A SIGNIFICANT turning of the tide in the war against breast cancer was signalled just over two years ago when death rates in our region were shown to have dropped by more than a fifth over a decade. The advance was due to more women receiving crucial
HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope and his Chorley Labour colleague Lindsay Hoyle backed an amendment to this week's debate on reforming the House of Lords to call for the total abolition of Westminster's second chamber. The official sponsor of the move for a single
ALL eyes will be on Doni Clarke as Ramsbottom United look to take the form that brought them a 7-0 victory at Flixton last Saturday into tomorrow's home game against Congleton (kick-off 3pm). Former Huddersfield Town player Clarke, son of the Rams' joint
Tyldesley...32pts Bury...3pts THE match survived the vagaries of the weather, an overnight thaw giving a window to allow the game to take place. This was the Bury first XV's first visit to the new pitches and clubhouse that Tyldesley now enjoy. Located
GEOFFREY Holmes, 37, of William Street, Blackburn, was remanded on bail until February 26 by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to stealing a pair of shoes from Asda. The court heard that the offence put Holmes in breach of a conditional discharge
I SMILE when I see well-fed, well-dressed, warm-homed, car-owning demonstrators saying we should not go to war over oil. OK -- give up your car, scrap your central heating, never fly or use oil-burning trains, buses, or ships, grow your own food, weaver
RFU National League Two Stourbridge...45pts Sedgley Park...24pts SEDGLEY PARK came back to earth with a bump at windy Stourbridge where the resurgent home team handed out a seven-try hammering. Sedgley had first use of the strong end-to-end wind, but
I AM outraged that council staff have received shopping vouchers for large multiples (LET, January 28). The fact that Blackburn with Darwen Council is rewarding the staff's hard work is laudable and a practice often used by good employers. But why has
YOUR report (LET, January 28) regarding £60,000 paid out as a reward to employees of Blackburn with Darwen Council begs the question -- just how does this council operate? As the joint co-ordinator of a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, I approached the
A THIEF escaped with cash after sneaking into a pensioner's home on Monday (Feb 3) while she was washing up. The 81-year-old woman was unaware of the thief's visit until she returned to the living room of her home in Hollinhurst Road, Radcliffe, and discovered
TWO brothers from Hollins have been robbed of their mobile phones and cash. The teenagers, aged 15 and 16, were approached in Croft Lane by two men who threatened them with violence if they did not hand over their phones. Police say the robbers also made
A GANG of teenagers threatened to beat up a young boy before robbing him. The five thugs approached the 12-year-old schoolboy as he was walking through Pyramid Park towards Bury town centre on Wednesday (Feb 5) at 4.30pm. They threatened him with violence
A WOULD-BE robber fled red-faced after being given a slap by his victim. Police said the thug pushed a 31-year-old man into a side street off Bealey Drive in Bury and ordered him to hand over cash. However, the man lashed out and slapped the robber across
ANOTHER pensioner has fallen foul of bogus callers. In the latest incident, an 89-year-old woman was visited by a man and a woman who tricked their way into into her Robertson Street home in Radcliffe by claiming they worked for the water board. Once
ONE man was killed in a head-on collision between two cars which plunged rush-hour traffic into chaos . Police said the man, believed to be from East Lancashire, is thought to have driven the wrong way up a slip road onto the M65 eastbound near Blackburn
A £102 MILLION deal to sell Blackburn Shopping Centre has collapsed -- dashing hopes of a rapid solution to the Lord Square crisis. But confusion reigned today over who pulled the plug, with both current owners Standard Life Investments and would-be buyer
A PENSIONER claimed benefits of more than £7,000 he was not entitled to over a 10 year period, magistrates heard. The court was told how Arnold Davies, aged 67, from Foxglove Drive in Bury, was caught by a careful data matching exercise carried out by
HOURS devoted to caring for others show that the career of budding medic Victoria Grabowski has a very healthy prognosis. The 16-year-old, of Parkhills Road, Bury, earned an award from the Soroptimists Club of Ramsbottom for voluntary work in her spare
BANKS across the borough are being warned to keep their eyes peeled for a smartly dressed serial trickster. Police in four counties, including Greater Manchester, are hunting the fraudster who is targeting banks for cash. In the last six months he has
VOLUNTARY groups are being urged to provide services to prevent youngsters "dropping out". Bury Council hopes that local organisations will apply for money under the Children's Fund, a Government-led scheme to help young people aged five to 13, and their
CHESTERFIELD have failed in their attempt to sign midfielder Jonathan Douglas from Blackburn Rovers. The Spireites approached the highly-rated 21-year-old about a possible loan move to Saltergate, but Douglas has since forced his way into Graeme Souness
A DRAMATIC three-goal five-minute spell just before half time sparked life into an enthralling 'Roses' battle as Blackburn Rovers' Reserves got back to winning ways at Morecambe last night. Academy starlet Paul Gallagher coolly slotted his team into the
KUNG Hei Fat Choy! That's Happy New Year in Chinese as pupils at Chapelfield County Primary School found out. Year 2 pupils at the Clough Street school spent Thursday (Jan 30) learning all about Oriental customs and traditions for the new year. They made
A POPULAR Merseyside band will belt out rock and roll classics tonight to raise money for Pendleside Hospice. Nostalgia will be pounding to the unmistakeable beat of the 50s and 60s at the Rosegrove Unity Club. The Liverpudlian five-piece band will perform
A NEWLY-RELEASED prisoner who raided two Burnley chuches in one night is back behind bars - as a judge slammed his behaviour as "deplorable." Father of three Paul Smith, 21 pinched cash from the United Reformed Church, Bethesda Street and helped himself
A BURNLEY College student is swapping the classroom for Central America after winning a travel scholarship. Tracy Woodward has been awarded the Thwaites Scholarship, which will take her on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Costa Rica -- and even taunts about
BURY'S home match against Oxford United which was controversially postponed last weekend has now been re-arranged for Tuesday, February 18. Kick-off 7.45pm.
