Archive

  • Events in East Lancashire on Friday, February 2

    The Hall Orchestra, King George's Hall, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Sale of Goods, Church of the Saviour, Sunnybank Road, Blackburn, 7pm. Nine Below Zero in Concert and Support, Burnley Mechanics, Manchester Road, 8pm. Accrington Camera Club meet Primetime Centre

  • A new way to net those criminals

    HARD on the heels of adopting the Internet to track down offenders, Lancashire's pioneering police force once again arms itself with more up-to-date information technology to combat criminals -- this time, exploiting e-mail together with Neighbourhood

  • Lytham head 'honoured' by new appointment

    THE principal of King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, has been appointed to the executive committee of the North West Division of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. Julian Wilde, pictured, was chosen by his fellow heads to take

  • Choir donates 200 'notes'

    FUNDRAISERS for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal in Blackpool are singing the praises of Hodgson High School Choir after they donated £200 from their Christmas Carol Singing Day. Patricia Langley, director of the choir and a music teacher at the Poulton

  • Decision hard to stomach

    REGARDING the McDonald's restaurant in Trafalgar Street, I see that the planning committee has again chosen to ignore the quality of life of the residents of Burnley. McDonald's had merely identified a problem with storage when a bank holiday weekend

  • Bus driver a disgrace

    LAST week, I went to Accrington bus station to catch the bus home. When I got to the shelter, a disabled man was struggling in his wheelchair in the pathetically narrow shelter. It was cold and raining. After almost 25 minutes, a bus arrived, but couldn't

  • Hit-run boy 'stable' after op

    A 12-YEAR-OLD boy underwent an operation to insert two pins in his leg after he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver in Leigh town centre. Thomas Wilson was run over on a pedestrian crossing in Chapel Street at 6.15pm on Tuesday after a driver ignored

  • Fury over £18,000 hospital smoke shelters

    A DECISION by health bosses to spend £18,000 providing smoking shelters in the grounds of Burnley General Hospital was today slammed as disgraceful by a patient-care watchdog. But today a hospital spokesman said health bosses had tried to take a reasonable

  • E-mail bid to 'net' crooks

    CRIME-FIGHTING neighbours are pioneering a scheme to tackle crooks by using e-mail to swap information and contact police. Neighbourhood Watch schemes are to be connected to an e-mail system, providing them with a vital link to the police as part of a

  • Cup won't distract us, says Terzis

    PAUL Terzis won't allow next week's mouth-watering Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Super League neighbours Salford City Reds to distract his team from its number one priority. Working on a first-things-first basis, head coach Terzis has told his

  • Park life!

    I READ with some amusement, the photo and write-up about the pool in Happy Mount Park. At last, was my reaction. After all it was an MBI election pledge to have the pool up and running for the season. Mind you they didn't say which season. I won't hold

  • Rovers matchday costs highest - survey

    BLACKBURN Rovers fans pay more to watch their team on a matchday than any other supporters in the Nationwide League, according to figures out today. Football League sponsors Nationwide Building Society have conducted a survey to calculate the average

  • Better by design

    Over the last few months I have read dozens of letters condemning the Millennium Bridge on it's aethetics. It seems to me that many people in Lancaster are frightened of anything new or slightly different. I consider the bridge a much needed innovative

  • Ice one, Steve!

    EWOOD Park is top of the league...according to the men of Ice! Blackburn Rovers received an international pat on the back when a party of Icelandic groundsmen, greenkeepers and sports administrators visited -- to cast an expert eye over the playing surfaces

  • Can you keep such secrets?

    IT'S A bit rich the SPGB accusing the Catholic Church of secrecy. When I checked the SPGB website I found only an e-mail address for the Lancaster branch, one of only three in the north west and fifteen in the United Kingdom. My guess is the national

  • Rovers ready for Bolton

    COLCHESTER YOUTH 0 ROVERS YOUTH 4 ROVERS set up a mouthwatering FA Youth Cup fifth round clash with Bolton at Ewood after two-goal hero Neil Danns shot down United at Layer Road last night. Rob Kelly's young guns threw away a 2-0 lead in the original

  • Proposed cuts fill me with dismay

    IT is with great dismay that I have learned that Lancaster City Council is seriously considering removing their annual grant of £800 to Lancaster LitFest. LitFest's support for locally based writers is invaluable. They provide a unique service to a very

  • Wot no lit!

    COVENT Garden without its opera? Edinburgh without its theatre? Glastonbury without its rockfest? Lancaster without its literature? Twenty years of living and working in the North West (as a refugee from the Midlands) and always during that time visiting

  • And the alternative is...

    THE people of Lancaster & Morecambe have witnessed another bizarre week of local politics courtesy of the ruling MBI group. First we hear that Bubbles is to be demolished (again!) highlighting a classic MBI 'policy' move - waver, prevaricate for as

  • A blow for Morecambe

    WHAT a blow for Morecambe and the people of the district the announcement on Bubbles was? First in November 1999 we had Councillor Heath telling us that the people of the district will decide. Then in January 2000 the MBI vowed to do everything to keep

  • He's my top doc

    WHEN they made the last bunch of freemen of the town, I scratched my head and I couldn't quite honestly think of anyone. Well this week, I've got the man who should have been top of the list. His name is Dr W. Roberts who I swear, keeps the Health Service

  • Shop horror!

    THE furore over John Donnellon's consultation document on Lancaster's cultural services is a chance to step back for a moment and think more generally about the role of the arts and culture in the philosophy of the various political parties as we approach

  • Why are there no toilets?

    AS I needed to use the toilet while shopping in the Hardshaw Centre I asked one of the cleaners why there were none. I was told the reason was something to do with the drainage and that I could use Woolworth's toilet. Why should Woolworths supply toilets

  • Shannon's true colours revealed

    MR SHANNON'S true colours have finally been nailed to the mast. Firstly I did invite Mr Shannon, and any other person who should so wish, to attend a church service. Mr Shannon's excuse of, and I quote, "Like most, I had religion stuffed down my throat

  • Can this be justified?

    IT WAS with great interest that I read about MBI Councillor Carol Broad and her outrageous claim of £18 an hour in baby-sitting expenses. We have heard so much from the MBIs about Lancaster City Council's financial crisis and we are facing unprecedented

  • Paying tribute to war victims

    DOZENS of people gathered at Preston's Guild Hall foyer on Saturday to commemorate the country's first Holocaust Memorial Day. Members of the public joined civic dignitaries and representatives from various organisations to remember those who perished

  • Karla tragedy heard in court

    LEYLAND schoolgirl Karla Selley died after having a tooth out because correct procedures were not used, a jury heard on Monday. Five-year-old Karla, of Golden Hill Lane, Leyland, was given a gas anaesthetic during a visit to the Towngate surgery in Leyland

  • Forget differences and help out, MP urges Pakistanis

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has urged Pakistan to overcome its differences with India to provide help in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake disaster. Mr Pike, secretary of the all party parliamentary Pakistan group, extended his "sincere sympathy" to all those

  • Fury over £18,000 hospital smoke shelters

    A DECISION by health bosses to spend £18,000 providing smoking shelters in the grounds of Burnley General Hospital was today slammed as disgraceful by a patient-care watchdog. But today a hospital spokesman said health bosses had tried to take a reasonable

  • That's a real weight off her shoulders!

