The Open returns to the Sefton coast from 12 to 19 July 2026. Royal Birkdale will host the Championship for the 11th time, with championship play running from Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July.

Prize money is payable only to professional golfers. The published breakdown covers the 70 qualifying places:

• 1st: USD 3,200,000
• 2nd: USD 1,842,000
• 3rd: USD 1,181,000
• 4th: USD 917,000
• 5th: USD 738,000
• 6th: USD 639,700
• 7th: USD 549,700
• 8th: USD 463,250
• 9th: USD 406,200
• 10th: USD 367,000
• 11th: USD 334,200
• 12th: USD 296,000
• 13th: USD 278,500
• 14th: USD 260,700
• 15th: USD 241,900
• 16th: USD 222,700
• 17th: USD 212,000
• 18th: USD 202,000
• 19th: USD 193,600
• 20th: USD 184,500
• 21st: USD 175,900
• 22nd: USD 167,100
• 23rd: USD 158,100
• 24th: USD 149,300
• 25th: USD 144,250
• 26th: USD 138,000
• 27th: USD 133,000
• 28th: USD 128,400
• 29th: USD 122,800
• 30th: USD 116,500
• 31st: USD 112,700
• 32nd: USD 106,900
• 33rd: USD 103,100
• 34th: USD 100,200
• 35th: USD 96,700
• 36th: USD 92,900
• 37th: USD 88,500
• 38th: USD 84,100
• 39th: USD 81,000
• 40th: USD 78,400
• 41st: USD 75,200
• 42nd: USD 71,500
• 43rd: USD 68,300
• 44th: USD 64,400
• 45th: USD 60,700
• 46th: USD 57,600
• 47th: USD 55,300
• 48th: USD 53,100
• 49th: USD 50,700
• 50th: USD 49,400
• 51st: USD 48,350
• 52nd: USD 47,500
• 53rd: USD 46,800
• 54th: USD 46,100
• 55th: USD 45,300
• 56th: USD 44,700
• 57th: USD 44,250
• 58th: USD 43,950
• 59th: USD 43,625
• 60th: USD 43,325
• 61st: USD 43,100
• 62nd: USD 42,900
• 63rd: USD 42,700
• 64th: USD 42,500
• 65th: USD 42,150
• 66th: USD 41,825
• 67th: USD 41,500
• 68th: USD 41,200
• 69th: USD 40,900
• 70th: USD 40,700

If more than 70 professional golfers qualify for the final two rounds, additional prize money will be added. The payment will reduce by USD 125 for each qualifying place above 70, down to a minimum of USD 39,450.

Professional golfers who miss the cut will also receive payment. The leading 10 non-qualifiers and ties will receive USD 12,900 each, followed by USD 10,750 for the next 20 non-qualifiers and ties. The remaining non-qualifiers and ties will receive USD 9,100.

Donald Neigans Andrew. 94 years, sadly died at his home on Manchester Road in Southport on Saturday 11 July. 

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Anyone who knows the next-of-kin is asked to contact Coroner of Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens by emailing Coronerreferrals@sefton.gov.ukor call 0151 934 2399.

Steven King, 42, of no fixed abode, was issued with the order at Wirral Magistrates’ Court last week. It expires on 8 July 2028.

The order follows the theft of household items from One Stop Community Stores in Formby. King must not enter:

• Lord Street, Southport
• Chapel Street, Southport
• Ocean Plaza, Marine Parade, Southport
• Tesco, Station Road, Ainsdale, Southport, PR8 3HW
• Go Outdoors, 107 Rimrose Road, Bootle, L20 4HN
• Tesco Express, 48 Crosby Road, North Waterloo, L22 4QQ
• One Stop Ltd, 2-4 Cross Green, Formby, L37 4BJ
• Home Bargains, 12-14 Moor Lane, Crosby, L23 2UE
• Sainsbury’s, 43-47 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, PR8 4AG

Breaching the order is a criminal offence. King could be sent to prison and/or ordered to pay a fine if he does so.

The case is one of the first reported enforcement actions by the new Merseyside Antisocial Behaviour Partnership (MASP), launched in April by Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner. The partnership brings together more than 20 organisations, including councils, housing associations and charities, to share information and coordinate action against antisocial behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Karl Baldwin, chair of the MASP, said:

“We understand the impact on businesses of anti-social behaviour and crime on our communities, especially those businesses who suffer loss, stress and inconvenience when they fall victim to theft.

“We know that the causes of antisocial behaviour are complex, and that it takes the right agency, at the right time, with the right approach to stop it. To achieve this, the golden thread is agencies coordinating their efforts, sharing information and tackling the problem together. When partners share information and use all the tools at our disposal, we can proactively take early, coordination action like this.

“When the public rightly asks ‘who is responsible for dealing with antisocial behaviour’, we are striving for the answer to be ‘we all are: together’. Keep reporting issues to us and we will take action.”

Residents can report non-emergency antisocial behaviour to Merseyside Police online or by calling 101. Call 999 if a crime is in progress, someone is in immediate danger or an urgent police response is needed.

Merseyrail warned that trains on the Southport line could be delayed. The disruption was expected to continue until 5pm.

Waterloo and Blundellsands & Crosby are stations on Merseyrail’s Northern Line, which runs between Liverpool Central and Southport.

Passengers were advised to check the latest service information before travelling, as the situation could change during the day.

Marking the seasonal arrival of tens of thousands of pink-footed geese migrating from Greenland and Iceland, Goosefest offers a unique opportunity to experience this extraordinary wildlife up close with a month-long line-up of events and activities. 

At peak times, visitors may witness flocks of up to 45,000 geese filling the skies in a truly unforgettable display.

Goosefest 2026 features an exciting programme of activities and events designed for all ages and interests. Visitors can enjoy experiences ranging from tranquil dawn viewings to hands-on workshops and family-friendly trails.

Highlights include:

• Goose trail (5 September - 1 November): A fun, interactive trail across the reserve and local area, featuring creatively designed geese by local schoolchildren.

• How to count geese workshop: Ever wondered how wardens count tens of thousands of geese? Learn fascinating techniques at these workshops.

• Daily wild bird feeds (from 17 October - Mid March): Get closer than ever to migratory species at the Discovery Hide, with no binoculars required.

• North West Bird Watching Festival (17 - 18 October): A packed weekend of guest speakers, exhibitors, bird ringing demonstrations, guided walks and wildlife activities.

• Photography competition: Capture the magic of migration through your lens, with prizes up for grabs, details coming soon.

For those looking for something extra special, Goosefest also offers a series of out-of-hours or bookable experiences:

• Late night openings (Wednesdays & Saturdays in October): Watch as vast skeins of geese return to roost at dusk on the wetland centre’s mere with free entry after 5:30pm.

• Dawn flights (3, 10 & 24 October): Start your day with the sight and sound of geese taking flight at sunrise, followed by a delicious breakfast.

• Art workshop (26 September): Join local wildlife artist Kerry Newell for a pastel workshop inspired by the surrounding landscape.

• Wildlife photography workshop (4 October): Learn expert tips and techniques to capture stunning autumn wildlife imagery.

See the line-up

While the pink-footed geese take centre stage, visitors can also enjoy a rich variety of wetland wildlife throughout the season, including pintail, shelduck, shoveler, wigeon, teal and, later in the autumn, another star species - whooper swans.

The month-long celebration will end with the centre's annual North West Bird Watching Festival on the 17 & 18 October, which features a full weekend of guest speakers such as biologist and conservationist Sacha Dench and naturalist Lucy Lapwing. Additionally, there will be a range of exhibitors and visitors can take part in nature-related activities such as Sony Alpha Wildlife Walks, bird ringing demonstrations, and guided boat tours, sponsored bySony.

Plan Your Visit

Goosefest runs during peak migration season, making September and October the best time to visit. Events and activities vary in price, with many included in general admission or WWT membership. Find out more via theGoosefestwebsite.

The Liverpool City Region is set to take back control of its trains under plans unveiled today by Mayor Steve Rotheram.

