A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. SUNDAY Aerobics, Barden High School, Burnley, 5pm-6pm. Fun Pop Quiz, Black Bull Inn, Marsden Road, Burnley, 8.30pm. Coffee Morning, Lower Darwen Village Community Centre
RESULTS: U16s 5, Farnworth 2; U12s 5, Westhoughton Rangers 2; U11s 8, Standish Lions 0 (Scrivens 2, Riding 2, Lunn 2, Locklin, og), MOM - Moorcroft; Howrich St Mary's 0, Junior Cadets 1 (Barnes), MOM - Jones and Bevan; Ladybridge Athletic U9s 2, Hindley
EMILY Henthorn, Leigh Harriers' sole competitor in the indoor sportshall league, put in a series of first class performances. Emily, 10, started off in the one lap 'A' race and finished fifth, recording a time of 15.6 seconds. Straight after her one-lap
HIGH flying Clitheroe, who visit the Riverside tomorrow, could well feel a backlash from the Rams after last week's cup exit down in Nottinghamshire. Being on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline to lowly Gedling Town saw Rammy drop out of this season's FA
A PRISONER sent unescorted in a taxi for treatment at a Blackpool hospital didn't return. Alan Holmes instead decided to use his unexpected freedom to visit his girlfriend in Blackburn. But his week on the run cost Holmes an extra eight weeks on his two-and-a-half
AS a retired teacher, I was absolutely thrilled to read the article on Brian Bibby searching for recognition via Coronation Street (December 11). I remember Brian as a third year at Spring Bank Secondary School (many other teachers will also remember)
WITH proposals for windfarm projects generating much public concern, why did the Chancellor give no encouragement to energy saving in his December statement? The government itself admits that 30 per cent of our energy is wasted, and the Energy Saving
THE recent admission by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline's vice-president of genetics that 90 per cent of their drugs only work in 30-50 per cent of people is a tragic consequence of the continued use of animal tests for assessing the safety and effectiveness
KUNG FU, wu shu, blimey phew! The amazing acrobats of the Chinese State Circus are backflipping back to the Blackpool Grand Theatre for a four night run on January 15. The 30-strong company claims to have presented 128,000,000 performances, and reputedly
THE GRAND'S Christmas panto Peter Pan successfully took off, with an hilarious and solid opening night. It's a show that's got wings, thanks to the comedically talented Smee (Steve Royle), larger than life baddie Cap'n Hook (EastEnders' Tony Caunter)
THE MAN from the Staines Massive is back, but this time he's gone stateside! In Ali G In Da USAiii, released last month by Channel 4 video, comic geniusSascha Baron-Cohen, takes his unique interviewing skills across the pond to put his guests in unusual
FATHER Christmas has been given a ticking off by police following his arrest at the weekend. A 17-year-old youth was detained by Gigg Lane stewards after he invaded the pitch during Saturday's derby between Bury and Rochdale. The teenager was one of a
SCHOOL pupils in Bury are being put on their guard to try their hand at fencing. Taster sessions will be offered to primary and high schools after Salle Kiss fencing club won a National Lottery Awards for All grant totalling £4,925. The club holds evening
MUMS, dads and other visitors were treated to a nativity with a difference at St Joseph and St Bede RC primary school nursery. The show was written for the school by their former specialist music teacher Pam Larkin, and included Christmas songs followed
THE funeral of a man who was killed in a motorbike accident was held on Tuesday. Relatives and friends of 35-year-old Christopher Brophy gathered at St Theresa's RC Church in Wilmslow for a requiem mass. This was followed by committal at Macclesfield
PATIENT pupil Danielle Jones had to eat on her feet after deciding she would make an effort to inflate school funds. Inspired by BBC's Children In Need, the nine-year-old Chesham Primary pupil told her family she wanted to raise money for a good cause
TRADITIONAL Christmas celebrations were enjoyed by villagers of Affetside. The community gathered round the Christmas tree on the village green on Sunday evening to sing carols and enjoy mince pies and mulled wine. Bury Mayor Coun Wilf Davison switched
TWO teenage boys were robbed at the Warner Brothers Cinema at Pilsworth on Saturday afternoon. The lads, aged 13 and 14, were in the games room at the complex at 2.30pm when they were confronted by three thugs, one of whom was female. They threatened
A STREAKER who became a national celebrity when he stripped off at Turf Moor says he has changed his former violent lifestyle after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Sabaen Myers, 21, was speaking after he walked free from court after admitting
SPRING will be a riot of colour thanks to the efforts of community groups, volunteers and the council's grounds maintenance team. Some 112,000 daffodil bulbs have been manually planted across the borough, and a further 175,000 crocus and daffodil bulbs
CRIME suspect Robert Lund has re-enacted the lakeside accident he insists killed his wife and said: "This is how my Evelyn died." Former Blackburn with Darwen Council tree protection officer Robert has twice been arrested in connection with Evelyn's disappearance
YOUNGSTERS in Whitefield can kick off Christmas with a sporting gift from Bury Council. A new ball zone will be officially opened on Tuesday (Dec 23), just in time for the festive holidays. The facility in Thatch Leach Lane is just five minutes walk from
RESIDENTS will find it easier to pay their council bills in a tie-up between the local authority and shops. The council has signed up to the national PayPoint scheme, allowing people to pay rent, council tax and other bills at any retail outlet displaying
