A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Social Evening, Audley House Sports and Social Club, Blackburn, 7.30pm. Proceeds to the Magic Eye Appeal. Northern Soul and Mowtown, Longshaw WMC, Bryan Street, Blackburn
ONE week on from the BNP victory in Mill Hill and the letters are still pouring in to this newspaper. Opinions are sharply divided. A large number have expressed their dismay that some people saw fit to turn to the far right to address their grievances
Leigh Miners Rangers Under 12's stormed into the semi-final of the BARLA Lanashire Cup with a commited display against Blackbrook. They led 10-0 at half time and eventually won through 16-10. Sean Marsh scored a hat-trick of tries for the Rangers with
A RETIRED nurse died of septicaemia after contracting an infection while having surgery at Blackburn Royal Infirmary. An inquest heard the operation to remove Adriana Noblet's spleen was a success and she seemed to be recovering until her condition suddenly
REGARDING your story on members of the Anti-Nazi league cleaning swastikas daubed on walls "just days before" the by-election at Mill Hill in Blackburn (LET, November 19), haven't those swastikas been around for about the last 20-odd years since the National
BOSSES at a popular East Lancashire animal sanctuary have stepped up security following the latest dog snatch. And the family due to home Staffordshire Bull Terrier Star have put up a reward for her return after it was revealed she suffers from a serious
DETECTIVES are hunting a vicious serial robber after four attacks on pensioners -- one a 92-year-old woman -- in three-and-a-half hours. Police are warning pensioners in Leigh to be on their guard fearing that the man responsible for the crimes may strike
IN football sometimes you have a good run against one team, a bad one against another and there seems to be no logical reason. At the weekend we are heading down to Vicarage Road with a record of four wins in our last four games and the target has to
POLICE today launched a murder-style inquiry after a man's body was found floating in a river by workmen. Paul Edward Parkinson, 32, of Park Avenue, Clitheroe, had a serious head injury and was discovered in the Blakewater behind the new Lidl supermarket
LEIGH Centurions chairman Mike Nolan has sensationally pulled out of a proposed deal to buy the club writes Mike Hulme He has withdrawn his £225,000 offer to secure a 75 per cent controlling interest in the Hilton Park club. The way now appears open for
As a consultant engineer, lecturer and transport operator, I have given considerable thought to the subjects of a Lancaster - Morecambe - Heysham bypass and also to the A590 bypass in South Cumbria. Both these projects have attracted a large amount of
THE Citizen headline last week suggested that everyone in Morecambe's West End was a drug dealer or a criminal. You are tarring us all with the same brush and I find it deeply offensive. There are perfectly respectable owner-occupiers here who have been
ONLY a fool would not regard the situation with Iraq, and the Middle East generally, as extremely dangerous and worrying, but the Chamber of Lancaster City Council was transformed on Wednesday, November 6, into what can only be described as a fourth-form
BLACKBURN Rovers have launched a campaign to try and increase attendances at Ewood Park. It is vital that the club attracts larger crowds and brings in extra cash to maintain the signing of top players. Reporter Ian Singleton looks at the main issues
EWOOD number one Brad Friedel today revealed for the first time that he's spent the last 18 months playing in pain. The United States international has spoken for the first time about the full extent of the cartilage injury which required corrective surgery
Hoorah! Lancaster's own comic opera communist Steve Metcalfe is riding the range once again (Citizen Letters, November 7), protecting us from the Thatcherite fifth-columnists i.e. almost everyone. This time his powerful searchlight of socialism has revealed
THE Fire Brigades Union has already accepted a 16 per cent pay rise. Agreement was settled with employers, and the majority of the public also support the claim. The Blair administration, however, scuppered the agreement. Why? Digby Jones of the Confederation
I THINK the council should start thinking about how to improve Morecambe instead of what to bulldoze and ruin next. When Frontierland was open money was rolling in and tourists were visiting Morecambe, and the same for Bubbles. Why did the council take
SKATEBOARDING, BMXing and inline skating are all common and fun sports but there's nowhere for us to go. We have plenty of football pitches, rugby pitches, tennis courts and so on - so why no skate park? The only places where we can skate are local streets
AT 6pm tonight, the Christmas lights will be switched on by the Mayor and Mayoress of Padiham, Councillors Granville and Pat Lord on the steps of the town hall. Children from St John's RC School will sing carols and a brass band will play. The market
HEALTH bosses are confident they can save money and cut waiting lists -- despite revealing a year-end deficit of £4.8million. David Meakin, finance director for the Burnley Health Care NHS Trust, said he hoped that through further savings the amount could
SHAKERS midfield ace George Clegg is set to make his long-awaited first team comeback. The former Manchester United ace is one of Bury's most influential playmakers, providing a vital link between the engine room and the attack, while posing a serious
POLICE said they are growing concerned for the safety of a 38-year-old man from Colne who has been missing from home more than five weeks. Stuart Victor William Hampson, of Sefton Street, was last seen at his mother's house in Albert Road on Sunday, October
A WOMAN'S health deteriorated after her 'traumatised' estranged husband embarked on a campaign of intimidation and threats. Burnley magistrates heard how Julie Verity, who lived with her young son, ended up on anti-depressants after her husband, John,
A SPURNED postman sent obscene and offensive letters to his ex-partner's home as well as several pairs of knickers. Burnley Magistrates heard how David Livesey, 49, enclosed what appeared to be pubic hairs in letters and made references to sex acts he
THIS year's Christmas concert at St Peter's Church, Hindley, takes place on Friday, December 6, from 7.30pm.
