BURKAS NOT WELCOME IN SOUTHPORT

A North West Euro-MP is calling on local muslim women to take a lead in making clear that the wearing of the burka is "not welcome." Liberal Democrat Chris Davies says that politicians were slow to take action to curb forced marriages within the Muslim community, but it was time now to speak out against a dress code that reduced women to subservience. The burka completely envelopes its wearer leaving only their eyes visible. President Sarkozy of France this week attacked it as an assault upon the dignity of women. Davies says that people should have the legal right to wear whatever they wish, but that politeness should not prevent disapproval being expressed. In a press release he said:- "There is no mention in the Qur'an of the burka and it is a style of dress used principally in those countries where women are treated as mere chattels of men. I believe that it does not belong in 21st century Britain. I have a passionate belief that women and men are equals, and both sexes should be free to express their identity through the dress they wear. In my experience, the burka acts as a mask, reducing identity and discouraging women from developing their own skills and personality." The MEP responded angrily to suggestions that some young women feel coerced or forced into wearing the Burka against their own wishes. "If there are men who want to use the burka to impose their own will upon women in their family they should feel the full force of society's disapproval."

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES - ROBBERY, WILLIAM HILL, WESTMINSTER ROAD, KIKDALE

MERSEYSIDE Police are now appealing for witnesses to a robbery at the William Hill betting shop on Westminster Road, Kirkdale on Wednesday, 17 June 2009. A man entered the store at around 8.45pm and threatened staff. He sprayed a clear liquid at them and demanded cash, before escaping with a small amount of money from the tills. No one was injured during the incident, though staff were left shaken. The offender is described as a white man approximately 5ft 11in tall. He was wearing a black coat with an orange Timberland logo across the back, a balaclava and dark tracksuit bottoms. He ran away from the shop across Westminster Rd in the direction of Walton Road. Witnesses are asked to contact Merseyside Police on:- 0151 777 4808 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

DRUGS SEIZURE IN KIRKBY

POLICE Officers from Knowsley's Hawk team on Monday, 22 June 2009 executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drug Act at a flat in the Southdene area of Kirkby. Three men, two aged 63, and one aged 37, were in the flat in the process of "cutting" and packing 30kg of Cocaine with a street value in excess of £1.8 million pounds. During the search the cocaine was recovered together with a mixing machine, a vacuum sealing machine, drug bags, scales and an industrial hydraulic press. Three men were arrested at the property and later charged for drug offences. Detective Inspector Tom Keaton said:- "This is a significant drugs seizure which once again demonstrates the determination of our Force to wage total war on criminals within Merseyside. We would like to reassure the local community that we act on all information received and would encourage people to continue to come forward and contact us with any information they may have."

Kevin Hughes, 63, of no-fixed abode, John Humphreys, 63, of Firbeck, Skelmersdale, and Carl John Kinrade, 37, of Gaywood Green, Kirkby, have all been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply and have been remanded in custody to Knowsley Magistrates Court this morning. If you have any information about drugs in your area please call Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

'The Beer Olympics'

AHEAD of their 27 June 2009 Glastonbury Festival performances on not 1 but 2 stages and with numerous more festivals to follow over the summer, The Lancashire Hotpots return with a new single for your delectation – “The Beer Olympics” an inspiring spin on how binge drinking Britain can ensure sporting success in the 2012 Olympics.  “I wanna put drinking beer in the Olympics, we’d all be world class athletes you and me…..I’m going to the bar for Team GB!”

With rousing tales of synchronised drinking being the team’s event in going for gold, searching for Seb Coe’s email address, and keeping Johnny Vegas on a retainer as a personal trainer, the Hotpots advise us that soon:- “going out on the lash, will all be funded by Lottery cash!”

The B Side includes another lament to liquid celebrating the nations ‘love of the leaf’ in the form of ”Mek Us A Brew”

With almost a million MySpace plays to date and because of their no nonsense approach to comedy and fun, the band have quickly acquired a massive national following. In just two years, the Lancashire Hotpots have become one of the biggest live bands in the North West of England. Their last tour, which included 18 dates supporting ardent fan Paddy McGuinness on his ‘Paddy McGuinness Plus You’ tour, saw them playing to more than 30,000 people along with selling out to massive 1,400 capacity venues on their ‘POT SOUNDS’ album tour.

Their first album Never Mind The Hotpots reached No 2 in the BBC 6 Music Album charts with national support from Radio 1 (Colin Murray, Rob Da Bank), Radio 2 (Chris Evans, Arthur Smith) and BBC6 Music (Steve Lamacq). Both of their albums, ‘Never Mind The Hotpots’ and ‘Pot Sounds’ have reached No 1 in the iTunes comedy download charts.

”The Spinal Tap of folk bands” Paddy McGuinness

'”The sexiest band in the world” Arthur Smith, The Smith Lectures, BBC Radio 2

“Masters of parody” The Guardian

”Its massive” Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2

“Like a musical version of Peter Kay”. 4/5 Manchester Evening News

”Britain's finest comedy musical act of the 21st Century" Designer Magazine

”The Hotpots aren’t just bucolic satire, they’re bright, talented and heart-warmingly, pant-wettingly funny” subba-cultcha.com

”The Lancashire Hotpots can only be described as utterly brilliant” www.virtualfestivals.com

”The Lancashire Hotpots might well be the Half Man Half Biscuit for the new millennium…They’re genuinely very funny” Venue Magazine

You can catch the Lancashire Hotpots as part their ‘Ooh Me Knees’ tour this summer at Southport Arts Centre - 11 July 2009 / North Pier, Blackpool - 17 July 2009 / The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays - 24 July 2009

Festivals include:- Glastonbury Festival 27 June 2009 Avalon Stage + Rabbit Hole Stage / Brampton Festival 18 July 2009 / Ynot Festival 1 August 2009 Main Stage / Solfest 29 August 2009 Main Stage