Christmas Coffee Morning, Church of the Saviour, Sunnybank Road, Blackburn, 10am-noon. Yule Tide Fayre, St James Church, Day School, Regent Street, Haslingden, 11am. Hyndburn Ramblers, Black Dog, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, 1pm. Christmas Fayre, Blind
IT IS a shocking disclosure that a sixth of all sickness among Lancashire's ambulance staff is due to stress, much of it caused by violence and abuse they are suffering from the public. And while we have no figures to tell whether this is a worsening
A POULTON school got a flying visit from an ex-pupil at a special presentation evening recently Flight Lieutenant Michelle Jurd has enjoyed soar-away success in her career and was a guest at Hodgson High School on November 15. Currently serving with RAF's
BURY stand to collect a vital windfall if Paul Butler leaves Sunderland for First Division Wolves. The Shakers inserted a crafty sell-on clause in Butler's contract entitling them to 15 per cent of any sell on fee over £1 million. And it could pay dividends
THE past few days have been much colder, just short of frosty, but the Island Lodge still continues to fish well for quality perch and skimmer bream. Crompton's Lodge at Elton produced quality roach in excellent condition for Steve Madden and Ray Booth
Colne 1 - Ramsbottom United 5 RAMSBOTTOM UNITED ran riot in the first 45 minutes to set up a simple passage into the second round of the Marsden Lancashire Cup. The Rams played down the pronounced slope on a horrible, rainy, windswept night, but they
ASPATRIA...10 pts SEDGLEY PARK...21 CUMBRIA was windy and cold. The pitch was heavy, the afternoon so dark that even the floodlights could not penetrate the gloom. It was never going to be a pretty game, but it was a good, full-blooded battle, with excitement
FA CUP First round: RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 1, YORK CITY 4 THE gap in class was a bridge too far for Boro -- but they still managed to enjoy their big day out. A bumper crowd turned out to cheer the UniBond League First Division minnows. They were to be disappointed
THE supercharged Priestleys have done it again. Whitefield couple Spike and Judi Priestley have won the British Minimoto Sidecar Championship for a fourth successive year. That's quite a feat for the 34-year-old HGV driver and his wife, a 34-year-old
1859: The storm over evolution broke when Charles Darwin published his Origin of the Species. Though he did not see why it should shock the religious feelings of anyone, people nevertheless raced to abuse him, led by Bishop "Soapy Sam" Wilberforce and
REGARDING the former female employee who took Blackburn Council to a tribunal, alleging racial and sexual discrimination (LET, November 17), if someone at the authority had the power to offer our money, either as a softener or compensation, why are we
REGARDING the survey done by Norweb Advanced Home Security (LET, November 22), saying that household security is not a priority in this region as far as alarm systems go and that people rely on the old favourite, man's best friend, good locks, leaving
YOUR report on the proposed service station on the M65 near the Blackburn-Darwen border (LET, November 20) is good news for Earcroft, Darwen and the whole borough, but I must take issue with the comments of Peter Prendergast, of the planning department
YOUR article, 'Truants at work on market stalls' (LET, November 18), suggested that police felt that some schools compromised the anti-truancy exercise by allowing recently captured truants to abscond almost immediately and to proceed to re-engage in
MILLIONS of pounds earmarked for Leigh are staying in the bank because of the uncertainty over Xanadu, it has been revealed. A decision has still to be made on whether the town's share of the £100m coalfields hand-out will be spent on leisure facilities
BURY'S latest jobless figures have shown a sharp fall. Statistics for October disclose the number of claimants throughout the borough totalled 1,877, down 166 compared to the previous month. The latest figures comprise 1,389 males and 478 females. The
FIREFIGHTERS administered oxygen to a teenager after a cooker fire. The 17-year-old had suffered from the effects of smoke following the incident at Rachel House in Mossfield Close, Bury. A pan on a cooker hob had ignited, causing the blaze at the property
BUS company First Manchester is staging a consultation meeting in Bury over proposed service changes. The company is staging a series of meetings throughout Greater Manchester to co-incide with a review of its services. First Manchester say the meetings
A FRAIL 92-year-old Bury man was robbed of £11 by two callous conmen. They knocked at the door of his home in the town's Pine Street South at 3.35pm on Wednesday (Nov 22) and said they were to fix his garden fence. They entered the property and stole
A WOMAN and a child received slight injuries in a weekend collision in Radcliffe. The accident, involving a Honda Civic and a Ford Escort, occurred at Bolton Road, Radcliffe, at its junction with Harper Fold Road on Saturday afternoon (Nov 18). Driver
MYSTERY still surrounds an accident in which a lorry driver died when his vehicle overturned. David Thomas Walsh, of Hapton, died when his 40-tonne lorry overturned on the Skipton bypass near its junction with Knaresborough Road. A Skipton inquest heard
BUDDING artists have brought alive the story of Jesus in a mural. And it is a work of art that would even have brought a smile to the face of Picasso. For it was his style that inspired the youngsters at Christ Church, Walmersley, Bury. The mural was
That's 30 members of Bury's Metropolitan Community Twinning Association who are travelling to Belgium next Tuesday (Nov 28) to visit the European Parliament. There, they will be received by North West Euro MP Gary Titley who will brief them on European
THE inquest has been opened in the case of an 82-year-old widow who died in Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, just over three weeks after being admitted with fractured arms. Bury District Coroner Barrie Williams was told that the mystery of how she
MICKEY Higham has left the Centurions - not for Halifax Blue Sox but for Super League Grand Final winners St Helens. He has signed a three-year contract and will make his debut in the Boxing Day friendly against Wigan. Saints came up on the rails for
A GRIME-BUSTING team effort is ensuring the transformation of a Darwen grot-spot into an attractive town centre park. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has joined forces with the Friends of Shorey Bank group, local Guides and Brownies and the Darwen
EWOOD chief Graeme Souness today called on his players to start taking responsibility for their actions in the wake of John Filan's criticism at being dropped last weekend. "I told the players from day one that Brad was going to be my number one so I