LEIGH Centurions' wholesale revamp of the senior squad is now complete. The double swoop for back rowers David Larder and Andy Isherwood will be Leigh's last signings for the foreseeable future. Head coach Darren Abram is now happy with his first team
HEALTH bosses in Bury are urging parents to have their children immunised with the MMR jab, despite a controversial programme screened on Channel 5. It was feared the film Hear the Silence may put parents off allowing their children to be given the jab
IF GRAEME Souness and his players needed a gentle reminder about the importance of the Christmas fixture list then it came in a stark message out of Ewood this week. John Williams told a few home truths about the need for Rovers to stay in the Premier
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted he would not be held to ransom in his bid to sign American striker Brian McBride. Souness wants to boost his fire-power by bringing the United States international in on loan for the rest of the season. But
ON-LOAN goalkeeper Peter Enckelman today warned Rovers to be on their guard as a re-born Juan Pablo Angel heads for Ewood Park this weekend. The Aston Villa striker has emerged from the shadows to fire the Midlanders to within touching distance of the
THE jury has been sent home for the night in the case of two men charged with plotting to sell amphetamine. Glen Liversidge, 44, of Wren Street, and David Hancox, 38, of St Cuthberts Street, both Burnley, deny conspiracy to supply drugs between January
THE wardens and a member of the community had a walk around Rosegrove recently and took 25 different photographs of the 'grot spots' in the area. Some backyards were full of rubbish and black bin bags thrown about, one of the culprits in Rosegrove left
POLICE have joined forces with Burnley General Hospital in a bid to reduce the risk of hospital visitors falling victim to vehicle crime. They have recruited security staff to help them administer their 'Vulnerable Vehicle' scheme, which will clamp down
A PADIHAM school has been praised by an education minister after becoming the most improved primary in Lancashire. St Leonard's Primary School was also 35th in the top 50 most improved schools in the country following the results of this year's National
HABERGHAM High School, Burnley, headteacher Stuart Smith welcomed more than 100 current and former sixth form students for an awards presentation last night. Many of them returned after their first term at university and were delighted to meet up with
COMMUNITIES in Pendle are being urged to make use of new computer centres. Four new centres have been created in Nelson, Colne and Brierfield by the project, run by Northern Technologies and Pendle Community Network. The aim is to create a place where
A FATHER-OF-TWO fondled a woman on a bus, a court heard yesterday. Burnley magistrates heard how Moroccan, Hassan Saadi, 38, had squeezed the victim's leg after sitting next to her on the otherwise empty bus. Saadi was given a two-year conditional discharge
THE headteacher of Spring Bank Secondary Modern School in Darwen called for "more generosity" from the administration. His comments came after the school had to hold a jumble sale to raise money for prizes for its annual prizegiving.
MAROONED rabbits and hens had to be rescued after floodwater turned a garden into a lake. The torrent poured down the driveway of Sheelagh Roverato's house in Parsonage Road, Blackburn leaving the the back garden under three feet of water- for the sixth
TINY Shetland pony, Little John, was having a busy Christmas - popping into the pubs in the Ribble Valley. The Chipping Pony Club were holding their annual carol singing session and taking Little John with them. His "carols on the trot" helped raise £68
LOWTON and Golborne people who formed a Friends of Byrom Wood group to support their new community woodland, have made sure visitors can take a breather. With Forestry Commission staff they have spent the past year transforming the former farmland site
A DRUG-USER who deliberately stole so he could get off drugs in prison was told his rehabilitation would have to be high speed. Stephen Parker, defending, told Blackburn magistrates that John Cheetham felt prison was the only place he could get "clean
A LEIGH head teacher summed up 2003 with the words "Wow, what a year". Now John Pout, his staff and pupils at Westleigh High School are looking forward to a better 2004 with a new all-weather floodlit pitch. The highly successful academic year was sadly
A BURGLAR who went back into a home he had just raided, then stole something else during a scuffle, has had his jail term cut. Appeal Court judges reduced Carl Otto Collier's four-and-a-half-year sentence by a year which means as a short-term prisoner
NEO-NAZI'S TARGET MEP NEO-NAZI'S have named a Leigh Euro MP as an enemy on their extreme right-wing website. Labour MEP Chris Davies is described as a "red liberal" on a site which tell visitor: "Remember places, traitors' faces, they'll all pay for their
FURIOUS Wilpshire villagers went out at night to try to stop the felling of scores of trees which they say has devastated land near their homes. Residents near the railway bridge on Ribchester Road say workers have been out at night cutting down trees
FYLDE'S answer to Jonny Wilkinson has won a major national award for his skills with the boot. Stand-in skipper, Mike Scott, has won the National Clubs' Association 'kicker of the month' award for November for achieving 80 per cent accuracy with his kicks
STAFF at TNT's Ramsbottom depot are having more to celebrate than just the festive season. For the express delivery giant TNT Express Services has retained its position as one of the UK and Ireland's most healthy and safety-conscious companies. The firm
