LOCAL authorities are more used to getting brickbats than bouquets from the public. It's a fact of life that people are more likely to complain when services are not up to the level they expect than to heap praise on social services, rubbish collection
A FIREWORKS spectacular followed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's annual carol concert takes place at Blackburn Cathedral next Wednesday. Specially-imported fireworks from Spain will be used in the display and for the first time and they will be
LUCY Butler was one of the stars of the show as Pioneer 79 Swimming Club held its annual championships. For Lucy swept the board in the under 10s age group after winning all six events in her category. Lucy won the back stroke, breaststroke, butterfly
POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 61-year-old woman's handbag was snatched, causing her to fall and bang her head. She fell at around 6pm on Tuesday after the robber approached her from behind and yanked the bag in Ambleside Close, Daisyfield
ANDY Burns wasted little time in getting his judo black belt -- now he is in a hurry for national glory. The St Mary's College student fast tracked his way to his black belt in just 18 months when it normally takes up to five years! And after winning
VARIETY show, entitled 'A Touch of Christmas' will be staged at The Thwaites Theatre, in Ewood, Blackburn, on Sunday from 7.30. Intended as a presentation to please all the family, it will feature entertainers from the Blackburn area, including well-known
TRAMPOLINING has it ups and downs -- just ask Chris Todd. For Chris has experienced many ups in his 42 year association with the bouncing sport and not so many downs. But while the ups may significantly outweigh the downs the imminent disbanding of Jump
IN response to your article (LET, November 27) on Councillor Mohammed Hussain's call for traffic calming in Blackburn's Bastwell ward, I think the headline should actually have read: "Give the hump to speeding Asian teens." I speak as a resident of Lammack
ONCE again, Jeanne Young has a go at the Countryside Alliance (Letters, November 6). I wonder, is it because she supports this inept Labour government. If she is against cruel sports then there is no way that she can support a government that has joined
DARWEN Street Bridge, Blackburn is a challenge to anyone in a high-sided vehicle as the height clearance, according to the sign on the bridge, is 14ft 9ins. When I was a youth the clearance was 15ft 9ins. The loss of a foot is because, when improvements
THEATRE-LOVERS in Blackpool are in for a treat as the Grand Theatre unveils its new Winter/Spring 2003 programme of events. With a variety of productions from Carmen and Swan Lake to Fiddler on the Roof and the gruesome Circus of Horrors there is something
TAKE one magic lamp, two magic genies, some humorous cross-dressing and plenty of laughs and you'll end up with panto favourite, Aladdin -- oh yes you will! This year's production at Blackpool's Grand Theatre stars Ken Morley (Reg Holdsworth from Coronation
TWO old friends are in town at the weekend as we face another tough test against Rotherham United at Turf Moor. Alan Lee has been doing well all season but it has been good to see John Mullin get back in the side as he has been out for quite a bit and
CASH-STRAPPED Leigh Centurions will stay in business despite going into administration. The legal move has been made by the Hilton Park board to safeguard the club which is reportedly over £500,000 in debt. But there is no question of the club going under
Lancaster and Morecambe TUC is extremely concerned at the way the FBU is being pilloried both by the Government and sections of society who are using this dispute as a stick to beat the labour movement. The FBU has, in our opinion, been totally responsible
MIDFIELD battler David Thompson is planning to exact his revenge on Everton this weekend as Rovers go in search of a pre-Christmas boost at Goodison Park. Thompson, a boyhood Everton fan, was part of the Rovers team which lost 1-0 to David Moyes's side
I was interested to read the letter from youngster Mike D Thomas (Citizen, November 28). As the paper has published information about my Mayoral campaign to raise money for two skateboarding sites - one in Lancaster and one in Morecambe - I hope he is
BLACKBURN Rovers have already taken great strides in improving access to Ewood Park. And, as part of their Hearts and Minds campaign to attract more supporters, other initiatives are planned to ease match-day congestion. Reporter Ian Singleton has a look
I CAN understand why local mothers would be worried by the sale of magic mushroom kits in the market. There are increasing pressures on teenagers these days to experiment, in fact it is portrayed in the media and especially young people's mag-azines as
A PRESTON soldier, who spent three months in Afghanistan, has spoken of the horrors of a developing country in conflict. Private Stuart Garnett was part of the Territorial Army contingent working as a guard force for Kabul Airport -- the centre of the
A PRESTON couple are preparing for their first Christmas at home with their new baby daughter, three months after her premature birth in America. It was a day Jonathan and Debbie Miller, of New Longton, thought they would never see after daughter Eve
A RETIRED police sergeant, who pioneered underwater dive and search techniques and counted ace speedster Donald Campbell among his friends, has died. Jim Wood, 81, of Liverpool Road, Hutton, suffered a stroke prior to his death on Thursday, December 5
A SHOPLIFTER with a drink and drugs problem flouted a court order after her mother suffered a stroke. Burnley Magistrates heard how Deirdre Elizabeth Byrne, 44, put everything to one side in her life as she visited her mother in hospital in Blackpool.
