THANK God and anyone else up there that it's finally over. One more day of tedious election coverage would have had me reaching for a fag (which I can't anymore since the anti-smokers brigade are after us all). I don't care what anyone says, but the whole
BURNLEY Music Recital with Paul Udlot (violin), Pam Waddington-Mews (mezzo-soprano) and Peter Sproston (piano), St Peter's Church, Church Street, Burnley, 11am. "Telling Tales," Painting Exhibition, Mid Pennine Art Gallery, Burnley, 10am-5pm. Playstation
ANY parents would understandably be horrified to learn that their young daughter had had an abortion without even consulting them. But the Government has told doctors that this is exactly what they can allow to happen. And today we have outrage at the
SEDGLEY PARK prop Gareth 'Tank' Roberts has undergone an operation on his troublesome knee and will probably be out for the rest of the season. "It is a real blow," said Fourie. "He has a fantastic attitude and his enthusiasm is infectious. "He works
BURY opticians Yates and Suddell will lend a listening ear. The branch on Minden Parade will be holding an Advanced Hearing Services open day on November 10 and 11 free of charge, encouraging people to take better care of their hearing.
PLAYER-coach Tim Fourie believes he is beginning to make progress in his search for another second row for Sedgley Park. "I'm speaking to a South African kid who played in this year's Currie Cup," he said "At the moment he is being chased by two provincial
IT'S a fact Blackburn is dirty. Every approach into Blackburn town centre, be it Bank Top, Audley, Accrington Road, Preston New Road and Darwen Street, is filthy. The array of fast food outlets, junk shops, cheap clothes shops and the like with dirty
AN osteopath accused of indecently assaulting 12 male patients has taken to the witness box to deny the allegations. Stephen Milward told a juryon Thursday that the claims made against him were untrue. Milward, aged 49, of Booth House, Bolton, is on trial
A 92-year-old woman was killed by a car as she crossed the road outside her home. Great-grandmother Annie Gerrard was crossing Warrington Road, Leigh, when she was struck by a red Peugeot on October 23, 2003, an inquest in Bolton heard. Mrs Gerrard was
AN attempt to increase the sentence of a father jailed for killing his six-week-old baby daughter has been dismissed by top judges. Andrew Ashurst, aged 23, of Blake Avenue, Atherton, was jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court in May after he
BURY'S X FACTOR contestant Rowetta Satchell will battle it out once again this weekend, after making it through to the next round. The former Bury Grammar and Unsworth Comprehensive pupil will sing on Saturday night's programme after Verity was voted
THE MAN dubbed 'Britain's Most Accurate Medium' is back in Blackpool later this month. Yorkshire-based Stephen Holbrook is at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday, November 21 - a rare opportunity to see Stephen, who has turned down the chance to become a TV star
THE annual Poppy Appeal has been launched in the borough. Residents young and old are being urged to wear their poppy with pride and remember not just those who died in worldwide wars and conflicts during the last century, but those injured or currently
AUTUMN blooms and harvest will feature at the Whitefield Horticultural Society's Late Show on Saturday. It is the society's last show of the season and will feature chrysanthemums, vegetables, cookery, preserves and pot plants. There will also be children's
The Andy Lochhead column FOOTBALL never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think the chips are down after nothing but bad news over the past few days, Steve Cotterill somehow masterminds the unlikeliest of victories. It might still be papering over the
VANDALS have ripped up goalposts in Elms Park, Whitefield. The football pitch, which is home to Stand Athletic and a number of other teams, has been regularly targeted by youngsters ripping up the posts. Mr Tony Airey, secretary of Stand Athletic, which
TWO men jailed for a crime they say they did not commit could be free in seven days. Graham Huckerby, from Prestwich, and Bury man James Power, will appeal against their conviction at the Royal Court of Appeal in London next Thursday and Friday. Both
Leigh RMI v Tamworth by David Magilton: MORE of the same is what manager Phil Starbuck is looking for when Leigh RMI entertain Tamworth on Saturday. The Railwaymen ended a nine-match winless sequence with a 2-0 victory at Accrington in the FA Cup last
BLACKBURN Rovers Ladies put last week's rare defeat behind them to grab an important three points at the expense of Tranmere Rovers. And once again Rovers struck an injury-time winner, courtesy of a Sarah McRea back post finish, to leave the visitors
KEITH Barker was the toast of Brockhall after springing from the bench to inspire Rovers Under 18s to victory. Academy director Bobby Downes was certainly quick to recognise the impact of the substitute as he scored twice in the 3-0 win over Wolves on
NIGEL Worthington has refused to describe tomorrow's basement battle with Blackburn Rovers as a six-pointer - but he is well aware of the significance of the game. The Canaries will be aiming to record their first Premiership victory of the season - at
BLACKBURN Rovers striker Matt Jansen may need an operation in order to cure a knee problem. The 27-year-old forward was ruled out of Saturday's thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool after a scan revealed he had torn his cartilage. And if the problem deteriorates
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder David Thompson is eyeing a possible first team return against Norwich on Saturday. The former Liverpool and Coventry star took another major step on the comeback trail with an eye-catching performance in the reserves' 3-0 win
JAY Bothroyd has revealed how the new regime at Blackburn Rovers is making him blossom into a Premiership player. The 22-year-old scored his first top flight goal on Saturday in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool to repay manager Mark Hughes for giving him his
A LEYLAND actor is starring in the hit musical Starlight Express which opened on Monday in Manchester at the start of a year-long UK tour. The musical, written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, ran in London's West End for 12 years until 2002. It is due to show
A MAN who needed emergency surgery to re-attach his arms after they were severed when he fell into an industrial blender at work has praised the North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) at the launch of a campaign to raise funds and awareness. Operation Alfie
A COUNCILLOR who champions public transport today admitted setting a bad example - after her annual expenses included a claim for driving 12,128 miles in her car. County Coun Jean Yates' claim - based on the authority's highest allowance of 49.9p a mile
ELTON Liberal Club will stage an afternoon of cabaret on Sunday, featuring performances by youngsters from the Wendy Rees Stagecraft school. The showcase starts at 12.30pm and tickets are priced at £3.50 for adults and £1 for under-15s.
