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

Hope flu
Liverpool Hope University has drawn up a “major incident plan” in the event of an outbreak of swine flu on campus. The plans would include turning one student accommodation site in Childwall into a centre to isolate sufferers, with the building’s residents having to find an alternative location. The plans come a month after Cherie Booth had to miss a visit to the university to accept an honorary doctorate because of the illness.

Final stop
A CROSBY man has been banned from Liverpool Lime Street station for two years after harassing staff. Liverpool Magistrates’ Court issued Christopher Walsh, 31, with an asbo for a catalogue of abusive and aggressive behaviour that included using a bicycle as a weapon against staff. If Walsh breaks any conditions of the order he can be jailed.

Hold up
OVER 260 expectant mothers in Merseyside have had their scans delayed by up to three weeks at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. They were due to have their 20-week ultrasound scans, which test foetuses for abnormalities, but will have to wait owing to the hospital replacing the private provider of its sonography services, which has resulted in a backlog.

Rape suspect held
A TEENAGER from St Helens has been arrested on suspicion of raping a nine-year-old girl. The girl was subjected to a violent attack on Tuesday near the Meadow Street area of Great Harwood, Lancashire. A spokesman for Lancashire Police said detectives were due to question the 17-year-old, and praised two residents who detained him until officers arrived.