THE latest production to take Preston's Playhouse Theatre by storm will be the hit play Silly Cow. Written by television funny-man Ben Elton, it is set to be 'crude, rude and killingly funny'. Mark Howard, director and star of the production, said: "It's
UNLIKE other community policemen, Burnley bobby PC Richard Collopy gets to and from his beat area by bus -- and travels free. And when within his Duke Bar beat area, he often rides around it by bus -- again with free travel, courtesy of the Burnley and
WELL done to a group of energetic sixth form students from Baines School who have just completed a gruelling 170-mile coast to coast bike ride and raised £1,400 for The Christie Hospital. The Bridlington to Blackpool ride took three days of hard cycling
TWELVE-year-old Arnold School pupil Hayden Armstrong is the winner of the National Railway Museum's competition to promote rail safety awareness. Judges of the 100 entries in the 8-11 age group were impressed by the hard-hitting message conveyed by Hayden's
HERE IS your chance to become a rock star! Singer and musician Mark Joseph will soon be visiting every secondary school in the Fylde to practically give away £1,000 rock packs. His national campaign which started in April aims to encourage the next generation
TICKETS went on sale today for leading comedian Peter Kay's UK tour in the autumn. And he broke all box office records at Blackburn's King George's Hall after his one-man show in September sold out in less than an hour. With the show on Friday September
A WORKING group to establish ways of getting the public more involved in Rossendale Council will hold its first meeting in June. When Labour took control of Rossendale in the May elections, leader Coun Graham Pearson promised to look at ways to increase
THE touching comedy The Memory of Water -- the story of three sisters who gather at the family home when their mother dies -- is being presented later this month by Blackburn Drama Club at Darwen Library Theatre. Tickets for the production, from Wednesday
A SPECIAL dance extravaganza featuring 200 students from the Zoe Taylor School of Dance has been organised as part of the Commonwealth Games' Spirit of Friendship Festival. The event, called One Night Only, is being produced, directed and choreographed
AN international artist -- probably best known for creating Milton Keynes' "concrete cows" 23 years ago -- is currently working on a project at Rawtenstall school Tor View. Liz Leyh, who has known Bob Frith, Horse + Bamboo Theatre Company's artistic director
MAGISTRATES fined a Leigh based company a total of £3,600 for failing to comply with waste regulations. W L Corbett Limited of Bedford Square, Leigh, manufacturers of paper-based packaging products, was also ordered to pay costs of £887.98 to the Environment
LEIGH fire station will become a one-stop shop for front line operations to boost service to the community. Work has started on a £3m development which will see the amalgamation of the Greater Manchester Fire Service workshops, stores, breathing apparatus
FIREFIGHTERS from Bury were called to a blaze after a portable cabin was set alight. Crews were called out at 7.40pm last night to the incident at Supreme Windows on Low Croft Road. The cabin was destroyed.
ENTER the magical world of Mystique at Blackpool Pleasure Beach this summer and get more than you bargained for. Master illusionist Richard De Vere is promising a few surprises in his box of tricks for 2002. Audiences will be amazed as lovely ladies are
A FIRST-floor flat was destroyed by fire. Squatters are being blamed for the blaze above a shop in Walmersley Road, Bury, during the early hours of Friday (May 10). The alarm was raised at 4.30am and firefighters from Bury quickly brought the flames under
MP DAVID Chaytor is leading the way in giving workers time off to study and improve their skills. The Bury North MP chaired the launch of the Paid Education Leave Campaign in London on Monday (May 13). Bury will benefit from this scheme, as Greater Manchester
DISQUALIFIED driver Michael Cawley repeatedly tried to shake off a police car after he was spotted behind the wheel. The 40-year-old refused to pull over and constantly changed direction in an attempt to lose officers on his tail, Bury magistrates were
AN elderly shopper had her handbag stolen in a drive-by snatch outside a supermarket. The 60-year-old woman was leaving the Asda store at Pilsworth at 8.15pm on Friday (May 10) when a silver-coloured Vauxhall Vectra pulled up alongside her filled trolley
A DIAMOND anniversary celebration proved a sparkling occasion for the 1005 (Radcliffe, Whitefield & Prestwich) Squadron of the Air Training Corps. Past and present members attended last Friday's (May 10) 60th birthday bash at the group's base in Knowles
GRANDMOTHER Olive Keeley is boy band Westlife's biggest fan..at the age of 82! And last night (Thurs May 16) her dream came true when she finally saw her idols in the flesh. Olive, of Elm Avenue, Radcliffe, not only had VIP seats at the Irish group's
BOLTON and Bury Riding Club is to stage a special commemorative Queen's Golden Jubilee Horse Show next month. The event, which will attract competitors from all over the country, will take place at the club's showground in Bradley Fold at the rear of
HOSPITAL waiting times in Bury fell in March in line with a national reduction. Total waiting list figures fell by 39 patients (1.9 per cent) bringing the total waiting in March to 204 of which only two, compared to 14 in February were waiting 12 months
