AS part of its commitment to its flagship education policy, the Government's bid to encourage more teenagers to take part in post-16 studies by giving them free travel to college may seem a positive incentive. But the string attached to it as the scheme
CHILDREN at Westcliff Infant School in Bispham have been welcoming their new headteacher following the departure of Sandra O'Donnell. Susan Wilson has stepped into the shoes of former headmistress Mrs O'Donnell, who recently took her retirement. She said
KIRKHAM Grammar School has been awarded a top academic accolade for offering a high standard of education. Headmaster Barry Stacey said he was delighted after receiving news that the school has been elected to membership of the Headmasters and Headmistresses
THE Wigan Corporate Football six-a-side leagues are looking for new teams for the Spring/Summer season. All matches are played midweek evenings on an outdoor all-weather pitch. The new leagues will run for 16 weeks with entry on a first-come-first served
GLAZEBURY CC went down bravely in a hectic run chase. A target of 201-4 posted by Deane & Derby proved too much. All the Glazebury bowlers suffered in the DD innings with Tom Milmine hammered for 72 runs and not a wicket to his name. A defiant 42
DAVE DOVE ran out of partners and time as Leigh drew with Wigan. The old enemy batted first and were soon in trouble at 66-6 and then 111-8, medium pacer Graham Duddle causing all sorts of problems to take five crucial wickets. Graham Bolton steadied
SECOND Division rivals Swindon Town are on the trail of Shakers centre back Chris Swailes. Bury chairman Terry Robinson yesterday confirmed that the newly-relegated West Country club have made enquiries regarding the influential defender and could return
HAZARD: Residents in a Bury street were refusing to pay their rates until urgent action was taken to solve an on going traffic problem which was putting the lives of children at risk. Homeowners in Kay Street accused Bury Council of doing nothing to stop
I TAKE my hat off to Walt Meadows (Letters, June 5) -- he would make a brilliant propaganda writer for the Ministry of Information should the UK ever become involved in a future war. However, his hysterical anti-Labour propaganda runs seriously off track
MR L Lawes (Letters, June 13), knows quite well that I am the same D Pearson who is a Conservative councillor, seeing that he has been a close friend of my family for more years than I care to remember. I was not trying to make any political point, just
ON May 31, I tendered my resignation as an independent councillor on Hyndburn Council in the most public way I could think of, I didn't reach my decision to resign lightly, but I wanted to bring to the public's attention several matters which, I felt,
THE body found in a Pendle river was that of missing wedding guest Keith Munton, police confirmed today. Mr Munton, 57, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, had been missing for 12 days when his body was discovered by police yesterday, trapped in the branches
TWO historic buildings in Leigh and Tyldesley are at risk of being lost forever unless money is pumped into saving them. English Heritage claims the Engine House at Leigh Spinners Mill and a former administration block at Astley Hospital could rot away
Boro are reportedly lining up a £6m offer for the former Rovers striker, who has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his £10m switch from Ewood last summer.
Rovers' First Division rivals Fulham have signed FC Metz striker Louis Saha, 21, in a £2.1million deal. Saha, a former French Under-18 international, had a loan spell with Newcastle United in the 1998/99 season and becomes new manager Jean Tigana's first
AN absolute pleasure! Over the last 12 days it has been my family's privilege to host one of the Romanian children shown in the Star. Not only were they happy, intelligent and grateful for the chance given to them by the various families, their manners
SO the cost of the new 'Cabinet' is public knowledge (Star, May 25). Very expensive, more decisions taken by fewer people wielding more power behind closed doors, more houses handed over to private profit. "No money for maintenance" is the cry". And who
MY team-mates and I have just completed the second St Helens Corporate Cup. As defending champions of Division 2, we were all looking forward to the running of this event. However, things soon turned sour from the start. The whole field were herded into
A BUG which can make vulnerable people seriously ill has been detected at a local water treatment works. North West Water has reported the discovery at its Hoghton site to both South Ribble Borough Council and South Lancashire Health Authority. But the
A MEMBER of Lancashire Women's Institute has revealed the reason she joined in the heckling of Tony Blair last week. The Prime Minister was heckled and slow hand-clapped as he made a speech to a 10,000-strong audience at Wembley Arena in north London.
FIVE local schools have been awarded Beacon status from the Department of Education and Employment. The award, which recognises outstanding practice in all areas of school life, has also been given to St Andrew's School in Ashton-on-Ribble, Manor Road
PRESTON'S allotments are the best, according to the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. Preston has been named the best town of its size for providing and publicising allotments, with 543 gardening plots covering almost 50,000 acres of
PRESTON Magistrates have fined a farmer £700 for polluting a brook in Inglewhite. Andrew Butler, of Lower Barker Farm, Button Street, in Inglewhite, was also ordered to pay £303.79 in costs to the Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution. The
HUNDREDS of thousands of items of mail for the Chorley postcode area could not be delivered last year, Post Office chiefs have revealed. And an astonishing six million-plus items were 'undeliverable' throughout the entire North West for various reasons
ELDERLY tenants are threatening to stage a sit-in protest over council plans to launch a housing service right on their doorstep. Residents along Harewood Road, Deepdale, are fearful that a proposed sub-housing office operating from the estate will attract
A PRESTON couple has slammed Lancashire Education Authority for turning down their daughter's appeal for a school place -- in a letter dated the day before the hearing. Mark and Tracey Tunesi have been desperately trying to register their four-year-old
SCHOOLGIRL Jennifer Hurst has had to cope with more than her fair share of troubles in her young life but has always managed to come up smiling -- and now the brave 12 year old is to get her just reward in the shape of a special Diabetes UK Young Achiever
COASTGUARDS battled for four hours in ten-feet high waves to rescue three people stranded in a yacht in Morecambe Bay. The boat had run aground in water about a 1,000 yards from the shore at Heysham when its engine failed just after 7pm on Monday (June
