SUPPLIERS of the latest toy craze aimed at children aged just six are cleaning up their act after the Citizen uncovered instructions littered with offensive words. Youngsters all over Lancaster and Morecambe have been queuing up to buy cyberpets, little
A CAR crash which claimed the life of a 21-year-old Morecambe man was described as a scene of carnage by firefighters. Front seat passenger Robert Alvarez, of Clarence Street, died from serious head injuries after the Peugeot 106 he was travelling in
BIG-HEARTED businessmen got together in Lytham and raised £1,475 for Derian House, a hospice for children in the North West. The owner of the town's Portofino restaurant threw a sumptuous four-course meal for more than140 guests, completely free of charge
SWINTON LIONSM-I18pts, DEWSBURY RAMSM-I15 SWINTON practically assured themselves First Division football next season after Sunday's tense and exciting Gigg Lane encounter against the Rams. News of Featherstone's victory over Widnes was greeted with equal
The long-awaited and much-hyped sequel to Jurassic Park finally hit cinema screens last weekend and the main action takes place in a surviving annexe of the original theme park where a thriving dinosaur colony has evolved. Dr Ian Malcolm, a carry over
THE three men charged with the murder of father-of-four Allan Curtis beat him to death for a dare, a court has heard. The vicious killing of the popular family man as he walked home from the pub last December sent shockwaves through the local community
BLACKPOOL South MP Gordon Marsden was called to the bar this week - to pull the first parliamentary pint of Blackpool Bitter. For the new Fylde brew was the toast of the town when it became a guest beer in the House of Commons Strangers Bar. Blackpool
AN 18-month-old baby boy is believed to have drowned in the garden pond of a house in the Stokes Hall Avenue area of Leyland. Police say the child was in the care of relatives while his parents were at work. He was taken to Chorley Hospital at around
MORECAMBE have won just one of their pre-season friendlies but Jim Harvey still believes his side are on course to mount a challenge next season. In the first game of their pre-season campaign, the Shrimps went down 2-0 to Carlisle United, with dead ball
KEN Turner, a man the doctors said would be lucky to walk again, is raising a toast to life today. He owns the Windsor Holiday Apartments, in Trafalgar Road, Blackpool, which have just been short-listed for the prestigious North West Tourism Board Self
ZERO-tolerance of beggars, street-hawkers, shoplifters and rowdies is the aim for Blackpool centre from now on. For the Blackpool Town Centre Forum - a consortium of businesses and the borough council - has appointed a warden to help ensure its streets
RUGBY-mad youngsters were visited by some of their idols who offered them training tips and showed them trophies. St Helens players dropped in to see the Leyland Warriors team and brought them the Challenge Cup and Super League Trophy to admire. The players
Could I suggest an alternative leader to your leader of July 10 attacking increases in allowances to city councillors which reads: Low pay Council shocker exclusive - councillors paid £4.24 and council leader paid £2.33 hourly for council work during
ST HELENS CC strolled to victory against Hightown on Saturday, winning with seven overs to spare. Hightown crawled to 127 in 58 overs in the face of some fine bowling from Mark Wells (4-36), Steve Jordan (2-19) and Phil Roughley (2-26). Daniel Massey
SO-CALLED "carpetbaggers" - people who open building society accounts in the hope of scooping a big windfall - are helping to boost the funds of a major charity. The Skipton Building Society has insisted that new account openers make a donation of £25
A PETROL bomb was being examined by police after a shocked passer-by stumbled upon it as he walked through a park. The man found the crude device - a beer bottle stuffed with petrol-soaked rags - behind a meter box in Higher Walton Park near Preston just
THE Pilkington Rose Bowl could be on its way to the other side of the world! For the first time in its history the competition has attracted golfers from abroad. The contest attracts a top quality field of amateurs from all over the North West to the
A LAST gasp meeting could save a closure-threatened community centre. Hag Fold Community Centre User Group chairman Reg Holmes has warned locals the Atherton meeting place is doomed unless more helpers step forward. Reg told The Journal:"Atherton people
Moore & Smalley Palace Shield results from weekend of July 19/20 Division A - *Fulwood & Broughton 162, Springfields 146-7; Garstang 66-3, *BAe Warton 65; Longridge 127-9, *Dutton Forshaw 150-9; Penwortham 155-9, *Fylde 183-7; *Thornton Cleveleys
FORMER Darwener Tom Fish read our story about his wife's first visit 'home' in 20 years before she did - and he's 13, 000 miles away in New Zealand! May Fish, 68, had phoned her husband to tell him that the story of her nostalgic trip back to Darwen to
MUGSHOTS of persistent shoplifters have been sent to town centre stores to help cut down on shop thefts. The photo albums feature descriptions and details of regular culprits to help store managers spot suspicious activity. Theft cost Preston stores £2
FULWOOD Amateur Association FC has arranged pre-season friendlies which are to be used as a benefit season for Alex Rawson and Warren Beattie. All games will be played at Lightfoot Green, Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Preston: July 28 (7pm) v Blackpool; July
A PART-time lecturer involved in a test case against former employers Accrington and Rossendale College must endure another round in her legal fight. The case - which could affect thousands of other further education lecturers - involves Debra Allonby
A TV programme brought tears to the eyes of Leigh man Ray Gorton as he watched a documentary featuring the sinking of a Royal Navy warship. For Ray, 63, of Organ Street, saw his past flash before his eyes as the programme featured the huge aircraft carrier