THE family of a teenager whose body was found in a lodge days after his mother told police where it was today attacked a decision to reprimand two officers and said: "It is just a clip around the ear." Lancashire Police apologised to the family of Sajjad
HAIRSTYLIST Maria Monetti is on her way to being head and shoulders above the rest. The 22-year-old from Holcombe Brook is one of just six chosen nationwide to become a member of the Clynol Young Protege team where she will learn all the professional
A GROUP of mothers are proving that 'Breast is Best' when it comes to raising children. Five new mums have got together to encourage others to take the natural option. They attended a special breast feeding course with the Ribbleton-based community organisation
A PRESTON man says malicious rumours about the ritual sprinkling of cow's urine on products are ruining his business. Kamal Parekh has been running RK Sweets, in St Paul's Road, for the past eight years and says rumours have hurt him personally as well
FINGERS and thumbs keep moving but if you're not careful they could get trapped. -- like poor Rebecca Bond's did. The Ribbleton Avenue Junior School pupil was in agony when she turned up at the Accident and Emergency department of the Royal Preston Hospital
A COUPLE of Fulwood revellers have taken it upon themselves to make sure their neighbours join together in community spirit as part of the jubilee celebrations. Pauline Batty, 50, and Anne Brindle, 53, of Millcroft, are the first to have their street
NURSES from Royal Preston Hospital's children's ward are in training for this year's Race for Life to raise money for the brave youngsters they care for. A team of go-getting nurses from paediatric Ward A are swapping their uniforms for shorts and T-shirts
ONLY a quarter of companies in Preston and South Ribble are allowing their staff time off to watch the World Cup or have made provisions to let them catch the 50-plus matches while they work, according to a workers' union survey. The GMB general workers
A SCHOOLBOY, who was impaled on spiked railings in an horrific accident in a children's playground nine days ago, has made a remarkable recovery and should hopefully be home by Wednesday. Joshua Bonney, aged nine, a pupil of Burnley Wood Primary School
A BRAVE youngster whose mum is trying to raise enough money to get him specialist medical treatment in Hungary will receive a cash boost following a special night of entertainment at Burnley Miners Social Club. The Plumbe Street club hosted a Stars in
TURF Moor may be well known as the home of footballing legends but from Monday it will have a new role -- as an after-school learning centre. The new resource, which will be based in the club's media room, will be available to pupils from 23 primary and
EAST Lancashire MPs have welcomed the government's announcement of a £2.66million kick-start to the redevelopment of East Lancashire's decaying and derelict homes. They are confident that the cash means that local councils' £670 million bid for a ten-year
A MAN driving at around 76mph on a 30mph stretch of road in a sporty car he was test driving has been jailed for two months after it crashed, leaving his cousin in a wheelchair for life. Victim Wasim Sarwar, 18, was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown
THE biggest collection of sculptures by internationally-acclaimed German artist Ulrich Ruckriem will be installed in Radcliffe. Ulrich, whose monumental "standing stones" were unveiled in Outwood Country park in 1998, has offered the town a large collection
RADCLIFFE High School is at the heart of the community and that's official! The Abden Street school has just received the coveted Schools Curriculum Award for the quality of its working relationship with members of the community. The national award follows
IT'S billed as one of the highlights of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, and Radcliffe horsewoman Jayne Whitehead will be right at the heart of it. Jayne (29), of The Firs, Bradley Fold, is taking part in All The Queen's Horses, the country's
A POSTMAN was jailed for nine months after he admitted stealing bank cards he was meant to deliver. Michael Harvey, an undischarged bankrupt, had started stealing and selling credit and debit cards for £50 each within months of starting work as a postman
RADCLIFFE councillor Wayne Campbell has been promoted to become the new second-in-command of Bury Council. He has represented Radcliffe Central voters for the last 18 years, and takes over the top post from Whitefield councillor Derek Boden. It's the
PRESTON went into the lead from the start. Good pitching from Anthony Warwick (5 innings, 9 strikes outs) and Tyler Mattler (2 innings, 5 strike outs) kept Halton's score down. Bronco's: Halton 3 v Preston 22 Pony's: Halton 5 v Preston 18 AGAIN Preston
THE NINTH annual sea angling festival organised exclusively for disabled persons will take place at Otterspool (Merseyside) on June 16th with the full backing and sponsorship of the British Disabled Angling Association. More than 50 competitors from many
PRESTON council chiefs are hoping the Queen's Jubilee will be remembered in the city for a long time to come. And to ensure that happens, they are urging housing developers to name new roads after the special event. Peter Corless, assistant director of
GARAGE owners feared public funds were being used to allow motorists to have their cars serviced at discount prices at ambulance repair centres in Burnley and Blackburn.
QUICK-thinking David Wannop dragged his neighbour John Fitzpatrick to safety after a blaze broke out in his house. The fire in Willows Lane, Accrington, started after a cigarette set the living room furniture on fire.
