Archive

  • Events in East Lancashire on Thursday, March 29

    Royal British Legion, Catholic Club, Wellington Fold, Darwen, 7.30pm. "The Twits," Charter Theatre, Preston, 10.30am and 2pm. Manchester Camerata, Municipal Hall, Colne, 7.30pm. Oswaldtwistle Players' Spring Show, Civic Theatre, Oswaldtwistle, 7.30pm.

  • Casting light on crime figures

    ICAN'T comment on the crime figures for the rest of the country, but if those of Councillor Pearson (Letters, March 5) are correct and 28 out of 100 people will be victims of a serious crime, then Jack Straw has at least made his own constituency one

  • Any 'news' on histories of closed-down pits?

    IAM researching the history of British coalmining and compiling a 'chronology of events.' At present, the document contains at least some reference to more than 4,000 collieries that were once at work in the British Isles. I am trying to trace back-copies

  • Hunt for store gun gang

    THE manager of a store was forced at gun-point to open the safe and tills during an armed raid by a masked gang. The gang struck at Halford's at about 4pm yesterday. Five or six masked men entered the Rochdale Road store in Bury. One of the gunmen held

  • Woman, 87, attacked

    A TEENAGE thief knocked a pensioner to the floor as he forced his way into her home to steal. The boy, aged about 16, turned violent when he failed to con his way into the 87-year-old's Buller Street home in Bury yesterday afternoon. He initially claimed

  • Stolen pump car chase

    THIEF John Ambrose went along to watch a friend fishing but ended hooking up a stolen pump to his car. Magistrates at Bury heard how Ambrose, 38, spotted the pump, valued at £10,600, next to Starling Reservoir in Radcliffe and attached it to his four

  • Taxi row ends in assault

    A MAN pleaded guilty to assault after a row about a taxi home from a Christmas party. Magistrates at Bury heard how Scott Evans, 25, had been on a night out with workmates. Tempers flared after Evans and three friends were asked to hand over £2 each before

  • "Goal" that wasn't pips Colls

    A CONTROVERSIAL decision between referee and assistant played a large part in Atherton Colls' home 5-2 defeat by Abbey Hey. The visitors took the lead in the first minute but a succession of a dozen corners paid off for Colls when Ian Gibson got an equaliser

  • Anger over snapped trees

    DEAR THUGS, I would just like to inform you how much you upset both myself and my husband by snapping two of our young trees off last week. Both were just budding and one was beginning to flower, this may seem petty to some but we have enough real problems

  • Where are the jobs?

    HAS St Helens Council taken a leaf out of Tony's book by employing a spin doctor? On a recent TV programme there was a debate about the tragic loss of jobs at Ravenhead Glass and the man from St Helens said (if I'm not mistaken) that things were not too

  • Duff hungry for derby success

    DAMIEN Duff today revealed he is hungry for East Lancashire derby success as Rovers get in shape for a final assault at promotion. The 22-year-old wing-man's return to form with Rovers has won him a first start in nearly two years for the Republic of

  • Bring back the fountain

    NOW we've got the new World of Glass and the big blue World Class in Glass road signs isn't it about time we brought back the glass fountain which used to adorn Church Street and which I believe was donated by the Pilkington family? The popular water

  • ALAS NEILD AND OLIVER

    IT'S Derby week again and the banter's been flying between our Rovers expert ANDY NEILD and Clarets reporter PETE OLIVER. Today we bring you one of their typical exchanges in the office... PETE: SO Andy it's back to Ewood Park, then? Will your lads be

  • PISTE OFF AT HAYDOCK?

    I SEE the ski slope promised for Haydock, has been kicked into touch and in its place, a hotel, leisure centre and another pub, as well as a new housing development on the same site. This is not what is required in Haydock. The youngsters in Haydock have

  • We love our teachers

    AS you may know, we at Parr High School have heard the sad news that our school might be closing down. This school has been standing for just over 68 years. Many of you may have good memories of Parr High. We have only been there for just over three years

  • Buses drive me mad

    I AM writing to comment on St Helens public transport. Since Arriva took over, we got new buses that were warm, comfortable and easy to access. But can we speak so highly of some of the drivers?. They moved the terminus at Sutton and opened the new bus

  • Burgled twice in a week

    A POPULAR entertainer on the local club scene has talked to the Star about her horrific ordeal of waking up in the middle of the night to see a shadowy intruder looming over her in the bedroom as she was burgled for the second time in the same week. Cynthia