BURY boss Graham Barrow has been dealt a massive blow with the news that goalkeeper Glyn Garner needs surgery and will be out for weeks. The Welsh shot-stopper, the current supporters' player of the season, has had a niggling problem with his left knee
FIRE chiefs and police are cracking down on yobs messing around with fireworks in Nelson. Police are laying on extra patrols and cracking down on the illegal sale of fireworks as part of their bid to reduce the nuisance element of fireworks. And teams
TWO teenagers have pleaded not guilty to setting fire to a man as he slept in a Radcliffe bus shelter. Army signaller Benjamin Mortenson (18), of Rupert Street, Radcliffe, and David Smolinski (18), of Craven Street, Bury, appeared before Bury Magistrates
HOPPERS secured their fifth consecutive win against a Middlesbrough side that rarely looked like scoring. In a scrappy affair Hoppers always looked the likely winners and should have won by a wider margin. The home backs looked much sharper and the back
COULD anyone in Radcliffe please tell me if they have ever managed to speak to a police officer at the Radcliffe station. I telephoned seven or eight times one week recently and was unable ever to get a reply. The crime I wish to report took place weeks
GUN crimes last year reached a staggering 10,340 offences, equal to an offence every 51 minutes. And that is only in England and Wales. This figure amounts to a doubling of offences since Labour took power in 1997. So much for Home Office Minister Alun
BARNOLDSWICK is recruiting landlubbers to help get the town shipshape for its fireworks and laser show on Sunday. This year's show has a nautical theme, and Barnoldswick Community Arts Group is holding workshops for people to help build giant ship-shaped
MUMS-TO-BE in Pendle are being looked after by some of the best in the business. The Pendle team of community midwives is through to the final in a contest run by the British Journal of Midwives. And the eight-strong group will now get the chance to live
THEY were pioneers of the punk rock era, creating an altogether more aggressive sound. And now Sham 69 are bringing their unique blend of political punk and football-inspired chants to King George's Hall, Blackburn, tonight. Appearing alongside the Skabilly
IT'S gone on a journey from the theatre Imperial de l'Opera in 19th century Paris to 21st century Blackburn. And, thanks to its popular appeal, it's likely to prove equally popular in both settings. Coppelia - the ballet about a life-like clockwork doll
With a prestigious musical under her belt, former pop star Linda Nolan has her eye on a TV role - in the nation's favourite soap opera. She spoke to JENNY SCOTT. . . SHE was known as the Naughty Nolan, thanks to her raunchy poses in magazines, but for
TWO pubs were evacuated after yobs put customers in danger by setting off fireworks. Staff and regulars at the Tinker and Budget, and the Bay Horse, both in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, raised the alarm after hearing explosions. Police and fire crews were
AN animal sanctuary is appealing for help to get its animals through the winter -- including its very own four-legged television star. Gemma the donkey was recently filmed for an episode of Born and Bred, filmed in Downham, near Clitheroe. Now volunteers
TOASTMASTER Elissa Baker brought order to a family in Australia when she took part in the Channel 4 series Wife Swap. As the first female toastmaster in the North west, Elissa (40) has everything under control - both at work and at home! But when husband
DINERS caught sight of megastar Mick Jagger at one of East Lancashire's high-class restaurants recently. The ageing Rolling Stone rocker even rang the venue in advance to ask if he was allowed to wear jeans for dinner before he arrived with a small party
MILLWOOD Primary Special School will be enjoying Maths Week. From Monday, the school will welcome visitors each day who will help pupils to explore maths in unusual ways. Parents are welcome to go along. Call the school on 0161 253 6083 for details.