FAMOUS funny-man Lee Evans is visiting Preston as part of his new UK tour. After appearing in hit films The Fifth Element and Mousehunt, Lee should have his audience rolling in the aisles at Preston Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, on Saturday, May 18. Tickets
PUB chain JD Wetherspoon has pulled out of plans to develop its first venue in Accrington, for the second time in a year. The company was set to invest £1.2million in transforming the former Lar-De-Dars nightclub in Eagle Street in time for Christmas
TWO men from East Lancashire have been arrested and are helping police with inquiries following an incident involving armed officers on the outskirts of Sedbergh in south Cumbria on Wednesday. Police said a lorry reportedly stolen from the Leicestershire
BY GEORGE! There's a new exhibition at Lytham Heritage Centre. Veteran actor George Sewell and his stage mate Lionel Blair popped in to the Henry Street centre to officially open The Glorious Grand Theatre exhibition in between appearing at the Grand
NEWLY-appointed Barry Dixon is facing up to his first major challenge as the county's fire chief. Mr Dixon (51), who lives in Whitefield, took up the post as head of Greater County Fire Service in March with preparations for the Commonwealth Games, starting
CHIPPING steam fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, at the show ground in Longridge Road with proceeds for the village hall's second phase. Entries include traction engines, veteran and classic cars, tractors and commercials. There
APPRENTICE engineer Paul Dugdale will be enjoying a double celebration this summer. Paul, an apprentice plant engineer, has won a training award and has been selected to help ensure the smooth running of key events in the Commonwealth Games. Paul, 20,
A WOMAN with a history of drink and drugs abuse, who drank caustic soda in a bid to stop her husband from taking a new job in Wales, died over a year later from the effects, an inquest heard. Kathleen Mary Geraldine Halliwell, 43, of Sawley Road, Grindleton
AN enthralling Northern Premier League game at Stanley Park last Saturday (May 11) ended in a draw as Chorley chased Blackpool's 186-7 made in 57 overs. Chorley lost two early wickets, recovered and eventually had to settle for the draw at 173-8 as Blackpool
ENERGY, water and transport issues are on the agenda at an Environment and Your Business seminar to be staged next week. Groundwork Bury is holding the event between noon and 4pm next Thursday, May 23, at its Link House base in the town. David Honeyman
HAIR-raising the standards! That's a Bury hair salon owner who is certainly not on the fringe of his profession. For Anton Popadich's expertise has been harnessed to teach the Yanks a thing or two about customer care. The 38-year-old businessman, who
CLARETS striker Dimitri Papadopoulos played the full match for Greece Under-21s as they lost 2-1 to Belgium in their opening European Championship game in Switzerland last night. Now his club manager Stan Ternent is hoping that he will be able to play
ASK any pro if they think their side can win the league and they will invariably say yes - particularly the ultra-confident Aussies. But ask that question to Enfield pro Martin van Jaarsveld - who may have more reason than most to be confident about his
SO that was the season that was! Three weeks ago it was almost impossible to imagine we'd be able to stage a party at Ewood on the final day of the season as we scrapped for our Premiership lives. However, a couple of good results later and the pressure
CROWDS of children went barmy for Barney -- the popular purple dinosaur -- as he launched his new video at Blackpool Zoo. Nearly 10,000 visitors flocked to the award-winning animal park during the fine weather last Saturday (May 11) and Sunday (May 12
WANTAWAY striker Steve Basham has been released by North End after failing to renegociate his contract. The former Southampton youngster, who has been riddled with injury since signing for North End following a successful loan spell in 1999, is one of
BLACKBURN's own Operation Sound System are set to bring an extreme mix of world music to the town next month. Fusing the organic, traditional sounds of Africian drumming, aboriginal didjeridoos with the pulsating energy of Western dance music just might
ONE of Canvey Island's most famous sons Wilko Johnson will be appearing at Blackburn's North Bar on Sunday. The doyen of R&B guitarists and founder member of Dr Feelgood will be playing with former Ian Durie and the Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy
FORMER Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim is set to go acoustic as he joins Blackburn band The 'Burn on tour next month. Speaking to Pulse during his hectic schedule of recording with Paul Weller and touring with Ian Brown, he revealed plans to shun his
A MYSTERY benefactor has emerged at the last minute to save Bury Football Club from extinction with a bid to buy their stadium. Shakers' £1.3million debt to the Russell Cooke Trust looks set to be cleared just a fortnight before their May 31 deadline,
AN annual photographic competition has been launched in memory of former Lancashire Evening Telegraph photographer Jack Barry. One of East Lancashire's most popular personalities, Jack died 15 months ago, aged 59, following a heart attack. His death prompted
CHILDREN in East Lancashire will benefit from a better start in life thanks to government funding of almost £200 million. A multi-million pot of cash will be used to for projects over the next four years, aimed at youngsters in Burnley, Blackburn and
A TEENAGER accused of passing counterfeit currency has been told to co-operate with the probation service, or face custody. Ian Thompson, of Greenfield Street, Haslingden, received his warning from Bury magistrates after they were told that he failed
A FORENSIC psychiatrist told a court today how he believed a former escort girl had "just flipped" when she hacked her wealthy lover to death with an axe. Professor Nigel Eastman told Leeds Crown Court that he thought Jan Charlton, 36, would have been
A WOULD-be Neil Hodgson is hoping to attract sponsors to help him in his bid to become a superbike champion. Antony Surkitt, 24, of Turner Street, Stacksteads, has been involved in the high-speed sport since he was 17 and in the past year has been regularly
WHAT a great paper The Citizen is and what great readers you have! You were kind enough to print my appeal for information about the life and times of my cousins who lived, worked and died in Preston in the 1800s. Result? Lots of info, even photocopies
ON March 30 to April 14 the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA-UK) undertook their annual door-to-door appeal in the Lancashire district. The members of the Preston Seventh-Day Adventist Church would like to thank the residents of Lancashire
I WOULD like to commend you on a very good souvenir edition on the birth of Preston as a city. My daughter sent me a copy and I found it very interesting, having lived in Preston in my younger years until I emigrated to Canada. But I still like to see
TICKETS went on sale today for leading comedian Peter Kay's UK tour in the autumn. The Bolton-born comedian, who wrote and starred in Channel 4's award-winning Phoenix Nights, will play Blackburn's King George's Hall on Friday, September 20. He will also
TICKETS went on sale today for leading comedian Peter Kay's UK tour in the autumn. And he broke all box office records at Blackburn's King George's Hall after his one-man show in September sold out in less than an hour. With the show on Friday September
FORMER Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim is set to go acoustic as he joins Blackburn band The 'Burn on tour next month. Speaking to Pulse during his hectic schedule of recording with Paul Weller and touring with Ian Brown, he revealed plans to shun his
WHEN artists are working on a new album they tend to disappear from public view for months on end until the project is complete. Not so for Paul Carrack, the voice behind such major hits as Ace's How Long?, Squeeze's Tempted and Mike and the Mechanics
CLOSE neighbours of St Christopher's Church aren't singing the praises of Blackpool Council's Licensing Committee who have given the go-ahead for music and dancing seven days a week in the parish centre. Although the council believe it will be mainly
BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach chief Geoffrey Thompson urged business and community leaders to support a project to save one of the town's landmark buildings. Without an estimated £2million facelift, St John's Church on Church Street could face demolition within
BLACKPOOL's Hounds Hill shopping centre is on the market. The sale by Henderson Global Investors, on behalf of Pearl Assurance Plc, offers a major development opportunity to triple the size of the scheme. This will create a new department store, 24 new
POSTMAN Tony Humphrys received an important delivery -- Blackburn with Darwen's mayoral chains. The Shadsworth councillor was installed as the mayor of the borough during the annual council meeting yesterday. His new wife, Jackie, whom he married in the
A MAN "put his foot in it" by stealing a pair of socks just days after being put on probation for theft. Blackburn magistrates heard that the latest offence was also committed in breach of a conditional discharge imposed towards the end of April, again
A MAN has been accused of thefts totalling more than £26,000 at his brother's sub-post office. It is further alleged that Riyaz Patel went on to confess the crime to investigating officers, taking full responsibility for what had happened. The 26-year-old
SOCCER star Colin Hendry has spoken of his delight after his wife regained consciousness and was taken off a ventilator. It marks a major breakthrough for Denise Hendry who has been fighting for her life for over a month at the Preston Royal Hospital.
