IF ONLY Rugby League matches lasted but an hour! That was Leigh MR's thought as they plunged to a 15-10 defeat at Woolston Rovers. For sixty minutes Miners looked the better side. But the final quarter told its tale and another defeat has set the alarm
A GRIEVING daughter is appealing for help to track down a caring mystery woman who comforted her in a hospital corridor. Valerie Wishart was approached by the woman in the Royal Bolton Hospital as she came to terms with the decision to turn off her mother's
DEREK Lee Ingram got in a car and went drove after his girlfriend after they had argued at a wedding reception. Blackburn magistrates heard that Ingram was a disqualified driver and when police breathalysed him he was more than double the legal drink-drive
TYLDESLEY RU were left kicking their heels in frustration when opponents Furness failed to make the trip to Well Street. And that was for the second successive season, leaving officials to make a official complaint to RFU. The Seconds beat Dukinfield
A MAN who plans to ride up Snowdon on his scooter next month has named his challenge the 'Allan Jones Memorial Run' in memory of his friend. Disabled Geoff West, 61, of Loveclough, has promised to reach the top on his standard Horizon Mayan Scooter for
THE spread of primary care health trusts throughout East Lancashire would cost millions in extra management costs, a councillor warned. Burnley finance chairman Peter Kenyon said proposals to create the area's first trust in Blackburn and Darwen, with
GRANDMOTHER Patricia Wilson fell on to the bonnet of a police car after it pulled alongside her and a companion who was helping her to walk. Blackburn magistrates heard that when the officers tried to help Wilson she became abusive, grabbed hold of some
LEIGH RU were sparked by Chris Travers for a 19-8 win over Rochdale. A try from Phil Lester, converted by Mark Hudspith, gave them the edge at the break. Rochdale turned up the heat in the second half, but Lester intercepted for a 70-yard try, Hudspith
DOG warden David East certainly knows how to make sure pampered pooches are on their best behaviour. The Rossendale Council dog warden has been so successful in helping owners to train their unruly pets that his efforts have been recognised by the Kennel
PICK-UP driver Thomas Haworth, 51, of North Valley Road, Colne, suffered whiplash injuries in a collision with a car last night in Accrington Road, Burnley, near the Save petrol station. He was taken to Burnley General Hospital and discharged after treatment
WORK on new safety measures on East Lancashire's notorious Grane Road has finally begun. Lancashire County Council highways and transport sub-committee voted to introduce new chevron signs, improved road markings including 'slow' signs, extensions to
SINGER Denis Lotis dropped in for a drink with the smallest branch of his fan club. Denis, now 74, is still remembered as a heart-throb when he sang with the Ted Heath Band in the 1950s and 60s and went on to a solo career. He was the toast of the Butlers
ATHERTON COLLS are finally clear of lingering relegation danger after a best-ever Division One run of five consecutive victories - four away from home. And Alan Lord's side is now looking a force with which to be reckoned after Saturday's 3-1 win at Abbey
A DRINK-driver who went out to cool down after an "emotional discussion," owned up to police that he had been behind the wheel. Burnley magistrates heard how Christopher John Hampson, 59, had been "distressed," when spotted by officers. His solicitor
A DEVELOPER is having a third try at getting planning permission to build homes in a Pendle country park. Livingstone Properties has applied to Pendle Council for outline permission to demolish the former Hide Restaurant in Ball Grove Country Park and
A UNION leader has criticised council plans to keep badly behaved children in class rather than put them in special units. Andrew Jones, secretary of East Lancashire branch of NASUWT, told Blackburn with Darwen councillors that their policy of keeping
A DRUNKEN man arrested on Blackburn Boulevard banged his head against the van door when he was being taken to the police station. Blackburn magistrates heard that when Anthony John Hill was later taken to hospital for treatment he tried to kick an officer
BUDDING artist Andrew Allen has taken his first step towards world recognition by winning the local round of an international art contest. Andrew, a year-seven pupil at All Saints' RC High School, Rawtenstall, impressed the judges from Rossendale Lions
A DRIVER had a remarkable escape when a tyre flew off a waggon and smashed into the windscreen of his car. The wheel shattered the glass then catapulted into the central reservation of the M66, near Bury. Today police and Department of Transport officials
AN angry passenger who changes trains daily at Blackburn's demolished station today launched a furious broadside at railway bosses and said: "It has become the stop from hell." Hyndburn Council worker Kevin Meagher, 24, spends up to half an hour at the
A BEGGAR came to Blackburn because the people are kinder than those in Preston, his lawyer told Blackburn magistrates. A police officer walking across the Ainsworth Street bridge saw two ladies put money in Simon Anthony Reid's hat and a third was about
A 71-YEAR-OLD Rossendale man who drank a cocktail of weedkiller, whisky and valium tablets died six months later from the after-effects, an inquest heard. Retired civil servant William Taylor, of Whitehead Street, Rawtenstall, died from bronchial pneumonia
A WARNING that the annual Colne Gala is under threat of disappearing forever has been issued by organisers of the event. Gala secretary Donald Leaver has urged more people to come forward to save the gala's future, which has been held in June every year
BURY Hospice officials are delighted with their "Light Up a Life" campaign which has raised a remarkable £9,123. And jubilant hospice officials said that the proceeds from the fund-raising venture exceeded all expectations. During November and December
A HEAD teacher from Blackburn who has been made an MBE has had her achievement recognised by education bosses. Barbara Booth, head of Shadsworth Infants School, was on this year's honours list and has now been given a separate award by Blackburn with
A POLICE chief has highlighted the difficulties faced by officers when they are trying to trace missing persons. Over the last month six teenagers have gone missing in East Lancashire for up to a week. Superintendent Russ Weaver, head of policing operations
GOVERNMENT league tables of school performance should be changed to show the improvement in pupils' abilities not just test results, the Bishop of Blackburn told Ministers. The Rt Rev Alan Chesters said schools where many children did not speak English
BATTLE plans are being drawn up again by villagers determined to save what they see as "the last piece of recreation land in Tottington". On Wednesday (Jan 26), the agents acting for the landowner served village allotment holders with a notice to "quit
LYNX finally got their first win of the season at the fifth attempt, beating Whitehaven Warriors 22-12. Trailing by eight points in the second half, they hit back with three tries in six minutes for a well deserved win at Victory Park. The victory against
Division Two: Stoke City v Burnley - Pete Oliver's match preview THE Iceman cometh and has continued the thaw at the Britannia Stadium. Former Iceland national team boss Gudjon Thordarson became Stoke City's ninth managerial appointment in the 1990s when
PUPILS at St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst, are hoping to raise money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity with two concerts. Tonight, Year 8 pupils will perform Sounds of the Millennium including the song Friends which was composed by a group of the youngsters
