Archive

  • East Lancs events November 3

    International Food Eating Evening, St Alban's Social Centre, Larkhill, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Jack Straw MP Advice Service, Mill Hill Community Centre, New Chapel Street, 4pm-5pm; Little Harwood Community Centre, Whalley Old Road, 5.30pm-6.30pm, both Blackburn

  • Parents must back truancy crackdown

    A SCHEME aimed at getting truants off the streets is good news all round. It was pioneered in Blackburn with Darwen during the summer and Hyndburn will be the first district under Lancashire County Council's authority to employ "hit squads." Police will

  • Police 'forced into retirement'

    POLICE force bosses today denied claims by a long-serving officer who said he and colleagues were effectively being forced to take sick leave from Lancashire Constabulary because of shoddy treatment. In September Chief Constable Pauline Clare (pictured

  • The rights and wrongs of English sport

    RIGHT: The English FA's decision to appoint Sven Goran Eriksson. Having clearly decided that Roy Hodgson's record did not stand up to scrutiny, Adam Crozier and Co were correct in ignoring the narrow-minded and insular rantings of the pro-English brigade

  • Experiments: No defence

    EXPERIMENTS on animals are indefensible as they lack any scientific reliability in regard to humans. Animals suffer different diseases to us and artificial diseases induced in them are not the same as suffered by people in real life. No independent observer

  • Forces driven by poverty

    IF the truth be known the Remembrance Day ceremony is little more than an exercise in hypocrisy. Crocodile tears will be shed for the men, women and children who lost their lives in the world wars. These victims did not give their lives for their country

  • Power of secrecy

    THE low return to the police questionnaire by freemasons (LET, October 27) reflects the Police Federation vote in the mid-1990s, when a motion put forward at their AGM that masons should reveal their membership, was voted against by a proportion of 40

  • A load of blarney

    SO Tony Cascarino isn't Irish after all. But then who has been since the Republic's rise to prominence as a major footballing force? John Aldridge, Ray Houghton, Andy Townsend, Mick McCarthy? The difference is they all had a drop of Irish blood in them

  • Councillor bomb attack horror

    A COUNCILLOR told today of the terrifying moment she saw her family almost killed in a bomb attack -- on the TV news. Blackburn with Darwen councillor Karimeh Foster watched in horror as footage was shown of her cousin Samir Nazal and his children under

  • Elderly warned about bogus callers

    OLD folk have been warned to take extra care when letting people into their homes after two elderly women fell victim to a bogus caller. Police say householders should check identification and, if they're still not sure, close the door and call officers

  • Flight of fantasy!

    A HALTON man has issued a warning to other travellers after he was booked onto a flight that didn't exist! Martin Shackleton booked a flight from Blackpool to Dublin with Comed Aviation which left much earlier than stated - giving him just five minutes

  • Glimmer of hope for homeless group

    THE search for somewhere to house the homeless this Christmas continues - but there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. Lancaster University has not ruled out offering a venue for the homeless over the festive season. Following a suggestion from

  • Ripping yarns to mark the witching season

    A NIGHTMARE love story set in the foggy underworld of Jack the Ripper's London will send a shiver down the spine at Lancaster's Dukes Theatre this weekend. With the dark nights setting in, artistic director Ian Hastings has dusted off a little-known script

  • Three maroons to signal start of silence

    THREE maroons which can be heard up to three miles away will signal the start of a two-minute silence in Pendle in memory of war victims. Pendle Council is again supporting the Royal British Legion's campaign for two minutes silence by firing the maroons

  • Fan makes real smash

    "ACE!" -- That's what tennis mad Jessica Ashworth said when she found out she had been named the North West's biggest tennis fan. Jessica smashed the competition and "court" the top prize of £250 of tennis lessons -- and now she is in with a chance of

  • Chemists on weekend duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, November 5, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Longster's Pharmacy, 578 Warrington Road, Rainhill; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to -8pm

  • Pub-goers fall under a spell

    DRINKERS at a pub in Colne believed they were famous pop stars and took to talking to inanimate objects -- but this time it was not the alcohol talking. The ten customers at the Shepherds Arms pub, in Church Street, were under the hypnotic spell of Colne

