Local Democracy Reporting Service

Lancashire could continue to benefit from European Union funding for almost five years after Brexit, it has emerged.

The government has told the county’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) that it can extend the length of time it has to use up any remaining money allocated to it from the European Social Fund (ESF).

Lancashire was awarded almost £75m of ESF cash for the period 2014-2020 – the last time UK regions will receive it before the country departs from the EU.

But the county has been a handed a £12m windfall after changes to the exchange rate made its grant – paid in euros – go further.

The money will be used to extend the life of existing ESF-funded schemes until 2023.

They include collaborations with the universities of Central Lancashire and Lancaster to enhance vocational training, as well as broader efforts to help people who are not in employment, education or training.

BBC Newsbeat

Hollyoaks will air a storyline about far-right radicalisation to try to raise awareness of the issue in the UK.

Image source, LIme Pictures/C4

The Channel 4 soap has worked with experts and charities to help tell the story, where Ste, played by Kieron Richardson, becomes radicalised by newcomer Jonny, played by Ray Quinn.

The number of people referred to the government's anti-extremism programme because of right-wing extremism went up by 28% to 968 in 2016-17.

The storyline will begin in January.

Leigh Centurions name former Featherstone Rovers boss John Duffy as head coach after his exit from Rovers on Tuesday.

Callers to an "over-stretched" police non-emergency line were left waiting up to an hour due to a spike in demand and staff shortages, a report has found.

Image source, PA

Cheshire Constabulary blamed the rise in 101 calls on "prolonged hot weather" over summer, and also said many were "not police-related".

Acting Chief Constable Jeanette McCormick said answering times were now "improving".

But Police Commissioner David Keane said the delays were "unacceptable".

Mr Keane said the force was facing "a perfect storm of rapidly increasing demand and reduced government funding".

BBC Sport

Liverpool's appointment of a throw-in coach was one of the most surprising signings of the summer.

Image source, Thomas Gronnemark

Even manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he had never heard of the role before employing Thomas Gronnemark.

But the Dane has made such an impact at the club in a six-month probation period, that his contract has been extended to 30 June 2019.

And that could also be good news for England.

Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez helped set up Jesse Lingard's equaliser as England beat Croatia 2-1 on Sunday to reach the finals of the inaugural Uefa Nations League.

A van driver who was involved in a crash on the M6 in Cheshire earlier has life threatening injuries.

He was cut free from his vehicle and taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital after the collision with a lorry on the motorway, heading south between Knutsford and Middlewich.

The road was closed for more than five hours for investigation and recovery work

In case you missed this yesterday, Liverpool and Senegal forward Sadio Mane has agreed terms on a new long-term deal at Anfield.

Image source, Getty Images

The 26-year-old joined the club from Southampton on a five-year contract in June 2016 for a fee of £34m.

Since then he has gone on to make 89 appearances in all competitions for Jurgen Klopp's side, scoring 40 goals.

"I am very happy to extend my time at Liverpool. It is a great day for me and I have made the best decision in my career," he said.

Talks over the new deal, which is believed to run until 2023, were opened at the end of last season but have only been finalised now.

Two brothers wanted by police in Merseyside over suspected drug trafficking offences have been arrested in Thailand.

Image source, Thailand Police

Joseph and Gregory Mulhare from Wirral were detained on 17 November in Pattaya by Thai immigration police, it emerged.

The pair, aged 43 and 38, are being held under warrants from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

They are suspected of trafficking cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine in the UK.

A proposal to allow "exploratory" shale gas drilling to go ahead without planning permission has been opposed by a number of councils.

Image source, PA

Concerns were voiced in a consultation over whether to allow exploration under "permitted development" rules, the same rules that cover small conservatories.

Lancashire, Bolton, Brighton and Surrey are among the councils who have opposed the proposed change.

In Bury, the proposals have been branded an "affront to democracy".

Motorists faced tailbacks of six miles (10km) after a stretch of the M6 was closed following a crash.

Emergency services were called to a collision involving two vehicles on the southbound carriageway between junction 19 at Tabley and junction 18 at Holmes Chapel at 01:32 GMT.

The road was closed while accident investigators gathered evidence before being reopened at 07:30.

Queues stretched back as far as junction 20 but were expected to clear after the carriageway was reopened.

The North West Motorway Police Group said one person was taken to hospital with “life-changing injuries”.

This morning will be chilly with a fair amount of cloud around. There will be some bright spells this afternoon with highs of 8C.

Happy Friday! We're with you until 18:00 with all the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from around the North West of England.

Royal Mail workers chat to elderly residents and ask questions about their wellbeing in pilot scheme.

Women 'need more support' after sexual violence, Merseyside's Deputy Police Commissioner said.

Former England hooker Scott Moore has joined Championship side Rochdale after being released from prison.

Liverpool and Senegal forward Sadio Mane agrees terms on a new long-term deal which will keep him at Anfield until 2023.

Liverpool's Danish throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark extends contract with club until June 2019.

A 100-strong gang set up camp at the Thwaites site in May, causing more than £300,000 of damage.

The communities secretary rules out government funding to help rebuilding after the New Ferry gas blast.

That's it for another day - we will be back at 08:00 GMT on Friday with all the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from across the North West.

In the meantime, updates from our colleagues around the BBC will publish automatically on this page.

Thanks for your company today, have a lovely evening, and until tomorrow!