Rovers v Gillingham - match preview BLACKBURN centre back Henning Berg today warned Rovers fans to brace themselves for another game of patience against Gillingham at Ewood tomorrow. Stockport and Wolves have both come to Ewood with a negative gameplan
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today revealed James Thomas still has a big future at Ewood -- despite the fact he has joined Sheffield United on loan. Welsh Under 21 international Thomas has linked up with the Blades until the end of the season as part
GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally will seek sanctuary in the cauldron atmosphere of Ewood Park tomorrow after a traumatic 10 days he is desperate to forget. Scally's problems started piling up last week when he failed in his appeal to overturn a £10,000
PEOPLE up and down the country are a fingertip away from vital health information -- following a new initiative piloted in Preston and South Ribble. The highly successful NHS Direct telephone helpline has been extended nationwide, enabling the public
PNE have made the right move to get past GO after snapping up an invitiation to appear on a new version of one of the most famous board games in the world. The game -- a Lancashire version of Monopoly -- was launched by Chorley Olympic hero Jason Queally
IRRESPONSIBLE mobile phone users could be putting people's lives at risk. The startling claim comes from Lancashire Police, who say the number of 999 calls they receive has dramatically increased due to an "explosion" in mobile phone use. While most emergency
LUNCHEON Club ladies have been served their last orders after being told falling numbers has forced their gatherings to end. The Preston Women's Luncheon Club, based in Fulwood, Preston, is soon to come to a close, putting an end to more than half-of-a-century
POLICE are looking for a sneak thief with a bizarre taste in music. Between 9.20pm and midnight on Wednesday, November 15, a man stole a black record bag displaying a Guinness Draught logo, from the Student's Union bar in Fylde Road, Preston. The bag
A BUSINESS rates scam which ripped off local companies has been exposed by trading standards. And at court last week the four directors behind the rip off were given prison sentences and large fines. Lancashire's trading standards were at the forefront
THE good name of Morecambe has been passionately defended by pupils at a Skerton School. School children from Skerton High,. who have set up their own mini travel company, were very upset to discover a cartoon in a Bradford newspaper lampooning the resort
AN eating disorder centre which no longer treats patients is costing Burnley Health Care Trust up to £15,000 a year because the building can't be sold until a dispute is solved with local health watchdogs. The Community Health Council is not happy about
EAST Lancashire competitors in the Network Q Rally all made it safely through the opening 1.5-mile Super Special in Cardiff -- and picked up valuable places. Alistair Ginley, driving the Boland Motorsport of Barnoldswick Subaru Impreza, finished the first
SCHOOLS are increasingly being expected to pick up and deal with all of society's problems as well as educating youngsters, the acting head of a Pendle high school has warned. David Fletcher, who will hand over the reins at Primet High, Colne, in January
COUNTY welfare rights chiefs have linked up with Chorley Borough Council to organise a mail-shot aimed at pensioners who might qualify for income support. The move is one of a number of initiatives to help promote and encourage benefit take-up. People
HOME Secretary Jack Straw has been looking at Preston's new scheme to tackle violent crime and disorder in and around local pubs. The Blackburn MP met with organisers of the new PubNet scheme at the Coach House, Church Street. PubNet is a new partnership
A PRESTON self storage company has done their bit to help Romanian children in the run-up to Christmas. Capital Self Storage based in Moor Lane has spent months collecting more than 14 pallets of food for families in the east European country. The local
PUDSEY Bear woke up with a smile on his face after another record breaking Children in Need night. Fundraisers across the country had pledged £17,54,227 by the end of the night, topping the previous year's amount by almost £500,000.
THE members of Carnforth Town Council thank everyone who joined inthe Parade and Service on Remembrance Sunday. The large number of people who attended, as well as the contributions from individual participants, made this one of the best of these occasions
CAN any of your readers tell me why the 'Greyhound Bridge' is so called? I've been to the Maritime Museum and they think it could be linked to 'The Greyhound' at Halton. My own theory is that it could be something to do with whippet/greyhound racing on
ARMY bomb disposal experts working to clear Pendle Hill of potentially lethal explosives said today nearly 200 devices had been found in just over two years. Yesterday they detonated five more on Pendle in controlled explosions. A team from the 33 Engineer
LYTHAM Chess Club second team its their second win of the season in Division B with a superb 3 - victory over Poulton seconds. David Newton drew on the top board, and Kostas Domoras, Nick Ward and Steve Wilder all won. The fifth team went down 3-1 in
YOUNGSTERS from Blackpool Gymnastics Club are beaming with a success after triumphing at the recent Red Rose Lancashire Gymnastics Championships at Southport. Samantha Mankowska won medals for finishing first in the Under 14s beam and also the floor exercises
BJFF U12s 5 WYRE VILLA 0 BJFF dominated but Wyre gave a spirited performance in the first half with some great saves from their brave keeper Kevin who dived at players feet on many occasions and in doing so kept the half-time scoreline to a creditable
THORNTON CLEVELEYS SHARKS U9s 1 BJFF A 3 A WELL fought game with BJFF taking an early advantage with two quick goals. Andrew MacRae and Sam Tittensor had good games in defence for the Sharks. In the second half the Sharks moved up a gear with good attacking
CONCERN is growing over the future of players at Blackpool who will be out of contract at the end of the season. Five players, including striker Brett Ormerod, will reach the end of their contracts which means, after the Bosman ruling, they could become
YMCA A U10s 7 WYRE VILLA A 0 YMCA B U10s 7 WYRE VILLA B 0 YMCA produced two impressive and solid performances to collect all four points and remain clear at the top of the table. Steady rain fell throughout making the pitch greasy but YMCA still produced
Lancaster City 1, Blyth Spartans 1 HOW can any player make a lunging two-footed tackle from behind and end up staying on the pitch? That is the question that will be on every Lancaster fan's mind as a potentially dangerous challenge against Paul Haddow
Blackpool 3 Telford 1 Scorers. Pool: Murphy 8, Ormerod 45, 66. Telford: Martindale 65 TWO goals from Brett Ormerod and one from John Murphy was enough for Pool to bounce back from the nightmare at Barnet and progress to the second round of the FA Cup.