  • Site for your eyes

    THIS IS LANCASHIRE, the region's leading information web site brought to you by Newsquest publishers of The Citizen, has set a new record. The site handled more than three quarters of a million requests for information during October the highest total

  • Crackdown on sleaze

    IN A crackdown on sleaze -- first highlighted by The Citizen four months ago --a Blackpool Council officer went undercover to investigate a bar and a club on the Promenade. And what he saw at The Boardwalk bar and Palace nightclub is the subject of a

  • Jayne jumps at chance

    DESPITE her fear of heights, Clitheroe's Jayne Parrington is to do a sky-dive dressed as Miss Santa Claus in aid of charity. She will plunge from an aeroplane three miles above Lancaster strapped to a parachute instructor in aid of the Kenneth MacMillan

  • Forecasters warn of more downpours

    FLOOD-HIT homeowners across East Lancashire were told today to brace themselves for more heavy rain as weather forecasters warned the worst is yet to come. People spent another night anxiously watching river levels rise as more than half a month's rain

  • Teacher's attack was 'madness'

    CLITHEROE Grammar School physics teacher Eric John Cawley bit and slapped his partner during what he described as "30 seconds of madness." Blackburn magistrates heard that Cawley had been drinking before the incident and defence solicitor Stephen Barker

  • Weathering the storm

    HOW did you enjoy your trip to work on Monday? Mine was the best part of three hours, thanks to snow and floods. Anyway, you can always check if more is on the way with our Lancashire online weather forecast on This is Lancashire, or you can have a look

  • Losses on the board

    THE new season started with a defeat for Lytham Chess Club first team with Morecambe beating them in Division A by 3-2. Lytham were missing five of their squad and recalled David Dawber for his first senior game in more than four years -- this ending

  • Wasps off to a flyer

    BLACKPOOL'S West Coast Wasps are proving just as good with a puck as they are with the ball. After winning the Canadian imports Puck Tournament at the Telewest arena, the West Coast SHC has entered three teams into the Greater Manchester inline Hockey

  • Great weekend for Thornton

    THORNTON CLEVELEYS SHARKS U9s 1 WYRE JUNIORS A 1 DESPITE the heavy going it was a well fought match with the Sharks missing some early opportunities. Wyre scored in the first half against Matthew Chippendale who was felling the cold. The second half was

  • Scott beats the gales

    Mike Scott from Border Harriers was a clear winner in the first ever Lancaster Bridges 10k on Sunday 29th October. In extremely difficult windy conditions, he finished more than a minute clear of his club colleague Steve Murdoch, in a time of 33.05. Third

  • Red Square contact sport

    ONE thing I never expected to be doing in my role as the Citizen's sports editor was interviewing the Russian international rugby league team. But I had the great pleasure of meeting stars Andrei Olari and Ian Rubin at their base in Lancaster last week

  • Promotion zone now beckons

    A PLAY-OFF position could be attained by Blackpool if they beat Shrewsbury Town at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. Pool's four match winning run has seen them storm up to tenth position in the league table just three points from a play-off position. The

  • D-day looms for Robinson

    PAUL Robinson is facing decision time on his short-term Burnley future next week. The on-loan Wimbledon striker is yet to start a game for the in-form Clarets and his first month's stay at Turf Moor expires a few days after Saturday's trip to West Bromwich

  • Trolley good way to help charity

    THE ASDA store in Blackpool had a really cool idea recently to raise money for charity -- a portable ice skating rink! The rink was set up to raise funds for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal and manager Terry Reid enlisted the help of Olympic skaters Zoe

  • Newsquest bid gets go-ahead

    STEPHEN Byers, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, yesterday agreed clearance for Newsquest Media Group (Gannett), owners of The Citizen titles, to go ahead with their bid for Regional Independent Media Holdings Ltd (RIM). Johnston Press plc and

  • Police tell of complaints from public

    LANCASHIRE Police have also provided documentary evidence to Blackpool Council about complaints from the public about the Boardwalk bar. In a letter to the Committee, police say they have received a number of complaints regarding the conduct of the premies

