TELEVISION, the drug of a nation. Apparently children are watching more and more television every day. Now that might have come as a surprise to some people but in all honesty, everyone knew it was the case. We didn't need a survey to tell us that. However
A LOOK at events, from amateur theatre to rambles through our beautiful countryside. Blackburn School of Irish Dancing, West End Youth Club, Clayton Street, Blackburn, 10am-2pm. Museum, Gift Shop and Tea Room, Pendle Heritage Centre, Park Hill, Barrowford
IT is a sad fact that barriers between the ethnic communities in East Lancashire still exist despite our region having developed as a multi-cultural society for two generations now. But if ever there was a good advertisement for greater understanding
BOND girls coming to Darwen? Unlikely though it may sound, that's just what's happening next Saturday when leggy star of The Spy Who Loved Me, Caroline Munro, arrives at the Library Theatre to promote her new audio CD, Dr Who: Omega. Caroline will be
THE enduring popularity of singer Elkie Brooks was never in doubt. So why did she join a group of has-beens on TV? JENNY SCOTT finds out. . . THERE were stand-up rows, stormy walk-outs and tearful tantrums about faded careers. Throughout it all, Elkie
THIS is a big week for Burnley born Neil Hodgson as he prepares to take the World Superbike championship in Holland and get used to becoming a dad for the first time. Although the championship may mark the pinnacle of Neil's career his rise to stardom
SEDGLEY Park RUFC kick-off their new National League Two campaign with a home clash against Harrogate tomorrow. And the aim from the Park Lane club is clear - promotion to National League One! Competition for places should make Park a formidable force
WALSHAW had a weekend of mixed fortunes despite scoring more than 400 runs. Although they moved up to second place in the league they fell further points behind leaders Little Hulton. On Saturday they enjoyed a fine victory over title rivals Spring View
A MAN ended up breaking into his own home because he wanted to carry on drinking and needed to collect his wallet. Blackburn magistrates heard that Stephen Howard's bid for extra time proved costly because he caused £200 worth of a damage to front door
ANY programme which provides the viewer a greater understanding of different faiths and cultures, if done well, has to be a good thing. Living With It, which looked at three Muslim officers serving with Blackburn Police, worked because it kept things
REGARDING your report that water bills are set to soar (LET, August 29), I am disgusted. I live alone with my guide dog and pay more than £150 a year in water rates for a single-person flat. Most of my mates who have children pay less. I am amazed at
PRESTWICH defeated league leaders Denton West by four runs in one of the matches of the season last Sunday. Played in an excellent spirit by both teams, Prestwich amassed a challenging total of 252 for 5, with professional Craig Duxbury leading the way
REGARDING the article concerning the wearing of name badges by uniformed police officers (LET, September 2), officers display a number on their uniforms by which they are identified if the need arises. This is all that is necessary. The wearing of name
AUDITIONS for Blackpool Grand Theatre's drama academy for 11-19-year-olds start this Saturday. There are 80 places available to work on productions including A Midsummer Night's Dream in February 2004. For more details telephone The Grand on 290111.
POLICE are hunting three men after an attack on a 39-year-old Bury man. The victim was punched and kicked to the ground in Spring Street, Bury, at 9pm on Thursday (Aug 28). While on the floor, the thugs searched him and fled with £30 in cash. One of the
STAFF swapped their burger bar uniforms for sports kits and trainers to raise money for Fairfield Hospital. Managers and workers from the two Bury Burger King restaurants in Kay Gardens and Bridge Hall Lane, Bury, ran the 10km Great Manchester run in
AN ARMED thug escaped empty handed when he tried to mug a teenager in a Bury park. The offender was armed with a craft knife which he pulled on the 17-year-old as he walked through Manchester Road park on Friday night (Aug 29). The robber demanded a mobile
TOTTINGTON Primary School pupil Harrison Barlow could not believe his eyes when the sunflower he planted from a seed back in March kept growing and growing. Harrison, who lives in Scobell Street, Tottington, said: "My dad measured it and it was 13ft."