RESIDENTS in Brandlesholme have won a brand new play area for their children - if they want to help pay for it. Town hall bosses have approved plans to build the much-needed playground at the front of Brandlesholme County Primary School. It follows a
HOPPERS will be disappointed not to have taken the points as they frittered away a useful half-time lead to lose 35-25. They had first use of the wind, but the ease with which they ran in four tries suggested that the game was theirs. Instead, they allowed
NEW signposts will mix art with nature to promote Blackburn's markets. Two new metal structures, one nine metres high and the other seven metres high, will reach into the sky as signposts attracting shoppers. Both signs have been created in the shape
NORTHCOTE Manor will be the setting for a dinner cooked by former members of staff, including William Reid who has just won a Michelin Star at the Vineyard restaurant in Berkshire. Tonight there will be a champagne reception at the Langho restaurant,
I AGREE with the comments and observations of Citizen Smith in last week's edition. The catalogue of disaster is appalling, the incompetence astounding, and if it were the private sector, suicidal. The status quo remains and the financial losses continue
THE axe is to fall on 50 jobs at Radcliffe's East Lancashire Paper Mill. And the shock news coincides with the announcement that the company, one of the town's biggest employers, is to embark on a £3.36 million investment programme. The job losses are
I WAS dismayed to read about the city council's dispute with Civic Illuminations Ltd. The missing document affair has all the hallmarks of another fiasco by the council officers, dating from the time when the previous Labour administration seems to have
AT the last general election, apart from the few conspirators, no-one certainly not those voting Lib/Dem or Labour - knew of the egregious plot against true democracy (since it was hidden from the electorate) whereby Paddy Ashdown, Tony Blair, Lord Jenkins
TREATMENT which should give Amanda Senior the chance to a live a normal life could leave her parents struggling to make ends meet. Jobless Stephen and Anita Senior are fighting to restore their daughter's Disabled Living Allowance after it was taken away
EAST Lancashire Tory MP Nigel Evans has condemned the Government's "incompetent" handling of business which led to the cancellation of Prime Minister's Questions on Tony Blair's 1,000th day in office. The Conservatives were demanding two extra day's debate
THE bravery of the Lancashire Fusiliers (LF) been recognised throughout history in Bury. And on Monday (Jan 24) a host of civic and military dignitaries, LF veterans and members of Bury Grammar School's Combined Cadet Force, paid tribute to the fallen
I HAVE been thinking back over the past few weeks of events that took place and which caught the headlines. First there was the New Year celebrations, watching at home and thinking about the money that went up in smoke from John O'Groats to Lands End,
AS one Lancashire Fusilier put it, a Bury soldier who died in the First World War has finally "come home". The veteran was commenting as 20 members of Private Harry Wilkinson's family travelled from the south of England to Bury on Monday (Jan 24), all
RECENTLY I have been trying to use the wheelchair accessible 10A bus service operated by ARRIVA. I emphasise trying because on average the wait for this bus (which is not specifically listed on a timetable) is between 50 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes.
A FORMER headmaster accused of sexually abusing his pupils claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy. Robert Francis O'Brien, 57, of Fellside Farm Kemple End, Stonyhurst, has denied indecently assaulting four pupils at the exclusive St Mary's Hall school
I REFER to the article (Jan 14) regarding our local water supply. We may indeed be the recipients of "improved quality of drinking water", but has the water board considered the never-ending problems we have with a lack of supply or, to be more precise
I WISH to place on record my sincere thanks to members of the public who gave so generously to the Poppy Appeal in 1999, which culminated in a total of £24,900 being raised. This was an outstanding achievement for the area, which covers the town of Bury
PAUL Malliband watched in 'horror' as I badgered people in the Town Hall signing my petition. I know I'm not a pretty sight, but I never thought I was quite so awe-inspiring. If the spectacle of an aging councillor collecting signatures inspires Mr Malliband
I REALLY must say how simply delighted I am that £50,000 is being spent on six weeks of disruption to traffic at Bury Bridge in order to provide more lanes for those hundreds of commuters who use cycles to get around this fine borough. Why, sometimes
I WOULD like to thank the Bury Times for their excellent coverage of our recent FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur. A crowd of 100 saw a thrilling match which Bury won on penalties and which now sets up a fifth round tie against Wolves. I would also
I FEEL I need to reply for one last time to "Traveller" - or "Perplexed" as he now prefers to be known (Your Letters, Jan 21). His fixation with car ownership is clouding the issue of the proposed development on Spen Moor, although I would like to thank
OUR Readers' Recollection column is proving to be more popular than ever. Recently, many readers racked their brains to help Preston grandfather, Richard Jones, discover the story behind his Coronation Cup (Citizen, January 13) Now, another reader has
THE man behind Appliances Direct Ltd, in New Hall Lane, Preston, was disqualified from acting as a company director for four years at Oldham County Court last Monday (Jan 17). The disqualification order prevents Christopher Clempner, from Warrington Road
REFUGEES who have fled from the horrors of war should be allowed to live in peace. Compassionate Atherton people, who have helped asylum seekers housed on Hag Fold estate, have made that plea after window-smashing hooligans went on the rampage. Now the
JUST before Christmas a friend of mine who lives in Bury sent to me an article which appeared in the Bury Times and which was headlined: "Full-time for footie fan Sandy". It referred to the retirement of Sandy Paterson, Bury's director of personal and
MORE than 5,000 extra police are up for grabs in a new government initiative, but Lancashire is aiming for just 152 more Bobbies on the beat. "Of course we would like as many officers as possible, but there was no point in putting in a silly bid for the
IN the last two decades we have seen a significant increase in the number of houses and population in Ramsbottom. One of the main causes has been the building of many large family houses in the Whittingham Drive area which, together with the Nuttall Lane
AUTHOR David Holmes has hit the big time with the publication of his first novel. David's action adventure, The Father, The Son and The Unholy Ghost, has been a big hit, with 400 copies flying off the bookshelves in its first nine days. The spooky yarn
SOME pensioners are being forced to fork out £10 to the Benefits Agency after allowances were accidentally paid out twice! Monthly means-tested payments to old folk were handed out as usual on January 17, then paid again the following day. Honest pensioners
COUNCILLORS have put the brakes on Preston North End's plans to redevelop their Deepdale ground into a 30,000-seater stadium. Members of Preston Borough Council's planning committee voted to defer the ambitious plans to rebuild the Town End and Pavilion
AN alleyway used as an escape route for local yobs should be blocked off, say residents in Sharoe Green. People living in Heversham and Gatesgarth Avenues want a footpath which connects the two roads to be closed off in an attempt to stop vandals and