BURY boss Andy Preece reckons his side are back on course for automatic promotion after Tuesday night's morale-boosting victory at rivals Cambridge United. The Shakers chief was delighted with the way his charges bounced back from a one-goal half-time
GORDON Prentice will attend the parliamentary open day for the Royal British Legion on Tuesday. The Pendle MP said: "This is an opportunity to meet senior volunteers and staff to discuss with them aspects of their work. "The legion does invaluable work
IT could be a case of 'Come on you blues - or greens' when the Leyland and Preston cricket teams take to the field next season. The teams will appear in full colour kit in the summer when they compete in the Northern Premier Cricket League Cup. It will
FORMER Radcliffe songwriter Martin Isherwood is in the last four for Latvia. His self-penned funky fast-paced dance track, Cry Baby, has made the finals of the competition to select the UK entry for May's Eurovision Song Contest. And if the 38-year-old
ON Monday, February 3, it took me two and a half hours to travel from Shipley, North Yorkshire, to Whitebirk in Blackburn. It then took me a further three hours to reach Lower Darwen via Shadsworth Road. A total of five and a half hours for a journey
WHILE driving past our lovely new police station at Greenbank, Blackburn, now officially opened, I noticed there was one thing missing -- a Union Jack: not one to be seen anywhere. I take it we are allowed to fly one in Blackburn. Come on, let's see a
A 54-YEAR-OLD man found collapsed in Colne died of natural causes after a heart attack, an inquest heard. John Gill, who lived at the Hendley Hotel in Queen Street, had been found in the street on November 14 last year. He was admitted to Burnley General
A RUNDOWN pub in Foulridge has been given a new lease of life to regain its place as the heart of the community. The Hole In The Wall, in Towngate, had been closed for around five months before former accountant Stephen Letch decided to take over the
FOR anyone who may think that actors on the whole have an easy life, then former Dr Who Sylvester McCoy will be only too happy to prove to them otherwise. McCoy will come to the Lowry in Salford on Monday at the start of a six month run which will see
THE family of a woman whose death sparked a triple tragedy have spoken of their dismay after a coroner recorded an open verdict into her death. The inquest was told a man claimed to have killed Christine Moore the night before she was found dead at her
THE outlook is certainly positive for a Bury-based window manufacturer and installer whose quality product has again received a national industry endorsement. For the second time in ten years, Trident Windows has been awarded a coveted British Board of
POLICE are warning residents to keep their house and car keys out of the reach of thieves. The alert follows a burglary in Prestwich on Friday morning (Jan 31) at a house in Harrogate Avenue when burglars forced their way into the property and stole a
BURY'S Garsdale Hotel is toasting success. The Woodhill Road pub, run by David and Gill Heyes, has scooped a top industry award, with possibly two more to follow. The Garsdale has emerged as the national winner of the coveted Morning Advertiser industry
1845: The Portland Vase, a Roman cameo glass vase dating from the 1st century BC, was smashed by a drunken visitor to the British Museum. 1924: Helena Normanton became the first woman barrister to practise at the Old Bailey. 1943: Americans were restricted
NEXT Wednesday Gareth Taylor will hope to add to his collection of international caps when Wales take on Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Millennium Stadium. And there would be no better way to give Wales boss Mark Hughes a reminder of what he can do than to
A WOULD-BE robber fled empty-handed when taxi drivers refused to take him seriously. The man, armed with a piece of wood, entered the office of Blueline Private Hire in Albert Close, Whitefield, shortly after 2am on Monday (Feb 3). He ordered the controller
ORGANISERS are planning another jobs fair at Manchester Airport after around 2,000 people turned up for the last one. Jobhunters flocked to the fair, in the airport's Atlantic Suite at Terminal Two, to look for work as airline service assistants, baggage
A COMPETITION to find the area's top female entrepreneurs reaches its grand finale at the Reebok Stadium on Valentine's Day. Organisers say there is a strong demand for the £35-a-head lunch tickets for the North Manchester Women in Business Awards, to
A LEYLAND magistrate is being forced to retire from the bench against his will because he is too old! Brian Pilkington has to step down because he turns 70 next week -- the compulsory retirement age. But the former estate agent, who established Pilkingtons
WILDCATS, Centurions and Warriors are helping maximise the use of a Leigh school's minibus. Westleigh High's community use experiement has proved so successful a second vehicle has joined the fleet and a 300 Club has been launched to fund it. The school
PUPILS from Bedford St Thomas's School in Leigh are hoping to raise £200 for their namesake children's charity. On Valentine's Day they'll cast off their uniforms and wear casual clothes for the day's lessons in support of the Leigh branch of Tommy's
