MERSEYSIDE was ripped apart over the night of Wednesday 17 January 2007 and throughout Thursday, 18 January 2007 as gales caused structural damage, overturned vehicles, ripped down trees and stopped train services. Forecasters said wind speeds reached 84mph in Crosby.

The extreme weather did not just affect Merseyside but caused massive disruption, injured and killed people all over the UK and in parts of Europe. Major roads were closed as trees and roofs were whipped away. Emergency services reported that they had to dealt an estimated 500% increase in 999 calls and hospital A&E departments were inundated with walking wounded across Merseyside.

Merseyrail had to cancel trains and this left commuters stranded as there were not enough replacement buses, because of the weather.

In Southport, the new Splash World was damaged and building work had to be called off. Two Southport men had to be taken to hospital after their van was overturned. Parts of Lord Street were cornered off well into the evening and other parts of Southport including East Bank Street had to be fully closed to public after a roof was damaged. The Merseyside Fire Service was called to HSBC on Lord Street as the statue on the roof had to be made safe.

In Crosby a chimney collapsed onto a Delta taxi outside Stamps Wine Bar on. The driver and two passengers escaped injury by inches.

In St Helens two school children had to be taken to hospital after a tree fell on them.

In Liverpool, office workers got blocked in and flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport were suspended for a time. Sadly a Mersey Fire Service vehicle responding to an emergency alert at John Lennon Airport was involved in a collision with a car in Garston, leaving a middle-aged driver dead.

Our sympathies to all who suffered loss...

ALL PROGRAMMERS TAKE NOTE... THE VOYAGER CRUSADE IS ABOUT TO START

THE countdown to the start of the Voyager Crusade is now on. The crusade is an international competition to find the best retro arcade programmer.

The competition is open to all-amateur programmers, and students, from any walk of life and any country!

The launch will take place at the FAB Cafe in Liverpool, on the 21 February 2007.

See www.jt-voyagercrusade.com for more information and keep an eye out here for more updates!