A report going before the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority next week recommends that rail services currently operated under the Merseyrail concession are taken back into public control when the existing contract comes to an end in 2028.

The move would be another major step towards the Mayor’s ambition of creating a transport system where trains, buses, ferries, active travel and future rapid transit services work together as one network – making it easier and more convenient for people to get around the city region.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“Since becoming Mayor, I’ve been determined to build a transport network that works better for the people who rely on it every day – one that’s easier to use, better connected and designed around passengers.

“We’ve already introduced the country’s first publicly owned train fleet in a generation, delivered new rail stations, taken back control of our buses, rolled out tap-and-go ticketing and started laying the foundations for a rapid transit network.

“Now we have the opportunity to take back control of our trains too.

“Merseyrail is already one of the best-performing rail networks in the country and that’s a credit to the people who run it every day. But the challenge now isn’t simply running a successful railway – it’s bringing together all the different parts of our transport network so they work as one.

“People don’t obsess about whether they are getting on a bus, a train or a ferry – they just want to get where they’re going as quickly and cheaply as possible. My ambition is simple: one network, one vision, working in the interests of the 1.6 million people who call our city region home.

“Taking back control of our trains will help us do exactly that. It will give us greater freedom to join up services, improve connections, reinvest more money back into the network and make decisions based on what works for passengers.

“We’ve been pioneers before. Nearly 200 years ago, the world’s first inter-city railway ran between Liverpool and Manchester. Today, we have another chance to lead the way – building a modern integrated public transport system fit for a globally renowned city region like ours.”

The plans form part of the biggest transformation of public transport in the Liverpool City Region for decades.

Since the mayor was first elected, the Combined Authority has invested more than £500m in a new fleet of publicly owned trains, delivered new stations at Maghull North and Headbolt Lane, and is progressing plans for four more stations across the Merseyrail network.

Hundreds of new buses are also being introduced as part of the region’s move to a publicly controlled bus network, while tap-and-go ticketing is making it easier for passengers to travel across the city region.

Major investment is also being made in walking and cycling infrastructure, a new Mersey Ferry and plans for a rapid transit system that will better connect communities to jobs, education and opportunities.

Bringing Merseyrail services into public ownership would help ensure those investments work together as part of a single, integrated network – making journeys simpler, improving connections between different modes of transport and giving the Liverpool City Region greater freedom to shape its own transport future.

The proposals would also create opportunities to reinvest more money back into services and future improvements, helping to ensure that the benefits of the network are felt by passengers and communities across the city region.

If approved, work will continue on detailed plans ahead of the current concession ending in 2028.

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He follows in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie, Matthew Jordan and Justin Leonard who have all signalled the start of the Championship in recent years.

With friends and family watching on, Baldwin will be joined by Thomas Detry and James Nicholas in game one, teeing off at 6.35am.

It will be a special moment for the 40-year-old, who claimed his place at The Open viaFinal Qualifying at Dundonald Links.

"It's a bit of a dream really,"Baldwin saidafter qualifying. "I get emotional just thinking about it. It will be incredible. I've played Opens at Hoylake and Lytham before, but to do it at my home club in front of my wife, my mum and my family will be amazing.

"For me it's a dream come true."

This year will mark Baldwin’s fourth Open appearance. On his debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012 he produced his best Open result of T23, before going on to compete at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and Royal Portrush in 2019.

Full tee times for Thursday and Friday are now live.You can view them here.

credit r'&a

1. Aldrich Potgieter

2. Matti Schmid

Please visitTheOpen.comfor final scoring from the Last-Chance Qualifier.

• 10 yearsof Greenlinks sustainability programme.

• 100%of on-site energy generated from renewable sources.

• 93% reductionin on-site emissions through renewable electricity and HVO.

• 11,785 tonnes of CO₂ereduced across The Open between 2023 and 2025.

• Zero waste to landfillfor the last five Championships.

• More than 30,000kWhof electricity generated annually from on-site solar.

• 750,000+single-use plastic bottles prevented through The Open Water Initiative, in partnership with Mastercard and the Priceless Planet Coalition.

• 110,000+trees restored through The Open Water Initiative, in partnership with Mastercard and the Priceless Planet Coalition.

• More than £1 millionbeing invested in local communities through The Open Legacy Fund.

• 25% reductionin water use in hospitality structures since 2019.

• 2,145 speciesrecorded through ecological surveys at Open venues over the last four years.

• 65%+of food served at The 153rd Open sourced from within 150 miles.

Scheffler had extra time to prepare after missing the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick. It was his first missed cut since August 2022 and ended a run of 78 consecutive made cuts.

The American is the defending Open champion after winning at Royal Portrush in 2025. He is aiming to become the first player since Padraig Harrington in 2008 to win the championship in consecutive years.

Royal Birkdale is hosting The Open for the 11th time. Championship play runs from Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July, with practice and other events taking place at the Southport links beforehand.

Roads Minister, Simon Lightwood, visited Bath yesterday (9 July 2026) to meet local leaders and bus companies ahead of the cost-of-living-busting free travel measures launching in time for summer holidays.

With child fares typically costing between £1 and £2, families will be able to save on the cost of travel on all participating buses in England from 1 August until 31 August 2026. Families are already able to benefit from free travel for under-5s across the main bus operators.

This is part of this government’sGreat British Summer Savingsscheme, which is helping people enjoy days out for less, whether it is exploring the great outdoors at a national park or discovering new things at one of Britain’s world-class museums.

During the visit, the minister met with teachers, school children and parents to discuss how the scheme will benefit them.

This package is not just making getting there cheaper, these summer savings are helping with the cost of living squeeze every day. Over the summer, costs are being cut on children’s menu meals at restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone at attractions like adventure centres, theme parks and soft play.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said:

Great British Summer Savings means more people can be excited about getting out and about this summer, whether it’s seeing the Roman Baths, learning something new at the Science Museum, or falling asleep on the bus ride home after a day riding rollercoasters at Alton Towers.

I know that the cost of living is a concern for households across the UK, which is why we’re cutting the cost of the day-to-day, with free bus travel for children this summer and the £3 bus fare cap helping more families make the most of the small plans that make life enjoyable.

This government is aiming to make all public transport more accessible, as not only has the £3 bus fare cap been extended until March 2027, meaning single bus fares for adults are cheaper too, but earlier this year, the first rail fare freeze in 30 years was announced, saving passengers £600 million.

This comes on top of a £3 billion investment to make buses better nationally, supporting local leaders and operators to deliver new and more reliable services for millions of passengers.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

I am so excited that Kids Go Free is back again! We know what a massive impact this has had for families in the West, helping kids explore the best of the West and putting money back in parents’ pockets.

I am thrilled that the government has seen how successful our scheme has been and that Kids Go Free is going national for August. This will give West Country families the chance to explore even further.

VisitEngland Director, Andrew Stokes, said:

It’s fantastic to see free bus travel for children as the summer holidays get underway, supporting families to get out and explore the outstanding attractions and destinations across England in a stress free and environmentally friendly way.

Whether enjoying a trip to our stunning seaside destinations, beautiful countryside or our vibrant city attractions, there is so much to discover during the summer across England. I know our tourism and hospitality businesses will be very pleased to see you.

Emergency services were called at just after 8am following the collision between a VW Golf and a Volvo HGV on Hall Lane at Wrightington near to the hospital.

The car, which was travelling East, appears to have failed to negotiate a bend and crossed into the path of the HGV in the opposite carriageway where they collided head on.

The driver of the Golf, a man in his 70s, and the passenger, a woman in her 60s, both suffered serious injuries and both sadly died.

Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this time.

The driver of the HGV was left shocked but uninjured. He is being treated as a witness to the incident.

The road was closed while we dealt with the incident but is now back open.

Senior Investigating Officer, Sgt Martin Wilcock, said: “Very sadly this collision has resulted in two people losing their lives and my thoughts are with their loved ones. I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened and who has not yet spoken with police, or anyone with footage such as dashcam, CCTV or Ring doorbell to get in touch.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who saw the VW Golf driving in the moments before the collision.”

