IF a measure can be put on any miscarriage of justice, then the enormity of that suffered by Peter Fell is surely shown by it taking three Appeal Court judges just 10 minutes to quash his conviction for the double murder for which he had wrongly spent
WEIRD and wonderful musical 'Little Shop of Horrors' opens at the renovated Royal Court Theatre, Bacup, tonight. The off-beat show stars an animated nine-foot high plant -- with a voice provided by award-winning actor Simon Westwell -- who has newly arrived
ACCRINGTON Male Voice Choir will sing at Rishton Methodist Church, Blackburn, on Saturday at 7.30pm. They will perform a mixed programme including songs from The Magic Flute, modern pieces and hymns. Tickets are available on the door. Todmorden Hippodrome
REGARDING your report (LET, March 1), is it true we are about to get a new postal service in Blackburn? 'delivered by wind.' The answer, my friend, could be blowing in it. M WARWICK, Walsh Street, Blackburn.
AN MP today called for police officers to be brought to justice if they are found to be at fault for Peter Fell's double murder conviction -- eight years after he started campaigning for his release. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope demanded a top-level independent
A STAGGERING £737,000 is on its way to Bury, bringing a massive boost for environmental projects and regeneration schemes across the borough. The huge grant funding is to come via the North West Development Agency and means projects, designed to improve
HEALTH Minister John Hutton "walked into" town to officially open a state-of-the art health centre. He described the Bury NHS Walk-In Centre as a "perfect example of the modernisation of the national health service". During his hour-long visit, the health
Down by the Riverside with Phil Lloyd ANYONE remember Ken Furphy? Our manager in the dark days of the early 70s, Furphy presided over Division Three football, yet provided some glorious memories too with the goalscoring of Tony Field and the goalkeeping
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted Rovers can cope with any potential fixture pile-up as his squad prepare for tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Bolton at Ewood. With both sides currently locked in a battle for promotion at the top of the First Division
I could have been going back as boss COLIN Hendry will make an emotional return to Ewood tomorrow as Bolton and Rovers prepare to square up again in the fifth round of the FA Cup. But, had the fates conspired differently, the man affectionately known
DJ ROBERT Hughes was 'rocked' when he was attacked in an alleyway on his way home from a gig. Robert was carrying two cases loaded with gear when he was jumped upon from behind in a back street near to his home in Parkinson Street, Burnley. Compact discs
DISABLED shoppers and Burnley MP Peter Pike have demanded changes to a town centre traffic scheme which they claim could spell the end of a vital service. More than 100 users and volunteers have signed a protest petition in just four days after it was
THE people of Pendle will struggle to keep up with their council tax bills after a 4.2 per cent increase, Conservative councillor Linda Crossley has warned. The council tax rise will mean the majority of people living in Pendle will receive bills of £690
PETER Fell's brother Paul Davies welcomed the news that the conviction had been quashed -- and vowed to set up a family reunion to celebrate. Paul, 36, of Edgeside, Great Harwood, has been in regular contact with Peter. He said: "It is absolutely superb
Peter Fell was born in 1961, the eldest of Alan and Maureen's three children. The stormy marriage ended in divorce in 1965 and Peter and his brother Paul were put into care. Peter and Paul -- who now has the surname Davies -- stayed with foster parents
WITHIN minutes of winning his appeal hearing, Peter Fell was sitting at the centre of a jubilant party in a swish London wine bar. The champagne was flowing freely as his solicitor, barrister and supporters toasted a victory which has been their goal
AN MP today called for police officers to be brought to justice if they are found to be at fault for Peter Fell's double murder conviction -- eight years after he started campaigning for his release. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope demanded a top-level independent
SOCCER: Rossendale Clarets are running coaches to Burnley's derby clash at Blackburn on April 1. For details and bookings ring Steve on 01706 224924. Derby coach
BURNLEY striker Ian Moore wants Stockport to beat the drop but will have no qualms about firing them to defeat tonight. Moore returns to Edgeley Park for the first time since his £1 million move to the Clarets last November to go head-to-head with friend
CLARETS midfielder Micky Mellon has rejoined Tranmere Rovers as Burnley boss Stan Ternent steps up his re-building plans for next season. Ternent allowed Mellon to move to Prenton Park on a free transfer now rather than in the summer when he would become
A PUBLICAN aims to turn his customers into real high flyers with helicopter trips. Russell Camm is promising big changes to a rural pub and says he plans to turn it into a real high flier. Russell is the new landlord of the Shepherd's Rest in Rishton.