IT'S not often you see a nine-goal thriller at Bloomfield Road and the 3,500 who saw Tuesday night's action-packed extra time victory over Huddersfield will have plenty to goad the stay-away fans with. There may have been less than half the number of
STEVE Cotterill has been ordered to attend a hearing later this month to answer an FA charge. The Burnley boss has been forced to wait over two months to discover his fate after appealing against his 'sending off' during the Clarets 2-1 Championship defeat
"WHOEVER wins, I can't lose". Those are the feelings of Ralph Coates ahead of a Tuesday's Carling Cup clash between the two clubs he holds so dear. The former England winger last visited Turf Moor exactly two years ago tomorrow, when the Clarets beat
HOW ironic that Leeds United are hoping to build a casino on land adjoining Elland Road. For such a building would instantly become a symbol for a club that gambled everything - and lost. Just three short years ago, Leeds were Premiership high-rollers
THE LOOK etched on Norman Hunter's ashen face was a picture. The former United hatchet man swept through the hospitality lounge moments after last night's game all shaking head and puffing cheeks after witnessing Burnley's demolition job on his beloved
A BURY magistrate who has spent more than 20 years serving the community has retired. Mr Leslie Berkeley, of Ringley Road, Whitefield, has been on the board of Bury Magistrates for the last 22 years. He spent two years as deputy chairman and five years
The Simon Garner column JOHN Hartson's frank admission that his days at Celtic could be numbered may spark a scramble for his services in the January sales. With several Premier League managers on the look-out for a new striker, they may see the burly
MANAGER John Hughes is calling for the fans to be patient as his side look to make it four games unbeaten at Warrington Town tomorrow. Two league draws have sandwiched a 5-1 thrashing of Woodley Sports in the UniBond League Challenge Cup, and victory
GREAT Harwood Town manager Dave Sharples has labelled tomorrow's League Challenge Cup tie as a must-win game. The Robins entertain NWCL Division Two strugglers Castleton Gabriels in the first round desperate to progress in a bid to prompt an upturn in
WHEN it comes to team selection this weekend, Nigel Coates' hands are tied. The Colne manager is without three of his four central defenders with Danny Potts, Gary Rishton and Craig Whittaker all unavilable, while Paul Forsyth and Scott Gizon are injured
BACUP Borough mount their bid to reclaim the North West Counties League Challenge Cup tomorrow. The holders, who travel to Leek CSOB in the second round, are keen to bounce back from their heaviest defeat of the season, for which manager Brent Peters
CONSERVATION-conscious youngsters are enjoying a two-week trip of a lifetime to East Africa to see at first hand how their fund raising has benefited animals and humans. The teenagers, attached to Bury CE High School-based Children of the Sheldrick Wildlife
A TEENAGER has described how she turned her life around after getting involved with a crime prevention scheme. Rebecca Smith (15), of Collen Crescent, Brandlesholme, lives with her parents, four brothers and two sisters. Speaking at Bury West Area Board
MANCHESTER United star Phil Neville has appealed to health bosses to scrap "once and for all" proposals which could mark the end of the Fairfield Hospitals special care baby unit. The Bury-born England player spoke in support of the unit which nursed
DOCTORS at Minden Medical Centre have withdrawn their objection to the multi-million pound redevelopment plans which will close the practice within two years. The decision came during the final moments of the first day of a public inquiry into the development
BURNLEY goalkeeper Danny Coyne will be out for three months. The Welsh international suffered a detached tendon in his leg during Saturday's 3-0 defeat against QPR and won't now be fit until well into the new year. However, better news arrived ahead of
Iain Hume has turned down a move to Preston North End, after admitting that he's happy at Prenton Park. The Tranmere striker met with his representatives and Tranmere officials on Thursday to discuss a potential move to Deepdale but decided he wanted
WHEN new night Belief was launched in Accrington last month, the organisers pledged to bring big names from the off. They launched with Brandon Block and Alex P on their first night, October 23, and followed it up with a retro-style night guest-starring
MEMBERS of Radcliffe Rotary Club have celebrated the group's 71st birthday. The club held a dinner with more than 100 guests at the Bolton School on Monday evening. And Rotary International, of which the Radcliffe club is a member, celebrates its own
A MAN who acted as "warehouseman" for a consignment of drugs worth thousands of pounds has been jailed for four years. More than 1,000 ecstasy pills, 1,500 diazepam tablets, and 32oz of cannabis resin were discovered in a briefcase at David Jones' Rossendale
AN ANGUISHED mother today called on people across East Lancashire to become organ donors - and give her son a chance to live. Brave Connor Hurst, five, was born with his bowel on the outside of his body and is on a waiting list for a liver and bowel transplant
ALTHOUGH many Suez veterans have received their medals for service in the Canal Zone from the early 1950s there are many who are still waiting, and others who don't know how to apply. I have written a book 'Suez: The Hidden Truths' detailing the appalling
UNITED Utilities' chief executive John Roberts will face questions from water watchdogs at a meeting. He will also take questions from members of the public at the meeting of WaterVoice North West at Bridgewater House, Whitworth Street, Manchester, on
GREATER Manchester Ambulance Service is among the best prepared in Britain to cope with a major terrorist attack. More than 375 frontline staff have so far been trained to deal with chemical, biological or radiological incidents. Protective clothing and
