24/12/2016 North West Tonight

But now on BBC One it's time for the news where you are.

Good evening.

The wife of a seriously injured Merseyside police officer says she's

"happy and relieved" a decision to allow him to die will not be

challenged at the Court of Appeal.

Paul Briggs is now likely to be moved to a hospice over

the Christmas period.

Alex Worsick reports.

18 months ago, PC Paul Briggs suffered catastrophic brain injuries

in a crash on his way to work on his motorbike.

He's in a minimally conscious state - unable to move

or speak, and is being cared for at the Walton Centre

in Liverpool, kept alive by food and hydration given by medics.

Paul's wife Lindsey had told the Court of Protection

at a hearing in Manchester he wouldn't have wanted to live

like that and treatment should be stopped and he should be

allowed to die.

Doctors disagreed, saying they was potential

for his condition to improve.

The judge ruled in favour of Mrs Briggs.

Then lawyers suggested the Official Solicitor,

which acts for people who are vulnerable,

may appeal the decision.

But the law firm representing Mrs Briggs has now been told

there will be no appeal.

Paul Briggs is likely to be moved to a hospice in the coming days

to receive palliative care.

His family say whilst Christmas time will still be very difficult,

they're relieved he will finally be at peace and free of

pain and suffering.

The family of a man who was murdered in Altrincham in the early hours

of Thursday morning have described him a larger than life

character who was never happier than when spending time

with his wife and baby son.

32-year-old Christopher Thompson from Stockport died in a brawl

between group of 10 men outside a bar on The Causeway.

Two men have been charged with murder.

Aiden Oakes, who's 27, and Anton Oakes,

who's 23, have been remanded

in custody to appear at Manchester Crown

Court next week.

Police are appealing for information after an elderly man died

when he was knocked over by a car in Wigan yesterday.

The 86-year-old man was struck by a silver Vauxhall Astra

near Platt Bridge on Warrington Road and was pronounced

dead at the scene.

Warrington Road was closed for four hours for the investigation.

Now, officers are keen to hear from witnesses or anyone

with dashcam footage of the incident.

Fire fighters have finally left the site of the huge fire

at Maple Mill in Oldham nine days after the blaze started.

Residents were evacuated as Greater Manchester Fire

and Rescue mounted a huge operation to bring the fire under control

with help from demolition crews who removed parts of the building

to give fire fighters better access.

Crews will continue to inspect the site every four hours.

Teenagers in Fleetwood have taken on the challenge to cook Christmas

dinner for more than 30 people, many of them elderly residents

on the town's Westview estate.

The BBC is following efforts to improve the health of people

in Fleetwood over the course of a year, and these cooking classes

- at school and in the community - are an important part of that.

I get to socialise with everybody and make new friends and build my

confidence and everything.

I feel like I'm doing something good for

the community.

It is a warm feeling inside.

I would definitely come again if they do another one.

Yes, it's lovely.

Well appreciated.

Sport, and concern about the financial future of

Morecambe Football Club is continuing.

Earlier today former co-chairman Abdulrahman Al-Hashemi issued

a statement claiming he resigned in part because he believes

he was seriously mis-led by the Shrimps new owner over

the available funding.

Brazilian Diegos Lemos bought the club in September,

within weeks there were delays to the payment of wages.

Mr Al-Hashemi says he wants to restructure and refinance the club.

Let's get straight to the weather with Charlie Slater.

Good evening.

Season's greetings as well, and as we make our way

through the next few hours unfortunately it will not feel

all that seasonal and it will feel more like autumn.

We have a wind warning in place from the Met office.

Yes, sprouts, very, very funny.

As we go through the night the winds could reach 50 or 60 mph

and there will be some showers as well and temperatures

are very mild.

Santa will not need that big overcoat.

Overnight lows of 7-9 Celsius.

As for Christmas Day itself, we wake up to showers,

showers on and off for much of the daytime, a bit

drier in the afternoon and a couple of brighter spells,

but it will still be quite windy.

Temperatures are very mild.

A few showers the further north you are.

All of this associated with Storm Conor, and we will feel

its effects into Monday as well, but it will be largely dry

and bright day and it will be colder too.

Before I go, just look at these little otters.

Last Christmas Eve these two baby otters were found cold,

hungry and alone in the storms and admitted to RSPCA's care

at Stapeley Grange wildlife centre.

Staff named them Mary and Joseph and, as you can see,

they've been rehabilitated over the past 12 months and now they've

been released back into the wild.

That's all from us.

Have a merry Christmas.