FIGHTING-FIT David Woods is fine figure of a man. But he can recall a time when he was a young girl with a 'gammy leg'. His began to recollect details his former self after delivering a parcel to Garstang Road, Preston, 20 years ago, during his days as
HORSE and carriage was not the ideal transport for the weather conditions, when the Lancashire Hill Country Visitor Newspaper was launched. But heavy snow caused even more problems for motorists attending the launching ceremony for the ninth edition at
A NEW campaign has been launched warning motorists about the dangers of using mobile phones while driving. A crashed car, giant mobile phone and a coffin were on show at the Lancashire fire training centre in Euxton last Friday to press home the safety
TEENAGERS are thanking a local grandmother for a most unusual gift - a Portakabin! The strange present has been given by Penwortham grandma-of-three Barbara Ward, and like the best presents, it gives the grateful receivers much more than the outside suggests
SOUTH Ribble residents are set to lose vital local health services. Despite a rise in investment this year from the government, Chorley and South Ribble Primary Healthcare Group has revealed that the funding will be insufficient to meet all of its targets
A red-faced van driver had to have his Transit towed to safety after it ended up stranded on top of central reservation crash barriers in the morning rush-hour. Police said William Gilbert, 66, of Milnrow, near Rochdale, lost control on the A56 Accrington
DAVID Moyes has a wealth of forwards at his disposal for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round trip to Everton. Kurt Nogan has made a full recovery from a hamstring strain, Gunnlaugsson was allowed to fly out to Spain 24 hours later than expected and Steve Basham
HAVING never attended a job-seekers office before, I went with my husband to assist him with the many forms he was required to fill after being made redundant. We were anxious at the appointment time and were treated with politeness. Many aspects were
THE ex-girlfriend of Cairo Zake said he "got what he deserved" after he received a life sentence for the murder of Preston man Paul Green. Mandy Woodruff's outburst followed Zake's five-day trial in Liverpool, where the court heard how he had shot Mr
BLACKBURN Hawks netminder Colin Downie will miss his side's ice hockey double header this weekend - and could be sidelined for the rest of the season. Downie's hamstring problem has flared up again and player-coach Bobby Haig reckons his season is finished
ONCE more, the peace process in Northern Ireland heads towards a nail-biting juncture - with the threat of Ulster being plunged back into the abyss as its new power-sharing government is brought down by First Minister David Trimble's resignation over
MAY I appeal to those shipmates who served in 'C' Class destroyers, i.e. CA, CO, CH and CR vessels, to join our association. The 8th Destroyer Flotilla/Squadron Association was originally limited to those who served in the 8th in the Far East from 1945
TWO disappointing defeats have seen the Shakers slip out of the play off chasing pack. However, the quality of play has been such that manager Andy Preece is far from downhearted, and he promises some team changes, which presumably means up front, and
A MOTORIST who had suffered a "massive head injury," and who faced being banned, told Burnley magistrates it was not such a bad thing because of his health. Darren Wright, 24, said he had had an accident, which had left him with problems. In a letter
I REFER to the proposed building of an Asian leisure centre in Bury and wonder how we are supposed to live as an integrated society when we build separate facilities for the Asian community? We are too sensitive to their cultural needs. Would they be
ACCRINGTON STANLEY manager John Coleman is expecting to hold talks with a couple of potential replacements for departed striker Gary Williams, but doesn't expect to unveil a new signing ahead of tomorrow's home game against Harrogate Town. "I am due to
MEMBERS of Billinge Youth and Community Enterprise Project (BYCEP) are looking to start regular activities with young people in the area. They are now appealing for parents, grandparents and adults to help out for a few spare hours every month. If you
PENSIONER Hazel Todd decided other people should benefit from her 75th birthday party as well as her family and friends. So Hazel, of Healey Mount, Burnley, gave a "present" of her own to a local charity by asking people to donate money to Hospice Care
NORTH West Water have reassured customers in Newton-le-Willows that there should not be any disruption during work on the Lightshaw water treatment works at Golborne, which supplies parts of the area. The plant will be closed until mid-March for the replacement
FYLDE Rugby Club's future still hangs in the balance as pressure mounts for the green light to sell off land for a supermarket complex. In the latest development in the saga, club officials have written to members strongly recommending them to write individual
ELIAN Gonzalez was just five when he was taken from Cuba by his mother and her boyfriend on a foolhardy and illegal attempt to migrate to the USA. Elian's father was unaware of this attempt to kidnap his son. Elian was found by fishermen off the coast
THE fatty's former champion Vanessa Feltz has shed a massive four stone in three months on "The Hearbreak Diet" and she plans to write a book about. It won't work for everyone. Vanessa fell apart when her surgeon husband walked out. After that she was
Halton 32, Burtonwood 20 POOR defence caused the Wooders' downfall on Saturday. But they started brightly and led through two tries by centre Tickle. Joe Paladino grabbed another and Owen converted to give Burtonwood a 17-12 interval lead. But it was
Bank Quay Bulls 36, UGB Lions 4 UG'S young and lighter forwards struggled against a well- drilled Bank Quay team. UG lost front row forwards Griffiths and Johnstone in the first half and at the break were 22-4 down with captain Den Hall scoring UG points
YOU have to admire businessman Howard Potter who took out a newspaper ad to apologise for his drunken antics on Millennium night. His £150 public notice said sorry to the entire staff of a hotel, several landlords, the residents of a drive, a man called
THE city council's Green group is calling for people power to make good the local authority's £700,000 budget shortfall. With councillors looking to make cuts and increase council tax, the Greens have called on the public and town hall workers to point
FAIRFIELD Hospital staff celebrated the hospital's 20th anniversary with a special dance at St Helens Town Hall. The hospital, which now employs 200 staff, was opened as a 40-bed independent charitable hospital in January, 1980. Today, it is a 63-bed
MORECAMBE football club have their first England international on their books. Nick Coyle, 17, was selected to play for England Schoolboys (Under 18) team in the forthcoming round of internationals - one of which will be played at Wembley. Nick, is part
Wigan St Judes 82, Parr Hare & Hounds 6 THIS game illustrated the gulf between the top and the bottom of the division as as struggling Hounds crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season against a strong and well-organised St Judes outfit who are
BLACKPOOL schoolgirl Mhari-Claire Doolan has written about "her dream come true" - the day she spent at the Millennium Dome in London. Some 500 Blackpool schoolchildren went south for the day to Britain's biggest attraction. And following on from last
WAINHOMES (Northern) Limited have won their appeal to build 12 detached homes in Birchley Road, Billinge, despite opposition from St Helens Council and local residents. The development is on the site of the old St Mary's RC School and residents mounted
Wigan St Patricks A 17, Haresfinch 14 FINCH were unlucky not to gain a surprise victory after a good performance against the league leaders. Defences were on top for most of the first half with the only scores coming from two penalty goals by the home
