Archive

  • Positive experience

    PHYSICS students at Arnold School in Blackpool were left asking "what's the matter?" on a recent trip to Switzerland to study the biggest particle accelerator in Europe. A nine-strong group of pupils went to Switzerland last month to study at CERN, the

  • Prize winning pair clean up

    ONE lucky couple are now enjoying an easier time in the kitchen after winning a dishwasher. Karina and Peter Morgan (front) won the state-of-the-art appliance in the Blackburn Orphanage Cup, which was drawn last week. The prize was donated by Space Kitchens

  • Tribal war is simply tripe

    'TIS the season to be jolly -- unless you are a football fan from East Lancashire. In which case, this season -- more than any other in the last 17 years -- seems to be the season to be angry. Fierce local rivalry is all well and good and part and parcel

  • That's entertainment

    COMPACT disc players and video tapes were presented to the East Lancashire Hospice by a charity set up to raise money for patients. Catch 22 was set up by friends Tracy Reid and Kerry Jackson when they were both being treated for cancer in the Blackburn

  • Couple's diamond stroll

    A STROLL in Corporation Park resulted in 60 years of happy marriage for Blackburn couple John and Cicely Knowles. The couple celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today and will throw a party at their home at Bowman Court sheltered accommodation

  • Too busy to work?

    WHAT an extraordinary admission from UK Independence MEP, Jeffrey Titford (letters, December 18) -- that he deals with "committee meetings by having appointed two senior staff...to represent me." Let readers be under no illusion about what Mr Titford

  • Urgent need for action

    THE crossroads at Marsh House Lane/Roman Road/Hoddlesden Road, near Hoddlesden, Darwen, was the scene of yet another horrendous accident last Saturday. Commonly, I suppose you would now call this crossroads "a death trap." When is "enough is enough" going

  • Message unrealistic

    OH no! Not another Don't Drink and Drive campaign by the police this Christmas! Big yawn. We've heard it all before. Don't get me wrong; I think it's vital that the police -- and everyone else -- gets across the message about the dangers of drinking and

  • Firebugs blamed for church blaze

    ARSONISTS were today blamed for a devastating fire which ripped through a town centre church. More than 50 firefighters from across East Lancashire fought the blaze at St Anne's RC Church in King Street, Blackburn, after it broke out at around 4am. The

  • Halifax winning Higham battle

    HALIFAX appear to have won their battle with St Helens over rising star Mick Higham. The Blue Sox signed the former Leigh Centurions hooker in September but when St Helens announced they had also secured Higham's services, Rugby Football League bosses

  • Kids get in for a quid

    ROVERS are to operate a "kid for a quid" scheme for the forthcoming FA Cup clash with Chester City. The club today announced reduced admission prices for the third round clash with the Conference side at Ewood Park on Saturday, January 6, 2001. But, while

  • Souness to watch St Etienne midfielder

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is weighing up a move for St Etienne star Pape Sarr. The classy Senegalese midfielder, described as the 'new Patrick Vieira,' has been recommended to the Ewood chief. And Souness looks set to watch the player in action against

  • In the swim for New Year

    THE traditional Lee Dam New Year Swim at Lumbutts, Todmorden, is to be held on Sunday, January 7. The money raised will be shared equally by the Todmorden Swimming Club and the Hippodrome Flood Appeal. Swimmers are asked to report between 1.30pm and 2pm

  • Conference was no secret

    ABUSE against adults was the topic of the No Secrets in Lancashire conference held at Turf Moor this week. Organised by Lancashire County Council, the event was aimed at developing long term strategies to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and compare

  • Roles reverse in fire engine blaze

    A MEMBER of the public used a hose reel from his garage to put out a blaze on a fire appliance in an amazing role-reversal incident. The good neighbour in Langfield, Worsthorne came to the rescue when the special environmental protection unit based at

  • Merry Christmas - now watch it!

