A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Fun & games at Clitheroe Castle Museum, 11am-4pm. Grand Charity Auction, Town Hall, Padiham, 6pm. Special half term openings at Helmshore Textile Museums, noon-4pm
ATHERTON LR U14s collected their first ever win, beating Queens Park 6-0. The goals came from John Unsworth 2, Andrew Talyor, Craig Shepherd, Cory Brown and man of the match Shane Sargent.
LEIGH East U12s turned in a poor performance despite beating Pilkington Recs 26-12. East's tries came from K.Williams, S.Shepherd, A.Thomasson, T.Roper and J.Unsworth. Goals were kicked by K.Williams (2) and S.Shepherd. Man of the match was B.Hardman,
When you talk about the heady heights of bottom but one of the league and a first win in two years you soon realise the important of this fixture. This was West End's and Akzo Juniors cup final -- and what a final it was! Rock-bottom West End, who have
LINDA Palmer has plenty to get her teeth stuck into -- and she's loving every minute of it! For the 53 year-old adopted Blackburnian, affectionately nicknamed 'the rottweiler', is the tenacious organiser-in-chief of the Thwaites Darts and Dominoes League
AN oil spillage on the M65 resulted in one lane of the motorway being closed for part of Thursday morning. A lorry travelling in the Shadsworth area on the motorway was found to be leaking oil and diesel from its engine at around 8.45am. Two fire crews
SO the Pavilions in Church Street, Blackburn, are to be done up 'posh,' for want of a better word (LET, February 12). If these three eyesores had been in the private sector, they would have been subject to a compulsory purchase order, with the word 'unfit
AT last, a councillor who has the guts to tell the truth about Blackburn. 'It's a grotty mill town,' says Councillor Colin Rigby, of the Conservative Party (LET February 12). Until some of the people who reside in this town change their ways, it will
REGARDING the 'naming and shaming' of 15-year-old tearaway Aaron Stoddard by Accrington magistrates when they made him subject to an anti-social behaviour order (LET, February 8), I am in Moldova on assignment for the Peace Corps and, as an older person
A 15-YEAR-OLD girl was robbed by four teenagers riding bicycles in Bury. As the victim walked along Back Rochdale Road, Pimhole, one of the youths grabbed her mobile phone and £10 out of her hand as they cycled past. They rode off but the thief accidentally
WHAT a fantastic, brilliant night it was at Turf Moor as we beat Fulham 3-0 to reach a quarter-final at Watford. We can now start dreaming of more FA Cup glory but what I really hope is that we don't let ourselves down at Vicarage Road. I have been at
EDUCATION Secretary Charles Clarke has vowed to come to Burnley to help solve the town's secondary school places crisis. The Cabinet Minister made the offer at a high-level meeting at Westminster after local education bosses outlined proposals to end
A FAMILY has been wrenched apart by the Iraq crisis -- with an uncle volunteering as a human shield while his nephew prepares to fight Saddam Hussein. Jean Seager today spoke of her pride and concern for her peace protester son Dieter, and his nephew
KEITH Scott is confident that he and fellow Leigh RMI new boy Neil Campbell can score the goals that will help the club beat the drop writes David Magilton The veteran striker moved to Hilton Park from Scarborough last week along with Campbell and believes
THE Queen's Hotel in Bamber Bridge is to be demolished to make way for new town houses, after a local couple bought the land. The Church Road pub, which has stood empty for nearly a year, was snapped up by property developer Colin Wood, 56, who manages
AN initiative to bring culture within the reach of Burnley people was due to be officially launched today. Burnley Council has been working on a new strategy after the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it expected all local authorities to prepare
A GRAFFITI-busting squad is set to take to the streets of Burnley next month as part of a bid to clean up the town's grot spots. The new initiative is being launched after Burnley's Community Safety Partnership was given more than £19,000 Home Office
A MERCY trip by a team of East Lancashire firefighters was hanging in the balance today as travel plans were thrown into chaos by the threat of war. The crew, who are all based at Burnley fire station, were due to leave for Bosnia next week to help restore
MORE than 30 parents of truanting pupils face fines of up to £1,000 after education bosses began court proceedings against them. Lancashire County Council says it has taken the action against the parents "as a last resort" after other attempts to solve
THE leader of Burnley Council has attacked the BNP after its three councillors failed to attend "the most important meeting in the council year." Stuart Caddy said it was 'a disgrace' that Carole Hughes, Terry Grogan and David Edwards, had not appeared
A PROLIFIC night-time thief has become the first adult in Burnley to be made subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. Burnley magistrates were told ex-convict and drug addict Roy White, 30, is said by police to be responsible for much of the car crime
SHAKERS boss Andy Preece has hit back at critics for demanding too much of teenage goal ace David Nugent. The 17-year-old was due to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal today to officially step up to the senior squad. He first exploded on to
PARENTS in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are being warned of the dangers of prolonged bottle feeding. Health professionals are concerned that prolonged use of feeder bottles could cause a number of problems including; dental decay, food refusal, poor
A DRUG addict who took cocaine on the day of his death was also suffering from deep vein thrombosis, an inquest was told. Peter Wright, 35, of Henry Street, Nelson, died at his partner Maxine Devoy's home two days before Christmas after suffering breathing
A BIKER from Walton-le-Dale is preparing to race on four wheels rather than two. Robyn Anderson, 30, has been a keen motorcyclist for several years and now she is revving up for a new challenge -- the new Formula Woman for female drivers interested in
A TROPHY special to the history of women's soccer has been presented to the National Football Museum by the son of one of the country's first women footballers. Reg Cook, son of Alice Kell, the first ever captain of Dick, Kerr's Ladies Team, presented
THE anti-war protest in London has got folk rock legends the Levellers fired up ready for their latest tour. The political heavyweights, who are a familiar sight at festivals and demonstrations alike, never preach on stage, they let their music do the