A BLACKPOOL boy has spurred the council into launching a campaign to make dog owners clean up after their pets. Eleven-year-old Vaughan Olley (pictured with Coun Matthews) wrote to Blackpool Borough Council in disgust after witnessing first hand the problem
ALERT policemen helped prevent a fatal Morecambe house fire from killing more people this week. The body of Michael Docherty, 49, was discovered in burnt out flats at Aldcliffe Court in Westgate in the early hours of Tuesday morning. It's believed the
Ruskin Park 11, Collegiate OB 8 FOR the third time in the Lancashire Plate competition, Ruskin gained the narrowest of victories, thanks to their tremendous defensive qualities. Penned in their own half for long periods Ruskin side soaked up the seemingly
Carnforth 15 Bay Horse 10 CARNFORTH bounced back from last weekend's league defeat with a deserved victory against local rivals Bay Horse. They ran in three tries and were 15-0 up with just ten minutes to go but found themselves hanging on at the death
Parkside Golborne 4, Thatto Heath Crusaders 22 THATTO Heath shook off the euphoria of the previous Tuesday's Lancashire Cup Final victory to overcome a tough Golborne side on Saturday. They were brought down to earth with a bump, when on the first set
AN ambulance-car was put out of action for an hour because it was clamped in Lancaster. Lancaster ambulance service received an emergency call while the emergency response vehicle was clamped at JJB Sports car park at 2pm on Sunday. The paramedic apparently
A FREE course for parents, carers and grandparents with youngsters in Reception and Year One classes is being held at the Rivington Centre, Rivington Road, St Helens. The Early Learning Skills course helps adults to understand how children learn to read
Ashton on Mersey 0, West Park 51 WITHOUT changing from first gear Park regained top spot in North West Division One of the Thwaites Northern Leagues with this nine-try romp. The two observers from Darlington, Park's cup opponents this weekend, would have
Lancaster City 0 Worksop Town 3 'WE'RE still in two cup competitions and the league,' asserted manager Tony Hesketh after this Tuesday night match. But he didn't try to hide his disappointment after his team made an ignominious exit from the highly prestigious
Pilkington Recs 28, Portico Panthers 29 PORTICO inflicted Recs' first league defeat since early September. The visitors' huge pack got on top early on and they registered a drop goal in the second minute, followed 15 minutes later by a try from Lee Cunningham
A BLACKPOOL toddler kicked off a building scheme this week which could make a huge difference to the future of the Fylde. Three-year-old Paul Simms donned a hard-hat and grabbed a shovel as tall as himself before cutting the first chunk of soil of the
A DISABLED Lancaster man protested against a 500 per cent increase in county council charges for the disabled this week. John Speak, vice chairman of Lancaster's Disabled Information Support Centre, is setting up a meeting for fellow disabled and elderly
A MORECAMBE man who admitted two drug charges had his case adjourned for a pre-sentence report at Preston Crown Court. Christopher Cumpsty, 27, of Heysham Road, pleaded guilty to supplying diamorphine, a class A drug, on June 30 and July 1st last year
POOL manager Steve McMahon believes Blackpool can - and will - win more games if the Seasiders continue playing as they did against Stoke. And he believes Brentford, chasing a play-off spot, can be swept aside on Saturday (January 29) if the Tangerines
Saints 6, Melbourne Storm 44 TOTALLY outclassed - yet not completely disgraced due to their stubborn refusal to throw in the towel. That was sorry Saints after this record eight-try Kelloggs World Club Challenge annihilation at the JJB Stadium, Wigan,
MORECAMBE MP Geraldine Smith received urgent treatment at the RLI last week. The MP was keen to praise hard pressed staff at the hospital. Miss Smith was attending a meeting for volunteers in Lancaster when she found she was unable to breathe. She immediately
THE Introduction to Sources for Local History course is to run again from the beginning of February in the Local History and Archives department of St Helens Central Library. The 12-week course introduces people to the range of documentary evidence available
PUPILS at a Morecambe school have found an upwardly mobile way to boost school funds. Parents, pupils and staff at Morecambe Bay Primary School released 400 balloons into the air last week with the owner of the balloon which flies the furthest winning
Liverpool St Helens 13, Stourbridge 16 THE new coaching sessions being taken by Saints' Eric Hughes are becoming increasingly apparent. For LSH continue to improve can count themselves unlucky to have lost this encounter. With scrum-half Liddle unavailable
A BAND and firm of solicitors raised £300 for the Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary at Oswaldtwistle, which is threatened with closure. Local band 24-7, a trio from Rishton and Great Harwood, organised a charity evening at the British Royal Legion in Rishton
I CANNOT thank you and your readers enough for all the support you have given to my Town Hall campaign to ban the use of electric goads at Blackpool Zoo. The response to your elephant poll was tremendous and heartwarming. The fight continues in the council
Simms Cross 14, Haydock 24 HAYDOCK kept up the pressure at the top of the North West Counties League Premier Division with this hard-fought victory. Simms Cross had the wind at their backs in the first period and enjoyed the majority of play. But Haydock
CARE for the elderly in Blackpool has been highly praised by an association which also slammed Lancashire County Council. Lancashire Care Association says it has made significant strides with Blackpool Council with their "star rating" system. At the same
A GOVERNMENT report has raised questions about the safety of staffing levels at Heysham's nuclear power stations. The authoritative report from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate warns that severe reductions in staff levels have jeopardised key operations
TWO teenage football squads meet again this Sunday in a bid to make cup progress. Rainford Rangers take on Knowsley South in a Rainhill Junior League Under 15s Cup replay. RESULTS Saturday Under 10s mini soccer: Lane Ends Athletic 0 Captains Lane Celtic
AN EMOTIONAL reunion and fund-raising evening was held at Accrington Stanley Football Club. Pupils from St Christophers CE High School, Accrington between 1958 and 1962 met again to raise cash for an all-weather training pitch. Accy Rockers, some of whose
TREMENDOUS thanks to your paper for providing the "Christmas Greetings from Abroad" feature. I e-mailed greetings to my sister and her husband (Madge & Donald Hirst). They received my greeting, but through the greeting to my sister, two of my old
WHAT do we think of Morecambe so far? Not rubbish! Well, at least it's a lot better than it used to be. That was the verdict of business people responding to yet another magazine article criticising the resort. Escape Routes travel magazine called Frontierland
A MAN armed with a craft knife walked into a convenience store, threatened the two female cashiers and escaped with the takings. The robbery took place at the Co-Op Late Shop in Parr Stocks Road, Parr, at about 9pm on Tuesday, January 18. And the robber
LANCASTER'S Ludus Dance Company is spearheading a international millennium dance project that will be showcased across the country and abroad. "Our Future, On Reflection" marks the beginning of an international youth dance festival to forge cultural links
St Helens Town 0, Great Harwood 2 IT IS a fact of sporting life that all teams will suffer a dip in fortunes in the course of a season but Town's struggle to pull out of theirs is becoming acute. Saturday's visit of lowly Great Harwood was Town's sixth