  • D-day looms for Robinson

    PAUL Robinson is facing decision time on his short-term Burnley future next week. The on-loan Wimbledon striker is yet to start a game for the in-form Clarets and his first month's stay at Turf Moor expires a few days after Saturday's trip to West Bromwich

  • Extra safety call for cash point

    A COUNCILLOR has called for extra safety measures at a town centre cash point, following an assault on an off-duty policeman. Liberal Democrat leader Paul Browne said he has feared such an attack for some time because the cash point is in such a secluded

  • Concert date

    Haslingden and Helmshore branches of the Royal British Legion will hold a concertto commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The concert will be in the Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall on Friday, November 10 from 7pm. It will feature Goodshaw

  • Recipe: Bonfire Cake

    Bonfire Cake (Makes10-12 slices) SPONGE 175g (7oz) Self-raising flour 175g (7oz) caster sugar 175g (7oz) soft margarine 3 eggs, size 3, beaten 1 orange, grated rind and juice 15ml/1tbsp cocoa powder, sieved TO FINISH 75g (3oz) butter, softened 225g (9oz

  • Curtain up for the 70th year

    MARTON Operatic Society will be putting in a platinum performance this month as they celebrate 70 sensational years on stage. A double bill of Gilbert and Sullivan will be on stage at St Paul's Parish Hall and a lucky Citizen reader can enjoy the fun

  • Work to begin on rail cracks

    IN THE wake of the recent Hatfield rail tragedy, Railtrack has announced they are to undertake a programme of extensive track renewals in the North West so that precautionary speed restrictions can be lifted. Following the disaster two weeks ago -- caused

  • Danger - rogues at work!

    A BLACKPOOL pensioner is warning people to be on their guard after rogue builders targeted homes in the Norbreck and Cleveleys area The woman, who is in her eighties, feels too embarrassed to be named after she paid more than £1,000 to a firm calling

  • Batten down the hatches!

    WHILE storms and torrential rain continue to batter the Fylde coast, the Met Office has issued a warning that conditions will continue to worsen before they improve. The deluge of rain that has hit the area over the last week (October 26-November 2) has

  • A rocket for shopkeepers

    SHOPS in Lancashire have sold fireworks to children it was revealed in an undercover survey. In an undercover exercise using volunteer shoppers aged 13-15 years, Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards department found that nine out of 46 shops

  • The misery goes on

    THERE was more flood misery this week for residents as torrential rain and winds battered the Fylde Coast. Teachers and pupils at Grange Park County Primary and Christ the King RC Primary on Grange Park and Manor Beach County Primary in Cleveleys returned

  • Pub boss bound, gagged in raid

    TWO men stole the takings from the Halfway House Hotel at Squires Gate after gagging and tying up the manager. The men gained access to the pub through a first floor window at around 11.45pm on October 21. While the manager was counting the takings they

  • Track tests after rail crash

    HUNDREDS of yards of rail track throughout East Lancashire have had "visual tests" following the Hatfield disaster. And more than 100 sites in the North West and North Wales are to receive sonar tests within the next week. Railtrack today said all 2,700

  • Show and tell for school bosses

    EDUCATION chiefs from Blackburn with Darwen say they are looking forward to helping an ailing education authority which had been damned by inspectors. The aim is for Blackburn with Darwen Council is to share the keys to its success with Rochdale education

  • Councillor bomb attack horror

    A COUNCILLOR told today of the terrifying moment she saw her family almost killed in a bomb attack -- on the TV news. Blackburn with Darwen councillor Karimeh Foster watched in horror as footage was shown of her cousin Samir Nazal and his children under

  • Infant class sizes - targets smashed

    EDUCATION chiefs have revealed every infant class in East Lancashire has fewer than 30 pupils for the first time. Education and employment secretary David Blunkett joined education chiefs in Blackburn with Darwen and across Lancashire in welcoming the

  • Cricket: Angel is available

    FORMER Burnley professional Jo Angel is looking for a return to league cricket next summer. The 32-year-old Australian pace bowler, who took 115 league wickets and scored 629 runs in his two seasons as paid man at Turf Moor in 1993 and 94, is on the look-out

  • Is Diallo ready to join?

