Our live coverage across the daypublished at 17:59 GMT 23 March 2016
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.
Summary
Updates on Wednesday 23 March
Merseyside & Cheshire Live returns at 08:00 on Thursday with more news, sport, travel and weather updates
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 17:59 GMT 23 March 2016
Weather: Clear and dry evening, but turning chillypublished at 17:51 GMT 23 March 2016
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenterMost 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.
Rugby League: Widnes centre signs new two-year contract with Super League leaderspublished at 17:47 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC SportWidnes 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.
Coming uppublished at 17:42 GMT 23 March 2016
Annabel Tiffin
Presenter, BBC North West TonightOn 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.
Boxing has a 'major problem' with drugs, says Tony Bellewpublished at 17:32 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC SportBoxing 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."
Hunt for teenagers after Moreton scooter crashpublished at 17:23 GMT 23 March 2016
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.
Coroner appeals for help to find Anfield man's familypublished at 17:09 GMT 23 March 2016
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
Latest headlines in Cheshire and Merseysidepublished at 17:02 GMT 23 March 2016
Today's top stories in Cheshire and Merseyside:
- The union flag is being flown at half mast at Liverpool and Warrington Town Halls as a mark of respect for the victims of the Brussels attacks
- PC Dave Phillips is to be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough and The Wirral Award in posthumous recognition of his service
- Boxing has a "major problem" with drugs, Liverpool's European cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew says
PC Dave Phillips: Why jury did not hear confession from accomplice of killer Clayton Williamspublished at 16:53 GMT 23 March 2016
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
Travel: Points failure halts trains at Hunts Crosspublished at 16:48 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC TravelMerseyrail 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.
Rugby League: League leaders Widnes face Rochdalepublished at 16:15 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC SportSuper 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.
Robbers on motorbike threaten security guard in cash in transit raid on Prescot Roadpublished at 16:06 GMT 23 March 2016
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.
Shotgun found in Liverpool parkpublished at 15:55 GMT 23 March 2016
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.
Travel: Heavy traffic prompts delays in Liverpoolpublished at 15:45 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC TravelHeavy traffic is causing congestion in north Liverpool, between Wilbraham Street and Netherfield Road North, BBC Travel reports.
Watch out - there's a rat about!published at 15:29 GMT 23 March 2016
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.
Grand National: Aspell hails 'improving' Many Cloudspublished at 15:10 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC SportMany 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.
Football: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp 'ignores' me - Christian Bentekepublished at 14:59 GMT 23 March 2016
BBC SportLiverpool 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.
Police appeal over missing Liverpool manpublished at 14:40
Have you seen 52-year-old Neil Napier from Toxteth? Merseyside Police say he's been missing since 7 March.
Image source, Merseyside PoliceBlacon man who crashed car into own house has diedpublished at 14:22 GMT 23 March 2016
Liverpool remembers Brussels attack victimspublished at 14:13 GMT 23 March 2016
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