POLICE community beat surgeries have restarted on a weekly basis at Astley. The new location in Astley Clinic in the grounds of Dam House, replaces meetings which used to be held in the Old Doctor's House in Astley Hall Drive. Astley area policeman, PC
YOUNG women wanting to make new friends, learn new skills and help others are invited to join a young women's health project. The WISH Project, based at Leigh Well Women Centre in Church Street, offers support and information to girls and young women,
FOUR-year-old Shola Healy jumped into her mum's bed and it probably saved their lives. Had the youngster stayed in her own room, she could have died from toxic fumes pouring out of a smouldering electricity meter. Firefighters are blaming badly-fitted
BOSSES at a betting shop have stepped up security after staff and customers were threatened by armed robbers. Two men and a woman who work at the Tote Bookmakers in the Longfield Precinct, Prestwich, were forced to the ground after three men, one wielding
THE family of a Ramsbottom teenager who died when doctors failed to spot 18 broken bones after a car accident is at the centre of a landmark legal challenge. Grieving parents Kevin and Christine Hitchen were unable to claim bereavement damage because
A CONTROVERSIAL charging scheme could come into force to ease on one of the county's most congested stretches of motorway. This is just one of a package of transport plans, costing more than £260million, being considered by hard-pressed highways bosses
THOUSANDS of motorists were left chomping at the "grit" as predicted snowfalls brought chaos to the borough's roads. Local authority bosses, however, have rejected claims they were caught cold by Monday's (Feb 3) snowfall and that their gritting operation
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent could be without as many as FIVE midfield players for the trip to Coventry City tomorrow. And his team selection may have to wait until just hours before the game. "Steve Davis, Paul Weller and Brad Maylett are all definitely
FORMER Blackburn striker James Beattie today insisted he has nothing to prove as he heads back to Ewood Park tomorrow aiming to pile further misery on his old club. Beattie admits he was devastated when he learned that former Rovers boss Roy Hodgson had
OUTSPOKEN East Lancashire band Tessem have the driving ambition to make the grade but are in desperate need of a manager to steer them to the top. Formed just over two years ago, the five-piece of Mick Hadfield, Zoltan Domokos, Vince Goodey, Andrew Cookson
AS Burnley prepares for its 15th National Blues Festival, the signs are that this year's event is to be one of the biggest and best yet. This year's festival may only be running over three days, but the quality of acts coming to East Lancashire is amazing
FANS of the Big Band sound can enjoy their favourite tunes at an event at Haslingden Community Link. A dinner dance will include the sounds of Ramsbottom group Nostlagia in a fundraising evening with a difference on Saturday, February 15. The 8-piece
FIVE pupils at a high school have been excluded over drugs allegations. The five boys, who have not been named, were excluded from the school for what staff called "drug related activities". The police have been informed and have visited Whitworth High
FOR anyone who may think that actors on the whole have an easy life, then former Dr Who Sylvester McCoy will be only too happy to prove to them otherwise. McCoy will come to the Lowry in Salford on Monday at the start of a six month run which will see
AS Burnley prepares for its 15th National Blues Festival, the signs are that this year's event is to be one of the biggest and best yet. This year's festival may only be running over three days, but the quality of acts coming to East Lancashire is amazing
A REVOLUTIONARY housing scheme has been hailed a success after helping attract hundreds of people into empty homes. Launched six months ago, B-with-us -- a national pilot scheme -- aimed to get rid of waiting lists for housing associations by making it
FARMERS' wives are double tops when it comes to fund raising. Leigh and District National Farmers' Union Ladies' Social Section whist and domino drive begins at 7.15pm on Wednesday (Feb 12) in Tyldesley Methodist Hall. The aim is to raise funds for Bolton
COUNCIL bosses have been urged to consider buying extra gritting vehicles after this week's snow chaos. The plea to Blackburn with Darwen Council came after officers revealed that some main roads had not been gritted before Monday's snowstorm. They said
THE number of women in East Lancashire who can access life-saving breast cancer scans has increased thanks to a multi-million pound investment programme. A rolling programme of breast screening for women between 65 and 70 has now been introduced for the
NELSON hope to carry on where they left off in their last match - two weeks ago! They beat Darwen 4-1 but haven't played since due to postponements and are keeping their fingers crossed that tomorrow's match at home to Castleton Gabriels beats the weather
GREAT Harwood will try to turn around a run of four games without a win when they take on Ashton at home in NWCL Division Two. John Hughes's side went out of the Second Division Trophy on penalties at Oldham last week after conceding a last-minute goal
