News | Page 23

A radioactive canister was stolen from a van in Rossendale. Lancashire Police said the material within is not considered dangerous if it remains contained in its heavy lead container.

A hotel based on Liverpool’s favourite music sons has been hit by fire today (Thursday). Fire crews were called to the incident on the fifth floor of the Beatles-themed Hard Days Night Hotel, North John Street, at about 1.20pm.

Criminals dug a 100-foot tunnel to steal cash in Levenshulme. They cut through concrete to gain access to a cash machine overnight at Blockbuster in Fallowfield Shopping Precinct, in the Manchester district.

Cheshire East Council has axed all its management jobs following the failure of a proposed recycling centre at Lyme Green.

Jobs cuts and closure of facilities are on the table at Manchester City Council. Under the plans Levenshulme, Miles Platting, Withington and Broadway swimming pools would all shut to slash running costs.

Copeland Council is trimming its budget and has warned that jobs are under threat as a result. The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven could become one of the victims of the proposed cuts at the Cumbrian council.

Law enforcers have clamped down on illegal scrap metal trading across Cumbria. Metal thefts are a “blight on our society,” remarked Det Ch Insp Bob Qazi of Cumbria Police.

Free bus travel is being offered to the young unemployed of Lancashire, the county council has confirmed.

Workers in the Cheshire area fear for their jobs after a Dutch food group announced it is pulling out of the UK.

Security is to be tightened up in the North West with police escorts for cash vans.

A pristine toilet block in Audlem has taken a top gong at the annual Loo Awards. The public toilets in Cheshire Street were in fact rescued and refurbished by its parish council.

More than 500 jobs will be created at Liverpool and Manchester airports. Two new aircraft will be added to Ryanair’s Manchester base. The firm said it would fashion 360 new posts at Manchester and 180 at Liverpool.