LIVERPOOL PICKED FOR ENGLAND 2018 WORLD CUP BID

LIVERPOOL has been chosen as a Host City for England’s 2018 World Cup Bid, despite the critics saying it was not going to be picked. The announcement made by England 2018 bid Chairman Lord Mawhinney, at Wembley, was hailed as equal to ‘a cup victory the whole city can enjoy’.

It is estimated that if England win the rights to stage the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, a Host City can expect to benefit from a £200m boost to its economy.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council – who also led Liverpool’s 2018 Host City bid – said:- "Liverpool eats, drinks and sleeps football and today’s decision is one of those happy occasions which unites us all and one which every fan – be they blue or red – can celebrate. In fact even if you don’t like football there’s still plenty to celebrate because of the huge economic boost it will bring. For a player, to be chosen to represent your country is the highest honour in football and the feeling is no different as a city. Liverpool is delighted to have made England’s World Cup bid team – it’s easily the best Christmas gift we’ll get this year – and I’d like to thank everyone who made it happen from our Premier League clubs, County FA and NWDA to our bid ambassadors and everyone who supported us. Of course, the hard work begins now but this decision has put a huge spring in our step and we will be pulling out all the stops to help England win the ultimate goal and bring the biggest sporting event to these shores in 2018."

Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, added:- "Nothing defines our city more than our passion for the beautiful game. Liverpool is famous for staging outstanding, atmospheric football occasions and has a well deserved reputation for friendliness and generosity to visiting fans. We’ll be giving it all for England with the promise to FIFA they can expect an unforgettable World Cup here in 2018."

England’s decision comes just 24 hours after Liverpool’s 2018 bid team, which included Robert Elstone, Everton FC’s Chief Executive, and Christian Purslow, Liverpool FC’s Managing Director, made its final case for selection at England’s HQ.

Liverpool’s bid – based on the theme of One City One Goal and presented in a 259-page document - focused on the city’s world class tourism and cultural offer, Liverpool’s intention to build new stadia and a programme to encourage more people of all abilities to either play or coach the game.

Everton and Liverpool players past and present have added their backing to the city’s bid from current captains Steven Gerrard and Phil Neville to red and blue legends such as ‘66 World Cup Winner Roger Hunt and Mexico ’86 and Italia ‘90 ace Trevor Steven.

Everton Captain Phil Neville, who has won 59 England Caps, was delighted with the announcement. He said:- "This is great news for a great footballing city. But I always expected Liverpool to be selected. Any football tournament in this country without this city involved would be unthinkable. Let’s hope that England now wins the bid."

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool Captain and England Vice-Captain, said:- "Liverpool is such an historic footballing city I’m not surprised we’ve been chosen. I’m 100% behind England’s bid and I’d love to see World Cup games played here."

Rafael Benitez, Manager of Liverpool FC, said:- "It’s great news. This city lives and breathes football and if England are successful it will be a fantastic stage for World Cup games."

Liverpool’s bid, which includes detailed plans of Fan Fest Sites, a four-year themed programme to 2018 and legacy projects, also had the regions support with proposals that Blackburn, Preston, Tranmere and Wigan Football clubs’ stadia act as training venues during the 2018 tournament.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA which helped co-ordinated Liverpool’s regional offer, said:- "Liverpool has worked as a city and as part of the region, involving Premier League clubs from across the Northwest, in order to create a strong bid. I'm delighted that the work of this partnership has been recognised and that Liverpool has the opportunity to take its rightful place as a host city in 2018 or 2022. Liverpool is a world-class centre of football with the capacity and the will to host successful World Cup matches. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which can make a major economic and social impact, from the millions of visitors and the chance to showcase city and region to a global audience, to the opportunities for businesses and the jobs and training that this will generate."

England will put forward its official bid in May 2010 and FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.

Liverpool’s bid, which includes detailed plans of Fan Fest Sites, a four-year themed programme to 2018 and legacy projects, also had the regions support with proposals that Blackburn, Preston, Tranmere and Wigan Football clubs’ stadia act as training venues during the 2018 tournament.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA which helped co-ordinated Liverpool’s regional offer, said:- "Liverpool has worked as a city and as part of the region, involving Premier League clubs from across the Northwest, in order to create a strong bid. I am delighted that the work of this partnership has been recognised and that Liverpool has the opportunity to take its rightful place as a host city in 2018 or 2022. Liverpool is a world-class centre of football with the capacity and the will to host successful World Cup matches. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which can make a major economic and social impact, from the millions of visitors and the chance to showcase city and region to a global audience, to the opportunities for businesses and the jobs and training that this will generate."

