Archive

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Invite to battalion reunion

THE 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment's Reunion will be held at the Shepherds Inn, Carlisle, on Friday, May 12. Tickets are £13, for dinner, followed by dancing and are available from J Mallinson on 01228 520877. JOHN LITTLE, The Knoll, Oxton, Wirral

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Labour singing the Blues

LABOUR supporters across East Lancashire were today feeling the aftershocks of a political "earthquake" which rocked the foundations of its traditional strongholds. The party's loss of seven seats on Blackburn with Darwen Council came as it was revealed

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Sean's sure of a trophy

HE'S helped Preston North End clinch the Division Two Championship -- but Sean Gregan went one better last season, finishing 14th in the Premiership and winning the FA Cup! The North End skipper has been selected by Barnsley's Dave Bassett in a 22-player

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Don't waste your vote

ELECTION fever is upon us again today (Thursday) with all the main parties and candidates vying for political control of Preston. Yet, the turn-out for local elections across the country has always been traditionally low with usually a third, or less,

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Crossed lines on mobile phone

A MORECAMBE man was left stunned after he bought a brand new mobile phone as a gift for his girlfriend only to discover that it had already been deactivated as fraudulent. And Gavin Boyd's frustration turned to anger when the high street retailer from

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The only way is up . . .

PRESTON and Leyland's cricket teams are propping up the bottom of the Bay 96.9 Northern Cricket League table following a disastrous start to the season. Leyland, Leyland DAF and Preston are occupying three of the bottom four places in Division One following

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£500 boost for Crimestoppers

LANCASHIRE Crimestoppers are £500 richer, thanks to a donation from the Constabulary's Police Federation Constable's branch board. The money will be used to promote the Crimestoppers scheme throughout the county, and also go towards reward payments. The

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Bloomin' initiative

SOME time ago you had a front page feature about the Horticultural Therapy Project based at the Moor Hospital, Lancaster. At that time it was felt that the project would cease to exist. Fortunately, through persistent asking of questions via the press

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People should have more consideration

AS MY wife and myself are both blind we receive your publication on tape as part of the Talking Newspaper service. There has recently been much discussion concerning the problem of dog dirt fouling the Promenade, this is also a big problem in the many

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No red-letter day for Dawson

LANCASTER MP Hilton Dawson has broken strict parliamentary rules forbidding the use of House of Commons stationery for party political purposes, The Citizen can reveal. Distinctive House of Commons envelopes are paid for from the public purse to help

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So that's what you do Dad...

HOW many of us were asked the question "What do your parents do?" when we were younger? Children whose parents work at BAE Systems, Warton, can now clearly give an answer having spent a day seeing exactly what their mothers and fathers do. More than 90

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Cash awards for youth projects

LOCAL youngsters are invited to apply for cash awards of up to £10,000 to fund exciting projects that make connections between our lives in the UK and those who live in countries on the Greenwich Meridian line. The On the Line Millennium Awards scheme

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Jenny swoops for four records

BRAVE Jenny Coughlin has set aside personal problems to take British swimming by storm. The 16-year-old from Tyldesley SC, suffering from visual impairment, featured in the British Blind Sports Nationals in Wolverhampton. And in her first comp since her

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Waywell salutes chairman Healey

LEIGH RMI deservedly take all the sporting cheers this week. Champagne corks popped at the weekend as the Unibond League champions rocketed victory -- and celebrated the best season in the club's 102-year history. And, for delighted manager Steve Waywell

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Macca may go to Oz

BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon has been strongly linked with part-time Australian side South Melbourne. The Greek owners of the club are reported -- by Australian news agencies -- to have contacted Macca about the vacant manager's position at the club

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Cockney knees up a bit of all right

CHIRPY Cockneys Chas n' Dave delighted a packed audience with a good old fashioned knees up at the Grand Theatre on Sunday (April 30). Celebrating 25 years together, the duo, backed up of course by Mick on drums, played their full set of Rockney sing-a-long

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Van the Man in very good spirits

AS Van Morrison took to the stage at Blackpool Opera House last week he immediately launched into numbers from his latest album Philosophers Stone and Back on Top, all backed by Van's own unique soulful vocals. Backed by swirling Hammond organ, piano

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Fostering drive is a big hit

ST Helens Council has stepped up its campaign to attract more foster carers with a special exhibition. Hundreds of people stopped off at the Hardshaw Centre exhibition to find out useful information about fostering and to have the opportunity to win prizes

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'Bus stop is magnet for rowdy youths'

A FAMILY is claiming that they have been plagued by rowdy youngsters since Merseytravel placed a bus shelter outside their home. Ernest Winstanley, who lives in Belvedere Road, Newton-le-Willow, with partner, Amanda Murray and their two young children

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Cutting through red tape

A NEW lobby group for the Fylde coast has been set up to help disabled and blind people get more involved with sports and leisure pursuits. The Disability Leisure Forum was formed following the success of the disability leisure sports club which meets

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Didn't deserve such abuse

I AM writing to thank the nice gentleman on the multi-storey car park in Bury. He found me a space on the parent-and-child parking and I got my children safely out of the car without any damage to it or to cars on either side, due to the wide parking

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Pensioner robbed on way to church

POLICE are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed a man steal a 76-year-old lady's handbag to contact them. The incident happened at about 10.45am on Sunday, April 30, as the pensioner was walking along Gartons Lane to St Theresa's Church, Sutton

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Town belongs to the people

LABOUR councillors have run Blackburn for many years. I think it would be more democratic to have an equal number of councillors from all parties meeting (not in secret) to work out what is best for our town. Blackburn just does not belong to a few Labour

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Tribute to the Gallipoli fallen.

EIGHTY-FIVE years ago, a devastating proportion of Bury's youth was wiped out as they spilled their blood and guts for King and Country. Thousands of teenagers and those in the 20s were slaughtered on the Gallipoli beaches as Turkish guns pounded the

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Health bosses suspend surgery manager

HEALTH bosses have suspended the practice manager at a Prestwich surgery at the centre of a massive police inquiry after a convicted criminal allegedly treated and advised patients despite having no medical qualifications. Janice Langley was suspended

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Road safety problem

I HAVE read your report in the Star (April 13) regarding the situation in Victoria Square and the fines being imposed on motorists by the police for entering the restricted area. I do have a certain sympathy with the motorists as it is certainly not well

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Firm boosted by Dundee cake!

THE future of a Lancaster engineering firm looks bright following a million pound boost from two Dundee businessmen. North West Engineering on Willow Lane has been bought for £1 million by enterprising engineering experts, Stewart Urquhart and Marcus

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Ready for a fight!

FED up folk in Skerton have joined together in a bid to improve their neighbourhood and boost community spirit. Following a recent survey, which revealed high levels of social exclusion in the Skerton wards, the locals are hoping a bit of people power

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Hoppers leap into next round

WIDNES 0 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 47 HOPPERS had little trouble in progressing to round two of the Lancashire Cup on Tuesday evening. An early push over try for Michael Bailey set the scene before good work from Michael Lough established the position for

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Barmaid assaulted

A 19-year-old barmaid was assaulted by a drinker who was reluctant to leave the White Bull pub, in Victoria Road, Walton-le-Dale, at 11.30pm on Friday, April 21. The young woman was assaulted as she held the door open for him. She suffered facial injuries

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Girl treated after attack in toilet

A TEENAGER needed hospital treatment after being beaten up by three 16-year-old girls in the toilets of a McDonalds restaurant. The 17-year-old girl was knocked to the floor and kicked in the head and body. She received severe bruising and was treated

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Oh boy, what an experience

STUDENTS from Broughton High school, Preston experienced the 'Science Lesson of a Lifetime', by Johnny Ball productions, when they made the trip down to the Millennium Dome. The trip was organised as part of 'Engineering our Future', a nationwide education

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Torque of the town

LEYLAND man Robert Bannister has written to the Citizen in response to a Mr Brown's letter, which asked about the former use of the indoor market site, in Northcote Street, Leyland. Mr Bannister, of Clifton Avenue, says he feels sure that the answer to

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'Shop the culprits' urges Chris

HILTON Park boss Chris Healey has promised to get rid of Leigh Centurions' "lunatic fringe" of travelling fans. The chief executive, worried by minor crowd disturbances whenever the Centurions play big away games, has called on genuine fans to 'shop'

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Balloon drama: "I'd do it all again" says Beryl

A TYLDESLEY woman has vowed not to be put off hot air ballooning after she was involved in an emergency landing. Beryl Aspin and friend Betty Carey together with seven other passengers made the unscheduled landing on Monday evening in Blackburn. Residents

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Plant food!

