Archive

  • Will there be any benefit in getting tough?

    THE demand by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope today for so-called neighbours from hell to have their state benefits taken off them will no doubt have many heads nodding in agreement. But while this tough talk is perhaps characteristic of the robust approach to

  • Ancient and 'modern'

    Drive and Stroll, with Ron Freethy "THERE is nothing to see at Ribchester except a few old stones from Roman times," I once heard somebody say. I have two things to say in defence of this excellent village. Firstly the Roman "stones" and the associated

  • Janet must fight for Dome alone

    The furore over the cost and future of the Millennium dome is a big headache for East Lancashire MP Janet Anderson. Bill Jacobs takes a personal look at the challenges facing her as she deals with attacks on the controversial construction. ROSSENDALE

  • Local soccer: Classy Rams make Gretna look green!

    RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 3 - GRETNA 2 RAMSBOTTOM booked a trip to Goole in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup after an eventful game against Gretna. The Rams got an early boost when a Dave Yorke-Robinson shot in the sixth minute proved too hot for Steve

  • Angling: Shaw shows way in Open

    LAST Thursday evening the final match in the National Team Open series was held on the Island Lodge in wet conditions. The duration of the match was curtailed by bad light and when the bonus jackpot failed to be claimed it was divided between the top

  • Rugby Union: Winning start for Bury

    BURY 14 - BURNAGE 10 THE legacy of the mixed summer contributed to the game in so much as the underfoot conditions of the pitch at Bury's Radcliffe Road ground were the best to have been enjoyed for 10 years It is perhaps a pity that pre-season training

  • Graham's pub-lic proposal!

    IT was the moment every woman dreams of. The man you love, on one knee, asking you to marry him. It should be the most private and romantic of moments. But bride to be Christine Bramley shared her surprise special moment with a roomful of revellers at

  • MP demands cash penalty for 'neighbours from hell'

    AN MP today launched a crusade against neighbours from hell, demanding that troublemakers should have their benefits stopped. Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, has arranged a series of meetings with ministers to discuss his plans, which he hopes will be incorporated

  • Raising the profile

    SOUTH Sydney, one of Australia's most famous club sides, will be playing the Centurions on a whistle-stop tour to England in November. Souths will take on Paul Terzis' side at Hilton Park on Tuesday, November 21 - the first time an Aussie team has played

  • Green event just keeps on growing

    AN environmental festival which aims to improve awareness for the benefit of the area has been hailed a huge success. The annual Greenweek Festival, first held in 1991, is organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council and is dedicated to promoting many green

  • Rovers v Forest preview

    NOTTINGHAM Forest midfielder David Prutton is out to impress England Under 21 boss Howard Wilkinson by outshining David Dunn at Ewood tomorrow. The 18-year-old Forest star made an encouraging international debut in last week's 6-1 win over Georgia at

  • Blake set for Forest

    NATHAN Blake should be fit to resume his place in tomorrow's squad after missing the Rochdale clash with an Achilles problem. And Craig Short could also be added despite having a toe nail removed earlier in the week, although John Filan is out with a

  • Our forgotten heroes

    HOW refreshing to read in the Star, that the Mayor of St Helens, Pat Robinson, took part in the special service for the first-ever Merchant Navy Day, on Sunday, August 3. The Merchant Navy men who served in World War Two are today's forgotten heroes of

  • Traveller nightmare

    TO all residents of St Helens. Do you have an urge to smash open the gates protecting council-owned land? Would you like to drive your car across open fields, churning up the ground while leisurely discarding all of your household and bodily wastes at

  • East Lancs peril

    I READ a back issue of the Star (August 24) concerning the road deaths/hazards on the East Lancs Road with Dave Watts and Pat Martinez-Williams in discussion with the Highways Agency, whose sole concern is this road. I fully agree with their concerns.

  • Any help would be appreciated

    I HAD to write regarding your article on June 1 regarding your comments about charity shops. You obviously haven't been to the charity shop located on campus. If you had, you certainly would not look like a tramp. We run a very trendy shop which caters

  • See red and stop

    POLICE in Preston are being urged to take action against motorists who jump red lights following a catalogue of incidents on London Road. The pedestrian crossing, near James Street, is regularly used by schoolchildren, office workers and people using

  • Name that face

    DO you recognise yourself or a friend or relative in this photograph taken at Preston's ABC cinema in 1959? If so, you could be a special guest at a public film show to be presented by the North West Film Archive as part of the anniversary festivities

  • Council has put 'money before lives'

    CAMPAIGNERS for 20mph speed zones have accused the region's traffic chiefs of putting money before lives, following a string of near-fatal accidents involving youngsters. The outburst comes just a fortnight after four-year-old Jessica Dryden from Ryefield

  • Audrey: fighter to the end

    AUDREY Wise dedicated nearly 20 years serving the people of Preston. But she first came to prominence for the Rooker/Wise amendment which forced the Callaghan government of the late 1970s to link pensions to inflation. Her daughter Valerie said: "She

  • A world of knowledge

    GLOBE-TROTTING youngsters at a Pendle primary school "travelled" the world without leaving their classroom. Pupils at Brierfield's Walter Street Primary School have spent this week learning more about "global citizenship" through a variety of special

  • Date set for new store opening

    RETAIL giants Matalan plan to open its 108th store at Lancaster Retail Park on September 21. The new 18,000 sq ft store will create 45 new jobs and is one of 117 new stores Matalan is opening this year. The new stores are part of Matalan's store expansion

  • High Sheriff seeks young Citizens

    A NEW award has been set up in an effort to find worthy young citizens in the district. With enthusiastic support from the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime and the Lancashire Juvenile Liaison Association, the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mr Rodney

  • Roadworks get a green light

    NEW traffic schemes aimed at slashing the number of road accidents across Burnley and Pendle have been given the green light at County Hall. Traffic-calming measures at seven sites could be undertaken during the winter, although most are still subject

  • Battle lines drawn for by-election

    THE widow of popular former councillor Paddy Kavanagh says she is "raring to go" in her bid to win her late husband's seat in a city council by-election on September 28. Sheila Kavanagh sent shock waves through the town hall last week when she announced

  • More to this than meets the eye

    THE suggestion that the whole Blobby affair was merely a business venture that went awry has been dismissed out of hand by Paul Pascoe, an executive with Noel Edmonds' Unique production company. Following a report in The Independent on Sunday it emerged

  • Lorry man engulfed by fireball

    A MAN setting fire to a bonfire was engulfed in flames and had to be rushed to hospital with serious burns by the air ambulance last week. The clothes of John Riley, 38, of Tebay, caught fire when fuel exploded and flashed back at him a Lakeland Trucks

  • Wide-eyed innocent

    CITIZEN Deputy Editor Paul Wilkinson reports back from Bosnia after a week's tour of duty with the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment and finds a country of contradictions and a population trying to come to terms with its bloody past Packing a 35mm piece

  • The Army's game plan has changed

    21st century soldiering is a complicated business. Military men used to fight wars but the new role of peacekeeper requires many more skills and subtleties. The British Army's original mission was to protect convoys of humanitarian aid but five years

  • Cat escape starts from scratch!

