MEMBERS of the Muslim community throughout the region celebrated Eid-Ul-Fitr. At the Masjid-E-Tauheedul Islam, Bicknell Street, Blackburn, over 800 people attended the morning prayer. They were met with warm festival greetings and handshakes from friends
A DAMAGES action against airlines over deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was today blocked by a High Court judge. Brenda Payne, of Bury, was among 55 litigants who say they suffered from Deep Vein Thrombosis after flights. The ruling was a blow for the group
TWO schoolchildren have won an award to publish their own story about what it is like to have physical disabilities and go to a mainstream school. Nayab Hussein, 12 and Habeeba Mulla, 13, have won a special cash award worth more than £7,000 to write a
TOWN hall bosses have given the green light to rebuild three local schools with £37.5 million of private money. They will submit a bid for cash through the controversial Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in the new year. If successful, the money will build
THE achievements of pupils at Edge End High School, Nelson were recognised at its annual presentation evening, attended by proud parents and official guests. The guest of honour for the evening was Nighat Awan, chief executive of the Shere Khan group.
A MOTHER whose child repeatedly did not go to school has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £250. Linda Bateson, of Coronation Road, Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the attendance of her child when she appeared before Bury magistrates
THREE Bury pupils who raised more than £5,000 for charity have won a digital camera for their school. Sanjay Desai, Stuart Douthwaite and Michael Ward, all aged 17, from Bury Grammar School were runners-up in the working-together category of Tesco's Our
IT'S official then! Not only do the good people of Bury think this council are doing a poor job but now the Audit Commission says so, too. Your correspondent A. Payne (Dec 6) was correct to call for the resignation of the council leader, John Byrne; but
AS a nearby resident, I think the proposed new Metrolink tram stop at Buckley Wells would be a disaster. Traffic problems occur every day around 4pm; it is too frightening to contemplate the result of all this extra traffic. Houghton Street and Baron
AIR MILES MANCHESTER LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Hollinwood...1 Unsworth...3 UNSWORTH'S recent run of good form continued as they dispensed with struggling Hollinwood in some style at Mabel Road last Saturday. Despite Hollinwood's lowly position they are still
ON a very cold day in Harrogate, Sedgley were well beaten by a well-organised pack and some swift-running wingers. Sedgley contributed to their own demise by conceding too many penalties, too many last line-outs, one yellow and one red card and some unhappy
WARTHOGS ... 1 MANCHESTER MACCABI 2nds ... 2: MANCHESTER Maccabi's second team triumphed in a thrilling cup final, to win their first non-Jewish trophy in years, courtesy of goals from Gary Tucker and a dramatic last minute winner from skipper, Nick Yardley
PRESTON North End boss Craig Brown is not setting his side any targets for the Christmas period. The Lilywhites, who start their seasonal programme with a trip to high-riding Sheffield United tomorrow, face Rotherham at home on Boxing Day and then have
RONNIE BAXTER returns to the Circus Tavern in Purfleet next week to battle for the coveted Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship title. The Church star has a bye to the second round where he will meet either Mick Manning or Lee Palfreyman. Manning has
MARK Patterson has quit Rossendale United - again -to take over as assistant manager at Leigh RMI. But the former Rovers and Bolton midfielder, who has helped the Dark Lane side win twice in three games since his return after a year at Scarborough, doesn't
GREAT HARWOOD manager John Hughes has told his players they must start raising their game in the league as they have done in cup competitions this season. The NWCL second division side were beaten 4-1 by Conference team Southport on Tuesday but Hughes
DARWEN'S goal-scoring streak - 17 goals in four matches - came to an abrupt end with a 0-0 draw against Nelson last Saturday and Darwen manager Steve Wilkes bemoaned the absence of his injured striker Paul Baker. "We had two or three really good chances
RAMSBOTTOM travel to top-of-the-table Prescot Cables in NWCL Division One tomorrow and joint-manager Andy Grimshaw reckons there is a new-found belief in the side. "Everyone is going round with a smile on their face now," said Grimshaw, whose side have
A BRAIN teasing quiz for people who become bored with Christmas TV has been set up by the Bury library service. Copies of the quiz -- inspired by festive songs -- can be picked up from any local library. It is also available through the council's website
THE tills are ringing throughout East Lancashire with the sound of Christmas trade. Many stores are reporting excellent sales, with electrical goods such as DVD players becoming the must-have item of the year. However, others hint that shoppers are perhaps
