THE Rugby Football League was left red-faced last Sunday when the draw for the Arriva Trains Cup had to be re-drawn after a mix-up with the balls. When the draw was made York were incorrectly announced as having a home tie with Leigh Centurions, with
RE: Snap You've Been Shamed (LET, June 2). I'm a dog lover and I have a small dog of my own. When we take him out with us we always take a bag to clean up after him. Once in the last month I was behind a police horse in Burnley. The horse stopped and
MAY I use the pages of your paper to thank all the people of Mellor and surrounding areas who gave their support to the 'Back Off Blackburn' Campaign. All the letters, e-mails, petitions and phone calls helped to influence the decision of the Boundary
I WAS extremely disappointed to read (LET, June 5) that First North Western had scrapped their Sunday train service between Colne and Manchester and not least because I hadn't realised there was one. I live in Accrington and have often wondered why the
TODAY (Thursday June 10) is election day -- and residents still have time to make their mark. Turnout is already up on last year. By 4pm on Tuesday, almost 36 per cent of residents had sent back their postal votes, up from 31 per cent in the 2003 local
A COMMUNITY warden wept with relief after being cleared of attacking his wife and said: "Now I can get on with my life". Emotional and trembling after his two days in the dock, ex-soldier and security guard David Bullen left court with his daughter Aimee
LEIGH Centurions march back into town on Sunday after weeks on the road. And for only the second Hilton Park game in eight weeks Leigh will have two new faces making their first appearances on home soil. Coach Darren Abram has confirmed that new recruits
ROVERS Reserves have already lined up six pre-season friendly dates. They open at Rossendale United on Tuesday July 20, kick off 7.45 pm before visiting Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday July 24 for a 3 pm kick off. The following Tuesday, the squad will
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Jonathon Douglas has set his sights on a regular first team place after committing his long-term future to the club. Douglas finally put pen to paper on a brand new three year contract yesterday - just six months after snubbing
THE Prestwich Co-op Camera Club members were occupied with their favourite occupation on Tuesday evening -- talking! Before they got round to the main topic of discussion, there was the forthcoming print and slide battle against Swinton Photographic Society
A BANNED driver who got behind the wheel of a Ferrari in an alleged mercy dash has lost a battle to have points removed from his licence. Burnley Magistrates Court heard how Mohammed Syed, 24, claimed he had gone to the aid of his ex-girlfriend who was
A SPECIAL Alcohol Awareness Day will be held this weekend in a bid to bring attention of the dangers of drinking to excess. The event, which is run by Burnley's Community Safety Partnership, is being held at the Charity Arch in Burnley town centre and
HAZEL RUSHTON - who until recently Mayoress of Padiham - has been getting her fingers dirty. She is recycling polyanthus plants and spring bulbs which would be thrown away by the parks department because they haven't time to recycle them. Hazel will nurture
A COMMUNITY warden wept with relief after being cleared of attacking his wife and said: "Now I can get on with my life". Emotional and trembling after his two days in the dock, ex-soldier and security guard David Bullen left court with his daughter Aimee
STAFF from Nelson and Colne College are celebrating after winning a prestigious award for integrating computers into the curriculum. Workers at the college's Learning Resource Centre have been given a Beacon Award by the national Centre for Learning Resources
WHILE some students may grumble about a lack of beer money or too much course work, one Nelson student had altogether more serious issues to worry about. Single mother-of-three Marilyn Sutcliffe had to overcome personal tragedy to complete her degree
A 27-YEAR-OLD man twice had sex with a 13 year-old-girl after claiming he was in love with her, a jury heard. Burnley Crown Court was told how Christopher Garnett was seen kissing the schoolgirl passionately, showered her with gifts and turned up at a