A BURGLAR who offered police officers stolen property at a shop set up as part of a special operation has been jailed for five years. The premises in York Street East, Morecambe, were being run by police as part of an undercover operation centred on stolen
A GROUP of lucky business students flew to the bright lights of New York this week to take part in a business seminar. The 19 students, aged 16-18, are all studying for the GNVQ Business qualification at Sutton High School. They and teachers, Mike Chew
EXPERIENCED Carr Mill rode their luck and took their chances to see off Eccleston United in the St Helens Combination's Hospital Cup semi-final. Their goals came from Steve Dearden (2) and Robbie Stroud while the Eccleston side could only notch up an
HEARTLESS thugs are making life hell for staff and patients at a Kirkham hospital. Workers at Wesham Park Hospital are being harrassed at night by groups of local youths who roam the premises and perform acts of mindless violence. In recent months the
A NEW Council Tax reduction for disabled people living in band A properties begins this April. In order to qualify, the property must have been adapted to meet the needs of a disabled person - child or adult - living in the house. If you think you may
A DELIGHTED Greg Pope has welcomed the news that Subbuteo table football has been saved and is planning to celebrate with a Blackburn Rovers versus Accrington Stanley FA Cup Final played with his sons. The Hyndburn MP was upset when makers Hasbro announced
A SCHOOL mourning the death of a media studies teacher is to hold a celebration of the contribution he made to pupils' lives. Nick Furlonger, 39, died after collapsing in front of pupils during rehearsals for the Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle,
THE Kenyon Junction public inquiry - a vital link in the Xanadu leisure complex plan - resumes at 10am on Tuesday at Leigh Town Hall. Kenyon Residents Group with allies Kenyon Lane and District Residents' Association, Culcheth and Glazebury Action Group
PILKINGTON and the German glass processor, Interpane International Glass, are to form a joint venture in France to construct the world's first integrated float glass manufacturing, laminating and coating plant. The jointly-owned and operated plant, which
A RETIRED police officer who was said to be very depressed hanged himself almost four years after quitting a job he loved. East Lancashire Coroner David Smith heard how Paul Rowley, 46, of Condarol Cottage, Sellers Fold Farm, Hapton, had suffered nerve
THE search for a financial lifeline goes on for Shakers chairman Terry Robinson despite a profit of almost £1 million for the year end June 1999. That's the message that will come out of Gigg Lane when the club reconvene their Annual General Meeting on
Reporter Mike Ribbeck continues his diaries on giving up smoking YET more letters of encouragement have arrived on my desk this week from people who have stopped smoking. Hearing from other former smokers who have been through the same trials and tribulations
NO-ONE sweeps roads like this man sweeps roads. That's the verdict of county-wide selection committee and at least one member of the public. Geoffrey Herd brushed off competition from no fewer than 60 other road sweepers from across the county to win
NORTH End winger David Eyres will be fit for Saturday's FA Cup game against his boyhood heroes Everton. Manager David Moyes confirmed to the Citizen on Wedneday that the winger has made better-than-expected progress in recovering from a rib injury sustained
LEIGH warehouseman Jimmy Smith has paid the price of being an Elvis fan. He 'Asda get up' and perform at every store party. And colleagues think he is so much like the King he was roped in to perform in the Atherleigh Way store all day to celebrate what
TICKETS for Preston North End's biggest football match in 30 years are being sold by touts for more than £200. The severe shortage of tickets for PNE's FA Cup fifth round tie away at Everton this weekend has given ticket touts an ideal opportunity to
Sedgley Park 12 New Brighton 21 PRIOR to the match, Sedgley had fancied their chances against title-chasing New Brighton, but the power of the visitors' pack, their organisation, and their outstanding defence all proved a gap too wide for Park to bridge
Wright On! - A wry look at life, with Shelley Wright PICTURE this, if you will, and ask yourself how you would feel if you were me. Gutted? Generally cheesed off? Annoyed? See what you think. On Monday morning, just before 8am, I was making my way from
POLICE are appealing to anyone who may have information about a sneak theft from a 73-year-old man on Monday, January 17. The incident happened at about 1.30pm just after the pensioner had left Bates Newsagents in Baldwin Street. Three men bumped into
FOLLOWING a massive response from Halton residents the county council has decided to continue to allow cars to use Denny Beck Bridge. The well-used crossing over the Lune has been under investigation by the county council following prompting by Lancaster
TWO petrol stations within a mile of each other were robbed insaide 20 minutes on Sunday by a man wielding an iron bar. And later, a Hindley Green off-licence was robbed by a knife-weilding man. At 6.50pm a man burst into Boundary Filling Station on Manchester
A NEW regional task force designed to tackle the problems faced by seaside resorts will focus on Morecambe at its inaugural meeting next week. The Resorts Task Force, made up of representatives from local Government, the private sector and the North West
BUSINESSES are being challenged to get involved in helping the community. The GTECH/Europrint Employee Involvement Scheme has launched its Challenge programme for the year 2000 to get employees to carry out one-off assignments, usually in work time. Challenges
THE Lancaster area has been suffering an increase in thefts from garden sheds and the theft of garden ornaments, claim police. Birdbaths, gnomes, planters, tools and cycles are all targets for thieves and much of the stolen property is not marked and
BUILDING work will start in a fortnight on a replacement for the area's oldest school. Chowbent Primary School - parts of which span three centuries - is moving after the Council won a £1.5m bid for a new building. Under the government's New Deal for
ELEVENTH hour talks to save Lancaster's Citizens Advice Bureau from financial crisis are under way following a major cut in funds. The cash-strapped city council has voted to slash the CAB grant by £10,000 and there are fears that the advice centre could
HARRY Williams, the last Mayor of St Helens under a borough council, has died in hospital in Devon, aged 91. Father of five Harry, who lived in Gartons Lane, Sutton, for most of his life, first joined the then St Helens County Borough Council in 1960
LANCASTER was the focus of peace protesters from around the world this week as two women appeared at Lancaster Crown Court charged with causing £25,000 worth of damage to a nuclear submarine. Rosie James and Rachel Wenham swam out to the Vengeance Nuclear
THE family of former magistrate and president of Newton Rotary Club, Wilfrid Edwin Jones, who has died aged 80, have paid tribute to their father's many achievements both in business and to the local community. Wilfrid was educated at Newton Grammar School
A 74-YEAR-OLD woman suffered an injury to her shoulder after being clipped by a car wing mirror in Mitella Street, Burnley, last night. Emily Coupe, of Anne Close, Burnley, was allowed home from Burnley General Hospital after treatment. The Fiat Ducato
BURY-based Regency Factors, the leading independent North West finance house, has appointed John Farrell as general manager. John was formerly business manager with The Royal Bank of Scotland in Manchester. The 34-year-old is married and lives in Kearsley
