Archive

  • Jihad Against Terrorism

    This month we have had reports of two firsts for our nation. The media is replete with the stories of the 'clean skins'. Young Brits with no prior record becoming the first home grown suicide bombers. No links to any radical organisation, no record of

  • Newspaper condemned for inciting Islamophobia

    In a move that appears designed to stir up Islamophobia, The Sun newspaper launched a front page attack on Professor Tariq Ramadan, an internationally respected progressive Muslim scholar. The Sun's leader column claims that Ramadan is 'more dangerous

  • Safety measures ruled out on road

    More safety measures have been ruled out on a road where three Blackburn men lost their lives in an horrific crash. A police investigation was launched into whether Preston New Road in Samlesbury could be made safer. But it found that crash was down to

  • Newspaper condemned for inciting Islamophobia

    In a move that appears designed to stir up Islamophobia, The Sun newspaper launched a front page attack on Professor Tariq Ramadan, an internationally respected progressive Muslim scholar. The Sun's leader column claims that Ramadan is 'more dangerous

  • Straw cleared over bid to 'curry' favour

    Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has been cleared of an alleged breach of election law after a rival candidate reported him to police. The Blackburn MP was accused by Craig Murray, who stood as an independent in May's election, of breaking the rule that candidates

  • Boost for community relations

    Community relations in Burnley will come under the spotlight thanks to a £125,000 Home Office grant. The award is to be shared between Lancaster University and Building Bridges, an inter-faith group which aims to increase co-operation between Christians

  • Lack of kidney doners alarm

    A lack of kidney donors means people from ethnic minorities wait twice as long as white people for a kidney transplant, according to health chiefs. Of the 210 people on the transplant list in Lancashire there are 38 from Asian, black and ethnic minority

  • Rapist gets 11 years

    A man who committed an "appallingly nasty" rape on a 12-year-old girl and made her pregnant has been jailed for 11 years. Ibrar Hussain, 27, dragged the terrified child into his house, locked the door, shut the curtains and pulled her to the floor, a

  • £3.75 million for crash victim

    A former Bury College student who suffered severe spinal injuries in a car crash has been awarded £3.75 million in compensation - but he says the money will never repair his emotional scars. Usman Ditta, aged 23 was a passenger in a car which collided

  • Sermon by Imam of East London Mosque

    Islam is for saving human life. Allah says in the Quran, "He who killed any person, unless it be a person guilty of murder or spreading chaos in the land, should be looked upon as though he had slain all mankind." And he who saved one life should be regarded

  • Jihad Against Terrorism

    This month we have had reports of 2 firsts for our nation. The media is replete with the stories of the clean skins. Young Brits with no prior record becoming the first home grown suicide bombers. No links to any radical organisation, no record of being

  • Brick attack man out of hospital

    A 21-year man seriously injured after a brick was hurled through the window of a car he was travelling in has been released from hospital. Rizwaan Atcha has astounded doctors after recovering from life-threatening head injuries in less than two weeks.

  • Can you put Pendle on the map?

    Pendle Council has announced that it is offering £50,000 in grants to local organisations if they can help bring visitors to the Borough or promote community cohesion. The Cohesion and Tourism Events Fund is aimed at helping draw visitors from a wider

  • Police officers speak of shooting

    A brave police officer has spoken of the moment one of his colleagues was shot in the chest. Loner Steven Hensby blasted PC David Lomas with a shotgun. The 54-year-old, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, shot PC Lomas in the chest and threw a petrol bomb

  • Doctor speaks on why he quit

    A doctor who resigned from a surgery in Preston where he had worked for 25 years has spoken out against rumours about why he quit. Dr Michael Eves, 55, said that since he resigned from Doclands Medical Centre, Blanche Street, in June, rumours have been

  • CCTV needed at train station

    I would like to clear up a couple of points regarding the recent incident at Leyland railway station on June 18. Lancashire police were the first to be informed and then transport police, who now have the case. The transport police do not regard Leyland

  • Church looks at its history

    An exhibition celebrated the 150th anniversary of a Walton-le-Dale church. Pictures of churchgoers past and present from Our Lady and St Patrick's Catholic Church, Higher Walton Road, are featured alongside parish journals, relics of the cotton industry