If you can help please call 101 quoting log 0297 or you can email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit atSCIU@lancashire.police.uk

Merseyside Police has a long tradition of supporting the organisers of major events in partnership with other emergency services and stakeholders and months of planning, led by The R&A, have gone into ensuring that the eight-day Championship is safe and enjoyable for players, spectators and the residents of Birkdale, Sefton and the wider Merseyside area.

More than 300,000 people are expected to attend the Championship but we have been working closely with organisers, The R&A, Sefton Council and our other key partners and have a robust policing plan in place.

Chief Inspector David Morgan, who is silver commander for the event, said: “A considerable amount of work goes into events such as this and we constantly review our approach to supporting The R&A and our partners in delivering it.

“The public should expect to see high visibility policing across The Open as we complement and support other security agencies.

“Anti-social behaviour, disorder and criminal activity will not be tolerated, and we will be robust with anyone who behaves in such a manner.

“Visitors can help the organisers by giving themselves extra time to get to the course, arriving in good time and limiting the number of bags and other items they bring along. They should also expect to undergo the normal security checks, including bag searches.”

Project Servator officers in uniform and plain-clothes will also be deployed during the event. These officers are specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may have criminal intent, such as gathering information that may help them plan or prepare to commit a crime.

Chief Inspector Morgan added: “During deployments, officers will encourage the public, including people working in local businesses and event security staff, to be extra eyes and ears, and report anything suspicious.

“If you do see a Project Servator deployment, there's nothing to worry about. Feel free to talk to officers, they will be happy to explain what they are doing.”

For more information about The Open, visit the event organiser’s websites www.theopen.com 

For information about how to get to the event by bus or train visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk

A yellow heat health warning has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the North West. 

The Sefton coastline is always a popular destination on these days, both for residents and people visiting from elsewhere. So here are some very important things we’d like you to keep in mind when planning your visit. 

Being prepared 

Temperatures are due to be in the mid-to-high 20s for at least the next week, with lots of sunshine. Even if it feels cooler on the coast due to the breeze, the same risks remain. 

Be sure to have plenty of water and sunscreen. Beaches are fully exposed to the sunlight, so it’s recommended that people regularly seek shade or shelter. 

Suitable coverings are advised, as are caps or wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. 

More information on how to beat the heat is available through the government website. 

Parking on the coast 

Parking is available at coastal locations, but it is limited – especially on busy days. 

The National Trust advises that parking spaces at its Formby site fill up extremely quickly on busy days and to plan accordingly. More information is available on the National Trust website. 

There are several car parks are in operation near the coast in Crosby, with in-land options often having plenty of available space. Visit www.sefton.gov.uk/find-parking to find places to park, along with opening times and prices. 

On-beach parking is available at Ainsdale, but this can also fill up quickly on very busy days. Where possible, please bring the £10 all-day parking fee in cash to speed up entry. You can pay with your card or device, but network connectivity issues on the coast can affect payment devices and slow down transactions from time to time. 

Please only park in car parks or legal parking spots. Illegal parking will not be tolerated and can pose access issues for people, staff or emergency services attempting to get to the beach. 

We would prefer not to see people receiving fines, which will happen if there is illegal parking, so please bear this in mind! 

To avoid traffic and parking considerations, consider taking the train (there is a Merseyrail stop at all coastal towns), riding the bus or cycling down to the coast instead. 

Beach safety 

While beaches are largely clear, it is advised to keep on footwear such as water shoes or flip flops. 

The tide can bring in sharp debris, while jellyfish and weever fish can cause serious pain if you stand on one. 

Speaking of the tide, it is very important to always be mindful of the tide line. While the sea may appear far out at one point in the day, it can come in quickly. 

Lifeguards are in place on all beaches through the summer. You are advised to stay within sight of the lifeguard station and not to stray too far out to sea. Don’t get too far from where others are, so that support is available more quickly if it’s needed. 

Water safety 

Swimming in any open water carries risks. Going into the sea on a lifeguard-monitored beach is safer than swimming in other open-water locations, but it is still important to understand the risks. 

Enter the water slowly and carefully to avoid cold water shock and ensure that the level of water you are in matches your swimming ability. The sea has strong currents, and the safest option generally is to stay at a wading depth. 

If you get into trouble, use the RNLI’s ‘Float To Live’ guidance. You can find that, plus further information on water safety, at www.sefton.gov.uk/water-safety. 

Who to call 

In the event of an emergency, call 999. 

If it’s in the water, ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water to try and rescue the person in trouble and instead encourage them to float and wait for help. 

If there is a fire, ask for Merseyside Fire and Rescue. 

If there is another serious incident, ask for the police. 

You can call Merseyside Police on 101 if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour. 

Respect others 

While you may be visiting the coast for the only time this year, residents who live in coastal towns and villages are there all year round. 

They deserve to see their homes and streets treated with respect. You can do that by parking legally and not taking up residential spaces, keeping the streets clean and acting courteously. 

Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated and can be reported via www.sefton.gov.uk/asb. 

Please do not litter and use one of the bins provided. Sefton Council staff work hard to empty the bins multiple times in a day, but they may be full at times if it’s busy. 

If there isn’t available space in the bin, take the rubbish with you. If you had space to bring it with you, you have space to take it to a bin! 

We ask that no barbecues or fires are set on any beach. Fires spread fast, and there have been numerous fires started by something as simple as a glass bottle or cigarette that have grown out of control. This causes significant damage to Sefton’s protected dune system, including the rare plants and animals that live there. 

Would you like to learn more about Sefton’s beaches? 

Simply visit www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches to find out more. 

Teams from Network Rail will be replacing ageing track near Parbold from Monday 27 until Friday 31 July.

This means no trains will run between Southport and Wigan Wallgate during this period. Replacement buses will be available between the two destinations.

Trains between Manchester and Southport will terminate at Wigan.

This vital engineering work involves teams replacing sections of track, as well as sleepers and ballast. Once completed, this will lead to better ride quality and a reduction in delays and speed restrictions in the area.

Derek Davies, project manager for Network Rail, said: "Our teams will be replacing nearly a kilometre of track, sleepers and the ‘formation’ below the railway, as the current track is nearing the end of its life. Once renewed the track will benefit from improved drainage and offer a more resilient, smoother, and more reliable railway.

"We know there is never an ideal time to close the railway and we are using this closure to complete multiple pieces of work, avoiding the need for two or three weekends of disruption. The work has been planned into the school holiday period when passenger demand is lower. We would like to thank passengers for their patience during the closure."

Stuart Taylor, Northern's director of service delivery in Greater Manchester, said:“We’re advising customers to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys while this essential engineering work is being carried out.

“There will be no trains between Southport and Wigan Wallgate, but we will be running rail replacement buses to get customers where they need to go and their tickets will be accepted on alternative routes.”

 Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk. 

Notes to Editors

• During the disruption, Northern customers will be able to use their tickets to travel on Merseyrail’s Southport-Liverpool services, and Northern’s Liverpool-Manchester, Preston-Ormskirk and Preston-Manchester services.

The UAS-only Restricted Area (Temporary) will been in place between Saturday 11 July and Tuesday 21 July 2026.

During the period beginning at 5am and ending at 9pm on each of the eleven days no unmanned aircraft is permitted to fly within the area outlined in the attached map.

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Secretary of State for Transport agree that it is necessary and in the public interest to introduce Restriction of Flying Regulations under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 for unmanned aircraft for reasons of public safety and security .

Matrix Inspector Carl McNulty said: “This is a standard measure which has been in place in previous years for large scale public events.
 
“Specialist resources, made up of Merseyside Police officers and officers from regional and national teams, including air support, will be in place for the duration of the event and we are also working with partners including the local authority, other emergency services, and businesses in the community to ensure this is a safe and secure event.”
 
