Archive

TWO major North West cricket leagues are to merge next year. Officials of the Manchester & District Association and the North West Counties League have agreed plans to amalgamate. They will form a new league structure of 28 clubs. A Premier League

LEIGH MR went down 19-18 to a last-gasp try against Askam. In a game they should have won, they were leading 18-13 with seconds to go. But the game was really lost in the opening seven minutes as they tumbled thirteen points down; they dug deep to claw

MANAGERS don't come much more down to earth and honest than Atherton Colls' Alan Lord. Following Thursday's 7-2 Floodlit Cup defeat at Clitheroe he said the scoreline did not give a true reflection of the game in that it flattered the winners. Following

A HUGE grin creased Dave Felgate's face. He had just saved two penalties to earn Leigh RMI three points against promotion favourites Altrincham. The veteran goalkeeper had plenty to smile about after he won a battle of mind games against two penalty takers

MUSICIANS, young and old, hit the right note and amazed judges when they performed at this year's Ramsbottom Music Festival. Now in its seventh year, the festival has earned a permanent spot in the town's annual calendar - and on the country's music map

THIS week I've been experiencing the life of the early riser - what a nightmare. You only realise how difficult it is when you do it, but I suppose you do get used to it. Last day on the Breakfast Show tomorrow then it's lie-in time - Hurrah! This is

WORK on the first stage of a major scheme to improve a traffic blackspot in Blackburn town centre is underway. The initiative, part of the £2.5 million council Town Centre Action Plan to boost investment in Blackburn, will see a new one-way system in

UP to 60 new jobs and £8 million in European exports could be coming to the borough. Bury has won Euro cash to help small businesses boost their international trade. It's the latest success for the Bury Strategic Partnership, which is also working on

Wrexham v Burnley - Pete Oliver's big match preview WREXHAM are one of only two sides Burnley are still to face who may have nothing but pride to play for in the League this season. Nine of the Clarets remaining 11 fixtures are against teams who look

THE COST of updating Blackburn's police facilities will be £500,000 more than originally expected, but design work is due to start next month after months of wrangling. Government officials gave the £7.3million project the seal of approval last year.

IT may still be more than eight months away, but transport bosses are anxious to hear of any plans for the new Millennium. And they are urging Bury organisations and businesses to assist them in the planning of public transport services over the festive

IN THE corresponding game a year ago, 11 fixtures from the end of Burnley's season, Andy Payton broke a mini-drought to earn the Clarets a point against Luton Town. In the next seven League games, Payton scored five goals which coincided with four wins

THE father-in-law of the man who will decide the fate of Leyland's 10 firefighters is being lobbied by South Ribble councillors in a desperate bid to save the service. The revelation that George Rogers, a Chorley and Leyland MP and father-in-law of Home

CLAIMS that town halls are killing and injuring people because they spend too much money on local government modernisation instead of road repairs have been rubbished. Local authority executives in Blackburn have criticised a statement from the Association

Blackburn Rovers v Wimbledon - Peter White on the Dons' dependable hit-man FOR a long-established member of the Crazy Gang, Wimbledon top scorer Marcus Gayle appears to be surprisingly serious - about life as well as his football. And he is a man in control

A TEENAGER feared for his life as he battled to free himself from a muddy quagmire. Paul Campbell had gone to retrieve a football from a building site off Limefield Brow, Bury, when he sank in mud first up to his knees and then, as he struggled, up to

ONE in three people killed on the road is over the age of 50 - that's the shock statistic which has led to a major road safety campaign on the Fylde Coast. Already this year two mature pedestrians have died on Blackpool roads with many more injured and

WARRIORS started well and capitalised on several mistakes by the opposition to lead 16-10 in a match that ended Leyland Warriors U9s 26 Folly Lane (Swinton) 46. However, Folly Lane came back strongly to lead 22-16 at half-time. The Warriors made too many

I have never been a prolific letter writer so I hope you extend a courtesy to me and print this letter in full. I also find that writing this letter grieves me greatly but David Christley has left me no choice. Firstly, I gave up the chairmanship of Morecambe

BURY mum Sherry Nisbet is facing a tug-of-love custody battle on the other side of the world. Next month a court in New Zealand will decide the future of Sherry's children, Tamasin (9) and seven-year-old Kane (pictured). She married Scott, a New Zealander

SATISFIED customers of Lancashire's Welfare Rights department have helped raise £805 for the children's hospice Derian House. Welfare Rights is a free service, but some customers have shown their gratitude with donations. With their consent, the cash

THE Eurovision sister act from Prestwich may have missed out on a trip to Jerusalem, but there will be one local representative in Israel. For one member of Precious, the all-girl group who won the competition organised by the BBC to find a song for Eurovision

THE thefts of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from two houses in Fulwood could be connected, according to police. There are similarities between the burglaries, which both occured between midday on Saturday and Sunday tea time (March 13 and 14)

I WOULD like to point out, through the columns of the Star, that, contrary to rumours circulating in the area, the decision to place a 'No Ball Games' sign in Lincoln Crescent, Haresfinch, was taken by St Helens Council in consultation with the police

Mr G Arkwright wrote in last week's Citizen making reference to Council Tax bills. I thought he and your other readers may be interested to know that in the past two years Council Tax bills have risen by nearly 21per cent. This means bills have, depending

FOSTER parents in Preston are set to receive a cash boost after social services chiefs agreed to raise the basic rate paid to carers. From April, foster carers across Lancashire will be given a three per cent rise across the board and a further 16.7 per

I WRITE with regards to the letter from John Tomlin (March 11) about the threat to the British pound of sausages. As usual, with people who believe they alone know what is best for us, they prey on irrational fears. When was the last time that anybody

I'M amazed at the lack of coverage regarding the council's budget for the ensuing year. The budget proposed by the Labour group was passed by them on March 3. It is strange that with the local elections looming every group except the Conservatives, seems

BRITISH Aerospace's first exchange worker is spending 12 weeks at the firm's Samlesbury site, near Preston. BAe initiated the exchange programme with Swedish firm SAAB and Linkoping-based customer support engineer Kent Molin, 29, is the first to travel

CHARITIES have in recent weeks benefited by over £700 thanks to Leigh Lions Club. Funds came through a sponsored walk in Aid of Macmillan Nurses, a band and folk night featuring Bram Taylor and Golborne Band for Wigan Hospice, Burns' Night revelry for

I WRITE regarding the council tax bills and the fact that Bury has opted for the second highest hike in the county. Could Councillor John Byrne please justify his statement that local people have shown that they would be prepared to pay more tax if it

THE Christie Institute is giving patients a headstart. Pioneering ways of attractively masking hair loss caused by treatments have proved so successful that skills are to be passed on to hospital volunteers nationwide - on request. They will learn the