PUPILS at the new St John with St Mark School are having a longer summer holiday because of delays in building work. The Bury primary was due to open on Tuesday (Sep 2) but opened for most children on yesterday (Thurs Sep 4). Youngsters in Years 1 and
A FORMER headteacher of Radcliffe High School has died. Mr Norman Pakes arrived at the school in 1958 as an English and geography teacher. Prior to that, he had held teaching posts in Luton (where he was born), Eccles and Worsley. In 1962, he was appointed
PARISH priest Derek Hailes is back in the headlines nearly 30 years after writing them as a journalist. Father Hailes (65) retires from his post at Holy Trinity, in Spring Street, Bury, on September 18, after eight years at the church. But his career
RL legend Alex Murphy has made a sensational return to Hilton Park after Leigh Centurions head coach Paul Terzis quit on Thursday afternoon. The Australian has walked out after a series of meetings with his board of directors in the wake of Leigh's heavy
TWO communities are teaming up to beat crime on their estates. The Larches and Savick Community Association are behind a move to create a giant neighbourhood watch scheme taking in all their residents Residents would use radios to keep in touch, but now
LANCASHIRE Record Office is throwing open its doors to allow the public a behind-the-scenes peek at its archives. Visitors on Saturday, September 20, from 10am-4pm, can book onto tours of the Bow Lane office and take a glance at areas normally closed
IT'S certainly not a dog's life for a Preston sheepdog who is 'paws-ed' to go walkies to a hairdressing salon for a wash, cut and blow! Levi, the black and white border collie, will be accompanying its hairdresser owner to the salon to help raise cash
A YOUNG mum who went shoplifting had had to pay off a drugs debt, Burnley Magisrates heard. The court was told how Lee Anne Haworth, 24, who in the past had had heroin and cocaine addictions, had at one time been in debt to the tune of £3,000. She now
ROSEGROVE Youth Club, in Sycamore Avenue, may have to close down due to a lack of helpers. The existing staff have had to finish due to work commitments. If you can help at this late stage please leave your name and address at 12 Lowerhouse Lane as soon
A BY-ELECTION has been called for the Lanehead ward of Burnley for October 16 following the resignation of BNP councillor Luke Smith. The closing date for nominations is September 19 and the count will be held at Burnley Town Hall. Smith, 21, was suspended
THE Storey Gallery in Lancaster is hosting an exciting exhibition of archaeological sculpture, photography and paintings from Saturday. The display - entitled the Segsbury Project - is a result of artist Simon Callerys experiences of an archaeological
ARTS groups in Burnley have warned the council they are being "short sighted" in considering plans to sell the town hall car park to developers. If plans for the £6million JobCentre Plus are approved, the town centre car park on the proposed site behind
HISTORIC vehicles, street theatre and a spectacular air display are all coming to Morecambe next weekend. Add top class musical guests and a daring sea rescue display and you have the recipe for the Morecambe Bay Heritage Gala on Saturday and Sunday,
A TEENAGER was pushed up against a garage door in an alleyway and indecently assaulted as she headed home from a night out with friends. She escaped by hitting her attacker in his windpipe and knocking him to the floor. The attack happened at 1.30am on
TOP totty from Heysham has worked her way into a glossy magazines 100 finest high street honeys. Lads mag FHM has put Melanie Boorman at number one in a list of the UK's 'hottest girls next door' after she beat off competition from 6,000 other undiscovered
WITH HIS 50th birthday looming Hilton Dawson MP has taken stock and decided to bow out of national politics. The Lancaster and Wyre MP announced this week he will not seek re-selection as the Labour candidate at the next General Election. Instead Hilton
IT'S an old boys reunion at Gigg Lane on Saturday and Andy Preece is hoping to make it one to forget for two ex-Shakers. Huddersfield Town are the visitors and they'll be bringing with them former Gigg Lane favourites Jon Newby and Ian Hughes. Both have
POLICE have scotched rumours that Nelson police station is to close. Nelson councillors launched a Save Our Station (SOS) campaign amid fears spread it would be lost. But a crisis meeting has been called by Pennine police next week to reassure council
A SERVICE of thanksgiving to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation is to be held at Bury Parish Church on Saturday. The Manchester branch of the Prayer Book Society is organising the service, which will begin at 4pm. The service will
A SIX wicket haul by professional Rauf Akbar saw Preston seal an impressive 15 point home victory against Fleetwood. The Pakistani pace bowler took six wickets for 60 to help dismiss the visitors for just 116, 40 runs short of Preston's total. Shah with
COLNE Dramatic Society is in rehearsals for its next performance at the town's Little Theatre. It will be staging a production of Blithe Spirit, by Noel Coward, in the River Street playhouse, in October. The story revolves around writer Charles Condomine
A GENERATION of youngsters had been taught by Miss Jennifer Brunskill who completed 25 years teaching at St James Primary School, Lanehead, Burnley.
ARTISTS who had never put their work on display joined professionals for an exhibition in a Rossendale art studio. The exhibition, at Globe Arts in Waterfoot, brought together work by 46 artists from East Lancashire and beyond.