RAMPAGING vandals who wrecked a garden of remembrance at Lancaster crematorium have been condemned by bosses. The hooligans are believed to have struck in the early hours of Wednesday morning, leaving staff the task of cleaning up the mess and explaining
THREE pensioners have been stranded in Lancaster three times when their return bus to Morecambe failed to turn up. Betty Hayden, 75, of Westgate, Morecambe, and her two friends regularly travel to Lancaster on a Sunday afternoon to play bingo. But on
A COUNCIL leader has hit back at claims that Morecambe's annual charity carnival could be crippled by council regulations. Last week, carnival organisers told the Citizen that plans for the August festival were being hampered by new restrictions. Committee
PENDLE's "Mr Co-op" Len Dole has been honoured for nearly 50 years' service to the co-operative movement. Labour stalwart, Len, 82, of Lomeshaye Place, Nelson, who is stepping down as chairman of the Lancashire area of Co-operative Retail Services received
THE body found in a Pendle river was that of missing wedding guest Keith Munton, police confirmed today. Mr Munton, 57, of Birtwistle Avenue, Colne, had been missing for 12 days when his body was discovered by police yesterday, trapped in the branches
A KNIFEMAN who attacked a friend in his own home was "out of his mind," on drugs and could not remember anything about it, a court was told. Burnley Crown Court heard how father-to-be Andrew Butler, 32, had been released on licence from a five-year jail
SAINTS' chances for Sunday's terrace-packer against Leeds Rhinos at Knowsley Road (6.35) could be boosted by the return of Keiron Cunningham. The Test hooker has been missing since May 7 after damaging an ankle at Castleford. But he reported no reaction
TENNIS pals Samantha Welch and Jane Greenwood are a double act to keep an eye on in the future after taking tennis tournaments in Preston by storm in the past couple of weeks. They won the National Rover Club League u13 county final doubles for Broughton
PRESTON Jazz baseball team seem to have landed a major coup with the signing Vince Garcia, performance director of the Great Britain baseball international squads. Pitcher Garcia, 31, predicted great things for the Lancashire side last season when they
TWENTY seasons ago an ex-Saints' star was the driving force behind the launch of an organisation that still thrives - now he has received its ultimate accolade. For full-back Geoff Pimblett (54) became the 28th entry into the Past Players' Association
A GROUP of students from the Black Forest area of Germany are enjoying a taste of East Lancashire hospitality. Ten 13 to15-year-olds from Gengenbach are spending 10 days with students at Primet High School, Colne, as part of an exchange scheme between
A LEADING local bakery has pledged to support the Help a Local Child Appeal by signing a sponsorship deal with Preston's Rock FM and Magic 999. The two-year deal means Greggs North West will support a number of the station's fund-raising initiatives,
THE depressed owner of a Chinese takeaway slashed his throat and wrists before getting into a chest freezer to die, an inquest heard. The body of Wing Chun Yeung was found after his 13-year-old daughter came home from school and saw blood in the premises
PRESTON North End's Deepdale stadium is no stranger to housing 15,000 people screaming their support, but last weekend saw the stands packed for a different reason. That's the Spirit was a joint celebration by scores of Christian churches throughout Lancashire
COUNCIL chiefs have applied for £20 million of central government funding to try and tackle the borough's most deprived estates. Preston council have made the bid to regenerate parts of Avenham, Central and Riversway -- categorised as being among the
BATTLING Barbara Castle, Labour MP in Blackburn for more than 34 years, was awarded the highest decoration in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. She was made a Baroness in recognition of her work in politics -- and immediately warned Margaret Thatcher
NEW jobs and environmental improvements were coming into Hyndburn as millions of pounds of European funding started to flow into the borough. A report to councillors revealed that the borough had already secured £1.6million, and more bids were in the
A HEADTEACHER today became the second in as many days to appeal for vandals to stay away from his school. Tony Gallagher, head at St Mary's RC Primary School, Devonshire Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, is pleading with the vandals who have struck at his school
A GOVERNMENT trade minister is to contact bosses at a doomed wiring factory in a bid to force a U-turn. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope met DTI minister Richard Caborn after Leoni announced the planned closure of its Accrington site, which used to known as LucasRists
A POPULAR cricket umpire collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack while officiating at a match. Mr Richard Luty, from Rutherford Drive, Over Hulton, was umpiring at a second team match between Atherton and Darcy Lever in Hacken Lane on Saturday
PLANNING watchdogs over-ruled officers' advice and put a Lowton farmland homes plan on ice. Hope Carr's Cllr Mark Hale was furious after planning department officers advised him and fellow planning committee members to accept developers assurances that
STAFF at an Atherton sex shop which has been told to close its doors have told The Journal: "We're not going anywhere". People and traders in the town welcomed news this week that Wigan Council had ordered the Hot Spot, on Market Street, to quit within
TWO pie spies have launched a scathing attack on Leigh Centurions - blasting the club's catering department and ripping holes in its stadium. Dave Roberts and Gary Town put Hilton Park at a lowly 22 out of the 32 rugby league clubs they visited last season
LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffe has launched a bitter attack on Hollywood film-makers for ignoring the British sailors who seized the vital Enigma codes and machine from a German submarine, and making them American instead. He has joined Bolton North East
RE the article 'tourist links are on the right track', June 8. It would have required a miracle for the first train to arrive in 1805, from Leeds/Bradford as the track was not laid at that date. The line was not announced until 1844, with the track laid-in
IN the last few days we've had the unedifying spectacle of the local Greens rushing to celebrate the latest setback to the Western Bypass. They ignore the benefits that even the local Plan Inspector acknowledged the road would bring less atmospheric pollution
A RIBBLE Valley school has been officially reopened after a £165,000 refurbishment. Canon Peter Ballard, diocesan director of education, opened St Leonard's Primary School in Langho in a ceremony which was also attended by the Rev Steve Cooper, parents
aI DO not have much time for the political views of Cllr Greg Beaman. In fact, I do not have much time for politicians generally. When we have a close look at those who want to change the world we usually find that the best possible start that they could
