Good afternoon, these are the latest lunchtime ECHO headlines.
Storm Franklin live updates as roads closed, plane makes emergency landing and tree falls on track
Follow the ECHO's live updates as Storm Franklin hits Merseyside causing chaos across the region.
Pictures show the impact of strong winds across Merseyside and the region has been hit with travel disruption, school closures and property damage.
A Met Office yellow weather warning is in place for rain and wind across Merseyside.
READ MORE: Fire engine responding to Storm Franklin emergency crashes with van
Follow our live updates here.
Woman sexually assaulted on bus in Queens Square
A woman was sexually assaulted on a bus in Liverpool city centre.
The victim reported that she was touched inappropriately by a man while on the 21 bus at Queens Square bus station.
Detective Inspector Chris Saidi said: "We take reports of sexual assault very seriously, and we are very keen to speak with anyone with information about the incident which took place.
"This was an extremely traumatic experience for the victim, and we are working hard to ensure that the person responsible is identified."
Read the full story here.
Liverpool Passport Office is sold for nearly £40m
Liverpool's famous Passport Office building has been sold in a deal worth nearly £40 million.
Palm Capital has sold the 136,000 sq ft 1010 Old Hall Street building to London-based investor Priory RE.
The deal, first reported by Place North West, is understood to have come in at £39 million.
Read the full story here.
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