  • Parents are buying booze for their kids

    POLICE in Great Harwood and Rishton are urging parents to take responsibility for their children's actions after launching a clampdown on underage drinking. Officers say the scheme has proved a success so far, with co-operation from off-licences, youngsters

  • Amnesty plan in drug crackdown

    DRUGS amnesty safes have been installed at two of Burnley town centre nightspots. The scheme is the first of its kind in East Lancashire and has been introduced at the Chicago Rock and The Works both in the same building in Hammerton Street in an attempt

  • Seven up for hospital 'friends'

    A HOSPITAL support group is celebrating the end of its seventh successful year of fund-raising. The Friends of Pendle Community Hospital will be marking the event at its two-day spring fair at the hospital next Wednesday and Thursday -- which they hope

  • Church's thoughts turn to farming crisis

    A PENDLE church has stepped in to help in the foot and mouth crisis -- by calling on the power of prayer. Nelson Independent Methodist chapel has organised a Day of Prayer on Saturday April 7 and is calling on people to visit the Netherfield Road chapel

  • Frank set to be the first Freeman

    A FORMER councillor who gave a lifetime of service to Pendle is set to become the first Freeman of the Borough. But ex-mill worker Frank Hartley had no idea of the honour fellow councillors aim to bestow on him when the Lancashire Evening Telegraph broke

  • Missed chances costly for Hounds

    Parr Hare & Hounds 4 Milnrow 32 HOUNDS put up a spirited display against the NW Counties League Division Three title favourites and would have finished much closer but for 'bombing' at least three clear-cut scoring chances. Centre Lee Johnson scored

  • Vine climb to table top

    St Helens Vine 38 Middleton 4 THIS four-pointer took Vine to the top of the North West Counties League Division Four. After falling behind after to two early penalty goals by Middleton, Vine roared back with tries by Neil Kilshaw, Craig Orrick, Ste Killgannon

  • Panthers step up title hunt

    Portico Panthers 44 Folly Lane 12 Panthers completed a comfortable double over the Swinton outfit to maintain their bid for the North West Counties League Premier Division championship. Winger Giasone Del Farro opened the scoring for the homesters, taking

  • Haydock make hard work of it

    Haydock 32 Ulverston 20 HAYDOCK never got in top gear in this match and only made sure of victory in the last five minutes. The Cumbrians had the better of the first 20 minutes and went into the lead after five minutes with a drop goal. Three minutes

  • Poetic toast to town's tipplers

    NOW exiled in Yorkshire, John Anthony often lifts his pint glass to toast his St Helens hometown and its many old-time watering holes. In fact, John, who was born in Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath, and sampled his first ever pint in the Saddle pub which

  • Another swirl from the mighty Wurlitzer

    YET another chord has echoed from our mighty cinema organ theme, which has been swirling along merrily over the past several weeks. M. Lewis, of Formby Avenue, Toll Bar, now in his seventies, claims that locally-born keyboard genius Horace Finch did,

  • Ten years ago

    ARSONISTS launched a petrol and paraffin attack on newly-built luxury apartments in Blackburn, reducing them to a blackened shell and causing £250,000 damage. Four out of eight of the flats in Balfour house were wrecked in the attack.

  • Benefit fiddle of man who was paid in eggs

    DEREK Rushton was left with egg on his face after being caught working while claiming incapacity benefits. Blackburn magistrates heard that Rushton went to work on an egg farm and was paid with the occasional tray of eggs. But his payment in kind resulted

  • You can't move for broken glass, say dog owners

    DOG owners forced to use a park to exercise their pets instead of the countryside during the foot and mouth crisis have slammed yobs who have left it covered in broken glass. And they have called on the police and the council to work together to clean-up

  • It's the mother of all matches

    PREGNANT Gemma Rafferty and her football-barmy husband are facing a roller-coaster of emotions as they prepare for one of the most exciting days of their lives -- and the birth of their first child! While naturally delighted to be parents for the first

  • Betterware man in sex attack on pensioner

    A CHARITY has called for tighter checks on door-to-door callers after a convicted sex attacker working as a Betterware man assaulted a pensioner in her home. The call by Age Concern came as the company admitted no police checks were carried out on Trevor

  • Soldiers honoured in war booklet

    RETIRED Colonel Ted Ashley is publishing a booklet to commemorate all those from Chipping and Whitewell areas who died in the 1914-18, 1939-45 and Korean Wars. Mr Ashley is trying to trace family details or local background on three Whitewell soldiers