TYLDESLEY and District Historical Society members face a "Going For a Song" style grilling at their December 19 meeting. During his talk on "Any Old Iron" Clifford Stockton will ask the audience to identify the function of numerous cast iron domestic
BLACKBURN College swept the board for a second year running at the Cardiff annual bakery competition. The team won 14 first places out of a possible 15.
CULCHETH'S Christmas starts on Saturday in Victorian style. The annual Culcheth Lion's Club's big day gets underway at 9.30am with a procession round the village. An hour later Father Christmas' grotto opens in the Methodist Church Hall and at 10.45am
NATIONAL pub chain JD Wetherspoon today confirmed its long-standing plans to move into Accrington will not be finalised before Christmas. The company is in negotiations with the owners of two sites in the town centre-- one in Broadway and the second in
A BUS forum to increase communication between bus companies and their passengers in Hyndburn is to be set up in the next three weeks. The idea was first discussed after a regular bus user complained to Coun Ian Ormerod, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council
PEOPLE living on a huge housing estate could get more money to improve their surroundings. The Atherton Building Communities team, which shaped Hag Fold developments, says cash is still available for local groups for work on the estate. The team set up
CANCER survivor Sylvia Fisher is helping to save other victim's lives. She is a founder member of the Wigan and Leigh group of supporters which has presented a "magic lamp" to the Christie hospital to say thanks for her own and her father's life. After
AS a boy Dennis Wilcock's dream was to be a chauffeur to the gentry. He had a passion for vintage cars and a vision of living over stables in acres of countryside. Those ambitions never materialised for the Hindley Green born businessman and collector
LANCASHIRE County Council has been shortlisted for Beacon Council Status, following its work to support the rural economy. The council has a long tradition of establishing, leading and evolving policy and partnerships aimed at rural regeneration. Its
A LONGRIDGE police sergeant was harassed over a ten-month period after setting up home with another man's wife. Blackburn magistrates heard that Francis William Cookson bombarded sergeant Nicholas Oldham with threatening phone calls as well as turning
A SOLICITOR who went bankrupt months after taking £20,000 from clients has been struck off. Jennifer Hallam, 51, of Crossnapend Barn, Houghclough Lane, Chipping, failed to pay back the cash and has been barred from practising law since September 2000.
A MAN put his former partner in fear of violence by repeatedly calling at her home and phoning her over a three-day period. Blackburn magistrates heard that Andrew Jason Holden threatened to kill Alison Pye in front of their children and threatened to
SECURITY concerns over the Internet and e-mail seem to come round every other week. Unfortunately Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) is a victim of its own success as many of the problems arise with their products. Outlook Express and the web browser, Internet
WHEN some football clubs spend almost twice as much on players as they take in, the road to ruin cannot be far away. The wealthy few may have a sugar daddy to rely on - but, as the recent case of Oldham Athletic shows, when the millionaire's finances
COULD you help track down an important part of Lancaster's rugby league heritage? The newly formed Lancaster rugby club is looking for the Lancaster Cup, last awarded in 1948 and previously won by some of the biggest names in rugby league. It was contested
ANY Manchester United fans who have got tickets for Burnley sections of Turf Moor next Tuesday night have been warned they will be removed from the ground. Some Clarets fans have expressed safety concerns after rumours of tickets for the James Hargreaves
EVERY player suffers from a dip in form now and again. And I'd be the first to admit that some of my performances haven't been up to scratch of late. But in the last couple of games, I've felt as though I've be doing more of what the gaffer wants me to
A ROYAL Lancaster Infirmary doctor has been given one of Britain's most prestigious medical accolades. Dr John Halsey won the 'Hospital Doctor of the Year' award, sponsored by the weekly medical newspaper Hospital Doctor. Described as a keen contributor