EVERY local authority in the UK has been put on alert after a Blackburn couple discovered a pin in a date. Mary Newhouse made the discovery when munching on the fruit at her Mill Hill home. The Blackburn fruiterer who sold the date has pledged to withdraw
A CLEVER new weapon is helping police be on guard for any terrorist threat in Lancashire. The full power of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) has been revealed following a groundbreaking week-long initiative. Two cameras mounted on patrol cars
CHILDREN'S charity KIND is working in partnership with Blackburn, Darwen and District Women's Aid this Christmas to bring festive cheer to underprivileged children. It is the first time KIND have extended its Christmas Appeal to families in Blackburn
WITH HIS love of the boogie and his unique velvet-smooth groove DJ Lionel Vinyl is the epitome of Blackpool chic. But the prolific prince of polyester pop's catchphrase "Lionel loves you!" has landed the afro-haired disco king in hot water after thousands
THE road to the stars will also lead to Oswaldtwistle in 2003 as big names from pop and showbiz line up to perform in the town's Civic Theatre. Singer and songwriter Midge Ure, magician Paul Daniels and comedian Bobby Davro are among the performers on
HERE'S a New Year offer you don't see every day -- spend the night of December 31 in the company of Che Guevara. But while Che's presence will be limited to a massive picture on the wall, plenty of spirits of the more pleasant variety will be on offer
THERE can't be many people who, in their sixties, decide to embark on a completely new career. We're not talking a simple change here, folks; more the start of a demanding, time-consuming and, yes, probably hazardous business venture. However, drummer
RESIDENTS in Rossendale will get the chance to have their say about how they would like to revitalise sports, leisure and culture. Organisations such as Sports England and the Arts Council have said they will look more favourably on grant applications
A ROSSENDALE financial adviser has picked up a qualification which makes him a leading name in pensions. Richard Moorfield became one of only a handful of independent financial advisers in the UK to pass the financial regulators' stiff new test. Richard
A PERMANENT memorial is to be erected in Darwen to remember on one of the town's most influential community champions. And people with ideas about how to mark the life of Howard Peters are being urged to get in touch and have their say. The ex-pupil of
TESTS are under way at a Hoddlesden factory to make sure the NHS bandages they produce have not been contaminated by vandals. Children smashed their way into Vernon Carus on Sunday night and sprayed fire extinguishers over sterile machines, used for making
BURNLEY Football Club's last 14 fit first team players set off to Gillingham this afternoon as the injury crisis deepened for Stan Ternent. And he admitted: "We will have to throw a couple of the youngsters on to the bench." The Burnley boss surveyed
BRAVE defender Stig Bjornebye is planning to put months of torment behind him by making his Premiership return against Manchester United on Sunday. The former Norwegian international made his first team comeback at Wigan earlier this week following eight
RESULTS PREMIER DIVISION Derby Ht A 4, LLWMC 3; Hamers Arms 5, Church (Sp/St) 2; Rainsough Brew 5, Royal Oak 2. FIRST DIVISION Old Tower 3, New Inn (Rad) 4; Lord Raglan 1, Bridge Tav A 6; Welcome Inn A 7, Derby Arms ntu; R & Crown (Rams) 4, Top Bull
CAMPAIGNING parents trying to save a village school lost their High Court battle on Thursday. Save Affetside School Action Group won the right for a Judicial Review into Bury Schools Organisation Committee's (SOC) decision to close the 123-year-old village
THE family of a heroic Ramsbottom firefighter, who died trying to save a drowning teenager, has lost a battle to bring a prosecution against the fire service. Sub-officer Paul Metcalf drowned in September 1999 when a dramatic operation to rescue 15-year-old
REFUSE collections and leisure centre opening times will be affected over Christmas and New Year. Bins which would have been emptied next Wednesday, i.e. Christmas Day, will be picked up on Monday instead (Dec 23). The Boxing Day bins will be emptied
STRANDED relatives have been thrown a lifeline so they can visit their loved ones in hospital on the festive bank holidays. Free transport is being provided for residents in the borough to visit family members who will remain in hospices or hospitals
CHRISTMAS visitors to Morecambe will have the chance to see the latest addition to the town's award winning Tern art project this weekend. Since the early summer, artists and local builders Norman Jackson's have worked together to create possibly the
Not many film viewers will recognise him - but a former Lancaster man is again playing a key role in one of this year's biggest films. Andy Serkis, a Lancaster University graduate who started his career at the Dukes' Theatre, plays Gollum, a key figure
THIEVES were thwarted in a bid to steal £ 1,000 worth of tools from a van parked at Langdale Road, Lancaster. Two men had removed tools from the van ready for loading into a waiting black coloured Honda Civic car when they were disturbed in the early
