“A KICK in the wallet”. That is one way campaigners have described the latest hike in rail fares that passengers were hit with as 2019 arrived.

After all the misery faced by commuters using Northern Rail last year, there must have been plenty of train users in St Helens buying their tickets this week who looked upon the rise as a bad joke.

The St Helens North MP is right to call out the government over why the rail companies are being allowed to get away with the increases.

He is right to condemn the fact passengers are paying more for what has been an increasingly poor service.

Will the government act?

Will the standard of service for rail users improve in 2019?

We won’t hold our breath.

Violet-Grace Youens Violet-Grace Youens

Violet-Grace

It is a brave decision by the family of Violet-Grace Youens to share their daughter’s story on ITV.

Becky and Glenn say they thought long and hard about whether to be involved in the programme that examines the case surrounding their daughter’s death and how the criminal justice system dealt with the case.

But in a few years’ time, the men who were in the car that struck Violet and her grandmother will be out of prison on licence.

Given the gravity of the crime, that thought will not sit comfortably with the people of St Helens.

The Star fully supports Glenn and Becky’s decision to speak out and to attempt to shine a national spotlight on what they feel is soft justice.

Former Star sports writer Denis Whittle is pictured here with his wife Margaret with the Challenge Cup in the Saints boardroom, the day after the 1996 Wembley triumph. Denis says the final, which saw Saints come back from 26-12 down to beat Bradford 40-32 Former Star sports writer Denis Whittle is pictured here with his wife Margaret with the Challenge Cup in the Saints boardroom, the day after the 1996 Wembley triumph. Denis says the final, which saw Saints come back from 26-12 down to beat Bradford 40-32

Denis Whittle, with wife Margaret

It is with great sadness that the Star reports on the death of our former rugby league writer Denis Whittle.

He was a quite a remarkable character, whose personality and love for Saints enriched the words he wrote. Journalism was a different game two decades ago, less reliant on emails, smartphones and social media and instead built on contacts and personal relationships.

In his hey day was there anyone who knew as many people in the town as Denis? We very much doubt it.

He was a one- off. Farewell Denis.