MARKET traders have been told they will not have to pay extra rent for their over-spilling stalls in the run up to Christmas. Following a meeting with the Morecambe Festival Market Traders Association, the council has agreed to postpone until the New
POLICE are being urged to take urgent action against a gang of anti-social youths who are 'making life hell' for villagers in Slyne-with-Hest. Residents claim problems caused by a core group of up to 20 trouble-makers, who gather around the junction of
Lancaster City step on the FA Trophy trail on Saturday - and are hoping to add new faces to their squad, writes Steve Dunthorne. Preston North End youngster Ricky Mercer has already signed up at Giant Axe and boss Tony Hesketh is hoping to sign a couple
POLICE and army chemicals experts were called to a suspected chemicals leak near Carnforth in the early hours on Tuesday. Two people were taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering headaches. A strange smell was also reported at Truckhaven, Scotland
BEREAVED pet owners in Lancaster have a new way of saying goodbye to their beloved dog, cat or hamster - and the inventor of the pet coffin says there is nothing barking about his innovation. Hala Pet Store has become the first shop locally to promote
RESIDENTS campaigning to prevent developer CR Chelverton from building a new road and supermarket near their Lancaster homes have met a company director face-to-face. A noisy demonstration marked the arrival of Chelverton's Simon Morgan, who travelled
LEIGH RMI Ladies produced their best performance of the season so far in their second round cup tie against Castle Park Rangers. The scoring was opened by an excellent individual run and quality finish by Simone Robinson. This was surpassed by a 35 yard
1st XV From Davies, Prescott, Bailey, Young(c), Newton, Hampson, Penn, Robinson, Wood, Bate, Sutton, Browning, Liku, Cunliffe, Wilcock, Murray, Bentham, Harrison, Jones, Fletcher, Bridge, Wynne. Widnes at home. Meet at 12.00pm 2nd XV From Travers, Dewhurst
West Hull 24, Leigh East 0 IF Leigh East are to have any success in major competitions then they are going to have to shake off the inconsistency which has dogged them all season. Not to score a point - even against West Hull - was disappointing, especially
Leigh Miners Rangers 42 Ideal Isberg 4: IDEAL Isberg proved no match for Leigh Miners Rangers in the National Conference League Premier Division as the home side stretched their winning run to three games to move up to second place in the table. The home
LEIGH Harriers' cross country star Lauren Howarth continued her fine form with a victory which puts her top of the league. Lauren won the under 13s event in the third South East Lancs match completing the 2k course at Lilford Park in 8min 31 sec. Team
Leigh RMI 1 Morecambe 0 by Martyn Hindley: DINO Maamria racks up disciplinary points quicker than Tony Adams ever did behind the wheel. But his first half yellow card for dissent was forgiven by the management as he bundled the winning goal against high-flying
Caldy 22 Leigh 1st XV 6 IN this top of the table clash in perfect conditions at Caldy, Leigh started in promising fashion with the forwards applying early pressure on the home side. A penalty attempt was narrowly wide and they were denied a try scoring
FORMER Manchester United goalkeeping legend Alex Stepney was delighted to see Burnley paired with his old club in the Worthington Cup and he believes they have what it takes to spring a shock next week. Last season Stepney was on the coaching staff at
EWOOD number one Brad Friedel today revealed for the first time that he's spent the last 18 months playing in pain. The United States international has spoken for the first time about the full extent of the cartilage injury which required corrective surgery
PHILIPS in Blackburn today announced it was cutting 150 jobs in a bid to compete against cheap imports from Eastern Europe. The company, which supplies monitor tubes for TV and computers, confirmed it was looking for up to 150 voluntary redundancies,
THIS year's Christmas concert at St Peter's Church, Hindley, takes place on Friday, December 6, from 7.30pm.
A "HEART-RENDING" letter from a father helped keep his 18-year-old son out of prison after admitting burgling houses. James McGrady, of Portland Street, Darwen, used money obtained from selling stolen goods to buy cannabis, Preston Crown Court heard.
LOWTON St Luke's Parish Church choir will lead an Ecumenical Advent Carol Service on December 1 at 6.30pm in St Catherine's RC Church, Lowton.
