Brief Case.

A NEW body offering advice and personal guidance to all young people on Merseyside has today allocated pounds 800,000 funding for 28 projects throughout the region, including Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton and Halton.

Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership chief executive Kieran Gordon said: ``Some of the initiatives are aimed at increasing attainment and reducing absenteeism at school as well as building life skills.''

WIRRAL law firm Morecroft Urquhart has appointed Karen Ashton, 33, from Wallasey as its new solicitor. She said she is delighted to have joined the team.

DE VERE, the Warrington-based hotels and leisure group, achieved one of the top 10 highest scores in the UK in the annual Hospitality Assured assessment after inspectors toured its flagship De Vere Carden Park Hotel in Chester.

Hospitality Assured is issued by the Hotel and Catering International Management Association and is an industry kitemark of excellence. De Vere achieved an overall rating of 81.3%.

SOUTHPORT law firm Barnetts entertained 26 of its City clients, including Abbey National and Zurich Insurance, in an exclusive forum at the House of Lords hosted by Lord Hanningfield.

Barnetts chief executive Joe Whelan said the event also served as an invaluable learning tool. He said: ``Lord Hanningfield is keen to gain a greater understanding of the banking and financial sectors.''