BLACKBURN Transport today defended their strategy on safety after a driver was knocked unconscious and slashed with a blade. Managing director Michael Morton said that everything was being done to ensure driver and passenger safety. They were "cracking
BURY'S Tenant and Resident Associations' Consultative Committee (TRACC) will stage its first Annual General Meeting next week. The event will take place next Thursday at 5.30pm in the Peel Room at Bury Town Hall. During the course of the evening, the
ACCRINGTON STANLEY'S swoop for the former Liverpool man Mike Marsh could be the first of several for the club this summer. As revealed in yesterday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Reds boss John Coleman has signed the 32-year-old former West Ham and Galatasaray
RECENTLY excessive numbers of motorists have been fined for what would seem trivial speeds above the lawful limit. While I do not condone breaking the law, this situation isn't doing anything to enhance the image of the police. Not long ago two fruit
THANK you so very much for helping Longview (RSPCA) Animal Centre, Marton, gain a "stay of execution" for a further three months. This would not have been possible without your help and the support of your readers. However, could I appeal once again to
I AM overjoyed to learn that the RSPCA Animal Home has earned a three month stay of execution to give fund raisers extra time to try to save it from closure. I know there are still some people who think Headquarters should help out, but the bottom line
NOT surprising that the North Shore business man writing in The Citizen (May 2) about animals at Blackpool Zoo prefers to stay anonymous. I am sure he knows that the majority of people would be appalled by his ignorance and his views. He tries to say
ASIAN business leaders celebrated the successful first year of the organisation set up to support their growth and development. In what was the largest event of it' s kind in the North West the Asian Business Federation staged its second annual dinner
A BLACKPOOL motorist who is incensed at the current speed and safety campaign has described speed camera police as "uniformed tax collectors". "There are a lot of angry drivers on the roads," says David Earle, 58, of Chester Avenue, Poulton. "And angry
sWHAT a load of rubbish Breda Malcolm-Hutton talks (Radcliffe Times, May 9). She seems to be saying that the public must make the effort to shop at Radcliffe market. I and other people I know do try to use the market, but when you can't get what you want
RACE Relations suffered a massive blow after the extreme right managed to gain a political foothold in Burnley - but the council leader vowed all sections of the community would be treat equally. Nearly a year on from the riots that plagued northern towns
FOR many years I have battled with Bury Council over the extortionate rates for the hire of football pitches in the borough. Their insistence on closing their ears and defending their position has resulted in the decimation of grass roots football in
BURY College has scored another first. The Market Street institution is one of the ten colleges that makes up the North West Consortium of Colleges. The Consortium has just gained a Beacon Award for running an accredited management development programme
RADCLIFFE High School is at the heart of the community and that's official! The Abden Street school has just received the coveted Schools Curriculum Award for the quality of its working relationship with members of the community. The national award follows
WELL and truly up to the mark! That's five schools which have crossed the finishing line and been awarded Sportsmark. The award has been presented by Sport England, the country's leading sports development agency, to reward schools which demonstrate a
IT'S not that I don't love them because I do. It's part of the deal, in the contract - unconditional. Of course I respect them, more so now than I ever did. They brought me up, made the sacrifices, paid the college bills. But I just can't shy away from
INDIAN professional Kabir Khan was the spark that fired Kendal to victory over Leyland Motors, leaving the away side second from bottom in Division One. Leyland Motors started brightly, dismissing Kendal openers Cooper and South for 7 and 10 respectively
THE son of an MP fought off three men armed with a hammer as they tried to steal his car in broad daylight. Jason Crausby, the area co-ordinator for the Bury East Area Board, was attacked as he went to unlock his VW Golf in a car park off Knowsley Street
ALTHOUGH many see streakers as a light-hearted, if embarrassing, diversion from sporting events, this is rarely the view taken by the sports clubs themselves. Pitch invasions, and those by streakers, are increasingly incurring the wrath of the sporting
THE sister of a man who hung himself believes he was let down by the mental health services. Debbie Adamson, of Edgehill Crescent, Leyland, said her brother Philip Adamson was 'crying out for help' before committing suicide on March 5 this year. Shortly
I VOTED this year but I will not be doing again unless something changes in Radcliffe. Who were these people who stood for election? They didn't even bother to come around where I live. The streets have pot-holes, our local park has gone, and provision
WE would like to thank all the people who stopped on Ringley Road on May 5 following a riding accident. I would especially thank Jacqui who sat with Lucie, reassuring her and keeping her head stable and the gentleman who called the ambulance for us. The
THE appeal by Radcliffe market traders for the local population to support their own market has been made several times before, unfortunately, and for that reason they have my full sympathy. However, I cannot agree with their decision to ask the council
ELMS Bank Community High School has earned the prestigious Sportsmark Gold award. The Whitefield school has become the first in the Bury borough to receive the coveted award, which is only presented to those who can show a very high level of out of hours
RADCLIFFE Infants and Junior Schools will become one and NOT close. That's the reassuring message from headteacher Mrs Chris Heald. Since the local education authority put out proposals to address falling pupil numbers, it was feared some parents were