    PESKY moggies have forced council architects to draw up an unusual escape plan. Stray cats regularly get trapped in an 8ft-deep light well alongside Pendle Council offices in Nelson -- and attack kind-hearted staff who try to rescue them. One worker,

  • DAF collapse

    AN absorbing day's cricket saw Chorley collect 15 points from the narrowest of margins in this derby clash. Leyland DAF must be kicking themselves after losing from such a seemingly invincible position only to collapse in an extraordinary finish. Batting

  • Yickers down Eagles

    Higginshaw Eagles 22 Haydock A 50 HAYDOCK'S second team started the new campaign in blistering form, scoring eight tries. Touchdowns came from Ian Cummings (3) Joe Mellors (2) and one apiece from Mike Mathews, Andy Fenney and Phil Thompson. Gary Conley

  • Brook sink Dockers

    Blackbrook 30 Hull Dockers 14 BROOK produced an excellent performance in their opening home fixture of the campaign. An early penalty from full-back Paul Toole gave Brook a lead before a fine individual effort from centre Ian Callaghan brought the first

  • Pilks' happy return

    Pilkington Recs 20 Golborne Parkside 6 RECS got their return to the premier division of North West Counties League off to a flying start. Their resolute defending proved to be the key to this win. In their new shirts, sponsored by St Helens Roofing, Recs

  • Heath put Knights to the sword

    Thatto Heath Crusaders 36 Normanton Knights 29 HEATH made it two out of two in the National Conference League with this thrilling victory. They opened the scoring within the first five minutes when winger Phil Glover crossed out wide after quick hands

  • Non-league soccer: Bacup preview

    BACUP boss Brent Peter's has great memories of the FA Vase. As manager of Glossop, his side reached the last 32 before losing in a replay to a last minute goal at Camel Laird. "The dressing room was awful. I've never experienced anything like it. But

  • Non-league soccer: Darwen preview

    DARWEN are going into the unknown as they launch their FA Vase campaign at home to Louth United tomorrow. Boss Steve Wilkes admits he knows little about the Grimsby-based side which plays in the Northern Counties East League. He is certain, however, that

  • Ten years ago: 999 jobs axed

    EAST Lancashire's ambulance nerve centre and 999 jobs were axed. The shock news came after the county's ambulance service was forced to make savings of £600,000.

  • Family fun lined up for mela

    A TOWN centre is set to explode into a riot of family fun on Sunday when a mela Asian festival hits the streets. Hyndburn mela 2000 takes place in Accrington and Union Street will be closed to traffic. A variety of stalls, including Asian music, children's

  • MP demands cash penalty for 'neighbours from hell'

    AN MP today launched a crusade against neighbours from hell, demanding that troublemakers should have their benefits stopped. Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, has arranged a series of meetings with ministers to discuss his plans, which he hopes will be incorporated

  • Astley flyers lead way on national safety

    A MODEL flying club, described as a national leader in the sport, has won its bid for permanent use of greenbelt land at Astley Moss. The club's "exemplary" track record in seven years' of flying on the land led the council to agree to the permanent consent

  • Mum's last words for tragic Daniel

    A HEART-RENDING letter written by a distraught mother to her teenage son who died after being struck by an express train was being read out in church today. And Linda Graham spoke of how her heart went out to the driver of the train which hit 16-year-old

  • Farm homes plan site to stay 'green'

    A PROPERTY developer has lost its fight to build 72 homes on a Lowton farm. Planning committee members gave Harwood Homes an overwhelming thumbs down on Tuesday after being told the plan could be approved OR rejected on justifiable grounds. The company

  • Ex-Saints star rises to cone challenge

    AS a former St Helens Rugby League star, Leigh builder Paul Jones was used to tackling big challenges. And when injury brought his professional sporting life to an end after six seasons, he seized on an opportunity abroad to set himself new goals. Now

  • Big thanks from us all

    I THOUGHT it was time for someone to comment on the seafront lighting project and to congratulate the team of workers who are involved in producing the whole thing. I have to say that so far they have managed to carry out extensive work on the seafront

  • MEP is doing job too well

    WEEK after week letters attacking the European Union appear in newspapers across the North West. Often they go unchallenged simply because too few people feel confident enough to the facts to put the opposite case. Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat North

  • Answer these for me Steve

    SO Trades' Council big-wig Steve Metcalfe thinks he can apply the coup-de-grace to me does he? I have news for Steve his letters demonstrate all the intellectual rigour of a tranquillised slug and he couldn't apply any sort of coup to my pussy cat! He

  • Hitting the heights

    AND talking of our record-breaking site, regular readers will recall me boasting roundly of our impressive online readership figures, which have hit record heights for the second month running. In July, This Is Lancashire had a pretty impressive 596,389

  • At least Chris Davies MEP is persistent

    THE one positive thing that can be said for MEP Chris Davies is that he is persistent, but telling the lie often enough still does not make it the truth. By stating that: "The EU is founded on principles which the British hold precious (August 31) he

  • There is life after Nasty Nick

    BACK at the beginning of Big Brother I said the Web was the place to watch it, and so I have been proved -- all the best stuff about Nasty Nick (my hero) being thrown out was on the web before nervous producers pulled the plug -- creating even more fuss

  • Wonderful Spam, lovely Spam

    WHERE we lead, the world follows. My recent column about Spam (the Python connection) has raised its profile so high that they are now giving awards out for it. Sadly, it's not the best virtual junk mailing that will be garnering the gongs, but the tinned

  • Blackpool fail to kill off Kendal

    Kendal 204-7 Blackpool 185-7 THE GAME between Blackpool and Kendal at Stanley Park on Saturday ended in one of the most unlikely draws of the season. On two occasions Kendal looked as though they would lose the game; early in their innings they were no

  • St Annes so close

    Lancaster 159-9 St Annes 229-5 Dec ST ANNES had to be content with a winning draw from their trip to Lune Road. After Lancaster put St Annes in to bat openers, Adrian Darlington and Gareth Evans dominated the bowling attack and had a 97 run partnership

  • Council misses Everest of mess

    I NOTICE the council has repeated its regular cry against dog dirt. If this is the only misdemeanour they have to fine, is it not time to let them have a list of real issues? Dog dirt does not pollute and is bio-degradable. Not so plastic bags and wrappings

  • Quest call for cancer help

    BACK in 1982 a 29 year old man died from cancer diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Determined that something positive should come from the tragedy, Paul Pitt's mother, Jean, founded Quest Cancer Research, aimed at developing more effective early

  • Slick City

    Bamber Bridge 1 Lancaster 4 CITY avenged a 6-1 drubbing from last season by hammering Bamber Bridge at Irongate and so stamping their credentials for promotion. Although it is early in the season, a superb first half performance in which debutante Brian

  • Now it's Noel's turn

    THE long-running Blobbygate saga took yet another dramatic turn this week with the revelation that Noel Edmonds is to personally give evidence as part of the District Auditor's investigation. The millionaire entertainer is prepared to turn over all his

  • Licensed to go the Bar

    THREE St Annes solicitors could soon be called to the bar, if a proposed new pub is granted a drinks licence. Pub chain giants JD Wetherspoon are appearing at Blackpool Magistrates' Court today (September 7) to apply for a drinks licence for the new pub

  • A drug-busting performance

    YOUNGSTERS from a St Annes theatre group have waged their own personal war on drugs by writing, producing and performing a special play to warn schoolchildren of the dangers of illegal substances. The actors and actresses from Red Rose Theatre Group (

  • Clarets strike pair reunited

    THE old firm of Andy Payton and Andy Cooke looks set to be reunited tomorrow as Burnley bid to pull off a Palace coup. The partnership which has plundered just short of a century of goals between them over the past two-and-a-half seasons is yet to start

  • Prescot claim derby spoils

    Burtonwood RU nil Prescot RU 10 THIS local derby produced a close, hard-fought game with defences on top. Prescot's points came from a try and a penalty goal by wing-forward Chris Leigh and a conversion by man-of-the-match Ian Hughes. Stand-off Ian Worthington

  • Make walking the dog a challenge

    DOG lovers across the Fylde are invited to put their best foot forward and take part in a charity walk this Sunday (September 10). The Guide Dogs for the Blind Top Walks Challenge hopes to raise more than £140,000 to provide more guide dogs and support

  • Grange Park bid for hat-trick

    GRANGE Park golfers are advancing on glory on three fronts. The women's team have reached the national final of the Daily Mail competition at the Belfry next month. The squad includes Bernie Marsh, Anne Lorenz, Laura Johnstone and Carol Potter. And the

  • A flying start

    MICHAEL Jack, MP for South Fylde, landed at Blackpool airport in August to mark the official opening of the RAF Association Wings Appeal across the Fylde Coast. The South Fylde branch of the appeal will be taking part in a national collection week to

  • Ruskin ready for action

    Ruskin Park 29 Halton 21 IN this trial game, both sides took advantage of the ideal conditions to sharpen their handling skills. Ahead from the third minute when Birch raced in from 40 yards, Ruskin dominated the first period, and soon added to their

  • Cables' cup KO

    Prescot Cables 0 Bedlington Terriers 2 PRESCOT bowed out of the FA Cup at the hands of a team who have been the Northern League Champions for the past three seasons. Prescot started brightly with O'Neill twice going close and Garforth and Hayes shooting

  • Tram swap!