    KNOWN criminals may not be at the top of most people's Christmas card list but offenders in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale have become an exception. They are not only receiving festive greetings from police in the Pennine Division but are having their

  • MPs divided over embryo research

    EAST Lancashire MPs told today how they struggled to reach decisions before voting on human embryo research. MPs opted by a majority of 192 for a change in the law which would allow scientists to clone embryos up to 14 days old and extract stem cells

  • Nurses' boost

    REGULARS and staff did their bit for a charity push at the Clayton Arms. Eleanor Daniels, manager of the Nelson pub, presented £540 to Jackie Roberts, appeals manager for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Macmillan nurses. The money was raised at various

  • Auction bid to mend roads

    THE government should sell off high valued vehicles impounded because their owners won't pay their car tax, and the money could pay for local road improvements, Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has suggested. Currently, impounded cars are crushed. Last year

  • Chemists on festive season duty

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24): Earlston Pharmacy, 35 Eccleston Street, Prescot;

  • Girls are Step-ping into the limelight

    TEEN band TKO play a huge homecoming gig supporting superband Steps. Katie White and Emma Lally, both 18, and 21-year-old new girl Katy Malloy will appear before an audience of 14,000 at Manchester's MEN Arena. The concert will be the largest ever for

  • Guess who shows the way again?

    AS I have reported previously, East Lancs is getting very cyberminded, with lots of talk of becoming an e-community getting support from local, national and European government. But, just like the sunbeds on holidays, the Germans got there first of course

  • Barn stormer over planning muddle

    PROUD home owner Ian Deuchars could face a £25,000 bill to remove dormer windows and a chimney from his barn conversion after a planning mix-up with Ribble Valley Council. The council's planning committee heard that permission to convert the attached

  • Searching for proof

    I HAVE been known to be somewhat cynical about the bible and that in the past, but one bloke is out to get archaeological proof. You may have seen a documentary series on Channel 4 about this, and there is also a website devoted to proving that Sodom

  • Surfing into Christmas

    IT'S the festive season and there's tons and tons of stuff about Christmas on the web, from the sacred to the profane, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Here are a few festive highlights: Anyone believing Christmas is too commercialised can have their

  • Carelton top table tennis league

    CARLETON A maintain a three point lead in the Premier Division of the Lytham St Annes and District Table Tennis League despite losing 7-3 to third placed Ansdell Arena A, but have played one more game than improving St Annes YMCA A who stormed to a 10

  • Scorpions squeeze home

    Blackpool Scorpions 12 Ashton 10 ASHTON gave the Scorpions their toughest game of the season so far, which belied their lowly league position. It was the visitors who settled into their rhythm straight away and they deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes

  • Murphy's double gives welcome festive tonic

    Blackpool 3 Exeter 0 Scorers: Murphy (2), Ormerod By Chris Reece AFTER the poor finishing and lack of invention against Yeovil last week it was good to see the Seasiders create chances and finish them to cruise to an emphatic victory. As a bonus there

  • RUGBY UNION: Tyldesley shine

    TYLDESLEY RU's game at Bury was called off so attention shifted to the second and third teams who both produced outstanding displays. The second team went 10-0 down at home to Bury after just 15 minutes of play but they fought back to register an impressive

  • Little: We're still in the hunt

    CLARETS wing wizard Glen Little insists Burnley's season is still alive and kicking and hopes to be back to lend his support against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Burnley go into the game against second-placed Bolton at Turf Moor on the back of derby

  • Cup victory for Lytham Ladies

    Lytham Ladies 6 Nelson Ladies 2nd XI 2 A GREAT team performance saw Lytham Ladies go through to the next round of the Lishman Cup. A bright start saw Kelly Gore score on her debut but this was quickly equalised by Nelson with a penalty corner. A spell

  • 'Tis the season to be AWOL

    MORE than a third of companies will see a marked increase in staff absenteeism during the run-up to Christmas. While many firms will put it down to the dreaded winter flu, bosses also suspect up to a fifth of these days off could be due to workers taking

  • No Merry Secs-mas

    EAST Lancashire's secretaries are bearing the brunt of the pre-Christmas workload, according to a survey out today. More than 70 per cent of secretaries interviewed in Lancashire dread the run-up to the festive season and say extra responsibilities, ranging

  • Youth cleared of releasing crane

    A TEENAGER accused of releasing a handbrake on a crane which then went crashing into a pensioner's home, was cleared in just minutes. The 17-year-old Bacup youth was found not guilty by a Burnley Crown Court jury of damaging property and being reckless

  • Doris, 76, still has nightmares

    FRIGHTENED pensioner Doris Kay still has nightmares about the day a 16-ton crane smashed through the front of her maisonette home trapping her under piles of debris. Doris, now 76, had lived in Myrtle Cottages, Bacup, for about ten years when the accident

