Archive

  • Rabbit and hutch dumped

    CHARITY workers today condemned owners who dumped a pet rabbit by the roadside. The lop-eared rabbit was spotted close to a hutch which was also dumped in Mill Hill Lane, Hapton. Steve Carpenter, deputy manager of the RSPCA's Altham Animal Centre near

  • Investigation into flats fire

    AN investigation is being carried out after a man died in a flat fire in Leigh. The man, who is in his 20s, was found dead behind the front door of the flat on Chisworth Close, Westleigh. Fire crews took two hours to put out the blaze, which was in the

  • Tower of power

    BLACKPOOL'S 109-year-old Tower Ballroom is to host a a new Vegas-style floorshow, owners Leisure Parcs has announced. Dubbed "The Kings of Swing" the show will celebrate the music of the Rat Pack, Tony Benedict, Tony Martin and Tony Sullivan. Marc Etches

  • No offence says Kevin Bloody Wilson

    BLACKPOOL comedy lovers are in for a bl**dy good night when they welcome one of Australia's favourite comics next week. Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson comes to Blackpool Opera House on April 5 with his DILLIGAF tour. Regarded as an outrageously brilliant singer

  • Turley to the rescue

    Oldham 26 Leigh Centurions 31 by Mike Hulme: NEIL Turley's golden boot came to Leigh's rescue as they took a step nearer qualification for the last eight of the Arriva Trains National Cup. The Centurions' full-back weighed in with seven goals and a field

  • Souness plays down bust-up

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was due to hold clear-the-air talks with striker Andy Cole today. Souness and Cole were set to come face-to-face for the first time at Brockhall this morning since their much publicised bust-up in training on Friday. And

  • Form guide...

    THE key stats and moments from the game against Arsenal. ROVERS: FRIEDEL: Didn't need to reproduce his Highbury heroics but still played his part with a number of vital saves ...7 TAYLOR: Up against the brilliant Robert Pires but did an excellent job

  • Champagne celebration at Ewood

    GRAEME Souness celebrated his third anniversary as Blackburn boss with a glass of champagne after Rovers put the fizz back into the title-race. Almost three years ago to the day, Rovers were a club going nowhere. A languid 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crewe

  • Sue swings pub

    JAZZ vocalist Sue Parish sings at the John O'Gaunt in Lancaster on March 25. She will be bringing her trademark repertoire of swinging standards to the city pub - with a band including ace pianist Vinnie Parker. Expect a blend of swing and latin songs

  • Taxi drivers strike in attacks protest

    EMERGENCY meetings have been held between taxi firms and police after a weekend walkout in protest at attacks on drivers. Private hire taxi and Hackney cab drivers staged the strike from noon on Friday until 6am today after assaults on drivers and attacks

  • Family threaten to sue school

    THE family of a Burnley youngster are threatening to sue his school for negligence after claiming he has been bullied for more than five years. Marisa and Brian Walker allege that son Declan, 10, has been bullied at St James Lanehead, C of E, Burnley,

  • Police move to tackle crime wave

    RESIDENTS in Hala and Scotforth are to receive the support of a mobile police station following a spate of burglaries in the area. The community police vehicle will be at Hala Square between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday (March 16). Residents are being urged

  • School struts its stuff for Royal couple

    NEWS of a royal visit to a Lancaster school this week has sent a ripple of excitement through the playground and staff room alike. Central Lancaster High School is playing host to the Earl and Countess of Wessex, pictured left, this afternoon (Thursday

  • MP tells Blair his job is at risk

    PRESSURE over Iraq was mounting this week as Lancaster and Wyre's MP called on the Prime Minister to consider quitting or risk ending Labour's term in office. Hilton Dawson says Tony Blair should reject the 'rush to war being heavily propagated by the

  • Centre plan to be revealed

    A NEW £2m scheme to redevelop Nelson town centre -- including the notorious former Grand Cinema site -- is set to be unveiled on Thursday. The aim is to create a vibrant town centre and improvements suggested include new street furniture, better lighting

  • Classic tale is an education

    MORE than 200 people enjoyed the stage adaptation of Willy Russell's 'Educating Rita,' at the Darwen Library Theatre. It notched up another sell-out for Steve Birch, theatre manager, and another performance to add to the growing collection of critically

  • Ten years ago

    AN unusual auction with items ranging from African spears to wartime gas masks went under the hammer at Our Lady and St John High School, North Road, Blackburn. The auction sold more than one hundred odd items in aid of school funds.