THE run-up to Christmas is a busy period for most people, but, this time, for Forever Bury (Bury FC Supporters' Society) activists, the celebration season has been particularly hectic. First there was the Fans' Survey conducted during the Exeter City
VANDALS have put a popular Heysham park out of action. Lancaster City Council has been forced to transfer or postpone some Christmas bookings due to acts of vandalism in Douglas Park. The park's floodlights - which were only recently repaired - have been
A convicted drug trafficker on the run from a Preston prison will spend another two years inside when he is caught. Top judges at London's Court of Appeal heeded the request of the Attorney General to increase the sentence of Mark Hilton, of Main Street
BURNLEY Football Club's last 14 fit first team players set off to Gillingham this afternoon as the injury crisis deepened for Stan Ternent. And he admitted: "We will have to throw a couple of the youngsters on to the bench." The Burnley boss surveyed
BACK to back away wins have helped to lift Gillingham to within a point of the Clarets and now they will be hoping to find their form at home. The Priestfield Stadium was a happy hunting ground for Andy Hessenthaler's men last season but it has been less
GILLINGHAM'S player-boss Andy Hessenthaler was a late recruit to league football and that might explain why he is still going strong with his 38th birthday approaching next year. Tomorrow he will be battling for midfield supremacy against Paul Weller,
TAKING the helm of the thriving East Lancashire Partnership and ushering it into the New Year is former Bury Council chief executive Dennis Taylor. He has been appointed the interim director of the Partnership which comprises a number of local authorities
BURY-based heating and ventilation specialist, Senior Hargreaves, have a new man in charge of their ductshop trade division. Ian Frost is the new general manager who joins Hargreaves after several years in the building materials industry including six
SEEDED 32nd out of 90 starters and fifth in a very competitive class hopes were high for the Lancaster Honda rally team at the DRT Charity Stages at the weekend. The ever-improving David Cox and Chris Thomas started well and, after the first of five long
Morecambe could be set to unleash Robbie Talbot against derby rivals Southport this Christmas after a year on the sidelines. Talbot was attracting the interest of a host of football league clubs before his injury at this time last year. Since then, the
1928: Harry Ramsden opened his first fish and chip restaurant in a hut near Bradford. 1933: Flying Down to Rio premiered in New York and marked the first time Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers had appeared in a feature film together. 1955: Cardiff became
RESIDENTS near Blackburn Rovers training ground claim they are living in a "prison compound" after giant green football nets were put up behind their houses. Blackburn Rovers Football Academy bosses in Brockhall Village are stringing the nets between
BURY College has appointed North West law firm Burnetts to provide employment law services. Burnetts, a 15-partner practice based in Carlisle, has a strong presence in the education sector representing colleges in the further and higher education sectors
MEMBERS of Mosaic -- the Bolton and Bury Chamber organisation for women in business -- attended a coaching workshop sponsored by North West Business Access. They were given advice about unlocking potential and removing the mental blocks which prevent
THE owner of a company whose water cooling facilities could have caused an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease has been fined £6,000. John Berry owns the John Berry Plastics factory, in Water Street, Great Harwood, which employs about a dozen people. The
POLICE are continuing their hunt for a teenager they want to speak to in connection with a handbag theft. The thief struck as a 38-year-old woman was walking along Eastgate, Accrington, at 9.25pm on Sunday, December 8. He snatched her bag from her shoulder
HELP is at hand in Accrington this Christmas for those who need medical treatment over the holiday period. The minor injuries unit (MIU) at Accrington Victoria Hospital will open for normal working hours over most of Christmas and the New Year. The MIU
BACUP manager Brent Peters has a problem every manager loves: trying to keep 18 good players happy. Peters reckons he now has the squad to gain promotion to the NWCL first division - but knows there will always be disappointed players on a Saturday. "
SOCCER: Bury welcome their nearest neighbours Rochdale to Gigg Lane tomorrow for what will undoubtedly be an interesting Lancashire hot pot. The Shakers have quietly risen to fourth place in the table, while the Dale have recovered from a calamitous run
THE funeral of a Radcliffe man who was battered to death outside a karaoke bar is to take place on Monday. Shane Eckersley was punched several times in the face in a fight outside the Saigon in Lower Broughton Road, Pendleton, Salford on November 22.