  • Big Mac to beef up business park plan

    THE Ribble Valley could soon be getting a Big Mac if burger giants McDonald's can whet the appetite of the local authority's planning committee. A planning application for a 3,000 sq ft 85-seater restaurant and drive-through, to be built at the entrance

  • Car park mosque scheme is rejected

    PLANS by the Asian community to build a mosque in Clitheroe have been put on the back burner after councillors voted against selling car park land earmarked for the scheme. Ribble Valley Council's policy and finance committee voted not to sell Peel Street

  • Defender set to play World Cup qualifier

    Ian Cox will definitely play for Trinidad and Tobago in their World Cup qualifier in Costa Rica tonight. The Clarets defender wasn't named in an 18-man squad published earlier this week but coach Ian Porterfield will use Cox as a sweeper as the Soca Warriors

  • Added insult to taxpayers

    AFTER councillors at Hyndburn unanimously voted themselves massive pay increases - which for top wallahs could mean rises of more than 500 per cent - council leader Peter Britcliffe qualifies the figures in his case. His rise will be nowhere near this

  • Duff hungry for success

    DAMIEN Duff today revealed he is hungry for East Lancashire derby success as Rovers get in shape for a final assault at promotion. The 22-year-old wing-man's return to form with Rovers has won him a first start in nearly two years for the Republic of

  • Victory in extra rates battle

    EAST Lancashire business leaders are celebrating a victory over Government plans to allow local authorities to levy a supplementary business rate. The East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce lobbied strongly against additional business rates which it said

  • Hurel's high fliers celebrate Investors award

    WHEN Burnley aerospace manufacturer Hurel-Dubois speaks about its high fliers, it is talking about its people as well as its products. The French-owned company designs and manufactures ccommercial jet engine thrust reversers and other components for a

  • Praise for fundraisers

    PUPILS at Carr Mill Junior School have raised over £370 for the National Childrens Homes (NCH) charity. Children at the school in Kentmere Avenue took part in a range of sponsored games in aid of the charity which helps children all over the UK. Stephanie

  • Anger over damp flat

    A ST HELENS woman is suffering from chest complaints following claims that her flat in Clock Face has been damp for the past year. Linda Whittaker who lives in Pollitt Crescent says she now has difficulty breathing after living in the damp flat for 12

  • Schools sing with a star

    PUPILS from Longton Primary School, Rainford and Garswood Primary School, St Helens, will be able to sing along with German singing star Detlev Jocker when he gives performances on his visits to the schools on March 27. Detlev is well known and loved

  • Special visitor

    STUDENTS were welcoming an extra special visitor to school today. The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters was spending the day in the parish of St James, Over Darwen. He was visiting local businesses, a community centre and two local schools

  • Dingle Dell: MP's in for a ribbing

    THE Dingles have got into parliament -- but we are not talking about Zac or Butch. For Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has renamed her house Dingle Dene and is bracing herself for some ribbing from her fellow MPs. The house on Earnsdale Road,

  • Truck driver's lucky escape

    THE driver of a removal van had a lucky escape when his cab caught fire. Two occupants had just delivered some furniture to premises on Key View, Darwen, when a fire started in the engine compartment at about 2.15pm yesterday. A spokesman for Lancashire

  • Car crashes into house

    WHEN mum Julie Livesley shut the door of her delightful detached home to go and pick up ten-year-old daughter Vicky from school, she could never have guessed at the nightmare scene of devastation which awaited her return. To her horror, Julie came home

  • Fight to save Parr High

    SUPPORT for Parr Community High has been growing as parents and churches add their weight in the battle to save the threatened school. Parents of pupils at the school have followed in their children's footsteps in forming an action committee. Kath Holland

  • Council faces up to change

    LEADERS of the three parties on St Helens Council have been reacting to the possibility of major changes in the way the local authority operates as the Government embarks on its modernisation of councils programme. The new legislation means that the St

  • Joy takes her farm to school

    A MOBILE milking machine has been 'invented' by Joy McCarthy from Cronkshawfold Farm, Helmshore, to beat the foot and mouth crisis. Her small working hill farm off Alden Road is usually open throughout the spring and summer months for educational visits

  • Row over drink led to arrest

    AN argument with bouncers over a spiked drink ended with Tim Parker being arrested outside Utopia nightclub, in Blackburn, after brandishing a broken bottle neck. Blackburn magistrates heard that Parker had felt that no-one was taking him seriously and

  • Benefit advice - claim while you can

    DISABLED people are being encourage to claim a £40.80 allowance before it is abolished on April 6. Anyone who receives the Severe Disablement Allowance up to April 5 can keep withdrawing it as long as they meet the conditions. It is paid to people to