LEIGH-born opera singer Simon Wilding returns to his home territory this weekend. A bass with the Welsh National Opera Company, Simon will perform the last of the winter concerts at Leigh Music Society from 2.15pm on Sunday, March 2 in the Derby Room
BLACKBURN Rovers boss Kenny Dalglish could 'nae' refuse a fellow Scot when he made a ten-year-old fan's dreams come true. Kenny invited Lee Varey to Ewood Park to meet the players after Lee's Scottish Nana, Betty Varey of Mona Road, Blackburn, wrote to
A NEW photography competition has been launched for disabled amateur photographers -- Freedom in Focus 2003. The themes of the competition are Nature and Modern Life, and two age categories, 18 and 18+, are available, with cash and camera prizes. Entry
A FORMER company boss has been cleared of trying to mislead the Child Support Agency. Steven Crowe, 35, was found not guilty of using a false instrument with intent after a three day trial, at Burnley Crown Court. The defendant, of Edge End Lane, Great
A COMMUNITY care worker caught speeding four times in almost as many days on the same stretch of road has lost a fight to keep her licence. Mother of two Elizabeth Miriam Turner, 39, had claimed a ban would cause her exceptional hardship as she would
A WOMAN who is going deaf has appealed for support in setting up lipreading classes in Accrington. Angela Jackson, of Kirk Road, Church, says if enough people want the service she will try to find funding and a venue for the classes in the town and around
FROM Greenham Common to Iraq -- peaceful protest runs in Daniel Seager's family. His mother Jean protested against nuclear warheads in the early 1980s and took him with her. And Daniel, known as Dieter, and his mother were joined by his nephew Steven
BENTS, the Glazebury-based garden centre, is celebrating again. Following last year's announcement that Bents had been chosen as one of only 15 Garden Centre's of Excellence in the UK, it has now received its results from the annual Garden Centre Audit
GUITARIST John Sharples stands on the flattened site of the former Garrick Club and can conjur up the sights, sounds and smells of the past. The lead guitarist with The Vulcans -- one of Leigh's own favourite groups of the 60s -- can hear the organist
TRAINING provider BCE Mesnes -- a subsidiary of Bury College -- has celebrated a move into new office accommodation in Lever Street, Bolton. Edwards House is the former drawing and administration office of tipping gear manufacturers Edbro. Edbro has retained
A FAMILY whose disabled son must travel from Bury to Whitefield for a bath say their patience is seeping down the plughole. Barbara and Edward Gilbert, of Raymond Avenue, Bury, have been locked in a two-year dispute with Bury Council over providing wheelchair
A CLITHEROE mechanic is one of ten hopefuls in the running to be officially crowned the brightest spark of them all. Geoff Taylor, who works at Primrose Garage, Whalley Road, is set to compete in the final of the Champion Spark Plug Technician of the
A CONTROVERSIAL £600,000 CCTV system in the Ribble Valley is to have an additional three cameras after the project ran under budget. But one borough councillor critical of the scheme today accused the council of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Nine
CLARETS midfielder Tony Grant had no doubt that Sean Davis deserved his red card last night after being on the wrong end of his horror tackle. Fulham boss Jean Tigana claimed his England hopeful was hard done to but Grant claimed: "I don't like to talk
BURNLEY fans have been allocated 4,200 tickets for the FA Cup quarter-final clash with Watford at Vicarage Road a week on Sunday. The match, which will be screened live by the BBC will kick off at 1.30pm and the tickets will go on reserve sale tomorrow
IAN Moore put his early season frustrations well behind him last night with a superb display against Fulham last night to help send the Clarets into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The 26-year-old revelled on the big stage and confessed: "I love the
IT may be too soon for Clarets fans to be booking hotel rooms in Cardiff on May 17 but, after last night's 3-0 demolition of Premiership Fulham, they are entitled to at least clear their diaries. Having out-played, out-thought and out-fought the Cottagers
COMPETITORS in a marathon that started in Leyland were injured by a hit-and-run motorist as they ran. The police helicopter was used to search the area after the driver of a blue 4x4 hit at least three runners as they made their way along Runshaw Lane
RORY Gallagher tribute band Sinnerboy are on stage from 9pm on Saturday at The Glass Barrel, Tyldesley Road, Hindsford. Described in last month's Classic Rock magazine as "one of the up and coming tribute bands to look out for" Sinnerboy is fronted by
A TYLDESLEY thespian will get his kit off and strut his stuff around Manchester Opera House in the raunchy show Girls' Night Out. Adam Waddington, who has starred in TV soaps Heartbeat and Emmerdale, plays stripper Robbie in the show about the most unforgettable
BLACKPOOL is set for a massive boost after Ryanair launched a new route between the town and Dublin. Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline, is to commence daily flights on May 22 with fares starting at £29.99 one way including tax. "This is fantastic
Miners mauled LEIGH Miners 'A' never really settled against higher division opponents Adlington and trailed 16-4 at half time with Evans being the scorer. Changes made by coaches Wood and Robinson at the break saw a second half improvement with only a
LEIGH Miners Rangers travelled to Widnes for a cup tie and came away with a well deserved 30-0 victory. Reynard scored the only try in the first half to give them a narrow 4-0 lead. After the break the Rangers were firing on all cylinders with a great
YOUNG Lauren Smith is preparing to swim to France and back! Keen swimmer Lauren, seven, is taking part in the Sharon Davies Challenge where fundraisers swim to raise cash for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign. In the same event last year Lauren completed
Wigan St Pat's 30, Leigh Miners Rangers 28: LEIGH Miners blew their chance to take over the leadership of the National Conference Premier Division when they were blown apart by arch-rivals St Pat's. The Miners produced an up and down performance. They
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has three advice surgeries scheduled for this Saturday. He will meet constituents at the Church Lane Community Centre, Church Lane, Lowton, from 9.30am to 10.30am, at Atherton Town Hall between 10.45am and 11.45am and at the Leigh
NEUROSURGEON John Sinar will be the guest speaker at Leigh Grammar School old boys' dinner. The Old Leighians' Association event is being held at 7.30pm on Friday, March 21 at the Masonic Hall, Leigh. Tickets can be obtained from Tony Bent, 6b Cawley