Anyone who wishes to seek consideration for the safe and appropriate flight of a drone in these areas must obtain permission through the Merseyside Police Counter Drone Team on 07971688873 or via email: drone.exemptions@merseyside.police.uk

Full details of the restrictions are available on the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website: Drones | UK Civil Aviation Authority. 

Starting at 11am the parade will head along London Street across Lord Street and up Nevill Street turning left onto the Promenade finishing in Princes Park.

At approximately 5pm the parade will do the route in reverse.

Long delays are expected and motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible.

1. Aldrich Potgieter

2. Matti Schmid

3. Matt Moloney (a)

4. Joe Dean

5. Sam Easterbrook (a)

6. Adri Arnaus

7. John Gough

8. Angel Hidalgo

9. Charles Huntzinger

10. Marcus Helligkilde

11. Andrew Wilson

12. Wesley Bryan

The field is subject to change between now and the Last-Chance Qualifier starting on Monday 13 July. The draw for the Last-Chance Qualifier will be announced on Saturday 11 July.

The recognition comes from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) who conducted a detailed inspection of the force between 2025 and 2026.

The main findings of this section of the report identified that ‘the force understands the causes of antisocial behaviour and vulnerability in its communities’; is ‘using preventative and protective orders effectively to help it tackle antisocial behaviour’ and ‘actively works with partners to divert young people away from crime.’

This section also highlighted that the force has invested in the capacity and capability of its neighbourhood policing teams.

In addition to ‘outstanding’, Merseyside Police were appraised a further three ‘good’ and four ‘adequate’ judgements.  Investigations were graded as ‘Requires Improvement.’  No areas were identified as ‘inadequate.’

This latest PEEL inspection began in August 2025 and continued through until the end of March 2026, with inspectors assessing how good Merseyside Police is across nine areas of policing. 

Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “We welcome the findings from the HMICFRS PEEL inspection which grades us as outstanding for our work in preventing and deterring crime, antisocial behaviour and reducing vulnerability. I want to thank every officer, member of staff and volunteer across Merseyside Police for their dedication and commitment to the communities of Merseyside.

“We know antisocial behaviour is a concern within all our communities, which is why we have invested in neighbourhood policing with our officer numbers among the highest in the country.  Initiatives such as Operation Banger - targeting antisocial behaviour around Halloween and Bonfire Night - have reduced incidents significantly, last year by 67 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.

“We recognised the areas for improvement before HMICFRS published its findings and have addressed these challenges since September last year.  So, whilst the grading for Investigations is disappointing, areas such as solving crime has, even before the report was published, increased significantly and we are now one of the top three performing forces in the country for crime outcomes.

“Response - graded as Adequate in the inspection – remains a priority for the force.  Our priority response performance has improved significantly and since the force restructure (which went live on 29 March) we have consistently achieved our target of over 90% (within 60 minutes) for the first time in 12 years.”

Chief Constable Carden vowed to keep communities safe when he took the helm of the force in September last year.  He introduced Operation Vanguard – large-scale operations which lock down areas to enable swathes of officers to proactively target those involved in criminality and causing the most harm to that community.  Operation Vanguard reinforces the Chief’s commitment for contempt for criminality, while at the same time showing compassion for victims and the law-abiding people who suffer criminality taking place on their streets.

He said: “Operation Vanguard supports the day-to-day activity our Local Policing officers carry out to keep our communities safe, by taking strong action against those involved in criminality.  Criminality has a massive negative impact on families and the most vulnerable in our communities and Vanguard targets those involved in serious organised crime, domestic abuse, County Lines, modern day slavery, burglary, robbery, drug and drink driving, and a whole host of other offences.

“Our relentless pursuit of criminals is one aspect of the new force strategy which I introduced earlier this year.  This is built around four objectives - Community First; Contempt for Criminality; Compassion for Victims and Care for Colleagues.  The findings in this report do not change those objectives. If anything, they reinforce them.”

In March, the force introduced a significant restructure designed to strengthen local accountability and improve the service delivered to communities across the region.  Following extensive planning by a dedicated team, Merseyside Police moved to a geographical Basic Command Unit (BCU) model, which is a local area-based command team, bringing more responsive local policing for communities.  An additional 80 officers were put into response policing, 60 additional officers into neighbourhood policing and the retention of 200 community support officers.

Emily Spurrell, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “On behalf of the people of Merseyside, I welcome this latest HMICFRS inspection and the independent scrutiny it provides. While the report highlights many positive findings, my primary focus is on the areas where inspectors have concluded further improvement is required, particularly around investigations, victim outcomes, and response policing.

“Victims of crime must remain at the heart of policing. They have the right to expect that they will be listened to, supported and treated with compassion, and that crimes reported to the police will be investigated thoroughly and effectively. The findings relating to investigations and outcomes for victims are therefore matters I will be paying particularly close attention to. Through my regular scrutiny meetings, I will continue to hold the Chief Constable and his senior leadership team to account and seek clear evidence that improvements are being delivered and sustained.

“I note that many of the issues highlighted by inspectors had already been identified by the force and that action is underway through the Chief Constable’s new operating model and force strategy. While the report acknowledges progress in a number of areas, the public rightly expects continuous improvement, and I will continue to monitor performance closely to ensure the force responds positively to the findings and recommendations set out by HMICFRS.

“However, I am pleased to see inspectors recognise the strong partnership work taking place across Merseyside to steer young people away from crime and exploitation. Initiatives such as the No Comment pathway, She Inspires and Operation Prospect are helping young people build confidence, resilience and brighter futures.

“At the same time, the Outstanding grading for prevention is a significant achievement and reflects the professionalism, commitment and hard work of Merseyside Police officers, staff and volunteers. They should be proud that inspectors have recognised the force’s dedication to neighbourhood policing, early intervention and keeping people safe. These findings are testament to the vital contribution they make every day to supporting victims, tackling crime and maintaining public confidence in policing.”

In her summary included in the report, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: “I am pleased with the performance of Merseyside Police in keeping people safe, reducing crime and giving victims an effective service.  The force has made improvements in leadership, prevention and safeguarding since our last inspection, and I recognise the workforce’s hard work in achieving this.

“I was pleased to see that the force has achieved outstanding performance in prevention and deterrence. It has a higher number of neighbourhood officers than the average for forces in England and Wales. This investment in prevention has proved very positive in tackling neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour.  It has particularly good offers to divert young people away from crime.

“There are some areas in which Merseyside Police must do better, and we will continue to monitor its progress. But I am optimistic that its new leadership team and operating model, together with its committed officers and staff, will continue to support the improvements needed.”

Chief Constable Carden added: “Of course, I want Merseyside Police to achieve outstanding results in future PEEL assessments.  But the reality is that achieving high grades is not the ultimate goal.  Our ambition is to be outstanding for Merseyside.

“We want to be the force our communities deserve, one that shows genuine contempt for criminality, demonstrates compassion for victims and cares for its colleague.  The people of Merseyside rightly expect the very best from us and I know that we are capable of delivering it.”

The full inspection report and those of the other fire and rescue services inspected so far are available on the HMICFRS website:His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services

A significant nuisance

Wasps and ants can become a significant nuisance during the warmer months and should always be dealt with carefully. The council’s fully qualified and expertly trained pest control team is now available to treat wasp nest and ant infestation at domestic and commercial properties for a fee.

Wasps not bees

Wasps and bees are often mistaken for one another, but it is important to know the difference. While both can sting if provoked, wasps are generally more aggressive and are able to sting multiple times.

Wasps can be identified by their narrow waist and yellow dots below their head. Both have yellow stripes, but wasps’ stripes are brighter and more distinct. Bees have duller stripes with a softer edge.

Our team does not deal with bees as they are, beneficial, endangered and usually less aggressive than wasps.

Advice and chargeable treatments

Sefton Council’s pest control team also offers advice and chargeable treatments for rats, mice, cockroaches, bed bugs and fleas.

Steve Smith, Environmental Health & Trading Standards Service Manager, said:
“I am delighted that the council is once again able to offer this service after more than 15 years without it.