PERSONALLY, I like the idea of planting trees upside down. It sums up our society rather well. Why expect art to be sensible when everything else is run by idiots? But I've got a better idea. Why don't we take all our politicians and plant them upside

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Scientific evidence piles up for horses

AM writing in reply to the letter sent in by Diane Ananda-Bodhi on the matter of horses "messing" on the beach. Firstly, horse manure is not in anyway harmful to humans or animals, I know this to be fact from having spent my entire life around them, a

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High times

PUPILS bidding farewell to year 11 at Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, enjoyed an American-style prom leaving party at Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho (see picture). More than 100 teenagers, who are currently preparing to take their GCSE exams, dressed in

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MP wrong on 'rumour'

I HAVE to express my utter disbelief at some of the comments made by our MP Geraldine Smith in the local newspapers this week, regarding the proposal to accommodate 140 asylum seekers at the Grosvenor Hotel in Morecambe. The headlines read Asylum Plan

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Barry back to Bury?

SEASIDERS defender Barry Shuttleworth, who started his football career with Bury, could be on the way back to his old club. Shuttleworth has struggled to hold down the left-back place, mainly due to the presence of John Hills at the club. Shuttleworth

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Launch of new learning network

AN innovative new partnership to encourage learning in management and business is to be launched later this month. The Bolton and Bury Business Learning Network will officially be unveiled on Monday, March 15 with a special event at the Reebok Stadium

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Award for excellence

THE first Charter Mark award for excellence in providing health service needs for lesbians and gay men in West Lancashire will be presented later this month. The award will go to Drugline Lancashire to acknowledge its work in providing equity and addressing

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Teen talks of terror attack

A TEENAGER who was kicked so badly by thugs that he had footprints on his face has spoken for the first time about the attack. David Miller spent three weeks in hospital after he was the victim of what he says was a vicious unprovoked assault in Red Bank

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Arty pupils break new ground

PUPILS at Sutton High are to create a 'ground-breaking' sculpture on a prominent mound of earth at the junction of Eltonhead Road and Marshalls Cross Road. The eye-catching work will depict a man, seemingly emerging from the ground, carrying a rugby ball

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Probe post office closed

A MAIN post office closed today after police launched an investigation into a suspected £100,000 benefit and pension fraud. Detectives and fraud investigators from the Post Office were today interviewing staff at Darwen's town centre branch. And the busy

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Post office fraud probe

A MAIN post office closed today after police launched an investigation into a suspected £100,000 benefit and pension fraud. Detectives and fraud investigators from the Post Office were today interviewing staff at Darwen's town centre branch. Documents

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'Grot spots' cleaned up in blitz

COUNCIL cleaning crews have blitzed a Blackpool "grot spot" and held a special rubbish amnesty in two of the town's dirtiest areas. The landmark amnesty was an attempt to stop the illegal "fly tipping" which plagues the alleyways in and around the George

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A blooming good idea

FAMILIES on a Blackpool estate are hoping for a blossoming future after the opening of a meeting place on their doorstep. The Sunflower House Family Centre opened on the Grange Park estate this week to provide parents with a venue in which they can meet

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Demi for the cast of Couch?

FLEETWOOD boxer Jane Couch could be featured in a new blockbusting film -- with Hollywood superstar Demi Moore in the lead role! Speculation is rife that Guy Ritchie, the hip director of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, is planning to make a film

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Great Scott!

HAYDOCK CC's wet start to the season continued on Saturday with both the first eleven and third eleven fixtures being called off due to waterlogged pitches without a ball being bowled. The seconds however found conditions more favourable at Southport

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Message must be heeded...

THE death in Thailand of Andrea Taylor of Lancashire is not only devastating for her family. It is a message that must be heeded by the people of Blackpool and anyone else who believes it is all right to keep elephants in zoos and circuses. It shows what

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Dancers tiptoe into new centre

TWO talented young dancers from the Elizabeth Hill School of Dancing in St Helens, are to appear at Salford's newly opened Lowry arts centre with the Paris Opera Ballet Company this week. Fourteen year old Rebekah Roberts, from Rainhill, and Oliver Maudsley

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Andrea's family moved by messages of sympathy

THE family of Geoff Taylor have been inundated with cards and good wishes for Geoff and his daughter, Helen, who are still recovering in a Thai hospital, after being attacked by an elephant which killed Geoff's youngest daughter Andrea. The family from

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Macca may go to Oz

BLACKPOOL manager Steve McMahon has been strongly linked with part-time Australian side South Melbourne. The Greek owners of the club are reported -- by Australian news agencies -- to have contacted Macca about the vacant manager's position at the club

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Victims twice over

THE verdict of murder in the case of the Norfolk farmer, Tony Martin, raises serious questions about the status of the law on self defence. The common law basis of self defence is the same in the United States and in England. However, in America, not

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I felt ashamed

MY family and I recently spent Easter weekend in London, travelling to Euston Station from Liverpool Lime Street and then commuting many miles on the London underground. With it being our first visit to the capital, and regarding the negative publicity

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Tories bloom in ballot

PRESTON proved yet again how contentious local elections can be with the Tories coming up smelling of 'blue' roses. One of the shock defeats was Labour councillor Valerie Wise, daughter of veteran Preston MP Audrey, who lost the Tulketh ward seat by 28

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Families in chemical blaze alert

PEOPLE living nearby were told to stay indoors and close their windows at the weekend following a huge chemical fire which ripped through a warehouse on the Lea Green business park. The fire, which couldbe seen from as far away as the Lake District, started

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Still fighting on the beaches!

THE district's beaches have again failed to make the grade, according to a critical new report. The Marine Conservation Society has passed only two beaches in the North West this year and none are in the Morecambe Bay area. Although there has been a decrease

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Saints step into Tigers' den

SAINTS are facing an injury crisis as they brace themselves to tackle the Tigers of Castleford in the Wheldon Road Jungle on Sunday (kick-off 6.35pm). For a Saints' side hoping to stretch their winning run to eight games could lack Sean Long, Paul Wellens

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Priest to leave estate

HIGHER Folds' Catholic community is to lose its Parish Priest. Auxiliary Bishop Malone visited St Gabriel's on Sunday to make the announcement. The decision to use Fr Tom Gaghey in another part of the Arch-diocese comes at a time when ordinations into

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Pools could still close on a whim

A SPECIAL meeting of the leisure and museums sub-committee requisitioned by four of its members to receive an update on the city council's take-over of the management of the swimming pools at Carnforth, Heysham and Hornby heard last Thursday that council

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Kings start season in winning ways

THE senior cricketers at King Edward VII & Queen Mary School made an excellent start as they face up to a demanding schedule of fixtures this season. A victory by 130 runs over visitors from Liverpool College gave captain John Hill and his side a

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Cabinet secrets?