HOME Secretary Jack Straw has praised Lancashire Constabulary's latest ethnic drug education initiative. Three new leaflets, aimed at the Islamic, Sikh and Hindu communities, have been launched by the force to raise awareness of drug-related issues among

BREEDERS Frank and Barbara Williams are top dogs at Crufts. Their 15 months old Basenji, Custos Stryke A Pose, won a coveted Best of Breed title and a bitch ticket at the world renowned show at the weekend. Known affectionately as Taz, short for Tasmanian

PRESTON'S Blind Welfare Society is urging people to open their eyes and support the charity in their will during Blind Welfare Week (March 22-28). Staff at the society's Penwortham-based Howick House say that while the number of visually impaired people

BRAVE bobby Paul Winning this week received top awards for his courage. The 45 year-old constable was presented with the Chief Constable's Commendation and Royale Humane Society Award for rescuing a woman from the canal at Leigh. And afterwards his wife

AN EVENT which saw 200 top business people from Lancashire meeting representatives of the armed forces was held at County Hall in Preston. The champagne reception was hosted by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Tony Brennan, on behalf of the National Employers

Is there anyone out there who served in 16 Signal Regiment through the 1960s, or know of anyone who did? This applies to all ranks and trades, male or female. We are appealing for new members to join our 60s-16ers Association which has been running for

PRESTON Borough Council is one of 40 local authorities to pledge support for the government's planned Community Legal Service. The council will help develop the service, which aims to bring grassroots legal help and advice to the public. Preston will

THREE cheers for our planning bosses and council leader Derek Boden who are determined to protect Spen Moor from the speculators, Peel Investments. At last someone is concerned to keep the only "jewel" we have left in Radcliffe. It was a great relief

YOUNG cyclists are most likely to be killed or hurt on our roads. But road safety experts say £6,000 will help save young lives. They are appealing for businesses to donate £750 apiece to fund safe cycling educational packs. Accident research figures

I CANNOT allow Realist (Citizen letters, March 11) opinions to go unchallenged. How can he believe that the act of selling one's own body can be licensed in the same way as a cosy pub selling pints of beer? Does he not see the difference between the sexual

PRESTON and South Ribble's rich heritage looks set to be preserved for future generations after the county council outlined a new plan for the future. Members of the county's planning, industrial development and tourism committee will be shown Lancashire's

MEALS on Wheels in Leigh has been a family affair for Eunice Sephton. Three generations of her family have been involved with the WRVS-run service for 71 years. But at the moment, Eunice, WRVS organiser for Meals on Wheels in Leigh, needs help. She's

He arrived at the Faiseltex factory, Fletcher Road, to meet local business leaders before launching an eight-page community information leaflet which will be distributed to 17,000 homes across the borough. Preston Liberal democrat leader Bill Chadwick

AS chairman of governors at Brandlesholme CP school in Bury I would like to add some comments to the article in the Bury Times (March 12) regarding the closure. Prior to my retirement, I was an adviser in another local authority and, during that time,

THEY may not have had the biggest Comic Relief event, but children at Old Stone House Nursery certainly had the biggest red nose! Children at the School Lane nursery, in Leyland, helped create a huge patchwork nose for the front of their building - to

BLAMING Europe for things it does not administer reveals ignorance or cynicism and a profound inability to face Britain's relative comedown in the world. Eighty per cent of transnational companies are USA owned. The recent banana squabble shows it is

A REFURBISHED house may not sound like the answer to a community's crime problem, but residents on the Clayton Brook estate are confident it will turn around its bad reputation. It has taken more than two years of hard work by residents of the Bamber

You know it's coming but it's still a nasty shock. The inconspicuous envelope drops through the letterbox, you open it, sort through the bumph and then POW - it hits you. "Council Tax for 1999/2000" It's gone up 7.5 per cent this year and even people

THERE'S no stopping Sally Stone, 97.4 Rock FM's Seattle Sweetheart. This week she is giving you the chance to win one of five exclusive Rock The Dancefloor double CDs, before their release on March 22. Every week, Rock FM's top jocks are giving away a

PRESTON pensioners who scrimp and save for a cheap winter holiday look set to be left out in the cold this year as greedy tour operators cash in on Millennium madness. For years, major tour operators have lured OAPs abroad with the prospect of cheap sunshine

GUN-TOTING villains were turning East Lancashire into the armed robbery blackspot of the county. More than a quarter of all 108 armed robberies were committed in Blackburn, Accrington and Darwen, which also suffered more crime generally. More than a fifth

SOUTH Ribble MP David Borrow is to hold talks with Home Secretary Jack Straw following Lancashire's Police decision not to sack an inspector found guilty of making nusiance calls. Inspector Stephen Lawman, who was based at Lancashire Constabulary's Hutton

POLICE hunting two teenagers believed to be behind an armed robbery on a Leyland cornershop have taken the witnesses to a local novelty shop in a bid to determine what masks the robbers were wearing. The thieving duo stormed Ben's Off Licence, in Moss

THESE are dangerous days for peace in the Balkans - and for the risk of the west being sucked into a long-term conflict there - if a true settlement is not reached between Serbia and the Kosovo Albanians. For that was not what was reached last night when

THE grandson of a mill owner who donated a common to the people of Preston, has joined the protest to keep it as a bowling green. Smith's Rec was given to the town by the industrialist John Robert Smith who employed hundreds of people in the early part

Accrington Stanley 1 Guiseley 1 BILLY O'Callaghan grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to earn Stanley a replay after a gritty performance against Guiseley in the quarter finals of the Unibond League Challenge Cup. The Yorkshiremen looked set for the semi-finals

AGAINST a background of renewed rioting and petrol bombing, the struggling Ulster peace process approaches a crucial juncture - that of the April 2 deadline for making last year's historic Good Friday Agreement Work. But though the violence and the recent

PUPILS at Queen Mary School in Lytham raised £300 for the Lancashire and Lakeland Trust by holding a non-uniform day. The trust raises funds to buy equipment for the cancer unit at Preston Royal Infirmary. Sue Thompson, a former Queen Mary pupil, returned

FULL strength Clifton Reserves attacked Stalmine Rangers from the start and debutant Matthew Shaw soon opened the scoring. Ryan Bingham added a second soon after but Clifton were then caught on the counter-attack and Stalmine scored. However, Stalmine's

Darwen's player-manager reflects on a dramatic cup upset STEVE Wilkes should be used to delivering surprises by now. Whether it's Christmas or birthdays, the Preston postman is constantly coming up with the goods. But Darwen's semi-final victory over

REGARDING the Chancellor's Budget and your piece about pensioners (LET, March 10), nothing has been said about the people who are on disability and mobility allowance. The fuel charges alone on average mileage add up to an extra £3 a week and people rely