“While insects play an important role in our ecosystem, a wasps’ nest or an ant infestation can be a real nuisance, particularly if it is close to an entrance or where children or pets may be at risk of being stung and bitten. Ants can also damage people’s property and contaminate food.

“Wasps can be aggressive when disturbed, delivering a painful sting. That is why it is essential that nests are dealt with safely and professionally, using the correct equipment and by experts with the appropriate training.

If something on your property is causing concern, I encourage residents to contact our trusted team for advice and support.”

Prices and more information

Domestic property prices can be found on the council’s website atwww.sefton.gov.uk/pest-control

Commercial premises, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), will be quoted individually. To arrange your appointment, please call the team on 0345 140 0845.

There are no concessions for wasp and ant treatments, as they are not classified as public health pests, unlike rodents, cockroaches and bed bugs.

To find out more about the service and associated fees, visitwww.sefton.gov.uk/pest-control.

Crowdfunding programme

Sefton Crowd is a crowdfunding programme offering groups a maximum of £5,000 in funding from the Council’s Community Transition Fund. It helps transform community-led ideas into projects that improve neighbourhoods, boost wellbeing and bring people together. 

Promote civic pride

It is delivered by Sefton Council in partnership with community crowdfunding platform Spacehive. A key eligibility criterion for a Sefton Crowd project is that proposals must show how they will promote civic pride by encouraging residents to improve their local area or strengthen community resilience. 

Projects must align with Sefton Council priorities such as supporting vulnerable residents, improving community safety, and protecting the environment. 

Project Creator Workshop

To help aspiring project creators get started, Spacehive is hosting a free online Project Creator Workshop on Thursday 9th July from 1 to 2pm. 

At the workshop, attendees can learn how the funding programme works. This includes how to apply, key crowdfunding targets and timelines. They will and gain expert advice from Spacehive on building and promoting a successful campaign. They will also hear about successful local projects from previous and current funding rounds across Sefton. 

Recent success stories

Sefton Crowd has already supported a range of impactful local initiatives. The most recent success stories include: 

• Rowlands Dell, in Maghull: A once-neglected quarry transformed into a thriving eco-haven promoting biodiversity and wellbeing helping people with accessibility needs. The project gained national recognition after winning the RHS and BBC One Show “Growing Together” competition. 

• Mason’s World, in Bootle: Developing inclusive sensory sessions for children with disabilities and additional needs, supporting families with accessible facilities and resources. 

• Dementia Choir in Southport: Using music to support people living with dementia and their families, promoting connection, wellbeing and inclusion. 

• Lucilla Theatre Sustainability Project in Crosby: Upgrading stage lighting to energy-efficient systems, reducing costs and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Support live project

There is currently a live project that needs people’s support: 

Scrapyard Studios in Bootle is working to secure free open access music opportunities for young people, creating a guitar group, songwriting club and new 'build a band' sessions. 

People can back the project at:Building Music Projects with Bootle's Young People

Real and lasting impact in Sefton

Cllr Liz Dowd, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement said: 

“I’m delighted that Sefton Crowd, delivered in partnership with Spacehive, is continuing to make a real and lasting impact on the lives of local people through the wide range of community-focused projects already underway.  

“Each round of Sefton Crowd has shown that local residents are best placed to recognise opportunities for positive change within their own communities.  

“I would encourage anyone with an idea, that will improve our borough, no matter how small, ambitious or different to attend the next workshop and apply for funding. Whether you’re starting something new or building on an existing project, this funding can help bring your plans to life.” 

Sign-up to the next workshop

To join the upcoming workshop and take the first step towards bringing a project to life, sign up at:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/sefton-crowd-project.  

And watch what a huge success Rowlands Dell have made with the money partly awarded from Sefton Crowd below.

• More than 300,000 people set to attend Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale

• Increased frequency on Merseyrail services to help get golf fans to and from the course

• Journeys will be busier than usual – make sure you plan ahead

Rail services are set to be stepped up and dedicated park and ride options put in place for The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next month.

With more than 300,000 golf fans expected at the world-famous event across the week, event organisers, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and local partners, including transport operators, are working hard to make sure journeys are as smooth as possible for residents and visitors.

Merseyrail services on the Southport line which serves Hillside station – just a short walk from the spectator entrance to the course – will operate at increased frequencies at the busiest times. Commercial bus services with stops close to the course will also be available throughout the championship.

Alongside this, event organisers have arranged a dedicated park and ride operation service, giving spectators another convenient option to travel to and from the course.

With roads expected to be particularly busy and no public parking available near the course, people are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and consider all available travel options before they set off.

Travel advice and information can be found on the Merseytravel website at:

www.merseytravel.gov.uk/customer-information/open-golf/

Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

“The Open Championship is one of the biggest and most prestigious sporting events in the world, and we are proud to once again welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Liverpool City Region.

“We are working closely with our partners and transport operators to help people get to and from Royal Birkdale as smoothly as possible, including enhanced rail services and dedicated park and ride options.

“With services expected to be extremely busy, it’s important that spectators plan ahead, check routes and allow extra time for their journeys.

“We want everyone to enjoy their visit, so we’d also ask people to be patient, follow travel guidance and be respectful of fellow passengers and the staff working hard to support this major event.”

Top travel tips

Use public transport wherever possible – roads will be busy with no parking available close to the course

• Make sure you check routes and plan ahead

• Check operator websites and social media channels for up-to-date timetables

• Be prepared for last minute changes to services

• Allow extra time for your journeys – services will be much busier than usual

• Buy tickets in advance if possible – or use Tap and Go with your bank card on all Merseyrail services for speed and the cheapest ticket for your journey

• Don’t plan for the last service home – you’ll be stuck if you miss it!

• Be kind to transport staff – they will be working hard to get you there and back

What you need to know

RAIL

Merseyrail

The Merseyrail network links Liverpool city centre with many areas of the wider region, including Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and South Liverpool. It operates trains to the closest station to Royal Birkdale Golf Club – Hillside, just a five-minute walk from the main spectator entrance.

Merseyrail will be operating an enhanced service on the Southport branch of the Northern Line across the week. A 20-minute service will run between Hillside and Liverpool Central/Moorfields stations and between Southport and Hillside, which will increase to a 10-minute service at the busiest times.

To accommodate this increased frequency, there will be some changes to other services across the network throughout the week.

You can find full details of the service levels and changes on theMerseyrail website.

Northern

Services on the Manchester Victoria to Southport line (via Wigan) are expected to be extremely busy across the week, please allow extra time for travelling.

Those travelling into Lime Street station can connect to the Merseyrail Northern Line services to Hillside at Liverpool Central and Moorfields.

More information on service changes can be found on theNorthern website.

Before travelling check rail operator websites and Twitter accounts for more information

@merseyrail – www.merseyrail.org

@northernassist – www.northernrailway.co.uk

@TPEassist – www.tpexpress.co.uk

@avantiwestcoast – www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

@LNRailway – www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk

@tfwrail – www.tfwrail.wales

@eastmidrailway – www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

@NetworkRailLIV – www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/our-stations/liverpool-lime-street

@nationalrail – www.nationalrail.co.uk

BUS

Commercial Bus Services

Arriva and Stagecoach operate bus services in Sefton, offering another way to get to the course if you are staying locally.

The two main services that drop off and pick-up close to the course are the X2 (Stagecoach) and 47 (Arriva). You can find the timetables for these services linked below:

Stagecoach –X2 timetables

Arriva –47 timetables

Park and Ride

There will be no public car parking at Royal Birkdale or in the immediate surrounding area.

Throughout the championship, event organisers have a park and ride service available at two sites with dedicated buses to transport spectators to and from the course.

Full details of this can be found on the Open Championship website.

Check bus operator websites and social media accounts for up-to-date schedule information.

@arrivanorthwest – www.arrivabus.co.uk

@stagecoachMCSL – www.stagecoachbus.com

@nationalexpress – www.nationalexpress.com

WALKING, CYCLING and E-SCOOTERS

If you live nearby or are staying local, walking and cycling will be some of the healthiest, quickest and easiest ways to get around.

