BURY has the fourth-narrowest gender pay gap in the north west. New figures from the GMB union show that full-time women workers in the borough earn a gross average of £387.10 per week compared to their male counterparts, who earn £457.90. According to
REGARDING Mr Gallagher's NHS article, believe me you do not know the half of what a mess it is in. I know from being on a long, long waiting list for orthopaedic surgery at Burnley General Hospital. It is time the whole system was scrapped as it is not
MR Farley's letter (LET, January 12) asks for his religion to be taught to children. He says that not teaching religion in schools would deny people the right to make an informed decision and would be selfish. Really? Does Mr Farley hold this view about
A MEMORIAL event marking the 60th anniversary of the Holocaust will be held at the Radcliffe Civic Suite on January 27. It will begin at 7pm and entrance to the event, organised by Bury Council, is by ticket only.
THREE evil thugs involved in the "vicious and sadistic" torture of a mentally ill woman and who robbed a helpless blind man were today behind bars for a total of more than 22 years. A court heard how during her three-day horror ordeal of degradation after
CONTROVERSIAL developer Gerald Hitman has had plans to build more houses in his luxurious Ribble Valley village kicked out by furious councillors. Mr Hitman, who has been creating the plush complex since the mid-1990s, had wanted to create two apartment
WEST Bromwich Albion are considering a player-plus-cash offer to try to tempt Burnley into parting with Richard Chaplow. The Premiership strugglers are desperately trying to secure a deal to sign Argentine midfielder Matias Almeyda on a free transfer
CARL Fogarty has recruited Jack Valentine as the new race team manager of his Foggy Petronas Racing outfit. Valentine, 51, who has a wealth of experience in motorcycle racing, was responsible for a succession of British championship and TT successes with
RESIDENTS whose property took a battering from the weekend's galeforce winds are being warned against cowboy builders. Trading standards say rogue traders may target elderly or vulnerable people who need house repairs following the storms. Angela Lomax
MAKING a welcome return visit to the Holcombe Brook and District Recorded Music Society was guest recitalist Mr Les Goulding, who presented a programme of orchestral music entitiled A Walk in the Country. A keen walker and ornithologist, Mr Goulding began
WEST Bromwich Albion are considering a player-plus-cash offer to try to tempt Burnley into parting with Richard Chaplow. The Premiership strugglers are desperately trying to secure a deal to sign Argentine midfielder Matias Almeyda on a free transfer
FIREFIGHTER Tony Keane is used to saving roofs - now he's even found a use for the ones that are beyond repair! Tony, 38, of Manor Road, is using old, reclaimed slates as an art-form. And he hopes publicity from an exhibition of his work at Darwen Library
ROSSENDALE Council has promised to meet the needs of local people following a series of consultations with the public. The council's executive committee will meet on January 19 to decide how the council can best use its resources to provide residents
ROSSENDALE Family Forum is providing free instruments and tuition to local children bands and schools. The group has created a musical bank for people with unwanted or unusual musical instruments to pass them on to others who can't afford to buy them.
THE East Lancashire Hospice has come of age. This year it celebrates its 21st birthday. IAN SINGLETON visited the Park Lee Road facility in Blackburn to see just how far it has come since 1984. . . HOSPICES are typically thought to be grim places where
NEW BBC comedy series, Ideal, hit the airwaves this week starring Johnny Vegas as a small-time hash dealer called Moz. The character and the series were the brainchild of Blackburn-born scriptwriter Graham Duff, who has also written for Steve Coogan and
By Kingfisher THE Church section of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal was the choice of venue for the latest Octoplus Blackburn open match and it proved to be a bit more difficult for the competitors than they have become used to. Caster outfished the punch on
THIEVES broke into the back of a Bedford van in Barrett Court, Bury, before setting the contents alight. The blaze damaged the rear of the vehicle, and was extinguished by a fire crew.