    +FOR Cathy Brotherton size really does matter. And, having just shed an amazing ten-and-a-half stone in little more than 12 months, this trim mother-of-two wants to spread the word. Cathy, 40, from Morecambe, was diagnosed as obese by doctors after she

  • Drunken mechanic drove off in bus

    A DRUNKEN mechanic took a bus from his works depot and set off on a late night jaunt around Burnley town centre -- driving in the wrong direction down one way streets. The town's magistrates heard how Steven Richard Chadwick, 24, nearly hit several people

  • Death prompts action from local hospitals

    THE death of a man who contracted legionnaires' disease while in hospital has led Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust to take action. At an inquest into the death of Geoffrey Charles Curtis, who died in December, a hospital consultant said new procedures

  • Heath in cup-tie confusion

    THATTO Heath Crusaders' BARLA National Cup second round home tie with West Bowling ended in chaos on Saturday when the referee blew for full-time believing the visitors to have won 26-24. In fact, the game had ended all square at 24-24 and the sides should

  • Promotion hopefuls stop Clock

    Clock Face Miners 6 Crosfields A 22 TRIES either side of the break settled the outcome of this clash as Clock went down to promotion hopefuls Crosfields. The visitors scored an unconverted try in their first attack but from then on defences were on top

  • Young Recs book final place

    Pilkingtons u/16s 32 Halton Hornets 23 PILKS booked their place in the final of the Lancashire Cup after extra-time in a thrilling game. Halton took an early eight-point lead with two unconverted tries, but by half-time Recs had levelled the scores with

  • Old castle mystery rumbles on

    LOWER the drawbridge. We're about to march straight back into the old Moss Bank Castle topic, thanks to a couple of knowledgable correspondents. Reader Ronnie Hardman, a keen local history buff, first opened up the subject a few weeks ago after he had

  • Five years ago

    A SHORTAGE of nurses left East Lancashire's hospitals struggling to cope with their workload. Nurses were being forced to work unpaid overtime to cover vacancies as nursing staff turned their backs on the profession and morale was badly affected by meagre

  • Ten years ago

    HUNDREDS of workers at Rists in Accrington and William Blythe chemicals in Church and Hapton were left reeling after a double job cut blow. Staff at Rists were told 169 part-time jobs in the evening shift wiring assembly operators would go. Another 40

  • Labour bid to take control of borough

    A COUNTY councillor has decided to stand down -- so he can concentrate on winning control of a borough council. Ian Ormerod, who represents Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham, has decided not to stand for selection as the Labour candidate for the county

  • Chemists on Duty

    Thursday, February 8 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Peels, 4 Railway Road. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 6.30pm: Donald Wood Ltd, 53 Fishmoor Drive; Healthbook Ltd, Audley Shopping Centre, Audley

  • Chemists on Duty

    Friday, February 9 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Peels, 4 & 6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Arthur Haworth, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst

  • Proposed cuts will make us poorer in spirit

    I AM writing to your paper to bring your attention to the Lancaster City Council's proposal to cut Arts and Events Funding, which could result in the loss of the LitFest and a severe reduction in tourist office events. These proposed cuts to arts and

  • More to this mess than just Blobby

    LANCASTER City Council is in a financial mess. It is well known that this mess is the direct result of Labour incompetence in the Mr Blobby affair but less well known that both Labour and Conservative governments have deliberately underfunded local authorities

  • It's obvious the new bridge is out of place

    THE two letters in the January 18 Citizen prompted me to add my thoughts. The new bridge, whilst wonderful in design, just does not fit in. The pictures shown in the newspapers show the bridge standing proudly against a blue ground, very nice, but we

  • 'We lead the way on tax collection'

    THE Ribble Valley is leading the way in Lancashire for collecting council tax despite writing off debts, new figures show. The area has the largest recovery rate in the county despite having to write off more than £82,500 in uncollected debts, according

  • That's me in the corner losing by religion

    IT SEEMS odd that you can say anything you like about politics, and nobody gives a damn, but insult somebody's superstitions, and the knives are out in a flash, even if they are mostly blunt and rusting. I also note that if a Christian produces an historical

  • Rangers rampant

    Coulton Cup: BLACKPOOL RANGERS U9s 3 KIRKHAM 1 RANGERS led through Jack Farrell, but after more pressure Kirkham broke away to score but another goal from Farrell and a third for Jamie Silver sealed the victory. BLACKPOOL RANGERS U9s 0 KIRKHAM 1 RANGERS

  • YMCA so close

    Colts Cup: YMCA U9s A 1 CLIFTON RANGERS A 1; YMCA U9s B 0 CLIFTON RANGERS B 2 THE A game was even with Christy Barlow on target for YMCA. The B game was also close but YMCA failed to clear two late corners and the visitors netted from both. WYRE JUNIORS

  • Success for martial arts team

    SEVERAL members of the Lancaster Shin-Gi-Tai Iaido Dojo, recently attended a three-day course in art of Iaido, (Japanese swordsman-ship). The course was held in Leeds and was organised by the senior instructors of Eikoku Roshukai, (UK group). The chief

  • City pull through

    Lancaster 3 Leek Town 2CITY came out on top against Leek Town in a five-goal thriller at The Axe on Saturday. The Blues weren't at their best but the win extends their unbeaten run to eleven. However, it was lowly Leek who took a surprise lead after only

  • All's well that ends Well!

    Blackpool 1 York City 0 By Chris Reece IN a dull game with both teams evenly matched, something special was going to be needed to win it -- and Richard Wellens was the man to provide it. His free kick, which he superbly bent round a defensive wall past

  • Clarets trio stand by for Crewe clash

    RISING star Anthony Shandran has forced his way into the first-team picture at Turf Moor and will be in the Clarets squad for Saturday's trip to Crewe. The 18-year-old striker bagged his seventh goal of the season in the reserves' 2-0 win at Barnsley

  • Calling would-be whistlers . .

    ST HELENS Rugby League Referees Society are to host a training course at Blackbrook on six Thursday nights, starting February 22. Cost is £25 for adults and £17.50 for under-16s, and successful candidates will receive a Rugby League certificate of merit

  • Tough going for Finch

    Spotland Rangers 24 Haresfinch 0 AN under-strength Finch side were no match for a well-drilled Spotland outfit. With their half-backs making numerous openings, Spotland quickly took control and built up a 16-0 half-time lead. Finch improved after the

  • This weekend's ARL fixtures

    Saturday, February 3 BARLA National Cup 2nd round replay: Thatto Heath Crusaders v West Bowling. National Conference League Division Two: Blackbrook Bulldogs v Castleford Panthers. NWCL Premier Division: Haydock v Portico Panthers, Widnes St Maries v

  • Student attacked

    A STUDENT was punched in the face and hit over the head with a bottle during an unprovoked attack in Lancaster at the weekend. The 21-year-old was attacked by two thugs outside Iky's Curry House in St Leonardsgate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

  • OAP found dead in street

    A MORECAMBE pensioner was found dead on the pavement outside her flat on Tuesday afternoon. There are no suspicious circumstances but police are appealing for witnesses. Nellie Fletcher, 76, is thought to have died of natural causes on Rydal Court but

  • Sun, Sue and sax

    LANCASTER'S thriving jazz scene will hit an even higher note now that Lancaster's Sun Caf in Sun Street devotes each Wednesday evening to a jazz session. Hosted by locally-based guitarist Jon Moore, a different guest player is featured each week. On the

  • Have you got the business buzz?

    THE search is on for the young entrepreneur of the year and it could be a budding businessman from Lancaster or Morecambe. The deadline for the Shell LiveWire Young Business Start Up Awards is February 16 so, if you want to take part, get your application

  • City shade derby cup clash

    Lancaster City 1 Barrow 0 LANCASTER City remain on course to retain the Unibond League Cup after a closely fought victory against Barrow at the Axe on Tuesday night. City dominated the first half and, although Barrow came into the game later on, they

  • Police launch new missing man plea

    POLICE have relaunched an appeal for information about the disappearance of a young man, Tristram Terence Carradice. Tristram, known as Tris, went missing from his home address in Midgeland Terrace, Blackpool, on January 30, 1999, and was 18 at the time

  • Operation nets 110 dodgers

    TV LICENSING'S Target Zero campaign caught 110 dodgers during a month-long crackdown in Lancaster. Target Zero has a single mission - to target all unlicensed addresses and drive towards zero evasion in the UK. The LA 1 and 2 postcode area came under

  • Floating off?

