A former council leader has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged assault at a polling station.

One of James Bulger’s killers had sex with a member of prison staff shortly before his release on parole was agreed, it was alleged today.

ELLIE LAWRENSON’S grandmother admitted in court yesterday she was responsible for the five-year-old’s death after the youngster was fatally mauled by the family pet.

Results expected today from a post mortem examination on a dog that killed a five-year-old girl in the UK will determine whether the animal was a breed subject to the British Dangerous Dogs Act.

Two races over the Grand National fences on the same day at Aintree and Haydock’s leg of a £1m (€1.46m) bonus look certain to attract jumping fans to the inaugural North West Masters.