BELEAGUERED Bury business bosses are being urged to join a nationwide "paperwork protest." The call, from Bolton and Bury Chamber, is part of a strategy to encourage Government to simplify the tax system and to reduce payroll burdens on small and medium-sized
MOSAIC, the women in business forum of Bolton and Bury Chamber, has celebrated its third year of success at an annual dinner with a difference. In a break from the two previous years, the event took the form of a theatre dinner. The New Pack Horse in
LYTHAM businessman Chris Clayton has endured his own restoration drama. He bought 130-year-old Church Lodge on the edge of the Clifton Estate at Lytham and in the last 18 months he has... TRACKED DOWN the original chimney pots, which turned up at a house
SUPERMARKET chain E H Booth and Co is to submit a new application for a store on land owned by Fylde Rugby Club. The Citizen learned this week that the Preston-based company is not to appeal against Fylde Council's narrow decision to turn down its original
PLANNING chiefs at Fylde Borough Council are claiming reports of a public apology for the delays to work in St Annes Square are wrong and stated the reason for the delay is a series of "complications and misunderstandings." Chief development control officer
BURNLEY'S deadly duo of Ian Moore and Andy Payton are relishing tomorrow's trip to second-placed Watford. The pair look set to start their first game together following Moore's £1 million signing with Graham Branch filling in for the injured Lee Briscoe
"DON'T panic" is the message emanating from Vicarage Road following three straight defeats for the former First Division leaders. Having overhauled Fulham at the start of the month, Watford boasted the only unbeaten record in the country. But having lost
WANTED: One man, GSOH, fuller figure, white beard, red suit, good with children, own reindeer an advantage. Sound familiar? If you fill these festive credentials then you are just the person Blackpool Tower Circus are looking for. Father Christmas is
LYTHAM businessman Chris Clayton has endured his own restoration drama. He bought 130-year-old Church Lodge on the edge of the Clifton Estate at Lytham and in the last 18 months he has... TRACKED DOWN the original chimney pots, which turned up at a house
PERSONAL alarms are being offered to Blackpool bus drivers following a a spate of violent attacks. These safety measures come from transport bosses after the plight of the desperate drivers was highlighted in the Citizen last week. Blackpool Transport
STEVE Waywell has several major injuries doubts ahead of tomorrow's Nationwide Conference clash with Morecambe at Hilton Park. Midfielder Ged Kielty and forwards Ian Monk and Steve Jones have joined long-term casualty Jamie Udall on Leigh RMI's injured
Tyldesley 28 Bury 10 TYLDESLEY RU made it seven consectutive wins with a convincing victory over Bury at a wet and muddy Well Street last Saturday. The heavy conditions made running rugby near impossible so the early exchanges were confined to both sets
SUPER fan Dennis Swift had the night of his life when he swapped his plaster board for a Sky TV microphone. And he was so good, Dennis now fancies a change of career. The 44-year-old dad of three, a Wanderers' regular since he was at primary school, applied
A LORRY collided with scaffolding resulting in the closure of Cross Lane in Radcliffe for more than two hours on Tuesday (Nov 21). The incident happened at around 10.30am and eyewitness Mrs Isobel Bennett, who lives in Cross Lane, captured it on video
A STORY at night can result in a happier life for your child. Now local parents are being urged to read bedtime stories to their youngsters and boost the children's chances of growing into more fulfilled adults. For research shows that today's busy mums
ANIMAL charity bosses have condemned a thief who snatched £300 from a fund-raising stall. Members of Bolton and Radcliffe Cats Protection League were left shattered after the theft blighted a successful canopy sale. It is thought the quick-fingered thief
THE victim of a horrific face slashing has told how his cries for help were ignored by neighbours. Sean Brazendale (30) needed more than 100 stitches after he was attacked with a craft knife by a fleeing burglars in Ainsworth on Thursday evening (Nov
KEVIN Glendon takes his small, but perfectly formed Radcliffe Borough squad into deepest, darkest Yorkshire on Saturday with many people wondering just who will be in the side. Dave Collins staked his claim for a start against Farsley Celtic in the UniBond
BIRMINGHAM City have slapped a £1.1 million asking price on Burnley transfer target Dele Adebola. According to sources close to St Andrews, the Clarets have tabled a £750,000 bid for the big striker who scored City's opening goal in their 3-2 win over
WORKING nine to five has never been better for a young Rossendale woman who is enjoying the best of both worlds, getting nationally recognised qualifications and work experience and being paid for it. Andrea Guest, 21, is taking part in ELTEC's modern
COMEDY fans in Darwen face having their last laughs as the town's only comedy club is set to close. Audiences at the Humour Section at Darwen Library Theatre have dropped from 200 to less than 50, despite a line-up of top acts since the venue opened in
HOW happy I was to read (November 16) that The Citizen has backed the pressure group ARROW (Action to Reduce and Recycle our Waste) in their campaign to stop incinerators being built in Lancashire. It is about time that people in the area took steps to
I AM disgusted with the Government's decision to try and go ahead with the privatisation of air traffic control. Will we never learn? Since the 1970s we have been selling off pieces of the country bit by bit, and now it is starting to fall apart. We should
Blackpool: Boots, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, 10.30-4.30pm; Co-op Pharmacy (in Asda), Cherry Tree Road, Marton, 10-4pm; Moss Chemist, Morrisons, Squires Gate Lane, 10-4pm; Lloyds Pharmacy, 110 Talbot Rd, 10-5pm; Superdrug, Hounds Hill Centre, 10-4.00pm. Cleveleys
CHILDREN from all over Lancashire will be filing two by two into Blackpool Zoo this weekend for a massive church service with a difference. Around 600 children and their parents will take part in the Millennium year "Big Event for Little People" which
PLANS to make the Wood Street area of St Annes a more upbeat " drink and dine " area are being delayed by a decades-old clause in many of the area's leases. Businesses keen to buy into the street have found that the clause forbids the use of exterior
A KIND-hearted Blackpool bobby has given a total stranger the greatest gift of all -- the chance of life. PC Paul Connell recently underwent an operation to donate some of his bone marrow after joining the world's first bone marrow register seven years
WHILE Bush and Gore battle it out in the courts in the fight to the White House, the British electorate must be breathing a sigh of relief that our voting system is a simple cross in a box. Unlike the Americans, who adapted an electronic stamping method