  • World run for Helen

    Helen Clitheroe has qualified for the World Athletics Championships in the Finnish capital Helsinki in August. With a time of 4:08.30 in the 1500m the Preston Harrier stormed to victory at the AAAs and World Championship qualifiers in Manchester on Saturday

  • Noise threat to model shop

    A model car shop could be put out of business because Preston City Council have brought a noise abatement order against it, the owner claims. Damian Markland, 27, owner of Speedy Models, Garstang Road, Broughton, had to spend £5,000 fighting a noise nuisance

  • Website revenge of pupil

    A teenager faces expulsion after he hacked into his school's website and posted a statement insulting one of his teachers and branding him a bully. The schoolboy, understood to be aged 14 and in year nine, gained access to the website of Worden Sports

  • Celebrating a new look

    Crowds flocked to the Frenchwood Festival under glorious summer sun to celebrate the multi-million pound regeneration of the area. At the event on Saturday at St Augustine's School, St Austin's Place, Preston, children took part in face painting, badge

  • Communities unite over bomb horror

    Muslims from across Preston will came together on Thursday in a remembrance service to denounce the London bombings. A special service will be held at Raza Mosque, St Paul's Road, Preston, at 2.15pm, in which the victims will be remembered, and Muslim

  • Simply the best

    EVEN with 20 wins to his credit, rallyman John Stone rates his fifth place on the Jim Clark National his 'best ever' achievement. The Blackburn businessman had a storming drive on the two-day, Scottish 'closed road classic', beating some of the best tarmac

  • Stoke say 'no'

    BURNLEY have reportedly had a £125,000 bid rejected for Stoke City skipper Clive Clarke. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill had been looking to make another raid on the Potteries following a series of swoops in the past six months for former City stars Ade

  • Stoke say 'no'

    BURNLEY have reportedly had a £125,000 bid rejected for Stoke City skipper Clive Clarke. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill had been looking to make another raid on the Potteries following a series of swoops in the past six months for former City stars Ade

  • Cole still an option

    BLACKBURN Rovers are still interested in signing Andy Cole this summer - but the former Manchester United striker would have to take a pay cut to make an Ewood return possible. Rovers boss Mark Hughes has already bolstered his strike-force with the signings

  • BLACKBURN

    Terry O'Toole's painting classes for beginners & improvers, Portfolio, Simmons Street, 10am-3pm. Greetings Cards (scene). Iron Garden Furniture exhibition, until July 25; Wildlife exhibition, until July 31, Samlesbury Hall. Cyber Drop-In, 9.30am-11.30am

  • Bombings are Blair's fault

    RE the bombing of London. Well thank you Tony Blair. How you sleep at night I will never know, after what you have plunged this country into. Too shocked to say any more. MRS GLADYS ROBINSON, Hawthorn Cottage, Great Harwood.

  • Mum in human fireball horror

    A YOUNG mother is being treated in hospital after becoming a human fireball in a horrifying scene outside her home. Kerri O'Sullivan, 28, of Whitegate Gardens, Padiham, is believed to have set herself alight in the incident in the early hours of yesterday

  • There are better sites for new centre

    FURTHER to your report on the proposed children's centre to be built on green fields in Little Harwood, Blackburn, I would like to put the following points forward. Firstly, I am not against a children's centre being built or the benefits it will bring

  • Give lottery cash to air ambulance

    DURING the horrific bombings in London, the air ambulance services have proved invaluable. However, I am given to understand that neither the government, health services, or the National Lottery provide money or grants for this service, the air ambulances

  • Police killed in the Alps

    TWO Lancashire police officers have died after going missing during a mountaineering holiday in the Alps. The bodies of close friends John Lucas, 40, from Clitheroe, and Chris Baybutt, 46, from Chorley, were found 11,500 feet above the popular resort

  • Phone us for free smoke detectors

    I WRITE in response to the letter (LET, July 11) regarding smoke detectors saving lives. I would like to thank Mrs Mayor for writing this letter urging people to buy smoke detectors for their homes. I would like to take the opportunity to point out that

  • Mum in human fireball horror

    A YOUNG mother is being treated in hospital after becoming a human fireball in a horrifying scene outside her home. Kerri O'Sullivan, 28, of Whitegate Gardens, Padiham, is believed to have set herself alight in the incident in the early hours of yesterday

