IF a banned motorist gets into a vehicle and drives off he or she is putting other road users and pedestrians in danger. For a start they are automatically uninsured because they cannot legally drive. And anyone whose record includes a ban is behaving
EEH by 'eck - the Lancashire accent has been voted as the one people would trust first over the phone! Homecall, a leading provider of landline telephone calls, surveyed 1,000 homeowners and revealed that although the Scottish lilt was voted the sexiest
HOW pleased I was to read about a Bill due to come before Parliament in May which will shame and name brutal animal owners. Anyone who is convicted of cruelty to animals or banned from keeping pets or farm animals will have their name included on a national
IN 1993 I had the pleasure of watching a well-known steam train painted in the distinctive apple-green livery of LNER, pull away from the platform at Ramsbottom railway station. It was leaving to go to Bolton Street station in Bury. It was a memorable
YOUR claim (Telegraph Comment, March 8) that Lancashire County Council has been "set back" by two "revelations" needs to be taken with more than a pinch of salt. Having spent many years as a working journalist, I am loath to accuse a reporter of not allowing
MORE than 4,400 residents have petitioned the Home Secretary David Blunkett calling for the new high street village police post to be permanently manned. They want to see a bigger police presence in the Lowton and Golborne areas where it is claimed people
FAILING Darwen Moorland High School has appointed a new trouble-shooting head to help turn its fortunes around. And Gareth Dawkins - who will take up a 12-months secondment at the school next month - said today: "I really think I can make a difference
BLACKBURN Rovers go into Saturday's crunch meeting with Portsmouth at Ewood Park knowing their Premiership fate lies firmly in their own hands. With nine games left to play, Rovers hold a crucial four point advantage over Pompey, who are currently in
AN EAST Lancashire MP has praised Social Services and the National Health Service in Lancashire for doing more to help elderly people to be looked after in their own homes. Peter Pike, MP for Burnley, said the Government had made "great progress" in domiciliary
PERFORMING arts students will unravel the comedy mysteries of life for their third production. The Wigan and Leigh College BTEC class will present "The Medusa Gambit" a two-act comedy written by tutor and playwright Andy Newman in May. The play is a fusion
AN EAST Lancashire fireman has proved that he is more than tough enough when it comes to TV challenges. James Barrow, based at Burnley fire station, braved temperatures of up to 40 degrees C to triumph in a BBC documentary designed to sort the men from
TWO of Leigh actor Will Travis' young students are following in his TV screen steps. After less than a year under the TV star's wing, 12-years-old Joseph Slack and Thomas Whittle, aged eight, have won auditions to film commercials for famous products.
A MUM today made a heartfelt plea for a school to do more to stamp out bullying after her 10-year-old son was urinated on by a fellow pupil in the school toilets. Christine Hezzlewood said her son Daniel, a pupil at Whittlefield County Primary School,
Bygone Burnley, with JACK NADIN ONE of the most familiar sights to anyone in the early 1960s when coming from Burnley town centre towards the west end of town, must have surely been Barlow's chemist shop at the Mitre junction. The shop faced on to both
PENDLE MP Gordon Prentice is backing a new campaign to raise awareness of the waste caused by disposable nappies. Real Nappy Week 2004 has been organised by the Women's Environmental Network and will form part of a Government drive to convert an additional
A LANCASHIRE police chief demanded a Home Office investigation into the number of police officers retiring due to sickness. Chief Constable Brian Johnson said the number of officers retiring early would put pressure on the force. He also criticised government
PEOPLE living near the Accrington Associated Dairies Plant complained about noise from the factory. They said vehicles unloading at the plant were too noisy. Residents also complained that by parking in the streets, lorries were a danger to children.
LEIGH Carnival organisers are appealing for help to make the second summer festival even bigger and better. The event, revived last year after a gap of two decades, will take place once again at Bedford High School over the weekend of July 17 and 18.