RESIDENTS fighting against a proposed asphalt plant for Bamber Bridge in Preston have welcomed the support of South Ribble councillors. Locals were delighted after the Development Services Committee unanimously voted against the Tilcon planning application
PLUCKY terrier Desperate Dan deserves a new home. The tiny tyke was in a terrible state when a kind fisherman found him tethered and abandoned beside an anglers' hot spot. The good samaritan, who discovered Dan roped to a fence near Howe Bridge Sports
Tony Dewhurst reports from Northern Ireland BURNLEY face a goalkeeping crisis for tonight's Northern Ireland friendly at Glenavon Deputy keeper Chris Woods is almost certainly ruled out with tendonitis which could even force the ex-England man to miss
GLAZEBURY headmaster Jeffrey Johnson has flown off into the sunset! The CE Primary School boss took early retirment on Thursday. And he has taken up a part-time job on the operations staff of Air Nova, a company based at Liverpool Airport where he can
GOLDEN couple James and Dorothy Fazackerly had tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The lucky pair, who were married in 1947, attended the Royal Garden Party on Tuesday July 15 to celebrate the Queen's 50th wedding anniversary. They were selected
I wish to express my thanks and gratitude to all the residents of Hunters Lodge, Cherry Tree, on my recent retirement as resident manager. It was a privilege to work for you for the last seven years. Kath King Mill Hill Blackburn Previous news story Converted
A QUARTET of Tyldesley water polo players featured in Great Britain's tournament win in Loule, Portugal. Philip Stout, Jonathan Stafford, Paul Cowburn and GB skipper Michael Cowburn played against teams from France, Sweden, Ireland, Switzerland, Andalusia
DRIVERS banned from driving by Preston magistrates between July 11-18 were: Liam Whittaker, 39, of Chestnut Crescent, Preston; and Colin Berry, 44, of Brock Road, Great Eccleston, were banned for three years. Ian Wrona, 23, of Newton Street, Preston,
A GROUP of Preston performers is desperate for more men to take to the stage so the love-lorn females won't be all alone. The Gilbert and Sullivan Society urgently needs more tenors, basses and baritones for next season's production. At the moment more
ONE of Tyldesley RU's longest active members has been rewarded by the County RFU for his devotion to the game with a Vice-Presidency of Lancashire. Terry Alexander has been involved at Well Street in various capacities since making his playing debut back
ROYAL Preson Hospital staff are being trained in self defence to break free from violent visitors. The course features mock attacks where staff free themselves from being grabbed by the throat, by the arm or from behind. Laura Brown, who deals with patients
PURRS could be heard all over Burrs after two kittens were rescued from the riverbank in the popular Bury country park. The two moggies had been abandoned and were tottering dangerously close to the edge of the River Irwell at the bottom of a steep slope
A DISMAYED parent has spoken of his astonishment at seeing young children break in to a garage and throw unused ballot papers all over the street. The Preston man, who asked not to be named, contacted the Citizen after we revealed that a large number
A CARRYMAT and a rucksack may seem like unusual presents to give a retiring teacher - but then Margaret Cooper is no ordinary teacher! For Margaret, 54, is planning to fulfil her lifelong ambition and travel across America on a Greyhound bus when she
THEY may be separated by the length of the table but in David Usher and Naeem Ashraf, Baxenden and leaders Cherry Tree have two of the most prolific batsmen in the league. With both professionals nearing the 600 mark for the season, Saturday's confrontation
RAMSBOTTOM'S major tourist attraction, the East Lancs Railway, is in line for honours in this year's United Utilities North West Tourism Awards. The North West Tourism Board, which recognises organisations' commitment to improving facilities for people
DARREN BARTON rode the race of his life to move seven points clear at the top of the British 125cc Supercup at Oulton Park. Starting from pole position, the diminutive Darwen rider almost stalled on the line and ended up third from the back of the 40-
THE criteria used when deciding the use of road-calming measures continues to baffle me. Recently, I drove along Devonport Road, Blackburn, which is a straight, flat road and discovered that, within a few hundred yards, there are eight or nine traffic
DARING policewoman Angela Hill's daily routine involves smashing down doors, raiding houses for drugs and apprehending suspects. But it's all in a day's work for WPC Hill who after three and a half years on the beat has just become the first female to
PHILIPS Park could be returned to its former grandeur - but only with a lot of Lottery luck. Council bosses have been given £5,775 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out an historic survey of the Whitefield park. An expert will be brought in to look
VISITORS to Preston Prison could be saved the humiliating wait outside the gates if a bid for a new waiting area gets the go-ahead. Bosses at the site this week announced plans to apply for a grant through the Urban Regeneration Bid to pay for a visitors
A CITIZEN journalist who won a national competition to visit and report on a remote war-torn part of Africa, has had a taste of things to come. Maya Deighton, 24, of Bushell Place, Preston, met with a delegation from the far-flung province of Uganda when
MARKET traders are selling something different in Burnley - to raise cash for the children's charity, Barnardo's. Stallholders will be holding a massive charity raffle to support Great British Market Week. And they hope shoppers will give generously.
