Archive

THE cycle speedway riders of Astley & Tyldesley have lost their North/Midlands League Second Division title. But defeat on Sunday came under the most controversial of circumstances at Sandwell. Needing to win or draw to take the crown again, A&

LEIGH EAST'S inability to play consistent rugby over 80 minutes has again proved costly. Two more crucial National Conference League points were cast to the wind in a disappointing 30-18 loss at East Leeds on Saturday. East had a superb 15-minute spell

A NIGHT'S drinking cost a chef £345, after a length of steel piping fell from his clothes as police searched him. Burnley magistrates heard how Michael Lloyd Williams, 21, claimed he had the tube for his own protection, while his friend had a hammer down

A HEAD teacher has hit back at suggestions that GCSE exam standards are falling. Alan Chambers, head of Park High, Colne, said 16-year-olds deserved to be congratulated rather than castigated over successes. At the school's annual prize-giving, Mr Chambers

HOPES of a new road linking Fairfield Hospital with the M66 have been dashed by council transport bosses. The road is seen as vital by health campaigners who say it will improve access to the borough's new millennium hospital to be built on one super-site

Blackpool FC starlet Clarke Carlisle could be on his way out of Bloomfield Road and off to West Ham. The Leyland youngster attended Balshaws High School before joining the struggling Seasiders as a trainee. The 19-year-old proved instrumental in Blackpool's

Division Two: Luton Town v Burnley WHEN one of the best home records is laid on the line against one of the best away ones in the Second Division at Kenilworth Road tomorrow, then something may have to give. While Burnley have lost only once on their

TRANSPORT chiefs have suspended a school bus service for five days because of wild behaviour by some pupils. The actions of unruly youngsters have led to the suspension of the 906 service from Elton High School in Bury until next Thursday. A minority

NINETY town centre jobs are to be lost in Blackburn at the telephone exchange on Jubilee Street, BT revealed today. The operator assistance section of BT's operation at the Jubilee Street exchange is to close in August 2001 as part of a nationwide shake-up

I NOTICE with horror another bus service taken away from us at Kingsway because of vandalism (Citizen news story, October 28). We are pensioners with no car and are constantly harassed by teenagers who climb our walls and run of the roof of our bungalow

HAIRDRESSER Paul Freely is hopeful that Bury Council will trim his rates in a landmark decision which could affect other businesses near the 'blitzed' Elms Precinct. The Whitefield hairstylist is confident after a 'positive' Valuation Tribunal Hearing

THROUGH your paper I would like to say thank you to all the people who arranged the Blackbrook 'old girls' reunion on October 15. It was wonderful to see so many people present including teachers, Miss Sullivan and Miss Saunders. Once again, thanks. Eileen

HE'S been 'on guard' for well over a century. But few people I've met seem ever to have noticed the noble-looking, stone-carved head which graces a high point of the St Helens Drill Hall in Mill Street. Just slightly larger than life-sized, the military

WOULD all non-residents who regularly park on Woodville Street, Greenfield Street, Melbourne Road and Williamson Road in Lancaster please put their hands in their pockets and use the car parks provided. We, the residents, are sick and tired of not being

POPPIES are to be placed on 48 'forgotten' First and Second World War graves for the first time. The poppies, on a wooden cross, will be laid on Remembrance Sunday at St Mary's churchyard in Prestwich by Tom Gribben, landlord of the nearby Church Inn.

MY name is Brenda Young, I live in Seattle, Washington USA. Our daughter is attending the pre-autumn and autumn semester at Lancaster University. My husband and I are hungry for any local news from the area around her school. Our daughter is very good

A PENSIONER has told of his nine months of hell after he was charged with a sex attack he didn't commit. Seventy-year-old Stefan Muramaa, of Victoria Avenue, suffered months of verbal abuse after a woman accused him in February of indecently assaulting

THERE'S no doubt that Carr Mill Dam is the finest watery jewel in the St Helens crown, held in the affections of succeeding generations of townsfolk who have picnicked there or fished from its banks. But few know how this huge lake-like expanse - the

I AM writing to you once again following yet another accident on the East Lancashire Road. If you remember I wrote in September regarding safety on this road. Following that letter I started a petition for safety on the East Lancashire Road which was

TOMMY Glynn winces every time some old codger speaks lovingly about 'the good old days.' For, to him, that term represents a grim, hollow joke. And, at 85, Tommy feels he's in pole position to judge! He decided to drop me a line after overhearing three

What a good idea a museum of comedy and light entertainment is - right here in Morecambe. The place has been a laughing stock for years and, as my late mother used to say, you should go the way the horse is bolting before shutting the stable door. The

FURY erupted among Bury politicians over a press report about the cost of a new council newspaper. Tory leader Councillor David Higgin was forced to defend his integrity amid the stormiest verbal exchanges seen in the council chamber for many years. He

WHAT right has the Rev. John B. Gordon (Dear Star, October 14) to imply that 'Pagan Parent' is not guided by the same high motive he claims for himself? Nowadays every intelligent person knows the difference between learning and indoctrination. Pagan

CONGRATULATIONS! I understand The Citizen newspaper is now to be dealt with in the same way as other newspapers by officers at the city council. It appears different arrangements have been in place for dealing with questions from The Citizen (probably

WHAT do you think of us so far? That was the question Bury Council posed to thousands of people living across the borough in its annual residents' survey. And, as you might expect, the verdict was anything but clear-cut: while most people seem partially

ANGRY muslims today vowed to appeal after a scheme for a new mosque was rejected by councillors. Plans to build a mosque next to an Islamic Education Centre in Holden Street, Clitheroe, caused a storm when they were unveiled last year. Residents feared

THE vandalism of buses has led to the withdrawal of some services to Kingsway and Cllr Knight thinks he has the answer - play areas. Really? If play areas were constructed in and around Kingsway, I can almost hear the conversation that would take place

COMPASSION in World Farming Trust would like to thank the people of Leyland for raising £81.30 during our collection on September 4, 1999. All proceeds will go to our educational work for farm animal welfare. Karen Mansell Street Collection Co-ordinator

I WAS passing the Huntley Unionist Club in Bury the other day and noticed its nickname, "The Duck Club", was included on its sign. I was curious to know where that name came from and also others, such as Elton Fold club which is known as "The Klondyke

A DETERMINED effort is being made to stamp out motorised vandalism that costs ratepayers thousands. Hindsford councillor Robert Bleakley (pictured) is leading a fight to beat the burn-out brigade on Atherton's Hag Fold estate. A couple of weekends ago

Millenniun 2000 is getting closer every day, Plans made, action is now the order of the day. Millennium Dome in Greenwich, nearly complete in every way. What a masterpiece to behold as people weave in and out, and tell of great wonders they have seen.