    A BLACKPOOL tram is retiring to the States after nearly 40 years of ferrying passengers around the resort. Tram 606, a single-deck open-air vehicle, will be setting off on a 10-day journey by boat from Liverpool on September 18 to Trolleyville, Ohio.

  • Away-day heyday

    A ST ANNES rail enthusiast has had an article about the Fylde coast's railway heyday published in Britain's premier historical railway magazine, Steam World. Eric Woods, 80, wrote the article -- illustrated by some of his own evocative pictures -- which

  • Lightning does strike twice!

    WHO says lightning doesn't strike twice? It certainly did for the pupils at Hodgson High School Technology Centre in Poulton. Not only did the school narrowly escape disaster after being hit by a bolt from the blue during a storm, but it was also struck

  • Atherton's in and out weekend

    ATHERTON CC's in and out league season continued at the weekend when they played derby matches against Daisy Hill and Spring View. Against Daisy Hill on Saturday they lost the toss and had to first use of a very damp strip. Opening with David Charlson

  • Scare for Folds

    DIVISION One leaders Higher Folds were given a real scare on Saturday in the bid to retain the Leigh League's top title. Visitors Limelight held the table-toppers at bay in the first half and took the lead through Gary Leatherbarrow five minutes after

  • Guard robbed at gunpoint

    A SECURITY guard was forced to hand over cash bags at gun point in a raid on a Prestwich post office. Two masked men jumped from a gold coloured Rover car as the cash van pulled up outside the Holyrood Post Office in Bury New Road at 11.35am on Wednesday

  • Giant upset for Scouts

    VANDALS have struck again at Giant's Seat campsite and this time with a pickaxe! Site manager Tony Jarrod discovered the damage on Monday morning (Sept 4). A caravan which had been donated as a replacement for the warden's hut, which itself was destroyed

  • Sights set on White House

    IN a few years time the name Emma Purcell might just be synonymous with the White House. For the Prestwich student has been learning all about American politics from the leading contender in the US presidential election, Al Gore. The 20-year-old former

  • Canteen gets a facelift

    SCHOOL dinners are taking on a bright new look for pupils at Radcliffe High School. The youngsters themselves came up with the concept of Cafe Eleven, a colourful and stylish cafe/bar area for Year 11 students. Councillor Cath Platt, chairman of best

  • Controversial hostel to close

    RESIDENTS have won their battle to shut down a hostel which they claim is destroying their quality of life. Householders in Joseph Street and around Stand Lane organised petitions and enlisted the support of MP Ivan Lewis against the hostel and its residents

  • A question of life or death

    BURY health bosses have re-affirmed their policy of giving certain patients the right to make a critical "life or death" decision. The patient's wishes will be uppermost before consultants decide whether to issue "do not resuscitate" (DNR) orders should

  • Cycle speedway: Second place is secured by Bury

    BURY-Border Flooring retained their overall standing of second place in the Northern Fours League at Sheffield last Sunday by taking second place in their fixture. Tameside finished first with 59 points, Bury scored 38, Sheffield 33, and Astley &

  • Clarets strike pair reunited

    THE old firm of Andy Payton and Andy Cooke looks set to be reunited tomorrow as Burnley bid to pull off a Palace coup. The partnership which has plundered just short of a century of goals between them over the past two-and-a-half seasons is yet to start

  • St Annes so close

    Lancaster 159-9 St Annes 229-5 Dec ST ANNES had to be content with a winning draw from their trip to Lune Road. After Lancaster put St Annes in to bat openers, Adrian Darlington and Gareth Evans dominated the bowling attack and had a 97 run partnership

  • The place for success!

    GUESTS warmed to the opening of a new showroom! The Fireplace Warehouse has seen a six-fold increase in staff since it was set up and has just moved into a new site on Accrington Road in Burnley. Directors Mark Townsend and Adrian Mason launched their

  • Curtain goes up on film growth

    FILM boss Gary Smith's company is set for growth. The former QEGS pupil's Winchester Entertainment business told shareholders at the annual general meeting that prospects for the future were encouraging. "Overall, the company is now poised to take the

  • Geoff asking teams to chip in

    TEAMS of four are wanted to take part in a charity golf day at Grange Park Golf Club in memory of cancer victim Horace Ingham who died last year. The event has been organised by Horace's son, Geoff from Windermere Avenue, Clinkham Wood and all money raised

  • Salute to The Few

    THE Royal Air Force Association will hold its annual dinner on Saturday, September 9, followed by the 60th anniversary Battle of Britain parade and service on Sunday, September 17. The dinner will take place at the Unison club, Bishop Road, and will be

  • Man is impaled after crash

    A MAN was impaled on a wooden stake after the car he was travelling in veered off the M62 near to Rainhill and over an embankment. The 25-year-old from Birmingham was one of four men in a red Peugeot 309 travelling on the Manchester-bound carriageway,

  • BICC jobs fears

    UP to 150 jobs could be lost at the BICC site in Prescot following the company's acquisition by Pirelli. As part of a comprehensive restructuring plan manufacturing will continue at the Prescot site, which currently employs about 440 staff. But "efficiency

  • Families win parking victory

    RESIDENTS who have staged a 15-month campaign to stop parents from blocking their roads when taking their children to and from a nearby primary school are celebrating the introduction of extra parking restrictions. Members of the Maryville and Cliftonville

  • Lifestyle project lift-off

    A LIFESTYLE project to help people find out how fit they are and how they can stay healthy will be launched on Monday, September 9. Newton and Earlestown residents are being invited to take part in a free 'Health and Lifestyle Assessment' set up thanks

  • Take a peek at history on your doorstep

    THERE is a chance to take a peek inside some of St Helens' most historic buildings when the borough stages a Heritage Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17. Buildings ranging from St Helens Town Hall to the Welsh Chapel at Sutton Oak will

  • Double delight for stylish Sinead

    A BUDDING Margot Fonteyn from St Helens has spun into one of just three coveted places for UK dancers at the prestigious Royal Ballet Upper School in London just a few days after learning that she had achieved an astonishing ten grade A* GCSE passes.

  • School's out after water burst

    A SEVERE flooding incident has closed Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall. All 650 students have got today off classes after a burst pipe let thousands of gallons of water spill into the dining area. Water got into the electrical circuits, resulting

  • Keep on truckin'

    A TRUCK driver has shown he is the best around by picking up a coveted title at a nationwide competition. Martin Wood, 38, who works as a contract's manager for Atherton Recruitment, was named Best Agency Driver 2000 at Cirencester's Van and Truck Driver

  • 11-step £16million street clean-up

    A £16million campaign to clean up the streets of Leigh and Wigan is stepping up. The 11-step route to "neat, tidy and well maintained" community areas has now entered its research phase, with findings to be submitted by Christmas this year. Dubbed "Street

  • Kathryn bubbling over to raise cash

    AN Astley beauty salon is toasting the Macmillan Nurses' World's Largest Coffee Morning - in champagne. The owner of Astley Beauty Clinic, Kathryn Haskell, is unable to join in the mammoth fund raising event - so she has organised her own two days early

  • Any Warwick Deeping fans out there?