    THE bubble may have burst on Blackpool's regular prime-time TV slot -- the BBC is rumoured to be dropping its hot air balloon logos, one of which features the resort's famous Tower. BBC bosses are believed to feel that the balloon films are "slow" and

  • Request for Government to meet bill for Blobby inquiry

    THE Government has been asked to pick up the bill for the District Auditor's £536,000 bill for the Blobby inquiry. The city council's finance chief has written to Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong saying that the increasing costs of the inquiry

  • 'Hogs' need a safe haven

    A COUPLE of disabled spikey characters are looking for homes where they can rebuild their lives after crippling blows. They are currently in the care of Janis Dean, who runs the Carleton Hedgehog Hospital, but will never be able to survive in the wild

  • Another care home closure

    BLACKPOOL social services are closing down facilities at yet another Blackpool care home. But bosses say it will mean an improvement in the level of care provided for the 12 adults who attend the day care centre. The executive of Blackpool Borough Council

  • Resort firefighter on mercy mission

    A FIREFIGHTER from Morecambe rushed out to earthquake ravaged India on Saturday to help in the rescue operation. John McKie from Lancaster Fire Station joined 10 colleagues on an 11 hour flight from RAF Brize Norton to Ahmadabad and, after a 10 hour road

  • Smell of success is in the air

    AN £11 million environmental research centre is to be built at Lancaster University. This week the university's vice-chancellor, Prof Bill Ritchie, signed a contract with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to construct and develop the new

  • RMI play the late show

    LEIGH RMI side are fine-tuning the art of late winners. And on Saturday Steve Waywell's boys did it again when Steve Jones struck an 87th minute winner at Hednesford Town. The 2-1 triumph maintained their unbeaten start to the New Year. Jones steered

  • Patient O'Brien will wait for his reward

    "IF the lads weren't putting the effort in I'd worry. But that's not the case," said Atherton Colls manager Chris O'Brien following his side's 4-0 defeat at Kidsgrove Athletic. "You can't see the way they worked so hard on Saturday and then start criticising

  • Rule Britannia!

    NO doubt the players of Division One champions Higher Folds have been warned time and again this season by management team Dave Burns and Sean Collier that they were pushing their luck and sooner or later they would come unstuck. The top division title

  • Pennington stun title contenders

    THE Letters Inn must have been rocking on Saturday night after Pennington registered the shock result of the day in the Finnair Manchester League Premier Division with a 3-1 away victory at East Manchester. The Howe Bridge outfit had just one win to their

  • Clarets trio stand by for Crewe clash

    RISING star Anthony Shandran has forced his way into the first-team picture at Turf Moor and will be in the Clarets squad for Saturday's trip to Crewe. The 18-year-old striker bagged his seventh goal of the season in the reserves' 2-0 win at Barnsley

  • Play-off position now close

    VICTORY over Scunthorpe United at Bloomfield Road on Saturday could at last put Pool in the top seven of the division -- and a place in the end of season play-offs if they can maintain that position. Scunthorpe are six points behind Pool with a game in

  • Region gets extra £7.4m

    NORTH WEST manufacturing is to get an extra £7.4million Government cash from the new Regional Innovation Fund. The fund aims to help firms follow the example of the region's most successful manufacturers who are committed to innovation, training and identifying

  • Carpet firm rolls out new success

    A CARPET "renaissance" in the sunshine state of Florida is being led by an East Lancashire carpet firm. Cavalier Carpets, of Blackburn, has won a major £113,000 contract at the brand new Renaissance Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. The deal is the third major

  • Lib Dem in challenge to Jack Straw

    LIB DEM councillor John Beirne has challenged Home Secretary Jack Straw to visit St Helens and look at the 'carnage' that gipsies and travellers have allegedly left in their wake. The move follows accusations by the councillor that the Labour government

  • Ernie 'shut door' on mighty Voll

    COUNTLESS friends in the world of sport are mourning the death of a well-known personality whose contribution to rugby and bowling was life-long. Ernest Halton (67), of Windle, died in Whiston Hospital on Saturday after battling against cancer for five

  • Happy Bear-thday Claire!

    CLAIRE Handley went on a teddy bear's picnic as her 30th birthday surprise. Fiance Kevin Ellison, from Grange Park, had secretly arranged for Claire to 'adopt' a limited edition cuddly Teddy Bear from the Thatto Heath-based Teddy Bear Orphanage. The '

  • Bury miss out on Butler cash

    BURY won't receive any cash from the transfer of former defender Paul Butler from Sunderland to Wolves. The pay-on clause chairman Terry Robinson inserted in the deal was for a percentage of any fee more than £1m - similar to the clause which earned Bury

  • Talking through the tough times

    AN interactive workshop designed to encourage couples to work together through their problems is coming to St Helens later this month. 'Developing Closeness in Marriage' aims to provide an opportunity for couples to spend time together in a relaxed and

  • Vowing to care

    THE newly-launched St Helens Charter for Long Term Care aims to improve services and provide better information for users and carers across the borough. Drawn up by St Helens Council's Housing and Social Services Sections, St Helens and Knowsley Health

  • Top marks for service

    STAFF at the Benefits Agency at Gregson House have achieved the Charter Mark, a government award for service to the public. St Helens North MP Dave Watts, who went along to congratulate management and staff at the Central Street office, said: "The Benefits

  • Dave hits back at claim

    MP DAVE Watts has hit back swiftly at claims by a Lib Dem councillor that he is now keeping quiet about the unfairness of the present Council grant system. Dave, Labour Member for St Helens North, is vice-chairman of the all-party group of MPs who have

  • Girl stole to replace damaged property

    A TEENAGER decided to steal a mobile CD player after damaging one belonging to a fellow resident at the Police Street hostel in Darwen, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that jobless Concheta Grech could not afford to replace the equipment

  • Give us a sporting chance!

    SIX local sporting celebrities have been invited by St Helens Council to see for themselves 'the flourishing schools sports scene in the Borough'. Extending an open invitation, Councillor Andy Bowden, Portfolio Member for Education and Lifelong Learning

  • Kids' health lesson on a plate

    Food News, with Sonja Karlsen CHILDREN getting wise to the benefits of a good diet after the launch of a new book to teach them about healthier eating. The Cool Food big book will be sent to almost 2,000 primary schools across the country -- 2,615 in

  • Come blow your horn

    HORNS will blow and cymbals crash this month when more than 700 young musicians descend on Blackpool for the Youth Brass Band Entertainment Festival of Great Britain. The festival, now in its 16th year, will take place at the Winter Gardens on February

  • Bin bags body is identified

    THE woman whose dismembered body was found in bin bags at Treales, near Kirkham, before Christmas has now been named by police as Chandrika Suryakant Patel, aged 50, from Wembley, North London. The grim discovery was made when a couple out walking on

  • £5.58 rent rise is slammed

    NORBRECK ward councillor Peter Callow has slammed Blackpool Borough Council for a hike in council house rents which will leave some residents paying an average weekly rise of £5.58. The council's executive committee on January 31 accepted a recommendation

  • Heroine of the Great War

    A BLACKPOOL woman who fought in the First World War and was reputed to be the last known female survivor, has died aged 104 in America. Born and raised in the town, Mrs Margaret Olsen was one of the first members of Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps -

  • It's daylight robbery

    A BLACKPOOL man was attacked by three men while walking along Newton Drive, Blackpool, on January 24. At about 10.35am three men approached him, two of them wielding knives, and stole his wallet containing £80 cash and a gent's nine carat hallmark ring

  • Preston hospital's body parts shock

    THE death of a child must be every parent's worst nightmare. But to discover years down the line that your baby has been buried or cremated with body parts missing must be the most heart-wrenching news to bear. But that is the grim reality facing the

  • Pub blaze witness appeal

    POLICE today re-issued an appeal for witnesses to a pub fire which almost cost a family their lives. Fires were started at the front and side doors of the Printers Arms, Accrington Road, Blackburn. Smoke pouring through the doors woke 12-year-old Shane

  • Marriage scam: Three in court

    THREE people were due to appear in court todaycharged in connection with an alleged marriage scam. Ismail Pirbhai, 48, of Dartford Close, Blackburn, Ibrahim Ismil Patel, also 48, of Dartford Close, and Jacquline Simone Grahams, 23, of Liverpool Road,

  • Robbie shows how his talent blooms

    PRIZE winner Robbie McConnell let his green fingered skills go to his head after picking up an award in a school competition. Eight-year-old Robbie won first prize in the junior section of the annual bulb-growing contest at St Bartholomew's Primary School

  • Pigeon loft' will not be missed

    THE woman who cut the ribbon on flats labelled the "biggest pigeon lofts in Britain" today looked back on their 33-year history and said: "They won't be missed." Three blocks of flats at Mill Hill, Blackburn, will come down on Sunday February 11, as roads

  • Lowther hopes to avoid rap over sample

    BLACKBURN rider Carl Lowther was hoping to escape serious punishment at a Jockey Club diciplinary committee inquiry today after a urine sample he gave in July last year tested over the limit for alcohol. Lowther and another jockey were required to give

  • Gizon's trio for Nelson

    NELSON 6 DAISY HILL 0 NELSON returned to NWCL Division Two league action after a two-week absence with a comprehensive victory over the Westhoughton side. Nerves were eased as early as the first minute when Jon Irvine's precise cross caught the visitors

  • Stan v Boo Boys - what's the score?

    AFTER his morons jibe Stan Ternent was at it again last week lashing out with another verbal volley. Who had earned his wrath this time? Was it the highly paid players who had followed up their poor run of League form with an FA Cup defeat against a Third

  • Rugby Union

    Rugby Union News and information ENGLAND: Their collectivity is their main strength. They have 22 men there, very well prepared, very committed and very mature now, which is important. If they have one weakness it is that they are not particularly exceptional

  • Below-par Prescot take a beating

    Mossley Hill 29 Prescot RU 3 AN uncharacteristic poor performance by Prescot saw Mossley Hill take the points in this vital league match. Back-row forward Chris Leigh scored Prescot's only points of the game when he converted an early penalty, but it

  • Cup joy at double

    BOTH the under 12s and under 14s Inter-League squads of the St Helens McDonald's JOL had excellents wins at the weekend to go into the LCFA Cup semi-finals. The under 12s won 3-1 at Anfield, while the under 14s overcame Craven Minor 2-0. RESULTS Under

  • Worsley gives Sandal the boot!

    Sandal 22 Liverpool St Helens 34 AN outstanding first-half display was enough for LSH to secure victory against a determined Sandal side. All the LSH scores came in a breathtaking spell in the first half when half-backs Cook and Worsley took complete

  • Same rights for us, please

    WHILE I totally agree with Coun Bancroft that an elected Mayor and cabinet would be bad for democracy, I would like to know how he thinks the option of a council leader (elected only by the largest group on the council) and a cabinet is any more democratic

  • Avoid the pain, forget the train

    I HAVE recently experienced two extremely unpleasant train journeys and write so that other readers will, hopefully, avoid experiencing the so-called service which Virgin Trains offer. My first trip to London, in November, involved a total of six hours

  • Pubs bought in deal

    THE Prince of Wales in Junction Lane, Sutton and the Saracens Head in Kentmere Avenue, Carr Mill are among 37 pubs in the North West which have been acquired by leading independent pub company, Avebury Taverns.

  • It's your chance to dance

    THE Morris Dancing Association are looking to recruit new members from the St Helens area. The Skelmersdale-based dance school urgently require troupes and independent judges to join before the first competition on Sunday, February 25. For more information

  • New mains for old

    NORTH West Water is replacing 27 kilometres of obsolete cast iron mains with modern plastic materials in streets in the Moss Bank and Clinkham Wood areas of St Helens. The work, which began on January 29 and is scheduled to be completed in August, is

  • Police: no to citizen patrols

    MERSEYSIDE police have confirmed that there are no immediate plans to introduce 'citizens' police patrols' which are in place in some parts of the UK. The pilot scheme, which is currently running in Yorkshire, encourages local citizens to monitor speed

  • Fjord fiesta for Mary

    LUCKY Mary Glover has won a fabulous cruise for two to the spectacular Norwegian Fjords after entering a prize draw at the Holiday & Travel Show staged at G-Mex, Manchester. Mary and husband Ken, from Lester Drive, Eccleston, will head out this summer

  • Bogus workers con elderly woman

    AN elderly woman who answered the door to a man claiming to be from the council later discovered two purses containing £40 had been stolen. The man called at the 79-year-old victim's home in Princess Avenue, Windlehurst, at about 3pm on Friday, January

  • Trust wins award for staff care

    ST HELENS and Knowsley Hospitals were one of only two Trusts in the North West to win a new national award for 'Improving Working Lives.' This was presented by Nigel Crisp the new NHS chief executive. Ken Sanderson, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley

  • Van rustlers strike

    BUSINESSMAN Dave Simm, attending a cowboy-style dance event at Haydock, later discovered that a thief had shot off with his van. And now, Dave, who runs the St Helens Domestic Appliance Centre, is offering a £150 reward to anyone who can supply information

  • Turley's six of the best!

    Leigh Centurions...70 Workington Town...0 NOT since the glory days of John Woods have Leigh had a scoring sensation like young Neil Turley. But even Woods the maestro never achieved what Turley managed on Wednesday night with the full-back's six-try haul

  • Get in line-up for charity

    MARIE Curie Cancer Care has joined forces with local line dance school, 'Pete's Stompers,' to organise a sponsored marathon line dancing session to raise money for the charity. The Line Dance Challenge is being held at St Helens Town Hall on Saturday,

  • Play-off position now close

    VICTORY over Scunthorpe United at Bloomfield Road on Saturday could at last put Pool in the top seven of the division -- and a place in the end of season play-offs if they can maintain that position. Scunthorpe are six points behind Pool with a game in

  • Lorry's tight squeeze damages footbridge

    EMERGENCY engineers were called out after a lorry crashed into a footbridge in Blackburn town centre. The lorry got stuck under the bridge on Northgate yesterday afternoon. The bridge links King George's Hall with the Central Library and was closed while

  • Hunt ban too far-reaching

    I WAS surprised to see a reputable newspaper like the Lancashire Evening Telegraph parade its ignorance in your Opinion column (LET, January 16), regarding the bill to ban hunting. This bill would not only affect fox hunting by hound packs. Vermin control

  • Council refuses to listen

    THE same evening that you reported that the closure of Church Street in Blackburn is to go ahead (LET, January 26), a copy of "Shuttle Special" was pushed through my door. Its headline said: "Your council representing you -- make your views count" and

  • Accent on ignorance

    THE claims by Mr A Walmsley (Letters, January 12) that "dialects and accents are only good for laughs," that such a trait is "a disability," and that speaking anything other than the "Queen's English" predisposes an individual to a low level of intelligence

  • Souey eyes eyal loan

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was today hoping to get the green light in his bid to sign Celtic outcast Eyal Berkovic. Ewood chief Souness has spoken to the player's agent about the possibility of landing the Israeli international on loan until the end

  • Thanks a million folks!