SWEET-singing Kirsty Sarsfield is part of an extra special choir. The 13 year-old from Leigh has been selected to join 99 others - chosen from nationwide auditions - in the Martine McCutcheon choir. On Saturday Kirsty was in London at BBC recording studios

THANK you for your article in the Citizen dated October 14 - 'Life in Leyland - Smiling Service'. It provided much amusement for me and my family. If we did not know Leyland, the description may have led us to believe that the town ranked alongside York

THE British Cycling Hill Climb Championship was held on The Rake in Ramsbottom on Sunday and on behalf off the promoting club, the Lancashire Road Club, I would like to thank the people of Ramsbottom, especially residents on the course. Their tolerance

HIS Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester conducted the official opening ceremony of Astral House - Liquid Plastic Limited's new state-of-the-art head office. The Duke toured the £2million building, based in Miller Street, Preston, and met the town's

SOME readers seem to think that the trades union-inspired walk from John O'Groats to Lands End (JOGLE 2000) is only for trades unionists. In fact, trade unions are only one of many organisations that JOGLE has approached about this project, which is being

ACCOUNTANT Bill Fairman is used to getting other people's figures into shape, but when he decided to tackle the New York marathon, he decided it was he who had to get into shape - and that meant plenty of big apples. Now Bill, of Croston Road, Farington

WITH only one game in the Blackburn Rovers-sponsored Premier Division, there was no change at the top. Carpet Clearance moved into third place with a 2-1 win over Comet. In Divison One's top-of-the-table clash between Altom and Tayyabah Bakery, there

A UNIVERSITY of Central Lancashire student has died after drowning in the bath. Nisha Patel, 19, died after falling in the bath inside her family's Bolton home. She was preparing for a Hindu festival at the time of the tragic accident. A post mortem confirmed

BURY face Stoke City at Gigg Lane tomorrow in the first of a sequence of Division Two fixtures which could determine whether the erratic Shakers have any real chance of making the end of season play offs. The two following home fixtures are Lancashire

A BABY owl is flying again thanks to a wing, a prayer - and help from a local nature lover. The barn owl was discovered in a ditch alongside the A59 in New Longton a fortnight ago. It was given little chance of survival by vets. But after a fortnight

LITTLE Amy Orrell was just three days old when she had her first ride in a Rolls-Royce. Amy and proud mum Jackie, of Darwen, were picked up in the vintage Roller by doting dad Lee. The four-wheeled surprise was made possible thanks to Lee's bosses at

PRESTON boss David Moyes will continue with his "walking wounded" midfield in tomorrow's Division Two clash with Colchester. Moyes will again delay naming his side until the last minute to give skipper Sean Gregan (hip) and midfield partner Mark Rankine

TWO businessmen, who sold clothes from two shops in Preston, were disqualified from acting as a company directors in the Salford County Court on October 25. Kuldip Kumar Soni, of Altrincham, was disqualified for 10 years, and Satpal Sith, of Swinton,

POLICE from all over Lancashire were called to Blackburn to stop 1,000 Acid House revellers getting into a warehouse party. But 200 ravers managed to get into the event at a Lancashire Enterprises unit in Fort Street. Police said the revellers were risking

THREE men have admitted the manslaughter of a 22-year-old Preston man. Five others walked free from Preston Crown Court, as they were cleared of a murder charge, and no evidence was offered against them on an accusation of violent disorder. Judge Peter

CABBIES in Leyland could be parking on extra taxi ranks, if council plans are given the green light. At a meeting of Leyland town centre sub-committee, tomorrow (Friday), councillors will consider proposals to create 12 permanent hackney carriage stands

THIS point edged Darwen into second place in the FNWTL Division Two, but the fireworks started early in last night's clash when tempers flared and red cards were brandished. Colne went 1-0 up after 19 minutes through Gary Dalton whose 20-yarder flew into

THE family of one of Harold Shipman's alleged victims told his murder trial today how they were left "unhappy and confused" by the GP's explanation for her death. Pamela Hillier, 68, described as a "fit and active" grandmother, was found lying dead in

ALARMS and Communications went goal-crazy this week in the Witton Winter League Second Division when they beat new side Universal Cooling 10-0. Danny Morton hit four, Pete Jackson and Andy Jackson two each, and Steve Kay and Michael Tucker completed the

GREAT Harwood Rovers Under-15s brought Edenfield's 100 per cent record to an end with a superb 3-0 victory,. Rovers soon went into the lead when Simon Miller was the provider for Matthew Pendergast to shoot home. Chris Logue rose above everybody from

AS the Seasiders' fortunes may be about to change, supporters can listen to up-to-the-minute commentary from The Wave. Starting on November 7 The Wave is launching a brand new programme headed by Gary Burgess called The Sports Tower. Gary said: "The fact

ON October 27, Blackburn Lions held a presentation night at which they gave donations to charities in the area. They work hard all the year round to raise this money. On behalf of The Blackburn Fellowship for the Hard of Hearing, we would like to express

THE young Clarets proud two-year unbeaten league record finally came to an end in this top-of-the-table clash against Blackburn Rovers. In this third and final episode of a trilogy of games, Blackburn having lost the first two encounters, started the

FOOTBALL legend Jimmy Armfield will open Collegiate High School's new all-weather sports facility ATLAS today (Nov 4). The new facility includes four small and four full size basketball courts, four netball courts, four tennis courts, five-a-side football

OFFICIALS of an amateur Rugby League club claim injured players are having to wait for treatment because ambulances can't get access to a council-owned sports field. A gate at the entrance is designed to keep out 'travellers'. But at the weekend an emergency

BACUP Borough boss Brent Peters is planning on calling in a spiritualist in a bid to end his side's cup hoodoo. Since Peters took over, Borough have failed miserably in their quest for cup success, resulting in a string of first round exits. But after

BE Safe Be Seen is the message Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group is promoting to reduce the number of casualties among schoolchildren. Their advice is to wear light or brightly coloured clothing (preferably fluorescent materials) and wear

IN Division A of the Rossall Sixes League it's congratulations to Kings Arms FC who have won the league despite there being four weeks remaining and they continue with their unbeaten record after a 2-1 win over Supreme Plastics. Macprint FC who are third

GREAT HARWOOD boss Denis Underwood has warned his side they face a critical six weeks as they prepare for the visit of Salford City. Harwood face vital cup ties in both the FA Vase and the ATS Trophy as well as a string of important league games during

THE " house full" signs were up for the first concert at the newly merged King Edward VII and Queen Mary School, Lytham, as 300 guests - including Deputy Mayor of the Fylde Steve Mason - packed the hall. The concert, directed by Andrew Barratt and Geoff

Widnes St Maries 22 West Sutton Dragons 13 DRAGONS gave their all in a Lancashire Cup tie played in atrocious conditions. Although a division apart there was nothing between these sides until late in the game. In a brilliant all round team effort West

