BBC Local Live: Merseyside

Rain and showers clearing during the evening, leaving a mostly dry night with clear spells. Another cold night with fairly light winds and a widespread frost. Lows of 5C.

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Everton's director of football Steve Walsh is confident the club can secure striker Romelu Lukaku on a long-term contract.

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The Belgian's agent Mino Raiola said in December that a deal was "99% done" and on Monday claimed it was now "99.99999999% done". 

Walsh told Sky Sports: "I think once you have success at a club, you have a feeling for it, and there is a real feeling that Everton is a club he is part and parcel of and I think he'd like to continue with that."

Wirral Council is defending publication of its monthly newsletter, despite claims a government minister wants it scrapped.

Wirral CouncilCopyright: Wirral Council

Wirral Council launched Wirral View five months ago and says it has had positive feedback, especially from community groups in the borough.

But the government's publicity code states councils should not publish newsletters more than four times a year.

The council’s Conservative opposition councillors say it is a waste of public money and met minister for Local Government Minister Marcus Jones to discuss their concerns.

A council spokesman said: "We have put our case to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) a number of times, and we remain keen to discuss the issues with them in more detail."

Responding, a DCLG spokesman said:

Quote Message: Councils shouldn’t undermine local democracy by publishing their own newsletters more often than quarterly.

Councils shouldn’t undermine local democracy by publishing their own newsletters more often than quarterly.

Quote Message: We’ve offered the small number that aren’t playing by the rules a last chance to put their publishing houses in order or we will use our powers to require them to do so.

We’ve offered the small number that aren’t playing by the rules a last chance to put their publishing houses in order or we will use our powers to require them to do so.

More patients are being admitted to hospital in England for drug-related mental health issues or poisoning than at any time in the past 10 years.

ThinkstockCopyright: Thinkstock

Official figures reveal 15,074 cases of people in hospital with illicit drug poisoning in 2015-16, 51% more than 2005-06.

Mental health issues had drugs as a cause in 81,904 cases.

Liverpool had the highest rate of admissions for drug-related mental health or behavioural disorders, with 491 per 100,000 residents.  

Public health experts say falling investment in drug treatment services may explain the rise.

Tigers at Knowsley Safari Park have been enjoying the low temperatures - much closer to their natural habitat in forests in eastern Russia and China.

Knowsley SafariCopyright: Knowsley Safari

Knowsley SafariCopyright: Knowsley Safari

The park has two endangered Amur tigers - sisters Bira and Sinda - who arrived in 2010 as part of a European breeding programme. 

The largest big cat species alive today, there are said to be fewer than 540 left in the wild.

Liverpool have named the club's new chief executive who will replace Ian Ayre. 

Liverpool-born Peter Moore, 61, will join the Reds in June and report directly to owners, Fenway Sports Group, the club said in a statement.

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Ayre announced  he will leave the club at the end of February  to join German second-division side 1860 Munich.

Moore is currently chief competition officer at Electronic Arts (EA), based in the United States, where he has been for nearly 10 years, including as chief operating officer and president of EA Sports.

Bosses of the new Mersey Gateway bridge have revealed more details about how much drivers will have to pay when it opens in the autumn.

HandoutCopyright: Handout

The standard toll will be £2 but people who live in Halton will be able to cross for free, if they pay a £10 annual registration fee. 

Blue badge holders will also be exempt if they pay a £5 annual fee and there will be reductions for other regular users. 

Drivers are being urged to go online to qualify for a discount. 

Toll booths will be replaced with cameras which register each vehicle.

Quote Message: This is a £600m project, the bills need to be paid, and the tolls will be the main payment of those bills. from David Parr Chief executive of Halton Council and of Mersey Gateway

This is a £600m project, the bills need to be paid, and the tolls will be the main payment of those bills.

Tranmere Rovers' National League game against Forest Green Rovers has been postponed after the pitch at Prenton Park failed a pre-match inspection.

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The match was scheduled to begin at 19:45 but heavy rain has made the pitch unplayable.

A new date for the National League fixture is yet to be confirmed.

The two sides are level on points, vying for promotion in fourth and third place respectively and are four points behind leaders Lincoln City.

Strike action by Merseyrail staff has been described as "extremely disappointing" by the Mayor of Liverpool.

MerseytravelCopyright: Merseytravel

The RMT union  announced the walkouts in a dispute with the firms over plans to remove guards from trains, which would become driver-only-operated (DOO).

Union officials, who confirmed the 24-hour strike on 13 March, say the move will make trains potentially dangerous but the Office of Road and Rail insists they are safe provided the right equipment and training is given.

PACopyright: PA

Joe Anderson, who is also the chairman of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:  

Quote Message: I can understand that union members want to make sure their frustrations are heard... we have tried to make sure that existing staff have job security.. That’s why it is extremely disappointing that RMT members have voted to take action.