BEAT this summer's unpredictable weather and school holiday boredom with a visit to one of the country's most thrilling. . .museums. The word 'museum' is unlikely to stir any excitement in the average child but that just means they haven't yet experienced
THE respite from the rigours of league cricket brought disaster for our three local clubs in the first round of the Vaux Bitter Cup on July 19. Preston were easily beaten by Lancaster at West Cliff by 105 runs. This was a game which glowed so brightly
RESIDENTS opposed to an outdoor sculpture, which could become an international landmark, have handed in a 500-name petition to the Mayor of Bury. A huge bronze Grecian urn, to be sited in front of the Grant Arms in Market Place, Ramsbottom, heralds the
RECEPTIONIST Cheryl Chadwick was scarred for life by her ex-lover in a terrifying climax to his stalking campaign. She and boyfriend Brian Reid (pictured) were attacked by her ex with a kitchen knife and an iron bar in the bedroom of her Bury home. And
FOUR music students from Burnley are heading for the top in the battle of the bands. The friends - Necessary Elvis - are currently half way through taking their BTec national diploma in popular music. Their busy summer schedule includes a fate-holding
ANDY FLINTOFF is ready to step out of the shadows of Ben Hollioake as another shooting star of English cricket. The pair have known each other since they were team mates for England Under 13s but Hollioake has grabbed all the headlines this season with
Neil Bramwell Speaks Out LIGHTS, camera, action - at long last. There has been much back slapping at Warwickshire and Lancashire in recent days after staging hugely successful day-night games. But that deserved praise should be tempered by the question
A 3D model of Burnley Wood made by children is helping to put the voice of people power in the limelight. The model, constructed by pupils at Burnley Wood primary school, has been the centrepiece of a series of get-togethers called 'Planning for Real'
A SUPER swim from Heather Frederiksen was the highlight of her trip to the the Borough of Enfield Open Meet. But, despite slashing 23 seconds off her PB, the Atherton SC star had to settle for eighth place in the open 800 freestyle. In the 12-Year 100
GLAZEBURY scored a dramatic last-gasp victory at Eccleston. Best of the bowling in a tidy six-pronged attack came from Andy Durrington (2-22) as the home side were held to 120-7. But there were early setbacks for Glazebury before Graham Harrop and Peter
THE battle against breast cancer in East Lancashire - where two women a week die from the disease - was given a big boost today. Hospitals in Blackburn and Burnley have been given more than £85,000 to improve the service. For worried women, more breast
HARD on the heels of the International Monetary Fund's glowing report on Labour's first three months in charge of the economy, the government now faces an even tougher test of its mettle - that of stopping the boom plunging into bust. For fuelled by the
REMAINING blocks of flats at Trafalgar Gardens, Burnley, will start to bite the dust early next month, the council announced today. The long-awaited go-ahead will clear the way for a £5.1 million new housing scheme to replace the problem-plagued medium-rise
FOR Leigh CC it has been a tale of the good and the bad... The bad came on Saturday with a disastrous day in the field at Bootle. Three spilled chances in the first seven overs left the home side off the hook, and, growing in confidence, they smacked
THREE players from Leigh East are preparing to do battle with the Aussies. The top trio are in the Great Britain Young Lions squad on BARLA's 30th tour to and from the Southern Hemisphere. And Radney Bowker, Chris Halliwell and Ian Lewis will be hoping
WHEN it comes to new technology and cyberspace, Pendle is in a black hole, according to the area's MP. Gordon Prentice told the newly-designated Culture, Media and Sports minister Chris Smith that Pendle should not miss out when digital television and
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD THE modern-day Sunday morning is all bustle, sporting fixtures and supermarket shopping. But Joe Jones, the Sutton memory man from Irwin Road, looks back to a quieter, more leisurely sabbath in penning this nostalgia-filled little
THERE were PBs galore as Tyldesley SC featured in the first of the Warburton Galas at Broughton. And they were headed by 16-year-old Simon Clare as he took gold and a PB in the 50 butterfly, following up with a silver in the 100 freestyle. Sarah Wood
POLICE are appealing to anyone who saw a robbery at a petrol station to come forward. The incident took place at 1.45pm on Monday, July 14. The 29-year-old female shop assistant at the Abacus Service Station in Park Road, St Helens, spotted two male customers
NICKY Marker looks set to join Sheffield United, with Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson unable to give the 32-year-old central defender any guarantees about a first team chance at Ewood. Marker, who has often proved an unsung hero whenever he has been
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD IF you happen to be a bred to the bone Billinger, there's more than an even chance that your name is Frodsham . . . or at least that there's a fair splash of 'Froddy' blood in your family veins. One who had a big hand in establishing
THE closest-ever Second Division title race saw Keith Latham's side pipped in a photo finish. Despite attaining 30 points - the same total as Hunslet and Rochdale - Leigh miss out on promotion. And barely had the players left the field after beating Lancashire
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD THE memory-tweakers have come in thick and fast this week. A fellow sheltering under the pseudonym of 'Curious of Sutton Leach', hopes that our erudite readers can put him on the right track with a railway yedscratter. He writes:
In the last few weeks the Citizen has published stories which have challenged the city council line. As a newspaper we felt that the town clerk issue warranted further investigation. Little things like Mr Burrow's unannounced disappearance, his instructions
COUNCIL chiefs have pledged that no decision has, or will be taken on the possible transfer of five of the authority's elderly persons homes to the 'not for profit' sector, without completion of an on-going comprehensive consultation process. But despite
GED Furey has put his order for escudos on hold, as he prepares to defend the Lombard Top Club Trophy he won with Pleasington amateur partner Geoff Wilson in Portugal last year. The prize for the winners of next week's NW regional final of the Lombard
POLICE are closing the net on a pervert who has made "dirty" phone calls to a number of young boys, some of them in Bury. The man has contacted more than 76 youngsters in a three-year reign of terror. Claiming to be the boys' headmaster, the man tells
I AM studying for an MSc degree in Property Investment and Development at UMIST in Manchester and am conducting my dissertation research on Property Investment and Development in Relation to the Asian Community. I am faced with problems in finding target
Food News, with Christine Rutter GOAT'S milk doesn't feature highly on most people's shopping lists. But why has this nutritious product been given the elbow, despite its proven benefits for sufferers of eczema, asthma, psoriasis, migraine and other allergies
FIREFIGHTERS smashed their way into a Bury woman's smoke-logged home to rescue a seven-week-old puppy. Sabre, an alsatian cross, was in the kitchen when the fire started. Dog owner Susan Worsley (29) was out of the house with her boyfriend Brian Liggett
