Sale Sharks will not appeal against Denny Solomona's punishment for a homophobic slur used in March's win against Worcester.

A Manchester palaeontologist has said sea reptiles the size of whales swam off the English coast while dinosaurs walked the land, after analysing a new fossil discovery.

Image source, N Tamura

The jaw bone, found on a Somerset beach, is giving clues to the ''last of the giants'' that roamed the oceans 205 million years ago.

The one-metre-long bone came from the mouth of a huge predatory ichthyosaur.

Dean Lomax, a world leading expert on the sea reptiles from the University of Manchester, compared the bone with other specimens.

He said:

BBC Weather

An overcast afternoon with a mild breeze. Feeling cooler with highs of 13C.

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Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police have improved crime recording rates after previously being rated inadequate, inspectors have said.

A new inspection rated Merseyside as good, while GMP requires improvement, with inspectors stating that further work was needed.

Inspectors found over a new 12-month audit period, GMP made "good progress" with the force recording about 89% of crimes reported - a rate which was up from about 85%.

An additional 15,100 crimes were found to have been recorded.

Meanwhile, Merseyside Police recorded about 90% of all crime reported to the force - up from about 84% - with an additional 7,900 crimes recorded.

A "runaway" trolley crashed through a level crossing and derailed after "improvised" brakes were removed from its wheels, investigators have said.

Image source, Google

The crash on the East Lancashire Railway in Ramsbottom, Bury, smashed one of the gates on 15 March.

It also saw half a tonne of ballast spilt across Bridge Street.

Launching a probe into the "runaway of a trolley", rail investigators said they would consider the "training and competence of those involved".

BBC Sport

Manchester City will have to play the "perfect game" to overturn a 3-0 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, says manager Pep Guardiola.

City go into the second leg tonight after back-to-back defeats by the Reds and derby rivals Manchester United in what Guardiola described as a "tough" week.

The Spaniard said he still had belief in his "extraordinary" side.

"The only way to play good football is to be positive," he added.

A man suffered facial injuries in an assault at Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel this morning, police have said.

Police believe a man stole a wallet from a man inside the hotel at about 07:00 before there was an altercation.

The victim was treated for a minor facial injury at the scene by paramedics.

Two men were seen running off towards London Road after the incident and are described as white and in their late 20s - one was said to be wearing a khaki green tracksuit bottoms and a checked shirt.

A public inquiry into plans for fracking at a second site in Lancashire is to resume later.

Energy firm Cuadrilla's application to frack at Roseacre Wood was not given government approval amid concerns over the impact on the area.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said he "would be mindful" to allow fracking, but not before an inquiry to examine road safety issues.

The hearing at Blackpool Football Club is expected to last eight days.

Millions of toll payments for crossing the new Mersey Gateway Bridge may have to be refunded, a lawyer has said following a legal test case.

Image source, Mersey Gateway

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal, external (TPT) found a driver was not liable to pay the £2 toll as Halton Council had not specified the fee correctly.

It also failed to give correct notice of charges on the £600m Runcorn to Widnes crossing, the TPT said.

Halton Council said it "strongly disputes" both points.

Celebrity motoring lawyer Nick Freeman - who is nicknamed Mr Loophole - told the BBC he had examined the tribunal ruling and thinks the council will have to refund every fee charged since the bridge over the River Mersey opened in October.

A teenage girl is in hospital after she was attacked in Oldham on Monday.

Image source, Google

Greater Manchester Police said she was attacked in Westend Street on Monday afternoon.

A 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody for questioning.

Officers said they believed the attack "bears no wider risk to the local community" and are appealing for information.

Dog owners in Stockport caught failing to clean up after their pets could see their fine double to £100.

People have until June to tell the council if they think the increase should go ahead.

A Lancashire based charity, which helps older people who are lonely or isolated, says it received the highest number of calls in March, since launching nearly four years ago.

The Silver Line says it took a record 48,000 calls last month with Easter Sunday busier than Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Merseyside Police Federation's chairman says seven recent attacks on Special Constables are a "sad reflection" of a small part of society.

The volunteer officers were assaulted as they took part in a disruption operation in Litherland.

Peter Singleton said such attacks are "becoming a regular occurrence".

BBC Weather

A damp start to a rainy morning but will become drier this afternoon. The rain will clear but staying cloudy with highs of 12C.

• A 15-year-old girl has been arrested after a teenage girl was stabbed in Oldham
• Merseyside Police Federation chair condemns seven recent attacks on volunteer Special Constables
• Fines for dog owners in Stockport who fail to clean up after their pets could double from £50 to £100
• A Lancashire charity, which helps older people who are lonely or isolated, says it received the highest ever number of calls in March

A teenage girl has been stabbed during an attack in Oldham, police said.

Greater Manchester Police said officers were called to Westend Street at about 16:15 on Monday.

The victim has been taken to hospital where she remains for treatment.

A 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody for questioning.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1485 of 09/04/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Good morning! We'll be with you until 18:00 today with the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from across the North West of England.

Millions of payments may have to be refunded, a lawyer says following a legal test case.

Deborah Lowe sent a card signed 'love the slut' to the boy when he blocked her on social media, a jury is told.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra's manager David Artell says the football his team is playing is a reward for the work the players do on the training ground.

Image source, Crewe Alexandra FC

The Alex have taken 10 points from their last five games and are 11 points clear of relegation with four games to play.

Their latest game saw them race into a 4-1 lead over Mansfield Town by halftime, although Crewe were hanging on for a 4-3 win at the end.