A LOOK at what's on at Blackpool's Grand Theatre and Opera House. Blackpool Grand Theatre (01253 290190) One Hundred Years -- an exciting new puppet adaptation of Sleeping Beauty told from a four poster bed as part of Puppet Up! 2002. May 19 at 1pm in
A ROUND-UP of what is on around town at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool Tower, Grand Theatre and Grand Theatre Studio. Winter Gardens (01253 292029) The Good Olde Days -- traditional entertainment with Duggie Clark, Mike Terry and Tony Del Ray. Venue: Pavilion
PRESTWICH is set to become one of the first towns in the county to install state-of-the-art CCTV equipment which will identify known criminals. Bosses behind the camera scheme, set to be installed within the next couple of weeks at a cost of almost £1
They appear at random and many believe they are true signs from the almighty. Sceptics may call them simple coincidences but the people who claim to have seen them beleive it makes their faith stronger. There have been cases of people witnessing seeing
The outcome of this month's council elections was greeted with a sense of anger and dismay by members of community and local politicians. The BNP's 13 candidates polled 26 per cent of the vote in the 15 wards, just a year after the party's General Election
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Spring Fair, Guide Conservative Club, School Lane, Guide, 2pm. Sequence and Ballroon Dancing with MC's Frank and Denise, Tony's Ballroom, Town Hall Street, Blackburn,
HERE'S food for thought... Blackpool and The Fylde College's School of Catering and Food Production held a catering workshop at St Aidan's High School, Preesall, recently. Catering students and staff from the college demonstrated their culinary skills
FOR anyone who saw former EastEnders' favourite Mark Homer in pantomine in Blackpool last Christmas, his latest role which sees him return to the Grand Theatre will come as a bit of a surprise. For the actor who won so many friends with his Buttons is
SOCIAL Security minister Alistair Darling this week gracefully drew back from comparing himself to former Blackburn MP Baroness Barbara Castle. Speaking to Parliamentary journalists about the suggestion that only responsible citizens should be allowed
IF and when Bury FC finally escape their crippling financial troubles the one positive aspect to draw from their near-death experience is the return of power to the people. Creditors are currently mulling over proposals from club administrators which
BOLTON Association champions Walshaw are not used to looking up the table at other teams. The Bury side have dominated the league for the last three seasons and are chasing a fourth consecutive title but they find themselves in an unaccustomed fourth
1988 - Bury FC is taken over by multi-millionaire Hugh Eaves. The Hampstead stockbroker proceeds to plough much-needed cash into the club, £4million in total. 1996 - Under the guidance of Stan Ternent, Bury climb out of Division Three after finishing
POLICE have arrested a 43-year-old woman as part of their crackdown on drugs. Officers in Eastern Division have vowed to take part in a raid a day, using intelligence passed on from the public to target drug dealers. Class A drugs, thought to be amphetamines
POLICE had to make several arrests after being called to a large-scale late-night disturbance in Darwen Street, Blackburn. Blackburn magistrates heard that Jason Golden was fighting with another man and as they were arrested Golden's friend, Dean Straughton
THE classroom rather than the sky could be the limit for pupils at a Blackburn primary school who face losing the chance to study the sun, moon and stars because they cannot find transport for their summer field trip. The year five students at Sacred
THE wife of former Blackburn Rovers star Colin Hendry is believed to have opened her eyes in hospital more than a month after being admitted with septicaemia. Mum-of-four Denise Hendry is being cared for in the critical care unit at the Royal Preston
IT'S next stop Namibia for 22-year-old globe-trotter Colin Royle, who has been on the road for the best part of two years. The former pupil at St Bede's High School, Blackburn, has just returned from teaching Tibetan students in India and back-packing
OOH Mr Grimsdale! Sir Norman Wisdom is to appear at Blackpool Opera House on July 6 as part of a special tour of personal appearances due to overwhelming public demand. The loveable star of famously funny films such as Trouble In Store will be joined
AN insurance agent accused of theft and false accounting, which could total £120,000, has appeared before magistrates in Bury. Graham Evans, aged 47, from North Clifden Lane, Salford, faces a total of 25 charges dating back to 1999. The offences involve
EAGLE-eyed viewers may have spotted something familiar during Wednesday's (May 16) edition of BBC1's Animal Hospital. That's because the popular television show included a segment from the day it spent filming in Radcliffe last month. Camera crews went
A CAR stolen from Greenmount was used by robbers in a violent raid on a Bolton post office. The BMW disappeared on Thursday (May 9) but was then used on Friday morning during the raid in Farnworth. A security guard was beaten and knocked unconscious by
LOTS of money was raised when Hear'Say and Sir Steve Redgrave went under the hammer at The Brook pub in Ramsbottom! The charity autograph auction, organised by landlord Steve Taylor and Bob Williamson, comedian and writer, raised £1,400 for Multiple Sclerosis
TOTTINGTON High School pupil Elizabeth Cunliffe does not need any lessons when it comes to fund-raising. For Elizabeth (14) counted on her fellow pupils to help her collect cash for the NSPCC Full Stop Campaign. After chatting to her school mentor Jenny
A BRIDEGROOM is appealing for the return of his lost camera which contained precious photographs of his wedding and reception. Derek Jones lost the camera between the Pack Horse in Birtle and his home in Middleton following Saturday's (May 11) wedding
BURNLEY'S first BNP councillors were today urged to become independents following the first meeting of the council last night. Council leader Stuart Caddy said he wouldn't be surprised if BNP Couns Carole Hughes, David Edwards and Terry Grogan switched
