Archive

  • EVENTS in East Lancashire on Friday, February 27

    Young people's confidential service, Brook Advisory Centre, 64 Bank Parade, Burnley, 6.30pm-9pm. Boys and Girls Football, Community Shop, 93 Brunshaw Road, Burnley, 7pm-9pm. Museum, Gift Shop, Tea Room and Art Gallery, Pendle Heritage Centre, Park Hill

  • Mustangs improve

    LEIGH East Mustangs put in an improved performance but still went down 24-16 to Rylands. East's man of the match was Adam Ridge, top tackler Josh Woods, most improved Michael Evans and most tries Elliott Liku (2). The other tries came from Evans and Ridge

  • Dransfield S&D

    SNOOKER: Sky Bar 66, Labour 'A' 59, HGSH 'A' 59, Bowling 'B' 54, Legion 'A' 54, Rileys 54, Liberals 50, Bowling 'A' 49, Lowton 48, Legion 'B' 46, Labour 'B' 45, HGSH 'B' 22. DOMINOES: Sky Bar 34, Bowling 'B' 29, Legion 'B' 28, Labour 'B' 27, HGSH 'A'

  • Orbital route ideas a farce

    I WOULD like to see the people responsible for the planning and regeneration of Darwen and Blackburn brought forward to explain why the ideas put forward -- approved and implemented at great costs -- turn out to be a farce. Look at the so-called Orbital

  • Even children should give to the church

    REGARDING comments from P Tatchell (LET, February 12), objecting to suggested donations at church services. From where does the lady think any funds, administered by the parochial church council 'for repairs' appear? Long gone are the days of wealthy

  • Biker is killed after collision with stolen car

    A MOTORCYCLIST from Leigh was killed early on Thursday after being hit by a stolen car. The driver of the white Rover 115 fled the scene and is being hunted by police. Passing motorists called the police after seeing the car collide with a Kawasaki motorbike

  • On the Cercle line

    BLACKBURN Rovers are close to forging a unique partnership with Belgian club side Cercle Brugge. Talks between the two clubs have been on-going for some time and negotiations are now said to be at an 'advanced stage'. If a deal can be agreed between the

  • Door was smashed by crutch

    A MAN repeatedly demanded money off his brother and smashed the door after turning up at his home, a court heard. Burnley Magistrates were told how Richard Peter Clarke, 33, banged on the door with a crutch he was walking with at the time and which police

  • Travel company appoints new chairman

    BELEAGUERED Lancashire holidays group MyTravel today announced a major change at the top with the appointment of a new chairman to steer the company out of its difficulties. Troubleshooter Michael Beckett will take over from Eric Sanderson, who will retire

  • Corrie creator tells tales of the Street

    LEIGH is preparing for a four-day feast of wordsmith fun. Coronation Street creator Tony Warren will kick off the event with an illustrated talk in the Derby Room, Leigh Library. The first Leigh and Wigan Words Together Literature Festival will run from

  • That's all, folks

    BUGS Bunny, Daffy Duck and Bart and Homer Simpson have all been among the guests at Burnley's Christmas lights switch-on in the past few years. But the cartoon favourites could become a thing of the past because of money worries at the group which organises

  • Lottery hope to save work of art for town

    CAMPAIGNERS bidding to save an internationally-important work of art featuring of one of Burnley's most famous sons are hoping a lottery grant will provide the funds. The portrait of John Towneley has recently come on to the market, but Towneley Hall

  • Let us focus more on constituencies

    MP PETER Pike wants MPs to get Fridays off from Westminster -- so they can spend more time in their constituencies. The Burnley Labour backbencher has won the support of 18 colleagues for a call to ensure that every Friday, not just most, is free of House

  • BNP blasted over lack of budget plan

    PARTY leaders launched a scathing attack on the British National Party after the far-right party failed to speak at last night's Burnley council budget meeting. All the political parties with the exception of the BNP -- which has seven councillors --