ROSSENDALE will have to wait until Tuesday to play their Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy quarter final tie against Nationwide Conference side Leigh. The game was postponed due to a frozen pitch last Tuesday and the players are eagerly awaiting their second
BLACKBURN Hawks renew acquaintance with arch-rivals Whitley Bay Warriors this weekend, not once, but twice in back-to-back cup and league action. On Saturday, the Warriors visit Blackburn Arena in the Premier Cup, promising the sternest of challenges.
JASON JONES has pleaded with Clitheroe boss Lee Sculpher not to leave him out of tomorrow's crunch FA Vase tie at home to Devizes Town. The midfielder was sent off in the 1-0 Marsden Trophy defeat at Kendal on Tuesday for violent conduct after retaliating
I AM surprised that Dawn Robinson-Walsh (Jan 24) should ask what happens to the thousands of pounds saved by the closure of some small schools. We made it clear that money follows children so their "new" schools will gain from their attendance. Other
I SEE that consultants employed by the council are giving advice on the future of our council houses, yet councillors Mike Connolly and John Smith have said, several times, that it is a decision for tenants, not for the council. So let the tenants decide
HAVE you ever sat in a pub talking football when the subject gets around to Bury FC. And you ask why they don't do this, that, or the other. You probably think they would never listen to your ideas. Forever Bury was formed to recognise the outstanding
WHY can't Bury Football Club and its followers see beyond what happens out on the pitch? I attended the latest meeting of the Forever Bury group and it was farcical. Getting information from their representative, Roger Barlow, was like pulling teeth,
I RECENTLY went to pay a parking fine of £30. I had no grievance paying the money as I was in the wrong. But while I was in the town hall, I enquired about what happens to the money; is it fed back into a system of solving traffic congestion, for example
GEOFF Inskip (Your Letters, Jan 24) backs the proposals for a Metrolink tram stop at Buckley Wells. But Mr Inskip has obviously not witnessed the amount of chaos caused by traffic surrounding the junction of Manchester Old Road, Knowsley Street and Manchester
MARTIN Prescott (Your Letters, Jan 3) is correct in stating that most biological recording is arranged by the Watsonian vice-county system, but bird recording which arguably is the most popular of all natural history recording is arranged by county, and
BUILD a new school by all means. Bright children will do well at any school. But get rid of Coney Green and keep Radcliffe High. It is the better building and, with some maintenance, will out-last any school. But above all, keep Mr Rollinson. He is the
HAS "Radcliffe Resident" (Your Letters, Jan 28) read the Audit Commission report on Bury? Does the Audit Commission suggest Conservative councils give better services? What is Bury's average council tax? What level of council tax rises did the Conservative
LIKE millions of others I am seriously worried about the increasing momentum of the preparations for war in Iraq. It appears that the United States is determined to go to war for reasons which have little to do with upholding the United Nations resolutions
BURY College will officially launch itself as a Centre of Vocational Excellence in early years development and childcare at a celebratory evening on February 25. It is already a leading provider of high quality vocational training in early years and childcare
GOVERNMENT education minister Ivan Lewis is heading for Hindley to view Mornington High School's unique approach to the arts. Mr Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Adult Learning and Skills, will meet staff and pupils to see for himself
TWO men were fighting for their lives today after a high powered car left the road and hit a lamppost. The driver and front seat passenger suffered serious injuries in the crash in Manchester Road, Bury, close to the Waterloo Hotel, just before 7am. The
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. SATURDAY "Easy Street" -- acoustic duo, Guide Conservative Club, School Lane, Guide, 8pm. Sequence and Ballroom Dancing with MCs Frank and Denise, Tony's New Empress
IT was a time when the likes of Wham and Duran Duran ruled the pop charts, Mrs Thatcher was in power, and these youngsters from Billinge High School in Blackburn were about to leave for pastures new. And now they have the chance to meet up again thanks
ANDREW Haggerty Hollern armed himself with three kitchen knives after being attacked by a group of youths. Blackburn magistrates heard that Hollern brandished the knives in front of two teenage boys, who took refuge in a takeaway and called the police
I AM a Blackburn lad who joined the RAF in the early days of the Second World War and served until 1946. I am trying to get in touch with an old pal called Leslie Royds, who lived in Mill Lane off Mincing Lane, or any of his family or anybody who knew
THE closure of streets in Blackburn seemed to start in the 1960s with King William Street where it joined Darwen Street. Since then numerous streets have been carved up, leaving one-way access not in the interest of the motorists who cannot fund convenient
WHAT an awful situation has been created by the Labour Party National Executive, deciding to ignore the democratic choice of the local party in choosing to allow nominations from suitable candidates to serve as a prospective MP for Burnley, irrespective