THE electors of Bury North must seriously question the judgement of Mr David Chaytor MP, whose recent unbounded enthusiasm for the Euro has been shown to be totally flawed by events in Europe. I suspect that the electors of Bury North will be much wiser

CHORLEY welcome back Ian Leather, Eddie Hussin, Gary Thomas and Paul Jones from suspension for tomorrow's crucial trip to Blyth Spartans. Manager Dalton Steele has never lost at Croft Park and the ex-Winsford boss is hoping his luck won't desert him now

A CONTROVERSIAL penalty earned Blackpool a share of the points against Wrexham on Saturday (March 13) at Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders were a goal down when Brett Ormerod was judged to have been brought down in the box on 72 minutes. There was a hint

WITH the highlights in the media of various sorts of hunts, we are left with an ethical dilemma. How can we bring up issues about halal meat, for instance, when during hare-coursing, the defenceless animals must be subjected to such a degree of psychological

BAINES School's top basketballers will be vying for the title of Britain's best at Wembley Arena this weekend. The Poulton school's lower-sixth form basketball team is one of 16 sides to make it through to the Sunny D 3-on-3 Under-19 national basketball

I THOUGHT half pennies were cast out through the window years ago. Why is then that the Chancellor in his budget put up a packet of ciggies by 17 AND A HALF pence? Will shop keepers round the figure down? I don't think so. And why is petrol sold at 64.9p

PILKINGTON Recs are hosting their second annual team sports quiz on Monday, March 29. The cost is £5 a team and a host of prizes are up for grabs. For further details contact Dave Lane on 818687 (evenings) or 732229 (day). Converted for the new archive

St Helens Schools under 13s 36 Allderdale 6 THE local lads booked a semi-final spot against Wigan Schools in the Premiership play-off. Tries came from Robert Palmer (3), Craig Littler (2), Robbie King, Craig Tipene and David Gwilliam. Paul Anders added

Urmston 1 St Helens Hockey Club 1 THERE was utter despair for St Helens on Saturday as they missed out on promotion for the second year running. Their hard-earned drawn at Urmston was not enough as promotion rivals Preston banged in 19 goals at Knutsford

SAFETY traffic lights at a notorious accident blackspot were set to have thwarted Burnley's triathlon, but a solution has been found. Lights have been introduced at the junction of Todmorden Road, New Road, Bacup Road and Burnley Road and organisers were

UGB 32 Burtonwood Bridge 28 THE difference between the two sides was the goal kicking of UG's teenager stand-off Carl Pownall. The tries for UG came from Shaun Anders, Den Hall, Pownall, Tony Cartwright, Graham Grimshaw and Martin Blake. Sadly for UG

RESIDENTS in Halton have welcomed the completion of a £2.8 million resurfacing of the M6 with a special "silent" surface. They have written to the Highways Agency thanking them for laying the special noise reducing, silent covering, which is equivalent

St Edwards OB 52 Ruskin Park 5 GALLANT Ruskin were once again no match for their opponents, and went down to a heavy defeat to a side which, with this victory, clinched the First Division title. Faster to the breakdown, and skilful in their handling when

A COUNCIL chief has welcomed Burnley's bid for £25 million Government regeneration cash for run down areas - even though his own ward, the poorest in town, has been snubbed. Housing chairman Rafique Malik who has championed the Daneshouse area's cause

Upper Eden 49 Carnforth 5 FOLLOWING two successive league victories, Carnforth travelled to Kirkby Stephen on Saturday in high hopes of recording a further two league points. But they were brought straight back down to earth with this hammering. After

Haresfinch 8 Blackpool Stanley 18 FINCH were almost unrecognisable from the team that had triumphed 34-nil at Blackpool earlier in the season. Having beaten the seasiders in their previous five encounters, the homesters had every reason for confidence

I READ Cllr Strett's "Breath of fresh air" response to my letter of February 25 and naively thought at last, meaningful dialogue can now begin on repairing the ravages coal mining has brought on large areas of our borough. At the same time accommodating

THREE young men in the area were cut about the face in separate attacks at the weekend. One 27-year-old man was walking his dog at 1.30am on Sunday when a thug in his 20s asked for money. When he refused he was pushed to the ground. The attacker then

A TALENTED young musician died from an accidental overdose of tablets he was taking for muscle pain caused by a self-imposed weight training regime, an inquest was told. Only hours before he was found dead in bed at his home in Barry Street, Burnley,

Shaw Rhinos 46 Parr Hare & Hounds 10 HOUNDS belied their position at the foot of the table with this spirited show against the Iestyn Harris-coached championship favourites. The final scoreline flatters Shaw somewhat as there was little to choose

THE town's young footballing stars are on course for cup glory. The St Helens McDonald's JOL under 12s squad defeated Bootle and Netherton 3-2 to clinch a place in the final of the Liverpool CFA Inter-League Cup. However, the under 14s went down fighting

A LANCASTER disc jockey who broadcast live on air for more than 40 hours is claiming a moral victory over Radio One. While Simon Mayo celebrated his 37-hour endurance broadcasting world record with millions of listeners on Friday, Bailrigg FM presenter

West Park 24 Wharfedale XV 13 AFTER such one extended sequence of league and cup games enthusiasm for this friendly fixture against a 'mixed' Wharfedale side wasn't exactly in evidence. And almost inevitably an injury occurred - this time to player coach

ANOTHER valuable home point was notched up by Blackpool on Tuesday night (March 16) after a solid performance against Bournemouth - a team tipped for promotion. Goal-shy they may be, but the Seasiders continue to create chances and but for that final

Eastmoor Dragons 31 Blackbrook 28 THIRD-placed Blackbrook, missed a golden opportunity to keep the pressure on leaders Ideal Isberg and Eccles. Right centre Ian Callaghan opened the visitors account with a converted try after just five minutes. Eastmoor

A PORTION of Blackpool residents still feel excluded from the town centre. As promotions begin for disabled equipment scheme Blackpool Shopmobility, a new action group has formed in the area. Access For All was born on January 19 this year and feel the

SPECIAL parking privileges for town hall staff is costing the local taxpayer £48,000 claims the local Green Party. And they claim the cheap parking deal, which allows all council employees to park in city centre for just £90 a year, goes against the authority's

LAST seen, according to legend 11,000 years ago, the lost city of Atlantic is resurfacing again - on the Blackpool seafront. Work will soon be under way on a dramatic reconstruction of part of fabled Atlantis in a £500,000 development at Blackpool SeaLife

BLACKPOOL'S once-ailing town centre is witnessing its most dramatic changes for years says the resort's heritage watchdog group. Blackpool Civic Trust believes the improvements are a major step towards bringing style and elegance to the town. But chairman

