TWO Blackpool schools have won top awards for their work with pupils and parents. Claremont Community Primary, Westminster Road, and Highfield High School, Highfield Road, Blackpool, were the only two schools in Lancashire to receive Charter Marks during
HEY, teenage DJs, put a record on! More than 70 pupils from six Blackpool high schools have been hitting the decks to get a ground-breaking DJ training project off the ground. Students from Palatine, Highfield, Bispham, St Mary's, St George's and Beacon
HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope has got a tough task next week, heading for holiday destination Cyprus. Although its not high summer, he is looking forward to his trip to the troubled island with the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee. The committee
KENDAL...12pts SEDGLEY PARK...23pts A FIFTH win on the trot on a very heavy pitch came after an absorbing game in which Sedgley's organisation and disciplined play negated all Kendal's efforts. There were no weak links in this XV, but many stars and the
HE may have left Bury while still at junior school, but Matt Holland hasn't forgotten where his footballing roots are. The Ipswich Town skipper and Republic of Ireland international is the latest Premiership soccer personality to get behind the Shakers
Bury...3 Fleetwood...15 THE match between league leaders Fleetwood and second-placed Bury had all the ingredients of a first-rate clash writes MIKE JONES. Bury were out to prove that their position has been achieved on merit, and the visitors were keen
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...0 KENDAL TOWN...1 RADCLIFFE BOROUGH boss Kevin Glendon has not given up on automatic promotion, despite the setback of Tuesday night's defeat to lowly Kendal. An 86th minute penalty from James Shepherd robbed Boro of the points as
THE six-strong cast of Burnley Garrick Club's production of Don't Dress for Dinner includes a husband and wife team. Lesley and Brian Haworth play Bernard and Jacqueline, while Cynthia Sanderson plays Bernard's mistress and the part of his best friend
THE comedy Theft is being staged at the Hippodrome Theatre, Todmorden, from Wednesday, March 6, to Saturday, March 9. Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society's production is directed by John Spooner. Tickets, £4.50 (£3 on opening night) are available
TONY Blair's decision to press ahead with a total ban on hunting with dogs is most welcome, especially after the pitiful sights at this year's Waterloo Cup. Recent heavy rain had saturated, and in some cases waterlogged, the fields of Altcar, which, if
LEIGH Centurions' Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup quarter-final tie with borough neighbours Wigan Warriors at Hilton Park on Sunday will be a 10,000 sell-out writes Mike Hulme Leigh sold out their allocation of almost 5,500 in under two days, leaving
DAMAGE totalling £2,500 was caused in a ram-raid on a petrol station. A T-registered Toyota Avensis was driven several times into the front doors of the Total Service Station in Radcliffe Moor Road, Radcliffe, at 2.50am on Sunday (March 10). Three men
SCARVES were in plentiful supply among the Gigg Lane faithful who braved wintery weekend weather for what could have been the Shakers last ever home game. A giant "Fans United" scarf snaked its way through Gigg Lane's Cemetery End during Bury FC's match
ASTONISHED Bury pensioner Emil Salem returned home to find a chunk of his driveway missing, after thieves pounced. Mr Salem left his home on Manchester Old Road to visit the doctor. Upon returning two hours later, he discovered that 12 expensive flagstones
BURY'S new neighbourhood wardens are attracting plenty of attention and not just from the community they serve. The four-strong team has only been in East Bury for a few months, but news of its operations has spread across the country. The wardens were
MORE police are on their way to the borough but it's simply not enough, say the borough's MPs. David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis are demanding a more radical change to the way in which police resources are divided up across Greater Manchester. They met with
NEXT stop for the Heywood Model Railway Group is Bury's Holy Cross College. It will be full steam ahead for the popular organisation when it holds its annual exhibition on Saturday and Sunday (March 16-17) at the new venue. Steven Smith, exhibition manager
A RADCLIFFE dog breeder put in a far from "paw" performance when two of his pedigree chums won prestigious titles at Crufts. Keith Hand's own dog, Champion Kwhanchu Peggy Sue was named Reserve Best Bitch in the Kwhanchu Chow Chows section on Saturday
AN INQUIRY has been launched into the death of a 38-year-old mental health patient whose body was found with multiple knife wounds at his sheltered flat. Police forced their way into the flat in Richmond Avenue, Accrington, and found the body of Mark
AN AA patrolman from Bury added weight to his company's claim of being the fourth emergency service when he helped police catch a thief. Bob Morrissey was recently presented with an AA Service Medal during a special ceremony in London. The award honours
URBAN regeneration in the borough is set for a £3.4 million boost over the next six years. A full Groundwork Trust is being set up to allow the Business Environmental Association (BEA) to massively expand its community programme. Bury Council and the
A HOLE in the road has left driver Sue Holden deflated after she was told that the council would not take responsibility for damage to her vehicle. Heading home from work at Bury's Asda store one evening in January, Miss Holden was driving along York
