Hello and welcome to this afternoon's Our Liverpool.
Today marks the beginning of the trial of Thomas Cashman, accused of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in August. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge as well as a charge of attempted murder and wounding with intent.
Our court and crime reporters Adam Everett and Jonny Humphries are in Manchester and will be providing regular updates on what is going on in the court room in real time. The trial is scheduled to last four weeks.
Man who 'didn't know what he wanted to do' spent 25 years photographing Scousers
Elsewhere our nostalgia reporter Jess Molyneux spoke to 'Photie Man' Tom Wood who spent every day for well over two decades snapping scousers. Tom went from taking "happy snaps" at a Butlins (where he met his wife) to now exhibiting in most major cities across the world - apart from Liverpool.
He's finally returning for a retrospective here and hopes that some of the people who will be adorning the walls of the Walker Art Gallery might get in touch so he can photograph them once more.
It's some great news for Liverpool's art and gallery world, particularly with today's confirmation Tate Liverpool is due to close for two years from October.
'Bully Boy' given honour after stunning darts win
Darts world champion Michael "Bully Boy" Smith has been granted the highest honour possible by St Helens Council after placing the borough on the sports map with two outstanding wins - including the world darts championship.
Honouring him with the "freedom of the borough," council leader Cllr David Baines said the sportsman "captured the imagination and attention of everyone in St Helens and of sports fans everywhere."
In January St Helens reporter Aaron Curran headed to the St Helens Darts Shop that helped train Michael as a teenager to try his hand at the sport. Despite coming nowhere near a 180, the piece he wrote following his visit is definitely worth a read.
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