I can understand that union members want to make sure their frustrations are heard... we have tried to make sure that existing staff have job security.. That’s why it is extremely disappointing that RMT members have voted to take action.

Talks are under way between developer Signature Living and Liverpool City Council to create a wedding venue and restaurant in the Cunard Building.

GoogleCopyright: Google

A council spokesman confirmed talks are ongoing, and are subject to legal agreements. 

Signature Living, which operates a number of hotels in Liverpool, says it's always wanted to invest in the waterfront building, which is owned by the council.

Liverpool has put forward its interest in hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022 after it emerged that Durban may be unable remain as host because of financial constraints.

South Africa's sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, told Reuters: "We gave it our best shot but we can't go beyond. If the country says we don't have this money, we can't." 

AFPCopyright: AFP

Quote Message: Liverpool is interested in hosting the games in 2022. We had heard rumours that Durban might be unable to deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and have already indicated to the Government that we are very willing to host them instead. from Liverpool City Council spokesperson

Liverpool is interested in hosting the games in 2022. We had heard rumours that Durban might be unable to deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and have already indicated to the Government that we are very willing to host them instead.

• Merseyrail and Northern workers vote for strike action in a row over driver-only trains
• Liverpool City Council confirms it is in talks with developer Signature Living about creating a wedding venue and restaurant in the Cunard Building
• The match between Tranmere Rovers and Forest Green tonight is postponed due to heavy rain on the pitch at Prenton Park

In response to the announcement RMT union Merseyrail workers have voted for strike action in a row over driver-only trains Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, Merseyrail’s Managing Director, issued this statement:

Quote Message: Every industry needs to modernise, otherwise its future is at risk. Urban railways like ours are no different. The advanced technology on the new trains means they will no longer require traditional guards.

Every industry needs to modernise, otherwise its future is at risk. Urban railways like ours are no different. The advanced technology on the new trains means they will no longer require traditional guards.

Quote Message: The RMT may be intent on blocking even modest modernisation plans such as Driver Controlled Operation (DCO), and watch as other innovations such as driverless cars on our roads overtake railways in the technology stakes.

The RMT may be intent on blocking even modest modernisation plans such as Driver Controlled Operation (DCO), and watch as other innovations such as driverless cars on our roads overtake railways in the technology stakes.

Quote Message: But as a railwayman of 28 years, I’m certainly not happy to let this happen, and I would urge the RMT to return to the negotiating table to constructively discuss how we can best re-deploy my existing, experienced and hard-working team of guards during 2020 when the new trains arrive.

But as a railwayman of 28 years, I’m certainly not happy to let this happen, and I would urge the RMT to return to the negotiating table to constructively discuss how we can best re-deploy my existing, experienced and hard-working team of guards during 2020 when the new trains arrive.

Heavy rain this afternoon, with some turning wintry. Wind will pick up too. Highs of 7C.

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Merseyrail says it is "committed to continuing talks with the RMT" and will do everything it can to bring the dispute to a "satisfactory and swift conclusion" after the RMT union voted in favour of strike action on Merseyrail trains next month . 

The rail company say about 60 on-board customer service positions will be created under new plans for guardless trains, but the union are not happy with the proposed changes.

StadlerCopyright: Stadler

In a statement, Merseyrail said of the new roles:  

Quote Message: Ensuring passengers feel safe and secure continues to be the number one priority, and these people will work on board the new trains, to assist and reassure passengers.

Ensuring passengers feel safe and secure continues to be the number one priority, and these people will work on board the new trains, to assist and reassure passengers.

Quote Message: We have promised that any member of staff who is currently employed as a guard and wants to stay at Merseyrail, will be guaranteed permanent employment in an alternative position, on the same terms and conditions as now, subject to successful negotiation between Merseyrail and the relevant trade unions, once the new trains are introduced.

We have promised that any member of staff who is currently employed as a guard and wants to stay at Merseyrail, will be guaranteed permanent employment in an alternative position, on the same terms and conditions as now, subject to successful negotiation between Merseyrail and the relevant trade unions, once the new trains are introduced.

There are some wintry skies over Merseyside today. Thanks to BBC Weather Watchers Weathers Neil and WeatherEyeSteve for these pictures of Prenton and Southport.

BBCCopyright: BBC

BBCCopyright: BBC

Have you got a photograph of the weather you would like to share? Why not join  BBC Weather Watchers and upload your report.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is open to the idea of Wayne Rooney returning to Goodison.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Rooney, who  left the Toffees as an 18-year-old in 2004 to join United,  has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League but Koeman told Sky Sports: "I think he made a good choice to stay at Manchester United and in the Premier League because he has still two or three years in front of him to play on a high level. 

"What will happen at the end of the season? I don't know but in my opinion he is one of the players who can make Everton more stronger."

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