LEIGH-born opera singer Simon Wilding returns to his home territory this weekend. A bass with the Welsh National Opera Company, Simon will perform the last of the winter concerts at Leigh Music Society from 2.15pm on Sunday, March 2 in the Derby Room
BRITAIN'S leading medium will perform at Darwen Library Theatre next week. James Byrne, gifted psychic medium, will cross to the other side in front of a stunned audience, introducing light-hearted comedy along the way. No hypnotism takes place in the
SOUL is returning to Darwen's Masonic Hall for the first time in 18 years, in aid of Sunnyhurst Wood. Motown classics and a disco will be the focus of the evening of Saturday, April 5. Organiser Des Jones said: "Together with my friends and family, I've
A CONFIDENTIAL new advice service has been set up following a call from young people. Three fully-trained counsellors are available at the Leigh Connexions Centre, Bradshawgate, to help worried 11-25 year olds with any problems. A Young People's Counselling
BOXING brothers Amir and Haroon Khan both lifted North West National Schoolboys Amateur titles when they competed at Everton Sports Centre. It was the third time that Amir has won the title but little brother Haroon won his 32k class at the first attempt
NEWCHURCH WI learned about Victorian furniture and bygones from speaker Mr H Hodson. The competition for a Victorian object was won by J Greig with O Lee and Patricia Poulter second and third. Mrs H Ashton received a bouquet to celebrate her 90th birthday
A PIONEERING reading group wants to attract book lovers and theatre goers to its meetings. Members of Lifelong Learning, in partnership with the library service, have set up the group to link theatre and reading in order to offer something for everyone
THE family of 92-year-old Edna Gilson are relieved that they had found her a new home. Edna, from Atherton, ended-up on a hospital ward for terminally ill people after a fall resulted in her losing her place at a residential care home, as highlighted
THE chair of governors at a Darwen primary school today confirmed that an investigation has been launched into an alleged incident involving a member of staff. But Blackburn with Darwen Council has yet to reveal the details of the suspension following
A PENSIONER who left school at the age of 13 to work in the mills died of asbestos poisoning, an inquest was told. Elsie McLucas, of Oak Street, Shawforth, died in hospital in last October, aged 79. An inquest into her death was opened in October last
THE Leader of Rossendale Council has revealed how he pushed for more details about a multi-million project during a meeting with former Secretary of State Estelle Morris. Councillor Graham Pearson also said he used the opportunity yesterday to help create
THE Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn officially opened the new £7million Thomas Linacre Outpatients Centre in Wigan -- which houses all outpatient clinics under one roof. The new centre has made it more convenient for local people to access
A MASSEUR'S wife has spoken of her delight after he was cleared of groping a teenage student at his Golden Hands clinic. Joan Downey said the past nine months since the allegations were made had been "an absolute nightmare" and she was looking forward
ENGINEERS are introducing eager young pupils to the 21st Century jitters. The boffins from the Science and Technology Research Organisation at Salford are touring Leigh Education Action Zone schools encouraging junior pupils to design and manufacture
HOSPICE fund-raisers will carry a patient's bed with advertising banners around the 26.3 miles of the Flora London Marathon course. Abram Haulage duo Julie Humphreys and Andy Best, fencing contractor Mark Hornby and pro golfer Dave Clarke aim to raise
PEACE campaigner John Wood is appealing to protesters to join a "not in my name" demonstration against war in Iraq. The Lowton joiner hopes thousands of anti-war campaigners will take part in this Saturday's silent vigil which begins at 1pm on Leigh Civic
THURSDAY, February 27: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library (10.30-noon) B Hampson. FRIDAY, February 28: Howe Bridge Sports Centre (6-7) B Splaine; Tyldesley Town Hall (6.30-7.30) S Hellier; Leigh
A MAGNIFICENT seven schools have been praised for their work on health improvement. Staff and pupils from Tyldesley Fred Longworth High, plus six junior schools, were among nine from the area who were today (Thursday) recognised for work in their specialist
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has welcomed an hospital choice booster for local patients. He is delighted that from July patients waiting for six months or more will have the chance to opt for treatment in public or private facilities elsewhere in the country
A CRACKDOWN on illegal off-road action brought police an unexpected bonus -- they netted youths who had escaped from a young offenders' centre. On Sunday, a police team of on and off-road motorcyclists backed by a Land Rover crew, officers on mountain
FIVE generations helped Jim and Eileen Ainscough celebrate their golden day. The retired Hag Fold shopkeepers marked 50 years together with parties attended by Eileen's 88 years-old mother mother Marian Ellison, their three children, John, Ian and Michelle
THREATENED primary schools have been reprieved -- but their future depends on continued support. Shakerley CE School, in Tyldesley, and St John's CE at Mosley Common will stay open Wigan Council's cabinet decided last Thursday, but like all other schools
A TRAGIC dad who left his local pub after a Saturday night out, died when he was hit by a car while crossing the road. Joiner John Sharrock, known locally as Jack, of Wigan Road, Leigh, had been drinking in the Royal Oak pub close to his home with his
COMMUNITY woodland plans for Lowton are a welcome change from housing schemes says a Golborne councillor. Lightshaw councillor Peter Franzen has congratulated the Forestry Commission's blueprint for 70 acres and slammed objectors who tried to hijack a
WHILE the Bush administration appears determined to crush Iraq over the illegal weapons issue, we are led to believe that all will be well when Saddam Hussain is toppled. Somehow I don't think so. Indeed it's the ordinary innocent people, the pawns, who
LEADING local politicians are backing a campaign by an Anchorsholme newsagents to take over the running of a nearby post office when it gets the axe next month. As reported in The Citizen on January 9, the Fleetwood Road Post Office, at Norbreck, has
THURSDAY, February 27: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library (10.30-noon) B Hampson.
