A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal, Ewood Park, Blackburn. Tom Jones Tribute, Pines Hotel, Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods, 7pm. Rumours of Fleetwood Mac Concert, King George's
LOCALLY-based rubber-faced comedian Phil Cool is showing off his talents at Preston's Charter Theatre on Sunday. With five top-selling videos and five hit TV series, Phil has done it all although he admits he still has one dream to fulfil -- to play alongside
EAST Lancashire has long featured strongly at the wrong end of league tables highlighting the problem of teenage pregnancies. The social problems caused when teenagers have unplanned babies are well known. Lost education, career opportunities, housing
LAURA Evans' talisman, her lucky green 'Paula hat', has brought her a good deal of luck this season -- and she worked extremely hard for all of it. Hopefully, we'll be seeing a lot more of the hat as well as Laura on the winner's podium. She dominated
North West Counties Division One Glossop North End...1 Ramsbottom United...1 A 75th minute goal from Glyn Barker earned Ramsbottom United a point in an, as expected, hard-fought encounter at Surrey Street. After losing at Squires Gate, Ramsbottom were
Old Alts...0 , Unsworth...6: IT was only a matter of time before Unsworth rattled up a high-scoring win. On a wet and windy day at Crossford Bridge, Sale last Saturday, they disposed of basement club Old Alts in a comfortable manner. Despite their lowly
RAMSBOTTOM have signed 30-year-old Aussie Jason Arnberger to replace batsman Michael Clarke, who will be unavailable due to expected calls from state and country. Yorkshire County Cricket Club have also shown an interest in signing the New South Wales
A CHORLEY firm is helping keep troops well hidden from the enemy by providing the camouflage material for army uniforms. Pincroft's Printing and Dyeing Works on Market Street, Adlington, produces three different types of camouflage material including
TEN councillors in Jack Straw's Blackburn constituency have threatened to quit the Labour Party if war on Iraq begins without United Nations backing. The protesters, two of whom serve on Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board, made the announcement
REGARDING Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy saying it was a disgrace the town's three British National Party councillors failed to attend the annual budget meeting (LET, February 27), maybe the BNP councillors don't have the luxury of not having to
HUMAN beings are living longer than ever before thanks to a varied diet, better medical care and strict hygiene regulations. But similar improvements in the feline world are causing major problems for a local cat charity. 'Claws,' which finds homes for
IN response to the recent bad publicity given to council staff sickness (LET, February 14), I would point out that the statistics provided by the councils are very misleading and that readers should not jump to conclusions. Many council departments, such
I BELIEVE that Saddam Hussein is not necessarily a threat but, rather a puppet of the West whom it could use or abuse whenever it decided. The whole issue has been about trying to control the 'oil' in that unstable region, let alone the whole of the Middle
FORMER army camp land overlooking a popular fishing lodge in Starling could soon be given village green status. Members of the Friends of Cockey Moor, Whiteheads' and Parkers' Lodges say that the land, to the South of Gisburn Drive, has been in common
AN arsonist is being hunted after he tried to torch the home of a Bury pensioner. The firebug had poured petrol through the letterbox of the 60-year-old woman's home in Walmersley Road and was attempting to light the fluid with matches when he was disturbed
POLICE are investigating two arson attacks on cars. Firefighters from Bury were called out at 12.30am on Monday (Marfch 10) to Badger Street in Walmersley to deal with a blazing Toyota Corina. A side window had been smashed prior to the vehicle being
A MAN suffered two deep gashes to his head when he was attacked with a brick while trying to stop his girlfriend being assaulted. The attack happened in the early hours of Saturday (March 8) on the forecourt of the BP garage in Rochdale Road, Bury. The
DRINKERS have backed a pub's efforts to make St Patrick's Day a bank holiday. Gill Thorogood, manager of O'Neill's in Silver Street, Bury, started a petition to make March 17 a bank holiday, and presented it to Bury Town Hall. She said: "St Patrick's
NIMBLE-fingered pensioner Mary Whewell proved a star attraction at the International Women's Day festival at Manchester Town Hall. For the grandmother's piano playing was one of the most popular performances at the event, the country's largest indoor
LEIGH RMI's latest attempt to raise the club's profile in the town will see first team players out and about on Saturday afternoon. Players and officials will be in the town centre to meet their fans and sign autographs. There will also be a free raffle
'EKH Rupeeah da phul....Doh Repeeah da'.... let me stop you there brother before the big boys come round to your house to sort you out. How else are we supposed to describe what's going on in the world today?. Just because old Saddam's gonna get a whooping
TICKETS are to go on sale for Simon Garner's testimonial match from Monday. The legendary Rovers striker holds his benefit match at Ewood Park on May 18, kick-off 4pm, when the Premiership winning side of 1995 will take on last year's Worthington Cup
HIGHBURY hero Brad Friedel believes Rovers can pull off another shock tomorrow when Arsenal visit Ewood. Friedel's man-of-the-match heroics earlier this season helped Rovers record a brilliant 2-1 win at the home of the Gunners. And the United States
WOMEN from Preston and South Ribble were trying their hand at everything from henna painting to flower craft on Saturday, in recognition of International Women's Day. Workshops included embroidery, face painting and Indian head massage at the Foxton Centre
AN appeal against a decision that found a councillor guilty of victimising a council officer, has been upheld on a point of law. Councillor Geoff Driver was found to have conducted a vendetta against Shirley Harrison, the council's assistant director
A PRIEST got more than he bargained for after taking a trip-of-a-lifetime Down Under. Benedictine monk Father Matthew Burns, from Bamber Bridge, was expecting a peaceful trip after jetting to Australia for a three-week holiday. But after travelling to
LANCASHIRE County Council has pulled out of the North West Regional Assembly and demanded its subscription back after accusing it of breaking government guidelines. A resolution calling for withdrawal from the unelected body was passed by ruling Labour
FIREFIGHTERS have called for police backup following attacks by youths who have hurled stones and burning footballs at officers and their engines. The hoaxers, from particular trouble spots in the city, are burning rubbish fires and dialling 999 to get