IT was a night that regulars of the Swan pub in Lower Darwen would never forget. As they sat enjoying a Saturday evening pint, one of the most famous sporting trophies in the world was brought in through the front door -- and during the course of the
Do you remember? by JACK NADIN - this week, the year 1971. . . WE MOVE forward into recollections of the 1970s to 1971, which got off to a 'heated' start, when, in January, another fierce blaze caused £120,000 worth of damage at Heasandford Mill. Also
CELEBRATIONS are being held this weekend to mark the opening 30 years ago of Kingsleigh Methodist Church building. On Saturday June 12, there will be a family walk around Pennington Flash, (meet in the car park at 1.30pm), followed by a picnic tea. The
THE mystery appearance of the 'White Lady' of Samlesbury Hall was solved. A Blackburn Police 'spook' squad revealed that the ghost of the 'phantom' which appeared twice early in morning on the Preston New Road had been a hoax by two young lads dressed
THE first women volunteered for duty with the 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment of the Home Guard. They were Mrs Constance Hartley and her daughter Pauline. They volunteered to do clerical work, operate telephone switchboards and organise catering
THE chaos and mayhem of American wrestling is returning to Leigh. Two heavyweight titles are on the line when the Northern Professional Wrestling Alliance's Strange Behaviour Tour rolls into St Paul's Labour Club on June 18. It will be the organisation's
A GREEN-FINGERED grandfather is opening up his pride and joy garden to help a cancer appeal fund blossom. Money raised from an open day at Rod Raines' themed retreat will go to Christie's against Cancer. Rod has been perfecting his huge garden since he
FIREFIGHTERS were forced to flee a blazing garage after they discovered three gas cylinders which could have exploded. Crews had gone into the blaze at Harrison Garage, Lonsdale Street, Accrington, in the early hours today thinking only a store of tyres
A TERRIFIED lorry driver was snatched from his sleeper cab by thieves who bundled him into the boot of a car, beat him up stole his cargo of televisions and torched his tractor unit and trailers. The Polish driver was woken while asleep in his lorry on
FIRE-FIGHTERS battled through the night at the former William Hare Gin Pit works after a fire broke out on the roof and fourth floor of the derelict building. Seven pumps were needed to extinguish the fire which broke out at 4.30pm last Wednesday. The
GOLBORNE bodybuilding champion and ex-miner Phil Carlon flew round the world this week to defend his world title in Australia. Before he left, Phil told his story to Rob Johnson. Can Mr Muscle clean up in Oz? A WORLD champion bodybuilder from Golborne
THERE is just a little more than a month left for organisations to enter the Remploy 'Leading the Way' awards. The scheme aims to recognise employers who enable and encourage disabled people to realise their potential in the workplace. Remploy has a factory
THE family of a newlywed man whose wife has been charged with his murder today said they were stunned by what had happened. Ian Roger Osliffe, 35, died on a hospital operating table on Sunday after suffering stab wounds at his home in Green Park, Whalley
CHILDREN at three Ribble Valley schools could be getting on board a 'walking bus' as part of a keep-fit and keep-healthy initiative put forward by health staff. Now an appeal has gone out for volunteers in Longridge to help man their 'walking bus'. Similar
A GOVERNMENT minister has been criticised by two MPs for failing to clear up the future of an East Lancashire pension centre. Labour's Peter Pike and Tory Nigel Evans were disappointed that Malcolm Wicks failed to give a pledge that the Simonstone office
THERE were plenty of spectators at the Racecourse when the Radcliffe Cricket Club's newly-terraced Marsden enclosure was opened fifty years ago this week (June 10). The visitors were watching Radcliffe Cricket Club's match against Oldham, and saw the
FORMER Radcliffian Ian Howarth has recollections of the town's Whit Walks that date back to the early 1930s. Particularly fond in his memories are the games that youngsters would play when all the walking was done. Pupils from both St Mary's and Radcliffe