CHILD clinched their place in the final of the St Helens Combination's Hospital Cup after a splendid semi-final took place at Hope Street, Prescot. The St Helens Star Premier Division Champions faced the tough and skilful Hall Street Union outfit from

SHAKERS boss Neil Warnock has swooped to beef up his strikeforce by signing Huddersfield Town's Paul Barnes. The prolific goalscorer signed on the dotted line for the Shakers on Monday and his acquisition is a shrewd piece of business by Warnock who had

DERBY County's experienced midfield player Lee Carsley has been targeted by Blackburn Rovers as they bid to beat next week's transfer deadline with a major signing. Pride Park boss Jim Smith confirmed today that Derby had rejected an initial offer by

TEMPORARY manager Mick Hoyle has set his side an optimistic target of 50 points for the season. And, judging by this performance against the league leaders on Tuesday night, they could achieve that. It looks certain that Mick Hoyle will be in charge at

GOAL hero Kurt Nogan said: "I don't know why the Burnley fans have a go at me - it only spurs me on." On his goal, Nogan said: "I looked up and thought that I could lift it over their keeper and it was great to see it go in." Manager David Moyes said:

A STORM is brewing over Bury Council's decision not to extend the football season an extra two weeks. Council officials have decreed that goalposts on all local authority pitches will come up after matches played on Sunday, May 2. And that spells trouble

WITH 42 years experience of Boston Terriers the Glynn family know a good 'un when they see one. And so did the judges at Crufts. Mother and daughter Kathleen Glynn and Julie Williams entered their 14 months-old bitch Kim at Crufts and she won the Utility

A TEENAGER who went missing more than a fortnight ago was safely back with her family today, after a tip-off led police to a house in Accrington. Police launched an appeal to find Fiona Wooliscroft, 15, of Bertha Street, Accrington, after she failed to

AN embroidery firm is hoping to sew up more contracts and new jobs and after installing a £40,000 machine. The new device at D Whittaker & Co's embroidery operation at Glenfield Park, Blackburn, will enable the firm to expand its school clothing embroidery

Bury 0, Wolverhampton 0 MENTION the dreaded R-word anywhere near Neil Warnock and his players over the next few weeks and you're likely to get your backside kicked! That's the message coming out loud and clear from Gigg Lane as the season enters the crucial

Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy INDUSTRIAL archaeology is one of the most popular hobbies these days - thank goodness! It is quite right that visitors in search of Lancashire's cotton history should flock to well organised museums such as Queen Street

THE chairman of jeweller Goldsmiths has launched a bid to take the company off the stock market in a £43.9 million management buy-out. Jurek Piasecki is leading a deal to buy the retailer, which has a shop in Blackburn, for 183p a share, representing

PRESTON are being forced to play a waiting game to see if skipper Sean Gregan will be fit for this weekend's crunch game against Bournemouth. The South coast team rammed three past North End earlier this season during one of Preston's more disappointing

Wright On! Shelley Wright takes a wry look at life IN the last seven days a domestic cult has tightened its grip on my circle of friends and I don't know where it will end. Well, actually I do - when we all have cupboards bursting with brightly coloured

SMALL firms on the stock market are facing a famine of new investment, according to a report out today. A survey found that fund managers who invest billions in stock market firms are less likely than ever to target their investments at smaller firms.

RADCLIFFE's Anglican team rector is bidding farewell to the town. The Rev Charles Ellis, who is also the area dean of Radcliffe and Prestwich, will take up a new post next month. Before entering the church Mr Ellis, 48, was a landscape designer for Oldham

A DESCENDANT of former Leigh convicts shipped out to Australia in the last century, is seeking her ancestors. Mrs Madge Roughley, of Mowbray, Tasmania, is anxious to hear from any living relatives of the family after Joseph Roughley and his son, James

A NEW identity for a group which represents firms employing thousands of East Lancashire aerospace workers has been unveiled. The Consortium of Lancashire Aerospace has grown into the the UK's largest association of its kind since it was launched six

PLANS to let the public see Bury's new-look Territorial Army were off target at the weekend. Only a handful of people walked through the Castle Armoury Drill Hall doors to see for themselves how C Company (Fusiliers), the 4th Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire

A CHANCE to have your say on how to cut crime is being given to neighbouring towns. Parts of Atherton and Tyldesley were highlighted as high risk areas in a recent crime and disorder report. Now Wigan Metro wards Atherton and Hindsford have been earmarked

THE cream of the UK's hockey-playing talent arrived in Leyland last week to do battle. An England U15 girls team played a Scotland U15 team at Leyland St Mary's, Royal Avenue, last Thursday. The tough friendly game finished 5-1 in England's favour, with

GOOD riddance to the European Commission, says local Euro MP Gary Titley. He has cheered the resignation of the 20 commissioners following a scathing report by an independent panel into allegations of crony-ism. But the MEP for Greater Manchester West

PEOPLE with learning disabilities, freed from the restraints of institutional life, have celebrated their new beginning. Wigan Council this week threw a party for some of the 250 people who have found independence after been resettled into the community

LIVERPOOL and District Osteoporosis Society, which incorporates the St Helens area, is holding its next meeting on Thursday, March 25. The meeting will take the form of a question and answer session with panellists including two medical specialists, a

A £243,000 lottery cash windfall has gone to a Morecambe community centre. The Lighthouse in Townley Street will use the money to fund community projects and activities over the next three years. Last year more than 6,500 people used the centre from 115

BURY Times journalists have proved once again they are the brains of Bury. The three-strong team successfully defended their title in the Clough and Willis quiz last week. The annual general knowledge test organised by the Bury solicitors attracted some

MRS M. Worthington, number 108258, was this week's £2,000 first prize winner in the St Helens and Knowsley Hospice weekly lottery draw. Other major prize winners were £200 - Miss S. Bowler 558997; £125 - Mr J. Daly 400420; £75 - Mr and Mrs P. Cowan 506902

THE Carouselles Morris Dancers have been presented with a framed certificate and a cheque for £350, courtesy of a Co-op Late Shop Community Drive Award. Members of the group, based at Baptist Church Hall in Park Road, Fingerpost, will use the award to

LANCASTER'S MP Hilton Dawson has written to the Food Safety Minister Jeff Rooker to express the concerns of local people about GM food following a special consultation meeting. The MP said local people were worried that commercial pressures were pushing

POTENTIAL business opportunities in Egypt will come under the spotlight at a meeting in Bury next month. It is being staged by Bolton Bury Export Club at Bury Town Hall on Monday, April 26 at 11.30am. At a recent club meeting, the Euro prompted heated

BURY'S town centre crackdown on crime could help it become one of the country's first "super councils". Borough leaders are officially asking the Government to award the council Beacon status. If Bury succeeds in this new incentive, it will be among the

INFORMATION technology (IT) specialist Richard Tomlinson has joined Bolton and Bury Chamber's Business Link to help local companies make more effective use of IT. Says Richard: "I'm here for local companies and, what's more, my advice is totally independent

MUSICAL mayhem is planned for the Fylde this May Bank Holiday. The Station Tavern in Lytham is to host an all-day live band extravaganza, highlighting plans to turn the public house into a regular music venue. Local bands already lined up to perform in

DERBYSHIRE Hill Family and Community Centre have officially opened their new improved 'Centre Face' climbing wall. The wall is floodlit and climbers are treated to special effects as well as two overhangs and a choice of 12 different routes to the top

YOUNG pupils were this week given their first insight into the glorious world of work. More than 100 youngsters from Broad Oak High School in Bury spent Wednesday shadowing parents and relatives as they carried out their daily trades and professions.