AEROSPACE workers were today waiting for news of a multi-million pound order which would help safeguard thousands of jobs in Lancashire. BAE Systems is negotiating to sell the Indian government 24 Hawk training aircraft as part of a huge deal for the
WHEN dad-of-three Craig Dolan was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis the last thing he expected was for his partner to follow be taken in on the same day. But just hours after he lay recovering in Blackburn Royal Infirmary, partner Sharon Smith
PEOPLE looking to earn extra cash in the run up to Christmas have been warned to beware of bogus homeworking schemes. Trading standards and Citizens' Advice have joined together to highlight the risks of schemes which see people ripped off just as they
WITH his final words "Thank you, goodbye," chief executive Mark Price marked the end of last public meeting of a training success story that has helped create thousands of jobs in East Lancashire. East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council (ELTEC
SPECULATION is still rife about whether Bury will be rescued from financial oblivion, but it's work as usual for player/ manager Andy Preece who welcomes Brentford to Gigg Lane. The Shakers, after an outstanding start to the season, are looking for their
BOLTON Wanderers travel to Sheffield United tomorrow looking for a second successive away victory and hoping to make it five games unbeaten. Currently third in Division One, Sam Allardyce's side are leading the north west charge for promotion. On the
RIVAL clubs Darwen and Nelson are strangely reluctant to battle it out in the big derby clash in the Worthington Challenge Trophy tomorrow at the Anchor Ground. Both sides would rather be playing league games following weeks of postponements due to waterlogged
EAST Lancashire's Iain Balshaw has reaped the reward for his heroics against Australia last week when he was handed his first start in an England shirt. Balshaw, who came off the bench to set up England's last-ditch winner in a stirring and inventive
DON'T blame Paddy Kenny for the result at Gigg Lane on Saturday. Without him the team would have easily lost. Sliced kicks and misplaced passes by the Bury players were happening all through the game. Let's face it, the defence is supposed to keep the
MAY I inform "Unhappy Motorist" (Your Letters, Nov 17) that I too am a council tax payer, living and working in Bury and I need to use my car daily. And I don't like paying for a car parking permit either. As I actually work for Bury MBC the only "perk
WITH the November budget came a nice little bonus for the haulage bosses; in fact, it was reported on TV that they would amass £750 per lorry from the tax amendments. I wonder how that will be split up? The supermarkets will refuse to discuss a rate increase
I RECENTLY went to Ramsbottom baths with my young son for his swimming lesson. I always take him into the ladies changing room as he is a small boy and I do not feel comfortable letting him into the male changing room on his own. My problem is that I
AS a fellow taxi driver, I feel compelled to comment on the recent tragic events surrounding the brutal murder of Mr Javed. This senseless act of violence committed against someone going about their lawful business, will, I am sure, be roundly condemned
TWO Aussies are on their way to join the Centurions - and they're paying for the privilege! The pair have got round the overseas import rule by travelling on Irish and British passports and will not count on Leigh's quota. Jamie Gass, a 25-year-old front
THE pressure is on at Hilton Park as the Centurions gear up for the big NFP kick off. If Tuesday night's highly-impressive victory over South Sydney proved anything it's that head coach Paul Terzis has quietly assembled one of the strongest squads seen
Leigh Centurions...30 South Sydney...8 IF THIS is a foretaste of things to come then the Centurions fans are in for a real treat. Leigh's mix-and-match team of new recruits, up and comers and the usual old hands, produced a performance that will have
CONCERN is growing over the future of players at Blackpool who will be out of contract at the end of the season. Five players, including striker Brett Ormerod, will reach the end of their contracts which means, after the Bosman ruling, they could become
ARNOLD School celebrated a year of outstanding success both in and out of the classroom at the annual speech day recently. School principal William Gillen took great pride in announcing the school's A level examination results at the event, held at the
EXPECTATION levels had been rising all week and, while the team didn't quite match those high hopes on the pitch, the fans still managed to have a good day out. The usual crew were there, Wiggy and his mates, plus a whole host of others. And they were
Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy IF you are on the lookout for a good and varied day's bird watching then you could do a lot worse than visit Glasson Dock near Lancaster. A swing bridge across the dock has just been repaired. During the last month the
THE Supporters Association's Fans' Forum that had originally been billed as the Magnificent Seven, turned out to be an evening with the Super Six! It was somewhat disappointing that old fans' favourite, Andy Hill, was unable to make it, but, overall,
SHAKERS chairman Terry Robinson has given his most revealing interview yet into the dire financial position of Bury Football Club. And today the Bury Times makes an appeal to every Bury supporter ... "Go and watch a game". If the club is to continue to
FA UMBRO TROPHY: First round replay RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 2 LEEK TOWN 1 (after extra time: 90 mins score 1-1) DAVE COLLINS jumped off the bench to blast two goals that ensured Radcliffe Borough bounced back from their FA Cup defeat against York City in style
JOBS: A delegation of 60 union officials, shop stewards, trades council representatives and jobless workers from Bury were due to travel to London to join the nationwide protest against unemployment. The local contingent would be among thousands who would
IT is no surprise royalty are in the news regarding lack of compassion for animals. After the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, her sons were introduced to fox hunting, which their mother abhorred. How can the rest of Europe redress their cruelties while
I READ with horror about the puppy being kicked to death by its owner (LET, November 20). The owner was sent to prison for three months (not long enough in my opinion) and banned from keeping animals for ten years. What I want to know is, who keeps a
EACH year, about 2,000 pedestrians are killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads because of the way cars are made. By changing the designs and materials used for car fronts, those lives could be saved and the severity of injuries reduced. The way
ONCE again rightful tribute was given on November 11 and 12 to the men and women who took part in those dreadful wars. For the first time, the Korean veterans were given the recognition for 'The Forgotten War,' as it is generally known, but not once in