  • What's hot

    Food News: Market watch GREEN and Black's, the makers of luxury organic chocolate, have added another prestigious award to their ever-growing list. In the Soil Association's Organic Food Awards, the company's Organic Hazelnut Chocolate Spread won the

  • Avoid those turkey traumas

    Food News, with Patricia Hall HAVE you ever had the feeling of wanting the ground to open up and swallow you? In five days time thousands of people across the country will wish just that when they're faced with the humiliation of putting a gone-wrong

  • Dinner lady Victoria serves up a treat

    HAVE you seen her? Britain's favourite dinner lady will be making a flying visit to Blackpool next year, and if you haven't yet experienced the hilarious Victoria Wood "live" then it's definitely about time you caught up with the rest of the nation. Victoria

  • Scoot it safely!

    BLACKPOOL'S road safety experts are warning parents to make sure their children wear reflective clothing when out playing on their scooters this Christmas. The town's road safety officers are highlighting the importance of being seen and riding safely

  • Daughter seeks her mum for Christmas

    A BLACKPOOL woman could give her daughter the greatest gift of all this Christmas -- her identity. For Michelle Woolway from Hoylake on the Wirrall is searching for her birth mother, Brenda Collins, who she believes still lives in the resort and would

  • £29m plan puts new heart in Vic

    HEALTH chiefs are set to pump new life into Blackpool Victoria Hospital's heart care facilities with the building of a new state-of-the-art cardiac unit. The plans were unveiled this week as part of a 10-year blueprint for the development of cardiac services

  • Toy gun safety alert

    PARENTS were today urged to beware of a toy AK47 gun which could cause youngsters serious injury. Trading standards officers have pledged to take action over the imitation Navy Seal AK47 Assault Rifle which has been found on sale in a shop on the outskirts

  • Safety concern

    I WOULD like to express my concerns for the safety of the Rovers fans, who will be sitting in the Darwen End stand, when tBurnley visit Ewood Park. The idea of any Rovers supporters sitting in the seats below the Burnley fans beggars belief. If they smash

  • 1,000 arrests to reassure public

    ALMOST 1,000 people have been arrested in the ten days since the launch of Lancashire Police's crime crackdown codenamed Operation Reassure. Many of arrests have been for drunkenness and public disorder. Extra officers have been drafted in for weekend

  • Davies' drivel spoils magic

    FOOTBALL fans all over the country always await the third round draw of the FA Cup, when the non-league minnows and lower division clubs get a chance to draw a 'big one.' However, the FA's David Davies spoils the whole thing with his constant drivel,

  • 1,000 arrests to reassure public

    ALMOST 1,000 people have been arrested in the ten days since the launch of Lancashire Police's crime crackdown codenamed Operation Reassure. Many of arrests have been for drunkenness and public disorder. Extra officers have been drafted in for weekend

  • Extra time for town centre objectors

    PEOPLE protesting against plans to close town centre roads have been given extra time to make their objections -- so council bosses aren't accused of rushing the scheme through. The move came as Morrisons supermarket bosses denied they were objecting

  • No to an East Lancs get together

    HAVING read Mr Steven Barker's comments (Sports Letters, December 12) regarding the amalgamation of Burnley FC and Blackburn Rovers FC and increased gates being the end result, the phrase "Hell will freeze over first" is perhaps the best I can come up

  • Pervert 'groomed' young boys

    A CONVICTED child sex offender who ran a Saturday morning wrestling club for boys has been ordered to stay away from youngsters. Blackburn magistrates heard that Keith Halliwell regularly took members of the club swimming and would play games with them

  • Athletics: Fell runners honoured

    EAST Lancashire's top fell runners were honoured when the Fell Runners Association held it's Annual Award Ceremony at Shap in Cumbria. Rossendale Harrier Ken Taylor (pictured) won the silver medal in the English Championship over 50 age group. It was

  • Athletics: What's On

    ON Christmas Eve there is an orienteering event at Ogden near Halifax. Organiser is Phil Thompson on 01226-770911. Road and fell runners are both catered for on Boxing Day. At the Crofters, Leyland Lane, Leyland there is a 10K road race starting at 10

  • Athletics: Whittaker claims Brown's vest

    ROSS Whittaker from Nelson was the lucky winner of Mark Brown's Great Britain Paralympic vest on Sunday. Over fifty junior athletes entered the Stoop fell race organised by Dave Woodhead, and Mark started the race. He brought along his silver medal, and

