From a city centre bar offering free pizza to families in need to major plans for a new park and a Merseyrail travel warning, these are some of the stories we’ve covered todayImages have been released of how a new nature park on the site of the former Royal Liverpool Hospital could lookImages have been released of how a new nature park on the site of the former Royal Liverpool Hospital could lookHere are five stories published by the Liverpool Echo you may have missed today.

1) XL bully shot 19 times after mauling grandad, 84

Armed police shot an XL bully 19 times after it had viciously attacked a great-grandad, an inquest heard. John McColl died after he suffered serious injuries when the dog attacked him while he was walking home on February 24 this year. Mr McColl had been walking home at around 6.40pm when the dog, believed to be an unregistered XL bully, escaped from a nearby property on Bardsley Avenue, Warrington, and attacked him. The pensioner, who was said to have suffered serious and life-changing injuries at the time, died in hospital more than a month later on March 30. Armed officers shot the dog dead in the street and a second suspected XL bully was found in a house on the street was also destroyed while a smaller dog was seized. READ HERE.

2) Major plans for new ‘nature park’ in Liverpool city centre

Major new plans have been revealed that could see a stunning new green space created in the heart of Liverpool city centre. The brains behind Cornwall’s iconic Eden Project are working with Liverpool’s main NHS hospital group on proposals for a new nature park on the site of the demolished Royal Liverpool Hospital. The NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, which oversees the running of the Royal Liverpool, Aintree and Broadgreen hospitals has joined forces with construction firm BAM UK & Ireland and the Eden Project for the design to transform part of the now old Royal site into a space which promotes wellbeing and nature in the heart of the city. READ HERE.

3) People given travel warning in bus and Merseyrail timetables update

Some free buses will run and people will be able to drive for free through the two Mersey tunnels on Christmas Day. However people have been urged to plan ahead, as services are set to be scaled back. On Christmas Day there will be a special network of free bus services, funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which will run between approximately midday and 6pm, covering most hospital routes. No other bus services will operate, while Mersey Ferries and train services will stop too. READ HERE.

4) Kittens found dumped in plastic bag with umbilical cords attached

A kitten was found dumped inside a plastic bag with his siblings on a freezing cold night. The kitten, now named Sol, was one of six discovered by a member of the public in Warrington and taken to Rutland House Vets. Two of the kittens had already died by the time they were found. Believed to be just two days old and not yet able to open their eyes, the remaining kittens were drenched, severely cold and distressed. They were transferred to Rutland House’s main veterinary hospital in St Helens for emergency treatment. READ HERE.

5) City centre bar’s free festive pizza party for families in need

A Liverpool city centre bar will host a free pizza party for families in need on Boxing Day. Black Cat Bar and Bottle Shop on Parr Street, which opened as the local business’ third site in October, is teaming up with Shoebox Full of Love to put on a festive party for families who are struggling over the festive period. The event is primarily aimed at those who are homeless, living in hostels or in temporary accommodation across Liverpool. La Musa Neapolitan Pizza, who operate a kitchen inside Black Cat and a larger restaurant in Garston, will provide the catering, while soft drinks will also be available for free to guests. READ HERE.

Read all the latest headlines at Liverpool ECHO.