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Latics chasing Dale hot shot

    Wigan Athletic are thought to be back on the trail of Rossendale United hot shot Craig Sargeson. The Rishton-born19-year-old has scored 29 goals this season as Dale have stormed to the top of NWCL Division One. Sargeson had trials with the Second Division

  • CRICKET: Lancs clinch tour victory

    Lancashire clinched a superb win over Boland Academy in their only three-day game of the South African tour. Mark Chilton hammered 111 to end a dismal sequence which included two run-outs as Lancashire piled up 242-4 dec in their second innings. Captain

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Wilkes takes heart despite defeat

    DARWEN 1 PADIHAM 2 DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes took heart from this derby defeat -- despite failing to end his side's losing streak. The men from the Anchor have endured a miserable March, losing six of their last seven games. But Wilkes can see some light

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Rams second half slump

    RAMSBOTTOM UTD 2 ST HELENS TOWN 4 RAMSBOTTOM'S 15-match unbeaten NWCL Division One run came to an end at the hands of fellow title challengers St Helens. The Rams took the lead on nine minutes when Russell Brierley found Chris Willcock who chipped the

  • Clitheroe race to the record books

    Clitheroe 13 Cheadle 0 CLITHEROE brought a whole new meaning to the football phrase, "bouncing back" as they went goal crazy to crush luckless Cheadle last night. Clitheroe committee men were left to thumb through the record books after a lucky 13 had

  • 'Be early' plea to racegoers

    RACEGOERS planning to attend Haydock Park's meeting on Saturday, March 31 are being advised to arrive earlier than usual because of precautions to combat the potential spread of foot and mouth disease. A drive-through disinfectant 'bath' has been constructed

  • JOL pipped in penalty shoot-out

    THE St Helens McDonald's JOL under 12s inter-league side just lost out in the Liverpool County FA Final going down 6-5 to Walton Kirkdale in a penalty shoot-out. RESULTS Sunday, March 25 Under 16s: St Annes 1 Whiston Jnrs1, Knowsley South 1 Cronton 7,

  • Town go on goal spree

    St Helens Town 9 Glossop North End 2 A HEALTHY boost to their goal difference and three more league points capped a fine week's work for Jimmy McBride's back-on-song charges as poor Glossop were put to the sword at Knowsley Road on Saturday. Victory over

  • Fun and flowers

    ST HELENS Flower Club invite all flower arrangers and gardeners to an evening of 'Fun, Flowers and information' with the specialist plant grower Graeme Iddon at the Centre for the Deaf, Dentons Green Lane on Tuesday April 3. The evening will start at

  • Don't encourage young drinkers

    The nuisance caused by drunken youngsters in Rishton and Great Harwood, where residents' complaints have triggered a police crackdown against under-age drinking, is an all-too-familiar problem in many other East Lancashire communities. But as police urge

  • Explore at a snail's pace

    Nature Watch with Ron Freethy AS I write these notes the clocks have just been altered and spring is with us. This is the time that we should all be thinking of heading for the countryside. We should be searching for our first violets, primroses, cowslips

  • Rammy lose two-goal lead

    BAD second half defending saw Ramsbottom United squander a two-goal half time lead to lose 4-2 at home to St Helens Town. Chris Brookes and Russell Brierley appeared to have United well in command but a storming second period recovery from Saints got

  • Boro make point despite losing keeper

    RADCLIFFE Boro goalkeeper Danny Hurst was sent off on 67 minutes in last night's home 1-1 Unibond League Division One draw with Matlock Town. The visitors substitute Vishiri had already caused Boro problems with his pace since his introduction into the

  • Bury sink City slickers

    Bury 1 Stoke City 0 by Steve Canavan ANDY Preece celebrated his 34th birthday in style after watching his team record a deserved win over play-off favourites Stoke. A scrambled second half strike from Chris Swailes was enough to wrap up another three

  • Computers cash will be ill-spent

    WOULD it not have been more intelligent to have reduced the rents at Whitebirk estate in Blackburn than hand out computers (LET, March 16). Obviously, some will go to people without an interest or a clue as to their use. J WALTON, Rothesay Road, Blackburn

  • Lottery could help emergency

    FARMERS, holiday businesses and others hit by the foot and mouth outbreak are facing bankruptcy and, ultimately, will need to be compensated. The cost of this might well be in excess of what the Government or other responsible authority is capable of