  • Parking: Council has no heart

    HOW I sympathise with Mr Paul Walsh's son (LET, July 9) about parking tickets. Exactly the same thing happened to me. The pay ticket was on the floor of my car when I returned to it and a penalty charge notice was on the windscreen. This happened on April

  • Elam creeps to Crawley

    Crawley boss Francis Vines has signed winger Lee Elam, who was released by Morecambe at the end of last season. The 28-year-old has previously played for Southport, Halifax, Yeovil, Chester, Hornchurch and Burton Albion, as well as having two spells at

  • Dennison aims for top five fillip

    MORECAMBE became the latest team to suffer on the dodgy Fleetwood track as their slim hopes of progress in the Thwaites Smooth League Cup took a further nosedive on Sunday. Broadwater has seen some dreadful tracks this season with some alarmingly low

  • City line up Man U date

    LANCASTER City have landed a prestige friendly with Manchester United - with the Reds due at Giant Axe next Wednesday. Sir Alex Ferguson has promised to send a strong reserve team for the game (7.45pm kick-off) with many stars of the future gracing the

  • Injured Orchard will leave early

    MORECAMBE face a search for substitute professionals after they were rocked by the news Mark Orchard needs to return to New Zealand. The classy Kiwi jets off Down Under after the Chorley match on August 20 after his state, Northern Districts, summoned

  • In form pro makes his Mark

    BUOYANT Morecambe soared into the top five of the Surridge Northern League after a thrilling seven run win over second placed Netherfield on Saturday. In the last month Morecambe have started to show their true colours and batted well at Woodhill Lane

  • Sparrow can't wait for North End test

    EX-PRESTON defender Paul Sparrow is licking his lips ahead of Tuesday night's prestige friendly with his old club and declares: "It's a great test." City's longest serving player starred for North End after leaving Crystal Palace - and even after his

  • Rover The moon

    MORECAMBE get the chance to see how the other half live on Saturday when the millionaires of Blackburn Rovers roll into Christie Park for a prestigious pre-season friendly. The Shrimps face Rovers in a game that should capture the imagination, especially

  • Zico stars after bug bite scare

    RYAN-ZICO Black's big international event got off to a slow personal start after he suffered an insect bite on the eve of the first game. But he hit the ground running after recovering from his bug bite. Lancaster City's former Morecambe striker is representing

  • Store axes five jobs

    FIVE jobs are to be axed from Lancaster's Asda store as part of a nationwide plan to put more employees on the shop floor. The supermarket giant has announced that a total of 1,400 managerial roles are being shed nationwide. But a spokesman for the company

  • Traveller vows to fight on

    A TRAVELLER who wants to settle down with his family in Morecambe has lodged a new project with city planners. Mark Wilson was outraged that his plans for a traveller site with seven caravans, a stable and a toilet block on land at Out Moss Lane were

  • Northern plan is a joke

    WHO in their right mind would ever dream up something as ridiculous as a Northern link road for Lancaster? The anwer, as far as I can see, is a newt lover who has never been to the area and lives miles away. What a joke. Who's to say that if we look hard

  • Stepping into the unknown

    TWO dedicated charity workers are dropping Western life, jobs and comfort to help build a community school in Nigeria. Gary Foxcroft and his partner Naomi Chapple, both from Lancaster, are upping sticks and heading off to the Niger Delta region in September

  • Parker pens new deal

    Blackpool striker, Keigan Parker, has pledged his future to the club after agreeing a new contract. The two year deal, with a further year's option, means the diminutive Scottish striker, currently on tour with his team-mates in his native land, could

  • Officers bag rag traders

    Dozens of 'Rag Mag' sellers have found that the joke is on them this week after the launch of a crackdown on unscrupulous practice. Operation 'ave a laugh' - launched jointly by Blackpool police and the council's Trading Standards team - aims to tackle

  • Don't expect booze favours

    YOUNGSTERS who go on an end-of-term booze-up should not expect kid glove treatment from local police - far from it. Bobbies are to adopt a 'zero tolerance' approach to dealing with teenagers going out to celebrate finishing school. Sgt Dal Dawkins says