RADCLIFFE town centre will be filled with festive spirit at the annual Christmas lights switch-on - set for November 27. Radcliffe Traders' Association and Bury Council are working together to make it fun-derful day for families. The lights will be switched
WORKERS from Bury Council's Bradley Fold depot are celebrating after completing an innovative course to boost their customer service skills. The 12 employees, in the environment and development services department, are the first to take part in an Employer
A LARGER than life characted who spent 13 years working to promote Blackpool Pleasure Beach has died at the age of 67. Brian Robinson, known to friends and colleagues as Dolly, passed away on Friday after a battle with cancer. Pleasure Beach managing
A POPULAR Fairfield Hospital porter, who was given the nick-name "Billy X-ray", has died peacefully at the age of 60. Bachelor Billy Cuncarr, who was born in Radcliffe, died at the Falcon Close residential care home in Bury on Sunday. He leaves a sister
THE FUTURE of the historic Fleetwood to Knott End ferry service is once again under threat of sinking as Wyre councillors meet to decide its fate. Members of the council's Cabinet committee are due to meet to discuss future funding and terms of operation
RELIEF is on the way for residents and visitors to Radcliffe, left high and dry by vandalised toilets in the town centre. During the next few weeks, the public toilets situated off Market Place will be demolished to make way for a new state-of-the-art
DISGRACED Wyre Council leader, Alan Vincent, has been replaced by his local Conservative party colleagues just weeks after being suspended from council. The 33 members of Wyre's controlling Tory group voted Staina ward councillor - Russell Forsyth - as
THREE girls from the Fylde Coast are heading up the charts after a song they recorded was released as a single for Children in Need. Nina Hardiman, 18, Grace Simpson and Abigail Miller, both 12, thought the song, 'Wind the Bobbin Up' would be heard only
CAMPAIGNERS say they're shocked that their call for an inquiry into a planning decision has been thrown out by government. Jubilee Action Group (JAG) and Waters Reach Residents' Association wrote to the Government Office of the North West in September
THE city council is preparing to shut down what is believed to be Preston's first swinging club. It comes after complaints from local residents prompted an investigation by police and council officers into the activities of Fun 4 Two, in Powis Road, Ashton
A TEACHER from Prestwich faces the sack after he was found guilty of making unwanted approaches to two schoolgirls. Ian Hamilton (40), of Oldfield Road, appeared in Bury court on Tuesday to be sentenced on two separate charges of harassment. In June last
TWO gardeners battled to stop a woman re-entering her blazing flat after a cigarette caused a fire. Firefighters believe the woman, in her 40s, dozed off while smoking a cigarette on her sofa. She fled the first-floor flat in Aviemore Close, Blackburn
SELINA Warrington is a model student. The Year 11 pupil at St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich is a prefect who carries out her duties with a fair but firm hand, has made excellent progress in her studies and gives 100 per cent to everything she does
A HEAD teacher last night warned government ministers not to "cherry pick" reforms to the curriculum for 14 to 19-year-olds. Speaking at the Blackburn's Pleckgate High School prizegiving, Robin Campbell, said changes to the academic and vocational subjects
ACCRINGTON Stanley players Peter Cavanagh and Ian Craney have made the cut for the 16-man England National Game XI squad to face Italy in an Under 23 international next month. Manager Paul Fairclough selected the Reds duo for the initial, bigger, squad
LIVERPOOL striker Djibril Cisse ignored the blinding pain of a broken leg to brighten up an 11-year-old fan's stay in hospital. The French star signed the right boot he was wearing when he suffered his horrific injury and gave it to Blackburn schoolgirl
JOHN Coleman believes a lack of concentration for the full 90 minutes cost Accrington Stanley a place in the LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section quarter-final. Stanley were knocked out of a domestic cup competition for the second time in a week after they
A SCHOOLGIRL mum today lashed a charity's new advice pack that tells children they could have secret abortions. Carley Treagust, who gave birth to her son Blake when she was 15, spoke as Education for Choice prepared to distribute the information to teachers
"WE'VE lost the belief that we can go and win a game." That was Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman's damning synopsis as his side were knocked out of a second national cup competition in the space of four days. The bewildered boss was struggling
LUTEL James has vowed to fight for a first team place until his future with Accrington Stanley is resolved. The striker was anticipating a move away from the Interlink Express Stadium this week, with Droylsden favourites to get his signature. At least
WHAT goes around comes around. Having often been the target of the UK Independence Party's attacks I have hugely enjoyed the spectacle of that party tearing itself apart. Their most prominent MEP, Robert Kilroy-Silk, now describes his colleagues as 'barmy
IT was back in August 2000 that Mark Etches first unveiled a new vision for Blackpool. The glitzy Casino complex with 1,000 bedrooms, incorporating a conference centre etc. Well, as we all know a project of this magnitude takes time to put into fruition
Iain Hume has turned down a move to Preston North End, after admitting that he's happy at Prenton Park. The Tranmere striker met with his representatives and Tranmere officials on Thursday to discuss a potential move to Deepdale but decided he wanted