POLICE are appealing for information on a missing Clayton-le-Moors teenager. Jade Fairbrother, 13, of Barnes Street, has not been seen since midday on Wednesday, March 17, when she left her home address. Jade is 5'5" tall, of stocky build and has dyed
A COUNCIL'S Conservative cabinet has declared its opposition to regional assemblies, saying the loss of existing Lancashire authorities would be undemocratic, costly and unpopular. And Hyndburn Tories claim Labour councillors are unable to decide whether
BIG-hearted fund-raisers have vowed to continue with their money-raising pledge following the death of a 14-year-old schoolgirl from a rare form of cancer. Staff and regulars at the Black Dog Inn, Oswaldtwistle, had hoped to raise enough money to buy
LEIGH Carnival organisers are appealing for help to make the second summer festival even bigger and better. The event, revived last year after a gap of two decades, will take place once again at Bedford High School over the weekend of July 17 and 18.
HYNDBURN Labour councillors want local firms to be given housing repair contracts if the borough is awarded a £15million Government regeneration grant tomorrow. However, the borough's Conservative leader said the council has little flexibility on contracts
MORE road chaos is heading Leigh's way this summer with Wigan Road due to be shut for three months for flood prevention work in the Siddeley Street area. And motorists are being forewarned not to use Nel Pane Lane to get from Wigan Road to Leigh town
CASH totalling £11,000 is up for grabs in a popular gardening competition aimed at brightening council estates. The Borough in Bloom challenge organised by Wigan & Leigh Housing gives individuals, community groups, schools and voluntary organisations
A £15,000 reward is on offer for information about an armed bank robbery in Leigh. The HSBC offer comes after last Wednesday's morning raid on its Bradshawgate branch and a new Police appeal for information. Police believe the gunmen must have been seen
TWO of Leigh actor Will Travis' young students are following in his TV screen steps. After less than a year under the TV star's wing, 12-years-old Joseph Slack and Thomas Whittle, aged eight, have won auditions to film commercials for famous products.
WHEN their rescue Jack Russell reduced his owners to crawling around their home on all fours they were forced to call in top doggie therapists. Now Sophie McCoy and Daniel Moores' year-old brown, black and white cross's bark is worse than his bite. Within
FUEL bandits are sneaking on to remote farms and robbing them of hundreds of litres of diesel in the dead of night. Police in the Ribble Valley have had five reports of fuel thefts in the last week - and are now urging farmers to make sure storage tanks
EAST Lancashire MPs have joined forces across party lines to try and save the area's small market towns from losing their distinctive character. Nigel Evans, Greg Pope and Janet Anderson have backed a Campaign to Protect Rural England drive to tighten
STAN Ternent looks like being frustrated in his efforts to land a final loan signing before today's 5pm transfer deadline. The Burnley boss has spent the week trying to bolster his numbers for the final nine games that will determine the Clarets First
STAN Ternent is set for an early reunion with the referee responsible for landing the Burnley manager a hefty touchline ban. The Football Association have ordered Ternent to the stands for four matches and fined him £3,000 after finding him guilty of
CLITHEROE'S professional for the 2004 Ribblesdale League season will be the 20-year-old South African all-rounder Craig Thyssen. Craig is playing his first full season for Eastern Province after having represented the South African Under 19 side the previous
A SCHOOL band will blast out classical jazz in concert next week. The Fred Longworth Community Big Band will add contemporary hits to their new repertoire in the school's drama theatre on Monday, March 29, at 7.30pm. Tickets at £3 adults £2 children will
1st XV: Northwich at home, meet at 12.30 pm. 2nd XV: Burnley at home, meet at 1.00 pm. 3rd XV: Preston away, meet at 1.00 pm. Tofts: Pool away, meet at 1.00pm. Vets: Northwich at home, meet at 1.30 pm. Didsbury Toc H 3rd 35 Leigh Hawks 12
looking for new faces PHIL Starbuck faces a hectic couple of days trying to bring in more new faces before this week's transfer deadline. Leigh RMI are next to bottom and staring relegation in the face, but with seven games remaining have a chance to
AN UNEXPECTEDLY strong Toc H side, bolstered by several first team regulars proved ultimately too strong for Leigh RU Hawks despite an heroic defensive effort. The home side used the wind well in the first half scoring three tries and kicking a penalty
BLACKBURN midfielder Brett Emerton has described Saturday's crucial six-pointer with Portsmouth as a 'must-win' game for Rovers. With four points currently separating the two sides in the Premier League table, Emerton knows Rovers can strike a major psychological
ILLEGAL drugs and firearms were seized when police raided two Darwen homes. Officers swooped yesterday as part of a crackdown on drug dealing. Several officers stormed a house off Blackburn Road before searching the property and later visited a second
SENIOR East Lancashire MP Janet Anderson is to oppose plans to dramatically increase security at Westminster including erecting a huge concrete wall around the Houses of Parliament. The security services and the police, with the backing of some ministers
FAILING Darwen Moorland High School has appointed a new trouble-shooting head to help turn its fortunes around. And Gareth Dawkins - who will take up a 12-months secondment at the school next month - said today: "I really think I can make a difference
JOSIE Sharples will recall family memories Leigh Local History Society meeting next Wednesday (March 31) which starts at 7.30pm in the Derby Room, Leigh Library.