REPAIR works to a culvert in Todmorden Road, Lyndhurst Road and Higgin Street, Burnley, are in the final stage. Todmorden Road will now be closed at the junction with Lyndhurst Road from Monday, March 17 for two to three weeks. Traffic will be diverted
THE owners of a hair salon damaged when arsonists targeted an upstairs flat today revealed they would be back open within a week. Lyn Smethurst and Andrea Veldon were devastated yesterday when their salon -- LA's Hair Studio, Lyndhurst Road, Burnley -
A BURGLAR is back behind bars for two and a half years. Father-of-two, Colin Raw, 34, was also ordered to serve the unexpired portion of his last jail term by Judge Raymond Bennett. Burnley Crown Court heard how addict Raw, who fell victim to drugs in
ONE of Burnley's three BNP councillors is to stand down at the next council elections. Terence Grogan, the far-right's party leader in the council chamber, said work commitments have forced him to give up his seat. Coun Grogan said: "It is just impossible
A WOMAN who allowed her home to be used for drug dealing has walked free from court. Burnley Crown Court heard how devoted Christine Gilchrist, 52, had borrowed cash from people who lived in her area to pay for a holiday for her dying husband. Her house
THE managing director of a company which has announced it will bring 600 new jobs to East Lancashire today said the figure could double within a year. And in a second vote of confidence for the town, the owner of Padiham's booming Shuttleworth Mead business
IS there, out there, a person with the following remarkable combination of attributes: namely: a) has plenty of spare time; b) is interested in photography; c) owns a digital camera; d) does not have to be paid? Being a member of "Forever Bury" would
BURY are revitalised and eager to halt their home slump after a successful day at the races writes Chris Hall Manager Andy Preece took his squad to the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday in a bid to boost morale following a miserable run
SHAKERS joint chairman John Smith has given his full backing to the Football League body being set up to help Third Division clubs manage their finances. The Financial Monitoring Unit will be made up of Football League officials, the Professional Footballers
A LABOUR stalwart from Pendle has resigned from the party after more than 70 years as a member. Former party agent for Nelson and Colne Len Dole said he had left the party because he had become disillusioned at Labour's record in Government. He said Prime
RADCLIFFE Parish Church now has a link with Windsor Castle as both are adorned with work by Ilkley-based artist Graeme Willson. He created a painted panel for the church's aumbry, as well as a large painting which hangs above the altar in the side chapel
RADCLIFFE heart transplant patient Jason Whittaker has spoken of his determination to make the most of his second chance in life. He is already looking forward to scuba diving in the Maldives, family holidays in Ireland and taking his son, Luke, to Australia
PNE women had chances to win this match but could also have lost it as both sides squandered several goal chances. The Whites started brightly with Jo Ashworth shooting narrowly wide on four minutes and Louise Cafferkey hitting the side netting. Karen
MOTORSPORTS students at the University of Central Lancashire are set to become the first student-only team to enter the 2003 Peugeot 205 Challenge Championship. With a number of Formula Ford trophies already lined up, the team have now turned their attention
A KNIFE found at the home of a man accused of murdering a former Colne teenager could be used to skin meat, a court heard. Butcher Christopher Bellamy told Lincoln Crown Court the chef's knife found in Stephen Charles Hughes' flat was not the sort he
FORMER Dr Who actress Louise Jameson is looking to bring a little suspense into the lives of theatregoers next week when she comes to Blackpool's Grand Theatre in a touring production of Corpse. "It really is one of the cleverest whodunnits I've ever
AS someone who was seemingly once never off our TV screens, Bobby Davro has a pretty low opinion of the programmes currently being served up to the viewing public. "TV is basically ageist," says the man who in the early '90s was prime time viewing. "People
CUSTOMERS at the White Horse pub, Helmshore, paid £2 each to see where Tina the cow would lay her first cowpat after the car park was chalked up into 100 squares. But Tina took two hours to perform in the Comic Relief event.
CANCER Research UK is £3,000 better off -- thanks to Blackburn-based Great Harwood Windows. The company raised the money at its charity ball, which included an auction of memorabilia. Costumes from Coronation Street were among items which went under the
NEW tax laws mean most "one man band" businesses and small partnerships can lop thousands of pounds off their tax bills by becoming a limited company. Special adviser Ken Moody of Bury-based accountancy firm DTE believes sole traders making annual profits
It's been slim pickings for movie goers this week due to the cricket world cup. You'd have thought this would be the best time to release a film because not everyone is mental about cricket. The only ones brave enough to hit the screens this month were
SURPRISE surprise...Devdas blew away the opposition at the annual Filmfare Awards. Despite criticism from some quarters producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali had the last laugh, "Everyone asked me why I put in so much money into the story of a loser, but it
A 22-year-old man suffered serious head injuries in a three car smash on the A59 near Chatburn. Andrew Metcalf, of St Peters Close, Salesbury, was in collision with two cars at 4.45pm yesterday in Pendle Road. He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary
YOUNG pupils have strengthened their unique bond with NASA in the wake of the space shuttle tragedy. Children at Salesbury CE Primary School hoisted the Stars and Stripes and said prayers as they tried to come to terms with the loss of seven astronauts
VINNY Samways is the latest player to have been brought to Walsall by manager Colin Lee in a bid to stave off the threat of relegation. The 35-year-old former Spurs player has returned from a spell in Spain where he played for both Las Palmas and Seville
WALSALL boss Colin Lee believes his side still needs three wins to be sure of maintaining their first division status. Most people believe that the relegation battle is now down to three from four of Brighton, Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke and Grimsby but
SPECIAL crime-busting officers, who have now been pounding the beat in Leyland for about a month, say their presence has gone down a storm. Police community support officers were drafted in to the town in February to patrol troublespots including the
WOULD-be councillors in South Ribble are getting the chance to find out what life is like under the glare of the public eye. All 55 of the borough's council seats are up for grabs in the local elections, and almost anybody can stand. But one councillor