I AGREE with the recent correspondent who wrote regarding Osborne Walk in Radcliffe. I have lived there for 30 years and 20 years ago the path was never used by the general public. There was a gate to stop them but then the council came along and laid
CORRESPONDENT D. Crompton laments the threat to "our way of life"; Roger Bowden the erosion of "our historic culture" and both blame immigrants. In fact our culture has benefited from immigration. Would we really be better off without Italian, Indian
CONSERVATION-conscious youngsters are enjoying a two-week trip of a lifetime to East Africa to see at first hand how their fund raising has benefited animals and humans. The teenagers, attached to Bury CE High School-based Children of the Sheldrick Wildlife
THREE teenage robbers have been sentenced to a total of almost five years in prison after pleading guilty to a violent robbery in Bury. Seventeen-year-old Jason Boswell, from Prescott Close, and 15-year-olds Paul Hardman, of Topping Fold Lane, and Aron
A FORMER soldier wants pardons for 300 First World War soldiers sentenced to be shot at dawn. Ron Shambley is writing to the Ministry of Defence, calling for action to be taken to clear the names of soldiers who were executed during the 1914-1918 conflict
East Lancashire parents have been warned that poor primary school dinners are in danger of creating a health crisis among their children. So how good or bad is the typical school menu in East Lancashire? Reporter RICHARD HOOTON found out. . . CARTOON
BLACKBURN Rovers were today facing up to the prospect of losing Rob Kelly to Leicester City. As I understand it, the Foxes want Kelly as number two to their new manager Craig Levein. The Coca-Cola Championship club are believed to have made a formal approach
BURY FC mascot Robbie the Bobby will be helping raise money for Children in Need this month. Once again, he will be holding a marathon handshaking session and has six primary schools on his visiting list - and is determined to break through the £1,000
PRESTWICH HEYS 0, BAe SYSTEMS BARROW 1: AS one spectator said on his way out of the ground: "If Heys played all night, they would still never score!" The visitors from Barrow sent them crashing out of the last 32 of the Lancashire Cup - a competition
WHILE answering a question on reductions in army strength on Wednesday, October 20, Tony Blair stated that there will be no reduction in army strength. I believe Mr Blair's answer was essentially an equivocal one, which a more finely tuned question would
I AM a concerned and caring grandparent of two already in secondary education and two more about to make the transition from primary school in Burnley. I am really struggling to get my head around the fact that, yet again, parents seem to be losing ground
ELTON Liberal Club will stage an afternoon of cabaret on Sunday, featuring performances by youngsters from the Wendy Rees Stagecraft school. The showcase starts at 12.30pm and tickets are priced at £3.50 for adults and £1 for under-15s.
MILLWOOD Primary Special School will be enjoying Maths Week. From Monday, the school will welcome visitors each day who will help pupils to explore maths in unusual ways. Parents are welcome to go along. Call the school on 0161 253 6083 for details.
THE team behind the East Bury Initiative will attend a prestigious "showcase" event at Lancaster University this month. A six-strong squad will represent the town after being shortlisted by RENEW, a regional organisation that promotes best practice in
CHRIST Church Ainsworth will be involved in a double remembrance occasion on Sunday, November 14. Apart from the Remembrance Day service another special event will take place to commemorate those whose funerals the church has had responsibility for during
MEMBERS of the Church of the Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints have been getting their hands dirty to make a difference. Working in shifts, adults and children cleaned up an area in Athlone Avenue, Fernhill, as part of Make a Difference Day. Members removed
A PRESTWICH dental practice is raising awareness of mouth cancer, which claims 1,700 lives each year. Anthony Jacobs and Stephen Lazarus, who have a surgery in Bury Old Road, are talking up Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, which starts on Sunday. Dr Jacobs
HOSPITAL fundraiser Alisdair Templeton had bags of Dutch courage when he collected sponsorship money for a half marathon event in Amsterdam - before actually taking part in the event. The 53-year-old raised £1,000 after touring local pubs. Now, the auxiliary
RAMSBOTTOM, Totttington and North Manor Area Board is to be brought up to speed on local issues when it meets this month. In response to concerns about speeding motorists, Greater Manchester Police traffic unit will be giving a presentation on the criteria
A PAEDOPHILE at centre of a police manhunt has been spotted several times after an appeal in the Evening Telegraph. Paul Whiteley, 47, fled an address in Accrington last Wednesday. He had been ordered to stay there following his release from prison on
AN ANGUISHED mother today called on people across East Lancashire to become organ donors - and give her son a chance to live. Brave Connor Hurst, five, was born with his bowel on the outside of his body and is on a waiting list for a liver and bowel transplant
A SCHOOLGIRL mum today lashed a charity's new advice pack that tells children they could have secret abortions. Carley Treagust, who gave birth to her son Blake when she was 15, spoke as Education for Choice prepared to distribute the information to teachers
TOP paediatricians at Fairfield Hospital have accused health officials of "misrepresenting their views" when proposals to close the special care baby unit and reduce women's and children's services were put forward. Although the plans have been withdrawn
A BID by Bury MP David Chaytor to ban child-smacking failed to win enough support in the Commons. The Labour backbencher took part in his second rebellion this week - the first was over new gambling laws - in an attempt to impose an outright ban. But