    PRESTON are still remaining tight-lipped regarding the latest rumour circulating around the club -- that of the signing of Ivory Coast international Hamed Diallo who has been put on the transfer books by the second-string French side Le Havre. Recent

  • Crackdown on sleaze

    IN A crackdown on sleaze -- first highlighted by The Citizen four months ago --a Blackpool Council officer went undercover to investigate a bar and a club on the Promenade. And what he saw at The Boardwalk bar and Palace nightclub is the subject of a

  • Point was missed

    MR Sedgwick (Letters, October 31) either misunderstood or chose to ignore the two points I was trying to make in my previous letter. Firstly, I was protesting against his assumption that, as people grow older, they become less intelligent. This simply

  • Dangers out in the wild

    A PARTY of young people got into difficulties while walking in a wild, rugged area of Derbyshire. They were accompanied by adults who carried a mobile phone. But what use is a mobile phone if you find yourself on a mountainside in heavy rain and mist

  • Teachers responsible

    I FEEL compelled to reply to Jan Alcock's comments that "teachers have enough to do without being expected to be paramedics as well " (Letters, October 25). I am a teacher as well as being the mother of an 11-year-old boy who was diagnosed with diabetes

  • Estate drug raids

    POLICE today raided homes of suspected drug dealers as a major operation to clean up a housing estate swung into action. Officers wearing body armour used battering rams to break down the doors of six homes in Airdrie Crescent and neighbouring Melrose

  • Carsley in Everton link

    ROVERS midfielder Lee Carsley has been linked with a move to Everton. Walter Smith is currently desperate for midfield cover and, according to reports, he is set to revive his interest in Carsley. However, Rovers have not been contacted by anyone from

  • Scandanavian scan trip

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is tracking a couple of Scandinavian targets in a bid to beef-up his play-off chasing squad. Ewood chief Souness flew to Norway on Sunday to watch a couple of players in action in the Norwegian Cup final, which featured Egil

  • Lighting up the weekend sky

    The annual firework spectacular and beacon lighting will be held at Castle Hill on Saturday night. This year there are themed events throughout the day including musical recitals, guided tours, guided walks, illustrated talks, and a rare opportunity to

  • Teenager must stay away

    LANCASTER police have obtained an anti-social behaviour order banning a local youth from entering the Ryelands Estate for two years. Lancaster Magistrates made the order on Monday against 17-year-old Brian Lee Corless of Lyth Road, Lancaster. The court

  • Manageress caught drink driving

    THE manageress of a Burnley restaurant who was found to be over the drink drive limit has paid the price with a 12 months driving ban. The town's magistrates heard how Carole Gentile, 28, had had two glasses of wine during a 12-hour shift at Valentinos

  • Man attempts to abduct schoolgirl

    A MAN grabbed an 11-year-old girl and tried to abduct her on Tuesday evening. The girl was playing on the cyclepath between Vicarage Field and Long Marsh Lane in Lancaster when she wondered some distance from her brother. At 4.50pm she was approached

  • Estate drug raids

    POLICE today raided homes of suspected drug dealers as a major operation to clean up a housing estate swung into action. Officers wearing body armour used battering rams to break down the doors of six homes in Airdrie Crescent and neighbouring Melrose

  • Bus station delay

    FEARS of upsetting the Christmas trade have delayed the opening of Lancaster's new city centre bus station. Contractors Piningtons asked the council to close New Road and Damside Street for two weeks so that they could carry out vital work to enable the

  • Trouble over bridged water

    A Lancaster artist will unveil an exhibition of paintings depicting bridges across the River Lune next week. But there's one bridge that won't be captured on canvas by painter Geoff Woodhead. Geoff's exhibition Bridges Across the Lune features 22 paintings

  • MP claims bypass is a green measure

    THE House of Commons has heard that the proposed Western Bypass is a "green measure" that would "significantly improve Lancaster's environment." That claim was made by Hilton Dawson following an impassioned plea for the link road by Geraldine Smith during

  • Russian around!