BURNLEY Council today vowed to continue to fight plans to close 32 Lancashire care homes -- despite backing out of a legal challenge. Members of the authority's executive discussed their opposition to Lancashire County Council's shake-up of care for the
LANCASHIRE County Council leader Hazel Harding said she was determined the authority would be among the best in the country after receiving a 'good' grading. The council would have received the top-level 'excellent' rating had social services performed
WOMEN in Burnley are being encouraged to text a friend before they get into a cab this Christmas as part of a safety campaign supported by taxi bosses and the police. The move comes after a taxi driver in the town was jailed for six years for raping an
GOAL ace David Nugent is hoping for a chance of revenge when Shakers' LDV Vans Trophy adventure continues writes Chris Hall Bury's name will go into the hat for the Northern Area semi-final draw on Saturday after Nugent and strike partner Jon Newby steered
BAMBER Bridge took advantage of a howling gale on Tuesday night to blow away Burscough in the UniBond League Chairman's Cup that finished 4-2. With the wind behind them Brig raced to 4-0 lead within 30 minutes thanks to a brace of goals from Mark Wane
ALTHOUGH the scoreline might not suggest it Hoppers were within a whisker of depriving Nuneaton of their 100 per cent record. They were the better side for most of the game with the backs causing the Nuns no end of problems and only their sound defence
EXTENSIVE demolition of slum housing in Blackburn's Larkhill area in 1963 provided the old Ward's Hotel in Syke Street, seen at the right of this view, with the biggest pub car park in town -- but only briefly. For the following year, the pub became another
A LARGE crowd watched as pupils from St Michael and St John RC Primary School, in Lowergate, Clitheroe, led carol singing in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.
HUNDREDS of children from all over the Blackburn Diocese sang at a concert, called 'Children for Children at Christmas' in Blackburn Cathedral, organised by the Children's Society.
POLICE have issued a warning to women after two handbags were snatched in the same area of Accrington. DS Paul Broxson of Accrington CID said: "We cannot say we are linking them but there have been two similar incidents in the same area in three days.
A PERVERT pensioner who indecently assaulted a Leigh teenager on a bus is being hunted by detectives. The 17-year-old girl, who has not been named, boarded the number 19 bus heading towards Warrington at Leigh Bus Station at around 3pm on Friday. She
A BUMPER Christmas present has brought Wigan Council an extra £17.4 million. A new formula to assess local authority funding levels has been introduced to replace an outdated system based on past spending patterns. It means an extra 8.1per cent increase
A MOTHER has appealed for people to take notice of a new police campaign after her son's bike was stolen from an unlocked porch. Joanne Bentley, 36, and her family went out for the afternoon on Sunday and the following morning they discovered 10-year-old
THE future looks bright for a disabled youngster -- thanks to an early Christmas present. Shannon Ryan, eight, was born with Downs Syndrome and underwent surgery at three-months to repair three holes in her heart. The Newfield School pupil was then diagnosed
VANDALS have wrecked a town centre Christmas nativity scene for the second year running. The display outside Atherton Parish Church in Market Street was vandalised just three days after being set up by Round Table volunteers. Vandals got through a 7ft
POLICE have promised to back responsible fishermen who are worried about the threat from illegal anglers. Recently Wigan and District Angling Association has been concerned about anglers fishing at night and are determined to put a stop to it. The permit-less
ELVIS is alive and living in Leigh -- just ask life-long fan John Turner. John, whose interest in the King of Rock 'n' Roll spiralled when he moved into his Leigh Road 'Gracelands' home 20 years ago, is all shook up after his partner Lynne Barnes won
A HOUSING scheme for a former bus depot site in Clitheroe rejected by councillors because of lack of school places, has been resubmitted to planners. Merewood Homes of Barrow wanted to build 24 two and three-storey homes on the site of the former bus
A CLITHEROE leisure centre has received an award for excellence from the health and fitness industry. Roefield Leisure Centre in Edisford Road won the Public Sector category of the Club Awards for Excellence 2002. The awards are run by Leisure Finance
DETECTIVES are no nearer solving the mystery of how a 32-year-old man ended up dead in a river over two weeks ago. Paul Parkinson, of Park Avenue, Clitheroe, had a serious head injury but a post mortem examination was unable to determine whether it was
COULD GM's new hydrogen-powered concept vehicle be the beginning of the end of the oil-based economy? HowStuffWorks.com takes you under the bonnet of this groundbreaking car to see how power can be wrung from hydrogen. The defining characteristic of the
A STAR-STUDDED Blackburn Rovers reserves side beat Birmingham City at More-cambe's Christie Park on Tuesday night. Rovers lines up with a string of players with first team exper-ience, including Scandinavian defender Stig Inge Bjornebye, Northern Ireland
A CAR careered off the motorway, smashed through fencing and somersaulted across a field in an accident on the M65 last night. The vehicle was was believed to have been travelling at more than 75mph, eastbound, between junctions ten and 11 at 9.45pm.