CHORLEY'S first Northern Premier League 20/20 Cup match produced a run-feast and some very big-hitting to delight a large crowd at Windsor Park. The home side ran out comfortable winners over Leyland Motors by 40 runs. Captain for the night Tom Smith
WHALLEY Golf Club is running free coaching sessions for beginners on Thursday, June 17. The opportunity has been set up by the English Golf Union and English Ladies' Golf Association as as part of an effort to open up more avenues to promote golf in England
CRAIG Fort has paid tribute to the strength in depth of Nelson Golf Club after they retained the ELGA Championship on Saturday. Fort's gross score of 70 inspired his side to victory in the Scratch Shield at Darwen, as he and team-mates Jonathan Whalley
ELECTING to bat against Formby, Leigh Thirds put on 140 all out in 44 overs giving them two batting points. Batting was not easy on a pitch that was breaking up but the Leigh batsmen showed a lot of determination in their efforts. Alex Roussak and Nick
ASTLEY & Tyldesley cycle speedway visited Bury last Thursday evening for a Northern League match. Bury took an 8 points lead after heat 4, but A & T fought back and took the lead for the first time in heat 12. However, Bury regained the lead in
A STRONG Golborne CC team were overpowered by Northern League Morecambe in the Lancashire Knockout. Despite reducing Morecambe to 180 off their 45 overs, Golborne were bowled out for 135, losing by 45 runs. Morecambe's innings revolved around grit and
LEIGH CC's recent run of disappointing results continued at Wallasey when they went down to an 18-run defeat against their bitter rivals. Dave Dove's decision to insert the opposition after winning the toss looked fully justified as the seam bowlers got
ATHERTON CC continue to chase Bolton Association glory on two fronts. They closed in on league leaders Elton with a comprehnsive victory over struggling Golborne on Saturday and backed it up the next day with an equally emphatic win over Edgworth in the
THE owner of a car showroom says he is struggling to run his business because of traffic wardens. Jack Stone, who runs the Radcliffe Car Centre in Radcliffe New Road, Whitefield, was given a parking ticket after leaving a vehicle at the front of the showroom
BURNLEY look set for an Austrian pre-season adventure. New manager Steve Cotterill met with chairman Barry Kilby yesterday to discuss options for a summer tour to either Denmark, Austria or Holland. Plans have yet to be confirmed, but Austria appears
IT was business as usual for Radcliffe carnival at the weekend despite fears that safety measures would spoil the fun. It was thought at one time that people would be stopped from riding on floats and cars in the procession, a traditional part of any
RESIDENTS in parts of Darwen are feeling safer in their homes after security measures were installed as part of a new scheme. People concerned that they may be targeted by thieves or bogus callers contacted the borough's neighbourhood co-ordinator Elaine
GRIEVING pet owners can now have an everlasting memorial to their beloved animal - by having their ashes turned into diamonds. The idea originated in America, and now a Darwen pet funeral firm has brought the service to East Lancashire. Geoff Hobson,
SMALL businesses in Ramsbottom looking to create extra floor space by extending or refurbishing buildings could benefit from European funding. Bury Council today announced that they have secured more than £1 million of European Funding to help improve
A FATHER of two who lied and cheated his way to almost £13,000 in benefits has escaped a jail term. Burnley magistrates heard how Michael Shaw, 44, had felt his actions were justified. He did not tell the authorities when his circumstances changed as
THE catwalk is coming to Atherton! Sunday will see the Atherton Fashion Show take place at the new Spring Deer restaurant in Atherton. New designs and existing design wear available for sale will be modelled giving visitors the chance to pick up a bargain
A DRUG addicted single mother of three was used by criminals who found her easy prey, a court was told. Burnley Magistrates heard how vulnerable Zoe Crowther, 30, had been given a stolen debit card and told to use it. She then went on a spree of deception
CELEBRATIONS are being held this weekend to mark the opening 30 years ago of Kingsleigh Methodist Church building. On Saturday June 12, there will be a family walk around Pennington Flash, (meet in the car park at 1.30pm), followed by a picnic tea. The