  • Landlords call time on pub rowdies

    DRUNKS and troublemakers could be drinking in the last chance saloon if they do not change their ways. That was the message from Great Harwood's police and landlords after they set up the town's first Pub Watch scheme to exclude unwelcome customers. Although

  • Sport trips are a tour de force

    ACCRINGTON-BASED coach company Fraser Eagle is celebrating clocking up 500,000 miles transporting passengers for specialist tour operator --Graham Baxter Sporting Tours. For more than five years, Fraser Eagle has been Sporting Tours' preferred supplier

  • World premier for Decorpart

    A NELSON company's plan to build the world's premier pharmaceutical packaging plant at a cost of £4million has taken a significant move forward after it received planning consent. Pendle Borough Council has finally given the go-ahead for Decorpart to

  • Student Chris is a class act

    ROLLS-ROYCE worker Chris Yewdall has won one of the UK's most prestigious awards for engineering undergraduates, the Sir Frank Whittle Award. Chris, 25, who lives in Colne, was singled out as the best from a bumper entry from students at the North West's

  • Shoe repair shop is a sole survivor

    DAVID Comer and Eric Wrathall were eager to please the top Italian footwear manufacturer when he turned up at their shoe repair shop in Bacup. They were hoping for their first big contract to do warranty repairs on up-market walking boots. The enterprising

  • Language is a living thing

    READER Robert A Segal wrote a letter defending the Israeli occupation of Palestine lands captured in the Arab-Israeli war (Citizen, February 20). To conclude his letter, he wrote that Mr John Whitelegg of the Green Party should 'brush up on his English

  • Early litter will lead to a fine

    RIBBLE Valley Borough Council is getting tough bid to beat a growing litter problem. The authority has authorised a further 20 officers to issue fixed penalties on people who "jump the gun" by putting rubbish in alleys and on the street before collection

  • The end for vandalised skate park

    AN award-winning Clitheroe skate park aimed at steering youngsters away from drugs is to close after being repeatedly vandalised. But there are to replace it with a state-of-the-art facility using cash from Ultraframe founder John Lancaster. The £30,000

  • Demand proper science

    LIKE many other people, I was disappointed to learn about the failure of the clinical trials of the first potential AIDS vaccine. Disappointing as this was, it should not, however, be a surprise. For while medical research continues to use rats, beagles

  • It's time for motorists to stand up and be counted

    IT is now high time for someone to stand up and be counted on behalf of the badly-done-to motorist. I have spoken to friends and to a number of people whom I work with, and am pleased to say that there are many out there with similar views to my own.

  • Village's church celebrates special anniversary

    CELEBRATIONS were held yesterday as St John's Church in Worsthorne marked the anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for the conversion of several rooms at the back of the church which are used for functions and church group meetings. The day

  • Our door always open says clergyman

    ONE local church has pledged to keep its door open to homeless Simon Frodsham - despite the Fylde-wide ban imposed on him by the courts. David Phillips, minister of the White Church, says the civil courts have no right to tell him who is allowed into

  • Fact file...

    A LOOK at the key moments from the game against Walsall. BURNLEY MARLON BERESFORD: Another unhappy display and he will know his error for the second goal was a pivotal moment in the match ...5 MARK McGREGOR: As ever did not do much wrong but at times

  • Star blowing hot and cold!

    A FORMER Hot Ice showgirl has set temperatures soaring after appearing in a sexy g-string swimming-pool romp in the award-winning ITV comedy Cold Feet. Millions of Sunday-night viewers tuned in to watch the scene in which Deborah Bouchard, 28, and Australian

  • Developers may go to High Court

    A MASSIVE housing plan for Thornton Cleveleys could end up in the High Court after developers and the local council were told the new homes were unnecessary. Developers, NPL Estates Ltd, planned to build 510 new houses at Poolfoot Farm, off Heys Street

  • Aviation boss grounded

    THE director of a Blackpool airline which left customers and the airport high and dry will not be allowed to manage a business for the next six years. Comed Aviation Ltd, which ran daily flights to Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Man as well as a flight