A WOMAN determined to take her own life plunged 35-feet to her death from a motorway bridge in Whitefield. An inquest on Wednesday was told that Mrs Joan Morris (50) was on the Philips Park bridge over the M62 when she either climbed over the safety guard
YOUNG people in fear of robbery or violence have a new place to turn. A helpline has been launched across the borough with the help of Greater Manchester Police and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). A freephone helpline
IT'S come home! The Star Masters Trophy finally returned to St Helens on Saturday night. Brown Edge ace Paul Gartside clinched the coveted trophy with a display of pinpoint accuracy and determined concentration. And it ended the domination by Wigan bowlers
CHILDREN from the Potters House Christian Pre-School said goodbye to their current home this week - without knowing where they will be in the next school year. The pre-school has been based at the old Alderman Smith County Infant School building throughout
A WOMAN who founded a bird hospital 20 years ago claims she has been barred from the premises. Irena Zalsiewicz says the committee which now runs the Greenmount Wild Bird Hospital in the Kirklees Valley, Bury, asked her by registered letter to return
RAINFORD were involved in a home double header last weekend, both games resulting in draws, but markedly different in content. On Saturday a magnificent 124 from Paul Calland supported by Mike Cook (45) and a whirlwind 33 n.o. for Justin Dallas helped
THE premises of an award-winning Bury estate agent were damaged by fire in a suspected arson attack late on Tuesday night. The fire started at about 11pm and damaged property at the Stephen Burns and Company offices on Bolton Street. It is though that
ECCLESTON suffered another disappointing weekends cricket. The first team entertained newcomers Glazenbury in the North West Counties League, and after winning the toss skipper Matthews decided to put faith in the batsmen who had failed to impress so
HAYDOCK continued their title charge with a fine victory at home to Skelmersdale on Saturday. Lyme Park, bathed in glorious sunshine, saw another thoroughly professional job from the Haydock boys. Winning the toss Skem took first knock on a beautiful
WORK started this week on the building of a £3.2 million factory at Lowton St Mary's for VBG Limited, a commercial vehicle manufacturer. The land, a 1.75 hectare spread on the former Alan Taylor Group site, had its first turf cut on Wednesday by the Managing
PRESCOT & Odyssey are struggling to regain that winning streak. At Parkfield they failed to take advantage of a match-winning situation and had to settle for a draw. Requiring just seven runs from the final two overs with six wickets in hand they
SUTTON celebrated victory after a remarkable game at Mossley Hill on Saturday. Sutton were invited to bat on a decent wicket and helped themselves to 185-9 declared, Geoff Bowles leading the way with a fine 78 and John Lawton hitting 21. Later in the
Crime correspondent Andrew Turner highlights East Lancashire's drugs problem as the Evening Telegraph launches its Drive Out Drugs campaign HEROIN'S evil grip has taken a stranglehold on the lives of scores of East Lancashire people. It's not just addicts
PUPILS at Ivy Bank High School in Burnley used their initiative to produce their own versions of a corporate brochure for the town. The venture was part of their business studies activities for technology, and their ideas were so good they impressed the
THE inside story of having a beautifully safe launderette has won high praise for town hall staff they used to call the nuisance men. Environmental health officers based in Padiham got a pat of the back from the Health and Safety Commission for the way
COLNE are aiming for their best finish in the Lancashire League for 10 years as they go from the strength to strength - with the title the ultimate goal. The Horsfield side have gone from whipping boys to nearly men in recent years and are now gunning
LANCASTER council leader, Stanley Henig, has been appointed secretary of the ruling Labour group at the Local Government Association. There are 300 councils affiliated to the association, with Labour making up the largest group. Said Cllr Henig: "I'm
EARBY may look up at Cherry Tree and Clitheroe with envy as the two sides battle it for the Ribblesdale League but the men from Applegarth have their own fight on their hands. For the defending champions are locked in a four way scrap for the third spot
YACHTSMAN Neil Eatough has returned home to Britain after his round-the-world adventure of a lifetime. Neil, from Burnley, arrived back on dry land after successfully completing the 30,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe in the BT Global Challenge
MARKETING men are being called in to secure the fate of a future jewel in Burnley's historic crown. The grand plan is expected to be drawn up within six months and comes after talks between Burnley Council and the head of the museums service in Lancashire
WORKERS at factories on the White Lund industrial estate in Morecambe were evacuated and sent home on Wednesday afternoon after an unexploded shell was discovered. British Telecom engineers spotted the Second World War bomb during digging work at the
A DRIVER from Hest Bank is hoping for pole position when he lines up at Brands Hatch in September. But rather then speeding off the starting grid, John Teesdale will be more concerned with 'mirror, signal, manoeuvre.' For the former mechanical engineer
CRIME-busting cameras are beginning to go up in five more towns across Hyndburn. Work has now started on an extension to the borough's closed-circuit TV system in Accrington, which was spotlighted on BBC1 earlier this month in the "Crime Beat" series.
May I tender my heartiest congratulations on the courageous and public spirited way in which you have brought to the attention of the ratepayers and public of the district the antics and shenanigans of the Lancaster City Council. Over recent years the
TWO Lancaster men charged with trying to blackmail one of the world's richest men have had their case adjourned until August 21 at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court, London. They were charged following an alleged attempt to extort £75,000 from the high-profile
HEALTH specialists who have taken over the care of drug addicts blasted claims they dispense the heroine substitute methadone in pint bottles. The denial comes the week after coroners went public to say they want a fresh approach to drug misuse. One of
Not only is this council wasting ratepayers' money it is doubly damaging the residents of Morecambe. They seem to be able to cough up thousands for things that are no use to anyone - the town clerk fiasco, their allowances and now they've lost nearly
A balmy Summerbreeze from the depths of down town Mississippi coasted across the waves and arrived right in Morecambe this weekend. The jazz, soul and blues festival promised a soothing and grooving ambience with the likes of Jimmy Ruffin and Gwen Dickey
DISGRUNTLED of Morecambe complains of roads being filthy and weed ridden. Well weeds do grow at this time of year, even in roads. No matter how often the council spray them with weedkiller and sweep the streets they will be filthy if people continue to
JAILED brothel keeper Brian Grove is planning to embarrass police by releasing a sensational saucy video of their alleged antics. On his own sleazy Internet web site, the jailed porn merchant promises the video, which he claims shows a strippagram girl
THE parents of a missing man have been told a body found in a field is probably their son. Coroners have yet to formally identify the body which was found by a farmer in a field in Myerscough near the A6 on July 18. It had been there for some weeks. John