A MAN has been prosecuted for dumping waste on a street in Radcliffe. Daniel Colgan, of Farhey Close, pleaded guilty to the offence of depositing controlled waste on Cams Lane, last July. Magistrates in Bury fined him £150 for flytipping and ordered him
BURNLEY Aerobics, Barden High School, Burnley, 5pm-6pm. Fun Pop Quiz, Black Bull Inn, Marsden Road, Burnley, 8.30pm. Jazz Band, 1pm -3pm; Karaoke, 8pm-11pm, The Sparrow Hawk, Burnley. Victorian Industrial Landscape, The Weavers' Triangle, Burnley. Adult
THERE are few people in this country whose lives have not been touched by the Hospice movement in one way or another. They may have a relative who has spent time in hospice care or a friend full of praise after he was helped and his family supported during
ROCK media group Kerrang hope to bring the noise to Manchester in more ways than one. The firm is currently bidding for an FM licence to broadcast around the city after a trial run last year. It will also be hosting an unsigned bands night next Wednesday
PUBS and clubs in Bury could be held more accountable for drink-related injuries, if proposals by a senior north west doctor are taken up. Dr John Ashton, regional director for public health, says that licensees should have to demonstrate responsibility
BLACKBURN are set for English Cup action all the way as the Hawks gear up for demanding back-to-back qualifiers against tough opposition. Tonight, Billingham Bombers touch down at the Arena in Blackburn and tomorrow, the Hawks face a daunting trip to
The Bury MG Owners Club held their latest monthly meeting on Tuesday at the Ainsworth Arms in Bolton Road. Their next run is on Sunday January 23, when they leave the Ainsworth Arms at 11am for a drive into West Yorkshire and a pub lunch. The club meets
A GROUP of talented teenagers took to the stage to raise money for charity. In a show entitled Born2Perform, the singers, dancers and musicians performed at the Park Hotel in Lowther Road, Prestwich. The performance included pop and rock songs, including
TRAINEE Shakers from Bury FC were shown the yellow card - a library card - when they visited the town centre branch to sign up. The club is keen that its young players do not miss out on their education while training, so trainees follow a programme of
WITH reference to Mr Wade's "City of our Dreams" (LET, December 31). This includes the demolition of the semi-derelict market and shopping centre which 40 years ago was the jewel in the crown for Blackburn. The state of the property was caused by decades
I SEE the parking wardens were out in force making their Christmas bonus for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. I am a disabled driver and on Thursday, December 23, 2004 I drove into town to pick a Christmas present up for my son. I drove down Brown
A MAN who bit two teenage boys on the face as he attacked them in a park has been jailed for three years. Liverpool Crown Court heard that a 15-year-old boy needed plastic surgery after part of his nose was bitten off by Terence Taylor in Lilford Park
FORMER Bury WRVS volunteers, previously involved in the meals-on-wheels service, are now being asked to devote their dedication to a local befriending group. Jigsaw Link aims to provide volunteer befrienders on a one-to-one basis with older people who
THE seas of the earth are vast and still their depths are little explored - this is the new Inner Space, which was the title of the presentation given by Mr Jim Hopkinson. Early humans found the shallows of the beaches and their fish a source of food,
CHICAGO is known as the windy city, so it was only apt that the show of the same name blew into Manchester Opera House in the wake of the weekend's gales, writes Neil Brandwood. I'd like to say it was a production packed with gusto - if only to continue
A MOMENTOUS world premiere was staged in Blackburn last night. Footage from the turn of the 20th century, unearthed from a Northgate basement in 1994, was screened publicly for the first time in 100 years. Reporter IAN SINGLETON was among the 992 people
A NEWLY-appointed bus boss has pledged to improve the reliability of services in Bury. The promise by First's new managing director Ian Davies follows criticism about the company's "poor performance" from Greater Manchester transport chiefs. As part of
THREE evil thugs involved in the "vicious and sadistic" torture of a mentally ill woman and who robbed a helpless blind man were today behind bars for a total of more than 22 years. A court heard how during her three-day horror ordeal of degradation after
THERE was an excellent attendance last Wednesday, at Radcliffe Probus Club. Before our guest speaker was introduced, it was announced that our club would be making a donation to the tsunami flood disaster. Our guest speaker also donated his fee, and our
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes today insisted Barry Ferguson can still have a major part to play in his future plans for the club - despite the events of the last few days. Ferguson's hopes of a swift return to Rangers were dashed earlier this week
BUDDING pop stars can showcase their talents at a singing competition starting today. Auditions for Stars In Their Eyes will take place at Brunshaw Youth Centre, Morse Street, Burnley. Youngsters aged nine to 17 from Burnley, Padiham and Pendle can attend
A BANK has come to the aid of Daneshouse Football Club by donating a complete set of coaching kit and equipment. The award to the club, which has teams for nine to12-years-olds, has been made as part of the £30m grassroots sports programme, Barclays Spaces
A BLOCK of run-down flats and shops in Burnley which have been a magnet for drug dealing and arsonists is to be finally demolished. Burnley Council's development control committee has given outline planning permission for the parade in Calderbrook Avenue
A PUB chef has been jailed for four years for killing a father of three over a drunken row. William Hill, 47, stabbed friend and drinking partner Robert Davison with an eight-inch kitchen knife when the victim tried to intervene in a domestic bust-up
THE birds of the sunshine state of Florida, USA, will be featured when globetrotter Stuart Meredith gives a slide illustrated talk on Thursday, January 20. As usual the venue is Smithills School, just off the Bolton ring road and the start is 7.30pm.