Please help us by walking or cycling if you can, to ease some pressure on transport services and keep our air clean.

If you are staying in Liverpool City Centre during the event, E-scooters and E-bikes operated by Bolt are available for hire throughout Liverpool and can be located and unlocked by downloading the Bolt app. E-scooters are available to hire in the city centre and surrounding areas as well as key transport hubs and hospitals.

@boltapp – bolt.eu

AIRPORTS

Liverpool is connected to the world via John Lennon International Airport, which is less than 20 mins drive from the city centre.

Several regular bus services to Liverpool city centre operate from outside the terminal building, including the Arriva 500 service.

Up-to-date information about flights and how to travel to the city from either airport can be found on their websites.

@LPL_Airport – www.liverpoolairport.com

MERSEY TUNNELS

The Wallasey (Kingsway) and Birkenhead (Queensway) are cross-river road options to get from Wirral to Liverpool, with the Wallasey Tunnel providing the best link to the Royal Birkdale golf course.

Check Merseytravel social media channels for most up-to-date information on both tunnels.

@Merseytravel – www.merseytunnels.co.uk

Southport Conservatives are calling on Sefton Council to reverse their decision to close the aviary at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown.

The recent announcement that the aviary will be closed has been heavily criticised by many and across the political spectrum there are calls for a reversal of the decision.

Sefton Council will be borrowing huge sums in the next 12 months, spending money on more cycle lanes that very few people will use and it’s highly likely that Council Tax will once again go up by the maximum amount, again.

Yet the aviary at Botanic Gardens will be closing, saving around £60,000 per year from the council budget. News that was not publicised by Sefton Labour in the run up to the local elections.

Mike Prendergast of Southport Conservatives said, “The unexpected announcement has taken many by surprise and it’s one of those issues that has pretty much brought everyone together. Absolutely no one in Southport wants to see the aviary close and we agree with the calls for this decision to reversed.”

“Virtually everyone in Southport has memories of visiting there as a child or taking their own children there, myself included. It’s one of the quirky features of Southport and holds a special place in the hearts of everyone in the town.”

“The rationale for the decision seems to be a combination of animal welfare concerns and financial constraints. Surely though the welfare concerns can be addressed and better budget management can tackle the financial side of things.”

“The only figure available is the running costs of around £60,000 per year, no figures have been publicised about any capital expenditure needed, yet the decision has been taken to close the aviary.”

“A simple freeze in councillors allowances, for example, over the next few years would likely yield the money needed to keep it going in terms of running costs. I’m sure all of Southport’s councillors would be agreeable to that if it helped keep the aviary open and they could all put this forward in a Notice of Motion for the next council meeting.”

“It also seems that many within Sefton Council knew this decision was coming and it’s hard to believe that at least some of Sefton’s Labour councillors knew full well the aviary at Botanic Gardens would be closing but kept quiet about it.” 

“More broadly though, the poor state of Sefton’s finances is the main driver behind this decision. Over a prolonged period the finances have deteriorated; there are no cash reserves and with borrowing levels set to soar, it’s imperative that someone gets a grip on the finances or we could see more cuts to services across Southport.”

A trial run of the nearly-completed stepping stones

Families of all ages across Lancashire are being invited to step into a brand-new adventure this summer as WWT Martin Mere, based in Burscough, unveils Europe's longest continuous stepping stones.

Stretching an impressive 68 metres across the water, the attraction features 143 stepping stones, creating a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of wetlands.

The development of the raised pathway which the stepping stones sit on

Victoria Fellowes, Visitor Experience Manager at WWT Martin Mere, said:

"We're incredibly proud to open Europe's longest continuous set of stepping stones right here at WWT Martin Mere. As WWT – the wetland charity – we want to inspire people to connect with wetlands in fun, memorable ways. The stepping stones offer a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying an exciting adventure together."

The stepping stones form part of WWT Martin Mere's recently created wet meadow and self-guided bug hunting area, which opened in summer 2025. Visitors can pick up an identification chart and discover the fascinating miniature wildlife that calls wetlands home, from colourful insects to fascinating pond creatures.

The sunken walkway when it was built in 2025

After crossing the stepping stones, visitors can continue exploring via two unique walking routes through the wet meadow: a dry path winding through vibrant wildflowers, or a wet route along the sunken walkway for those wanting an even closer encounter with wetland habitats.

The attraction opens in time for the school summer holidays and the return of WWT Martin Mere's popular Dragonfly Festival, running from 18 July to 31 August.

Packed with family-friendly activities, the festival will give visitors the chance to:

• Go pond dipping and discover underwater wildlife.

• Hunt for giant dragonfly sculptures around the reserve.

• Learn dragonfly-inspired dance moves at lively bubble parties.

• Get hands-on with interactive dragonfly science shows packed with fascinating facts.

The stepping stones, alongside the Dragonfly Festival activities, are included as part of admission tickets or WWT membership, and Martin Mere is open each day from 9:30am until 6pm during the summer.

Inspired to visit? 

WWT membersgain unlimited access all year round. Or, non-members can save 10% on admission tickets by prebooking online at least a day before your visit.

Book tickets

Fifa is understood to be bringing forward the game at Azteca, Mexico City, which had been scheduled to kick off at 01:00 BST on Monday (18:00 local time on Sunday).

Forecasts suggest there could be thunderstorms and heavy rain around this time, although Fifa has not yet provided any explanation.

Fifa regulations for World Cup 2026 say they have the right to "cancel, reschedule or relocate" matches "at its sole discretion"

In May 2026 officers received reports that numerous fragrances had been taken from Boots on Chapel Street.

Officers from Merseyside Police carried out a joint investigation with Lancashire Police who traced a car involved in the theft of the fragrances to a house in Preston.

Officers searched the house and arrested a man inside the address.

Andrei Duduianu, aged 25, of Dundonald Street in Preston has now been charged with four counts of theft from a shop.

He was remanded into custody and appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court where he was bailed with conditions this morning, Friday 3 July.

Sefton Area Commander Karl Baldwin Said: “We are keenly aware of the impact that shop thefts can have on our businesses in Sefton.

“They are not victimless crimes and can have a devastating ripple effect that could lead to people losing their jobs, prices rising as businesses seek to make up for the lost revenue and more.

“Our local policing officers remain committed to tackling such offences by working with businesses, the security industry and other partners to disrupt and deter offenders and bring them to justice when these thefts do occur.”

To report a crime taking place contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.

Cut Welfare to Pay for Defence Say Southport Conservatives 

Labour is failing on defence and prioritising welfare over our nation’s security say Southport Conservatives.

The recently published Defence Investment Plan was supposed to set out the increases in funding needed to get the UK’s defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035. 

After months of dither and delay over its publication, the Defence Secretary resigning, a Defence Minister resigning and now a Prime Minister on his way out, the plan put forward is woefully short of what’s needed, with a a near £5 billion black hole and no plan on how to fill it.

Southport Conservative’s Mike Prendergast said, “The Defence Investment Plan isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. It’s been announced with much fanfare by a PM who’ll be gone in a few weeks, a PM who Southport’s own MP no longer has faith in.”

“If Labour’s own MP’s aren’t backing Starmer and his plans then why should the rest of the country be expected to do differently?”

“The plan does not deliver what is needed. In order to meet our NATO commitments and ensure we are properly defended in a dangerous world, defence spending needs to be at 3% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035. The plan delivers neither of these.”

“Our defence is key to our future prosperity and Labour just aren’t delivering.”

“What we need to see is cuts to the welfare budget to get defence spending where it needs to be. Instead Labour are cancelling road projects and cutting funding elsewhere, welfare spending is due to get to over £400 billion by the end of this Parliament, with more and more people claiming it.”

“Labour’s backbench MP’s simply refuse to tackle this failing to do so has consequences, with inadequate defence budgets being one of them.”

This summer, we are inviting families to take part in activities as part of our Thrive Before 5 campaign.