  • Athletics: Red Rose league final positions

    THE Reebok Red Rose Cross Country League finished at Rawtenstall last Saturday with Rossendale, Todmorden and Burnley all in the prizes. At a wet and heavy Marl Pits, Rossendale Harriers' own leg threw up a home winner in Steve Duxbury (pictured). His

  • Skating stardom

    A COACH to England's future ice stars claims Blackburn Arena is now the most successful rink in Britain following no less than six-trophy winning performances by young skaters. So many national triumphs puts the Olympic-sized Arena in a unique position

  • Tories should think again

    IN a desperate attempt to reignite his flagging electoral fortunes William Hague has now promised to lower taxation while at the same time keep to Labour's commitment to key public services. How can this be achieved? Quite simply by cutting 10 per cent

  • Wealth of musical talent

    ON behalf of the Hotel and Catering Traders' Association of Blackpool and Fylde, we would very much like to thank the Majors Helen and Derek Tyrell for the excellent carol concert they arranged at the Salvation Arm Blackpool Citadel on Sunday, December

  • Running scared of the Euro

    MAY I be allowed to respond to Neil Derbyshire, Chairman of the North West Lib Dems following his recent, pathetic attempt to discredit the UK Independence Party (UKIP)? His previous failure earlier this year obviously still rankles and he is taking anothe

  • Post haste!

    POSTAL bosses have again left customers in the dark over the re-opening of Radcliffe's town centre office. A date has yet to be confirmed, despite a previous assurance that it would be open before Christmas. Radcliffe MP Ivan Lewis has called for a public

  • Season of cheer for Pool?

    THE TANGERONES could give their faithful fans a well earned Christmas present over the festive period by placing themselves in a decent promotion position. After a traumatic two weeks for the club with a cup exit and off the pitch bust-ups fans can now

  • East Lancashire events, Friday, December 22

    "Pinocchio," Darwen Library Theatre, 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Ernie Law-Riding, Blakeys Cafe Bar, King George's Hall, Blackburn. Late Night Shopping, Blackburn Town Centre, until 9pm. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Charter Theatre, Preston, 2pm and 7pm.

  • Bravo for police force's fight against crime

    DESPITE the Lancashire force's striking gains in the fight against crime -- last year, achieving the best results in the country for reducing offences -- it has often still to struggle against public perception that policing is under-strength. How apt

  • A flying visit

    ONE of the Queen's equerries experienced a blast from the past recently when a Royal visit to Blackpool gave him the chance to return to his former school. Squadron Leader Simon Brailsford was a pupil at King Edward VII and Queen Mary school in Lytham

  • Kids' designs raise awareness

    CHILDREN used their artistic skills to help promote an information leaflet for a medical charity. Pupils, of St Gabriel's Primary School, Wilworth Crescent, Blackburn, took part in a competition to design a logo for the Coffin Siris Syndrome Support Network

  • Mayor's visit is a real tonic

    PATIENTS facing Christmas in hospital had a little extra seasonal cheer when the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen paid them a visit. Councillor Jack Bury dropped by Blackburn Royal Infirmary to see the work of the health service at one of its most difficult

  • Keep an ear out for owls

    YOUNG bird enthusiasts are asking East Lancashire folk to keep an ear out for our festive friends this festive season. The distinctive noises of birds like Tawny Owls -- which are at their most vocal during the long winter nights -- will give Wildlife

  • Snappy duo make it to photo final

    TWO talented teenagers are snap-happy after reaching the finals in a national photography competition. Andrew McDonald, 18, and Stephen Furey, 17 (pictured), who are both National Diploma Photography students at Blackburn College, have reached the last

  • Spectacular display

    A SPARKLING shower of fireworks lit up the night sky last night, delighting the watching crowd. The spectacular sight welcomed people to Blackburn Cathedral for the annual Christmas Carol Service, sponsored by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. More than

  • The Red Lion rules

    IN reply to Jim Shorrock's question on the most common pub name (Letters, December 14), the definitive answer is 'The Red Lion.' I found this not by counting them personally, but on the Brewers and Licensee Retailers Association's web page. The wonders

  • Gay life just not natural

    IN answer to Mr A Holden (Letters, December 14) who says the law to lower the age of consent will be a bonus for homosexuals, it is the lifestyle, not the bonus, that is the main concern to most people. The law will mean that many vulnerable young men

  • Boxing not noble

    WHILE the supporters of the ignoble art of sustained agression are rationalising and dissociating themselves from implication in the injury inflicted on boxer Paul Ingle, the chief medical officer of the British Board of Boxing Control stated on TV that