FANCY footwork on the football pitch began on the dance floor for former Manchester City player George Smith who, with his wife Marjorie, has celebrated 60 years of marriage. Love struck for the Prestwich couple at a local dance hall and they went on
BLACKBURN defender Martin Taylor is ready to answer David Platt's SOS as England Under 21s kick-off their European Championship campaign against Switzerland in Zurich tonight. Taylor was forced to ditch his holiday plans after receiving a shock 11th hour
FORMER England greats David Platt and Bryan Robson today joined forces in predicting David Dunn is the man to lead the Under 21s to European Championship glory. The free-scoring Blackburn midfielder looks certain to captain his country tonight as they
THE driver of a flashy car is set to crack open the bubbly in style after being granted the first limousine liquor licence in South Ribble. Dipak Chauhan, 38, of Far Field, Penwortham, is the lucky licensee after he was granted the licence by South Ribble
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help with a summer play scheme set up by Barnardo's for families in the South Ribble area. The project supports disabled children, young people and their families, as well as providing year-round activities through a range
THE leader of Preston City Council has revealed he will step down from his position of power next year. The stressful role of council leader will be up for grabs in May 2003, when long-serving Labour councillor Ian Hall gives up the role. Councillor Hall
A GROUP of worried pensioners have taken their fight to save Lancashire's care homes to the High Court. Lancashire Care Association (LCA), which represents private care homes, were joined by seven homeowners and 11 residents in issuing proceedings at
A CLEANER was stabbed in the arm after tackling a man trying to steal a van. The victim, who has not been named, was cleaning the public toilets in Cliviger when he heard a noise. He left the facility to check his van and found a man sitting in the driver's
FUTUBA Tenneco UK, in Liverpool Road, have applied for full planning permission for a proposed new building on the site. The building would enable the company to expand, creating a tool and maintenance store. Anyone wishing to comment or object to this
CHILDREN in East Lancashire will benefit from a better start in life thanks to government funding of almost £200 million. A multi-million pot of cash will be used to for projects over the next four years, aimed at youngsters in Burnley, Blackburn and
WHEN it comes to getting to and from your beat area, there's nothing better than a bus, according to Duke Bar Community Beat Bobby PC Richard Collopy. While other officers travel to and from their beat areas by foot or bike, he will be hopping on the
A TEAM of specially trained negotiators has been set up to deal with the increasing problem of noisy neighbours in East Lancashire. The Burnley-based mediation service aims to deal with disputes between neighbours before they get out of hand. The new
BURNLEY'S first BNP councillors were today urged to become independents following the first meeting of the council last night. Council leader Stuart Caddy said he wouldn't be surprised if BNP Couns Carole Hughes, David Edwards and Terry Grogan switched
Results of games played on Wednesday May 8. Ashton A 10 (22), Moor Park B 0 (8); Smiths A 8 (13), Ribbleton B 2 (5); Ribbleton A 7 (26), Smiths B 3 (11); Haslam Park 9 (22), Ashton B 1 (7); Moor Park C 1 (12), Moor Park A 10 (27). Best winners -- F Biel
READING the Northern Premier Division One cricket table isn't a pretty prospect for Preston fans with the team lying bottom, seven points adrift with four games gone. And Saturday's match at West Cliff gave no indication that things are going to get much
WHILE the nation holds its breath, hoping that injured England captain David Beckham's foot recovers in time for the World Cup, one lad is having to keep an eye on his own injury. Young gymnast Harry Kampz, is in training for the biggest tournament of
I WOULD like to thank the lady who handed in my shopping bag containing my purse which I left in Asda on May 9. It is nice to know that we still have some honest people around. As a senior citizen, I was relieved to get it back. J. THOMPSON (Mrs), Hollinhurst
ON Friday, I attended an open day at the Radcliffe and Whitefield 1005 Squadron Air Training Corps to celebrate their 60th birthday. Having had no previous contact with this group of young people, I was nevertheless very impressed by their good manners
THE Golden Age of Rock and Roll returned to the Mechanics last night during a barnstorming two-and-a-half hours which threatened to lift the roof off. Ian Hunter was joined on stage for the first time in nearly 30 years by Mick Ralphs his guitarist from
THE landlord of a Longton pub will appeal against council legal action trying to force him to pull down a play area. Roy Heaney, licensee of the Red Lion pub on Liverpool Road, built a £15,000 children's playground. But a mix-up meant nobody applied for
MOTORISTS in Preston and South Ribble who use their mobile phones while driving are to be targeted in a new campaign by Lancashire Constabulary. Police chiefs say that using a mobile phone is dangerous as it distracts the driver's attention and can cause
AN MP today urged the Government to put more pressure on France to stop British war graves being dug up to make way for an airport. Hyndburn's Greg Pope spoke out after it emerged new French Transport Minister Gilles de Robien said he was reviewing the
THE family of a teenager whose body was found in a lodge days after his mother told police where it was today attacked a decision to reprimand two officers and said: "It is just a clip around the ear." Lancashire Police apologised to the family of Sajjad
A TEENAGER was today starting a five year jail sentence after pleading guilty to violence and firearms offences. Sheldon Keatings, aged 17, of Richmond Avenue in Prestwich, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court. The court heard that he was arrested
