Archive

  • Theatre summer school

    IF THE thought of summer holidays fills you with boredom then take your cue from theatre company C'est Tous which will be running a Fun Theatre Summer School. The courses, in July and August, offer training tips for young actors and aims to help them

  • Health centres to help us all

    ALL kinds of factors are considered when people decide whether they will move themselves or their businesses to an area like East Lancashire. To many, the ability to reach beautiful countryside quickly and a coastline which varies from places like Blackpool

  • Signs of the times

    A RECENTLY opened local business is offering 'extentions' and 'tatooing.' Good to see the art of sinerighting is alive and well. NEIL YATES, Wharf Street, Rishton.

  • £1,000 raised in challenge

    HAVING just completed the Three Peaks Challenge 2002, I would like to thank all my sponsors for their very generous donations towards the National Kidney Research Fund, which will now benefit from almost £1,000. Many more events simply do not happen without

  • Bus withdrawal hits businesses

    COULD the councillor in charge of regeneration in the Lower Audley area of Blackburn look at the fact that the only hourly bus from Shadsworth has been withdrawn. The elderly or people without transport can no longer visit that part of town. I have objected

  • Old folk are under the Labour yoke

    WHILE having every sympathy with your campaign to save Lancashire county's residential care homes for the elderly, surely it would have been far more effective -- and created a precedent -- if the same pressure had been brought to bear at the time of

  • Prospects promising for council information

    EFFORTS by Bury Council to make sure local people are kept informed about about council business and services have been given a one star rating by inspectors. The "one star with promising prospects" rating was awarded by the Audit Commission after a review

  • Target set on speeding drivers

    SPEEDING is set to cost Lancashire drivers £20million over the next three years and most of it will be spent on installing hundreds more cameras. The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety has set itself a target of raising between £18million and £20million

  • Hughes hangs up boots

    FORMER Ewood favourite Mark Hughes officially brought down the curtain on his illustrious playing career last night and will now open talks to become the full-time manager of Wales. The 38-year-old striker had hoped to find himself a new club this summer

  • Rovers stars fight to be fit...

    BLACKBURN Rovers are quietly confident that Turkish defender Hakan Unsal could be ready for the start of the new season, despite the fact he underwent a minor operation earlier this week. Unsal, a bargain signing from Galatasaray during the second half

  • Why you are entitled to feel like a lemming

    HOW many more attacks on our individual freedom and liberty by this oppressive government will we have to suffer before the British Isles finally becomes a huge prison camp? In true Orwellian style Blunkett now changes the English language to replace

  • Being part of the lion's share

    I AM writing this letter on behalf of Lancaster and Morecambe Lions Club to thank you for the courtesy and assistance that you have shown to us, especially to Neil and Rosemary Ryder our PR people in my year as president. You will be glad to know that

  • Cost of the monarchy

    SINCE Mr Bell has decided not to challenge my facts, I presume he now accepts that our monarchy is not a drain on the exchequer. In fact, as the Telegraph on Saturday, June 29, informs us, for every 58p we pay each year for the upkeep of the monarchy,

  • Honour for TV reporterie

    INTREPID television reporter Kate Adie visited Preston this week to receive an honorary degree from the city's University of Central Lancashire. The acclaimed BBC journalist, who is best known for her reports on the Gulf War, received an Honorary Fellowship

  • Revamp plan for Town Hall

    PRESTON City Council are planning to spend more than £500,000 on revamping the 'gloomy' entrance hall to the Town Hall, and giving party leaders new offices. After a year's planning, council chiefs look set to pass the plans after meetings of the council's

  • Curate glad to be 'home'

    A CURATE who preached to homeless parishioners in America following the September 11 terrorist attacks last year is taking up a new post in Penwortham. Alexandra Logan, 29, of Hill Road, Penwortham, arrived at Logan Airport, Boston, just days before hijackers

  • Blast from past at show

    THIS year's Royal Lancashire Show in Chorley will receive a real blast from the past. A traction engine which made its debut at the show exactly 100 years ago is now set to return to celebrate its centenary. The engine, named General Buller after a famous

  • Garden boost for hospice

    KEEN gardeners Eileen and John Stansfield have handed over almost £500 to Pendleside Hospice after opening their garden to the public. The couple, from Reedley, hosted the evening to showcase their flower arrangements. Amlost a hundred people attended

  • Flats blaze probe

    POLICE today launched an investigation after fire ripped through a block of flats in Burnley last night. The fire is the fourth crews have attended at the premises in Manchester Road in 18 months. The fire affected three flats on the ground, first and

  • Staff award for IT skills

    HEALTH staff in Blackburn have been awarded a prestigious computer qualification, thanks to a Nelson-based training company. Pendle Training have helped 21 Primary Care Trust staff attain their European Computer Driving Licence. The qualification covers

  • Palace treat for skater Louise

    Preston College Sports Scholarship student, Louise Walden, 18, will attend the Queen's Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Tuesday July 16. The college nominated Louise, from Fulwood, because of her outstanding achievements in ice-skating and excellent

  • Cricket- Preston shock league leaders

    PRESTON climbed off the foot of the Northern Premier League table and in the process knocked Morecambe off their perch at the top in a shock victory on Saturday. Manoj Parekh was the hero taking five wickets for 21 runs as the West Cliff side skittled

  • Classical concert at Hoghton Tower

    HOGHTON Tower near Preston will be the location for an explosive event on Saturday July 27 when the Northern Chamber Orchestra Symphonia will perform classical music by Tchaikovsky and Handel among others. The programme is filled with popular pieces from

  • Five years ago

    MASTERMIND host Magnus Magnusson took the history of the Bullough family as his specialist subject when he went to Accrington library. But at first few recognised him - the librarians thought it was just a lookalike.