A MOTHER and daughter who hail from Summerseat have launched their own complementary medicine business. Mrs Sheila Llewellyn and daughter Mrs Corrie McClure had earlier graduated together from the University of Central Lancashire. Mum Sheila graduated
BURY-based Birthdays is turning back the clock more than 35 years to offer greetings cards from as little as 29p. They will be sold in 120 of the company's shops which are being rebranded to trade as Cards Direct. The new prices will mirror those charged
IAN Moore feels the Clarets cutting edge could nobble North End at Deepdale. Burnley striker Moore feels manager Stan Ternent has the edge in the attacking stakes for a game littered with talent. And Moore reckons on-loan Manchester United winger Luke
CIRCUMSTANCES dictate everything and Stan has certainly had his work cut out defensively this season. I make it he has been forced to use six different centre back partnerships in an attempt to solve last season's glut of goals conceded. The necessary
AS Craig Brown admits to reading Stan Ternent's book, the image conjured up is of the Preston boss settling down for an enjoyable few hours in front of a log fire, wearing slippers and accompanied by a single Malt. However, knowing the steely Scot, it's
DOMINOES: Nevison 2, Spinners Arms 3; Musketeer 2, Foresters 3; Peake Fitness 3, New Inn 2; Our House 3, Railway Tavern 2; Leigh Cricket 4, Jolly Carter 1; Britannia 2, Colliers Rest 3; Bull & Butcher 3, Bridgewater 2. DARTS TABLE: New Inn 22, Peake
LEIGH Harriers' stormed to double gold in the Greater Manchester Cross Country championships. The host club saw Hannah Warburton win the girls' U13 event then watched Tom Boardman retain his Youths' U17 title. Both will now go on to represent the county
Rochdale Mayfield 20 Leigh East 10: THERE will be no chance of glory against professional opposition for Leigh East this season after they crashed out of the Powergen Challenge Cup following Saturday's torrid cup tie against Rochdale Mayfield. On paper
TYLDESLEY RU continued their improved form with a 20-14 home victory over visitors Workington. Tyldesley were quickest out of the blocks with the pack moving the ball forward, allowing space for the impressive Tyldesley back line to use. Following good
Halton Farnworth 0 Golborne Parkside 10: WITH the first team game cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch Golborne Parkside's second team took centre stage with a 10-0 win at Halton Farnworth. With the first team players giving their vocal support from the
Leigh 3rd 0, Heaton Moor 10: WITH their first team game cried off, Heaton Moor sent a mixed side that included two contracted Kiwi's to face Leigh's Third team. The visitors started shakily however, with Leigh pinning them onto their line for large parts
A STRIKE by up to 100 Metrolink drivers is set to cause major disruptions to tram services in the New Year. Services between Bury and Manchester could be thrown into chaos from January 1, when industrial action is due to start. Around 100 of Metrolink's
STONE-THROWING yobs have made Prestwich a no-go area for buses after 7pm in the evening, leaving many people stranded without transport. Bus company First took the drastic step of withdrawing the 92 and 98 services more than two weeks ago after six buses
ACTIONS speak louder than words and when Maria Fuller staged a one-woman protest her homemade banners spoke volumes. The determined mother-of-two took to the streets of Manchester to campaign for action over the level of noise produced by Metrolink tracks
THERE will be no rush to advertise for a new Bury FC manager in the wake of Andy Preece's contract termination this week. The Shakers are fortunate to have a ready made replacement in first team coach Graham Barrow who has been appointed caretaker-boss
CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown wants to help UK sport build on the success of England's rugby union World Cup win. Britain's 100,000 amateur sports clubs will be entitled to 80% rates relief by becoming a Community Amateur Sports Clubs, Mr Brown announced. The
Greater Manchester Cross Country Championship: THIS year's cross country meetings have mainly been competed on hard ground, with flats the required footwear. However, Wellington boots were probably best suited for the rice fields of Leigh, as the rain
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted he would not be held to ransom in his bid to sign American striker Brian McBride. Souness wants to boost his fire-power by bringing the United States international in on loan for the rest of the season. But
ANDY Preece left Gigg Lane on Tuesday after his contract was terminated 'by mutual consent.' The 36-year-old player-manager had been in the job four years and his demise has been blamed on financial pressures according to the Shakers' board. First team
PEOPLE are being urged to book their place for this year's Mayor's Command Performance as soon as possible. The mayor, Darwen councillor Mike Barrett, will present the event at Darwen Library Theatre on Saturday, January 24, and it will be compered by
CRIME suspect Robert Lund has re-enacted the lakeside accident he insists killed his wife and said: "This is how my Evelyn died." Former Blackburn with Darwen Council tree protection officer Robert has twice been arrested in connection with Evelyn's disappearance
FLUORIDATION is to be debated by experts and residents in Rossendale next month. Rossendale Council's overview and scrutiny committee is to open the debate to the public at an open meeting. The Water Bill being considered by Parliament gives strategic
LEIGH Library was evacuated on Monday afternoon following a hoax call to police. Later that afternoon firefighters searched the roof space at Tyldesley Town Hall after staff reported a smell of smoke. No fire was discovered.