RESIDENTS have a chance to "go green" at a cut price rate for one day only. Locals are being offered cut price home composters and water butts in a bid to help save the environment. The sale will take place on Sunday, March 24 in the car park of Asda
A NEW hi-tech training scheme could change the lives of many of the town's 'technophobic' adults. Thanks to a grant of £55,809, the Preston Learning Together Partnership is to open four new computer centres with the aim of improving job opportunities
PLAYERS from one of the greatest women's football teams in history visited Preston last week for a grand tour of the National Football Museum. The Dick Kerr Ladies team, famous in post-war days, enjoyed their trip to the museum to celebrate International
NEARLY 50 off-duty policemen from Lancashire Constabulary joined 5,000 colleagues in London for a rally protesting against proposed pay cuts. The peaceful protest was organised by the Police Federation as part of a dispute with the Home Office over pay
A POLISH war veteran who came to Preston in 1947 and set-up a table tennis club died last week. George Ressel, a men's singles table tennis champion and former president of Preston Table Tennis Association, died in hospital, on Thursday March 7, aged
TIME is up for spirits in a haunted Leyland pub as ghostbusters make a return visit to uncover the truth behind rumours of bumps in the night! As the town's oldest boozer The Eagle and Child pub, in Church Road, is believed to be full of spirits -- and
CLARETS fan John Batchelor was confirmed today as the new owner of York City Football Club. The 43-year-old motor racing tycoon, who until recently lived in Revidge Road, Blackburn, beat off rival bids to land the club saving them from bankruptcy. The
THE owner of a troubled take-away has locked up his premises for good and vowed never to return after it was smashed up and staff were left terrified. Fajjadur Rahman-Ullah, 29, from Stoneyholme, Burnley, has run Surma Tandoori in Burnley Road, Bacup,
PEOPLE from all walks of life attended the funeral yesterday, of the former Honorary Recorder of Burnley, Judge Ian Webster. High and Crown Court judges and other lawyers joined the judge's family and friends for the service at the packed Rochdale Parish
A STUDENT who clocked up 120mph on the motorway then gave police false details, Burnley Magistrates heard. The court was told how Mohammed Ayaz, 19, had not realised the vehicle behind him was a police car and had been "paranoid," because he was being
HUNDREDS of people will lose their jobs when two neighbouring companies close down. Up to 300 staff at Roseby's North West Distribution Centre and Northern Nets, which operate from the same building in Brunswick Street, Nelson, received letters earlier
THE eyes of the sporting world will be on the north west in summer when the Commonwealth Games comes to Manchester, and it will an extra special event for one young Preston sports star. Hockey player David Sullivan, has been given the honour of carrying
JUST five minutes into the game, Bebington's Mark Wilkie scrambled the ball home following a neat short corner routine. Preston's party was in danger of being gate crashed. But Phil Bowman soon restored parity as he turned the ball home from close range
IT was weekend of contrasting fortunes for two Preston sports clubs. For Preston Hockey Club there was elation at confirming promotion from their division -- but for Preston Grasshoppers it was a day of desperate disappointment as their relegation fate
IN response to the recent question from "Brandlesholme Resident", so far as I am aware two councillors use bikes to get to work. That is four per cent of the 48 councillors. If the same proportion of Bury residents between the ages of 18 and 64 (114,000
SHAW Hill golfer Nick Dougherty made a steady start to the Qatar Masters in Doha. He shot a three under par first round 69 to be placed in the pack chasing the leaders. Swedish pair Joakim Haeggman and Klas Eriksson plus Sheffield's Mark Roe were setting
MISTY clouds swept through the Royal Exchange giving a magical air to this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare's tale of love and loss in the land of mortals and fairies, is brought to life with dashes of contemporary Britain infused
MUSIC fans are in for a treat at a concert with a difference. The 10th annual Penwortham Youth Music Festival opens on Thursday, March 14 running to Sunday, March 17. Set in the tranquil surroundings of St Leonard's Church on Marshall Brow, Penwortham
POLICE in Preston are warning the public to be on their guard after a thief stole a Rolex watch worth more than £10,000 from the wrist of a man as he walked through the town centre. The attack comes as two men were jailed in St Alban's, on the South coast
A GRAND day out can be had by all in the run-up to the Easter holidays with lots of egg-citing events in store for all the family. Children at Lostock Hall County Primary are making a cracking start to the annual Easter fun tomorrow (Friday) with a bonnet
A UNIQUE support group is looking to recruit caring volunteers to offer practical and emotional help to victims of house fires. The Lancashire Red Cross Fire Victim Support Service -- based at Penwortham Fire Station -- needs people to be on call to help
HOPES that a dysentery outbreak was coming to an end were growing after figures revealed that the number of new cases was falling rapidly. Health officials monitoring the case said 134 people were affected by the outbreak.