  • Ten years ago

    A-LEVEL student Enza Chiappi put forward her family for a fly-on-the-wall TV programme. And the Ribble Valley mum, dad and sisters were one of six families about to have four months of ups and downs of their daily lives broadcast on Granada TV.

  • Andy's not so arm-less...

    LEIGH has a new British champion -- in arm wrestling. Andy Turner, 28, of Chisworth Close, Leigh, lifted the title at Birmingham NEC. The former bodybuilder collected the 90k middleweight trophy only four years after taking up the event. The Wigan and

  • Rachel signs up to be 1000th card holder

    STUDENT Rachel Lunn is the 1000th customer to sign up for the Council's CitizenCard identity scheme while the debate continues on the introduction of a national ID scheme. Leigh teenager Rachel celebrated her own 'independence day' on July 4 saying: "

  • Centenarian Martha's big day

    MARTHA Hatton will celebrate her 100th birthday next Tuesday. Martha, of Car Bank Street in Atherton, is young for her years and still lives life to the max. She learnt to swim when she was in her 70s and regularly attends Atherton swimming pool -- she

  • Co-op staff muck in to help woodland clean-up

    VOLUNTEERS swapped business suits for grafters' gear to help create community woodland. More than 60 Co-operative Insurance Society staff from Manchester gathered on the outskirts of Leigh and mucked in with Forestry Commission workers and conservationists

  • Charity worker Darren's off to see the Queen

    A DEDICATED charity worker has been rewarded for his hard work by being invited to the Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Darren Speers, aged 19, was chosen to attend the prestigious party, which will recognise the achievements of young people

  • Plans to move fire engine are 'ludicrous'

    FIREFIGHTERS fear plans to move one of Leigh's two fire engines to Wigan would put lives at risk. Crews have called the proposals, which would also see two new stations built in Wigan, "ludicrous" and "dangerous" and are seeking backing from the community

  • Homewatch success

    A JOINT Council and Police pilot project targetting crime prevention and boosting community spirit has been hailed a success. More people have become involved in Homewatch schemes and Wigan Council's Community Safety experts hope to continue to build

  • Author's desk goes on display

    THE desk used by Sherlock Holmes' creator Arthur Conan Doyle is one of several historical artifacts going on display at Stonyhurst College. Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle carved his name on the desk when he was a pupil at the college between 1868 and 1875

  • Boating news is plain sailing

    IF a life on the ocean wave has always appealed there are a boatload of websites for you to look at. A good place to cast off is the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team site (www.offshorechallenges.com) which is full of news. Not only can you keep up-to-date

  • Morecambe on the sticky wicket

    MORECAMBE slipped off the top of the Northern Premier Leagues table for the first time this season after a disappointing defeat. Phil Thornton's side bowled well at struggling Preston, as they have done all season, but the batsmen were unable to take

  • Race for Life opportunity

    A 'Race For Life' is taking place at the Salt Ayre Sports Centre on August 4. Described as a "a unique opportunity for women to celebrate life and remember loved ones touched by cancer," the 5km fun run is a nation-wide event aiming to raise £12 million

  • Off the Ball with Steve Dunthorpe

    ANOTHER year, another Tim Henman defeat at Wimbledon. It's becoming a staple part of the sporting calendar. A week and a half of hope, leading up to the first Friday in July, when we can add another year to the length of time sine a British man won on

  • TLT award

    TYLDESLEY Little Theatre has yet again been successful in the Greater Manchester Amateur Dramatics Federation Awards. Paul Ward won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at this year's ceremony, held at Bolton's Reebok Conference Centre -- the society's

  • School's touch of class . . .

    STAFF, pupils, governors and parents of Westleigh Methodist Primary School are celebrating a glowing Ofsted report -- the culmination of a four-year effort to drive up standards. In 1998, the school, on Westleigh Lane, was placed under "special measures

  • Centurions play numbers game

    LEIGH Centurions and the Wigan Education Business Partnership (WEBP) have joined forces to launch a new and exciting project aimed at making numeracy more fun and easier to learn for local schoolchildren. The partnership between the Centurion Opportunity

  • Under-threat school had new nursery

    IN a dramatic reversal of fortune, Shakerley Primary School is celebrating a £64,000 award for a new nursery. Despite being earmarked for possible closure last week, spirits are high at the Tyldesley community school as they prepare to use the grant -

  • Sports bar offers non-stop action

    THE Litten Tree is the newest arrival to Leigh's pub scene and is already firmly making its mark on the town. The sport-themed bar opened in Lord Street, in Leigh town centre, eight weeks ago and attracts a steady stream of young and livelies revelling

  • Gala afternoon

    GLAZEBURY Gala begins at noon on Saturday with a carnival procession from the Raven Inn through the village to Bents Garden Centre, then back to the school field. Davina Barton, aged 13, will be crowned gala queen.