  • Stan quit threat

    STAN Ternent today blasted a warning that he is ready to quit Turf Moor if his under-achieving players do not start improving - and soon! "I would rather walk away from the job than watch any more of that," confessed the furious Burnley boss this morning

  • The long and short of it

    SHORT NAME, quiet man -- big career. And now Glasgow's famous son, Midge Ure, is heading for Blackpool on his latest UK tour. Inspired by Top of the Pops -- "I imagined doing that for a living" -- a 15-year-old Midge began his career with pop outfit Slik

  • Raider taunted victim about security

    A MAN burgled a Darwen flat while the occupant was away -- and then returned to taunt him about security measures. Anthony Mullen was shown to be responsible when forensic tests on a footprint impression at the scene matched his shoes. This in turn led

  • Residents slam new health centre 'sham'

    OPPONENTS of Darwen's new health centre branded a meeting with NHS bosses "a sham" and "waste of time" and after claiming their questions were left unanswered. Around 60 people packed into Darwen Leisure Centre on Saturday to discuss the development which

  • When Bush comes to shove...

    WITH war on Iraq looming, President George Bush is taking spiritual guidance from an unlikely source. It emerged this week that Bush, the world's most powerful man, logs on to the website of a charity run from a Blackpool house. Mr Bush even sent an e-mail

  • Blackpool's vision of the future

    A NEW £1 billion masterplan for Blackpool has got the go-ahead which could catapult the resort into one of the world's elite resorts. A massive glass-roofed leisure complex is intended to complement the Pleasure Beach and will also be linked to as many

  • Grieving mum calls for murder enquiry

    THE grieving mother of a teenager found dead in a Blackpool house says she wants police to launch a murder inquiry into her daughter's mysterious death. The body of Naomi Essery, 18, was found in the home she shared with her boyfriend last November. Lancashire

  • For nose about to rock!

    RED NOSE fever is breaking out on the Fylde Coast once again as Comic Relief's national fund-raiser swings into action on Friday. In Blackpool, men will be keeping in with the day's 'big hair' theme at Reform gym, Milbourne Street. Brave Dave Hughes of

  • Planes, trains and oh so low deals!

    RAIL companies look set for tough competition as Blackpool travellers are tempted to swap trains for low-cost planes. Virgin Trains are facing competition from Ryanair, the low-cost airline, which will begin twice-daily flights between Blackpool Airport

  • Are you mystery caller?

    POLICE are appealing for a mystery Crimestoppers caller to come forward following claims that a man's Christmas Eve death may not have been suicide. Robert Varma, 32, was found lying dead on a bed at his semi-detached home in Lodge Court, Staining, on

  • Row brewing over zoo management company

    A LEADING animal welfare group claims it has received 'hundreds of complaints' about the company set to take over Blackpool Zoo. The Born Free Foundation is to oppose the handing over of Blackpool Council's zoo operating licence to Grant Leisure Group

  • Christmas crash driver jailed

    IAN Thomas Leatherd was jailed for four months by Blackburn magistrates after admitting a Christmas Day crash in someone else's car . The court heard that he crashed into three parked cars at a time when he was a disqualified driver and over the drink

  • Churches seeking to unite

    THE BISHOPS of Blackburn and Burnley have backed proposals for the Church of England to have closer links with the Methodist Church. The Rt Rev Alan Chesters and the Rt Rev John Goddard supported the proposals after a historic debate at the Blackburn

  • Straw takes time for 'soapbox'

    AS the Iraq crisis comes to a head, Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw still found time to take questions at his regular 'soapbox'session in Blackburn centre. Roger Airey reports... FOR the man at the centre of the biggest international security

  • Rams suffer for poor defending

    RAMSBOTTOM'S recent good run came to an end against third-placed Newcastle Town. After a dour opening 25-minutes, the game finally came to life when the Rams opened the scoring on the half-hour. Glyn Barker latched onto a through ball and lobbed onrushing

  • Gritty Nelson more than a match for Stone

    NELSON once again proved they can match any of the top sides in the North West Counties Second Division as they saw off title challengers Stone Dominoes at Victoria Park. In truth, the visitors never showed any of their promotion potential and Nelson