A POP Idol-style contest took centre stage at an East Lancashire school to sing out a serious message to pupils: Get a proper job. The spitting image spectacular thrust a Pop Idol panel into the unfamiliar role of on-stage careers advisers. Performer
A SCHEME to clamp down on burglaries in Accrington using an undercover "hit squad" has been hailed a great success. Operation Enforce was launched in the town last month following a similar scheme in Blackburn which was prompted by a rising number of
HYNDBURN Council has launched a competition for residents to name the new council offices which will open in June. Around £1.8million has been spent converting the historic building of Accrington's Scaitcliffe House, the former canteen for textile machinery
A GROUP of parents campaigning for more secondary school places in the Ribble Valley has challenged Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding to meet them and discuss their plight. The Ribble Valley Schools for Ribble Valley Children's group first
Blackpool 1 Tranmere Rovers 1 Scorer: Murphy (11) Scorer: Howarth (56) Attendance: 6,860 POOL banished memories of the 4-0 defeat on Merseyside earlier in the season to earn another creditable draw on Tuesday night (March 12). As against Cardiff the previous
Cardiff City 2 Blackpool 2 Scorer: Campbell (29, 65) Scorer: Murphy (19, 27) Attendance: 11,629 AT first glance this seemed an excellent result for the Seasiders last Saturday (March 9). A point from Ninian Park is an achievement by any side in the division
AN Aladdin's cave of home interiors and gifts, Au Naturale, is coming to Bury. The company has acquired a 9,000 sq ft store in the town's Angouleme Retail Park and is schuled to open in mid-April, creating around 30 new jobs. Au Naturale will stock and
THRIVING Bury-based accountants and business advisers DTE have announced two new key appointments. Ken Moody has taken up the post of tax compliance manager, while Daniel Booth has been appointed business development manager in the audit department. Bury
BURY business leaders have given their firm backing to a "think small first" campaign to co--incide with a major EU summit held this week. Bolton and Bury Chamber has endorsed the call for decision makers to listen to small firms while framing legislation
ONE of the first phone calls new Everton boss David Moyes can expect to receive today will be from Clarets chairman Barry Kilby. The Burnley chief has been monitoring developments at Goodison Park all week in the light of the recent enquiry about the
THE acting chief executive of Bury and Rochdale Health Authority will head the new Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT). Evan Boucher is to be the chief executive of the trust, which will be established next month. Bury PCT will take over many of the functions
A LITTLE girl still waiting for a life-saving transplant operation is spearheading a national campaign to find bone marrow donors for other leukaemia sufferers. Five-year-old Elizabeth Morris, who has been fighting the cancer since she was a baby, is
A BURY man who has devoted more than half a century to the town's Rotary Club has achieved a unique honour. Mr Jack Farraday OBE, who is aged 91, has been presented with a landmark Rotary Foundation award. He is already a holder of the organisation's
GEE-whizz! The borough has been selected for a new wheelchair training pilot scheme. Whizz-Kidz, the national charity that provides disabled children and young people with mobility equipment, has chosen the borough to host the first pilot of its national
EMOTIONS ran high when angry parents faced education bosses who are considering closing a primary school in Ramsbottom. More than 150 parents, teachers and school governors attended a special meeting of the Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board on Tuesday
SUPPORT is snowballing in the battle to Save Our Shakers! Bury businesses, schools, individuals and a host of other fund raisers have really gone to town to collect much-needed cash for the beleaguered Gigg Lane club. They have responded brilliantly to
BURY FC desperately need volunteers to help compile the master plan for the Buy A Seat appeal. Anyone with suitable spreadsheet experience is asked to pick up a bundle of seat application forms, a floppy disc and instructions from the club. Further information
BURY Amateur Boxing Club's Amir Khan made light work of securing his second National Schoolboys Boxing title when he took to the ring in Barnsley. Khan needed just 90 seconds of his Under 15s bout to stop the Lawrence club boxer, Steven Turner. Khan has
AUSSIE-based Bury old boy David Brooks is doing his bit to help prevent his cash-stricken former football club from folding by releasing an England anthem in time for the World Cup. David, who left to play soccer in Australia in 1981, found fame down
CARL LOMAX scored his second goal of the season, but it wasn't enough to prevent Ramsbottom United slumping to their third defeat in the last five league outings at St Helens Town on Tuesday night. Town hot shot Lee Cooper took his tally to 28 goals for
THERE will be no special plans for Second Division hotshot Bobby Zamora when he puts the Shakers in his sights tomorrow. The Brighton Bullet has been in red hot form with 28 goals to his name already and the Seagulls haven't lost a match that he has scored
JET-HEELED winger Damien Duff today paid a glowing tribute to manager Graeme Souness after the Rovers boss has transformed the young Irishman into one of the hottest properties in the Premiership. Souness celebrated his second anniversary at the Ewood
ONE of the first phone calls new Everton boss David Moyes can expect to receive today will be from Clarets chairman Barry Kilby. The Burnley chief has been monitoring developments at Goodison Park all week in the light of the recent enquiry about the
DAVID Moyes has gone - but only after North End forced a British record fee for their manager. Everton unveiled Moyes as their new manager at a press conference last night. The announcement ended two days of haggling which started when Walter Smith was
BADLY Drawn Boy, aka Damon Gough, returns next month with a soundtrack album to the film 'About A Boy'. It's the first major release from the former Belmont singer/songwriter, since his million selling Mercury music prize winning, 'Hour of The Bewilderbeast