TWO bogus officials stole £20 from a Prestwich pensioner after bluffing their way into his home. They called at the 74-year-old man's house in Cuckoo Lane and said they were from the water board. They searched the property before escaping with the cash
A MOTHER-OF-THREE sustained a foot injury after being struck by a car driven by a thief. He emerged from the vehicle in the Asda car park at Pilsworth and attempted to steal a handbag from the 34-year-old woman. When that failed, he grabbed a bag, belonging
A BREATHTAKING mural depicting an Alpine scene has been unearthed by a family during a spot of DIY. Now Mrs Judith Tomkins is trying to trace the artist behind the picture. "We do not know what to do now. The mural really is wonderful and it seems a shame
AMBULANCE crews are set to take out private prosecutions against people who attack them. And Lancashire Ambulance Service Trust director Peter Cooney today said staff had his backing to walk away from any abusive patients without treating them. The news
RADCLIFFE High School's lucky number has come up and it is in the money thanks to the National Lottery. The Abden Street school has been awarded £42,916 from the Lottery's New Opportunities Fund. Headteacher Mr Graham Rollinson said he was "absolutely
STAFF at a town centre medical centre went dotty for Children in Need. Doctors, nurses and other staff from the Peel Health Centre, Market Street could be spotted wearing specially customised Fifties and Sixties gear on Friday (Nov 17). In keeping with
NEW laws are needed to crack down on rogue traders who rip-off customers, says MP David Chaytor. He is demanding that a new Consumer Bill be included in the forthcoming Queen's Speech and introduced during the next Parliamentary session. "Every year thousands
A 24-YEAR-OLD Whitefield supermarket manager was robbed at knifepoint before being locked in a storeroom. The two raiders escaped with a large quantity of cigarettes from the Kwik Save store in the town's Elms Square. Earlier, they had lain in wait for
TOWN hall bosses are to get their teeth into the problem of tooth decay and water fluoridation again. They have agreed to take up the controversial issue once more following an appeal from the National Alliance for Equity in Dental Health. Campaigners
THE directors of Railtrack should be prosecuted in the wake of the Hatfield rail disaster, says MP David Chaytor. He says they should not be allowed to get away with bringing "death and mayhem" to the country's rail network. The Bury North MP says that
BILLY McKinlay has left Blackburn Rovers to join Bradford City's Premiership relegation dogfight. Bottom-of-the-table Bradford have taken over the remainder of McKinlay's contract with the incentive of an offer for the whole of next season if he proves
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today admitted his hopes of landing Henning Berg on a permanent basis could hinge on the player taking a wage cut. Berg's three-month loan spell from Manchester United is set to come to an end on December 8. However, Souness
TALES of horrible hospital food may soon be a thing of the past -- when a new national NHS menu is introduced. Still in the design stages, the menu aims to cut the £45million wasted every year on uneaten hospital food. Patients at Preston Acute Hospitals
ALL you need is love of the Beatles and a lot of hard work and you can produce a magazine which has been welcomed by fans worldwide. Without any formal training, Joanne Rishton, 29, of Lindale Avenue, Preston, and her friend Nina Duckworth, 24, (both
ROCK FM's Big Brother-style caravan could well be rocking soon, as two of the contestants in the radio stations 'Survive and Drive' competition are rumoured to have "taken somewhat of a shine to one another." From the remaining four contestants, three
WORKERS in Winckley Square are angry with Preston Council chiefs over plans to introduce car parking charges on nearby streets. The new proposals will include Winckley Square, Starkie Street, Garden Street, Mount Street, Charnley Street, St Wilfrid Street
PRESTON was going to the polls today (Thursday) to elect a new MP to replace the late Audrey Wise who had won the seat in the May election of 1997. There were five candidates in that election and Mrs Wise (Labour Party) polled 29,220 votes in a turnout
ST HELENS Council is strongly rebutting claims by Trade Union representatives concerning 'proposals to sell off' its housing stock. St Helens TUC has organised a public meeting at St Helens Town Hall next Wednesday, November 29 to discuss what it claims
GIRL band Bliss are to cap off an amazing year next week when they support one of the biggest pop bands in Britain at a Wembley Arena. At the start of the year Padiham-based Bliss were performing on the local pub and club circuit trying to get their name
AN off-duty police officer who spoke to a driver who had a motorbike underneath the front of his car noticed he smelled of drink and was "rambling." Burnley magistrates heard how the officer had heard a bang, then somebody shout "hello," and found father-of-two
BURNLEY Borough Council must face the challenge of attracting more young people to Burnley Market if it is to compete with the discount stores opening around it, councillors have been told. The Market Hall, Burnley Open Market and Bric-a-Brac market,
A 57-YEAR-OLD man has denied sexually assaulting a prisoner at Lancaster Farms Young Offenders' Institution. Joseph Roger Craig, of Stoney Lane, Galgate, has been charged with assaulting a 20-year-old inmate. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing at Lancaster
A CONSULTANT psychiatrist from Burnley General Hospital has said a lack of staff and greater demand for mental health services means the department just "can't cope anymore." After making a special presentation on schizophrenia at the meeting of Burnley
DRINKERS at Lancaster pubs will get a bit of prose to go with their pints over the next couple of weeks. For pubs and hotels across the area are taking part in a novel promotion from the New Pages project run by Lancaster LitFest. The prose comes in the
THERE'S sure to be a blaze of interest in a special new charity calendar featuring local firefighters. The 12 firemen from Morecambe and Lancaster were a little taken aback when asked if they would like to become models for the day and pose for pictures
PLANS to regenerate Lancaster's Ryeland's Estate are back on track following the appointment of a "community advisor" to work alongside tenants and residents. Four companies bid for the key role which will help decide the future of the estate. And the
POLICE in Lancaster are planning a massive crack down against villains on the run up to Christmas. Extra police and more resources are being drafted into the city in an effort to combat thieves who target busy shopping areas at this time of year. Local
A WOMAN who worked for Morecambe Tavern plant hire firm dishonestly obtained nearly £18,000 in benefits by painting a bleak picture of her health. Samantha Nicholson claimed she was unable to get out of bed some days due to paralysis and blackouts but