  • Hollywood star to play hero mum

    Hollywood star, Helena Bonham Carter, is set to recreate the story of a Blackpool woman and her family for a new one-off TV drama. Jacqui Jackson - the Blackpool mum-of-seven with four sons on the autistic spectrum - is the inspiration behind new BBC

  • Mum and child strike again

    A TINY thief and his mum struck for the second time in three days, committing another distraction burglary against a pensioner. As reported in last week's Citizen, the pair struck at the Morecambe home of an 85-year-old woman and stole her handbag. On

  • Hotel hope for resort

    SUN-SEEKING tourists filled Morecambe to bursting point at the weekend - just as news broke that developers want to build a new 80-bedroom hotel on the derelict Frontierland site. Hotels and bed and breakfasts in the resort were flooded with people heading

  • Future is orange for road campaign

    A TORRISHOLME road will be a sea of orange as protestors gather to create a human 'link'. Residents have orange tops at the ready for a demonstration this evening (Wednesday) about the detrimental effects the planned Heysham-M6 Northern link road will

  • It's time to get cracking

    IT'S about time work on the Western link road got cracking. How much longer do we have to cope with the congestion which just gets worse and worse. Less talk and more action is what we need. I have seen displays and exhibitions of 'new road plans' from

  • Crackdown puts nine behind bars

    NINE drug offenders have been sent to prison for a total of more than 20 years following a major drugs crackdown in Lancaster and Morecambe. The final tally was revealed with the sentencing at Preston Crown Court of the final defendant following a sophisticated

  • Many reasons to go North

    THERE are many reasons why the so called Northern route has been chosen, not just the newts. I fear Ms Smith MP's evidence to support her contentions are about as well founded as Tony Blair's evidence for 'Weapons of Mass Destruction'. I also fear that

  • London bomb anguish spoils mum's birthday

    A HEYSHAM family was gripped with worry and panic on Thursday after the horrific bomb blasts in London - believing their son may have been caught in the devastation. Andy and Alison Uberschar, who was celebrating her birthday, couldn't get hold of son

  • Parents' grief at graveside theft

    A Blackpool couple have hit out at 'sick' thieves who stole a memorial to their baby son. Adam and Carol Ray returned from holiday to discover that a 12ins ceramic model of the character Eeyore, from the Winnie the Pooh cartoons, had been taken from the

  • Campaign raises false hopes

    YOU are raising false hope in the community that the Western bypass can be resurrected. This route has been so thoroughly proven to be unrealistic that even the most dogmatic of the local politicians has recognised it will never be built. It has been

  • Riders stay top of the table

    ON a blisteringly hot sunny day, Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway maintained their lead at the top of the Northern Fours League with a convincing win at Bury. A & T raced to their record score in this league, with Damian Zareba, Remi Burchardt

  • Riders follow in tracks of Tour greats

    AS the riders in the Tour de France toiled their way across France, four members of Leigh Premier Road Club knew exactly what they faced in the high mountains of the Alps, having just returned from their own personal Tour de France. The four riders, Darren

  • Defiant Abram looks to the Bulls

    CENTURIONS coach Darren Abram has sounded a note of defiance ahead of Sunday's trip to Odsal. Leigh may be on the brink of relegation but Abram says: "There are still 16 points to play for and if there were still only two we would approach each game in

  • Players wanted

    ASTLEY and Tyldesley open age football team need quality players to strengthen their squad after promotion to the South Lancashire Counties Football League premier division. Contact Nigel on 01942 742956 or turn up at training at A & T Miners Welfare

  • Queen of the fells

    FIFTEEN year old Leigh Harrier Dionne Allen of Westleigh High School had an outstanding week on the fells and on the track, winning the English U16 girls fell running championships at Settle. She also took bronze while representing Greater Manchester

  • Cricket scorecards from weekend July 9-10

    BOLTON ASSOCIATION WALSHAW v CLIFTON WALSHAW A. Harris run out 40 J. Whittaker c Jennings b Holt 76 J. Fielding st Dorsey b Wolstenholme 22 D. Hornby b Tye 41 R. Faulkner st Dorsey b Holt 5 A. Caunce st Dorsey b Tye 10 D. Mills b Holt 7 L. Riley not out