  • Being redundant an eye-opener

    REGARDING "Redundancy 'pay' leaves a nasty taste" (Letters, March 8), exactly the same thing happened to my family in December, 2000. My husband was made redundant after working for 30 years and paying taxes, insurance, etc. We are also an honest, hardworking

  • Pub man 'hit customer with hammer'

    THE partner of a pub landlady hit a customer over the head with a hammer after the customer had thrown beer at him, a court was told. Victim John James Bennett had been arguing with an acquaintance in the Church Inn pub, Leigh, over money he claimed was

  • Councillor gets a lesson in regeneration

    ISEE I must teach Councillor Ashley Whalley (LET, March 16) a lesson in regeneration. To quote Ken Livingstone, "a dirty unkempt city can have adverse effects on inward investment" and "litter and a general sense of squalor and filth can deter Londoners

  • Violent robber escapes court

    A JUDGE issued a warrant without bail for a man accused of robbery who disappeared from court. Shane Houghton vanished during lunchbreak and was not in Bolton Crown Court to hear the jury convict him on two counts of robbery. Houghton had held a knife

  • Pan panic

    FIREFIGHTERS smashed their way into a first floor flat in Radcliffe today after the occupant went to work leaving a pan heating on the cooker. The smoke from the hot fat triggered an alarm at 6.20am which alerted residents living near the Eton Hill Road

  • Thieves steal danger drugs

    DANGEROUS drugs were stolen after thieves broke into a car and stole a medical bag. Eight syringes, each containing anti-clotting agents Fragmin and Heprin used in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, were taken from the car which had been parked overnight

  • Tiger key to summer magic

    NEVER mind putting the clocks forward or listening out for the first cuckoo, British summer time officially begins when the world's best golfers tee it up for the Masters at Augusta next month. The first highlight of the year's sporting calendar, the

  • Girlfriend thrown across room

    AN angry man attacked his girlfriend, throwing her across the room and causing facial injuries as the couple's terrified two-year-old looked on, a court heard. Bury magistrates were told how an argument between Stuart Nuttall, 28, and his girlfriend,

  • Paedophile jailed after Telegraph probe

    WHEELCHAIR-BOUND paedophile Richard Fitzpatrick today began a two-year jail sentence -- three months after being convicted of a string of sex attacks. Fitzpatrick was escorted from his home by police yesterday. An original probation order imposed at Burnley

  • Betterware man in sex attack on pensioner

    A CHARITY has called for tighter checks on door-to-door callers after a convicted sex attacker working as a Betterware man assaulted a pensioner in her home. The call by Age Concern came as the company admitted no police checks were carried out on Trevor

  • RMI wait for Felgate

    LEIGH RMI will wait until later before deciding whether to recall veteran keeper Dave Felgate for tonight's trip to relegation-threatened Forest Green Rovers. Felgate missed last Friday's win over Hereford as he recovered from a severe migraine attack

  • Sad about Ravenhead closure

    I TAKE up my pen with sadness as more than 150 years of glass-making at Ravenhead Glass in St Helens has come to an end. This was a good factory, with a good product, loyal customers, full order books and a proud workforce, but in the end all that was

  • Anger over job losses

    I AM writing as the wife of an ex-Ravenhead employee. I need to ease my anger and frustrations and give the truth to the people of St Helens. My husband, along with many others, has given 30 years-plus of dedication to Ravenhead. He started work there

  • Morning after pill concerns

    THE sexual and reproductive health of British children is the worst in Western Europe. Britain has the highest incidence of teenage pregnancies, with some 100,000 last year alone. Our children increasingly face the impending, miserable consequences of

  • It's the mother of all matches

    PREGNANT Gemma Rafferty and her football-barmy husband are facing a roller-coaster of emotions as they prepare for one of the most exciting days of their lives -- and the birth of their first child! While naturally delighted to be parents for the first

  • Paedophile jailed after Telegraph probe

    WHEELCHAIR-BOUND paedophile Richard Fitzpatrick today began a two-year jail sentence -- three months after being convicted of a string of sex attacks. Fitzpatrick was escorted from his home by police yesterday. An original probation order imposed at Burnley

  • Heroin addict denies rape

    A young woman told how she feared for her life after she was allegedly raped and beaten up by a heroin addict in a terror attack in her own home. The complainant, herself then also abusing drugs, said she had been dragged upstairs before being 'battered

  • Joynt in race for fitness

    SAINTS are just 80 minutes away from a cup final date at Twickenham, but they are facing a race against time to get captain Chris Joynt and winger Anthony Sullivan fit for Saturday's semi-final showdown against Leeds at Wigan (3pm). Joynt damaged an ankle