ON Monday, February 3, on the eve of her 20th birthday, my daughter was stranded on the M66 between Bury and Ramsbottom. She had left her office in Manchester at 6pm when, just after the Bury exit, traffic suddenly came to a halt. She had no idea what
Highfield United...0 Unsworth...3 UNSWORTH manager, Nick Woods, hailed his side as "magnificent" after their demolition of league leaders, Highfield United. "I know we have had some good results this season, but I agree totally with Tony Welch when he
WHILE I am in agreement with most of what Tony Monks said about Blackburn's orbital route (Letters, January 30), I don't accept what John Shorrock said in the same issue about town-centre traffic. For instance, the Boulevard could do with more minibuses
AIR MILES Manchester League Division One Unsworth...1 Tintwistle Villa...1 AFTER the previous week's demolition of leaders Highfield United, the only result Unsworth haven't produced this season is a high-scoring victory. This has haunted Unsworth from
MAYBE the time has come when we should remember a lesson from history. In 1924, the Daily Mail published a letter from the Russian Communist politician Zinoviev to the Labour Party. This caused such a Red scare that five days later the first Labour Government
YES there should be a Muslim voluntary-aided girls' school in Blackburn. It would be better than what we have at present. Many Muslim parents opt out of state schools. Every child of Muslim parents who is placed in a private Muslim school takes central
A BURY man accused of destroying two car tyres and a car door panel in Heywood has been cleared. David O'Halloran, aged 26, of Grassington Drive, had denied the charge of causing £250 damage last November. The case had been adjourned by Rochdale magistrates
ARMY firefighters tackled a blaze at a disused factory in Bury on Sunday evening (Feb 2). Children are being blamed for the fire which destroyed a caravan that was being stored at the Mather Road industrial unit. Four Green Goddesses were sent out to
HOLY Cross College has been named as one of the most outstanding colleges in the country. David Bell, the government's chief inspector of schools, cited the Manchester Road college as being "particularly successful" in his annual report published this
TUNEFUL trumpeters joined harmonious horn players at Bury Music Centre when they staged annual concert performances. The talented musicians put in some final practise time at the weekend before performing for audiences. For some members of the Junior
AFTER 40 years of looking after other people, Sadie Leach is going to devote some time to herself. Mrs Leach (64) retired as the proprietor of Primrose Cottage care home for the elderly last week. She opened the home on Hudcar Lane, Bury, in 1984. Before
RESIDENTS can voice their fears over the siting of mobile phone masts by taking part in a mass rally on March 8. Radcliffe-based Mast Sanity, which is affiliated to the Campaign for Planning Sanity, is inviting local people to join thousands of protesters
BLACKBURN defender Martin Taylor today insisted Rovers have got to summon up the character required to dig themselves out of a rut as Southampton head for Ewood tomorrow. Taylor admits Wednesday night's FA Cup defeat at the hands of Sunderland left the
DAMIEN DUFF will miss tomorrow's Premiership clash with Southampton. The Republic of Ireland international has still not recovered from the hamstring problem sustained in the Worthington Cup semi-final with Manchester United. But defender Craig Short
FORMER Blackburn striker James Beattie today insisted he has nothing to prove as he heads back to Ewood Park tomorrow aiming to pile further misery on his old club. Beattie admits he was devastated when he learned that former Rovers boss Roy Hodgson had
A COLLECTION at Greenbrook Methodist Church on Greenbrook Road raised £63.20, for the National Children's Home, which is a designated charity of the church. A QUESTIONNAIRE sent out from Rosegrove Action Group to the residents last week needs to be returned
HAVE you ever sat in a pub talking football when the subject gets around to Bury FC. And you ask why they don't do this, that, or the other. You probably think they would never listen to your ideas. Forever Bury was formed to recognise the outstanding
WHY can't Bury Football Club and its followers see beyond what happens out on the pitch? I attended the latest meeting of the Forever Bury group and it was farcical. Getting information from their representative, Roger Barlow, was like pulling teeth,
IS there a jinx or something on Forever Bury's recruitment efforts? Saturday's home game against Oxford United was to have been the occasion for a major effort to enrol more members. Two previous dates were aborted at short notice. Well, as everyone now
CHRIS Billy and Lee Unsworth are back in the Shakers squad for Saturday's promotion six-pointer at Torquay United. The versatile twosome both missed the victory at Cambridge United on Tuesday night with one match suspensions, but are in line for a recall
Cambridge United 1 Bury 2 THIS week is just getting better for Bury boss Andy Preece. He woke up on Sunday morning to read that he is rated one of the ten best young managers outside the Premiership by the Observer newspaper. Then two days later to add