A COMMUNITY group will look at an alternative to a youth shelter plan so controversial it caused a walk-out at a recent public meeting. Sheila McVan, Baxenden Community Forum's fundraising co-ordinator, said they were considering instead an indoor centre
A GREAT HARWOOD business manager caught more than twice the drink-drive limit did not realise how alcohol could be 'topped-up' in the system, a court has heard. Burnley magistrates heard how Mark Pollard, 40, had been out drinking the two nights before
IN RESPONSE to the letter headed Stop research published in the Citizen in July, a recent survey showed that 90 per cent of people can see past the emotional propaganda of the people who campaign against the use of animals in medical research. I was just
I WAS interested in the letter from Dr David Hill. While I agree with some of the sentiments expressed, I think he is wrong to suggest that public examinations are meaningless and that a system needs to be established that will allow creativity to be
MORECAMBE'S Lancashire Super League darters are back in action for the new season this weekend with home games for both men's and women's teams on Sunday. Breakers Snooker Club has been adopted as the new home venue and will see Morecambe men take on
BURNLEY defender Arthur Gnohere has been farmed out on loan to QPR just 24 hours after a public dressing down. Reserve team coach Ronnie Jepson slammed Gnohere for a lack of effort in the wake of Wednesday's 6-0 loss at Barnsley. And with Ronnie's rocket
A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to build shops and flats in Whitefield town centre has been given the nod of approval. Private developers Crosby Homes have won "in principle" favour from Bury Council to transform the Brand Centre site, bus station and Elms
A 170 year-old recipe book written by Bury's answer to Delia Smith could soon be recognised as one of the most important archives in the North West. Staff at Bury Archive Service have nominated the book, which contains about 150 recipes, as Bury's official
THE start of the new school term saw the dawn of a new era in Radcliffe. Radcliffe Primary School opened its door for the first time on Tuesday (Sept 2), following the amalgamation of Radcliffe Infant and Radcliffe Junior schools. The two schools have
RUNCORN FC ... 2 RADCLIFFE BORO ... 2 BOROUGH came back from a disastrous start to get a point in a topsy-turvy encounter at Runcorn on Tuesday. Borough found themselves two down after only three minutes but eventually got their act together to draw level
BURNLEY defender Arthur Gnohere has been farmed out on loan to QPR just 24 hours after a public dressing down. Reserve team coach Ronnie Jepson slammed Gnohere for a lack of effort in the wake of Wednesday's 6-0 loss at Barnsley. And with Ronnie's rocket
BLACKBURN Rovers' out-of-favour midfielder Alan Mahon was today on the verge of a move to Ipswich. The Tractor Boys contacted Rovers last night to enquire about taking Mahon on a three-month loan. Ewood chief Graeme Souness has agreed to the deal in principle
COMPROMISE isn't a word in the vocabulary of New Wave legends Stiff Little Fingers, as singer Jake Burns explained to John Anson... STIFF Little Fingers -- the very mention of the name will bring a knowing smile to the lips of any New Wave fan who grew
EAST Lancashire-based Shire Hotels has been named the AA's Hotel Group of the Year for 2003-2004. The hotel chain is owned by Blackburn brewers Daniel Thwaites and includes the Oaks Hotel on the outskirts of Burnley and The Millstone in Mellor. The AA
A 20-year-old man who took his friend's car and crashed it after drinking had since taken out a bank loan to pay for the damage. Blackburn magistrates heard that former soldier Carl Ross Sears was found hiding near the damaged car. But Basharat Ditta,
CAMPAIGNERS have declared victory in the battle to get Darwen included in the name of their local motorway service station. The move was agreed after a meeting between MP Janet Anderson, councillors and the new owners of the site -- ending 10 months of
A BACUP shop is inviting people to get crafty with a new programme of workshops, which will run until Christmas. The House on the Corner, in Market Street, is offering courses on crafts, including handmade card-making, rubber stamping, glass painting
ROSSENDALE recyclers are earning more money for every tonne of rubbish they save from landfill. Contractors who take the borough's paper, plastics, tins and glass have saved on labour costs by improving their recycling technology, which means they pay
MANY thanks to The Citizen for the two free tickets to the Southport Flower Show. We enjoyed a lovely day in wonderful surroundings, with well organised transport using the park and ride. The bargain plants we picked up will be a lasting reminder of our
COULD someone tell me why those horrible edifices outside the Corn Exchange, Preston, depict the so called soldiers firing towards the crowd in the direction of Fishergate when there used to be bullet holes in the walls of the Corporation pub behind the
AFTER more than five years of talking, planning and countless assurances that the bus station would be demolished or moved, the planners and developers have now declared their support for a new bus station to be built on a site in Avenham, outside the
CLUBBERS wanting a sweet end to the weekend could do worse than check out Jumpin Jak's on Sunday - because Mark Freejack's giving out the lollies! Possibly Lancashire's best-known DJ, and our columnist, is into the second week of a 13 week residency at
A MISSING Blackpool man, 31-year-old Lee Stretch of Rudyard Place in the town, has been found safe and well Lancashire Police said. He went missing from his home address on August 8 prompting a media appeal to find him.