  • Tough going for UG

    Rylands A 55 UGB 6 AFTER last week's good result, UGB came back down to earth with a bang against a strong Ryands outfit. The Bobbies Lane men were again let down by players failing to turn up on the day and badly missed the defensive influence of skipper

  • Bold power splits the Atoms

    Heysham Atoms 6 Bold Miners 18 BOLD took another step towards promotion from the North West Counties Division Two with this win. Heysham were first on attack and a break down the left wing resulted in a converted try. But Bold hit back and strong runs

  • Away-day blues for Recs

    Roose Pioneers 25 Pilkington Recs 16 A LACKLUSTRE first-half display cost Recs dearly as they suffered yet another away defeat. Roose opened the scoring with a long-range interception try and although the visitors fought back with forwards Dave Houghton

  • Late try sinks battling Bulldogs

    Keighley Albion 26 Blackbrook Bulldogs 14 BULLDOGS put up a spirited show and only a last-minute try ensured victory for the homesters. Aussie stand-off Camneron Liddle (2), hooker Andy Bowness and winger Chris Hogg scored tries before the break for Keighley

  • Heath on course for National glory

    Oldham St Annes 10 Thatto Heath Crusaders 19 HAVING already disposed of Woolston and Saddleworth in earlier rounds, Heath completed a hat-trick of victories over National Conference Premier Division sides to book their place in the semi-final of the National

  • Cunningham steals it for Saints

    London Broncos 18 Saints 20 IT'S early days yet, but if Grand Final Trophy holders Saints qualify for the play-offs this season they will surely never have a closer shave than at The Valley on Saturday night. And for a great escape act of Houdini proportions

  • Chemists on Sunday duty rota

    THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, April 1, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Boots The Chemists, 42 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Colne in action

    Strugglers Colne face Bootle at home in NWCL Division Two tonight. John Lister's side, who are only being kept off the bottom of the league by Oldham Town, are on the back of run of 13 straight defeats.

  • Sir comes clean for charity

    IT was grey-flecked and a bit grizzled. But for ten years it had been teacher Stephen Swietlik's chin-point pride and glory. Now, however, science teacher Stephen has sacrificed his familiar beard in the name of charity. He staged his sponsored 'shave-in

  • Blitz by 'tip busters'!

    THE big blitz on rubbish-tipping has hit top gear. A team of youth volunteers have removed an amazing total of 50 sacks of domestic refuse plus many dumped household items (including a three-piece suite, fridge, old bikes and even a couple of barbecue

  • Five years ago

    WATER and electricity giants United Utilities stunned workers by announcing that 1,700 jobs were to go in the North West. The firm also revealed it was selling off its chain of Norweb shops which employed more than 100 people in East Lancashire.

  • Scooter accident: family's witness appeal

    THE son of a pensioner seriously injured in a road accident at the weekend today appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward. Chris Barnes' 67-year-old dad James suffered serious injuries to both of his legs when he was knocked off his scooter

  • Teenagers ask adults to buy booze for them

    POLICE in Great Harwood and Rishton are urging parents to take responsibility for their children's actions after launching a clampdown on underage drinking. Officers say the scheme has proved a success so far, with co-operation from off-licences, youngsters

  • Ward redesign will double elections

    A COUNCIL is set to shed a quarter of its councillors and re-design its wards within the next 12 months. Hyndburn Council announced the move to bring it into line with recommendations made after a recent review. The Local Government Commission wants to

  • School stores up a lesson for the future

    ITEMS from the year 2001 have been frozen in time and stored in the roof space of Clitheroe Royal Grammar School's York Street site -- and no-one will be able to set eyes on them until 2054. A time capsule has been created by Stuart Bruce, a member of

  • Clarets new kit for Ewood clash

    BURNLEY are to unveil their fourth new-look strip of the season when they take on Blackburn Rovers in a derby-special. The Clarets have played all season without a sponsor's logo on the front of the first-team kit after failing to tie up a deal to suit

  • Rewards for yobs behaving badly

    AMAZING, isn't it - how the response to wrong 'uns is to reward them for their bad behaviour? The latest instance of official wheedling and appeasement comes from Hyndburn Council among whose ideas for dealing with troublesome louts hurling abuse at players

  • Tagging by phone for kids

    BURY is to share in a £4.52 million funding package to tackle persistent young offenders. Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) across Greater Manchester have won the cash from the Youth Justice System. The money will be used to work with the three per cent of

  • This jolly jaunt's just not cricket!