A MOTHER whose child repeatedly did not go to school has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £250. Linda Bateson, of Coronation Road, Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the attendance of her child when she appeared before Bury magistrates
A PUB in Bury is inviting local businesses to nominate their most workaholic member of staff to participate in a bizarre new quiz. O'Neills on Silver Street, is inviting the town's worst workaholics to answer a reality check questionnaire on such things
PARISH councils in Pendle were handed a surprise early Christmas present last night in the form of a ten per cent increase in their revenue grants. The individual councils were expecting to have a struggle on the financial front again next year after
DESPITE a looming deficit of £2 million only nine Burnley councillors turned up for a special budget training session. Council bosses have revealed a massive projected overspend with savings of £1m needed for next year and a further £1m by April 2005.
TONY Blair has promised hundreds of millions of pounds to tackle derelict, decaying and empty homes in East Lancashire. The Prime Minister gave the clearest indication yet that the area's joint bid for £670million over 10 years will be granted next month
THE people of Burnley have been congratulated by Chancellor Gordon Brown and International Development Secretary Clare Short for their efforts in campaigning to cut the debts of the world's poorest countries. The praise came when the town's MP Peter Pike
THE monthly service of healing at St Mark's Church, Rossendale Road, is getting more popular. For more details contact Father John Haigh at the church. The Rosegrove Christingle walkabout and carol singing was attended by approximately 20 people, including
BURNLEY MP Peter Pike has warned the government against imposing expensive licences on churches which are used for creative arts unconnected with worship. He expressed fears that the fees would be too much for many churches and would stop them hosting
Further to the Citizen last week, about the controversial new car park on the field outside County College (Lancaster University). I believe it is dishonest of the university to claim that its Green Transport Policy plan ' has been approved by the city
Before readers start planning their festive feasts, may I ask them to spare a thought for the poor turkey? Not because he's dead but because he's probably suffered terribly during his short life. About 10 million turkeys are reared every year in the UK
The Conservative Group is keen to see The Winter Gardens back in use and playing its full part in the regeneration of Morecambe. To that end, Conservative councillors have been asking a series of questions to clarify the respective rles of The Buildings
BRAVE defender Stig Bjornebye is planning to put months of torment behind him by making his Premiership return against Manchester United on Sunday. The former Norwegian international made his first team comeback at Wigan earlier this week following eight
CONTROVERSIAL midfielder Roy Keane is planning a Premiership return in Manchester United's showdown with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. Skipper Keane put himself in line for a slot on the bench against Rovers when he completed a long-awaited reserve-team
THE £2.8 million Prospects Centre of Bury College was officially opened on Wednesday. Unveiling the plaque was Mrs Frances Done, the chief executive of Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. The ceremony was also attended by 60 guests including Mr Fred Bowen
CHRISTMAS shoppers watched in horror yesterday as the bus they were travelling on ploughed into the front of a pub after a collision with a car. The Number 90 was travelling to Manchester, along Bury New Road, Whitefield, when the accident happened outside
A NEWLY-opened community law centre is offering free legal advice. Bury Law Centre, in Knowsley Street, is aimed at representing and giving advice to people who would not normally use solicitors because of cost, or uncertainty of their rights. Practice
ONE of Burnley's top policemen today made a personal vow to rid the town of football hooligans within three months. Chief Inspector Richard Morgan made the promise as he announced a raft of measures aimed at clamping down on football related violence.
I CAN'T remember the last time I enjoyed a family show as much as this -- but as with all pantomimes it was the kiddies in the audience which really made the evening. From the child which bawled the instant baddie Abanazer (Shaun Curry) strode on stage
REGARDING Kieron Marsden's comment -- "Shocked, stunned, saddened and ashamed" -- about the BNP victory in Blackburn (Letters, November 28), having left Blackburn to live in Bristol, which, according to his sense of morality, must be a perfect location
NOW that Christmas is with us, people are working themselves into a frenzy spending goodness knows how many hours searching for a present for someone who has everything. What do you buy for a person who has everything? My answer every time is: "Nothing
IT would appear from Councillor Dave Smith's remarks (Letters, December 9) that the message which most council tax payers in Pleasington, Turton, Lammack and other similar areas of Blackburn with Darwen are trying to get across is falling on deaf ears
XYW kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders GPO with a fine 27-19 win over bottom of the table NST Parkside to go level on points with the long-time leaders. Blackburn Independents remain in third place as they crushed Toto San Roco 37-16. Spotland