A 39-YEAR-OLD man threatened to jump from the roof of town centre premises in Atherton in the early hours of last Friday. Police were called to the premises in Market Street shortly after 3am. The road and adjacent Church Street were closed while officers
NEWCHURCH WI craft group created a superb festive display for the Christmas party in the village hall. Mrs J MacDougal received the Margaret Dowson bowling cup and Mrs A Williams won the monthly competition. After dinner Rixton group Joey's Jollies entertained
THE headteacher of a Rawtenstall high school congratulated pupils and staff at an annual awards evening for achieving the school's best ever GCSE and A-Level results. The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar awards night was attended by the Mayor of Rossendale
A MULTI-MILLION pound superstore is set to be built next year, creating 150 new jobs. The old site at Bury Road, Rawtenstall, is to close with a new modern site - almost double the size of the old store - opening at the other side of town. Asda has completed
OPERATION Christmas Child shoe boxes donated from Journaland were among the quarter of a million gift parcels which left Britain last week for Bosnia, Croatia and Romania. The first consignment of donations from schools, churches, organisations, businesses
CHRISTMAS came early at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital when a convoy of motorcyclists arrived carrying toys for deserving youngsters. Members of the 'Pigs on Wheels' bikers' group left the Glass Barrel pub at Hindsford and turned a few heads
AN organisation formed over 40 years ago to promote camaraderie between ex-shipmates is facing a struggle for survival. Atherton and District White Ensign Association is appealing for new members from all branches of the services to sign up and help keep
LEIGH developer Orford Investments has completed its latest high-spec building on the Leigh Commerce Park. Offering a mix of air-conditioned offices and storage space, the 8,000 sq ft unit is the fourth building to be completed on the Orford Court part
on con alert LEIGH businesses are still being bombarded with mailshots from dodgy data protection agencies claiming over-the-odds fees for DIY services. The number of calls to Wigan Council's Trading Standards department has prompted fresh warnings to
WIGAN Council has announced dates for household refuse and recycling collections. There will only be one refuse collection during the two week period from Monday, December 22 to Friday, January 2. Excess household refuse, bagged and placed alongside the
CHRISTMAS will be brighter for hundreds of deprived youngsters in Eastern Europe thanks to pupils at a Thornton school. Around 400 sturdy boxes filled with toys and toiletries will be ferried to youngsters in Romania next week, after children at Stanah
A FYLDE ferry operator has hit back at a 'ridiculous' council decision to ship-wreck plans for a new-look Fleetwood to Knott End ferry. The council has also withdrawn its annual subsidy, which leaves the 100-year-old service's future in severe doubt.
A 19-YEAR-OLD man went on a wrecking rampage because he was frustrated at being homeless. Blackburn magistrates heard that James Adam Wild was looking for somewhere to sleep and when he was disturbed went "berserk." He was disturbed trying to break into
A HEALTH chief today criticised TV drama Hear the Silence for giving parents and children the wrong impression about the controversial MMR jab The programme, screened at 9pm on Five this week, was billed as a fact-based medical drama exploring controversy
A MAN was punched and kicked by a fellow wedding guest during a dispute over taxis collecting people from the Mitton Fold Hotel, in Langho. Blackburn magistrates heard the incident had especially upset the groom who made his feelings known before leaving
A WOMAN with a history of heroin addiction gave methadone to a two-month-old baby over a period of ten days, a court was told. Claire Middleton was caught after staff at a Blackburn women's refuge became concerned and put her under surveillance in January
CLITHEROE player-manager Lee Sculpher has challenged his strikers to start taking their chances as they reach the business end of the season. And there will be no better time to do it than in tomorrow's North West Counties Division One derby at Ramsbottom
I WAS amazed to see how physically fit Paul Gascoigne looked this week during a TV interview. I've never been into the media obsession of Gazza-bashing, and it cheered me to see the former Burnley player looking so well - physically, at least. Although
THE standards in private accommodation have never been so high with most accommodation from 1989 comprising of self contained flats, most of which have double glazing and gas central heating, with most landlords having a policy of upgrading standards
MAY I please remind readers of the Christmas dangers for pets. If you do choose a real Christmas tree and the room is not out of bounds to pets, make sure you vacuum regularly to pick up fallen needles which can penetrate delicate paws, causing infection
WHY is there a threat to our special care baby unit and children's wards at Fairfield hospital? Are we going to lose them like we lost Bury General? Yes, if we don't voice our concerns. How many people get to hear the voices of those who have been helped
I READ with interest the article (December 12) headed "Public will be consulted" regarding rumours surrounding the future development of services at Fairfield Hospital. Chris Appleby gives a commitment that no "significant" changes will be made without
THIS Letters page, and my postbag, have carried a number of letters in recent weeks on the Government's policies for pensioners. It seems that half of my constituents think that the Government is not doing enough to help poorer pensioners and the other
AFTER six years of New Labour, J. Holden (Letters, December 12) still harks back to the Tory years in an attempt to defend the current turmoil which besets long-term care for the elderly. J. Holden should consider the fact that there can seldom have been
MP DAVID Chaytor has made an impassioned plea to the Thai government for clemency on behalf of alleged drug smuggler Michael Connell. He says there are special circumstances which demand that the unemployed 19-year-old from Bury is sent home to face justice
LADIES and Gentlemen, the world is indeed a safer a place to live in. I for one feel so much better as does everyone else I've met in the past week. Everyone is just so relieved and there is a sense of purpose now as we approach the holidays. At last
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. 50/50 Social Dance, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm. The Performance Academy Christmas Show, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, 2pm. The Tapestry
THE ninth winner at Pennington Park Winter Bowling was Bill Griffiths who beat Richard Foster in the final 21-18. The consolation final was won by Alan Llewellin who beat John Thompson 21-20.
