IT'S all change at Padiham Medical Centre. To ease the trauma of patients in pain, who currently have to wait some time to see a GP, the staff at the centre are introducing a new timetable to take effect from Monday, May 13.

There will be no pre-booked appointments in the mornings but some of the doctors and the nurse practitioner will hold open surgeries from 8.30am until 10.30am and everyone who calls in will be seen in rotation but not necessarily by the doctor of their choice.

This is no longer essential as the practice's computer system can give immediate information to the GP on any patient.

Patients who wish to see a specific doctor and who are not in immediate danger, will be able to pre-book appointments in the afternoon.

The nurse practitioner will also hold an emergency surgery each afternoon.

It is hoped that this system will be of benefit to people who, otherwise, may have to wait in pain for treatment.

It is anticipated that initially the surgery will be very busy in the mornings.

The centre is asking people to remember that the staff are there to help them -- the patient -- and 'be a patient patient!'

THE nimble feet of Gawthorpe School's Under 16s football team proved to be more than a match for their Ivy Bank opponents.

It was a thrilling game with some near misses on both sides. The final result was Gawthorpe High School 3, Ivy Bank 1.

A RALLY organised by the Jubilee Committee for Hapton, was won by acting headteacher at Hapton CE Methodist, Julie Vintin, school secretary Jean Beeston and Julie's husband Steve.

The rally took on the N65 industrial estate, Crown Point, Roggerham Gate, Higham, Altham and ended up with supper at the Hapton Inn.

THE village youngsters are getting superb tuition on Hapton's football pitch. They are closely following the fortunes of Hapton FC who are currently fourth in the Burnley and District League Division One.

THE first meeting of the new Padiham Town Council is to be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday at 7pm.

The new councillors will introduce themselves and will take part in an historic occasion.

Ronald Alan Neal, the former chairman of the Lancashire Association of Parish and Town Councils, is also expected to attend.

Alan has been of immeasurable help, keeping the wish of the people at the forefront of Lancashire and national parish agendas and Wednesday night will be a wonderful present for him - it is his birthday that day.