FOLLOWING a week-long break in league proceedings some teams managed to re-arrange outstanding fixtures last week. However, Seedfield Bowling Club continue to lead the table despite gaining only five points from two games. Although they beat St Mary's
TRUANCY is a serious problem and one which schools and local authorities are quite right to address with new thinking. Children who do not attend school regularly are often the same children who get into trouble during the day and wreak havoc in the community
Nightlife in and around Blackpool PUBS AND BARS THE CLARENCE, Preston New Road, Blackpool. Sun -- Pete's Pop Quiz, with prizes, starts 8.45pm. Tue -- Whizz Fun Quiz Night, with prizes, starts 8.45pm. Wed, Dec 29 -- live folk music with Ken Nicol. THE
SHOWS at the Winter Gardens, the Tower and more. Blackpool Tower (01253) 292029 Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas Circus -- Stunning combination of fun and thrills in this Christmas treat. Sats and Suns until Dec 22, daily Dec 26-Jan 5, plus Boxing Day
CAMPAIGNING parents trying to save a village school lost their High Court battle on Thursday. Save Affetside School Action Group won the right for a Judicial Review into Bury Schools Organisation Committee's (SOC) decision to close the 123-year-old village
THE A-Levels inquiry has proposed sweeping changes to the exams - including "de-coupling" them from AS-Levels and reducing the number of external tests - in order to restore public confidence. Students should apply to university after they get their results
THE £2.8 million Prospects Centre of Bury College was officially opened on Wednesday. Unveiling the plaque was Mrs Frances Done, the chief executive of Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. The ceremony was also attended by 60 guests including Mr Fred Bowen
AN ambitious new initiative aimed at providing primary and secondary schools across Lancashire with free, lightning-fast internet access, has been launched. Just 20 per cent of schools in the UK currently own a broadband connection. Broadband is expected
ON November 22, Mr David Chaytor, the Labour MP for Bury North, wrote a nasty letter to the Bury Times attacking Conservative councillors in his constituency for seeking more money for Bury's schools. He said "I nearly fell off my chair" on learning of
"WEAK" means low standard of service for local people and a limited ability to improve those services. "Weak" means priorities are unclear and not properly connected with resources. "Weak" finally means a need to develop political and managerial abilities
I WRITE regarding the front page story (Dec 13) headlined: "Driver in tree fall terror". Anyone reading the article could be forgiven for thinking that the fire brigade was the only emergency service in attendance; in fact, due to the severity of the
ALTHOUGH I have never voted, as I am not yet 18, I am fully aware of the way the BNP recruits people and how it is damaging to our community. I agree with the correspondent (Your Letters, Dec 13) about free electricity for our OAPs in the coldest weather
AIR MILES MANCHESTER LEAGUE GILGRYST CUP WILMSLOW ALBION ...2, PRESTWICH HEYS ... 3: TWO weeks ago, Heys beat Royton Town in a game that was arguably their best performance of the season. Last Saturday, that was surpassed as they progressed through to
TWO young skateboarding enthusiasts are urging council chiefs to improve lighting facilities at a Poulton park after they found themselves in trouble with the police for skating in the town centre. Brothers Ben, 15, and Zak Lynden, 12, from Tithebarn
BLACKBURN Queen's Park Technology College has caused a stir with its link up with local businesses to provide rewards for children who hit targets on attendance. It is the second innovative project the school has introduced earlier this year after its
IF REWARDS represent the 'carrot' method of getting children back to school, then the Government has also given some schools in the UK the 'stick'. Ministers recently announced plans to give heads new powers to issue the fixed-penalty notices, similar
LETTER to Mr Christopher Leslie MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State from Mr Hilton Dawson MP. I MET fire-fighters in Lancaster for what was a good discussion in circumstances where I consistently re-iterated the view that the only way to achieve
PADIHAM striker Ian Pilkington has been as surprised as anybody about the good start to the season the Storks have made. The side had a terrible pre-season and with top strike pair Dean Stowe and Lee Chambers on the sidelines though injury, few gave the
FRIENDS ask Michael Knowles if he made the wrong decision moving from Morecambe to Accrington Stanley. The Shrimps, after all, are fifth in the Nationwide Conference and are in the third round of the FA Cup, preparing to face First Division Ipswich Town
ANDY LAWSON may be offered the Colne manager's job full time. Lawson has been in charge along with Dean Grice since former manager John Lister resigned last month and will continue to run the team over the Christmas period. Just a fortnight ago, Lawson
CLITHEROE player-boss Lee Sculpher is confident his side will be fit and ready for the festive season - the football side of it that is. It is well documented that professional footballers cancel Christmas - they train on Christmas Day and must play on