WITH regard to the current debate about the deregulation of the numbers of hackney cabs ( which would still remain under council supervision) there are several points that are worthy of consideration. 1The increasing population of the area , due to the
THE BAY NORTHERN ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE: Darwen 97-4 (Keith Semple 58 not out) v Kendal 96 (Terry Hunte 38, Jamie Nichol 4-8, Jeff Hacking 3-18); Fleetwood 156 (Mark Wilkinson 37) v Morecambe 160-4 (Phil Thornton 69 not out, Tommy Clough 41 not out
RAIN forced Blackpool to abandon their match against Lancaster at Lune Road at a delicately balanced position. Blackpool needed only 42 runs for victory with five wickets and eight overs remaining when, for their second match in succession, rain stopped
IN Division A of the Rossall Monday Sixes, Athletico 6 FC beat Scotch Bakery 5-2 while Paul Zak scored for Fleetwood Flyers to see them with a 1-0 win over Symbol Social Club. Stella United had a comfortable 5-1 win against Milton Dynamos and The Royals
BLACKPOOL boss Steve McMahon is searching for another two players to complete his squad for the Division Three campaign. Following the signings of midfielders Mike Milligan and Lee Collins, Macca has revealed that he wants a further two players -- not
ST ANNES recorded their third win of the season with a comfortable six wicket victory over Leyland at Vernon Road. The home side recorded 112-4 against in reply to Leyland's 106. Russ Bradley won the toss and put the visitors into bat. It opposed a prudent
JASON Twist has become Embassy World 8-Ball Pool champion for the first time after the most dramatic final in the eight year history of the £41,000 tournament. The 32-year-old from Ilfracombe, who knocked out holder Quinten Hann in the semi-finals, captured
SPECTATORS at Broadwater on Saturday (June 10) for the Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League clash between third placed Fleetwood and seventh placed Morecambe were kept on the edge of their seats for a great part of the game as the fortunes of the two teams
MORECAMBE motorbike ace John McGuinness rounded off a successful week at the Isle of Man TT festival with a fourth place in Saturday's senior TT. The 26 year old, with one TT win already under his belt, was hampered when he began to run out of fuel in
MORECAMBE will be hopeful of recording their fourth win of the season on Saturday as they travel to bottom of the league Preston. If they play to their full potential they should be favourites for an important victory. Lancaster face a tough contest at
NOTORIOUS Lancaster stripogram king Brian Grove looks set to close his famous Crazy Girls agency -- because he can't find enough strippers. If a last ditch recruitment drive fails, the company's stormy nine year history will end in just a few weeks, with
EYES down -- it's bingo time at a local Sue Ryder home. Residents of Cuerden Hall, Bamber Bridge can play all day long thanks to the generosity of regulars at Preston's Gala bingo club who donated £200 to buy a new bingo machine for the home. Cuerden
STONE AGE met "all the rage" at Kirkham and Wesham gala on Saturday (June 10) as fancy dress found fur-wearing cavemen and colourful comic Ali G in the procession through the two towns. Sunshine smiled on the biggest ever turnout for the Millennium Church
A SECOND all-out bus strike by Blackpool Transport workers is set to take the town's buses and trams off the road throughout the weekend of June 24 and 25. Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) are reported to be no longer in negotiations
PUPILS at King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham have proved they are well versed in the art of performance after staging a poetry and prose reading competition. Nearly 200 boys and girls from years seven and eight selected their favourite passages
WHEN it comes to big band music there is one British band that dominates the scene -- the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. And the band which has blown away audiences around the world for the past 30 years is playing at the Blackpool Grand Theatre on June 25 at
WORKERS at a Blackpool factory went on a one-day strike this week in protest over a pay and redundancy package. And despite the department's canteen staff being instructed not to sell the strikers any refreshments by the management, the men remained in
MOVE over Robbie Williams! Talented pensioners showed the younger generation a thing or to at Morecambe's Dome theatre last Wednesday. They were bidding for a place in the finals of the Whitbread Senior Citizens Talent Contest, open to over 60s and with
MORECAMBE'S Auckland Hotel beat off tough competition to scoop second spot in a prestigious national competition. The family run 41 room hotel finished second to the St Kilda Hotel, Llandudno, in the Individual section of the Group Travel Awards 2000.
RAY HILTON is revving up for the AMCA British Championships. The 25-year-old motorcycling ace began racing some 10 years ago. A member of the Leigh Motorcycling Club, he has quickly moved up through the ranks from junior to senior to expert. Ray competes
THE sudden death of Richard Luty has cast a shadow over the local cricket scene, especially within the Bolton Asssociation. Richard was a popular umpire, a Yorkshireman with a dry sense of humour, respected by players and officials alike and had been
THEY'RE the double dazzlers from Astley & Tyldesley MW Cycle Speedway. Damien Hack, who was captain, and Lee Harper were members of the Northern Junior Knockout Cup-winning team. Meanwhile, A&T travelled to Heckmondwike for their Northern Fours
DEPLETED Leigh Harriers were forced to battle for their points on sunny Sunday. Without any of their U17s squad, the team had to rely on the strength of their U15s. Liz Heaton (2.37) and Amy Wood (3.04) both won their 800 races, while at 1500 precious
ATHERTON batsman Jonathan Fearick was in knockout form for Bolton Association at the weekend. But, despite his man-of-the-match performance, the Lancashire Knockout champions fell at the first hurdle. They crashed out in a 41-run defeat to the Saddleworth
A GANG of teenagers have been blasted as "mindless morons" by a senior Bury fire officer. Leading fireman Gary Costin believes the group of ten 15 and 16 year olds set fire to plastic swings at Hoyles Park in Bury and then waited for the fire brigade
FORMER Bury MP Alistair Burt has launched a political comeback just three years after losing his seat. He has been chosen to defend the safe Tory seat of North East Bedfordshire, where Sir Nicholas Lyell is standing down. Mr Burt (45) represented Bury
THE long-term future of a primary school which closes its doors to young pupils for the very last time at the end of term, is to be debated next week. Bury Council's Cabinet members will discuss potential uses for the existing building and site at Brandlesholme
BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent will meet Ian Wright in London next week in a last attempt to keep the former England striker at Turf Moor. Wright has indicated that he will stick to his plan to retire from professional football this summer. But Ternent, back