IT took 20 years for The Stiffs debut album to be released but as punk celebrates its 25th anniversary, the band are enjoying a mini revival. The Blackburn quartet of Phil Hendricks, Ian Barnes, John McVitie and Tommy O'Kane were born on a solid diet
BURY FC was today given a further six weeks in which to stave off financial ruin. Second division Bury FC were placed into administration a fortnight ago after creditors demanded payment on a £1 million mortgage. Today, the High Court sitting in Manchester
A WIDOWER whose wife was found dead in a French lake more than a year after she disappeared said today: "It's about time police treated her death as an accident." Robert Lund also called on the authorities to release his wife's body so he could arrange
A 12-YEAR-OLD schoolboy was attacked by a man who banged his head against a window as he chatted with a friend. The man, described as in his 50s, struck as the child was travelling on the Rossendale Transport 464 bus at 8.40am on Wednesday. Police today
ONE of the great operas comes to King George's Hall, Blackburn, on Sunday night when an international array of talent will perform Puccini's Tosca. Renowned opera diva Manami Hama takes the title role for the production staged by the Compagnia D'Opera
A 71-YEAR-OLD wheelchair-bound woman fell to the floor during a tussle with a thief who stole her handbag. The pensioner from Wakefield was being pushed in the wheelchair by her partner -- also a pensioner -- through an alleyway between the Imperial Hotel
A BLACKPOOL bingo player's number came up this month scooping her more than £60,000. Lucky Lorraine Henderson was playing at the Mecca Bingo Club on Talbot Road on March 1 when she called a full house after just 41 numbers. Lorraine, 49, halved the £100,000
MORALE is hitting an all time low for many residents of the Fylde care homes facing closure, despite the recent announcement of a U-turn in proceedings by council bosses. Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding told BBC Radio Lancashire and North
SLEEPLESS nights could be a thing of the past for Fylde residents as noisy pubs and clubs feel the long arm of the law. New police powers have come into force to allow them to close pubs or nightclubs immediately where disorder or unreasonable disturbance
AN ELDERLY Blackpool woman who died after drinking a Christmas present of creme bath had a "long history" of psychiatric problems, an inquest heard. Ada Barbara Dare, 88, died on Christmas Day after drinking creme bath at Devonshire Road Hospital, where
A RESIDENTS' group today claimed a solution may have been found to stop vandals jeopardising a £2million bid to improve a beauty spot. Incidents of vandalism at Corporation Park, Blackburn, have fallen since the CCTV system was upgraded last month. The
A HUSBAND today spoke of his anger after a life enhancing breast cancer drug was made available on the NHS just months after his wife died from the disease. Barrie Hilton, of Beechwood Drive, Blackburn, said he would always wonder whether Herceptin would
VENUE bosses today pledged to establish Blackburn's King George's Hall as a magnet for top performers after fading star Louise played to rows of empty seats. But the fans who did turn up to see Mrs Redknapp insisted she had the talent to bounce back from
NEIL Spencer scored his 19th goal of the season - and had two others disallowed - but Clitheroe's night was tarnished by a serious injury to Carl Greenwood. Play was held up for 20 minutes after Greenwood suffered a suspected broken leg in the first half
GREAT HARWOOD boss Denis Underwood says he is not setting his side any targets in their fight for survival in NWCL Division One. The Showground side entertain Newcastle Town at home tomorrow desperate for the points as they battle against the drop. And
PAUL BAKER is entertaining the Darwen crowds in more ways than one. The Anchor Ground hot shot has scored 30 goals this season to take his side towards the top of NWCL Division Two but it is the tumbles that follow the goals that are creating a bit of
THIS letter is to thank the people of Lytham and visitors from other towns who contributed most generously at the animal rights/welfare stall recently towards the vet fees for Akeyla, a rescued dog from an abused owner. He had a fractured elbow and other
I REALLY must take issue with M Weighman's letter in the Citizen of March 7. Surprisingly, I agree with the vast majority of his letter but I take great exception to him referring to Jack Croysdill's comments as being "left wing rhetoric". If New Labour
ACCORDING to North End, Preston will pocket a packet if David Moyes can keep Everton up. They are annual relegation candidates, and a succession of backroom problems have spilled out onto the pitch. Not even a manager with the reputation of Walter Smith
BLACKBURN Licensing, Betting and Gaming Committee recommended to magistrates that they should not accept any applications for licences. This was in line with the case law set in 1978. People involved in the rehabilitation of alcoholics are in agreement
A MAN has been charged with murder after the body of a 39 year old woman was found at Croft Park caravan park in Wigan Road. Alice Radcliffe, of Sandringham Avenue, Leyland, was found on Wednesday at around 10am with multiple injuries. Craig Kellet, 30
BLACKPOOL police are worried about bars and nightclubs in the town offering all-inclusive tickets and other drink deals which lead to drunkenness and violence. The Citizen's Nikki Masters went to an all-inclusive night at the Palace nighclub on the Prom
I AM extremely concerned by the possibility of a terrorist attack on Sellafield Nuclear Power Station in Cumbria. I would be interested to know if David Chaytor MP shares my concerns and, if so, what the Government is proposing to do. Since September
I AM aware of the proposals to close St Paul's C of E aided primary school in Ramsbottom. My contact with this school continues through my children to my grandchildren attending this small and friendly school. I am aware of the falling birth rate figures
