Live updates from Cheshire and Merseyside have finished for the day, but we'll be back from 08:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, weather and travel.

BBC Weather

It will be a mainly cloudy night with some patchy rain lingering overnight.

Winds will strengthen but it will be a mild night.

Marie McCourt delivered a petition to Downing Street earlier in memory of her murdered daughter Helen, calling for a change in the law to ensure killers are not released without disclosing where bodies are buried.

Helen vanished near her home in Billinge, Merseyside, in 1988.

Her mother said: "Killers need to be told life will mean a whole life tariff and, unless you reveal where your victims' bodies can be recovered from, you will spend the rest of your life in prison."

Liverpool Echo

An Everton-mad youngster who was abused at the club's recent game with Manchester City was made guest of honour, external at last night’s home win against Newcastle.

The mother of murder victim Helen McCourt visited Downing Street earlier to deliver a petition signed by more than 320,000 people, who are calling for a change in the law to ensure killers are not released without disclosing where bodies are buried.

Image source, Office of Conor McGinn MP

Yesterday, the parole board said convicted killer Ian Simms, who has refused to reveal the location of Helen's remains since she disappeared near her Merseyside home in 1988, may be transferred to open prison.

The Prisons Minister has now asked the Parole Board to review its guidelines.

Today's top stories in Cheshire and Merseyside:

• A mother from St Helens, who is campaigning for a change in the law in memory of her murdered daughter, says she is hopeful of securing more rights for victims after delivering a petition to Downing Street
• Liverpool FC supporters' groups are planning a walkout protest during Saturday's match at Anfield in protest at tickets priced at £77
• Three men from Merseyside have been arrested and about 12,000 gallons (55,000 litres) of fuel have been seized as part of an investigation into a suspected £3m tax fraud

Police have issued images of a man they would like to speak to after a robbery in St. Helens.

Image source, Merseyside Police

Officers received a report at 13:05 on Monday that a male offender holding a hammer demanded money from the cashier at Booze Buster in Higher Parr Street, before leaving empty-handed.

Warrington Guardian

SBC Renewables has been given the go-ahead to transform the former Johnson's Lane landfill site,, external which is located in both the Warrington and Halton boroughs.

CCTV has been released of five men police want to speak to after a woman was hit by a bottle in Heebie Jeebies nightclub.

The woman was badly hurt when the bottle was thrown in a fight at the Seel Street venue in December.

About 12,000 gallons (55,000 litres) of fuel have been seized and eight men arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected £3m tax fraud.

Image source, HMRC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and police raided properties in Merseyside, Manchester and Northern Ireland.

Image source, HMRC

Storage tanks, computers, money and a lorry and trailer were seized.

A classic Riley 1300 bought from a car showroom on Hanover Street in Liverpool city centre almost 50 years ago is going on display at the Museum of Liverpool. 

The 1969 Trafalgar blue vehicle was one of the last to bear the iconic Riley badge.

It was owned and used almost every day for 20 years by a Mr Smart of Liverpool who bought it from Voss Motors for £1,012.

BBC Sport

Liverpool supporters' groups are planning a walkout protest during Saturday's Premier League match at Anfield against Sunderland.

Image source, Getty Images

The Spion Kop 1906 group - backed by the Spirit of Shankly (SoS) - have suggested fans leave their seats in the 77th minute in protest at the £77 top-priced ticket in the new main stand.

The club have announced the increased price, up from £59, for next season.

Today's top stories in Cheshire and Merseyside:

• A mother from St Helens has handed a petition into Downing Street calling for a change in the law in memory of her murdered daughter.
• A fans' group is urging other Liverpool supporters to join them in a walkout at Anfield on Saturday in protest at new ticket prices.
• A man's been charged with resisting arrest and drugs offences following an incident in Anfield that also saw a petrol bomb thrown at four Merseyside police officers.

More details have emerged about a flying incident involving pilot Andy Hill at an airshow a year before the Shoreham crash in which 11 people died.

Image source, Zak Hussein

Southport Airshow said the Jet Provost T5 the BBC has established was piloted by Mr Hill was seen too close to crowds and below the height set for the event.

Image source, PA

On Tuesday, Sussex Police revealed the 2014 Southport incident was part of its "wider investigation".

Liverpool Echo

A Merseyside woman was left distraught after receiving council tax bills and overdue payment warnings for her mum who passed away four years ago., external

A mother from St Helens, who's campaigning for a change in the law in memory of her murdered daughter, has taken her case direct to the government. 

The parole board has said Ian Simms, who was convicted of killing Helen McCourt in 1988, is not suitable for release but may be transferred to open conditions.

Image source, Family handout

Marie McCourt is meeting the Justice Minister in London, before delivering a petition to Downing Street, saying killers who refuse to reveal where their victims are buried should never be released from prison.

People's attitudes to refugees coming to the UK have changed in the past few months, a poll by BBC Local Radio suggests.

Some 41% of people said fewer refugees should be accepted, in a poll carried out in January 2016. This is 10% higher than a similar survey carried out in September 2015.

Southport Visiter

Plans to build new homes on the site of a former Southport pub and bowling green are set to be approved, despite some objections from residents. , external

A 72-year-old man from Merseyside has been arrested in an investigation into a suspected fuel smuggling fraud worth an estimated £3m in evaded tax, HM Revenue and Customs has said. 

Image source, HM Revenue & Customs

Two other men from Merseyside were also held after raids in Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Manchester and Northern Ireland, with a total of 55,000 litres of fuel seized.

Another man from Manchester and four men from Northern Ireland were detained.

Police investigating a disturbance during which a petrol bomb was thrown at officers have charged a man with resisting arrest and a drugs offence.

Image source, Liverpool Echo

The bomb was thrown after officers were called to the Dockers Club in Townsend Lane, Liverpool, on Tuesday afternoon.

William Summerhill, 25, of Carno Street, Wavertree, has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and resisting arrest.