MANY schoolboys dream of becoming the next David Beckham or Michael Owen. Now, thanks to Blackpool Football Club's coaching scheme, soccer mad youngsters in the Fylde have never had a better chance. The club runs coaching sessions at various schools as

Lytham St Annes 1st XI 5 Swallwell (Gateshead) LSA always looked the better side in this top of the table clash. After missing an early penalty stroke they twice went ahead through Richard McGee but determined Swallwell fought back with two equalisers

IN reply to John Blunt's article (LET, October 27) concerning individual responsibility for pension provision, when one is a well paid journalist with, no doubt, an inflation-proof company pension or the income to support a private pension, plus all the

ST HELENS Rugby League referee Steve Ganson is jetting off on a Trans-Atlantic mission. He's been named as the referee for a Tri-Nations World Cup qualifiying competition involving the United States, Canada and Japan. It's being staged in the unlikely

WELL done to the fed up joker who contaminated sweets with detergent before giving them to trick or treaters. People are up in arms about it, and the action may be a bit severe, but this is another American practise that we, especially old people, can

Garswood United 2 Middlewich 0 TWO goals by Stephen Nugent gave resurgent Garswood a deserved victory over their high-flying visitors. Central defender Lee Pemberton rarely put a foot wrong and along with John Deacon and Mark Whittle dealt adequately

Parr Hare & Hounds 10 Weaverham Rangers 30 THIS was a much better effort by Hounds than the scoreline indicates against a niggling Weaverham outfit who could thank a lenient referee for the fact that they finished the game with 13 players. Despite

THE half term week saw visitors pouring into the Morecambe Tourist Information Centre in record numbers thanks to the Eric Morecambe statue. Every day showed big increases on the equivalent days last year. The final totals showed that 5,000 personal callers

THE NHS Direct scheme, piloted by Lancashire Ambulance Service, looks set to go nationwide by the end of the year 2000. The pioneering service puts callers through to a telephonist qualified to give medical advice - and if necessary, a nurse. The service

Bold Miners 20 Haresfinch 4 BOTH sides were missing key players for this derby clash but it was the homesters who had the better of a dour first half. Chris Anders, Chris Tarbuck and Nick Joseph scored unconverted tries for Bold to give them a 12-nil

LAST week's Citizen front page reports growing support for a Morecambe comedy museum. This would be a real boost to the town, along with the statue of our Eric which has already attracted extra holiday makers. Do Citizen readers know that Frank Brook

Widnes 3 West Park 12 RAPIDLY deteriorating conditions gave both sides their first taste of wintry weather this season and produced a dour match dominated by the Park pack. Widnes, after an 80-point drubbing the previous week, included several trialists

OLD soldiers were sickened to discover their garden of remembrance in Burnley had been vandalised just hours after it had been painstakingly assembled. Honorary poppy appeal organiser Eric Midgley and other members of the Burnley branch of the Royal British

WYRE police's new partners against crime - the local milkmen - have delivered their first success. Milk deliverers across Fleetwood, Poulton and Thornton Cleveleys were given emergency mobile phones by police two months ago in a pioneering initiative

A CITY councillor featured prominently in a national newspaper magazine this week as a reveller at a goddess festival! Independent councillor for Heysham, Pat England, was photographed by The Times ' Saturday magazine in ancient priestess style regalia

WHISTON Cross surged to a 5-1 victory over Crosfields in the Warrington and District Football League's match of the day. Tony Holden was the star of the show with a hat-trick, while Andrew Hayes also scored and Stepehen Keogh added a penalty. Leaders

A BUSINESSMAN who aims to spend £6 million creating a 100-acre leisure park in Burnley, told councillors: "Most people think I am mad - my friends know I am!" But town hall development control bosses didn't think 41-year-old entrepreneur Andrew Brown

We think, in all fairness, the general public should be made fully aware that the much heralded £350 million funding from the European Union to Blackpool over the next four years is but a small proportion of the £7.5 billion that the British taxpayer

HUNDREDS of people living in Hornby, Skerton and Lancaster are to receive mock flood warnings from the Environment Agency- to ensure warning systems work correctly. The agency will issue flood warnings to more than 2,000 homes and businesses in these

Vulcan 9 Newton-le-Willows 6 VULCAN were celebrating their third derby victory in a row on Saturday night. In terrible weather conditions both sides attempted to play as open a game as possible, with Vulcan's Crinnigan, Cunliffe and Whithall making a

MORECAMBE'S fans sang and chanted for their heroes right to the bitter end of Saturday's big FA Cup tie at Oxford United. Those supporters, drenched by heavy rain, knew their team had been desperately unlucky not to have secured a draw at the very least

I WOULD appreciate any assistance Citizen readers might be able to provide with locating a former pen pal. Her name is Alice Brown (ne Brassington) who married Derek in the 1950s. Her father perished in the Second World War and I think her mother's name

Oldham St Annes 14 Pilkington Recs 19 A FIFTH consecutive league win saw Recs leapfrog into second place in Division One of the North West Counties League. Given the wet and heavy conditions as well as the spoiling tactics of the home side this was a

LOOKING through recent copies of the Citizen to catch up on the news after returning from holiday, there seems to be so much bad news - Victoria Hospital wards to be closed; disabled people being disqualified from bus passes, to name but two examples.

THE young guns from Blackbrook have roared into pole position in the Rainhill Junior League. The under 15s squad have won on each of their nine outings. RESULTS Under 15s Cup prelim: Bleak Hill Rovers 0 Blackleyhurst 5. Under 15s Cup round one: Rainhill

I AM trying to trace any person who was in Blackpool Orphanage on Talbot Road between 1952 and 1960. I emigrated to Australia four years ago with my wife and two children and have three sons serving in the British Army. I was an instructor with Blackpool

Thatto Heath Crusaders 38 Leigh East 24 HEATH reached to the quarter-finalof the Lancashire Cup with this convincing win. A try for centre Anthony Marsh in the first minute set them on their way. Mike Woods added the extras and Heath were off to a flyer

A FLEETWOOD couple have consulted a clairvoyant as a last resort to try and find their beloved collie-dog. Five-year-old Tina, a beautiful tan-and-white Lassie look-alike, ran away on Cleveleys beach after being frightened by a firework on October 14.

TWO people were injured in a car accident on Westcliffe Drive in Morecambe on Tuesday night. The car collided with a lamp post. The driver and a female passenger in her late teens suffered minor injuries. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000.

Stourbridge 20 Liverpool St Helens 3 FACED with a long injury list, LSH had to travel to Stourbridge with a much changed team, including three players who were making their first team debuts, but they gave an excellent defensive performance which belied

A CHANCE meeting in a Lancaster cafe on a cold, wet afternoon has led to an artistic partnership that's about to light up the silver screen. Juliet McKoen and Jayne Steel co-wrote a short film "Mavis And The Mermaid," which was shot on location last week

POLICE are urging a driver who knocked over a four-year-old girl on Langdale Road in Lancaster to come forward. The girl was not injured in the accident which took place at 11.30am on October 30. The man was driving a K-registered Vauxhall Cavalier and

FOR more than 75 years, the Royal British Legion has supported British soldiers, sailors and airmen who have defended our country and helped keep peace elsewhere in the world. Many return to civilian life only to find great difficulty in re-adapting.