    ON behalf of the Seneley Green Parish Council I wish to thank all those individuals, organisations and companies who have supported our annual age concern appeal. Once again we have been able, through their generosity, to distribute nearly 400 parcels

  • There's no room to park

    I AM writing to point out the traffic problems that I and other residents who live near me are currently suffering. I have discussed this matter a few times with St Helens Council about people turning up in their vehicles, parking outside our houses and

  • Cult targets councillor

    CULT groups who preyed on a Preston woman after the tragic death of her husband have found a fresh target -- the very councillor who helped blow the lid on the scam! Councillor Bill Chadwick, who took up the case of Mrs Kathleen Foy from Ingol after she

  • What a weight to go, Cathy!

    FOR Cathy Brotherton size really does matter. And, having just shed an amazing ten-and-a-half stone in little more than 12 months, this trim mother-of-two wants to spread the word. Cathy, 40, from Morecambe, was diagnosed as clinically obese by doctors

  • Plan for special school scrapped

    IN the face of massive opposition from parents, the proposal to build a new special school on the site of the former Rainhill Hospital, right next to the regional secure unit has been scrapped. The move, by the Council's Director of Education and Leisure

  • Horrors of Nazi death camps

    HOLOCAUST survivor Leon Greenman gave a harrowing account of his wartime experiences when he visited Burnley. He was speaking at a meeting organised by the Burnley and Pendle Anti Nazi League. Almost 200 people attended the meeting at the United Reformed

  • Trust pledge on human tissue samples

    AN assurance that no tissue taken during post mortem examinations at Burnley General Hospital had been sold on to commercial organisations, has been given by Health Trust chief executive David Chew. The matter was raised by Harry Horne, a member of the

  • 'Lock me up' teenager pleaded

    A teenager who urged police to lock him up before he did something stupid later got his wish. Burnley magistrates heard how Paul Anthony Lord, 18, ended up in the cells after appearing armed with a baseball bat. Lord, of Garden Street, Padiham, admitted

  • Rats invade sea defences

    BAIT boxes are to be installed along Morecambe promenade in a bid to reduce the number of rats living in the sea-defences. Local fisherman, James Milner, told The Citizen this week that the number of rats were increasing rapidly and that the problem could

  • Fears for LitFest Festival and Storey Gallery

    TWO of Lancaster's artistic favourites, the LitFest and Storey's Gallery, fear extinction if the suggested cuts get the go-ahead. Lancaster LitFest is one of the oldest literature festivals in the country which receives an annual grant of £7,500 from

  • Plain sailing for Shrimps

    MORECAMBE didn't make heavy weather of their rain-delayed FA Trophy replay against Burscough. The Unibond league outfit had shocked Morecambe to pull back and claim a 3-3 draw in the original tie, but on Monday night Jim Harvey side made no mistake to

  • Gisella's not the weakest link

    A DEVELOPMENT worker from Lancaster has just returned from refugee camps in Thailand where she helped build links between the two very different communities. Gisela Renolds, who works at Global Link development education centre on China Street, won a

  • Health chief moves to assure patients after Alder Hey report

    MORECAMBE Bay Hospital pathologists are among those who have stored body parts and organs according to an official checklist published following the Alder Hey scandal. The local trust is listed as holding fewer than 50 organs in figures issued by the

  • Council chiefs hit the road!

    THE structure of Lancaster City Council is set to change and, from February 5 to 9, the council will be heading for the streets in order to offer the public an opportunity to have their say. Like all local authorities, Lancaster City Council has been

  • Cultural wasteland fears

    LANCASTER and Morecambe would become a cultural wasteland if proposed cuts to arts and leisure services get the go ahead. That's the view of the district's heritage and artistic community which this week sounded a chorus of disapproval at the cost-cutting

  • That's me in the corner losing by religion

    IT SEEMS odd that you can say anything you like about politics, and nobody gives a damn, but insult somebody's superstitions, and the knives are out in a flash, even if they are mostly blunt and rusting. I also note that if a Christian produces an historical

  • Alarm sounds over money-spinner

    RESIDENTS in Barnoldswick are stepping up their campaign to have a mobile phone transmitter removed from the town's fire station training tower -- after fire service bosses said it was staying put. Householders fear microwaves from the commercial mast

  • Bring on the Warriors!

    THE buzz in the town since Saints became world champions reached fever pitch when the draw was made for the fourth round of the Challenge Cup. For they were paired with arch-rivals Wigan Warriors in a mouthwatering clash, which will be played at Knowsley

  • Hounds still hunt first win

    Parr Hare & Hounds 24 Burtonwood Bridge 30 HOUNDS are still seeking their first win of the season despite a spirited performance against promotion contenders Bridge. After trailing 16-8 at the break, the home side had the better of a ding-dong second

  • Haydock rattle up half-century

    Haydock 52 Reckits 2 HAYDOCK overcame a sticky start to eventually overcome Humberside Premier League club Reckits with ease in this the BARLA National Cup second round tie. The visitors had plenty of possession but never really looked like breaking the

  • Miners dig in for victory

    Bold Miners 20 Wigan St Cuthberts 10 BOLD were made to work hard to grind out a result in this well-contested encounter. Defences were on top for much of the first half. Bold opened the scoring with a penalty by Darren Anders but St Cuthberts edged ahead

  • Portico power to derby triumph

    Pilkington Recs 0 Portico Panthers 40 PANTHERS went on the rampage against local rivals Pilks to maintain their excellent first campaign in the North West Counties League Premier Division. The visitors opened the scoring when Paul Forber broke the defence

  • Heath must do battle again

    Thatto Heath Crusaders 24 West Bowling 24 THESE two teams will do battle again this Saturday after this National Cup second round tie ended in total confusion at Red Rocks. They should have played extra time but owing to a mix-up over scores the visitors

  • Wellens injury blow for Saints

    SOME of the gloss has been taken off the Saints' World Club Championship victory celebrations following the news that rising full-back star Paul Wellens has suffered a fractured eye socket. The talented youngster, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame

  • Saints rule the world

    Saints 20 Brisbane Broncos 18 RULERS of the world -- and rightly so after the unexpected overthrow of the hitherto bucking Broncos! That was magnificent Saints after an incredible fightback in this epic club challenge clash at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

  • Chemists on weekend duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, February 4, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): R. W. Barton Ltd., 65-67 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm)

  • Accrington defeat Kendal

    SOCCER: Simon Carden was on the scoresheet as Accrington Stanley defeated Kendal Town 1-0 in a friendly at the Crown Ground last night.

  • Colne action

    SOCCER: Colne welcome NWCL Division Two promotion challengers Tetley Walker to Holt House tonight looking for an elusive win to lift them out of the relegation spots. And Bacup make the trip to Skelmersdale in the Marsden Challenge Cup first round hoping

  • Raging dad punched woman outside pub

    A RAGING father of three who meant to punch a pub bouncer struck a woman instead -- and smashed three of her teeth. Burnley magistrates heard how drunken Carl Fancy, 30, had been thrown out of a pub in Barnoldswick after annoying female customers and

  • The last pit pony

    WARTIME miner Arthur (Lobby) Littler has come up with a confident answer to our recent pit-pony puzzler, posed by a gaggle of St Helens nostalgia nuts. Says Lobby: "The last pony to work in the local pits was down the Old Boston Colliery at Haydock, where

  • Paid in crockery!