LIKE most people born before the inception of the Welfare State, I have no objection to paying more tax to make things better, as long as the money is not wasted on bureaucracy, or to profit private companies. The current government made much play of
JIM Murray objects to more pedestrianisation of Bury town centre (Your Letters, March 5) but he must be aware that this has been proceeding apace in cities and towns across the country for years. Why should Bury be an exception? Most people appreciate
I NOTE that council tax is to rise by 6.5 per cent. This happens with monotonous regularity each year and the figure is always above inflation. I may be getting on in years, but if I see salaries kept mainly in line with inflation and services not improving
WHEN I left my home town last summer for pastures new, it was a move made with some anxiety. Like most people who live in the very place in which they were born and bred, I spent the early years of my adulthood trying to get out. University provided temporary
A ROUND-UP of Sunday shows. Blackpool Grand Theatre (01253 290190) Last Night of The Jubilee Proms -- a great British celebration for the Queen's Jubilee year featuring the Locrian Ensemble. March 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets from £10 to £15.50. The Ultimate
A LOOK at what's on at the Winter Gardens, the Grand Theatre and Studio Winter Gardens (01253 292029) Roy 'Chubby' Brown -- risque adult humour. Venue: North Pier Theatre. March 30 and 31. Times and ticket prices tbc. It's An Easter Cracker -- comedy
A LOOK at the junior rugby league scene. Leyland Warriors U11s 24 Haydock 12 Chris How and Danny Singleton grabbed an 18-0 half-time lead. Man of the Match Chris How sealed the win with a length of the pitch try. Top tackler was Danny Singleton and the
THE secretary of a church which caused uproar when its minister refused to marry a couple because of the difference in their ages today supported the decision. Joan Ashworth, secretary of the United Reformed Besses O'Th'Barn Church said the Rev Ruth Wollaston
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Ballroom and Sequence Dancing with MC's Frank and Denise, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. "My Fair Lady," The Mechanics, Manchester Road, Burnley
PUPILS at a Lytham school are hoping this month to talk their way into the final of a national competition. James Greer, Elaine Tyler and Elizabeth Broughton of Lytham St Annes Technology college are taking part in the Rotary Club's Youth Speaks 2002
LANCASHIRE CUP SEMI-FINAL Vale of Lune 7pts Sedgley Park U15s 7pts (Sedgley win on away team rule) FOR the third year in succession, Sedgley Park Under-15s have reached the Lancashire Cup Final and will, once again, meet Fylde, at Preston Grasshoppers
UP-AND-COMING East Lancashire director Ray Brady has made a shocking name for himself in the world of film production. The labels "notorious" and "controversial" have been stuck to his work as the result of an 89-minute movie he made eight years ago which
NOBODY wants to know Swinton Lions. Their landlords, Bury Football Club, and Salford Rugby League Club, made that plain this week. One bit of good news though was that rivals Leigh RLFC have agreed to Swinton playing at Hilton Park towards the end of
WORKINGTON...1 RADCLIFFE BOROUGH...1 FOR the second time in five days Boro were presented with a terrible surface on which to play -- and for the second time in five days they were found wanting. Heavy morning rain turned the Borough Park pitch into a
STONE DOMINOES...1 STAND ATHLETIC...3 THE league reversed this fixture from Ewood Bridge to Stone's impressive Springbank Stadium as Latics' floodlights are being repaired. The switch to a good playing surface resulted in a highly entertaining game as
MORE than the widow could be merry at Blackburn Gilbert and Sullivan Society's production of The Merry Widow, tonight and tomorrow. The production is being staged tonight and tomorrow with a gala night tonight at which you could win a short break to Paris
MAY I endorse the praise of Mrs Lynda Mayor (Letters, February 1) for the way B and B Taxis of Blackburn and its drivers help people -- especially in my case, the one called Chris. They take my granddaughter Lindsay, who is visually impaired, to her work
THANK you for the coverage of our 'Tenorissimo' concert benefiting four local charities given by three English tenors at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on March 8. The event was a great success -- so much so that we are bringing them back again next year
IAM completely dismayed at the world and some of today's so-called leaders. The very seat of the birth of Our Lord in Bethlehem and also the city of Jerusalem have yet again been the subject of devastating violence from both the Palestinian and Israeli
MIGHT I suggest to Helen Mead (LET, March 5) that if she wants to relive her youth she can repeat the follies of her youth. I think she is far too young to remember the 'Swinging Sixties,' the mini skirt, 'hot pants,' high-heeled shoes -- oh what a glorious
FIVE out of 21 off-licences in Leigh and Wigan, targeted in an undercover operation by Wigan Council Trading Standards Officers, were caught selling alcohol to an under-age drinker. The officers, assisted by a 14-year-old teenager, used new powers given
REGARDING your article (LET, March 4) about the 'high-power' event the previous night when you reported that "around 3,000 motorists and passengers were dispersed by police after congregating in East Lancashire." This figure seems to have been plucked
FAIRFIELD General Hospital has been give a one-star rating in The Mail on Sunday's "The Good Hospital Guide 2002". The Rochdale Old Road Hospital was placed in the bottom 17 of the paper's NHS Hospital League Tables. The comprehensive study evaluating
A MAN was slashed across the face in an unprovoked attack. The 35-year-old, who has not been named, had just left a cafe in Chester Street, Prestwich, at 9.20pm last Thursday (March 7) when he was attacked from behind by three youths. During the assault
THRILL-seekers rolled up for the popular March fun fair which ended its run in Bury on Saturday (March 9). The fair, held in The Rock car park, featured stomach-churners such as the Megastar ride, which spins and lifts riders at speed around its central