    FANCY an extra week off work? Well, try telling the boss you've been picked to play cricket in a tournament in Australia that lasts a fortnight and asking him that if you use up a week of your annual holiday entitlement whether he'll kindly grant you

  • Clarets new kit for Ewood clash

    BURNLEY are to unveil their fourth new-look strip of the season when they take on Blackburn Rovers in a derby-special. The Clarets have played all season without a sponsor's logo on the front of the first-team kit after failing to tie up a deal to suit

  • Hurel's high fliers reach for the sky

    WHEN Burnley aerospace manufacturer Hurel-Dubois speaks about its high fliers, it is talking about its people as well as its products. The French-owned company designs and manufactures commercial jet engine thrust reversers and other components for a

  • War on litter

    YOUNGSTERS at 12 primary schools across the Borough and students from St Helens College are waging a war on litter by joining in the nation-wide "Just Bin It" campaign. Organised by the Tidy Britain group, the campaign involves the Council's Recycling

  • Woman gives cancer hope

    A WOMAN whose miraculous recovery from secondary cancer of the liver was highlighted in the Star is now giving hope to another sufferer. Alison Clarkson was devastated when she was first diagnosed with the potentitally life-threatening disease. But the

  • Shakers star tipped for top

    YOUNG Shakers defender Nicky Hill has been tipped as a star of the future - by the man who plays alongside him. Chris Swailes was delighted after notching the winning goal last night but he was quick to praise Hill, who was starting only his third game

  • Cash in packet

    POLICE at in Darwen have been doing their bit to get computer equipment for schools. Officers at the Union Street station have collected more than 1,000 Computers for Schools tokens from crisp packets. The deal was arranged by Sue Freer whose son Martin

  • For the children

    HARD-WORKING pupils at a Darwen primary school have raised £2,500 for the building. A number of events organised by the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association at St Joseph's School, Radford Street, have raised the money with the vast majority, £1,475

  • Reward for teacher

    STAFF at 30 schools across St Helens are in line for pay bonuses -- thanks to their efforts in and out of the classroom. The annual bonuses will be awarded to staff at schools that substantially improved their results or achieved good results in a particular

  • Sad day for young riders

    THE "DEATH" of a popular riding school has left dozens of its young pupils heartbroken. Barrows Farm Riding School on Carr Mill Road in Billinge is due to close on Saturday, April 1, just 18 months after opening, because of what is claimed to be a massive

  • Highs and lows of Darwen FC in print

    DARWEN'S football club has appealed to fans and players past and present to help them celebrate a milestone. This year the Anchor-based club will celebrate its 125th anniversary and club officials are hoping to celebrate in style. They have issued a plea

  • Highs and lows of Darwen FC in print

    DARWEN'S football club has appealed to fans and players past and present to help them celebrate a milestone. This year the Anchor-based club will celebrate its 125th anniversary and club officials are hoping to celebrate in style. They have issued a plea

  • Vandals warned of death risk in old plant

    YOUNGSTERS are being warned they are risking death after vandals attacked a disused electricity sub-station. The disused sub-station at Sykeside Mill, Haslingden, had been decommissioned by Norweb and engineers have now removed the transformer following

  • Main street closure

    CULVERT replacement work which will close a section of Rawtenstall's main shopping street for 14 weeks is now set to start in May instead of April. Lancashire County Council is replacing the old masonry culvert with a new concrete one to carry Balladen

  • Library repairs to start next week

    WORK to repair fire damaged Haslingden Library should start next Wednesday now a tender has been accepted. Victor Marcinkiewicz, librarian since 1977, said of the £150,000 scheme: "We are looking forward to a bright new future and I am sure it will be

  • Obstacles overcome for quake victims

    YOUNGSTERS overcame a variety of obstacles to raise money for the Indian earthquake appeal - literally. Children from the pre-school playgroup at St Barnabas Church Hall, Blackburn, were sponsored to tackle an obstacle course and the event realised £160

  • Toy auction aids sick kids

    EWOOD Park in Blackburn will host an auction of old toys to raise money and grant wishes for terminally ill children. The National Association of Ladies Circle and Round Table has organised the event for Children's Wish, which grants wishes for youngsters

  • Crackdown on the cruel con tricksters

    COMMUNITY leaders in Blackburn have vowed to stamp out an epidemic of bogus callers who have tricked vulnerable pensioners into handing over cash. Bank Top Community Association has started a massive leaflet drop operation in the district warning residents