A BRILLIANT second half come back at Atherton LR earned the Combination's under 18 outfit a semi-final place in the Lancashire FA Inter League championship. They trailed 2-0 down to Bolton Boys Federation at the break. But a tactical change did the trick

THE Gigg Lane cash crisis has claimed it's first victims with members of the Shakers backroom staff and four junior players leaving the club. Both Director of Youth, Dave Cowling and Youth Development Officer Dave Dew have been made redundant while young

PAUL Barnes could be in line for only his second start of the season when his former club Stoke City visit Gigg Lane tomorrow. The much-travelled striker cracked two fine goals for the Shakers reserves in a 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United on Wednesday

THIS battling Tuesday night display in the Unibond League Cup bodes well ahead of their important league match at home to Gateshead on Saturday. City need to win against the north easterners to truly keep in touch with the leaders before the intense Christmas

A 27-year-old-man suffered two broken fingers and bruising to his body, face and head following an attack on Saturday, October 25. The incident happened at about 10pm in Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath, and police say the man was the victim of an unprovoked

LANCASTER MP Hilton Dawson took part in a special meeting to discuss the protection of victims of rape in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The meeting was organised by leading members of the YWCA concerned about the difficulties women face in court. The

Bristol Rovers 0, Bury 0 DEFENDER Steve Redmond celebrated his 32nd birthday with a clean sheet and some glowing praise from boss Neil Warnock when battling Bury picked up a useful draw at the Memorial Ground on Tuesday night. The Shakers experienced

ST HELENS Council has issued a leaflet outlining what it is doing to give cyclists a better deal on the town's roads. It includes a guide to the authority's strategy for creating a safer environment for the cyclist in the hope that more journeys will

BECAUSE it was so successful last Spring Morecambe Library are holding internet 'Webwise' evenings until November 26. Like last time the evening will consist of working through a CD ROM set out like the World Wide Web. It will take about an hour and the

PRESTON'S great draw in the second round of the FA Cup has already left many fans dreaming of an encounter with a top-flight side in the third round, but manager David Moyes is concentrating much more on this weekend's league action. It was a case of

AN inquest ended in chaos when relatives of the dead man were involved in an incident in the doorway of the court room. Police restrained a male relative of Mark Andrew Kellett as he shouted at his widow, Annabelle. And she was wrestled to the floor by

ONE of the biggest vaccination campaigns ever launched in East Lancashire will try and curb the disease which has become one of the country's biggest scourges. Babies, schoolchildren and teenagers on the threshold of their adult lives have been cruelly

WORK on a new multi million business park for East Lancashire is about to start. The Shuttleworth Mead site in Burnley will be able to accommodate around 1,000 employees when it is completed in four years' time. The 27 hectare site will include units

EDUCATIONALISTS from a German city have been visiting St Helens as part of a developing link between schools aimed at encouraging lanugage teaching. The party of six teachers from Leipzig, accompanied by Director of Education, Martin Wunschmann, visited

THE number of rides at Morecambe's Frontierland are to be reduced casting doubt over the theme park's future. A number of the popular rides have been put up for sale and this week the theme park bosses admitted that they are looking to "right-size" the

THE Formula One racing championship went to a Finnish driver, but it was Tepi Moilanen, North End's flying Finn, who turned this match with a fine save two minutes before half-time before North End hit top gear to win 1-0. Lee Zabek was sent clear of

A SPECIAL day of activities for men in Morecambe's West End has been organised. Activities on the agenda include welding, computing, music sequencing and art and crafts. The event will be held at the West End Community Centre on November 13. Lancaster

SECURITY measures in council buildings could be stepped up in a bid to stop violent and threatening attacks on workers. The move comes after Leigh Town Hall reception was brought to a stand still when a man threatened staff with a knife and vandalised

THE chairman of a Burnley textile firm has used his Midas touch again. Archie Norman, who became chairman of the parent firm of Northern Textiles, French, earlier this year, has seen his stake in a small firm rocket by millions. Mr Norman and three other

A CAMPAIGN to encourage women to take folic acid before and during pregnancy has been launched by St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority. Folic acid is a vitamin which is necessary for growth and development and it can greatly reduce the risk of babies

LANCASTER'S unique National Sedan Chair Carrying Championships will be featured on Channel Four's 'Allsorts' programme, to be broadcast at 12.30pm on Thursday, November 18. The footage was filmed at the 1998 Championships by a crew from independent TV

A YOUNG Heysham family awoke to find their brand new home had been invaded this week - by a herd of cows! Michelle Carney couldn't believe her eyes when she pulled back the curtains to see the landscaped garden of her dream home churned up and covered

POCKET rocket Paul McKenna may have spent less than 50 minutes on the pitch last night, but he certainly made an impact while he was on, helping his team win 3-0. Instructed by boss David Moyes to keep on scoring, it took magical McKenna just nine minutes

HAS anyone seen Flossy the cat? That's the plea from members of the Naylor family from Poynter Street, Thatto Heath, whose 11-year-old pet went missing on Sunday, October 17. Mum-of-three Janet Naylor told the Star: "Flossy is only small, despite her

A HERO bouncer saved a lone female from a scarred attacker in the small hours of Friday morning. The 21-year-old woman was walking in the town centre at about 12.30am when the scarred and acne ridden man took hold of her arm and tried to engage her in

NEIGHBOURS were evacuated after a World War Two veteran found a live hand grenade in his shed. Retired Mr William Eastham was cleaning out the building at his home in Parrenthorn Road, Prestwich, on Wednesday morning when he found the grenade in a drawer

TWO Tyldesley anglers pulled a drowning man from the sea at Blackpool in the early hours of Saturday. David Ellis and John Shelley (pictured) were fishing for whiting from one of the seaside piers when they heard faint calls for help. And the heroes'

A BRIDGE in danger of collapsing after it was attacked by vandals has been closed to the public. Now traffic chiefs are considering closing Bentley Hall Reservoir footbridge in Walshaw, which dates back to the 1950s, permanently. It is feared that parts

SIX hundred mourners paid their respects to David Butler, a popular member of the local amateur football scene, at his Atherton Parish Church funeral. And after a moving service, pals from his football team bore the coffin out of the church to the strains

HOUSING officials at St Helens Council have reported a high level of interest in their scheme to provide furnished accommodation after putting a show home on view. The show house, in Whalley Avenue on the Hard Lane estate was open for three weeks to give

A SCHEME to put gates across rear passageways to help cut crime - known as alleygating - has been given the go-ahead by local councillors. St Helens Highways sub-committee has agreed the first scheme of its kind in the borough will be in the Stanhope