A GROUP of Clitheroe residents expressed relief after a three-year bid to create the town's first mosque was turned down for the second time. Ribble Valley Council received over 200 objections to a plan for a single-storey extension on the side of the
WESHAM Road Runners' Alex Rowe finished third and was first Veteran 45 in the latest five-mile race at Lytham -- the second in a series of six races. The next fixture is on Wednesday, June 12, at Preston, 7.30 pm Wesham's first 25 finishers were: 3rd
BOOK yourself a place at a special fund-raising travel show to be staged in Bury later this month. Bury College's AVCE Travel and Tourism Year 2 (marketing team) is holding the event on Monday, May 27 between 12 noon and 4pm. Entitled Fun in the Sun,
BURNLEY Borough Council is to carry out a consultation on how to improve the neighbourhood in the Padiham and Kiddrow and Gannow Lane areas. The exercise will start this weekend and will continue at different venues for the next month. The survey is being
ELMS Bank Community High School has earned the prestigious Sportsmark Gold award. The Whitefield school has become the first in the Bury borough to receive the coveted award, which is only presented to those who can show a very high level of out of hours
STUART LAW today reflected on his maiden century for Lancashire and said: "Let's hope it's the first of many." But cricket manager Mike Watkinson was unhappy about the lack of support Law received from his team-mates. The Queenslander scored more than
ONE Fylde family is right in the swim when it comes to raising funds for the Macmillan Windmill Appeal. Irene Gudger (centre), her daughter Jeanette Gudger and granddaughters Stephanie Leeson (left), aged 10, and Hannah Leeson (right), aged 8, pooled
TOTS and toddlers at Poulton's Happy Days nursery just couldn't keep still this week. The 65 children aged between three months and five years are enjoying jumping around on a bouncy castle, a trampoline and space-hoppers during the nursery's Bounce Week
IT was a real Big One of a day for the Lady Taverners' annual trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Saturday. Some 350 under-privileged children and their carers were treated to a day out on the fun park before Lady Taverners national president and former
LANCASHIRE Constabulary and its crime reduction partners have finalised details to drive forward joint plans to tackle street crime in the county. The nationally-initiated campaign, Safer Streets In Lancashire, is designed to tackle robbery, car jacking
THREE Bury police officers are "taking the reins" at the largest horse event to be held in Britain. Sergeant Karen Carmichael, PC Sally Biggar, and PC Lawrence Mitchell from the division's mounted unit, will join 17 colleagues from Greater Manchester
BURY is taking the lead in a new programme to provide better sporting opportunities for disabled people. The town's Castle Leisure Centre is one of only 30 such centres in the country to take part in the £1.3 million Lottery-funded Inclusive Fitness Initiative
THE new Mayor of Bury was sworn in during a glittering ceremony at Bury Town Hall. Friends, colleagues and dignitaries saw Redvales councillor John Smith take over the chains of office from Prestwich councillor Paul Nesbit. Coun Smith (60) was first elected
STORES are being urged to give the thumbs-up to a new scheme to combat credit card fraud. This week, police launched Operation Thumbprint, which will help retailers across the borough cut the number of fraudulent transactions or stolen credit cards and
MOTORISTS could face prosecution if their stolen cars are used to commit crimes. That is the warning from police chiefs who have launched a new campaign to alert drivers to carjackers and thieves. The prosecution threat is to people who leave their keys
CLARETS striker Dimitri Papadopoulos played the full match for Greece Under-21s as they lost 2-1 to Belgium in their opening European Championship game in Switzerland last night. Now his club manager Stan Ternent is hoping that he will be able to play
FORMER England greats David Platt and Bryan Robson today joined forces in predicting David Dunn is the man to lead the Under 21s to European Championship glory. The free-scoring Blackburn midfielder looks certain to captain his country tonight as they
OASIS have announced details of their second major open-air event in England this year. The gig, at Manchester's 50,000 capacity Lancashire County Cricket Club on Saturday, September 14, will be their first open air show in the city since the legendary
CHUMBAWAMBA are set to mark the Queen's anniversary celebrations with a free anti-jubilee single. The track, which is simply called Majesty, lasts just over 90 seconds but is packed with anti-royalist lyrics. Strictly a limited edition, the single is
MORTAL combat dancers kicked into action at Darwen Library Theatre and twirled into a top spot in the national dance league. Six dancers from the Feniscowles-based Dance Factory performed in the Blackburn Festival of Music and Dance to the jazz beats
A MAN who spent the day drinking to try and drown problems with his 10-year romance ended up being thrown out of the pub and arrested by police. Graham John Whittaker, 34, of Kingston Place, Lower Darwen, admitted a breach of the peace and was bound over
DARWEN children are in toy heaven thanks to a new mobile toy library which took to the streets this week. It gives youngsters a chance to swap their toys every two weeks. The Sure Start library, called Moby, was officially launched at Knott Street Community
NEW chairmen and vice-chairmen of committees on Rossendale Council have been put forward by the leading Labour group. Coun Graham Pearson is now head of corporate policy and Coun David Hancock vice-chairman. Community services, for housing and environmental
A PUB in Crawshawbooth has won the Spring award from real ale lovers CAMRA. The White Bull in Burnley Road serves a selection of Manchester-based Beartown Brewery ales -- much to the delight of the East Lancashire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
A HUSBAND left to cope with three children when his wife ran off with another man stole from his employer to try to make ends meet. But Blackburn magistrates heard the thefts were discovered, plunging Stephen Andrew Gentry's life into further turmoil.