LOCAL newspapers and members of the public often take for granted their ability to attend local council meetings and see council papers in advance of such meetings. But these rights are now under threat from the Labour Government. Few people will be aware

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Bid to boost RNLI funds

THE 55+ Club Morecambe, Morecambe, would like to welcome everyone to a coffee morning in aid of the local RNLI Lifeboat, on Tuesday May 9 at the Platform. Coffee and biscuits are 50p and stalls include cakes, bring and buy and bric-a-brac. Organisers

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Shrimps hit highest position ever

Morecambe 2 Scarborough 0 MORECAMBE are hoping for a bumper crowd for their final match of the season at Christie Park on Saturday, to celebrate their best ever league position. It is a fantastic result for the Shrimps as this season which ironically

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Flying start for Windle

WINDLE have made a great start to the rounders season. For they won the annual Nat West Rounders tournament, which traditionally starts the rounders season at Ruskin Drive. The teams were split into two sections with top two going through to semi-finals

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Bus commotion

LANCASHIRE County Council is reminding passengers travelling to and from Lancaster by bus that Lancaster Bus Station is now closed for redevelopment. All bus services, including school services, will use the stops in the City Centre on Common Garden Street

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Mayor puts icing on the cake

KITCHEN staff from a range of schools in Blackpool have cooked up a recipe for success in their chosen careers after studying for a national hospitality qualification. Staff from Collegiate High, Devonshire, Layton, Revoe, Stanley, Warbreck and Waterloo

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District's wildlife

WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is going hunting -- for local volunteers. The world's largest independent environmental organisation is inviting people in the Lancaster, Morecambe, Arnside, Fleetwood and the general area around Morecambe Bay to join

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Church and Union Arms set for final flourish

TWO dramatic penalty shoot-outs decided the finalists in the Carl Brown Memorial Trophy. Both matches in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League competition went the full nerve-tingling distance. And on Saturday (2pm) victors Church Inn and Union

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Child's Rugrats video was adult movie

A BURY dad has told of his shock after discovering a children's video he'd bought for his son's third birthday contained "X" rated material. Now bosses at Asda, where the "Rugrats: The Movie" video was bought, are investigating how the tape contained

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Environment Week gets green light

IT'S green for go as Bury prepares to stage the biggest environmental event of its kind in the North West. Dozens of events and activities have been organised for Bury Environment Week which runs from May 20 to 29. The week culminates in a huge environment

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CLARETS: Wrexham's cup hopes

WREXHAM this week booked their place in the final of the FAW Premier Cup but crucially for Burnley won't be taking their foot of the gas when they meet Gillingham in their final league game tomorrow. With a £100,000 prize on offer for the cup winners

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Forged papers spotted by High Commission

A Blackburn man bought forged papers and documents in an attempt to gain illegal entry to the country for his wife. Blackburn magistrates heard that Hamzah Nain, 21, sent a letter from a non-existent employer, pay slips, building society letters and account

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SOCCER: Preston v Bristol City preview

NORTH END'S four year tenure in Division Two comes to an end this Saturday with a trip to Bristol City. But the Champions manager David Moyes is not letting up, promising the mid-table Robins a tough game. The North End boss has made it clear he would

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Whiston claim cup spoils

A SINGLE goal earned Whiston victory in the Rainhill Junior League's Under 11s Cup Final against Knowsley South. RESULTS Wednesday, April 26 Under 13s: Captains Lane 3 Pilkington 0, Knowsley South 6 Young Gate 0, Prescot Cables 0 Alder Athletic 5. Under

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Cup delight for Pilks

PILKINGTON roared back from a goal deficit to claim the St Helens McDonald's JOL Dawson Cup. Widnes side Agrevo took an eighth minute lead, but the Pilkington under 16s side drew level with 15 minutes to go and with five minutes left grabbed the winner

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Such kindness

I WOULD like to thank the very kind couple who found my purse in Booths car park, Highfield Road, Marton. They even took the trouble to find some identification and delivered it to my surprised husband at my home address, all within 30 minutes of losing

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Way of Cross a great success

AS the event co-ordinator may I, on behalf of the Way of The Cross Steering Group, thank, through your paper, all those who worked so hard to make the event on Good Friday such a great success. As there were more than 60 in the cast and at least the same

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Remember why road was closed

THE council must not re-open Spring Street in Bury to through traffic. The only advantage would be easy access for vehicles but the many disadvantages would include the problems of heavy lorries going up and down the street all day; cars and taxis going

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ST HELENS

Billinge and Seneley Green: Elizabeth Black (Con) 672, Stephen Broughton (Lib Dem) 275, Neville Bullock (Lab) 1086. Turnout: 19.8%. Blackbrook: Andy Bowden (Lab) 662, John Brown (Lib Dem) 228, James Spanner (Con) 141. Turnout: 14.44%. Broad Oak: Gail

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Lightning strike at Pilks

PILKINGTONS had to use a computer back-up system after its HQ on Prescot Road, St Helens, was struck by lightning on Wednesday, April 26. The computer system suffered a dip in power for two seconds. A spokesman for the company said full back-up systems

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Bloomin' great idea

A PRESCOT store has had a blooming great idea of how to raise money for their local community. McKays clothes store in the Prescot Shopping Centre, are holding a fashion show this evening (May 4) to help boost funds for Prescot Methodist Church's Flower

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Bring your parcel

I AM sorry if Mr Kendall thinks that sub-postmasters are "bleating" (Dear Star, April 13) but I am afraid that it is he who appears to be following, sheep-like, the preachings of our misguided Prime Minister. As has been stated previously in your letters

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Helping machines understand human condition

THE Millennium Bug may have failed to bite but making sure computer systems don't go wrong is the subject of an £8.2 million research project involving Lancaster University. All aspects of reliability, safety and security of computer systems will be explored

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Safety first say the Greens

GREEN campaigners have called on local transport chiefs to concentrate on improving road safety rather than building more bypasses. Next week county councillors will decide which transport scheme to adopt for the next five years as part of the Lancashire

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Preston Borough Council Results

FISHWICK Harold Parker (Lab) 612 David Hammond (Con) 319 ST MATHEWS Veronica Afrin (Lab) 624 Elaine Pugh (Con) 282 RIBBLETON Andrew Campbell (Lab) 483 Jane Balshaw (Con) 193 BROOKFIELD John Browne (Lab) 523 Paul Hammond (Con) 336 DEEPDALE Paul Malliband

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Patio furniture gone

WOODEN garden furniture made from cut logs was stolen from a restaurant patio area. Thieves struck outside Campions Restaurant, in Cuerdale Lane, Samlesbury, at around 11.30pm on Friday, April 21. The thief used a scruffy blue Mercedes 300 series box

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Sidwell's song is echoing on

CONTRALTO Sidwell Reed, whose fine singing voice was a cultural plus around her adoptive Newton-le-Willows, certainly struck the right chord when she immersed herself into charity fund-raising. Arriving from her native Cornwall with husband Denzil during

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DJ Glen Hunt in your Citizen

THANKS to all the generous listeners to 97.4 Rock FM and our sister station, Magic 999AM. Why? Because as you may have remembered, last Wednesday, we broadcast simultaneously for the day to raise funds for our charity, Help a Local Child with our Big

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Journal vets - top for dogs and people

THE JOURNAL'S team of local vets are top dogs! And Vetcare -- based in Leigh, Hindley and Bolton -- are only the third veterinary practice in the country to gain the prestigious Investors in People award. Celebrating the award, practice manager Julie

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Mother takes another step to Malcolm justice

AN ASTLEY mother who has been campaigning for justice for her dead son is celebrating a legal breakthrough. Brenda Rowley, whose severely disabled son Malcolm died in a bath at a council bungalow, welcomed a decision by Salford Magistrates who refused

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Head start for rally ace Steve

STEVE Head, the Carnforth rally ace, has been chosen by the Motor Sports Association and the Lilleshall Sports Injury and Human Performance Centre as a finalist in rallying's newest initiative. The 'Fit to be Champion' initiative will teach 20 young rally

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Committee will discuss hooliganism issues

