Lookers sponsorship to help Tranmere Rovers find their next football star

TRANMERE Rovers have signed a sponsorship deal with national motor retailer Lookers, which has seen the team receive a Grandland X SUV to help with its scouting activities. The vehicle will be primarily used by the club's talent scouts as they travel around the North West region looking for the next generation of talent at the Merseyside club. The sponsorship agreement will also see the Lookers brand feature prominently around Prenton Park, where the Sky Bet League 2 team plays its home games. As well as Lookers appearing on perimeter boards and car displays, the retailer will also feature in match day programmes. Prenton Park has seen its fair share of drama over recent years, with the side returning to League football this season after beating Boreham Wood in the Playoff Final last season.  That ended 3 seasons of non-league football, before which Tranmere had been a constant feature in the leagues for 94 years. It is hoped that, with the addition of fresh talent, Tranmere can push on and capitalise on the momentum gained from last season's triumphs.

Shaun Garnett, a 1st team coach at Tranmere Rovers, said:- "Scouting for new talent will always be a massive part of the future success of this club and I would like to thank Lookers for providing us with a vehicle to help us do this. Last season was massive for us and for our fans and we want to go on and give them even more to cheer about."

Matt Edwards, Sales Manager at Lookers Vauxhall Birkenhead, said:- "We are very proud to be supporting Tranmere Rovers, a club that has always played such a huge role in the Wirral community and one that is followed avidly by many of our customers in the area. It's also very pleasing that the Grandland X will be used by the club to scout for up and coming talent in the region, something that is vital to its future success."

Robbery at local Southport Town Centre Jewellers

MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an appeal for information following a robbery that took place at Wright's Jewellers, Southport, at around 4.40 pm on Sunday, 2 December 2018. This is the latest in a string of robberies at local shops and many small businesses are asking questions about Police coverage within the area.

We are told by Merseyside Police that 2 male offenders, who are reported to have been dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, entered the shop and forced a male member of staff into the rear of the store. We are told by Merseyside Police that he was uninjured, but items were taken from the shop during the incident. We are also told that the men then left the location in an unknown direction.

Officers have carried out a forensic examination of the shop and Police are asking if anybody has CCTV, dash cam footage to contact them. The enquiries are on going and any witnesses are urged to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Gayle Rooney said:- "Although no weapons were seen or injuries caused, this must have been a distressing experience for the victim, and we are determined to find those responsible and remove them from the streets. Shops were closing for the day but people will have been around the area, so if you saw anyone acting suspiciously or the incident itself, let us know. You may have mobile phone footage, CCTV or dashcam, any of which may hold vital evidence. I want to reassure all businesses and residents that we will act on all information given to keep Southport a safe place to work, live and visit."

Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police via calling:- '101' or call them on:- '0151 709 6010' giving reference:- "736 of 2 December 2018." If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impediment, you can also contact Merseyside Police via Typetalk on:- '18001 101' using the same reference.  Alternatively if anyone wants to remain anonymous you can contact Crimestoppers UK on:- '0800 555 111.'

Liverpool Ice Festival Offers Free Skating for NHS Employees in the Run up to Christmas

LIVERPOOL Ice Festival has announced it will be offering free skating for NHS staff from 10 December to 12 December 2018, providing the perfect opportunity to get together with co-workers or loved ones in the run up to Christmas.  Situated at Liverpool's iconic Pier Head, Liverpool Ice Festival features an array of thrilling rides, delicious food and drink offerings, Liverpool's biggest ever ice slide, and a huge covered outdoor rink. With its picturesque surroundings, the ice rink gives skaters the chance to glide in style with a stunning backdrop of the world famous Three Graces.

Kate Karagholi, Marketing Manager for the UK and Europe division of Arena, who manage four iconic ice rinks across the UK, commented:- "The NHS is very close to my heart, and the festive season is very much a time for family and for giving back. It's important for us to recognize the dedication of NHS staff, who may not be fortunate enough to be able to spend Christmas Day with their loved ones due to their work commitments. As a thank you for their hard work, we are delighted to offer the nation's nurses, doctors, porters, maintenance workers and other staff who keep our Hospitals running, the opportunity to skate for free."

Free tickets are available to all NHS staff who present their valid photo ID card to Box Office staff from for skating the same day.

The ice rink is open to the public every day from 11am until 8pm, except Christmas Day, until 6 January 2019.