WHEN he's not arguing the case for fire-fighters across Lancashire he's fighting the corner of prisoners across the world. Steve Harman is Lancashire Fire and Rescue's full-time union representative and has been involved in top-level negotiations during
YOU have many responses on this page concerning female issues. I read Dear Massi regularly and would like to know why women in our community get so annoyed when you ask then to wear traditional Asian clothes. Far too many of our women are wearing western
A MOTHER who tried for 10 years to have children is urging the Earl and Countess of Wessex to go for it following reports that the couple were considering IVF treatment. It comes as Prince Edward and his wife Sophie visited Preston on Wednesday, March
I LIED about my age and I just don't how I to deal with it. I am three years older than my husband but I never actually told him or his family when they asked for the rishta. It was an arranged marriage but before we got married they assumed I was the
I HAVE never been someone who is interested in other people's affairs but I have become more and more worried about the relationship my friend is having with this guy. I don't trust him and I feel he is not good enough for her. He uses her all the time
EVERYTHING was certainly ship-shape and Bristol fashion when a junior football team provided both mascots for a vital Third Division match at Gigg Lane. Local boy Adam Stansfield was the Bury mascot when the Shakers took on Bristol Rovers. And the Rovers
SCHOOLS from the borough made their mark when it came to down to basics. Four schools have been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark for the standard of teaching in reading and arithmetic. They were St Michael's RC Primary in Whitefield; Bury and Whitefield
FIFTEEN of the borough's "most wanted" criminals have been charged by police and two of them have already been sent to prison following a major police crackdown. A total of 29 men and women were arrested across Bury in a matter of days as part of a forcewide
IF you think jetting off on a private plane is only for the rich and famous, think again! High-flying Bury travel agent Debbie Firkin (27) has won a plane for the day and will fly to Vienna tomorrow (Sat March 15) with 39 of her friends and family after
HOUSEHOLDERS are seeking compensation from high street giants, Marks and Spencer, following claims that construction work has caused structural damage to their homes. A number of residents in Highfield Road, situated behind the plush new development in
A NIGHT of funk, nu-jazz and soul is on the way tonight at Jazzy Kex in Blackburn. The 45 Crew are in town for their 45 night, which runs until 3am. Tomorrow the 61 Players and Rick Knowles bring Mindbiscuit to the Regent Street venue. Expect "jacking
IF songs, performance and impact are the true measures of a band's greatness, The Kills have them in abundance. If arrogance, style and attitude create the chemistry for that "X" factor then The Kills have them in equal measure too. As the duo -- English
ADMITTEDLY, Prestatyn will never be the new Ibiza. But take nearly 2,000 up-for-it Lancashire people, two clubs which open til 5am and a pub which seemed never to close and you have the best warm-up for a holiday on the White Isle. And so it was that
HE will forever be known as "the voice of Dr Hook" but Denis Locorriere is very much his own man. On Thursday he will be bringing his guitar to Darwen's Library Theatre where he will settle down for an evening among friends. "It's just me and my guitar
THE creation of 600 jobs at the Shuttleworth Mead business park in Padiham will be the latest coup for three East Lancs businessmen who have transformed the site of a former power station into a thriving haven for commerce. When the power station closed
A RESIDENTS' association is taking action against 'serial dumpers' who leave their rubbish in alleyways. The group representing Springfield Street and Alice Street, Darwen, is looking to 'shop' the dumpers to the council in future. Tom Goodson, association
A SELF-HELP group supporting relatives of drug addicts has wound up because of declining membership - despite the town's escalating heroin problem. Families Anonymous was set up eight years ago and organisers ran weekly sessions from Sudellside Community
WINNERS of Ramsbottom Heritage Society annual photographic competition will receive their prizes at a meeting on Wednesday, March 19. Judge will be Jonathon Ali who will present prizes give an illustrated talk entitled The Boys-Hawkshaws War Memorial.
ROSSENDALE council hopes to cut administration costs by encouraging council tax payers to pay by direct debit. People who sign up to the new scheme could win a council tax-free month. Winners of twice-yearly draws will save £250 on Band H homes and £82
IN a recent speech by Senator Robert Byrd in the United States Senate, he said, and I quote: "We are truly sleepwalking through history." In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good and trusting citizens are not in for the rudest
FORMER Dr Who actress Louise Jameson is looking to bring a little suspense into the lives of theatregoers next week when she comes to Blackpool's Grand Theatre in a touring production of Corpse. "It really is one of the cleverest whodunnits I've ever
HE will forever be known as "the voice of Dr Hook" but Denis Locorriere is very much his own man. On Thursday he will be bringing his guitar to Darwen's Library Theatre where he will settle down for an evening among friends. "It's just me and my guitar
THE next week or so is shaping up into a particularly noteworthy one, with a number of special gigs on offer for local jazz enthusiasts. The Steve Oakes Quartet returns to the Sparrow Hawk Hotel, in Church Street, Burnley, on Sunday lunchtime and fans
Thousands attended an Asian Wedding Exhibition at London's Wembley Exhibition Halls. The event which aimed to showcase the best of East and West fashion and beauty, is now into its ninth year, saw six spectacular catwalk shows, with top international
Shahina Kasak reports from the Asian Bride Show 2003 which was held at the Cafe Royale in London. The event promised to be an "all you need" guide to the perfect Asian nuptial, enough glitter and pizzaz to fill any community hall and impress the Jones's
AUTHOR Qaisra Shahraz will be at Bangor Street Book Club's Typhoon Afternoon tomorrow from 1pm to 4pm at the Seven Trees Family Centre. Qaisra, a well-known Manchester based author who originates from Pakistan, has two successful novels to her name, The
THE police officer who breathalysed Paul Michael Young told him he would "put in a good word" for him. And defence solicitor Richard Prew said it was refreshing to see that the officer, true to his word, had written a note for the court doing just that
BLACKBURN Magistrates heard milkman Glen Shaw failed to stop and report a crash after his milk float skidded on ice and hit a bus. The collision left passenger Paul Grimshaw needing ten stitches to a head wound after the float's metal canopy came through