ROAD safety, football facilities and juvenile hooliganism are high on the agenda of the next Bamber Bridge and Walton-le-Dale area committee meeting. The South Ribble are committee gives local people the chance to have their say on neighbourhood issues

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Express cash is just the business

LOCAL parcel delivery company Business Express has donated £11,000 to the wildlife charity, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The cash will support its nationwide YOC Wild and Alive project, for youngsters aged between seven and 12

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Prescot halted by weather

PRESCOT & Odysseys first and second team games were both wiped out by the weather at the weekend. The third team travelled to Caldy and managed a draw. This Saturday the first team are at Home to Prestatyn and second team visit the Welsh club. The

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Mountain man steps down

STEWART Hulse, Bury's true man of the mountains, has stepped down as leader of Britain's busiest mountain rescue team. Stewart, who is just days away from his 65th birthday, founded the Ambleside Fell Rescue Team in Cumbria. And when it merged with the

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180 jobs to go in bag firm closure

SHOCKED union leaders will meet Bury's two MPs today (Fri May 5) in the wake of the "devastating" closure announcement surrounding the town's Bibby and Baron factory. The stunned workforce has been told the 132-year-old Dumers Lane paper bag manufacturers

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Souness wants to finish on a high note

GRAEME Souness plans to restore the feel good factor to Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers prepare for Sunday's crunch clash with Manchester City. After a season of bitter disappointment, Rovers have only pride to play for in a fixture which many had marked

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Better bus links to infirmary

PATIENTS and visitors travelling from Leigh to Wigan Infirmary have improved bus links this week. The service 652 has been extended to serve the grounds of the infirmary. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority agreed to subsidise the extension

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Boy, 2, drowns in river tragedy

DESPITE a frantic search by police and Coastguard services, a two-year-old boy was found drowned on Monday (May1) after he disappeared from the holiday caravan park where he was staying. The child's body was found on a sand bank in the shadows of Shard

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Labour singing the Blues

LABOUR supporters across East Lancashire were today feeling the aftershocks of a political "earthquake" which rocked the foundations of its traditional strongholds. The party's loss of seven seats on Blackburn with Darwen Council came as it was revealed

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LOCAL CRICKET: Dizzie back on pace

JASON Gillespie has arrived at Rishton and today fired a warning to Lancashire League batsmen: "I'm getting back to full pace." The Australian speed merchant missed the first three games of the season to work on strengthening his injured leg. But the

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LOCAL CRICKET: Rehman aims for high five

BLACKBURN Northern's new professional Ata ur Rehman has made a daring claim for his new club -- a top five finish. Northern finished bottom of the table last season and captain Neil Weaver admits the last few years haven't been "very good". But Pakistan

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Sasib hit double figures

SASIB Reserves did their hopes of avoiding the drop in the Warrington League a power of good when they hammered Widnes R&S Reserves 10-0. Scorers were Kriss Partington (3), Matthew Tolan, Paul Winders, Steve Carine, Steve Worthington, Nigel Parry,

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Elephants are dangrous

BLACKPOOL councillors are always telling us that their zoo elephants are dangerous, so their keepers have to have electric goads to control them. In view of the awful tragedy in Thailand where an elephant killed a young Lancashire woman, I suggest the

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This management duo won't save us

WHILE I agree that we do need changes at Bury Football Club, I do not think that Mr Robinson is the man to do it. We need a football manager, and though Andy Preece has done a good job short term he is not manager material. So, until we sort that out,

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Bankruptcy help at hand

THE latest government statistics show that bankruptcies in the United Kingdom have been climbing higher year on year since 1994 and about 25,000 people are expected to go bankrupt during the first year of this millennium. I am the founder of the Bankruptcy

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Bon-blooming-jour!

SAY hello to a classic Ealing comedy set in the sweltering English summer of 1949. Or rather, say "bonjour" as a distinguished British identity is thrown into question when Passport To Pimlico comes to the Grand Theatre. When an unexploded bomb is accidentally

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A good hair day

HAIRDRESSING student Emma Watson is heading for the big time -- it's cut and dried! The 21-year-old, who is studying for an NVQ at Preston College, recently walked away from a national competition with one of the top prizes. Emma missed out on first place

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Bin bags binned!

THE days of free plastic bin bags are numbered under new plans to shake up the way the district's waste is collected. The council is looking at leasing wheelie bins for every household in the district which would have separate compartments for different

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Test driver had begun to repaint van

A MAN who took a van for a test drive, didn't take it back and was later spotted by the owner painting it a different colour, Burnley magistrates heard. The van was, in the meantime, involved in an accident after the owner, who had been searching for

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Tries aren't everything . . .

Saints 50 Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants 30 FREE-SCORING Saints kept in touch at the top with their seventh win in as many games after this 10-try romp on glorious Bank Holiday Monday. But it was a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' following the Wigan

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Director urges people to keep up the good work

THE Director of Christian Aid came to Preston this week for the first time in two years, to thank local folk for their support. Dr Daleep Makarji visited two local venues before leading a press conference at the Lancashire County Museum, in Stanley Street

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Missing dog anguish

A DISTRAUGHT family have appealed for a relative to get in contact with them as they hunt for a missing pet. The Daley family last saw Tara, a German Shepherd, on April 19. The next morning, she had vanished. Relative James Biggs, who had been staying

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Demon McGuinness

DEMON Vimto Honda rider John McGuinness was in a class of his own when he swept to three unchallenged victories at the tight and twisty circuit at Olivers Mount, Scarborough. In doing so, the 26-year-old Morecambe rider lifted the prestigious Ken Redfern

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Stress set to rocket

AN engineering organisation representing Bury companies has warned stress claims in the workplace are set to rocket. EEF (Engineering Employers' Federation) North West say stress is set to be one of the most serious issues facing employers in the region

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So that's what you do Dad...

HOW many of us were asked the question "What do your parents do?" when we were younger? Children whose parents work at BAE Systems, Warton, can now clearly give an answer having spent a day seeing exactly what their mothers and fathers do. More than 90

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SCUNTHORPE v BURNLEY: By hook or by Cook

PROMOTION-chasing Burnley have timed their sprint for the line to near perfection. And midfield thoroughbred Paul Cook is hoping the Clarets' late run up the rails will get their noses past the finishing post first at Scunthorpe tomorrow. Despite occupying

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Now you see them...now you don't

POLICE in the South Ribble area have launched a "low profile" road policing campaign. "Operation Chameleon" will use of covert unmarked police cars and bikes to crack down on irresponsible drivers. Sergeant Steve Moon, of the Road Policing Unit -- with

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THE South Ribble South county council seat was retained by the Liberal Democrats this week.

Despite the Liberal's victory, both the Labour and Conservative candidates claimed victories following an increased share of the vote. The election wa called following the resignation of Lib Dem Tim Farron. Michelle McGrath Edwin won with 48 per cent

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Do you know who said it with flowers?