  • Lady Luck back on Bacup's side

    LEAGUE leaders Bacup rediscovered the winning formula in their local derby with John Hughes' Great Harwood. Parading two new signings, the visitors arrived at West View full of optimism, but it was Bacup that started well. Several early chances were created

  • Reds stay on track

    ACCRINGTON Stanley came back from an early goal to keep their Unibond Premier Division title hopes on the right track. Leading goalscorers Lutel James and Paul Mullin were on fire once more for the Reds as Stanley recorded their first win at Giant Axe

  • Birth rate fall battle for schools

    CLASS sizes are one of the major contributing factors to the type of education delivered to school children. Achieving small class sizes is at the top of government's education agenda. Smaller classes mean more one-to-one time available from teachers

  • Can you love Lucy?

    MANCHESTER Dogs' Home require a home for one of it's long stay residents. Lucy was admitted to the Home on 11th July 2002. She was picked up by the Manchester Dog Warden after she was found wandering in the Monsall area. Lucy is a three year old, brindle

  • Tim is looking for a home

    MANCHESTER Dogs' Home is looking for somebody to adopt a dog they have named Tim. Tim was admitted to the Home on 26th July 2002. He was picked up from the Moston area of Manchester and brought in by Manchester Dog Wardens. Tim is approximately five years

  • Take a stroll with Goldie

    GOLDIE was admitted to the Manchester Dogs' Home in October 2002 by Manchester Police. She was found wandering in the Openshaw area of Manchester and is a tan coloured cross breed. Goldie hasn't received any basic training, however she is very loving

  • Jessie is full of life

    JESSIE is one of over 200 dogs currently looking for a new home at the Manchester Dogs' Home. Jessie was admitted to the Home via Manchester Police on 13th August 2002 after she was found wandering in the Longsight area of Manchester. She is a black and

  • Margo makes a lot of sense

    WHAT a treat it is every Tuesday to read Margo Grimshaw's column. What good, sensible things she writes about. It must bring a lot of pleasure to readers to read about good times and sometimes funny ones, instead of all these muggings etc. You end up

  • Have you a home for Henry?

    HENRY is looking for a loving home, after he was found on the streets by the police. Manchester Dogs' Home requires a home for one of the many long stay dogs currently in it's rehoming area. Henry was admitted to Manchester Dogs' Home on 8th August 2002

  • Site for centre looks ideal

    ONCE again, the noisy minority pretends to be the majority voice for Darwen. I, for one, will be very pleased to see some return for my tax contributions in the shape of the town's proposed new health centre. The site, in my view, is ideal. There is a

  • Magic up a home for Merlin

    THIS week's pet in need of a home is Merlin, a two-year-old semi-longhaired cat who is currently being looked after by Moggies cat rescue charity in Darwen. Merlin is described as having a lovely nature and is very good with other cats, so would fit nicely

  • Danger not Iraq, but terrorism

    THE world is holding its breath on the brink of yet another war, the reasons for which, we are told, are as many and varied as there are oil wells in Iraq. And against any war involving Iraq is the greatest-ever number of people world-wide -- of all nationalities

  • Readers write in frustration

    DARWEN councillor David Smith said recently he couldn't understand the public using the Lancashire Evening Telegraph with their problems. It's called frustration -- at lack of results. We saw Councillor Frank Connor, chairman of the planning committee

  • Dump humps and help to save lives

    I AM astonished that Paul Dunn, vice chairman of the Greenhill Residents Association, in Great Harwood, is appealing for more speed humps in the area (LET, February 20). I think he should visit an optician, for on his way back, he would then be able to

  • Probe after boy killed in car smash

    AN inquiry has been launched after a boy in council care was killed in a car crash in the early hours of the morning. Shane Cook, 13, from Darwen, died after the Ford Orion car he was travelling in careered off the road at Samlesbury and crashed into

  • Family threaten to sue school

    THE family of a Burnley youngster are threatening to sue his school for negligence after claiming he has been bullied for more than five years. Marisa and Brian Walker allege that son Declan, 10, has been bullied at St James Lanehead, C of E, Burnley,

  • Trees tribute to walker

    A LASTING and fitting tribute to a man who loved to walk in Prestwich Clough were completed at the weekend. As reporte dearlierthe Friends of Prestwich Forest Park, of which the late Graham Callan was a member, began working on a memorial in January together