    DOES anyone remember a pre-war local rugby player who gloried under the nickname of the Colonial Kid? Real name Harold Mellor, he was an uncle of Doreen S. Johnson of Brunswick Street, Newton-le-Willow, who explains that Harold got that impressive monicker

  • Passing time in rhyme

    TAXI driver Paul Atherton has a perfect way of beating the blues while waiting between fares or shunting in and around the borough. It's then that he forms short poems and songs in his mind, drawing inspiration from what might to others seem an unpromising

  • Timely answer to crisp-bag riddle

    YOU can now all stop peering back in time. For the great Clock Face crisp-bag mystery is solved. It all started when reader Joe Appleton brought in a query from regular slurpers of the town-centre Wheatsheaf pub who had been strenuously arguing about

  • Disaster zone heartbreak

    A LEADING firefighter has spoken of the heartbreak faced by East Lancashire men trying to rescue people from the rubble of the India earthquake disaster. Three firemen are due home from India today after playing a crucial part in rescuing victims from

  • Letter bomb veil of secrecy

    POLICE have drawn a veil of secrecy over the identity of a Lytham charity shop which received a bomb in the post this week, thought to have been sent by an animal rights protest group. Lancashire Police said that on January 30 a "charity organisation"

  • Chemists on Duty

    Sunday, February 4 BLACKBURN: 12noon-1pm: Shadsworth Pharmacy, Shadsworth Villas, 221 Shadsworth Road; 10.30am-4.30pm: Superdrugs Pharmacy, 3-7 Stonybutts; 11am-2pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road; 11am-1pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street

  • Chemists on Duty

    Wednesday, February 7 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Peels, 4 & 6 Railway Road; The Surgery (Chiropody), 132 Lammack Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Arthur

  • Chemists on Duty

    Monday, February 5 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Peels Chemist, 4 & 6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: Arthur Haworth, 314 Bolton Road; The Pharmacy

  • Chemists on Duty

    Tuesday, February 6 BLACKBURN: To 9pm: Peels, 4 & 6 Railway Road; Cohen, 63 Whalley Range. To 8pm: Johnston Pharmacy, 50-52 Johnston Street. To 7.30pm: Aston Pharmacy, 95 Accrington Road. To 7pm: The Pharmacy, Oakenhurst Road; Geloo Bros, Cleaver

  • Paying the price of cultural vandalsism

    I READ last week's front page story ("Review sparks jobs cuts anxiety") with disbelief and outrage. How can corporate director John Donnellon justify such vicious cutbacks to Lancaster's museums? The museums are jewels in the crown of tourism in Lancaster

  • This state of independence

    I WOULD Like to answer "Ardal's" letter in last week's Citizen. His suggestions for resolving the situation are 75per cent correct, but I feel he made a mistake on one of them. The MBI's are not really a party are they? They are a collection of individuals

  • Questions must be asked

    COULD anyone enlighten me as to why whenever anyone has a go, for whatever reason at Councillor Carol Broad, she invariably reacts as though no one should be audacious enough to challenge her? She now childishly claims that there is a witch-hunt against

  • Valley Day Ranger is just the ticket

    DAY-tripping, shopping or getting to work in the Ribble Valley is much more affordable now thanks to a new bus ticket. The Ribble Valley Day Ranger, purchased from the bus driver, costs £3 for adults, £1.50 for children or £7.50 for a family. It is valid

  • Hands that help are better than lips that prey

    Regarding the current flurry of letters between members of the SPGB and local Christians, I'd like to add the following comments. Mr P. McGrath lists the writings of Josephus and Tacitus among his evidence supporting the existence of Jesus as an historical

  • It's Aelfric who is being dishonest here

    I AM SORRY, but not surprised, to see this religion debate sink to the level of inane abuse (Letters: Jan 25). It is rather rich being described as dishonest by a correspondent who hides behind the pseudonym 'Aelfric' and who advocates wholesale censorship

  • Cup win for Lytham's ladies

    LSA Ladies 1st XI 1 Southport 0 IN the third round of the Lishman Cup Lytham claimed the scalp of the powerful Division 1 leaders Southport. Lytham's defence soaked up pressure with Rachael Parziale making important tackles. This platform allowed the

  • Six of the best for Lytham

    Lytham1st XI 6 Neston 1 LSA's winning form continued as they played some sound hockey to effectively seal the game by half time thanks to two goals from Craig Nuttall sandwiching a Dave Robbins penalty stroke. Heavy pressure brought a goal from Chris

  • BJFF victorious

    FLEETWOOD GYM U10s 1 BJFF 4 BJ led with a goal by J Brough and soon after D McKay scored. In the second half BJFF were dominating when Fleetwood scored on the break to make it 2-1. BJFF replied with a goal by M Howard and J Brough cut through Fleetwood's

  • 'This will bring the fans back'

    HERE is this week's contribution from the Real Progress independent supporters association to The Citizen's new series, Standpoint which gives Blackpool fans a chance to give their views about the club. Congratulations to Steve McMahon, his staff and

  • Shrimps on the move

    The Official Supporter's Club will be running coaches to the following games * Free travel for Junior Reds will still apply when travelling with a adult paying member. Evesham, Saturday February 3rd Depart the club 10:00am. 'Umbro' FA Trophy 4th Round

  • Real game of ups and downs

    GOING up or down, gentlemen? I though at the start of the season that neither of our clubs would have to worry about the relegation trapdoor, but a look at the conference league table is a bit of a shock. Meanwhile, while City are miles away from the

  • On a winger and a prayer

    THERE is no more exciting sight on a football pitch than that of a winger beating his full back, getting to the byline and dragging the ball into the centre for a striker. And like so many other natural wonders, it is a sight which is becoming increasingly

  • Double dismay for Morecambe

    Chester City 1 Morecambe 0IF there is one thing Morecambe hate more than being beaten, it's being beaten by Lancaster. And that's just what happened on Saturday when Chester youngster Martyn Lancaster gave his side victory at the Deva stadium. Morecambe

  • £40,000 bill for war of words

    THE war of words between two former prime movers in the city council and sacked tourism chief David Christley is finally over leaving the public potentially facing a whopping £40,000 legal bill. This week solicitors acting for David Corker, the council's

  • Brook show Bulldog spirit

    Blackbrook Bulldogs u/18s 20 Dudley Hill 4 THE Bulldogs moved up to joint third in the National Youth League with this hard-fought victory. Junction Fencing man-of-the-match Jon Hale opened the scoring after a fine Scot Lyon break, but Hill hit back to

  • Crafty grant

    TWO local arts projects have secured lottery grants of more than £14,000. Freehold Theatre Company in Lancaster has won £9,750 to help pay the actors decent wages, improve marketing and assist with transport. And £5,500 has been given to an innovative

  • Two admit to robbery charges

    TWO Morecambe men admitted robbery charges when they appeared before Preston Crown Court. Edward Kumsah, 26, of Cambridge Road and Jonathan Brown, 18, of Westminster Road pleaded guilty to two robbery offences carried out on September 19 last year. Kumsah

  • Blues fightback

    Lancaster 2 Leigh RMI 2CITY produced a great performance against Leigh RMI in the Lancashire Marsden Challenge Trophy on Tuesday. A Bryan Welch strike put the quarter-final tie into extra time before Dean Martin put City ahead. But the Conference side

  • Nurse Michelle arrows in to raise £600

    A STAFF nurse from Blackpool Victoria Hospital has hit the bull's-eye after a recent charity darts night, raising £600 for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. Michelle Bowland, who works in the Astor ward, decided to arrange the charity contest at the Devonshire