PRESTON'S legendary Town End is set to be replaced by a superb two-tier stand after the club's long-running battle with the local council over planning permission was finally resolved. Club chiefs are determined to get as many seats as possible inside
A BREWERY'S pub chain is expanding with a major deal in the Midlands. Blackburn-based Thwaites has bought nine flagship pubs in the Solihull and Coventry area from Bass. The pubs will come under the firm's managed houses division, Thwaites Inns. "This
FRAUD cases are on the rise according to accountants. In the North West 12 cases of major fraud involving more than £100,000 each were brought through the courts in 1999. The total value of the frauds in the region -- which included the Blackburn family
A PARTIALLY blind woman was attacked and robbed as she walked through St Helens town centre some time between 2.30 and 3.30pm on Wednesday, June 7. After withdrawing £110 from a cash-point machine at the Halifax branch in Church Square, the 51-year-old
A TEAM of 12 Prince's Trust volunteers are aiming to refurbish Derbyshire Hill Family and Community Centre -- with a little help from generous local folk. The volunteer course is run by St Helens College and supported by Saints skipper Chris Joynt and
BURY'S pre-season plans have been dealt a blow with the news that Marvin Bryan has signed for Second Division rivals Rotherham United. The 24-year-old right sided defender/midfielder joined the Millers on Tuesday and that's sure to be a disappointment
WILLOWBROOK Hospice is blowing the bugle in a bid to enlist more recruits in its fight to help local cancer patients. The hospice offers free care and treatments to local people who are suffering from cancer and other life-threatening illness. Now it
STAFF at The World of Glass will be playing host to a royal visitor on Friday, July 7, and they would like the people of St Helens to join in their celebrations on the big day. Although the visitor centre will be closed during the Prince's visit The World
SIX St Helens schools have scored top marks in the latest round of government awards. The six - Birchley St Mary's RC, Eccleston Mere, Rivington, St Mary's RC and District C of E primary schools, plus Rainford High School -- have been earmarked among
THE dream of a Millennium Centre dedicated to providing advice and support for local people has taken a step closer to reality. For work has started on the site earmarked to house it - the former Rivoli Cinema in Corporation Street. Officials of the Harry
A MOTHER taking her disabled baby to a hospital appointment says she was ordered off a bus by the driver because the child's pram wouldn't fold up! Karen Croston, from Legh Street, Earlestown, was boarding the number 420 Warrington Borough Transport service
ST HELENS Council has now introduced its Cabinet-style structure. Under the new arrangement, a leader and Cabinet has been appointed to give strategic direction to the council and ten executive councillors will be involved in decisions about how services
Weekly roadworks update: A 547 Warrington Road, Leigh Work on Breaston Bridge, replacement of bridge and re-alignment of road until March 2001. Leigh Town Centre Area Work on footways and carriageways in connection with the Leigh to Bolton Quality Bus
EAGLE-eyed bus inspectors have become adept at spotting counterfeit passes. First Manchester's team of checkers have been so successful in recent months that during May four cases of forgery were prosecuted and the defendants convicted. The company, which
POLICE are still hunting three armed robbers who brandished a sledge hammer and a knife, terrifying Post Office staff and a customer in Leigh. The masked men burst into Westleigh Post Office, on Westleigh Lane, and confronted the shop's owner Jayprakash
I AM writing to you with a personal plea to help save lives. June is The Cancer Research Campaign's Men's Cancer Awareness Month and the charity is particularly focusing on prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men in the UK. This disease
A CASH-STRAPPED Blackpool nursery has finally been given its own home after 13 years of operating from a church hall, thanks to the Blackpool Challenge Partnership. And if it all goes to plan, the new permanent home for the nursery - a £100,000 galvanised
DOVES flew high in the air, water cascaded and fireworks exploded... then Valhalla ground to a halt less than 60 minutes after the £15 million ride had been officially opened by TV star Jonathan Ross (pictured). The presenter had shattered Odin's symbol
BIG is best according to Layton Institute as comedy duo Larger Than Life swept the board at Friday's Star Search talent final (June 9). The comic couple from Macclesfield scooped the top prize of £1,000 after winning over a panel of local judges with
YOU may think roller coaster maniac Richard Rodriguez has gone round the bend. But he aims to go round a lot more bends to smash his own world record for roller coaster marathons by riding on the Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach for an amazing 2,000
HUNDREDS of people could face an uncertain future if a leading mental health charity goes ahead with plans to axe its services across the North West. MIND, the charity which helps people suffering from mental health problems, are expected to pull the
THE organisation that helps smaller firms in East Lancashire has been rocked by the resignation of six business bosses. The six, including heads of some of the area's biggest employers, quit the board of Business Link East Lancashire in protest over the
ENGLAND'S do-or-die match with Germany tomorrow in Euro 2000 carries the dreams of millions of fans. Christine Fazackerley, wife of former Blackburn Rovers player Derek, has been putting up with the game's highs and lows for more than 20 years and she's
CHRIS Schofield continued on the long road back to an England recall in Liverpool today. The 21-year-old Lancashire leg spinner, who was released from the Test squad on Tuesday, had a long bowl against the New Zealand A tourists and picked up two wickets
SOUTH African all-rounder Mark Temple is horrified that 'fiend' Hansie Cronje has emerged as match-fixing's central character. But the Barnoldswick professional is pleased that cricket's betting scandal has been brought out into the open. Temple admits
I AM writing with regard to a new television show we are producing about people who live in unusual homes across Britain. By unusual, we mean people who live in trees, train carriages, converted submarines, underground etc or people who have created an
WHY does our MP, Hilton Dawson, keep voting to tax us more when he stood on a platform of not raising taxes -- and let's not quibble as to when a tax is not a tax. Labour has refused to raise the level at which the higher rate of tax applies in line with
IT was with great interest I read the report in The Citizen (June 8) concerning the reduction in the waiting lists at Blackpool's Victoria Hospital. It would seem that the hospital just makes patients waiting for appointments disappear -- by not putting