A PRIEST today appealed for people to take extra care of the vulnerable this Christmas after being moved by his congregation's suffering. The festive season will have a more sober feel at St Peter's Church, Darwen, after the Rev Kevin Arkell gave over
WIGAN and Leigh Pensioners' Link have organised a Christmas floral demonstration in the Derby Rooms, Leigh Library, on December 4, between 7-9pm. Tickets at £4.50 include sherry and mince pies, and are available from the Carers' Centre on 01942 683711
DEMOLISHING parts of the West End to build a high-tech ecology village has emerged as one of the 'big ideas' to help put Morecambe back on the map. Specialist consultants have drawn up an action plan calling on the resort to play to its strengths - the
FREDDIES are bringing Scouse culture into school. The Tyldesley High School is producing "An Evening with Willy Russell" from December 4-6 in the drama theatre. Pupils will be celebrating the Liverpool playwright's work with excerpts from four of his
LEIGH'S Magnum Furniture store has been presented with a top award by industry magazine Cabinet Maker. Six shops in Leigh were visited by a researcher posing as a customer. Shops were scored for their appearance, service, sales skill and product knowledge
ROSSENDALE will be a better place to live, work and visit if bold visions for the valley materialise in the next 10 years. Councillors want to transform the area from a poor health, low-wage economy as part of a corporate strategy developed at a "visioning
BOSSES at a popular East Lancashire animal sanctuary have stepped up security following the latest dog snatch. And the family due to home Staffordshire Bull Terrier Star have put up a reward for her return after it was revealed she suffers from a serious
TYLDESLEY and District Historical Society members face a "Going For a Song" style grilling at their December 19 meeting. During his talk on "Any Old Iron" Clifford Stockton will ask the audience to identify the function of numerous cast iron domestic
FIRE crews manning pickets across East Lancashire today thanked the public for supporting them -- but asked them not to be so noisy at night! Large signs have been erected by firefighters outside Accrington Fire Station asked for drivers to refrain from
MAJOR Mark Kenyon has been in the army for 15 years. In that time, he has toured the world's troublespots -- primarily Bosnia and Northern Ireland. And while commanding several army fire stations in central Liverpool may seem a totally different proposition
A LEIGH car park has scooped a prestigious safety award after a drive by the council to improve facilities. Doctor's Nook car park, opposite Leigh Town Hall, is the first in the borough to qualify for the Secured Car Parks Award, which is only given to
LEIGH'S Asda store is lacking in ho ho ho this Christmas. The grotto is complete, helpers are on hand, and there's hay at the reindeer stop, but bosses are faced with a major problem. They've no Santa. Despite in house adverts no-one has applied for the
ATHERTON leukaemia sufferer Daniel Berry faces another course of chemotherapy in another attempt to fight off the cancer that has struck him for over a year. The 18-year-old, of Crosby Grove, has begun his sixth session of treatment at Salford Hope Hospital
A LEIGH landlord is in line for a top title. David Bulmer, manager at the town centre hostelry, The Waterside Inn, is one of three regional finalists vying to represent the North in the British Institute of Innkeeping's 2003 Licensee of the Year competition
A MAN with learning disabilities was robbed after being attacked with a bottle in a town centre. Police today said they were looking at links between the attack and a similar assault on a teenager last week. The 38-year-old man was hit with what police
A 31-YEAR-OLD mother of four who was prescribed the drug Seroxat for post-natal depression hanged herself from the bannister at her home. An inquest heard that Qamar Unnisa Ahmed had been prescribed the anti-depressant after the birth of her fourth child
JOHN LISTER has resigned as manager of Colne Football Club. Chairman James Webster said the young Holt House player-boss felt he had 'taken the club as far as he could' and had handed in his resignation. The North West Counties second division club are
THREE East Lancashire athletics clubs have big plans for their future. Hyndburn Athletic Club and Rossendale Harriers have been disadvantaged by their outdated cinder tracks, and despite rigorous campaigns, both clubs have so far failed to secure the
A MAN has been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being stabbed at a Blackpool shop. The victim, who has not been named, was stabbed twice at around 2.30pm on Wednesday, November 27 a Blackpool Police spokesman said. A man has been arrested following
PUPILS will bow out of their old school with a final nativity play. The 100 children of Atherton St George's will leave their Victorian Nelson Street building at the end of term and start the new year in state of the art premises at the junior school
WHY do I always find out about TV programmes after the event? I was fascinated by the plan of Prof Gunther von Hagen to perform a public post mortem examination in London last week, but thought there would be such a public outcry that it would never go
THE Centurions have swooped to land a pedigree Bulldog pup! Rising young Aussie star Pat Weisner, from the Canterbury Bulldogs club, has joined the Centurions for next season. Weisner, 20, is one of stars in the Bulldogs reserve grade side and figured
A GANG of revellers is being hunted by detectives after a 40-year-old charity volunteer was murdered outside a restaurant. Shane Eckersley, of Gingham Park, Radcliffe, was viciously beaten on Friday night (Nov 22) in Salford after a dispute. He was punched
BILLY Rigby held his nerve and concentration in both his semi-final and final to win the sixth winter merit at Pennington Park on Sunday by beating Alan Lambert in the final 21-20. John Prestwich beat Colin Knight in the Consolation final 21-20 in another
LEIGH'S Classic 1 squash team scored 20 points from their 5-0 trouncing of Lymm. Howard Thornley made a comfortable return after injury easily winning his game. Classic 2 also scored a 5-0 win against an inexperienced Monton side. The battle of the evening