BLACKPOOL just about dispatched Torquay at Bloomfield Road to progress into the third round of the FA Cup. It took a long time for Pool to get started but eventually they showed their division superiority, scoring three times after going behind to an
A NIGHT on the town ended in police cells when a nightclubber took exception to doormen's actions. Christopher James Wilkinson, 32, got thrown out of the club moments after he had paid £10 to get in and was not impressed. He punched one of the bouncers
AFTER having serviced for www.grp4escort.co.uk Stage Rally Championship con-tenders Dave Thwaites and eventual winner Darren Atkinson on local events in 2002, Morecambe's Phil Burton decided to have a go himself last weekend on the Grizedale Stages. With
NEWBORNS at Blackpool Victoria Hospital will be snuggly this Christmas thanks to a helping hand from patients at Clifton Day Hospital. The clever pensioners at the Clifton Drive site, St Annes, have knitted more than 70 cardigans for newborn babies at
THE events of the next 10 days could turn out to be the defining moments in our season. After taking four points from our last two games against Fulham and Bolton, we now face a vital double-header against Everton and Manchester United. And just for extra
ALADDIN is coming to Leyland for Christmas performed by the C'est Tous Shakespeare Theatre Company. The famous tale of a street urchin turned hero has been portrayed in films and on stage so many times you probably think you've seen them all. But don't
TV COMPANY At It Productions are looking for 16-24-year-olds from the North West who "have it all" to be part of a new programme --Talk to the Hand. It's about young people who have too much too soon and will be screened on teen channel Trouble. If money
BLACKPOOL'S own garden makeover team got just the lift they needed with a £1500 boost towards a new van from local charity group, The Cheerful Sparrows. The Ormerod Home Trust Branching Out workers provide a community gardening service to elderly people
CAR bombs and armed incursions didn't stop a Lancaster dance company from taking their message to the street children of Columbia recently. Ludus Dance Com-pany was in Bogota to perform its latest show 'Zygote' to 1,750 children and teenagers. And, despite
PRIMARY school children from the borough are being given an amazing opportunity to be part of world premiere performances of a brand new children's musical. Charlie is being commissioned by the Hindley-based Vivace Charitable Trust and will be based on
THE new database of arts related business and groups for Fylde is nearly complete. Helen Knowles, arts development officer is collating information about local artists, groups, societies and art-related businesses within the borough to produce the database
AN ACTION man with a heart of gold hopes to raise thousands of pounds for charity by cycling across France and climbing Mont Blanc. Ivan Danks, 36, a Physiotherapy Assistant at Blackpool Victoria Hospital has already sweated out a marathon and snowboarded
MP Andy Burnham's advice surgeries are: Friday, December 13 (6-6.45pm) Atherton Town Hall and (7.15-8pm) Golborne Day Centre; Saturday, December 14 (10-11am) Leigh Advice Centre, 10 Market Street.
MORECAMBE can look forward to an FA Cup return clash with Ipswich Town in the New Year as reward for their Jim Bentley inspired victory over Chester at the weekend. Jim Harvey's side will again be in the national spotlight when they face the Tractor Boys
COUNCILLORS on Wigan MBC will hold the following advice surgeries: THURSDAY, December 12: Golborne Library (10-11) and Lowton Labour Club (7-7.30) B Strett, D Kelly; Lane Head Methodist Church, Lowton (7-7.45) P Franzen; Abram Library, Vicarage Road (
VISITS to Sudan and Gibraltar were among the interests declared by the area's two MPs in the latest register of members' interests. Geraldine Smith's visit to Gibraltar (February 15-18) as a guest of the island's Government is her only entry in the latest
ELDERLY passengers were left shocked when the rear window of a bus they were travelling on was smashed by vandals - possibly using a catapult. The Stagecoach single-deck bus was travelling along School Road, Heysham, on Monday evening when an object was
LEIGH Miners Rangers Under 12's played some heroic rugby in a cracking cup semi final contest against Wigan St Pat's. It was an evenly matched game which saw Pat's in the lead at half time by 4-0. After the break Sean Marsh scored a quality try and Youds
A CENTENARY gala wound-up Atherton Swimming Club's successful celebrations of a memorable 100th year. Sunday's event at Hindley Leisure Centre involved Atherton, Hindley, Tyldesley, Howe Bridge Aces and Ashton Central clubs. Ryan Jones (Atherton) was
STAN Ternent's sensational autobiography went on sale at Turf Moor this afternoon, providing fans with a remarkable look into his life both in and out of football. And the Burnley boss admitted: "Perhaps this will give the supporters an insight into how
BLACKPOOL DJ Lionel Vinyl opens his new venue next Friday (December 20) on Clifton Street, Blackpool by hosting what he described as "Blackpool biggest Christmas office party". By day Lionel's will operate as a family diner and bar and at night Lionel
A TOCKHOLES primary school is inviting the village's pensioners to an exclusive performance of their annual Nativity play. Tockholes C of E Primary opens its gates to the town's elderly population at 1.30pm next Tuesday. People who attend the Nativity
A TEENAGER who took his grandad's Motability car for an impromptu spin two days after failing his driving test crashed into three parked cars, writing off two of them. Blackburn magistrates heard that Martin Christopher Jolley panicked and left the scene
BUSINESS at a Darwen security firm is booming - because petty crimes in the area aren't being stamped out. That's the verdict of managing director Mick Lynch, 36, who two years ago was running Catchpoint (UK) Ltd from his bedroom. Today, the company employs
LANCASTER'S Musician's Co-op looks set for a bright future after winning the backing of councillors. Councillors also voted to confirm they will not sell land on the so-called 'canal corridor' for a supermarket, new road and 'big box' retailing development
SHOPPERS living in Ramsbottom are warned not to get swept away with the spirit of giving this Christmas. Trading Standards chiefs in Bury have takentook steps to advise residents about how they can keep a lid on over spending this year. Bury Metro's Principal
A LANDLORD hopes to transform a 'ghost town' into the place to be this Christmas, after buying three neighbouring pubs. Andrew Robertson, 33, of the Moulders Arms, Bacup Road, Waterfoot, now also owns the White Horse, Railway and Blue Bell. He said the