GETTING his skis on for charity is Bury car salesman Andrew Eccles. The 30-year-old action man, who works at a Bolton garage, is swapping four wheels for two skis to take part in one of the world's most gruelling marathons over snow. He is planning to

EURO MP Gary Titley met England's World Cup winning heroes on their mission to bring the 2006 tournament back to the home of football. He welcomed Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst on their visit to Strasbourg to drum up support from MEPs. Mr Titley

WHAT a difference a year makes. Last season Rochdale rattled up almost 100 points in their clashes with Leigh. On Sunday, in a Spotland slaughter, Leigh's class should have balanced the books. But for some wayward finishing and a fussy referee who disallowed

THE YWCA Women and Girls Centre in Parr will be the meeting point for more than 50 young women from across the North West on Saturday, March 20. The young women, aged between 13 and 25, will take part in a number of workshops on drama, dance, relaxation

HOPEFUL applicants failed to get the top job at a local school - because they were equally good! Governors at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom failed to decide the photo-finish between two "outstanding" candidates for the vacant post of head teacher.

A POPULAR Conservative party supporter was found dead in her Bury home after an apparent shooting accident. Mrs Sheila Ashworth was found in a pool of blood in the living room of her Spenfold bungalow by a neighbour on Wednesday morning. It is believed

A STEADY improvement in food hygiene standards across the borough was reflected in the increase to 59 awards being presented this year to St Helens Council. The awards were made at the fourth presentation ceremony at the town hall when the mayor, Councillor

FORGET the Oscars, local woman Suzette Howard and her daughter Cheryl were given the star treatment when they went to London for a VIP premiere of their own TV advertisement. Mrs Howard and Cheryl, of Ainsworth Road, Bury, travelled in style in a chauffeur-driven

CARMEL College is appealing for help them to fund a trip for special needs students to Brittany in France. The Foundation Department is hoping to take 40 students with a range of special needs to a converted farmhouse, which has been specially adapted

A COLONY of cats that were slowly starving to death at a disused Radcliffe mill have been saved by an animal lover. But Mrs Sylvia Cunningham (52) is now desperately seeking homes for the strays. The cats were a familiar feature at Radcliffe Paper Mill

ST HELENS-based national charity, The Disability Advice and Welfare Network, is appealing for help from the public to continue its work with the blind. Every month the charity sends out more than 5,000 audio cassettes for blind people, including tapes

RESIDENTS from throughout the borough now have the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future strategy of waste disposal as local landfill space runs out. A meeting to discuss major issues such as how to get rid of household waste in an environmentally

HAVE Baxi been good for Preston? That seems to be a popular question doing the rounds at Deepdale, so I thought I would write in and put my two pennorth in. I have no doubt many people moan about Baxi because they are never satisfied. But sometimes they

YOUNGSTERS will be watching their very own millennium trees grow with them during the countdown to the new century. Pupils of Country Fields Nursery, Ramsgreave, planted two millennium trees in the nursery grounds as part of their lessons on the environment

MAKING a great start to the year are Howe Bridge Marlins. Eight swimmers travelled to Barrow for the annual meet. And Andrew Hurst, back after a break of several years, won the men's 1500 freestyle in 19 minutes 43 seconds. Dave Reason finished in 21:

LEIGH AVENUE should have had a real stroll against Leigh Arms in the quarter finals of the Leigh & District Amateur Football League's Sharman Cup. But they made hard work of it! John Rigby put them in front inside three minutes, but they missed chances

ST HELENS Council is planning to introduce a Gold Keycard to help train potential future international sportsmen and women from the borough. In a report to the council's Leisure Committee, which has approved the scheme in principle, it was pointed out

TYLDESLEY RU suffered only their third league defeat of the season at Ormskirk. But it was enough to end their slim hopes of beating leaders Blackpool to the championship. In a sometimes gruelling encounter the home side raced into a 8-0 lead before Tyldesley

Mrs Lesley Harvey is trying to trace her father's sister, Mary Jane Doris Guest (always called Doris) any relatives still around or anyone who knew the family. She was born on May 6, 1920 at St Mary's Hospital, Ancoats to Doris Webb and Herbert Richard

CALCULATING pupils at Pleckgate High School celebrated success in a national maths competition. Eighteen pupils won certificates in the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge run by Leeds University after taking a problem-solving exam paper without using calculators

A look back at events on March 19 through history with Mike Badham. 721BC: The first-ever recorded eclipse of the sun was noted in Babylon. 1813: The half-mad missionary and explorer David Livingstone was born in Scotland. The former factory hand wandered

SCHOOLS which help out people who live in the communities surrounding their classrooms and playgrounds are to be rewarded for their efforts. The annual award will be open to all schools in Blackburn with Darwen Council's education action zone, an initiative

TOWN hall chiefs have decided against a proposal to allow members of the public to speak at committee meetings of Blackburn with Darwen Council. A review of how the council can communicate better with the people of the borough has been going on since

HOPPERS redeemed themselves with a stirring last match, Toby Sly running in the first score with a fine solo effort. His blind side run from the base of the five-metre scrum had Widnes reeling. Stuart Horn successfully converted the first of three kicks

AN OFFICIAL investigation into the death of a baby whose lungs burst after she was given 100 times more air than normal in a hospital's intensive care unit has called for a ban on equipment used to treat her. But a report to health bosses also questions

ALEX Napier chalked up the first try to put Hoppers ahead against Ormskirk, but despite the team's earlier possession his effort was wiped out. Ormskirk made an immediate response, scoring straight from the re-start. Strenuous pressure got Hoppers within

DERBY County's experienced midfield player Lee Carsley has been targeted by Blackburn Rovers as they bid to beat next week's transfer deadline with a major signing. Pride Park boss Jim Smith confirmed today that Derby had rejected an initial offer by

CONCERN is mounting for the well-being of a sick missing Preston schoolgirl who has disappeared from home. Emma Pearce, 15, was last seen in Chorley town centre on Monday, March 1, at 7.45am. She is described as having a dark complexion, around 5ft 4ins