Bury welcome their nearest neighbours to Gigg Lane for what will undoubtedly be an interesting Lancashire hot pot. The Shakers have quietly risen to 4th place in the table whilst the 'Dale have recovered from a calamitous run to win their last two games
STUDENTS with poor truancy records at a Blackburn school are being tempted back with meals at Kentucky Fried Chicken and cinema tickets. Staff at Queen's Park Technology College say the scheme is producing results and helping to cut the number of children
COMIC Jim Bowen could soon be treading the boards again with his former pals from the hit television series The Comedians. The funnyman quit his job as presenter on Radio Lancashire in October, saying he was retiring from showbusiness after an on-air
COLLEAGUES, staff and court users at Blackburn magistrates gathered to pay tribute to former chairman of the bench Margaret Shuttleworth, who is stepping down after 31 years service at a JP. And Mrs Shuttleworth handed out her own tributes and votes of
MANUFACTURING jobs in the North-West are falling, new figures reveal. Despite an overall increase in employment in the region, the manufacturing sector is still in slump. The Liberal Democrats have revealed figures from the government's Labour Market
CHRISTMAS dinners across East Lancashire have been saved after the area averted a sprouts shortage. High winds and rain have left Britain without its regular supply of the festive favourites. However, sprout lovers in the North West should not panic as
COUNCIL officials have stalled the debate into operation of luxury American-style limousines in Blackpool until the New Year. The decision came during a meeting of the council's public protection committee with a handful of limousine operators on December
SCRUY Thornton rugby players are hoping to raise funds for their club with a cheeky new calendar. The first 15 at Thornton Cleveleys Rugby Club bare almost all in a tasteful nude calendar which they hope will brighten up people's New Year, and help finance
NO INCOME tax, no VAT... but trade officers have warned that buying seasonal gifts from wannabe Del Boys on the Fylde could be giving Osama Bin Laden a Christmas treat. The caution came as the Anti-Counterfeiting Group revealed that recent investigations
A BLACKPOOL family are tripping the light fantastic once again this Christmas -- and hoping to raise thousands for charity in the process. Sue and Frank Severn, and Sue's daughter Sharon Doughty and her husband Bob have converted their neighbouring houses
BURNLEY'S Blow The House Down night is set to make a welcome return this Christmas. Held for the first time back in February, after the success of packing nearly 300 fans into the Keirby Hotel, organisers have finally got round to doing it again. Returning
RADCLIFFE Borough go into their gruelling festive period fresh and raring to go after their clash with Ossett Town was called off due to the weather. Although disappointing, it means Boro have few injuries as they attempt to extend their winning run that
TWO Rossendale car parks have scooped national security awards, thanks to a joint effort which is helping to cut crime. It is the second year running that the car parks in Hindle Street and Dale Street, Haslingden, have received national awards under
ROAD user in Rossendale this week received some excellent news when the council announced that it had leased high-tech road gritters, complete with their own computers, to place its winter emergency services at the cutting edge of efficiency. The new
A LEADING Labour councillor is calling for the Ombudsman to investigate a controversial £112,000 loan by Lancaster City Council to the owners and developers of Morecambe's empty Winter Gardens. Cllr Trevor Tattersall told a highly-charged meeting of the
BURY'S community champions have received a cash boost to their coffers. Ten local groups have scooped a share of more than £51,000, courtesy of the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester's local network fund awards. This fund, managed by the Foundation
A PIONEERING scheme has been launched in Bury to call time on crime and drunken violence. The "Bury Safe and Sounds Project' is a joint campaign between Bury Police, Bury Council and licensed premises in the town centre, aimed at reducing alcohol-related
BURY'S ethnic and host communities united during a joint Eid and Christmas celebration staged at the Jinnah Day Care Centre. More than 150 guests, including Consul General of Pakistan Mr Ayaz Wazir, and Bury Mayor and Mayoress, Councillors John and Stella
TOWN hall bosses have given the green light to rebuild three local schools with £37.5 million of private money. They will submit a bid for cash through the controversial Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in the new year. If successful, the money will build
LANCASTER holidaymakers caught up in a virus alert on board a Caribbean cruise liner have returned home safely. One of the passengers, June Firth, of Caton, says up to 200 people were struck down by the bug - which US television reports initially suggested
A WOMAN was pushed into a wall as she fought off a man who was trying to steal her handbag. The 49-year-old was walking home along Barley Cop Lane at 4.20pm on Monday when the bag, which was across her shoulder, was grabbed. She kicked out at her attacker
TWO men attempted to lure eight-year-old girls into their car with a promise of a cup of tea and the chance to see some animals. The alarm was raised by the mother of one of the girls after she and her friend had been approached in Heysham on Sunday.