  • Shoppers' safety first

    YET again we read of Morrisons objecting to the proposed closure of Church Street in Blackburn (LET, December 11). I am sure many local traders and shoppers are tired with this large multiple trying to stand in the way of our town's development. It is

  • Best Christmas movie in years

    AT LAST a children's Christmas movie that is not only released in the UK in time for the season of goodwill but also delivers the goods in abundance. The Grinch is not only is this a great Christmas warmer-upper, it is also the most wonderful piece of

  • And the fairy's gone dotty.com

    IT'S A new breed of panto at Blackpool Grand Theatre this Christmas. Oh yes it is! Robin Hood and The Babes In The Wood has taken all the usual elements of the genre and mixed in the driest wit with the cheekiest charm and genuine acting ability -- something

  • Magistrate slams derby day 'louts'

    TEN people appeared in court at Burnley yesterday charged in connection with trouble during and after the Burnley v Blackburn Rovers derby at Turf Moor on Sunday. Lifelong Burnley fan Stuart Green was banned from all football games anywhere in the country

  • Rovers advance in youth cup

    Northampton Town 0, Blackburn Rovers 0 AET Blackburn won 5-3 on penalties ROVERS' youngsters kept their nerve to win a dramatic penalty shoot-out and book their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup. After 120 goalless minutes at the Sixfields

  • Reverend's documents appeal

    AN appeal has been made for documents which can give an impression of life in the parish church of St Michael's, Cornholme. Old parish magazines are particularly desired to be used in the Diocesan section of the West Yorkshire Archive Service. The assistant

  • Tradition kept alive

    THE former Prestige factory in Burnley may have been demolished but the site's new owners Sainsbury's have kept alive a Christmas tradition at the former factory. The art deco facade has been decorated with Christmas trees and lights to celebrate the

  • Student traders have monopoly

    ONLY one high school in Burnley is taking part in this year's young enterprise scheme. Secretary to the board Lindsay Dobson Said: "We had five schools lined up to take part but some of them had operational difficulties and staff changes and were unfortunately

  • 'Cut red tape for poor'

    EAST Lancashire MPs Peter Pike and Gordon Prentice want the government to do more to get cash to Britain's poorest this Christmas. They tackled Social Security Secretary Alaistair Darling on the issue before the House of Commons broke up for the festive

  • Magistrate slams derby day 'louts'

    TEN people appeared in court at Burnley yesterday charged in connection with trouble during and after the Burnley v Blackburn Rovers derby at Turf Moor on Sunday. Lifelong Burnley fan Stuart Green was banned from all football games anywhere in the country

  • Armed robbery foiled

    A POSTMASTER foiled an armed robbery after he was confronted with a man brandishing a large blade knife. The man walked into Fence Post Office in Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, just before 1pm yesterday. He threatened the postmaster with a knife and demanded

  • Charity seeks helpers

    BEREAVEMENT care service Cruse is seeking volunteers to help raise funds and organise publicity for the charity. The group, which meets at Pendleside Hospice, offers free advice to anyone affected by death and provides support and counselling. Sue Wood

  • Concern over ad boards

    PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice has spoken out over his concerns that the countryside could be ruined by too many advertising billboards. Mr Prentice was approached by the Lancashire branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) who urged

  • College with eyes on the prize

    AN East Lancashire college has completed another challenging year in a stronger position. Kath Belton, principal of Nelson and Colne College, said hard work and dedication by staff had enabled it to get a good report by education inspectors which boosted

  • Ten years ago: smoke alarms for Xmas

    CHRISTMAS shoppers were urged to buy smoke detectors as last minute stocking fillers. The warning from fire officers came after a family narrowly escaped a blaze which damaged the kitchen and ground floor of their home in Norbreck Close, Blackburn.

  • Five years ago: jobs joy

    PEOPLE with learning difficulties who found paid jobs were made guests of honour at a celebration in Lancashire County Council's social services headquarters. Social services committee chairman Joan Humble presented certificates to participants of the

  • Wendy is a pal for Tinkerbell

    AN animal sanctuary has welcomed its latest arrival -- a six-month old pony called Wendy. The 38 ins high foal is said to be making himself at home at the Only Foals & Horses Sanctuary, in Oswaldtwistle. Wendy has had a short yet traumatic life. Having

  • Anger as council stays silent on grants

    A COUNCILLOR has demanded to know why answers to questions she posed about housing grants six months ago have yet to be answered. Coun Jean Battle (pictured), an Accrington councillor, was blasted by Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe six months

  • Don't make the bouncers angry!