A POPULAR girls' football team from Euxton is casting its net further afield in the hope of attracting Leyland's best players. Euxton Girls are coached by North West Sports Coach of the Year Diane Moss and need girls for a new U14s team as well as players
RESIDENTS can voice their fears over the siting of mobile phone masts by taking part in a mass rally on March 8. Radcliffe-based Mast Sanity, which is affiliated to the Campaign for Planning Sanity, is inviting local people to join thousands of protesters
A WOMAN dashed out of her house in her pyjamas to disturb a thief who was using a tow truck to try to steal her car. She had watched in disbelief from the bedroom window of her Radcliffe home as the offender hooked her Citroen Saxo car on to the back
REGARDING the traffic chaos on Monday, after it snowed. Things will not change until the Government, local and national, are prepared to make more money available for improvements, and manpower and equipment to clear the roads. They could start by reducing
GOVERNMENT enthusiasm for regional devolution could lead to a North-west "parliament" by spring 2005. The North West Regional Assembly -- unelected but influential -- is beavering away behind the scenes to convince the Minister of State for Local Government
TESTS are being carried out on a middle-aged woman found dead by her husband at their home, an inquest was told. Pauline Barnes Storey, 55, was found by her husband Dennis at Cross Street West, Colne, on January 31. He later identified her. Coroner's
A THREE-month-old baby girl died of pneumonia days before last Christmas, an inquest heard. The hearing, at Rawtenstall Town hall, was told how Toni Louise Grimshaw, born last September 1, was found to be dead at Burnley General Hospital, last December
TWO hundred dazzling dancers from throughout Lancashire stepped out at a festival that blended dance and music. The competitors aged from tots to teens, faced the music at the 11th Hyndburn Dance Festival.
ACCRINGTON Library celebrated its 90th birthday by stepping back in time to recreate the day it first opened. Books on loan back in 1908 and a photographic display charting the development of the library were on display.
QUIZ wizards are invited to team-up to help the terminally ill. Teams of up to five players are invited to register for the event which begins at 7.30pm on Saturday (February 8) at Leigh Conservative Club in Railway Road. Entry is £2.50 a player and proceeds
A MAN has appeared in court accused of dishonestly trying to obtain money from banks in Accrington and across Lancashire. Raymond Hill, is accused of dishonestly trying to obtain £24,000 and appeared before Blackpool magistrates yesterday. Hill, 52, of
AN APPEAL has gone out for dog-lovers in Hyndburn to foster stray dogs so they do not have to be put down. Hyndburn Stray Dogs, set up two years ago by dog warden Steven Wood, handles around five stray dogs every week. Most are rehomed but if no home
GIRL power will come to the fore when a competition to find the top female enterpreneurs in North Manchester reaches its climax. And three Bury businesswomen are among the 24 shortlisted applicants for the glittering women in business event to be staged
WILPSHIRE is still battling to go Broadband despite BT dropping the trigger levels of people interested at a number of local exchanges. A campaign by 10-year-old Joshua Fisher has failed to generate enough interest in the new Internet technology, despite
A FAMILY collected a degree on behalf of a tragic cancer victim who died before she could attend the awards ceremony. Angie Walmsley, 29, died on Sunday after a two-year battle with cancer which never affected her determination to get her qualification
CUTLERY CHARGE: An idea to make children pay a service charge for taking packed lunches to school was quashed by education bosses in Bury. It was considered charging 5p a day for kids taking sandwiches to offset the cost of supplying and washing up cutlery
YOUNG writer and publisher John Isherwood is certainly maintaining a high Profile! For Profile is the name of the 22-year-old's entertainments magazine, the first edition of which has just been published. John, of Garnett Street, Ramsbottom, who was recently
SHOPS have come under scrutiny from academics examining the changing face of retail trade. And the boffins from Manchester Metropolitan University Business School (MMUBS) have concluded that town and district shopping centres have seen a big rise in leisure
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent could be without as many as FIVE midfield players for the trip to Coventry City tomorrow. And his team selection may have to wait until just hours before the game. "Steve Davis, Paul Weller and Brad Maylett are all definitely
FRAUD cases in the North-west were worth £69 million in 2002 compared with £25.2m the year before. The second half of 2002 alone saw five major reported frauds across the region, amounting to £20.3m, KPMG reports. VAT and other tax frauds accounted for
CHILDREN at X11 Apostles RC School in Leigh are having bags of fun. The Leigh Education Action Zone backed StoryBags project was launched by assistant headteacher Sheenagh Newton, the school's literacy co-ordinator and Y2 teacher. She held two meetings