BUS firm Arriva announced this week that it has bid £34.7million for MTL, Merseyside's biggest bus and rail operator. The deal has been agreed by MTL's management, but it is subject to the agreement of the company's 2,500 driver-shareholders who will
FIREFIGHTERS in Padiham will be fully loaded and ready for action with the delivery of two new fire engines. The first Leyland 60 series vehicle arrived this week, replacing a D-registered Leyland 180. The new machine has higher specifications, better
SHE certainly means business - that's Irene Heyes. For the Bury College adult student has been selected by the National Examining Board (NEB) as a regional award winner following her recent outstanding exam achievement. Now, thanks to her efforts, Irene
CUSTOMERS at a clinic are being offered the chance of a "free" massage in return for a donation to a local charity. Charis Rowlands, who runs the clinic above Oscars video shop, Scotland Road, Nelson, is offering her services free of charge provided customers
THREE men from Burnley and Preston have been released on police bail pending further inquiries into an attack on a Bolton nightclub bouncer. The 33-year-old doorman sufered stab wounds to his arms and legs at the Atlantis nightclub, Waters Meeting Road
BUSINESS leaders in Bury are to be quizzed on the European Single Currency. Bolton and Bury Chamber has joined with the UK Chamber network to launch the definitive survey of business opinion on the Euro. Rival Euro groups, Business for Sterling and Britain
POLICE have pledged to step up their presence in the Clinkham Wood area in response to the Star's front page report that MTL Transport had taken off evening buses because of attacks by gangs of youths. The 23 and 24 buses, which call at Dalehead Place
YOUNG entrepreneurs at Bury Grammar School (Boys) have won the Bury and District finals of the national Young Enterprise competition. The eight teenagers will now go through to the next round to compete in the regional finals with their company, NETTEK
BURY companies are being urged to make a pledge with a lasting impact - to invest in their own learning. Adults in full or part-time work are being invited by Bolton and Bury Chamber to open Individual Learning Accounts (ILA) in which they must make a
SUPERGRAN Barbara Ward has single-handedly masterminded a plan to give local youngsters a safe haven. The self-styled entrepreneur wants to provide a hi-tech hang-out for the youths - complete with computers and refreshment facilities - all set up in
CERTAINLY not lost for words - that's pupils from St Gabriel's RC High School in Bury. The team won the zone finals of the Rotary Club's popular "Youth Speaks" competition. Now, the teenagers will represent the area in the next stage of the competition
A "GLASS" act - that's Bury firm Elantic Engineering. The company has manufactured an edge stress system for use in the production of glass at Pilkington's factory in Sweden. Pilkington is a major supplier of flat and safety glass with annual revenues
ST HELENS-born author Carole Matthews has had her third book published. And the former Notre Dame High School pupil, whose mum and stepdad still live in the Laffak area, is hoping that 'More To Life Than This' will prove as popular as her first two novels
METROLINK will literally be "clamping" down on illegally parked cars. That's the warning to commuters who park their vehicles at Bury, Radcliffe, Prestwich and Heaton Park stations. The company says any vehicles found to be illegally parked, or occupying
GETTING the right blend - that's a Bury company which has made a significant investment of more than £250,000 to boost production. The money has funded a new fully automated powder and aggregate blending plant for industrial flooring specialist, John
HOPES of a new life in their dream house went up in smoke for a Radcliffe couple after fire badly damaged the house the day they were due to move in. The shocked owners, Mr Geoff Norton and his wife Lynn, arrived at their new home in Higher Ainsworth
SWIMMER Sarah Healey and cyclist, Tim Barber, are the first to be given the new Gold Cards issued by St Helens Council to help train potential sports stars of the future. Selected for their potential, Sarah and Tim will now benefit from free use of council
A RADCLIFFE couple will return to Belarus later this year for their fourth mercy mission to take vital aid to children suffering sickness, poverty and hardship. Mr Rick Krzyworaczka (54) and his wife, Kazia (52), of Bealey Close, have been making deliveries
JACK Hewitt, the St Helens pensioner who became the National Lottery's oldest jackpot winner when he scooped £1.6 million nearly two years ago, has died at the age of 81. The former pillmaker, who lived in Morley Way, near the town centre, died in his
BURY'S first team squad this week turned to motorsport in a bid to get their Second Division campaign back on track! Joint player-bosses Andy Preece and Steve Redmond took the lads go-karting on Tuesday and aim to make sure they aren't left on the starting
TENANTS of property at Moss Bank which St Helens Council plans to transfer to a housing association will be offered a pledge on rent levels for the next 10 years as part of the deal. Proposals agreed by St Helens Housing and Environmental Services Committee
STAFF and pupils at Rainford High School are celebrating after being told that the school has succeeded in its bid for specialist technology college status, which will put it bang at the cutting edge of education. The £630,000 bid means that the school
GLAZEBURY CC needs new players for their first season in the expanded Manchester Association. After a successful three-year spell in the North West Counties League the club will start the new season in the Second Division of the competition. Players of
MILKMEN in St Helens claim they are being driven round the bend by the road changes in St Helens town centre. But while St Helens Council says they are willing to discuss the case, officers say their own services - like the binmen - are coping with the
A RESIDENT on the estate where buses were temporarily halted at night because of attacks by gangs of youngsters, has accused St Helens Council of contributing to the growing vandalism problem by moving "problem families" from other areas into the neighbourhood
A MOPED and a car were in collision in Duckworth Street, Darwen yesterday afternoon. Pauline Bentley, 19, of Cemetery Road, Darwen, was driving a Piaggio 50cc moped and the Fiat Uno was driven by Julie Whalley, 32, of Columbia Way, Blackburn. Pauline
HOPES of a jobs boost have been unveiled for Burnley with a filter firm's production moving to the town from Surrey. McLeod Russel Holdings - parent firm of Farrington Road based Interfilta - has bought Vokes Filtration in a £8million deal. Over the next
AN angry passenger who changes trains daily at Blackburn's demolished station today launched a furious broadside at railway bosses and said: "It has become the stop from hell." Hyndburn Council worker Kevin Meagher, 24, spends up to half an hour at the
A 19-YEAR-OLD escaped serious injury when he lost control of a Ford Escort which left a remote moorland road. Benjamin Thomas, of Meadow Bottom, Todmorden, suffered shock and a small cut to his head in the accident on Long Causeway, Cliviger, near the
ANGEL was on high in an extra-time thriller with Black Horse in the Leigh & District Football League's Redwaters Coronation Cup. Their second round clash went beyond 90 minutes with Angel sneaking it 4-3 with doubles from Barry Schofield and Andy
AN elderly couple are demanding action, claiming that yobs fired an airgun at them through their window. Retired nurse Mr Michael Wyatt fears that he and his wife, Sylvia, may have been targeted in the attack at their home in Tintern Avenue, Whitefield
TAX payers in East Lancashire face the smallest increase in their council tax for years because of the county council's most relaxed budget for a decade. After huge budget cuts accompanied by large council tax rises through the 1990s, councillors yesterday