THE Citizens Advice Bureau in Prescot is returning to its old office, which has been partially revamped, after eight months in temporary accommodation. The bureau had to move from its Church Street location in February while work on the town-centre redevelopment

HEALTH bosses in Bury got to the heart of the matter when they appointed a specialist cardiologist. Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the borough and the latest figures show that North West is among the worst affected areas in the country

YOUNG carers in Bury are to get a helping hand thanks to a new project launched this week. The Young Carers Project, run by the borough's Carers Partnership, aims to provide help and support for young people who look after others. The new project will

LEIGH hooker Anthony Murray (pictured) will sign a new 12-month contract to stay at Hilton Park - just 48 hours after rejecting an improved deal. The 22-year-old shook hands on a deal after more talks with coach Ian Millward on Monday night. "Anthony

A RADCLIFFE company is celebrating a £1.1 million Millennium contract. Portiere Architectural System's key role in Sheffield's Winter Garden development places the company at the heart of a project acclaimed as one of the most prestigious glass construction

A PARTY of Swedish students are sampling northern hospitality and Lancashire culture during a 20-day stay in Bury. The group of ten 18-year-olds from Sundsvall are on an international studies course and the visit has been organised to let them experience

BUS operator First Manchester has praised one of its driver who acted quickly when the engine of his bus caught fire on Monday morning. Accident hero Allan Smethurst, in charge of the 8.30am run of the 524 service from Bolton to Bury when it burst into

BLACKBURN Hawks coach Bobby Haig isn't taking anything for granted when he takes his troops to Sunderland for a tough Border League clash tomorrow. On the back of last weekend's convincing 21-2 drubbing over Bradford Bulldogs in the English Division One

EIGHT Turkish asylum seekers, who came to Bury hidden in the back of a lorry, have been given permission to stay in the UK temporarily. Immigration officials granted the admission order earlier this week after meeting with the Turks at Bury police station

MAYOR of St Helens, Councillor Pat Jackson, has urged people in the borough to support the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. "I cannot help but remember that even today our armed forces are involved in trying to prevent conflict in the world,"

CURRY and chocolate cake were the rewards for a body builder who won no fewer than three titles at the weekend. Damian Lees (22), scooped the junior and men's novices classes at the World Physique Federation championships in Wales on Saturday, and a novices

TEENAGER Zoe Holmes has been getting a taste of life as an executive, thanks to a work experience project run by Merseytravel. The 15-year-old Newton-le-Willows Community High School pupil was given a chance to experience life in the organisation's bustling

POLICE are clamping down on parents who could be putting children's lives at risk by parking in restricted areas outside schools. Members of St Helens Council's Highways sub-committee have expressed concern that many parents insist on dropping off their

THERE was no need for a second opinion when soon-to-be doctor Jim Henderson clinched cycling's National Hill Climb championship on the Rake at Ramsbottom on Sunday. The reigning champion, who recently graduated from Oxford University, raced up the lung-bursting

A FAMILAR face at Knowsley Road has been given an unusual new look. The bald facts are that Bill Bates, one of Saints' backroom boys, has had his head shaved - and it's all in a good cause. Bill, from Haresfinch, adopted the streamlined appearance in

TYLDESLEY RU never hit top form at Sefton. But they were still good enough for a 24-8 win. Andy Dickinson sparked the victory with a fine try, improved by Wallbank. The score seemed to inspire Sefton and they produced their best rugby of the match to

TED ROBERTS, the club's longest-serving manager, has called it a day at Leigh Athletic. One of the most successful managers in the history of the Lancashire Amateur League, he has the proud record of five league titles, two cups and one Wigan Cup success

ST HELENS Council plans to toughen its stance against tenants who make life a misery for their neighbours, after it was revealed that nearly 20% of tenants moving out were doing so because of 'neighbours from hell'. Council leader Marie Rimmer told a

FROM beginning to end this was the late, late show. Hucknall arrived late for the match at Leigh RMI when a snarl-up on the motorway forced a delayed kick-off. And RMI left it VERY late - five minutes into injury time - before they grabbed the 1-0 winner

ANGRY residents claim that traffic chaos caused by work on the new town-centre road layout is putting lives at risk. And they have accused St Helens Council of going ahead with the plans without giving enough consideration to the safety of those living

YOUNG packman Andy Gorski turned in a sparkling MoM show as Leigh Miners turned on the style, beating Wigan St Pat's 25-16 as manager Warren Ayres' game plan came good. Mark Meadows was a motivated pack leader at prop, his example firing second rowers

POURING rain for the full 80 minutes spoiled Leigh RU's big derby at Aspull. It made good rugby almost impossible - but Leigh held out for a 10-8 win. They scored all their points in a torrid first half, Phil Hewitt crashing in for a try converted by

A look back at events in history on November 5 with Mike Badham. 1605: Desperado Guy Fawkes was caught as he was about to blow up the House of Commons with 36 barrels of gunpowder. Under torture, he revealed the names of his fellow conspirators and they

TWENTY eight cannabis plants were found growing in a spare bedroom when police searched a house in Knuzden Brook, Blackburn. Shaun Anthony Lever, 30, of Knuzden Brook, pleaded guilty at Blackburn magistrates to cultivating cannabis plants and unauthorised

HOTSHOT Neil Clayton is just unstoppable when he gets a sniff at goal! He cracked in another terrific treble as Division One leaders Higher Fold LC romped in 4-0 against Royal Oak in the Leigh & District Amateur Football League. That keeps Fold six-point

RESIDENTS have won a battle to prevent a convicted sex offender returning to his home in Rossendale on release from prison. The disabled man, aged 64, is currently serving nine months for sex offences against six children. In June at Burnley Crown Court

From the Bury Times, November 5, 1974 TENANTS: Council houses were in the news, as usual. Rent collection and general management had become chaotic since the new Metro Council was set up in April, said tenants' representatives. Elsewhere in the BT, Councillor

A TEENAGER seriously injured in a road accident as he walked to school has died. Terry Wong, 13, suffered serious head injuries in the accident which happened in Openshaw Drive, Blackburn, on Tuesday as he was walking to Pleckgate High School with his

TWO directors have quit Lancashire economic development firm Enterprise in a surprise move. Charles Brocklehurst, deputy chief executive of the Preston-based firm, and colleague Dennis Artess, have both resigned their posts. In a short statement issued

THE official launch of a new scheme in Bury has given the borough a chance to celebrate its sporting youth. The Bury Youth Sport Initiative further underlines the opportunities that are now available to young people. As an integral part of Bury Council's

BRAKE failure is believed to be the cause of an accident on a remote mountain pass in Northern Spain in which two Rossendale lorry drivers died. Vic Anthony Richardson and Colin Palmer, both 43, died after their articulated lorry - owned by Bacup firm