  • Councillors surgeries

    COUNCILLORS serving on Wigan Council will hold advice surgeries at the following venues: FRIDAY, July 12: Leigh Town Hall (7-8) K Cunliffe; Astley St Stephen's School (7.15-8) F Walker. SATURDAY, July 13: Atherton Town Hall (9.30-11.30) R Holmes, Mrs

  • Firm apologises after chemical blaze

    STREETS were sealed off as a blaze at a chemical storage unit released poison gasses into the atmosphere at White Lund this week. The blaze at Lancaster Synthesis, Eastgate, left 15 people in hospital and fire fighters had to advise onlookers to go inside

  • New decency regulations

    LANCASTER City Council has agreed to adopt new conditions to regulate performances involving striptease and nudity at premises it licences for public entertainment. At last week's Licensing Regulatory Committee members agreed to adopt new conditions which

  • Business park development in Prescott's hands

    PROPOSED new guidelines could prevent a planned business park in Lancaster from becoming a reality, it has been claimed. The North-West Development Agency (NWDA) says that the Bailrigg Business Park could, effectively, be 'mothballed' if ideas from Environment

  • Northern Ford Premiership

    Team P W D L F A Pts Huddersfield 18 17 1 0 706 132 35 Rochdale 18 12 1 5 459 391 25 Leigh 15 11 1 3 503 235 23 Featherstone 17 11 1 5 478 360 23 Whitehaven 17 11 1 5 385 287 23 Doncaster 15 10 1 4 442 313 21 Hull K R 15 10 0 5 369 249 20 Workington 18

  • Harriers duo set best performances

    LEIGH Harriers girls contested their second senior league match at Macclesfield on Sunday. With only two representatives, Rebecca Hampson and Carla Baines chose to team up in four events as A and B competitors. Despite the poor turnout, both girls managed

  • Dean is still on the scene

    BURNLEY manager Stan Ternent is still hopeful of tying up a new deal with Dean West. Last term's Clarets player of the season West is now out of contract after his deal with the club ran out on June 30, but the 29-year-old right-back is still involved

  • Rovers stars fight to be fit

    BLACKBURN Rovers are quietly confident that Turkish defender Hakan Unsal could be ready for the start of the new season, despite the fact he underwent a minor operation earlier this week. Unsal, a bargain signing from Galatasaray during the second half

  • City clash could shape Shakers' season

    CASH-strapped Bury FC's chances of an immediate return to Division Two could hinge on one fixture - the pre-season friendly against Manchester City. Manager Andy Preece reckons his limited squad, decimated by desperate cost cutting measures at the end

  • Ex-head they called Mr Darwen dies at 89

    TRIBUTES have been paid to a Berkshire-born headteacher who went on to become 'Mr Darwen' during a remarkable life. Howard Peters, former Darwen Technical School headteacher and the president of the town's Scouts and cricket club, has died aged 89 after

  • Jumbo job - school's coat for an elephant

    ROSSENDALE Museum's most famous exhibit Nellie the baby African elephant now has a coat to be proud of thanks to pupils at Tor View School in Haslingden. They designed it as part of a centenary project by the museum. Some schools were asked to colour

  • Passengers in air scare

    PASSENGERS became "confused, distressed and highly anxious" when faulty maintenance led to their holiday jet having to make an emergency descent from 30,000ft, an air accident report today revealed. Many suffered ear pain and some had chest pains as they

  • Surgery closure protest packs hall

    DETERMINED residents turned out in force to fight plans to close their village surgery. So many people attended the meeting at Edenfield Community Centre there was no room left in the main hall and the 200 people spilled out on to the nearby playing fields

  • Pubs flooded

    THREE Hindley Green pubs had their cellars flooded during last Wednesday night's downpour. The Spinners Arms, The Plough Inn and The Dog and Partridge, all on Atherton Road, were hit by floods between 6-7pm.

  • Pedestrian killed

    A 44-YEAR-OLD man killed in a road accident in Tyldesley has been named by police. The accident happened at 12.20am on Sunday, when Andrew O'Brien of Mill Hill, Little Hulton, was walking along Mort Lane. He was struck by a Renault Clio and later died

  • Royal card makes Gertrudes's day extra special

    GERTRUDE Hackett has celebrated reaching the milestone age of 100. Mrs Hackett, who grew up in Leigh, lives at the Old Vicarage Residential Home in Sharples and shared her special day on Monday with all of her friends and fellow residents. As a child

  • Woman, 21, assaulted

    POLICE are appealing for help after a 21-year-old woman was indecently assaulted in Atherton. The woman was walking along Market Street shortly after midnight last Friday when she was grabbed from behind and pulled backwards as she passed an alleyway.

