UCLan explores the science behind Dr Who

FANS of the long-running Dr Who TV series can discover everything they've ever wanted to know about the famous time lord at a special event hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

To celebrate 50 years of Dr Who UCLan is inviting the public to take a look at the science behind the show on Saturday 16 November from 9.30am to 4.30pm with Dr Who scriptwriter Stephen Gallagher who will answer fans' questions and sign autographs.

Researchers from the University will run five workshops that explain the science fact behind the science fiction of Dr Who, asking how close are we to time travel? What is a sonic screwdriver? And how can the Tardis possibly be that roomy?

Fans can delve into the psychology of the famous character, consider what's really going on inside his head and wonder how he would manage working as a modern day doctor for the NHS?

Dr Andrew Ireland, The Dean of the School of Journalism and Digital Communication at UCLan, will also share the various techniques used to portray alien worlds on our TV screens over the past 50 years.

Dr Jo Heaton-Marriott, UCLan Public Engagement Manager, has organised the event as part of the University's successful Lancashire Science Festival calendar. She said:- "We want to celebrate Do Who's 50 year milestone in a fun yet informative way. The event will allow visitors to work with our scientists to discover many interesting facts about their favourite TV show and see how they can be applied to real life science and research."

Visitors can also work with the Hyde Fundraisers and UCLan students on make-up, costume, mask-making and set design, have their photographs taken with key Dr Who characters and bring along any Dr Who memorabilia for valuation.

The day-long event will take place at UCLan's Darwin building and is targeted at anyone age 12 and above. Tickets are £5 for entry to all of the activities. For more information about Doctor Who: The Science Behind the Scenes or to book in advance visit:- drwho-uclan.eventbrite.com or call:- 01772 892596.

North West businesses get up to £2,000 tax cut

AROUND 137,000 businesses in the North West could see their National Insurance Contributions (NICs) cut by up to £2,000 when the new Employment Allowance is introduced in April 2014.  Across the UK 1.25 million businesses and charities will benefit from the new allowance on employer NICs. In the North West 53,000 will pay no employer NICs at all. The allowance will mean that a business that employs one person on £22,400, will pay no employer NICs on that employee's earnings. A business employing 5 adults full time on the national minimum wage will see their employer NICs bill reduced by over 80%! Available every year, the allowance will be simple to claim and easy to administer. Businesses will confirm their eligibility for the allowance through their regular payroll processes and up to £2,000 will be deducted from their employer NICs liability over the course of the year.  Businesses paying NICs of £2,000 or less will pay no employer NICs at all. Over 90% of the benefit of the new allowance will go to businesses with fewer than 50 employees.   Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said:- "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and we want to do what we can to support them. The Employment Allowance will reduce the cost of taking on new staff, supporting 137,000 businesses in the North West, and hundreds of thousands more across the UK that are ambitious to grow by reducing the cost of hiring their first employee or growing their workforce."

FALL FROM MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK IN TULKETH STREET SOUTHPORT

MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway after a woman fell from a multi-storey car park in Southport, on Friday, 1 November 2013. Police were called to the car park on Tulketh Street at about 10.30am following a report that a woman had fallen from the building. The woman, believed to be in her 30s, received medical attention at the scene. She was then taken to hospital and her injuries at the time where reported not to be life-threatening. Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police on the:- 101 number.