A MAN died of a suspected heart attack while cooking on Sunday (March 10), sparking a fire that was put out by Bury ambulanceman Nick Sutcliffe. The senior paramedic's former training as a firefighter was called upon when he reached Mr Joseph Hale's home
ANGRY parents taking their children to school have created a stink over the amount of dog mess which litters their route. And after three years of dodging piles of dirt, broken glass, rubbish and pot holes, to get to Butterstile Primary School, they intend
A HUSBAND today spoke of his anger after a life enhancing breast cancer drug was made available on the NHS just months after his wife died from the disease. Barrie Hilton, of Beechwood Drive, Blackburn, said he would always wonder whether Herceptin would
A HORRIFIED mother discovered a rat had been using her baby's blanket as a bed. And Mrs Heather Murphy (34) claims the area around her James Street North home has become over-run with rodents since the demolition of Radcliffe Paper Mill. She made her
POLICE are investigating a possible link between raids on pensioners' homes in Radcliffe and Prestwich. AT 3.15pm on Tuesdayn (March 12), a man and a woman claiming to work for Bury Council called at the home of a 73-year-old woman in King Street, Radcliffe
IT was celebration time on Monday (March 11) when Manchester revelled in the start of the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay and Spirit of Friendship Festival. And British Olympic champion cyclist Jason Queally joined members of the public as they gathered in
VILLAGERS have been toasting the future of their local which until recently was threatened by housing developers. Radcliffe-based leisure company Provence have acquired Summerseat's popular Waterside Inn. The news is a victory for local residents who
SIMON Svabic's dislocated and fractured finger is unlikely to keep him out of Sunday's 'Battle of the Borough'. The Centurions' stand-off star gave Leigh a few anxious days before coach Paul Terzis was able to declare in midweek that Svabic was ' 95 per
RAMSBOTTOM could become a model recycling community. Following the rejection of a controversial application to turn a disused Ramsbottom quarry into a landfill site, local people are now being urged to pledge their commitment to recycling and reducing
JET-HEELED winger Damien Duff today paid a glowing tribute to manager Graeme Souness after the Rovers boss has transformed the young Irishman into one of the hottest properties in the Premiership. Souness celebrated his second anniversary at the Ewood
ROVERS reserves avenged a 3-1 defeat at the hands of United earlier in the season thanks to some nifty footwork from Egil Ostenstad at Bury's Gigg Lane last night. The Norwegian international -- currently frozen out of Graeme Souness's first team plans
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness celebrated his second anniversary at the Ewood helm this week. And, despite Rovers' current perilous position in the Premiership, it's easy to see why the club's board of directors are eager to open talks over a new contract
PRINCE Charles has praised a Preston business woman for her achievements at work. Vanda Murray, who grew up in Farringdon Park, made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Buckingham Palace to receive her Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the Prince. The mother-of-two
A SCHOOL is appealing to people to help them keep a special breakfast club for pupils open after becoming a victim of its own success. Middleforth CofE Primary School, in Hill Road South, Penwortham, runs the club as a way for busy parents to drop their
PLANS to shut down two Preston children's homes and one in South Ribble have caused concern for a former Lancashire County Council youth worker who believes a blanket approach is not the right option. Retired youth worker Jim Green, from Leyland, believes
LANCASHIRE County Council's leader has denied the 35 threatened care homes will definitely stay open, but has promised to try and keep residents under the arm of county council-run facilities. County Councillor Hazel Harding said: "I'm not saying it's
WHILE most mothers were enjoying being pampered and presented with gifts and cards on Sunday, one woman in Fulwood was trying hard not to think about children. For Stella McMaster, Mother's Day is the worst day of the year, it's the one day she cannot
COUNCILLORS in Burnley are continuing to press for a race code. Under the 2000 Race Relations Amendment Act all local authorities have until the end of May this year to produce a Race Equality Scheme. The aim is to tackle discrimination and promote equality
PRESTON Grasshoppers will be playing in the National League Three North -- their fate was sealed in their 32-7 defeat at Stourbridge on Saturday. Both sides were evenly matched in a scrappy opening but a try by the home side in the 23rd opened the floodgates
BACUP manager Brent Peters will have to lift his side for Saturday's match against Holker after the depressing 7-0 defeat by Squires Gate on Tuesday. The West View side have games in hand on most of the teams immediately above them and they will hope
CHARLES and Ruth have a frightfully good idea, they'll hold a seance with local eccentric Madame Arcati and expose her as a fraud. However, the couple reckon without the psychic powers at work in the house and up pops the spirit of Charles ex-wife Elvira
THERE'S something for everyone at South Ribble Banqueting Suite with a programme of exciting entertainment scheduled for the Leyland suite. This is a new departure for the banqueting suite, and the organisers are confident the combination of good food
A JAZZ enthusiast has pulled out all the stops to organise his life-long dream -- a huge Preston music festival. Brian Gumbley, from Fulwood, runs a series of local music nights known as Feast of Jazz. Now the jazz-man has enlisted the help of businesses
THE chief emergency planning officer responsible for co-ordinating the reception of 300 Kosovan refugees is to retire after 17 years service with Lancashire council. Mike Wagstaff joined the emergency planning section of Lancashire County Council in 1985
A TIPPER truck body was ripped off when it smashed into a railway bridge at Huncoat at the bottom of Bolton Road. Trains were halted for an hour but no-one was hurt.