CAN you help solve the mystery of the flower power campaigner? Baffled passers-by on Newlands Road in Lancaster have been scratching their heads trying to figure out why someone would go to the trouble of spelling out the word CAMPAIGNER in different

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Roadworks

BOTH the north and southbound entry sliproads on to the M6 at Junction 33 (Hampson Green) will be closed at the beginning of this weekend for resurfacing. The work is scheduled to start on Friday May 5 at 10pm and finish the following morning at 7am Saturday

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Graceful birds 'executed' in front of kiddies

A GUNMAN killed two swans as a group of youngsters looked on in horror. It happened at the Moss Nook Angling Lake, Sutton, on Tuesday, April 25 and is the second similar incident to happen there in three years. Four young anglers saw the man, aged between

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Car owners have a right to moan

"NAME and address supplied" (Citizen, April 27) obviously doesn't have a car, and never has had a car. The car owner already pays car tax -- which, by the way, is used to build both roads and pavements. The same applies to motorcyclists, including those

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Award for excellence

THE first Charter Mark award for excellence in providing health service needs for lesbians and gay men in West Lancashire will be presented later this month. The award will go to Drugline Lancashire to acknowledge its work in providing equity and addressing

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True Grit on the road to Pristina

THE cameramen and reporters have long gone. But the remnants of war in Kosovo are still very real. Crumbling apartment blocks, burnt-out wrecks of cars and a countryside littered with thousands of land-mines serve as a reminder of just how long a journey

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LOCAL CRICKET: Lowe blow for Darwen

DARWEN are without batsman Chris Lowe as the reigning Northern League champions bid to build on their promising start. Lowe has returned to university and is replaced by Gareme Parkinson. Michael Douglas, back from his exertions with Darwen Football Club

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Derby mmisery for St Helens

ST HELENS CC's miserable start to the season continued with a second defeat at the hands of Newton-le-Willows. The wet wicket gave no help to the home team bowlers and Newton were able to declare at 159-8 with Bobby Kenny (4-45), Paul Newman (3-47) and

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Carr Mill claim the cup

A BRAVE fighting come back, with goals from Martin Dixon and Chris Dunlop, gave Rainford North End Reserves a commendable 2-2 home draw against Hardshaw Argyle in last weeks mid-week games and also ruined the Argyles chances of clinching the St Helens

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Leigh roar back to top

LEIGH are back in pole position. But the division's top scorers had the defensive side of their game to thank for Monday's 24-10 win at Hunslet which returns them to the top of the Northern Ford Premiership. They had to weather a furious second half onslaught

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Disillusioned by candidates

DOES Phil Riley (Letters, April 21) really believe more polling stations will significantly increase the turn-out of voters? Perhaps people don't vote because they are disillusioned, disgruntled and disgusted with today's politics and politicians at local

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Who's got it right?

SO, three million people, who signed the Post Office petition from all over the country, have got it wrong, and an official from St Helens North Labour Party, Alan Cunliffe knows the answers and has it right. Regarding the Post Office campaign, he claims

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Locals fight temple plan

PLANS to build a church for Jehovah's Witnesses near a Fulwood estate have been slammed by locals. A site, adjacent to Broughton Tower Way, Fulwood, has been earmarked for the place of worship -- and it looks set to get the green light at a planning meeting

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Ring in some changes say residents

BT chiefs have been accused of letting vandals wreck 'phone kiosks in Frenchwood. One BT phone box at the corner of Carlton Drive is regularly trashed and glass is shattered across the pavement, and residents fear for their children's safety. But the

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Appeal for penpals from Albanian schoolchildren

AN Albanian school in Pristina is hoping to create close links with children from Preston in a unique pen-pal scheme. Shkola Filore, based in the heart of Kosovo's capital, is home to more than 1,600 pupils -- many of who are smiling through the tears

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Chemists on duty

THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, May 7, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Lloyds Pharmacy, 473 Warrington Road, Rainhill; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds

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Runaway success

COTTAM Sports Arena played host to a 10K race at the weekend -- and it was a runaway success. More than 130 runners gathered for the event, which was won by ex-Blackpool star, Wreckin Road Runners' Paul Muller, in a time of 32 mins 32secs. Neil Cottam

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Chechnya meeting

LANCASTER'S Gregson Centre will be host to a public meeting about 'Human Rights for Chechnya' on Thursday May 11 at 7.30pm. The evening is being organised by 'The Marxist' magazine. The magazine has asked Corin Redgrave, General Secretary of the Marxist

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Get those family treasures valued

BLOW the dust off those old drawers and polish up your plates as you could be in for a surprise when TV antique expert Eric Knowles comes to Blackpool. The one-time star of BBC's Antiques Roadshow and Going For A Song is in town soon filming a new series

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Gimme shelters!

BUS shelters are to be provided at the temporary stops in Spring Garden Street. Buses from this stand serve the Vale, St Chad's, Moor Hospital, Marsh and Ridge. Following talks with the engineers some old shelters will now be re-erected. An extra temporary

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Shane's ring of confidence

BOXER Shane Orange is tipped for glory in this weekend's ABA championships. The Atherton lad and Tyldesley Centurions BC fighter will have an army of supporters behind him when he tilts at the schoolboys' 55kg title. Club and school pals will be cheering

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Streets Ahead in entertainment.

SWING those hips! These dancers of Bury's samba band Zambura are pictured leading the way in the town's Streets Ahead Festival. Sunshine flooded Bury town centre as thousands of revellers enjoyed a free day's colourful entertainment on Monday (May 1).

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Nationwide man-hunt for pub relief manager

A NATIONWIDE man-hunt has been launched to find a relief pub manager who disappeared from Radcliffe on Saturday (April 29). Several thousands of pounds worth of takings have also vanished from the Sparking Clog pub. Local police were alerted on Saturday

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High fives for Tory victors

BURY'S Tories were jubilant as they romped to election success in last night's poll. They snatched another five seats from the ruling Labour group on a night when even fewer voters than last year bothered to turn out. Even the much-vaunted new electronic

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Super-quick start to celebrations

PNE 3 MILLWALL 2 WITH the Championship already won, Preston North End supporters packed Deepdale in a massive celebration of a great season. They sang, they chanted, they waved their scarves and their banners, they drooled at it all as North End produced

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Britain is a soft touch

THE writer J Robinson asks why Jack Straw won't send asylum seekers back home (Citizen, April 20). The answer is simple. Jack Straw is like Michael Howard before him -- all talk and no action who, when the going gets tough, passes the buck like he did

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3,000 will run for Windmill appeal

ATHLETES will join fun runners in fancy dress on Sunday (May 7) for the Beaverbrook 10k Fun Run in aid of the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. More than 3,000 competitors will take part in the run along the sea front which begins and ends at the Savoy Hotel

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Open day to help stammerers

I AM planning to organise an open day in the near future for people who suffer with a stammer. I am an ex-stammerer who has managed to overcome the problem by re-teaching myself to speak. The open day will be held locally, but first I need to assess the

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Phillip's new hope for the over 50s

WHY aren't there more businessmen like Phillip Dean? His photo lab with a turnover of £250,000 a year runs with five staff - aged 52 to 84. His policy is to employ only over 50s. He says they're reliable, don't think the grass is greener elsewhere, take

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How low can you get?

A 10-year-old girl, who had gone to post a letter, was left distressed when a teenage girl approached her, knocked her to the ground and then stole money from the 20-month-old baby she was pushing in a pram. The incident happened at about 3.30pm on Friday

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Indulge with opera

EXCESSIVE indulgence, wealth, and love -- all the ingredients which promise to make Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress a thrilling production. Performed by the English Touring Opera, the production comes to the Charter Theatre on May 16. For tickets details

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The ex-Fylde

Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy THIS is the time when I start planning my walks and take into consideration the impact of lots of visitors with the associated parking problems. This is why I chose to walk along the Blackpool beach from the airport

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Thorne draws blood from sorry Shakers

Stoke City 3 Bury 0 By STEVE BOTT at the Britannia Stadium THE gap in class between the haves and the have nots in Division Two was never more starkly highlighted than in this demoralising defeat. Bury were never going to have more than a walk-on part

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Oh! what a circus

HOW entertaining the American Circus was when it came to Burnley. The artists, whom my nephew and I enjoyed, were there of their own free will and quite happy to perform. The action-packed show was a thrill for the children and the clowns went down a

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Hottest ticket in town

DAZZLING and dramatic are just two words to describe the latest offering from Stageworks Worldwide Productions. As the smoke cleared at the start of the Hot Ice 2000 premiere on April 29, sharp-suited skaters with slick sunglasses and mobile phones moved

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Fire service answer 999 calls only

FIREFIGHTERS across East Lancashire are taking industrial action in protest at the dismissal of a recruit who was injured in training. Most fire stations were only answering emergency calls from 6pm yesterday and a crisis meeting was held between the