Thatto Heath Crusaders 18 - Leigh East U 11's 6: LEIGH East U11s where forced to field a severely weakened side due to injuries but where unlucky not to snatch a draw against Thatto Heath Crusaders. When Sam Grainey opened the scoring for East in the
ROWING ace Herbert Leah did his home town of Tyldesley proud when he came first at the biggest indoor rowing championships in history. Mr Leah, aged 74, took gold in the men's 70-74 lightweight category at the British Indoor Rowing Championship, held
YOUNGSTERS from a Blackburn school are testing their brain power in a quick-fire internet quiz. Twenty-four pupils from Westholme School have been entered into the Letts Challenge 2003. The quiz tests pupils' knowledge on a number of core GCSE subjects
EIGHTY Beaver Scouts had a wacky time during an action-packed 'It's a Knockout' fun day. The children, aged six to eight, took part in the Blackburn and District Beavers annual event at Hyndburn Leisure Centre. The games were specially adapted so that
FORMER Blackburn Rovers star and Lancashire Evening Telegraph columnist Simon Garner has been signing copies of his new book. 'There's Only One Simon Garner' tells the player's life story and details his spell in prison when he was sentenced to nine months
RETIRED coal miner Garfield Jones died of a heart attack brought on by a lung condition contracted as a result of 20 years spent down the pits of South Wales. An inquest heard the Rhonda-born 73-year-old suffered from pneumoconiosis and emphysema and
LEADING clergy today pledged to join forces with council bosses in a bid to prevent the spread of the BNP. And the Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, today revealed he was prepared to meet new BNP councillor Robin Evans to persuade
A CHANCE sighting at a hospital casualty unit helped bring a teenage robber to justice, a court heard. The victim, who had £160 worth of jewellery stolen while he was wearing it, happened to be at Blackburn Infirmary with an injured arm when the culprit
THE future looks Rosie for the first pet lover to offer the furry feline a good home. Rosie is one of nine cats in the care of Animal Kingdom Rescue in Padiham. Bella, Pepper, Bob, Cat and four kittens are also looking for a haven. And if dogs are your
REGARDING your report on taxi drivers warning that Blackburn's black cabs could be driven off the road because the 10 per cent increase in fares is not enough (LET, November 20), the prices are already over the odds. And we have yet to see a new cab!
CAN you provide a home for a loving home for 15 month old Emily, a medium sized cross-boxer? Emily was admitted to Manchester Dogs' Home on the 10th September 2002 after being picked up in the Benchill area of Wythenshawe by the local dog warden. On admittance
RIBBLE Valley Council is to install more dog bins in Clitheroe. This is to be done at the expense of the majority of council tax payers who don't have a dog. What about re-introducing the dog licence to pay for all this cleaning up of dirty dogs and owners
HEARING of the BNP victory in Mill Hill, Blackburn, I am shocked, stunned, saddened, and most of all, ashamed at what the people of my home town have now managed to bring upon themselves. One only has to look back to the 1930s and the tactics of the Nazis
I READ that, following Robin Evans's BNP win in Mill Hill, in Blackburn, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph believes the town to be in shock. Really? That is not the case regarding the people to whom I have spoken. In some cases "surprise" but in most cases
THEY were the perfect couple as they danced the night away at a New Year's Eve party -- but John and Linda Carroll's relationship ended in a double tragedy. A murder inquiry was launched on Sunday after family friends found Mr Carroll, 54, hanging in
WHITEFIELD Post Office looks set to remain open even though the owners retired as planned on Wednesday. As reported earlier, the Bury New Road business was due to close and services transferred to Besses o'th' Barn Post Office until a replacement building
TICKET prices may be the key if Rovers are to fill Ewood Park and possibly increase its capacity in the future. For adults it costs either between £115 and £29, or £18 and £32 depending on the game -- putting top-priced Rovers tickets among the most expensive
The money raising efforts by our top ranking officers at the Town Hall for Children in Need featured on the front page of the Citizen raises some serious questions concerning public accountability in my opinion. The article informs us that chief executive
AN ex-soldier, said to have been involved in a 'siege' at his former girlfriend's house, is awaiting sentence. Burnley magistrates heard how police negotiators were called to the four-hour incident in October and Shaun Smith, 31, was encouraging officers
WATCH out thieves was the message from residents in Athol Street South and Prestwich Street, in Burnley, who have joined forces with the police to set up a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme. It was launched on Tuesday at Coalclough Junior School, Swindon
PARENTS are being urged to keep an eye on their children after chaos in late night shopping in the town centre through shaving foam and silly string. The problem of anti-social behaviour was discussed at the last meeting of the Burnley and District Chamber
SHAKERS' LDV Vans Trophy third round clash against Tranmere Rovers at Gigg Lane has been switched to Saturday, December 7. The match was due to go ahead on December 10 but Rovers' FA Cup defeat to Cardiff City has left both teams with a free afternoon
A STORE manager who tried to apprehend a shoplifter was prodded in the chest with a black handled knife. A court heard that Ian Henderson, store manager of Kwiksave at Nelson, had to flee the premises when Brian Murray told him "I am going to have you
WIGAN and Leigh Pensioners' Link have organised a Christmas floral demonstration in the Derby Rooms, Leigh Library, on December 4, between 7-9pm. Tickets at £4.50 include sherry and mince pies, and are available from the Carers' Centre on 01942 683711
FRENCHMAN Jean-Paul Geronne, 23, a student from Cannes, joined staff at Barclays bank in Burnley town centre for three months as part of his studies.