NEW teams are needed for the Wigan six-a-side football league. Games are played on Monday nights on an artificial turf pitch with qualified referees. Balls and bibs are provided. Information from Football Mundial on 01937 587012.
BOOTHSTOWN U12s made hard work of beating Hale Barns 'B' 3-2. Leading 3-0 at half time with two goals from Andy Woodhouse and an own goal, Boothstown seemed to be in the driving seat. Hale Barns dragged themselves back into the match and almost snatched
NOBODY could argue with the need to remove dead or dying trees from a railway embankment to stop them falling on to the line. Several train crashes in recent years have highlighted the need to make passenger safety an absolute priority. Those responsible
AFTER playing 32 games in only 17 weeks, Atherton Collieries had time for a break last Saturday when they had no scheduled game. The previous week saw them win at neighbours Salford City thanks to a late goal. Theteams meet again at Alder House this Saturday
LEIGH East U12s needed just 30 seconds to make their mark against Latchford. Kieran Johnson scored the first try. This was quickly followed by tries from Ryan O'Toole and Rob Millward, the latter being converted by Daniel Gunning to give East a 14-0 lead
THE weather hit the league programme hard on Saturday with only five games taking place. One of the matches to beat the conditions saw Bedford Rangers beat Wakefield Villa 3-1 in the Under 16s section. Newcomer Kyle Spiller grabbed a debut hat-trick and
ASDA Golborne strengthened their position at the top of the Leigh District Amateur Soccer League with a runaway 7-2 win at Rope and Anchor. Golborne's 11th win in 13 games came thanks to goals from Hill (3), Woods, Flannery, Munro and Spencer. Rope and
TYLDESLEY RUFC minis entertained Leigh and Broughton Park at Astley Street. Broughton Park under 10s were too strong and scored three tries without reply. But Tyldesley u10s gained a satisfying long awaited win over Leigh. Having conceded an early try
HINDSFORD lost a close game 5-3 at home to Swinton Town on Saturday. Swinton scored within minutes of the start with Hindsford appealing for offside but they quickly equalised when Ryan Willet headed a Darren Briggs free kick over the advancing keeper
Leigh 6th Form College 1-2 Preston: LEIGH 6th Form College went down 2-1 to league leaders Preston - but probably deserved a draw Leigh dominated the early exchanges and they should have gone ahead but Rob Pamphlett's final shot was a tame one. Leigh
THE debut season for Leigh Church Inn FC, in this year's Wigan & District League has been an up and down affair. Currently lying mid-table in a competitive Division Two, they have had some fantastic results in holding both the league favourites and
JACK Straw this week managed to combine his role as Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary to save the Rovers from a financial crisis. He was involved in negotiations with the European Commission over whether BSkyB should lose its right to screen most Premiership
SOHAM killer Ian Huntley was employed by a college as a caretaker despite allegations of under age sex having been made against him. As he begins a double life sentence for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, reporter IAN SINGLETON looks at
ELTON VALE...1 WILMSLOW ALBION...2: ANOTHER hard luck story for Vale as missed chances, softly conceded goals and an inspired display from Wilmslow 'keeper Peter Tristram combined to send the visitors home with a victory. The former Leigh RMI stopper
BLACKBURN Ragged School United Reformed Church has announced its special Christmas services for this year. A Festival Service and Nativity will be held on Sunday at 10.30am. Sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, it will be followed by coffee and mince
A 20-YEAR-OLD man taken to Blackburn Infirmary by police launched a tirade of racial abuse at officers, staff and patients, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Tahir Hussain claimed all police were racist for about three and a half hours
JASON Lee Walker made life easy for police after kicking a stone through a house window. Blackburn magistrates heard that half-an-hour after the incident, which had not been witnessed, he walked into the police station and confessed. The court heard the
A TAXI rushing a pregnant woman to hospital was rammed from behind after stopping at a give way sign, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that the pensioner driving the other car stopped briefly but then drove off before police arrived. Gordon
BRITISH justice appears to have reached rock bottom with the sentencing of Aso Mohammed Ibrahim for running from the scene of an accident which killed young Amy Houston and is resulting in total despair for the majority of sane people. A four month custodial
EVEN in the midst of the season of "goodwill to all men," that Christmas spirit doesn't extend to the animal kingdom, and on Boxing Day a determined minority will be out hunting foxes and killing them with packs of dogs. As full-time hunt monitors for
NEO-NAZI'S have named a Leigh Euro MP as an enemy on their extreme right-wing website. Labour MEP Chris Davies is described as a "red liberal" on a site which tell visitor: "Remember places, traitors' faces, they'll all pay for their crimes." Yet Mr Davies
YOU might not like Mondays: but that's no reason to miss school! Musician and Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof gave Bury South MP Ivan Lewis his backing in the latest drive to tackle truancy. New technology will allow schools to contact parents by 'group
RESIDENTS in Ramsbottom are demanding a grit box is placed on their road after the icy weather caused treacherous conditions again this week. Mr Adrian Smith, of Hill Side Road, at the bottom of Holcombe Hill, claims that when it rains, water runs down
MORE than 40,000 counterfeit goods have been seized by trading standards officers in the last few weeks. The haul was snatched from markets, car boot sales and industrial units across the North West. The fake merchandise ranges from DVDs, VCDs, video