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Showcase for buildings

TWO of Preston's most famous landmarks are to feature in a national project -- one of the world's largest picture libraries. The Grade I listed Harris Museum and Art Gallery and a Grade II listed water fountain in Haslam Park are to be pictured and included

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Roberto's monkey marvel

HOW many old-timers remember Roberto, the Italian toffee man, and Giuseppe, his bow-tied pet monkey? The intriguing question comes from pensioner Peter Uttley, via the pen of his son, Richard, who tells me they are both avid followers of this page of

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Hospice into the millennium

ST CATHERINE'S Hospice continues to develop its services for the new millennium. Its new extension has aided therapists and considerably more patients are benefiting from its Day Care Facilities. The 'nurse-led' organisation which seeks out its own funding

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Fire courses will boost recruits

AWARENESS courses have been planned as part of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's on-going commitment to recruiting women and people from ethnic minorities. One-week courses will be held in July, August, October and November, for the target groups to

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Swapping chilly for Chile

A STUDENT is planning to swap somewhere that's chilly by nature for somewhere that's Chile by name -- and do her bit for charity to boot! Vanessa Nuttall (pictured), from Great Harwood, hopes to escape from Blighty to Chile for a holiday with a difference

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Prison drivers get medic shocker

A SHOCK scheme to steer young offenders away from joy riding was launched at Hindley Prison this week. Greater Manchester Ambulance Service's "The Way Out" will use hard hitting tactics to convey the message that stealing cars can have fatal consequences

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Hesketh toasts fantastic achievement

Lancaster City 0 Bishop Auckland 1 LANCASTER are now guaranteed to finish in a record breaking sixth place but cannot steal fifth place from Emley after this second consecutive home defeat. Manager Tony Hesketh said: "Another day, we will play worse than

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Carolyn helps young business boffins

BURY woman Carolyn Brooks has been appointed the town's business development worker by the Prince's Trust. Her new role will involve advising young people looking for support from the Trust, a national charity which provides financial and business support

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New cop on the block

THE new head of policing for Southern Division took up his post this week. Based at Leyland Police Station, Chief Superintendent Paul Harry will be responsible for the policing of Chorley, West Lancashire and South Ribble. He takes over from Andy Lincoln

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Socialists attack local politicians

ALTERNATIVES to a capitalist economy will be discussed at a public meeting at the Albert Inn, Lancaster, next Tuesday, May 9. Entitled "May Day and Anti-capitalism - What Next?" it has been organised by the Socialist Party. A spokesman said: "We wanted

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Girls set to kick into soccer action

FOOTBALL-mad girls have been given the chance to score with a new team. The Higher Folds Action Group has started to put together an over 14s girls' squad, Higher Folds United, which will play in the North West Ladies' League. The side has been formed

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Buy carefully for peat's sake . .

THIS weekend, thousands of people will make their way to the nearest garden centre, with the aim of bringing more colour into their lives. Many will pick up a bag of peat compost without thinking twice about it. Sadly, they will be helping to destroy

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Success down to the power of prayer

FORGET the hard-working players and manager -- an American woman reckons Preston North End's promotion to Division One is down to her prayer sessions! Patti, from Illinois, a deeply-religious mother-of-seven started supporting the club in 1997 after she

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Bitten by the Love Bug virus

COUNCILS and companies in East Lancashire were today trying to get their computer systems back up after being hit by the love letter virus. The virus swept through computer systems worldwide yesterday and paralysed computer networks. The virus, dubbed

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Feathers fly over 'pigeon loft' flats

ANGRY neighbours are demanding action on empty tower blocks which they today branded the "biggest pigeon lofts in Britain". Families living in Mill Hill, Blackburn, have put up with the eyesore flats since the last residents moved out more than two years

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SOCCER: Notts County v Bury preview

BURY sign off a traumatic campaign with a visit to Notts County. Shakers supporters will be disappointed indeed if the young squad are not restored for this final salvo, and whom, in the main part were rested, missing the poor performance at Stoke, following

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Sluggish start by Rainhill

RAINHILL have made a stuttering start to the season. In the Millennium Cup at Vauxhall Eastham BromboroughDominic Sparkes (31) and Peter Mercer (35) made a valiant partnership of 67 for the third wicket in Rainhill's reply to the home side's 135-6 off

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Saloon taxis are better for me

WHAT on earth are the council thinking about with their decision not to grant public hire licences to 20 saloon car drivers? I am 85 and disabled but thankfully do not need a wheelchair. I have used Bury taxi rank saloons for a long time and have always

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Lady Luck smiles on lottery winners

CLOCK Face woman, Mrs A. Kellett was in celebratory mood after winning the £2,000 jackpot in Willowbrook Hospice's lottery draw. Other big winners were Mrs M. McDonagh of Cowley Hill who won £200, Mrs F. Webster from Sutton Village who won £125, Mrs G

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Band squad could do with a little brass...

A LOCAL band are appealing to big-hearted Star readers to help them take part in an international concert in Germany The Parr (Richardsons Ltd) Brass Band has 30 male and female members of all ages and over the last year they have competed in a number

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Mystery of man's 30ft death fall

A LOCAL man has plunged to his death from the second storey of a hospital accommodation block. Mr Darren Bowen (23) was believed to be visiting friends at the nurses' quarters of Manchester Royal Infirmary when the tragedy happened. He fell around 30ft

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Speeding blitz nicks 330 drivers

RECKLESS motorists are putting the lives of Shuttleworth residents at risk. In just 15 days of monitoring, Bury's traffic police issued a staggering 330 fixed penalty tickets to drivers breaking the 30mph limit in Whalley Road. Police have revealed how

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Workers' £3.3 million jackpot joy

NINE Radcliffe factory workers have scooped an amazing £3,351, 326 on the National Lottery. The workmates from flooring company James Halstead Ltd have swapped lino for lotto and will each receive a £372,000 share of Saturday's jackpot. The syndicate

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First class post

WITH regards to Vincent Street Post Office (Letters, April 13). I doubt if there is a sub post office in St Helens where the staff are more friendly or helpful. Brian and his staff have worked hard to get this office bright and cheerful so I suggest to

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Indecent esposure

A man exposed himself and performed an indecent act in front of a 17-year-old girl. The teenager was standing in the telephone box at the junction of Waterloo Road and Poulton Street, in Ashton-on-Ribble, at around 10.20pm on Thursday, April 27. The man

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MP Audrey recovering well

PRESTON MP Audrey Wise has left hospital and is recovering well from a delicate brain operation two weeks ago. Doctors discovered that the Labour MP had a brain tumour, which they removed. Audrey is due to undergo a six-week course of radiotherapy treatment

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Health officers target butchers

PRESTON's butcher shops are being targeted by environmental health officers in a bid to highlight new regulations and an annual licensing scheme. The council's food safety unit staff are making people aware of the regulations, which deal with unwrapped

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Uni pots cash

SNOOKER star John Parrott made an appearance to congratulate the University of Central Lancashire for the success in potting a £2,000 award. He is pictured with John Greer, head of students services, and Chris Sconce, business development manager, who

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Lamb to the slaughter

CHORLEY were a shadow of the side that regularly finished in the top three in the last decade when they came to Stanley Park for their Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League match on Saturday (April 29). They surrendered meekly as they managed a meagre 123-

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Proud day for Red Rose

RED Rose Martial Arts new training centre was officially opened by Lancaster's Mayor Sybil Rostron at the weekend. The club, which has been based in the area for 34 years, now boasts two training halls, a viewing area and changing rooms. The Mayor and

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Help for taxpayers

TAXPAYERS in Bury can look forward to less stressful dealings with the Inland Revenue. It's thanks to a new scheme agreed with chartered accountants and the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Called "Working Together," the scheme will provide a more co-operative

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District losing out in Lottery awards survey

LANCASTER and district are net losers in the National Lottery stakes, a new survey has revealed. People in the district have spent £40.4 million on lottery tickets over the last five years but the area has received just £16.8 million in local awards.