  • Driver banned after pensioner struck by car

    A PENSIONER was left with broken legs and severe injuries after being knocked down by a car. Taxi company boss Joseph Knowles, aged 59, of Ashton Road, Golborne, had spotted Edith Gorton at the last minute and though he braked hard he ploughed into her

  • A taste of the Hi-Life

    THREE more East Lancs restaurants have joined the Hi-Life Diners' Club. The Bay Horse Inn, Barrowford, Clarkes at Seventy-Three in Haslingden and the Walton Arms, near Accrington, now offer discounts to club members. Hi-Life membership allows diners to

  • Warning over diet fad

    A CRASH diet which promises slimmers they can lose almost a stone in three days has been slammed as a sham and a serious health risk. Literature on the wonder diet -- which alleges approval from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) -- is currently being

  • A chocolate carriage fit for the Queen

    A HORSE drawn carriage fit for the Queen has pulled into town -- and every chunk of it is a dream come true for chocolate lovers. And weighing in at 5lbs of pure Belgian chocolate from head to hoof it is a gift direct from chocolate heaven that is taking

  • Honour for IRA bomb victim Sue

    A BLACKBURN woman, horrifically injured in an IRA bombing, will carry the Queen's Jubilee Baton as part of the Commonwealth Games campaign. Sue Hanisch was one of 38 casualties when the Irish terrorist organisation targeted London's Victoria Station in

  • Tragedy averted, thanks to caring staff

    A COUPLE today spoke of the moment their baby almost died during delivery and said an emotional thank-you to staff who "brought him back from the dead". Lucy Jackson, 36, has vowed not to let her son, Ben, out of her sight after he stopped breathing following

  • Dale hope for strong start

    ROSSENDALE United open their campaign with a home game against Matlock Town in division one of the UniBond league. Jim McCluskie's side finished ninth last season, after dropping off the pace following a 10 game unbeaten start. They travel to Ossett Town

  • Ainsworth deal breaks down

    PRESTON North End look set to lose out on the signature of winger Gareth Ainsworth after his old club began showing an interest in him. Despite making it blantantly obvious that North End would be his first choice club if the Lilywhites' board improved

  • Warning: Lock up your garden shed

    LEYLAND police are asking locals to be on their guard over the summer from thieves who target garden sheds and garages. Operation Contain, starting this weekend, will try and combat the problem. To start the new scheme, a security display will be on hand

  • New nursery for Hindley

    rFORTY-two new places will be created when a state of the art nursery is built in Hindley. Brooklands Day Nursery in Hindley has been awarded a £205,449 grant by the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund as part of their Building Neighbourhood Nurseries

  • Inspectors praise school

    STAFF, parents and pupils at Westleigh Methodist Primary School are celebrating a glowing Ofsted report after a four-year journey to drive up standards. In 1998 the Westleigh Lane school was placed under special measures following a previous Ofsted inspection

  • Arty children invite town to exhibition

    CREATIVE children in Bury are inviting the whole town along to see what they have been doing. Over the last school term, pupils in the Redvales area, the majority aged between three and five years old, have been working with professional artists to create

  • Phone scam warning

    A GOLBORNE reader has asked me to warn women to be aware of phone scams. One caller purports to be from the Post Office and asks for postcode confirmation -- action which leads to robbery in 90 per cent of cases. The other entails a call from a bogus

  • A life full of clutter

    CUPBOARDS, shelves and attics are stashed with junk worth billions of pounds. Tell me about it. Stored books, records, computer games, china and jewellery we never look at can be more valuable than regular investments according to experts. They say if

  • Kill threat charge man to face trial

    A RADCLIFFE man accused of making threats to kill has appeared before Bury magistrates. Philip Jacks, aged 37, of Knowle Street, pleaded not guilty to making the threats against Diane Kubler in Radcliffe in May. He has also denied causing £2,000 worth

  • House is petrol bombed

    POLICE are hunting a man who hurled two petrol bombs at a house in Radcliffe while several men were inside. One of the bottles smashed against the back door of the property in Cross Lane, causing some damage. The second missile burst into flames in the

  • Ward returns to RMI as assistant boss

    LEIGH RMI produced what could be termed as the biggest shock of the summer, when they announced that Mark Ward has re-joined the club as assistant manager. Ward was part of the RMI side that won the UniBond League Championship in 1999-2000, but left the

  • EVENTS on Friday, July 12

    A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Pot Fair, Burnley Open Market. Commonwealth Games Learning Day, St Mary adn St Joseph's RC Primary School, Bennington Street, Blackburn. "Summer Nights," Civic Hall,

  • Festival will celebrate of Hinduism

    PRESTON'S Guild Hall and Charter Theatre will be a sea of colour and music on Saturday, July 13, for the first Hindu festival of its kind in the North West -- beginning with a procession from the Flag Market at 10am. The day is a celebration of Hinduism

  • Euro MPs' only interest a sell-out

    I WOULD assure North West Liberal-Democrat MEP Chris Davies that no one 'gloats' while trying to defend the pound and this country's sovereignty against the onslaughts of him and others of his ilk. The subject is far too serious for that. The fact is

  • 'Paper caper' is losing out

    A YEAR ago, I wrote how St Bede's School in Blackburn, and other groups and charities could lose out now that Blackburn with Darwen Council had started collecting paper from householders. There is now a glut of paper at recycling facilities and a result