THE recent success of Operation Sandpiper in which 100 benefit claims have been withdrawn needs to be put into a proper context. Savings to the taxpayer, whilst to be applauded, vary according to which newspaper report one reads. Is it £2,500 or £250,000
JUST short of 500 runs on the board, a superb unbeaten century and the result in doubt until the final over - Walshaw's home clash against local BOLTON ASSOCIATION rivals Elton on Saturday had it all! What it didn't have for the Sycamore Road side was
POLICE need your help to track down a serial sex beast who has struck more than 10 times at remote locations close to Preston. In the latest incident a woman was attacked as she walked along a disused railway line near Avenham Park. Detectives are linking
Lancaster 15 Royton 5 Lancaster 16 Bradford 6 LANCASTER gained their third National League win of the season with a comfortable win over struggling local rivals Royton last Sunday. Although Lancaster took a while to get into their stride, once they eventually
HALF a century after marrying in All Saints Church, Golborne, a couple were hob-nobbing with royalty. For Phyllis and Peter Whittle were among only 2,000 couples throughout Britain and the Commonwealth invited to Buckingham Palace to join the Queen and
TRADERS in Lytham and St Annes are angry after the future of the Christmas lights has been plunged into uncertainty - yet again. At a meeting of Fylde's policy and resources committee on Monday (July 21), the councillors decided by a close-run vote of12
THE promenade is buzzing with people and music. The new venue at the former railway station and the Empire club will open soon as will the swimming pool at Salt Ayre. The promenade is being completely re-landscaped and the Victoria Pavilion will be open
LOOK out William Hague - Blackpool teenager Mike Ramsden is after your job. The youngster is preparing to take the world of politics by storm and revolutionise the Conservative Party in one fell swoop. While many a Tory still feels disheartened about
I AM currently collecting true accounts of the unexplained for my forthcoming book and I would welcome genuine contributions. I would like to hear from anyone who has had a strange encounter or experience in Lancashire, either recently or in the past
A SKILLED workforce is vital to the success of any company, especially those working in aerospace technology. To keep pace with its growing order book, Darwen company Brookhouse is looking to modern apprenticeships to train up young talent. This year
A FUND-RAISER has appealed for volunteers to take part in a sponsored walk from Blackpool to Preston. Gemma Garnett from Leyland has organised the event on Sunday July 27 to raise money for Red Rose Radio's Community Trust which helps boost the coffers
ST HELENS' rising Rugby League stars are making a big hit Down Under. The town has four players in the RJB Lionheart under 18s tour of Australia in Paul Toole, Chris Cook and Andy Fisher (Blackbrook) and Nick Camman (Pilkington Recs). And Centre Toole
HOSPICE fundraisers are promoting the "farest" lottery in the land. When the new local hospice opens later this year at Hindley, money needed to ensure it continues running smoothly will be bolstered by proceeds from the ongoing weekly lottery. And ensuring
THE minute she walked in the joint, Joe could tell she was a girl of distinction, a real heart-render. For Joe Longthorne, who made his name with impressions of stars like Shirley Bassey, was looking at a walking miracle. When he last set eyes on Barbara
EMPLOYEES of Whitbread's at Samlesbury were toasting the success of one of their beers today as it went to number two in the latest "Top 100" of the nation's favourite take-home tipples. The Samlesbury plant is one of two Whitbread breweries in Britain
A YOUNG man who has trodden the well-beaten path from South Wales to Knowsley Road is already making a big impact. Seventeen-year-old Gareth Price is following in the footsteps of giants of the sixties Kel Coslett and John Mantle. He joined the club from
A LOCAL high school is among the latest batch of the nation's schools to be given community specialist status. Tyldesley's Fred Longworth High arts prowess has earned it selection as one of three new Arts Colleges. School Standards Minister Estelle Morris
VANDALS smashed more than a dozen windows at Deepdale Junior School causing £700 worth of damage in an attack on July 20. A year ago the school in Deepdale, Preston, had toughened windows fitted following a spate of vandalism. Headteacher Judith Beeston
A TODDLER whose recovery from serious head injuries astounded his doctors is going on holiday for the first time. Elliot Donlon spent four months in hospital fighting for his life after being knocked down by a car outside his home in Dill Hall Lane, Church
ANGRY Westleigh residents set up a road block to protest about council plans to resurface the road. They claim the work at Shipham Close is unnecessary and is costing money which would be better spent on filling potholes elsewhere in the area. And they
HOOLIGANS are making life hell for the owner of a new shopping arcade. The eight-strong gang has systematically demolished a £1,200 neon sign and brought down a security TV camera on a 30-foot pole. Colin Lyth, owner of the Heritage Arcade in Rawtenstall
EMPLOYEES of the Darwen branch of Akzo Nobel have been instrumental in raising £18, 000 to help children in the Third World. That is the total raised by Akzo Nobel's 4, 000 UK employees through sales of the company Christmas card last year - which was
THREE local projects have been given a boost through the county's rural action grant scheme. Volunteers working on the restoration of St Mary's burial ground, in Clayton-le-Moors, were overjoyed to learn they are to receive £500 to enable them to continue
FASHION king Bernard Savin has spent a lifetime in ladies dresses! But on Saturday one of the town's best known market traders shut up shop for the final time. "It's been more than a job, it's been a way of life," said Bernard as he surveyed the familiar
POLICE and rail bosses are stepping up their bid to rid East Lancashire's train lines of vandals and trespassers. North Western Trains are teaming up with transport police to launch an information line as the war against the trackside vandals hots up.
DENNIS HASLAM is the new boss at Atherton Colls. His quickfire appointment followed the shock exit of Steve Vychinski who put in a disappearing act for the first night of pre-season training - just five weeks into the job. Haslam, the former Chorley and
BRAVE Bethany Shuttleworth's dream of a miracle cure in the sun hangs in the balance. The little, dark-haired charmer (pictured) suffers from acute eczema. And anxious mum Angela has, through four years of exotic creams and lotions, been desperately searching
LEIGH RMI face a tough trek across the Pennines in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy. They have been draw against Frickley Athletic, to be played on October 18. Meanwhile, RMI drew with a Manchester City X1 in a pre-season friendly which drew
A GROUP of Preston drama students have taken to the stage for the sake of international relations. Twelve performing arts students from Preston College have just returned from a successful visit to Preston's Polish twin town, Kalisz. They were chosen
IMPRESSIVE vital statistics proved to be the deciding factor in a Blackburn firm's stunning success. One thing that isn't lean about Shapemaster Fitness, of Glenfield Park, is their profit margin - as proved in Granada's Flying Start enterprise competition
Cricket results from the weekend of 19/20: Vaux Bitter Cup - Morecambe 116-1, *Leyland DAF 114; *Leyland 111, Chorley 115-1; *Blackpool 144-7, St Annes 145-3; *Fleetwood 218-4, Darwen 186-8; Preston 88, *Lancaster 195-2; *Kendal 177, Netherfield 114.