DRINKERS can now enjoy the latest night spot and eaterie which has just opened. The Lounge cafe, in Duke Street, has officially opened after three months of building works to transform it from a former office property. The cafe-style bar can seat up to
BICKERSHAW CC, who play in the Manchester Association, need new players at all levels. They are looking for junior members, boys and girls, to compete in the Under 11s, Under 13s and Under 15s teams as well as open age players for the first and second
ATHERTON LR drew 2-2 at Warrington in a Division Two clash but it was a performance that perplexed manager Alan Lord. He said: "I can't explain it. In midweek games we are looking capable of beating anyone and then it comes to Saturday and we are well
EAST Lancashire companies have been invited keep up to date with the potential of e-commerce with master classes at the Manchester Business School in April and June. The classes will help firms to develop an e-business strategy to ensure they make the
LEIGH Healthy Heart Club Cardiac Support Group meet in Leigh's Bond Street Catholic Club on Wednesday, March 14 (7.30pm). Guest speaker is complementary health therapist Craig Alker.
THE March meeting of Atherton Heritage Society will hear about the "Romans in Lancashire" on March 13. The deputy director of Lancashire University's archaeology unit, Rachel Newman, will tell of the legions walking through Atherton to Wigan and other
PAIN relief is on hand for patients from Leigh recovering from surgery at local hospitals. A group of dedicated nurses has been set up whose job it is to seek and eliminate pain by dealing with patients on an individual basis after their operations. With
DERIAN House children's hospice has organised a fund raising craft and gift fayre double. The Chorley haven has planned two events in the Monaco Ballroom, Hindley, on Sunday, 10 am to 4pm, and the Derby Room, Leigh Library, on Saturday, March 17, between
LEIGH'S PDSA charity shop will be unveiling its latest gifts of spring fashions throughout this month. The Bradshawgate premises raises funds to help the veterinary charity which carried out 1.3 million free treatments on sick and injured pets last year
A FIRE engine answering an emergency call was involved in an accident with a car and a double decker bus near to the centre of Crawshawbooth village. The accident resulted in widespread traffic chaos as the road was closed for more than two hours. The
VOLUNTEERS are being urged to become helpers for those who sometimes struggle with the difficulties of modern life. Leigh-based charity Add A Voice is desperately looking for new volunteers to train as advocates due to a boom in demand for their services
PAULINE Bolton never forgot the kindness of Macmillan Nurses when her husband Keith was taken ill. More than a year after his tragic death on Millennium Eve she organised a fund raising concert to say thank you to the cancer nurses. Pauline, of Beefold
CHURCH-goers packed into a Leigh church to celebrate the power of prayer --along with people across the world. People from 20 Leigh churches gathered in St Mary's Parish Church in Leigh for the World Day of Prayer which is celebrated every year in all
FRIDAY, March 9: Leigh Town Hall (7-8) K Cunliffe; Tyldesley Town Hall (6.30-8) B Wilson; Atherton Town Hall (6.30-8) Mrs E Smith; St John's School, Mosley Common (6.15-6.45) A Stephenson; St Stephen's School, Astley (7.15-8) A Stephenson, J Lea; Council
OLD pub photographs are needed to boost the high-tech website of a new look local. The completely revamped Spinners Arms in the heart of Hindley Green has undergone a transformation at the hands of Richard and Wendy Tomlinson. Now the Tomlinsons would
DRINKERS can now enjoy the latest night spot and eaterie which has just opened Blackburn town centre. The Lounge cafe, in Duke Street, has officially opened after three months of building works to transform it from a former office property. The cafe-style
THE British Horse Society has spoken out to dispel rumours that horses kept on foot and mouth infected farms will have to be slaughtered. But the organisation also urged horse owners to heed warnings to help prevent the deadly virus from spreading. The
EAST Lancashire's new superhospital is to be even bigger than planned with extra beds and another operating theatre, health chiefs revealed today. And the huge Blackburn hospital will include the latest in X-ray technology -- a film-less radiology system
ANGRY allotment holders are digging in for victory, in a bid to stop councillors imposing an 85 per cent rent rise. More than 500 plot holders at nine sites across Blackburn will see their rents rise from £27 to £50 a year from April 2002. Concessionary
CLITHEROE were handed arguably the toughest draw in the semi-finals of the FA Vase when they were paired with Taunton Town. The Blues will play the first leg away in Somerset on March 17 with the second leg at Shawbridge on Sunday, March 25 to avoid clashing