THE funeral of a former Bacup cricketer was due to be held today after he lost his battle to cancer. John Usher, 71, of Greave Terrace, Bacup, was a bowler with Bacup in the 1950s and 1960s and then went on to be cricket professional for Great Harwood
FOLLOWERS of popular local traditional jazz group The Pendle Jazzmen will be saddened to learn that their three-year residency at the Holden Arms comes to an end tonight. New tenants at the pub, in Grane Road, Haslingden, have decided to restyle the interior
RAMSBOTTOM will be going green starting on Sunday with a host of events to celebrate Bury Environment Week. On Sunday at 4am a dawn chorus walk will leave Summerseat Nature Reserve and there will be a series of guided walks through the former Binnex factory
EAST Lancashire MPs have welcomed the government's announcement of a £2.66million kick-start to the redevelopment of East Lancashire's decaying and derelict homes. They are confident that the cash means that local councils' £670 million bid for a ten-year
FOR anyone who saw former EastEnders' favourite Mark Homer in pantomine in Blackpool last Christmas, his latest role which sees him return to the Grand Theatre will come as a bit of a surprise. For the actor who won so many friends with his Buttons is
THE traditional Maytime mayor-making ceremonies in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Borough Councils have launched three new first citizens into their year of office. Coun Ivan Taylor is now Mayor of Blackpool. The longest-serving Blackpool council member with
THE Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, will this Saturday (May 18) consecrate the completion of a Blackpool church -- 75 years after it opened. Members and friends of St Stephen on the Cliffs have raised £260,000 in two years for a new entrance and enlarged
DON'T be a dummy, join in the Fylde's festival of fun. That is the message from Puppet Up! 2002. The annual extravaganza takes place this weekend across the whole of Blackpool and was officially launched on Monday (May 13) by Martin Long from the Larkin
BE wary of casual workers who knock on the door with the promise of good work at a cheap price. This strong warning comes from Blackpool police after a terrified 82-year-old St Annes woman was nearly forced to part with £3,000 more than an original quote
THE introduction of community support officers will help to build up communities and people's quality of life, MP for Blackpool South Gordon Marsden told the House of Commons last week. Mr Marsden was backing the Police Reform Bill, which received its
BLACKPOOL'S inner areas are like derelict bombsites claims one local man. Local historian Terry Regan says the resort's Talbot and Brunswick wards have been grossly neglected by the council. And they have progressively worsened over the years, making
A FORMER South Shore woman has been found not guilty at Preston Crown Court this week of the manslaughter of a 13-year-old girl. A jury cleared Sally Corkhill, a self-confessed white witch, of the killing of Melissa Strickson at Corkhill's flat in Sudell
ROVERS fan Graham Young is going to great lengths to ensure that his two-year-old son, Louie, develops the right footballing affiliations. The Birmingham-based dad whisked the lad up the M6 for a tour of Ewood Park and to buy him his first Rovers kit.
LANCASHIRE police due to travel to Spain at the end of this month in a bid to catch the killers of Blackburn grandad Joseph McCaughran have vowed: "no stone will be left unturned." The 69-year-old died last June after tackling burglars at his holiday
IT is an event etched in the minds of the most ardent Rovers fans -- their team's last ever FA Cup triumph. And for around £600 they can own a piece of that victory, back in 1928, when two programmes from that match come under the hammer today. Two goals
A DETERMINED teenager has scooped an award for his achievement in education -- despite suffering from a debilitating disease since birth. Shaun Haggart, 16, was one of 10 youngsters to receive a national AOL Child of Resolution Award at the House of Lords
OVERGROWN gardens and piles of rubbish were all in a day's work for housing boss Phil Richards who went back to the basics to find out exactly what goes on in Blackburn's neighbourhoods. Phil, who is chief executive of Twin Valley Homes, swapped the comfort
THE public are up in arms over the state of the country's railways, and rightly so. But what about the state of the roads in this area? Everywhere you look there are potholes, cracks, subsidence and flaking surfaces. I appreciate that Beach Road was recently
I SAW a recent addition to the Longview Animal Centre this weekend -- a sad, pathetic dog, frightened of its own shadow and certainly a stranger to walks or treats or much human contact. Within a couple of days I noticed an improvement in her condition
THOSE in favour of hotel/casinos in Blackpool will be particularly interested in the following. Just one of the many companies which has made donations to the Labour Party at national level is a catering company. If, however, examination is made, it transpires
needs to act Isn't it amazing how the British Government has remained remarkably quiet on the destruction and death that has happened in Palestine? I am more appalled at our governments lack of action. Tony Blair has said that the Israelis should leave
BOTH Eric Skora and Adam Eaton have signed extensions to their contracts and will report back for pre-season training along with the rest of the squad. Steve Robinson has come off the transfer list at his own request and so will also be joining the rest
STREAKING has been part of British sport since before student Erica Roe interrupted at England international rugby union match at Twickenham back in January 1982. Indeed, besides rugby and football, all other major sports have been targeted by exuberant