  • Duff and Tugay strikes seal win

    ROVERS do the double over Arsenal, read the action minute by minute... 16:53: Full time Rovers 2 Arsenal 0 An excellent show by Rovers if they played like this all season who knows where they would be. 16:51: Paul Gallagher gets his first real shot of

  • Memorial day for 19 killed by pit tragedy

    ON the morning of Thursday March 22, 1962, a methane gas explosion ripped through the Rise Two District of Hapton Valley Colliery colliery, killing 16 men instantly. Another three later lost their lives. The worst colliery disaster in Burnley's long history

  • Couple in PO kidnap ordeal return to work

    A POSTMASTER and his wife were due to return to work today -- just days after being kidnapped by armed robbers. Roger and Marilyn Clarkson, of Newchurch-in-Pendle, were at work this morning. Bosses at Consignia, which runs the Post Office network, said

  • Parents of 'bullied' child to sue school

    THE parents of a Burnley youngster are suing his school for negligence, claiming he has been bullied. Marisa and Walker allege that Declan, 10, has been a victim at St James Primary School, Briercliffe, Burnley, since 1998. A letter outlining the claim

  • Radio link bid for town centre

    A CRIME-BUSTING radio scheme to link traders with the police could be launched in Padiham to tackle shoplifters. Scheme shops and businesses in the town will be linked by a radio system, allowing them to contact one another and warn about potential thieves

  • Smart idea to stop stone thieves

    POLICE have joined forces with residents and businesses in Cliviger and Worsthorne to help stop the growing problem of stone flag theft. They have been security coding stone flags, tiles, paving slabs and coping stones with a special ultraviolet paint

  • Phone radiation levels exposed

    THE potential dangers of phone mast radiation were exposed during a weekend of tests across Burnley. Campaign group Together Against Masts (TAM) used a special tool to measure radiation levels in homes. Group spokesman Dennis Cannon, said: "Our group

  • Minister pressed to ensure future of theatres

    BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has urged government Ministers to find the cash to ensure a future for local theatres such as Burnley Mechanics. The Labour backbencher pressed Culture Minister Richard Caborn on the issue in the Commons this week. He was responding

  • Hammer fury man is jailed

    A DRUG addict who burgled his partner's mother's house and then attacked his girlfriend and her daughter, is behind bars for three years and nine months. Burnley Crown Court heard Darren Heyworth, 32, threatened to kill partner Julie Newton and her 17

  • Heysham wins extra time

    THE GOVERNMENT has extended a £650m emergency loan agreement to the owners of Heysham's power stations, easing uncertainty over the future of the sites. British Energy, which has been facing serious financial dif-ficulties, was granted the loan last year

  • Jazz ace Lightfoot heads tribute

    A JAZZ musician who has played alongside Louis Armstrong will be taking to the Morecambe stage to head a tribute to the great man himself. Terry Lightfoot has been a key player on the British jazz scene since 1956 when his band played its first major

  • Talented Tim plans charity concert

    A BUDDING flautist from Lancaster Boys Grammar School is set to prove he does not do things by half. Tim Ramsey, 13, from Lancaster, has organised a charity concert in aid of the Lancaster Royal Infirmary Brain Scanner Appeal to take place at St Martin's

  • It's time for us to move on

    BICKERING and backstabbing within local politics has spurred on two Lancastrians to launch a new group of Independents to fight for seats on the council. The fallout over the Blobbygate row has played its part in inspiring Scotforth's Jan Pacula, pictured

  • Can you help this young mum?

    A SMALL blood test could lead to a life-changing operation for a Lancaster mum - rescuing her from an isolated existence in a hospital bed. The Citizen is renewing its appeal today for local people to help leukaemia sufferer Jennifer Wilson, and reunite

  • Leg it or get legless

    BURY FC and the club's supporters' trust, Forever Bury, have announced two major fundraising events scheduled for the coming weeks. On Good Friday (April 18) there will be a sponsored walk to the Shakers' away game at Rochdale (kick-off 3pm). The club

  • Shakers hit by strike problems

    Macclesfield 0, Shakers 0: NORMALLY, this goalless draw, following on from the stalemate at runaway leaders Hartlepool last week, would have been looked upon as a point gained against tricky opposition desperate for points for a different reason. But