A ROSSENDALE voluntary group have applied for lottery funding to help provide out of school child-care provision for working parents. Stacksteads Riverside Park Group Drop-in-Centre latest project comes as research undertaken in the area showed a lack
A CHILD who ended his parents quest for parenthood after they lost seven babies in just over six years is celebrating his 18th birthday today. Beverley Jones touched the hearts of people throughout East Lancashire in 1984 when her attempts to have a child
A CHARITY which helps crime victims come to terms with their traumatic experiences is appealing for volunteers. The Victim Support and Witness Service which answers cries for aid from distressed casualties now needs assistance of its own. Recently the
A St Peter's Primary School pupil, Andrew has been training under Sensei John at GKR Karate International for six years and is now only a couple of grades away from gaining his black belt. Andrew's age meant he had to compete against older boys in the
PHOTO enthusiasts are celebrating a £4,005 Lottery grant which will enable Atherton and District Amateur Photographic Society to set up a digital photography group and adapt its premises for wheelchair users. The society meets at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
COUNCILLORS on Wigan MBC will hold the following advice surgeries: THURSDAY, December 12: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library, Vicarage Road (10.30-12) E Smethurst. FRIDAY, December 13: Leigh
I WAS surprised to learn that less than one per cent of the city's population bothered to respond to the Tithebarn regeneration scheme. (Citizen, December 5) However, this apathy could well be justified after various issues have been disregarded time
THE published results of the public consultations on Preston's Tithebarn regeneration area masterplan revealed that 'just 59 people or bodies bothered to comment on the proposals and only 69 completed questionnaires'. This is not a measure of public apathy
AN 'INTELLIGENT' crossing designed to improve pedestrian safety has been installed on Blackpool's Central Promenade. The new crossing, south of the junction of the Promenade with Adelaide Street West, is the resort's sixth Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent
KIND-hearted visitors to Blackpool Pleasure Beach along with members of the European Coaster Club have helped to bring a smile to the faces of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Managing Director Geoffrey Thompson handed over two cheques
CARING staff at Blackpool Airport have brought Christmas cheer to the family of a miracle baby after fighting against the clock to airlift the tiny tot to hospital in Preston. Little Eve Miller, from Preston, was left fighting for her life after she was
A FIREWORKS spectacular followed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's annual carol concert takes place at Blackburn Cathedral next Wednesday. Specially-imported fireworks from Spain will be used in the display and for the first time and they will be
A PENSIONER caught speeding accused police of being unfair to older people after saying he had to pay extra to avoid penalty points. Leslie Duckworth, 76, was caught doing 35mph by a camera in Barbara Castle Way, Blackburn, in October. He got three points
POLICE were today settling into new headquarters following the first phase of a move out of a 100-year-old station. The £5.6 million Greenbank building on Whitebirk Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Blackburn is operational. Its predecessor, the Northgate
A MAN was fighting for his life today after being battered over the head on the doorstep of a house. The 20 year-old -- named by neighbours as Lee Kenyon -- was critically ill in the intensive care unit of the Royal Preston Hospital following the incident
BLACKBURN'S museum is on course to re-open next year with three new galleries, after a £500,000 refit. And youngsters are set to road test the venue over the next month to make sure that its new features will attract more young people. Pupils from both
NEIL Hodgson sounded a clear warning to his World Superbike rivals by posting the fastest time in the first winter test session. Hodgson was forced to overcome a series of problems on his all-new Ducati 999 at Spain's Valencia circuit, but clocked a time
CLAYTON Le Moors Harriers' veteran men saved their best for last when they won the final major fell title of the season. After playing second fiddle to Horwich RMI Harriers all year they were the quickest in the 50 mile long Calderdale Way Relay in West
EAST Lancashire drivers have claimed a share of the silverware in Britain's top one-make rally championship. Trawden's Ian Winstanley won the award for the best driver in the experts class, and Ben Calvert, from Longridge, finished third overall in the
PRESTON striker Ricardo Fuller will have to wait until next year before having corrective surgery on his injured knee. The Jamaica international was ruled out for the season last week after damaging his cruciate in the win at Coventry. An exploratory
SHOCKING defending by North End saw them concede two late goals as they sank to a disastrous home defeat to the Londoners after being 3-1 in front. Pawel Abbott and David Healy replaced Fuller and Cresswell in the forward line and they each posed problems
HOW on earth did we manage to lose after being 3-1 up at home with 25 minutes to go? Not for the first time this season some very inept defending allowed the opposition back into the game when they should have been dead and buried. Most fans can see what's
STRIKER David Healy is facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday's must-win home game when PNE play Grimsby. The young forward took a knock to the ankle during last weekend's disastrous 5-3 defeat at home to Wimbledon. It is expected that the
HEARTLESS thieves, who vandalised a Nativity display in Leyland and stole four figures, have been branded 'stupid' by a church group. The attack follows the disappearance of a small baby Jesus, and a two foot high Joseph figure along with a brown donkey
PUPILS from Sacred Heart School, Leigh have come up with an award-winning road safety design. Youngsters from three neighbouring primary schools - Sacred Heart, Leigh CE and Leigh Central were asked to create a design which will feature on new speed restriction
THE most naff car decoration ever invented is back. According to a home shopping magazine nostalgic fluffy dice are the in-thing to have dangling from the rear view mirror. I don't think so!
