SOUTHPORT RACES STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE MISS ENGLAND FINAL
Photographs with thanks to Paul Fisher Photography

MISS Southport, Abi Bridgeman, has secured her place in this year’s Miss England final after winning the surprise sports challenge at the semi-finals.  The 18 year old student, from Kew, competed with fifty-eight other girls from across the country in a Royal Navy bleep test at the event, which was held in Champneys Health Spa, Leicester.  Abi was crowned the winner of the competition, which consisted of continuous running between two lines 20m apart in time to recorded beeps.

She said:- “It was so close at the end that I didn’t even realise I had won. The runner-up backed out literally seconds before me, so as I fell to the floor with exhaustion I thought I had come a worthy second. That was until all the north west girls came running along, jumping on me shouting ‘congratulations’, and Miss England, Katrina Hodge, presented me with a crown and sash. I still haven’t quite got over the shock, but I am ready to start my training for the final. The whole experience was incredible, all the girls were so friendly and it was brilliant being able to meet people from all across the country. I can’t wait to do it all again in a few months time.”

From 58 girls who competed on the day, only 16 lucky ladies made it through to the next stage.  Abi will be representing Southport in the Miss England final, which will take place on 31 August 2010 and 1 September 2010, at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel.

SHOOTING - CROXTETH

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for witnesses following a shooting in the early hours of Sunday, 13 June 2010, in Croxteth,
during which two men were injured.

Officers were called the scene, in Stonedale Crescent, Croxteth just before 3am. It is reported that three men, described only as wearing dark clothing, had fired at the victims who were standing in an alley way near to the houses.

Two local men, aged 19 and 21 were taken to hospital to be treated for superficial facial injuries constant with pellet wounds. Both have since been discharged from hospital.

The scene has been sealed for examination by crime scene officers and house to house enquiries are underway.

Patrols have been stepped up in the area to reassure the local community.

While it is too early to speculate about possible motives, officers believe that this was a targeted attack.

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information which could help detectives with their inquiries, should contact the Matrix team on:- 0151 777 5699 or call Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

FATAL RTC, QUEENS DRIVE

MERSEYSIDE Police are making a further appeal for a witness to a fatal road traffic collision on Queens Drive at its Junction of East Prescot Road.

The man pictured had just left the number 81 bus prior to the collision between an 81 year old John Flynn, who was a pedestrian, and a skip lorry, at 4.05pm on Monday, 24 May 2010.

A 37 year old man from the Bootle area was arrested on the 25 May 2010 on suspicion of causing death by careless driving, he has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are interested in talking to anyone who was on the bus at the time and has not yet spoken to the police.

Anyone who may have seen the incident or has any information is asked to call Merseyside Police Roads Policing Unit on:- 0151 777 5771, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.

 MAN BAILED IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER OF PAUL PIKE

A 24 year old man from Netherley, arrested on Tuesday, 15 June 2010, on suspicion of the murder of Paul Pike on Sunday, 5 June 2010, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. The 24 year old was later bailed.

Anyone with any information that could help detectives with their enquiries should contact the Major Incident Room on:- 0151 777 8629, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.