FLORIST Katherine Walker picked up a bouquet at her society's 'oscar' ceremony. The 18-years-old singer was awarded the Bas Barker Trophy as Best Newcomer at The Three Towns Operatic Society's awards evening following their production of the Gilbert and
MARIE Curie Cancer Care in Radcliffe is searching for people with a sense of adventure. It is organising a 20-day trip to the Everest Base Camp in March next year to raise money for the cause. Fundraiser Stephen Tongue is urging anyone with a reasonable
RESIDENTS at a Lowton sheltered housing scheme hope to toast a world record with tea and buns. On Friday at 3pm residents of Elmridge Court, Lowton, are taking part in the world's largest simultaneous tea party in a bid to break the current total of guests
TRUCK driver Wendy Aldred, aged 31, of Hough Lane, Tyldesley, died when lorry she was driving left the carriageway of the M60 last Thursday. Shortly after 5am the commercial heavy goods vehicle travelling along the slip road from the Northbound Princess
THE chaos and mayhem of American wrestling is returning to Leigh. Two heavyweight titles are on the line when the Northern Professional Wrestling Alliance's Strange Behaviour Tour rolls into St Paul's Labour Club on June 18. It will be the organisation's
A GREEN-FINGERED grandfather is opening up his pride and joy garden to help a cancer appeal fund blossom. Money raised from an open day at Rod Raines' themed retreat will go to Christie's against Cancer. Rod has been perfecting his huge garden since he
THERE is just a little more than a month left for organisations to enter the Remploy 'Leading the Way' awards. The scheme aims to recognise employers who enable and encourage disabled people to realise their potential in the workplace. Remploy has a factory
A HORSE-drawn hearse formed part of the funeral procession for well-known gardener Albert Restall. Mr Restall, of Outwood Road, Radcliffe, died at the age of 94 on May 26. A service was held at St Mary's RC Church in Spring Lane, Radcliffe, on Friday,
A 21-year water development plan by the Irwell Valley Water Board revealed that two new reservoirs were needed. Train passengers travelling from Radcliffe to Manchester witnessed a running fight between "Edwardians", or teddy boys, and railway staff.
A SWEET shop in Radcliffe is well-remembered by some of our readers. Mr Ian Howarth tells us about the old Pickup shop in Sandford Street. The property, we are told, was known a Jemima's and was a favourite place for youngsters to buy their goodies. Mr
A DISTRAUGHT couple lost their premature baby son just three days before they were due to get married. Craig Banks, 33, and Rachel Gilhooley, 26, were so devastated by the loss of their first child Sam that they cancelled their wedding day. Sam was stillborn
AN ALLEGED assault at a nursing home which left a 71-year-old resident with bruising to her eye is being investigated by police. Alzheimer's sufferer Clare Kelly, who was diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease four years ago, was in respite care
A FREE fire safety advice line has been introduced in Lancashire. The service is intended to ensure no caller is put off asking for advice by worrying about cost. Fire control staff who deal with 999 calls will also offer safety advice, with the aim of
RADCLIFFE residents have been reassured that a new £15m, state-of-the-art high school will not mean a loss of sports facilities in the town. Bury Council has received Government backing for the school and will shortly appoint a project director to drive
THE gremlins have been at my machine again. I would like to apologise to anyone who has e-mailed me over the past two weeks and has not received a reply. My whole record system along with your correspondence has been wiped off the face of the earth. I
TWO weeks ago Graham Woolley asked Wigan Council to remove some unwanted furniture from his Leigh home. He was given a date it would be collected, but added an extra chair to the pile workmen expected to find in the drive. When he returned to his Taunton
POLLS closed at 10pm on Thursday night to bring an end to Bury's first postal ballot. You will be able to find all the results from Bury, Bolton, Wigan and Salford Councils on our election results file, plus you can read all our earlier reports.