HOPPERS secured the expected victory to condemn visitors Lichfield to relegation and the defeat of third-placed New Brighton means that only Stourbridge now stand between the Lightfoot Green side and their elusive goal of promotion. At first glance the

FURIOUS motorists are planning to sue the council after they claimed their cars were damaged on a road under repair. Eyewitnesses claim at least four cars have had their exhausts ripped off while trying to negotiate roadworks at Grimshaw Park, Blackburn

DELIGHTED Chris Sutton today described his England recall by Kevin Keegan as "unbelievable" but just the kind of news he wanted to hear. The Ewood striker, 26 last week, was handed a belated birthday present by the temporary England boss who made it clear

BURY'S poorest areas could benefit in a shake-up of the way grants bosses hand out cash. A new "community chest" system for allocating one-off grants to local groups could inject cash into the borough's most deprived wards. From April 1 wards will be

THIS is how the new St George's Shopping Centre car park will look when it reopens at Easter next year. The car park, which has had to be demolished and rebuilt as part of the centre's renovation work, will cost a total of £5 million. The six-storey construction

FORGET your Manchester United v Arsenal clashes - for top of the table battles look no further than Irongate this Saturday. Championship favourites Altrincham arrive to play Bamber Bridge in a contest which will probably decide who walks away with the

BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent is looking for another away-day special at Wrexham tomorrow with the Clarets relegation battle needing to be won on foreign fields. And despite one or two injury worries, Ternent is likely to rely on the core of players that

PUB researcher Brian Tarry of Rainford has come up with a frothy fact that should really tickle the taste-buds of our local elbow-benders. Compiling his recently-published book, 'The Lost Pubs of St Helens', he discovered that the district once had five

I would like to tell you how disgusting I found Lancaster hospital car park. I don't mind paying for pay and display but I do mind paying to park in a car park that's in such a terrible state. It's like a rocky dirt track which needs a 4-wheel drive to

LOCAL mum Janet Caunce invited a group of local mothers to her home, to enjoy a well-earned treat from experts in Johnson's Baby Massage Team. Janet, of Sheephill Lane, New Longton, won a baby massage class at her home in a national competition in magazine

THE 'lost soldiers' search is still on, in advance of a special reunion of old army buddies to be staged in a few weeks time. The special do is being arranged for former members of the St Helens-based 596 and 436 Regiment (Royal Artillery) at the town's

Springtime in Wycoller, Pepper Hill Barn Study Centre, Wycoller, 2pm. Spring Fair, St Mary's RC Church Hall, Whalley Road, Sabden, 2pm. Coffee Morning, St Mary the Virgin Church, Gisburn, 10am-12 noon. Coffee Morning, Holy Trinity Worship Centre, Larkhill

WAS your grandma a sporty hot-shot? Or your Auntie Maggie the female wizard of dribble? If so, then a couple of local councillors would like to hear from you. Andy Bowden, deputy chairman of St Helens Council's Leisure committee, and colleague Pat Robinson

I READ with some amusement councillor Tony Wade's remarks that Labour are attempting to scaremonger the local electorate into not voting MBI at the forthcoming local elections by using letters to the press. Excuse me if I'm being naive but isn't it the

CAN any of our greenfingered gang remember Ron Foster and the magic he worked with self-prepared plant feeds? The question is posed by a Carr Mill reader who explains that Ron's business premises were once located in Barrow Street, St Helens - next to

A SUCCESSFUL year was celebrated at Bury College when it held its annual meeting on Tuesday. The college annual report was presented together with a review of progress and achievements. Looking back over the 1997-98 academic year, principal Dr Helen Gilchrist

RECOLLECTIONS of the mouthwatering kind were prompted by the reader who recently asked if anyone could pinpoint the location of the famous old Lee & Devanney bakery. A number of long-memoried fans have now provided the address of that late, lamented

IT has been brought to my attention that people who cannot distinguish literary style think letters in the Citizen signed by a Mr Jackson of Hest Bank are from me: M R Jackson of Peacock Lane, Hest Bank. This does not worry me and it is all a bit sad.

BURY'S Met arts centre has been forced to pull up its socks following a highly critical report into its operation. An independent review commissioned by the North West Arts Board (NWAB) said the Market Street centre must improve in a whole range of areas

DOCTOR Keith Robinson, who has recorded the weather from a local observatory for more than 20 years, was been honoured for his dedication to meteorology. Dr Robinson welcomed meteorologists from the UK headquarters of the Met Office, in Bracknell, to

WHEN Parr High had to reduce its numbers - i.e. surplus places - it was decided by the LEA that the easiest option would be to remove part of its buildings. These were cordoned off and boarded up. Now the buildings are derelict and lie in a state of disrepair

LABOUR councillor Glyn Heath (pictured) has sensationally defected just weeks before he was to defend his seat in the local elections. He says is fed up with the party's swing to the right and Tony Blair's non-socialist policies. He has now joined Environment

FIFTY years of marriage and still smiling! This happy couple were treated to a surprise party to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Ken and Ada Pooley, who now live in Longridge, turned up at their local British Legion Club to find all their

ISN'T it a shame that the SOS (Save Our Savoy) campaign seems to have stalled. I believe that this is because the structure of the building is no longer viable. This needn't mean that one of our town-centre cinemas could not be re-opened. Another idea

RESIDENTS have been urged to blow the whistle on vandals who are repeatedly wrecking railings around a new housing estate. Ribble Valley Council's chief engineer Graham Jagger said the vandals had already caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage. The

I would like forecast the next major waste of ratepayers' money in the forthcoming 18 months before our local representatives try to claim all the plaudits without accepting any of the brickbats that are sure to follow as a result of the current work

"Public servant" asks whether the council tenants have been consulted about transferring their homes to another landlord and whether they are consulted about plans for repairs and renovation in their homes. The answer to both these questions is an emphatic

WHY are items in Bury's charity shops so expensive? They have very few overheads so why do they insist on putting ridiculous prices on everything? I cannot afford to buy new for myself and my family so charity shops used to be a God send. Now, I can rarely

AS a supporter of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, and having helped Mr David Bentley with some environmental tasks in the past, I agree with his recent assertion that the council has done little to support conservation issues. People have

MANY Millennium ideas have been mooted but are on a scale which means that not everyone can afford to join in. So why not a local carnival, or a revival of the Whit Walks for one year only? The Whit Walks were church-orientated but in today's multicultural

THE star, Astley's Seanie Williams could not be present. But in true theatre tradition the show still went on at Manchester's world famous cancer centre at the Christie Hospital. Representatives from amateur groups in the area gathered to present institute

THURSDAY, March 4, 1999, was a sad day for Bury. It was the day preparation began to cut away a great swathe of our previous greenbelt land. The reason? To enable the relocation of Bolton Road Sports Club to the land behind Foulds Avenue. This move, supported

