Sefton Lib Dems accused the ruling Labour party of trying to silence the Merseytravel row at a heated Cabinet meeting.

The newly-appointed Lib Dem leader Cllr Iain Brodie Browne interrupted the meeting yesterday as the seven-strong all Labour Cabinet were agreeing on appointments to the joint fire and transport authorities.

He wanted Labour's choice of appointments to the fire service authority to be called in for further scrutiny in the wake of the scandal engulfing Merseytravel.

Up in Southport, there's a storm a-brewing.

More than 2,000 businesses, homeowners and drivers have, if you'll pardon the pun, got the hump...BIG TIME.

It was nearly there.

It survived two rounds of savage council cuts, £15.6m has so far been spent on its redevelopment, and there was even a date set for completion.

But sadly, it seems, the cuts might have caught up with grand plans for Southport Cultural centre.

This week an extensive campaign was launched to drive people to Liverpool to do their Christmas shopping.

'Christmas by Liverpool' is the collaborative effort of Liverpool BID, MetQuarter, Liverpool ONE and Merseyrail, and is aimed at directing shoppers into Merseyside as opposed to Manchester or Cheshire Oaks for example.

Flyers sent to 750,000 homes across 5 counties will ensure around 3 million people get the message to shop Liverpool.

And while it is undoubtedly hugely positive for Liverpool, independent retailers up here in Southport are furious, particularly about Merseyrail's involvement.