Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77

COMING to a galaxy near you this winter… 13 new characters, including:- BB-8 and Rey from Star Wars blockbuster:- 'The Force Awakens' and 'The Last Jedi.' Plus Chirrut Imwe and Jyn Erso from box office smash:- 'Rogue One.'  

This, interactive science and space attraction, at Spaceport is also has 13 new life sized characters and scenes in its popular:- 'Sci-Fi Icons' exhibition.

Taking inspiration from recent blockbusters in the Star Wars franchise, the new additions include life sized figures of fan favourites:- Rey, Finn, Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, BB-8, Poe Dameron, Chirrut Imwe, Orson Krennic and Han Solo, from:- 'Solo - A Star Wars Story.' 

Plus replica weapons, including:- Princess Leia's Blaster and Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber, will also be available to view at the popular exhibition, at Spaceport, based in Seacombe, Wirral.

Gary Evans from Merseytravel:- "We're excited to be able to bring these new additions to the Sci-Fi Icons exhibition, as they help us complete the journey so far for fans of the Star Wars franchise. The Sci-Fi Icons exhibition features a private collection of Star Wars memorabilia from 1 of the UK's biggest collectors and, since we launched, it has proved incredibly popular with families across the country. These latest blockbusters in the franchise have created a new generation of Star Wars fans and we're excited to help people of all ages discover; and in some cases rediscover; their inner Jedi, and enjoy the chance to get up close and personal with some of the most popular characters."

Spaceport will be open on specific days over the Christmas and New Year period and it is recommended visitors leave at least an hour and a½to complete a full tour of the interactive attraction:-

► Thursday, 27 December 2018, until Sunday, 30 December 2018, it will be open between:- 11am to 4pm.

► Wednesday, 2 January 2019, it will be open between:- 10am to 3pm.

Tickets to Spaceport can be just the start of a winter adventure, with a 50 minute River Explorer Cruise, on the most famous ferry in the world, also available as a full family day out. Please check the Mersey Ferries website before arranging any travel during winter months.

For more information on opening times or to book tickets, call the Mersey Ferries ticket office on:- 0151 330 1003, visit the Spaceport website or visit any of Mersey Ferries terminals.

STEVE Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, is to hold a new series of informal public meetings as a way of bringing politics to the people of the Liverpool City Region in 2019. The new series of Speak to Steve events will be held across the City Region with the aim of reaching people where they might not expect to have the chance to question a senior politician; from:- work canteens, doctor's surgeries, libraries, Schools and even the local pub! Steve Rotheram said:- "Too often people tell me that they feel disconnected from politics and the decisions that affect their lives. I left Westminster because I wanted to do politics differently and this is just one way I want to make people feel like they have a real input in the future of their community. 1 of the most exciting things for me is to have the chance to talk about the difference devolution is making for our area and what we've already delivered in a relatively short amount of time.  My experience since I was elected is that even if people are initially confused as to what exactly devolution is all about, the more they hear about what we are doing the more they like the sound of it. Whether it's ˝ price apprenticeship bus travel, new publicly owned trains for the Merseyrail network, or ₤500m for new investment in our City region, we have a lot to be proud of."
 
Since his election in May 2017, Steve has held regular question time events across the 6 local authorities, of the Liverpool City Region, with hundreds turning out to put their questions to him. However, the Metro Mayor is hoping that the new series of events will help him reach people who might not ordinarily have their say when it comes to the issues that affect them most.   Steve Rotheram added:- "I am really looking forward to these events as they are about going back to doing politics in its purest form, at a grassroots level. There is so much going on right now; whether it's Brexit, climate change or funding for public services; it will be interesting to see what people want to talk about.  There will be a few surprises in terms of where we are holding the events, but sometimes as a politician you have to take a risk and put yourself out there."

The 1st Speak to Steve event of the New Year will see the Metro Mayor join workers from Jaguar Land Rover in the staff canteen in Halewood.