptions due to strike action by baggage handlers at John Lennon Airport. The industrial action is planned to start next Wednesday, 19 August , and is over a dispute after employers Servisair announced more than 20 redundancies. The GMB union said strike action would affect flights by Ryanair, KLM, Wizzair, Flybe, Thomson and any football-related flights.

LIVERPOOL’S CYCLE NETWORK was boosted yesterday after receiving a cash-injection of £640,000 from a European development fund to encourage green commuting. The grant will fund seven new cycle routes into the city as well as joining up missing links in old lanes and improving signs and cycle parking facilities.