THE superior batting strength of their rivals cost St Helens dear in two games at the weekend. But the loss of Gareth Davies and Adam Friar, added to other long-term absentees, only topped up St Helens cup of woe this season. In Saturday's league game
HUNDREDS of people could face an uncertain future if a leading mental health charity goes ahead with plans to axe its services across the North West. MIND, the charity which helps people suffering from mental health problems, are expected to pull the
I'M appealing to the conscience of a thief this week. Have a heart and please return the walking stick that you snatched from outside an Atherton pensioner's house. Mrs Muriel Hatcher, 75, was picking flowers at her Gloucester Street home on Thursday
LEIGH winger Alan Hadcroft is likely to miss the rest of the season. He is in plaster after further medical checks revealed he fractured his left leg at Oldham more than a week ago. The injury has shown up on a second x-ray after a first examination revealed
THE Centurions newest fan can't wait for her next visit to Hilton Park. Christine Segger, the grand-daughter of ex-Leigh great Tom Johnson and his brother Sam, is hooked on Leigh. She was the guest of the club at a recent game when he was given various
LOCAL residents who want to take advantage of the special rates currently on offer at The World of Glass should get along to the Chalon Way visitor centre now. Discounted rates for St Helens folk will finish at the end of June. Presently, tickets are
LEIGH'S' planned swoop for Western Samoan international half-back Willie Swann appears to be on the verge of collapse. The club and Swann have agreed terms but it has now been discovered the talented half-back may not qualify for exclusion from the overseas
WITH a perfect sense of timing, Leigh Centurions are showing signs of hitting peak form just when they need it most. Another precious win in their chase for Northern Ford Premiership honours came with the sort of fluency expected, and demanded, at Hilton
AN event to promote racial harmony in Bury was marred by angry clashes between rival Asian factions this week. And one man was arrested and police officers mobilised when scuffles erupted outside the Town Hall prior to Wednesday night's (June 14) annual
Summer Fair, Feniscowles Infant School, Park Farm Road, Feniscowles, 11am-2pm. "The Lost Days of Pauline Aitken," Clitheroe Castle Museum, 11am-4.30pm. 50/50 Dancing with MC's Duncan and Margaret, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, 7.30pm-11pm
SKIPPER Ian Seddon led from the front but Golborne were no match for Bolton Association champions Walshaw. Seddon struck a superb 40 and had good support with Graham Marston's 20. But there was little else to shout about and a 4-40 haul from pro Jonathan
ANDY HALL ran his heart out for Atherton. But in the end they were happy to settle for a home draw with Darcy Lever just six runs short at close of play. Hall was unbeaten on 80 in Atherton's total of 180-8, only Greg Greenough (40) keeping him company
ATRIO of sidelined players are set to return to the Swinton squad for the trip to Barrow on Sunday. The Lions are hoping to welcome back forwards Jon Neill and Phil Cushion, while Paul Barrow could also come into the reckoning after recovering from a
SWINTON forward Matt Knowles jets out to a new life in Australia today after receiving an offer he couldn't refuse, writes STEVE BOTT. Knowles, who works in the building trade, found himself out of work a couple of weeks ago. Then along came a phone call
Swinton Lions 28 Whitehaven Warriors 28 SWINTON coach Mike Gregory made no attempt to hide his feelings after the Lions' Friday night sojourn to Edge Hall Road, the home of Orrell RUFC, turned into a nightmare. After racing into a 24-8 half-time lead,
1963: Junior Lieutenant Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman is space when she blasted off from Tyuratam in the USSR aboard Vostok 6. The 26-year-old orbited the earth 48 times in 70 hours and 50 minutes. 1815: The Battle of Ligny was waged today
IF E Keighley (Letters, June 9) believes that William Hague has never had an original thought since becoming leader of the Conservative Party, then I suggest he views BBC at 3pm every Wednesday. Then he will see Hague completely outthink and outsmart
WE would like to thank all in Darwen who contributed to our recent house-to-house collection which raised £1,250. Also, following our appeal through your newspaper for bric-a-brac, we received an excellent response and raised £4,454 from our stall at
JOHN Farrer's remarks on gridlock in Oswaldtwistle and his selection of Labour-run Lancashire County Council as the cause of it (Letters, June 14), caused a wry smile. Surely, he is not surprised by the design of the facilities for the new bus route.
WHEN delegates to the National Union of Teachers conference "walked out" on a government minister a few weeks ago, the media flew into a frenzy of attacks on the union, named individuals allegedly responsible for orchestrating disruptive behaviour and
AM I alone in questioning the sanity of the operators of the illuminated warning signs along the M65? I have lost count of the times when, after travelling for several miles at the indicated 50 or 30 mph along a perfectly clear motorway, free of roadworks
SINCE I wrote (Letters, June 9) about dumping and tree damage in our neighbourhood, an old settee and several other items were also dumped. But this took a more sinister turn as the settee contained a needle and a small girl was unlucky enough to get
LABOUR hopefuls will have to sit out the summer before they discover who is odds-on favourite to become Leigh's next MP. With long-serving Lawrence Cunliffe's decision not to stand at the next election the race to fill one of the safest seats in Parliament
MACK SENNETT? He just makes movies... And that in a nutshell is what Mack and Mabel running at Blackpool Grand Theatre this week is all about, writes Sarah Sharp. But, simply to say that, misses out on the charm and downright enthusiasm the Premier Theatre
CROWDS have always flocked to Blackpool to see an old fashioned variety show. And this year The Grumbleweeds are providing the fun part of the Big Big Laughter show at the North Pier Theatre. These show business veterans have been performing variations
COLLEGE bosses are making a formal complaint to Education Secretary David Blunkett over a free travel scheme which they claim unfairly excludes their students. Lancashire County Council has won Government funding to offer college students free travel
Rovers have confirmed details of their tour to Southern Germany next month which is set to incorporate two full-scale friendlies. Bahlinger SC will provide the first opponents on Friday July 14th with a follow-up game against Offenburger FV scheduled
WING wizard Damien Duff today delivered the news all Blackburn Rovers fans wanted to hear by agreeing to sign a new four-year contract with the club. The 21-year-old wide man has been the subject of intense speculation this summer with Newcastle United