THE information super highway could prove to be the road to fortune for a 22-year-old Radcliffe man. Two years ago Anthony Ascroft was a wheelie-bin cleaner but now his internet firm - worth a £20 million - looks set to transform his life. His success
BURNLEY will look to close the gap on Second Division leaders Wigan Athletic to just six points by taking their home form with them to promotion rivals Stoke City tomorrow. With Preston and Wigan without a game because of North End's FA Cup clash at Everton
CHILDREN at a Leyland school are in a bit of a stew at lunchtimes after their dinner lady set off on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Youngsters at Lever House Primary, in Bristol Avenue, say they can't wait for welfare assistant Gwyneth Murphy to return
DARING couples are still needed to prove their love for each other by taking part in a "Leap of Love" charity abseil on Valentine's Day weekend. The challenge is not just open to couples, as single people who are looking for love are also invited to take
MY mother (aged 85) has had two cataract operations during the past twelve months and all the staff, doctors, nurses and ancillaries in the ophthalmic department at Lancaster infirmary, have acted with efficiency, kindness and consideration. Mrs Marsland
ROTARY Club members will campaign against blindness in India, in memory of a former president and businessman Dennis Bullock, who died last November. Mr Bullock, of Somerset Avenue, Wilpshire, was a member of Blackburn West club club for 22 years and
VILLAGE shops have been seizing a cash lifeline to support the vital services they offer. The Countryside Agency and the Community Council of Lancashire are urging shop owners to apply to the Village Shops Development Scheme, which offers grants of between
KEVIN Gallacher today warned his Newcastle team-mates they could be in for a rocky ride at Ewood in the FA Cup on Monday night. The Scottish international striker, who became Bobby Robson's first signing when he quit Blackburn for St James's earlier in
I HAVE been following the Citizen's dog debate with interest and had to write in after witnessing a particular sight on Tuesday lunchtime. I was going about my business in the centre of Lancaster when I saw a police horse relieving itself on the pedestrianised
TOURISM in Blackpool could be devastated unless the influx of asylum seekers is stopped, hoteliers fear. Hundreds of refugees are now staying in the town after being placed here by councils in South-east England. Many are in accommodation within the council
SOCCER used to be played, in pre-war seasons, on the exact Peasley Cross industrial site where Saints now plan to pitch their tent. Not a lot of people know that . . . but reader Ray Williams is among those who do! He mentions this snippet of sporting
I wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much I enjoy the St. Helens Star newspaper online. I grew up in Newton-le-Willows and now live in New Jersey, USA. It lets me know what is going on and I feel like it is still a part of me. I love the local
FOUR pupils from Westholme Sixth Form College have won places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The head girl at the college, Sarah Turner, 18, will go to Pembroke College, Cambridge, to read History of Art. She will be joined at Pembroke by Gemma
Taster Day - various activities, Sudellside Community Centre, Darwen, 10am-3pm. Hyndburn Ramblers meet Plantation Street, 9.30am/10.15am Ribchester car park. Leader: Paul Brown. (10 miles). Accrington and Blackburn CHA Club meet Bulls Head car park, Wilpshire
AN East Lancashire MP is urging retailers to ban cash machines which charge customers from other financial institutions for withdrawals. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans spoke out as the row over charges for using cashpoints grows. MPs are furious at the
THE ghost of the pale Irish navvy comes flitting across this page following my recent yarn about the tough and colourful spadesmen who dug out the Sankey Canal. Though rarely spoken of these days, the ghost of 35-year-old Shane O'Connor is reputed to
MISSING millionaire Hugh Eaves, who is at the centre of legal action over alleged £15 million Stock Market losses, has been found in Hong Kong. And reports indicate the Tottington-born financier and majority Bury FC shareholder is set to return to the
I WOULD like to thank St Helens Council for sending heavy traffic down my street. Standish Street is now a major road for diverted traffic. This area has a school, a pub, people live here. People can't walk on a motorway, so why should we put up with
A 45-YEAR-old man has been banned from approaching his estranged wife or going within 400 metres of her Chipping home. Blackburn magistrates heard that David Luke Holt harassed Veronica Holt between July 1 and August 22 last year. And the couple's 13-
MARY Lucas McCormack admits to shedding a sentimental tear or two when she spotted a nostalgic contribution on this page from pensioner Edith Carter. Miss Carter, now in her eighties, had supplied a splendid word-picture, featuring one of her favourite
I am sending this e-mail from Toronto in Canada. Both myself and a friend who lives in the USA left Rainford High School in 1980. We have heard a rumour that there may be a school reunion this year and we would like to get back for this. We think that
AS a virtual non-punter, I couldn't pick out a racing cert from a can of Kennomeat. But if I ever do decide to increase my turf interest beyond an annual flutter on the Grand National, then you'll be sure to find me toddling down to the Turks Head for
JUST before Christmas my family could not get into my house on Melbourne Road because they could not park anywhere around these streets and they had travelled a long way with a young baby. For this reason I supported a residents only parking scheme but
A WOMAN has appealed to Ribble Valley councillors to keep a transport lifeline open so that elderly and disabled people do not become a "burden on their families." Wendy Hollin, of Abbot's Croft, Whalley, urged councillors to support the ShopMobility
HERE we go again - Civic Illuminations Ltd are suing us, that is they are suing you, me and every other unfortunate council tax payer in the district. They are suing us because they insist that the council has breached a legal and binding agreement with
THERE are many people looking forward to the construction of the Millennium Bridge (if that's what it is to be called) across the River Lune which is scheduled to be finished around May. While accepting in principle the positive aspects of the new bridge
YOUR front page article last week about the City Council's dispute with Civic Illuminations and the crucial missing (or non-existent) council document, seems to offer yet another example of the remarkable creativity displayed by officers when it comes
IF Mr York (Your Letters, Jan 7) has problems buying a ticket in future he should refer to the by-laws of the system. Those by-laws say that it is up to Metrolink to provide the customer with the facility to purchase a ticket. If that is the customer's
ON a recent trip to my home town of Bury, I went to visit my mother's grave at All Saints, Elton. My grandparents and great grandfather are also buried there. You cannot imagine my distress and horror at the sight that awaited me there. As I went round
WITH reference to the article about Richard Jones and his coronation mug of King George VI and his wife, Elizabeth, now the Queen mum (Citizen, January 13). I remember when I was at school down south my eldest brother, sister and myself were given a cup
THE FUNERAL of Leigh schoolboy Michael Gregory took place at the town's parish church. Thirteen-year-old Michael from Blewbury Close, Leigh, died after suffering head injuries in a collision with a car on Atherleigh Way. Michael was a Year Eight pupil