A YOUNGSTER who suffered from chronic asthma as a baby has got the world at his feet after signing up with one of the country's top soccer clubs. Sixteen-year-old Adam Flynn from Haydock has signed a three-year scholarship with Liverpool FC, whom he has
GIRLS, there is no longer any need to be stumped when it comes to playing cricket. Lancashire Cricket Board is now offering coaching session for girls in both the under 15s and under 18s categories. There are many times and places where coaching session
Bamber Bridge ... 2 Marine ... 0 BRIDGE showed five changes from the side the lost to Stalybridge and the new-look side had a bright new look in spite of the terrible conditions. Brad Pates hit Bridge into an early lead after keeper Billy Stewart had
Grasshoppers ... 25 Kendal ... 18 PRESTON Grasshoppers got a spring back in their stride as they bounced back from behind to beat Kendal this weekend. After a string of three league defeats the Hoppers looked up against it when they face Kendal, undefeated
GORDON Prentice has urged Tony Blair to buy more shares in Railtrack. The East Lancashire MP has discovered that this year the government will receive £300,000 in dividend payments from its ownership of 0.2 per cent of the company which operates Britain's
BEAT the Christmas rush and book wheelchairs and other medical equipment now. That is the message from Lancashire Red Cross Medical Loans, which says Christmas is one of its busiest times of year. Gordon Chapman, medical loans co-ordinator for Lancashire
PENWORTHAM author Jean Shansky has produced her third book about Preston in days gone by. In "Yesterday's World (The Dreaded Workhouse)", the author follows the character of Mary as she goes about her daily chores. Working at Horrocks' Mill in Stanley
TRADERS on Leyland's new market have given a big thumbs-up to the town centre site. The market moved to its new home in Northcote Street, off Hough Lane, at the end of last week after being re-located from Southern Towngate. South Ribble mayor, councillor
A CAT and a cute little kitten are on the prowl for a nice new home in time for a nibble of the Christmas turkey! Pendle the Cat (pictured) and Barney the Kitten are in need of care and attention with loving families after they each lost a leg in accidents
TWO former students from Preston college are taking the lessons they have learned in class on to the streets of Chorley as part of a special stage music event. Leo Stones and Ben Booker both studied music technology at the St Vincent's Road college and
CHRISTMAS shoppers on the hunt for a special gift can pick-up a copy of a new CD launched recently. The Official PNE CD is a compilation of various tracks. It was launched at HMV, in Fishergate, Preston, with creator and singer Tony Slater and the lads
HUNDREDS of East Lancashire workers applied for jobs driving buses - in London. A major bus operator in the capital launched a recruitment drive in the area to try to tempt locals to fill vacancies paying up to 50 per cent more than Lancashire wages.
POLICE in Lancashire today urged victims of domestic violence to break their silence and told them: "Do not be afraid to speak out." Despite 18,000 incidents of the crime being reported in the county last year Detective Inspector Joyce Green, domestic
MOTORCYCLIST Mark Aldred, 33, from Hindley Green is still in Bolton Royal Hospital following a serious accident 12 days ago on colliery waste-land in Leigh. Mr Aldred suffered head injuries when his enduro machine was in collision with another bike being
A DRUGS drama presented by Golborne High pupils will help to guide younger children. Members of Year Six will benefit from a Steps to the Future booklet compiled by Wigan's drug education team relaunched yesterday at Robin Park. Bullying, drugs and making
BLACKPOOL Council has acted swiftly to close a loophole which has allowed people to paint the town red at the local authority's expense. An investigation has revealed that the redecoration grant system has been open to abuse with unscrupulous tenants
WHY is it that all the new houses being built in the suburbs of Lancaster are large and very expensive? Ordinary families cannot afford them. Also, why have we no park homes? Many older people would prefer one of these then their smaller homes could be
A WORLD record tree planting attempt will take place at Beacon Fell Country Park near Longridge this weekend. Lancashire County Council chairman, Councillor Bob Clark, will lead the three-day planting marathon, starting at 10am today, in conjunction with
OUR new bridge seems to be coming in for a bit of stick from the vocal few who don't like the look of it. Personally I think it is stunning, and a whole lot better than the drab designs that the moaners and dullites would no doubt have preferred. (Do
A STATE-of-the-art combined bus and rail interchange has put East Lancashire into the national spotlight. The Clitheroe Bus and Rail Interchange, which aims to fulfil government moves towards integrated public transport, has scooped two awards at the
I HAVE read with interest the recent letters regarding the West End of Morecambe. Prior to the West End being a regeneration area public meetings were held to discuss the best way forward. There were five options ranging from no1 to bulldoze the area
THE new cycle and pedestrian bridge across the River Lune is absolutely fantastic and anyone who thinks otherwise has obviously never tried walking or cycling between Lancaster city centre and those parts of our district to the north of the river. The
MAY I say how surprised I am that Dr Findlater found my letter abusive. Maybe he has just led a sheltered life. I am touched by his concern for my health but can assure him that I am perfectly calm and, unlike him, in touch with reality. It would appear
An 8-2 victory by Lytham Ex Service B over their A team was good enough to take over the lead in the First Division by three points from previous leaders St Thomas Church A, who beat Seasiders B 6-4 in their last match. In the Second Division, Lytham
BLACKPOOL'S Wasps have won another title to add to their British crown. The annual Christmas shield for Peewee's (U12s) was contested in a final against rivals Wigan Warlords and thrilling action saw Wasps win 7-3. The Youth (U15s) Christmas Shield will
Lytham St Annes 4 Neston 1 LYTHAM St Annes picked up a much needed three points to give them breathing space from the drop zone with this win. The side included the return of Simon Middlemass back from injury and he added the balance the team has been
Scorpions 34 St Helens Vine 17 FORMER Blackpool Borough stalwarts Carl Briscoe and Paul Gamble teamed up again to help the Scorpions to a crucial league win. Their opponents, St Helens Vine, previously had a 100 per cent record and it was they who took
THE legal team representing Stanley Henig in the libel suit with David Christley have made an offer of settlement to the former tourism chief The Citizen can reveal. The last-minute offer, which the council confirmed late on Wednesday, was made close