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, Weds until Dec 18 and daily Dec 26-
LEYLAND Six-a-side League is looking for new teams for the new season starting in January 2003. All games are played on Monday evenings, and all games are played on an artificial pitch, at the Leyland Motors ground.The league is professionally organised
LEIGH RMI Ladies suffered their first league defeat of the season at home to Accrington Stanley. Completely against the run of play, RMI saw themselves go behind after 15 minutes. The score was tied, minutes later when Rebecca Dennard was brought down
MARK Ward completed an annus horribilis for RMI assistant bosses - as he became the third to step down from the position in 2002 writes Martyn Hindley The surprise decision came on Tuesday, with the former Manchester City, Everton and West Ham playmaker
Forest Green 4 Leigh RMI 1 By Martyn Hindley AFTER being crushed by Telford, manager Steve Waywell thought that things at Leigh RMI could not get any worse but his judgement could not have been much further from the truth. Leigh's humiliation at second-bottom
ALADDIN is coming to Leyland for Christmas performed by the C'est Tous Shakespeare Theatre Company. The famous tale of a street urchin turned hero has been portrayed in films and on stage so many times you probably think you've seen them all. But don't
VARIETY show, entitled 'A Touch of Christmas' will be staged at The Thwaites Theatre, in Ewood, Blackburn, on Sunday from 7.30. Intended as a presentation to please all the family, it will feature entertainers from the Blackburn area, including well-known
ST MARY'S Primary School and Peel Park will represent Hyndburn in the area finals of the Railtrack six-a-side competition. Both schools will line up against the winners of the Blackburn and Darwen, Chorley, Clitheroe and Cumbria heats to see who will
HAS the world really gone mad? That was my impression on reading in the national press about a failed asylum seeker who has to date cost the British taxpayers more than £60,000 in legal fees while fighting extradition from Britain over a £2.80 theft.
A MASSIVE scheme to improve council houses is due to begin within the next fortnight, after Wigan Council secured a £58 million grant. The money, which was confirmed this week, is the biggest single windfall in the history of the borough and will be used
A GROUP of Blackpool families will go to the ball on Friday, December 13 when they present their own version of panto classic, Cinderella. For ten weeks the families have worked alongside professional artists to create the panto after volunteering at
A MAN was fighting for his life today after being battered over the head on the doorstep of a house. The 20 year-old -- named by neighbours as Lee Kenyon -- was critically ill in the intensive care unit of the Royal Preston Hospital following the incident
COUNCIL bosses were celebrating an outstanding success today after their authority was named one of the best in the country for the services it provides. The Audit Commission's first review of all 150 unitary and county councils has given Blackburn with
FORMER Everton defender Craig Short is also relishing the prospect of a return to Goodison. But he insists Rovers cannot afford to start thinking they've turned the corner just yet, given what happened to them at this stage last season. "Just because
THANKS to the generosity of our readers, gifts and tinned foods have been pouring in for our Toys and Tins Christmas Appeal in aid of the local women's refuges. Dozens of lovely children's toys, toiletries for the mothers and tinned food have been dropped
CAMPAIGNERS who have spent five years trying to get a Muslim cemetery have suffered a major setback after plans were rejected by city planning chiefs at a meeting on Monday. It had been hoped the athletics pitch, off London Road, Preston, would be used
PEOPLE thinking about buying a new dog for Christmas have been urged to take on homeless animals in need of a loving family. Linda Fegan, who runs the Animal Kingdom Rescue, Padiham, said there are more and more dogs being left without a home, particularly
CROWN Prosecution Service lawyers are to decide whether any criminal charges will result following the fatal sandyacht collision in which Burnley mum-of-two Carole Cruz died. Carole, 38, of Kingsbury Place, Burnley, was hit by the yacht as she walked
A DISCO is being held for children tomorrow from 6pm-8.30pm at the town hall. Parents are welcome. SATURDAY morning will welcome the Dedication Service for Padiham's new crib at 11am. Hymns will be sung and prayers said by representatives of the town's
A NOTTINGHAM Forest fan who tried to get into Turf Moor on Saturday while drunk has been spared a football banning order. Keen follower Alistair Carl Richmond, 23, refused to leave outside the ground, was warned twice more by a police officer and ended
AN over-the-limit window cleaner lost his driving licence and put his business in jeopardy after an early hours car smash. Burnley Magistrates heard how Anthony Pearson, 27, overtook a police car at a red traffic light, sped on the wrong side of the road
ARMED officers will patrol Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale over Christmas as police battle criminals targeting post offices, banks and building societies. Pennine Division's Armed Response Unit will be joined by uniformed bobbies, dog handlers and the
PENDLESIDE Hospice will be aglow from this weekend, as the Light Up A Life Appeal is launched with an official switch-on service. Fundraisers at the Reedley-based Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle have already sponsored more than 3,000 light bulbs in
THE former Lee Bank Mill, in Pinder Street, Nelson, could be transformed into apartments, if the Nelson Committee grants planning permission next month. An application has been submitted for outline permission to re-develop the mill to form eight blocks
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice is urging local community organisations in the borough to apply for cash which is up for grabs from the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People. The MP said: "The fund was launched in May last year to provide small grants
HI-TECH pressure pads are to be fitted in old people's homes to help save their lives when they fall or become ill. Sensors are being fitted to the chiller units of fridges which will alert social services via telephone if the door is not opened for 16
CAN readers solve a poser for Looking Back fan Jack Dickinson -- over the origin of Waterloo Buildings in Blackburn? No, he does not mean the classical-style Pavilions in town-centre Church Street, which, built around 1840, are also known as the Waterloo
A DILAPIDATED building at 53, Derby Street, Colne, the subject of numerous complaints, will soon be on the mend after Pendle Council was authorised to take charge of it. Members of the Colne Committee approved that enforcement action should be taken and
PENDLE'S Community Safety Partnership has agreed to provide £5,000 towards an interactive exercise project in Colne in a bid to reduce crime and juvenile nuisance. Pendle Partnership and Pendle Leisure Trust applied for funding to buy 25 new exercise
HIGH-TECH sensors are to be fitted in old people's homes to help save their lives when they fall or become ill. The gadgets are being fitted to fridges and will alert social services via telephone if the door is not opened for 16 hours. Others will scan
A CHRISTMAS tree social begins tomorrow (Friday) at 7 pm at Bag Lane Methodist Church, Atherton. Admission is £1.