A SCHOOL band will blast out classical jazz in concert next week. The Fred Longworth Community Big Band will add contemporary hits to their new repertoire in the school's drama theatre on Monday, March 29, at 7.30pm. Tickets at £3 adults £2 children will
NEWCHURCH WI members celebrated their branch's 45th birthday. At Newchurch Parish Hall the Culcheth group's President Mrs S Brown welcomed members and thanked Mrs J Walker for flowers. Earlier members raised £101.30 at a coffee morning. Guest speaker,
WI members have met the power behind the successful "Calendar Girls" phenomenon. Five Culcheth group representatives attended the Winsford Council meeting where the speakers were Angela Baker, whose husband was the brains behind the ground breaking nude
THE 90-years-old Leigh Spiritualist Temple will be rededicated on Sunday following work to make it more user friendly for the disabled. The rostrum has been moved from one side of the building to the other to accommodate new toilets and wheelchair ramps
A NEW leaflet published by Wigan Council hopes to raise awareness of the rights pedestrians have to travel un-obstructed down our streets. While these obstacles are a nuisance for most people, for those with disabilities they can be a real danger. Frank
SCOOTER riders will rule the roads on Saturday when an amazing convoy of 1,600 machines will leave Lowton on the annual Ginger's Easter Egg Run to deliver gifts to hospitalised children. Riders from throughout Britain and parts of Europe will travel together
LEE FRANCIS DUFFY, 30, of Sandy Lane, was remanded on bail until April 15 by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to five offences of shoplifting. Kevin Preston, defending, asked the magistrates to adjourn for the preparation of pre-sentence reports
THE manager of a Blackburn town centre bank set a trap after discovering that cash was going missing overnight. And his unexpected return to the HSBC on Church Street caught cleaner Steven Caddens red-handed as he helped himself from the tills, a court
A 34-year-old man admitted assaulting his partner despite her coming to court and saying she did not wish to proceed with her complaint. Blackburn magistrates heard that David William Rolfe could have maintained a not guilty plea in the light of his partner's
POLICE in Lancashire have shown 52 would-be football hooligans from East Lancashire the red card in advance of this summer's Euro 2004 competition. Banning orders have been taken out on more than 71 known trouble-makers in the county - the majority of
THE father of a Blackburn man facing more than 20 years in a Thai jail for alleged drugs offences was today preparing for the heartbreak of leaving his son and returning to East Lancashire. Retired accountant Tony Egan, who now lives in the Ribble Valley
A FARMER is taking the Government to the European courts in a bid to win compensation and an admission they were wrong to shut down his pigswill business. Joe Myers' Hurst Green farm was closed by Government inspectors in the weeks following the foot
SPECIALLY-TRAINED police are being drafted in to patrol a troubled Blackburn street. Johnson Street is set to become the first in East Lancashire to benefit from a new hardline Government tactic to target yobs. Extra officers, normally operating as armed
A YOUNG persons' charity in Blackburn is appealing for householders with spare bedrooms to take in young people without a home. YPASS -- Young People's Accommodation Support Services -- is making the plea because of a shortage of sheltered accommodation
CLITHEROE Golf Club's Winter League season ended at the weekend after five months of intensive competition. Scott Thompson caught the handicap committee's attention with a formidable best six cards to win the single stableford competition with a 59 total
BEWARE when walking in the dark around the Railway Road area of Leigh. Some inconsiderate thief has deemed it profitable to steal the cast iron gridirons leaving dangerously deep holes in the gutters!
1976 has been declared the best year on record by a government think-tank. I have to agree, I remember it being one of the happiest in my life. Perhaps that was because I returned to a social life in Leigh after a few years away (I hear the call "what
Leigh Centurions 66 Swinton Lions 6 by Mike Hulme: IT just gets better and better for Darren Abram and his legion of Centurions. Tougher tests may lie just around the corner, but all the signs are there that Abram is moulding a team that's a cut above
ANGRY neighbours are threatening to set up a "road block" to stop vandals damaging cars and property. The householders live close to a back street, off Ainsworth Road, which residents use for parking and where there are a number of garages. But they are
U8's played against Bromley Cross yesterday with Hindley wining 2-1 putting them into the Finals to be held in May. Dylan Roberts scored both goals for Hindley and Keiron West was Man of the Match. U'10s played against Boothstown Panthers in a nail biting
AM collecting used stamps, postcards and picture phone cards for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I was wondering if any of your readers would be kind enough to send me any of their used stamps. Please send stamps, postcards and picture phone cards to me. MRS
I WOULD like to express both my gratitude to the hard working committee of the Whitehall Park Supporters Group and the Probation Service for all the hard work they are putting into restoring the park from the terrible state it has been allowed to fall
Glen Little's Turf Moor diary. . . NO NEED to man the lifeboats just yet! The situation just got more worrying, with Derby picking up an unexpected point at Sheffield United - but let's remember a point is all it was. Other teams, like Gillingham for
A MUM today made a heartfelt plea for a school to do more to stamp out bullying after her 10-year-old son was urinated on by a fellow pupil in the school toilets. Christine Hezzlewood said her son Daniel, a pupil at Whittlefield County Primary School,
OLD BOY - Leigh hooker Paul Rowley returns to his former club, Halifax. by Mike Hulme Centurions aim to make their mark ABRAM SENDS FAX MESSAGE LEIGH Centurions won't be shouting from the roof-tops should they beat major National League One rivals Halifax
BLACKBURN midfielder Brett Emerton has described Saturday's crucial six-pointer with Portsmouth as a 'must-win' game for Rovers. With four points currently separating the two sides in the Premier League table, Emerton knows Rovers can strike a major psychological
TALENTED youngsters from East Lancashire will be taking to the stage next week in the latest production by Burnley Youth Theatre. Curtains go up on Bill's New Frock on Wednesday, March 31, and the play, a comedy directed by Jane Hall, runs for three nights
BURNLEY Council has pledged to tackle bad landlords who are renting out poor quality houses. The council recently launched its Good Landlord and Tenant Scheme, which aims to improve the borough's private rented housing stock. Many landlords and housing
PEOPLE living opposite a Padiham company where half a tonne of fibres spilled into a river are planning a private prosecution against the firm. Bales of material plunged into Green Brook, a tributary of River Calder, when a warehouse at the rear of Equestrian
A BURNLEY councillor has called for residents to be included on the committee that will scrutinise plans to transform their areas. Councillor Rafique Malik believes people living in the three areas of the town earmarked for regeneration in the Elevate
A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl was threatened with violence when a gang attacked a car in a Burnley street. Burnley Crown Court heard one of the weapon-wielding group said "She's getting it as well" when an alleged victim revealed the toddler was in the car. The
PADIHAM town councillor Andy Tatchell has proposed a discussion document of ideas aimed at improving not only Padiham, but also the lives of people who live in the town. In ensuring that the town council takes a leading role in Padiham's regeneration,
A DRIVER banned by magistrates was told by a judge he must stay off the road to protect the public. Burnley Crown Court heard how Rayaz Mohammed, 37, was earlier disqualified after being convicted of driving while unfit through drugs. He is to appeal
AN amateur artist from Brierfield is hoping to create an "internet village" to promote the work of fellow artists from across East Lancashire. John Bradbury, 46, of Stoneyhurst Height, hopes the online directory can help amateur artists support each other
RESIDENTS in Colne will have the chance to quiz county councillors at a town centre roadshow on Saturday. Councillors Dorothy Ormrod, Sheila Derwent and Alan Davies will be at an information trailer at Colne Open Market from 10am to 4pm, alongside Jackie
TRAIN passengers at Blackburn station were forced to travel by bus to get to Wigan. People who usually caught the 7.55am train had to change part of the journey due to track repairs on the main line. They were taken to Chorley by bus before catching a
SCOOTER riders will rule the roads on Saturday when an amazing convoy of 1,600 machines will leave Lowton on the annual Ginger's Easter Egg Run to deliver gifts to hospitalised children. Riders from throughout Britain and parts of Europe will travel together
POLICE said 82 cars involved in criminal activity have been targeted in a clamping exercise in Hyndburn. Vehicles belonging to known criminals or cars suspected of being used for illegal activities were targeted by police and police community support
HYNDBURN residents have the chance to quiz their county councillors at a town centre roadshow at Accrington town hall. Local county councillors Doreen Pollitt, Wendy Dwyer, Michael Hindley and Jean Battle will be on hand, along with Lancashire County
A GRIEVING father whose daughter died after being hit by a car driven by a disqualified asylum seeker is taking his fight for a change in the law to Westminster. Paul Houston wants a new criminal offence of 'death caused while driving disqualified' to
WHEN 80-year-old Hilda Adams set out from London to attend her son's secret birthday bash in Blackburn she had no idea that her party plans would come off the rails. But what would normally be a simple four hour trek from the capital turned into a mammoth
HYNDBURN Council's ruling Tory group has been attacked at Westminster over its proposal to privatise the local authority's municipal "crown jewels." Constituency Labour MP Greg Pope has said that the effective selling off of Accrington Town Hall and Oswaldtwistle
A YOUNG Leigh man involved in a string of offences because of his drug addiction has been ordered to carry out 80 hours community punishment. Mark Bower of Findlay Street was also placed on probation for two years after admitting offences -- many of which
A TEENAGER suffered a double break of his lower jaw after he was allegedly beaten up by a father and daughter, a jury heard. Jamie Pollard, 18, was found lying unconscious in the middle of the road by a young mum after the late-night trouble in Slaidburn
MORE than £500,000 from the European Regional Development Fund is to be awarded to the Leigh Commerce Park scheme. The European Community money will add to the £5.5m commitment from Orford Investments who are the development arm of the local construction
REPAIR work has begun on Leigh Parish Church's 16th century tower. Scaffolders began erecting steelwork last Monday on the town centre focal point and work is expected to be finished by the end of July. A two-year fund raising appeal, launched with a
ENGINEER Michael Crompton is celebrating after winning £100 just for recycling his old newspapers and magazines. The 42-year-old BT worker won the cash after he was automatically entered into South Ribble Borough Council's new prize draw. The council
SIR, REGARDING the proposed new bye-pass (A5225), I wonder if the parents of the pupils at Westleigh High School and the people of Pickley Green realise how close the road will be to the school playing field. The proposed road will only be a few metres
'short-sighted' SIR, Isn't it sad if such an excellent extension to Atherleigh Way is stopped again by Bolton's short-sighted council? They did something similar years ago. This extension of Atherleigh way to the M61 is an open sore to Bolton Council
I AM often teased in Blackburn on "All the Air Miles you must be earning, Jack". I do get around, it's true, but for the record I don't make any Air Miles from these journeys. There are two reasons. First, it's against the rules. Second, I end up using
RELIEVED Tony Grant has vowed to help steer Burnley to safety after getting the green light to return to action. The Clarets received the news they were hoping for when Grant was told the cartilage damage in his right knee was not as bad as first feared
COLNE continued their championship chase with their second win of the week, beating promotion rivals Flixton at Holt House. In a scrappy first half, the Reds played most of the football but without reward. Colne stepped up a gear after the break and 10
LEIGH East Scorpions defeated St Cuthbert's 40-32 with tries from Dean (3), Kelleher (2), Worthington (2), Andrusjak, Gallagher and Norbury. Man of the match was Dean.
ENTRIES are now being taken for the Carlsberg Tetley bowling handicap at Leigh Miners. Weekend dates are May 15/16 and 22/23 with the semis and the final on Sunday, May 30. Details from 01942 678469.
LEIGH East U12s got back on track with the eight-try demolition of Salford & Eccles. Tries: M Littlewood, S Grainey, D Leonard, R O'Toole (3), K Johnson, T Grainey. Goals: D Gunning (2), S Grainey, R Millward. MoM: Ryan O'Toole, Top tackler: Ted Lythgoe
DELIGHTED with backing from Fiat specialists Smallbrook Garage, Leigh Mustangs recorded their first win, but it was far from their best performance. In a hard fought game, top tackler was Adam Ridge, top try scorer Elliot Liku (4), most improved player
LEIGH Harriers super veteran athlete Derek Howarth added to his medal haul at the British vets Cross Country championships on Saturday at Durham. In the biggest field of over 70 runners this season Derek won an outstanding silver. In the European indoor
STAN Ternent is set for an early reunion with the referee responsible for landing the Burnley manager a hefty touchline ban. The Football Association have ordered Ternent to the stands for four matches and fined him £3,000 after finding him guilty of
YOUNGSTERS at St Edward's Primary School in Darwen will be getting creative next week during a Writing, Art and Music (WAM) week. The week will be based on an Australian theme. Reception classes will be printing and painting boomerangs, listening to aboriginal
CAMPAIGNERS for cleaner streets have praised a new anti-litter project which is set to hit Darwen's streets this summer. Local councillors Karimeh Foster and Derek Brindle have both pushed the council for action in deteriorating areas and appealed to
A PENSIONER who died after falling down the stairs had banged her head on the floor, an inquest was told. The hearing at Burnley Magistrates Court, was told how Maude Lord, 91, used to go down the last two steps backwards and was found on January 19,
BLOOD donor sessions are being held at Boothstown and Hindley. On Thursday, April 15 volunteers can give blood at St Andrew's School, Vicar's Hall Lane, Boothstown (1.30-3.30pm and 5.30-7.30pm) and on Thursday, May 6 (1.30-3.30pm and 5.30-7.30pm) at the
A SCHEME to demolish Beech Farm house and barn at Heath Lane, Kenyon and build four detached houses has been refused by Warrington Council. Planners did approve single storey and first floor extensions at 36 Mustard Lane, Croft and 48 Culcheth Hall Drive
LEIGH East Councillor Brian Jarvis is in line to become Mayor. If he is re-elected at the local government elections in June he will be Deputy Mayor and set to become Wigan Borough's supremo in 2005. He said: "It is a big honour. Becoming Mayor doesn't
TEENAGERS and teenage parents are being urged to chill-out and learn valuable lessons about sexual health. The event is being held on Saturday, March 27 (10-3) at the Image Centre in Walmesley Road, Leigh and Wigan Council's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy
PERFORMING arts students will unravel the comedy mysteries of life for their third production. The Wigan and Leigh College BTEC class will present "The Medusa Gambit" a two-act comedy written by tutor and playwright Andy Newman in May. The play is a fusion
FIRE chiefs are investigating after 30 firefighters spent the early hours of Sunday morning tackling flames reaching 60 feet high in Leigh. Six fire crews, including pumps from Leigh, Atherton, Bolton and Farnworth, attended the blaze at Bridgewater Business
ACCRINGTON Stanley midfielder Andy Gouck has revealed the extent of the illness which has kept him sidelined for three weeks. The former Blackpool captain was hospitalised for five days after being diagnosed with viral pneumonia. And he has admitted he
THE Blackburn and District CTC racing squad chalked up two more team wins in events held in some terrible weather conditions. Saturday was particularly bad with gales and hail driving across the exposed parts of the course used for the Pendle Forest promotion
I CAN'T believe Blackburn Council has banned backstroke from its baths. Is this another fear of compo claims? For years kids have been battered on the head by the flailing arms of backcrawlers. It happened regularly when I was a youngster at our much-missed
ONE in three calls to the new 118 phone directory services are given the wrong number a survey has revealed. I can believe that, it's happened to me. The revelation comes only days before BT increases its 118 500 charge up from 25p to 40p. Phone regulators
IT'S time for British Gas to apologise again! Last year an Argyle Street, Atherton, pensioner wrote to me because he was sick of being pestered by canvassers and as a result the company sent him a letter apologising and assuring him that he would not
ELEVEN years-old Hayley Langford will make history as the first girl finalist in the Leigh District Youth League when she turns out for Mosley Common. Hayley, who captains her school side, has been accepted by the boys and team coach Alan Todd has high