  • Candles of peace are lit

    CANDLE-lit peace vigils aimed at voicing objection to a war in Iraq were held in towns across East Lancashire last night. The vigils were part of a world-wide peaceful protest held in more than 4,500 towns and cities across the world to oppose conflict

  • Five years ago

    SUPER swimmer Ken Braithwaite became the first person to complete the 127-mile length of the Leeds-Liverpool canal without leaving the comfort of his own pool. Ken, of Netherheys Close, Colne, completed 8,128 lengths at Pendle Leisure Centre's pool as

  • Rabbit and hutch dumped

    CHARITY workers today condemned owners who dumped a pet rabbit by the roadside. The lop-eared rabbit was spotted close to a hutch which was also dumped in Mill Hill Lane, Hapton. Steve Carpenter, deputy manager of the RSPCA's Altham Animal Centre near

  • Have a pint and let's be friends

    A LANDLORD who accused some regulars of stabbing him in the back after they objected to his entertainment plans has offered an olive branch - a free pint! John Bromage, of the White Bull, Oswaldtwistle, offered to bury the hatchet after hearing that his

  • Extended ban for tearaway

    A TEENAGE tearaway who had an interim anti-social behaviour order imposed on him last month has now been barred from a bigger part of Accrington. Police say Aaron Stoddard is still terrorising people in Accrington and Church even though he has moved out

  • On fast track to success

    VIRGIN'S new tilting trains are proving the impetus for a fast-expanding East Lancashire firm. The kitchens for Virgin Trains' new buffet cars are being made in Haslingden, at units taken over by Catering Equipment Design, of a Clayton-le-Moors. The company

  • Sister and brother's skills come into play

    WHEN Helen Connolly left Kingston-upon- Thames University with a degree in French and economics, she never guessed she would end up running her own fast-growing business. She joined RTC Safety Surfaces, Barnoldswick, as a £50-a-week marketing assistant

  • It's not just any old iron here!

    IF BURNLEY businessman Brian Rourke was any more laid back, he would be horizontal. He runs a thriving company, whose decorative wrought ironwork is sought-after throughout the world. His hand-crafted gates guard the luxury homes of celebrities such as

  • Thank you for signing on

    I WISH to thank, through the Citizen, all residents who responded to an appeal for more organ donors received with the city council's electoral roll forms in the autumn. They have joined more than 10 million people across the country who have placed their

  • Extend a hand of welcome

    I APOLOGISE to Chris Coates of the Green Party if my letter (Citizen, February 20) was offensive to him. That was not my intention. I would have written in exactly the same vein if the Home Secretary had decreed that sex between heterosexuals was to be

  • Rugby champs all at sea

    THE champions of an annual rugby tournament will find themselves all at sea in a unique link up with the Royal Navy. First prize in this year's national under-19s tournament at Fylde RUFC this weekend will be a day trip on a state-of-the-art navy warship

  • Ben pedals into pro ranks

    A LANCASTER Boys Grammar School pupil is riding high after being given the chance to go the distance with a professional cycling team. Since he started cycling six years ago, Ben Greenwood, pictured left, has won a string of accolades, including becoming

  • Reds stay on track

    ACCRINGTON Stanley came back from losing an early goal to Lancaster City to keep their Unibond Premier Division title hopes on the right track. Leading goalscorers Lutel James and Paul Mullin were on fire once more for the Reds as Stanley recorded their

  • Bloomfield to blossom

    BLACKPOOL Football Club's stadium development plans look set for a major boost with a deal about to be struck to rent out 36,000 square feet of office space at Bloomfield Road. The deal, expected to net the club more than £300,000 a year, will see Blackpool

  • Seeking public opinion

    A LARGE consultation exercise is under way in Burnley and Padiham today in the first stage of the creation of a plan for the borough's future. Burnley's Future is a community plan which contains a vision for the borough in 2021 and maps out the action

  • Macca joy at Wellens signing

    RICHIE Wellens is staying at Blackpool. The former Manchester United midfielder put pen to paper on Tuesday and will be at Bloomfield Road for another two years with a one-year option. Manager, Steve McMahon, said: "I think it is great news. It is one