NEW Colne signings Matt Woods and Kristian Evans have given the Reds the lift they needed. Both made their debuts in the 3-1 win over Holker Old Boys on Wednesday night, and Colne manager Dean Grice believes they played a pivotal role. Matt was superb
DARWEN have signed out of favour Great Harwood striker Graham Lightbowne ahead of their trip to Holker Old Boys tomorrow. Lightbowne is believed to have had a fall-out at Great Harwood and Darwen boss Steve Wilkes was more than happy to offer him a footballing
BACUP Borough are preparing for their second derby in less than a week. But manager Brent Peters admitted he will be treating tomorrow's home game against Great Harwood as just "any other game". After a string of disappointing results, starting with a
NILE FC got revenge for their defeat in the Abdul Valli cup last year when they beat Santos in a five-a-side tournament in Preston. The tournament was a prelude to a league being set up Preston at the Vida Tulketh Sports Centre. The league kicks off this
PLAYERS of all ages took part in a football tournament in Preston. Held at Westview Leisure Centre the days events were split into four different age groups. Under 16s, Under 18s and Under 21s. In the under 21s an Anis Dad's goal was enough to give Fishwick
OUR Prime Minister's case for moral and humane war in his address in Scotland was not convincing as the very monster Saddam was backed and supplied with lethal weapons by the West, our country included, which he freely used against Iran and and his own
Coming into February Rovers were in abysmal form, out of both the cups, slipping down the league and criticism flying in from all directions. But as I remarked in my article last month with the calibre of players that Rovers have I fully expected them
I ATTENDED the million plus march in London to demonstate against a war with Iraq. I was surprised to see so many people from different backgrounds at the march but I had hoped there would be more members from our community there. It was nevertheless
I WENT to the Peace March in London and to my mind there were more than 1.5 million people. I also went to Audley Community and Sports Centre where the US Assistant Secretary of State was to hold his surgery. A group of local people had arranged a protest
MANY people say that we should not consider attacking Iraq, or even attempting to kill Saddam Hussein. I say that there is a greater principle at stake here, which is why we must act to dispose Saddam. To illustrate this point, on March 7th 1936 German
CAMPAIGNERS fear the turbines will ruin parts of the countryside. The council is looking at installing them on its own unused land and school fields. Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "They blight the landscape and will damage tourism because they dominate
THE Bury Times (Feb 28) reports that Councillor Wayne Campbell blames the increased cost of the police, fire service, insurance and transport levies for making up eight per cent of the 11.7 per cent increase in our council tax. This leaves just a 3.7
I WOULD like to invite readers to take part in this year's National Deafblind Friendly Awards. I'm deafblind myself, which means I have both sight and hearing difficulties, and I think it's really important that deafblind people are able to use the facilities
IT seems almost certain that war will break out within the next couple of weeks. Only a miracle can stop it now. Following a recent ecumenical meeting we, as church leaders of the Baptist, Church of England, Methodist, Roman Catholic and United Reform
YOUR anonymous correspondent "Biker" (Your Letters, Feb 28), made some assumptions when he (I guess it was a he) advocated the walk to school, so that "real" road users can enjoy a faster journey to work. Frankly, I would love to walk to school but where
EIGHT out of 10 young people suffer from stress, with adapting to working life, managing money and paying off debts the main causes, research has revealed. Just over a quarter of people in their 20s said working life made them stressed, while 23% claimed
SCHOOLS from the borough made their mark when it came to down to basics. Four schools have been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark for the standard of teaching in reading and arithmetic. They were St Michael's RC Primary in Whitefield; Bury and Whitefield
A MAN who targeted the elderly in a series of robberies and burglaries has been jailed for eight years. James Evans, aged 35, had deliberately picked on pensioners throughout Lancashire and Greater Manchester. One elderly couple in Bury invited him in
A MONTH-LONG nationwide guns amnesty has been launched by the Government in a bid to cut back on soaring firearms crime. From March 31 to April 30 inclusive, people holding illicit firearms and ammunition can hand them over to police without facing prosecution
THE makers of a cheeky advert for toilet tissue have apologised after the campaign caused upset. The "Love your bum" advert for Velvet toilet paper, which features naked buttocks, has caused more than a hundred calls to the Advertising Standards Agency
TWO brothers arrested during a drug swoop in a busy shopping centre have been sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison. Amjad Khizar, 23, and Omar Khan, 24, were convicted of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, as well as
DETECTIVES investigating the discovery of a man's body near Chorley have tracked down a missing man who could be vital to the inquiry. An anonymous caller contacted the Crimestoppers confidential hotline on Tuesday, January 14 and passed on vital information
MORE than 20,000 anti-war demonstrators took to the streets of Manchester as opposition to conflict with Iraq remained strong. The Manchester demonstration ended opposite the Town Hall in Albert Square where thousands braved the bad weather to listen
FEWER than one in five black or Asian people who appear in crown court feel they are treated unfairly because of the colour of their skin, a study has claimed. The report on ethnic minorities' perceptions of how they were treated by the judicial system
MUSLIMS representing some of the largest national and local Muslim organisations in the UK held a crisis meeting on Friday, 7th March. The meeting discussed a number of pressing issues, the most crucial of which was the US-led campaign for war against
1891: The submarine, Monarch, laid the first underwater telephone cable. 1905: Chelsea FC was founded. 1939: The longest ever Test match was abandoned after 12 days because the English had to catch their boat home. The total playing time was 43 hours
Carlisle...29pts Bury...5pts TRAVELLING north on the M6 in torrential rain, prospects of the game taking place were fading fast, writes MIKE JONES. The pitch conditions were, to say the least debatable, but credit to the Carlisle club and an understanding