MR Jim Bryson is entitled to the opinion that 'activities' in the toilets around Moor Park are more reprehensible than the actions of footballers who drive into the park. I, in fact, share that opinion. Mr Bryson, however, is not entitled to ascribe to
AS a local councillor and patron of the Leyland Festival, I was both suprised and disappointed to read County Councillor Tim Farron's comments in your newspaper (Dig deep and pay up, Citizen 20/01/2000). Leyland Festval is a charitable event organised
PRESTON Borough Council has two new faces among its members - but it appears that voters couldn't care less. Two by-elections were held in Preston last week, following the deaths of Rural East councillor Eric Gates and Central ward councillor Gerry Walmsley
THE deaths of four people in custody during 1999 has spurred Lancashire Police to improve safety measures. The incidents last year, which inspired the changes, include: A suicide in the cells in Clitheroe. A custody sergeant is waiting for a disciplinary
THE letter from Christine Holt (Jan 7) brought back many memories for me, as an old Gay of 69 years. At school, and during the early part of my career, I managed to hide my sexuality from parents, church, school-mates and others. When I met my first partner
A NEW campaign has been launched warning motorists about the dangers of using mobile phones while driving. A crashed car, giant mobile phone and a coffin were on show at the Lancashire fire training centre in Euxton last Friday to press home the safety
IT'S good to see a couple of councillors responding to Citizen Smith's challenge last week that our elected officials were too "spineless or witless" to do anything to stop the haemorrhaging of public monies from the town hall. A bit near the knuckle
ICE maiden Louise Walden has shown that practice makes perfect - by winning a place on the Junior British Ice Skating team. The 16-year-old, from Fulwood, has made the 40-minute journey to Altrincham every day for the past three years in her quest to
ANTI-MOTORWAY protesters clashed with Traffic Minister Robert Atkins and MP Peter Pike in Burnley. They hoped to drive home their message that the M65 should not be extended into Yorkshire, despite claims from council officials and Mr Pike that it would
BACUP have confirmed the appointment of Australian international Adam Dale as their new professional. The 31-year-old Queensland seamer, revealed as the man Bacup wanted in yesterday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, has accepted the offer to spearhead
A BUILDER from St Annes has hit back after a Preston woman claimed he ruined her home. Stephen Ward, who runs Damp Tech, reacted furiously to Katherine Moorby's claims that his work wasn't up to scratch. The dispute first came to light when Mrs Moorby
SAM Allardyce has called for his players to concentrate on the job in hand to avoid being knocked out of two major Cup competitions in the space of four days. Following Wanderers' midweek Worthington Cup exit at Tranmere, Allardyce has ordered his players
ANGRY passenger Kevin Meagher speaks for a lot of travellers today when he calls Blackburn's demolition-site rail station "the stop from hell," There are no toilets, no waiting rooms and no shelter. The place is dismal, uncomfortable and an eyesore. But
THE boys from Biffa have signed up to become the keepers of Burnley's bins. The national waste disposal company exchanged contracts with council chiefs after winning the £1.7million-a-year street cleaning and waste disposal work for the next seven years
IT was with great dismay that I read Mr Harold Heys' comments (Letters, January 21) about the current exhibition of Turner paintings at Blackburn Art Gallery. I am a regular visitor to the gallery and made sure that I did not miss seeing work by one of
LITTLE Ieuan Owen is being hailed a hero by police after dialling for help when his dad Colin suffered three epileptic fits in the space of half an hour. Four-year-old Ieuan was at home with his dad on Saturday afternoon and the pair were getting ready
FORMER Newcastle United striker David Eatock could be set to make a shock return to UniBond First Division club Chorley. England manager Kevin Keegan paid Chorley £25,000 for Eatock five years ago after he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old. But despite
LADY Muriel Oxford, widow of former Merseyside Chief Constable, Sir Kenneth, has died at the age of 73. Lady Oxford was attacked by an intruder at her Rainford home in August last year, and a 42-year-old man from St Helens is due to appear in court next
IN his protestations of his Englishness, Mr D Bullen (Letters, January 21) says he has always referred to himself as English and not British. Well, that is his prerogative. I have always referred to myself as Welsh and not British - Snap! - although I
CLARETS defender Dean West joined in the fun when schoolkids turned back the clock to celebrate the year 2000. Ightenhill primary school organised events for a millennium week, during which different year groups have been studying different periods of
THE Scorpions avenged a 54-0 drubbing earlier in the season with this hard-fought 17-16 victory over the Shevington Sharks. The Scorpions had the better of the exchanges early on but failed to take their chances with the final pass just going astray.
IN response to Mrs H Jackson (Letters, January 24), it is and always has been a fact that after six weeks in hospital, retirement pension books are recalled and, in some circumstances, are down-rated. No-one needs to worry that after two weeks' hospitalisation
PUPILS and staff at Arnold School in Blackpool are no strangers to raising money for local causes and have decided that the year 2000 will be no exception. With a number of keen cyclists among the teaching staff, it was only a matter of time before Cycle
Gillingham 1, Blackpool 3 THE 'Cheats' signs were up and the chants of 'Same Old Blackpool' were ringing through the stands of Priestfield on Saturday (January 22). But even this couldn't distract the travelling Tangerines from the task in hand. The trip
IT beggars belief that Councillor Ashley Whalley (LET, January 21) should cite the city of Oxford as a shining example of how a vibrant and bustling shopping centre can be created in Blackburn, in one easy stroke of the traffic engineer's pencil. He obviously
THREE charity groups received a gift of their choice paid for with money raised by customers and staff at Burnley Sainsbury's. The store's Christmas Challenge raised £306 by asking customers to donate 10p each to pay for a link in a paper chain in the
KING Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham have gone one step further than most in remembering the millennium - by presenting its pupils with a special commemorative mug. A total of 158 children were given the china beakers by school governors Edward
BISPHAM Child Health Clinic is moving to new premises in Ward B1 at Billinge Hospital from Monday, February 7. The clinic will be held on alternate Mondays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, and services provided include community paediatrician and health visitor
HOPES of a jobs boost have been unveiled for Burnley with a filter firm's production moving to the town from Surrey. McLeod Russel Holdings - parent firm of Farrington Road based Interfilta - has bought Vokes Filtration in a £8million deal. Over the next
THE lucky winners of this week's Willowbrook Hospice Lottery are Mr and Mrs Eden from Huyton who take home the £2,000 jackpot. Other big winners were Mrs S. Allen of Rainhill who won £200, Miss L. Unwin from Prescot who won £125, Mr J. Gornall from Haydock
Stoke City 2, Blackpool 1. STOKE claimed revenge for their FA Cup exit by Blackpool in a thrilling Auto Windscreens encounter on Tuesday (January 25), writes Chris Dixon. But the Seasiders, beaten 2-1 on the night, were by far the superior force in an