AN injury and illness crisis has disrupted Atherton LR's preparations for Saturday's League Challenge Cup second round tie at Glossop North End. Micky Bennett is out after undergoing a hernia operation on Monday, and fellow defender Ross McNair has a
EVERYTHING patients have always wanted to know about their medication but have been too afraid to ask is to be remedied by local health professionals. Supporting the Ask About Medicines Week, the health authority will be manning information stands in
MARK Hughes's assistant manager Mark Bowen is something of a veteran when it comes to clashes between Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers. During his nine years as a player with the Canaries, Bowen appeared in the fixture on a number of occasions. But one
PAUL Gallagher staked a claim for a first team recall with two goals in this comfortable victory over Wolves at Christie Park. The Scotland international has failed to force his way into Mark Hughes's plans since the Welshman took over from Graeme Souness
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes will send his players into war against Norwich tomorrow with the message 'same again'. Rovers know they can strike a huge psychological blow in the battle for Premiership survival if they beat the Canaries at Carrow
BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder David Thompson has described tomorrow's crucial six-pointer with Norwich as a 'monster game' in the battle to stay in the Premier League. Rovers have not picked up an away point all season and if they lose at Carrow Road they
A GO-GETTING goalkeeper has helped a children's charity while keeping the half-term blues at bay. Andy Fairman, 24, owner of Just 4 Keepers Lancashire Limited, donated £10 for every child who attended each of his two-day coaching schools, to Derian House
MORE than one-and-a-half tonnes of fireworks were seized from a house in Leyland just days before Bonfire Night. The haul, taken from a property in Farington, included five 80kg crates, and a number of dangerous explosive fireworks which are illegal.
A PRESTWICH dental practice is raising awareness of mouth cancer, which claims 1,700 lives each year. Anthony Jacobs and Stephen Lazarus, who have a surgery in Bury Old Road, are talking up Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, which starts on Sunday. Dr Jacobs
A LARGER than life bar tender is aiming to raise money for charity by selling life-size cardboard models of film monsters Alien and Predator. Russell Baines, 32, of Maynard Street, Ashton, spent a month making each one in time for the release of the Alien
SEVEN suspected football hooligans were arrested after police in Preston and South Ribble carried out a number of early morning raids on their homes yesterday (Wednesday). They were arrested in connection with a violent disturbance in Leeds city centre
A SINGER who grew up in Preston, came back to her roots to perform at the Guild Hall with Sixties pop star Lulu. Now Edwina Hayes, 31, is supporting the famous pianist, Jools Holland, on his UK tour and could be on the edge of her big break. Edwina, a
MORE than 500 mourners packed Preston Minster on Monday for the funeral of Brian Booth, chairman of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, who died suddenly last week at his Fulwood home. At the Royal Preston Hospital hundreds of people lined the streets
A MAN has been charged with assault after a prostitute working in a massage parlour suffered serious head injuries. The 43-year-old woman, who has not been named by police, was allegedly attacked at the premises in Briercliffe Road, Burnley. Police said
A TEENAGER indecently assaulted a 12-year-old girl in a Burnley park. The youngster was with boys in Thompson Park on Wednesday afternoon when she was enticed away by the youth, aged around 16, shortly after 4.30pm. He was also with friends, but told
CHOCOLATE-FLAVOURED canals and streets without cars are the ideal ingredients for a perfect town - according to junior school children in East Lancashire. Youngsters were given the chance to show the grown-ups what they'd like to see in their town, with
THERE was further evidence of Bury FC's blossoming youth section on Monday evening when the club's youngsters won through to the second round of the FA Youth Cup. Second half goals from Damien Quigley and Matthew Hampson were enough to see off Wrexham
BURY FC's supporters trust, Forever Bury, narrowly missed out on a prestigious national award at the Supporters Direct Annual Conference held in London last Thursday. It was one of five shortlisted for the Trust of the Year, which eventually went to Cambridge
PENDLESIDE Hospice's chairman has stood down after 17 years in the job. Muriel Jobling was one of the founding members of the hospice in Colne Road, Reedley, but decided it was time for a change. She will now take more of a backseat role as its president
IT'S about time Mr Kaiserman stopped trying to find fault with the BNP. If he thought about it he would realise that if the BNP got into power then this country would not be such a soft touch for those who risk life and limb to get here and to stay at
CORRESPONDENT Phil Kaiserman is apparently forgetting what he and others fought the Second World War for - "democratic freedom". Freedom of thought, freedom to speak those thoughts, freedom of religion - or not - as the case may be. Sometimes we do not
BUSTED: Live: A Ticket For Everyone OVER the last two years, James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis have become household names, ever since they rocked the pop world with their debut single, What I Go To School For. This CD was recorded live at
WHEN he was nine years old, Steve Holbrook's grandad paid him a visit. Nothing unusual in that - except that Steve's grandad had just died five minutes previously. "He told me to tell my mum he'd gone," recalled Steve. "I didn't really understand what