    WE are a small group of people who are very interested in the delightful books written by Warwick Deeping (1877-1950). Probably the best-known work is Sorrel and Son written in 1925 which went into at least 41 editions and still in print in the 1970s

  • Classroom of democracy

    A UNIQUE classroom believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country is being set up in Leigh Town Hall on Tuesday. A committee room will be transformed into a working classroom in a bid to teach schoolchildren about local government and the

  • Put these plans where they belong

    FOLLOWING the council meeting, which I attended with many residents from School Lane and surrounding area on Wednesday, August 23, I am writing to protest in the strongest terms at the proposed erection of 17 three-storey properties on the infant school

  • Lionel leaps back to 70s

    COME on Blackpool, it's time to put on your tank tops, polish those platforms, and fit into the flares, because 70s disco fever hit town this week in the form of Abbadabbadoo. Abbadabbadoo is a fast- moving spectacular blend of 70s nostalgia combining

  • Library loses a cash boost

    KIRKHAM library is to miss out on its share of a £2.3 million technology boost, because plans meant the library would have to move premises. The announcement of the cash boost, to install state of the art internet equipment at all libraries throughout

  • Library loses a cash boost

    KIRKHAM library is to miss out on its share of a £2.3 million technology boost, because plans meant the library would have to move premises. The announcement of the cash boost, to install state of the art internet equipment at all libraries throughout

  • A drug-busting performance

    YOUNGSTERS from a St Annes theatre group have waged their own personal war on drugs by writing, producing and performing a special play to warn schoolchildren of the dangers of illegal substances. The actors and actresses from Red Rose Theatre Group (

  • Residents demand action on 'dumping ground'

    SOUTH Shore residents are calling for stricter action from the council after a plot of land used as a dumping ground for rubbish has made their lives a misery. The land, in between Marsden Road, Harcourt Road, Ellesmere Road and Pickmere Avenue, has laid

  • Care homes reprieved

    FOUR of Blackpool's eight council-run rest homes threatened with closure will be saved after the council made a last-minute U-turn yesterday (September 6). But the decision has been met with mixed feelings and some say the fight to save all the homes

  • Grave dilemma

    GRAVE diggers have had to disturb the dead after re-opening family plots and finding them too shallow to bury the next generation. And cemetery bosses have been accused of being 'grossly insensitive' for not informing families after graves at the town's

  • Travellers' tales from Turkey

    SCHOLARSHIP students who spent two weeks in Turkey courtesy of Thwaites Brewery told tales of their trip at a civic reception. The young people, from across East Lancashire, were chosen as part of the annual educational scholarship which has been sponsored

  • Under the hammer

    ITEMS are needed for an auction to raise funds for St Francis CE Primary, in Cherry Tree, Blackburn. The Friends and Family Association is holding the auction at the Oak Tree pub, in Livesey Branch Road, next month to raise cash for essential equipment

  • Zero tolerance on the buses

    BAD behaviour on high school buses will not be tolerated under new plans by council chiefs in Lancashire. Young louts have damaged seats, covered walls with graffiti and tampered with emergency doors. Highways chairman Richard Toon explained that although

  • Non-league soccer: Nelson preview

    NELSON manager John Bailey says his side are only going through a "temporary blip" and aim to be back on the road to recovery in their Division Two game at Warrington Town. The Blues don't enter the FA Vase until the second qualifying round so they can

  • Soccer: We need a kick up the pants: Allardyce

    SAM Allardyce believes injury hit Bolton can bounce back from the mid-week Worthington Cup humiliation at Macclesfield when they hit the First Division road to Huddersfield tomorrow. "We have to hope the Macclesfield defeat was a one off. Injuries caught

  • Local cricket: Curtain call for Ribblesdale

    THE JENNINGS Ribblesdale League brings the curtain down on its season tomorrow with the major issues already settled. Ribblesdale Wanderers are at home to Oswaldtwistle Immanuel having already wrapped up the title. However, Oswaldtwistle will be hoping

  • Non-league soccer: Chorley preview

    CHORLEY boss Ken Wright may have to draft in a keeper ahead of his side's UniBond First Division home clash with Winsford United. Regular custodian Simon Marsh is currently out with a knee injury while Mick Swarbrick -- who deputised in last weekend's

  • Soccer: Kidd returns for North End

    PRESTON welcome back Ryan Kidd into the squad for the trip to Queens Park Rangers. The defender has been sidelined after a neck operation in the summer but has come through two reserve games relatively unscathed although he did need stitches to a head

  • Non-league soccer: Waddle's glad to be back in town

    CHRIS Waddle is planning a triumphant return to East Lancashire tomorrow as Worksop attempt to knock Accrington Stanley off the top of the UniBond Premier Division table. The former England international and Burnley boss is now the creative genius behind

  • Stay at home

    MS MUGLISTON, in The Citizen 24/08/00, suggests sending council representatives to a theme park in the United States to see how to keep Blackpool clean and decent. She says that the theme parks in the states are "just as busy as Blackpool but you see

  • Goals crash in

    A FLURRY of goals greeted the opening of the St Helens McDonalds JOL. And pride of place goes to Prescot Cables and St Annes Rovers under 14s, who served up a 14-goal feast. RESULTS Under 16s: Rainhill United 3 Crosfields 2, St Annes Rovers 4 Rainford

  • It's a disgrace...

    FOR the Blackpool Council planning officer to admit that a notice has been served on the house at the corner of Peter Street and Buchanan Street as long ago as last September and nothing has been done is a disgrace. What is the point of issuing orders

  • A crime magnet?

    THE CITIZEN has given much coverage in recent weeks to crime levels in Blackpool and residents' very real concerns about their safety. The proposed scheme to turn Blackpool into the "Las Vegas of Europe" by developing it as a major centre of casino gambling

  • Terrific Town make their point

    Kidsgrove Athletic 0 St Helens Town 0 TOWN continued on their travels and continue to pick up points and at the final whistle at Kidsgrove on Saturday had moved into the top five and remain unbeaten in the league with eight points out of a maximum 12.

  • Has power gone to MEP's head?

    CHRIS DAVIES, Liberal Democrat MP in the North West, seems to be taking Marie Antoinette's suggestion "let them eat cake" to heart. I recently had the temerity to write to Mr Davies about a matter that was concerning me. It relates to this December's

  • Let's rid ourselves of the Dome

    A FURTHER £47 million has been added to the £43 million which has already been given so that the Millennium Dome can keep its head above water until its sale in a few months. This is a further waste of £90 million of public money which could have been

  • Cartwright in bonanza

    THIS week's £2,000 jackpot prize winner in the Willowbrook Hospice weekly lottery was Mr J. Cartwright from Parr. Other big winners were Mrs T. Jones, from Haydock who won £200; Mrs J. Devlin, Windlehurst (£125); Mr T. Roberts, Blackbrook (£75); and Mrs

  • Wait for it . . .