THE Brand New Heavies have proved that there is no need to run for cover despite the departure of gutsy soul singer N'dea Davenport. For their third album Shelter is arguable the best yet and definitely the most versatile - and that's largely due to new
RAILTRACK has sent out thousands of letters to schools in a bid to stop tragic accidents during the summer holidays. The letters, warning children not to play on railway lines, are targeting under 16s. Last year 19 children under 16 died on the country's
IAN KAY'S golden headed a seven medal haul for Atherton SC in the first Warburton Gala. His win came with a brilliant swim in the 10-Year 50 backstroke. A trio of silvers went to brother and sister combination Hannah Foster (second in the 13-Year 50 backstroke
SOUTH Ribble residents have been making lots of noise since the nightmare Battersby family moved into Coronation Street. Complaints about noisy neighbours have soared as the soap has made people more aware of who to call when the din next door gets out
Further to the letter in the Citizen (July 11), about abolishing cruel sport. I am sure a lot of people would be surprised and horrified if they learned that traditional fox hunting kills around 20,000 foxes in the UK each year - also 6,000 brown hares
HEALTH chiefs have hit back at claims that pints of methadone are being doled out to drug addicts. Experts from CommuniCare's new East Lancashire Drug Service denied the claims -made by Andre Rebello and four fellow East Lancashire coroners, slamming
SURFING is high on the agenda for council officials in their latest bid to boost tourism. But there will be no waves - the only thing Preston and South Ribble council will be surfing is the Internet after they both logged on to the worldwide web to promote
BLACKBURN Hawks are on the lookout for a new name and need your help! The side with the countywide appeal are asking fans to help them come up with a new name to reflect their growing support. Nicola Lindsay, Blackburn Arena's new marketing manager, said
THE humble potato has become the inspiration behind an Irish night of revelry, so it has. Celtic spirits rarely need an excuse to have a good craic but the common spud is one of their most unusual. The vegetable will feature on a monster menu at O'Neill's
IRIS Richardson is an attractive middle aged woman, a mother of four with six grandchildren. She looks happy and healthy, enjoys a busy social life and likes getting out and meeting people. But four years ago, her life was turned upside down. She lives
A TEENAGER who had bravely fought leukaemia for two years, has died. 14-year-old Lianne Neilson woke up on Sunday morning, wished her mum a happy 40th birthday, closed her eyes and passed away. It was a tragic end for Lianne of Headley Road, Leyland,
THE grieving parents of a missing man have been told a body found in a field could be their son. Coroners have yet to formally identify the body which was found by a farmer in a field in Myerscough near the A6 on July 18. It had been there for some weeks
Now that Jack Straw has become Home Secretary will he have the bottle to ban alcopops or will he suck up to the drinking and smoking industries as his predecessors did? Under age drinking is nothing new, but previously the taste of alchohol in adult drinks
ALL-night parties could be a thing of the past as new noise pollution policies come into force. Blackburn with Darwen Council was one of 16 North West local authorities to mark Wednesday's National Noise Awareness Day by the introduction of new provisions
THE countdown has begun to this year's ever-popular Royal Lancashire Show which could be having its final fling at Chorley's Astley Park. Negotiations are taking place for a new site in Chorley and show chairman Tom Alty declared this week: "It's very
BURY'S Buckingham Bingo Club looks set to relocate within the next twelve months. But rumours that the club was to close completely have been scotched by bosses. Enquiries are being made in a bid to find a more suitable site for the club which is currently
FOUR former lecturers won an 18-month battle against Preston College after a tribunal ruled they had been unfairly dismissed. It also found the college had breached contracts by not making the agreed redundancy payments when staff were laid off. Other
A MAN from Cheshire is hoping Citizen readers can solve the mystery behind a bible he unearthed in his father's attic. It was only after both his parents passed away that Alan McFall, from Marple, made the discovery. He was shocked to discover that the
BILLY STELLING believes East Lancashire have to win every game now to stand any chance of winning the Lancashire League. With eight games to go the Alexandra Meadows side trail Haslingden by nine points and Stelling knows that one more slip up could cost
Kev Seed's crazy column Pictures recently appeared in the press of Ginger Spice on the set of her new film wearing a pair of unbelievably high buffalo boots. These things are so far off the ground she has to wear a warning light on top of her head for
A RADCLIFFE woman found the right formula when she met her future husband on the grand prix circuit. Trudie Claire Bradshaw, 21, will tie the knot with Australian motor racing mechanic Timothy John Edwards, 30, at Radcliffe Parish Church in Radcliffe
ROY HODGSON'S hopes of an injury-free run-up to the new campaign has received a severe setback with three influential stars set to miss the start of the season. Tim Flowers and Colin Hendry have already undergone surgery and are definitely out while Henning
THE Swinging 60s came like a breath of fresh air to the nation, with the new style of music and the trendy fashion scene. Four lads from Liverpool - John, Paul, George and Ringo - a skinny lass with a front tooth missing and orange hair called Cilla Black
THE fight for blight home tenants to stay in Whitefield has been given a court date. Some 15 out of 74 tenants who live in the houses affected by the scrapped M62 relief road have received a letter from the Highways Agency ordering them to appear in court
THE FATHER of a six-year-old boy who was knocked down has called for a new pedestrian crossing to reduce the risk of children being injured. Robert Taylor also said something needed to be done to stop cars from parking on both sides of Hermitage Street
THE mother of a newlywed told an inquest how her daughter screamed "I don't want to die" after stabbing herself in the groin following an argument. In May, Mrs Lisa Marie Whittington died in her husband Marvin's arms as he tried to stop the bleeding caused
A JEWISH man who fled Nazi Germany is waiting to see if he has any claim to money left in Swiss bank accounts by Holocaust victims. Max Tuchmann, of Blackburn, has been linked to one of the World War Two deposit accounts because he shares the same name
DISABLED and elderly people could be left stranded if the town's main taxi company is driven off the road. The case has massive implications for drivers and passengers across England. Council inspectors have told Bury taxi company Farebay Ltd that they
THE go-ahead was given for Nelson's new open market. Burnley's ancient markets charter gave the council the sole right to control any market within a certain radius of the town. Councillors agreed to grant a licence. The market was planned for the pedestrianised
COUNCIL estate children were to enjoy a fun day out as a peace offering from the BBC. Residents on the Within Grove estate, Huncoat, were furious when film crews made part of the estate look like an IRA stronghold to film a thriller called Crossfire.