  • Swailes's winner

    BURY 1 STOKE 0 Defender Chris Swailes grabbed the winner from a second half corner as rampant Bury grabbed another three points. Swailes' goal was the high point of an impressive second half display. Front men Jon Newby and Colin Cramb, who have combined

  • Goal crazy Blues hit 13

    CLITHEROE officials were today checking the record books after a crushing 13-0 win over Cheadle last night. The Blues produced a sensational second half blitz but just failed to break the North West Counties League record which stands at 14-2 Officials

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Magpies revenge

    CHORLEY 2 ASHTON UTD 1 CHORLEY bounced back with a display full of character to deservedly avenge their heavy defeat at Ashton earlier in the month in the UniBond First Division. The Magpies had much the better of the first half and stretched the promotion-chasing

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Inspired substitutions keep Dale on track

    ROSSENDALE 2 NEWCASTLE 1 ROSSENDALE came out on top in this six point encounter, with the introduction of Dave Gray and Steve Cunningham the deciding factor. Newcastle are worthy NWCL Division One title contenders and had bossed the first 20 minutes.

  • LOCAL SOCCER: Late blow for injury-ravaged Reds

    ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 HUCKNALL TOWN 2 A GOAL two minutes into stoppage time gave visitors Hucknall all three points against an injury-ravaged Stanley team in the UniBond Premier League. The match started 15 minutes late due to the visitors late arrival

  • Table tennis league set for comeback

    FOUNDED in 1930, St Helens Table Tennnis League was wound up last season due to lack of players and general apathy. Now it could be set to rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes -- thanks mainly to the efforts of stalwarts Bryan Wearden and Lol Morris. For

  • Cup joy for LSH

    Liverpool St Helens 20 Waterloo 14 LIVERPOOL St Helens triumphed by two tries to one in this evenly-matched Lancashire Cup quarter-final at Moss Lane. Eric Hughes named an unchanged team for the third week running and LSH took the lead with a penalty

  • Rainhill Junior League round-up

    RESULTS Sunday March 25: Under 15s: Blackleyhurst 0 Oak Jnrs 8, Bleak Hill 2 Seneley & Garswood 5, Denton Ath 1 Knowsley South 5, Lane Ends 0 Basildon 0, St Annes 10 Rainford Rngrs 1 Under 13s: Blackleyhurst 2 Aventis JFC 5, Bleak Hill 2 Rainhill

  • Cables' winning run halted by strugglers

    Prescot Cables 2 Flixton 2 THIS was Prescot's fourth game in eight days and the first that they failed to win as relegation-threatened Flixton scrapped for every ball. The game produced some end-to-end football as both teams went in search of three points

  • It's Stu to the rescue

    St Helens Combination IN a nail-biting finish at Sutton Manor, 'keeper Stu Haycock was the hero for Leach Lane when his penalty save in the last minute of extra time put his side into the second round of the Tom Worrall Cup with a 2-1 win over Pilkington

  • What's On with Sue Gerrard

    VARIETY is certainly the watchword in the weeks ahead with everything from poetry and panto to wrestling and whodunnits on the local entertainment 'menu'. Visitors to the Theatre Royal can certainly 'be prepared' to be entertained when the St Helens Scout

  • Tree for the chop

    A PLANNING application has been received by St Helens Council for the cutting down of a tree within the Rainford conservation area at All Saints C of E Vicarage in Church Road, Rainford.

  • Prostate number to call

    FOLLOWING last week's article about Prostate Awareness Week, the confidential telephone number for the Prostate Cancer Charity's support and information service is 0845 300 8383. There is also a comprehensive website at www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.

  • Talk on canal restoration

    DR John Eaton, of Liverpool University, will address a meeting of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) on the environmental aspects of canal restoration. This will be at the Raven Lodge Hotel, Church Street on Thursday, April 26 from 7.30pm. Visitors

  • Meeting for diabetics

    NEXT meeting of the St Helens & District branch of Diabetes UK will be held on Wednesday, April 4 starting at 8pm in St Helens Town Hall. Subject of the meeting will be 'The role of the nurse clinician in diabetes care' and the speaker will be Louise

  • Pilks in Iran move

    PILKINGTON is to become the first major multi-national glass manufacturer to enter Iran. The company is to construct a 180,000 tonnes per year float glass plant on behalf of Ghazin Glass Company, the largest glass producer in Iran and will jointly control

  • DNA link to sex attacks

    A FIRE chief was linked to two sex attacks by sophisticated DNA evidence which proved his guilt, a jury heard at Manchester Crown Court. The odds that 44 year old George Heyes was not the hooded assailant, were one in one billion, prosecutor Susan Klonin