    ST HELENS College will be playing host to the Northern Regional Final of the prestigious American Express Young Chef Young Waiter 2000 Awards. Young chefs and waiters from some of the country's top restaurants and hotels will be at the College on Monday

  • Knifeman robs collector

    AN insurance agent was robbed of his takings at knife-point as he did his rounds. The victim was walking along Beechwood Close, Clock Face, at about 5.20pm on Tuesday, August 29 when he was confronted by a man who held a kitchen knife to his throat and

  • Parents angry over school lock-out

    ANGRY parents have criticised an eleventh hour decision to keep a Bury school closed following the summer holiday. The ruling was made by education chiefs just 24 hours before children were due to return to Woodbank County Primary School for the new term

  • Pool left pointless again

    Scunthorpe United 1, Blackpool 0 SOME fine football but no goals and no points - that was the sad but familiar tale of Pool's visit to Scunthorpe. Despite dominating much of the game with long periods of possession Pool never rarely threatened to score

  • Events in East Lancashire on Saturday, September 9

    Beacon Fell Close Up, Bowland Visitor Centre, 2pm. Hodder Valley Show, Dunsop Bridge, from 9am. Second-hand Book Fair, St Mary's Parish Hall, Clitheroe, 10am-4.30pm. Blackburn Naturalists Field Club -- Roddlesworth. Meet the Central Quarry car park, Dole

  • SAS action man in £4bn war on fraud

    ALASTAIR Mackenzie (pictured) is a man of action. In an illustrious army career he fought in Vietnam, served with the Parachute Regiment and was a member of the SAS where he rose to rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Now the well-decorated officer runs his own

  • Local soccer: Handy Andy!

    BURY GSOB...1 GREGORIANS...0 AN early second half strike from Andy Myers gave Bury maximum points from a hard fought contest at Buckley Wells. The Old Boys were determined not to repeat last week's early mistakes against another side promoted from Division

  • Boy with the metal leg bone

    DOZENS of East Lancashire people have given cash in memory of their hero Jack Walker, millionaire benefactor of Blackburn Rovers, to the charity named by his grieving family, Sargent Cancer Care. Thousands of pounds have already been given to help children

  • Rugby Union: New faces fail to spark a win

    NEW BRIGHTON 12pts - SEDGLEY PARK 9pts A LOVELY wind-free day - strange for New Brighton - eight new players and great expectations! First thoughts after the game were that there wasn't much classic rugby on view. Both sides were nervous showing too much

  • Cycling: Dales venue for roadsters

    BURY CTC THOUGH it was sunny there was an autumnal nip in the air in last Sunday for the A group's outing to the Yorkshire Dales. Littondale was the destination and members took the usual route through Accrington, Whalley and Sawley. Then it was the lanes

  • Cricket: Walshaw clinch title

    IT'S hats off to Walshaw who have been crowned champions of a Bolton Cricket Association which they have dominated almost from the opening delivery of the season. They were assured of the Millennium crown on Sunday and the only disappointment was that

  • Local soccer: Fold get their season underway

    ELTON FOLD 3 - STOCKPORT GEO 2 FOLD finally got their first victory of the season after making hard work of a game they were in control of for long periods. The 'goals for' tally was significantly raised as two cracking headers from defenders Steve Dearden

  • Cricket: Radcliffe finish with a flourish

    A SEASON which started with something of a whimper has ended with a loud bang for Radcliffe who signed off their Central Lancashire League season in fine style. The lads from The Racecourse had won all five of their previous matches and they made it a

  • Today's the day

    1664: New York was renamed in honour of James Duke of York, the future James II of England, after the old Dutch town of New Amsterdam surrendered to the British. 1974: Daredevil stunt driver Evel Knievel attempted to leap across the mile-wide Snake River

  • This week in 1975 25 years ago

    STAR: American pop star P. J. Proby, clad in a beige suit and matching stetson, was married at Bury Register Office. The 36-year-old star of the trouser-splitting Sixties was married, for the third time, under his real name of James Smith to croupier

  • Health fears after phone mast gets go-ahead

    FAMILIES have been left fearing for their health after the go-ahead was given to build a 15m mobile phone mast in Lowton. Residents on Pocket Nook Lane and Moorfield Crescent are worried that dangerous micro-waves from the telecommunications pole will

  • Carsley plays waiting game

    LEE Carsley today accepted he may have to be patient in his fight to win back a regular place in the starting line-up. The 26-year-old midfielder made an impressive first full start of the season in Rovers' 6-1 victory over Rochdale in the Worthington

  • Platt back in old goals routine

    FORMER England skipper David Platt has been forced to dust off his boots in a bid to boost Nottingham Forest's promotion credentials. The 34-year-old player-boss had announced his playing days were over last season after being red-carded against Sheffield

  • Pie in the sky?

    THROUGH your paper, will you let people know that the correct address for ALL Billinge is Billinge, Wigan, NOT Billinge, St Helens. I have recently had two letters from St Helens Council, addressed Billinge, St Helens. Have they no brains these days?

  • On the right track

    IN response to the letter from W. Smith voicing concern about Earlestown Station's waiting room, I would like to set the record straight. The future of the waiting room is currently the subject of positive discussions between Railtrack, St Helens Council

  • Voluntary groups open their doors

    COMMUNITY groups from Preston celebrated their achievements yesterday (Wednesday, September 6) at a special open day at the town's Guild Hall. The free event was organised by the Inner Preston Regeneration Partnership (IPRP) and officially opened by the

  • Tributes flood in for Audrey

    TRIBUTES have been flooding in for veteran Preston MP Audrey Wise, aged 68, who died at the weekend after a long battle against cancer. The woman, championed for her tireless fight for genuine socialism, died peacefully at her son's home on Saturday night

  • 'Clean up our area'

    DEEPDALE residents are 'mucking in' to help clean up the area following complaints about litter. They claim the council is ignoring the mess which mounts up around the Blackpool Road area and say council workers are not removing rubbish left behind by

  • 'Changing Rooms' at Women's Centre

    IT was a case of 'changing rooms' for The Women's Centre when a crew of would-be decorators turned up with paintbrushes and overalls. The volunteers were taking part in a challenge -- set by Business In The Community (BITC) -- to revamp the site in New

  • Who can help our Philip?

    THE grandmother of a seven-year-old boy who went missing for six hours while on a family holiday in North Wales has issued a desperate plea for someone to help the youngster overcome the severe behavioural problems which he suffers from. Philip Jones

  • TV slot for resort health fair

    A MORECAMBE health fair is to be filmed by the BBC. The cameras will be at the Holistic Health Fair to be held at the Platform in Morecambe on September 17. They will be talking to practitioners and the public about complimentary health and filming the

  • Drunken man gropes girl on bus

    A TEENAGE girl was indecently assaulted by a drunken man on a bus in Burnley. The girl, aged 14, got on the number one bus at Burnley bus station to Stoops and Rosegrove at 9pm last night. Det Sgt Peter Simm said she had to pass a man smelling heavily

  • Jail for 'short of cash' thief

    A MORECAMBE woman who stole from shops because she was short of cash has been jailed for 18 months. Gillian Mellan, 34, pleaded guilty to four theft offences and attempting to pervert the course of justice between March and July this year. Liverpool Crown

  • Pensioner on wife murder charge

    A PENSIONER from Bolton-le-Sands has been charged with murdering his wife. Gilbert Edwin Reghelini, 67, appeared before Lancaster Magistrates on Monday charged with murdering Shirley Reghelini, 55, of Lancaster. The body of Mrs Reghelini was discovered

  • No room for error!