  • OAP fights for life

    A LANCASTER pensioner is fighting for her life following a blaze at her Willow Lane home. Sylvia Darwen, 74, suffered serious burns to her body after her bed caught fire. Firefighters who attended the scene said she would have certainly died if it had

  • No body parts at the Vic

    BOSSES at Blackpool Victoria Hospital are keen to reassure the public it does not keep organs from dead bodies without consent. Chief executive of the NHS Trust for the hospital, David Gill, issued a statement in the light of the investigation into Alder

  • Valentine shine

    LANCASTER & Morecambe College students will be out in force on Wednesday 14 February to clean the Millennium Bridge in preparation for its official opening. The bridge will be officially opened on 16 February by Olympic gold-medallist Jason Queally

  • 'Back door' refugees

    A GOVERNMENT U-turn could mean hundreds of asylum seekers could drift into Blackpool "through the back door" and become a drain on local authorities, says the council leader. Coun George Bancroft spoke to The Citizen this week as the resort backed out

  • MEP says time to legalise brothels

    A LOCAL Euro MEP is calling for brothels to be legalised. Chris Davies says it's time Britain "grew up" and accepted that prostitution was never going to go away. He believes a policy of legalising, controlling and taxing brothels would curb exploitation

  • Pupils lobby MP for facilities

    PUPILS at a local school have lobbied their local MP in a bid to get more facilities for young people. A meeting between pupils at Central Lancaster High School and Hilton Dawson has led to a number of suggestions to improve life for the local community

  • Weekend seminars

    LOCAL people have been invited to a series of Saturday morning seminars related to environmental issues. Both students and local people who are concerned about the environment can attend the special seminars at Lancaster University. The 'Thinking About

  • Leader accuses some of scaremongering

    THE scale of the protests against the cost cutting proposals has stunned council chiefs who claim the report was merely a consultation document. Leader of the largest group on the council, Cllr Tricia Heath, said the review was in line with Government

  • Murphy earns replay

    Lancaster 2 Leigh RMI 2 (aet) RMI had a Ged Murphy strike in the 110th minute to thank for earning a replay in their Marsden Cup Quarter Final with UniBond League Lancaster City. The tie had been forced to extra-time as a resurgent Lancaster capitalised

  • Miners Eaton alive!

    Dewsbury Rams 48 Leigh Miners Rangers 10 LEIGH Miners Rangers ran into a one-man points-machine as their Silk Cut Challenge Cup dreams disappeared at Ram Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Rams scrum-half Barry Eaton beat the Miners virtually on his own with

  • Stardom looms for Suzanne

    WANNABE pop star Suzanne Crowshaw, took a step nearer stardom last night when she was one of the 10 hopefuls chosen from 30,000. Suzanne, aged 19, from Bury, has been appearing in ITV's Popstars series and millions of viewers saw her being chosen for

  • Lucky escape

    A MOTORIST had a lucky escape when his car careered out of control and overturned outside a Bury restaurant last night. David Fisher suffered a cut to his wrist and shock when his Peugeot 306 clipped a metal bollard outside the Est! Est! Est! Italian

  • Souey eyys Eyal loan

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was today hoping to get the green light in his bid to sign Celtic outcast Eyal Berkovic. Ewood chief Souness has spoken to the player's agent about the possibility of landing the Israeli international on loan until the end

  • Seating company is standing tall

    BLACKBURN-based office seating manufacturer Dauphin plc is continuing to expand and its success has been rewarded with two excellence awards and new contracts. The company, in Peter Street, is celebrating after picking up the prestigious Investors in

  • You're not getting my bag!

    A WOULD-BE thief bit off more than he could chew when he tried to snatch a shopping bag from mother and daughter, Joan and Nicola Anders. The plucky pair from Esthwaite Avenue, Carr Mill, were loading their car on the Safeway car park at about 7.45pm

  • Knife threat

    A BOYFRIEND brandished two kitchen knives during a row with his partner, a court heard. Blackburn magistrates were told that after emptying drawers and smashing items in the kitchen Andrew Pugh emerged with the knives, in a threatening manner. The he

  • Steven left broke by benefit cut

    A MAN who has not worked for two years since he almost lost his arm in an accident has claimed he has been left penniless after his benefits were stopped. Steven Webster was receiving disability living allowance and incapacity benefit worth £177 a fortnight

  • Dead ringer for Ronan

    TALENTED teenager Kieran Jones proved a cut above the rest when he took first place in the Grand Final of the St Helens Star/Theatre Royal 'Stars in their Eyes' competition. The 18-year-old hairdressing apprentice from Haydock became Ronan Keating for

  • Charity ball

    THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for breast charity Breakthrough in memory of a Rossendale woman held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors. The event was organised by Maria Stansfield. of Rawtenstall, in memory of her sister Carmelina, 38, who

  • It's a case of home help

    IT'S "Have suitcase, don't need to travel" for young patients of Blenheim House -- thanks to a generous gift. Cleveleys Lodge of the Freemasons handed over a £1,500 "sensory suitcase" to the centre on January 29 containing equipment which aids children's

  • Patrick has dinner on the menu

    GUESS who's coming to Blackpool? Former Casualty star Patrick Robinson is. And he's looking forward to exorcising a few demons at the same time as making his debut at the resort's Grand Theatre as he told the Citizen: "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner is

  • Big doubts for the 'little men'

    A "CLAUSTROPHOBIC" meeting on January 29 left some Blackpool businessmen unhappy with the council. The meeting of the Federation of Small Businesses, attended by Blackpool Borough Council leader George Bancroft and chief executive Graham Essex-Crosby,

  • Elephant care to be probed

    COUNCILLORS have agreed to examine elephant care at Blackpool Zoo after animals rights protesters said there was a better way of looking after them. But zoo bosses insisted at a public meeting of Blackpool Zoo sub-committee on Monday (Januray 29) that

  • 'Oscar' night for tourism

    THE high standards set in the tourism industry in Blackpool are recognised in the resort's annual awards ceremony. And The Citizen is delighted to be involved once again in what will the third year's event being held at the De Vere hotel on February 02

  • Here is your chance to shape the future

    THERE is still time to cast your vote to say how you think the council should re-organise its structure in the biggest ever shake-up of local government. As part of a massive consultation exercise, Blackburn with Darwen Council has been asking local people

  • 'Thick Paddy' taunt denied

    AN IRISH shop manager was called a "thick Paddy" by a colleague at a carpet firm's Blackburn store, an employment tribunal was told. But a witness was "forced or paid" to make the statement alleging racial abuse, it has been claimed and the hearing in

  • E-mail bid to 'net' crooks

    CRIME-FIGHTING neighbours are pioneering a scheme to tackle crooks by using e-mail to swap information and contact police. Neighbourhood Watch schemes are to be connected to an e-mail system, providing them with a vital link to the police as part of a

  • Stanley raffle

    A MANCHESTER United shirt signed by David Beckham is among the memorabilia up for grabs when Accrington Stanley hold their raffle draw on February 22. Stanley are still selling tickets as part of their "Save Our Shakers" campaign as they bid to raise

  • Burnley sign Dale

    BURNLEY have snapped up South African one day international Dale Benkenstein as their professional for the forthcoming Transco Lancashire League season. The 26-year-old batsman, who plays for Natal, will make a welcome return to Turf Moor, having been

  • Rams through

    CLITHEROE 2 RAMSBOTTOM 3 (aet) RAMSBOTTOM are through to the second round of the Worthington Challenge Trophy after an extra-time win in the first round replay at Clitheroe. The first game at Ramsbottom ended 2-2 after extra time on Monday night, forcing