TABLE-topping Nelson could lose top striker Kiko Rodriguez after UniBond side Ossett Town put seven days notice on him. Rodriguez has scored seven goals this season since his move from the West Lancs League in October and has helped the NWCL Division
Drop-In session, The Information Shop for Young People, 7 Feilden Street, Blackburn, 1pm-4pm. Vienna Festival Ballet present "La Sylphide," King George's Hall, Blackburn, 7.30pm. 'The Knot,' Charter Theatre, Preston, 7.30pm. Blood Transfusion Unit, The
IT was a performance Ken Bridge would have been proud of. Just 24 hours after the funeral of the highly popular and most successful manager in Ramsbottom United's history, his team was back in action in a NWCL Division One away game at Leek CSOB. It was
RADCLIFFE Boro's climb up the Unibond Division One table continued with a 2-1 away win at Winsford United. Three wins on the spin has seen Boro jump out of the bottom two drop places to 16th in the table, with games in hand on every other club. Despite
A SET of three playlets -- all with the same star -- are being performed at the Little Theatre, Colne, this week as part of Colne Dramatic Society's 75th anniversary season. Andrew Greenwood plays all three leading roles -- husband, playboy and father
WE can add free Stephen Downing to the too long list of capital punishment 'victims' had the pro-hanging lobby had their way. I just wonder how many of them would argue their case face-to-face with Stephen? D PRATT (Mr), Plantation Street, Accrington.
JACK Straw may enjoy receiving a thank-you for Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital, but cannot take any credit for it. The hospital was planned, financed and built under a Conservative government. JOHN COTTON (Local Conservative spokesman Blackburn), Dukes
THE sixth annual Thames Bridges Bike Ride, which raises vital funds for the Stroke Association, will be held on Sunday, May 13. Last year, more than 1,600 cyclists raised over £90,000. This year, we hope to top 2,000 riders taking part. It starts at Tower
BUDGETARY decisions are currently being made by councils, which could impact on the lives of pensioners. Many older people depend on local services and, indeed, for the more vulnerable this can mean life and death. So, has the social services budget been
IF there is a shortage crisis in the priesthood in the Catholic or Anglican church, it is of their own making. I do not know the circumstances of RC priests very well, but C of E vicars, as we have read, are poverty-stricken. One example I know of is
MOLLY Barnes (Letters, February 6) suggests that Whalley Abbey might provide parking for the village in gratitude for all the village does for it. Whalley Abbey is owned and operated by the Diocese of Blackburn as a conference centre and retreat house
ONE ward at Leigh Infirmary is still closed to new admissions following an outbreak of a stomach bug. Health bosses have reopened the three other wards affected by the highly contagious CDT virus which struck at the end of last week. And the bed crisis
DISABLED shoppers and Burnley MP Peter Pike have demanded changes to a town centre traffic scheme which they claim could spell the end of a vital service. More than 100 users and volunteers have signed a protest petition in just four days after it was
PET owners struggling to cover the cost of getting animals neutered are being urged to take advantage of the free service offered by a Bury animal lover. Pamela Pearson, who runs the charity Prevent Unwanted Pets, is offering to help cut the growing numbers
MONEY-SPINNER: Hospice appeals manager Mark Sandamas receives a cheque for £12,000 from Padiham and Hapton fund-raisers MEMBERS of a fund-raising group for Pendleside Hospice, Reedley, have benefited for keeping their eyes on the building society market
TOP jobs at Ribble Valley Borough Council were on the line after councillors ordered a full review of the management structure. Savings were needed during what was described by the council leader, Chris Holtom, as the 'most difficult budget the council
A 21-YEAR-OLD cashier at the Bradford and Bingley Building Society, in King William Street, Blackburn, was held at gun-point and told to hand over cash. The woman put a substantial amount of money in the plastic bag held by the raider and an alarm was
PETER Fell's delighted solicitor today claimed his client had suffered one of the worst injustices he had ever encountered. And he added that the case proved that the law can get it wrong. James Nichol is a Finsbury Park-based lawyer who has played a
YOUNG Raechel Beardwood will see her idea become a reality to benefit generations to come after winning a contest to create a community garden. Raechel, 11, a pupil at St Christopher's High School, Accrington, dreamt up a circular area with three paths
A PUBLICAN aims to turn his customers into real high flyers with helicopter trips. Russell Camm is promising big changes to a rural pub and says he plans to turn it into a real high flier. Russell is the new landlord of the Shepherd's Rest in Rishton.
ASTLEY Youth Band blew the audience away with their second charity performance of the year. The youngsters, playing at Lowton Civic Hall, helped Leigh Soroptimists raise more than £400 for Make A Wish, a charity which makes dreams come true for terminally
A HAIRDRESSER is on the verge of international stardom thanks to his music . . . but it has nothing to do with any barbershop quartet. Robert Grice and musical partner window cleaner Stuart Connor are waiting for their rave track to be snatched up by
A COMMUNITY in Atherton is spearheading a new action plan initiative set to be adopted across Leigh and Wigan. Community leaders have spent 18 months gathering the views of residents on the Hag Fold estate in a unique bid to reach out to people. They
CLARETS boss Stan Ternent will limit the changes for tonight's trip to Stockport as he gives his players the chance to make amends for their Fratton Park flop. Ternent admitted his side was below par in losing 2-0 to Portsmouth and is looking for an instant
BIG MONEY MAN Jarkko Wiss: Following Ian Moore's departure to Burnley for £800,000 last November, County's most expensive current player is Finnish international Jarkko Wiss at £350,000. Andy Kilner also recently paid Ayr United £150,000 for former Emley
Cummings and Goings with Stephen Cummings THERE'S a lot to be said for having a manager who speaks his mind. And since he has been here Stan has given us more than our fair share of memorable soundbites. Who, for example, will ever forget his impassioned
BLACKBURN Rovers defender Simon Grayson has a double incentive to help his temporary club to victory over Burnley tonight. Grayson is currently on loan from Rovers to Stockport County who are fighting for their lives near the bottom of Division One. The
A LEADING bar chain has decided to make communication by mobile phone even easier by issuing customers with a new text message dictionary. Yates's decided to ease customers' finger strain after recent figures showed that more than three quarters of a
DRINKERS can now enjoy the latest night spot and eaterie which has just opened. The Lounge cafe, in Duke Street, has officially opened after three months of building works to transform it from a former office property. The cafe-style bar can seat up to
£1000 - C.Maguire, Leigh (6218); £250 - B.A.Davies, Leigh (1494); £150 - B.Bradshaw, Lowton, (2574); £100 - J.Walton, Leigh (4079).
THE fine weather brought out the winter bowlers at Pennington on Sunday. A field of 28, the season's best, enjoyed the sunshine, but none more than organisor Colin Grimshaw who picked up the spoils with a 21-16 final win over Tamar's Neil Crooke. Results
BURY'S Interchange could become a "no-go zone" for children unless security is stepped up, claims a worried mother. Her 13-year-old son was among the victims in a series of daylight robberies which took place in front of scores of witnesses at the bus
BURNLEY striker Ian Moore wants Stockport to beat the drop but will have no qualms about firing them to defeat tonight. Moore returns to Edgeley Park for the first time since his £1 million move to the Clarets last November to go head-to-head with friend
BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted Rovers can cope with any potential fixture pile-up as his squad prepare for tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Bolton at Ewood. With both sides currently locked in a battle for promotion at the top of the First Division
A CRUCIAL course aimed at giving bosses vital advice on fire safety will be held in Blackburn this month. Groundwork Business Environment Association (BEA) is staging the two-day fire safety risk assessment workshop course on March 14 and 21 at Groundwork
I'M CONVINCED there's a conspiracy at work. First, a piece of paper landed on my desk extolling the virtues of good old-fashioned baking. It rambled on about career women having discovered the joys of the kitchen and how more and more of these work-obsessed
BURY have received the perfect boost ahead of tonight's clash with league leaders Millwall - Liverpool striker Jon Newby is set to sign for another month. Newby was originally at Gigg for a one-month loan but he has loved his spell at the club and Liverpool
THE final Monday night fellowship meeting of the current session starts at 7.30pm on March 12 in Atherton Baptist Church. John Bowdler, from Blackpool Tower, will play a concert. Admission £2.50, £1 for children, which includes refreshments.
ACTORS were not the only ones "in costume" during a panto performance in Golborne. Youngsters from the scouts, guides, brownies, cubs, beavers and rainbows went in full uniforms to watch the production of family favourite Tommy Tucker. The pantomime by
A GROUP of 20 Astley pupils got packing to raise £460 to send disadvantaged youngsters on a pilgrimage to France. The students from St Mary's Catholic High School were in Sainsbury's in Leigh packing bags for customers and raised the money in just one
LEIGH area businesses have been made an offer they can't refuse. Wigan and Leigh College's Media Centre has arranged a make your own business video free consultation day on Saturday, March 17. From 10am to 1pm the Railway Road centre will be packed with
TWO elderly women have been discharged from hospital following a rescue from their smoke-filled bedrooms in a residential home. Ninety-year-old Nellie Counsell and 85-year-old Alice Dean were back at Woodlands House Residential Home in Over Hulton after
GAY men, lesbians and bisexuals can now access information and help about health services via the Internet. A new website has been set up bringing wider access to a range of facilities within the Leigh area. Paul Richards, senior health promotion officer
AN ARSONIST caused havoc at Hag Fold housing estate in Atherton. In the second of six similar incidents which happened between 1.20 am and 3 am a blazing wheelie bin was pushed against a public phone kiosk in Norfolk Road, destroying it. Other fires were
A MAN says he was disgusted when he found a foot and mouth warning poster among the rubbish thrown into his garden. The sign, newly erected by Wigan Metro in the light of the killer virus crisis, had been ripped down and thrown over the wall of Derrick
DRINKERS can now enjoy the latest night spot and eaterie which has just opened Blackburn town centre. The Lounge cafe, in Duke Street, has officially opened after three months of building works to transform it from a former office property. The cafe-style
A FORMER local and county councillor has become the first woman chairman of Blackburn Conservative Association. Ann Law-Riding, who represented Pleckgate and Brownhill in the 1980s and 1990s, will lead the association as it fights the forthcoming local
HOME Secretary Jack Straw today welcomed a court ruling which threw out a paedophile's attempt to get a sex order removed. Peter Lander Jones, 64, of Blackburn, had tried under the Human Rights Act to get the Sex Offender Order banning him from making
AN EAST Lancashire cheese factory will close within three months unless a ban on animal products is lifted by European countries, it was predicted today. Managers at the 67-year-old Singleton's Dairy in Longridge, say a ban slapped on the export of British
HUNDREDS of disappointed children have become the latest victims of the foot-and-mouth crisis after their annual school trips were cancelled. Lancashire County Council has closed its five outdoor activity centres, including Hothersall Lodge, near Ribchester
SOCCER: The draws for the semi-finals of the three UniBond League Cup competitions are due to take place next Friday live on GMR Radio's Friday Night Sport between 7pm and 10pm, on 95.1FM. Accrington Stanley are in the President's Cup and Chorley are
play-off talk SOCCER: Preston boss David Moyes has said it's 'too early' to talk about the play-offs. North End go into tonight's game at bottom of the table Tranmere with five wins from their last six outings. This has pushed them up to the fringes of
sets his sights CHRIS SCHOFIELD has returned from a successful England A tour of the Caribbean with his sights set on establishing himself as a genuine all-rounder for Lancashire this summer. Schofield and John Crawley flew back to Manchester at the weekend
LEIGH Centurions' game at York, postponed on Sunday because of a frozen pitch, has been re-arranged for Thursday night, kick off 7.30pm. Leigh, the NFP leaders with nine straight league wins, wanted the game to be played at York's Huntingdon Stadium tonight
A COUPLE in Radcliffe are hoping research published today will vindicate their seven-year fight to prove a link between electricity pylons and serious health problems. The Government's radiation watchdog, the National Radiological Protection Board, was