HELLO again, well it's been another action packed week. Five knocked Westlife off the Number One slot, but that didn't dampen the Irish lads' spirit when they performed an exclusive VIP gig for Radio City in Liverpool on Tuesday night. It was an awesome

MYSTERY surrounds the sudden death of the well-known son of Blackburn nightclub owner Margo Grimshaw. Jeweller Adam Bailey Grimshaw, 39, was on holiday in the Lake District when it is believed he died in his sleep yesterday morning. A post mortem examination

BURNLEY will be bidding to become the first team to keep a clean sheet at Kenilworth Road this season when they take on Luton Town tomorrow. The Clarets boast the best defensive record in the Second Division so would be as good a bet as anyone to stem

PATIENTS who need wheelchairs could face paying a £50 deposit before taking them away. Health chiefs say they are sick of people not returning them, and a deposit could encourage people not to keep hold of them. East Lancashire Health Authority was told

Division One: Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich Town HAD Brian Kidd remained in charge for Ipswich's visit to Ewood tomorrow then he would have been armed with a full dossier on Blues dangerman David Johnson. The 23-year-old Jamaican-born hit man started his

RESIDENTS whose lives are being made hell by inconsiderate parking near a police training college are being urged make their voices heard. Councillor Paul Nesbit is calling on Prestwich residents to attend a police and community meeting to vent their

A POPULAR Preston motorcyclist has died after colliding with an articulated lorry during rush hour on the M6. David Eccles, aged 45, of Sevenacres, Bamber Bridge, was riding his Suzuki 500cc motorbike when it collided with a Volvo articulated lorry near

FURIOUS residents have slated a councillor's warning that budget constraints may halt traffic-calming work on the deathtrap Grane Road. Lancashire County Councillor Richard Toon insisted at a highways meeting on Wednesday that cash had to be taken into

CHIEF executive John Williams has dismissed reports that Blackburn Rovers held a board meeting last night to draw up a short list for the vacant manager's job. Some national newspapers claimed today that the Ewood board had already decided on a list of

HOPPERS fashioned an unlikely 16-15 victory with a gutsy second half performance in difficult conditions. With nine squad members out injured, this was always likely to be a testing fixture but Hoppers got off to a promising start. Flanker Steve Fee was

LUTON Town boss Lennie Lawrence is preparing for the Hatters' toughest test of the season at Kenilworth Road tomorrow against a Burnley side he rates as certainties for a top-six finish. And posing one of the biggest threats to Luton's unbeaten home record

TONY Parkes has ruled himself out of the running for the Blackburn Rovers manager's job. Parkes, who began his fifth spell as caretaker yesterday, is happy to help the club out while they search for a replacement for axed manager Brian Kidd. But the 50

'ELLO, 'ello,'ello, what's all this then? Lancashire Constabulary made their exit from the Lanacashire Amaetur Shield when they lost a close-fought encounter with Whitbread. Kirkham and Wesham were in attacking form, hitting nine past Longridge Town.

AS a customer of St Mary's Market I want to know why was the cafe put in the middle of the stalls? If you want people to look at your stalls why didn't the planners put the cafe near the glass doors to give a better view, when the building work is finished

Bonfire and Firework Display, Witton Country Park, Preston Old Road, Blackburn, 7.15pm. Bonfire, The Glory, Loveclough, 6.30pm. Bonfire, Butlers Arms, Pleasington, 6.30pm. In aid of the Red Brick Theatre Appeal. 50/50 Dancing with MCs Duncan and Margaret

THE ancient village of Haydock, which can be traced back more than a thousand years, is little more than a vast industrial distribution centre these days, located handily for the M6 motorway. But before that, it was a thriving pit community, with a large

THANK you so much for your offer in last week's Star for £6 to go to Knowsley Safari Park - one car's entry fee. First let me say I'd never been before so my 60-year-old eyes really enjoyed our day out as much as my daughter and grandsons. From start

I WISH to express my concern about the parking situation at Lancaster Railway Station after finding myself stuck in total chaos outside the station on Sunday. I turned into the narrow road only to find myself completely blocked and, as others turned into

ONE million pounds could be needed to give Bury's historic Arts and Crafts Centre a future fit for the 21st century. Commercial industries might be brought into the popular Broad Street building and many of the traditional adult learning courses moved

JUST a note to say thanks to everyone who has rang me concerned, or sighted, my cat Marley. Unfortunately he has not been found yet which makes me wonder if anybody may have run over a cat on, or after, October 6. If you have, don't feel guilty, just

I AM writing after reading letters in your paper about children being bullied. My son has been to three schools in six years because of bullying. It started on his very first day in reception class. Gangs of boys aged four and five threatened, among other

WHAT a surprise it was to be on holiday in Greece and to be tuned to the BBC World Service Sportsworld when the presenter started the show by announcing that "History is made to-day at Gigg Lane, Bury, when the first Asian player makes his debut in the

VOTERS in Hindsford could be going to the polls next month to find a successor to former councillor and Mayor Bill Smith. The last election in the ward was a bitter fight between Labour and Lib Dems which saw Robert Bleakley defeat the then Labour Mayor

AS the new millennium approaches, we are keen to mark the occasion with a week of festivities. As you may be aware, we are a registered charity and, at such times as this, we rely on generous donations from local business and organisations to provide

WORK on Leigh's town centre War Memorial Gardens will be completed in time for Remembrance Sunday. The project, held-up by bad weather and material supply delays, has been under constant fire from Leigh's British Legion members worried about it being

I HAVE been reading various letters of complaints from motorists whining and belly-aching about running costs, and the constant targeting from the police. All I can say is if drivers observed the Highway Code, stopped speeding, stopped jumping red lights

ON behalf of the Radcliffe and Whitefield Lions Club, I wish to thank the customers of Asda at both Pilsworth and Radcliffe for their generous support. The money we raised at Radcliffe will go to The Bealey Community Hospital, Radcliffe, and the Anthony

THIS country fought to liberate Europe from the Nazis at a cost of the lives of hundreds of thousands of its own citizens, and near bankruptcy. Tens of thousands of survivors of the Holocaust were allowed to enter the UK. Many are still alive, and their

FAMILIES in some of the poorer parts of Bury will benefit from the biggest shake-up of welfare since its introduction. For example, a family with two children and a wages of £200 per week will receive an extra £60 per week under the Working Families Tax

A FORMER Tyldesley man died suddenly at the wheel of his beloved Jaguar last week. Businessman, Maurice Heslop, was 46. A big man with a large personality, Maurice hailed from Old Trafford, but moved to Boothstown at the age of 11. He attended Tyldesley

MY sister and I are researching our family history and would love to make contact with descendants of the Goodburn family who we hope are still living in the Preston area. Our distant cousin (Audrey Conway) who lives in Australia and is very unwell would