MANCHESTER'S Opera House is packing different shows into consecutive nights. On Friday it's Abba Mania. The tribute night starts at 7.30 and tickets cost £12-14. The final show, on Saturday, February 8, is West End Nights Broadway Lights, featuring a
HINDLEY Leisure Centre is making exercising easy with the launch of a new mums-only class. The Take a Break classes run by instructor Hazel Ridge, an expert in both ante and post natal exercise, are suitable for both expectant and new mums as well as
FRIDAY, February 7: St Mary's Church hall, Lowton (6-6.300 L Liptrott/J O'Brien; Higher Fold community centre, Stirling Close 97.30-8.15) C Rigby; Tyldesley Town Hall (6.30-7.30) A Stephenson. SATURDAY, February 8: Atherton Town Hall (9.30-11.30) R Holmes
MP DAVID Chaytor has promised to carry on the fight to make the House of Lords democratic. He said he is frustrated that his fellow MPs rejected moves to have an elected "upper house". The Bury North backbencher did not vote for abolition of the Lords
TAXPAYERS were faced with the prospect of a jaw-dropping 12.2 per cent rise in council tax at the launch of Bury's budget roadshows this week But residents were swiftly advised the figure was expected to be nearer 6.2 per cent. Bury Council's director
MOTORISTS in Bury are being urged to belt up and listen to some timely life-saving advice. To mark the 20th anniversary of the compulsory wearing of seat belts for front seat passengers, which became law on January 31, 1973, police throughout Greater
UniBond League Division One Workington...1 Radcliffe Borough...3 WHEN two in-form teams met at Borough Park something had to give -- and it was Workington's nine-match unbeaten run. Borough were forced on to the back foot for long spells, but showed tremendous
GET defrocked at the Vestry and Bliss in Skipton next Friday night! The popular commercial venue -- bar on one floor, club ont'other -- is to hold a Celebrity Love Match to celebrate Valentine's Day billed as a cheesy Blind Date with an erotic twist.
PROVING they have skill and cool delivery in ampfuls were headliners Pretend Girlfriend. Performing all their own material they gave an hour's set packed with stories of everyday life and the uneasy politics of domesticity mixing ironic humour with anger
THESE NME showcase gigs have, over recent years, become absolute must-see shows for music fans. Boasting the freshest bands around, it's the sort of night that any idea of missing the support bands for a cheeky pint in the bar is forgotten. With each
SETTING out with the aim of adding a new dimension to Blackburn's club scene is duo Danny Gardner and Jamie Harvey. The pair are promotors and residents of Blackburn's newest weekly event, Boxd, which launches at Cubes in Duke Street tonight. With an
A PENSIONER has fallen foul of bogus callers. The 89-year-old woman was tricked by two con artists, one a woman, who claimed they worked for the water board to gain entry into her home in Robertson Street, Radcliffe. Once inside, the man turned off the
A FORMER traffic warden has returned to the streets as Darwen's new community support officer. Nick Gisicz once patrolled the streets to catch illegally parked drivers, but now he's out to tackle anti-social behaviour and juvenile nuisance. Sgt Anne Scott
CAMPAIGNERS on Redvers Road, Darwen, have vowed to continue the fight to remove an unwanted path -- even though it is legal. Residents have complained to the council for two months about a path leading from the end of Redvers Road to the new M65 Services
A MEET and greet day is to be held to help integrate asylum seekers into the Darwen community. Councillor Karimeh Foster of Whitehall ward and Darwen Rotary Club president, Tony Melia, will be holding a day for asylum seekers within the next month to
POLICE arrested three people after a raid at a home in Bacup. Pennine Division's operation support unit executed a warrant at an address in Sandfield Street yesterday morning. Three people were arrested after the raid and taken in for questioning. One
RAMSBOTTOM residents are invited to take advantage of a free, low energy light bulb in celebration of a new Energy Show House. The house in Parsonage Street, Bury, is packed with information, ideas and examples of ways to make the home warmer and reduce
A TEENAGER who went shop breaking after escaping from jail is back behind bars - and a judge told him he was better off there. Christopher Daniel Sparks, 19, attacked two takeaway premises in Rossendale and was brought to book after being chased and arrested
ACTION to reduce flooding in Rossendale could soon be in the pipeline with a proposed £63,000 extra expected to be allocated from the council's budget next week. Councillors meet on Monday to set next year's budget. More cash for drainage, particularly
THESE NME showcase gigs have, over recent years, become absolute must-see shows for music fans. Boasting the freshest bands around, it's the sort of night that any idea of missing the support bands for a cheeky pint in the bar is forgotten. With each
OUTSPOKEN East Lancashire band Tessem have the driving ambition to make the grade but are in desperate need of a manager to steer them to the top. Formed just over two years ago, the five-piece of Mick Hadfield, Zoltan Domokos, Vince Goodey, Andrew Cookson
BICKERSHAW Methodist Church 104th anniversary celebrations are being held on Sunday. Rev Andrew Pratt will lead the 11am service and will chair the 2.30pm gathering which will feature Mavis Power.