    HYNDBURN Council leader Peter Britcliffe was accused of putting fellow councillors at risk by making 'rash statements' at a council meeting. Coun Tim O'Kane hit out at the council leader after Coun Britcliffe announced the results of applications for

  • Cinema plan is 'too risky'

    A COUNCILLOR has accused borough bosses of taking too many risks to make sure Accrington gets a cinema. At a meeting of the full council, Coun Ken Curtis demanded to know why Hyndburn was paying a bridging loan of £100,000 to help instigate the development

  • Don't be a drink drive mug

    GO ON THEN -- I'll just have one for the road... How many times will you hear that old chestnut over the festive season? But next time you risk that last pint or large whisky, perhaps confident that you'll be "home and hosed" in 20 minutes or so, think

  • Sound of music

    ST Augustine's RC High School pupils took part in the Billington school's Christmas Concert. Pictured are (from the left) Jessica Stafford, Anne-Marie Loughney, Francesca Holt, Joanne Noblett, Alex Brown and Ian Johnson.

  • Click on for the holiday gear

    OK, so Christmas is upon us so what do we get next? That's right, wall to wall holiday adverts, but fear not, intrepid travellers, you don't even have to leave home to stock up on your travel essentials. For Travelcamel.com has now arrived with a new,

  • Bowmen hit grant target

    BLACKPOOL Bowmen have been celebrating success, having just been told that they have received a lottery grant of £3,572, from the Millennium Festival Awards For All fund. The grant will enable the club to buy much needed equipment, especially for use

  • Superb effort by Sharks

    WYRE Sharks Swimming Squad achieved a fantastic joint second place in the second round of the National Speedo League North West. There were great wins for the boys under 11 freestyle relay squad and Joshua Ross winning the 13 and under medley relay. Superb

  • Cup victory for Lytham Ladies

    Lytham Ladies 6 Nelson Ladies 2nd XI 2 A GREAT team performance saw Lytham Ladies go through to the next round of the Lishman Cup. A bright start saw Kelly Gore score on her debut but this was quickly equalised by Nelson with a penalty corner. A spell

  • Boxing day coach

    THE Claret and Blues supporters club has a few seats left for Burnley's trip to Barnsley on Boxing Day. Coach leaves Queensgate at 10.50am, Park View 11.00, Slaughtered Lamb 11.10. Members £7, non-members £9. Phone Steve on 416320 to book.

  • Little: We're still in the hunt

    CLARETS wing wizard Glen Little insists Burnley's season is still alive and kicking and hopes to be back to lend his support against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Burnley go into the game against second-placed Bolton at Turf Moor on the back of derby

  • Souness to watch St Etienne midfielder

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is weighing up a move for St Etienne star Pape Sarr. The classy Senegalese midfielder, described as the 'new Patrick Vieira,' has been recommended to the Ewood chief. And Souness looks set to watch the player in action against

  • Steve is a Fiat star

    PARTS manager Steve Singleton is a star -- and that's official! Steve, general parts manager with Fiat dealership Horners, of Accrington Road, Burnley, was chosen as a "star performer" by the Italian car giant for his loyalty and devotion to customer

  • Africa mission to grab games trade

    SPORTS companies in Lancashire are being invited to take part in a trade mission to South Africa as part of a bid to gain the most economic potential from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The mission, which will be held from February 13-22,

  • Runway success for region

    BUSINESS and tourism in East Lancashire will receive a boost when Manchester Airport's controversial second runway is opened in February. The airport is a major hub for local businesses and the new £172million runway will allow millions of extra passengers

  • Flat blaze

    FIREFIGHTERS attended a blaze at a ground floor flat in Clarence Street, Darwen, at around 8.40pm last night. The damage was said to be slight.