FATHER Christmas is hitting the streets aboard Tyldesley Rotary Club's sleigh. Proposed routes are: December 12: Oak Street, Ellesmere Street, Morris Street, Park Street, Ash Street, Poplar Street, Boundary Street, Common Lane, Darlington Street, Manchester
AN art exhibition with a difference is now on show at Leigh's Turnpike Gallery. Time 2 View is a unique collection of work by around 40 young offenders from two north-west institutes: Hindley and Thorn Cross, Warrington. Trainees at Hindley have been
HYNDBURN Action Committee may follow the lead of Burnley Council, who today vowed to continue fighting plans to close 32 Lancashire care homes. And the committee, which is part of a network of groups taking legal action against the county council over
FAMILY and friends of a motorcyclist who was tragically killed have raised more money to provide air ambulance cover for the remote area of North Wales where he crashed. Experienced rider Mike Spencer, 27, died on July 23, 2000 while riding his Yamaha
STEER clear of Leigh is the Christmas message to robbers and thieves. On Monday a big police crackdown heralds the start of what will hopefully be a crime-free Christmas. Detective Sergeant Bill Nelson, of Leigh Operational Policing Unit, explained how
A LEIGH road safety group is to battle on for a pedestrian crossing in Firs Lane. Despite Wigan Council turning down their appeal the Leigh Road Safety Awareness Group has refused to take no for an answer. They have called in Leigh MP Andy Burnham to
WIGAN Council has been named one of the best local authorities in the country following an in-depth government assessment. It is one of only a handful of authorities to be rated as "excellent" in the official Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)
OUTRAGED swimmers in St Annes and Kirkham have been told they'll have to splash out £6 a go or lose their early morning trips to local swimming pools, by cash-strapped council officials. More than 30 early-bird swimmers packed a crowded council chamber
LOCAL chemists on duty... On Sunday, December 15, are: Moss Side Pharmacy, Dunkirk Lane, Leyland, 10am-2pm; Boots, Fishergate, Preston, 10.30am-4.30pm; Moss Chemists, Asda, Fulwood, 10.30am-4.30pm; Moss Chemists, Sainsburys, Deepdale, 10.30am-4.30pm;
MANY libraries have embraced the arrival of the Internet, treating it as just another source of information, just like the books on the shelves. In Gateshead, the library team have gone one step further and started a weblog in which they keep a record
Why Jesus can't really be a Man City fan... MANCHESTER City fans I know tell me that watching Kevin Keegan's side requires the patience of a saint, so it's no surprise to discover that Jesus is a Manchester City fan. That is, at least, according to a
EXPERIENCED winger Junior Bent has become Lancaster City's latest signing. Bent, whose last league club was Blackpool, signed last week, but wasn't chosen to make his debut in Saturday's victory against Bradford Park Avenue. A tricky winger with pace,
WHEN Jim Bentley arrived at Morecambe in the summer he was billed as a solid defender, a hard man at the back, a rock solid figure in the heart of Morecambe's back four. Nobody said he could score goals worthy of Marco van Basten. Bentley' s performance
A LYTHAM caterer has won a top industry award for bringing a slice of Italy to the north west. Tracey Wareing, who lives in Tarleton, Lancashire but works for UK caterers Aramark at Aegon Insurance, Lytham, has been named Pizza Caterer of the Year 2002
STAN Ternent's sensational autobiography went on sale at Turf Moor this afternoon, providing fans with a remarkable look into his life both in and out of football. And the Burnley boss admitted: "Perhaps this will give the supporters an insight into how
WIGAN and Leigh College dance and drama students will be taking to the floor with their Dance Showcase on December 17, 18 and 19. The first and national diploma students explore various themes with their own choreography, using contemporary dance and
DANCE starlet Leah Pendlebury swept the board at her first dance competition, coming top in her age group then going on to be crowned overall winner. Five-year-old Leah has been dancing at Apple Dance in Leigh for only a year and amazed everyone by coming
A NEW sponsor is set to tread the boards at Blackpool's Grand Theatre. Established more than 13 years ago, funeral directors D Hollowell & Sons, of Lytham Road, Blackpool, have been serving the resort for more than 13 years. And have now the family-run
WINTER it may be, but a glamourous Blackpool babe has proved that temperatures in the resort are soaring. Beauty queen Tanya Robinson, 21, who was recently named Miss Blackpool 2002, beat more than 6,000 girls to earn the title High Street Honey of the
LANCASTER should be the capital of the north west of England, according to Hilton Dawson MP. It is up to the people of the district to make sure it doesn't miss out if an elected regional assem-bly becomes a reality. That was the Lancaster and Wyre MPs