  • Lancs in the clear

    NEIL Fairbrother and Lancashire have finally been cleared of match-fixing. The club were dragged into cricket's corruption scandal last summer when Lord's launched a full investigation into allegations made by the former Essex bowler Don Topley in the

  • Hodgson happy after Kyalami testing

    NEIL Hodgson's GSE Racing team shrugged off their money worries to complete a successful pre-season test at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa. Still reeling from the loss of their sponsor INS and a potential shortfall of £1m in their World Superbike

  • Greenwood fears the dragon's fire

    RICHARD Greenwood, father of England centre Will and a former England captain himself, is looking forward to the start of the Six Nations with 'unbridled fear'. England, with a couple of former Stonyhurst pupils in their side, are firm favourites to win

  • Extra-time agony for schools squad

    THE St Helens Schools Primary team went down 3-2 to Huyton after extra time in the quarter-final of the North West Cup. Despite facing a strong wind in the first half St Helens defended well and showed clinical finishing on the break to take a 2-0 lead

  • Ruskin pipped at the post

    Ruskin Park 7 Anselmians 8 RUSKIN Park pushed unbeaten league leaders Anselmians all the way in this evenly-fought but entertaining game. The home side opened brightly, with some good forward drives and lively back play, but persistent infringements took

  • Bid to track down old pupils

    COULD Citizen readers please help us to track down anyone who attended Collegiate Grammar School for Girls in Blackpool between September 1965 and July 1970. We are hoping to have a reunion in May and would like to contact as many girls as possible from

  • Cables lacking in cohesion

    Prescot Cables 0 Rossendale United 2 THE weather-disrupted season seems to have affected Prescot more than most. This was only their fifth league game in three months and the cohesion that they showed in the first three months of the season, which took

  • Park run away with it

    Blackburn 16 West Park 39 THE previous league game with Blackburn back in October was a close-fought affair with a 15-12 result in West Park's favour. Saturday's return at Ramsgreave Drive, after a tight first half, in complete contrast, proved to be

  • Brilliant day at the zoo!

    WEEK after week there seems to be letters in your pages criticising Blackpool Zoo. I paid a visit there last Sunday along with two of my children and a friend. We took our Christmas tree so we got in free. I didn't know what to expect as a few years ago

  • Youngsters hit the goal trail

    YOUNG soccer stars in the Rainhill Junior League were back in action at the weekend with a bag full of goals being scored in all three divisions. RESULTS Under 15s: Denton Athletic 8 Basildon 1, Eccleston United 0 Rainford Rangers 5, Knowsley South 3

  • Double signs are just confusing

    THE article headed "Rounding off the problems" (Citizen, January 18) raises an issue which gives me concern -- the mini roundabout. The traditional roundabout is used to assist traffic flow whereas the mini roundabout is designed to impede flow, acting

  • Town march on in Vase

    Consett 0 St Helens Town 1 A GOAL by 'super sub' Robbie Cowley a minute from the end of normal time booked Town's place in the last 16 of the Carlsberg FA Vase, the furthest they have attained since winning the trophy at Wembley in 1987. Before kick-off

  • Duo lead way in Combination

    BILLINGE FC and Shoe FC still lead the way at the top of the St Helens Combination Star Premier Division with College St Helens and Penlake, perhaps the only clubs capable of catching them, depending on trouble-free team selections for the six or seven

  • Don't be a stay-at-home

    What's On with Sue Gerrard FEBRUARY has some great shows coming your way, so there's no need to be a stay-at-home! There's a treat for youngsters at the Theatre Royal on Sunday, February 18 -- for one day only -- in the shape of 'The Ugly Duckling.' Book

  • Letter bomb veil of secrecy

    POLICE have drawn a veil of secrecy over the identity of a Lytham charity shop which received a bomb in the post this week, thought to have been sent by an animal rights protest group. Lancashire Police said that on January 30 a "charity organisation"

  • Pensioner dies in home blaze

    A 72 year-old man has died in a ground floor fire at his home on Victoria Road, Rainford, Fire crews were called to the house just after 8pm on Monday, January 29. A next door neighbour alerted the fire brigade but the man was certified dead at the scene

  • Get some free advice

    FREE road safety advice will be available during the launch of a child seat event which will take place at Safeway, Chalon Way, St Helens on Tuesday 6th February from 10 am until 3 pm. You can get more information about the event by phoning Lisa Scott

  • Police probe fire at garage

    POLICE are investigating a suspected arson attack at Sherdley Park Motors, Marshalls Cross Road, on Sunday, January 28. The incident took place between 5.30 and 6.30pm when five vehicles caught fire in the compound area of the garage causing extensive

  • Special fitting offer from council

    ST HELENS Council's Community Safety Team, in partnership with voluntary organisation Care and Repair, is offering to provide and fit for free additional banister rails in the homes of people with mobility problems. To benefit from extra banister rails

  • Health checks at the centre

    NEWTON Family and Community Centre is offering a free Health and Lifestyle Assessment, backed by Newton 21 Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Health Projects. This will include checks on blood pressure, flexibility and lung function, a dietary and lifestyle

  • Fire breaks out at farm

    POLICE are investigating a fire which broke out in the barn at Kebbs Farm, Clock Face Road, Bold Heath, on Saturday. The incident took place between 4.30 and 4.45pm when a large quantity of hay bales were set alight and parts of the barn suffered extensive

  • Did you see tragedy?

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses who saw an accident on the Liverpool bound carriageway of the East Lancashire Road, Haydock on Saturday, January 27. The incident occurred at 8.25am when a 26 year-old female pedestrian was in collision with a heavy

  • Giving a voice to youth

    BILLINGE Youth Council is setting up a Pilot Project which will include a Youth Survey and also a chance to join the Billinge Youth Council. The meetings will be held on Tuesday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th February between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm at the Public

  • First step on success ladder

    ST HELENS Chamber is holding free business seminars to help potential businesses put that first step on the ladder. Each seminar will cover a wide range of topics from marketing and managing your finances to increasing sales and managing people. The seminars

  • Offer on big show

    ST HELENS Council is again offering registered charities a limited number of sites free of during the three days of the St Helens Show. Charities wishing to raise money for the event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 27, 28, and 29, are being asked

  • Raids' alert for residents

    POLICE are urging residents in Newton-le-Willows to make sure their homes and vehicles are secure following a spate of burglaries in the area. Since December, there has been a marked increase in burglaries around the Market Street area of Earlestown,

  • Millward's back to thank Leigh fans

    IAN Millward and several of his St Helens World Club Championship winning squad will be at Hilton Park on Sunday to thank the Leigh public for the part they played in Saints' victory over Brisbane Broncos. The former Leigh coach and his players will parade

  • Ref denied Turley of a magnificent seven

    NEIL Turley won't dwell on how close he came to smashing a 54-year-old Centurions' try-scoring record. The young full-back took his record-equalling six-try haul in his stride but felt he had been denied a history-making seventh by a poor refereeing decision

  • It's Hull-uva struggle...

    Leigh Centurions...28 West Hull...5 STUBBORN resistance from West Hull and a hit-and-miss effort from the Centurions made Leigh's progression into round four of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup a low-key affair. While Leigh were the first to admit they were

  • Major quiz on health

    A MAJOR new survey is being launched into lifestyles in St Helens and Knowsley. Funded by the Merseyside Health Action Zone, the survey will be carried out by the institute of public health research and policy at the University of Salford. More than 6,500

  • Taxi driver death: Two in court

    TWO men accused of murdering Bury taxi driver Tariq Javed have again appeared before magistrates in the town. Mark Baker, aged 21, from Hazel Avenue, Bury, and Jason Power, aged 29, of no fixed address, are said to have committed murder in November of