A NEW initiative from the NHS to help people living with chronic disease will soon be available in Blackburn. Expert Patients is a self-management course to help people cope better with chronic disease or long-term medical condition and enable them to
AN environmental project costing £400,000 to turn a hidden corner of Blackburn into a pedestrian paradise has been launched. Blackburn with Darwen Council has begun work on improving the Fleming Square area. It is hoped that the area will provide a safe
EDUCATION bosses have welcomed £100 on the spot fines for parents who take their children on holiday during term time. Today council chiefs welcomed the strategy as an extra weapon in the battle to keep pupils at their desks. In East Lancashire the percentage
SCHOOL can be a nightmare when your child is more likely to beat up teachers than sit still and heed advice. For parents who care for children with behavioural problems, the nightmare becomes a daily reality. But as one family found out when they moved
TODAY is the busiest day for staff at chemist shops across East Lancashire -- it's pension day and scores of elderly people visit the store they rely on. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph has launched a campaign to save our local pharmacists after an Office
PENDLE AC's Sam Crabtree was a double winner for Lancashire in the Regional Sports Hall Finals last weekend. Crabtree was first in the vertical jump and a member of the winning 4x 2 lap team which also included Damien Rawcliffe of Hyndburn. The Under
JUMPS specialist Becky White has won two gold medals at the British Universities Championships at Birmingham setting Championship Records in both the triple jump and long jump. The 22-year-old former Blackburn Harrier, from Haslingden, nowadays concentrates
THERE are fears for the future of road racing in the North West after a serious incident in the Great North West Half Marathon at Leyland left one of the athletes with serious injuries. A 4x4 vehicle towing a trailer carrying bales of hay collided with
OUR good run came to an end last Saturday when we were beaten by a far better team. Wolves showed that they intend to be in the end of season play-offs. They also showed us why we won't be. Our finishing, especially in the first half, was poor. We could
BEATEN for the third time this season 3-2 at Leicester on Saturday, Bury became wooden spoonists of the Second Division. They are the only side that has not recorded a win and they have conceded twice the number of goals they have scored. This is a depressing
ANOTHER defeat for the Shakers in a game they could've won. Instead they lost 4-0 to Sheffield United. Bury had the better off the game but couldn't take their chances as a combination of ill luck and good keeping from Burgin kept them out. United did
BEATEN on Saturday for the fourth game in succession, Bury dropped to third position from the foot of the Second Division table. Again they were unfortunate in the 3-2 defeat at Oakwell, for if the football of both the Shakers and Barnsley was not of
PLAYING an improved brand of soccer against a team that was completely lacking the essential power in attack, Bury won comfortably 2-0 at Hull on saturday to record their fourth success of the season and their second away win. The points collected were
THE nightmare which haunts all First Division teams became reality for West Brom on Tuesday night when they skidded out of the League Cup competition after losing 1-0 to the Shakers. At a frost-bound Gigg Lane where the pitch resembled a large cake liberally
ENGINEERS are introducing eager young pupils to the 21st Century jitters. The boffins from the Science and Technology Research Organisation at Salford are touring Leigh Education Action Zone schools encouraging junior pupils to design and manufacture
THREATENED primary schools have been reprieved -- but their future depends on continued support. Shakerley CE School, in Tyldesley, and St John's CE at Mosley Common will stay open Wigan Council's cabinet decided last Thursday, but like all other schools
A BOX of chocs wasn't exactly what a 91-years-old Atherton bachelor expected as a sweetener after a gas man's blunder. He was taken aback when an inspector read his meter, declared there was an "awful smell of gas", told him to ring an emergency number
BRAVO to Leigh's Steve Smith who battled his way to the final of Friday's 15 to 1. The retired retail manager took centre stage, starting two points ahead of the competition, to face questions from the suave William G. He was first to answer three correct
THE 16th Wigan Beer Festival at The Mill at the Pier on March 13-15 is operating on a theme of making the amber nectar appealing to women -- especially those who have never tried it. Among the 50 brews and ciders from around Britain is a new one from
VACCUUM cleaners, where would the modern homemaker be without one? The trouble is when a broken one has to be replaced there's far too many models to choose from, but then in this spoiled society its the same with all goods. My 20 years old Vax gave up
WHEN a team finishes on terms after twice hitting the woodwork of their opponents' goal it might be thought they were unlucky not to win, but Bury can be grateful for the point they got in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Gigg Lane on Saturday. The
BILL Whitehead, former captain of the Bury Schoolboys XI, has signed as part-time professional for Bury. He has been assisting the club as an amateur since he left school three years ago and is showing great promise as a right half. Last Saturday he was
INTERESTING facts about Leigh Centurions rugby league team will be revealed in a limited edition newsletter produced by St Mary's High School pupils. Centurions' stalwart Tommy Sale and development officer Jason Donohue were at the Astley school to meet
AFTER an even start, RMI went in front after 15 minutes when Darren Fitzsimmons collected a long clearance and slotted the ball past the keeper. Midway through the half Neil Horrocks hit home the second before RMI sealing the match in the second half.