WORLD champion stock car racer Barry Giblin has been honoured by the town's rotarians. Radcliffe Rotary Club has presented the 25-year-old driver with the Ernest Kay Memorial Award for Achievement for his success on the track. Barry's name was put forward
A FORMER Stacksteads councillor has shed more than three stones to get himself into shape for a marathon challenge. And father-of-three Dale Connearn says he's now ready to slash his personal best time by eight minutes when he runs the Blackpool Marathon
FORESTRY Commission community ranger Dave Baxter has led a team to save thousands of tadpoles and baby frogs from an untimely death. A pond at Colliers Wood, Higher Folds, Leigh was running dangerously low in water. To help refill the pond Dave enlisted
A NEW £300,000 neighbourhood nursery has opened in Tyldesley. The Little Stars Day Nursery, based in the grounds of Shakerley Primary School, can cater for 40 children and has all the latest equipment -- including a six seater pram. It has been funded
A BRAINY pub bunch are set to tackle the country's top quiz masters. The six-strong team from the Cart and Horses, Astley, head for London on Friday to record a battle of the minds in the BBC 1 quiz "Eggheads". Landlord Malcolm Hilton, Gerald Platt, Dave
RADCLIFFE Rotary Club members were in attendance for a special presentation of the 2004 Rotary International Award for World Understanding and Peace. The award, along with a $100,000 donation, was presented to Colin Parry, whose son Tim was killed during
LANCASHIRE Police have warned motorists flying the national flag on their cars they could be committing an offence if it obstructs their view or number plate. Hundreds of motorists have attached the St George cross to car windows to show their support
POLICE sprayed a prisoner with CS gas because they believed he was about to drive off in their police car. John Devlin had been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and put in the back of the police vehicle. But he lashed out at a special constable
CIVILIAN speed camera operators have begun working at up to 400 sites across Lancashire - and already motorists are upset. Twelve new speed enforcement wardens employed by the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety are stationed across the county. They
A GROUP of residents battling with their council over who should pay for the repair of their road have been urged by their neighbours to drop their case and let the work go ahead. Around seven residents from Higher Croft Road, Lower Darwen, have lodged
POLICE officers accused of brutality and lying in court after the collapse of an assault case have been cleared by an independent inquiry. The probe was launched after district Judge Paul Firth threw out charges of assaulting a police officer and threatening
A NEW £300,000 neighbourhood nursery has opened in Tyldesley. The Little Stars Day Nursery, based in the grounds of Shakerley Primary School, can cater for 40 children and has all the latest equipment -- including a six seater pram. It has been funded
I LAUGHED when former Wigan colleague Geoff Shryhane revealed he was going dotty trying to use the TV remote control as a mobile phone. I could just imagine him doing it, the fool. Then blow me if I didn't go and do something similar. I arrived home at
NO-ONE really wants to plan their own funeral, inevitable though one is for all of us. A former Leigh detective was this week telling me about the passing of an ex-colleague recently who had done some forward planning and decided to leave in style. He
LAST time little Anna Bate saw her older sister Valerie she was just a freckled faced 13-year-old. The duo lost touch after their father, Stuart, died in 1994, and Anna, who now lives in Australia, would like to rekindle the relationship. She has written
LEIGH RMI have announced their admission and season ticket prices for the new Nationwide Conference campaign. Match day admission has been fixed at £10 with £5 for concessions and £3 for juniors. This gives access to both standing and seasting areas.
DAVE McNiven is in negotiations with Leigh RMI after telling the club that he doesn't want to go anywhere next season. Carlisle and Stevenage are rumoured to be among the clubs interested in the striker, whose goalscoring prowess was one illuminating
"Complete Madness" -- Madness Tribute, Burnley League, Richard Street, Burnley. Pendle Forest Scout and Guide Group's Car Boot and Table Top Sale, Scout and Guide Community Hall, Fence, 6pm-8pm. Rossendale Music Festival, St James CE Church School, Regent
MARK Brown has been chosen for the Great Britain team at the Paralympics in Athens, which will take place immediately after this summer's Olympic Games. It will be his third appearance at the Games following Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in Millennium year
WE are all familiar with the way the English we speak and write is constantly changing. New ideas, inventions and trends bring new nouns and verbs to our vocabulary every year - that's what a living language is all about. Language exists so that people
LEIGH are at home to an in-orm Northern side, currently second in the league, on Saturday and have a Lancashire Cup second round tie against Rainhill at Beech Walk on Sunday.
WITH thousands of students set to leave university this summer and walk into an uncertain jobs market, JENNY SCOTT asks East Lancashire teenagers about to graduate what their future holds. . . ONCE, it was all so simple.You ploughed through A-levels,
I AM the lady who was attacked outside St Joseph's Church, Audley Range, Blackburn on Wednesday, May 26. I would like tot hank everyone who has sent me cards, flowers, gifts and best wishes. I was overwhelmed by people's kindness and again offer my sincere
RECENTLY the mundane event of collecting household waste became a talking point for your paper and residents of some areas of Darwen and Blackburn. Nobody argues against the dire necessity for recycling, if the world does not want to drown in rubbish.
POLLS closed at 10pm on Thursday night to bring an end to Leigh's first postal ballot. You will be able to find all the results from Wigan, Bolton, Bury and Salford Councils on our election results file, plus you can read all our earlier reports.
WORLD champion stock car racer Barry Giblin has been honoured by the town's rotarians. Radcliffe Rotary Club has presented the 25-year-old driver with the Ernest Kay Memorial Award for Achievement for his success on the track. Barry's name was put forward
A RADCLIFFE-based threads firm has spun an eco-award. A&E Threads took an honour at the Business Commitment to the Environment awards for its "green" energy conservation strategies. The textile company, with 70 staff, received the premier award for
A TEAM of new rangers is set to patrol the borough's parks this summer. Bury is one of only three authorities in the region to receive money from the Government's liveability fund, which will partly fund this expansion of the ranger service. Neil Long
POLICE officers accused of brutality and lying in court after the collapse of an assault case have been cleared by an independent inquiry. The probe was launched after district Judge Paul Firth threw out charges of assaulting a police officer and threatening
THE funeral of Bury's first lady mayor took place in Whitefield on Wednesday. Mrs Christina Ormrod (82), who had represented Pilkington Park in Whitefield for more than two decades, died peacefully on May 29 after a long illness. The Conservative councillor
THEY say the sun shines on the righteous. And on Sunday it did. Yet, on June 6, 1944, the weather conditions were far from kind. High winds stirred up massive waves that threatened to swamp the small landing craft filled with young boy soldiers as they
PLANS to relaunch the Briercliffe Gala, 14 years after the event died out because lack of support, look set to go ahead. More than 30 attended a public meeting to offer their support to the organising committee, which hopes to resurrect the once-popular
FIRE chiefs have issued a warning after the owners of a house where a chip pan fire broke out made two vital errors in attempting to extinguish the blaze. Crews from Burnley fire station were called out to the Wavell Street home at 11.45pm last night.
TWO employees at a Burnley printers have completed 25 years' of service. Tony Entwistle, 46, and Andy Wilkinson, 40, who work as a lithographic printer and print finishing manager at Peter Scott Printers, received a cheque and champagne to celebrate at
THE catwalk is coming to Atherton! Sunday will see the Atherton Fashion Show take place at the new Spring Deer restaurant in Atherton. New designs and existing design wear available for sale will be modelled giving visitors the chance to pick up a bargain
FUNDRAISERS at Hospice Care for Burnley and Pendle are inviting people to the Tesco store in Burnley this Sunday to wave the famous Hospice Mini off on its Mini Adventure. Martin Vernon, who works at Barden Mill, and Martin Crewe, who works at Kitchens
WORDS penned by a world-famous Leigh author live on in Cambodia. James Hilton was born in a terraced house in Wilkinson Street, Leigh in 1900 and died in Long Beach, California on December 22, 1954. His utopian novel "Lost Horizon" -- about the search
AS EXCITEMENT grows ahead of England's bid for Euro glory, one Burnley street has taken the nation's patriotic fervour to new heights. Bunting bearing the cross of St George has been strung between the houses in Godiva Street, and residents have adorned
A PENSIONER is demanding action be taken to clean-up a litter strewn stretch of canal which he claims has been dirty for months. Derek Tranmer said debris, including plastic bottles, wooden boards and tyres have been seen floating on a stretch of the
TURNOUT in this year's Pendle elections is already higher than the previous local and European election. Council figures released yesterday showed that 44 per cent of votes have already been cast, compared to 43 per cent in last year's local elections