England will put forward its official bid in May 2010 and FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.   For more information about Liverpool’s 2018 bid – please click on here.

PRISONER ESCAPED FROM CUSTODY

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for the help of the public to find a man who escaped from custody on Monday, 14 December 2009.

Lee Edward Kent, aged 31, escaped from the custody of two prison officers just before 11am whilst attending Fazakerley Hospital for an appointment.

Mr Kent is described as white, 5ft 10 ins tall and of stocky build and has cropped dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a grey coloured track suit.

Detective Inspector Mark Guinness said:- "We would ask the public to keep an eye out for this man and would ask anyone who may know of his whereabouts to contact us on:- 0151 777 4565 the Crimestoppers confidential hotline:- 0800 555 111."

Mr Kent was sentenced in June, 2008 for 4 years for possession with intent to supply drugs.

Mr Kent is originally from the Bootle area and is known to frequent the Kirkdale area enquiries are ongoing to locate him.

Christmas and New Year Travel News

USERS who go to our Mersey Reporter site will see a Highways Agency Traffic update map, with all the latest delays and warnings for the Northwest on it. These are a few of the warnings that if you are travelling this Christmas you may need to keep an eye out for... The M53 southbound between junctions J7 and J9: there are currently delays of 10 mins due to roadworks. Expect disruption until 6:00 am on 14 January 2010. The M6 northbound between junctions J39 and J40: there are currently delays of 10 mins due to road works. Again expect disruption until 6:00am on 26 March 2010. The M6 southbound between junctions J40 and J39: there are currently delays of 10 mins due to road works. Expect disruption until 6:00 am on 26 March 2010. On the M602 eastbound between junctions J1 and J3: there are currently delays of 10 mins due to road works. Expect disruption until 11:59pm on 5 March 2010. M602 westbound between junctions J3 and J1, minor delays are possible due to road works also expect disruption until 11:59pm on 5 March 2010. If you did not know already, since October 2009, there are road works on A56 northbound between the junctions with the A682 and the A680, Haslingden North, so expect delays of up to 10 mins at peak time. The work takes place between 9pm and 5am until 9 April 2010. M56 westbound between J9 Chester and the A5117 Chester: expect delays of up to 10 mins at peak times due to road works, between 9pm and 5am, until 28 February 2010.

MOST WANTED: RUPERT SYLBOURNE LEDGISTER

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of 46 year old Rupert Sylbourne Ledgister from Thornton Heath in Surrey.

Detectives want to speak to Ledgister in relation to an incident in Islington, Liverpool (L3) in the early hours of Saturday, 31 October 2009, in which a 28 year old woman's house was gutted by a fire.

Officers were called to a house in William Henry Street at around 4.20am following reports of a fire. The fire destroyed the inside of the house - which was unoccupied at the time - and an investigation between the police and Mersey Fire and Rescue Service revealed that it had been deliberately started by someone who had broken into the property.

The homeowner had been involved in an argument with a man she knows earlier that evening while at a friend's house in Toxteth after which he left before her.

When she returned to her home at around 5am she found the emergency services dealing with the fire, which had been reported by her neighbour.

Despite extensive enquiries made since a criminal investigation into the arson was launched, detectives have so far been unable to trace Ledgister, who was present at the house in Toxteth on the night of the fire, and are appealing for the public's help in tracing him.

Detective Constable Joanne Boyle of Lower Lane CID, said:- "This was a very serious incident in which a woman's home was deliberately targeted and set fire to. Thankfully no-one was in at the time otherwise someone could have been very badly hurt, however a great deal of damage was caused and we are determined to catch the person responsible. We are very keen to speak to Rupert Ledgister about the incident on October 31 and I would appeal for Mr Ledgister or anyone who knows where he is to come forward so that we can progress this investigation."

Rupert Ledgister (pictured) is believed to live in Surrey but have friends in the Liverpool area and detectives are appealing for anyone who has seen him or knows where he is to contact them at Lower Lane CID on:- 0151 777 4551. Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.