    A RED army of Rugby League stars rolled into Lancaster last week as the Russian national team prepared for their first crack at World Cup glory. The players, a mixture of home-grown Russians and Australian professionals with Russian ancestry, are using

  • Warriors lose out in dying seconds

    WARRIORS played away at Haydock and in windy conditions lost 24-18. But they were well in with a shout until the final minutes. The Warriors were victims of their own mistakes. Too many unforced errors and missed tackles in the first half let Haydock

  • John's in for the count

    FORMER Preston fireman John Dobbs is no stranger to head counts, but next year he will lead one for the whole of Central Lancashire. John, from Fulwood, has been selected to lead the region's part in next year's census, a position he took up the day after

  • Elected with backing of PM

    AS MPs deliberated over a new Speaker for the House of Commons, the political spotlight fell on Chorley where an election took place to another parliament -- personally endorsed by the Prime Minister. The Woodlands Centre, Southport Road, was the venue

  • CD row breaks out

    A ROW has broken out over a charity CD featuring Preston North End players because the on-site shop is not selling it. The CD, which has been recorded by a group of musicians and North End fans with the help of local performer Tony Slater, aims to raise

  • Diwali delight

    BRIGHT colours abounded when the Gujarat Hindu Society celebrated Diwali at its new community centre and temple in Preston. Diwali, the festival of light, is the Hindu new year and this year's festival was extra special as it was held in the purpose-built

  • Five years ago: dream holiday

    SCHOOLGIRL Rachel Grierson landed her family the holiday of a lifetime after coming first in a national prize draw. Rachel, 13, from Accrington, won the holiday to California after entering a competition on Nickleodeon's children's channel .

  • Ten years ago: petrol bomb terror

    A DISABLED man who had already had three heart attacks tried to beat out flames with his slipper after a petrol bomb was hurled through his front door. Peter Walsh, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, suffered from angina and was in bed when the arsonists

  • Burglar struck while on bail

    A MAN who was one of a group who ransacked a woman's home has been jailed for 18 months. Burnley Crown Court heard how Matthew Grist, 20, was on licence from custody at the time but a judge said he would not order him to serve the unexpired portion of

  • Girl put fear into teachers

    A SCHOOLGIRL has pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening and abusive behaviour which, a court was told, left her teacher 'shaking with fear.' Hyndburn Youth Court was told the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, walked into a classroom

  • 'Hit squads' will target truants

    TRUANTS in Hyndburn face being plucked off the streets and returned to the classroom after the council became the first in Lancashire to adopt a scheme pioneered in Blackburn and praised by Jack Straw. Police will accompany officials from the education

  • Pick of the flicks

    I LOVE the movies, and I always endeavour to be sitting comfortably on the back row with my best girl by my side, with the Nachos and dustbin full of fizzy drink at the ready in time for the trailers. Because, the trailers are often as good if not better

  • Oh yes they have...

    OSSIE am-dram stalwarts St Mary's Pantomime Group have got their own website (Reader: "Oh no they haven't!"; Me: "Oh yes they have!" etc etc) Anyway, the site features loads of pictures and information about recent productions, and other activities, together

  • Counting on Bill's Money

    REGULAR readers will doubtless be aware that I am a Macintosh man through and through, and eschew the Machiavellian workings of that corporation in Seattle and its boss William Gates esq. But Microsoft has come up with some new software which uses the

  • Ladies shine in the rain

    Lytham Ladies 1st XI 5 Darwen XI 1 PLAYING in atrocious conditions at Lytham St Annes High School, Lytham ran out easy winners against an understrength Darwen side. Good attacking play on the left wing led to a first goal from Lian Atkinson, shortly followed

  • Rossall Results

    IN Division A of the Rossall Monday Sixes, Fleetwood Flyers take over at the top after thrashing The Buzzards 10-0 with goals from Williamson, Thomson, Johnston (2), Zak (3), Wilson (2) and Burman while last week's leaders Blackpool Area Divers drop to