I WRITE to inform you of an innovation which is making its way into our supermarkets. It is the 'British Farm Standard' logo, which will soon be recognised by all shoppers. It was commissioned by the National Farmers Union to be easily recognisable, and
A SPATE of attacks on a Leyland estate agents has spurred the owners to strike back. The Brian Pilkington store, in Hough Lane, has been burgled repeatedly over the past few months, and now bosses are hoping to stop it happening again by having CCTV installed
BERMUDA is the land of sun, sea and football, according to an exiled North Ender who has just netted a PNE book over the Internet! Lifelong North End fan Chris Whittle, 58, agreed to hand more than £150 for a PNE book -- worth no more than £12 -- in a
A MAN paid for roofing work he did on an elderly woman's home went on to steal several hundred pounds from her. Lee Featon succumbed to theft the same day he returned to the address with a receipt, Preston Crown Court heard. He was jailed for a year on
EAST Lancashire's outdoor theatre season was launched at Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, with the publication of a new brochure. The brochure, put together by the ELATE project, was unveiled before the first performance by the Ophaboom Theatre. It has details
A GARAGE in Forton has been fined more than £4,000 for illegally burning controlled waste. J. Boardman (Garages) Limited, of Recovery House, Forton, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to disposal of controlled waste, including burning 100 tyres
MARSH estate residents fear their long awaited community centre may bite the dust - unless Lancashire County Council gives them a vital strip of land. The Marsh Tenants and Residents' Association is negotiating to buy the soon to be demolished St George's
LANCASHIRE County Council has pledged an additional £41,000 to enable work to start on Lancaster's long-awaited new bus station. The extra money will bridge the short-fall of funding caused when tenders for the ambitious £2 million pound project were
THE Bishop of Lancaster, the Right Reverend John Brewer, died this week after a lengthy battle against cancer. Bishop Brewer, 70, had been suffering from cancer of the bladder for six years, and finally lost his fight for life at last weekend. His secretary
COUNCILLORS say they will press ahead with controversial bypass plans after the Western route was knocked back by an independent inspector. The £55 million scheme has been rejected by Government inspectors examining the city council's Local Plan. A 1995
NORTH END manager David Moyes has pledged his future to the club following speculation over the latest moves in the managerial merry-go-round. Moyes was linked with the Sheffield Wednesday job and was thought to be next choice after ex-Wimbledon supremo
THE following duty chemists will be available for dispensing services on Sunday, June 11, between noon and 1pm (unless stated otherwise): Boots the Chemists, 42 Eccleston Street, Prescot; Taylor's Chemist, 191 West End Road, Haydock (10am to 8pm); Lloyds
A MAJOR £1.2 million redevelopment of one of Pendle's most prominent buildings into a business centre will be unveiled next week. It is hoped the extensive facelift at Linden House, Colne --the former Nelson and Colne College hairdressing and beauty department
NEARLY 300 new recruits are being sought by Great Universal Shopping group. A total of 270 jobs are to be offered at the GUS call centre in London Road, despite rumours that the firm were axing 800 staff due to profit losses. Nicola Kettle, Human Resources
YOUNG entrepeneurs have been given a helping hand into the business world, thanks to a £10,000 boost. BNFL's UK Fuel Business, based at Springfields, near Preston, will fund a development manager to lead Lancashire's Young Enterprise Scheme, costing £5,000
POLICE believe thieves responsible for stealing 14 bullocks from a Chipping farm had good knowledge of farm activities. The culprits managed to escape undetected and Longridge police say they must have used heavy duty transport to remove the animals.
POLICE in Leigh have told licensees to step-up security after a spate of thefts from fruit machines. Criminals have been breaking into pubs in the early hours and raiding cash which has built up inside the games. The amounts stolen have varied from a
A POIGNANT ceremony to bestow the freedom of the borough to the Army descendants of the famous Accrington Pals has been postponed indefinitely. Hyndburn Council chiefs had planned to award the Freedom of the Borough to the Queen's Lancashire Regiment,
A SERIES of proposed road schemes are set to make the town's carriageways safer. Council bosses have given the green light for five planned traffic projects in the area to be advertised. Before any work can be carried out all the schemes will be the subject
TWO East Lancashire schools have been highlighted as proof that children don't have to come from well-off families to get good exam results. Government statistics show that traditionally schools where children come from poorer families don't do as well
A FORMER Atherton schoolteacher died after he suffered a massive heart attack while swimming. It was first thought that Stephen Langin, who taught art at St Mary's RC High in Astley, had drowned in the pool at Howe Bridge sports centre when he had an
TWO sadly missed Astley villagers were remembered in Millennium celebrations on Saturday. Two benches have been placed at the new Whitehead Hall Meadow beauty spot in memory of 18-years-old Tony Newton, who was killed in a tragic road accident, and founding
AN on-the-ball ambulance crew delivered a Golborne couple's seventh baby - and their first - in record time on Friday. Thirty-nine-years-old Karen Koppel gave birth to her fifth son just minutes after starting in labour, and moments after paramedic, Michelle
COUNCILLOR Hart and I do, indeed, agree on one point. It is extraordinary that five councillors could make such an impact in such a short time. More of the dracula in a bloodbank variety, but an impact nonetheless. And to think I voted for them on the
NO doubt I shall be criticised for writing to you as I have only lived here nine months. Two points, however, struck me vividly; One, the mind blowing incompetence of Lancaster Council (at management level) and two, the dedication, cheerfulness at the
BEFORE the bulldozers arrive, perhaps I can start the discussion about who should pay for the Western Bypass. Obviously, it's going to cost a lot more than the quote of £55 million. Then there's policing costs; at Newbury they budgeted for about £1million
WHAT a waste of public money to even think of building a new bus station in Lancaster when there is a perfectly good one already. All the present one needs is refurbishing. The council should look at the original designs and try to restore it. It was
CARNFORTH'S Steve Head overcame three punctures and a damaged suspension to record his third straight 1600cc rally win in Scotland at the weekend. Head, 25, and his co-driver Andrew Dugdale lead the race from start to finish, and ended the race just 20