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Sweet revenge for A&T riders

THERE was sweet revenge for Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway on Sunday. They opened their Midlands/North Division Two campaign with a dramatic one-point defeat (75-74) of Sandwell -- the Midlands team that edged them out of the title last season.

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Anyone seen Bobby?

A LOCAL man is calling on Star readers to help him track down his pedigree pet dog, which vanished from his back garden last month. Bobby, the nine month old black labrador, actually belongs to four year old David Moore but his dad, Dave, fears the family

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Chamber helps to cut costs

COMPANIES throughout Merseyside could make substantial savings in the running of costs of their businesses thanks to a Merseyside Consortia Purchasing initiative launched by St Helens Chamber of Commerce in co-operation with a number of the area's 'blue

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Kiddies' fond farewell to their brilliant Barbara

YOUNGSTERS at Longton Lane Primary School, Rainhill, have bid a fond farewell to 'lollipop lady', Barbara Gains. The 57-year-old grandmother from Sandhurst Road, Rainhill, has retired after 26 years of seeing pupils safely across the road -- a 'career

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Brave Jenny's Olympic dream

DESPITE having her leg amputated as a baby, courageous teenager Jenny Hill has always led an active life -- so her latest ambition to take part in the Para-Olympics is no surprise. The determined 15-year-old, of Meadow Way, Bacup, is already planning

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Children join the Council workers

COUNCIL staff are lending a helping hand to children in care -- by letting them go to work at their offices. The Teenagers to Work initiative involves taking school leavers who have little or no contact with their parents and giving them a chance to work

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LOCAL CRICKET: Henderson backs team

EAST Lancs pro Claude Henderson has backed his batsmen to put their season back on track. Last season's runners-up suffered a disastrous weekend, bowled out for just 88 and 78 against Bacup and Colne respectively. But the South African slow left-armer

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An inspiring day

ON GOOD Friday I took the chance with many others after a very wet day to follow the Way of the Cross in Blackpool. May I thank all the participants for spending hours of their time for months rehearsing and planning this event. It must have been a very

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Golfers tie for honours

GRANGE Park's first major competition of the season, the Spring Meeting, was contested by over 100 golfers over the two days - but remains unresolved after a tie between Gary Frodsham and Danny Marsh. Alan Grocott (84-15-69) and Dave Chisel (80-11-69)

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We had to go to war

I SIMPLY cannot allow the ridiculous letter from Mr. W. Soley of Cleveleys to pass unanswered. It is arrant nonsense to suggest that if Britain had not interfered in Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, that there would have been no World War. Hitler

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New bid to beat violence

LICENSEES in Blackpool have vowed to eliminate town centre violence and unruly behaviour once and for all, the Citizen can disclose. In the last fortnight a number of meeetings have been held attended by licensees, and representatives of the police and

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What is reasonable force?

WILLIAM Hague is absolutely right, we do need the law on self-defence to be clarified. Anyone who doubts it need only reflect on the recent case in which a father was prosecuted for defending himself and his 14-year-old daughter from a mob of 60 teenagers

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We're Europe's pension losers

MARGARET Broderick (Your Letters, Apr 18) talks about the £7 billion the Government is giving the pensioners over the course of this Parliament. This is insignificant compared with the loss the pensioners have suffered in the years since the link between

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True intentions are concealed

AT first glance, a part of Councillor Dave Smith's comments (Letters, April 27) makes no sense whatsoever -- he states that Blackburn with Darwen Council's proposed cabinet "will only be able to make recommendations to a public, all-party, committee meeting

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Meet the young Clown Prince

ROLL UP, roll up they most certainly will. For Blackpool Tower Circus which opened its season last week is a tip-top feast of entertainment, as stunning a show as you are likely to see under any big top. It's certainly got the lot -- acrobats aplenty,

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Arthur's king of the organ

WHEN Arthur Smith became organist at Christ Church, Walmersley, King George V was on the throne, Bury Town Hall had yet to be built and trams trundled the streets. That was 1935 and six-and-a-half decades years later, Arthur is still playing! He plays

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Pendle election results

BARROWFORD T Beckett (Con) ...813M Simpson (Lib Dem) ...691 R Oliver (Lab) ...286 Majority ...122 Con gain Turnout: 37.6% BOULSWORTH J Belbin (Lib Dem)* ...757 H Ryder (Con) ...304 B Parsons (Lab) ...287 Majority ...453 No change Turnout: 32% BRADLEY

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Tractor stolen

A Mitsubishi MT 160D compact tractor and orange rotovator were stolen from a garden nursery. The theft happened in Town Lane, Much Hoole, during the night of Sunday, April 23. Police believe the tractor and rotovator -- valued at more than £10,000 --

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Dyslexia - a life changing lecture

IN the move to make Wigan a dyslexia friendly borough -- a campaign started by Leigh businesswoman Shirley Longley -- an exhibition and lecture has been organised for next Tuesday. Entitled "Dyslexia the Gift", the guest speaker will be Judy Capener,

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New cash to study busway scheme

PUBLIC transport chiefs have earmarked £250,000 to further their busway plans. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has initially allocated the cash in pursuit of permission for its Leigh-Tyldesley-Manchester guided busway scheme. Members

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Hi-tech help is on hand

A FORMER personal assistant to the managing director of a Bury paints factory is now helping businesses brush up on their hi-tech skills. Sue Warburton has been appointed information technology adviser by Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Link. Bury-based

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Blackpool local election results:

Turnout Avg 28.9% (Highest 38.7% in Squires Gate Ward -- Lowest 19% Park Ward). Labour Seats - 24 (-8) Conservative Seats - 16 (+9) Liberal Democrats - 4 (0) Independent - 0 (-1) BRUNSWICK WARD Turnout 20.9% Bancroft, George Reinald (Lab) - 619 Bradburn

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Rainford held up

RAINFORD CC's season finally got under way on Saturday in a rain-delayed game at Croston. Skipper Ste Harrison elected to bat and saw his side rattle up an impressive 175-2 with Robinson (77), Calland (43) and Cook (35) all turning in useful performances

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Felgate's a man for all seasons

DAVE FELGATE has beaten 'em all this season -- including Old Father Time. Leigh RMI's golden goalkeeper is a spritely 40. And going strong. Just like RMI! The new Unibond Premier League champions brought the home curtain down on the club's most successful

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Solving couples' problems no longer a squeeze

COUPLES experiencing relationship problems will have a new home from home. Bury Relate, the former Marriage Guidance Council, is set to move to new premises after securing a grant of £80,000 from the National Lottery. The counselling service, which caters

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Golden Brown

MIGHTY Manc Ian Brown arrived on stage to greet a sea of up-for-it fans eager to sample his raw sound. He launched straight into My Star and the crowd were stomping and swaying in appreciation. A string of tunes from both solo albums, Unfinished Monkey

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Fighter project is shaping up

THE Joint Strike Fighter project has moved a step forward with a transatlantic delivery. For the past two years engineers at BAE Systems at Samlesbury have been working on a component which demonstrates how the rear of the fighter will marry up to the

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'JACKO' NOT ON PREECE'S LIST

By STEVE BOTT BURY boss Andy Preece has denied showing any interest in Nationwide Conference leading scorer Justin Jackson. The Morecambe hitman has scored 28 goals this season to lift the Shrimps into third place in the table, their highest-ever position

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Tribute donations will help sick boy

THE memory of popular warehouse worker Raymond Kay, who died suddenly, will live on through a nebuliser that has been bought as a tribute. Colleagues at Crown Wallcoverings and Home Furnishings, Darwen, clubbed together to buy the equipment for the children's

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£20,000 grant disgusts me

I AM disgusted at the suggestion that deaf footballers are (a) an under-acknowledged sport and (b) worthy of a £20,000 grant to investigate the matter (Citizen, April 20). As researcher Martin Allerton acknowledges, being deaf or hard of hearing doesn't

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Blackpool here we come...