A NEW car share scheme for Lancaster may help to cut traffic, save money and boost the environment, claim organisers. Plans are afoot for a vehicle share scheme called ' Lancaster Wheels' which would operate as a club. Cars and bikes would be owned or
TYLDESLEY East community beat officer, PC Andy Wright will hold surgeries on: Mondays -- December 16 & 23, January 6 &13 (1-3pm) at Lindale Hall, Mosley Common; Tuesdays -- January 4, 14 & 28 (2-3pm) at St John's School, Mosley Common and
LANCASTER families are being urged to get on their bikes to help the homeless this Christmas. Lancaster Homeless Action is running its first annual family cycle ride from the city to Glasson Dock on Sunday to raise money for its annual Yuletide shelter
LOCAL residents has shown that they feel safer in their homes in areas where there are street wardens. So says a survey conducted in August after the city council introduced 10 street wardens into Poulton and the West End of Morecambe to address problems
A communications sys-tem designed by a Lancaster firm could soon be saving lives in disaster zones around the world - after its inventors received a Government grant. The RADEEM (Rapidly Deployable Emergency Multimedia) communications system is being
LANCASTER hosts a major seminar on the future of Government in the north west next week. The 'Our Region Our Choice' discussion is being organised by local MP Hilton Daw-son and The Federal Trust, an independent think tank. Senior research fellow at the
LANCASTER council tax payers could be paying 13 per cent more next year - with no extra cash for improved services. Taxes are expected to increase by more than five times the rate of inflation, meaning people living in an average Band D home could pay
LEIGH Rotary Club is appealing for extra wheels to help with this year's Christmas float collection. Safety and insurance requirements ban collectors from travelling in float-towing vehicles so charity fund-raisers need a minibus. Venues are: December
STUDENTS stood in front of bulldozers this week in a bid to save a much-loved recreation field from being turned into a car park. Demolition teams moved in to County Field, at the north end of the campus, on Tuesday. One third of it is due to become a
AN 'INSPIRATIONAL' man who helped his brother recover from a breakdown by working with him to build up a successful business has been honoured by Prince Charles. Martin Hughes set up Low Fold Audio in 1988 with his brother Adrian, who had spent time in
A charity offering friendship and support to carers has been awarded £7,000 by a fund set up by the company that owns The Citizen. Lonsdale District Carers has around 270 members in Carnforth, Lancaster, Morecambe and the rural villages of north Lancashire
BILL Rowson won the eighth winter merit at Pennington Park on Sunday by beating Jimmy Glover 21-12 in the final. Garth Smith beat John McCaul in the Consolation final 21-17.
LEIGH East U12s defence was again in top form as they beat Hindley 16-0. East's tries came from J.Lane, T.Roper and D.Hodgson with S.Shepherd landing two goals. Roper was man of the match and Yarwood the top tackler.
LATEST details Gardeners 10, BICC 3; Paulettes 4, Ladybirds 10; Red Rose 7, Eastleigh 8; Lilford 11, Aardvarks 5; Lowton Park 7, Leigh Bowling 8; Falcons 7, Musketeers 4; Us Three 23, Benters 2; Nomads 8, RBL 10. Table: Ladybirds 12pts; Leigh Bowling
A St Peter's Primary School pupil, Andrew has been training under Sensei John at GKR Karate International for six years and is now only a couple of grades away from gaining his black belt. Andrew's age meant he had to compete against older boys in the
Tod Bulmer, still in good form, conceded only six points in his 3-0 victory. Mark Taylor and Lynda Gregory were very much up against it and though they delivered maximum effort, were not likely to overcome very strong opposition both going down 3-0. Mike
Leigh East 24 Oldham St Annes 16: LEIGH East held on to their unbeaten home record but not before being pushed all the way in a game right out of the top drawer. A tremendous see-saw battle was only decided in the closing stages when centre Ian Lewis
West Bowling 19, Leigh Miners Rangers 22: AUSSIE stand-off Aaron Beath capped a masterful display with a late winning try that keep Miners Rangers within striking distance of the top of the National Conference Premier Division. The Miners, inspired by
Tyldesley 44 Kirkby Lonsdale 20: TYLDESLEY RU moved up two places in the League Table thanks to an emphatic 44-20 victory over Cumbrian side Kirkby Lonsdale. From the start Tyldesley looked the more capable side and a early ruck infringement brought a
MIDFIELD battler David Thompson is planning to exact his revenge on Everton this weekend as Rovers go in search of a pre-Christmas boost at Goodison Park. Thompson, a boyhood Everton fan, was part of the Rovers team which lost 1-0 to David Moyes's side
THORNTON Cleveleys band presents a Christmas Spectacular at Thornton's Lecture Hall, Victoria Road East, Thornton this Saturday (December 14) at 8pm. Admission will be £4 for adults, £3 concessions and £2 for children under 16.