BRINGING kudos to his college! That's young entrepreneur and student Anthony Edmondson who has won a major national award to mark his commitment and ability to Team Enterprise. For Anthony (19 ), who attends Bury College, has been presented with a coveted
TWO businessmen from the Bury area have proved they have the winning formula when it comes to world-wide advertising. They have scooped a prestigious international marketing award for North West speciality chemicals company Avecia following research by
"THEY have an honours degree in arrogance," was one Fylde councillor's opinion of Royal Lytham St Annes Golf Club after it cut down hundreds of trees. Coun Peter Davies was speaking yesterday (June 15) at a meeting of the Fylde Planning Committee in Wesham
OH we do like to be beside the seaside! That's the cry of the cast of Coronation Street as they packed their bags and swapped the Street for the Prom. After all the traumatic events of the last two weeks on ITV's ratings-grabbing soap, producers decided
DISAPPOINTED Morecambe fans were looking to the future this week as they learnt that star striker Justin Jackson was to move to Conference rivals Rushden and Diamonds. The non-league game's leading goalscorer moved on for an undisclosed fee of over £150,000
SPRING is in the air and Blackpool is host to a bevy of beautiful babes as the finals of a national competition are held this weekend. "Miss Spring Babe 2000" final is being held at the Blackpool nightspot on Friday (June 16) and almost 30 contestants
PLANS for a £ million project to repair sea defences at Cleveleys look set to go ahead following a council meeting this week. The sea wall between Victoria Road West and Jubilee Gardens is in desperate need of repair after taking a battering from the
A WIDE ranging review of services has been promised by Blackpool Council's acting leader George Bancroft. Coun Bancroft, who took up the position following the shock resignation of Ivan Taylor as leader last week, has vowed to scrutinise all the council's
PEOPLE power is coming to Blackpool town centre with residents getting a say as to how to improve the area where they live. Residents are to be invited to a series of "street" meetings to discuss how the special funding of £2 million awarded to Blackpool
POLICE are appealing for information about a burglary from a house on Edward Street, Morecambe. A Goodmans video recorder and a Pentax camera worth £520 were taken from the house on June 12. Two white men carrying a video camera were seen heading towards
HAIR today, gone tomorrow! Keith Bewley shed his lengthy locks in a bid to help clear landmines in Namibia. He visits the African country later this month after raising over £2,000 for the Mines Advisory Group. He ran a competition between 12 local hairdressers
I'M sorry if you think I'm banging on about this, but one week into Euro 2000 and personally I think I'd rather die than turn on the TV. And, coming from someone who really could win for England when it comes to that particular sport, that's saying something
YOU just can't put a good Shark down! Hindsford Sharks U9s created their own unique piece of mini soccer history when they entered the Horwich St Mary's Front Runner Trophy. They ended up winning the competition -- and finishing as runners-up as well!
EIGHT stalwarts of local amateur football will be honoured later this month. They are the lifeblood of soccer's grassroots -- and at the annual meeting of the Lancashire Football Association they will stand with pride. The AGM will be held at the County
THEY'RE walking down The Avenue with heads held high. They scored a comfortable win against 10-man Foundry in the Leigh Pub Cricket League. Steady Eddy Picard top scored for Foundry on 30 -- following a lot of advice on shot selection from The Avenue's
NINE youngsters from Tyldesley Swimming Club hit a High Five at Everton. They were members of the Central Lancashire team which took part in an inter-association gala at Everton Park Pool. And, competing against squads from Bolton & District, Cumbria
EDNA SMITH really knows her bowls. And she has managed to put her knowledge of the intricacies of the crown green with success both as a player -- and a referee. "You have to know your bowls if you're going to referee it," emphasises Edna. And the lady
A PRESTWICH doctor has been suspended amid a probe into the running of his surgery. The move has been taken by Bury and Rochdale Health Authority following an investigation into the operation of 50-year-old Dr Colin Ogdon's Prestwich Health Centre practice
MOTHERS in Outwood have joined forces to take action before a child is killed. Within the past few weeks four youngsters have been knocked down on Outwood Road, and parents fear it is only a matter of time before there is a fatality. Now, the worried
VIOLENCE against medical staff in Bury is on the increase. New annual figures have shown the problem is escalating. Figures from April 1999 to March this year show there were 390 assaults of all types. The statistics were collected in the hospitals and
CLARETS midfielder Mark Robertson has won a recall to the Australian under-23 squad to raise his hopes of competing in the Sydney Olympics later this year. National coach Raul Blanco watched Robertson turn in a match-winning performance for Wollongong
Six managers at Graham & Brown have been awarded NVQ level four qualifications in management. They join the eight from the firm who have already achieved level four or five. Members of the sales team at the Blackburn firm, which employs 520, have
CLEVER Helen Worthington is preparing to receive the coveted Queen's Guide Award later on this year after completing the final part in which she had to prove her 'Service as a Citizen'. Helen (18), from Rainhill, is currently studying chemistry at Oxford
A TEN-year-old boy out riding with friends in Sherdley Park had his expensive bike stolen by a teenage thug. Simon Lynskey, from Springpool, Sutton was playing with a group of pals in the park at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, June 7, when they were approached
"DOMINO" transplant pals Denis Wright and Ernie King (pictured) will raise a glass this week to toast their special bond of life. Nine years ago Ernie, from Warrington, was given a new donor heart and lung and his healthy heart was given in a "domino"
A SCHOOLBOY accidentally shot in the face with an airgun made up a story about a thug shooting at them because he did not want to get into trouble, police have revealed. Sam Mather, aged 12, underwent emergency surgery after an air pellet struck him in
WAINHOMES plan to build 21 houses at Close Lane, Hindley. Their application has been submitted to Wigan Council salong with the following planning applications: 14 Ling Drive, Atherton - rear extension to form kitchen, dining room and utility, together
I AM becoming heartily tired of the whining W Coupe, from Leyland. This self-indulgent pensioner has stated on more than one occasion that in order to free himself from the shackles of this tyrannical government he would emigrate to distant shores at