A GROUP of Radcliffe residents have pulled together to create their own community force to fight back against vandals. Neighbours in Ainsworth Road first voiced their concerns at March's area board meeting, pleading with councillors to help them tackle
HAVE you a cheese stone in your garden? You would be surprised just how many people have without knowing it. The cheese-making process used to be finished off by the cheese being compressed in a vat between two large stones. The lower stone of the press
POLICE in Pendle are urging people to deter burglars by keep their doors and windows locked, despite the warm temperatures. The appeal follows two burglaries in Colne this week, in which offenders are thought to have used insecure doors and windows to
RESIDENTS at a Lowton sheltered housing scheme hope to toast a world record with tea and buns. On Friday at 3pm residents of Elmridge Court, Lowton, are taking part in the world's largest simultaneous tea party in a bid to break the current total of guests
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw announced he would run the Labour leadership favourite Tony Blair's campaign for the opposition's top job. With the Shadow Home Secretary almost home and dry it meant that Mr Straw was set to get one of the top positions in the
AN Accrington and Rossendale College student is among the first in UK to get new qualification. Jamie Buckley, 19, is one of the first students in the UK to pass the newly-introduced Intermediate Construction Award for Floorcovering phase test. The test
EX-SERVICEMEN gathered in Atherton last Sunday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Veterans from across the borough attended the emotional service at Atherton Parish Church where people remembered the bravery shown by thousands
HYNDBURN Council is investigating "illegal" karaoke in a Clayton-le-Moors pubs. Environmental health officers were asked to look into reports of unlicensed entertainment in the town by a council committee. Members of the Judicial Committee, who meet to
EURO 2004 - a feast of football....absent staff, rowdy crowds, and heavy drinkers. Company bosses have been warned by employment lawyers that Thursday, June 17, could be the top skive day as England play Switzerland at 5pm. During the World Cup, company
POWERBOAT racer Paul Scott is aiming to be on top of the world this season. The 26-year-old Leigh sportsman started the new Formula 3 world championship season on course to achieve his dream, winning the first race of the year, the French Grand Prix,
CRIME levels in Hyndburn are regularly higher than the Lancashire average, it has been revealed. Now an organisation set up to combat crime and disorder in the borough have unveiled their new 12-month plan to cut the levels. Among the ideas being put
FIREFIGHTERS from Farnworth had to travel to Tyldesley to help a family whose house had caught fire -- because officers from a nearby station had been called out to a factory blaze started by vandals. Leading firefighter at Farnworth, Paul Rushby, says
MP ANDY Burnham has gone to Westminster this week to call for more help to find a permanent home for Leigh's ex-servicemen. The last post for the Leigh branch of the Royal British Legion was sounded nearly four years ago when the Windermere Street premises
A RADCLIFFE-based threads firm has spun an eco-award. A&E Threads took an honour at the Business Commitment to the Environment awards for its "green" energy conservation strategies. The textile company, with 70 staff, received the premier award for
POLLS closed at 10pm on Thursday night to bring an end to Bury's first postal ballot. You will be able to find all the results from Bury, Bolton, Wigan and Salford Councils on our election results file, plus you can read all our earlier reports.