A LITTLE boy born with half a heart has been on a trip of a lifetime to Lapland to meet Father Christmas. Oliver Wolstencroft (5), of Mather Road, Walmersley, was nominated for the trip by staff at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury, who
NEW council tenants will now be put on probation to prove that they can be good neighbours. The first of Bury's introductory tenancies will start on Monday (December 22), and should make it easier for council landlords to tackle nuisance behaviour and
BROAD Oak High School will celebrate the New Year with a new headteacher. After more than five years at the helm and having secured specialist status for the Hazel Avenue school as a sports college, head teacher Andrew Mackenzie is off to pastures new
BLACKBURN Rovers are ready to write off £6.75 million in a bid to get Ciccio Grabbi off the wage bill. Rovers boss Graeme Souness today confirmed the club are in talks with a Serie A club, believed to be Ancona, about a deal for Grabbi. And Rovers would
FREEDOM was short lived for a 28-year-old woman who was arrested at the prison gates. Blackburn magistrates heard that detectives were waiting to arrest Shelly Leanne Morrison as she left Styal Prison and she was later charged with offences that followed
BURNLEY Council has supported a motion by the BNP calling for supporters of all political parties to be allowed the freedom of speech to express that support. But the wording of the motion was changed after members from the Labour, Liberal Democrat and
A STREAKER who became a national celebrity when he stripped off at Turf Moor says he has changed his former violent lifestyle after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Sabaen Myers, 21, was speaking after he walked free from court after admitting
THREE men who abused a terrified neighbour and her mother have all kept their freedom. Recorder David Aubrey, QC, told Mohammed Arif, 23, Mohammed Asif, 22 and father-of-three Iftekhar Alam, 34, their conduct had been "disgraceful." Arif, of Bracewell
PENDLE primary school children helped to spruce up a Colne park by planting 8,000 crocus bulbs. The 60 children from Sacred Heart Primary School, in Red Lane, braved the icy weather to carry out planting work at Alkincoats Park. The youngsters were helping
A TEENAGER who glassed a man in a pub has been spared jail after a judge accepted it was an act of madness. Recorder David Manley, QC, told Nicholas Sinclair, 19, he could not have complained if he had been sent to prison but he accepted the offence was
A MAJOR bottleneck for traffic in Colne could be eased when a new £600,000 roundabout is built. The junction of Byron Road and Skipton Road has caused traffic congestion for people travelling to and from North Yorkshire for years. But Lancashire County
EMERGENCY services have raised a toast to drive home this year's "Don't Drink and Drive" message. Police, ambulance and fire crews launched the campaign outside Leigh Fire Station on Monday with Christmas Mocktails. The range of non-alcoholic drinks has
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 14-year-old had his nose broken in an unprovoked attack. The teenager was outside the Castle pub, in Whalley Road, Accrington, when an older boy approached him and punched him. The offender was white, aged 15
THE final curtain falls on Leigh Education Action Zone on December 31 . . . its five-year mission fully accomplished. And the Zone ends with an impressive testament to the success of the Government-backed assignment. Independent education consultant Joan
THE mother of an 11-year-old boy who suffered serious head injuries in a road accident says she has had the best Christmas present ever after he was released from hospital. Sam Riding was knocked down by a car as he waited for a school bus on Tuesday,
BATTLING mum Brenda Rowley is scheduled to appear in a Channel 5 TV documentary on Sunday. The Astley mum of four will feature in top investigative reporter Donal MacIntyre's "Who Cares for Gary?" when it goes out at 9pm. For five years Brenda has been
WHEN Darren Whittaker lost his long fight for life his family kicked-off a fund raising appeal to help fellow sufferers. They organised a memorial football match between Darren's former team and Laburnum Rovers' Reserves and split the proceeds between
CALLOUS thieves have been stealing from graves in Leigh Cemetery. Now cemetery authorities are stepping up surveillance after an angry, grieving mother asking for greater vigilance after yet another theft from the grave of her loved one. Pensioner Kathleen
by Brian Gomm Protesters ready for long battle PROTESTERS have been warned to prepare for a long battle to save farmland that developers have earmarked for an industrial estate. Wigan Planning committee vice-chairman Cllr Steve Hellier delivered a rallying
A BURY-based traded group is certainly on the right lines for success. The Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA), which represents the interests of the country's road marking industry, is celebrating another successful year that re-inforces its position
CRIME prevention bosses in the Ribble Valley are calling for tougher penalties for people who breach anti-social behaviour orders. The Ribble Valley Crime and Disorder Prevention Partnership, spearheaded by the Ribble Valley borough council, has written
BURY-based independent financial advisers CBM Financial Services Ltd has redesigned its web site to offer more features. And a grant which came via Business Link has helped towards the overall cost. The site now contains an interactive quote system for
INJURY-RAVAGED Blackpool head to Port Vale this weekend, hoping to put their play-off bid back on track. Boss Steve McMahon is desperately seeking reinforcements as injuries continue to keep out John Murphy and Keith Southern, as well as Leam Richardson
STAN Ternent has sounded the rallying cry ahead of tomorrow's lip-smacking Lancashire hot-pot. The Clarets can head for Preston in confident mood, having won four of the last five clashes against their bitter rivals. North End may be a tougher nut to
Dagenham 1 Leigh RMI 2: LEIGH RMI's survival hopes gained a timely boost with their first double success - even though it was only their fourth win of the season. It was only the second for manager Phil Starbuck who was quick to give all the credit to