THE economy in Pendle has been given a fillip with news of three big investments in industry. A leading packaging company and a specialist printers plan to invest £7 million in new equipment, while there is a promise of £6 million boost for Colne with
YOUR article headed 'Barlick Czechs Out' (July 3) told of the visit of a group of Czech teenagers to Barnoldswick, thanks to Esperanto. Here is one further reminder, as we near the end of the century, that language makes a difference. Surely there is
THE football season is set to kick off to a striking start in Golborne with a new mini soccer centre. "Strikers" is set to open in September, offering more than 200 youngsters the chance to play organised soccer in a healthy and controlled environment
LOCAL youngsters are fast becoming splash hits in the world of swimming. In recent international trials four members of the Wigan School of Excellence were selected to represent their country while a further 10 achieved PBs. Among the famous four was
CAESAR the Siamese tom-cat from Colne was a perfect surrogate 'mother' for six orphaned kittens. His caring nature even won him an award. But, tragically, before he could collect it he fell ill and had to be put down. Judges, though, have decided that
MOTORBIKE ace Carl Fogarty has hit out at parish council "fuddy duddies" following a planning row over his home. And the former world champion, who wants to build a gym above a garage at his Tockholes farm, criticised opponents of his development, pledging
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD FINAL postscript to our Earlestown obelisk theme of last week comes from David H. Pill of Park Road North, Newton-le-Willows. The subject arose when a reader asked whether the obelisk - a large finger of stone pointing up majestically
THE parents of an East Lancashire boy suffering from a severe blood disorder are stepping up their fight to persuade health bosses to pay for expensive new treatment. The family has been campaigning for East Lancashire Health Authority to pay for genetically-engineered
DOUBLE act Lee Smethills and Damien Hack made it a memorable day for Astley & Tyldesley Cycle Speedway. Racing in the Northern individual Championships, both riders were in hot form, winning every race. Lee took the U16 title and Damien took the U13
RAILTRACK have launched a campaign aimed at keeping children off the railway lines during the long school summer holidays. Last year 19 children aged 16 and under were killed on Britain's railway lines, while this year the figure already stands at 16
GOLBORNE are back where they belong. The champs swept to the top of the Vimto Bolton Association as their nearest challengers both faltered. Darcy Lever produced a fine batting show to beat second-placed Edgworth while Atherton - beaten by Golborne on
LITTLE cancer sufferer Jade Case and her mum Dawn have gone for the short cut to beat upsetting effects of chemotherapy sessions. Dawn, 26, realised that her four-year-old daughter's blonde curls would be lost once chemotherapy was underway. So to make
PICTURED: Nine-month-old Declan and his two-year-old sister Ashlea could have been playing in their front garden. COLIN Williamson is thanking his lucky stars that he popped round to his mum's house the other night. For when he retuned home with his partner
ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD THE time when George ('Hotfoot') Dootson ruled the world of long-distance walking has been revived in all its amazing detail. Dootson's unique place in St Helens' sporting history has been winkled out for us by local history buff
THE jobless queues have shortened again in the borough of Bury. Figures for June show that there are 2,761 people (625 of them women) on the dole, compared to 3,002 in May. The drop is reflected in the unemployment rate for the Bolton and Bury travel-to-work
STAFF celebrating top marks in a Government inspection report were brought back down to earth with a shock on Wednesday. Hoyle Nursery this week learned it had been praised by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). But they were
A FRIGHTENED mum fears her children are being put at risk by prostitutes touting for business outside her house until 4am. The mum-of-two wants action to stop the goings-on outside her home off Oakenhurst Road, Wensley Fold, Blackburn. The final straw
IT is a terrible sign of the times when a coroner has to make all the right noises to get something done about methadone abuse. And, I may sound pessimistic, but I doubt even Andre Rebello's comments will change things in the near future. The street trade
BOBBIE Goulding needs eight goals for a career total of 500 with Saints as he approaches his 100th match for the club. His 492 goals have come in 97 matches and include 12 drop goals. The skipper was the Stones Super League top kicker last year when he
BURNLEY Parish Church has scooped a £130,000 lottery cash grant to fill St Peter's with the sound of music. The North West Arts Board award will be used to renovate the original William Hill organ, damaged when fire swept through the Grade 1 listed Norman
RAINHILL produced a much improved performance against in-form Old Parkonians at Victoria Terrace. Batting first, Rainhill moved from 31-2 to 76-3 before Peter Woods was out for a fine 39. Mike Rotherham and Paul Ford (jnr) stroked the ball around with
TWO Euro-MPs are better than one - or are they? That was the burning European question for local councillors. The Boundary Commission is holding a local inquiry into many North West Euro constituencies. It proposes keeping the current arrangements concerning
GYPSIES who set up an unofficial camp at Atherton have moved on. Chanters' estate residents complained when travellers drifted on to farmland near their homes and the gypsies left a few days later. Locals are monitoring the situation and steps are being
A PETROL bomber is believed to have targeted a family by mistake. But the Dodd family of Holland Street, Radcliffe, had a lucky escape after the 4am attack on Friday. "I can't think of anyone who has any grievances against us, so I can only assume it's
ST HELENS South Labour MP Gerry Bermingham who is recuperating after a heart attack on Wednesday, July 9, would like to thank readers of the St Helens Star who have sent him get well messages and cards. Their concern has really given him a welcome boost
IT is a visit residents and staff at Lime House in Lowton have been praying for, and on Thursday their prayers were answered. For they were honoured to receive the new Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev. Patrick Kelly. He visited the home on Newton