EUROPE'S biggest Toyota dealership, which has a branch in Bolton Street, Bury, has been sold. RRG Group has been acquired by the Marubeni Corporation, one of the world's largest trading companies. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will result in
THE £12 million Village Bury hotel and leisure complex has made its first signing to join general manager Steve Lee. Sarah Draycott (27), has been appointed personnel and training officer for the hotel which is being developed at the Waterfold Business
RIGHT up their street! That's a Bury chemicals company which has found the right formula for a successful cash bid to fund a landscaping scheme. And to mark the environmentally-friendly approach adopted by RaKeM Ltd, the Wellington Street-based company
A TOP company is willing to stump up a small fortune for a birdie's eye balcony view of Royal Lytham and St Annes golf course next summer. Ansdell Institute, which overlooks the ninth hole of the world-famous course where the world's best golfers will
BIRMINGHAM City have slapped a £1.1 million asking price on Burnley transfer target Dele Adebola. According to sources close to St Andrews, the Clarets have tabled a £750,000 bid for the big striker who scored City's opening goal in their 3-2 win over
TRADERS on Leyland's new market have given a big thumbs-up to the town centre site. The market moved to its new home in Northcote Street, off Hough Lane, at the end of last week after being re-located from Southern Towngate. South Ribble mayor, councillor
Forest Green Rovers 0, Morecambe 3 AN unforgettable own goal set Morecambe on their way to an impressive FA Cup victory over Conference rivals Forest Green. The Shrimps now face Cambridge United of the second division in what is, effectively, the second
DUCKS and fish on Stanley Park's boating lake had an extra play area this week after the banks burst leaving paths and benches and even the bandstand submerged under two feet of water (right). A blocked sluice gate leading out of the lake caused the water
THERE was duck on the menu this week for pensioners in Carleton as local celebrity Orville and his owner Keith Harris helped deliver meals on wheels. The ventriloquist and his green feathered friend helped support National Meals on Wheels Week, organised
FEARS were growing this week for the safety of a missing Blackpool teenager. Collegiate High School pupil Sharon Parkinson has been missing since October 27. The 15-year-old, of Birchway Avenue, Layton, has gone missing before but has always been found
SORRY to bring it up, but do you realise it's November 24 today and Christmas is but a mere month away. The halls are decked with holly, the proverbial goose is getting fat and, well, I'm skint if you must know. Though I'm getting fat too, if you know
ALAN Lord is the new first team boss at Atherton LR. Club chairman Allan Grundy says: "We had 10 applications for the job when we advertised it. We whittled that down to three who we wished to interview and one of those subsequently backed out." Former
LEIGH RMI's FA Cup dream ended as their travelling supporters were given a New Den standing ovation by generous Millwall fans. A giant-killing act it wasn't with Millwall comfortable winners at 3-0, but events proved family entertainment still exists.
ASTLEY & Tyldesley put in a terrific performance in the British Indoor Cycle Speedway Team Championships at Cheslyn Hay, near Cannock, over the weekend. The Gin Pit outfit came within a whisker of making their first appearance in a British Senior
HINDSFORD go into the Finnair Manchester League Division One top of the table clash at Breightmet United tomorrow full of confidence after last weekend's cracking away win in the Lancashire FA Amateur Challenge Shield. Patience became as much the name
CHAMPION bookworms have discovered that there are real rewards in reading. Diane Rees (10) and Kate Howarth (5) won prizes after taking the two top places in competitions run by library staff during National Children's Book Week. Diane, of Hampshire Close
NEW measures to prevent child abuse and neglect have been launched. The Child Protection Procedures Handbook sets out how all agencies and professionals in the borough should work together to protect young people. The book will be used by everyone who
CORONATION Street star Vicky Entwistle attracted hundreds of starstruck shoppers to the Mill Gate on Wednesday (Nov 22) for the annual switch-on of the precinct's Christmas lights. Vicky, who plays Janice Battersby in the soap, came straight from the
A TAXI driver who was pulled from his cab in Whitefield and robbed of his vehicle by thugs is bravely refusing to quit his job. Jahangir Vali became a taxi driver just three weeks ago. But just before midnight on Tuesday (Nov 21) he was involved in a
NEGOTIATIONS have begun to rid Radcliffe of a hostel for the homeless that has been the source of countless complaints. Bury Council has entered into talks with Mr Darryl Lindley, the owner of Radcliffe Homeless Trust Hostel in Church Street. It wants
THE family of a 23-year-old Whitefield man who plunged to his death from an unsafe balcony are considering legal action against a hospital trust. An inquest heard how the tragedy occurred while Darren Bowen was being shown around the now closed 70-year-old
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today revealed James Thomas still has a big future at Ewood -- despite the fact he has joined Sheffield United on loan. Welsh Under 21 international Thomas has linked up with the Blades until the end of the season as part
Lytham St Annes 1 Springfields 2 LSA were pipped 2-1 at home to their local rivals Springfields in Division 1 for the Northern Counties Hockey League. They conceded a goal within five minutes of the start but responded quickly and forced many penalty
THIS is the man Preston must fear on Saturday (November 25) when they travel to take on high-riding West Brom. Lee Hughes is the name. And although there may not be a lot of him -- 5ft 10ins and 11st 7lbs -- there is plenty to worry the North End defence
A SPECIALIST in heavy moving equipment has "shifted" its UK distribution depot from the Midlands to East Lancashire. Thomas Equipment, which markets Thomas loaders, has opened a new warehouse in Burnley Road, Rossendale, creating a handful of new jobs
NORWEGIAN tycoon Atle Brynestad will NOT be pursuing a takeover of Bury Football Club. The Bury Times can exclusively reveal that after his flying visit to Gigg Lane last Saturday with family and associates the multi-millionaire has decided not to make
A "STREETWISE" dealer caught by police as he was about to peddle drugs in Rawtenstall town centre, is awaiting sentence. Burnley Crown Court heard how Mohammed Miah, 20, who last August had almost lost his life after a near-fatal overdose of ecstasy,
FIVE years ago more than a third of the pupils who started at Stacksteads' Fearns High School, Bacup, had special educational needs -- but they left with the school's best ever GCSE results. "I stand before you a proud man," declared headteacher Neil
EACH year the Lancashire and Yorkshire Historical society organises pilgrimages to the battle areas of the First World War. In August and September next year we plan to visit the battlefield areas of France and Flanders, taking in the Somme and the Ypres