    TITLE contenders Saints will be out to avoid any slip-ups against struggling London Broncos at the Valley, Charlton, on Saturday (6.05). Anything other than outright victory is unthinkable after Saints' epic win at Leeds and the prospect of a leadership

  • Cricket results

    THE Bay Northern ECB Premier Cricket League results: First Division: Blackpool 185-7 (Rudra Singh 50, Martin Pickles 44) v *Kendal 204-7 (Ross Veenstra 103 not out, David Fallows 40); *Chorley 124-9 (Seifton Prince 6-40) v Leyland Daf 122 (Stephen John

  • Hoppers start impressively

    HOPPERS' trip to Gloucestershire produced a winning start to their league campaign, 22-9 over Lydney. Honours were even in the opening stages before Stack gave the home side the lead with a 12th minute penalty. Hoppers quickly hit back as a kick for the

  • Lions caught napping

    UGB Lions 20 Leigh East 42 A SLOW start for UG cost them any form of control of this game. The visitors took a 22-10 half time lead, with UG's tries coming from Birkett and Blake and Glover adding a conversion. After the break UG were still sluggish against

  • Clock caught out

    Wigan Rose Bridge 36 Clock Face 14 CLOCK never recovered after going 16 points down in the first 10 minutes. But they hit back when winger Mark Chatterton went from acting half-back to score in the corner. But any thoughts of a recovery were short lived

  • Finch off to a flier

    Saddleworth A 19 Haresfinch 30 FINCH made an encouraging start to the season with this well-deserved win. They scored 12 points in as many minutes with loose-forward Damian Clitheroe's powerful breaks providing tries for skipper and stand-off Anthony

  • Hope for Hounds

    Culcheth 36 Parr Hare & Hounds 21 HOUNDS can take heart from an encouraging turn-out and a spirited second-half fightback. They started well enough and should have had more to show for their early dominanace than a drop goal by scrum-half Mark McMillan

  • Portico impress in opener

    Orrell 20 Portico 33 NEWLY promoted Portico Panthers made an impressive start to the premiership season. Orrell scored in a very evenly fought first half but they were unable to convert their try. Good work by Portico's pack set up a well manoeuvred try

  • Super Saints stun Rhinos

    Leeds Rhinos 20 Saints 35 HELD up in traffic they may have been, but stupendous Saints quickly clicked into gear in this torrid, incident-packed clash at cauldron Headingley on Friday. The victory cemented Saints hold on second place, and with it the

  • Non-league soccer: Rossendale preview

    ROSSENDALE are also in Vase action tomorrow when they make the short trip to North West Counties Division Two side Chadderton. Caretaker boss Jim McCluskie has suffered two losses in his first two games in charge since the departure of manager Mickey

  • Non-league soccer: Colne preview

    COLNE'S caretaker double act John Lister and captain Gary Dalton will be aiming to secure the Holt House's side's first points of the season and move them off the bottom of the table. Denzil Hart parted company with Colne by mutual consent in midweek

  • Non-league soccer: Clitheroe preview

    CLITHEROE boss Dave Burgess could be missing striker Lee Cryer for the visit of Woodley Sports in the North West Counties Division One. The three-goal hit man has a hamstring strain but the Shawbridge chief is not unduly concerned as they've so far had

  • Non-league soccer: Great Harwood preview

    GREAT HARWOOD TOWN'S injury problems are easing ahead of their league trip to Mossley but manager Denis Underwood feels he's still a week away from a near full-strength squad. Steve Lynch, Martin Horsfield, Paul Whalley, Steve Pickup and Andy Taylor are

  • Five years ago: Cahsmaster probe

    TRADING Standards investigated a council flat-based company called Cashmaster which promised members up to £12,500 a year in return for a "one-off" cash investment of £50. Leaflets distributed in Blackburn claimed that members could receive huge profits

  • Promise of action for bus station

    ACTION is about to be taken to improve Accrington's congested bus station, council bosses have promised. New bus stops are to be created away from the core line of stops in Peel Street to reduce congestion and confusion. And council bosses are about to

  • Cannabis in loft farm

    A SECRET cannabis farm worth up to £40,000 has been discovered in the loft of a house in Astley. Detectives swooped on the property on Dunmail Close and found dozens of the plants growing in the attic, which had been specially adapted with sophisticated

  • Friends' bid for a better park

    THE future of a popular Hyndburn park could lie in the hands of local residents, if a community action group gets off the ground. Hyndburn Council has been approached by several local people concerned about the state of Gatty Park in Church. They have

  • Kind bus firm helps blind

    BIG-hearted bus company staff have driven up the funds for the Wigan and Leigh Society for the Blind. The charity has received a cheque for £240 from First Manchester to help pay for group activities. It was once again the choice of the Melverly Street

  • Got a gripe - have your say!

    IF YOU have a gripe against the council, now's the time to voice it. And if you're quick about it, you may win £100 in a prize draw. From Monday, thousands of householders will be asked for their views on services provided by the council. Questionnaires

  • Claire's centre stage in 'King'

    ATHERTON diva Claire Moore has danced into the West End limelight once again - playing a leading role in the hit musical "The King and I". Claire has stepped into the shoes - and massive crinolene worn by Elaine Paige - to portray Anna for a two week

  • Sue llearns from the Master

    FITNESS fanatic Sue Johnson doesn't do anything by halves. The Astley tai chi expert is taking classes with one of the top masters - in China. She has recently returned from trom a trip to the Orient, where she took part in the making of two TV documentaries

  • Cunliffe steps in to save BICC jobs

    LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffe is to ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to try and rescue 130 jobs at BICC. Meanwhile, trade union representatives will meet company bosses on September 27 to salvage what they can for the employees. More than

  • Cat-woman Betty's just purrrfect

    CAT lover Betty Jones is the purr-fect foster mum. The Leigh pensioner, who has six felines of her own, is one of an army of carers who looks after the area's abandoned, sick and ferrel pusses, until they are re-homed. Treasurer of Atherton, Wigan Cats

  • Care homes reprieved

    FOUR of Blackpool's eight council-run rest homes threatened with closure will be saved after the council made a last-minute U-turn yesterday (September 6). But the decision has been met with mixed feelings and some say the fight to save all the homes

  • It's cynical opportunism

    FOR sheer cynical political opportunism the Independent Group leader's remarks (Citizen: August 31) take some beating. The MBI party now admit that Paddy Kavanagh and his wife worked hard for the area. If they believe this why was Paddy Kavanagh one of

  • Zebras to protect us

    FURTHER to another attempt to use a zebra crossing without getting myself killed, I feel I have to write to you and ask if the law has been changed since I passed my driving test? It seems that our seafront crossings are becoming more dangerous each day

  • MEP's time should be better employed

    I RESPECTIVELY suggest that Chris Davies might be better employed informing his constituents just how the Lib Dems vote in the European Parliament an any given subject and of the outcome instead of producing this constant stream of proactive and condescending

  • Prince still king

    NAPSTER latest: The artist known once again as Prince is online and he's using the forum to make a pro-Napster statement. He writes that the "future will B digitized." TAFKAP, Mr Rogers, or what ever he's called this week is and forever will be a fine

  • Rescue to save crayfish

    THOUSANDS of a protected species of crayfish in the River Ribble are doomed to die from a plague infection. But environment watchers are working all out to try to save a small proportion of the river's crayfish populations. Teams of rescuers are preparing

  • Foods of the forest day at centre

    CELEBRITY chef Paul Heathcote will join County Councillor George Slynn to search out the foods of the forest in a special event to be held at Beacon Fell. The Foods of the Forest day, to be held at the Bowland Visitor Centre, will be officially opened

  • See stars on our big hitter!

    WELL, I certainly didn't see this one coming: the latest addition to our record breaking This is Lancashire site is a horoscope section, which you can find nestled neatly in our leisure section. You can find out what the stars hold and my word it is uncannily

  • This repeated ploy must be exposed

    YET again we have our MEP pleading he has been misunderstood. This repeated ploy must be exposed. The fact is that each of his assertions has been fully understood and fully demolished. The evidence of this is now comprehensively documented in the files

  • Drive ban 'threat to farm future'

    A RIBBLE Valley farming dynasty was threatened because William Henry Holgate drank too much whisky before driving home from his sister's house. Blackburn magistrates heard that Holgate, 65, has farmed Higher Standen Hey Farm, Pendleton, for 48 years following

  • We're all affected by government

    SOME weeks ago I was asked whether, at the forthcoming general election, I would be voting for the prospective Conservative candidate for the constituency of Lancaster and Wyre. At the time I paid little attention to the question, for I knew that the

  • Schooldays online

    WELL done the kids of St Mary's Hall school, Stonyhurst, for their excellent website. It gives a unique insight into activities that the youngsters have been up to, from a meeting with Mrs Blair inside Number 10 to a chat with Phillip Schofield. As well

  • Barbie is right to fry bacon

    I HAVE read various people recently that agree with Richard Bacon. I think Barbie Smith is right our tourism chiefs shouldn't pander to him. Even one disgruntled local said he tells people he is from Blackpool or Southport. If that's what he thinks why

  • Pool seeking to retain cup form

    POOL will almost certainly be without Brett Ormerod as they seek to continue their cup form in the league against Hartlepool United at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. The striker is still recovering from an ankle injury and could be out for the next few

  • Murphy's hat-trick magic!