I READ with interest the article (Oct 29) about "Woman of the Year" Judith Taylor. I come originally from Tottington and have known Judith since she was eight. I applied for a job at Kepplewray in Broughton-in-Furness through Judith's mother, and luckily

VICTIMS of house fires now have a dedicated service to help them come to terms with the ordeal. The Fire Victim Support Service has been created by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the British Red Cross. A specially-equipped camper van will be driven

LEIGH'S new police chief is Supt Mary Vaisnys. And she says it's great to be coming back home as the first woman in charge of the sub-division. Mary, who lives in Wigan and is a Wigan RL season ticket holder, hails from Saddleworth. Her mum Mrs Alice

IN response to the plea by Matthew Beck, for the Citizen to balance stories about Kosovan refugees (Citizen, October 21), I will attempt to do so. Recently two Kosovan families were housed close to my own home. I visited them to introduce myself and welcome

THE London Palladium, The Palace Theatre, Manchester, Blackpool's Grand Theatre . . . they've all hosted some of the world's comedy greats down the years. But now a new venue has entered the comedy circuit - albeit for one night only - St Cuthbert's Church

THE response from Tony Blair and associates to comments made by the Prince of Wales on such subjects as GM foods, organic farming and the visit of the Chinese premier, to the effect that he is meddling in government business, is highly offensive to the

HUNDREDS of fans and well-wishers were left disappointed after cricket legend Ian Botham missed out Preston town centre in his final John O'Groats to Lands End fund-raising walk. Fans waited patiently in Lancaster Road for their hero, at around 11.45am

PRESTON'S prince of plasticine, Nick Park, will be dining on more than Wensleydale and crackers after signing a multi-million pound deal with movie legend Steven Spielberg. Oscar-winning Nick, responsible for the hugely successful Wallace and Gromit films

THE man accused of murdering Preston student Janet Murgatroyd is expected to leave prison after being granted bail. South Ribble Magistrates agreed that Andrew Philip Greenwood could be moved from cells at Preston Prison to accommodation in a bail hostel

AVENHAM'S health problems are to be specifically targeted by a new £1 million health centre. The purpose built primary care centre, due to open by December 2000, is part of a £20 million renewal programme for the area. Avenham - acknowledged as one of

FIRE officers from Preston and Leyland were among 20 members of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service to receive long service and good conduct medals on Monday. They were: Grahame Coxon, of Leyland, based at Service Headquarters in Preston; Paul Richardson

A WOMEN'S refuge for victims of domestic violence is to be built in South Ribble. It will be the first of its kind in the borough and will be used to accommodate and support up to eight women and 16 children. While the precise location of the building

SAM Allardyce faces a selection nightmare tomorrow when Bolton entertain Crystal Palace in Division One at the Reebok Stadium. With Neil Cox having agreed a £500,000 move to Premiership outfit Watford Allardyce could be without a recognised right back

IT IS rich to find that, just as Lancashire County Council warns that there may not be enough in its coffers for traffic-calming work on the killer Grane Road, it is disclosed that it is sending one of its officials on a £1,400 trip to a transport conference

PRESTON'S proposed £300 million revamp will be the best thing that has ever happened to the town - according to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Preston Borough Council has signed a partnership agreement with property developer Grosvenor Estate

AS under-fire Railtrack comes under renewed pressure in the wake of the Paddington disaster - this time, for taking a slow train with its plans to upgrade the West Coast Main Line - ordinary people may be perplexed how a giant company that apparently

THREE evening football leagues are under way at Blackpool's new 5-a-side football centre, Uforia. After four games Tuesday (Nov 2) Premier League leaders Mambo 5 continued their 100 per cent record with an 18-9 victory over Wyvale Warriors. Mustard FC

NOT content with begrudging pensioners a decent pension, John Blunt (LET, October 27) lambasts Barbara Castle for her advocacy of universal benefits as opposed to 'targeting,' i.e. means-testing. This latter is, of course, attractive to governments as

IN September 1998, I criticised the civic authorities and media hype for being too hasty and in error at celebrating the end of the 20th Century and the Second Millennium AD one year in advance - on December 31 1999, instead of the correct date of 2000

A CONTROVERSIAL last-minute equaliser robbed Blackpool of a deserved victory at Cardiff City on Tuesday night (Nov 2). Nigel Worthington's rapidly improving side looked set to build on Saturday's impressive victory over Stoke City when big striker John

REGARDING Mr G Padgett's remarks in 'Airstrip going to waste' (Letters, October 14), I am sorry to disappoint him, but he wouldn't be allowed into Samlesbury airfield if three out of four of his engines were on fire. In the early 1930s, some men of vision

St Helens under 11s 20 Whitehaven 12 THE youngsters were made to work hard by a spirited Whitehaven outfit. Kurt Haggerty grabbed a hat-trick and Dave Mason also touched down. Greg Smith added a conversion. Other in form were Kizzy Edwards, Mark Briody

BLACKPOOL and The Fylde College will be unveiling a £3 million project tomorrow (Nov 5) when the newly refurbished Central Blackpool campus is officially opened by the Chair of the Education Funding Council, Lord Davies. The multi-million pound project

LEAGUE leaders Milnrow lost their 100 per cent record as Blackpool Scorpions snatched a late, but fully justified, equaliser for a 21-21 final scoreline in their latest Rugby League clash. Things had looked ominous for the Scorpions as Milnrow scored

ON the afternoon of Monday, June 17 1940, the British troopship Lancastria was bombed and sunk off the French port of St Nazaire by German planes, with the loss of about 4,000 British servicemen. This remains Britain's worst maritime disaster. On board

IT'S a long way from Bloomfield Road to Athens' Olympic Stadium, but Derek Spence managed to complete the journey - both ways! Blackpool's football in the community officer well remembers his brief spell with top Greek club Olympiakos. He went from playing

HEALTH chiefs have praised the efforts of the industry's professionals and voluntary bodies for dealing with a record number of patients in North West Lancashire in the past year. The North West Lancs Health Authority's annual report identifies its achievements

TWO anglers pulled a drowning man from the sea at Blackpool in the early hours of Saturday (October 30). David Ellis and John Shelley were fishing from one of the seaside piers when they heard faint calls for help. And their swift action saved 49-year-old

THE French must be shivering in their shoes. What do they do when something doesn't agree with them? They set fire to livestock, burn waggons and block up the ports. What do we do? Last week the rebellious British farmers cooked beef on the bone on a

VETERAN athlete Bill Fairhurst is back home after taking on some of the fittest man on the planet. The 52-year-old jetted out to North Carolina to compete in the World Duathlon Championship. The gruelling event consists of a 10-kilometre run, a 43-kilometre

NEW York takes the biscuit for two fast footed Fylde men. Carl Csonge and Roy Gardiner, both machine operatives for Horizon Biscuits in Blackpool, are running in the New York City marathon on Sunday. They may be used to running in Stanley Park but Central