  • Snatch terror for girl, 12

    A 12-YEAR-OLD girl screamed in terror as she was grabbed by a man who tried to abduct her in Leigh. The youngster was playing on her scooter with friends in Chaddock Lane, Astley, when she strayed onto a dirt track behind the Mosley Common housing estate

  • Schoolboy charged with Harry's murder

    A BOY has appeared in court charged with the murder of 75-year-old Harry Upton of Culcheth. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also comes from Culcheth, and is also accused of burgling Mr Upton's home, in Crofton Gardens, on May 29

  • BNP racism vote fury

    ONE of Burnley's three BNP councillors has sparked outrage after failing to support a council stand against racism. Carol Hughes, one of three representatives for Rosegrove with Lowerhouse, was the only one of 38 councillors who abstained from last night's

  • Offiah rejects Leigh deal

    WORLD record try scorer Martin Offiah has turned down the offer of a short-term contract with Leigh Centurions. Instead Offiah is to end his distinguished playing career at the end of the season and move into media and TV work. The Centurions made their

  • Labour could help with recycling

    RAY HILL (Citizen Letters) asks about recycling rates in the district. When 5 Green councillors were elected in 1999 (along with 17 Labour councillors), the recycling rate was 6.8 per cent. It is now 6 per cent. Quite frankly, both of these rates are

  • Stopping forced migration

    THE recent National Refugee Week, during which various events took place in Lancaster, co-incided with the latest EU summit in Seville, where attempts for a common policy on asylum took centre stage. As far-right parties across Europe make electoral gains

  • Sun shines on festive fun seekers

    FUN seekers turned out in droves to enjoy a colourful parade and festival amusements as part of Lostock Hall Carnival. The glorious weather encouraged dozens to line the streets on Saturday as the colourful procession headed off from Coote Lane toward

  • Party with puppets

    VISITORS to this year's colourful Mela festival will be in for plenty of surprises thanks to some new additions to the line-up. The latest recruits to the annual celebration of Asian culture is the Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company, based near Rawtenstall

  • By royal command

    TWO canine superstars are about to step into the spotlight for nightly performances on a famous Blackpool stage. Kiki and Jenny, nine-year-old corgis owned by the Hesketh family in Hutton, Preston, were picked to appear in Roald Dahl children's classic

  • In a class of their own

    SCHOOLS in Preston and South Ribble are in a class of their own when it comes to achieving specialist status and injecting cash back into the classroom. Broughton High School, in Woodplumpton Lane, has become one of only 18 specialist business and enterprise

  • Parking row over flats

    PLANS for more student accommodation near Preston city centre have been slammed by a councillor who fears it will compound traffic problems. The privately-owned development, which would mean the demolition of the former Christ Church School in Fitzroy

  • 'I just want a healthy baby'

    A YEAR after their baby died from a mystery illness, a Preston couple are looking forward to the arrival of their second child. It is just over as year since young Jake Hopla was admitted to Royal Preston Hospital for a blood transfusion after vomiting

  • Search for attack victim

    POLICE and a team from Rossendale Search and Rescue were today continuing to search for a man who was attacked in the early hours of yesterday. Police said the man appeared to have been hit over the head with some sort of weapon but had then run off into

  • Man who butted former girlfriend may face jail

    A 40-YEAR-OLD man could be facing a lengthy jail term after he smashed his ex-partner's arm because she spurned his advances. Terrance Alderson of Bacup Road, Cliviger, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, after a two-day trial

  • City rail link for Burnley?

    PROPOSALS for a direct rail link between Manchester and Burnley are to come under the spotlight again four years after a report called for the service. At present people from Burnley, Nelson and Colne who want to travel to Manchester have to catch a train

  • Police in fact-finding trip about forced marriages

    TWO police officers in Pennine Division will be travelling to Pakistan to investigate forced marriages. PC Bev Taylor and link worker Mussurut Zia will complete a two-week trip in September which has been part funded by the Lancashire Partnership Against

  • Padiham and Hapton Bulletin

    PADIHAM Memorial Park will be alive to the sound of music on Sunday between 1-5pm when Burnley Council presents The Winchesters in concert, plus supporting acts with numbers to get your feet tapping. RESIDENTS on Cambridge Drive and Bedford Place, whose

  • Retired weaver died after fall

    A RETIRED weaver who died after a fall at home had broken her leg but had said she was not in pain. An inquest was told how Elizabeth Alice Nuttall, 88, was found by her son when he returned home from work. She had only come out of hospital two weeks

  • Wife had found her husband hanging

    A FATHER of three found hanging in the cellar by his wife died five days later from bronchial pneumonia. An inquest was told how Stephen Allan, 45, had been upset after being told he had made mistakes at work, but had not appeared depressed. He was unconscious

  • BNP racism vote fury

    ONE of Burnley's three BNP councillors has sparked outrage after failing to support a council stand against racism. Carol Hughes, one of three representatives for Rosegrove with Lowerhouse, was the only one of 38 councillors who abstained from last night's

  • Crash pilot's mum tells of her agony

    THE mother of the pilot who died when his DHL cargo plane was in a mid-air collision over the German-Swiss border last week has spoken of her grief. Doreen Phillips from Colne told a BBC Radio 5 Live programme how she learnt of the awful truth after listening

