Updates from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire on Friday 1 May
That's all from our live coverage for Friday. Many thanks for joining us.
We'll be back from 09:00 on Monday with more of the latest on the coronavirus pandemic and all of the rest of the day's news.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service says it is still able to continue its role across the county in spite of staff absences due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Image source, Lancashire Fire and Rescue ServiceThe service says it has put measures in place to ensure staffing levels remain high and firefighters are able to provide their usual emergency response as well as supporting efforts to tackle the pandemic.
It has also implemented social distancing at all fire stations and introduced cleaning procedures on all uniforms to reduce risk to operational staff, while support staff are working from home.
Chief Fire Officer Justin Johnston said:
Quote MessageThe amount of work that we are doing is beginning to make a visible difference to our local communities, including the distribution of food stocks for vulnerable people.
Quote MessageWe are asking our staff to work in ways they haven’t had to before but are doing so with professionalism and compassion.
Turton School in Bolton is working closely with Bolton Council's library service to produce PPE for key workers in the area.
Image source, Bolton CouncilBolton's library service donated a 3D printer to assist teachers in producing visors, masks, bags and headwear for front-line staff.
Sam Gorse, head teacher at the school, said:
Quote MessageWhen we started production, our aim was to produce 500 visors for local use, however, we have more than tripled our production as demand increased.
Quote MessageYesterday's production saw 400 visors, 140 masks, 20 scrub hats being produced in a day.
The school says the PPE will go to surgeries, hospices, care homes and special schools.
BBC Business News
Struggling shopping centre owner Intu has threatened to take legal action against big brands that are refusing to pay rent during the lockdown.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe firm, which owns Manchester's Trafford Centre and co-owns Manchester Arndale, said some chains that had money were "not engaging" in rent negotiations.
"These are large, well-capitalised brands who have the ability to pay but have chosen not to," it said.
Intu, which reported a £2bn loss in March, refused to name the brands.
Cheshire West and Chester Council says key meetings will be moved online and will be available to access by the public from Tuesday.
Image source, GoogleThe first virtual meeting with be of the planning committee. The council has drawn up procedures to make the meetings mimic traditional ones, including public speaking and contributions from councillors.
The meetings will be held using Microsoft Teams.
Council leader Louise Gittins said:
Quote MessageWe’re really excited about this approach to maintaining local democracy at this difficult time, including planning, licensing, appeals and cabinet. We will ensure that councillors and the public are able to continue to hold us to account for the decisions we make.
Nadia Thornton fears time is running out to fulfil her dream of having a baby.
Read MorePeople living with domestic abuse will be able to access safe spaces at Boots pharmacies from today.
Image source, Getty ImagesThose needing help can ask staff at the counter to use the consultation room, where they will be able to contact services for help and advice.
Charity Hestia said it launched the scheme in response to the "desperate situation" many people are facing in lockdown.
MPs said there had been a "surge" in violence since the lockdown began.
Calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline rose by 49% and killings doubled since restrictions on public life were introduced, a report by MPs found earlier this week.
Big Kid Circus is streaming acts online from Morecambe after their tour got cut short.
Read MoreA man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing personal protective equipment from his employer.
Image source, Merseyside PoliceThe 40-year-old was held after Merseyside Police raided a home in Bromborough, Wirral, earlier.
Officers seized a large number of items, including face masks and respirators.
The force declined to comment on the nature of the man's job or the business he works for, but said the raid was a result of "information supplied to us".
Det Insp Nick Suffield added that despite the coronavirus lockdown, "our investigation is ongoing".
A post box in Trafford is one of five in the country to be painted blue by Royal Mail in tribute to the NHS.
Image source, MFT NHSTrafford General Hospital was the first NHS hospital to be opened and is known as "the birthplace of the NHS".
Known originally as Park Hospital, it was officially opened by the minister for health Aneurin Bevan in 1948.
In 2018 a blue plaque was unveiled, external at the hospital to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS.
The other blue post boxes are located in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.
A double rainbow appeared across the sky last night as people applauded NHS and key workers on their doorsteps.
BBC Weather Watchers across England, including the North West, captured the phenomenon which appeared in several parts of the country.
Image source, Sian EvansSian Evans spotted this double rainbow in Hulme, Manchester
It happened as residents took part in "Clap for Carers" - a weekly tribute to those working on the front line during the coronavirus pandemic.
The rainbow has become a symbol of hope and thanks to key workers, with many displaying homemade pictures of them in their windows.
A care home has been praised for protecting 36 residents from coronavirus after staff moved in to the building to ensure they were shielded.
Image source, GoogleNine carers at Beechside Residential Care Home in Liverpool volunteered to live at the home on 12 March, the day after the pandemic was declared.
All carers and residents have now tested negative for the virus.
Managing director Keith Waterson said staff were committed to living at the home for at least another month.
They are living in converted offices, while kitchen staff work in a separate part of the building.
As well as their usual duties, the carers are keeping residents occupied with daily exercise, yoga, dance and art classes.
BBC Sport
Rugby league in England will receive £16m in government loans to help it recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Image source, Getty ImagesRugby Football League (RFL) chief executive Ralph Rimmer asked for assistance after the suspension of the game on 16 March.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government had intervened "to protect an entire sport".
England is set to host the World Cup in 2021.
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Some authorities say waste sites will reopen at the weekend, while others say further guidance is needed.
Read MoreBBC Sport
Pro chef and friend to footballers Jonny Marsh cooks up one of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan's favourite dishes in this easy-to-follow recipe.
How to cook Ilkay Gundogan's favourite vegan burger
Ingredients you'll need: 1/2 can chickpeas, 200g cooked rice, 300g cooked lentils, 5 garlic cloves, vegetable stock, 1/2 onion, turmeric, chilli flakes, curry powder, household herbs, cashew nuts, mango, mint, 1 carrot, 1/4 red cabbage, garlic dressing, one chilli, salad leaves (optional).
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Liverpool City Council is asking the public to only use recycling centres if absolutely necessary amid fears of long delays and heavy traffic.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe waste sites in Old Swan and Otterspool will open from Monday and provide a limited service, after they were closed as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
The city council said the reopening was prompted by increased levels of household waste and a rise in fly-tipping across the region.
Carl Beer, chief executive of Merseyside Recycing and Waste Authority, said:
Quote MessageWe are reopening the centres but the service will be restricted to just a couple of cars on site at any one time.
Quote MessageThis could potentially lead to very long traffic delays. The message from us is only come if it is essential to get rid of your waste and if you do come, expect very long queues of traffic.
Alan Edwards is charged with the murder of Susan Waring, who has not been seen since January 2019.
Read MoreLancaster City Council is encouraging new food businesses to speak to staff about how to comply with food hygeine standards, after an increase in businesses offering food to local people during the lockdown.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe authority says many of these new businesses are run by people who have been furloughed, or residents who want to help their community.
A spokesman for the council said they "encourage" the establishment of new businesses, but want to make sure regulations are followed to keep the public safe.
The authority wants to hear from any prospective food business, including businesses based in a home.