GAS pipeline company Transco is using mobile phone technology to cut the number of gas leaks. The move is part of a project currently being trialled in the North West to monitor gas pressures at low points around the local network. As gas travels to the
I AM upset that our MP is not listening to the people of Blackburn who have voted for him for many years. We do not want another war. Why can't our leaders be more like the French or Germans and stand up for what is correct instead of being puppets? S
WHY is Darwen's sculpture at the bus station still not illuminated? Is it: (A) The contractors forgot to install the cable. (B) The Council couldn't afford the cable. (C) No-one can remember where the switch is. Answers, please, on a postcard to Darwen
POLITICIANS should get their act together and soon. It is not them who are sitting waiting in the desert, eating poor-quality food, wearing uniforms that are designed for a European conflict. The last war lasted 100 hours in total, yet troops spent six
REGARDING the subject of acceptance, or no, of common Lancashire phraseology (Letters, March 8), please, Jean Forrest, do not patronise me. I refuse to be baited, by anyone -- least of all another female. I complained to the proper channels about being
JOE Beardsworth (Letters, February 20) states that 'people are jailed for not having a (television) licence.' This is not the case: people cannot be imprisoned for non-payment of the TV licence fee. Prison sentences are imposed by magistrates after non-payment
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has claimed that no further UN-resolution is needed for a pre-emptive strike against Iraq, but this seems untenable. The Labour Party has always embraced the UN Charter as the basis of its postwar foreign policy, and the Government
I FIND it sad that people can so readily believe Saddam Hussein will disarm if given more time. The tyrant will never give up his weapons without the credible threat of force and it is nonsense to suggest that Bush and Blair have the desire to re-draw
AN armed robber fled empty handed after trying to rob a beauty salon. The offender walked into the Essencia Nail and Beauty Boutique in Holcombe Road, Greenmount, at 2.20pm on Saturday (March 8) and threatened a 44-year-old female salon worker with a
BEAUTICIANS from Bury College adopted a strict hands-on approach when they give up their free time to help a local school. For the second successive year, they carried out a host of manicures and associated treatments to provide another cash boost for
THE managing director of a company which has announced it will bring 600 new jobs to East Lancashire today said the figure could double within a year. And in a second vote of confidence for the town, the owner of Padiham's booming Shuttleworth Mead business
TEN councillors in Jack Straw's Blackburn constituency have threatened to quit the Labour Party if war on Iraq begins without United Nations backing. The protesters, two of whom serve on Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board, made the announcement
WATER customers in Bury and throughout the North West face price increases averaging £15 this year. And WaterVoice North West warns that the rise, the equivalent of seven per cent, will be repeated in 2004-05. As water bills hit customers' mats, the local
THE Northern Institute of Massage is again presenting a special day for therapists to help raise funds for Bury Hospice. On Saturday, April 5, Meadbh MacSweeney, a nurse-therapist from the Bon Secour Hospital in Cork, will demonstrate her work with cancer
MEDICAL staff have branded thieves who broke into an elderly day hospital as scum. A music centre and about 100 CDs valued at £1,500 were stolen from the unit in the grounds of Fairfield General Hospital. Ward clerk Sue Davenport told the Bury Times:
ROVERS winger Damien Duff today admitted the last six months have been the worst of his career. The 24-year-old wideman has seen his season wrecked by a succession of niggling injuries. And, although the Republic of Ireland star is planning to return
CRAIG Short today called on the football authorities to crack down on cheating following the storm surrounding Arsenal's recent FA Cup clash with Chelsea. Gunners striker Francis Jeffers was accused of diving for the second time this season when he won
A SCHOOLBOY who has gone out of his way to help youngsters at a Penwortham football club has been honoured for his dedication and hard work. James Brown,15, of Old Hey Croft, Kingsfold, has scooped a major community award for his team-building efforts
A RECORD number of cubs from a Penwortham pack have put their training to the test to get the ultimate scouting badge. The 9th Penwortham Spitfires Pack had an all-time high number of youngsters taking the adventure crest award -- the highest possible
A COUNCIL worker by day and singing sensation by night -- raise your glasses for Carl Preston! Robbie Williams sound-a-like Carl is aiming to be the man of the moment when he performs for the first time at this year's Mayoral Charity Ball on Friday, March
THE Preston head of a homeless charity has urged Home Secretary David Blunkett to think twice about his plans to clamp down on begging. In a White Paper published yesterday, Mr Blunkett laid out plans to hit out at anti-social behaviour, including begging
WITH the threat of war looming, organisations all over the country are planning and practising their emergency strategies. If disaster struck in Preston or South Ribble, one man who knows how to react is chief emergency planning officer Bernard Kershaw
POLICE in Burnley are appealing for witnesses after an 80-year-old woman fought off two muggers. The woman, who does not want to be identified, kicked and struggled with two teenage robbers who tried to snatch her handbag. She was approached getting out
THE next meeting of the Tuesday Fellowship at Greenbrook Church, in Greenbrook Road, is on Tuesday afternoon. The Rev Laura Hardy spoke at the first meeting when she used a number of personal articles to discuss memories they evoked. A cup of tea and
A PENDLE postmaster and his wife, targeted by a gang of armed robbers, have told police how they were tied up and held at their home before being driven to Preston and abandoned in their own car. Police revealed today at least three men wearing dark clothing
RESIDENTS in Burnley today defended their community after a neighbour criticised the area. Herbert Marsden said suggestions Brunshaw estate needed a new youth centre were ridiculous because the Belmont Community Centre already catered for all age groups
BURY FC and the club's supporters' trust, Forever Bury, have announced two major fundraising events scheduled for the coming weeks. On Good Friday (April 18) there will be a sponsored walk to the Shakers' away game at Rochdale (kick-off 3pm). The club
EVERYTHING was certainly ship-shape and Bristol fashion when a junior football team provided both mascots for a vital Third Division match at Gigg Lane. Local boy Adam Stansfield was the Bury mascot when the Shakers took on Bristol Rovers. And the Rovers