  • Tigers set out to be the fittest

    SEDGLEY Park enjoyed a productive first week of pre-season training that has pushed them to the limit. The first task for the new triumvirate of coaches - Tim Fourie, Andy Northey and James Ponton - is to get the squad fitter than ever before. The club

  • The birthday we thought Aimee would never see

    BECOMING a teenager is a milestone birthday for any youngster to celebrate. But for Aimee Read, reaching the age of 13 is far more poignant, because seven years ago, she was given just 12 months to live. Aimee, of Moorcroft, Edenfield, was diagnosed with

  • Call for teacher inquiry findings to be published

    TOWN Hall bosses are being asked to publish a top-secret report into why a Bury teacher was suspended for nine years costing taxpayers a fortune. Mr Anthony McNally, an English teacher at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom, was suspended in 1995 after

  • Overseas property show on Sunday

    THE Bolton Evening News/Bury Times Overseas Property Show will be at the Village Hotel in Bury on Sunday. The event will feature properties for sale in countries around the world, including Cyprus, Florida, Turkey, Spain and Bulgaria. Entry to the show

  • Veterans on parade

    A PARADE and service will be held in Bury town centre on Sunday to commemorate the end of the Second World War 60 years ago. War veterans from the Army, Navy and RAF will take pride of place at the front of the parade which sets off from Bury Town Hall

  • On-the-run prisoner still hunted

    AROUND a dozen homes across the borough have been searched by police as the hunt continues for a violent prisoner on the run. Andrew Chadfield (21), from Bury, disappeared within hours of being accidentally transferred from a secure unit to HMP Kirkham

  • Reluctant hero PCs relive gun siege drama

    TWO police officers have told how they dashed to the aid of injured Bury PC David Lomas after he was shot by a gun-toting resident. Sergeant Paul Leigh, a 35-year-old father-of-two from Ramsbottom, and PC Lukmaan Mulla, based in Rossendale, relived their

  • Starlet on the European stage

    SHAKERS starlet David Buchanan is heading for Ireland for the UEFA Under-19 European Championships. The Bury youngster, who has just signed his first pro contract, will leave pre-season training to join up with the Northern Ireland Under-19 squad. The

  • Bury ready for Boro clash

    WITH fitness one of the key components of professional football today, it is good to hear that a team like Bury return for pre-season training already well on the way to peak condition and ready for the opening pre-season clash, away to Radcliffe Borough

  • End of the road for unlucky Matt

    BURY'S longest-serv"ng player, Matt Barrass, has been released by the club after f"ght"ng a los"ng f"tness battle. Barrass (25) "s one of four f"rst team squad members, m"df"elder Terry Dunf"eld, veteran defender Col"n Woodthorpe and centre-half Jon Cartledge

  • Boy, 14, drowns at beauty spot

    A TEENAGER drowned on his 14th birthday as he played with friends at a Bury beauty spot. It is believed Michael Hillen died after a prank went tragically wrong. His body was discovered by police divers in the River Roch on Friday night after a frantic

  • Drug 'kings' are role models

    Drug dealers making as much as £25,000 profit per week are being held up as role models among young members of the Asian community. The vast profits are being spent on various items, including designer clothes, sports cars and jewellery -- and even property

  • Action packed junior BEEP scheme

    An action packed activity programme is promised for Burnley boroughs youngsters to get them away from the TV and computer games this summer. Burnley Council's Junior BEEP programme, starting on 21st July, 2005, is an extension of the successful adult

  • Jewel thieves preyed on girls at weddings

    A husband and wife lured little girls away from their parents at weddings, stole their jewellery and abandoned them to their fate, lost in a strange city. The Bradford couple began jail sentences after the abductions of six girls as young as five years

  • Condemnation of London bombings

    Muslim groups speak out after news that bombers were British British Muslims Utterly Condemn Acts of Terror (Muslim Council of Britain) "We must and will be united in common determination that terror cannot succeed. It is now the duty of all us Britons

  • A thief in the house of Allah

    There was shock and anger in the community after this CCTV picture showed a thief stealing from a mosque. The man waited until everyone had started praying before rifling through some coats that were hung up behind their backs. Then, with the worshippers