RADCLIFFE'S proposed multi-million pound high school could be built on the site of the former East Lancashire Paper Mill. Town hall bosses have identified the Cross Lane site as a possible location for the new development. If the plans are approved and
LEIGH-based Avonside Plumbing and Heating North West has smashed the group's annual charity fundraising target. Suppliers, manufacturers, employees and 300 customers attended the event at the Reebok stadium which raised £9,500 for MacMillan Cancer relief
LEIGH'S 2002 Poppy Appeal raised a record £4,516.12. Branch officials of the Royal British Legion, John Corbett, John Kelly and Jim McDonald, wish to thank everyone who boosted the fund -- private contributors, Air Force and Army cadets collectors, shopkeepers
ATHERLEIGH ambulance station will be the centre of a pilot scheme involving new, sophisticated heart machines, aimed at giving heart attack victims a better chance of survival. Three new improved electro-cardiogram (ECG) machines, paid for by Lottery
FIVE firefighters were needed to help little Jack Richardson out of a tight spot. Four-year-old Jack needed expert help after a pan became wedged on his head on Tuesday afternoon at Tyldesley Primary School. Somehow reception class pupil Jack managed
AN Atherton motorcyclist suffered a serious foot injury in hit-and-run accident involving a white Transit van. Police are appealing for witnesses and information following the 8am incident in which the van, adapted for carrying glass, and which may have
A PROPERTY shop to help would-be tenants view properties at Grange Park is to open on the Blackpool estate in the New Year. The shop opening will be the latest event in what a Blackpool Borough Council spokeswoman termed "a massive regeneration and redevelopment
BLACKPOOL Borough Council has been shortlisted in two categories of the Government's Beacon Council Scheme for the first time, the town hall has announced. The council is one of only nine across the UK to be nominated for beacon status in two categories
A BLACKPOOL initiative to tackle prolific young offending has been praised in an independent report, the town hall has announced. The town's Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP), overseen by Blackpool Youth Offending Team (YOT), was
COUNCILLORS are considering a clampdown on potential cowboy stretch limousine drivers after a dramatic rise in the number of luxury vehicles appearing on the streets of Blackpool. Members of the Public Protection Committee at Blackpool Borough Council
BLACKPOOL folk interested in standing in the next elections for the borough's area forums should get their nominations in this month say town hall bosses. The town's six area forums -- set up to tackle localised concerns -- will soon be electing chairs
A TREASURE trove of rare navy wartime photographs featuring the late King George and scenes of Nazi bomb attacks on British warships have been discovered at a car boot sale. The never-before-seen batch of old snapshots were taken throughout the 1930s
MOST people would not report their partner or a close relative, whom they suspected of regularly drink driving, to the police, according to a survey carried out in Blackpool and other parts of Lancashire. The result brought a rebuke from Linda Sanderson
A WOMAN believed to be suffering with carbon monoxide poisoning is on a life support machine in Royal Preston Hospital. Colleen Ryan, 50, was found unconscious, slumped in a chair in her Ingol flat by her son last week. The flat, in Clevedon Road, is
STYLISH homes on a redeveloped site have been officially opened on a street with a new name. The former Larkhill flats site in Blackburn has seen the creation of large three and four-bedroom houses and the renovation of the remaining tower block to cater
FOUR firms have tabled bids to buy Blackburn Shopping Centre, it was revealed today. Owners Standard Life, which put the centre up for sale in October, confirmed they had received the offers and were now in the process of drawing up contracts. A spokesman
A BENEFIT claims backlog has been reduced but is still nearly twice as long it should be, it was revealed today. Now a series of initiatives has been unveiled in a bid to meet the 35-day processing time. Earlier in the year claims were taking 70 days
BLACKBURN Rovers have already taken great strides in improving access to Ewood Park. And, as part of their Hearts and Minds campaign to attract more supporters, other initiatives are planned to ease match-day congestion. Reporter Ian Singleton has a look
COUNCIL bosses were celebrating an outstanding success today after their authority was named one of the best in the country for the services it provides. The Audit Commission's first review of all 150 unitary and county councils has given Blackburn with
LONG-SERVING Blackburn Harrier Tony Greenwood was one of only 16 athletes in a field of nearly 500 to break the one hour barrier in Sunday's Stockport Ten Mile Road Race. Recently recovered from injury, Greenwood clocked 59 minutes 46 seconds to place
CLAYTON Harrier Kitty Garnett was the winning Over 65 at the Longridge Seven Mile Road Race on Sunday morning. On a tough course climbing through Longridge Fell she finished clear of the F55 and F60 winners in 65 minutes 18 seconds. Local women were to
SALOON car ace John Cowgill finished his season in style with a second successive victory in the European Endurance Racing Club championship Cowgill and partner Calum Lockie had to overcome the same treacherous conditions that affected their Silverstone
CARL Hawkins and Iain Tullie claimed the honours in the inaugural CSMA road rally. The Ilkley Motor Club pair emerged as winners after a night-long battle with Chris Day and Richard Chalmers in their Mini Cooper. Third place went to Malcolm Grisdale and
THE aptly titled Sad Ratepayer of Blackpool who wrote about proposed developments on Cleveleys seafront has got the facts wrong. There is no large housing development planned for the Jubilee Gardens area. The scheme for a leisure village which is proposed
YOUR correspondent Mike Turner (Letters: Nov) has a problem! A big problem! He sees, like the rest of us, all the problems of the world, and has summed up most of them in one letter! Congratulations, sir! The trouble Mike, is that we live in an imperfect
PRESTON North End WFC 'Lilywhites' had a fine victory over Burnley WFC to leave them with a chance of catching the Manchester United and Everton, the only teams ahead of them in the LFA Ladies' Under 12 Division. Burnley went into the interval 1-0 up
PRIMARY school children from the borough are being given an amazing opportunity to be part of world premiere performances of a brand new children's musical. Charlie is being commissioned by the Hindley-based Vivace Charitable Trust and will be based on
I'M a sucker for BOGOF offers. Even if I don't need items I buy them, just in case, and feel proud when I see how much I've save at the bottom of the till receipt. Like many other gullible shoppers I'd be better off bogging off and leaving the Buy One
PEOPLE who, like me in a way, share their properties with bats have no need to fear contracting rabies. So says local bat conservationist Steve Parker following the first death last week from the disease in this country for 100 years. A man in Scotland
I HAVE received a letter from a victim of the new craze of buying to let -- and boy do I sympathise. I'm told that in the two weeks since a noisy family moved into their rented town centre terraced home they have made the long standing residents' lives
COACH Phil Veivers did not leave Leigh Centurions because of the club's cash problems, the Journal can reveal. Less than a month after being appointed as assistant to head coach Paul Terzis and being made Under 21s coach, Veivers has left Hilton Park
PEOPLE are being advised not to approach a golden eagle which has been seen flying around Bolton and Bury. The four-year-old male bird, which has a red tag on its leg, is considered to be aggressive. The owners have not been traced. It has either been
