CHESHIRE Police have charged a 32-year-old Liverpool man with the attempted murder of a Widnes doorman who was shot in the neck while working at a town centre pub.
Last week police quizzed two Liverpool men in connection with the shooting of Eric Atkinson, who was gunned down at the Derby on March 10.
A police spokeswoman said: 'Frank Kinder, of Garden Lodge Grove, Netherley, has been charged with the attempted murder of doorman Eric Atkinson. He has also been charged with possession of a firearm with intent.
'A second man, a 23-year-old who was arrested, was released on police bail pending further enquiries.'
A close friend of the victim said Mr Atkinson's family still remain at his bedside in hospital. He is in a stable condition.
He told the Weekly News: 'Eric is now talking to his family and they have all been discussing how he will make his recovery and already physiotherapy has been mentioned.
'His family are at his side all the time and he has improved a lot.'
Widnesians in the town centre have rallied round the family since the incident and donations continue to pour in to help Mr Atkinson's long road to recovery.
The friend said: 'A number of shops have had buckets on shop counters for him and collections have been ongoing. His brothers have organised a fundraising evening for him in St Helens soon and hopefully a lot of money can be raised for him.
'It's absolutely terrible to think what has gone on.'