NELSON solicitor and former Pendle councillor Sajjad Karim is hoping to be the first Liberal Democrat Asian MEP for the North West after winning the number two slot on the Party's candidate list for next year's European elections. Mr Karim is being supported
BLACKBURN with Darwen Council would have been better spending the £60,000 'anti-rumour' money on trying to keep our streets litter-free. It would also have been well spent employing extra park wardens to stop vandalism and make our parks safe. F WALSH
PRESTON'S chances of promotion to Northern Premier League hockey next season hang by a thread after they were defeated by league champions elect Rotherham 2-1 on Saturday. This loss was compounded by the news that Alderley Edge jumped ahead of them into
HOPPERS completed an excellent weekend by following up a convincing league victory on Saturday with an emphatic win in the Lancashire Cup the following day. Both sides fielded near full strength teams but Hoppers were generally on top. A Sam Houston try
A LOOK at the latest singles and CDs. SINGLES: NO DOUBT: Hella Good GWEN Stefani and Co continue their renaissance with another infectious pop tune. More mean and moody than their party anthem Hey Baby, it's an infectious single that may even go to Number
A PENSIONER attacked by a knife-wielding gang of thugs in South Africa landed home relieved today and said: "All I want is a decent cuppa." Katleen Strachan, 72, of Colne, has been told she will suffer from diabetes for the rest of her life as a result
MORE people are moving to Pendle than any other area in East Lancashire, according to the latest census figures. The latest figures show that Pendle's population has increased from 85,196 in 1991 to 89,252 in 2001. This is against the trends for East
STAFF at Sainsbury's in Deepdale were given a headstart by Sir Tom Finney as they on a fund-raising relay race. The sporting stunt in aid of Comic Relief started on Wednesday morning when runners made their way to Blackpool decked out in red noses and
A 12 month dream came true for mechanic Ian Moore who rebuilt a wrecked vintage lorry going off old photos and a handbook. Ian, from PI Moore Motorbodies, Rishton, built the 1947 eight wheeler AEC Mammoth Major.
Keep a diary of your life, a sister said to me recently. "Just like Bridget Jones"... so having avoided the movie for so long I decided to take a look. I know it is a bit late and most people see films as soon as they come out but having only been to
WANNABE singers can put their talents to the test at Yates' Wine Lodge, Preston, for a national Search for a Star contest that can net the overall winner a prize worth more than £10,000 and the chance to get a record deal. Singers, aged 18-plus can audition
IN this article I shall consider the position in this country in relation to marriage contracted abroad. Many British citizens marry abroad, and a particular area of concern is the status of that marriage under the English legal system. The position under
AN ASYLUM seeker who molested a terrified schoolgirl is awaiting sentence - but has been told he will not go to jail. Ahmed Mohammed Karime, 26, was found guilty of indecent assault by a Burnley Crown Court jury after a four day trial. He was bailed until
A 27-YEAR-OLD Accrington man punched his mother-in-law in the face as he tried to wrestle his six month old baby out of her arms. Blackburn magistrates heard that Rosemary Altimas clutched the child to her chest to protect him after Mark Lee Kay came
TROUBLED Lancashire tour operator MyTravel was today urged not to short change 700 workers threatened with redundancy. The company announced last month that the jobs would be lost in the UK, with 500 employees at Helmshore and Accrington fearing they
A NEW all-girl band is to hold its own Pop Idol-style auditions with a difference -- there will be no Mr Nasty. 4play have been together just five weeks and are looking for a talented fourth member to help them on their way to the top of the charts. The
A BURY company has pierced the old Iron Curtain and penetrated into the Russian market. Leading business telephone manufacturer Interquartz (UK) Ltd has been appointed to supply handsets to one of the country's Government departments in a deal worth around
A SHREWD Radcliffe-based home improvement company can certainly boast it's living in the material world by opening the only showroom of its kind in the north. And the premises will act as a veritable shop window to show clients a host of building-related
AMITABH Bachchan is to shave off his trademark white beard. He had originally grown the beard for smash hit TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati and then it became a part of his persona in a series of huge films like Kaante. He plans to be clean-shaven for his
THE absence of Sultry Raveena from our screens has been a real pain for some of us. But now she's back and things haven't changed much. She is awesome in the political drama 'Satta'. And if you haven't seen it...do so, it is so much better than some of
BEING pregnant for the second time hasn't stopped bubbly actress Juhi Chawala from signing up for another film. The mum-to-be has signed up to star in psychological thriller Sanatta - The Silence, the latest movie from director Talat Jani whose last film
WORK is continuing on the A56 Quality Bus Corridor through Prestwich. The work will last for eight weeks and include the installation of puffin crossings at Kingswood Road, Poppythorn Lane, Sherbourne Street and Church Lane. There will also be improvements
A LASTING and fitting tribute to a man who loved to walk in Prestwich Clough will be completed this weekend. As reporte dearlierthe Friends of Prestwich Forest Park, of which the late Graham Callan was a member, began working on a memorial in January
STAFF and members of a private health club have been commended for their attempts to save the life of a man who collapsed in a swimming pool. An inquest heard how retired police officer Thomas Johnson (63), of Simister Lane, Prestwich, collapsed at the
THREE Lancashire mink farmers have won their fight for millions of pounds in compensation after the Government banned their trade. Tony Coupe, of Daisy Barn Farm, Longridge, Terry Cartmell, of Almonds Farm, Whittingham, and John Duxbury, of Singeltons
MILLIONAIRE businessman and benefactor John Lancaster has made another big donation to charity. The Ultraframe founder, who stepped down from the Clitheroe company earlier this year, has given more than £1million worth of shares in the firm to his charitable
CLARETS striker Robbie Blake will be hoping he did enough as a second half substitute at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night to earn a recall to the starting line-up against Walsall. Blake has not started a game for Burnley since the 1-0 win at Coventry City
STAN Ternent believes that his team still has a shot at the play-offs, even after the dismal defeat at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night. But he has now admitted it really is crunch time and he knows his side will have to win at least nine of their last