  • Hopeful signs for Lytham

    Lytham1st XI 2 Leeds 4 IN a match that was always going to be competitive and physical Lytham St Annes gave themselves an uphill struggle by conceding an early goal. However they replied shortly after when Dave Robbins struck the ball home from the top

  • YMCA shine through the rain

    YMCA A U10s 10 KIRKHAM JFC A 0 YMCA B U10s 3 KIRKHAM JFC B 1 YMCA went to the top of the league by clinching maximum points from these encounters. In the A game driving rain didn't deter YMCA at all and they were in full control throughout. Rob Summers

  • POLICE PURGE ON BOOZE THUGS

    LANCASTER Police have vowed to crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence in the city centre before it tarnishes the city's reputation. Shocking new statistics reveal that more than 70 per cent of violent assaults in the city centre occur at the weekends

  • It just gets better for Pool

    Cheltenham 0 Blackpool 1 FOUR wins in four games leaves Blackpool just three points off a play-off place. Who would have thought it two weeks ago when Pool were in crisis lying near the bottom? Ian Hughes was back for Phil Thompson in a five man defence

  • Morecambe progress in cup

    Bedlington Terriers 1 Morecambe 3 BATTLING Morecambe recovered from the shock of an early goal to fight their way into the first round of the FA Cup. A trip into the unknown in the North East always looked a potential stumbling block for the Shrimps hopes

  • Christmas 'Lights' saved by nightclub

    A POULTON nightclub owner has stepped in to add that extra spark to this year's threatened Christmas lights. Paul Mellor of The Hub nightspot has joined previous Good Samaritans Elletson Publishing and brokered a deal with Wyre councillor Harry Taylor

  • Witch ways!

    STRANGE goings at the Judges' Lodgings brought magic and mysticism to the old rooms last weekend. Witches potions were handed out to trainee ghouls and goblins as lights flickered through the teeth of pumpkins in the windows, and even a descendent of

  • When the tuft gets going ...

    EAST Lancashire industry can still perform on the world stage, as demonstrated by Blackburn-based Cavalier Carpets, the firm which won a £400,000 contract to roll out the red carpet in a top Washington DC hotel. We hear so much about the industrial triumphs

  • A recipe for future culinary disaster

    IF top chef Paul Heathcote is right, future generations are going to sit down to some pretty dreadful fare. He claims that our schools are producing a generation of youngsters who can't cook. He and his colleagues in posh nosh kitchens around the land

  • Give the estate residents a break!

    THE people who live on the down-at-heel Within Grove Estate in Huncoat can be forgiven for thinking they have been forgotten. The environment in which they live is an absolute disgrace. Dozens of empty, rotting houses are boarded up, criminals and vandals

  • Scandanavian scan trip

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is tracking a couple of Scandinavian targets in a bid to beef-up his play-off chasing squad. Ewood chief Souness flew to Norway on Sunday to watch a couple of players in action in the Norwegian Cup final, which featured Egil

  • Unlucky Hoppers rue missed chances

    Bracknell 28, Preston Grasshoppers 7 HOPPERS had their chances during this game and were perhaps unlucky to lose by such a margin. But it was Bracknell who made the most of their chances to score points leaving Hoppers wondering what might have been.

  • 40 new jobs

    BUSINESS peer Lord Adam Patel of Blackburn visited Preston-based Reality today to learn more about how its operators handle 75 million calls a year. He opened its new telemarketing floor which created 40 new jobs. The business solutions company was formed

  • Fred's farewell at the brewery

    FRED Clark is packing in work with Blackburn brewery Thwaites ... at the packing department. Fred is retiring after completing close on 28 years at the brewery where he carried out a number of different roles in production before joining on to the packing

  • Aerospace firm's machinery boost

    IMPROVEMENTS made by an East Lancashire firm to one of its subsidiaries has boosted its capacity to provide specialist treatment to metal surfaces. Brookhouse Aerospace, a member of Darwen-based Brookhouse Holdings, carried out the improvements to its

  • Recipe: Bramley Apple And Sausage Pasta

    Bramley Apple And Sausage Pasta Serves four 350g/12oz Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced 8 prime pork sausages 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped 1 (400g) can chopped tomatoes with chilli

  • Knives and Fawkes

    THE bonfire has been built, the fireworks are ready to go -- all you need to make November 5 a night to remember remember is some delicious food! Every fireworks party-goer needs a bonfire to keep warm on the outside and some good hearty food to keep

  • Fame, set and match!