    JOHN MURPHY was the hero of the day as Pool progressed to the next stage with a fantastic 4-2 aggregate win over Division One side Stockport County. He grabbed a hat trick after it looked as though a 2-1 lead by Stockport was going to put them though

  • No laughing matter for the Shrimps!

    Morecambe 0 Chester 2 SHRIMPS' honorary chairman Jim Bowen was in the stands, but there was nothing super, smashing or great about this Morecambe performance. And this first home defeat put Morecambe well behind those sides chasing the bulls-eye of promotion

  • Health shock for Sarah

    A LYTHAM teenager has been fitted with a pacemaker after she was struck down by a mystery virus while on holiday in Spain. Sarah Clark, 18, and a finalist in the Miss Blackpool 2000 contest, came down with a mystery illness while in Benidorm with her

  • Away-day heyday

    A ST ANNES rail enthusiast has had an article about the Fylde coast's railway heyday published in Britain's premier historical railway magazine, Steam World. Eric Woods, 80, wrote the article -- illustrated by some of his own evocative pictures -- which

  • Clarets v Palace preview

    CLARETS boss Stan Ternent has fond memories of his time as Crystal Palace but will be keen to put one over his former club tomorrow. Ternent was number two to Steve Coppell at Selhurst Park and helped guide the Eagles to promotion to the top-flight before

  • Palace a side to watch

    SMOOTH talking Crystal Palace boss Alan Smith insists his Rolex watch and dapper look are signs of the character needed to prosper in and out of the game. He again made the point, which rumour has it was also one of his opening gambits when he took charge

  • Paul grabs hat-trick

    Vine 22 Bank Quay 18 PAUL O'Brien was the hat-trick hero for Vine as they came from behind three times to clinch victory in this opening-day thriller. Keeley was Vine's other try scorer, with Orick adding three goals to complete the scoring for the home

  • James in town

    FRESH from playing the V2000 festival, James are stopping off in Blackpool as part of their UK tour. The veteran Manchester band, which has played Blackpool on numerous occasions over their long career, will be at the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens

  • Concern for missing

    POLICE are urging Blackpool's residents and holidaymakers to look out for a 15 year old girl who could have run away with her boyfriend. Cherry Millerchip from Coventry is believed to have come to Blackpool. She is described as 5ft 8ins tall, slim build

  • Youngsters put on a wizard show

    THEY'RE off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Staining! This summer has again seen Staining youth drama group Stage 2000 put on a spectacular show after a week of special holiday workshops. The course, managed by local singer and graduate of

  • Telling the yobs to button it!

    UNTIL Tuesday night, Chester was probably one of Morecambe's most anticipated away trips of the season. A new away ground and a city which is well worth a visit would undoubtedly have encouraged many supporters to make the short journey to the Welsh borders

  • Health shock for Sarah

    A LYTHAM teenager has been fitted with a pacemaker after she was struck down by a mystery virus while on holiday in Spain. Sarah Clark, 18, and a finalist in the Miss Blackpool 2000 contest, came down with a mystery illness while in Benidorm with her

  • Penlake strike

    PENLAKE claimed a great cup victory over neighbours Beeches in the Warrington League's Guardian Cup. Their scorers in a 7-5 triumph were Shaun McKeegan (3), Ian Roach and Jamie Houghton (two apiece). RESULTS Tuesday, August 29 Organic Intermediates Premier

  • Licensed to go the Bar

    THREE St Annes solicitors could soon be called to the bar, if a proposed new pub is granted a drinks licence. Pub chain giants JD Wetherspoon are appearing at Blackpool Magistrates' Court today (September 7) to apply for a drinks licence for the new pub

  • Visitors are zoo-ming

    CRUMPLE (pictured) is in clover -- well sunflowers, actually. All the animals at Blackpool Zoo have been enjoying the recent warm weather, but none more than the Indian elephant whose exercise field is filled with sunflowers grown especially to feed the

  • Festival draws in folk

    THE Millennium Fylde Folk Festival took place in Fleetwood last weekend, bringing more than 200 artists to the Fylde coast. They performed at the festival in over 130 events in twenty venues throughout the town, featuring an eclectic mix of talent and

  • Driving me round the bend

    Shelley Wright's wry look at life FOR the last seven days I have to admit I've been wrestling ceaselessly with a one track mind that seems to be stuck like a particularly scratched old Stone Roses LP. Now, before your imagination goes into overdrive -

  • Ex-Miners winger banned

    FORMER Leigh Miners winger Richard Henare has been banned from the game for 12 months and fined £2,000 after being tested positive for cannabis earlier this year. At a hearing with the Rugby Football League Executive Board on July 27 Henare, who joined

  • Dynamo in goals glut

    THE Leigh and District Youth League kick off its new season last weekend. In the Under 16s section Dynamo Three Crowns hammered newcomers Hindley Juniors 11-1. The highlight of the game was a hat-trick from Peters with other goals coming from Mullarkey

  • Soundly beaten

    A MUCH-CHANGED and inexperienced Leigh RU first XV was soundly beaten 36-8 by old rivals Wigan in the opening league encounter pf the season. Leigh competed well in the first half and took an early lead with an Ian Wright penalty. Wigan, however, gradually

  • Tyldesley pay for their errors

    TYLDESLEY RU kicked their league season off away at De La Salle and despite a off-key performance they could have earned a share of the points after a battling late surge just failed to prevent a 23-16 defeat. The forwards failed to use the ball well

  • Youngsters see off Old Boys...

    DAISY Hill gave their best display of the season in a super 4-1 home victory over Holker Old Boys. Povah and Wadeson pulled the Daisy strings in midfield while Adam Entwistle was a real handful for the Holker defence. After good work from Prescott, Povah

  • Big guns end Leigh's dream

    GENLEC Leigh's cup double ambitions ended is disappointment as they lost the Chelmere Cup Final by eight wickets to a star-studded Bootle side. The Merseysiders have now won the cup for a record five consecutive years and were generally in control throughout

  • FA Cup joy for Colls and LR

    BOTH Atherton sides did themselves proud in the FA Cup Preliminary Round last weekend. Colls chalked up a memorable 2-0 home victory over Morpeth Town and the LR party was in full swing all the way back from Durham after winning away at Shotton Comrades

  • Manchester League

    THE Manchester League hits the half dozen mark of matches played tomorrow and that will bring a welcome sigh of relief to most competing clubs. It means the arduous early season midweek fixtures are over and the playing schedule now revolves solely around

  • Greg gets in the saddle!

    RADCLIFFE Water Polo team member Greg Plummer is always up for a challenge. Besides his passion for polo he has also taken part in a successful cross-Channel swimming relay back in 1977. But he has now turned his attention to dry land and on Tuesday (

  • Lottery grant to boost mental health services

    A PRESTWICH-based mental health services citizens advice bureau has scooped a National Lottery grant of £175,977. The bureau, which is run by Salford Mental Health Services, is based at the former Prestwich Hospital site and serves the Salford area. The

  • Hanging on the telephone

    THE police have been blasted by a Radcliffe pensioner who claims they are not interested when the public try to help. After reading an appeal for information about two men who stole money from the Chapelfield home of an 87-year-old woman in last week's

  • Council in sin bin

    ONE black mark over its treatment of an autistic man has put town hall bosses in the good conduct "sin bin". The Local Government Ombudsman ordered the council to pay £250 compensation to the family of Gerard Dunn (41) over delays in handling their complaints

  • Swimming: Rascals off to a flyer!