It is designed for children who are starting school in September. The aim is to help them feel happy, confident and ready to learn.

There are 21 simple activities for you to try together at home or out and about. They are easy to do and built around everyday family life.

What is Thrive Before 5?

The activities come from the50 Things to Do Before You’re Fiveinitiative. They are all about giving children new experiences and helping them to learn through play.

By taking part, your child can practise important skills like talking, listening, playing with others and taking turns. These are all things that help children to settle into reception at school.

You don’t need special equipment. Many of the activities can be done using things you already have at home, like dancing in the kitchen or using soap to make potions in the bath.

Make it fun this summer holidays

Across Sefton, you may see Thrive Before 5 banners near schools and nurseries. Each banner shows one activity and has a QR code for you to scan to find out more.

You could even turn it into a fun family challenge by going on a "banner hunt" in your local area to see how many you can find.

We have also created a booklet that you can use to tick off the activities as you complete them together.

Printed copies of the activity booklet are available at our Family Hubs and local libraries.

You can also download a copy by visiting our Early Years Padlet wall.

Click here for our activity booklet

Liverpool Lime Street is expected to be extra busy over the weekend (Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July) with six big games all taking place at Everton’s brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

With bumper crowds expected, Network Rail is advising rail travellers to follow three 'golden rules' for the smoothest journey possible:

• Plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk   

• Know the times of trains home, so you don’t miss the final services

• Please respect station staff and other passengers when making your journey

Station staff will be on hand at Lime Street to help passengers, and a queueing system will be in place to keep people moving.

Rachel Rahbarzare, Liverpool Lime Street's station manager, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Super League fans to Liverpool Lime Street and helping them travel safely to and from the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“It is going to be busy in the station, with fans coming from all over the country to see these games. So please plan ahead and let us know if you need help.”

Neil Grabham, Managing Director at Merseyrail, said:"We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of fans onto our network for Magic Weekend and are working closely with partners to make sure everyone can travel safely and smoothly. 

“We’ll be running extra services and putting in place measures to help manage busy stations, but we expect trains to be very busy at peak times. We’re asking customers to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journey, and check before they travel so they can enjoy the event from the moment they set off.”  

Find travel information and timetable changes on the Merseyrail website or www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Notes to Editors

Merseyrail service changes:

• On Saturday 4 July, a 15-minute service will operate before and after the event on the Southport, Ormskirk, Hunts Cross and Headbolt Lane lines. 

• There will also be some changes to normal train times. On the Southport line, services will be altered between 10.45am and 4.30pm, while on the Headbolt Lane line, changes will be in place between 10.51am and 7.36pm. At Cressington station, trains will run every 30 minutes from the start to the end of service. 

• On Sunday 5 July, a special event timetable will be in place, with additional services running to support travel to and from the stadium. 

The warning comes as officers launch Operation Limit, a national campaign run throughout the summer, aimed at preventing drug and drink related casualties across the county. 

Last year (2025) in Lancashire a total of 13,767 vehicles were stopped. During this period, 10,484 breath tests were conducted, resulting in 1,351 positive alcohol readings. Additionally, 3,283 roadside drug tests were carried out, with 1,559 positive results. This has led to a total of 2,831 arrests for either drink or drug driving. 

The operation will include increased road policing patrols throughout the county, alongside the deployment of drink and drug testing sites. 

People often think they’re fit to drive, but “feeling fine” doesn’t mean you are. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs impair reaction, judgment, and decision-making. 

Take a moment to think about what you could lose if you chose to drive under the influence. Your home? Your job? Your family? Your freedom to travel? Your licence? Or even more, your life, or someone else’s. Is it really worth the risk? 

The message is simple: Drive under the influence, get stopped, tested and convicted. 

For more information about Op Limit please visit:-Op Limit | Lancashire Constabulary 

If you suspect someone is about to drive or is driving under the influence, call 999. 

You can also report via: 

• Online:Drink / Drug Driving – Lancashire Constabulary 

• 100% Anonymously via Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 or theirwebsite 

For the latest Op Limit updates throughout the summer, followLancashire Police on Facebook. 

Crosby, Litherland, Maghull, Waterloo, Formby and Ainsdale will be among new areas targeted by the initiative, in addition to work already done in the wider Southport and Bootle areas. 

Sefton successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force administered by Keep Britain Tidy. Now in its fifth year, this is Sefton’s second successful award. The Task Force provides funds to be used to not only clean gum from pavements but also prevent it from being littered in the first place through the delivery of behavioural change campaigns. 

Cllr Peter Harvey, Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Street Scene, said:  
“Chewing gum on our streets is not only unsightly, it is unacceptable. Securing this funding for a second consecutive year means we can continue tackling the issue head-on, helping to make Sefton a cleaner and greener borough. 

“We’re pleased to be working once again with Keep Britain Tidy on this initiative, alongside our wider partnership work with them on tackling fly-tipping, supporting the Great British Spring Clean, and promoting campaigns like the Dog Poo Fairy.  

"Together, we share a strong commitment to improving Sefton for everyone and encouraging more responsible behaviour when it comes to litter in all its forms. 

“Thanks to this funding, we’ll target several hotspot areas across Sefton, such as town centres.” 

The Chewing Gum Task Force grant scheme – established by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy – is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent it from being dropped in the first place.  

In the past four years, the Task Force has awarded grants worth a total of £6.46 million and funded the cleaning of over 4.15 million square metres of pavements. 

The Task Force is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10 million spread over five years. 

Cllr Harvey continued:
“Our Street Cleansing Team will be out in force using specialist chewing gum removal machines, which use eco-friendly detergents to break down gum quickly and effectively.  

"However, this initiative is about more than just cleaning up the gum. It’s about changing behaviour.  

“According to Keep Britain Tidy, around 77% of England’s streets and 99% of retail sites are stained with gum. Through clear signage and strong messaging, we aim to prevent the problem at source. By taking this proactive approach, in line with many other councils, we’re determined to create lasting change. 

“We’re confident that responsible Sefton residents who are proud of their neighbourhoods will see a real difference and we continue to urge everyone to do the right thing and dispose of chewing gum responsibly by using a bin.”

Monitoring and evaluation carried out by Behaviour Change – a not-for-profit social enterprise – has shown that in areas that benefitted from funding, a reduced rate of gum littering of up to 86% was seen in the first two months. 

Reductions were still being observed six months after targeted street cleansing and the installation of specially designed signage to encourage people to bin their gum. 

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, said:  
“While chewing gum litter remains a stubborn eyesore in our public spaces, the good news is that this scheme is already driving major improvements.  

“As an environmental charity, we know that every piece of gum dropped irresponsibly damages the environment, taking years to break down naturally, while also leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for costly clean-up operations.  

“Everyone in Sefton can play a part in creating cleaner, greener streets for all by binning their gum properly.”

Covering pavements and roads across the Borough's 620-mile network, this will be the second of four treatments for the year.

Contractors began spraying in March

Sefton Council’s contractors began spraying on schedule in March, but the eight-week process took considerably longer than it should have. This was mainly because of a period of prolonged wet weather at the commencement of the spraying season but also impacted by contractor resource availability.

Spraying is ineffective in rain as the treatment is washed away rather than killing back the weeds.

Accelerating the programme

Aware that this has meant weeds are more prominent than they should be in some parts of the borough, Sefton Council’s Street Cleansing Managers have met with the contractors. They have instructed them to accelerate the programme, continue with the second spray and ensure the task is fully resourced for the rest of the growing season.

Meanwhile, Council teams, who carry out the post-spray removals, will also be targeting key areas to support the catch-up that is underway. 

Poor weather

Cllr Peter Harvey, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member whose responsibilities include Streetscene and Waste, said:“Periods of poor weather have had an impact, and we are aware that in some areas the standards we and the people of Sefton rightly expect have not been met.

“We are now working closely with our contractors, and they will be speeding up the spraying programme to ensure they carry out all four sprays during this year’s growing season.

