MAROONED! Why have Wirral's Hilbre Islands been snubbed?

The Dee Estuary's delight deserves more respect.

Ludicrously it is "not special enough" to be on the Government's marine protection zone list.

MP Margaret Greenwood questioned the move, but were where the other MPs to speak out?

Hilbre is an environmental gem.

Can we have more information on why Hilbre did not meet the criteria?

It us not good enough for the minister at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to say vaguely: "The simple truth was that features that people said were there were not there sufficiently for us to designate those areas."

This news comes just when the council is rightly attempting to boost its cultural appeal.

Hilbre is part of Wirral culture.

It is great news that plans are going ahead to make Hoylake a golfing capital, but not everyone is a golf fan so will not reap the benefits of such an attraction.

Hilbre, as illustrated in Margaret Sixsmith's excellent photographic book, is a place of nature; a jewel in the crown of the North West showing this haven of wildlife in all its magnificence.

A real seal of approval, if you will.

I wish I had been taken there when I was at school.

A wonderland on our own doorstep.

Hilbre is an environmental success story - the envy of any borough - locally and nationally.

If the Government won't fly the flag then at least tell us why and where it is going wrong so it can be rectified to make the protection list next time around.

For now Wirral Borough Council should get behind it and shout out about Hilbre.

Let's not allow this treasured island to remain one of the UK’s best kept secrets.

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AND so hopping over the water, mayor Joe Anderson has finally woken up to the fact that the Beatles are more than a band who, to quote John Lennon "just made it very, very big, that's all."

I often give Beatle talks and I recall how one deluded councillor in the late 1960s when pushed about their tourism appeal, said: "The Beatles couldn’t sing for toffee."

I wonder what happened to him?

Now researchers from Liverpool University and LJMU have revealed that as well as creating more than 2,300 jobs, the Beatles bring in £82m for the economy.

Years ago I applauded plans for a council initiative to create a Beatles development officer, a Liverpool-based liaison for all things fab.

I would have jumped at the chance, yet sadly I and other interested Moptop supporters were given the thumbs down when the idea was scrapped.

Happily inspirational people like Cavern City Tours have helped put The Beatles on the map, America has the Elvis estate Graceland, Liverpool has Mathew Street and much more to celebrate.

So, an Inferno request for Mayor Anderson: If you do set up a Beatles legacy working party don’t forget to include contributions from Wirral, where the band played so many times from the tiny clubs and bars to the mighty Tower Ballroom.

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I WAS saddened to hear Frank Bruno is thinking of making a comeback.

The amiable boxer has already received hero status. Now his biggest fight is against his mental health problems. Frankly speaking, he has touched and inspired the nation.

I met Frank during his days as a panto favourite and he was again a big hitter.

He was boxing clever in a new career.

But please, Frank, throw in the towel on any fantasy comeback – they only ever come true in the Rocky films.

Mr B, don’t even dream of going in the ring again- it will be a disastrous knockout blow to your own legacy and reputation. Instead, be an ambassador for the sport you love and continue to be a real winner in beating bipolar.

You know what I mean, Frank?

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AND finally...I was shocked to see a Globe photo of £66,000 worth of council desks delivered.

Why not use furniture from the buildings they have closed down - such as Lyndale school?

Set up a new furniture recycling team ... desk jobs for the boys, indeed.

Peter Grant