    IT was medals galore for Ramsbottom Rascals who returned from the summer break in brilliant form. They showed no sign of a holiday hangover in the Warburtons Gala at Broughton pool on Sunday. In total the Rascals picked up six medals with top honours

  • Berg lined up in loan deal

    BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness was today set to bolster his defensive resources by snapping up former Rover Henning Berg on loan. And Rovers have still not given up hope of landing St Etienne centre back Lucien Mettomo as well, which raises further question

  • Up Pompey!

    NORTH End striker Steve Basham ended his goal famine on Saturday (September 3) with a spectacular volley twenty seconds into the second-half to secure the points for Preston and keep the Deepdale side up with the early season pacesetters. Preston had

  • Spicy contract

    A NEW contract has spiced up workers at a packaging firm. RPC Containers, of Guide, has been awarded a two- year contract to produce jars for Lion Foods which supply dry spices and herbs. New tooling has been installed for the range of jars which will

  • 'Them and us' view wanes

    RELATIONS between employers and unions have improved over the past year, with more firms willing to co-operate, according to a new survey. Industrial action in the North West fell although ballots were held in four out of 10 companies, the poll showed

  • Boro's double boost

    NEW BOYS Shaun McHugh and Scot Wilson go straight into the Radcliffe Borough team for Saturday's trip to Lincoln United. McHugh has joined Boro from Bamber Bridge and manager Kevin Glendon hopes he will bolster the back four that has leaked goals at an

  • The Mighty Atom

    BURY boxing sensation Ady Lewis has never been fitter - and that spells trouble for Irishman Tommy Waite! The 'Mighty Atom' takes on Belfast's Waite at Bowlers, Trafford Park tomorrow evening with both his British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles

  • Bury FC: Worthington Cup woe for Shakers

    Bury 1 - Crewe Alexandra 2 (Crewe win 4-3 on aggregate) IT isn't often fans give their team a rousing ovation after a first round cup defeat but that was the scenario at Gigg Lane last night. The Shakers may have bowed out 4-3 on aggregate to their First

  • Blast for estate thugs

    LIBERAL Democrat councillors have slammed the "mindless thugs" who attacked a doctor and his driver in Clinkham Wood. During the incident, reported in last week's Star, the doctor was subjected to racist abuse by a gang of youngsters who also stoned his

  • And the wall came tumbling down!

    TWO men allege they needed hospital treatment after part of a house wall being refurbished by council sub-contractors fell on top of them. Ironically, one of the men, Sean Gallagher, who lives in the house, had telephoned the council just hours earlier

  • Twin's death is still a mystery

    A CORONER recorded an open verdict on the death of a seven-week-old twin after two pathologists failed to find out why she died. East Lancashire coroner David Smith heard how baby Amy Seddon died in bed with her parents Helena and Stephen at their home

  • Diamond blessing

    A COUPLE will have their 60-year marriage blessed on Thursday in special Diamond Wedding celebrations. Betty and Bill Landers, of Rydal Street, Leigh, were married on September 14, 1940, and both worked at BICC - "but that's not where we met!" Their marriage

  • Beeches saves the green belt

    ANOTHER 4.65 acres of land in Hindley has been bought for housing. Beazer Homes will use the neglected local authority land on Leyland Avenue to build 63 luxury homes - to be known as The Beeches. Sales and marketing director Brian Smith, said: "One of

  • Titles all the way for green-fingered Jim

    GREEN-fingered growing all-rounder Jimmy Salisbury scooped 30 titles in Tyldesley Allotments' Association's third annual show on Saturday. He had a clean sweep of the dahlia section, with the rest coming in the vegetable and outsize classes. He lifted

  • We are ready to explain stance

    THOMAS Bromley of SIMR, (Citizen, August 10) is quite wrong when he accuses anti-vivisection campaigners of being 'remarkably quiet' about alternatives to animal experiments. As professional campaigners, we at the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection

  • The Big question?

    BOSSES at Blackpool Pleasure Beach remain tight lipped about last Thursday night's (August 31) crash on The Big One ride which injured eleven people and left two teenage boys in need of hospital treatment. The Health and Safety Executive is still busy

  • Wedding day blues

    A DISTRAUGHT bride was left in tears when her new husband was arrested minutes after they had exhanged their vows. It was a case of something old, something new, something borrowed -- and the boys in blue at Blackpool Register Office, in South King Street

  • What a (West) Life!

    THE atmosphere was electric in Blackpool on Friday (September 1) as thousands of screaming fans descended on Talbot Square to cheer on Irish chart-topping boy band Westlife as they flicked the switch to light up the night sky. More than 40,000 people

  • Heartless thieves target old folk

    POLICE chiefs in Blackpool are keen to trace a number of heartless criminals after a spate of burglaries at the homes of elderly people in the area. The first occurrence was at around 4.40pm on Sunday, August 20, in Station Road, Kirkham. A man knocked

  • Regeneration strategy meeting

    AN action planning event to prepare for the regeneration of a part of Blackburn is to be held this month. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is working closely with residents of Whitebirk to work on a strategy which will see the area develop over the

  • Street party full of fun for all

    YOUNGSTERS from Blackburn Glenfield Playsafe Residents Association enjoyed all the fun of the fair at their annual street party. Parents and children from Space housing organisation properties in Little Harwood celebrated with the sound of a steel band

  • Boy, 14 urges pals to pinch fount

    CHRISTOPHER Lee Ianson and two accomplices were spotted stealing an ornamental fountain from the garden of a Longridge house. Blackburn magistrates heard that police were able to stop their getaway car nearby after a neighbour disturbed the trio and took

  • Dancing to a different tune

    MEMBERS of the Apnaghar Day Centre in Blackburn sampled different cultures from within their own community during a day of dance, music, crafts and food-tasting. More than 100 people enjoyed the cultural event which took place at the Bangor Street Community

  • Who shall go to the ball?

    TALENTED youngsters are being sought to appear in the chorus of one of the north west's biggest pantomimes. This Sunday open auditions are being held for a prized place in the chorus of this year's spectacular Cinderella held at Bolton's Albert Hall.

  • Drugged woman beaten: man in court

    A MAN was due to appear in court this morning charged with drugging and beating up a woman up over a three-day period. The 26-year-old allegedly kept a 23-year-old woman in a comatose state for three days and repeatedly beat her. The offences are alleged

  • Olympic job for Jean Down Under

    A FORMER East Lancashire schoolgirl will be on the broadcasting team ensuring sports fanatics hear all the action from the forthcoming Olympic Games. Jean Gee, nee Williams, runs her own autocue company in Sydney and she has been contracted onto the BBC

  • Non-league soccer: Padiham preview

    PADIHAM boss Graham Howarth admitted he almost missed out on their hot shot Lee Chambers. The striker, who has scored 11 goals in six games for the Storks this season, was playing for BAC Preston but knew he was moving to the Padiham area. "Lee approached

  • Non-league soccer: Ramsbottom preview

    RAMSBOTTOM UNITED hit the Carlsberg FA Vase trail this weekend on the hunt for more cup success. Ken Bridge's side enjoyed a great FA Cup preliminary round win midweek, defeating Gretna, the UniBond First Division side who have a history of reaching the

  • County cricket: Athers back

    MIKE Atherton made a timely return for Lancashire in their Championship match against Somerset at Old Trafford today. Lancashire were missing Andy Flintoff because of his England contract and John Crawley with appendicitis, leaving them badly short of

  • Local cricket: Dale targets double title

    ADAM Dale has bagged over 100 wickets this summer but would gladly swap his position as the league's leading wicket-taker for Bacup's first Transco Lancashire League championship for 40 years. The Queenslander could yet end up with both titles as Bacup