THE differences between members of the Seager/Dixon family reflect divided opinion throughout Britain about war with Iraq. Last night's House of Commons vote also highlighted the split in views with Peter Pike and Gordon Prentice among the 121 Labour
BILLY Rigby won the 19th winter merit at Pennington Park on Sunday by beating Dave Taberner in the final 21-18. The consolation final was won by John McCaul who beat Bill Griffiths 21-16.
IN A match littered with handling errors, Leigh Miners Rangers U11s overcame a strong Woolston side by 22-12. Leigh's tries came from Sarsfield (3) and Jones with goals from Sutton, Myers and Keenan.
THERE is a saying that life begins at forty but try telling that to Florence Whalley. For Florence didn't work up a sporting sweat until she was well in to her sixties -- but now she is making up for lost time. The Darwener may be an octogenarian but
COAL Clough Casuals manager Andy Hallas is looking for sweeping changes to grassroots football -- a restriction on the number of teenagers in a team! Having seen the young pups of Corporation demolish his golden oldies, Hallas insisted that thirtysomethings
MAY I express both my and my family's most grateful thanks to our district nursing team, family doctor, paramedics and nursing staff on SA2 at Blackburn Infirmary? The care, compassion and professionalism shown by all of them when I was recently taken
THERE is a big difference between supporting America and supporting the Bush administration. The America I know is the one where one third of its people took on its government at its most powerful and effectively opposed the war in Vietnam. It is the
HAVING been accused by the Lancashire Partnership For Road Safety of the selective use of accident statistics to justify the case against saturation speed cameras, the current radio and TV campaigns and recent release of statistics condemns the Partnership
A FAMILY who made life a misery for their neighbours have been evicted from their home. Christopher McClarty, his wife Veilia and their four children left the house on Windsor Grove, on Leigh's Higher Folds estate, hours before bailiffs were due to repossess
MOUNTED officers based at Bury have saddled-up to help rein-in street criminals across Greater Manchester, in Operation Hawk's latest bid to stamp out street crime. Officers on horseback have 'mounted' this most recent drive to bring robbers and thieves
TINY twins Daisy and George Nicholson are looking forward to enjoying their first birthday -- a joyful celebration which nearly never happened. The little bundles of joy were born two months prematurely after complications meant their mum Alice had to
THE run-in to the Premiership season promises to be an exciting period for Rovers' followers, so perhaps now is an opportune time to lay down a challenge. Back-to-back victories over Southampton and Chelsea have put us in a position of safety - a truly
PATIENTS in Preston waiting for hip-replacements could be treated by a team of doctors from South Africa brought in to cut waiting times. There are currently 20 patients on waiting lists for the operation at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The
TEN thousand hens were killed when a blaze ripped through a battery farm in Longton. Firefighters put out the fire, saving 20,000 hens in nearby barns in Drumacre Lane East. The blaze started at 2.40pm on Tuesday February 26 when one of five timber buildings
WOMEN from Preston have been expressing their inner thoughts on what it's like to be a Muslim living in Britain. Six women from ethnic backgrounds put their creative thoughts together and produced several images for an exhibition at The Harris Museum.
A WOMEN'S group which runs a special project for 'working girls' has welcomed a website advertising Preston's sex trade. The site, available free of charge, contains explicit information and contact numbers for prostitutes, massage parlours and escort
COMMUNITY groups are starting up in two of Preston's most troubled estates. The Callon Community Association and the Hopwood Triangle Tenants' Group, Deepdale, will tackle problems in the area including juvenile nuisance and 'grot spots'. In the past,
ONE local soldier thought joining the Territorial Army would be a bit of fun after more than two decades with the regulars. But Sergeant Stewart Fegan, who spent 22 years as a medic, didn't bargain on being called up ready for a possible war in the Gulf
SOUTH Ribble residents are facing a massive 19 per cent increase in their council tax. Councillors were disappointed not to get a bigger grant from the Government and now face increased responsibility for extra services which will push the council tax
THE Citizen has consulted historians to help a reader in his quest for knowledge about a military machine he once worked on at Leyland Motors. Colin Thirlwall, a former apprentice for the firm, wrote to ask 'whatever happened to the FV1200?' The machine
THE daughter of a woman, who died after routine surgery went drastically wrong, is calling for an inquiry. Linda Wilson, whose mother Moreen Goring, 79, of Ingol Head, died following a hip replacement, claims staff failed to react quick enough following
A CHARITY auction will be held tomorrow night at Padiham Town Hall. The auctioneer will be Carol Stinton and proceeds are going to the Mayor of Burnley's Scanner Appeal. Viewing starts at 6pm and the sale at 6.30pm. The Mayors and Mayoresses of Burnley
PADIHAM people were celebrating today after it was revealed the town will join Burnley and help host this year's Blues Festival. The news came as Burnley prepared for the 15th annual event. Organisers said the signs are that this year's festival will
EDUCATION Secretary Charles Clarke has vowed to come to Burnley to help solve the town's secondary school places crisis. The Cabinet Minister made the offer at a high-level meeting at Westminster after local education bosses outlined proposals to end
THE true spirit of soccer friendship was there for all to see at York City's Bootham Crescent on Saturday writes PHIL THORP. Members of Forever Bury - the Bury FC supporters trust - got together with City fans collecting vital contributions to help keep