COUNCILLORS on Wigan MBC will hold the following advice surgeries: THURSDAY, November 28: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library, Vicarage Road (10.30-12) Mrs A Bennett. FRIDAY, November 29: Alma
THE Rotary Club of Great Harwood and Rishton has raised £1,500 through the sale of videos showing how Great Harwood celebrated the Coronation in 1953. The club sold 200 copies of the video which was made using footage from an 8mm cine camera taken by
POLICE have appealed for witnesses to an act of criminal damage followed by an assault in Devonshire Drive, Clayton-le-Moors. Sergeant Dave Reddin, of Great Harwood police, said two men were reported to have thrown a car tyre at a white Renault Clio in
ARMY firefighters were called out several times at the weekend as they continue to provide cover for striking firemen. Green Goddess crews spent just over an hour cutting the driver of a car free after his vehicle crashed into a house in Smallbrook Lane
COUNCILLORS on Wigan MBC will hold the following advice surgeries: THURSDAY, November 28: Golborne Library (10-11) B Strett, D Kelly; Lowton Civic Hall (6-6.45) P Franzen; Abram Library, Vicarage Road (10.30-12) Mrs A Bennett. FRIDAY, November 29: Alma
A PELICAN crossing where an eight years old boy was knocked down and seriously hurt was out of order at the time. Contractors damaged an underground cable but only reported the Atherleigh Way crossing had been disabled for six hours after the accident
THEY were the perfect couple as they danced the night away at a New Year's Eve party -- but John and Linda Carroll's relationship ended in a double tragedy. A murder inquiry was launched on Sunday after family friends found Mr Carroll, 54, hanging in
A LOWTON man is fighting for life in hospital after he was involved in the street scuffle. The un-named 23-year-old man suffered a serious head injury after a fight near the Rainbow Taxi office on Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, at around 1am last Friday
LEIGH'S Christmas lights are ten times better than Wigan's - according to favourite funnyman Ken Dodd. The Scouse comedy king had a massive crowd roaring with laughter on Friday when the Honorary Leyther visited his adopted hometown to switch-on the illuminations
MINING communities which didn't benefit from coalfield cash could still get regeneration funds. Leigh man Keith Cunliffe, a Wigan MBC councillor and a member of the Coalfield Communities Campaign, is hopeful the massive face-lift scheme planned for the
A CLITHEROE boy has had his crayon sketch turned into a Christmas card. Four-year-old Charlie Lloyd took top prize in competition run by bakers Greggs. Now the design is on sale throughout the North West raising money for Lancashire-based Help A Local
COUNCILLORS rejected plans by a charity to convert a barn in a picturesque Ribble Valley village into four houses. Ribble Valley planning committee heard that Grindleton Alms Houses wanted to construct the homes at Stonehill Farm in Main Street. The meeting
A HOUSING scheme in Clitheroe for five people with severe mental illness has been given the go-ahead, despite widespread opposition from residents. The scheme, at Rockmount, Pimlico Road, will comprise five flats for single people or couples with long-term
EAST Lancashire actor and Merseybeat star John McArdle will be lending some scouse charm to Christmas celebrations at a leading charity. John, who won millions of fans as Billy Corkhill in Channel 4 soap Brookside, will officially open the annual fair
RESIDENTS living in the shadows of next year's Royal Lancashire Show have called for a public meeting to air concerns about traffic chaos during the three-day event. The meeting, in Salesbury Memorial Hall in January, will be attended by show organisers
IF you have got your fingers in a knot typing a text message on a mobile phone then help could be just around the corner. The Fastap keyboard has been developed by US company Digit Wireless (www.digitwireless.com) and features keys for numbers and letters
THE Communigate section of thisislancashire is home to many sites from football clubs to music societies. One that has been up and running for quite a long time is a site in honour of Catweazle, the 1970's TV show. And from it has grown the Official Catweazle
MORECAMBE are expecting a gate of more than 4,000 for their FA Cup tie against Chester City a week on Saturday - and are encouraging fans to buy tickets in advance. After talks with safety authorities and police, a series of measures have been put in
MORECAMBE take on Gravesend and Northfleet at Christie Park on Saturday - hoping to overcome the league blip which blighted their FA Cup success. The Shrimps occupy seventh place in the Conference after slumping to a disappointing defeat at north-west