JAMES Anderson has hinted that he may one day like to captain England. In the wake of Nasser Hussain's resignation as England's one-day skipper, the 20-year-old said leading his country could be something he would consider doing in the future. "Maybe,
AFTER disappointing results against India and in the final group match against Australia, England were left with a waiting game. Zimbabwe had to lose their clash with Pakistan. Rain was no use to England as that meant the points would be shared and Zimbabwe
I'M getting these phone calls from someone I used to know no matter what I do, she won't stop ringing. I have never even had any sort of relationship with this girl and she sends me cards and even phones my home. I have changed the home number and my
A PENSIONER claims patients were left out in the cold after a hospital ward ran out of blankets. Mr David Hayhurst (79) says he had to ask twice for a blanket during last week's cold spell. He had been admitted to ward 12 in Fairfield General Hospital
A MAN and woman con duo who target elderly residents may have struck again. The pair, who first struck two weeks ago, claim they work for the water board while the man regularly wears a high visibility work jacket. In the latest incidents over the weekend
CLARETS striker Robbie Blake will be hoping he did enough as a second half substitute at Bramall Lane on Tuesday night to earn a recall to the starting line-up against Walsall. Blake has not started a game for Burnley since the 1-0 win at Coventry City
ROVERS winger Damien Duff today admitted the last six months have been the worst of his career. The 24-year-old wideman has seen his season wrecked by a succession of niggling injuries. And, although the Republic of Ireland star is planning to return
THE next week or so is shaping up into a particularly noteworthy one, with a number of special gigs on offer for local jazz enthusiasts. The Steve Oakes Quartet returns to the Sparrow Hawk Hotel, in Church Street, Burnley, on Sunday lunchtime and fans
IT'S time to start a brand new hobby at the Sudellside Community Centre, with archery classes coming to Darwen. The sport is just one of the new events planned for the Sudellside Road centre in the coming weeks. Arts and crafts afternoons are being held
A MAN carried out a sex assault on a teenage girl after they shared a taxi home from a nightclub, a court was told. Peter Hung was given 15 months jail for his crime by a judge, who said the experience must have been very distressing for his victim. The
A WINDOW dresser who had everything to live for and no apparent problems hanged himself from the stairs at his home. An inquest in Blackburn heard that Matthew Donald Jolley had spent the day shopping with his partner Julian Begg and Julian's sister Jacqueline
A THEATRE company is using drama to tackle under-age drinking and help the unemployed get back into work. Issues such as asylum seekers and juvenile nuisance are also used by members of Talia Theatre at Darwen Library Theatre, with the aim to educating
A BUSINESSMAN is suing a petroleum company for breach of contract and loss of up to £400,000 in a row over fuel prices. Michael Rose owns Mister C garage and store in Helmshore Road, Haslingden, and the Mobil station, in Bacup Road, Waterfoot. He claims
IN response to the letter asking for information on the FV1200 recovery vehicle (Citizen, February 13), as far as I know, when it went into production it was called the FV1100. I saw the 1100 when I worked at Leyland Motors in 1958 as a driver. Anybody
HAVING read an article about those who served in Egypt and have never been recognised for their efforts, I recount my service in 1951/52. We changed from boys to men overnight, and over a short period of time a number of my mates were sadly killed due
ADMITTEDLY, Prestatyn will never be the new Ibiza. But take nearly 2,000 up-for-it Lancashire people, two clubs which open til 5am and a pub which seemed never to close and you have the best warm-up for a holiday on the White Isle. And so it was that
AS someone who was seemingly once never off our TV screens, Bobby Davro has a pretty low opinion of the programmes currently being served up to the viewing public. "TV is basically ageist," says the man who in the early '90s was prime time viewing. "People
WAQAR HUSSAIN spent over 18 months out of England. His journey took him to Turkey, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the UAE and finally his village in Pakistan where he settled for a period. I had only caught glimpses of Islamic architecture through books
THE National Blood Service has increased the number of donor sessions in Blackburn this year as a result of a strong turnout in the past. In all 27 will be held this year but as a result, some sessions are now very quiet. Emma Heason from the National
A MAN threatened his wife with a baseball bat while demanding she hand over their savings account bank card. Blackburn magistrates heard that Cathryn Bainbridge was terrified as her husband Stuart, 40, stood over her. Prosecutor Wendy Chappell said Mrs
A DIVISIONAL commander has spoken of his concerns after Lancashire Constabulary was forced into cutting its overtime bill to meet government targets. Chief Superintendent John Thompson, head of the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn
A LITTLE girl felt like a Queen for the day after being chosen to kickstart a royal visit to East Lancashire Hospice -- with a posy. Eight-year-old Kayleigh Moir a spent a week practising her curtsey before she handed over white roses to the Countess
THE ORGANISER of a children's talent contest which attracted complaints after the final was delayed, today insisted the show would go on. Kath Hartley, executive co-ordinator of UK Entertainment Services, organised the contest, which cost £3.50 to enter
WORKERS striving to reduce teenage pregnancies today said their strategy was working after conception rates fell across East Lancashire. Health and council chiefs in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale revealed that better
TEN councillors in Jack Straw's Blackburn constituency have threatened to quit the Labour Party if war on Iraq begins without United Nations backing. The protesters, two of whom serve on Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board, made the announcement
NELSON are in the middle of a run of three tough games. But you won't hear too many complaints from manager Denis Underwood as he sees it as the final test to assess his players. His side played well to earn a draw at Bacup Borough, and were unlucky not
PADIHAM manager Graham Haworth says he is feeling the pressure of life at the top of the North West Counties Division Two. "Sometimes it's worse than the pressure you have at the bottom of the table because of people's expectations," he said. "You are
ANDY Gardner is Clitheroe's only doubt for their clash with St Helens tomorrow. Gardner has been struggling to shake off a foot injury, which he picked up against Salford City almost two weeks ago. "He's touch and go at the moment," said manager Lee Sculpher
