Updates on Wednesday 23 March
Merseyside & Cheshire Live returns at 08:00 on Thursday with more news, sport, travel and weather updates
Live updates have now finished for the day, but we'll be back from 08:00 on Thursday with all the latest news, sport, travel and weather from across Merseyside and Cheshire.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Most places will remain dry this evening with clear spells at first, but also a few spots of light rain where cloud is thicker.
It will turn chilly overnight with winds increasing.
BBC Sport
Widnes Vikings centre Charly Runciman has signed a new two-year contract with the Super League club.
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe 22-year-old joined the Vikings in August 2015, and has scored 16 tries in 19 appearances.
Annabel Tiffin
Presenter, BBC North West Tonight
On tonight's programme we'll hear how PC Dave Phillips is to be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough and The Wirral Award in posthumous recognition of his service.
Image source, Family handout/PAPC Phillips was killed last year after being struck by a stolen pick-up truck, and teenager Clayton Williams was found guilty of manslaughter on Monday.
BBC Sport
Boxing has a "major problem" with drugs, according to Liverpool's European cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew.
Image source, Getty ImagesHe said: "There are not lives at risk in a 100m race. There are in a boxing ring and that is why it is so alarming."
Police are searching for two teenage joyriders after a stolen scooter was crashed into a lamppost in Moreton, injuring one of them.
Image source, GoogleThe boys, aged about 14 or 15, were seen riding off on the scooter before the collision happened in Town Meadow Lane at about 22.50 on Tuesday.
The vehicle was found to have been taken from nearby Briscoe Drive, and police are making inquiries at hospitals to see if anyone has attended who may turn out to be one of the suspected thieves.
The Liverpool coroner's office is appealing for help in tracing the family of a man who died in Anfield on Monday.
George Brian Blackshaw died aged 80 at his home in Skipton Road. Efforts to find his family have so far failed.Anyone who knew Mr Blackshaw, or knows his family, is asked to call 0151 225 5064 or email clair.crilly@liverpool.gov.uk, external
Today's top stories in Cheshire and Merseyside:
A jury did not hear damning evidence about police killer Clayton Williams because the CPS decided it was ‘not appropriate’ to call his accomplice as a witness. , external
BBC Travel
Merseyrail says a points failure at Hunts Cross is likely to cause disruption to all services connecting to this station.
Delays are expected until 18:15.
BBC Sport
Super League leaders Widnes will face League 1 outfit Rochdale Hornets in the fifth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.
Image source, SWPIX.COMDenis Betts' high-flying side were one of four top-flight teams to enter the competition at this stage.
A security guard was threatened with a "sharp-edged weapon" on Prescot Road by two men on a motorbike before they escaped with a cash box, external.
A sawn-off shotgun was found in a Liverpool park this morning, Merseyside Police said. A member of the public found it in a bag in Walton Hall Park, close to Moor Lane. A search of the area is continuing.
BBC Travel
Heavy traffic is causing congestion in north Liverpool, between Wilbraham Street and Netherfield Road North, BBC Travel reports.
Have you spotted a #SuperRat, external in Liverpool?
Image source, Faith BebbingtonHead down to the Baltic Triangle and you might catch a glimpse of the giant rodent.
Created by Liverpool artist Faith Bebbington, external, the sculpture is made from more than 200 plastic milk bottles.
It will be on show at the Jamaica Street and New Bird Street junction across the Easter weekend.
BBC Sport
Many Clouds is a "worthy favourite" to win a second Grand National, says record-seeking jockey Leighton Aspell.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 2015 victor, trained by Oliver Sherwood, is rated an 8-1 chance to be the first horse to win back-to-back Nationals since Red Rum in the 1970s.
BBC Sport
Liverpool striker Christian Benteke "finds it hard to understand" why manager Jurgen Klopp "ignores" him.
Image source, Getty ImagesBenteke, 25, has been out of favour since the German became boss, starting just five of the last 16 games.
Klopp said he "had a few words, nothing else" after appearing to react angrily to a Benteke miss in Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Southampton on Sunday.
Have you seen 52-year-old Neil Napier from Toxteth? Merseyside Police say he's been missing since 7 March.
Image source, Merseyside PoliceAllow Twitter content?
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