BEDFORD ATHLETIC belied their lowly league status and a 3-18 deficit after 52 minutes to ask all kind of questions of the Fylde pack in the last 25 minutes of this National Three (North) game. From a position of dominance, the home side lost a degree
SAM Ellis is ready to put old friendships to one side at Elland Road. Former Clarets assistant manager Ellis will cut a strange figure in the opposite dug-out tonight. The Stan Ternent-Ellis partnership helped put Burnley back on the footballing map during
JOE ROYLE has warned his high-flying Ipswich side to expect another tough test at Turf Moor. Town needed a stoppage time goal at Portman Road three weeks ago to deny the Clarets all three points. And boss Royle has called for an early goal to avoid going
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill was today coming to terms with a full-blown injury crisis that leaves him with a shell of a squad. The injuries to goalkeeper Danny Coyne and midfielder Richard Chaplow now appear to be worse than first feared, with both players
BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill insisted last night's stunning victory at Leeds United was payback time for the fans. The Clarets bounced straight back from the heavy weekend defeat at QPR to stun the former Premiership club at Elland Road with a gritty
BURNLEY goalkeeper Danny Coyne will be out for three months. The Welsh international suffered a detached tendon in his leg during Saturday's 3-0 defeat against QPR and won't now be fit until well into the new year. However, better news arrived ahead of
WHEN Richard Duffy finally heads back to Portsmouth, Harry Redknapp could have the complete player at his disposal. Loaned out to Burnley for first team experience, Duffy has already featured at right back, right midfield and, in a match-winning display
THE smile's slowly returning to Dave Hall's face following last weekend's bizarre 10-goal thriller at Daisy Hill. Although the Nelson boss is beginnning to see the funny side of the farcical 5-5 draw, he was distincty unamused at the time as his team
IT could be a lot worse for Lee Sculpher. After all, the Clitheore manager only has to pick up the pieces of a 5-0 defeat at Mossley in the UniBond League Challenge Cup on Tuesday. Opponents Spalding United are trying to recover from a 6-0 thrashing at
ROSSENDALE United manager Mark Molyneaux is not prepared to count his chickens. Dale recorded a 3-2 win at home to Rocester, despite missing four key players with Bobby Jones, Garry McInally and Dean Cooper unavailable, while Mark Redshaw was injured.
FAMILY and friends held a candlelit vigil in the centre of Radcliffe to mark the birthday of a tragic road accident victim Natalie Danielle Pickwick Jones. The teenager died after a collision in Bolton Road in February, and would have celebrated her 16th
TOASTMASTER Elissa Baker brought order to a family in Australia when she took part in the Channel 4 series Wife Swap. As the first female toastmaster in the North west, Elissa (40) has everything under control - both at work and at home! But when husband
BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes will send his players into war against Norwich tomorrow with the message 'same again'. Rovers know they can strike a huge psychological blow in the battle for Premiership survival if they beat the Canaries at Carrow
BURNLEY welcomes one of the country's fastest-rising DJ stars this weekend, in the form of Rob Tissera. He comes to Club XS tomorrow night for a full-on set to impress the masses. Rob shot to fame mainly last year a through the ever-successful Manchester-born
EVERYTHING patients have always wanted to know about their medication, but have been too afraid to ask, is to be remedied by local health professionals. Supporting the Ask About Medicines Week, the health authority will be manning information stands in
A GRANDMOTHER getting into the festive spirit has labelled the vandals who spoiled her Christmas light switch-on as "Scrooges". Every year Mrs Elizabeth Sayers (62) hangs festive lights outside her home in Unsworth Street, Radcliffe, along with decorations
A POLICE officer is to face a misconduct hearing after a file of evidence about a road smash was lost. His chief superintendent has also apologised for the error, which has meant a suspected uninsured driver has avoided any criminal charges. The mix-up
A FORMER heroin addict has presented his prison officer with an award for "saving his life". John Quinn, 29, of Darwen, started experimenting with drugs at 11 and was a heroin addict by 15. His life was in turmoil and he did not see a way out until he
CUSTOMERS are already queuing up for a Rossendale company's novelty Christmas cards. Cheeky staff in Beta Group's customer service department had clients' hearts racing when they appeared naked -- except for a banner to cover their modesty -- a couple
RADCLIFFE Swimming Club has been awarded the Silver Standard Swim 21 accreditation at skill development level. The club, based at Radcliffe Pool on Green Street, is among the first in the region to obtain the award, raising the standard of swimming teaching
I REFER to the article in the Citizen, October 28, about the proposal to ban smoking in parts of Preston. I work in a cafe in Preston city centre. We have a large smoking area right opposite the kitchen and I get really affected by smoking, especially
A 32-year-old Radcliffe man is to face sentence at crown court for an assault on Valentine's Day. Sean Darraugh, of Haworth Walk, punched Edward Christie to the ground as he walked along a street in Cockermouth, Cumbria, after he thought the man had said
AUTUMN blooms and harvest will feature at the Whitefield Horticultural Society's Late Show on Saturday. It is the society's last show of the season and will feature chrysanthemums, vegetables, cookery, preserves and pot plants. There will also be children's