THE Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra will be playing at the next Feast of Jazz event on Friday, March 15. Tickets are £6.50 on the door, at Grasshoppers Rugby Club, Lightfoot Lane, Preston. For more information about the concert ring 712861. THE CLASSIC comedy
THINGS didn't work out for a trainee accountant on the day he made his debut for Great Harwood Town football team. Blackburn magistrates heard Paul Brian Haythornthwaite's team lost, he had a row with his girlfriend and ended up being arrested after crashing
PUPILS at a Lytham school are hoping this month to talk their way into the final of a national competition. James Greer, Elaine Tyler and Elizabeth Broughton of Lytham St Annes Technology college are taking part in the Rotary Club's Youth Speaks 2002
THE PG Club is to return to Clitheroe's Grand Cinema in time for the forthcoming Easter holidays. After the success of last year's pilot scheme, the club, organised by the cinema and the town's Platform Gallery, will hold two workshops during the school
SEALING a brighter and more prosperous future! That's insulations company Mayplas which has leased and moved into a massive 39,900 sq ft prime factory-warehouse at the newly-regenerated Peel Mills in Bury. And the transfer has allowed the business to
LANCASHIRE all-rounder Andy Flintoff at last revealed his true batting ability with a maiden Test century in Christchurch today. On a remarkable third day he and Surrey left hander Graham Thorpe put on a high speed 281 run partnership to turn a precarious
I WAS always told never to take anything for granted and, believe me, no-one at Rovers thinks that we have won our battle for survival now that we've got out of the bottom three. But it is nice not to have to look at the table and see that we are in the
WORKERS who protested by not turning up for work on Monday morning will not be reprimanded by bosses at a Leyland firm -- in fact the action has turned in their favour, securing an increase in redundancy pay. The unofficial walk-out at Albion Automotive
CAN you help find the owners of a German Shephard who was so emaciated he could hardly stand when found by dog wardens? Rinty was found by wardens in the Moston area of Manchester in February. The un-neutered male, who was taken to Manchester Dogs' Home
CONCERN is growing for a Blackpool hospital patient who has been missing since Monday. Paul Watkinson, of Horsebridge Road, Blackpool left the Bowland Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where he is an in-patient, on Monday, March 11. A spokesman for
CELEBRATIONS to mark the 150th anniversary at St Margaret's Church in Prestwich will come to a close in style this weekend. Parishioners have been in party mode for more than 12 months as various important dates in the church's history have been remembered
SERIOUS financial problems are facing the area boards for Prestwich, Whitefield and Unsworth. But the groups are not short of cash. They have too much of it! The coffers of Prestwich Area Board have swelled to around £20,000 while Whitefield and Unsworth
LOCAL badminton starlet Tom Dunlop has had a hectic, but successful, international schedule over the past few months. In December, the 15-year-old Tottington High School pupil competed in an international tournament in Hoensbrook, Holland. This was one
A HAIR salon marketing manager from Rossendale will be committed for trial at Bolton Crown Court after being found in possession of £60,000-worth of cannabis. Christopher Watson, 26, of Heys Close, Cloughfold, works for Bobbles Hair Salon in Tottington
POLICE today renewed their appeal for information about an armed robbery at a Rawtenstall supermarket as they revealed it could be linked to a second incident in Rochdale. A gang of robbers terrified staff at the Kwik Save supermarket in New Hall Hey
MISTY clouds swept through the Royal Exchange giving a magical air to this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare's tale of love and loss in the land of mortals and fairies, is brought to life with dashes of contemporary Britain infused
CHARLES and Ruth have a frightfully good idea, they'll hold a seance with local eccentric Madame Arcati and expose her as a fraud. However, the couple reckon without the psychic powers at work in the house and up pops the spirit of Charles ex-wife Elvira
BADLY Drawn Boy, aka Damon Gough, returns next month with a soundtrack album to the film 'About A Boy'. It's the first major release from the former Belmont singer/songwriter, since his million selling Mercury music prize winning, 'Hour of The Bewilderbeast
IT took 20 years for The Stiffs debut album to be released but as punk celebrates its 25th anniversary, the band are enjoying a mini revival. The Blackburn quartet of Phil Hendricks, Ian Barnes, John McVitie and Tommy O'Kane were born on a solid diet
HAPPY holidays! Council tenants across the resort are getting ready to enjoy a four week rent holiday this year courtesy of Blackpool Borough Council. Last December the council wrote to all tenants suggesting the idea of dividing their annual rent by