BLACKPOOL is getting ready for the latest WAVE of girl power as chart toppers Madasun confirm they can't wait to be part of the hottest gig of the year -- the Wave Weekender on May 27 and 28 courtesy of the Wave 96.5 and your super Citizen. With debut

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Sad finale for Cables

Prescot Cables 1 Glossop North End 2 THIS was a disappointing end to a season that was turned around after a disastrous opening by the appointment of Tommy Lawson as manager in mid-September. Prescot should have been 3-0 up in the opening 15 minutes.

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The voters tell Labour 'We are in charge'

NO MATTER that there are lots of consoling factors that Labour can draw on after a bad night at the polls -- such as low turn-outs favouring their opponents, the upset being a classic case of a government suffering a dose of mid-term blues, and council

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Spirit is willing as Lions slip to defeat

NORTHERN FORD PREMIERSHIP Featherstone Rovers 28 Swinton Lions 14: By IAN RIGG THE Lions have not won at Featherstone since the early 1960s, but they did put up a spirited performance on Monday night. Paul Loughlin got the Lions first try after after

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Today's the day

1865: Ohio in America was the location for the world's first train robbery. The bandits derailed the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad engine and looted the express car and stole cash from the male passengers. 1945: The Germans had their last U-boat success

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This week in 1975 25 years ago

VICTORY: Following their landslide victory in the local elections, the Conservatives announced plans to lead every council committee and sub-committee of Bury Council. The then Tory group leader, Councillor Albert Little, explained: "The question of offering

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Benefits in poll tax

COUNCIL tax is clearly unfair, as many people use local services without making any contribution to them. Poll tax is much more equitable and my opinion is that if, when it was introduced, local authorities had been limited to raising the bill for each

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New lease of life for old convent

HISTORY watchdogs fear convent homes will ruin the setting of an imposing Victorian building. But planners have this week given the go-ahead for 10 apartments at the three storey Holly Bank, originally built as a pair of semis in 1873 in Leigh's Orchard

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Breath of fresh air from Ben

OTHER people's air can get right up your nose. And if you're the sort of person who's happy to shell out for "poncey water", bug-ridden yoghurt and teeth-cracking muesli, then designer air is just the next step. Or so master raconteur Ben Elton believes

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Tearful goodbye as factory shuts

THE beer flowed and so did the tears as staff from Bentwood Brothers staged an "end of an era" party. Around half of the 108 staff gathered at Heap Bridge Workingmen's Club as they clocked off for the last time following the company's decision to shut

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Jesus film celebration

LOCAL churches are going head to head with an American psychopath and the escapades of two hormonal teenagers, in an attempt to increase awareness of the life of Jesus. More than 20 churches banded together to persuade the UCI cinema to show a 92-minute

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Starting with a bang

MORECAMBE, Lancaster and the Lune Valley all enjoyed an unprecedented start to the new tourist season. A combination of fine weather and a late Easter merging into the May Day weekend has helped create the good start. The whole of April proved to be consistently

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Benny Hill-type chase over fanzine

THE people behind a new North End fanzine have blasted the club -- for treating them like criminals. The cheeky chaps behind Life in a Northern Town have revealed that stewards at North End's celebrations at the Millwall match chased them away from the

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Sunny side up with mill saving

AN Atherton green group has welcomed news that the semi-derelict Victoria Mill is to be revamped. Chairman of the voluntary Atherton Environmental Projects, Derek Bullock, is delighted that the Bolton Road factory site has a brighter future. Now the group

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Cannon and Ball lead revival for church of 2000

TOP comedy duo Cannon and Ball will have them rolling in the aisles. Go-ahead Atherton Revival Church has hired a big hall to pack in the fans of braces-twanging funnyman Bobby Ball. Bobby (pictured) will be at King's Park at Atherleigh from 7.30pm on

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Council has still not replied

I NOTICED in this week's Citizen that you inquired about people who'd asked for information from the council but to no avail. I wrote to environmental services department about the travellers parked in the middle of Salt Ayre sports fields, asking what

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Fleetwood team sing Ali-lujah

A MAGNIFICENT century followed by two timely wickets by Fleetwood's Indian professional Abbas Ali earned the home side an exciting victory over Lancaster at Broadwater on Monday (May 1). Ali scored 105 out of the 177 total and then struck with the ball

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Dolly Blues crush Blyth spirit

Blyth Spartans 0 Lancaster City 2 A UNSAVOURY incident minutes from time marred this fantastic victory as City kept on the pressure to stay in the top six. Player/manager Willie Moat appeared to have bitten Dean Martin's finger and, as a result, Moat

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New look for trade estate

A POPULAR trading estate is to undergo a £250,000 "facelift". The cash has come courtesy of the North West Development Agency and the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) as part of the business investment programme run by Bury Business Environment Association

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Cutting through red tape

A NEW lobby group for the Fylde coast has been set up to help disabled and blind people get more involved with sports and leisure pursuits. The Disability Leisure Forum was formed following the success of the disability leisure sports club which meets

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Andrew gets in the driving seat

A DISABLED learner driver is swapping his wheelchair for something a little nippier after getting a perfect score in his driving theory test. Bispham-based Andrew Brammer, 34, can now move on to learning to drive a specially adapted car and join the ranks

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Hole i'th wall blues!

BANK holiday day-trippers were left out of pocket when a town centre cash machine started under paying users. The hole-in-the-wall at Yorkshire Bank, in Abingdon Street, Blackpool, was dispensing sometimes as little as half the amount requested by card

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Club sails to the future

A THRIVING club has cast off its last link with its parent company. Last month saw the end of an era for the Pilkington Sailing Club when the one remaining member still employed by the glass company, officially retired. However, with 100 plus members

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Oasis needs your help

I WORK on behalf of the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis in Cumbria. The Oasis has been in operation for eight years, promoting awareness of endangered species and carrying out various research and development projects. Offering an interactive environment, the

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Duty Chemists

Sunday chemists (May 7): Blackpool: Boots, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, 10.30-4.30pm; Co-op Pharmacy, Cherry Tree Road, Marton, 10-4pm; Moss Chemist, Morrisons, Squires Gate Lane, 10-4pm; Peel St Pharmacy, 110 Talbot Rd, 10-4pm; Superdrug, Hounds Hill Centre

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Busy Asians 'missing out'

ASIAN businessmen in East Lancashire are too busy to seek out the government support available to them. Blackburn's newest peer, Lord Patel, raised their problems in his maiden speech at Westminster. And he won a promise from Industry Minister Lord Sainsbury

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One for the record books

St Helens Town 1 Vauxhall Motors 0 THE sun eventually shone, the newly crowned champions were defeated and who else but Steve Pennington scored the last goal at Hoghton Road to earn a place in local history as Town bade farewell to their base after 54

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Chairman is well worth the money

I WRITE in reply to "Loyal Bury Fan" (Your Letters, May 2). Being a shareholder of Bury Football Club I must make the point that while "Loyal Bury Fan" is quite right that the latest club accounts do record that Mr Robinson earned £50,000, the writer

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Sweeping orchestra for the Gladiator

FRIENDS, Romans, countrymen -- hail the thunderous soundtrack to Ridley Scott's eagerly awaited epic, Gladiator, comes out this month. The soundtrack is scored by Academy Award winning composer of The Lion King Hans Zimmer and musician/composer Lisa Gerrard

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Assassins' anniversary showdown

THE year 2000 marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of Bury RUFC in 1875 and the 50th anniversary of the founding of Anti Assassins RUFC in 1950. Ever since the AAs were founded there have been very strong links between the two clubs and these links