EAST Lancashire MP Nigel Evans has called on Health Department and Home Office ministers to ensure that anyone who hits a hospital worker will find it is "the quickest way of getting from a hospital ward to a prison cell". At Health Questions in the Commons
A FLEET of buses has been chartered by Lancashire County Council to prevent a repeat of last year's transport chaos at the Royal Lancashire Show. County transport bosses are stepping in to fund, and organise, buses to this year's show, near the De Tabley
COUNTRYSIDE bosses today reflected on 40 years of Bowland as an area of outstanding natural beauty - and were warned it was up to them to preserve it. As a week of events got under way to mark the 40th birthday of the designation of a large part of Lancashire
CCTV is to be used in children's play parks after vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage to equipment installed just weeks ago. Police and council bosses today blasted the vandals, claiming only a hacksaw could have caused the damage inflicted on
MORE than 20 East Lancashire communities are preparing for inspection by judges on the hunt for this year's best-kept village. Parish councils are urging residents to do all they can to make their areas clean and tidy ahead of the visits to the region's
THE other day I asked a friend who I had not seen for some time whether he still smoked. "Yes," he said. Then a pregnant pause, followed by: "I'm waiting for you lot to ban smoking in public places. It's the only way I can see that I'm ever going to give
BURNLEY Council is to hold an open day to raise awareness about a condition that affects nearly 2.5 million people nationwide. On Wednesday, June 16, the council's Healthy Lifestyle team will be highlighting diabetes. The event at the Vincent Farrell
BURNLEY look set for an Austrian pre-season adventure. New manager Steve Cotterill met with chairman Barry Kilby yesterday to discuss options for a summer tour to either Denmark, Austria or Holland. Plans have yet to be confirmed, but Austria appears
SUSSEX skipper Chris Adams put Lancashire to the sword with an unbeaten 145 as they piled up 458 for nine on the opening day of their Championship clash at Old Trafford. However, Sajid Mahmood ensured Lancashire were still in contention after it looked
FOGGY Petronas Racing star Troy Corser has suffered a dramatic late twist to his preparations for this weekend's sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at Silverstone. The Australian former world champion, who qualified in pole position in the
THE Holgates proved to be a pair of twin towers as they stood head and shoulders above the rest at Mytton Fold at the weekend. The club was celebrating its 10th anniversary on Sunday with a special open competition for all members, which Thomas Holgate
ACCRINGTON Stanley's home shirt for the new season will go on sale exclusively at Oswaldtwistle Mills - the club's new sponsor - on Monday. The shirt will then go on general sale at other outlets and on the club's website from 28 June. The price remains
GREAT Harwood Town chairman Bill Holden insists the departure of manager John Hughes will not deter the club's ambition of playing UniBond League football. Hughes quit the Robins, despite guiding them to promotion from the North West Counties Second Division
LEIGH Sportsman Harriers ended their season on a high by beating Leigh East in the Holden Cup final at Hilton Park to become the only open age rugby club in Leigh to win anything this season. The match was entertaining and hard fought. Harriers opened
LEIGH Fourths, without a win so far this season, travelled to Formby Thirds, knowing that an exceptional performance would be needed to break the home side's 100 per cent record. Unfortunately, it was not to be the day of the underdog and Formby extended
IN a top of the table clash between two previously unbeaten sides, it was Leigh Under 15's who triumphed against a good Sutton side in a close game at Beech Walk. The visitors were invited to bat, and started fluently, despite an excellent opening five
LEIGH Harriers scored two resounding wins to take another giant step toward to promotion in the Northern Track and Field League. The squad's outstanding series of performances at Robin Park saw the women lead by 90 points, to take victory for the second
Barrow 20 Leigh Centurions 24: IT might have been the day that marked the 60th anniversary of D-Day, but it was some of the Dunkirk spirit that the Centurions needed to book their Arriva Trains semi-final place. Leigh went through - but only by the skin
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Jonathon Douglas has set his sights on a regular first team place after committing his long-term future to the club. Douglas finally put pen to paper on a brand new three year contract yesterday - just six months after snubbing
RADCLIFFE residents have been reassured that a new £15m, state-of-the-art high school will not mean a loss of sports facilities in the town. Bury Council has received Government backing for the school and will shortly appoint a project director to drive
A GARDEN party opens at St Peter's Junior School, Leigh Street, on Saturday, June 12, at 2pm. Admission is 20p.
A THIRD of people in Leigh have not had their eyes tested in the last two years -- yet they fear losing their sight more than any other sense. Research from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association found that 79% of people knew that you should take an
MORE than one in six households in the north west receives junk mail to deceased family members, a survey has revealed. The research was undertaken by the Direct Marketing Association and environment group Planet Ark, as part of an initiative to cut down
CHART favourites Speedway gave an impromptu free performance in Blackburn's HMV store on Tuesday to promote their latest single In & Out. The Glasgow four-piece band burst on to the pop scene with their energetic cover version of the Christina Aguilera
WHEN is a motorbike not a motorbike? When it's at Blackburn with Darwen Council! A planning meeting at Blackburn town hall descended into fits of laughter when town hall officers claimed they were unable to call a motorbike a motorbike - and insisted