“They will also be providing us with daily reports to enable officers to monitor how the work is progressing and target any extra action needed.” 

“Council officers will also be carrying out more regular inspections to ensure quality standards are met." 

Frustration

Cllr Harvey added:“We understand the frustration this issue has caused in the affected areas and thank residents for their patience while this work is carried out to ensure improvements are made.” 

You can find out more about Sefton Council's work to tackle weeds here.

Northern's 'Creating Customer Confidence' programme is helping to deliver one of the biggest customer satisfaction turnarounds in the operator's history.

Train operator Northern has moved up from the bottom of the national rankings in Transport Focus's latest rail passenger scorecard, in one of the clearest signs yet that the operator's drive to rebuild passenger trust is working.

The latest scorecard shows Northern recording an overall satisfaction score of 88%, placing the operator towards the top of the table which ranks scores for train and station cleanliness, safety, information, punctuality and value for money.

Northern performed above the national average in several areas that matter most to customers:

• Value for money: 66%, seven points above the national average of 59%; one of the strongest scores of any operator in the country

• Personal safety on board: 87%, above the national average of 86%

• Customer information: 89%, in line with the national average

It comes as Transport Focus today releases its Rail Customer Experience Survey Official Statistics, an additional set of metrics which show Northern was among the most improved train operators in the country.

Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director for Northern, said: "We're all delighted at Northern to have moved towards the top of the pack and firmly away from the bottom of this customer satisfaction table, seeing us move ahead of the national average in value for money scoring and several other areas.

"None of this happens by accident. These results are what our 'Creating Customer Confidence' programme was designed to deliver. Our colleagues work so hard to deliver for our customers and we appreciate the trust our customers place in us.

"We are proud of this progress but we are not stopping there. There's more to do, and we'll continue to listen to our customers in order to deliver real improvements where they matter most."

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

“The scheme aimed to reduce traffic and increase active travel in Southport. Elements of the scheme are still being considered, looking at some of the issues raised in the engagement.

“Sefton Council with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust are currently expanding theirSchool Neighbourhoodprogramme of work.  This approach involvesschool pupils and the wider community to take a neighbourhood approach to improve the journey to school, from improving safety to creating a more inviting local environment for walking, wheeling and cycling over a wider area.

“Any future proposals for the Southport Liveable Neighbourhood scheme will be considered by Cabinet Member and be subject to consultation, and implementation of any proposals will form the next programme of works to be delivered from April 2027onwards.”

https://eyeonsouthport.co.uk/council-propose-to-block-off-roads-and-streets-in-southport-to-create-liveable-neighbourhoods-20211011

Local residents, community groups and charitable organisations are, once again, being invited to turn their ideas into reality through Sefton Crowd.  

Sefton Crowd is a crowdfunding programme offering groups a maximum of £5,000 in funding from the Council’s Community Transition Fund. It helps transform community-led ideas into projects that improve neighbourhoods, boost wellbeing and bring people together. 

It is delivered by Sefton Council in partnership with community crowdfunding platform Spacehive. A key eligibility criterion for a Sefton Crowd project is that proposals must show how they will promote civic pride by encouraging residents to improve their local area or strengthen community resilience. 

Projects must align with Sefton Council priorities such as supporting vulnerable residents, improving community safety, and protecting the environment. 

To help aspiring project creators get started, Spacehive is hosting a free online Project Creator Workshop on Thursday 9th July from 1 to 2pm. 

At the workshop, attendees can learn how the funding programme works. This includes how to apply, key crowdfunding targets and timelines. They will and gain expert advice from Spacehive on building and promoting a successful campaign. They will also hear about successful local projects from previous and current funding rounds across Sefton. 

Sefton Crowd has already supported a range of impactful local initiatives. The most recent success stories include: 

• Rowlands Dell, in Maghull: A once-neglected quarry transformed into a thriving eco-haven promoting biodiversity and wellbeing helping people with accessibility needs. The project gained national recognition after winning the RHS and BBC One Show “Growing Together” competition. 

• Mason’s World, in Bootle: Developing inclusive sensory sessions for children with disabilities and additional needs, supporting families with accessible facilities and resources. 

• Dementia Choir in Southport: Using music to support people living with dementia and their families, promoting connection, wellbeing and inclusion. 

• Lucilla Theatre Sustainability Project in Crosby: Upgrading stage lighting to energy-efficient systems, reducing costs and ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Support live project

There is currently a live project that needs people’s support: 

Scrapyard Studios in Bootle is working to secure free open access music opportunities for young people, creating a guitar group, songwriting club and new 'build a band' sessions. 

People can back the project at:Building Music Projects with Bootle's Young People

Cllr Liz Dowd, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement said: 
“I’m delighted that Sefton Crowd, delivered in partnership with Spacehive, is continuing to make a real and lasting impact on the lives of local people through the wide range of community-focused projects already underway.  

“Each round of Sefton Crowd has shown that local residents are best placed to recognise opportunities for positive change within their own communities.  

“I would encourage anyone with an idea, that will improve our borough, no matter how small, ambitious or different to attend the next workshop and apply for funding. Whether you’re starting something new or building on an existing project, this funding can help bring your plans to life.” 

To join the upcoming workshop and take the first step towards bringing a project to life, sign uphere. 

And watch what a huge success Rowlands Dell have made with the money partly awarded from Sefton Crowd atRowlands Dell Project.

Thriving networking event

Sefton Huddle is a thriving networking event designed to bring together innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals from across the borough. It has quickly grown into a key fixture for the local DCT community, regularly attracting around 40 businesses at each session.

July’s event will provide a relaxed and welcoming environment for businesses to make valuable connections, share ideas, and explore opportunities to collaborate. A highlight of this session will be a guest presentation from Gather LCR, which is part of the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor’s Business Growth Package.

Fully funded support

Gather will introduce their upcoming programme of fully funded support for digital, creative and tech businesses and opportunities for organisations looking to grow and innovate.

Attendees will also benefit from a complimentary light lunch and refreshments.

Bringing together the borough’s dynamic DCT community

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Skills, Economy and Regeneration said:“We are keen to continue the growth of the Sefton Huddle network, which is bringing together the borough’s dynamic Digital, Creative & Tech community.

“If you are in the sector and are coming to the Huddle, share the invitation with other Sefton-based DCT businesses who you think may benefit from attending.”

Sefton DCT businesses can book a free place at the Sefton Huddle or find out more by emailing investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or phoning 0151 934 3452.

InvestSefton

InvestSefton is Sefton Council’s enterprise, with business support and inward investment service.  It offers free information and advice and access to a wide range of services. It is there to help any business, of any size, in any sector.

People wanting to find out more about how the InvestSefton can help support their business, can visitwww.investsefton.com  or contact the team on 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk

Police have a significant update to bring you in our investigation into the death of Thomas Olverson from July 2024.

To remind you – we received a report of a firearms discharge in a field off Pinfold Lane, Scarisbrick, shortly after 4:55pm on 25th July 2024.

Emergency services attended and very sadly 75-year-old Thomas Olverson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives opened an investigation, and since then have been conducting a number of enquiries.

At the time, a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and was bailed whilst we carried out those enquiries.

We can now tell you that the man was re-arrested yesterday, and following a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Adam Olverson, 31, of Pinfold Lane, Scarisbrick, has been charged with Manslaughter, possession of a firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a license. He will appear at Preston Magistrates Court on Wednesday 1st July.

Now someone has been charged, and legal proceedings are active, we have turned off commenting on this post, to minimise any risk of prejudice towards future legal proceedings. We would like to remind you of this and continue to ask that you refrain from speculation elsewhere online or otherwise.

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Natasha Ward, 36, is wanted on a prison recall after failing to comply with her license conditions having served a sentence for a public order offence.

She is described as being around 5ft 1in tall, has a slim build and brown hair.

Ward has links to other parts of Sefton and Blackpool.

If you see her or hold any information, you can call 101 or DM us on social media @MerpolCC with reference 26000340477.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously