IT would not have made a blind bit of difference if Kevin Keegan had stayed on for the Finland game. England would still have resembled the blind leading the blind. He should not even have abdicated after our Euro 2000 abomination. The spineless wonder
IT amazes me that Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe hopes to be the person who cuts the first sod on the site of the proposed new cinema complex in Accrington (LET, October 7). I don't think he should take advantage of a photo opportunity that
HOW incredibly sad was the story of the Brockhall burials (LET, October 6). Not only were these people shunned in life, but also, it seems, that outlook followed them to the grave. Also, many people who were incarcerated at Brockhall were not mentally
BLACKBURN Conservative councillor David Pearson (Letters, October 6), extols the virtues of William Hague's promise to treat pensioners with dignity and respect. Perhaps he would tell us how he intends to do this. I would refer him to his leader's interview
A THUG assaulted two women from Tyldesley and attempted to steal money from them after befriending them in a pub. The two victims, aged 22 and 29, met the man in a pub in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, and detectives at Leigh are confident they can catch
A MAJOR investigation has been launched into the allocation of councillors' expenses at an East Lancashire local authority. The revelation that a full probe has got under way at Hyndburn Council comes days after it was reported that Conservative councillors
UP-AND-COMING young RL star Adam Bibey was among seven hopefuls called up to the NW Counties Under 16's Australian tour squad as late additions. Adam was one of those who got the nod for a trip of a lifetime after impressing in trials at Leigh Miners.
STRIKER Nathan Blake handed Graeme Souness a massive boost ahead of Rovers' crucial clash with Fulham on Sunday by completing a full 90 minutes for Wales against Poland last night. Blake had missed training over the last couple of days because of a muscle
BLACKBURN Rovers centre-back Christian Dailly could become a Derby County player in the next 48 hours after being given the all-clear by specialists yesterday. The 26-year-old defender had feared he might need surgery on the broken nose he suffered in
FANS of footie memorabilia could own of a piece of turf from the legendary Wembley Stadium thanks to the Rotary Club of Preston South. The club has successfully applied for a piece of land from the ground, which is being dug up following the final match
LIFE on the front line is all in a days work for a local government estates surveyor who spends his free time as a member of the Territorial Army (TA). As a member of B Troop, 270 Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers), Andy Scrivens, from Preston
TWO Preston Olympians are hoping to carry on Great Britain's recent medal success in Sydney at this week's Paralympic Games, in Australia. Table tennis players Lynne Riding, 43, and Barry Cook, 57, both from Preston, are part of a 214-strong team aiming
MEMBERS of The Broughton Players drama group are learning their lines and ironing their costumes in time for the new season of productions at Preston Playhouse. The acclaimed amateur drama group will open the new season from October 25-28, at 7.30pm,
A DEVOTED husband has pulled out all the stops to raise cash for the hospice where his wife is battling against cancer. Tony Hart and his wife Janet had been married for just seven months when Janet was diagnosed with bone cancer on her 48th birthday
Preston North End Girls 2 Blackpool FC Girls 3 A HEAD injury forced North End's Lauren Smith forced out of the match in the early minutes. But Preston took the lead through Sam Cadwallader and Natasha Miller hit a second. Blackpool fought back and levelled
LANCASHIRE Lynx Rugby League Football Club has been sold to Chorley Sporting Club Ltd. The deal was announced after a board meeting last Friday, October 6. The new rugby team will play at Chorley's Victory Park next season, in the Northern Ford Premiership
WHEN Dawn Loder logged on to an international chat line on the internet, she could have found true love anywhere in the world -- but she netted a husband who was virtually a neighbour. Dawn -- formerly Dawn Dinsdale -- of Colne Road, Earby, wanted to
BRITAIN'S eight-year peak in inflation meant a huge windfall boost for pensioners and benefit claimants. Pensions and other welfare state benefits were to be uprated by nearly 11 per cent in the spring.
A ONE million pound plan to transform Blackburn's rundown Boulevard was unveiled. The new scheme meant the redesign of the bus station, covered walkways, pedestrian crossings and landscaping to create a better first impression of the town
A SHOCKED mother has claimed bra posters on prominent advertising sites are "sexually explicit" and harmful to children. And the advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority, has confirmed it is to launch a probe into the posters which ask
A PARTY of Lowton Youth Club members have returned from a "hair raising" mission of mercy in Romania. The 14-strong group spent a holiday with a difference at the Lugoj orphanage which the people of Lowton have supported for the past 10 years. Now they
A MAJOR investigation has been launched into the allocation of councillors' expenses at an East Lancashire local authority. The revelation that a full probe has got under way at Hyndburn Council comes days after it was reported that Conservative councillors
AN Atherton widow has formed a support group to help the bereaved and lonely pick up the pieces of their lives. Retired teacher Frances Raftery was devastated when her window cleaner husband, Lawrence, died after a fall from a building three years ago
THERE'LL be a "whole lotta shakin' goin' on" when rock 'n' roller Ronnie Carr bows out with the Beat Boys. Leigh's best-known bopper is reforming his band, who cut discs on The Decca label in the 1960s, to raise funds for Wigan Hospice. Ex-Wood End pitman
HERE'S a nice little titbit I heard the other day: Out of 65 U.S. government sites tested against the Federal Trade Commission's security rules, only about three per cent passed. I wonder how Mr Tony Blair's e-government would measure up? www.whitehouse.gov
ROCK group Barenaked Ladies have put out their own "Trojan MP3". They have posted the MP3 version of their new song across the internet. The problem is that when you get the file, the song plays for about 30 seconds and then the band members come on,
ONLINE bookseller bol.com has announced it will be sponsoring the TS Eliot Prize 2000, which will be awarded to the winning The TS Eliot Prize 2000 is, in Poet Laureate Andrew Motion's words, "the prize most poets want to win". Awarded by the Poetry Book
WHEN the Euro currency was launched, many people warned it was a dangerous experiment. Eddie George, Governor of the Bank of England, described it as "a leap in the dark". Since then the Euro has plunged in value and now the Danes have rejected the single
WHILE the Moore saga continues, another Stockport player courted by Burnley has pledged his future to the Edgeley Park club. Defender Mike Flynn was the subject of an early season bid from the Clarets and last week suggested that a move to Burnley would
PHIL Gray's chances of a switch from Burnley to Grimsby Town could be scuppered by Grimsby's move to bring former Mariners favourite Clive Mendonca back to Blundell Park. Town boss Lennie Lawrence has also recruited Danish striker David Neilsen on loan
LEIGH RUFC weathered early Wallasey pressure before romping to a 32-7 NPI Cup second round win at Wallasey. Lester scored the first try when he touched down a chip ahead by Baker. Full-back Fletcher made a strong run but was tackled just short but from
TYLDESLEY swimmers were among the finalists in the latest rounds of the Warburtons Age Group Series. Tyldesley claimed five silver medals following successful swims from Sarah Wood in the 100m backstroke, Michelle Greensmith in the 50m freestyle, Samantha
Hayes 1 Leigh RMI 2 RMI boss Steve Waywell heaped praise on the Leigh fans who defied England and the weather to cheer their team to a well deserved win at Church Road. And they could attribute their victory to a superb solo effort from Tony Black two
ASTLEY & Tyldesley had a hectic weekend's schedule of Cycle Speedway racing. The club hosted the re-arranged staging of the Northern Junior Individual Championships at Gin Pit on Saturday. Tameside's Chris Eaton easily retained his U-13 title. Astley
Preston Grasshoppers 49 Bedford Athletic 19 HOPPERS thrashed National League Three North side Bedford Athletic in their Tetley's Bitter Cup second round game. Their second half display earned them a trip to Coventry in the next round where they will face
A COMPUTER firm is celebrating a clutch of new contracts. JF:IT was launched by Jason Fenwick last year after he was made redundant by a company in Lancaster. Now Jason is working on contracts for a number of firms in the North including his former employer
OFFICE clutter and disorganised desks are costing North West businesses, according to a report on office organisation. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of company directors questioned blamed poorly organised office administration and 63 per cent highlighted
A NEW regional taskforce will be launched by the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWWA) to help small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) win more business under a groundbreaking initiative. The move will bring together representatives of aerospace industry bodies
VIEWERS have voted Anne Robinson the rudest person on the box. What a title to have bestowed on you. But it's no wonder. If I was a contestant on the teatime BBC 2 quiz "The Weakest Link" and she spoke to me in the condescending way she does to some of
BLESSED with a day without rain, Bury Athletic Club's Off Road Obstacle Relay produced some entertaining and competitive races. Bury athletes put in some fine performances against strong opposition including Sale, Trafford, East Cheshire, Hyndburn, Wigan
AMBULANCE service updates should mean better response times with nearly 50 extra staff and 23 new vehicles hitting the streets. John Williams, director of Human Resources at Greater Manchester Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said: "We are recruiting and
THE Signpost Advisory Service, a new confidential agency, opens inTyldesley on Monday. The aim of the service is to provide a point of first contact for anyone with problems of any kind. Located at Tyldesley Community Education Centre in Upper George
CHILDREN brought learning to life with a series of hands-on experiments as part of their 'Mad Science Day'. Pupils from St Edwards RC Primary School, in Blackburn Road, Darwen, covered scientific areas such as materials, friction and how the heart works
RECONSTRUCTING the war-torn Balkans was on North West Euro MP Gary Titley's agenda when he flew out for top line talks in Sarajevo. Just hours after the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade, Mr Titley was representing Foreign Secretary Robin Cook
PROPERTY speculators have been warned by a Darwen councillor to keep their vacant properties in good condition or face a big bill for cleaning them up. Councillor Dave Smith also called for the council to be given greater powers to deal with derelict
A LEIGH teacher is stepping out to run her first charity marathon in the Windy City. Rainhill physics mistress Susan Rivers (pictured) and her sister Helen will compete in the Chicago marathon on October 22 to help the disabled children of Romania. Susan
BRAVE little Curtis Williams has undergone intricate neuro surgery as he battles against brain cancer. On Friday four year old Curtis underwent the crucial brain tumour operation at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. The operation involved putting
A THUG assaulted two women from Tyldesley and attempted to steal their money after befriending them in a pub. The two victims, aged 22 and 29, met the man in a pub in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, and detectives at Leigh are confident they can catch him
FREE parking could be offered to town centre shoppers during construction of a £2m extension of Spinning Gate shopping centre. Members of the Strategy (Resources) Committee will be asked on Monday to pass plans allowing shoppers to park on the upper floors
MULTI-MILLION pound extension work will start soon at Leigh's Spinning Gate centre. As builders get ready to expand the mall, town centre strategists met in a bid to ensure the 12 month transformation causes the least possible disruption to shoppers.
A HUGE rubbish problem could be halved if plans for a £7m waste recycling plant go ahead. Wigan Council is currently negotiating with Yorkshire based Waste Recycling Group plc concerning the possible takeover of Wigan's massive 200,000 tonnes a year waste
THE Government is to scrap an organisation that has fought patients' battles for nearly three decades. Leigh members of the independent Community Health Council (CHC) - which will become a thing of the past in March 2002 - are now seriously worried about
By Brian Gomm SPORTS club members whose Lottery bid was snubbed were this week cheering a £160,000 windfall. It means within a month work is expected to start on a two-storey extension to boost facilities at the village club at the centre of a sporting
DRIVERS could face delays due to road works across Journal-land. In Atherton carriageway and footpath resurfacing means Crab Tree Lane and Stanley Street will be closed on October 15 and 22, and possibly October 29 if required. Similar work in Leigh Road
LEIGH teenager Charlotte Johnstone has a good laugh in her role as a sex talker. But the 16-years-old takes the job seriously, and believes the project is helping to deliver an important message to the young people of the borough who are unhappy with
JUDGES for a top Italian food competition have just found out what some people in Leigh have known for years - that Maximillions make the best pizza in the country. The Railway Road cafe, restaurant and take-away has reached the last six in a national
By Brian Gomm TANKERS and fire engines were brought in to help ease flood problems caused by torrential rain in the Plank Lane area of Leigh. The area was swamped early on Tuesday evening and water tankers brought in by the local authority working in
SOMERSET SAUSAGE AND POTATO CASSEROLE (Serves four) 1 15ml spn (1 tblspn) vegetable oil 8 large Cumberland sausages 2 sticks celery, chopped 1 leek, sliced 1 large waxy potato, peel and cut into chunks 1 onion, chopped 1 x 15ml spn (1 tblspn) plain flour
BRAMLEY CARAMEL (Serves four to six) Caramel 175g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 50g caster sugar 50g soft baking margarine 1 egg Grated rind of 1 lemon 150ml milk 450g Bramley apples, peeled and sliced (add a little lemon Juice if preparing ahead
HADDOCK, POTATO AND PARSNIP PIE (Serves four) 450g/1lb potatoes, peel and cut into pieces 400g/14oz parsnips, peeled and cut into pieces 600ml/2fl oz milk 3tbsp chopped parsley Salt and freshly-ground black pepper 175g/6oz Lancashire cheese, grated 700g
Food News, with Amanda Killelea COLD autumn and winter nights call for easily prepared, warming foods. After all, who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen when there's a sofa to snuggle up on and some hearty food to eat in front of the fire! As the
A KNIFEMAN held a three-inch blade at the throat of a female shopkeeper in a failed robbery bid in Blackpool. At around 3.20pm on September 30 the man went into Santoshi's newsagents on Eaves Street and threatened the woman with the blade, demanding she
A CYCLIST grabbed and spat at an eleven year old boy before trying to make him disclose his address in Stanley Park last month. The boy was grabbed by the man, who was riding a bike, on September 29 at around 4pm. The boy refused to tell him where he
A BLACKPOOL residents' association is looking for help to build a new community centre -- and they've got The Citizen on their side. St Heliers Residents' Association is aiming to raise £50,000 by organising an evening auction at the Tangerine nightclub
POLICE are urging people to make sure their houses are secure from burglars in an attempt to further reduce the Fylde's crime figures. While burglaries in the area have dropped over the last two years, police have expressed concern over "blips" in the
THE GOVERNMENT is threatening to get tough on hospitals which overwork their junior doctors, but Blackpool Victoria hospital says it's not worried. In fact, hospitals across the country already turn to them for advice on how they should set up new rotas
THE controversial contest to become East Lancashire's new business champion has been won by the area's Chamber of Commerce. The bidding battle to run the area's new SBS -- the Small Business Service -- split the local business community and led to the
PARENTS are learning their times tables all over again under a new scheme run by a Blackburn School. In conjunction with the local education authority (LEA) and Blackburn College, staff at Lammack Primary School, in Lammack Road, Blackburn, have introduced
A COMPUTER worker with Blackburn Rovers teamed up with his opposite numbers from Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest to help raise money for a children's charity. A team of four from Forest have organised the 1,000 mile ride around various football
A LEADING headteacher has urged all schools to assess the risks of outdoor activity in the wake of the tragedy of teenagers swept away by a flooding river. The girls, aged 13 and 14, from Leeds, were in a school party 'river walking' in Stainforth Beck
THE best thing in Accrington is the bypass taking people out of town, while all Bacup has to offer is a good branch of Oxfam! That is the verdict of a new website which claims to be 'the users' guide to Britain,' passing opinions on more than 1,000 towns
LANCASHIRE look set to complete the signing of promising Worcestershire batsman Ryan Driver. The 21-year-old top order player has rejected a new deal at New Road. And with Lancashire asking for permission to speak to the Truro-born stroke-maker, Driver
THE Brinscall Triathlon was massively over subscribed this year as it tapped in to triathlon's new found popularity as an Olympic Sport. Interest in the event peaked just after the Sydney races, and the Brinscall event is a short distance race ideal for
LAST year's British Veteran Marathon Champion Evan Cook notched another success at his specialist distance on Sunday when he won the M45 category in the Manchester Marathon. Finishing 11th in a vast field of nearly 900 runners, the Blackburn Harrier headed
BLACKBURN Harriers under 15 girls finished 6th of 28 teams in the North of England Road Relay Championships at Blackpool. Rachel Holt completed her 2800m lap of the Stanley Park curcuit in 11:49 to leave the team 13th. Anna Brooks ran 11:37 to bring them
Joyce's second lease of life WITH the Paralympics starting in Sydney on October 18, Joyce Timberlake gives us a reason why we should all tune in to the nightly BBC coverage of the event. The 59-year-old, who suffers from multiple scelorsis and is now
COLIN Murdock, Preston North End's central defender, has proved he is one of the brainiest players on the team this year. The cultured player, who posesses a law degree has made good use of Preston's emergence as a rising force under manager David Moyes
PRESTON boss David Moyes says he is hopeful of a fully-fit squad for Saturday's home clash with Tranmere Rovers (October 14), following the team's never-ending jinx over players' fitness -- and that includes Jon Macken. The first team squad returned to
M and S has ended its welcome new sizing for real women campaign. That doesn't surprise me. Any size 16 plus who runs naked up a hill shouting "I'm normal" must be raving bonkers. The end came following 54 complaints about the billboard posters - many
TWO local women suffering losses of different kinds took action to help themselves ease their suffering - and unwittingly ended up creating a link line aid for others. Widow Frances Raftery lost her husband in an accident three years ago, and despite
CHARITY workers from Golborne Asda were thrilled with their fundraising concert to help a cash-starved local youth club for the mentally handicapped. The eight strong group raised over £700 to share between the club and Petsearch - and on Monday were
EVER fancied tackling Tim Street or getting to grips with Adam Bristow? If so then get down to Hilton Park on October 22 when fans are being given the unique opportunity to pull on a Leigh shirt and play alongside - and against - their heroes. The Centurions
LEIGH Centurions will need to hit the ground running when the new NFP season kicks off in December. Last season's beaten Grand Finalists will sit out the first round of matches on December 3 before starting their campaign at home to Barrow a week later
INTERNATIONAL back rower Dave Bradbury has been given the chance to fulfil a lifetime dream and join his hometown club. Bradbury, out of contract at Huddersfield Giants, has had one round of talks with Centurions head coach Paul Terzis and Leigh hope
POOL manager Steve McMahon has embarked on an international rescue mission to bolster the Tangerines playing squad. He is interested in four players from as far afield as Scandinavia and Africa to strengthen the team. First on the list is Ivory Coast
Beetle drive, St Gabriel's Church, Brownhill, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Line dance jamboree, Highfield WMC, Darwen, 7.30pm-11.30pm. Paper skip, Langho community centre car park. Janet Anderson MP surgery, Sudellside community centre, Darwen, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Sean
IT was interesting to read the comments of Councillor D Pearson (Letters, October 6) about Councillor Don Rishton's previous remarks. The points they both raised adequately sum up people's views of politicians today and strengthen the case for non-voters
LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffee has confirmed to The Journal that he is being treated for a lung illness. But the Labour MP, who has been unwell for several months, says he hopes to be back at Westminster soon after the start of the new Parliamentary session
REGARDING your photograph of the sign at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, and Eric Leaver's remarks (LET, September 27), we are very proud to be able to use the title of being a health promoting hospital. Not all hospitals are able to do this, as it
BURNLEY-born BBC TV boss Peter Salmon has spoken about the heartache of leaving his long-term partner and three sons for ex-Coronation Street star Sarah Lancashire. Former St Theodore's RC High School student Mr Salmon, 44, has moved out of the Oxford
POLICE have identified the body of a man found dead in a Preston wood earlier this week. Peter William Knagg, aged 38, of Coloway Avenue, Preston, was reported missing in May. Since his disappearance police have conducted extensive enquiries and searches
WORRIED residents on a busy Preston street are calling for urgent action following two accidents in as many weeks. Families living on Christchurch Street and Wellfield Road are calling for immediate traffic calming measures in a bid to stop speeding motorists
A MAN has been arrested and questioned in connection with the shotgun murder of Burnley warehouseman Iain McKay, detectives revealed today. But police released the man without charge despite being granted a 24-hour extension to keep him in custody last
A LASTING tribute to a little boy tragically killed in a road accident has been placed in an area of town where he lived and played. Little Adam Lee Jackson died when he cycled out into the path of a car near his dad Michael's house in Padiham on a quiet
BURNLEY-born BBC TV boss Peter Salmon has spoken about the heartache of leaving his long-term partner and three sons for ex-Coronation Street star Sarah Lancashire. Former St Theodore's RC High School student Mr Salmon, 44, has moved out of the Oxford
PLAYERS from a special needs football team did the town proud by winning the coveted Carcraft Cup, a competition for adults with learning difficulties. The impressive Preston team topped their group, which included included some stiff competition from
AMAZED motorists are doing a double take after a company turned Colne's North Valley into Jurassic Park -- by planting giant dinosaurs on the busy roadside. Members of the public could be forgiven for thinking they had entered a Hollywood film set as
HE myths associated with cremation will hopefully be laid to rest at the first Howe Bridge Crematorium open day on Saturday. Duncan McCallum, crematorium manager, has made it his mission in life to educate people about cremation. With many years in the
By Paola Alvino A TEENAGER from Hindley Green is to receive a British Red Cross award after helping a pensioner who was trapped under a bus. Michael Jennings, 16, was picked from 14 short-listed regional nominations to scoop the Humanity Award, which
A LOWTON churchman and human rights campaigner is proud to be honoured for his services to mankind. President and lifelong member of Lowton Independent Methodist Church, Bill Hampson, is one of 10 community champions set to be made Freemen of the Borough
JUST weeks before a decision is announced on the £210 million Pennington snowdome scheme, a blistering attack has been launched against the leader of the 'No Xanadu Campaign'. Peter Bowdler, of Dakins Road, Leigh, a member of the Town Centre Risk Management
By Lesley Richards CHARITY fund raisers were thrilled when they realised their concert to help save a struggling village youth club for the mentally handicapped had raised £700. Just minutes later the joy turned to heartbreak when they discovered that
FUND-RAISERS hit the high note with an Italian music evening that made £1,300 for charity. The event at Don Dino's Restaurant and Hotel, Whalley Road, Clitheroe, was in aid of the Kenneth MacMillan Memorial Fund and featured candlelit arias and violin
IF you want to raise a few eyebrows at work, just check out the homepage of the "unofficial" Blackburn Fire Station website. The noises on the homepage are fun, and the people who told me about it said it was "very informative" and "very funny", and you've
EVERY day I get emails from around the world from people who log onto This is Lancashire and take the trouble to tell me what they think of our site. It raises a range of issues, but one that often rears its head is -- what has happened to the news and
POOL manager Steve McMahon has embarked on an international rescue mission to bolster the Tangerines playing squad. He is interested in four players from as far afield as Scandinavia and Africa to strengthen the team. First on the list is Ivory Coast
Blackpool 2-2 Southend. Scorers for Pool: Murphy (15), Ormerod (44) Attendance: 3,915 Only Blackpool can go two up, miss several sitters and end up with only a point against a side who only had two chances in the match. Pool should have won the game comfortably
TO say it's been a difficult start to the second term in the Finnair Manchester League Premier Division for Pennington is a bit of an understatement. But the Howe Bridge outfit is taking it in their stride. Manager Steve Cameron, who took the team into
LAST week's superb 2-1 cup victory at Blackpool Mechanics gives Daisy Hill an intriguing away tie against local rivals Atherton LR. Daisy Hill assistant manager Brian Smith says: "We went into last Saturday's match as complete outsiders, as title favourites
ATHERTON LR team boss Steve Plant has been rocked by the news that veteran keeper Andy Hills has decided to retire in the wake of his controversial sending off in last week's NWCL Division Two game at Padiham. Hills, a mainstay in goal behind the club's
PHIL Gray's chances of a switch from Burnley to Grimsby Town could be scuppered by Grimsby's move to bring former Mariners favourite Clive Mendonca back to Blundell Park. Town boss Lennie Lawrence has also recruited Danish striker David Neilsen on loan
BLACKBURN Rovers centre-back Christian Dailly could become a Derby County player in the next 48 hours after being given the all-clear by specialists yesterday. The 26-year-old defender had feared he might need surgery on the broken nose he suffered in
WOMEN bosses of small and medium sized firms have a better understanding of sources of business finance than men. Levels of a good understanding of bank overdrafts and loans, hire purchase, invoice discounting and government grant aid schemes were generally
NEW planning guidelines call for an emphasis on regenerating coalfield areas and previously developed land. The draft proposals for the north west make Wigan a priority area for redevelopment because of its status as a former coalfield area. A target
FIRST Manchester bus crews have called off their strike action planned for this weekend. Following further detailed negotiations with the T&GWU concerning the long standing pay dispute the company is pleased to report that an agreement has been reached
PUPILS at Westleigh High School got busy to raise £1,500 for Oxfam - and the headteacher joined in as well. The children held sports matches and 'Guess the Teddy Bear' competitions, while head John Pout collected £350 when he completed the 60-mile Cheshire
THE decision on the £210 million Xanadu project will be announced on November 16. After a lengthy public inquiry, the Government Office for the North West has written to all interested parties to tell them of the announcement date by the Deputy Prime
IT WAS like taking coal to Newcastle when 40 Dutch horticulturalists visited a Leigh garden. The party from the Land of Flowers called in at John Bent's Weeping Ash garden in Glazebury after researching on the Internet for places of horitcultural interest
A LEIGH contractor has completed a major bid to design, transport and build a touring exhibition at five venues. EGL (Exhibitions Glasgows Limited) was contracted by SOS (Spicers Office Solutions) to build the transportable centre for a ground-breaking
AN UNDERCOVER operation to cut down on crime in Leigh town centre has led to the arrest of 25 people. The three week campaign used plain clothed policemen and CCTV cameras to identify criminals who were breaking into shops in the Railway Road and Bradshawgate
A REVIEW of council policy on private roads and sidestreets has ended in a stalemate. While the council acknowledge the number of unadopted roads needing repair is a "major" problem, the policy is staying the same. A report to the Environment Panel, which
WIGAN Council has joined a national protest against the Home Office for placing asylum seekers in private property. Wigan - and other local authorities - expected the asylum seekers to be placed in council houses in accordance with an agreement reached
A VICTORIAN cooking range has been restored to its former glory after being uncovered during renovation work at offices in Haslingden. The range was originally built by T B Hamilton, of Haslingden. But it was corroded and broken when workmen found it
VOLUNTEERS on the East Lancashire Railway are celebrating after it was short-listed for a tourism excellence award. The railway, launched in 1987 and extended to Rawtenstall in 1991, covers the nine miles to Bury through Ramsbottom and the Irwell Valley
PRINCE Charles's backside put an Atherton man's talents to the test. Vehicle trimmer Ian Tickle, 37, was one of a select team who restored then delivered the Prince's cherished MGC GT car to him at Sandringham. First Manchester employee Ian joined Greater
A GOLBORNE resident is warning people to be on their guard against signing bogus sponsorship forms. A "Cancer Research Sponser Sheet", which contains a glaring spelling error, is circulating in the area. And the complainant, who wishes to remain anonymous
By Mike Hulme FORMER Leigh Centurions hooker Nick Jenkins is to be given a top Australian bravery award after rescuing a young surf-boarder who got into difficulties. Nick, a keen surfer, paddled an astonishing eight kilometres off a beach near his home
A LEIGH animal lover has accidentally started a support line for distressed owners who have lost their pets. Following her letter being published in a national tabloid on Saturday, Lisa Fairhurst, was inundated with calls from bereaved dog owners all
By Lesley Richards A LEIGH manufacturing company has opened a new factory in Tyldesley - bringing 35 welcome jobs to the town. Production of revolutionary spirit levels will begin next Monday at the Printshop Lane site of Peter Miles Engineering Ltd.
TWO men, one of whom was brandishing a knife, held up staff at Going Places travel agents on Victoria Road West, Cleveleys on September 30. At around 4.50pm the two men entered the shop and one threatened staff with a yellow Stanley knife while the other
POLICE are warning people in the Wyre area to beware of bogus callers after a spate of complaints from householders. Callers have been knocking on doors claiming to represent charities and, in some cases, have said they were from Wyre Social Services,
A COUNCILLOR has called for "residents to come before sewage" after it was revealed that the emergency pumps which pump flood water on to the beach at Anchorsholme are not used because of the risk of pollution to the beach and sea water. Norbreck's Coun
THE streets of Preston could be clear of beggars this Christmas if shoppers heed government advice not to give them cash. And a string of local homeless agencies have backed the campaign to urge people not to give spare change to people sleeping rough
SIX youngsters have been given the chance to learn to canoe as part of a project to encourage them to learn to swim. The boys, aged 13 to 15, had to learn to swim to take part in the six week course at the Bank Hey Special School's pool. Youth worker
FAMILY man John Grunshaw had the surprise of his life when he thought he was just going for a quiet drink to celebrate his 80th birthday. He turned up at Cob Wall WMC, where he is on the committee, to be confronted by almost 100 friends and members of
THE first of the cross country league fixtures takes place this Saturday. The Red Rose League, which Rossendale Harriers contest opens at Chesham Playing Fields, Bury. Junior races are from 1:45pm, the senior ladies race at 2:20pm, and the senior men
LEE McCash has signed for Sale Harriers, to become the sixth international to join the Cheshire club from our region. When Rebecca White left Blackburn Harriers for Sale last summer she followed a path already taken by former Hyndburn middle distance
TWO East Lancashire athletes were part of winning England teams at the British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships on Sunday. At Sedbergh in Cumbria, Katie Ingram (pictured) of Chorley Harriers was 6th for the under 16 girls and Kate Rogan
NEARLY all of Blackpool's care homes are to be saved after councillors and social services bosses approved an eleventh-hour co-operative takeover deal. The Co-operative Development Agency and UNISON representatives met with Councillors George Bancroft
DOESN'T that new Budweiser advert get on your nerves? It's as bad as chalk scraping on a blackboard. The croaking toad one was bad enough, but this has surpassed all previous attempts at cringeworthiness. For anyone fortunate enough not to have seen it
THE Journal highlighted the sinking plight of Terry and Janet Whitfield at the beginning of the year. The couple were devastated when their new detached dream home in two acres on Astley Moss sank into bog land. On Monday the rest of the country shared
RADCLIFFE residents taking part in a £251,000 plan to shape their surroundings are finding it literally right up their street. Around 30 householders in Pine Street and Schofield Street are being consulted by council bosses on a range of environmental