  • Murder squad police to screen 90 men

    DETECTIVES investigating the 1985 murder of a nine-year-old boy were today starting to screen 90 men in a bid to catch his killer. Imraan Vohra was last seen near his home in Preston and his body was found in a local park a week later. Police said not

  • Spell test kids raise £1,580

    PUPILS at a Hyndburn school have presented a cheque for £1,580 to a children's hospice . The youngsters at All Saints CE Primary School, Church Street, Clayton-le-Moors, raised the cash with a sponsored spelling test, with the proceeds of their efforts

  • Ex-mod's classic scooter stolen

    A FORMER mod who had spent months carefully restoring a classic motor scooter has spoken of the heartbreak of having it stolen. Michael Garvin, of Harwood Road, Rishton, bought the 1971 Lambretta -- the choice of mod's all over the country -- eight years

  • Medical facility will house eight GPs

    RESIDENTS in the Blackburn Road area of Accrington could have a one-stop shop for their medical needs if the government approves the proposal. A report to be presented to Ministers at the end of the month outlines plans to house eight GP practices in

  • Beat bobby hits the right notes

    A PC with an impressive record of jailing crooks is the best beat bobby in Lancashire -- bar none! Jane Lawrenson, who has tackled crime and helped victims while pounding the streets of Fern Gore, Accrington, has been acknowledged with a new award, named

  • Community beat news

    SGT Andrea Jones and her team continue to target youth annoyance in Golborne, Lowton and Hindley. Video evidence is still being analysed and those identified will be arrested if committing offences. The good news is that due to the positive actions of

  • Valley's secrets revealed

    THE secrets of the Ribble Valley are the subject of a two-day residential course at a Ribble Valley country inn. Liverpool University lecturer David Brazendale will present Ribble Valley Secrets at the Shireburn Arms Hotel, Hurst Green, on September 26

  • Pressure too much for tearful councillor

    A COUNCILLOR who fled a council meeting in tears after dramatically resigning due to the pressures of farming has spoken of his sadness at leaving municipal life. Coun Harry Backhouse, who is deputy leader of the Ribble Valley Council and represents Waddington

  • Mobile music misery

    YOU have been warned. Mobile phones are about to get even more annoying. The phone you own now will soon be able to play ringtones that will sound like orchestral masterpieces in comparison to what we have to listen to today. The new phones will probably

  • Looking for chequered flag at Green Flag

    LANCASHIRE lad Tom Boardman crosses the Pennines this weekend (July 13/14) for a 21st Century War of the Roses in the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship. For Yorkshireman James Kaye leads the BTC Production Class but Red Rose charger Boardman

  • Prospects promising for council information

    EFFORTS by Bury Council to make sure local people are kept informed about about council business and services have been given a one star rating by inspectors. The "one star with promising prospects" rating was awarded by the Audit Commission after a review

  • Battling batsmen

    IMPROVING Lancaster came within a whisker of puling off a hard-earned victory over St Annes at Lune Road on Saturday. Despite struggling for victories, the City's team has fought its way away from the bottom of the pile in recent weeks, and their visitors

  • Boss on duty in London

    CLARETS chief executive Andrew Watson was on the picket line in London yesterday. Football club chiefs are not the sort of people you would expect to find on a picket line, but the men and women who invest their millions into the game yesterday lined

  • Dean is still on the scene

    BURNLEY manager Stan Ternent is still hopeful of tying up a new deal with Dean West. Last term's Clarets player of the season West is now out of contract after his deal with the club ran out on June 30, but the 29-year-old right-back is still involved

  • Lifeline saved my life says Joyce

    A PENSIONER who was saved by her own personal fourth emergency service is urging other elderly folk to take advantage of the service. Joyce Brown, who lives in Leyland, collapsed in the early hours of the morning last week, and lay in a pool of blood

  • 'Dog whisperer' has his work cut out(By Ben Hewes)

    A LEYLAND dog owner called a specialist 'dog whisperer' to help calm her nervous pets. Former primary school headteacher Patsy Nickson, of Leyland Lane, became the proud owner of Grumps and Chuckles, two tiny Boarder Collies, late last year. But the pair

  • Arts status for school

    HINDLEY Mornington High has reaped a creativity reward by being made a Specialist Arts College. Today, staff and pupils at the Mornington Road school were celebrating the honour announced by Secretary of State for Education Estelle Morris. Headteacher

  • 'Mad' Frankie comes to town

    LEIGH Miners Welfare Club is getting a visit from 'Mad' Frankie Fraser. Hard-man Frankie, billed as "One of the great continuing professional criminal links of the last century" spent 42 years in prison from the 1930s to the 1980s and was a cell-mate

  • Top mark for arts

    AN Atherton school has become the first primary school in the borough to be awarded the Artsmark, the Arts Council's seal of approval for educational commitment to the subject. Yesterday, representatives from Hindsford CE Primary School were at a ceremony

  • Plutonium police

    A NEW independent police force is to be created by the Government to protect nuclear power plants like Heysham from terrorist attack. The proposed Civil Nuclear Constabulary will protect atomic sites and guard nuclear materials when they are transported