THE majority of Leigh Centurions' off-season recruits will make their debuts in Sunday's Tommy Martyn Testimonial game against St Helens at Hilton Park, kick off 4pm. Dan Potter, Chris Percival, Richard Marshall, Heath Cruckshank, Shane Irabor and Andy
Leigh Miners Rangers 34 Siddal 6: A COMMANDING performance kept Leigh Miners Rangers on the Challenge Cup glory trail, demolishing Arriva Conference Champions and current league leaders Siddal to move into round three and the entry of the professional
RESIDENTS are being offered a few hot tips to prevent tragedy striking this Christmas. The festive period is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year in the Fire Service calendar. Last December, fire crews turned out to 3,512 accidental fires
FORMER mayor and long-serving Ramsbottom councillor Evelyn Waite has died in hospital aged 82. Mrs Waite, of Park Avenue, Ramsbottom served the town for 21 years as a Conservative councillor, but was also widely known and respected for her charity work
PLUCKY Chrissie Flood overcame painful spasms, aching limbs, and even a trip to hospital to achieve her goal of swimming the equivalent of the English Channel. Despite reaching her target of a remarkable 96 miles in just 12 weeks, Chrissie (pictured)
NEW league tables for pupils half-way through their secondary school careers spell success for Bury. Test results for English are among the best in the country, with a strong showing for youngsters in maths and science. Published for the first time yesterday
BURY is the most improved council in the land: and that's official. Town hall bosses are celebrating a major turnaround since the authority was branded "weak" by the Audit Commission last year. And the commission has handed Bury a second early Christmas
STAN Ternent has sounded the rallying cry ahead of tomorrow's lip-smacking Lancashire hot-pot. The Clarets can head for Preston in confident mood, having won four of the last five clashes against their bitter rivals. North End may be a tougher nut to
A FAMILY holiday, surprise party and meal out with friends made it a busy and enjoyable golden wedding celebration for Dorothy and Donald Wicker. The couple, from Rudyard Drive, Darwen, were treated to a surprise party at Derwent Hall, where Dorothy is
COUNCIL bosses are to look at returning old bridleways in Darwen to their former glory. The move came after Darwen MP Janet Anderson and representatives from the Bridleways Association campaigned for their re-opening. Darwen currently has no bridleways
POLICE in Darwen want to speak to pub revellers who may have witnessed an incident where a man was dragged along the road by a taxi. Officers say the 28-year-old Darwen man was pulled 20 yards along Blackburn Road outside the George pub when his hand
THE stalemate in Evelyn and Robert Lund's relationship was typified by their last conversation. Evelyn, 52, rang her husband from her friend Marianne Ramsey's home on December 29, 1999 - the last day she was seen alive - after the couple had fallen out
A NEW Year's Eve party with all proceeds to local charities is being held at the Formby Hall in Atherton. Tickets cost £15. Ring 01942 791599.
THE leader of Lancashire County Council Coun Hazel Harding was the guest at the launch of the latest edition of Lancashire's Great Days Out leaflet at East Lancashire Railway Station in Rawtenstall. The popular leaflet has been updated and has details
A SERIES of Area Forum Meetings has been arranged for next month in a bid to involve the community in council decisions. Rossendale Council chiefs, officers, and councillors will attend the meetings to consult with residents on the recent proposals which
PEOPLE in Rossendale will have the chance to quiz county councillors at a special roadshow held in Rawtenstall this weekend. The Leader of Lancashire County Council, councillor Hazel Harding will be visiting the East Lancashire Railway Station, Bury Road
CHRISTMAS revellers are being warned to watch out for illegal taxi drivers operating in Rossendale over the festive season. Rossendale Council is warning that some motorists are tempted to try to earn extra money at Christmas by posing as taxi-drivers
GREATER Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and GMPTE have published a comprehensive brochure detailing public transport services operating over the festive period. Commercial service operators will be running services on most days over Christmas
to challenge TALENTED Guide Laura Broad enjoys a challenge. The 14-year-old from Golborne St Thomas' group successfully completed The Baden Powell Challenge -- a series of demanding tasks over an 18-month spell designed for guides aged 13-plus. She is
LEIGH Local History Society have published a new book by prolific writer Fred Holcroft. "The Cotton Famine in the Leigh Area" gives a brief account of the problems faced by mill workers when, at the start of the American Civil War, the blockade of ports
LEIGH MP Andy Burnham is taking a Christmas break. His Leigh office at 10, Market Street, will be closed from noon on Friday, December 19, and reopen on Monday, January 5. During this period no surgeries will be held and the cycle of advice surgeries
GOLBORNE High School's senior steel band brought the sounds of a Caribbean Christmas to shoppers last Thursday. Group members, who are raising money for the Blue Peter Mencap Appeal, played at Leigh Asda this morning. When students were affected by a
GMPTA have teamed up with the Community Minibus Agency to provide a free door to door service for people totally reliant on public transport who need to visit relatives in hospices and hospital on Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Days. The service can
ASTLEY Youth Band celebrates its 10th Anniversary on Saturday, January 3 with a big reunion party featuring a disco and buffet at the Formby Hall in Atherton. During those 10 years more than 250 young brass players have passed through and Musical Director
FANCIERS from throughout England and Ireland descended on Tyldesley Top Chapel for the Wigan Roller Canary Club show. And Ulster breeder Mr J Woodside had them rolling in the aisles with his breathtaking songbirds who topped over 200 entrants. "We'd like
