The city of Liverpool is to host a two-month cultural programme to celebrate the life and music of John Lennon.

The events will mark what would have been his 70th birthday and 30 years since he was fatally shot in New York.

Organisers of the music, film, art and poetry events believe they will bring in tens of thousands of extra tourists to the birthplace of the Beatles.

This year also marks 50 years since the Beatles formed and 40 years since they split.

The events will run from 9 October, which would have been Lennon's 70th birthday, to 9 December, the day after the 30th anniversary of when he was fatally shot outside the Dakota building in New York.

Liverpool's Lord Mayor, councillor Mike Storey, said: "John Lennon is one of the most iconic figures of the 20th Century and a Liverpool lad who became known in every corner of the globe.

"His enduring message of peace is as important now as ever and continues to be an inspiration to many. The John Lennon Tribute Season will allow us to remember him as a man, celebrate his music, and his overall contribution to our city."</p

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The mother of street dance performer George Sampson, who won a TV talent show, has been cleared of fly-tipping.

Lesley Sampson, 40, of Warrington, was accused of ditching rubbish outside her Lyster Avenue home, which included 16-year-old George's fan mail.

But the prosecuting authority Warrington Borough Council offered no evidence after two days of legal wrangling at Chester Crown Court.

George won ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2008.

The hearing was the culmination in a series of "lamentable failures" by both the prosecution and defence sides who regularly failed to fulfil legal deadlines, said Judge Ian Trigger.

Bags were discovered behind the mother-of-five's home in Birchwood, the court heard.

Ms Sampson said she had no idea how the bags were dumped there or who did it because she had moved to London as her son's career took off.</p

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A concert by an unknown American singer has been cancelled after she was confused with multi Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift by a local newspaper.

The Liverpool Echo said the country music star would play to primary school pupils when in fact the concert was part of a tour by Taylor Bright.

St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Knowsley has now called off Ms Bright's visit amid security fears.

The newspaper has apologised and is making a donation to the school.

Taylor Swift, 20, one of America's biggest-selling artists, won three Grammys, including Best Album, on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

'Very confused'

Meanwhile 16-year-old Taylor Bright was in London on her first visit to the UK to promote her debut single "Striped Socks".

"I have no idea why they thought Taylor Swift would be performing at St Margaret Mary's when she was in America picking up her Grammys"

Her planned concert for 480 pupils at St Margaret Mary's is one of seven concerts scheduled over three days in the UK.

A spokeswoman for Ms Bright said the incorrect announcement was also made to 40,000 football fans during Liverpool's game with Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

She said: "I have no idea why they thought Taylor Swift would be performing at St Margaret Mary's when she was in America picking up her Grammys.

"It must have been a slip of the tongue.

"Taylor was very confused about what happened and very disappointed that the performance had to be cancelled.

"At one point she even said 'they're not expecting Taylor Swift are they' but the children already had posters and knew who she was."

The school put an announcement on its website after fielding inquiries about the concert.

In a statement it said: "We had planned a short concert for the children on Monday 1 February, featuring an unknown singer, Taylor Bright.

"Unfortunately, the Liverpool Echo has printed an inaccurate story that pop singer Taylor Swift is coming.

"There will now be no concert and the Liverpool Echo has promised to print an amendment."

The event was publicised in Saturday's edition of the Echo.

A spokesman said: "The Echo regrets the mistake in Saturday's paper and has apologised to the school's governors.

"We are making a donation to school funds as a gesture of goodwill." </p

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Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Ricky Whittle has appeared before Liverpool magistrates to deny dangerous driving.

The 29-year-old Hollyoaks actor was arrested at the end of November after he allegedly struck a photographer with his car in Liverpool.

He will reappear at the court on 12 March for a committal hearing to Liverpool Crown Court.

Mr Whittle, of Billinge, near Wigan, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and plea during the hearing.

He was granted unconditional bail.

As he walked away from the building, Whittle picked up a cameraman who had slipped on ice while walking backwards to film him.

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