A BLACKPOOL minister has slammed the Bishop of Blackburn's recent comments on resort casinos. Bishop Alan Chesters called casino developments in the town "the lesser of two evils" following a fact-finding trip to Biloxi in the USA. But the Rev Tim Widdess
BLACKPOOL Challenge Partnership has got a pat on the back and a cash gift of £2.25m to continue regeneration in the community. BCP has been awarded Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) accreditation thanks to its hard work in tackling local crime, health
DIAMONDS are forever -- and this certainly rings true for one devoted Poulton couple who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this month. Jimmy and Joan Ibbetson have lived on Rutland Avenue in Poulton for 47 years and have never been happier
BLACKPOOL Victoria Hospital has been rated as one of the worst hospitals in the UK in a new Good Hospital Guide. The Vic was given one star -- out of a possible ten -- in the Good Hospital Guide 2002, published in the Mail on Sunday. And it was among
RACIAL equality campaigners today pledged to help Lancashire police recruit more ethnic minority officers after it was revealed the force had failed to meet Government targets. The constabulary currently has 60 black and Asian officers and needs to recruit
NELSON will be hoping to build on an impressive midweek victory when they travel to Bootle in the NWCL second division. Fourth-placed Blackpool Mechanics were beaten 2-0 by John Bailey's men on Wednesday night and the manager will be looking for more
COLNE boss John Lister is relying on his forwards to come good tomorrow - while he worries about his defence. The Holt House strikeforce has proved quite prolific in NWCL Division Two with Paul Fildes, George Craddock and now Jonathan Irvine making an
RAMSBOTTOM have signed Trafford centre half Darren Blowman. The defender, who moves down a division from the UniBond first division, will go straight into the side to meet Nantwich away in NWCL Division One tomorrow. Central defenders Mike Smith (work
STAND manager Nick Davis was relieved to actually get a game on Tuesday against Stone Dominoes - and even more relieved to come out with three points. The 3-1 win was only Stand's third game of the year and in that time their lead at the top of the NWCL
ROSSENDALE UNITED manager Jim McCluskie reckons loan signing Gary Williams could be the man to fire the side into the UniBond first division play-offs. McCluskie was delighted when the 22-year-old agreed to join the Dark Lane club for a month that could
R McCARTHY is still ranting on about helping the aged instead of wild animals. The answer is easy. Help both or help those who need it. Perhaps R McCarthy is hinting for us to help him -- he certainly sounds like one of his own empty vessels. As far as
WE are writing to complain about Fylde Council planning committee's decision to pass a proposal for the development of an offensive car park off Park View Road in Lytham. We, as residents, are abhorrent at the council's hand in glove attitude with the
HOW the David Moyes move saga unfolded over the last three days: WEDNESDAY: Midnight: Every national paper reports that Walter Smith is to be sacked and replaced by David Moyes. 9am: North End deny any bid has been made for Moyes by Everton. 10am: Everton
PRESTON will not be rushed into getting a new manager, the club has insisted. Kelham O'Hanlon and Jimmy Lumsden have been put in charge of affairs ahead of Sunday's game against Burnley. But North End have not ruled out losing them too. Moyes is believed
DAVID Moyes has gone - but only after North End forced a British record fee for their manager. Everton unveiled Moyes as their new manager at a press conference last night. The announcement ended two days of haggling which started when Walter Smith was
MANY pub landlords would like to be given the opportunity to open and serve alcohol at their own discretion during the World Cup. Last week saw most people in favour of an early full bar service, but Blackburn Magistrates chose to follow the case law
I MUST say thank-you for the recent article asking readers to host a visitor from Bury's French town of Tulle between April 2-7. Sadly, we had only one kind gentleman who responded to our urgent appeal. I understand the reasons why many people cannot
WE are writing to protest at the proposed closure of Affetside Primary School, which our daughter attends. We feel this decision is illogical educationally, far from economical, detrimental to the community, and sense that the decision was made on the
I HAVE read with interest about pending school closures across the borough. My understanding is that certain schools are due to close because of falling roles; that is schools are unable to fill classes with children. Such schools are costing the LEA
METROPOLITAN Police Commissioner John Stevens has criticised the Criminal Justice System, saying that it has failed to keep persistent criminals behind bars. He has also criticised the courts for letting criminals go free and urged the Home Secretary
A MYSTERY benefactor has emerged as a potential saviour of the Shakers by offering to settle the club's outstanding £1.3 million mortgage. Thursday's (March 14) dramatic development came on the eve of today's (Fri March 15) crucial High Court hearing