NICE to see Stan Ternent hasn't lost his penchant for plain speaking since his days at Gigg Lane writes Bolton Evening News columnist Neil Bonnar His constant criticism of Bury folk in his new book went against the grain with me as a lad from that town
A NEW day care centre was officially opened in Nelson which will be used by the Walton Lane Over 55s Club. The centre, in Leeds Road, is run and funded by Age Concern and a special cake was presented to the new users to mark the occasion. The Mayor and
PLANS to bulldoze houses in Pendle's rundown Whitefield ward and rebuild it with modern homes could price the community out of the area, a public inquiry was told. An East Lancashire estate agent, giving evidence at the second hearing into Pendle Council's
CRIME has been wiped out on a Radcliffe housing estate following police action aimed at burglars who prey on the elderly. During a three-week crackdown on distraction-type break-ins not one incident was reported. And even though the operation finished
A GAME of two halves is a well worn cliche but it certainly sums up Hoppers' fourth consecutive victory. The win lifted them to the top half of the table for the first time this season and it was certainly hard earned after they appeared to be dead and
FROM Blackburn exile Miss D. Heys, of Thornton-Cleveleys, comes this picture of her class at St Philip's School, near Witton Stocks, Blackburn, in 1923-4. Miss Heys, who is pictured at the left wearing a dark dress, wonders if any of her of schoolmates
FROM faraway Woy Woy in New South Wales, Australia, comes this picture of Mill Hill, Blackburn, at least 90 years ago when, as the belching factory chimneys show, the town's textile industry was running at full steam. The view dates from the pre-First
A RETROSPECTIVE planning application for a wooden stable which has gone up at Windlefield Farm Barn, Birch Hall Lane, without permission will be considered by West Craven councillors next week. A complaint was received by Pendle Council about unauthorised
DINERS at Franco's restaurant in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, were feasting on the brushstrokes of self-employed artist Michael Flanagan. Michael, of Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle, transformed the restaurant by conjuring up the images of ancient Rome.
TWO acclaimed, prize-winning fiction writers are giving a reading of their work at the St Peter's Arts Centre, Fylde Road, Preston, on Wednesday, March 13. Bernard MacLaverty will read from The Anatomy School and Jackie Kay from Trumpet -- their latest
FIRE chiefs have appealed for information about a suspected arson that gutted one house and nearly spread to two adjacent properties. Station Officer Gary Monk said the blaze started on the ground floor of the terrace house, in Pearl Street, Accrington
STAFF and volunteers from East Lancashire Hospice will be at Asda in Accrington tomorrow to raise awareness of the services they offer to patients and their families in the area. Liz Crilley, day therapy unit team leader at the recently refurbished hospice
AROUND 15,000 homes across Hyndburn will be demolished as part of a £200million transformation of rundown communities in the borough. The Elevate East Lancashire scheme is looking to rebuild housing in the most depressed regions of Accrington, Church,
NELSON'S COLUMN By Dt Sgt Bill Nelson BURGLARS beware! A crack police team which specifically targets burglars is based at Leigh Police Station. The specialist team is in addition to the uniformed staff who deal with burglary investigation and crime prevention
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to have pylons moved from near their homes have vowed not to give up after calls for a Government review were rejected. And Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has taken up the fight, pledging to ask the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to
WIGAN and Leigh have an above average number of one parent families and more people with health problems. The changing face of the area was revealed in the 2001 census which also showed there are a higher percentage of people who describe themselves as
NEWS reports from around the world say millions are seriously thinking the second coming of Christ may not be too far away. This isn't surprising in the light of current events but also because His first coming as a babe to Bethlehem took place exactly
POLITICIANS have joined forces with workers to fight the closure of the Ingersoll Rand factory in Hindley Green. Euro MP Terry Wynn has reacted angrily to US bosses' plan to shut the Swan Lane plant -- with the loss of another 106 jobs -- with all production
F IFTY years ago this week Frank Davies fulfilled a housing dream. Ex- farmer Frank moved his wife, Hannah, and two-years-old daughter Joan into the bungalow he built by torchlight. Villagers hailed the remarkable achievement and the house that Frank
What the plans include 10,000 seater stadium 400m running track New 6th Form College Multi-screen cinema Health club Indoor sports hall Bowling alley Conference centre Leigh East pavilion Harriers clubhouse Student housing Car parking A SPORTING CHANCE
RIBCHESTER Amateur Theatrical Society took to the stage in its 22nd pantomime, Snow White. The pantomime was written by David and Julia Procter, with a modern score by Tony Mottershead and Diane Clare. Prince William was played by Jo Shipman and Snow
POLICE are searching for two women who posed as charity workers and stole more than £1,200 in cash and jewellery from a pensioner. They entered the man's house in the Standen Road area of Clitheroe after saying they were collecting old clothes for charity
RESIDENTS in Ribble Valley will be able to have their say at a series of public forums aimed at strengthening the community. The Ribble Valley Strategic Partnership has organised the forums to look at issues such as race and faith, the young and elderly
A JUDGE warned that young people were getting mixed messages about the use of drugs as she sentenced a 59-year-old grandfather for possession of 175 grammes of cannabis. Thomas Walmsley, of Fairsnape Avenue, Longridge, pleaded guilty to offences of supplying