FANCY going out fishing for the night and ending up a hero. That's what happened to Tyldesley anglers David Ellis and John Shelley, whose quick thinking helped to save a drowning man in the sea at Blackpool. The lads jumped into action after hearing faint

RACISM in the NHS will be fought 'tooth and nail'. That was the message from health minister John Hutton when he addressed the third National Conference for Black and Ethnic Minority Professionals and Practitioners. He told delegates: "The contribution

Here are last weeks Lancaster and Morecambe Netball League results: University 23- Brown Cow Inn 18 Reebok 37- Heysham Power Station 8 Allstars 38- Dickens 13 Lankys 28- Lancastrians 26 The Lankys and Allstars are still undefeated this season. The Allstars

THANK-YOU for the Rugby World Cup stickers and album which we won in a recent Citizen competition. Our grandson is delighted with them. Mrs M Armitage, Sharow Grove, Blackpool. Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting

Spring View 22 Portico Panthers 20 PORTICO lost their unbeaten league record despite taking an early lead with tries by Keith Tunstall and Gaissone Del Farro both converted by Craig Peel. Portico then seemed to lose the plot making schoolboy errors and

CROWDS gathered to watch the classic cars rally on Morecambe promenade on Sunday. Bolton-le-Sands driver, Kevin Savage and Frank Fennell took first place in beating Nether Kellet's Geoff Hall/ Paul Bosdet by a massive two minutes. The manoeuvrability

Haydock 12 Simms Cross 10 HAYDOCK gained their revenge over Simms Cross b in an excellent game for which both sides must take great credit. Haydock, with the wind behind their backs, took early control of the match and were soon on the attack. Kelsey

A BLACKPOOL headteacher this week condemned vandals who trashed his school for the second time in six months. Grange Park Junior School had to remain closed on Monday and Tuesday (Nov 1 and 2) after glass from 19 broken windows was strewn all over classrooms

BUDDING young actors in Blackpool have been boosted by news of a grant award for a youth theatre project. Blackpool's Grand Theatre has won a £10,000 grant from the Lloyds TSB Foundation to support its training project for young actors. The cash will

LANCASTER's shoppers are being encouraged to say "non" to the French and back local farmers by buying British. At the city's third farmer's market next week consumers are being encouraged to register their protest at France's continued ban on British

WHISTON had the edge over Pilkington in the St Helens McDonalds JOL. Just one goal settled the under16s encounter. At under 14s level league leaders Rainfrod Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by Swan Boys. In the under 12s section both Rainhill and Whiston

BLACKPOOL stormed into the second round of the FA Cup after comprehensively outclassing Stoke City on Saturday at Bloomfield Road for a 2-0 result. Gary Megson got a raucous reception from the home fans and was constantly barracked by the fans for the

Siddal 30 Blackbrook 14 THE nightmare continued for Blackbrookon Saturday when they were beaten by a strong, if unspectacular, Siddal outfit. Strong winds and heavy rain made for tricky handling conditions. But exchanges became a little heated as the

SCHOOLBOY Paul Scott (pictured) is certainly the stuff The Citizen's Little Champions are made of. For Paul, 15, has delighted organisers of a logo design competition who were amazed to discover the winning entry was from a boy who is unable to use his

FEARS have been expressed that Lancaster's North Road could become a late-night trouble hot spot. With yet another nightclub planning to open soon there are concerns for the safety of up to 3,000 revellers who are likely to spill onto the streets in the

HUNDREDS of workers across Morecambe and Lancaster were paid double their wages by mistake this week. And they may not have to pay the money back because Barclays Bank (who made the mistake) have already returned the money to the 40 firms or so in the

RUNNING the London Marathon has always been on my list of lifetime ambitions - watching thousands of people crossing the famous Mall finishing line each year is truly inspirational. So much so that this time I have decided to take on the 26.2-mile run

FYLDE Council has launched a publicity blitz on a possible transfer of its 2,000 council homes to a housing company. With the slogan "It's your home and your choice," council officers are holding 17 public meetings for tenants who are also being bombarded

St Helens Town 5 Bootle 0 IT was smiles all round at Hoghton Road on Saturday. For, after a frustrating couple of weeks, Town found their true form again and demolished a Bootle side who had held them to a draw at Bucks Park earlier in the season. Stalwarts

SOME 200 Blackpool hoteliers and leisure operators are expected at a public forum on the industry's future next Wednesday (Nov 10). Organiser Ken Turner, who runs the Windsor holiday apartments in South Shore, has arranged the meeting at the Norbreck

A HIGH profile anti-racism campaign was launched today on Ryelands as the estate braced itself for mischief night. The 'Share in Anti Racism' scheme aims to raise £120,000 to buy out Mal Hussain's mini market so he and Linda can start a new life. The

THE controversial proposal to build houses between Lancaster and the university is sure to come up at a public meeting partly organised by the city's MP next week. MP Hilton Dawson has received hundreds of letters and calls about building on green field

BLACKPOOL switches off its 1999 Illuminations on Sunday night (Nov 7) with a smile on its face after a better season than last year. Last week's school half-term brought in a huge influx of trippers, with all of the resort's 25,000 car-park spaces full

PLANS to turn the River Lune into a major water sport centre could be scuppered because of complaints from fishermen it emerged this week. Sports groups who use the river want to club together to apply for lottery money to extend their activities on the

IRISH singing sensation Brendan Shine brings his unique voice and talent to the Platform on November 14. A household name on both sides of the Irish Sea, he has done more albums and appeared on television and radio more times than anyone can remember.

A FORMER soldier who left the army more than 20 years ago has been reunited with a piece of his kit after his brother spotted his old braces in a car boot sale. Grandad Bob Tuffnell, 46, of Waterloo Street, Clayton-le-Moors, couldn't believe it when brother

STUDENT James Bimson left Westleigh High school at 16 and moved to Leigh College. But he had no sense of direction and gave up his courses to take a job packing fruit and vegetables. Last year he decided he was wasting any talent he had and returned to

CHIEF executive John Williams has dismissed reports that Blackburn Rovers held a board meeting last night to draw up a short list for the vacant manager's job. Some national newspapers claimed today that the Ewood board had already decided on a list of

MANCHESTER City's burgeoning Lancaster and Morecambe supporters' club will meet at a new venue on Wednesday. They will convene at Lansil Sports Club at Caton Road Lancaster at 7.30pm. They have changed from Morecambe's Christie Park partly to accommodate

HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope has been promoted to a new job - signing cheques for the Government worth millions of pounds. But this has raised eyebrows at home, where wife Kate doesn't trust him to pay the household bills. Mr Pope has been promoted within the

New Brighton 23, Sedgley Park 5 SEDGLEY Park temporarily lost the leadership of the Jewson League Division Two North with this defeat at New Brighton. The home side played a game based on defence and no mistakes and Sedgley's errors cost them the game