The case of a man charged over a huge gas explosion which devastated a Wirral town is due to be heard at Liverpool Crown Court this morning.

Pascal Blasio was arrested last May as part of an investigation into an explosion in New Ferry on March 25, 2017.

The 56-year-old - who now lives in Gillingham, Kent, is charged with causing an explosion likely to endanger life.

Blasio is listed as the director of Homes In Style LTD, a furniture store based at the address at the centre of the explosion.

The discount furniture store and a dance studio at the same address - owned by a separate business - were destroyed.

Two people were severely injured in the explosion, with around 30 others described as “walking wounded”.

Contract Natural Gas Limited (CNG), which supplies gas to business customers, has also been charged with failing to discharge general health and safety duty to a person other than an employee.

According to the charge the firm failed to “ensure that the redundant live gas service to 43 Bebington Road was disconnected following removing the meter.”

No action will be taken against a 63 year-old man from the Flintshire area who was also arrested in connection with the incident.

A 65-year-old man from Cheshire was notified in July 2017 that he was no longer under police investigation in relation to the case.