THE Clarets youngsters put up a battling performance before going out of the FA Youth Cup to an older and more experienced Palace side. But the whole side can take heart from a display that saw them create a number of good openings despite only having
HOSPITALS in Morecambe Bay are to change the way they administer vital drugs to heart attack patients in a bid to save lives and meet a Government target. The drugs are to be made available nearer to the hospital door to ensure they are administered as
THREE men involved in a drug production operation at a Lancaster house have been jailed for a total of 18 years. Police keeping watch on one of the trio discovered how food mixers were used to prepare heroin at the Derby Road address. One man was later
THE cockle fishing 'gold rush' going on in Morecambe Bay is likely to stop this weekend - but only for a few days. The Dee Estuary cockle beds in Wirral re-open today (Thurs-day), which will mean the dozens of cockle fishers currently operating in Morecambe
NO CHARGES are to be brought over the discovery of more than 30 illegal immigrants working on mushroom farms near Lancaster. The Home Office has confirmed that two employment agencies who were under investigation as part of 'Operation Chopin' will face
TWO people charged with the manslaughter of 10-year-old Jade Slack are to face trial at Preston Crown Court. Wayne Kenneth Wood, 21, of Hyland Brow, Galgate and Rebecca Lea Hodgson, 20, of Jackson Close, Lancaster, made their first court appearance at
Orrell u10's 12 v Leigh MR u10's 20 THE Rangers played some of their best rugby so far this season in this entertaining match against Orrell. Although playing against a much larger pack, the Rangers's forwards laid a good foundation both in attack and
DARTS: New Inn 3, Foresters 4; Jolly Carter 6, Colliers Rest 1; Railway Tavern 2, Musketeer 5; Our House 6, Leigh Cricket 1; Peake Fitness 4, Leigh RU 3; Bull & Butcher 4, Nevison 3; Spinners Arms 2, Church Inn 5; Bridgewater 4, Britannia 3. DOMINOES
TYLDESLEY 5 ROSSENDALE 13: TYLDESLEY RU remain in the bottom four after a 13-5 home defeat by a well-drilled Rossendale at St George's Park. The visitors controlled the set pieces and provided little ball for Tyldesley to play with. But the game started
Fuller stunner finishes off the Foxes A VIRTUOSO performance from Ricardo Fuller secured Preston a win in a match which showed just what the team can be capable of. Leicester have lost just three times this season, but failed to get past a solid Preston
CRISIS-HIT Lancashire tour operator MyTravel today revealed the scale of its financial problems when it announced a pre-tax loss of almost £73million. But as chairman David Crossland drew a line under what he described as the worst year in the company's
WHEN worried neighbours called police to the Edgworth home of Christine Simpson they found her lying in bed with a plastic bag tied over her head. But an inquest heard that it has not been possible to establish the cause of death because of her body was
WORK has been completed to make Haslingden Cemetery more dignified for mourners. Blocked drains, crumbling kerb edges and potholed pavements had been deteriorating for years. But a near £10,000 improvement scheme, carried out by the council's landscaping
MAY the force be with you at this year's Hindley Christmas light switch-on, taking place tomorrow, Friday. Father Christmas and his helpers will be joined at Hindley Town Hall for the 7pm ceremony by Darth Maul -- bitter enemy of the Jedi and master of
A SERIES of early morning raids by police in Rossendale have been hailed a huge success by officers who made five arrests after storming six addresses in the valley. Two people were charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply and appeared
CHARTERED engineer Eric Littler blew hot and cold at Tyldesley Probus Club. He spoke of his life coping with the heat of northern Sudan while working on a contract from the Vulcan works in the 60s then spending a year in Poland experiencing the winter
ROSSENDALE Museum is set to close temporarily this weekend while council bosses decide the way forward for the service. It is thought the museum in Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall, is to form a partnership with Lancashire County Council who will take over
LEIGH Baptist Church and Leigh United Reformed Church have entered aground-break agreement where the two denominations will share a minister. The Rev Gary McGowan will take charge of both Leigh town centre churches after his induction on January 4. The
LITTLE Kiah Andrusjak had all the right moves when she came first in the Pontins Dance Championships. Nine-year-old Kiah, of Royal Drive, Leigh, has been a member of Apple Dance for five years and was delighted to win the eight to 10-year-old freestyle