A MAN is due to face a crown court judge next week in connection with a series of attacks which left one Fylde woman withpart of her tongue bitten off. Andrew John Humphris, 35, will appear before Preston Crown Court facing separate counts of indecent
SHOPLIFTERS and town centre trouble-makers now face instant fines after police launched a ground-breaking initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime on the Fylde. The scheme aims to cut down time usually spent cautioning or charging an offender
A CHANGE in career paid off for Ross McMurdo as he takes over headship of St Hilda's CE Primary School in Prestwich. After two years as the deputy headteacher, the 34-year-old steps into the shoes of former headteacher Mrs Kath Perry, who has moved the
ST MONICA'S High School is leading the way in tackling the rising rate of obesity in the borough's children. The Prestwich school has agreed to allow in health and council investigators as part of a healthy eating campaign which could spell the end for
THE FIRST thing Selina Warrington did when she was presented with the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award, was stand up and thank everyone. A few years ago, the 16-year-old would never have contemplated addressing a room full of people but the confidence
RESIDENTS claim they have suffered a summer of discontent and disruption because of work on a new school in Prestwich. Construction of the new Manchester Jewish Grammar School in Charlton Avenue is in full flow after the old building was demolished earlier
A RETIRED teacher has slammed a Government office over the new system for issuing pensions. Mrs Rosetta Sherr (76), of Kirton Lodge, Prestwich, disagreed with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) scheme of phasing out pension books but reluctantly
A VAN collided with the central reservation of the M61, causing rush-hour tailbacks last night. Southbound lanes were closed near Junction 8 at Chorley while police began to clear the scene at about 3.30pm yesterday. A male driver was taken with minor
FLY-TIP hotspots are being targeted by litter bugs just days after being cleaned up by council workers as part of a multi-million pound campaign. Councillors claimed their own investigations of streets, alleys and wastelands blitzed by Blackburn with
ACCRINGTON Stanley striker Paul Mullin has urged supporters to keep faith in the system. The current 4-5-1 formation, which leaves Mullin operating as a lone striker, has come under the microscope in recent weeks, with Stanley only earning five points
THIEVES are putting lives at risk by targeting town centre charity shops, staff warned today. Cancer Research UK said it was losing thousands of pounds through thefts from its store in Northgate, Blackburn. Manager Maureen Williams said money lost through
The Paul Mullin Column THERE was no excitement for me in Saturday night's FA Cup draw - I didn't even want to see it! Losing to Leigh blighted the whole weekend and it was a relief I hadn't arranged to go out on Saturday night because the last thing I
MIKE Flynn returns to the ground where his football career began tonight, hoping to put the spark back into Accrington Stanley's season. The Reds central defender believes an LDV Vans Trophy scalp over Oldham Athletic, on the back of their first round
CHRIST Church Ainsworth will be involved in a double remembrance occasion on Sunday, November 14. Apart from the Remembrance Day service another special event will take place to commemorate those whose funerals the church has had responsibility for during
AUTUMN blooms and harvest will feature at the Whitefield Horticultural Society's Late Show on Saturday. It is the society's last show of the season and will feature chrysanthemums, vegetables, cookery, preserves and pot plants. There will also be children's
WE are astonished and extremely disappointed that the Government Office for the North West has refused to call-in the planning application for land to the south of Jubilee Gardens, Cleveleys, for inspection by the Secretary Of State. They provided no
A BLACKPOOL businessman will not make a fortune from the sale of a resort landmark after multi-million pound bids were dismissed as hoaxes. A wave of international publicity had pushed bidding for Brian Bateson's Vulcan bomber, for sale on internet auction
INSTALLED as favourites for relegation by most pundits, Sedgley Park are beginning to show their survival instincts, with a second win in three games and the first away from Park Lane. Having grabbed four points from a home win over Penzance and Newlyn
IN her recent reply to Mr Kaiserman's exposure of the British National Party's prejudice and aggression, correspondent Mrs D. Crompton says the BNP has "no voice". What do their speeches, letters to the press and leaflets constitute? I don't know why
CORRESPONDENT Roger Bowden declares that he is " . . . definitely not a racist thug. I would describe myself as a grammar school educated man . . . who is tired of this once great country having its historic culture eroded by those who do not have their
SO is that it then? Not one single letter to the Bury Times about the imminent closure of the social security office? You know, that big office with a ramp at the front, opposite Bury Market! Or did no-one notice the tiny paragraph tucked away in the
I HAVE been interested to read recently about the care and concern that the Government has shown to a wide variety of people and animals. The on-going debate among MPS about the rights and wrongs of fox hunting or the rights of workers in public houses
MURDER squad detectives are still keen to hear from witnesses as the hunt for the killer of Bury worker Robert Johnston enters its fourth week. The 39-year-old grandfather was repeatedly kicked and stamped on during a frenzied attack in Bolton town centre
IT'S not often you see a nine-goal thriller at Bloomfield Road and the 3,500 who saw Tuesday night's action-packed extra time victory over Huddersfield will have plenty to goad the stay-away fans with. There may have been less than half the number of
