Need to knowA Liverpool chippy staying open for Christmas, a Beatles fan who died suddenly and what prisoners are eating this Christmas are just some of the stories we have published today
Mubinul Hoque from Portlands Fish & Chips(Image: Andrew Teebay)Here are five stories published by the Liverpool Echo you may have missed today.
1) Thousands of women warned as flu hospital cases remain at record levels
Thousands of pregnant women are being urged to get their flu vaccination as soon as possible, amid a continued rise in flu-related hospital admissions. Royal Colleges representing more than 90,000 health professionals have joined forces to encourage expectant mothers to take up the vaccine, warning that both pregnant women and newborn babies are among the most vulnerable to flu this winter. Latest NHS figures show the number of people in hospital in England with flu remains at record levels for this time of year, despite the rate of increase beginning to slow. An average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital each day, higher than during the same period in the past two years. READ MORE.
2) People say same thing as Liverpool chippy stays open on Christmas
ECHO readers have all said the same thing as a fish and chip shop in Liverpool prepares to stay open on Christmas. Portland’s Fish and Chips, on Sefton Street in Brunswick will open its doors on Christmas day for a second year running. Owner Mubinul Hoque and his team will be offering a free Christmas Day meal to anyone who needs it. Like last December 25, Portlands will support NHS staff, carers, emergency and key workers, older people, vulnerable members of the community, and anyone who may be spending Christmas alone. The shop plans to be open from 11am until 5pm. READ MORE.
3) ‘Number one Beatles fan’ died suddenly at home aged 44
Tributes have been paid to a man who has been called the “number one Beatles fan” following his death. George Andrew Wallis, who previously lived in Prescot before moving to Altham, Lancashire, died suddenly at his home at just 44 years old on November 22. The former care worker was described as the “adored son of Carl and Jane and step-son of Eric, loving and loved brother of Nicola, Carl, Louise and the late Ian, treasured and doting uncle to Evie, Tate, Mia, Tillie, Wallis, Lawrence and Dharma, great-uncle to Ivy and also a respected relative and good friend to many”. READ HERE.
4) Prisoners’ Christmas menus from pasta bake to Christmas pudding
Prisoners across Merseyside will have a range of festive meal options to choose from this Christmas, including hot dogs on Christmas Eve and an Italian pasta bake on New Year’s Day. The ECHO obtained the festive menus for HMP Liverpool, HMP Altcourse and HMP Berwyn through a Freedom of Information request, covering the period from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day. While the menus vary between prisons, all offer options catering for vegetarian, vegan and Halal diets. Prisoners are able to view the festive menus in advance and pre-select their meals ahead of Christmas week. READ HERE.
5) It’s 6,000 miles from home but we come to this Liverpool event every year
Liverpool’s Christmas Markets were packed with crowds today just hours before the stalls of festive crafts and German sausages finished up for another year. St George’s Plateau, which has hosted the market for nine years now, was still busy this afternoon with smiling shoppers lining up for hot food, last-minute gifts and entertaining rides. Couple Leon and Beth Bown were wandering around the cobbles with their 16 year-old daughter Hannah and they all live in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. They visit Liverpool every winter to see family in Gateacre, and always make sure they include a trip to the markets while they’re on Merseyside. READ HERE.
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