FULHAM boss Jean Tigana reacted furiously after his side's 3-0 defeat at Turf Moor last night, but instead of blasting his highly paid but under-achieving side it was Burnley's players who felt the sharp edge of his tongue. "I was very angry at half time
IAN Cox and Drissa Diallo could not have wished for a more comfortable night against Premiership opposition. But it was thanks to their early challenges that Fulham began to get frustrated. Cox was given the task of marking Junichi Inamoto, while Diallo
A LOOK at the key moments from the cup game against Fulham. BURNLEY MARLON BERESFORD Arguably his quietest night of the season as he was untroubled throughout. Could have spent the second half watching Footballers' Wives 7 DEAN WEST Great through ball
STAN Ternent, as the sub-title of his recent book proclaims, has had a hard life in football. Some of the toughest days came when he walked into his Turf Moor office for the first time five years ago. He was shocked by the work ethic and attitude of many
BURNLEY blew Premiership side Fulham away at Turf Moor last night to earn an FA Cup quarter-final tie at Watford. "It is a fantastic result for everybody connected with Burnley Football Club," beamed proud manager Stan Ternent. "I thought we thoroughly
MY off the field problems with the manager have been well documented so I don't want to say too much more on the subject. To me, it doesn't matter what happens off the pitch and who I talk to and who I don't. The important thing is that I do my best for
AN engineer who worked alongside the legendary creator of the wartime bouncing bomb has died in hospital. Norman Banks, of Yarrow Place, Leyland, worked with Sir Barnes Wallis in Barrow and Coniston, designing and testing parts for the device which was
MEALS on wheels is under threat in South Ribble as there is a shortage of volunteers needed to transport and serve up the hot dinners. The catering service has been going strong for more than 25 years and delivers a hot meal directly to the doorstep of
GEORGIE Fame is back. The international blues and jazz star from Leigh returns to his roots this weekend. The Cotton Street-born hitmaker will play in concert with his sons on Sunday at Wigan's Mill at the Pier (12.30). Admission is £10 adults, £8 concessions
LEIGH RMI ladies had their first league match in six weeks against a strong Buxton team. Buxton started better, scoring from close range early in the game. RMI stepped up a gear and took control. Sumner equalised with an excellent run behind the defense
TYLDESLEY RU junior sides found it hard going in their games against Broughton Park. The U8s were beaten 40-10 with tries from Ben Ormrod and Joseph Redmond. Skipper Connor Wilcockson was in good form. A depleted U9s struggled to make any impact in their
FOUR of Leigh's sporting heroes are up for county recognition after receiving hometown honours. Rugby union's Howard Lycett and Dave Phillips, cricket's John Charlson, and swimmer Khalid Jhugroo scooped three of the five prizes at the recent Wigan Sports
GRAEME Souness will not be leading his charges in the InterToto Cup next season after putting Premiership progress before cash. Rovers do not want to risk their squad, comparatively small to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, in a competition
BURNLEY blew Premiership side Fulham away at Turf Moor last night to earn an FA Cup quarter-final tie at Watford. "It is a fantastic result for everybody connected with Burnley Football Club," beamed proud manager Stan Ternent. "I thought we thoroughly
NEW kitchens are part of a £250 million, five year programme to transform the area's 25,500 council homes. For the next five years 100 new kitchens a week will be fitted and the 200,000-plus new units being installed will be made out of timber from sustainable
THREE Darwen streets were wiped of electricity earlier today when a damaged cable caused a power cut. Businesses and shops in Church Bank Street, Bridge Street and Victoria Street had their electricity supplies cut for 35 minutes this morning. A spokesman
DARWEN Sure Start has sent out a big thank you to parents, local businesses and staff for their Christmas draw donations. Lois Holden of Sure Start, said: "It was at the Santa's Grotto event in December and we were overwhelmed by donations and we would
AN 18-year-old student will run the London Marathon to raise money for a voluntary teaching trip to Malaysia. Neil Chelton, of from Cross Barn Walk, Darwen, is set to compete in the 26-mile run in April, aside from his studies at Runshaw College. The
A COUNCILLOR from Darwen has launched an initiative encouraging more foster carers to come forward and look after children. The recruitment drive, spearheaded by Coun Sue Reid, executive member for social services, aims to find carers for 20 children
UNDER it's slogan Our Children: Our Future Leigh EAZ Child, Family and Community Partnership is in a frenzy of activity preparing for a roadshow. The Partnership aims to raise its profile by consulting with children and their parents/carers about breaking
A DAYTIME drinking ban is set to be introduced on the streets of Darwen in a bid to tackle 'yobbish' behaviour. The ban, introduced in Blackburn and Accrington last year, will cover the bus station, Parliament Street, Railway Road, Union Street and most
ASTLEY Youth Band has scored a trio of contest successes. In the Haydock Slow Melody Contest 13-years-old cornet player Michael Clegg took the 13 and under competition, Simon Minshall, 11, the section for best trombonist in the same age group and nine-years-old
INTERESTING facts about Leigh Centurions rugby league team will be revealed in a limited edition newsletter produced by St Mary's High School pupils. Centurions' stalwart Tommy Sale and development officer Jason Donohue were at the Astley school to meet
A LOTTERY jackpot will be used to create a new 24 place nursery. The New Opportunities Fund has awarded £93,520 to Wigan Local Education Authority to provide the parents of over threes in Hindley Green and Hindley with access to good quality childcare
BUDDING inventors, entrepreneurs, artists and business people seeking project funding will be at Friday's seminar hosted by MP Andy Burnham from 10am at the Turnpike Centre, in Leigh. Attending will be speakers from NESTA (the National Endowment for Science