A MAN put on the Sex Offender Register after being convicted of an attempted rape failed to inform police when he changed address. Blackburn magistrates heard the requirement had never been fully explained to Ian Orange who, since his release from prison
MORE than 500 graduates received a well-earned pat on the back at Blackburn College's annual higher education awards ceremony. Certificates were awarded for Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees, masters and a range of Higher National Diploma's and vocational
A FORMER Blackburn restaurateur wept as a court was told that an ex-boyfriend "had used her like a piggy bank". Zulieka Talaty was persuaded to invest in The Wattan Indian Restaurant, Old Bank Lane, Blackburn, but then had to have herself declared bankrupt
CUTTING a dash is Bury-based accountant Danny Booth, who traded his calculator for the catwalk in aid of a children's charity. Danny (24), who was dressed up to the nines, works at DTE in Hollins. He was among 15 young accountants who strutted their stuff
A SURGEON who botched an operation on a Blackburn council worker also made mistakes with another patient who died the day after surgery, a medical hearing was told. The General Medical Council heard how Julian Mason mistakenly used a laser 'like a saw
A LUCKY lottery winner is to fulfil his wife's life-long dream and fly her back to her homeland. Robert Townsend is to take wife Denise back to South Africa after scooping a £5,000 holiday on a lottery scratchcard. Denise has always had an unfulfilled
A MASTERPIECE which was owned by a Blackburn family for 150 years after being bought for 180 guineas is set to be auctioned for up to £1.2million. The 6ft by 4ft painting entitled Pandemonium was the creation of Victorian biblical artist John Martin,
CHEERLEADING troup The Hi-Flyers, who help spur on Blackburn Hawks Ice Hockey team, are looking for new blood -- both male and female -- to ensure they can compete in next month's UK, European and World Championships. RICHARD NEWTON limbered up and raised
BACUP will look to extend their lead at the top of the NWCL second division when they travel to fellow title contenders Stone Dominoes tomorrow. It is a big game for Brent Peters' side, who will also meet Stone in the semi-finals of the Second Division
IT is a measure of how far Padiham have come that they can attract players of the quality of Carl Howarth - and from local rivals Nelson to boot. That is the verdict of Storks manager Graham Howarth - no relation - who last week persuaded 13-goal striker
RAMSBOTTOM manager Andy Grimshaw has handed Doni Clarke a footballing lifeline - and the young star intends to re-pay him by saving the Rams from relegation. Rawtenstall-born Clarke, son of the Rams' joint manager Jimmy, was released by Huddersfield Town
COLNE hit man George Craddock has been ear-marked as the danger man ahead of the NWCL Division Two derby at home to Darwen. Craddock has scored 24 goals this season and has attracted the interest of a number of clubs, including UniBond side Bamber Bridge
YOU don't need a mathematics degree to know Accrington Stanley are handily placed with a little over a third of the season remaining - but the Reds are going to let the numbers take care of themselves. With an 11-point lead at the top of the UniBond Premier
THREE Sedgley boys, Jonny Appleton (fly-half or centre), Jordan Page (hooker) and Jack Forster (prop) all represented the North Division in England trials at Castlecroft. Page missed out on selection, though he still has a chance if one of the hookers
RFU National League Two Esher...12pts Sedgley Park...10pts SEDGLEY Park's season was turned upside down with the loss of skipper and coach Tim Fourie at Esher on Saturday. The South African forward is unlikely to play again this season after dislocating