AS a mother of two children I am shocked and disturbed by the actions of some parents who take their children shopping to Preston. With Christmas coming-up it is understandable that parents have to take their pre-school age children into town to buy presents
RELATIVES of a Blackpool man who suffered serious injuries in a nightclub attack appealed to revellers to come forward with information at the weekend. Samuel Smith, of Scott Close, Marton, was treated in the intensive care unit of the Royal Bolton Hospital
THE parents of a Blackpool boy who plunged down a deep pothole have won their battle to prove who was to blame for his death this week. Lee Craddock was on a Scout trip in 1995 when he fell 365ft down Gaping Ghyll, in North Yorkshire. His honour Judge
SUPERMARKET chain E H Booth and Co is to submit a new application for a store on land owned by Fylde Rugby Club. The Citizen learned this week that the Preston-based company is not to appeal against Fylde Council's narrow decision to turn down its original
TWO Fylde Coast magistrates are seriously considering resigning from the bench after receiving a letter containing guidelines concerning their social behaviour. And other justices are actively considering their future after receiving the letter from their
A TOP company is willing to stump up a small fortune for a birdie's eye balcony view of Royal Lytham and St Annes golf course next summer. Ansdell Institute, which overlooks the ninth hole of the world-famous course where the world's best golfers will
FAMOUS funnyman Russ Abbot is to take the lead once again in a Blackpool Winter Gardens musical. And he's doubly delighted to be playing Dr Dolittle in addition to being back by the seaside. He told me: "It's purely coincidence that I'm back in Blackpool
BLACKPOOL leisure bosses are calling on the big breweries to dig deeper into their pockets and invest to improve the safety of the town. The call comes after a week of dangerous pranks and fights in the resort involving young people needlessly stretching
ORGANISERS of a service for Rovers legend Jack Walker have said they are expecting a rush for tickets for the occasion. Hundreds of Blackburn people will get the chance to pay tribute to Mr Walker at the commemoration service next month, as reported in
A NEW cricket trophy will honour the memory of an amateur player whose batting record still stands 50 years after he set it. In July of 1950, council highways worker Robert Thompson scored 130 not out in 16 overs for Charles Baynes' works team against
PLANS to axe special needs teachers have been put on hold to allow more time for consulting teachers and parents. Lancashire County councillors decided not to finalise the scheme to lose about 100 staff from their pool of travelling specialist teachers
BRENT Peters is hoping Lady Luck will soon shine on his side after a string of fine NWCL Division Two performances have gone unrewarded. Bacup go to Ashton for their Worthington Challenge Cup preliminary round clash with Peters telling his side to keep
GRAHAM Howarth would gladly swap the three points earned against league leaders Stone Dominoes last weekend for the injury picked up by Carl Parker. Howarth's squad were gutted after the influential defender broke his right leg which will fbe out for
ACCRINGTON Stanley travel to struggling Runcorn hoping to keep up the pressure at the top of the UniBond Premier Division. Boss John Coleman, left, has nearly a fully fit squad to choose from -- only Mark Shirley is now on the treatment table with a long-term
RAMSBOTTOM go into their local derby at home to Clitheroe on the back of a confidence-boosting 5-1 win over Colne in midweek. In stark contrast, opponents Clitheroe enter the weekend following a 4-0 hiding at Fleetwood. But United boss Ken Bridge reckons
PAUL McKenna is hoping Preston North End can do what his childhood team Manchester City did -- and go from the Second Division to the Premiership in successive seasons. The 23-year-old left winger has played every North End league game this season, helping
DAVID Gray once had modelling on his mind -- but now he just wants to have a second chance at becoming a model professional footballer. The 20-year-old hitman was on Rochdale's books as a teenager and made a few substitute appearances for the Third Division
WHILE Bush and Gore battle it out in the courts in the fight to the White House, the British electorate must be breathing a sigh of relief that our voting system is a simple cross in a box. Unlike the Americans, who adapted an electronic stamping method
BLACKPOOL Council has acted swiftly to close a loophole which has allowed people to paint the town red at the local authority's expense. An investigation has revealed the redecoration grant system has been open to abuse with unscrupulous tenants cashing
ON the weekend that the people of Bury were commemorating the lost generations of two world wars, the murder of an Asian taxi driver took place in their midst. Walking around the town for most of the day after the murder, I heard a number of wild racist
IT is quite obvious that your correspondent, self-styled "British Patriot" (Nov 21) has a very short memory. I was only a boy on Merseyside during World War Two but I vividly remember soldiers and sailors of all nationalities, creed and colour, standing
IT WAS with sadness that I read the letter from "Bury Private Hire Driver" (Nov 17). Noting that this was the only letter published about the horrendous murder which has taken place in our town, I was rather hoping that it might be a simple expression
THE brutal murder of Mr Tariq Javed was, I believe, racial and needs to be condemned. Murder is unacceptable is any society and particularly murder on the basis of colour. This incident has shocked the whole community, white and black alike. Since the
ON February 23, my wife went to see her GP because she found a lump in her breast. As fate would have it, her stepmother who lives in Bolton had also discovered a breast lump a few days earlier. My wife was told not to worry and that she would be referred
I WAS flicking through the Wigan and Leigh Advanced Motorists' newsletter this week when I dropped on some reflections of love marriage and children. I was taken by Clarence Darrow's quotation "The first half of our life is ruined by our parents and the
YOU can't shut up former Leigh coach, Mighty Mouth Alex Murphy. He says he was embarrassed to be a Englishman at the Reebok on Saturday when the England squad were blown out of the RL World Cup 49-6 by NewZealand. I'm not surprised. Most fans were. You
THIS is the man Preston must fear on Saturday (November 25) when they travel to take on high-riding West Brom. Lee Hughes is the name. And although there may not be a lot of him -- 5ft 10ins and 11st 7lbs -- there is plenty to worry the North End defence
TERRIFIED taxi drivers in Bury have become the first in the country to be issued with personal attack alarms by police. And Thursday's (Nov 23) move, in the wake of the murder of cabbie Tariq Javed, comes as dozens of drivers have quit because of fears