EAST Lancashire's latest tourist attraction is set to open on time and amid a flurry of activity, including a visit from one of the country's favourite gardeners. Homefront star and acclaimed Irish gardening expert Diarmuid Gavin will open the seven-acre
STAND-IN speaker Dennis Townsend took Culcheth WI on a slide show tour of coast and countryside. Accomplished photographer Dennis highlighted delights of the Forest of Dean, the Lake District, South Downs, Devon, North Wales and Anglesey. The group will
A ROSSENDALE family who were told to flee from their Kuwait home because of the threat of war today spoke of their relief to be back in Lancashire with their family. Sean and Sharon McShea, along with their children Caitlin, two, and Ciaran, one, were
A MOTHER who was forced out of her home by thieves and left her possessions in the care of Wigan Council returned to find they had disappeared. Mother-of-two Lisa Parsons moved out of her home at Sussex Place in Tyldesley, in June last year after thieves
MOUNTED officers based at Leigh have saddled-up to help rein-in street criminals across Greater Manchester, in Operation Hawk's latest bid to stamp out street crime. Officers on horseback have 'mounted' this most recent drive to bring robbers and thieves
OVER 250 people packed into Garrett Hall School at Tyldesley for a public meeting to discuss development plans for Chaddock Lane farmland. Wigan councillors Brian Wilson and Alan Stephenson called the meeting following a storm of protest from people concerned
AN ex-sailor is backing a campaign to repatriate one of Britain's few surviving WW2 warships. Michael Worthington, from Cross Gill in the Blackmoor area of Astley, hopes Liverpool City Council's bid to bring back HMS Whimbrel, right, from Egypt will be
A 75-YEAR-OLD retired labourer died as a result of exposure to asbestos. An inquest heard that William Edward Lawson, of Kingsway Home for the Elderly, Montague Way, Blackburn, had been diagnosed as suffering from asbestosis in 2000 and his health had
LANCASHIRE'S highly successful home composting scheme has just given away its 50,000th free kit. The kit consists of a 220-litre compost bin, a lidded kitchen container for collecting raw fruit and vegetable peelings and a Getting Started leaflet, all
A COUNCIL chief executive today had breakfast with the Prime Minister at an event to celebrate excellence in local government. Phil Watson, from Blackburn with Darwen Council, was invited to 10 Downing Street, followingthe council's success in the Council
THREE people arrested after 860,000 cigarettes were seized in a police roadblock have been released. Two vans carrying cigarettes with an outstanding duty of £120,000 were stopped on Monday at Junction 4 of the M65 in a joint police and customs crackdown
TWO new 'top cops' have pledged their joint commitment to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in Blackburn. Inspectors Mick Laraway and Ian McCann have taken charge of policing in Blackburn as geographic inspectors and are no strangers to Eastern
PNE Women are out of the League Cup after going down to an 80th minute goal. PNE made a bright start with Fiona Dransfield shooting just wide twice in the first 20 minutes while Laura Cain saw her 30 yard shot fly just over the bar. Alison Taberner had
FOR Bury's winning sequence to be ended by a 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers, the bottom club in the Second Division, was something of a disappoinment for the Shakers' supporters, but to bring a point back from the Belle Vue ground was in every way commendable
IMPRESSIVE performances against West Bromwich Albion and Plymouth Argyle have brought confidence surging back into the Gigg Lane camp and two points tomorrow against Oxford United, to make it three wins in a row, will go a long way towards confirming
BOB Smith, still striving desperately to steer Port Vale away from the Third Division relegation zone, returns to Gigg Lane tomorrow for the first time since his three-year reign as Bury manager ended with the sack in November. The man who led the Shakers
AT last Bury have raised a winning flag and their first victory of the season at Southampton on Saturday was a splendid achievement following their goalless draw at Plymouth on Wednesday night. If the match at The Dell could have finished with Southampton
A LUKE Robinson field goal eight minutes from time robbed Leigh Centurions Academy side of a draw in their pre-season friendly against a strong Wigan Warriors side last Saturday. The game marked a return from injury for star full-back Neil Turley and
Leigh Centurions 38 Chorley Lynx 20 by Mike Hulme PAUL Terzis didn't even attempt to defend the indefensible. Leigh's head coach wasn't in complimentary mood after emerging from the Centurions' dressing room after giving his players the rounds of the
FOOTBALL hooligans have heaped more shame on the Shakers. Four travelling Bury fans were arrested and charged with a number of public order offences after violence flared between rival supporters following the club's match at York City on Saturday. Three
LEIGH Athletic's defensive horror-show allowed Elton Vale a deserved three points following a 4-3 win in the Air Miles Manchester League Premier Division. Derek Watson hit a hat-trick, with John Price also scoring. Danny Wilson, Bren Smith and Paul Gibbons
DINO Maamria's on-off transfer to Conference relegation rivals Stevenage Borough has finally gone through. Last week the former Tunisia Under 21 international at RMI top scorer turned down an offer from Borough and Leigh manager Mark Patterson thought
LEIGH RMI's embarrassing Lancashire Trophy performance against Chorley will not be tolerated again insists Mark Patterson. "Things are changing down here and that is the lowest we will reach. There is only one way to go and that is up," fumed the manager
Leigh RMI 1-0 Chorley by Martyn Hindley NOT 12 months have passed since Phil Thomson coined the phrase "winning ugly" - it took less than 12 minutes of this Lancashire Trophy semi to understand exactly what he meant. Because while Leigh are celebrating