ROWING ace Herbert Leah did his home town of Tyldesley proud when he came first at the biggest indoor rowing championships in history. Mr Leah, aged 74, took gold in the men's 70-74 lightweight category at the British Indoor Rowing Championship, held
CULCHETH'S Christmas starts on Saturday in Victorian style. The annual Culcheth Lion's Club's big day gets underway at 9.30am with a procession round the village. An hour later Father Christmas' grotto opens in the Methodist Church Hall and at 10.45am
ARMED raiders struck at an Astley store on Saturday night. At around 8.30pm two men posing as customer, entered the Manchester Road Late Shop convenience store, where they produced what is believed to have been a handgun, and threatened staff. Employees
PUPILS will bow out of their old school with a final nativity play. The 100 children of Atherton St George's will leave their Victorian Nelson Street building at the end of term and start the new year in state of the art premises at the junior school
A REVOLUTIONARY new way of letting council housing was officially opened in Leigh on Friday. Wigan and Leigh Housing's Property Shop has been running in Market Street since August and has already proved a resounding success. Four local landlords -- Wigan
FIREFIGHTERS left their picket line on to free two injured people from a car after a smash in London Road, Preston. Striking firefighters from white watch at Preston fire station rushed to the scene around 3.30pm on Wednesday after the Stagecoach Express
A HEADTEACHER last night praised pupils for the best examination results ever - and told them they were now expected to do even better! John Challoner addressed the audience at St. Bede's RC High School, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, with a warm speech
THREE householders involved in an "unpleasant and violent" outburst which left a neighbour distraught and injured have had their jail terms cut by judges. The neighbour had gone to complain about her window being smashed after hearing an argument going
PHILIPS in Blackburn today announced it was cutting 150 jobs in a bid to compete against cheap imports from Eastern Europe. The company, which supplies monitor tubes for TV and computers, confirmed it was looking for up to 150 voluntary redundancies,
SOCIAL services bosses are copying an American scheme in a bid to transform the way vulnerable families in an East Lancashire borough are supported to make sure fewer youngsters end up in care. The Families First project has been operating in Michigan
BLACKBURN Rovers have launched a campaign to try and increase attendances at Ewood Park. It is vital that the club attracts larger crowds and brings in extra cash to maintain the signing of top players. Reporter Ian Singleton looks at the main issues
ISLAMIC education centres are being targeted by social workers in the first project of its type in the country. Blackburn with Darwen Council hopes the scheme will lead to a better awareness of child abuse within Asian and ethnic minority communities.
CONVICTED criminals at Lancashire courts have failed to pay £5million in fines -- with almost one third of them getting away scot free. The figure comes in a shock report by MPs which show that four out of 10 crooks never pay a penny of their penalties
TICKET prices may be the key if Rovers are to fill Ewood Park and possibly increase its capacity in the future. For adults it costs either between £115 and £29, or £18 and £32 depending on the game -- putting top-priced Rovers tickets among the most expensive
ATHLETES from Park High School Athletic Club in Colne must be among the most well travelled in our region. The dedicated trio of Louise Dickinson, Tiffany Boswell and Carla Garnett marked the start of the indoor season by making the long trip to Cardiff
COUNTDOWN on Channel 4 is revealing a collection of horrible street names. The best I've heard so far, only because I can't look in every day, is Goosemuck Lane. It's awful, but yet still quite attractive in a countrified sort of way. Has anyone sent
A LITTLE six-year-old is without his beloved bike thanks to a sneak thief who snatched it from the back door of a house in Dakins Road on Thursday. Obviously his dad is fuming, but takes comfort from the fact that it might be given to someone whose needs
IT'S disgusting that hoax callers are hampering the sterling work being done by troops during the fire fighters' strike. I Iistened to some calls in which one stupid woman rang to say someone's leg was on fire. Such timewasters haven't a brain between
I BOUGHT a 1960s book of best loved nursery rhymes and was amazed to discover that I could relate the first verse of most of them, but that's all. I didn't know that Old Mother Hubbard has 14 verses and that One, Two Buckle My Shoe counts up to 20. However