  • Forum joins leaders in opening first Terror memorial

    The secretary general of the Hindu Forum of Britain, Ramesh Kallidai joined Cultural Secretary Tessa Jowell, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Lord Sebastian Coe and leaders of the capital's faith communities to open the first memorial to the victims of

  • Muslim students outrage at article

    The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) is surprised and outraged by an article in The Sun regarding Prof. Tariq Ramadan which is written purely on baseless allegations. FOSIS President Wakkas Khan, speaking on behalf of Muslim students said

  • Police should have acted at the time

    Twice this month police were forced to re-think how they deal with racist offences. In Lancaster a shopkeeper has quit his corner shop with compensation of £140,000 from police after claims that they failed to protect him. Mal Hussain, 50, endured a 14

  • What's on around Preston

    Fancy finding out about Preston and South Ribble in the age of the Black Death? Then pop along to South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, July 16, for a lecture with curator, David Hunt, at 11am. On Sunday, July 17, you can join David for

  • Journey to the stars

    Astronomers from Preston's university will soon have use of the biggest telescope in the southern hemisphere, which university chiefs claim is located in the best place in the world for observing the universe. The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan

  • Max gives his green mesage to council

    An aspiring David Bellamy who is putting himself on the map with his ideas to save the planet has given a presentation on green issues to a group of councillors. Eco-friendly youngster, Max Hardy, 12, of Richmond Court, Leyland, has been a champion for

  • Smith shows Brazilian touch

    Preston started their pre-season warm up with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Bamber Bridge and a 3-0 victory at Chorley. The game at Bamber Bridge attracted a crowd of over 1000 and will be remembered for two things, an overhead kick by Andy Smith and a penalty

  • Job fears at store

    Doubts hang over the jobs of more than 30 Littlewoods workers following the takeover of the high street chain by budget clothing firm, Primark, on Monday. Union officials held a meeting with staff at the Fishergate store on Monday after Primark made the

  • Looking for a team to play

    North End are frantically searching for opposition to play on their Italian tour after pulling the plug on one of their games. One of the highlights of the week-long trip to northern Italy was to be a match against Serie A side Udinese. But boss Billy

  • Preston skittled out for 52

    Bottom of the table Preston continued to struggle as they were bowled out for just 52 at Fleetwood. Preston were always going to be in trouble when they lost their first three batsmen for ducks. They were in even deeper trouble as they then had six batsmen

  • I know I made my Mark on the Open

    MARK Ashworth may have to settle for sitting at home and watching the Open on TV today, but at least he'll be doing it with the satisfaction of knowing he's good enough to be there. If he could have sunk a few more putts during his two rounds at Ladybank

  • Cole still an option

    BLACKBURN Rovers are still interested in signing Andy Cole this summer - but the former Manchester United striker would have to take a pay cut to make an Ewood return possible. Rovers boss Mark Hughes has already bolstered his strike-force with the signings

  • Retiring Hegg aims for trio of trophies

    LANCASHIRE keeper Warren Hegg is hoping his side can take another step closer to a superb hat-trick of trophies as they look forward to a C&G Trophy quarter-final against Sussex tomorrow. The Red Rose county are aiming for honours on three fronts

  • Police killed in the Alps

    TWO Lancashire police officers have died after going missing during a mountaineering holiday in the Alps. The bodies of close friends John Lucas, 40, from Clitheroe, and Chris Baybutt, 46, from Chorley, were found 11,500 feet above the popular resort

  • We shouldn't be going short

    ALTHOUGH we have seen hosepipe bans in the past, it does seem difficult to believe that Britain will find itself short of water in the future. We all know that our land is "green and pleasant" precisely because there is plenty of rain and rivers bursting

  • Batsman Yas Bari's them

    YASIM Bari stole the show as Lancaster lorded it over Kendal in the Twenty/20 Cup on Friday night. Lune Road professional Bari doesn't normally star with the bat - but his blistering 63 gave the Bombers the perfect opportunity to win the game with four

  • McGuinness goes through BSB door

    MORECAMBE biker John McGuinness has walked out on the British Superbike championship after a season of disappointments. The ex-brickie, one of the best road racers in the world, has struggled to re-produce his marvellous Isle of Man TT form on the track