A FORMER Leigh Grammar School pupil will lead the probe into the terrorist killing of Northern Ireland lawyer Rosemary Nelson. David Phillips, head of the Kent Force, attended LGS in the late 1950s. Mr Phillips, 54, married with a son, has been heavily

I would like to appeal for support in this year's campaign, which runs throughout April. In 1998 more than 18,000 tonnes of litter was collected nationwide by three million volunteers. Simply ring the National Spring Clean Hotline number 0870-241-2441

TWO Preston Prison workers have received accolades from the top by scooping Butler Trust Awards. Probation officer Terry Bond and senior officer Ralph Livesey, based at HMP Preston, will attend the prestigious awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London

I WAS appalled to read that Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust is considering closing Whitefield ambulance station and relocating its one emergency ambulance to the Bury station. This news must strike fear into residents in the Whitefield

SOUTH Ribble Councillor David Snape has decided not to contest his seat at this year's full council elections. The council's housing committee chairman, who has represented Moss Side since 1991, gave family commitments as his reason for standing down.

A PRESTON community this week said a sad goodbye to a couple who have run the local post office for more than 40 years. Joseph and Terri Southworth have decided to hang up their postbag after 42 years living and working at Brookfield Post Office. Shortly

I AM writing in response to 'Realist' (Citizen letters, March 11), and his claims that Britain, compared to our European neighbours, are still living in the Victorian era when it comes to street girls. I would like to point out that sex is not something

DAVID Bentley is being somewhat naive, to say the least, if he really thinks that the designation of part of Spen Moor as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI) is enough to save it from being built on (Bury Times, March 12). The site will be protected

PRESTON'S popular Deepdale Duck could soon become a proud dad! The duck, who pops up at events around town, as well as leading the chorus of support for North End on match days, could soon find himself accompanied by Deepdale Ducklings, if his guardian

A PRESTON politician will not be standing in this year's local elections after three different ward parties refused to select him as their Labour representative. Councillor Derek Barton, who has represented Central ward on and off since 1990, was deselected

VISITORS to Preston's popular Beacon Fell are set to benefit from almost £40,000 worth of improvements. The visitor centre at the country park is to be revamped to include a new cafe, providing worn out walkers and weary nature lovers with somewhere to

AMBITIOUS plans to modernise St Andrew's Church, Leyland, have hit a stumbling block after English Heritage raised objections to some of the plans. The conservation group believes certain parts of the £300,000 Vision Builders project would be to the detriment

PRESTON juggler Paul Barberel has packed his bags and said goodbye to Preston and hello to the circus. The 17-year-old Plungington teenager has scooped a job with the Peter Jolly Circus, which will be touring around the country for eight months this summer

FEARS are growing that Preston's new £12 million out-of-town sports complex could become a massive white elephant as project chiefs battle to secure good public transport links to the site. Students at the University of Central Lancashire fear the new

A PRESTON councillor is urging vandals to help keep his ward green by leaving newly planted trees alone. More than 50 trees have recently been planted in the Lovat Road near Moor Park. The trees are planted in special squares between residents' parking

THE JJB Sports Leyland Band has secured £22,000 to help take them into the next Millennium. The Millennium Festival Award will enable the band to commission Howard Snell to write a piece of music for use in workshops and celebratory performances across

BURNLEY Football Club was at the centre of a £1million takeover bid, made by Colne Dynamoes supremo Graham White. Mr White had fronted a consortium of four businessmen three months earlier, but refused to discuss the terms of his latest offer. Converted

FRENCH style and sophistication descended on Leyland's market this week, as the new boss arrived for a tete-a-tete. Traders welcomed Jean-Paul Auguste, Presidente Directeur Generale of Groupe Geraud, who is chairman of Market Initiatives Ltd - the specialists

PRESTON'S arts and leisure groups are preparing to receive a share of a £60,000 grant windfall being made available by the council. Councillors sitting on leisure service (grant aid) sub-committee were due to meet today (March 18) to approve council officers

A POLICE officer was knocked unconscious after a scuffle with jewellery shop raiders as they made their escape with £9,000 worth of designer watches. The four burglars broke into George Banks Jewellers, in Fishergate, Preston, at around 8.50pm on Wednesday

ENFIELD have signed Victorian bowler Dave Saker as replacement pro for Shane Lee. The Lancashire League club were forced to cancel Lee's contract because of his predicted involvement in the Australia World Cup squad. So the club turned to the quickie,

LIVING with up to 20 cats may sound like a nightmare to many, but moggy-mad Maureen Savage says it is simply purr-fect! Maureen set up Pets In Rescue 18 months ago, rescuing Preston's stray cats and giving them a home. Many of the cats have since moved

LANCASHIRE were on the edge of an embarrassing tour defeat in South Africa today. With only two second innings wickets left they began the third and final day just 45 ahead of the Western Province Academy. Lancashire, containing a mixture of experience

ROUND one of the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship proved frustrating for Blackpool's Neil Wearden. He finished seventh in the Vauxhall Rally of Wales after suffering two punctures on the opening stage. Round two of the Mobil 1 championship, the Pirelli

MICKY Graham will quit as manager of Rossendale United at the end of the season unless directors can come up with a rescue package to save the club in the next week. The Dark Lane outfit are struggling financially and Graham wants assurances new backers

WORK has started on two environmental projects being managed by Grosvenor Housing Association providing sites of wildlife interest and recreational areas for local communities. The green light was given following Grosvenor's success in securing £325,000

A BLACKPOOL school has proved it has worldly-wise pupils by reaching the finals of a national geography quiz. Arnold School is through to the finals of the Geographical Association Worldwise Quiz after three pupils won the North West regional final at

NEWTON Hall Amateur Swimming Club came away with twelve first places at the recent North Lancashire championships. Teams and individuals from across the region competed in this fast and furious gala. Pride of place went to Lisa How, Newton Hall's British

SCHOOLS from all over the country have been visiting an aircraft technology exhibition in Poulton this week - without setting foot in the town. Hodgson High School Technology College, in association with British Aerospace, is hosting SET99, a series of

BLACKPOOL Borough Indoor Bowls Club are just getting over their semi-final defeat in the English Inter Club Denny Cup championship. Blackpool were up against top class Cyphers IBC who have won the event several times, but the Boro boys almost caused an

I WAS sorry to read (Letters, March 11) that Mrs I Holden was upset by what she considered was the uncaring attitude of the Benefits Agency staff in Blackburn. I can only say that when my husband died recently, I felt I received only help and kindness

MUSICIANS at Park School, Blackpool, had every reason to blow their own trumpet when they were presented with their share of the proceeds from a recent music show. Blackpool arts chairman David Owen handed over a cheque for £150 after the school had taken