  • A spot to find the facts for young people

    YOUNG people will be given information about where to go and what to do with the launch of Burnley's first youth information centre. Anyone aged 11 to 24 years will be able to find out information on issues such as housing, education, leisure, foreign

  • Pompey match called off

    HAVING had five successive away matches, the Clarets will embark on a run of five straight home games when Leicester City visit Turf Moor tomorrow night. That is because the away trip to Portsmouth, scheduled for Saturday March 29, has been called off

  • Sorry Clarets hit brick Wall

    THE decorators are likely to be moving into the away dressing room at the Bescot Stadium this morning to repair the damage caused by Stan Ternent's verbal volley against his players. If his press conference was anything to go by, he will have had the

  • He's bin and gone and done it now!

    OSAMA Bin Laden could cost Blackpool FC manager, Steve McMahon, a hefty FA fine. McMahon faces being hauled over the coals after suggesting that referee, Andy Penn, had been 'living in Bin Laden's cave' following the sending off of former Scotland captain

  • Souness salutes heroes

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness saluted his Ewood heroes after Rovers blew the title race wide open at the weekend. Rovers became only the second team in Premiership history to do the "double" twice over Arsenal following their 2-0 victory. But although

  • Living service charity night

    BLACKPOOL based Martin Yates Independent Living Service holds a charity night at the Hilton, North Promenade, on Thursday, March 20. The event, starting at 7.30pm, features a cabaret and buffet, as well as a raffle with a variety of prizes. Tickets are

  • Jazz genius

    THREE living legends of British jazz come to Blackpool's Grand Theatre next month. The Big Chris Barber band, along with Mr Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazzband join Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen at the Grand Theatre on April 1. Although Ball/Barber/Bilk

  • Enough to make grown women cry!

    WITH more than a thousand squealing fans packed into Blackpool's Opera House, I could have been forgiven for thinking I had gate-crashed a teeny-boppers convention. But as the hysterical wailing gave way to perfectly unified chanting of the mantra "Donny

  • Church adds sparkle to artist's crown

    RADCLIFFE Parish Church now has a link with Windsor Castle as both are adorned with work by Ilkley-based artist Graeme Willson. He created a painted panel for the church's aumbry, as well as a large painting which hangs above the altar in the side chapel

  • I wish I could find the key to modern living

    THERE'S a marked contrast in the state of homes belonging to working and stay at-home mums-- at least there is in my neighbourhood. On the whole, my friends who don't work live in squeaky-clean havens of calm, where organisation is the name of the game

  • Tea-time club for children

    A NEW programme of activities has been unveiled at Darwen Community Centre. Starting tonight, a tea-time club has been set up by club members for children aged 5-8 to join in with the activities ranging from sports to arts and crafts. The sessions are

  • Fitness walk in the woods

    OLDER people in Darwen are invited to a weekly walk in the woods to stay fit and active. Age Concern, together with Blackburn with Darwen health and fitness team, are leading the walk exploring Darwen's Sunnyhurst Wood. Walks are at a gentle pace and

  • Council set to discuss Bridge Street petition

    A PETITION bearing 90 signatures urging limited parking to be introduced on Bridge Street, Darwen, will be handed over to the council this week. The signatures were collected by shop-owners who want their customers to be able to park in front of shops

  • Vandal-hit bush shelter gets the chop

    JUBILANT residents are celebrating the council's decision to demolish a bus shelter which became a den for teenage delinquents. Residents on Priory Drive, Darwen, took their complaints to councillors and Darwen MP Janet Anderson. One said: "Youths were

  • Hotel death: man charged

    A DARWEN man has been charged with the murder of a barman at a prestigious hotel. Roberto Borroneo Abo, 35, of Watery Lane, Darwen, is charged with murdering George Waithaka, 34, last Thursday at the four-star Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross, Bolton. Mr

  • Probe after boy killed in car smash

    AN inquiry has been launched after a boy in council care was killed in a car crash in the early hours of the morning. Shane Cook, 13, from Darwen, died after the Ford Orion car he was travelling in careered off the road at Samlesbury and crashed into

  • Councillor hits at 'lack of leadership'

    A LABOUR councillor has hit out at the "lack of leadership" at Rossendale Council and has said he will not seek re-election in May because of it. Councillor John McManus, who represents Helmshore, has written an open letter to the leader, Coun Graham

