even believed that they were witches. Speaking first to the ECHO. Lynda said Michael had been suffering from mental health problems but her pleas for help had ignored. She said: "He takes all music literally. It is the Beatles at the moment but a few weeks ago it was Oasis. He h

By Jason Teasdale WORK on a controversial new council office is to begin within days. On Tuesday. Knowsley will start to transform the reception area of its Kirkby building into a one-stop-shop for bill payment, fault reporting and other council business. More than £BOO,OOO is b

people per 100,000 in England wer suffering from the bug in the week ending on Boxing Day. December 26. This is almost double the figure of 67 per 100,000 in the week ending December 19. People in the central England were suffering more than other areas, with 145 cases of flu pe

• Shock RUSSIAN president Boris Yeltsin announced on national television today that he had resigned and presidential elections will be held within 90 days to replace him. The announcement caught Russia by total surprise, and is likely to launch the country into yet another polit

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planets has bearings on your financial hopes and wishes. On one hand you could take a brilliant new step, but on the other hand you could come unstuck if you attempt to run before you can walk. Num IN NU Taurus (April 20-May 20): You have started an auspicious year of your life,

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Not only are you well placed to build on the success of last year, you will also be able to find compensation for whatever was sacrificed or lost. Meanwhile, friends both old and new are about to make an exciting contribution to your life.

THE country's top ranking midwife, Lorna Elizabeth Fox Muirhead, was made a dame Mrs Muirheed, 57, who is based at the Uverpool Women's HoePEW. ha been President of the Royal College o Mkkvlveis since 1997. She said: "I am absolutely thrilled and excited beyond manure. I take th