  • New road may go begging

    I AM concerned that by reopening the debate about the Western link road, Morecambe and Lancaster will lose the chance of getting any sort of link road at all. It is obvious that without the support of Morecambe MP Geraldine Smith the Northern route is

  • Bring me sunshine

    Pubs and bars in Lancaster and Morecambe were jam-packed as hot and bothered locals headed for refreshment this week. And as the temperature reached 29 degrees Celsius, businesses across the area enjoyed an influx of sun-seekers. Shops saw a flurry of

  • We are sailing

    A POPULAR 'water bus' service is back on the Lancaster Canal - and this time it's here to stay. More than 1,000 people used the Packet Boat service between the city and Carnforth during a 10-weeks 'pilot' last summer. It was deemed so successful that

  • No chance of sense breaking out here

    NO LESS a luminary than Citizen Smith has commented on the sudden outbreak of stupidity that occurs when not too bright people drink copious amounts of warm beer outside in the sun. And given the recent weather, stupidity has abounded. It has been very

  • Beach warning for tourists

    A teenager who ignored beach officers' warnings had to be rescued from the sea off Blackpool on Tuesday afternoon after getting into difficulties. The 16-year-old unnamed girl, thought to be local, was chasing an inflatable ball near Central Pier, when

  • Soap bubbles over

    STARS from TV soap Emmerdale made it fun for all the family on Sunday when a soccer team from the cast took on Lancaster City. Hundreds turned out in the searing hot sunshine to watch the likes of Ben Freeman, alias the soap's Scott Windsor, play football

  • Last rites for a thriving community

    I SUPPORT the campaign for a Western link road because of the damage the Northern route will do both to the countryside and residents' lives. As an 80-year-old living in the Cross Hill area with no car I am appalled at the thought of having to walk through

  • Parking pain sparks petition

    DISGRUNTLED motorists have been signing a petition urging Lancaster City Council to get into gear and end parking chaos in the area. With an inadequate, bumpy surface and no marked parking bays, car users say enough is enough. They want to see the council

  • A shaky start

    MORECAMBE promenade will be jam-packed with people swaying, shimmying and shaking this weekend - when the world's sexiest dance craze comes to the seaside. The Promenade Salsa Party will see the resort filled with J-Lo wannabes willing to flash a bit

  • Safari so good at the zoo

    Dinosaurs are on the prowl at Blackpool Zoo after the wraps came off the attraction' biggest ever investment. More than 30 different dinosaurs, a giant erupting volcano and even a smouldering meteorite form the centrepiece of Dinosaur Safari, which also

  • We must all stand up against terror

    AFTER waiting a few days to assess fully the situation, Lancashire Association of Trades Union Councils wishes to condemn the use of terrorism of the kind which occurred in London last week. We especially condemn this tactic because of its targeting of

  • Group see heritage slipping away

    Campaigners fear St Annes' historic Ashton Institute may never see the light of day again when work begins to dismantle it shortly. The sale of land in Ashton Gardens was completed by Fylde Council this week - but ambitious plans to restore the institute

  • Feaunati on his way

    CENTURIONS have released winger Dom Feaunati after only a handful of appearances since his signing from St Helens. The former Samoan RU international has been allowed to link up early with London Irish, the club is to join next season.

  • On top of the world

    JUDO masters Kevin Kinney, Jack Mountford and Dave Walker have returned from Canada feeling on top of the world. Tyldesley Judo Club's stunning trio scooped top awards at the World Masters Championships in Toronto. Club Coach Kevin Kinney was crowned

  • Headquard campaign to keep kids safe

    USERS of the unofficial Leigh Centurions fans forum www.leythers.co.uk have launched a "Safety in Rugby" appeal. The aim is to make sure every junior rugby player in the area has access to, and the use of, a protective headguard. This follows the recent

  • Debut runners impress

    ASTLEY & Tyldesley Road Runners sent 15 runners to the recent Chorley 4 Miler. Derek Chisnall, 29 mins 30, and Brenda Wane, 35mins 5 secs, both made their debut for the club. Derek came in 122nd and Brenda a respectable fifth in her catagory and 162nd

  • School pals remember murdered Lauren

    CHILDREN and staff at Leigh CE Junior School remembered their murdered school pal Lauren Pilkington-Smith at a special service on Thursday morning. Head Brian Fawcett said: "We invited all members of the school community to join with us for a short service