I THINK the concept of a women-only taxi firm (Citizen, June 8) is an excellent one which can only benefit Preston generally, and the private hire/Hackney cab industry in particular. Sandra Chester and Lorraine Ahmed are to be congratulated for their
PARENTS may be concerned about having their children immunised against Meningitis C because of the media reports of adverse reactions to the vaccine. We want to reassure parents that this is a very safe vaccine which has been extensively tested and that
"THOR blimey, it's a belter," said theme park aficionado Jonathan Ross as he and his wife Jane Goldman opened the £15 million dark ride Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach yesterday (June 14). Pictured here on the ride's maiden voyage, the TV star said
MATT Black has always tried to support young showbusiness talent and after his grandmother died of cancer he thought it would be a great way to help the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. So he formed the Matt Black Roadshow for talented singers aged between
OWNERS of retirement and nursing homes for the elderly in the Fylde fear they could be forced to close when new community care centres open in the area. New purpose-built care units costing £3 million each are currently being built at the Wesham and Rossall
TWO Blackpool MPs met with pupils from Palatine High School to demand that children around the world get a better education, especially girls. Joan Humble, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood and Gordon Marsden, Blackpool South MP, met with the pupils
"THEY have an honours degree in arrogance," was one Fylde councillor's opinion of Royal Lytham St Annes Golf Club after it cut down hundreds of trees. Coun Peter Davies was speaking yesterday (June 15) at a meeting of the Fylde Planning Committee in Wesham
TWO Thornton stars have been plucked from local performances to represent the region in a prestigious musical festival. Singer Jane Wilkinson, 16, and 49-year-old drama student Janice Riseley were chosen from all the first prize winners at their different
COLLEGE bosses are making a formal complaint to Education Secretary David Blunkett over a free travel scheme which they claim unfairly excludes their students. Lancashire County Council has won Government funding to offer college students free travel
KEITH Arthurton believes Nelson are the best club side he's played for -- and is confident the club can make it a hat-trick of Transco Lancashire League titles this summer. Arthurton had the unenviable task of filling the shoes of Roger Harper who helped
GREAT Harwood stalwart David Edwards is launching a one-man crusade against the match-fixers by demanding action against Blackburn Northern professional Ata-ur-Rehman. Ata is facing a ban from international cricket for life after admitting accepting money
INTERNATIONAL hockey is heading this way! For the Prescot club is hosting a major tournament at Prescot Leisure Centre on Saturday, June 24. And already 20 teams - from Germany, Wales,Scotland and England - have confirmed they will compete. The tournament
I ENJOYED reading an article in the Citizen (December 23,1999) concerning the lack of toy shops in the Fylde area. I remember as a child before and during the Second World War, two excellent toy shops in Blackpool, namely Bateson in Abingdon Street and
EVER mindful of its commitment to youth development, a local Rugby Union club is seeking to broaden the horizons of one of its junior teams. For Red Rocks-based West Park are seeking sponsorship to take a 22-strong under-16 squad on a two-match tour of
HAYDOCK Park has been named as the best jumps and flat racecourse in Britain by the Times newspaper. It's better than southern racecourses like Ascot, Sandown Park, Newbury and Kempton, said the newspaper. And Haydock is one of the few racecourses that
I DID not expect my letter inviting Blackpool Labour Party to elect a new leader to trigger Ivan Taylor's resignation four days after it was published in The Citizen. It was the correct decision and we understand the reasons for it. Now politics in Blackpool
RAINFORD'S title challenge continues to gather momentum after a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Haydock. Haydock were reduced to 148 all out against a Rainford attack dominated by skipper Ste Harrison (5-40) and vice-captain Paul Calland (3-35).
I HAVE long held the view that, despite being a former Labour voter myself, the ruling Labour group on Blackpool Borough Council are an insular, self-interested, self-serving lot, happy to hide behind unelected, undemocratic phoney council groups and
BOWLER John Howden stole the show for St Helens Recs at the weekend. For he claimed all 10 wickets as their 3rd XI JP side defeated Northern 3 at Ruskin Drive. Losing the toss, Recs were asked to field by the visitors who made a slow start against the
PRESTON North End are to prepare for life in the First Division with a European encounter at Deepdale. Spanish Primera Liga side Athletico Bilbao will travel to Deepdale on August 5 to give David Moyes' team the chance of a tough work-out just seven days
THE hunt is on for a centre-half to lead North End's defence next season. With Michael Jackson missing the start of the Division One campaign through suspension and Ryan Kidd out injured, manager David Moyes has made defensive reinforcements his top priority
FROM music to mirth, from culture to costumes -- whatever your tastes, there is sure to be entertainment to suit at one or other of our local venues in the weeks ahead. ON Sunday, June 11 the Theatre Royal plays host to Helen Lederer's 'One Night Stand
MR G. ELLIS was this week's lucky winner of the £2,000 first prize in the Willowbrook Hospice weekly lottery draw. Other big winners were Mrs E. Harrison, from Blackbrook who won £200; Mrs A. Wingle, Haydock (£125); Mrs M. Bowden, Rainhill (£75); and
CONMEN posing as council contractors have duped an elderly woman in Newton-le-Willows out of £50. The council is currently carrying out painting work on houses on the Fairbrothers Estate in Newton and the men posed as officials saying they needed the
SIMON BALDWIN will continue to play through the pain barrier -- but not this weekend. He has been hampered in recent weeks by a groin problem and has been wrapped in cotton wool ahead of big games ahead. Coach Paul Terzis said: "Simon has a hernia which
ENTRIES are now being taken for the Millennium Griffin Grind Fun Run on Friday, July 7. This popular five-mile event is now a regular fixture and attracts a large number of participants -- both serious and fun runners -- with all money raised going to
A LOCAL girl who defied all the odds to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, attended a special ceremony at St James Palace to receive her prize. Twenty year old Lisa Musgrove, from Redruth Avenue, Laffak, has Downs Syndrome but hasn't let it hold
FITNESS fanatic Dawn Roberts, who runs boxercise classes at St Helens YMCA, and her boyfriend, Dave Platt have taken part in the daunting X-Zone challenge at RAF Cosford, Shropshire. The pair earned their places in the challenge finals after finishing