  • Carnforth Station plans running like clockwork

    SUPPORTERS of Carnforth Station's regeneration have clocked up a major success - and plans for the future of the historic building are ticking over nicely. The station clock - the first in the UK to adopt British Standard Time after the abolition of local

  • Teenager robbed outside a school

    A TEENAGER was robbed by a group of youths as he walked along a footpath close to his school. The 15-year-old schoolboy was walking towards boating sheds close to Skerton Bridge when he was approached by a group of around 13 other youths, approximately

  • Police launch video

    A NEW video giving crime prevention tips to teenagers has been launched by police this week. The video, produced by St Martin's College students Andrew Butler and John Everson, will be distributed to secondary schools and youth groups across the county

  • Back at Christie Park

    MORECAMBE and Lancaster's players were back in training last week in the build up to the new Unibond league and Conference seasons. Morecambe start their pre-season campaign this Saturday, when Wolves come to Christie Park. New defenders Ian Swan and

  • Virtual work experience becomes a reality

    'VIRTUAL' work experience has become a reality for a Surrey teenager thanks to a Lancaster company. Seventeen year-old Hannah Shepherd was this week beamed into the Park Square offices of Harlequin Domains for a week's work experience in cyberspace. The

  • Firefighters commended for bravery

    A GROUP of firefighters who saved five people from a blazing Morecambe building were commended for their efforts at a special ceremony this week. A total of 13 fire officers from white watch at Morecambe fire station were involved in a dramatic rescue

  • Gregan staying put

    WEST Bromwich Albion have apparently turned their attentions elsewhere after the Whites rejected a third offer for skipper Sean Gregan. According to the Baggies website, they tabled a '£2million package' yesterday morning and made it 'crystal clear' that

  • Boy on trial denies rape

    A BOY accused of raping a young girl in his home village of Heysham has claimed to a jury that sex occurred with her consent and at her instigation. The youngster has also denied allegations that he carried out sex crimes on two other girls, one aged

  • Wait for flood bridge repair bill

    RAILWAY volunteers will have to wait until next week to find out how much it is going to cost to repair a vital bridge link above Irwell Vale. The popular East Lancashire Railway has had to close its link to Rawtenstall because of flood damage to Lower

  • Man, 87, was too ill for surgery

    A PENSIONER who died four days after a fall in hospital had been too ill to have surgery, an inquest heard. Donald Alexander, 87, had seemed 'reasonably well' after a tumble at Rossendale General and a doctor later decided there was no need for a head

  • Blow whistle, staff are told

    STAFF at a council branded 'the worst in the country' have been asked by bosses to repeat any criticisms they made to the Audit Commission and put their names to the allegations. A draft copy of the Audit Commission's investigation into Rossendale Council

  • Crash closes road

    TWO men were taken to hospital with serious injuries after their cars collided on the East Lancs Road at Lowton. A Vauxhall Calibra and a Nissan, both travelling towards Liverpool, collided near the Stone Cross Lane junction. The Vauxhall driver was taken

  • Cheque for band

    ASTLEY Youth Band were delighted to receive a cheque for £125 from Leigh Freemasons following a recent concert at Leigh Masonic Hall. The independent, self-funded, band has been playing since 1994 and now has over 80 members, with an average age of 11

  • It's murder at Astley!

    MEMBERS of Astley Inner Wheel Club turned super sleuths to celebrate the end of a presidential year. A super secretary, dying diva, creaking cricketer, chillified chef, bowing-out beauty queen, limping athlete, dodgy doctor and magical musician were suspected

  • Sparkling couple's diamond day

    SIXTY years ago Jack Barlow married Elsie Farham and now the Hindsford duo are celebrating their Diamond day. The couple were in their 20s when they met in Bingley, Yorkshire, where Jack was stationed while serving with the Army in the 5th Manchester

  • Too drunk to remember starting fire

    A HINDLEY man was so drunk when arrested he couldn't remember starting a fire behind a house, a court heard. Two families had to be evacuated in the middle of the night when William Ackers, aged 20, of Thetford Close, Hindley set fire to furniture piled

  • Helen is new co-ordinator

    LEIGH, Golborne and Platt Bridge have a new champion -- town centre co-ordinator Helen Stalker. Leeds Metropolitan University graduate Helen, aged 24, replaces Laurie Barton, who left in March. Helen's background is in business and commercial property

  • Successful day

    MAY I take this opportunity on behalf of St Catherine's Hospice, Lostock Hall, to thank The Citizen for your support and coverage of our Yellow Garden Fete at St Catherine's on June 23. It was a very successful day and we are delighted to announce that

  • Don't believe all the hype

    THE mass hysteria expanded by the media over the World Cup exploits of the England football team gave us a false expectation. A good team probably, but certainly not good enough to take the top prize. However, this is par for the course where overexposure

  • Public should be consulted

    I RECENTLY received a telephone call from a distraught disabled pensioner who was horrified to learn that the post office was to be moved from the city centre to a new building in Theatre Street, with effect from September 30. I was quite frankly stunned

  • Kids say: 'Viva vegetarianism!'

    THIS week is National Vegetarian Week -- and it also heralds the approach of the long school holidays. If your children are vegetarians, thinking of going veggie or would like to prepare a few meat-free meals, Viva! has the answer. Viva! (Vegetarians

  • Food's fine even if weather isn't

    CELEBRITY chef Nigel Smith, of the Feilden's Arms, Mellor Brook, has prepared a delicious summer pudding as this week's culinary choice. Wouldn't it be great to enjoy it in the garden -- sadly, not even Nigel can conjure up any decent spells of sunshine

  • Coach safety blitz

    COACH operators who flout safety regulations and put passengers in danger are to be targeted by police. Officers from Lancashire Police's Motorway Unit will stop vehicles at checkpoints randomly set up throughout the county during the peak holiday season

  • Pub doorman cut by thrown glass

    A PUB doorman suffered minor cuts after Stuart Anthony Wiggans threw a glass during a disturbance in the Ewood Arms, Blackburn. The town's magistrates heard that Lee Phillips and other door supervisors were in the process of ejecting a man from the pub

  • 'End the stalling on play areas'

    RESIDENTS are so fed up with derelict land at the top of their street they are campaigning to jump-start the council into action. More than 60 local families have signed a petition backing an idea to turn derelict land on the corner of Denville Road and

  • Traders in fear of market shutdown

    TRADERS fear they will be locked out of their markets for the first time in living memory because of strike action by council workers. Solicitors have been drafted in to study clauses in the tenancy agreements between stallholders and Blackburn with Darwen

  • Golfers on course to raise money

    A THOUSAND golfers in East Lancashire are swinging into action for the Magic Eye Golf Competition. Clubs are getting ready to tee off for the appeal, which aims to raise £200,000 for a specialised scanner. Organiser Ian Woolley said the support from the

  • Hospital's pledge boosts Magic Eye campaign

    BEARDWOOD Hospital has nominated the Magic Eye appeal as its annual charity. Health bosses have pledged 12 months of fund-raising to help boost the fund for a state-of-the-art scanner. And the hospital, which takes patients from throughout East Lancashire

  • Baby tragedy averted thanks to caring staff

    A COUPLE today spoke of the moment their baby almost died during delivery and said an emotional thank-you to staff who "brought him back from the dead". Lucy Jackson, 36, has vowed not to let her son, Ben, out of her sight after he stopped breathing following

  • Gala afternoon

    GLAZEBURY Gala begins at noon on Saturday with a carnival procession from the Raven Inn through the village to Bents Garden Centre, then back to the school field. Davina Barton, aged 13, will be crowned gala queen.

  • Decathlete Rory roars Hyndburn to success

    HYNDBURN AC's Northern Men's League Team is striding forward in Division 5 after re-entering the league this season following a two-year absence. One man who has made a massive difference is international decathlete Rory Birbeck who missed their opening

  • Wolstenholme is big name on Trophy

    IT's the most famous name to be inscribed on the Wilpshire Trophy in its 71-year history. And members of the Blackburn club will dine out for years on the day Gary Wolstenholme not only won their most glittering prize, but also broke the course record

  • Athletics Round Up

    NEIL Tattersall of Pendle has regained the Chorley Park Series title after winning the final 5K race at Astley Park last Friday. Neil, who won the series two years ago, won three of the four races and finished second in the other. Unofficially, Bolton

  • Hunting for helping hand

    BURNLEY golfer Michael Hunt will seek the advice of Pleasington professional Ged Furey before chasing his dream of Open glory in Scotland this weekend. Hunt, the 2001 Harold Ryden champion, is now just one step away from a dream appearance at Muirfield

  • Coleman thankful for some home comforts

    ACCRINGTON Stanley face a showdown with former Reds striker Liam Watson on the opening day of the new season after the fixture planners conjured up a mouthwatering Crown Ground curtain-raiser against Runcorn Halton. Stanley boss John Coleman was relieved

  • Standpoint- Impressed with what we've seen

    WELL it's almost upon us, just four short weeks to the new season, and with the pre-season friendlies kicking-in this week at Burscough on Wednesday and Bamber Bridge the following night, things are warming up. New manager Craig Brown has had the lads

  • Freddies hit top ten

    TYLDESLEY Fred Longworth High is among the top 10 per cent of schools in Britain. After a recent visit by Ofsted inspectors in which the school was praised for its high standards head Mr Tony Colley said: "I am very proud of our achievements and more

  • Safety zones plan for local schools

    WIGAN Council's local transport plan will see £300,000 spent on creating 'safety zones' in Westleigh and Atherton. The authorities aim to make school journeys safer for pupils. Statistics show in the last three years 55 pedestrians have been involved

  • Under threat school presses ahead with its new plans

    A VILLAGE school is fighting to keep its place at the heart of the community after being earmarked for possible closure. Despite being one of two local primary schools being considered for closure due to falling numbers, staff at St John's Primary at

  • They're so cheeky

    I CAN'T believe the cheek of the telly licensing people. A Leigh pensioner tells me his licence ran out on the day he returned from a three months holiday, so he paid his yearly charge within the week. The following day he received a call at 8.45pm -

  • Town centre fits the Bill...

    AMERICAN writer, and a new favourite of mine, Bill Bryson, lived in this country for 20 years before taking his English family back to the States -- following a trip through Tyldesley and Atherton. Before he left these shores, he completed a tour of Britain