THE enduring popularity of singer Elkie Brooks was never in doubt. So why did she join a group of has-beens on TV? JENNY SCOTT finds out. . . THERE were stand-up rows, stormy walk-outs and tearful tantrums about faded careers. Throughout it all, Elkie
A YORKSHIRE woman died after apparently choking on a scone on a day out in Blackpool, an inquest heard on Tuesday. Margaret Bottomley, 75, died after food lodged in her lungs and caused pneumonia and brain damage, the Blackpool coroner's court was told
MORE than 25,000 people crowded into a specially built events arena to see boy band Blue officially switch on the 2003 Blackpool illuminations. The massive crowd, many of whom had been queuing for several hours before the arena even opened in mid-afternoon
FYLDE Council could be forced to push council tax levels up by as much as 26 per cent to close a growing budget gap, it emerged this week. The council's Corporate Police Committee learnt on Monday that a massive tax increase or big spending cuts will
CUSTOMS officers seized one and a half million illegally smuggled cigarettes during a raid on an industrial estate in Poulton-le-Fylde. The cigarettes, valued at £322,000, were concealed in 29 rolls of paper, each around one metre in diameter. A transit
LIBERAL Democrat councillors say an 'informal investigation' in an ultra-marginal Blackpool ward has cast doubt over Blackpool's postal vote experiment. They say 20 votes in Bloomfield ward were 'missing' as electors who claimed to have sent their ballot
A £260,000 scheme to improve one of Blackburn's main roads started this week. The council is upgrading King Street, near the town centre, with improved paving and street furniture on the section between Paradise Terrace and Princess Street. The first
EAST Lancashire-based Shire Hotels has been named the AA's Hotel Group of the Year for 2003-2004. The hotel chain is owned by Blackburn brewers Daniel Thwaites and includes the Oaks Hotel on the outskirts of Burnley and The Millstone in Mellor. The AA
THE buzz around Colne became even louder this week with the loan signing of Neil Reynolds from Clitheroe. The midfielder hasn't played for 18 months and has joined the North West Counties Division Two leaders to assist his recovery from an injury lay-off
LEE Sculpher has praised his players for bouncing back from last season's double disappointment. The Clitheroe manager's season ended in anti-climax as they finished runners-up to Prescot Cables in the North West Counties League title race and lost to
ENGLAND Women ended a year-long goal famine with a sensational 21-second winner against Australia at Turf Moor. But the nation had Burnley-born keeper Rachel Brown to thank for earning Hope Powell's side their first win in six games. Brown, who played
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman is hoping his side can gun down high scoring Barnet and snatch three Conference points. While the Bees bagged an impressive 4-1 win against Halifax Town last weekend, Coleman is boosted by the return of experienced
IT took a long time in coming but it was worth the wait when it did! Stand saved their best performance of the season for local rivals Unsworth when they finally won on Sunday. It could be said that it was more down to Unsworth losing it rather than Stand
Breightmet Utd ... 2 Prestwich Heys ... 1 HEYS unimpressive start to the season continued last Saturday when they went down by two goals to one against last season's First Division champions Breightmet United. It was a game that Heys dominated for long
AN exciting run-chase, instigated by Rob McQueen, resulted in a brilliant three wicket victory for Unsworth over Oldham on Sunday. Oldham, making first use of their home ground, lost two early wickets to Unsworth professional MacQueen but Chris McDonnell
ALL-ROUNDER Paul Mercer and professional Craig Duxbury provided a bit of magic to make Dukinfield's bid for victory disappear. Mercer, nicknamed Merlin by some of his team-mates, had already carved out an unbeaten 35 in 24 balls with the bat, and ran
I WAS incensed to read the recent letter from B. Serious (August 28) about so-called lazy nurses. In my experience (and I have recently had quite a lot to do with hospitals) nurses are angels. They work very hard with dedication and patience. If one is
THE Bury Council "vouchers for rent" scheme, outlined in the Bury Times (August 22), is insulting to the thousands of people who pay their bills regularly. The scheme promises to reward council house tenants who pay their rent arrears with up to £50 in
A LOOK at what's on around the area. RELIEF through hypnotherapy may be the answer to your back or other types of pain, says support group BackCare. Find out more from Judy Guest at the monthly BackCare meeting this Wednesday (September 10) in the Day
A FIRE in a Bury timber yard caused traffic chaos for thousands of commuters and shoppers after it threatened to spread to nearby gas cylinders. The fire at the premises on Bolton Road has left the surrounding area closed to cars and shoppers. Bolton
DOG fouling not only blights our public spaces it also endangers the lives of children. Richard Newton looks at the issue and what each council in East Lancashire is doing. The Dog-Fouling Act, 1996, requires owners to pick up their pet's mess with fines
THE champagne flowed at Croft Lane as the Millers picked up the four points needed to secure the Division One title. A reasonable sized crowd saw the Papermakers cruise home by 161 runs in a match, that as a contest, was over by mid-afternoon as ELPM,
THERE is Bury FC first team, the Reserves, the Youth team and now -- the Forever Bury team. This is how it happened -- before the away game against Kidderminster, trust secretary, Simon Egan received an invitation to send a team of Bury supporters to
RAMSBOTTOM recorded another fine victory against top opposition thanks to a mixture of youth and experience. The youth was provided by David Bell and Spencer Woods while the experience came from the 43-year-old spinner Mark Price. Batting first on a track
BURY AMATEURS...6 AINSWORTH...2 BURY Amateurs thumped Ainsworth on Saturday. Amateurs turned the game on its head in a blistering 10 minutes before half time when excellent work from Gary Edwards saw Tony Jackson twice finish clinically. Then, Subachus
RAMSBOTTOM UNITED...3 WOODLEY SPORTS...0 AN away trip to Bobby and Jackie Charlton's home village of Ashington in the north east was up for grabs for the winners of this FA Cup preliminary round replay. There was only one change to the team that drew
I WOULD like to thank a chap from Accrington called Derek who returned my mobile phone after I dropped it in Sunnyhurst Woods in Darwen a few weeks ago. I sometimes think that this is a cruel and cynical world and that we always think the worst of people
ON Monday (September 8) there will be a Second Reading of the New Water Bill which has several amendments, one of which seeks to compel water companies to fluoridate the public water supply. MPs now have the opportunity to restore confidence in democracy
ON behalf of our two East Lancashire groups against fluoridation we would like to inform the public that on Monday (September 8) the Water Bill will come before the House of Commons. There are many amendments to this Bill but one particular one is designed
A QUALIFIED commercial airline pilot was killed when the light aircraft in which he was a passenger on a pleasure flight, crashed in to a field in his home state of Georgia, USA. Leigh-born Christopher Yates, 41, who emigrated to the United States on
TOP stars from stage and screen will be heading to Blackpool Pleasure Beach later this month for one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in showbusiness. Corontation Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper (David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh) will join
A TEENAGER was viciously beaten and robbed in a Bury subway in the early hours of Monday (Sept 1). Two men jumped out of bushes near the entrance of the subway under Peel Way as an 18-year-old was walking through. The victim was struck across the head
ARMED thieves threatened a motorcyclist with a knife and wrench before stealing his machine. The robbery happened in the car park of the McDonald's Restaurant in Bury New Road, Whitefield, on Sunday evening (Aug 31). Police said the 18-year-old male biker
SELF-MADE multi-millionaire Trevor Hemmings today announced he had bought Darwen's crisis-hit Crown Wallcoverings. But a spokeswoman for the Chorley tycoon was unable to say whether production would continue at Belgrave Mills, which now employs fewer
A VICAR is facing a possible jail sentence after getting behind the wheel on the M65 while almost four times the drink-driving limit. The Rev John Haigh's car was seen swerving across the M65 at Accrington by an off-duty policeman on Tuesday afternoon
A CHILDREN'S entertainments group is set to grow and grow! And in their debut concert performance, youngsters of the Little Acorns raised £120. The money will help fund equipment for schools in Pakistan. The concert was staged at the Jinnah Day Care Centre
AN angry pensioner is offering a £500 reward after vandals went on a weekend rampage. Thugs damaged two fences outside homes in Nuttall Lane, Ramsbottom, as well as throwing concrete blocks at a sun lounge and a caravan and kicking car wing mirrors. Police
RESIDENTS could be walking back to health and happiness under council plans to make life easier for pedestrians. Town Hall bosses have commissioned consultants to draw up a walking strategy for the borough and they want Bury folk to say what they want
A HI-TECH library aimed at sportsmen is to be built at Bury's Castle Leisure Centre. The library will be self-service for three quarters of the week, meaning visitors can take out specialist sports books and videos at any time of the day. The £250,000
IT was a cast of thousands as Festival Manchester came to a close at the weekend. More than 5,000 delegates took part in 75,000 hours of community service throughout Greater Manchester. As reported last week, a number of local projects benefited from
A SUCCESSFUL fun day staged at a Whitefield pub by the charity Hurdles to raise cash to send disabled youngsters to Euro Disney. For guests at Saturday's (Aug 30) event were well-known Coronation Street actors David Neilson and Malcolm Hebden who play
THE first leg of the UEFA Cup tie between Rovers and Genlerbirligi SK in Ankara on Wednesday September 24, will kick off at 17:55 hrs (local time). The return leg at Ewood Park on Wednesday October 15, kicks off at 8pm.
BLACKBURN Rovers' out-of-favour midfielder Alan Mahon was today on the verge of a move to Ipswich. The Tractor Boys contacted Rovers last night to enquire about taking Mahon on a three-month loan. Ewood chief Graeme Souness has agreed to the deal in principle
PRESTON scientists launched a rescue mission to save the graveyard remains of more than 100 people from the sea. The team of lecturers and students from the University of Central Lancashire have spent weeks digging at an archaeological site in Anglesey
GOT myself a crying, walking, sleeping, talking, living Ted? -- well, not quite, but that is the song one lucky person could be singing as they walk off with a limited edition Sir Cliff Richard teddy. Fred the cute ted is just one of the many collectables
LORRY drivers parking in an industrial estate overnight are causing sleepless nights for locals. Residents say up to 50 truckers are often parked overnight at The Old Mill Industrial units in School Lane, Bamber Bridge. But they claim the constant stream
THE chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has admitted there were 'serious omissions' in the care of a Preston woman who died after an operation. In a letter to the dead patient's daughter, the trust's chief executive Tony Curtis has apologised
BURNLEY Council has celebrated winning a national award for its dedication to training of staff. The council was presented with the Investors in People (IiP) status -- which recognises the council's commitment to training and developing its staff -- after
A PENSIONER who beat up his partially-disabled girlfriend has been warned he is being watched by police, a court heard yesterday. Jack Smith, 67, would beat up partner Carole Pickup when he got drunk, but she stayed with him because she loved him, Burnley
A SIX-year scheme to highlight historical sites in Burnley has reached its halfway point. Members of a local history society have spent the past three years putting blue plaques at significant locations across the borough. The latest one -- outside the
THE countdown to the Burnley Festival is in full swing and organisers have promised that there is something for everyone. Musical acts who will be appearing on the main stage at the event, being held in Queen's Park, include rock band Stonefish, American
POTTERS, painters and pie makers are gearing up for a major gathering as Leighton Hall hosts its annual craft fair. More than 100 craft workers from across Europe are expected to join the occasion on Saturday and Sunday (September 6 and 7) at Leighton
A DEDICATED fundraiser has upped the stakes in her bid to foot the bill for hundreds of willing bone marrow donors. Carol Worsley, who is to trek to Everest base camp in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust, has raised her £3,000 target and is still bringing
A LANCASTER firm has suc-cessfully answered the call of the wild... not just any call, either. The trunk call received by R E Buildings was looking for the solution to a jumbo sized job. It came from Knowsley Safari Park on Merseyside where it was discovered
ARSONISTS torched a Morecambe home as a family slept upstairs. Treasured possessions and memories were lost in the blaze which gutted two floors and severely smoke damaged the whole of the property on Balmoral Road but the Ellis family escaped unscathed
SHAKERS will move quickly to bolster their squad after being forced to release Phil Charnock this week. The former Crewe ace left Gigg Lane for the Irish Premiership on Wednesday after Bury revealed they could not afford to offer him a permanent deal.
GOVERNMENT plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 have been rejected by young people in Pendle. Students from several schools met at Fisher More High School and returned an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the proposals, following a debate.
BUSINESSES are being offered the chance to get vital training in health and safety issues at two seminars next month. Pendle Council is bringing together a range of experts to conduct two training seminars on safety and health for small and medium sized
SPONSORS of the Pride of East Lancashire campaign enjoyed a reception hosted by top chef Nigel Smith at the Feilden's Arms at Mellor Brook. Some of the area's leading companies and organisations have thrown their weight behind the largest community campaign
THE Lancashire Student Symphony Orchestra will be performing in the Gala Concert at the Preston Guild Hall on Saturday. The orchestra which trains in Chorley, has just completed a European tour based in Berlin. The concert will feature solo performances
TENANTS in Hyndburn can look forward to a better deal in the private sector after 27 landlords signed up to the borough's accredited scheme. And one of the instigators of the scheme has called on the council to implement a similar scheme for tenants.
PRODUCTION jobs at a local factory are to be axed after management decided to build a new manufacturing plant in the Far East. Bosses have declined to say how many of Radcliffe Trumeter's 100-strong workforce could be axed, although managing director
A RELENTLESS campaign by Prestwich-born journalist Don Hale to overturn a controversial murder conviction is being made into a major TV drama. And Stephen Tompkinson, best known for his roles in Drop the Dead Donkey and Ballykissangel, will play Mr Hale
IT cannot have gone unnoticed by the powers-that-be that during the last week the vandalism to bus shelters at the Lancaster end of Torrisholme Road has risen to unprecedented levels. At the end of last week I counted no fewer than five bus shelters with
FYLDE travel to Market Bosworth in Leicestershire for Saturday's 2003/4 season opener in a 1st Round Powergen Cup tie. Market Bosworth overturned the form book last Saturday in the clearest way possible with a 37-7 away win in the Preliminary Round at
VALE of Lune play their opening league game of the season against Morley at Powder House Lane on Saturday - turning back the clock a full 10 years. It is the club's first match in North league One since Vale were relegated way back at the end of the 1993
MORECAMBE boss Jim Harvey has moved to bring an end to his striker crisis by bringing in semi-pro international Ryan Sugden. Harvey has been hunting for a player to bolster his front line for some time amid a host of calls from fans to add extra goal
THINGS can only get better for Lancaster City, stuck firmly at the bottom of the Unibond Premier Division after a 3-0 whipping by league leaders Alfreton. If ever there was a time when the Dolly Blues needed an easy game to help boost confidence after
BLACKPOOL take an early season break this weekend after arguably their best performance of the season so far at Swindon. Wrexham's smattering of Welsh under-21 internationals means that the Seasiders' Bloomfield Road clash with the Dragons must wait until
LOCAL independent music, DVD and video outlet Music Zone is proving to be a real "hit" with Bury shoppers. For the shop, located in Princess Parade, has reported that sales are up a massive 18 per cent year-on-year. Since opening its doors in the Mill
AN accountant does not need a calculator to work out how long he has been working for well-known Bury company Horsfield & Smith. For colleagues threw a special party and presentation to celebrate senior partner Martin Hardman's 40th anniversary with
THAT'S two enterprising businessmen who have taken over the helm of Whitefield Insurance Services in their first venture into company ownership. Both Steve Hopwood (37) and 31-year-old Steve Foster saw the Bury Old Road firm as an ideal opportunity to
COLNE Clarets have an extra coach going to Stoke tomorrow with pick-up points in Colne, Nelson and Burnley. Coaches will be leaving at 9.00am. All enquiries to Alan Beecroft on 01282 864147 or Elaine Whittingham on 07736 841509 after 6pm.
STOKE boss Tony Pulis is bracing himself for a Burnley backlash following the loss of Glen Little. Pulis felt a shiver run down his spine when he learnt the Clarets had shipped out wily winger Little for two of Bolton's Premiership stars to add to the
BOLTON outcast Gareth Farrelly has been challenged to step into Paul Cook's shoes and orchestrate Burnley's revival. Clarets boss Stan Ternent sees the Republic of Ireland ace as the perfect replacement for Cook, who left Turf Moor in the summer and now
A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to build shops and flats in Whitefield town centre has been given the nod of approval. Private developers Crosby Homes have won "in principle" favour from Bury Council to transform the Brand Centre site, bus station and Elms
A LEYLAND taxi firm has slammed a proposed fare increase claiming it would be short changing customers. It comes after South Ribble Taxi Owners Association, which represents private hire and hackney companies in the borough, applied to the local council
BURY MP David Chaytor has come down in favour of the controversial wind farm plans for Scout Moor. His stance is at odds with his Labour colleague and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson, who said there was so much local opposition that it was inconceivable
A 19-year-old student has died just days before starting her second year at university. Nicola Hutchings, of Boundary Drive, Bradley Fold, had returned early to her university campus in Leeds to help look after Japanese visitors. Her body was discovered
A BURY family returned from holiday to find their home vandalised. Philip and Audrey Chawner, of Foxglove Drive, arrived home with their children from their holiday in Yarmouth, to find pink paint splashed across their living room window. The front door
BURY South MP and Education Minister Ivan Lewis has praised Bury's education welfare team for their work in tackling truancy. His meeting, at their base in Market Street, Bury, follows recent success by the team in prosecuting a number of parents who
FEEL makes a welcome return to the University of Central Lancashire on September 20 when George Thompson and crew crank up their House night for another academic year. Up first is a Jame Holden, Dave Seaman double-header which is bound to be a lock-out
LIGHTS, camera, action! Lytham Film Society is counting down to its 56th year with a planned programme of films from all over the globe. "For over half a century the society has been bringing award winning films that you hear about but never see in the
CLUBBERS wanting a sweet end to the weekend could do worse than check out Jumpin Jak's on Sunday - because Mark Freejack's giving out the lollies! Possibly Lancashire's best-known DJ, and our columnist, is into the second week of a 13 week residency at
BUSINESSES are being offered the chance to get vital training in health and safety issues at two seminars next month. Pendle Council is bringing together a range of experts to conduct two training seminars on safety and health for small and medium sized
A WORKSHOP at David Sumner Auto Electrical Engineers on the Brunswick Industrial Estate, off Redearth Road, Darwen, was wrecked by fire around 5.30pm yesterday. The upper floor was destroyed and the lower floor badly fire damaged. The main workshop and
WINNING exhibits and selected entries from the 'Eyesores in and about Darwen' photographic competition 2003 will go on display to the public at Darwen Library from September 20 to October 10. Prizes for Darwen Civic Society's 15th annual exhibition will
SELF-MADE multi-millionaire Trevor Hemmings today announced he had bought Darwen's crisis-hit Crown Wallcoverings. But a spokeswoman for the Chorley tycoon was unable to say whether production would continue at Belgrave Mills, which now employs fewer
A SINGLE mum from Darwen has been ranked among the top student scientists in the country after being selected for the finals of a prestigious competition. Sarah Fogg, 32, of Chapter Road, is among 30 short-listed candidates for Science, Engineering and
A COMPANY boss has slammed a man who scaled his 300ft chimney -- and threatened to sue anyone who tries to follow in his footsteps. Peter Turner, joint managing director of Brookhouse Holdings, based at India Mill, Darwen, said that anyone found on the
A WOMAN from Crawshawbooth has won the title of Adult Learner of the Year. Lisa Marie Howorth, 25, was presented with a certificate and a cheque for £50 by Accrington and Rossendale College where she studied an open course in psychology, which is equivalent
A PUBLIC consultation swung into action today as 2,500 randomly selected households in Rossendale received questionnaires. Recipients will be asked to rate Rossendale Council in a survey that will ultimately land on the desk of Deputy Prime Minister John
FEEL makes a welcome return to the University of Central Lancashire on September 20 when George Thompson and crew crank up their House night for another academic year. Up first is a Jame Holden, Dave Seaman double-header which is bound to be a lock-out
RADCLIFFE Borough go into the weekend's clash at Frickley Athletic in buoyant mood following a haul of four points from their last two games, writes Marc Higginson. Kevin Glendon's aim of finishing in the top 13 of the Unibond Premier League, thus ensuring
BOND girls coming to Darwen? Unlikely though it may sound, that's just what's happening next Saturday when leggy star of The Spy Who Loved Me, Caroline Munro, arrives at the Library Theatre to promote her new audio CD, Dr Who: Omega. Caroline will be
COMPROMISE isn't a word in the vocabulary of New Wave legends Stiff Little Fingers, as singer Jake Burns explained to John Anson... STIFF Little Fingers -- the very mention of the name will bring a knowing smile to the lips of any New Wave fan who grew
BLACKPOOL'S womble is free again after being released early from prison. But pensioner Dennis Bostock, who filled his house with objects other people threw out as rubbish, says he would rather be back behind bars after losing his home. "I asked them to
A VERDICT of suicide was recorded at an inquest into the death of a man found hanged in his Blackpool flat. William Francis Lismore -- known as Liam -- was found hanging from a bay window pelmet in his Lytham Road flat on July 15, 2003 by a neighbour.
TOP stars from stage and screen will be heading to Blackpool Pleasure Beach later this month for one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in showbusiness. Corontation Street's Roy and Hayley Cropper (David Neilson and Julie Hesmondhalgh) will join
SUNDAY was a night to remember for one St Annes man, as ten minutes into his new lifeboat role he was involved in the dramatic sea rescue of two young boys. Frank Kilroy had just taken over as lifeboat operations manager station at Lytham St Annes lifeboat
TOWN HALL staff are set complete a 12-mile walk in memory a colleague who died of a brain tumour. More than £1,500 has already been raised by Blackburn with Darwen Council following the death of Martin Etherington in July. Now colleagues have organised
AN EAST Lancashire Euro-MP is calling on Tony Blair to take over his parliament -- or at least one of them! Chris Davies wants an end to the monthly movement of the European Parliament between Brussels and the French city of Strasbourg. He says the second
POLICE today apologised to a man for saying he was on the run. A photograph of Christopher McGuire, 22, of Kings Road, Livesey, Blackburn, was released two weeks ago as police launched a crackdown on outstanding warrants. Officers said Mr McGuire failed
A 51-year-old child sex offender appeared before Blackburn magistrates for failing to notify police of a change of his address. And magistrates ruled in favour of a defence application to withhold Martin McCullion's new address because of fears for his
A DAYTIME bus service linking residents with Blackburn's hospitals has been revived after a new company stepped in to plug the gap. Morning and early afternoon services covering Blackburn Outer Circle were withdrawn in June by Blackburn Transport, prompting
A BLUEPRINT to scrap all Lancashire's borough councils and replace them with a county-wide authority has been revealed by Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding. District councils would be replaced with a new, unitary Lancashire Council and local
THE partner of tragic suicide man Stephen Tedesci today slammed Blackburn town centre bosses for failing to make improvements to its car park - a year after his death. Jackie Maxwell, 37, has pleaded with chiefs to make suicide attempts from the town
IAN Aspin and Faxi Assi grew up in a climate of mistrust and racism in the same street. Twenty years on, the white TV producer and the Asian policeman united to make last night's documentary about being a Muslim in the Lancashire Constabulary. And Ian
NELSON have signed Paul Fildes from Bacup Borough. The forward will come into the squad for tomorrow's visit to North West Counties Division Two new boys Eccleshall. Nelson boss Dave Hall said: "I don't know anything about them but we have to concentrate
DARWEN have been dealt a massive blow with the news that goalkeeper Lee Purvis will miss the rest of the season. Purvis, who has missed only one game in six years, sustained cruciate ligament damage in last Saturday's game against Colne. Darwen boss Steve
AN 18th minute blast from Paul McKenna was enough to ensure Preston grabbed their first three points of the season to lift the Lilywhites to 18th in the league. And happy manager Craig Brown, who reckoned his side had enough chances to win three games
WONDER winger Eddie Lewis has been told to stay away from training for this week as Craig Brown looks to prevent burn-out in his star left-sided player. The American international has been told to pretend he is a European international this week and stay
GOLF club bosses are to go another round with planning chiefs. It was expected members of the council's planning committee would reject a million pound scheme to transform Whitefield Golf Club at their meeting on Tuesday night. However, the club asked
I AM writing with regard to the editor's comments (Yours Truly, August 28) on the subject of councillors' allowances. Pardon my confusion, but wasn't this issue discussed at some length 12 months ago in this very paper? I can only presume that the editor
LIKE many others, we discover much of what is happening in the borough via the Radcliffe Times. So, in the light of council leader John Byrne's irrelevant and dismissive answer (Yours Truly, August 28) to the perfectly reasonable question about councillors
THE editor evidently wishes to know the reasons why councillors in Bury get an allowance, other than as a means of attracting people into local politics. As chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Bury, I would wish to assure him they are many
I WOULD like to add my comments regarding the re-vamping of Bury town centre. Bury is a compact and progressive town which is more than adequately stocked with shops and markets. It has adequate parking and excellent access to public transport. Only a
THE NEXT Tower Blues gig at Blackpool's Raikes Hotel, Liverpool Road on September 12 at 8pm features the Two Timers, described by organiser Alan Pearson as 'an incredible duo of ex Dr Feelgood guitarist Gordon Russell and singer/percussionist Sarah James
TWO charity fashion shows take place at JR Taylor's, St Annes, on Thursday, September 18. The shows feature the fabulous new winter collection and a luxury raffle, with prizes including clothing by Betty Barclay, Olsen, Liz Claiborne and shoes by the