IT'S been a busy week for Blackpool FC's managing director Gill Bridge with two home games in the space of four days, a trip to London to hear plans for the Nationwide League next season and some new information on the big derby clash with Preston North

ONCE again, Comment (LET, March 11) totally missed the point. I do not believe that any teacher is afraid of appraisal and accountability. (Each school, and teacher, is brought to account through the OFSTED inspection system, which, in itself, is not

IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes small-sided soccer league Sporting QCS take the lead after they beat Horsemans Hill 7-1. Team Macprint moved up into second after they won against David Halsall FC 5-0. The Untouchables drop down into third place after

AS a collectaholic my Wednesday hobby is auction hunting. Last week I had the shock of my life at one of the furniture items up for grabs. Propped on its end was a huge coffin, complete with brass plate and handles. Not only was that eerie, but it looked

PUPILS at Lancaster Girls Grammar have staged a mock election for a new initiative to encourage people to vote. Sixth formers will act as poll station staff and candidates as a way of learning more about the electoral process. The city council and parish

I HAVE written to The Journal before saying why I disapprove of the proposed bus lane, and I am, surprise, surprise, still of the same opinion. I cannot think what has occurred to make me rethink my point of view. It has, in fact, been strengthened after

THE postman is not my favourite visitor. He only brings bills and junk mail - which goes straight into the wheelie. Another fed up Leigh recipient is so sick of being bombarded with rubbish she has dumped it onto me. I don't know whose mailing list the

A PRESTON mother is calling for wider understanding of a rare condition which led to her son being excluded from school, and made her believe she was the worst mum in the world. Barbara Martin's son Daniel, now aged nine, was diagnosed with Attention

FUNNY GIRLS will show a serious side later this month, when all the fun will be in aid of the homeless. The Blackpool transvestite showbar is hosting a spectacular fundraising night on March 25 for the homeless charity Face to Face. Fylde Mayor Anne Smith

Lydney 62 Liverpool St Helens 17 LSH reverted to mid season form on Saturday after recent improvement and suffered a heavy defeat in Gloucestershire. Lydney, always difficult to beat on home soil, took the many chances presented to them by a paper thin

LADY luck was certainly on the side of Carnforth's Steve Head during the weekend as Team Penguin contested the first round of the Skoda Trophy. Running within the Vauxhall Rally of Wales, the first round of the Mobil One British Rally championship, the

A BLACKPOOL student has crowned himself in glory winning the chance to represent the North of England in the 1999 Crown Trade Young Decorator of the Year - the first time in the competition's history. Richard Gravner, from Poulton (pictured) battled against

LOCAL school teachers claim the Government's plans to create highly-paid "super teachers" will damage the standard of teaching in Lancaster and Morecambe. The district branch of the National Union of Teachers says proposals to reward super teachers with

IT looks likely that Morecambe will be without striker Neil Morton for Saturday's home match against third placed Rushden and Diamonds. There's still a chance for the injured player, but the news is a blow for the Shrimps who just have not been able to

West Sutton 32 Ulverston 28 WEST Sutton produced their best performance for some time to overcome a strong Ulverston team. But the game started badly for Wests when Ulverston scored an unconverted try. West's response was quick, forcing Ulvcerston to

FISHERMEN in Fleetwood may soon see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. As the compensation campaign continues for fishermen involved in the 1976 Cod War with Iceland, Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble has joined the ranks of supporters

HAYDOCK suffered a major blow to their title hopes. They never really got themselves into the game, and did not do justice to themselves, but the score flattered the Widnes side. Haydock started off brightly and scored first with a penalty goal from Ireland

OWNERS of park homes have taken a step nearer to filling the gaps in legislation that has resulted in many of them feeling exploited - thanks to Lancaster and Wyre MP Hilton Dawson. In a pioneering meeting on Monday (March 15) , held at Springfield House

PUPILS at Skerton High School don't just read about business - they've taken the plunge and set up their own company. And their fledgling enterprise "Magical Memories" has become an incredible success, attracting 70 elderly folk from Bradford to try a

BLACKBROOK'S young footballers suffered high and lows of emotion at the weekend. Their under 13s celebrated reaching the final of the Rainhill Junior League Cup, while the under 11s endured the misery of semi-final defeat. RESULTS Saturday Under 10s Challenge

St Helens Town 3 Nantwich Town 1 WITH only six weeks of the season left Town have still to play 15 matches. And this 'whistle stop' finale began with three handy points at sunlit Hoghton Road on Saturday. Two memorable goals lit up some ordinary fare

NORTH End nicked a victory with a smash and grab raid at local rivals North End, partly thanks to the determintion of striker Kurt Nogan, who made the Burnley boo-boys eat their words as he scored the only goal of the game to send the Clarets sinking

A DRUG addict detained for shoplifting threatened security staff with a used needle. Anthony Meredith, aged 32, used keys on another security guard, resulting in him sustaining a broken finger. Mr Ian Whitehurst, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said

BLACKBROOK'S young footballers suffered high and lows of emotion at the weekend. Their under 13s celebrated reaching the final of the Rainhill Junior League Cup, while the under 11s endured the misery of semi-final defeat. RESULTS Saturday Under 10s Challenge

THE mother of a Morecambe man, who fell to his death from a three storey house, broke down and had to leave his inquest after hearing details of her son's death plunge. Meanwhile police were completely exonerated in a report into the actions of several

FYLDE fundraisers pulled out all the stops to ensure that Comic Relief 1999 remains on course for the record books. Schools, shops and supermarkets all got in on the act as part of this year's Red Nose Day (March 12), sub-titled The Record Breaker. And

A MAJOR police search for a missing three-old-boy, who travelled across the entire district by himself on a bus, ended happily this week. Toddler David Atkinson, who is crazy about buses, ran off ahead of his mum, Gillian, on Bowerham Road in Lancaster

York Wasps 16, Swinton Lions 15 A CONTROVERSIAL decision by the match officials cost the Lions two valuable league points in Sunday's game at the Huntington Stadium. The Wasps took the lead in the twenty-first minute when a three man overlap saw loose

ASTLEY Youth Band has scooped another selection of festival trophies. The band, which is now booking a Millennium European Tour of Holland, Belgium and Germany, collected six more pieces of silver for their display cabinet at Ramsbottom. The twenty young

MORE than 60 jobs are to be axed with the closure of a pharmacy warehouse. The decision to shut the Peel Street Pharmacy warehouse in Accrington comes just weeks after the family firm which operates chemists shops in Accrington and Blackburn was bought

PNE'S Under16 girls reached the final of the Lancashire Cup after overcoming a very stubborn Man City side 4-2 in a tense match at Samlesbury The home side struggled early on and it was City who took the lead after 10 minutes from a corner. PNE fought