PLANNING applications received by Wigan Council include: Land adjacent Unit 1 Stour Road, Tyldesley, three pairs of semi-detached houses; 70 Stour Road, Tyldesley, single storey front, side and rear extension; 34 Westleigh lane, Leigh, change of use to
for Legion THE Leigh branch of the Royal British Legion is preparing to celebrate a number of monumental anniversaries next year. President Jan Thomas says 2004 will be the last occasion on which the Normandy Landings are marked on a massive scale and
CANCER victim Jacob Marsden has started his final six weeks course of a pioneering new treatment. The six-year old Astley schoolboy, who was recently diagnosed with non Hodgkin's acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, will spend cycles of one day in Pendlebury
STANAH - KIDS can start New Year with a fun workshop making 'thank you' cards at Wyreside Ecology Centre, River Road on Saturday, January 3. The event starts at 1pm prompt and finishes at 2.30pm. There'll be lots of stamping, sticking and peeling to keep
A POULTON man will be spending Christmas in Bethlehem this year -- and hopes to help peace break out in the troubled town. Ian Hodgson, 24, is travelling to the occupied territories of Palestine in a bid to see for himself the region's problems as well
ITS public toilets were once considered amongst the worst in the country -- but Blackpool is raising the bog standard to feature in national awards. Loo attendants working for the council and Blackpool Pleasure Beach were flushed with success at the 17th
A SERIES of events are being lined up to mark Blackpool Tower's 110th anniversary next year. Leisure Parcs, owner of the tower, Winter Gardens and piers, have also announced plans to bring popular West End musical, the Full Monty, to town. The tower is
THE fight against heart disease, cancer and strokes in Blackpool has been boosted by a £150,000 initiative to promote fruit and veg. The Five-a-Day scheme, encouraging people to eat at least five portions of fruit or veg daily, will include link-ups with
A ST ANNES charity luncheon club needs more diners to help it break even, organisers say. Age Concern runs a club every Monday lunchtime at St Annes United Reformed Church, selling three course meals for £3. The charity is stressing that the St George's
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to store gas under the River Wyre have called a public meeting for the new year. Thornton Action Group (TAG) wants residents to come to the meeting at Thornton Little Theatre, Four Lane Ends, Thornton on January 12 at 7.30pm
A NORTH West Euro-MP has championed the fight to identify and support the child victims of international internet paedophiles. Manchester-based MEP, Arlene McCarthy, whose constuency covers the Fylde, met with internet experts and police to discuss the
A TRANSPORT grant of £3.9million means work can begin to replace an historic Blackburn bridge. The Department of Transport cash will enable Freckleton Street bridge to be removed. It will be replaced with a modern structure designed to carry more traffic
AFTER cold-hearted criminals destroyed the novelty snowman, Stephen and Sheila Moss feared they might struggle to get over the deflating experience. But the couple have had their faith in Christmas spirit restored after a generous North West company offered
A BLACKBURN pensioner today thanked her paper boy for saving her life after she lay stranded on her bathroom floor for nearly two hours. Quick-thinking paper boy Anthony Hulme, 15, called for help after hearing Lillian Sleigh's screams as she lay on the
PROTESTERS have reacted with anger to a council's decision to grant a licence for a sex "superstore" in Blackburn. The licence for the shop in Preston New Road was granted at a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen's licensing committee. Before the meeting
FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning after a two-year-old boy was almost killed when an ornamental candle set a television ablaze. Leading firefighter Dave Hilliard today said the youngster was just two minutes from death. He warned that people using candles
THE progress of children aged between 11 and 14 at 17 schools in East Lancashire is above the national average. Value added measure is said to give a more comprehensive and rounded picture of school performance. It is based on the progress of pupils between
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman believes his side are gaining respect from other clubs in the Nationwide Conference - now he wants to prove those people right. Having won promotion last summer the Reds are eighth in the Conference rankings going
TO be the best you have to beat the best. That is the philosophy with which Darwen manager Steve Wilkes is approaching tomorrow's visit to table-topping Formby. The boss knows his side have not lived up to expectations this season and that the Christmas
FORMER Blackburn Rovers defender Keith Hill has joined Chorley. The 34-year-old is set to make his Magpies debut against Lancaster City in the UniBond League President's Cup first round at Victory Park tomorrow. Chorley manager Mark Patterson, who was
AS Craig Brown admits to reading Stan Ternent's book, the image conjured up is of the Preston boss settling down for an enjoyable few hours in front of a log fire, wearing slippers and accompanied by a single Malt. However, knowing the steely Scot, it's
IF you were in charge of quality control in a baked bean factory in Bury, would you get rid of the good beans or the bad beans to improve standards? Well, Bury's Labour councillors get rid of the "good beans" in this town. It was no surprise to me to
I WAS amazed at and annoyed by A. J. Cleavley's letter (December 12) regarding employees of Bury MBC who are in receipt of casual car user allowance receiving free parking in Bury. I wish to set the record straight. I was one of the unfortunate employees
HOW clever of town hall bosses to think to protect our historic buildings. But what does their recent announcement really mean? You report it as if it is something wonderful, but in actual fact all this initiative is doing is saying to the residents in