  • Mystery twist for probe into Gaul tragedy

    A MYSTERIOUS letter provided a bizarre twist in a inquiry into the sinking of a trawler yesterday. But relatives of the 36 men who perished in the Gaul disaster claim the probe has brought them no closer to the truth. The Hull-docked vessel sank off the

  • Allergy theory of girl's death

    A PROMISING 21-year-old Nelson law student may have been killed by an incredibly rare allergic reaction to a surgeon's latex gloves, an inquest found. Saira Faruque died after an routine operation at Blackburn Infirmary last September and her death has

  • Street booze ban 'not right for area'

    POLICE in Pendle do not believe banning boozing on the streets will benefit Barnoldswick. Inspector Chris Saville was asked to look into the possibility of following the lead of other towns and creating designated 'no alcohol' zones in the town and other

  • Nikki hoping to strike gold

    AN EAST Lancashire goldsmith is hoping to strike it rich for the East Lancashire Hospice. Nikki Rawling, 33, has always dreamed of exploring the lost city of the South American Inca Tribe in Peru. And as her twin sister, Justine, heads a team of specialist

  • 10 years ago

    BLACKBURN Rovers were due to face a court clash with Blackburn Council following a dispute over working hours. The council served a summons alleging breaches of the agreement on working hours, signed as part of planning permission for redevelopment of

  • Scouts celebrate 25 years

    IN April Howe Bridge Scouts and Guides are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of their Leigh Road headquarters. The group's honorary president Elsie Hulme, who will have completed 40 years with the movement in April -- 36 of them as secretary

  • 50 years ago

    WORKERS at a Burnley brewing company were rewarded for their loyalty and long service. 12 staff at Massey's Burnley Brewery Ltd were presented with gold wrist watches to mark 40 years service or more by their thankful boss Mr T.J. Flethcer. And Mickey

  • Girl faces murder charge

    A TEENAGE girl accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend has appeared at the Crown Court. Kelly Hyslop, 19, of Commercial Road, Great Harwood, is charged over the death of Mohammed Nadeem. The 28-year-old man's body was found at an address on Commercial Road

  • Council aims for 10% tax rise

    HYNDBURN Council's cabinet last night backed a budget of over £12million and a council tax increase of almost 10 per cent. The budget was accepted by Conservative and Labour councillors on the cabinet and a scrutiny committee, and now goes before the

  • Popetown sparks unholy row

    A CHURCHGOER has called on "decent people of all religions" to join a pressure campaign aimed at forcing the BBC to scrap a controversial cartoon which ridicules the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. Joan Hurst, of Rishton, said plans to broadcast the

  • Rogina gets her school place. Brian Gomm

    LITTLE Rogina Matthews should have started her new school this week. But the eight years-old Westleigh girl with special needs wasn't there because there is no room for her on the school bus. The lively youngster was looking forward to her first day at

  • Air pistol youth's sentence cut on appeal

    A COLLEGE student jailed for shooting an air pistol in Manchester City Centre has had his sentence halved. Peter Shuff, aged 18, of Leigh Road, Boothstown, had claimed he was bored and fired the gun as he waited for a bus. Last Wednesday Shuff had his

  • Police honour council worker

    OUTDOORSMAN Derek Lomas has been honoured for his work in helping to make the borough a safer place. The Wigan Council reparations worker has guided hundreds of young people back on to the straight and narrow just when they looked like taking a wrong

  • Governors plead for town's help in closure campaign

    THE Governors of a special school threatened with closure in an education shake-up are appealing to residents to join the battle to keep it open. Colin Mickleburgh, chairman of the board at Two Porches in Atherton, is hoping an upsurge in public opinion

  • Tax rise lowest for 10 years. Brian Gomm

    COUNCIL tax is set to rise by 3.4 per cent from April, the smallest increase for 10 years. Announcing the increase, Wigan Council leader Peter Smith pledged that no vital services would be cut as a result of the new budget, and there would be extra money

  • Corrie creator tells tales of the Street

    LEIGH is preparing for a four-day feast of wordsmith fun. Coronation Street creator Tony Warren will kick off the event with an illustrated talk in the Derby Room, Leigh Library. The first Leigh and Wigan Words Together Literature Festival will run from

  • BAE's profits down £36m

    BAE Systems has announced a drop in annual profits from £796 million to £760 million and has warned that the Government's full commitment to the Eurofighter Typhoon programme is vital to its future. After years of delay, the first of the new generation

  • Chadwick will play a part

    LUKE Chadwick is convinced he still has a big part to play in Burnley's season. The on-loan Manchester United winger has been forced to watch from the dug-out in recent weeks as the improving Clarets continue to nudge their way towards safety. Chadwick

  • Haslingden land Aussie pro

    HASLINGDEN Cricket Club have finally landed Andrew McDonald as their professional for this season. The Victoria all-rounder was originally targeted for the 2003 campaign a year ago but couldn't get a work permit because he hadn't played enough games for

  • Song and dance show

    A HELP group will re-enact a millennium celebration for International Women's Day. Leigh's Well Women Centre once again invites women to a day of song and dance on March 9. The March 9 event is at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre from 10am to 3pm with lunchtime

  • Day of devotion

    CHRISTIANS from 20 Leigh churches will join believers around the globe to celebrate the World Day of Prayer Movement's annual day of devotion. The congregations, who work and pray together, will take part in a unity service on Friday, March 5, at 7.30pm

  • Miners chase play-offs

    Featherstone Lions 6 Leigh Miners Rangers 20: LEIGH Miners improved their hopes of a Top Six play-off spot with a 20-6 away victory over already relegated Featherstone Lions. The Leigh side always seemed to have something in reserve and with Great Britain

  • Make mine a double!

    Leigh East 29 Thatto Heath 16: LEIGH East's fourth consecutive win in the Arriva Trains Conference Premier Division saw them record their fourth 'double' of the season as they moved into fifth place in the league. This was one of the most crucial victories

  • On the Cercle line

    BLACKBURN Rovers are close to forging a unique partnership with Belgian club side Cercle Brugge. Talks between the two clubs have been on-going for some time and negotiations are now said to be at an 'advanced stage'. If a deal can be agreed between the

  • Lowton history

    THE history of Lowton will be revealed by Alec Hughes when he gives a talk and slide show at 7.30pm on March 18 in St Mary's school hall. Proceeds from the event will go to Lowton St Mary's CE School building fund. Tickets cost £2 from the school office

  • Song and dance show

    A HELP group will re-enact a millennium celebration for International Women's Day. Leigh's Well Women Centre once again invites women to a day of song and dance on March 9. The March 9 event is at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre from 10am to 3pm with lunchtime

  • Back to the 18th century

    PROBUS Club member Harry Cook took the Tyldesley group back to the 18th century to see what life was like aboard Nelson's flagship HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. After launch she was mothballed for 13 years and following three refits joined the

  • Culcheth is going South

    CULCHETH High School is to present a full production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless musical South Pacific. Stunning costumes and spectacular sets will be a feature of the show being staged in the drama studio at school from Wednesday, March 3 to

  • Charity jumpers display

    BUSY needleworkers from Newchurch WI craft group put on a display in the village library with numerous jumpers and blankets knitted for the Jacob's Well charity. Members enjoyed floating through France when Mrs S Davidson related her experiences on canal

  • Fans get chance to have say on new stadium

    LEIGH Centurions fans are being invited to have their say on the proposed new stadium which is part of the Leigh Sports Village project. On Thursday night the Centurions have organised a Fans' Forum in the Mick Martyn bar at Hilton Park at which supporters

  • MP calls for fire-hit school to be re-built

    TWO hundred pupils from a fire-ravaged school were back behind desks on Monday as Leigh MP Andy Burnham called for action against vandals. Children from St John's CE Primary at Hindley Green have been temporarily transfered to Hindley Junior and Infants

  • Residents slam 'lazy' dog owners

    A PARK on a Leigh housing estate has been branded a 'minefield' by residents as a result of lazy dog owners allowing their pets to foul the play area. The estate -- on the site of the former Atherleigh hospital -- has a number of swings, character see-saws

  • Scout HQ gets new look

    THINGS are looking up for the members of an Atherton scout group after a 'double scoop' of funding has given them a new-look home and a mountain to climb! The 1st Atherton Scout Group got its first cash boost courtesy of the Single Regeneration budget

  • Asylum seekers have benefits blocked

    ASYLUM seekers who do not live by Home Office guidelines are having their benefits blocked. The Home Office said 15 of East Lancashire's 380 asylum seekers had had their payments stopped. Benefits can, according to a government spokesman, be halted for

  • Soccer to be saved

    TATTY and worn football pitches in a Blackburn park are set to be saved after the council stepped in to pay for them to be refurbished. Blackburn with Darwen Council will now pay for the astroturf pitches in Witton Park to be re-laid, securing the facility

  • Lowton history

    THE history of Lowton will be revealed by Alec Hughes when he gives a talk and slide show at 7.30pm on March 18 in St Mary's school hall. Proceeds from the event will go to Lowton St Mary's CE School building fund. Tickets cost £2 from the school office

  • Health survey call

    EAST Lancashire councils should produce annual surveys on the health of their residents, the government has insisted. Annual health reports, revealing how many people are fat, binge drinking, and picking up sexual diseases in every local authority, should

  • Club owners go into receivership

    BOSSES at one of Blackburn's biggest nightclubs today insisted it was business as usual despite the company which owns the venue going into receivership. Leicestershire-based Springwood Leisure was placed in the hands of receivers Ernst and Young at the

  • 'It's driving us mad!'

    FED up residents in an East Lancashire village claim their lives are being made a misery by over-development and heavy traffic. People living in the shadow of the Magnum warehouse in Blackamoor Road, Guide, said they are being swamped and claim they now

  • Dean aims to make manager take notice

    TENACIOUS wide man Dean Calcutt is ready to bang on manager John Coleman's door to fight for a new contract. The Accrington Stanley midfielder has had a stop-start season through injury and suspension and is currently waiting for surgery on a couble hernia

  • CYCLING: Positive start from Helliwell

    CARL Helliwell, of Great Harwood, demonstrated that he was the local rider with the early season form when he clinched third place overall in the Rossendale Road Club time trial on Sunday. Held over a 10 mile course based on the Ribble Valley village

  • MP calls for fire-hit school to be re-built

    TWO hundred pupils from a fire-ravaged school were back behind desks on Monday as Leigh MP Andy Burnham called for action against vandals. Children from St John's CE Primary at Hindley Green have been temporarily transfered to Hindley Junior and Infants

  • Working an extra day for nowt

    THERE'S not a lot to be said for Leap Year. It means we all work an extra day for nowt! However, February 29, is regarded as a day when desperate women can propose marriage to their man without batting an eyelid - and to the few who celebrate their real

  • Compensation warning

    THOSE seeking compensation like the horrible Cilla from Coronation Street should think twice. In a recent storyline the Street's newest mighty mouth was after enough money from Rita at the Kabin, to pay for a holiday in Florida after she wacked her young

  • Neil chips in to make it five

    HINDSFORD made it five wins in a row when they beat fourth placed Wythenshawe Town 1-0 in their home game on Saturday. In a close first half there were few chances created but Hindsford went in front when following good play from Adam Allcock, Neil Critchley

  • A chance or an opportunity?

    IT is well known that the House of Commons is not a family-friendly working environment. Attempts have been made in the last few years to ease the situation where MPs sit late into the evening often finishing in the early hours of the morning. Such hours

  • Winter bowling

    THE 19th winner at the Pennington Park Winter Bowling tournament was Kevin Shaw who beat Billy Rigby in the final 21-16. The consolation final was won by John Platt who beat Cliff Berry 21-13.

  • Ryan cuts down Giants

    A HAT-TRICK of tries from second rower Ryan O'Toole was the highlight of a match that saw Leigh East U12s defeat Grappenhall 44-14. East signalled their intent in the first minute, Gunning scoring the first of his brace. More tries followed from Leonard

  • Fencing club

    A NEW fencing club opens its doors at the Apple Dance Centre, Twist Lane on Sunday, March 7. James Selby, former coach of Liverpool Fencing Club, has decided to open this club in Leigh. He has been fencing for many years having competed in both regional

  • Insect worth more than celebrity

    I FULLY support P C Golders' comments in his letter of February 13 on cruelty to the insect population. Perhaps some people do not appreciate their value. As a keen gardener, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see worms and beetles beavering

  • 'Charge' solicitors for extra bobbies

    REGARDING the reports in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph regarding a large increase in council tax so that we can cut crime with an extra 500 bobbies on the beat. As your report stated, the Government will not allow this increase. Chief Superintendent

  • Condolences to Morecambe Bay victims

    ON behalf of the Lancashire Association of Trades Union councils, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the victims of the Morecambe Bay/Hest Bank cockle-fishing disaster. I would also like to condemn the circumstances. A civilised society,

  • Calming creates a race track

    I READ with interest the articles about speeding problems within our community, or, now as it is being worded "Traffic calming measures." What 'calming' has been done on the Whitebirk to Preston New Road race track? I used to call it a bypass. If anyone

  • We were caught short by one long ball

    The GLEN LITTLE column GUTTED. That's the only word to describe how I'm feeling after the game at Reading on Tuesday. The game was fairly tight and we would probably have been happy with a point before it, but when you get so close to three it's really

  • Allergy theory of girl's death

    A PROMISING 21-year-old Nelson law student may have been killed by an incredibly rare allergic reaction to a surgeon's latex gloves, an inquest found. Saira Faruque died after an routine operation at Blackburn Infirmary last September and her death has

  • Swimmers strike gold

    TYLDESLEY swimmers collected another golden medal haul at the second weekend of Central Lancashire Age Group competitions. Kimberley Banner stroked her way to triple gold in the 14 years agegroup taking the 400m individual medley, 100m and 200m breaststroke

  • Culcheth is going South

    CULCHETH High School is to present a full production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless musical South Pacific. Stunning costumes and spectacular sets will be a feature of the show being staged in the drama studio at school from Wednesday, March 3 to

  • Top show at the Turnpike

    PUBLICLY-owned 20th Century prints are on show in Leigh alongside a national touring Goya exhibition. A display, including work by David Hockney and Andy Warhol, will sit alongside "Goya: The Disparates" to March 14 in the Turnpike Gallery. TheTurnpike

  • Man, 66, jailed for attack on lawyer

    A 66-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for attacking his ex-wife's divorce solicitor after a court hearing over the split. But today his son criticised the sentence and said he believed the incident had been an accident. Colin Cocker, of Tabor Street, Burnley

  • Parish defeats wind farm plan

    RESIDENTS in Burnley's smallest parish are celebrating after winning their 'David and Goliath' battle to block plans for a moorland wind farm. The Government has refused to grant planning permission for United Utilities to put 12 turbines on land near

  • Worried Barrow slams Gigg pitch

    BURY'S pitch is hampering the club's attempts to pull clear of the Third Division relegation battle, according to manager Graham Barrow. The Shakers boss was critical of the Gigg Lane surface, which cut up during Tuesday's 1-1 draw with relegation rivals

  • Edward's star role in cinema history

    CINEMAS hold a special place in most people's hearts when it comes to remembering the good old days. And reader Mrs Sheelagh McMahon, of Shireburn Avenue, Clitheroe, has sent in memories of the former Star Picture Palace in Little Harwood, Blackburn.

  • Estates' names that give a link to the past

    Bygone Burnley, with JACK NADIN DURING the two Wars a number of housing schemes were begun to take the people out of the slum areas of Burnley in places like Hill Top near Church Street, Pickup Croft where the bus station now stands, and Finsley Gate.

  • 25 years ago

    EAST Lancashire's eyesores were set to get a facelift in a major derelict land reclamation scheme. Lancashire County Council embarked on a project to rid the area of unsightly waste heaps and other desolate sites. Meanwhile dustbin collections were halted

  • Alarm saved family as TV caught fire

    FIREFIGHTERS have highlighted the need for domestic smoke alarms in every home after two recent incidents. An alarm saved the lives of a Golborne family after a TV set caught fire in the early hours. But the absence of an alarm almost had serious consequences

  • Leeds? Give me Stanley any day!

    JAMES Lord lives in Yorkshire -- but he prefers Accrington Stanley to Leeds United! The 10-year-old was the mascot at Saturday's game against Northwich Victoria. He met players, walked out on the pitch with skipper Paul Mullen, and received a signed ball

  • Historic church gets a facelift

    AN HISTORIC church is to get a massive facelift after being granted funding by English Heritage. Tyldesley Top Chapel has been a dominant town centre feature opposite the town's market square since it opened as the Lady Huntingdon Chapel in 1789. Soon

  • Round the world cruise that's no luxury holiday

    HUMANITARIAN adventurer Kerys Williams is taking a cruise around the world on a love boat with a difference. The 29-years-old teacher, a former Leigh and Wigan ambassadress in France, will board a Peace Boat in Japan in April for its 45th educational

  • Mike drawn to a brand new career

    AN afternoon sketching a postcard of Clitheroe proved to be enough to change one man's career for good. Michael Bentley, 39, was doodling the town scene four years ago when he realised how easy he found drawing and painting. Now he has opened his first

  • Mum stole £1,200 from school fund

    A MOTHER who stole £1,200 from a school fund-raising group had been unable to face the "awful truth" of her dishonesty, a court was told. Blackburn magistrates heard that Susan Jayne Wetherby abused her position of trust as treasurer by keeping cash raised

  • Bus lanes cause grief for us all

    In commenting on bus lanes, Lesley Richards raised an issue that causes many people a lot of grief. It is quite illogical that bus lanes reduce road space during the times most people wish to use the public highways, and yet are de-restricted during the

  • Smokers are in the firing line again

    Just a few lines for those who smoke. Are you aware that our local council operates a scheme under which they can issue a fixed penalty notice of £50 if they believe that you have thrown a cigarette stump out of your car window. I know this because it

  • Benefits of our EU work

    MONDAY morning - very early - off to Brussels for another EU meeting. In a masochistic sort of way I enjoy this work, and I positively like my EU Foreign Minister colleagues, who are a stimulating and very varied group. But the building where we meet

  • Governors plead for town's help in closure campaign

    THE Governors of a special school threatened with closure in an education shake-up are appealing to residents to join the battle to keep it open. Colin Mickleburgh, chairman of the board at Two Porches in Atherton, is hoping an upsurge in public opinion

  • Still a star - at 73

    STAR veteran Derek Howarth has collected his 20th national athletics title -- at the age of 73. Derek, Leigh Harriers' club treasurer, struck double gold in the British Veterans' Indoor Championships at Cardiff. The club's newest lifetime achievement

  • Mini rugby

    TYLDESLEY RU minis entertained Marple and Bolton. The U8s beat Marple 40-35 and Bolton 50-25. In a good all round performance top try scorer was Josh Withers and starman Cameron Broadhurst. Dan Morton scored three tries in the U9s' 40-35 win over Marple

  • New deals for Speedway Club

    ASTLEY & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Cycle Speedway Club have landed two sponsorship deals for the new season. Tyldesley computer dealers, CTA Direct, of Elliott Street, have agreed to be the team's sponsors for the fourth successive year. Once again

  • Golborne take prized cup scalp

    Golborne Parkside 28 Millom 18: GOLBORNE Parkside pulled off the shock of the round in the GMB National Cup by dumping out Arriva Trains Conference side Millom The NW Counties Division Four side struggled in the early exchanges as they came to terms with

  • Hannah goes down in history

    LEIGH cross country star Hannah Warburton rewrote the record books when she lifted Leigh Harriers' first national cross country championship medal. Competing in the U13 age group, Hannah capped a brilliant season to take second place, and a well-deserved

  • Forwards lay down winning platform

    LEIGH RU's first XV pack built the foundations for a 44-21 home win over Wirral. Leigh opened the scoring with an early penalty goal by Wilcock and with the forwards exerting early control, a strong driving maul was finished by P.Liku, making his first

  • Try-poacher Rowley joins the 100 club

    Leigh Centurions 60 Chorley Lynx 10 by Mike Hulme: A ONE-SIDED no contest on a bitterly cold afternoon isn't everyone's idea of fun. But the low-key affair did mark the re-emergence of Andy Isherwood as a back-rower with all the attributes to go right

  • Chadwick will play a part

    LUKE Chadwick is convinced he still has a big part to play in Burnley's season. The on-loan Manchester United winger has been forced to watch from the dug-out in recent weeks as the improving Clarets continue to nudge their way towards safety. Chadwick

  • School reunion dinner date

    THE annual Leigh Girls' Grammar School reunion dinner has been booked for April 23 at the Formby Hall, Atherton. Tickets and further details : 01942 674954.

  • Jobs shake-up threat

    GOVERNMENT staff at the Criminal Records Bureau in Darwen could be asked to take jobs elsewhere after a shake-up of the way the office is run. The bureau, in India Mill, was opened in 2002 to help ease the burden on the Liverpool head office, which deals

  • Fumes start blaze

    A CAR and a garage were destroyed when petrol fumes ignited. A fire crew from Leigh attended the fire at Haddon Road, Lowton, at 9.20am on Sunday and remained at the scene for two hours. A man working on his Fiat Cinquecento in his garage, which was attached

  • WI test for bone condition

    CONCERNED Culcheth WI members organised a successful bone density testing session to check for signs of the bone-wasting condition, osteoporosis. Forty five people attended the event ensuring it will be repeated again next year. Speaker Brian Dixon compared

  • Heartbeat away from West End

    A WANNABE West End star is set to get her five minutes of fame when she makes her first lead TV appearance on ITV's 'Heartbeat.' Rachel Yates, 17, of Slaidburn Avenue, Rawtenstall, is hoping this is the push she'll need to be recognised and help her on

  • Day of devotion

    CHRISTIANS from 20 Leigh churches will join believers around the globe to celebrate the World Day of Prayer Movement's annual day of devotion. The congregations, who work and pray together, will take part in a unity service on Friday, March 5, at 7.30pm

  • Scouts celebrate 25 years

    IN April Howe Bridge Scouts and Guides are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the opening of their Leigh Road headquarters. The group's honorary president Elsie Hulme, who will have completed 40 years with the movement in April -- 36 of them as secretary

  • Kirsty makes sure show goes on

    DRAMA Queen Kirsty Atherton and Hag Folders can take a bow. When Kirsty took up her new post as development officer 13 weeks ago she was challenged to put on a pantomime with just one week of rehearsals - and enthusiastic families helped make it happen

  • Villagers finally get own home

    BICKERSHAW folk have finally got a place of their own. The village residents' association now has a local base thanks to housing chiefs. Association leader Carole Platt said: "This community base will mean that we can bring people together and create

  • Graffiti with a serious message

    SHAKERLEY'S OK reckon a youthful team from the Tyldesley estate who joined graffiti artist Scott Winstanley and community policewoman Vicki Handley to transform a 30ft wall into a masterpiece warning about the dangers of drug abuse. Project originator

  • Top show at the Turnpike

    PUBLICLY-owned 20th Century prints are on show in Leigh alongside a national touring Goya exhibition. A display, including work by David Hockney and Andy Warhol, will sit alongside "Goya: The Disparates" to March 14 in the Turnpike Gallery. TheTurnpike

  • Swimmers strike gold

    TYLDESLEY swimmers collected another golden medal haul at the second weekend of Central Lancashire Age Group competitions. Kimberley Banner stroked her way to triple gold in the 14 years agegroup taking the 400m individual medley, 100m and 200m breaststroke