ROSSENDALE United have clocked up a few miles this week after travelling to Bishop Auckland and Leek. And they face another long journey tomorrow afternoon when they take on Lincoln United away. But manager Jim McBride, who has a full squad to choose
ACCRINGTON Stanley are not going to be allowed to ease up in their pursuit of the UniBond Premier League title - mainly because of the main man in the dressing room. There is not a single Reds player who thinks the side is past the winning post and into
RAMSBOTTOM United's joint manager Andy Grimshaw has backed his side to be challenging for honours next season. The Riverside outfit have struggled this term but, following recent signings, including joint manager Jimmy Clarke's son Doni after his release
FULWOOD Leisure Centre as the venue for the North West England BSK Open Championships. Students from the Faqiri Gym of Deepdale took first and second place in team kata and second place in senior male. The event was a huge success with clubs coming from
Nineteen-year old Asim Khan claimed a featherweight win in a bout to raise money for charity. He stopped Oldham's Asif Iqbal in the second round of the fight held to raise money for the Blackburn Lions at King George's Hall, Blackburn. Yaqoob Hussain,
I RESPECTFULLY request that you print this letter in Asian Image in the hope it will be read by the young Asian male driver of a most elegant silver grey car who on Wednesday, March 5th, forced me to halt on Preston New Road, Blackburn, and abused me
IT specialist and keen sportsman Sajad Ajmal Butt has become the first Asian president of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. Popularly known as Saj, he is the director of 3B Systems Ltd, a flourishing family computer company in Nelson, which he
A new volleyball club is on the look out for anyone interested in taking up the sport. The club is only three months old and is the idea of youngsters in the area who wanted to partake in a sport other than football and cricket. Alfred Olaiya who helped
YOU will have received many letters concerning the Iraq situation. Whilst I agree with some of the arguments of anti-war protesters I think there are others losing the plot altogether. I would like to remind people that Saddam Hussein is still a murderer
THE first badminton tournament of its kind was held at the Thompson Leisure Centre in Burnley. There are now plans to hold the tournament annually and a league is being planned after interest from members of the local community. An inter borough competition
LAST Saturday saw PNE enjoy one of their best wins of the season. For the second time they totally outplayed Derby and recorded a fine 'double' over the former Premiership team. The scoreline of 4-2 suggests a fairly close game, but nothing could be further
A NEW dimension has been added to the attack on Iraq that it has been made a moral issue by the two Archbishops of the UK. They asserted that an attack on Iraq is immoral and gave certain reasons to the effect. Prime Minister Tony Blair has asserted that
ON Friday 28th February, two hundred people gathered outside Audley Community Centre in Blackburn to lobby Jack Straw. They stood in the pouring rain for one and half hours in order to demonstrate to Jack Straw their total opposition to the impending
ACCORDING to Lancashire County Council, installing wind turbines is the most effective way of generating energy after nuclear power. The council is currently carrying out a feasibility study into placing the electricity-generating giants across the county
I HAVE returned home recently from a stay in Fairfield Hospital and wish to tell the world just how wonderful the people are, from the tea ladies to the highest-paid surgeon. I cannot find suitable superlatives to describe how I feel and when I read press
I agree 100 per cent with the comments made by R. D. Calrow and Numen Lumen (February 28). I, like many more pensioners in the last week, received notification of my pension increase entitlement in April, and putting it alongside the council rate rise
THE Meningitis Trust would like to thank toddlers in the North West for helping to raise £320,000 towards the fight against meningitis. Thousands of under-fives joined in our special Toddle Waddle sponsored walk and helped to make this the biggest fund-raising
TO say I was extremely annoyed to read the outpourings of Angry Resident (Your Letters February 21) is an understatement. Clearly he or she have their own means of transport otherwise they would not call for withdrawal of a bus service which has been
I WAS concerned to read your article "Student in hospital for meningitis treatment", regarding the Holy Cross college pupil who was receiving hospital treatment after suffering from meningitis. It is a fact that young people are more vulnerable to the
A HUGE cash boost aimed at encouraging working class students to go to university has been announced, as critics claimed that not enough money was going into research, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Funding for "widening participation" has shot up
A NEW initiative is urging people living in the Brookhouse area of Blackburn to get active. The aim of the Blackburn North Healthy Living Centre among others is to ensure that the people in the area can achieve their maximum state of health. Based at
NEARLY half of senior managers don't believe their boardroom colleagues are committed to stratagies that will attract minority groups into the workforce says a new report. Just under one in ten respondents - 9 per cent - said they did not think the board
YOUNGSTERS have been learning to strike a pose like Madhuri Dixit at a new Bollywood dance class. The community centre at the back of The Gujarat Hindu Society, South Meadow Lane, Broadgate, Preston, is being re-vamped as a place for sports and recreation
LEIGH RMI's Lancashire Cup final against Kendall Town will take place on April 16 at Accrington Stanley's Crown ground, kick 7.45pm. The result will be decided on the night by extra-time and penalties if necessary.
GERMAN INVASION: All the excitement of England v West Germany soccer was being revived at schoolboy level by a party of 35 players and three staff from Bury's Derby School. The boys, members of the school's under 14s and under 16s squads, were to spend
A WHOLE host of events greeted visitors to an International Women's Day which was celebrated in style. At King George's Hall, Blackburn, more than 300 guests attended workshops and activities including a Blackburn Rovers ticket give away. Blackburn with
A SHAPELESS figure in an all-enveloping black cloak is the image that often comes to mind when people think of Muslim women. This is also the image that Yasmin Lhairi has cleverly used in her painting, Equality in Islam, to show there is more to Muslim
As I sat there watching the news in particular 'Stop the War' protests it suddenly I didn't have a view on the Iraq situation. Should we go to war with Iraq? Is it just for Oil? Should Britain join America in the war? I didn't know! Sure I knew what everyone