  • CHRISTMAS CHEMIST ROTA

    Chemists open at Christmas and New Year LYTHAM AND ST ANNES December 24: Noon to 1pm -- Alexandria Pharmacy, 11 Alexandria Drive, St Annes On Sea. 1pm to 2pm -- The Clifton Pharmacy, 1 Church Road, Lytham December 25: Noon to 1pm -- Wrigleys Chemist,

  • Rose celebrates an amazing 102 years

    THERE were too many candles to put on the cake but that never stopped Rose South having one of the best birthday celebrations of her life -- and she has had a lot to choose from! The retired Salvation Army Major has just celebrated her 102nd birthday

  • Important numbers for Christmas

    Important numbers in case you need to contact one of the services or companies listed below during the festive break. NORTH WEST WATER Water supply enquiries out-of-hours (0345) 462200 Accidental discharge to sewers (24 hours) (0345) 462200 ELECTRICITY

  • There's room at the inn..

    BLACKPOOL could be paying the price for last year's Millennium celebrations, according to some hoteliers in the resort. Bookings are reported to be down for the Christmas and New Year on previous years, and head of tourism Jane Seddon it is putting it

  • Don't risk drink driving

    DRINK DRIVERS rarely think of the crippling effects of being convicted. "I won't get caught," is the common fallacy. But the more you risk it the more chance there is of being nabbed. And that's when you find out just what it's going to cost you in terms

  • Thanks a million!

    IT'S been a magnificent Millennium year for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. And as a special "thank you" to everyone who has contributed so far, the appeal staged a spectacular Festival of Christmas Music recently. More than 1,000 people braved the bad

  • Linda leads the way online

    A BLACKBURN woman has been chosen to lead Lancashire County Council's e-Government service on the internet. Linda Whalley will lead the team charged with meeting the government's target for local councils to make all services available online by 2005.

  • Police units under review

    QUESTION marks are hanging over the future of two Lancashire police units after bosses ordered an internal review of their services. The review of the Mounted Branch and the Underwater Search Units is part of an ongoing process to improve the efficient

  • Police combat April footy fools

    POLICE are already gearing up for the next East Lancashire derby between Blackburn Rovers and Burnley -- on April Fools' Day. Trouble flared last weekend after the first match for 17 years between the bitter rivals, and officers are keen to avoid an action

  • Money worries at Ewood Park?

    JUST whisper it -- but could it be that the money has run out out at Ewood? Despite the brave words said at the time of Jack Walker's death, the evidence is that the "sky's the limit" philosophy, is a thing of the past. Witness the fact that various players

  • County praised for saving energy

    LANCASHIRE has been singled out for its contribution to preventing global warming through its low energy street-lighting. The government has singled out the county for praise and used it as an example of how to beat global warming at the recent Climate

  • The joy of the Rovers!

    I WOULD like to say what an excellent day out we had Burnley FC. After worrying for days on end about whether there was going to be any trouble and whether we should go because of all the violence that was apparently going to happen I have to say that

  • Firebugs blamed for church blaze

    ARSONISTS were today blamed for a devastating fire which ripped through a town centre church. More than 50 firefighters from across East Lancashire fought the blaze at St Anne's RC Church in King Street, Blackburn, after it broke out at around 4am. The

  • Bramwell fails to give Clarets credit

    I HAVE to take issue with some of Neil Bramwell's views (December18). The point about the Kevin Ball challenge has been laboured. It certain wasn't a premeditated challenge as he suggested. Was it on the same scale as those committed by a certain Mr Souness

  • Thank you Stanley

    IN COMMON with many Bury supporters, I welcome the gesture from Accrington Stanley to hold a fund-raising game to help ease the Shakers' very real financial crisis. In the article in the LET on Tuesday, December 19, the Stanley chairman Eric Whalley comments

  • Ice Hockey: Not twice bitten for Hawks

    BLACKBURN Hawks swooped for sweet revenge as they overcame Solway Sharks 4-2 in the Anglo-Scottish Cup clash at the Arena. Having gone down 3-4 to their Scottish rivals in a tight battle at Dumfries back in October, the Hawks were determined to reverse

  • Help these stray cats

    MAY we use your letters page to thank your very generous readers for their support over the past few weeks and to ask them to consider helping probably the most disadvantaged in the cat world -- the abandoned strays and wild(ish) cats living rough. Known

  • 24 councillors voted against helping elderly

    RE the front page (Citizen, Dec 7) "care home battle over" -- is this the sign of things to come, that when you are elderly and for some reason have need to go into an old people's home, that when you have managed to make fresh friends and settled in,

  • Don't be a drink drive mug

    GO ON THEN -- I'll just have one for the road... How many times will you hear that old chestnut over the festive season? But next time you risk that last pint or large whisky, perhaps confident that you'll be "home and hosed" in 20 minutes or so, think