  • Dismissal dents Borough hopes

    RADCLIFFE Borough's promotion hopes took a knock when they could only draw at lowly Kidsgrove. A difficult pitch did not help but it was the sending off of Richard Battersby for dissent after 33 minutes that really blunted Borough's efforts. Borough should

  • What a bright idea

    SHOCKING news! Blackpool's derelict solarium will soon be generating its own electricity thanks to a government cash boost. The run-down Harrowside building is to equipped with solar panels on the rooflights of its East and West wings and above the main

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    TO some the stunning architecture, fine food and inspiring culture of cities such as Dublin, Amsterdam and Prague may draw visitors like a magnet. But to those enjoying their last night of pure, unadulterated singledom there is no place better than our

  • Bid to tighten rules on photography

    FYLDE parents could be forced to sign a declaration before taking pictures of their own children at local leisure centres - and councillors are to even consider banning photography completely. Fylde Borough Councillors were due to meet on Wednesday (March

  • Fulton invited to join Kiwi academy

    AS A result of his record breaking 301 not out maiden first class century against Auckland last week, former Lytham professional, Peter Fulton, has been invited to join the New Zealand Academy. Peter was understandably thrilled as, having been close to

  • Junior football

    A LOOK at the local junior footbal scene. LYTHAM JUNIORS U12s 1 FLEETWOOD GYM 4 PLAYING at Common Edge Road, the score remained 0-0 at half-time. Lytham failed to take advantage of the windy conditions. The second half was more evenly matched than the

  • Police are trying to trace witnesses to attack

    POLICE are trying to trace two men who intervened in an unprovoked and vicious assault. The men jumped out of a Ford Transit van after seeing the attack in King Street, Blackburn, outside the newsagents. Police said a 21-year-old man had been head-butted

  • Homeless helper's struggle to survive

    A WOMAN who runs a bargain basement to raise funds for the homeless is battling to survive after her landlord increased the rent. Kathleen Ramsden, who sells furniture, household goods and bric-a-brac from the cellar of a shop in Church Street, Accrington

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    LANCASHIRE Constabulary's decision to end its traffic warden service will lead to police officers working under greater pressure, a union claimed today. Mike Beeston, of Unison, has called a meeting of Lancashire MPs on March 25 to try and lobby the force

  • A great result

    THE week ended on a high for the Reds with a second home win in four days. New signing Kristian Evans scored a hat-trick in only his second game. Gavin Cooper and Bernard Morley missed chances before Evans finised from close range on 29 minutes. Colne

  • Bad day at office for Darwen

    DARWEN were well below par as they were soundly beaten in their mid-table NWCL Division Two clash with Holker Old Boys. Dejected boss Steve Wilkes said: "It was a real bad day at the office, we couldn't even string three passes together in the first half

  • Race hots-up

    CLITHEROE stand 16 points behind league leaders Prescot Cables with five games in hand as the NWCL Division One title race hots up. They started well on Saturday and caused St Helens problems with midfielders Jason Jones and Andy Cowking pulling the strings

  • Storks' hotshot inspires emphatic home win

    AS the race for the North West Counties Football League Division Two championship hots up, Padiham did their goal difference a power of good with a 6-1 home win. Ian Pilkington put the Storks on the way to victory in the 13th minute when a Carl Haworth

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    ROSSENDALE made it seven points from their last three league outings thanks to a late strike from Lee Buggie. Dale have virtually banished any fears of relegation with this latest victory, showing that manager Jim McBride was right to have a clear out

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    EDUCATION bosses in Bolton and Bury have been given top marks for passing on national funding increases to schools. The Department for Education and Skills praised the local education authorities (LEAs) for both towns for investing all of their funding

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    SCHOOL MOTTO: Our school motto has always been 'Caritas' -- Latin for caring. We believe this is as relevant today as when it was chosen. We aim to educate children to the highest standard in a caring, supportive atmosphere. PRESENT PUPILS: There are

  • Stables wants to rein in cash

    A LONG-ESTABLISHED riding school for the disabled is trying to whip up support from local businesses. North West Riding for the Handicapped at Holcombe is looking for sponsors to keep the 25-year-old stables open. Rob Gascoigne of Gascoigne Property Services