  • Rivals line up double swoop

    STAR men John Wilshere and Oli Wilkes are on the wish list of a host of Leigh Centurions Super League rivals. Fellow relegation contenders, Widnes Vikings, have asked for permission to speak to full-back-cum-stand-off Wilshere. Two other clubs have also

  • Newcomer Jones impresses coach

    CENTURIONS have taken highly-rated back rower Chris Jones on loan from St Helens. Smith made an impressive debut off the bench in Leighs defeat at Huddersfield last Sunday and is again likely to be in the squad for this weekends trip to Bradford. St Helens-born

  • Penalties play into Knights' hands

    LIONS 16, YORK CITY KNIGHTS 32: The Knights marched on in top spot in National League Two with a hard fought victory in the Sedgley Park sunshine. leaving Lions' coach Paul Kidd in a frustrated and exasperated mood. "I cannot fault our effort and commitment

  • Cricket teams for weekend July 16-17

    SATURDAY BURY v Winton, away, meet at club 12noon: W. Belston, M.K. Brawn, S. Belston, J. Stone, A. Iqbal, Jo. McGahan, A. Metcalfe, M. Murza, A. Raza, A. Baig, Ja. McGahan. Scorer: A. Maxwell. BURY II v Winton, home, meet at club 12.30pm: D. Leach, S

  • Residents' fury over catalogue of crime

    A MAN being robbed in front of his young children was the final straw for a group of Prestwich residents who claim they have suffered years of crime-related incidents. Householders in Bland Road and Hilton Drive said: "Enough is enough!" after a catalogue

  • Fairfield Trust face major scrutiny

    A REVIEW could be conducted into the trust which runs Fairfield Hospital following last month's vote of no-confidence by senior doctors. The Strategic Health Authority (SHA) is proposing to send in a team headed by former president of the Royal College

  • Overseas property show on Sunday

    THE Bolton Evening News/Bury Times Overseas Property Show will be at the Village Hotel in Bury on Sunday. The event will feature properties for sale in countries around the world, including Cyprus, Florida, Turkey, Spain and Bulgaria. Entry to the show

  • Veterans on parade

    A PARADE and service will be held in Bury town centre on Sunday to commemorate the end of the Second World War 60 years ago. War veterans from the Army, Navy and RAF will take pride of place at the front of the parade which sets off from Bury Town Hall

  • MP wants views on smoke ban

    A REVIEW could be conducted into the trust which runs Fairfield Hospital following last month's vote of no-confidence by senior doctors. The Strategic Health Authority (SHA) is proposing to send in a team headed by former president of the Royal College

  • 'Never again' says river rescue boy

    A YOUNGSTER has vowed never to swim in open water again after telling how he and three friends had to be rescued from the River Irwell. Mohammed Aftab was paddling near to the weir at Burrs Country Park on Sunday when he plunged into a deep section of

  • Call for teacher inquiry findings to be published

    TOWN Hall bosses are being asked to publish a top-secret report into why a Bury teacher was suspended for nine years costing taxpayers a fortune. Mr Anthony McNally, an English teacher at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom, was suspended in 1995 after

  • Brand name 'offensive' says judge

    A MAN'S bid to register the name 'Fook' as a brand name for use on clothing has failed. A leading trademarks judge has ruled that its sound-alike 'f-word' still has the power to cause outrage amongst the British public. Judge David Kitchin QC rejected

  • Shakers v Leicester in Carling Cup

    SHAKERS have drawn Leicester City at Gigg Lane in the first round draw for the Carling Cup. The draw, which involves all 72 Football League clubs, is spilt into North and South at this stage to try and prevent any long midweek trips. The Northern section

  • Residents' fury over catalogue of crime

    A MAN being robbed in front of his young children was the final straw for a group of Prestwich residents who claim they have suffered years of crime-related incidents. Householders in Bland Road and Hilton Drive said: "Enough is enough!" after a catalogue

  • Home sweet home - and it's Gigg!

    THERE was a bombshell of the welcome kind for shareholders at Bury Football Club's annual meeting on May 18, when it was revealed that the directors had sensationally re-secured the ownership of their Gigg Lane ground. But it was what wasn't revealed