  • Experts examine car found after bank 'axe' raid

    FORENSIC experts are to examine a car police believe was used in an armed robbery in Blackburn town centre. The Vauxhall Astra was found abandoned in Oxford Close, Blackburn, yesterday afternoon. Detectives believe the dark green car was the one used

  • Youths' say on services

    YOUTH councillors from across Lancashire will be premiering a project to find the best and worst places for young people to go in the county at a cinema this Sunday. Members of the Lancashire Youth Council will be unveiling their epic 'Stuff2Do' project

  • Car roof 'jape' lands dad in trouble

    A 21-YEAR-OLD man went "roof running" on parked cars as returned home from celebrating his son's birthday. Blackburn magistrates heard Martin James Golden had left distinctive footprints on the top of two cars during what he considered at the time a "

  • Group seeks to jail child abuser

    A CHILD victim support group has launched an appeal against the sentence imposed on a man caught on tape verbally abusing a toddler. And the 13-month-old child's mother has welcomed the action of the Phoenixsurvivors.com organisation, which has lodged

  • SCHOOLS SOCCER: Blackburn get back to winning ways

    BLACKBURN under-14s made a quick return to winning ways when they beat local rivals Bolton 2-1 in their challenge match at Pleasington. The two teams cancelled each other out in a goalless first half, but Blackburn broke the deadlock eight minutes after

  • ATHLETICS: Eleanor takes northern title

    ELEANOR Markendale of Pendle Athletic Club became a North of England champion - after only making up her mind to compete the night before her event. The under 15 youngster arrived home from a half-term break in Italy at 10pm on Saturday, then the following

  • School reunion dinner date

    THE annual Leigh Girls' Grammar School reunion dinner has been booked for April 23 at the Formby Hall, Atherton. Tickets and further details : 01942 674954.

  • Rogina gets her school place

    LITTLE Rogina Matthews should have started her new school this week. But the eight years-old Westleigh girl with special needs wasn't there because there is no room for her on the school bus. The lively youngster was looking forward to her first day at

  • Buying a sprig of lucky heather

    IT'S more years than I wish to remember since I was approached by women appealing to my charitable nature to buy a sprig of lucky heather. It happened twice in Bradshawgate on Tuesday, but having a garden full of the stuff, in a variety of colours, I

  • End of another gem

    I'M sorry to report that another long standing Leigh jeweller is closing her doors after 14 years in the town. Hot on the heels of the Preston's shutdown Elaine's in Market Street is calling it a day when her lease runs out at the end of the month. Another

  • Accidents happen - but usually to me!

    I was planning to replace my moth-eaten berber carpet with polished wood flooring in a bid to wipe out years of trouble from the perishing nuisances. That was until I discovered the trend had led to a record 400pc increase in accidents in the home --

  • Super challenge when mighty Hull come to town

    LEIGH Centurions will put their Super League credentials on the line when they try to pull off the upset of the round by dumping Hull out of the Powergen Challenge Cup this weekend Leigh know it's a tall order against one of the top sides in Super League

  • Council sting man is jailed

    A BUSINESSMAN who conned Bury Council out of nearly £750,000 over a six year period in building tenders has been jailed for 18 months. Builder Dennis Brandwood was also ordered to pay back £250,000 to Bury Council within 12 months. Bolton Crown Court

  • Adam snatches late winner

    BOOTHSTOWN U12's consolidated second place in the league with a well-earned victory over Unicorn. A competitive match from the start saw Boothstown take the lead in the first half with a Tom Potter goal. Unicorn equalised with an undeserved penalty midway

  • Tyldesley cruise

    AFC Tyldesley had little trouble disposing of Three Crowns Reserves in the Leigh Soccer League Davenport Cup first round. A hat-trick from Renshaw and another goal by Hayes gave them a comfortable 4-0 win. In a round two game, Kersal Vale beat New Inn

  • Another red card as RMI slip again

    Aldershot 2 Leigh RMI 0 by Martyn Hindley: IT'S ironic that on a day when Leigh RMI found themselves ravaged by suspensions, another red card marred a workmanlike performance that ultimately counts for nothing. The spine of the RMI side was shattered