THE army has paid tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Paul Kelley the commanding officer of the St Helens-based Territorial Army103 (Air Defence) Regiment of the Royal Artillery who collapsed and died while walking with a group of officers on Swirral Edge leading
PARENTS of yob-kids are in for a nasty experience! Police are now catching on video mischief-making youngsters and inviting mums and dads to later view their antics on a police station TV (writes Malcolm Ryding). The move by Leigh police follows a spate
Cronulla Sharks 28 Saints 12 SAINTS found true bulldog spirit to give Cronulla a real run for their money on Monday. Ripped apart by the Sharks at Knowsley Road last month, the Saints were in no mood to let it happen again on the Australian coast. They
ST HELENS Council has rejected a planning application by Ward Brothers to establish an open-cast mining site at Crock Hey, Garswood. And the decision was welcomed by Councillor Jim Stevenson, chairman of Seneley Green Parish Council who had opposed the
THE weekend saw a change in fortunes for Owens Corning St Helens Recs as both first and second elevens enjoyed successes against Colwyn Bay. The wins were mainly due to an excellent century from Scott Williams and two captain's innings from Alan Hitchmough
TOWN centre shoppers were given refreshing, alcohol-free drinks this week as part of a campaign to crack down on drink/driving. An open-topped bus was parked in Church Square, St Helens on Tuesday (July 22) to launch the campaign which aims to put over
SMOKERS who want to quit can get expert advice and support at the first summertime 'Quit and Get Fit' course. It takes place over six weeks at the Thompson Centre, Burnley, and is run by fitness development expert Linda Searle. Sessions start on Monday
ROLL up, roll up, the circus is coming to town and the Theatre Royal is giving local youngsters the opportunity to learn basic circus skills at an entertaining Circus School. Bernard, Randolph, Reg and Ron Rainbow will instruct children in tumbling, balancing
REGARDING your article (LET, July 22) concerning the need to deal with the 'cloning' or manufacturing of fake designer clothing, and the effect cutbacks will have when unitary authority status comes in next year. It surely misses some relevant points
Regarding Cllr Stanley Henig's allowance increase to £5,000 and his quote "It's up to others to judge whether we are worth it." My verdict is no, you are not worth it, most definitely not! How about having a vote on it with all the residents of Lancaster
HEALTH bosses at Lancaster Priority Services Trust have announced plans to merge with South Cumbria Community and Mental Health Trust. The move was prompted after increasing financial strain on health services across Morecambe Bay and the need to reduce
VANDALS torched a training building at a road safety centre in the latest of a series of attacks which have forced it to close. The building at the centre in Ewood, Blackburn, was left gutted and thousands of pounds worth of damage caused in the blaze
TWO thieves pounced on a woman in an alley off Church Street in Lancaster and stole 5,000 French francs and £100 on Friday evening. They snatched her shoulder bag which also contained her bank card, personal items and Filofax. Police have issued a description
THE number of homes to be built on the controversial Altham Road Meadow has been slashed by more than a quarter to make way for a nursing home. The current owners, Crowther Homes, was given the go-ahead to build just 40 houses instead of the original
TOWN hall bosses are on the lookout for three assistant directors to help run Blackburn with Darwen Council's new-look education authority. The assistants will each earn £46,000 per year and help the recently installed director Mark Pattison. The posts
MASSEY'S beer is back - 23 years after the old Burnley brewery closed. Made to a traditional recipe with the same ingredients and in the original vats, the ale has gone on sale in six local pubs. Those who have tasted it say it's unlike any modern bitter
CHILDMINDERS in Burnley are being offered free training as a lever to help parents into the jobs market. The project could mean as much as £600 in tuition for existing childminders and people looking for a career. And from next April there will also be
Lancaster City 0 Dundee 2 A TARTAN army of 'bravehearts' invaded the Giant Axe on Saturday to cheer on Dundee but City manager Gordon Raynor will be pleased with the way his squad dealt with the marauding Scots. The Blues may have been beaten but, for
British Aerospace Cricket Club plays host to the 1997 Nat West Meyler Cup Final on August 3 at 1.30pm. The match on South Meadow Lane, Broadgate, Preston features Fulwood and Broughton CC against Vernon Carus' Club. Previous news story Converted for the
BLACKPOOL Council took the fizz out of Fanta when it rejected the pop giant's bid to put its flashing logo up the side of Blackpool Tower. Though Pepsi Cola set the precedent with its illuminated sign which has adorned the Tower for the past three years
GIRL power comes to South Ribble next month when teams from throughout the region take part in the second annual Ladies Soccer Tournament. The event is on August 10 (11am) at Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre. To enter a team call Sue Doran on 01772 322012
RESULTS from the National Westminster Bank Northern Cricket League U18s, weekend of July 19/20: Blackpool v Leyland (Leyland conceded the points); *Chorley 128-3, St Annes 133-1; Darwen 91, *Morecambe 135-4; Fleetwood 135-4, *Kendal 134-3; Lancaster 106
RESIDENTS fighting to stop houses being built in the Poulton area of Morecambe are to take their case to the local government ombudsman. The Poulton Residents Committee claim the site of the former market should be a community park not an intensive housing
BLACKPOOL chose the best in the country for crying out loud last Saturday. Colourful town criers came from all over England to compete in the resort's first-ever town crying competition Staged by the Blackpool Town Centre Forum, the event included a procession
RESULTS from Preston Parks Veterans Men's Bowling League on July 16: Moor Park B, 2 (50) - Smiths B, 9 (41); Ashton A, 8 (100) - Ashton B, 2 (48); Smiths A, 8 (88) - Moor Park C 2 (22); Ribbleton A, 7 (80) - Haslam Park 3, (73); Moor Park A, 9 (99) -
BURY BOSS Stan Ternent is not ready to give up his search for new recruits. He wants one more signing before the pre-season whirl gets under way. Only the Shakers' lack of financial muscle has prevented more fresh faces but Ternent is known for his persuasive