A GROUP of residents in Reedley claim builders have damaged protected trees while constructing a new house. The complaint came as they objected to an application to remove a planning condition for the development. Applicant Paddle Ltd was given permission
MY hopes and wishes for the New Year lasted only a matter of days before one was sunk when the execrable, so-called reality show 'Celebrity Big Brother' returned to our screens like the umpteenth sequel to Nightmare On Elm Street. Only this time John
A 74 YEAR-old woman was left struggling for breath when her handbag was grabbed in a street robbery - one of the culprits being just 13 years old. The pair got away with £2.50 cash and a few other items. The ordeal left the victim shaking and very distressed
A MAN was driving so badly after his works Christmas party that someone reported him to the police then followed him, a court was told Blackburn magistrates heard that Shane Thomas Patrick Killaway, 34, was driving at no more than 15 mph as he left Whalley
RESIDENTS living near an Accrington park are getting their say on plans to transform a run-down football pitch into a multi-use games area. The proposals for the area within the tennis courts in Peel Park were put on display for people attending the Peel
THE future of The Famous Accrington Carnival could be under threat after Hyndburn Council turned down an appeal for funding from the organisers. Accrington Lions Club, which has put on the bi-annual event, since 1989, asked for £5,000 to pay for essential
MASKED robbers smashed a hole in the wall of a building society with a van before escaping with a large haul of cash. Two men, believed to be wielding machetes, broke into the Halifax Building Society at the Longfield Shopping Centre in Prestwich at 5.15pm
THE internet has come into its own following the tsunami disaster in Asia, proving just how powerful a tool it can be. As well as providing opportunities for people to get messages home via various websites, they have helped one youngster be reunited
LANCASHIRE'S vice-chairman Murray Birnie died of a heart attack on Thursday night in Johannesburg, where he had been watching the Fourth Test - he was 67. Birnie, a chartered mechanical engineer from Haslingden, had been on the Lancashire Committee since
NINE points clear at the top of the league in January. In that situation, only someone who likes doing things the hard way would swap it for a relegation battle. Enter Shaun Teale. The stroll towards the Preston and District League championship as boss
THE first step of a new system to ensure all patients who call 999 for an ambulance get the best possible response has been backed by Greater Manchester Ambulance Service (GMAS) directors. They are supporting proposals to change the way non-emergency
The Tsunami tragedy has touched the hearts of thousands of people in the borough, with a wealth of fundraising events organised by pubs, clubs, churches, schools and individuals. As the full devastation of the tidal wave disaster in south east Asia continues
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes today insisted Barry Ferguson can still have a major part to play in his future plans for the club - despite the events of the last few days. Ferguson's hopes of a swift return to Rangers were dashed earlier this week
A HOUSING developer which was this week given permission to start work on 17 homes in Tockholes Road, Darwen, has revealed it also plans to build similar houses in Spring Gardens. Hampshire Associates, of Duckworth Street, Darwen, has joined forces with
A YOUTH who hit another teenager on the head with a bottle in a "dreadful" attack has been given three and half years youth custody. A judge who passed the custodial sentence told Christopher McMullen, 17: "The public must know this sort of behaviour
WORKERS at a Rossendale meat firm were yesterday told that 38 jobs were being axed after bosses announced that productions were moving to Hull. Cranswick Country Foods of Waterfoot held a meeting with staff following a review of their cooked meat production
A MAN who launched a violent attack at a house within hours of his brother's funeral has been jailed for a year. Paul Bradshaw mistakenly blamed his assault victim for his relative's suicide. He and a friend went to an address in the Blackburn area and
COUNTY councillors have been accused of selling residents 'false dreams' after failing to spend a fifth of their annual buildings budget. But the man in charge of the authority's purse strings today warned more projects could face delay because of a shortage
A PERVERT with a history of offences against young girls tried to befriend two teenagers, despite being banned from being alone with children, a court was told. Walter Steele, 60, has now been remanded in custody by magistrates after admitting seven breaches
A MOMENTOUS world premiere was staged in Blackburn last night. Footage from the turn of the 20th century, unearthed from a Northgate basement in 1994, was screened publicly for the first time in 100 years. Reporter IAN SINGLETON was among the 992 people
LUTEL James certainly hopes the new year is a happy one. After starting 2004 in good form for the Reds in the Conference, the year petered out for the Stanley striker as he was loaned out to Conference North side Droylsden. And when he broke his foot
ARSONISTS targeted two play swings at Hoyle Park in Huntley Mount Road, Bury, by placing burning newspapers on the seats, causing the plastic to melt. A fire crew dealt with the incident.
BLOOD donor sessions are to be held at venues throughout the borough this month. The Bethesda Church in Parkhills Road, Bury, will stage two sessions on Monday, January 17 and Monday, January 31 between 1.30pm and 3.30pm and between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
A TRIAL is to be held in the case of a Bury woman accused of intimidating the mother of a witness in criminal proceedings. Eileen Higson (42), of Chaffinch Drive, was before the bench at Bury and denied she threatened harm to Mrs Catherine Spencer and
MAGISTRATES agreed to a further adjournment in the case of a man accused of being part of a theft of £24,659 worth of property from a Pilsworth Industrial estate. An application to discharge the case against Daniel Francis Jennings (20), from Liverpool