Lancaster City can look forward to a mini Christmas break this weekend as they prepare for their big Boxing Day clash with Barrow. The Dolly Blues have been left without a game this Saturday as the Unibond League decides that Christmas shopping is likely
NICKED! That was Skerton County Councillor Nike Penney as she was unceremoniously hauled off in police custody last week. But the sudden 'arrest' of the chairman of the county council was all in a good cause. Cllr Penney was nicked at County Hall and
A POLICE clampdown in the Morecambe area has led to a number of arrests. Checkpoints on Morecambe Promenade and at the White Lund Industrial Estate - backed by officers from the DVLA and Customs - led to three arrests and the seizure of 12 vehicles last
BURNLEY cannot afford any more "scandalous" defensive displays if they are going to push for the play-offs, according to keeper Marlon Beresford. And the man who has let six goals in twice in the past two months added: "We have got to fight for the right
FED-up bosses in Bury have helped highlight nationwide concern over the soaring costs of employers' and public liability insurance. A new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), incorporating responses from many members of Bolton and Bury Chamber
THERE are many ways to squander millions of pounds. You can blow it all at the casino, you can get diamonds encrusted in the feet of your shoes, but by far the most fun is to make an unviable and poorly thought out bid for the Olympic Games. Specifically
A fifteen strong squad from Carnforth Otters Swimming Club enjoyed outstanding success with finalists in 38 out of 42 events at the 22nd Tameside 50-metre sprints at Stalybridge. Twenty four clubs from all over Lanca-shire, Greater Man-chester, Cheshire
RIVER RESCUE: Bury man Anthony Keane, a non-swimmer, had a lucky escape when he fell into the River Roch. The 40-year-old of Manchester Road was seen by a taxi driver as he fell from Blackford Bridge. The driver informed two passing police dog handlers
TICKET details have been released for Morecambe's FA Cup third round clash with Division One Ipswich Town on Saturday, January 4. Tickets are on sale at the club's commercial office now - which is open from 9am to 7pm today (Thursday) and Friday. An initial
A SENIOR fire officer has been cleared of impersonating a policeman after he stopped a woman motorist on a quiet country lane and ticked her off for overtaking him. But station commander Nicholas Isherwood was warned by Blackburn magistrates that he would
A POSTMASTER and his wife were threatened with a sawn-off shotgun during an armed raid in Whitefield. Three men wearing balaclavas entered Hillock Post Office in Albery Place, Whitefield, just before 5.30pm on Wednesday. They threatened the 51-year-old
A WOMAN who thought robots were telling her to commit suicide hanged herself a week before her 21st birthday, an inquest was told. Jade Charmaine Gedling was found by police officers at her flat in Richmond Road, Accrington, on September 23. The inquest
A COUNCILLOR is urging residents to look no further than their own doorstep when it comes to festive day trips. Coun Peter Britcliffe, former leader of Hyndburn Council, said the borough had everything anyone could want for a great Christmas. Coun Britcliffe
A LANTERN-lit carol service was the first event in the silver jubilee year of Great Harwood Civic Society. Children and adults walked in procession to the Christmas tree and crib, in Towngate, for the service.
AN 'underwater' room was opened at Clayton-le-Moors youth and community centre. It was decorated by youngsters with the help of Action Factory to brighten up the room on a deep sea theme with a carpet to look like sand.
RESIDENTS in Pendle could sleep warmer in their beds if they take advantage of a partnership between the council and energy company Powergen. House owners and private landlords are eligible for subsidised cavity wall and loft insulation. The council said
DENIS UNDERWOOD takes charge of his second match as Nelson manager in the NWCL Division Two clash against Stone Dominoes tomorrow and said: "We can use this game as a yardstick." The new Blues boss saw his side get a point from a 0-0 draw at free-scoring
BLACKBURN HAWKS entertain the dubiously-named 'Spartak Durham' in a Challenge match at the Arena on Sunday. "Spartak is made up of a mixture of highly experienced former players and a number of our local lads," said coach Bobby Haig. "We played them last
DURING the month of Ramadan you would have been hard pressed to find any local teams playing. But go down Nelson way and they remained committed to seeing it through. None more so than the new boys on the Park: Paak B FC. Of all the sides we've featured
ROCHDALE look to be getting back to their impressive early season form after an alarming slump following that LDV Vans defeat. Last week they thumped league leaders Hartlepool United 4-0 at Spotland and followed up in midweek with a battling 3-2 victory
SHAKERS confidently expect their biggest crowd of the season for Saturday's highly-charged derby clash against Rochdale at Gigg Lane (3pm). And as far as the Gigg Lane hierarchy are concerned the match could not be more timely. With finances still tight
APART from local bragging rights among the fans there is plenty to motivate both teams ahead of the big match. Rochdale, buoyed by two superb wins this week, will be keen to avenge the1-0 home defeat the Shakers inflicted on them in the LDV Vans Trophy
ONE of Burnley's top policemen today made a personal vow to rid the town of football hooligans within three months. Chief Inspector Richard Morgan made the promise as he announced a raft of measures aimed at clamping down on football related violence.