    "ACE!" -- That's what tennis mad Jessica Ashworth said when she found out she had been named the North West's biggest tennis fan. Eleven-year-old Jessica, from Warton, smashed the competition and won £250-worth of tennis lessons. Now she is in with a

  • Looking for a new Eric...

    DO you consider yourself another Eric Morecambe? Could you get up in front of a live audience and make 'em laugh? If the answer is yes, then Cleveleys comedian David Booth wants to hear from you. David wrote to The Citizen asking for help in his quest

  • Hi-tech boss is marathon man

    ST ANNES businessman and technology guru Anthony Clarke is on his marks for a marathon debut in New York -- having already proved a pace-setter on the Internet. The non-stop head of a leading Blackpool new media company, Encore Media, 35-year-old Anthony

  • Gannett in takeover move

    THE American-owned company which publishes the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Citizen titles and other newspapers throughout the country is at the centre of a major acquisition move. Gannett (UK) Ltd is one of three companies -- the others are Johnston

  • Winning dancers' charity offer

    JUNIOR dancing stars used all the right steps to win top prizes at one of the North West's most prestigious dancing competitions. And now they want to use their award-winning moves to help raise money for charity. Five ballerinas from the Dance Factory

  • Vote is secret

    HOUSING chiefs have reassured people taking part in a crucial ballot that their votes will remain secret, despite admitting that each polling form has a number which allows them to trace tenants. And the company running the election on behalf of the council

  • Golf: Dwyer European bid on course

    PAUL Dwyer's bid for a place on the coveted European Tour remained firmly on course today after the second round of the qualifying school stage two in Spain. With around 30 players from each of this week's three venues progressing to the final stage of

  • Athletics: Parkinson on the mark

    FORMER Hyndburn star Amanda Parkinson set fastest time of the day in the National Four Stage Relays at Sutton Park on Saturday. Her performance put many of the country's top road runners in the shade when she completed her leg in 14:07, 11 seconds faster

  • Indians want Sharma banned

    PADIHAM professional Ajay Sharma could be banned from playing league cricket in this country following new evidence thrown up by the match-fixing investigation, according to Indian newspaper reports this morning. Sharma has been named in a 162-page report

  • Kit hits the shops

    PRESTON'S new away kit hits the shops this week which could prove to be an instant success with many fans. The kit, modeled here by skipper Sean Gregan, is made by Bloggs from a micro-fibre material, is the same colour as Preston's strip in the club's

  • What's On with Sue Gerrard

    THERE is a treat for youngsters when Goldilocks and the Three Bears pay a visit to the Theatre Royal on Friday and Saturday, October 27 and 28 with shows at 10.30am and 2pm. ON Saturday evening, meanwhile, you can see two of the most popular tribute bands

  • Star hopefuls take to stage

    WOULD-be stars will take to the stage of the Theatre Royal on Monday, November 6 when auditions for the 'Stars In Your Eyes' talent competition -- organised by the St Helens Star in conjunction with the theatre -- are taking place from 7.30pm. 'The Original

  • Unlucky Hoppers rue missed chances

    Bracknell 28 Preston Grasshoppers 7 HOPPERS had their chances during this game and were perhaps unlucky to lose by such a margin. But it was Bracknell who made the most of their chances to score points leaving Hoppers wondering what might have been. A

  • MP joins battle to replace subpostmaster

    A STAFF crisis at a town centre post office has become so bad that Bury South MP Ivan Lewis is inviting potential applicants to contact him direct. The West Street branch has been hit by a second closure within just three months. It has now been closed

  • Promotion zone now beckons

    A PLAY-OFF position could be attained by Blackpool if they beat Shrewsbury Town at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. Pool's four match winning run has seen them storm up to tenth position in the league table just three points from a play-off position. The