A PROPOSED town centre community farm has already raised some concerns. The council is considering a scheme which would see a farm built somewhere in the centre of the town. Councillor Roger Frost said: "A large number of organisations are supporting
PROBLEMS at Burnley's Towneley Golf Course are about to be tackled. At a meeting of the council it was revealed that the municipal club is losing members and revenue because of the condition of the course. Coun Peter Doyle said: "The one and only Towneley
I AM writing to ask you if anything can be done to outlaw the practice of trick or treating, which is indulged by many children on Hallowe'en. Trick or Treat is an observation practiced in America and adopted in this country, which appears to have got
I do not know why people are concerned about Chelverton's plans killing businesses in the city centre - the City Council has already done that with its high rates. The shopping is limited and the market may as well close, and to add to this a charge of
Savaged and misinterpreted by that unholy duo of Steve Metcalfe and Paddy Shannon for my complacent right wing ranting, I feel I must set the record straight. Paddy's main thrust appears to be that I'm serenely accepting the unjust status quo while criticising
Please, no grandiose schemes for the West End of Morecambe. If the terraces and boarding houses can be made into flats and bedsits at a reasonable rent, why be so eager to demolish them? Surely some, or even all, of the empty shops on Yorkshire Street
ROVERS defender Craig Short believes Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke's performance against Wigan was just a taster for what lies in store for Sunday's showdown with the strikers' old club, Manchester United. Cole struck twice to secure a tie with United in
MANCHESTER United's preparations for Sunday's Premiership showdown with Blackburn Rovers have been hit by revelations that Ryan Giggs was involved in an ugly bust-up with team-mate Roy Carroll. According to Press reports this morning, the pair had to
ANYONE "swinging the lead" instead of being genuinely too ill to work will be handed their cards. That's the tough promise of town hall bosses after staff clocked up the equivalent of 88,413 sick days last year. This equates to 15.47 days for each employee
ANOTHER hefty council tax rise is on the cards despite Bury's best financial settlement for years. It seems likely that town hall bosses will impose an increase of at least 6.2 per cent, in line with Government expectations. Such an increase would enable
PROUD parents were left deflated after parking attendants pounced during a school's annual prize night. Scores of drivers were booked after leaving vehicles on a grass verge outside Bury Grammar School for Girls in Bridge Road. Other motorists were ticketed
STUDENTS with poor truancy records at a Blackburn school are being tempted back with meals at Kentucky Fried Chicken and cinema tickets. Staff at Queen's Park Technology College say the scheme is producing results and helping to cut the number of children
ONCE again, it would appear that we are on the verge of another so-called 'Winter of Discontent.' Some pensioners will have to live through a miserable, cold winter, alone and frightened, unable to go into accommodation where they would feel safe and
RAMSBOTTOM A completed the first half of their Bury Table Tennis League season pretty much as they began it with a 10-0 victory over their own C team. They have only dropped six sets in eleven matches and are deservedly on top of Division One. Playing
THE past few days has seen a drastic drop in temperatures and overnight frosts and heavy rains forecast with strong winds. On Sunday Parkers was the venue for a small outside club match. Small skimmer bream featured in the leading weights in the deep
MICK Sawdon is on the verge of quitting his post as manager of high-flying Highfield United despite their magnificent start to the season. The Air Miles Manchester League outfit currently top the Division One table, with a great chance of promotion to
THE road to the stars will also lead to Oswaldtwistle in 2003 as big names from pop and showbiz line up to perform in the town's Civic Theatre. Singer and songwriter Midge Ure, magician Paul Daniels and comedian Bobby Davro are among the performers on
HERE'S a New Year offer you don't see every day -- spend the night of December 31 in the company of Che Guevara. But while Che's presence will be limited to a massive picture on the wall, plenty of spirits of the more pleasant variety will be on offer
THERE can't be many people who, in their sixties, decide to embark on a completely new career. We're not talking a simple change here, folks; more the start of a demanding, time-consuming and, yes, probably hazardous business venture. However, drummer
BURNLEY'S Blow The House Down night is set to make a welcome return this Christmas. Held for the first time back in February, after the success of packing nearly 300 fans into the Keirby Hotel, organisers have finally got round to doing it again. Returning
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. SATURDAY A Magical Victoria Christmas, Blackburn Town Centre, 11am-4pm. Christmas Ghost Walk meet Blackburn Market, 4.30pm. Dance Evening, Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall
